Media Release

24 August 2022

After an extensive community engagement process Naracoorte Lucindale Council has decided that there will be no change to the current land dedications and use at the North Parklands.

In a report by Chief Executive Officer Trevor Smart at the August Ordinary Meeting of Council, five separate recommendations were proposed for consideration by Council.

All five recommendations were endorsed, with an additional resolution supported to undertake a biological study of the area.

The first resolution in the report outlines that Council, in line with community feedback, will retain the current North Parklands land dedications (cemeteries, forestry, community use, and sporting club land leases) with no change.

To confirm this position, Council will provide comment to the State Government that the Council is not supportive of the unsolicited proposal to develop the North Parklands and that, recognising the strong community feedback, remains preferential to retaining the North Parklands as it exists currently.

Through the third resolution, Council has agreed to undertake further discussion with the State Government and gather information on the possible purchase of all or part of the North Parklands, in a move that would provide for Council (on behalf of its community) to have greater influence and control over future use of land within the North Parklands.

This information would be presented to Council for further consideration.

Developing a Masterplan for the North Parklands was agreed, with commitment to include a yet-to-be determined figure in the 2023/2024 Budget to undertake a Masterplan project, with this to be considered by a newly-elected Council. The Council also resolved that this would include further community engagement through the Masterplan process.

Council resolved to thank the community for its interaction and frankness through the engagement process and the extensive and thoughtful feedback that was provided.

A further resolution to undertake a biological study of the flora and fauna within the North Parklands was supported. This work will enable Council to gain a better understanding of the natural values of the North Parklands, assist in future decision making and support the development of a Masterplan.

Mayor Erika Vickery OAM and Chief Executive Officer Trevor Smart released a joint statement on behalf of Council.

“The North Parklands area is important to the community and the engagement process clarified that. On balance, considering all the information presented, including the community feedback, the current land availability for residential development, the complexities associated with any development in the North Parklands at present and the significant and long-term approach to housing development in the area, Council has agreed that no change be made to the current land usage of the North Parklands.”

“Further to this, Council will write to the State Government outlining that Council is not supportive of the unsolicited development proposal and seek further information on the possible purchase of all or part of the North Parklands. On behalf of the Naracoorte Lucindale Council, I would like to thank the community for its contribution to this engagement process.”

The full report and further information on the community engagement process and the North Parklands area can be found in Council’s Newsroom at https://www.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au/newsroom