Milang Oval Leases

Council is seeking public feedback on two proposed leases for the Milang Oval and its buildings.  

In 2016, Council endorsed a twenty one (21) year lease with Milang Oval Inc. to manage the Milang Oval complex for the community. The lease includes a renewal every 7 years during the term.

The framework for the lease is an overarching lease to ‘Milang Oval Inc.’ which is an Incorporated body made up of members of each of the regular users of the Oval. The regular users of the Oval are:

• Milang and District Historical Society
• Milang Branch of Australian Red Cross
• Milang Cricket Club; and
• Milang Football Club.

Each of these groups hold a sublease with Milang Oval Inc. for exclusive use of particular buildings within the Oval as identified in blue below and, a sublicence over portions of the Oval as identified in green below for activities (often seasonal) on the oval but not to the exclusion of all others. This model is used often across community sporting and recreational grounds.

The Milang and District Historical Society approached Council at the first 7 year right of renewal option, requesting their own lease over those portions of the oval complex that they currently occupy under sublease or sublicence with Milang Oval Inc.

At the 17 July 2023 Council Meeting, Council resolved to proceed to community engagement on the proposal for two (2) separate leases over portions of the oval complex.

Negotiations to determine the proposed lease areas has been ongoing since this time. At the 22 January 2024 Council meeting, the Council resolved to undertake community engagement as soon as practical on the matter, using the existing Milang and District Historical Society sublicence boundary as the proposed new lease areas for the purpose of public consultation.

As such, two leases have been prepared utilising the current sublicence area of the Milang and District Historical Society to form the proposed boundaries for each lease, as per the Council resolution of 22 January 2024.

Milang Oval Incorporated Proposed Lease Area

The proposed lease area for Milang Oval Incorporated is identified in red below. The common or ‘shared entrance’ area is identified in blue. The buildings included within this lease area are:

• Cricket Nets
• Equipment shed
• Football Clubrooms
• Cricket Clubrooms
• Toilet Block
• Tractor / Mower Shed
• Red Cross (Old Netball Club)

Proposed Milang Oval Inc. Lease area in red. Common area in blue.

Milang and District Historical Society Inc. Proposed Lease Area

The proposed lease area for the Milang and District Historical Society Incorporated is identified in red below. The common or ‘shared entrance’ area is identified in blue. The buildings included within this lease area are:

• Old Scout Hall
• Lakeside Men’s Shed & Museum
• Museum
• Fire Engine Shed
• Tool Shed

Proposed Milang and District Historical Society Inc. Lease area in red. Common area in blue.

How would this be documented?

If two (2) separate tenancies for the oval complex are supported, it is proposed that two (2) new leases are prepared, rather than undertaking extensive amendments to the current Milang Oval lease to remove references to the Milang and District Historical Society. As such, this community engagement process puts forward two (2) new leases for comment.

How long are the Leases proposed for? 

The current lease commenced 1 July 2016 for a term of 21 years. The lease term is renewed every 7 years during this term, which is standard practice for 21 year leases.

It is proposed that the leases continue to reflect the originally envisioned expiry date of 2037. As such, the new leases are proposed for a term of 14 years (7 + 7 year) and will expire in 2037.

Fee

The annual rental fee for a Community lease is peppercorn ($1.00) per annum. This fee is in accordance with Council’s Lease and Licence Policy and Annual Fees and Charges. Council is not proposing to apply an annual rental fee.

Who owns the buildings?

During the term of the lease, all the improvements, buildings and facilities located on the land are proposed to be owned (care and control) by the Lessee responsible for that part of the oval complex. Each party is also required to repair items and maintain the grounds and buildings within their lease area.

Common Area

To accommodate joint access to the oval complex, the one existing entrance is currently proposed to remain, and will be shared between the two Lessee’s. This area is called a ‘common area’. Both parties will be equally responsible for maintaining the common area during the term of the leases.

How to submit feedback:

• Online Survey - https://mysay.alexandrina.sa.gov.au/embeds/projects/91632/survey-tools/102757

• By Mail - please direct written submission to alex@alexandrina.sa.gov.au or
  by post to Att: CEO, Alexandrina Council, PO Box 21, Goolwa SA 5214, or
• In Person - where you can complete a hard copy survey at the Strathalbyn or Goolwa offices.

Submissions regarding the proposal will be accepted by Council until 5pm Friday 22 March 2024.