Council to create concept design for Unley Oval fence but maintains no decision has been made

The City of Unley will design a controversial perimeter fence for Unley Oval before deciding whether it will go ahead or not, despite most respondents to a survey saying its design will make little difference to their opinion.

The council has been investigating returning a perimeter fence to the shared community and sporting ground in Adelaide’s inner-south so it can be closed for ticketed events without the costs of temporary fencing.

City of Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson said it had been a “divisive” issue that had resulted in petitions circulating both for and against the proposal.

The ABC has also heard reports of public arguments and abuse in the community.

“The council is moving forward by using the community feedback gathered during stage one to inform concept designs for the fence,” Mr Hewitson said.

“These designs will reflect the insights and opinions shared by the community and address questions raised, including the fence location, spacing of openings, materials to be used and preliminary costs.”

Of 1,409 participants who responded to the council’s Your Say Unley survey, 848 voted in favour of the fence, 522 voted against it, and 37 said they needed more information.

Monday night’s council meeting agenda said that only 3 per cent of respondents were willing to consider a design before determining their level of support “and while progression of the design would assist in clarifying these questions, it is unlikely to fundamentally change the view of those opposed to a fence”.

It reiterated to council members that there was “no partnership with the Sturt Football Club” over the fence investigation “nor has any design work been undertaken regarding a potential fence”.

Oval resident, Sturt Football Club, currently uses it 10 times a year for its men’s home SANFL games, and envisions closing it another three to four times for the women’s league.

Respondents with design concerns

Respondents – whether they supported it or not — had a lot to say about the design of any fence.

Most requested that views of green space and the Adelaide Hills in the distance were not obstructed, and that the fence included multiple, wide openings around the perimeter.

Respondents also wanted free access to cricket nets, barbecues and the playground maintained, and any fence to be integrated with existing structures.

They also requested that a memorial for the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed two SFC members celebrating the team’s premiership, be left outside a perimeter fence.

“Once options have been developed, council will review the concept designs to determine whether to proceed further with the investigation,” Mr Hewitson said.

“If so, the next stage will involve an additional round of community consultation to obtain feedback and sentiment around the proposed design options.”

Most support from outside Unley area

Analysis found 57 per cent of survey respondents who were ratepayers within the City of Unley did not support a fence, while 92 per cent of regular visitors from outside the city were in its favour.

It also found that 61 per cent of those who visited Unley Oval more than once a week were against it, while 75 per cent of those who visited less than once a week supported it.

A breakdown of the two petitions received by the council independently of the survey found: 

Of 1,168 petitioners in favour of investigating a fence, 171 of 941 who provided a satisfactory name and address were residents of the City of Unley, or 18.17 per cent.

Of 1,200 petitioners against it, 605 of 739 who provided a satisfactory name and address were residents of the City of Unley, or 81.87 per cent.

Unley Oval has been the home ground for SFC since 1901.

A perimeter wall and internal fences, terraces and infrastructure at the ground were removed in the late 1980s when SFC started playing its senior men’s home games at Adelaide Oval, a shift that ended in 1998.

It has since spent more than $1 million erecting temporary cyclone fencing, and the ground has become a popular community recreation space.

The club has stated that while it supported a perimeter fence, it wanted the ground to remain an accessible public space to the same level it is today.

Mr Hewitson said no final decision about the fence had yet been made and community feedback would be “coupled with cost estimates and funding options” to inform the council on whether to proceed or not.

The meeting agenda said $100,000 had already been allocated to a redevelopment of the oval’s public toilets, and the scope of works could be expanded to incorporate a concept design for the perimeter fence.