Councillor Don Palmer Providing Local Leadership & Working for You

Council will receive a report for their consideration on Monday night’s extra Council meeting and will be asked  to agree in principle with the direction of the development of concepts for the Unley Oval precinct.

Two workshops this week, one for elected members last Monday and for the Unley Oval Reference Group last night, were held to obtain feedback on what is now Mark III of the Plan. Mark III is the result of deciding between two original options (Marks I & II) that were presented us a short while back.

The observations by elected members and more importantly, the Reference Group members (made up of the clubs and residents (Only 1 of which attended this meeting) mean that Mark III is well away from what may finally evolve. The exchange of dialogue from all these people was positive however and I believe all can see good reason  for the process to continue.

In true Local Government form however that simply means looking at the concept and while recognising it is only a concept to refine the concept and take it out for another round of public consultation. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed I suggest before this happens.

For all those interested in the future of Unley Oval please be patient. We are far from ready to look at Detailed Design. It is not yet ready for this even though the ability for it to be flexible to accommodate varying scenarios is starting to show through.

Also as I have said earlier and had to repeat to a local resident only an hour after the Reference Group meeting this is not about providing solutions for the Sturt Footy Club’s challenges. It has been my contention for a while that it will be the Sturt Cricket Club’s wish to return to Unley Oval that will challenge us more in ensuring the general community does not lose out. And this was born out last night at the meeting.

Having said that I believe that with continued hard work and a willingness by all who are contributing to come up with a workable solution we are likely to find one that will provide a better facility for all going forward.

As always of course. Watch This Space!