After 12 months of (sometimes) bitter community debate, we are no longer sitting on the Unley Oval Fence.

Unley Council has determined last week that a perimeter fence will be constructed around the remainder of the Unley Oval precinct. More than that, we have determined what fences will be used along each of the three streets that have remained primarily unfenced for the last 20-30 years.

It was not an easy decision with Councillors reflecting the diversity of community views. That said, we voted 9 to 3 that we will fence the perimeter. This reinforces the previous decision in favour of a fence back in September of last year.

The style of fence, however, proved a challenge, with the final solution only passing 7 votes to 5. This was to be expected, given that we were faced with some 14 potential combinations. We resolved to:

• Proceed with the following fence design options:
  • Langham Terrace – option 2 of 2 options (basic fence)
  • Frederick Street – option 1 of 4 options (red brick pillars and fence panels)
  • Trimmer Terrace – option 2 of 2 options (basic fence)
• Accept and formalise the Sturt Football Club’s offer to contribute at least $360,000 plus the donation of a permanent entry arch for Cambridge Terrace towards the project.
• Pursue additional external grant funding opportunities.
• Fund any shortfall beyond external grants.
• Retain operational control of the perimeter fence gates for all match day activities, and to ensure the gates remain open outside of event times.
• Consider the preparation of landscape concept designs and preliminary cost estimates for enhanced entries into the oval from Frederick / Langham, Frederick / Cambridge, and Frederick / Trimmer, in the 2026-27 budget planning process.

Frederick Street will be a feature and will invitingly present the precinct.

We opted for what I believe was the best option for the Frederick Street frontage. The option that was also favoured by most in our community survey.

This fence is a tubular fence between brick piers with concrete capping. It includes an ungated archway that presents the precinct. A gateway that will mirror the gate on the Trimmer Parade boundary, opposite Oxford Street.

Perhaps not, however, with Langham Terrace and Trimmer Parade.

I do believe we missed a golden opportunity, such was the diversity of views, both community and within Council, for these two streets. We opted for options that only provide for a plain tubular fence. It is not a poor solution per say. A cheaper solution.

It just missed an opportunity to increase the playground on the east side of the oval and create a plaza area outside the confines of the oval on the west. It was also the least preferred according to the community survey.

No longer will we be sitting on the Unley Oval fence.

The Decision can be found in the minutes of the 25 August meeting (item 4.1). Pictures of the various options can be found in the agenda for the meeting.

The Council will now proceed with the documentation of the approved detailed design, call tenders for the construction and seek further external funding.