Illyarrie Reserve – draft master plan & proposed indoor training facility

Council decisions/outcomes

During the consultation period, a total of 92 responses were received; this includes 86 feedback form responses and six email submissions.

Of the feedback form responses, 64% fully supported the draft masterplan overall, 22% partly supported and 14% did not support the draft masterplan. The majority (71%) were supportive of the Indoor Training Facility (ITF) at Illyarrie Reserve, while 23% were opposed.

At its meeting on Tuesday 24 September 2024, Council considered the feedback received from the community and made the decision to adopt the Illyarrie Reserve Masterplan to guide future infrastructure investment at Illyarrie Reserve.

The Indoor Training Facility (ITF) was approved to proceed in the location shown in the Illyarrie Reserve Master Plan (in the north-west corner of the car park), with additional funding of $242,000 from the Strategic Buildings Future Fund.

Council also approved the Stage 1 works shown in the Illyarrie Reserve Master Plan with funding of $458,000 to be included in the Draft Annual Business Plan for 2025-2026. Council authorised the CEO to seek external co-funding opportunities to offset the cost of these works (if possible). The proposed Stage 1 works include:

• High priority indented car parking
• New multi-function community court
• Reserve upgrades (shelter, seats, irrigation)
• New pump track
• Eastern pedestrian links
• Screening and beautification works of the resident facing portion of the ITF and the outdoor batting cages
• Traffic and pedestrian management in the car park surrounds to address safety concern

View the endorsed Illyarrie Reserve Master Plan

Read the community engagement outcomes report

Read the Council report (Council Meeting - Notice, Agenda & Reports - 24 September 2024 - PART 2 - see pages 479-603)

Read the Council Meeting minutes - 24 September 2024

Background

We are currently seeking feedback from the community about a draft master plan including the proposed indoor training facility (ITF) for Illyarrie Reserve. Council has previously undertaken community engagement on the proposed ITF twice; in June/July 2023 and September 2023. In response to some initial concerns, Council proposed an alternative location for the ITF to minimise impacts on green space and views and consulted with the community again. Overall, the feedback from this second round of engagement did not differ significantly from the first round.

Illyarrie Reserve is located in Surrey Downs and is the current home of the Golden Grove Central Districts Baseball Club (GGCDBC). The GGCDBC is affiliated with the South Australian Baseball League and competes in the Metropolitan League. Presently the club has over 400 active baseball and tee-ball members.

In 2022 an election commitment from the State Government was announced, which included funding for the GGCDBC to construct a new ITF. The proposed project will result in a fit-for-purpose ITF for club members, as well as potentially being a space for hire by other clubs (eg. softball, cricket).

On Saturday 11 February 2024 Council held a meeting at the Civic Centre to engage with local residents and the GGCDBC on a preferred revised location for the ITF that was supported by the Club as well as local residents. A location in the northwest corner of the car park off Illyarrie Avenue was identified by both parties as a possible alternative.

Illyarrie Reserve draft master plan development

At its meeting on 26 March 2024, Council made the decision to develop an updated master plan for the whole of Illyarrie Reserve to include the proposed new location of an ITF, an indication of future works to accommodate any future growth of the Club, an assessment of parking capacity on and around the site and proposed improvements to areas of Illyarrie Reserve, particularly the section adjacent to the playground and Surrey Downs Community Centre.

As part of the proposed new location of the facility approximately 30 off-street car parks would be lost and the following additional works required include:

• retaining walls
• earthworks
• minor civil works to car park
• new line marking, and
• a new carpark entrance off Illyarrie Avenue

The dimensions of the proposed 375m² facility remain unchanged. The Colorbond shed with wall cladding will be approximately 24m long x 15m wide x 6m high, with a 100mm thick reinforced concrete slab, manual industrial roller doors and a personal access door. Electrical connections for power and lighting would also be installed.

The proposed ITF is partially funded with $180,000 secured from an election commitment. The City of Tea Tree Gully have provided a contribution of $180,000. The proposed revised location will require further funding of $200k (estimated).

The other proposed works in the master plan are not funded and will be considered (if supported) along with other Council priorities. Proposed future works (currently unfunded) include:

• a new multi-function community court
• future carpark extension
• a new pump track
• new footpath network
• location of a future clubroom
• indented on-street parking to replace the loss of off-street parking, and
• reserve upgrades including irrigation, shelter and seating

Council staff have confirmed that no suitable alternative locations with potential for further growth have been identified within the City of Tea Tree Gully for the GGCDBC. The GGCDBC has been engaged on their future plans and aspirations for Illyarrie Reserve and any other potential future location(s). The Club has confirmed their preference is to remain at Illyarrie Reserve for the long term.

For more information please refer to the Information Sheet, which includes the draft master plan, example images of the ITF and proposed reserve upgrades.

To get involved and have your say:

• Register here (if you haven't already, otherwise you can sign in when prompted)
• Provide feedback by completing the online feedback form
• Have a question? Ask us here
• Onsite event:

  • Come along to our 'drop in' session on Saturday 17 August 2024. Join us near the carpark by the baseball club on Illyarrie Avenue anytime between 10am to 11am where you can talk to Elected Members and Council staff.

All feedback received will be presented to Council for its consideration before any further decisions are made about this proposal. If you need assistance to participate in this consultation, please call us on 8397 7444 or send us a message