FAQs

Construction will commence on October 27 and is due for competition by late April 2026.

No, there are still several steps that would need to be taken before any building and construction can occur. Any development would still require approval by Elected Members at a Council meeting and go through the separate process of Development Approval before building works would be scheduled. The new building has received both Council and Development Approval. 

1. Consult with the community on a revised CLMP that envisages this development to occur at the reserve
2. Report to Council on community feedback, for Council to consider endorsing a CLMP which includes the facility proposal
3. If endorsed, Council to consider granting Landlord Approval through a Council decision for a development application to be lodged
4. If Landlord Approval is provided, a Development Application would then be submitted
5. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the development application will be assessed by the City of Mitcham’s Planning Department. Public notification may be required as part of the assessment process and if so, representations from the community can be submitted in relation to the proposed development prior to a decision being issued
6. Development Application is presented to Council’s Assessment Panel for consideration on granting planning consent
7. If planning consent is granted, the project can continue to detailed designs, building rules consent, tender and construction stages.

Yes. Two regulated and one non-regulated trees will need to be removed. These trees were assessed by City of Mitcham’s Arborist and found to be in poor-fair health with a short to reduced life expectancy. The location was also selected as it allows greater distance and therefore greater protection to several large significant trees. The removal of these trees has received Council Approval, Planning Consent and Native Vegetation Approval. 

This project is proudly funded by the Australian Government ($822,764) in partnership with City of Mitcham ($569,236), South Australian Government $406,000, Australian Cricket Infrastructure fund ($40,000), and Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club ($25,000+ fit out costs). 

Currently the Club only have access to a gazebo and public toilet facility at Hawthorndene Oval, with no other facilities on site. The Club currently do not have changeroom facilities at Hawthorndene Oval or Weymouth Oval. Appropriate changerooms are essential to ensure safe, inclusive, and dignified participation for all athletes, especially women and juniors. Without suitable facilities, many are deterred from joining or continuing in sport, with some forced to change in cars or public spaces. Inclusive changerooms support equity, privacy, and comfort, helping clubs retain and grow participation across all ages and gender.

A lease is a contractual agreement between the owner of an asset and someone (lessee) who wishes to use the asset and pay a fee for their use. A leased council building is not available for public use without permission of lessee and/ or Council at all times during the period of the lease.

1. Consult with the community on a 10-year lease over the proposed facility to be built at Hawthorndene Oval
2. Report to Council on community feedback in relation to the amended CLMP and Clubs proposals, for Council to consider endorsing a facility proposal to proceed to development approval
3. If endorsed, Council to consider granting Landlord Approval through a Council decision for a development application to be lodged
4. If Landlord Approval is provided, a Development Application would then be submitted
5. In accordance with the relevant legislation, the development application will be assessed by the City of Mitcham’s Planning Department. Public notification may be required as part of the assessment process and if so, representations from the community can be submitted in relation to the proposed development prior to a decision being issued
6. Development Application is presented to Council’s Assessment Panel for consideration on granting planning consent
7. If planning consent is granted, the project can continue to detailed designs, building rules consent, tender and construction stages. Note: Entering the construction stage is subject to available funding, and this may require additional approval from Council and/or additional funding sources.
8. In consideration of the community feedback a report will be presented to Council to consider providing Landlord approval for a 10-year lease to Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club over the Hawthorndene Oval Facility.
9. If Landlord approval is provided, Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club will be granted a 10-year lease in accordance with the Leasing/Licensing of Council Sporting Facilities Policy.

The facility will be licenced to Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club and Blackwood Football Club who will pay an annual fee to occupy the building within specific times with the fee to be determined in accordance with the Council’s Leasing/Licensing of Council Sporting Facilities Policy. It is also intended that the facility will be available for hire to small community groups such as pilates, yoga and small fitness groups during the day subject to Council approval and in accordance with Council’s Schedule of Fees and Charges. 

No. The proposed facility will not operate as a commercial café and will be restricted by its licence. The kitchenette will simply provide a space for the Club to continue preparing and serving and selling light snacks and afternoon tea that are activities they already do using a BBQ trailer or by bringing food from home.

No. The facility will not have a liquor licence and will not be hired out for parties or events such as engagements or 21st birthdays.

No. The kitchenette is not designed to commercial standards. The kitchenette is only designed to be able to sell soft drinks and snacks to players and spectators, with no deep fryer or grease trap proposed to be installed. This limits the Club’s ability to cook any hot meals or fried food. The facility does not have a liquor licence therefore no alcohol will be sold from the venue.

Yes. 

Currently Coromandel Valley Ramblers and Blackwood Football Club will licence the facility. There are no plans to move other sporting clubs to the Oval once the facility is built. The proposed facility does not meet AFL guidelines which state the need for larger changerooms, therefore only junior football is able to use the facility. The oval at Hawthorndene is too small for senior football and therefore no senior football clubs other than women’s matches would be able to relocate to Hawthorndene Oval.

The Club have used Hawthorndene Oval on weekends in summer for many years and this is where their A and B grade senior teams have always played. The Club do not have a change room facility at Weymouth Oval.

No cricket nets are being installed.

A licence allows someone (licensee) to do, use or utilise something for a specified time. Outside of that time it can be used by others. For example, a licensed council oval (or a portion of an oval) can only be used by the licensee at specified agreed times, outside of those times it is available to the community to use in total.

1. Consult with the community on the concept of cricket nets being installed at Hawthorndene Oval and their associated use by the Club
2. Report to Council on community feedback, for Council to consider whether to approve further investigation of cricket nets at the site 
3. If supported, Council to consult with the community on potential designs, location, and hours of use of proposed cricket nets
4. Report to Council on community feedback, for Council to consider endorsing a Development Application for the installation of cricket nets at an identified location
5. If Landlord Approval is provided, a Development Application would then be submitted
6. In accordance with relevant legislation a Development Application will be assessed by City of Mitcham’s Planning Department 
7. If planning consent is granted, the project can continue to detailed designs, building rules consent, tender and construction stages. Note: Entering the construction stage is subject to available funding, and this may require additional approval from Council and/or additional funding sources.
8. In consideration of the community feedback a report will be presented to Council to consider providing Landlord approval for a 10-year licence to Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club for their use of Hawthorndene Oval and the cricket nets
9. Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club will be granted a 10 year licence in accordance with the Leasing/Licensing of Council Sporting Facilities Policy.

A liquor licence gives an organisation permission to serve, sell or provide liquor at a particular location. A liquor licence is issued by Consumer Business Services. The facility will not have a liquor licence. 

Council issues licences for the use of sporting grounds and facilities for specific periods of time. This is unrelated to the service of alcohol and does not grant any permission in regards to alcohol consumption. 

No, the facility does not have a liquor licence and therefore no alcohol will be sold from the facility. Users of the facility however are still permitted to continue bringing alcohol to matches as they have been, bringing out an esky after matches is a common occurrence at sporting activities and is permitted at the site.

No. Although lights are referred to in the 2016 Sports Facilities Strategy this is not envisaged in the proposed amendments to the CLMP for Hawthorndene Oval.

No. The new facility will not impact on the community’s use of the oval.

There is currently an informal car park on the corner of Watahuna and Wattle Ave that the Club members and players currently utilise on game days and it is intended that this site will continue to be used.  This carpark will be impacted during construction with the attached site plan highlighting the impact.

Yes. While cricket matches occurs and during construction, there will still be areas of Hawthornden Oval that will be able to be used by the general community.  Dogs must always remain under effective control when organised sport (such as cricket or football) is being played. This is in accordance with Council regulations to ensure safety and minimise disruption. The only exception is for assistance dogs, which may be off lead if required to perform their duties.

The existing public toilets will remain in place until the new facility is built. At that time the toilets will be demolished as new public toilets will be provided within the new facility.

What information goes into a CLMP is governed by the act and councils must ensure that in accordance with Section 196(3) of the act a CLMP-

1. Identifies the land to which it applies; and
2. States the purpose for which the land is held by the council; and
3. States the council's objectives, policies (if any) and proposals for the management of the land; and
4. States performance targets and how the council proposes to measure its performance against its objectives and performance targets.

City of Mitcham’s (Mitcham) Community Land Management Plans (CLMP) were adopted in 2004. 

The CLMPs at Mitcham (like at most other councils) remained unchanged since they were first drafted. 

It is timely to review CLMPs to ensure they are meeting our community’s changing needs.

Based on the requirements of the act the council has divided each of its CLMPs into the following sections.

1. Land identification details
2. Purpose for which the land is held
3. Reason why management plan is required
4. Objectives for the management of the land 
5. Policies for management of the land
6. Proposals for the management of land
7. Performance targets
8. Performance measures
9. Leases and licences
10. Schedules

These sections are further explained below;

1. Land identification details

This section contains the basic details needed to identify the land.

This section includes; name, address, ct details and area. This is also where any details of an encumbrance, trust or dedication are detailed.

2. Purpose for which the land is held

Details why the land is retained by council as community land.

This details what the community use it for or what significance it has to the council. This could be for sport or in the case of a bush land reserve to protect the area’s biodiversity assets or a native species of flora or fauna.

3. Reason why a management plan is required

The reasons why a council requires a management plan are set out in the Act

S 196(1) a council must prepare and adopt a management plan or management plans for its

Community land if—

1. (b) the land is, or is to be, occupied under a lease or licence; or
2. (c) the land has been, or is to be, specifically modified or adapted for the benefit or enjoyment of the community.

One of or both (b) and (c) may apply for a piece of land, the wording contained within act may be paraphrased to reflect the land.  This section also lists all existing modifications and assets currently on the land.

4. Objectives for the management of the land 

A statement of the overall objective/s that council wants to achieve

Objectives should consider the uses and potential uses of the land as well as consider the landscape of the area. If there are any unique features or heritage consideration this should be addressed in the objectives. It is also important that none of the objectives contradict each other making it difficult to achieve both when making decisions. 

5. Policies for management of the land

A list of plans, strategies and policies that relate to the use of the land and its objectives and to land of the kind being a dealt with.

This section is a simple list of the above divided by specific and general policies. 

6. Proposals for the management of land

The current or future intent or plans for the land which may be an actual planned project or allow for something that is not at the site currently to be located there in the future.

7. Performance targets 

A more specific statement of the management goals the council is setting for 

Performance targets refer to the standard, which is proposed to be met, therefore it is important they are achievable and can be measured. They must be realistically attainable and relate back to the objectives. 

8. Performance measures

A statement of how council proposes to measure whether its meeting its performance targets and objectives.

This section does not set out how the targets will be achieved but looks at how the council will measure whether the targets and objectives have been achieved. This must also be realistic and achievable. 

9. Leases and licences

Broad details of what will be required by any current or future leases/licences 

This section outlines what the leases will be for in a broad sense, they are not necessarily specific to one organisation or club. For example, support community sport. 

10. Schedules

Table showing containing the performance targets and measures and showing their relationship to the objectives.

CLMPs are important in how councils manage their community land.