Port MacDonnell Facilities Review

Have your say on the future use and management of community facilities in Port MacDonnell

Background

Council has a significant number of lease agreements in place across Crown Land, Community Land and Excluded land throughout the district. This includes halls, sporting clubs and facilities, meeting spaces, and reserves that are under the ownership or management of Council.

As part of a review into how lease and licence arrangements are applied to community facilities, Council is seeking feedback on how these facilities are currently being used and any challenges or opportunities faced by leaseholders and community users. The purpose of this work is to:

• Ensure consistency in how lease and licence arrangements are applied
• Make sure facilities are fit for purpose and match their intended use
• Create opportunities for partnership and collaboration to maximise the use of community assets
• Help community groups grow and remain sustainable
• Inform decision-making and strategic planning to support long-term community outcomes.

Port MacDonnell has a range of community facilities and land that are owned by or under the care and management of Council. Approximately one quarter of Council’s current lease agreements are located in Port MacDonnell, and several key agreements are due to expire within the next 12 months. This is a timely opportunity to begin a broader conversation about how these facilities are currently used and how they could support the community into the future.

Strategic Context

Council's Strategic Management Plan 2024-2034 outlines several short- and long-term goals that this review supports and works towards. They include:

• Work with the community to identify actions to improve the management and quality of community halls and sport facilities
• Explore the viability of a shared use space at Port MacDonnell for community groups, students and outreach services
• Develop a Shared Spaces Strategy which considers open space, community facilities and playgrounds
• Review Council processes to provide a streamlined experience for community and business enquiries and applications

Have Your Say

Current lease holders

If your organisation currently leases or occupies Council-owned or Council-managed land or a facility in Port MacDonnell, we would like to understand:

• How the facility or land is currently used and how often,
• Whether it continues to meet your organisation’s needs,
• Any challenges associated with occupying or managing the site,
• Your organisation’s capacity to meet insurance, maintenance and other lease obligations, and
• Your aspirations for the facility and surrounding land.

Complete the Leaseholder survey here

Community members

Whether you use these facilities regularly, occasionally or not at all, we want to hear from you. The community survey asks about:

• How you currently access or use Council facilities,
• Any barriers to participation or access,
• How you would like to use or engage with facilities in the future,
• Ideas for future uses, services or activities that could be accommodated within a Council space.

Complete the Community survey here

Feedback can also be submitted:

• Via email to info@slcc.sa.gov.au
• By letter or hardcopy survey to:
  • Council's Principal Office, 324 Commercial Street West Mount Gambier
  • Port MacDonnell Community Complex, 5-7 Charles Street Port MacDonnell
  • PO Box 724, Mount Gambier SA 5290

Consultation closes 5pm Monday 9 November 2026.

What's Next?

After consultation closes, Council officers will review the feedback and use it to develop a strategic framework for the future use of Council facilities across the district. The framework will balance community priorities with Council’s legal responsibilities, strategic objectives, land dedication requirements and available resources.

Feedback from this pilot engagement process will also help Council shape an approach to be used in other townships as lease agreements reach expiry or require review.