FAQs

We’re offering a limited number of hard-copy surveys upon request at the Unley and Goodwood Libraries on Saturday, 27 July and Sunday, 28 July for those people who are unable to access the survey online. If you'd like one, please visit the library help desk.

Each survey has a unique code for validation. When you pick up your survey, please bring ID and let the staff know your name, email, and suburb.

Please make sure to return your completed survey by 5pm on Monday, 29 July 2024. You can either scan and email it to pobox1@unley.sa.gov.au or drop it off in person at the Unley Civic Centre or Unley Libraries.

The Council has initiated an investigation to determine IF a perimeter fence with public access openings around Unley Oval is appropriate. The investigation will be built up over a series of 4 steps involving the community. 

At the conclusion of each step, a report will be presented to the Council for a decision before advancing to the next step. If at any time the Council wishes to stop the investigation, the report process provides the formal means to stop the works from progressing any further.

Council has not considered or made any decisions other than stating that if there was a fence, the existing access arrangements would remain as is. That is, the community would have access to the oval apart from ticketed events.

At the Council meeting held on 22 April 2024, Council directed the Administration to develop a concept design (with costs) for a permanent perimeter fence with appropriate public access for Unley Oval for Council’s consideration (Resolution No. C0001/24).

At the following Council meeting held on 24 June 2024, Council endorsed a staged investigation of a perimeter fence, involving the community in a co-design approach, including:

• measuring the level of support within the City of Unley community for a permanent perimeter fence at Unley Oval 
• identifying community concerns regarding a fence 
• identifying benefits to the broader community of a fence. 

It was also confirmed that a possible southern entry from Edmund Ave into the Oval precinct would not be investigated in this consultation process (Resolution No. C1287/24).

For Unley Oval, a co-design process is a way to bring many people together with different views, experiences and expectations to find common ground and help shape a more informed process led by the community.  For Unley Oval, it is of equal importance that we understand the views of those with concerns, as well as those in support to inform the design investigations.

The Co-design approach supports a 2 step engagement with the community:

• Step 1 - understanding the views of those with concerns, as well as those in support to inform the design brief.  
• Step 2 - testing concept designs to meet  expectations or to address the concerns of the community set out in the design brief

Feedback from each step with inform the next stage of design investigation.

The community is strongly encouraged to put all your ideas or concerns into the survey we have prepared for the investigation. The information we receive will be consolidated into key community directions and shared with Elected Members to inform their decision-making.

If you wish to speak with Council staff, we will be hosting a number of drop-in sessions at Unley Oval  on:

• Wednesday 24 July, 10am – 12noon
• Thursday 25 July, 4.30 – 6.30pm
• Sunday 28 July, 10am – 12noon

The Council has initiated an investigation into a permanent perimeter fence, with public access openings around Unley Oval. Much of the southern half of the oval is already enclosed, and it is expected that the extent of the investigation would consider fencing from the existing grandstand building on Trimmer Terrace, along Frederick Street, and connect with the lawn tennis facilities on Langham Terrace. The concept would consider the existing cricket nets, arbor structure, playgrounds and mounding, as well as the location of existing trees and park amenities (shelter, bbqs, seating).

Until the investigation is complete, the Council can not determine if a fence will proceed, what it may look like and how much it may cost? If the investigation proceeds to a final concept, an estimate of costs will be included with the final report to Council for their consideration.

If a final concept design for a perimeter fence is supported by Council,  funding opportunities with Federal and State Governments, Peak Sporting Bodies (ACA, AFL) and key stakeholders, including Sturt Football Club can be approached for contribution. 

A business case would only be prepared if a preferred concept design is arrived at by the Council. If the investigation reaches this point, the business case would reflect the requirements of the preferred concept and provide additional information to help inform the Council's decision-making.

The business case would consider the opportunities a perimeter fence may provide for the use of Unley Oval, and the value to the City of Unley. It would also consider financial and risk management requirements, and highlight opportunities for third-party funding.

In 2022, Council reviewed the usage of both the Unley Oval and Goodwood Oval facilities by the lessees (i.e. sporting clubs) which are currently accommodated at these sites. The review considered numerous factors and this included overall usage, Council costs to maintain and upkeep the Ovals’ surfaces, licence and lease fees charged and recovery of costs incurred by Council to enable all clubs to utilise the two sites. 

At its meeting held on 22 August 2022, Council considered a report regarding the findings of the review and resolved the following:

The Sturt Football Club be granted a lease for use of the building facilities and a licence for use of the ground, commencing in 2023 for a period of five (5) years, from 1 April to 30 September annually. 

The Chief Executive Officer be delegated authority to negotiate terms and conditions with the Sturt District Cricket Club for use of the building facilities and a licence at Unley Oval including annual lease and licence fees to be charged commencing in 2023 for a period of five (5) years, subject to the alignment of dates with the Adelaide Football Club AFLW Team schedule. 

Under the provisions of the current lease, the SFC is authorised to use the Oval for a maximum of 500 hours in any given year for all of its activities but not including SANFL senior home match days.

Currently, the SFC uses approximately 425 hours from its permitted 500 hours for all of its activities excluding SANFL senior’ home match days. The Club’s usage of the Oval associated with its SANFL seniors home match days is the subject of a separate licence which is issued to the SFC which involves approximately 10 days in any given year.

The SFC has not provided any indication at this time to the Administration that it wishes to vary the current usage hours/arrangements. The SFC can increase its hours up to the approved 500 hours without the approval of Council. If a request was received from the SFC to increase its currently approved 500 hours or home match day provisions, the Administration would seek a formal decision of Council regarding such a request as it would sit outside of the provisions of the current arrangements entered into between Council and the Club.  

The cost to install and remove the temporary fencing used by the Sturt Football Club (SFC) on SANFL senior home match days is approximately $30,000 in any given season.

All costs associated with the temporary fencing used by the Sturt Football Club (SFC) on SANFL senior home match days is initially paid for by Council. All costs are then recovered by Council from the SFC through the fees it charges the Club for its usage of the facility, as provided for in the current agreements entered into between Council and the Club.

As well as Sturt Football Club and the AFLW, the Sturt Cricket Club has seasonal use of Unley Oval. Throughout the year, the Oval hosts a number of other organised sporting activities, including local school ‘come and try’ development programs (football and cricket), SANFL Walking Footy as well as one-off cricket matches. The Oval also provides the opportunity for a range of other community groups to host larger events, including past use by Unley Kindergarten, Unley Primary School, St Spyridon College and Concordia College, as well as Alliance Francaise Adelaide.