FAQs

If you have further questions about the project contact the project team by emailing ThePrecinct@victor.sa.gov.au or calling 8551 0500.

Significant planning has already been undertaken to explore options for a new sport and recreation facility to help meet the growing and diversifying needs of our community. This included the development of a preliminary concept design and Feasibility Study that focused on the ‘Gillespie’ Land (21 Armstrong Road, Victor Harbor).

The engagement and deliverables for the 2020 Feasibility Study focused solely on sports, and presented a concept for a $46 million precinct that was ultimately considered not to be financially sustainable. The concept was not endorsed and the Council paused the project to refine the desired project outcomes.

In reigniting this project, the Council will now build on what we have already heard, and will look at how the built facility would work within a broader precinct, serving as many community members as possible, not just those involved in sport.

Council has long recognised the need for improved sport and recreation facilities in Victor Harbor. Organised sport is integral to the social fabric of regional communities. In addition to this, recreation and social connection also plays an important role in supporting community health and wellbeing.

Our community is growing and diversifying. A growing desire for coastal lifestyle living has seen more and more families choose to settle in the region. The average population growth trend for the City of Victor Harbor is 3% per annum.

Sports participation in Victor Harbor is strong with a good number of participants in football, basketball and lawn bowls, as well as demand for hockey, soccer, cricket, tennis, netball, gymnastics, athletics and other various sports.

Further to this, Council’s Recreation and Open Space Strategy identifies a need to provide additional indoor sports facilities to support the growing participation in sport and recreation activities.

The Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct project aims to address sport and recreation facility needs while also providing something more for the broader community.

Council is currently seeking input from the community to help determine a location for The Precinct, as well as its potential uses and users.

There are a number of factors that have changed since the initial Feasibility Study was developed in 2020 including:

• Council has made a financial commitment within its Long Term Financial Plan to deliver a Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct. There is an allocation of $900,000 in 2022/23 to undertake detailed design, and subject to securing grant funding $7 million and $11 million have been allocated for construction in 2023/24 and 2024/25 respectively.
• Council has identified three (3) sites as potential locations for The Precinct.
• The project scope has been revised to align with the South Australian Government’s Strategy around sports and recreation infrastructure to assist with securing future grant funding.

In this current phase of community engagement, the Council is keen to hear everyone’s ideas for The Precinct – whether they be small-scale uses, major structures and facilities, or big dreams – though there are some parameters around what can be delivered.

The Council has adopted a set of guiding principles to inform the development of this project. These principles are outlined below:

• Community benefit – working to ensure The Precinct is utilised by the widest range of future users
• Budget impact – a concept that provides a precinct within a realistic budget that allows for long term affordability
• Partnership potential – an opportunity to determine if there is public / private interest
• Future proofing – a precinct designed to meet the immediate, growing and long term needs
• External funding alignment – meets external facility funding criteria
• Environmental sustainability – with a focus on energy and resource efficiency
• Timeframe – delivering the facility in a reasonable timeframe
• Facility location and access – centering around being welcoming and inclusive for all
• Economic return on investment – will the broader community benefit from flow on.

Three locations are currently being considered for the Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct.

1. Armstrong Road (Gillespie Land) – this site is Council-owned community land and is approximately 17 acres. It is located at 21 Armstrong Road, Encounter Bay between Victor Harbor Golf Club (to the east) and Canton Place (to the west).
   
    
2. Lot 202 – this site is Council-owned community land. It is irregular shaped and approximately 27 acres. The parcel of land with frontages to George Main Road, Ewen Terrace and Armstrong Road, Encounter Bay. It is located in between the Inman River, Victor Harbor Recreation Centre, TAFE SA, SA Police and the Encounter Centre.
   
    
3. Adelaide Road – this site is owned by Encounter Lutheran College and is 69 acres in size. It is a high profile site, located at the corner of Adelaide Road and Waterport Road at the entry to the Victor Harbor township.

Further information about each site is available in the project Information Pack.

Within its Long Term Financial Plan, Council has allocated $18.9 million over three years to deliver the project ($900,000 in 2022/23 for detailed design and $7 million and $11 million in 2023/24 and 2024/25 respectively for construction, subject to securing at least 50% grant funding).

Understanding the significant health and wellbeing benefits The Precinct will provide for the community, Encounter Lutheran College has indicated a willingness to explore a range of options that would provide the Council with the freedom to proceed with the project without compromising the financial impact on ratepayers or capacity for The Precinct to operate independently.

If the Adelaide Road site is selected as the preferred location for The Precinct, the Council will enter into formal negotiations with the land owner (Encounter Lutheran College) to set out terms of the partnership. 

There are a number of ways you can provide your feedback:

• Complete a survey – access the survey online or collect a hard copy from the Council Office (1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor)
• Write to us – send your thoughts to ThePrecinct@victor.sa.gov.au or by post Attention to: The Precinct Project, PO Box 11, Victor Harbor SA 5211
• Attend a listening post – find out more and talk to the project team:
  1. Thursday, 21 April 2022 from 11am to 2pm in Ocean Street (near the Post Office)
  2. Wednesday, 27 April 2022 from 10am to 4pm at Victor Central (near the escalators)

Have your say before 5pm on Thursday, 13 May 2022.

Following this round of consultation, a draft concept plan will be developed. This draft concept will be presented back to the community for further comment. It is expected this will occur during July/August 2022.