The City of Port Lincoln is seeking community feedback on a proposal to revoke the community land classification of Seaview Park - Monalena Street, Port Lincoln. This would enable the potential development of social and affordable housing. A portion of this site, referred to as 2-4 Passat Street, falls outside the red-marked area shown in the image, as this section is no longer classified as community land, having been revoked previously.
Reasons for Revocation Proposal
The City of Port Lincoln's Housing Strategy 2024-2029 identifies a significant shortage of housing across the region, particularly in Port Lincoln. This shortage is evident in both the rental and residential housing markets and is recognised as a major community issue. One of the Strategy's key actions is to consider the use of Council-owned land for residential development.
Seaview Park is currently open space with low utilisation, largely unimproved, featuring a skate rink and bowl. It was identified in the city's Open Space Strategy 2021-2026 for potential disposal, subject to upgrades of nearby reserves. Since then, Council has completed significant improvements to Whait Reserve (at 350m), away, and the Port Lincoln Foreshore Playground (at 2km). There are also three other open space reserves within 400 metres of Seaview Park, Dickens Street, Cronin Avenue and Argent Street.
Council has received an expression of interest to develop the site for approximately 40 dwellings comprising 2-3 bedroom residences for social and affordable housing. If the revocation proceeds, Council would seek further expressions of interest from non-for-profit affordable housing providers to develop the site.
Other considerations
- There is a registered interest in the form of a service easement for sewerage purposes to SA Water noted on the Certificate of Title (Annexure B).
- There is no record of any assistance having been provided by the Government to the Council at the time the Council acquired this land or otherwise in relation to the land.
- Seaview Park - Monalena Street is subject to a reservation (it is a reserve) that can be lifted through the revocation process pursuant to section 195(1) of the Local Government Act 1999.
Community Impact
If the land is sold, the proceeds would be allocated to Council's Land and Building Reserve for reinvestment into community assets and infrastructure, as approved by the Council.
While the proposal would result in the loss of some open space, Council notes that nearby reserves continue to serve the community's recreational needs. The proposed development offers broader community benefits, including a significant increase in the supply of affordable housing, to addressing current issues of homelessness and overcrowding.
Council is consulting with the community to help inform its decision. If the proposal proceeds, the land's reserve status would be revoked under Section 195(1) of the Local Government Act 1999, allowing for future residential development.
A detailed Proposal for the Revocation of the Classification of land as Community Land Statutory Report, including Annexures A-E. is available to view in the Key Documents section on the right. We've also prepared a reader-friendly version, which includes a Q&A Sheet at the back. Both versions cover all five Council-owned parcels currently under consideration. Hardcopies are also available at the Council Office and Port Lincoln Library.
Further details on how to provide feedback can be found below.
