Published on 26 May 2022

Have your say on Knox Park

City of Onkaparinga is seeking feedback on a draft concept plan for a multi-use sports park for Morphett Vale’s Knox Park, after Council approved an additional $200,000 towards the staged development.

The additional funding increases council’s contribution to $1.1 million, which matches the state government’s funding commitment and you can provide feedback on the draft concept plan on council’s Your Say page until Wednesday 22 June.

An on-site drop-in session will also be held at Knox Park (on Kantalpa Grove) from 2–4pm on Saturday 18 June where you can chat with project staff and leave your feedback.

Council is proposing to develop a multi-use sports facility at the 5.1-hectare site that can become a home ground for Southern Athletic Club and also accommodate soccer, junior Australian rules football, and other turf sports.

The park is currently underutilised and mainly used for passive recreation by local residents. It has no toilets, storage, changerooms or other sports specific infrastructure.

The carpark and existing playground are in poor condition and are identified for upgrades in council’s forward budget. The turf is not currently in a condition suitable for sport and there is no irrigation.

Southern Athletic Club (SAC), which provides an important pathway for athletes seeking to participate in competition in Southern Adelaide and around South Australia, doesn’t have a home ground and is currently operating from a local senior school.

Creating a hub and permanent home for athletics in the south is important to strengthen the SAC and grow membership and participation.

The formalisation of the park for other turf-based sports will help relieve pressure being experienced at surrounding grounds by existing turf-based clubs (e.g. soccer and football) in the region.

The development will also enhance the recreation opportunities for surrounding communities, including use of the playground walking and exercising dogs.

In 2018, council invited the community to have its say on the proposed classification change of the park from ‘Reserve’ to ‘Sportsgrounds’. Overwhelming support was received during the consultation and Knox Park has now been reclassified. 

Since then, City of Onkaparinga has been working closely with key stakeholders to develop a concept plan that covers short, medium, and long-term priorities. 

Short-term priorities in the draft concept plan, which can be delivered with the council and state government’s current funding contributions, include:

• irrigated turn with a 400m athletics track
• a senior-sized soccer field that can be utilised for junior football training
• discus and hammer throw/shotput/javelin
• two-way long jump/triple jump
• a storage facility with power
• public toilet and disability access
• a connecting footpath
• tree planting.

Medium-term priorities (not currently funded) include a perimeter walking trail and site connections, lighting, tree planting and a shelter with seating.

Long-term priorities, subject to demand and availability of funding, include a sports building facility, car park extension, converting a northern section to artificial turf, a potential new entry from Main South Road (subject to investigations and approvals) and additional lighting.

View the concept plan and provide your feedback at council’s Your Say page until Wednesday 22 June or head to the drop-in session on Saturday 18 June.

A report on the outcome of the engagement will go to Council in August 2022, with detailed design for the short-term priorities to then commence until completed in early 2023.

Pictured

Onkaparinga Acting Mayor Simon McMahon surveys the playing surface at Knox Park during a recent visit.