Permanent perimeter fence to be erected around Unley Oval after months of heated debate
A decision on plans to erect a permanent perimeter fence around Unley Oval has finally been made – but not all parties are happy.
A permanent perimeter fence will be erected around Unley Oval after months of heated debate and lobbying among community members – both for and against the project.
The City of Unley met last night to decide the fate of the fence plans and Mayor Michael Hewitson said nine councillors decided to proceed with plans to install a fence around the oval.
Three councillors opposed a fence.
Plans for a fence have divided the community, with some residents fearful it would restrict access of the public park, while the SANFL ladder-leading Sturt Football Club – who call the oval home – argued it would save vital funds and improve safety.
The total cost of the fence is $550,000, with Sturt contributing $360,000 to get the project done.
Mr Hewitson said despite a passionate debate, the decision in favour of the fence was “democratically chosen”, and one that he hoped would “bring the community together”.
“Democracy depends on being able to understand that other people will have different ideas, and we have passionate people on both sides,” he said.
“You’ve got to listen to what everyone is thinking.
“And now we’ve made the democratic decision, let’s get it built and ready by next season.”
He said the fence chosen was the community’s preferred selection of the options presented during public consultation.
“Along Frederick St, the fence will be more upmarket with red brick pillars and panels in between, and a less upmarket, normal fence around the rest,” he said.
He said council had also accepted a donation from Sturt of an entry arch – similar to the existing one between the two grandstands.
Mr Hewitson stressed the fence would not restrict community access with two big “permanently ungated entry arcs” with other entry points all around the oval.
Sturt Football Club chief executive Sue Dewing told The Advertiser the fence was the “last piece of the puzzle” in future-proofing the club at Unley Oval.
The club will contribute $360,000 to the new fence, which Ms Dewing said was a small sum in comparison to more than $1m that’s been spent on temporary fencing since 1998.
“Spending that money is unsustainable and absurd when it could go back into our football programs and community initiatives,” Ms Dewing said.
“Hand on heart, I can say from Sturt’s perspective, the fence does benefit us, but we don’t want to prevent access to the oval, we share this with the community.
“It was the same as when the pickett fence went up in 2014. People had placards at council, and a few weeks later they stopped. Now people go and say ‘wow, Unley is a fantastic oval’.
“We are mindful of the community, and sensitive to that. We want to make sure that access does not change from what it is.”
However, Friends of Unley Oval group member Julie Mitchell lashed the decision.
“It was probably the worst option, it is one that has the least openness to it … council making that decision is a real slap in the face to what is clearly a strong opposition in the community,” she said.
“1,600 people choose to put their name on a petition, that’s the biggest petition that the Unley council has ever had since records were kept.”
She said the community feared once the fence was installed the council could limit access with a simple up-held motion.
“Council voted to commit this community’s rate payers to an unknown amount of money in a situation where – as explained by one councillor – we have a $4 million shortfall in budget … other projects are going to have to fly by the wayside to afford to do this.”
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