Gawler Council planning to demolish, rebuild expanded public netball courts

A northern suburbs council plans to tear down its old netball courts and rebuild 10 new ones under a proposal to also increase the area’s safety.

Gawler’s netball courts would be demolish and rebuilt under a huge expansion proposed by the local council.

When completed, Essex Park would have an expanded 10 new netball courts designed to adhere to Netball Australia standards along with about 100 new car parks.

An areal view of the proposed designs that would see 10 netball courts built and 101 new parking spaces added. Picture: Supplied

An artist’s rendition of some of the space surrounding the new courts, including the new landscaping. Picture: Supplied

The redevelopment will see a multimillion-dollar investment by the council, which is collaborating with JPE Design Studio and Camco Construction on the project.

The pre-existing courts and surrounding structures will be demolished as part of the project, but as approval of the designs has not yet been granted and details of closures are currently unknown.

The new courts will be fenced with a 3.6m-tall chain-link fence and LED sport floodlights installed for players to have full visibility when playing and to improve the area’s safety.

Amenities such as benches, freestanding bike racks, bins and drinking fountains will be added, with the proposal detailing a focus on natural materials to compliment the surrounding landscape.

The current netball courts in Essex park that will be demolished if the new proposal goes ahead. Picture: Supplied

As a part of the development, a regulated and a significant sugar gum tree will be removed to make way for the design.

The original linear path around the space will be adjusted to suit the new layout and a new sealed road will be built for better connectivity with the remainder of the park.

The council have also outlined an improved stormwater management system be implemented to assist the existing site manage stormwaters.

Public consultation for the project has started and will close on December 11. You can have your say on Gawler Council’s website.