Community Land Management Plan for 55A Seaview Avenue Wirrina

A Community Land Management Plan is in place to protect the community interests in “Community Land” for current and future generations providing Council direction for the use of each land parcel.

All local government land (except roads) that is owned by a Council or under a Council’s care, control and management is Community Land under the Local Government Act 1999 unless it has been exempted through legislation, excluded by resolution of Council or the classification has been revoked.

Council has received a request from The Backyard Universe (‘TBU’) to assist with securing them a suitable site to use as a permanent base for their ‘multicultural stargazing and astronomy experiences’.

TBU run stargazing tours at various locations across our district and the broader Fleurieu Peninsula including a Wirrina Cove night sky tour from the Wirrina Cove Golf Course.

TBU are seeking a suitable site that will allow them to set up a permanent base and meet the needs of their tour guests. This includes providing disability access to the site, benches to allow people to sit and toilet facilities.

A number of sites were considered before settling on the community land parcel at 55A Seaview Avenue Wirrina Cove. Other sites considered included:

• Wirrina Reservoir Reserve comprised in Certificate of Title Volume 6114 Folio 936 and is adjacent to 55A Seaview Avenue, this parcel does not have enough level land as it is mostly steep rocky slopes and covered in mature trees.
• Former CFS Station at 10 Cole Road Delamere comprises a shed which could be used as a base however there is no open land to conduct the tours and Delamere is significantly cloudier at night than Wirrina due to the ‘Parawa Blanket’.
• Land around the Myponga Hall and Reservoir, however it is too close to the town lights and there are many fogs that form over the reservoir at night.

The site located on 55A Seaview Avenue, is undeveloped and the surrounding trees and bushes create a closeted area that is less affected by the lights from surrounding properties and street lights.

If the consultation results in positive feedback and the Council adopts the proposed Community Land Management Plan, then the Council will consider TBU’s request to grant them a licence to use the area located within the existing ring of trees after dusk as a viewing area and to operate their tours with associated structures including seating and a porta potty for toilet facilities.

TBU have advised that they would prepare the site to be suitable for their proposed use which would include:

• minimal earthmoving to make the site level;
• laying roadbase/gravel on the levelled area to create a firm non-slip surface that is also pram and wheelchair friendly and includes a path from Seaview Avenue;
• minimal trimming of existing trees with removal as a last resort;
• dead trees to be cleared from the middle of the site and moved to the edges rather than removing them;
• removal of the drip irrigation pipes that are no longer in use and are causing a trip hazard;
• planting additional indigenous shrubs to provide more wind shelter, headlight exclusion and an understory;
• installing railway sleeper benches; and
• building a small shed to house a porta potty.

All proposed works would be completed to a standard acceptable to Council following an inspection. These proposed works would also form part of any licence which might be granted and do not form part of the proposed consultation to amend the Community Land Management Plan.

The installation of bench seating and provision of toilet facilities have been proposed by TBU because these two items are currently lacking at the Wirrina Cove Golf Course and have featured prominently in feedback provided by previous tour guests. TBU have advised that the Wirrina Resort toilets are also not a viable option for their guests.

The parcel is currently part of the ‘Drainage & CWMS Reserves’ Community Land Management Plan and this plan does not allow for any portion of the land to be leased or licenced.

Rather than amending the current Community Land Management Plan, it is proposed to adopt a new Community Land Management Plan that only applies to this parcel to ensure the objectives, policies and proposals can be tailored.

The proposed Community Land Management Plan will allow for leases, licences and permits to be granted but only those that are aligned with the purpose of the Management Plan will be successful.

The primary purpose of the proposed Management Plan is to meet the requirements of the SA Water Community Wastewater Management System and provision of a potable water supply to properties located within the Wirrina Township. The secondary purpose is open space suitable for passive recreation activities. For example, stargazing would be considered a passive recreation activity, but a tree climb activity would be considered an active recreation activity.

The Community Land Management Plan’s adopted by Council in September 2019 included the following definition for Passive Recreation Activity – Recreational activities that are less structured and require little or no specialised development or management. They are generally undertaken in an undeveloped space or environmentally sensitive area. This includes such activities as trails for walking, hiking or horseback riding, areas for picnicking or classes for painting or digital photography.

Any lease or licence that was for longer than 5 years would require a new round of consultation.

The relevant sections of the Local Government Act are Sections 200 and 202.

Council is seeking feedback from the community on the new proposed Community Land Management Plan for 55A Seaview Avenue Wirrina Cove to provide for general leasing and licencing powers (as set out above) consistent with the proposed purpose to provide passive recreation activities.

We ask the community to please review the proposed Community Land Management Plan for 55A Seaview Avenue Wirrina and for more information read the Council Report and provide your feedback via the survey below or in writing to consultation@yankalilla.sa.gov.au or PO Box 9 Yankalilla SA 5203.

Following the community engagement process, feedback received will be presented to Council for consideration on 19 July 2022.