The Future of Hawthorndene Oval and Apex Park, Hawthorndene

Outcomes of community consultation to Council

‘The Future of Hawthorndene Oval and Apex Park, Hawthorndene’ - Consultation Outcomes

Thank you for your participation in the recent consultation undertaken by City of Mitcham in relation to ‘The Future of Hawthorndene Oval and Apex Park, Hawthorndene’.

Your feedback on the proposed amendments to the Community Land Management Plans for Hawthorndene Oval and Apex and a number of proposals for developments /change of use for Hawthorndene Oval by the Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club was presented to Elected Members for discussion on 27 April 2021 and decision on 11 May 2021.

Council received 738 responses to the Your Say Mitcham online survey and an additional 16 written submissions. In addition to the survey, a community working group was formed with a diverse group of community members selected by an independent facilitator, DemocracyCo who also facilitated the discussions and prepared a report on the outcomes of this group.

The Community Engagement On Apex Park And Hawthorndene Oval CLMP Reviews and Club Proposals For Hawthorndene Oval report is available in the 11 May 2021 Full Council Agenda (page 250) online at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au/council/council-meetings/minutes-and-agendas

On 11 May 2021 Council resolved in relation to proposals from Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Clubs for development and use of Hawthorndene Oval:

• Endorsed Administration to develop a plan/s for a shared-use flexible community/sporting facility that includes the following:
  • Two changerooms
  • Storage area
  • Umpires changeroom
  • Community accessible public toilets which include a minimum of two toilets and one DDA toilet (total of three)
  • Deck/verandah
  • Accessible access path to facility
  • That the design includes environmental initiatives and complements the surrounding natural environment
  • Facility is relocated from the current public toilet location and relocated to the south western side of Hawthorndene Oval
• No approval for a liquor licence for a facility at Hawthorndene Oval.
• Deferred a decision regarding a lease/licence being issued to the Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club for their use of the proposed building until a report is brought back to Council with an amended design.
• Endorsed a 10-year licence being granted to the Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club for their existing use of Hawthorndene Oval as per the following:

From 1 October – 31 March

• Saturday 12pm – 6pm
• Sunday 8.30am – 12.30pm
• Noting that the Club will seek approval for the occasional evenings for special activities e.g. introductory cricket, T20 games, and;

• No provision for installation of cricket nets in the CLMP for Hawthorndene Oval.

In relation to the proposed amendments to the CLMPs for Apex Park and Hawthorndene Oval. Council resolved that appropriate consultation with the Kaurna Yerta Association, the Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association and any other appropriate First Nations people needs to occur. And the following minor amendments were made to the Hawthorndene Oval CLMP:

• Updated objective “To maintain Hawthorndene Oval as a sporting and recreation oval within the suburb of Hawthorndene with a mix and range of formal and informal uses.”
• Amended proposal “A facility be constructed on south western side of Hawthorndene Oval to meet relevant design and environmental standards”
• Acknowledged that due to Clubs desire to work with the community the Club are no longer pursuing the installation of Cricket nets at Hawthorndene Oval therefore they are specifically excluded from the CLMP.

The updated plans were presented to Council on 31 August where Council resolved for a new set of plans to be developed. The new set of plans for the proposed facility were presented at a Special Council meeting on 7 September 2021, where the following was resolved:

1. That Council notes that the plans at Attachment A have been developed in response to the Council Decision on 31 August 2021, Item 3.1.
2. That Council, having regard for community feedback received and noted on 11 May 2021, endorse $64,624 recurrent operating cost and a once off capital contribution of $466,000 for building works at Hawthorndene Oval as per Attachment A to be included at Budget Review 1.
3. That Council notes the State Government commitment of $406,000 and that Coromandel Valley Rambers Cricket Club are committing $25,000 to the project.
4. That Council note that its contribution to this project equates to an additional rate increase of 0.05% required next year.
5. That Council notes that the actual cost to complete this project and design proposal is $897,000, and that the original resolution to endorse $182,000 toward a $668,000 total project cost in 2019 is unable to be enacted.

Any change to this Council decision will require a report to be brought back to Council for their consideration.

Community Engagement Overview

The Future of Hawthorndene Oval and Apex Park, Hawthorndene

We invited the community to provide feedback on proposed amendments to the Community Land Management Plans for Hawthorndene Oval and Apex Park, Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Clubs Proposals for Hawthorndene Oval and the use of part of Hawthorndene Oval by the Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club.

Community Land Management Plans

Draft CLMPs have been prepared for Hawthorndene Oval and Apex Park to provide a specific set of management directions catering to these reserves, their purpose, unique environment and users.

Feedback was sought to ensure that the two (2) draft Community Land Management Plans prepared by Council reflect the core values of the community and deliver a clear vision for the important role community land plays in building a healthy, connected community.

Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club: Proposals and Intention of Council to Issue a Lease and Licence for 10 years

Council sought your views on the Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club’s four (4) proposals for Hawthorndene Oval which include:

• Proposed Changeroom facility
• Proposed Lease (Use of the Facility)
• Proposed Training Nets and Licence (Use of the Oval)
• Proposed Liquor Licence

City of Mitcham also took this opportunity to consult on a lease of 10 years for the proposed facility (if constructed, subject to Council endorsement and development approval) and a licence for 10 years for the use of the oval and potential cricket nets (installation being subject to further consultation and approval) to the Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club at Hawthorndene Oval.

We provided the community with the opportunity to provide feedback on how they utilise Hawthorndene Oval and Apex Park and what/if any impact the proposed amendments to the Community Land Management Plan, Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Clubs Proposals and the proposed lease and licence sought by the Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club will have on the surrounding community.

Community Working Group

The City of Mitcham is also inviting a randomly selected group of residents by invitation from the surrounding area to be involved in a Community Working Group. The group will consider the future use of Hawthorndene Oval and Apex Park and ensure that plans for the sites reflect the broad needs and aspirations of the local community.

The Working Group will be comprised of a broadly representative group of 30 residents and stakeholders who will be working together to find common ground. The outcomes of the survey will inform the Working Group as they consider any issues and opportunities raised in the survey feedback. This group is being independently recruited by democracyCo and will meet on four occasions in March.

For further information regarding the selection of members for the Working Group, please find detailed fact sheet outlining the process.