Council is pleased to announce the strategic purchase of eleven hectares of land that will be utilised
to realise the long-term vision of the $50million Karbeethan Reserve Master Plan. The land located
on Angle Vale Road between the existing Reserve and Evanston Gardens Primary School will allow
for the expansion of Karbeethan Reserve, future proofing the community facility as a Regional
Sporting and Recreation Precinct.

Mayor Karen Redman commented “Karbeethan Reserve has been identified by Council as an iconic
civic project to be implemented over the coming years, following the Master Plan being adopted by
Council in 2020. This key strategic purchase secures the site as a regional facility that will continue
to provide important positive health and wellbeing benefits for our community through sporting and
active recreation opportunities.”

The $2.344million purchase was supported by $800,000 funding from the Minister for Planning,
through the Open Space Grant Program financed through the Planning and Development Fund. The
Planning and Development Fund provides the means for open space and public realm investment
across South Australia and allows the Minister for Planning to acquire, manage and develop land for
open space including providing grant funding opportunities for local government.

Mayor Redman commented that “This significant investment by Council confirms our commitment to
investing in and providing quality community facilities and services for Gawler. Council continues to
work closely with key stakeholders such the State and Federal Governments and State Sporting
Organisations to provide sporting and active recreation infrastructure across our town. Council has
since 2020 adopted two Master Plans for sporting and recreation precincts and are strongly
delivering on these, with future planning and investment to continue across the town.”

Peter Broelman, Chairperson of Karbeethan Sporting Association who is made up of the three users
of Karbeethan Reserve (Gawler & Districts Softball Association, Gawler Eagles FC, Gawler Rangers
Baseball Club) stated, “This is an amazing announcement for the three sporting organisations that
call Karbeethan Reserve home, as well as the wider Gawler community. It is great to see the
investment that Council is continuing to make at Karbeethan Reserve, with this in addition to the
upcoming facility upgrades within the Stage 1 Redevelopment. All the organisations at Karbeethan
provide so many opportunities for girls and boys, men and women to be physically and socially active.
The future expansion of the Reserve will allow our organisations to grow and include more of our
community in representing Gawler, something we are so pleased to be able to do with the ongoing
huge support from Council.”

Mayor Redman noted “This land acquisition is an important strategic outcome for Council, allowing
Council to deliver on the Karbeethan Reserve Master Plan, with planning for the future activation of
this land to be now considered by Council.”