What are the plans for mulching?

    Organic mulch has been applied to garden beds within a large section of the Council reserve. These works were completed between Monday 24th to Saturday 29th March 2025 within the highlighted sections on the map below: 

    There is further mulching works planned to occur before the end of this financial year (2024/25). These areas include sections of Hamilton Hill (the garden beds surrounding the amphitheatre), as well as two sections in the surrounds of the Kelso apartment block.

    What about council’s ongoing responsibility-will mulching be on a rolling schedule?

    Council will continue to ensure the standard of mulch within the reserve areas is maintained to an acceptable level.

    Can council provide a storage shed that the community can access?

    A new horticultural storage shed is currently not included within Council’s existing capital works program. Council would be open to discussing with the community future options to develop shared facility for consideration in future Annual Business Plan and budget cycles.

    What about reserve lighting?

    Contractors working on behalf of the Council have undertaken preliminary works to connect the existing tree spotlights located beneath several feature trees. The lighting infrastructure has been connected to a newly installed control board situated to the northern side of the creek line. Council’s electrical contractors are working with other service providers to enable the final power supply connection to be undertaken. These lights will enhance illumination throughout the Lewis Yarluperka O'Brien Reserve.

    What about road line marking outside of the Hamiliton Hill development?

    A Council technical officer has undertaken an assessment of the condition and requirements of road line marking surrounding the Hamilton Hill development. The following line locations have been repainted and extended in February 2025.

    • Existing lines have been repainted on the corner of Glen Stuart and Morialta Road (Main Rostrevor Oval).
    • Existing lines have been repainted on corner of Glen Stuart and up Kintyre Road (Womma Oval), with a new line extended on the southern side of Kintyre Road ceasing at the traffic island.
    • All existing lines on the intersection of Kintyre and Heather Avenue have been repainted, with lines currently extended on both sides of Heather Avenue down to Glengarry Drive. Various existing lines along Heather Avenue near the Morialta Road intersection have also been repainted. 
    • Council will extend lines on the western side of Heather Avenue encompassing the Glengarry Drive intersection. These works will be carried out prior to end of June 2025 subject to suitable weather conditions.

    What about road line marking within Hamiliton Hill development?

    In conjunction with feedback received from the community in relation to requests for increased kerbside parking. Upon completion of all development works within the Hamiliton Hill site Council aims to undertake a traffic and parking assessment with possible considerations to future line marking upgrades.

    What is council’s role with Parking compliance?

    Council regularly patrols the Council area and responds to complaints of illegal parking. Enforcement action (ie. issuing of fines) can be taken where officers see parking offences such as parking on verges, across driveways or over a yellow line. Please contact Council on 8408 0400 if you see illegal parking so that we can respond and investigate. Staff work across the weekend and can respond, particularly where the offence creates a safety or urgent issue, such as parking across a driveway.  

    What is happening with the barbeque and shelter?

    Council has undertaken public consultation to obtain feedback from the community regarding their preferences relating to a barbeque and shelter location. Council is in the process of reviewing the feedback received and will provide the community and survey participants with the outcome of the consultation shortly.

    What is council’s role with noise/nuisance/litter complaints?

    Council has powers under the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act to investigate and take action for noise that creates a ‘local nuisance’. However, the Act specifically excludes noise or other nuisance from sporting or associated activities at sporting venues, so Council is not able to investigate these types of complaints.

    What is council doing about verge maintenance?

    A verge (nature strip) is the area between the property boundary and the kerb and includes footpaths. Verge maintenance is a shared responsibility between Council and residents. While Council provides annual maintenance for road safety and fire mitigation, it is unable to maintain all verges across the district.

    Many garden beds within Hamilton Hill now require renewal or modification to ensure sustainable maintenance practices can be implemented into the future.

    Can residents have a say in their verge maintenance?

    During March and April 2025, we asked for feedback from residents of Hamilton Hill about your preferred verge maintenance option going forward, offering the below possible choices:

    1. Self-Maintenance:
      • Residents could opt to maintain their verge by filling out the S221 Application Form  emailing it to mail@ahc.sa.gov.au.
    2. Council Maintenance:
      • Council will maintain the verge, topping it with mulch or landscaping rock.
      • Irrigation and declining landscape plants may be removed.
    3. Conversion to Parking:
      • Residents can indicate their preference to convert their verge to parallel vehicle parking.
      • This may require curb modifications and asphalt sealing.
      • Prior to approval, Council will carefully consider how any proposed requests to change verge landscaping or installation of parking modifications will impact streetscape amenity.

     

    We are now reviewing all feedback received from residents and property owners and carefully considering the impacts of these preferences. We will develop a plan of proposed verge modifications to be shared with residents and property owners for further consideration and feedback during the second half of 2025.

    If I select self-maintenance for my verge, is there a fee?

    In this instance Council will not be charging the nominated fee associated with processing the required application form.

    Are there restrictions on what residents can plant on their verge?

    Yes, residents wishing to plant new vegetation within a Council managed verge are required to gain approval from Council to ensure any proposed new planting is suitable for the location and complements the existing streetscape.

    What if my verge was recently completed and is still in good condition?

    Council is keen to preserve verge areas that are comprised of good quality and sustainable landscaping. Council will carefully consider how any proposed changes to verge landscaping or parking modifications would impact streetscape amenity.

    How will I find out what decision council makes about the future maintenance of my verge?

    Upon completion of the consultation period, Council will review feedback and preference provided by residents and property owners. Council will then carefully consider the impacts of these preferences and develop a plan of proposed verge modifications. Council will release this plan to the community for further consideration and feedback prior to any works occurring.

    Are there any planned maintenance works for footpath?

    Council’s Civil Services team have undertaken repair works of the compacted rubble walking paths within the reserve areas. These targeted works repaired various uneven and eroded sections of the footpath network. Council will continue to respond to any further deterioration of the rubble walking surfaces.

    What are the budget implications for planned upcoming works?

    Costs associated with conversion of verges to parking bays will be proposed for consideration within the Council’s Capital Works Program for 2026/27.

    Cost associated with conversion of existing verges to low maintenance landscaping will be undertaken through operational budgets in 2025/26.


    What is the history of the sale of Oval?

    The Oval was sold to Rostrevor College in 2022 by the State Government. While crown land prior to the sale, there was a dedication for school recreation purposes and the College was the custodian. 

    In 2019, prior to the sale, the Adelaide Hills Council received a notice from the State Government that it proposed to declare the Oval land surplus to requirements. The Council advised the Government that it did not wish to purchase the land, as it was expecting a substantial piece of land to be handed to Council as public open space through the Hamilton Hill development. This transpired in the ensuing years when the construction of the Lewis Yarluperka O'Brien Reserve was completed and progressively transferred to Council ownership. 

    Can we access Womma Oval?

    It is not uncommon for Council-owned ovals to be used for formal sport activities on weekends, with community access restricted during these times. In the case of Womma Oval, it is private property and is made available to the public at the discretion of the landowner – Rostrevor College.

    Is there anything happening with the outdoor gym equipment?

    Yes – council will be installing rubber softfall underneath the equipment before the end of this financial year (2024/25) to enhance safety.