Another milestone for The Precinct project
The City of Victor Harbor continues to work towards the delivery of the Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct. The following provides our community and key stakeholders with an update on the most recent milestones and next steps.
Concept Floorplan Adopted
The Victor Harbor Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct (the Precinct) has reached another key milestone, with Council endorsing the concept floorplan for the new recreation facility at its July 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting.
This important step paves the way for detailed design to begin, bringing this exciting community project closer to becoming reality.
The concept floorplan was shaped in partnership with a dedicated stakeholder reference group, including representatives from:
- Local schools
- Great Southern Amateur Basketball Association
- Victor Harbor Gymnastics
- Great Southern Badminton Association
- Southern Sharks Pickleball
- Council’s Disability Access and Inclusion Committee
Their input was highly valuable in refining the layout and features of the facility. Thanks to their important insights, the plan now includes:
- Increased spectator seating capacity
- A dedicated gymnastics area with provision for a foam pit
- An accessible Changing Places facility
- A revised Precinct layout relocating the recreation facility to the Armstrong Road side of the site for improved access, better flow, and more room for future expansion, such as additional courts.
While a mezzanine level was originally considered, early cost estimates showed it would add $2 million to the project. Council made the responsible decision to prioritise function, affordability, and long-term value, ensuring the core needs of all users are met without unnecessary cost.
Spectator seating will still be well supported through integrated solutions around the multi-purpose courts within the stadium.
View the adopted concept floorplan.
Next Steps
With the concept design now adopted, Accord Property and its design team will commence detailed design work, with the goal of getting the project to a shovel ready status to position the project favourably for State and Federal grant funding.
Meanwhile, several important steps are still in progress including further exploration to determine the most suitable operating model for the recreation facility, specifically whether Council will manage the facility directly or engage a private operator. Council is carefully weighing community benefit against financial considerations to ensure the best outcome.
The operations model investigations will culminate in the development of the legislatively required Prudential Report that will be considered by both Council and its Audit and Risk Committee prior to a decision being made to enter into an Agreement for Lease with Accord Property.
In addition to a Council decision, the Agreement for Lease is also contingent on the Minister for Local Government approving Council’s Community Land Revocation proposal and the securing of at least $4 million in grant funding.
Council recognises that bringing a project of this scale to life involves many moving parts. This is common for developments of this nature. To ensure progress continues, Council has contingencies in place should key steps not align. This includes the option for Council to purchase the detailed designs of the recreation facility and pursue delivery through a more traditional method. However, it is important to note that this approach would significantly increase the external funding required (well beyond the current target of $4 million) and would shift all risk to Council.
Council has been clear from the outset: this project must deliver the best outcome for our community while ensuring affordability and financial sustainability. This has been the basis of our pursuit of a Public Private Partnership for the delivery of this project.
Each decision is being made with care, guided by expert advice, thorough investigations, community input and long-term planning considerations.
We want to thank our community for your continued interest, support and patience as we continue to work towards the delivery of this significant project.