We asked for feedback on a draft Park Lands Community Lease Agreement between the City of Adelaide and the Adelaide Community Sports and Recreation Association (ACSARA) for community sports facilities located at Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21 West).

The ACSARA is the Lessee of a Community Building and three large playing fields in Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21 West).

The ACSARA delivers valuable recreational and social programs that align with the Park Lands’ purpose and the City of Adelaide’s (CoA) strategic priorities and have been based on the Park for over 35 years. We estimate that the community sports facilities in Park 21 West are used by 88,000 participants annually, which equates to 1,700 weekly users.

In its current form, the existing leased 375sqm Community Building constructed from Besser Block in the 1960s does not service the needs of current users, align with the relevant community sports facility guidelines or provide accessible, inclusive amenities for players, officials and spectators (including disability access as per the Disability Discrimination Act (1992)).

On 10 December 2024, Council endorsed a Community Building Concept Design for redeveloping the existing leased Community Building in Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21 West). The endorsed Concept Design is consistent with the recently adopted Adelaide Park Lands Community Buildings (Sport and Recreation) Policy.

The Community Building redevelopment will be funded by contributions from CoA ($3.09m) and ACSARA ($1.0m). ACSARA will also contribute $1.55m via a State Government grant they received in 2022.

This co-contribution by the ACSARA to a CoA community asset is contingent on them being granted a long-term lease for the community sports facilities located at Park 21 West.

The ACSARA has been based in Park 21 West for over 35 years and currently holds a 12-month Lease for the facilities, which is due to expire on 30 September 2025.

On 11 March 2025, Council approved a draft 21-year Park Lands Community Lease Agreement between the CoA (Lessor) and the ACSARA (Lessee) for community sports facilities at Park 21 West, for the purpose of public consultation.

Under the Local Government Act 1999 (SA), public consultation is required on a lease agreement with a term greater than five years.

Under the Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005, a lease agreement with a term of ten years or greater (including any renewal rights), must be laid before both Houses of Parliament for 14 sitting days.

What is the term (i.e. length of time) of the draft Lease Agreement?

Council is proposing to grant the Adelaide Community Sport and Recreation Association a 21-year lease. This would consist of an initial seven-year term and two seven-year rights of renewal.

Why is Council proposing to grant a 21-year lease?

Council has approved a Concept Design for the redevelopment of the Community Building in Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21 West). The project will be funded by contributions of $3.09m from Council, $1.0m from the Adelaide Community Sport and Recreation Association’s (ACSARA) own funds, and a further $1.55m from ACSARA via a State Government grant they successfully obtained.

Given the significant financial contribution proposed by ACSARA, Council is proposing to grant them a 21-year lease.

What does the redevelopment of the Community Building in Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21 West) involve?

The redeveloped Community Building:

• is designed with a continuous roof allowing for visual and physical permeability and reducing the mass of the single-level, low-scale design.
• utilises existing trees and additional landscape treatments to integrate with the park setting.
• is located close to Goodwood Road and connects to on-street car parking through landscape treatments.
• incorporates publicly accessible toilets, handwashing facilities, a drinking fountain, shelter and seating.
• includes storage areas, a kitchen/kiosk, community room and three Australian Rules Football sized change rooms that can be divided into six change rooms to support other sports including soccer and cricket.
• allows for multiple community groups to utilise the facilities simultaneously.

A copy of the endorsed Community Building Concept Design is available here.

What will the Adelaide Community Sport and Recreation Association (Lessee) be charged?

The Lessee will be required to pay a lease fee for the building and a licence fee for the playing fields annually. The fees are multiplied by the floor area of the building (lease fee) and the total area of the playing fields (licence fee). Both fees are subject to review through the annual adoption of Council fees and charges.

The Lessee will also be financially responsible for maintaining the building and playing fields and all associated utilities (e.g., rates and taxes).

Why is there a lease and a licence component in the draft Lease Agreement?

A lease grants exclusive use and these are typically granted for the occupation of a building. A licence grants non-exclusive rights of use and these are typically granted for the occupation of playing fields and other outdoor sports facilities.

Which organisations are members of the Adelaide Community Sports and Recreation Association?

The Adelaide Community Sports and Recreation Association (ACSARA) membership is made up of:

• Adelaide Lutheran Sports Club (football, cricket and netball clubs)

• Concordia College

• Concordia College Old Collegians Cricket Club

The ACSARA sub-let to a range of community organisations.

Will the Adelaide Community Sports and Recreation Association be able to sublet to a commercial organisation?

The Adelaide Community Sports and Recreation Association (ACSARA) is permitted and encouraged to make the facilities in Park 21 West available to non-for-profit community groups and organisations.

ACSARAcannot grant a sublicence to any organisation without first seeking the consent of Council.

When will Annexure B - Building Design and Landscape (Development Approval) Plans be added to the Draft Lease Agreement?

The approved Building Design and Landscape Plans will be added to the Draft Lease Agreement following the granting of Development Approval and prior to the Agreement being executed.