Opponents of Power’s Alberton Oval redevelopment home in on peppercorn lease

Opponents to the Alberton Oval redevelopment say the Port Adelaide Football Club could get the deal of a lifetime under the plan out for consultation.

Alberton resident’s sign protesting the development at Alberton Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed

Alberton residents are questioning whether the plan put forward by the Port Adelaide Football Club for a peppercorn lease of council-owned land offers fair value.

As part of the plan for the proposed $20m overhaul of Alberton Oval the club has requested a lease term of 42 years at $1 a year from Port Adelaide Enfield Council.

The club’s proposed upgrade of its home ground includes a soccer pitch and two indoor basketball courts.

Resident Peter Sossic believes the figure is extremely low in comparison to the land’s value.

“If you valued it at $1000 a square metre, which is a very conservative figure, you’re looking at about $12m of value,” he said.

Mr Sossic said residents were also concerned about potential devaluation of their properties.

“We been quoted by real estate agents in the area that land values could drop anywhere from $50,000 to 20 per cent of market value,” he said.

Council’s community consultation sessions on the club’s proposal kicked off on Monday afternoon at the Port Adelaide Town Hall.

Port Adelaide Enfield Council property and community land co-ordinator Stuart Dowie said peppercorn leases – leases where the payments do not reflect the value of the property being leased – were not uncommon.

“This (proposal) will be providing an area for the activation of and participation in sport,” he said.

An image of Port Adelaide's proposed redevelopment of Alberton Oval.

“Council is also not taking on any additional responsibility for the assets.”

Mr Dowie stressed council had not taken any firm position on the project.

“Council really wants to hear feedback before it makes any decisions,” he said.

“The feedback will be presented in a council report, ahead of any decision making.”

Some of the concerns raised at Monday afternoon’s meeting included potential devaluing of nearby properties and whether other potential locations had been explored.

The Alberton Oval Residents Action Group’s recently released a “community preferred” masterplan for the site, stemming from a community workshop held in June, which included more green space, a Men’s Shed and public art.

Council consultation closes on August 27.

Further consultation sessions are being held at the Port Adelaide Town Hall on Saturday August 7 between 11.00am-12.00pm and also 1.30pm-2.30pm. Pre-registration is mandatory.