FAQs

The Local Government Act 1999 (the Act) establishes a framework for the classification of most land owned by a Council or under a Council’s care, control and management (local government land) as “community land”.

The framework aims to protect community interests in land for current and future generations through limiting the ability for Council to lease or dispose of Community Land.

For Council to divest (sell) Community Land, the Community Land status must be removed through a legislated process.  This process includes undertaking public consultation and seeking approval to revoke the status from the Minister for Local Government.

The revocation process requires extensive consultation with the community, including consideration of all submissions by Council.   Should Council elect to continue with the revocation process following the conduct of the public consultation process, a detailed report including all submissions received during the consultation, is provided to the Minister for Local Government for consideration.  

If the Minister for Local Government approves the revocation, Council must then resolve at a meeting to revoke the Community Land status and publish the revocation notice in the South Australian Government Gazette.

The process can take between 6 and 12 months, from the launch of the public consultation process to completion of the Community Land revocation.

The revocation of the community land status will allow Council to divest (sell) the land.  

In this instance, due to the limited access to vacant land available for residential development purposes, the release of this land to the public is of great benefit.

Whilst Council does have an obligation to maintain all parcels of land under their care and control, it does not have any long term aspirations to develop the land for residential purposes.

Council will continue to manage the land as it currently does, however it will be required to continue to manage the land within the community land provisions of the Act.

Council will provide updates on the public consultation and the Community Land revocation process (If pursued) through the Engage Wattle Range. Identified key stakeholders including adjoining landowners and persons who have provided feedback during the consultation process will also be notified of the outcome at the conclusion of the process.