Prospect Lifestyle Precinct

Prospect Oval/Payinthi yarta is undergoing a transformation!

Council is developing a Prospect Lifestyle Precinct Masterplan to create a vibrant hub for the entire community.

This plan will see Prospect Oval, Prospect Memorial Gardens, North Adelaide Croquet Club and Council’s commercial land on Main North Road transformed into a quality health, wellness, fitness and sporting precinct that attracts a higher level of community usage, sporting participation and economic development.

A Master Plan is a high-level document which guides the future direction of all development across a site for many years to come. A Master Plan designs the spaces and proposes the location of key elements around a community site based on analysis and input from the local residents and community. Master Plans include recommendations for how to use the land, build infrastructure, and provide services to the community. 

Prospect Oval is a beloved landmark, but its facilities need an upgrade. The master plan process creates a long-term vision for the PLP and will help inform Council of the opportunities available across the site and help stage/prioritise aspects for future delivery.  

The Precinct has the potential to become not only a improved sports hub for the community but could also become a major economic driver for Prospect, attracting new businesses and creating jobs, as well as reducing Council’s reliance on residential rates. 

Council’s overall goal for the Prospect Lifestyle Precinct is to create a thriving community destination, which contributes to the day-to-day vibrancy of City of Prospect’s lifestyle.

More specifically, Council’s objectives are to:
• Build on a generational legacy that celebrates the larger oval precinct
• Create a space that can be utilised everyday by the local community through increased quality public amenities
• Create a quality health, wellness, fitness and sporting precinct that attracts the highest level of community usage and sporting participation
• Create a destination, acting as a catalyst to attract commercial and residential outcomes, through taking advantage of the Main North Road frontage and a park land setting
• Increase connectivity between Main North Road, Prospect Oval and Prospect Road through a precinct approach
• Deliver the project with a strong focus on Council’s financial sustainability, leveraging opportunities to reduce the reliance on residential rates.

Phase 2 consultation (open from February 17 to March 28, 2025) is your opportunity to provide feedback on the four master plan options we've developed based on community input received as part of Phase 1 and our own technical investigations. 

Think of these options as modular. Each option presents a variety of elements that can be combined and customised to best suit your vision for the precinct. This flexible approach allows us to explore different possibilities and ensure the final masterplan truly reflects our community.  

Feedback gathered in Phase 2 will directly influence the development of a preferred masterplan, which will be presented to Council for approval later in 2025. 

All information on how to have your say – both online and in-person - can be found on this page on Engagement Hub.

In July and August 2024, we engaged with you to understand your aspirations for the future PLP. We received a significant response with 396 survey responses and had over 200 in-person conversations, and you shared your vision for a precinct that: 

• Enhances green and open spaces for everyone to enjoy 

• Creates multi-purpose facilities that cater to a wide range of community needs, from sporting clubs to community groups 

• Attracts new businesses while supporting existing local shops and cafes 

• Preserves the historical significance of Prospect Oval, including the grandstand, pavilion, and Prospect Memorial Gardens. 

These valuable insights, along with extensive technical investigations, have guided the development of four master planning options for Phase 2 consultation. 

A full engagement report from the Phase 1 consultation period is available online in the document library on this page on Engagement Hub.

Phase 2 community engagement will conclude on 28 March 2025. After Phase 2 consultation closes, a report summarising all feedback received will be prepared and presented to Council. The next phase will involve finalising a preferred master plan, which will be presented to Council for approval later in 2025. 

You'll be kept informed throughout the process and can find updates on upcoming consultations and project milestones on the Council's website and social media pages. 

We understand that responsible financial planning is important to our community, and Council are committed to exploring all available funding options to minimise the impact on your rates while delivering a high-quality and sustainable precinct. 

This could include: 

• Exploring potential commercial and retail opportunities within the precinct to generate ongoing revenue 

• Seeking external funding sources, such as grants from State or Federal Government 

The final masterplan will include a detailed funding strategy, but we’re committed to transparency throughout the process and will keep the community informed about any potential impact on rates. 

The project will also undergo rigorous financial scrutiny, including review by Council's independent Audit and Risk Committee, to ensure responsible financial management. 

The Prospect Lifestyle Precinct project aims to create accessible community open space, alongside a premier sporting destination. As part of this aim, Council expects to see an increase in sporting activity at Prospect Oval in future, with the long-term goal of attracting high-level AFL and cricket matches. The size of the playing surface will be maintained, ensuring continued access for local sporting clubs and enthusiasts. 

However, community use of Prospect Oval remains a top priority. Ideally, the Precinct will increase community access to Prospect Oval when it's not being used for sporting activities.  

Upgrading facilities and improving access will benefit everyone, making Prospect Oval a premier destination for both elite athletes and the local community. 

Council values the important role our local sporting clubs and community organisations play in the community. 

To ensure their ongoing involvement, Council established a Facilities User Group (FUG) comprising representatives from all sporting clubs and community groups currently using the site. Since July 2024, the FUG has been meeting bi-monthly with Council's project team to discuss the project's progress and provide valuable input. 

These ongoing meetings with the FUG will continue throughout the master planning process to ensure the needs and priorities of existing users are fully considered. 

On 28 January 2025, Council endorsed the development of Displacement Management Principles to guide future collaboration and decision making, in the event there is an identified impact to an existing facility user group at any stage of the project. 

For more information on the FUG, including a list of members, please visit the Prospect Lifestyle Precinct project webpage here. 

At this stage, no decisions have been made regarding the Prospect Lifestyle Precinct Masterplan or the future of the North Adelaide Croquet Club. 

We’re seeking community feedback on what they would like to see included as part of the future precinct. This includes the level of support for croquet and the appropriate scale required to meet future demand. Further information on this matter can be found in the fact sheets available on Council’s Engagement Hub website.  

The North Adelaide Croquet Club is a valued member of the Facilities User Group, one of the two dedicated advisory groups for the PLP. A representative from the club has attended bi-monthly meetings since the group's establishment in July 2024. Council will continue to engage with all user groups and the broader community for the life of the project, particularly during the upcoming community consultation period. All dates for the upcoming Facilities User Group meeting are available on the Prospect Lifestyle Precinct project webpage Council’s website. Observers are welcome to attend, should you be interested. 

On 28 January 2025, Council endorsed the development of Displacement Management Principles to guide future collaboration and decision making, in the event there is an identified impact to an existing facility user group at any stage of the project. Council is committed to working with any facility user group who may be impacted in the future. 

We understand construction can be disruptive.  

At this stage, there’s no confirmed timeline for construction to commence. This will be determined in later phases of the master planning process. Council will provide a clear timeline and work diligently to minimise disruptions while keeping the community informed as further information becomes available. 

Parking is an important consideration for the Prospect Lifestyle Precinct Masterplan, and Council are exploring on-site parking solutions as part of the redevelopment. All current master planning options include increased car parking at or near Prospect Oval. 

We will keep the community informed about any proposed parking solutions as the project progresses. 

We understand that by living close to Prospect Oval, you have a unique perspective, and possibly some concerns, about the prospect of redevelopment. 

We want to work closely with you to create a precinct that benefits both residents and the broader community. While there's no finalised plan yet, we're committed to considering options that balance public access with resident privacy, manage parking demand and promote community connection. 

The long-term goal is to see Prospect Oval become a premier destination, potentially attracting high-level AFL and cricket matches. However, this doesn't mean Prospect Oval is abandoning its community focus. We ideally want to increase community access to the Oval when it's not being used for sporting purposes. 

Based on feedback received as part of Phase 1 consultation, Council's CEO, Chris White, sent letters to all PLP adjacent and nearby residents in September 2024 and January 2025 to provide updates on the project and address any initial concerns. 

As part of Phase 2 consultation, all adjacent and nearby residents were invited to dedicated PLP adjacent resident workshops held on Wednesday 12 February. These workshops provided an opportunity for direct dialogue with the project team and to discuss specific concerns related to the potential impacts of the redevelopment on your property. 

We understand construction can be disruptive, and we'll keep you informed throughout the process, providing updates and seeking your feedback as plans progress. 

Council is committed to preserving Prospect Oval's heritage, ensuring the oval’s grandstand and pavilion are retained, as well Prospect Memorial Gardens, the war memorial monument and the Former ARP Sub-Control Station (commonly known as the Prospect Air Raid Shelter). 

The Former ARP Sub-Control Station will be a particular  focus, with options including opportunities for increased activation and promotion in a way that highlights its historical significance. 

The Prospect Lifestyle Precinct (PLP) project presents a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of this land, including the contribution of the Kaurna people. 

The Payinthi Kumangka Steering Group will have a role in guiding the cultural considerations for this project. We are committed to working with the Steering Group to ensure Kaurna storytelling and heritage are meaningfully integrated throughout the design and development of the PLP. 

Preserving green space is a priority for the Prospect Lifestyle Precinct and was identified as a key community priority during Phase 1 consultation. 

All four master planning options have prioritised increasing open and green spaces. 

Yes, Council is committed to creating an inclusive space that is accessible for everyone. The Precinct design will adhere to all relevant accessibility standards.

Sustainability is a key priority. The Precinct will incorporate water-saving features, energy-efficient design, and use of recycled materials wherever possible.

The Precinct redevelopment is expected to create exciting opportunities for local businesses, and Council encourages interested businesses to stay informed about the project's progress.  

We recommend registering your interest on the Prospect Lifestyle precinct project page on our Engagement Hub at cityofprospect.engagementhub.com.au/prospect-lifestyle-precinct to receive updates and future engagement opportunities. 

There are no changes proposed to the Twilight Sessions. Feedback received during Phase 1 consultation showed very strong community support for this event. 

In December 2023, Council submitted a grant application to the State Government to help fund an upgrade to the lighting infrastructure at Prospect Oval. This application aimed to secure the necessary infrastructure improvements to meet AFL and cricket broadcasting standards, and for City of Prospect to potentially host an AFL Gather Round game in 2026.  

Unfortunately, our grant application wasn't successful as part of the 2024-2025 State Government budget. While this means our city won’t be hosting a Gather Round game in 2026, it does provide an opportunity for a more comprehensive approach. Council’s focus has now shifted to planning the future development of the entire Prospect Lifestyle Precinct holistically. 

Council remains committed to improving the lighting infrastructure at Prospect Oval and will continue advocating for State Government investment to secure funding for the upgrade in the future.