Victor Harbor Council announces proposal to rezone land for controversial sports centre plan

A plan to build a controversial $41m sports centre has taken a huge step forward, with the local council seeking to change planning rules to allow it.

A controversial $41m sports centre development in the heart of Victor Harbor has made another step forward, as the threat of class-action lawsuit against the local council – spearheaded by an ex-councillor – still hangs overhead.

A proposal by Victor Harbor Council to rezone 14 hectares of land along Armstrong Rd, George Main Rd, Ewen Tce and the Inman River to enable the development of key community facilities has now opened to community consultation.

The land requires planning changes to allow the proposed development.

One of those facilities, ‘The Precinct’, would comprise of four multipurpose indoor courts, gymnastics area, meeting rooms, retail, cafe and a childcare centre.

Mayor Moira Jenkins said the purpose of the development was to cater for an expected 25,000-person increase in Victor Harbor’s population “in the next few years”.

“We’ve got to build infrastructure that’s needed – and so part of this precinct is actually getting ahead of the game,” Ms Jenkins said.

“We looked into all the different options when we were first considering this, and we’ve engaged with the community around the precinct as part of the budgeting process. All the feedback from the community – council is very much taking it on board and exploring all the options.

“There are a very small number of people in the community – I could probably count them on my left hand – that are not being helpful in the way they are portraying council.”

The Precinct would include food and beverage services, at least 160 car park spaces, tiered seating for about 200 spectators, meeting areas, studio spaces and changerooms.

The proposed land where The Precinct would be built. Picture: Victor Harbor council

Victor Harbor council are seeking community consultation to rezone 14 hectares of land. Picture: Victor Harbor council.

Council said its sole expenditure for The Precinct was an initial $11.4m towards construction, with the developers providing the rest and then assuming responsibility for ongoing maintenance.

The project is a response to the spiralling population growth in the area and will “aim to take a significant step to addressing this gap”, council said.

The development would “implement key targets” of the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide by providing community, sport and recreation facilities in key areas that promote health, wellbeing and inclusion.

Former Victor Harbor councillor Terry Andrews said the threat of the class-action was “still there in the background”, and expressed his concern over the lack of money being spent on other sporting clubs in the area.

“A full inquiry should be undertaken over this issue, because they – the council – really need to look at the cost factors, rather than making this their flagship project,” Mr Andrews said.

“It will take money away from the other sporting groups, especially the Encounter Bay Football Club. If this development goes ahead, there’s going to be an impact on them.

“We’re still saying, and we will continue to say, this is a bad deal whether it gets passed or not. Council need to listen to the public and see the real depth of vision.”

Ms Jenkins said council had been working “proactively” with the Encounter Bay Football Club and the Victor Harbor Football Club to upgrade their facilities.

Community consultation on the proposal to rezone the land is open until December 6.