Holdfast, Marion councils both seeking boundary change over Cement Hill site

It’s a massive residential and commercial development site that’s been years in the making. It’s covered by two councils – and neither want to share.

A boundary change Holdfast Bay Council is proposing. Picture: Supplied

The City of Holdfast Bay Council is proposing a boundary change for a development site at Seacliff Park, which it currently shares with the City of Marion council.

At this week’s council meeting, Holdfast Bay unanimously agreed to submit a proposal to the South Australian Boundaries Commission for a realignment of the boundary of the development site on Scholefield Rd, Seacliff Park.

The site is commonly known as Cement Hill and the realignment would mean the parcel of land is wholly located within the Holdfast Bay council boundary.

In November 2020, the Planning Minister approved a Development Plan Amendment (DPA) for the site, which is located along the southern side of Scholefield Rd from Ocean Boulevard.

The DPA allows for the site to be developed with a mix of commercial and residential development.

A report to Holdfast Bay council said that with the site crossing council boundaries it could create difficulties with the assessment of these future developments as well as future maintenance and renewal of the infrastructure.

“Council should support a realignment of the boundary so that the site falls within one council area,” the report states.

In August 2019, Holdfast Bay council passed a resolution for administration to investigate community support for the realignment of boundaries for the suburb of Marino.

“Through this investigation it has been identified that there are strong social, economic and environmental connectivity with the communities living along our southern boundary,” the council report states.

A boundary change Holdfast Bay Council is proposing at Cement Hill. Picture: Supplied

“Members of these communities heavily utilise community services of the City of Holdfast Bay.”

A proposal for an administrative boundary realignment needs to go before the South Australian Boundaries Commission, for which Holdfast Bay council will prepare a submission.

But Marion Council would also like to have total control of the site.

“The vast majority of the development site – more than 80 per cent – is in the Marion Council area,” Mayor Kris Hanna said.

“We wrote to the Boundaries Commission in June requesting the boundary be realigned so the site is completely in the Marion council area.

“Having the site in one council area will make the development process simpler.

“Marion Council has done the right thing by addressing the issue through official channels.

“We have worked long and hard to progress the ‘Cement Hill’ development.

“This is an opportunity to create a new community in an area that is predominantly part of the City of Marion.”