The City of Port Lincoln is seeking community feedback on a proposal to revoke the community land status of Harbourview Reserve - Highview Drive, Port Lincoln. This would enable potential future development of aged care or retirement living facilities. This proposal supports the growing demand for aged care services identified in the city's Empowering Our Elders Strategy 2025-2029.
Reasons for Revocation Proposal
Harbourview Reserve - Highview Drive currently zoned Suburban Neighbourhood, is considered suitable for residential or aged care/retirement living development. While it is presently used as open space and includes a small playground, BBQ, seating, and shade structure, the Council does not have plans to utilise the broader lot for community purposes beyond the existing nature of being a reserve.
There is demonstrated market interest in the site from aged care providers, and the Council believes development of this land would provide much-needed aged care services, generate local jobs, and drive economic growth.
In all of the circumstances, this land has been identified as potentially surplus to community needs in its current form, and by way of revocation could be utilised to assist the local vulnerable population in need of aged care facilities.
Should the revocation proceed, the Council proposes to retain approximately 1,000m2 of the site as open space, that will include a new playground to mitigate the loss of the existing playground, and will seek expressions of interest from reputable aged care providers to develop the remainder of the site for a retirement village, aged care facility or combination of both. Other nearby reserves including Puckridge Park (at 1.2km distance), Whait Reserve (at 1.6km), and the Port Lincoln Foreshore Playground (at 1.5km), also provides accessible recreational spaces within 1.5km of the site. Additionally, Mena Place Reserve (580m), Pioneer Park (650m), Flinders Park (700m), the Train Park (700m) and the heritage trail walk (450m) are all in close proximity and meet a similiar need.
Other considerations
- The land is subject to an easement which is a SA Water wastewater gravity main across the very northern end of Harbourview Reserve noted on the Certificates of Title (Annexure A).
- 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 this land.
- All parcels comprising Harbourview Reserve are designated as a reserve.
Community Impact
If the land is sold, the proceeds from any future sale of the land would be allocated to Council's Land and Building Reserve for reinvestment into community assets and infrastructure, as approved by the Council.
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 development of residential or aged care/retirement living.
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.
