Victor Harbor Council says ‘misinformation’ being spread about The Precinct proposal as class action threatened

Victor Harbor councillors are facing a class-action lawsuit as their council fights “misinformation” it says is being spread about a $40m sports development.

A council in the state’s south says “significant misinformation” is being spread about a plan to revoke community land status to allow a developer to build a contentious $40m sports centre.

Victor Harbor Council is facing a class action bid and public opposition over a plan to build ‘The Precinct’, which includes four multipurpose indoor courts, gymnastics area, meeting rooms, retail, cafe and childcare centre on community land near the TAFE.

About 35,000 sqm of the 110,000 sqm site would lose community land status to allow the developer a 99-year lease, with two 25-year extensions under a proposal now out to community consultation.

The council said the developers require 99 years for a return on their investment.

But a former Victor Harbor councillor has launched a class-action bid against the councillors and Mayor Moira Jenkins for failing to do their “due diligence”.

Terry Andrews, 81, said he wasn’t against the Armstrong Rd project but council’s “willy nilly” approach had caused a community uproar, with nearly 30 people joining his class action bid.

“I don’t trust that council. You are supposed to be doing your due diligence and looking after the community, and you’re not,” Mr Andrews said.

The Precinct will see the delivery of a multipurpose built facility in Victor Harbor. Picture: City of Victor Harbor

“As a councillor, you should have to spend a reasonable amount of time before the monthly meeting researching the facts yourself.

“I believe that if you wish to do some research, you will find that three quarters of the town are against this proposal.”

Council surveys in 2022 and 2023 found 70 per cent and 67 per cent support, respectively.

Prominent Victor Harbor businessman Mark Taplin – brother of Glenelg property mogul Andrew Taplin – said he was concerned by the project’s uncertain future.

“The developer is actually going to be building a huge creation there, together with a very large refreshment area which will include – there’s nothing stopping them – pokies machines and bar facilities,” Mr Taplin said.

“We’re paying for it and there is just no upside, no positive stuff for us as the community.”

Mayor Moira Jenkins “categorically” ruled out gaming at the centre.

“There will be no pokies, or TAB, or pub-style gaming of any sort at that site,” Ms Jenkins said.

“The council have – in the negotiations – given some non-negotiables to the organisation we’re working with and that is one of them.

“The people who are suggesting that there’s going to be pokies and TAB there are just spreading misinformation around the community and making people very upset. That is not the case, it is not true.”

She declined to address the class-action bid other than to say council had “followed the correct procedures all the way along to get to this point”.

“We are still negotiating,” she said.

The Precinct will see the delivery of a multipurpose built facility in Victor Harbor. Picture: City of Victor Harbor

A map showing Victor Harbor Council's proposed Precinct plan, which includes four sports courts, a childcare centre and cafe.

Mr Taplin said the Mayor hadn’t made it clear gaming had been ruled out.

“Why isn’t all the information available on their website and all their public meetings and everything?” he said.

“There is nothing out there to stop the so-called misinformation happening because we’re not involved, and that’s why everyone’s getting upset … because we are not given the information.”

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

Council said its sole expenditure for The Precint 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, council said.

“The Precinct project aims to address a well-evidenced gap in indoor sport and recreation facilities, while also addressing the significant challenges faced by many with regard to accessing childcare,” it said.

Originally published as Victor Harbor Council says ‘misinformation’ being spread about The Precinct proposal as class action threatened