Proposed Road Closure Portion of Beach Road Goolwa

Background Information

The new Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club location was selected as the most practical site for the building to minimise impact on the coastal dune system. It was recognised by both parties and the State Government at this time that the location consisted partially of land and partially of road reserve.

As a road closure process takes considerable time, the Council made a formal resolution in December 2020 to consent to a lease agreement with the Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club over the land portion and to enter into a five (5) year permit for the road section so the build could progress.

This provided Council with five years to commence and complete the road closure process under the section 10 of the Roads (Opening and Closing) Act 1991 and the Local Government Act 1999 as per the Preliminary Plan. This is currently underway and forms the subject of this consultation. The formal resolution of Council can be viewed here.

About this consultation

Alexandrina Council proposes to make a Road Process Order to close a portion of Beach Road Goolwa South and merge it with the adjacent land described as Lot 1 in Deposited Plan 121453, as contained in Certificate of Title Volume 6227 Folio 630.

We are seeking submissions on the proposal to close a portion of Beach Road Goolwa South and merge it with the land on which the majority of the Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club is located.

Alexandrina Council owns the land in Certificate of Title Volume 6227 Folio 630 and has leased the land to the Club for 21 years, with a right of renewal for a further 21 years. It is not possible to lease a road in the same manner and only a permit for a maximum of five (5) years can be offered over a road. This was recognised by all parties at the time of the build, but it was understood that this location was resolved and supported as the most practical location in retaining existing vegetation on the eastern side sand dune and stabilisation of the facility.

By closing the subject portion of Beach Road and merging it with the land in Certificate of Title Volume 6227 Folio 630, the lease to the Club can be extended to include all of the Club building. This will provide the Club with greater certainty of tenure until 2062.

The Council Report and Minutes, including the Preliminary Plan for the proposed road closure are available to view in the document library to the right of this page.

A hard copy of the information that forms the Community Engagement process is also available for viewing at the offices of Alexandrina Council at Goolwa and Strathalbyn.

What is the relevant portion of Beach Road there for and its current use?

Approximately one third of the Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club is located on what is legally Beach Road. The location of portion of the building being on the road resulted from a requirement to minimise damage to fragile dune native vegetation.

Where is it located?

The location is at the southern end of Beach Road, Goolwa Beach and is opposite the public car park.

Council Proposal 

Alexandrina Council is the owner of the land in Certificate of Title Volume 6227 Folio 630 on which the majority of the Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club building is located. It is intending to close that portion of Beach Road encroached by the Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club building. The closed portion of road will be merged with the land in the adjoining land parcel such that all of the building will be located on the land.

Community benefit

To ensure long-term security of occupation, Council and the Club have entered into a lease for 21 years with a right of renewal for a further 21 years. This is the maximum term that can be offered by a council for a lease on the council’s land that meet the criteria as an Emergency Service.

What is the impact on community?

No impact as this portion of road is part of the Surf Life Saving Club building footprint.

Why are we consulting?

A long-term lease cannot be offered over what is legally a public road. The Club only has a permit under the Local Government Act 1999 for its occupation of Beach Road. The benefit of closing the encroached area of the road and merging it with the adjoining land is that the lease can be extended to cover all of the building, rather than only that part on Certificate of Title Volume 6227 Folio 630.

How to submit feedback

Any person is entitled to object to the proposed road closure via a written submission to Council.

To be a valid objection, it must comply with Regulation 7 of the Roads (Opening and Closing) Regulations 2021.

An objection must be in writing, set out the full name and address of the person making the objection, must state the reasons for the objection and state whether the objector wishes to make submissions at a meeting of Alexandrina Council at which the proposed road closure will be considered.

For the purpose of the submissions, an email, or a submission via MySay or a handwritten letter to Council are both legal forms of lodging a submission by the due date.

Submissions regarding the proposed concept design will be accepted by Council until 5 pm, Friday 19 July 2024.