Unley Oval is a treasured regional open space in the heart of the City of Unley. The Precinct is home to established sporting clubs, including Sturt Football Club, Sturt Bowling Club, Sturt Lawn Tennis Club and Sturt District Cricket Club, and serves as a popular community hub, appealing to visitors from within the City of Unley and across metropolitan Adelaide.
In June 2024, Council endorsed community consultation regarding a potential permanent perimeter fence being installed around Unley Oval. The purpose of the consultation was to gauge the level of community support and better understand the concerns and benefits associated with a permanent fence.
Stage 1 Consultation - Community Survey
The Stage 1 Perimeter Fence Investigation Survey was conducted over a three-week period, ending in July 2024. Over 1,400 surveys were submitted, with responses from both local residents and stakeholders beyond the City of Unley.
An external consultant was engaged to analyse the findings of the survey. A detailed summary of the findings can be found in the agenda for Council's meeting on 23 September 2024 (Item 4.1). View the meeting minutes.
Stage 2 Consultation - Concept Design
Using the findings of the Community Survey to inform their decision-making, Council decided to proceed to Stage 2 of the investigation at its meeting on 23 September 2024.
This stage of the investigation involved the development of concept designs for a potential permanent perimeter fence at Unley Oval. Greenway Architects were engaged to develop these concept designs, with community feedback gathered in Stage 1 of the investigation used to inform initial concept designs for the fence, including feedback about:
- Location of the fence around the oval.
- Access points for community use.
- Safety considerations for both oval users and spectators.
- Aesthetic appeal that aligns with Unley’s character.
Greenway Architects presented potential design options to Elected Members for their review and feedback at a Council Briefing which was open to the public on Tuesday, 11 March 2025.
The concept designs attempted to identify different ways to address the community's concerns regarding a permanent perimeter fence.
At this briefing, Council asked questions and provided feedback to Greenway Architects about the designs presented.
Greenway Architects updated the concept designs in response to Council feedback. A refined set of designs was presented to Council on Monday, 28 April 2025. To view the report and proposed concept designs, please see Item 4.3 in the Council Agenda for the 28 April 2025 meeting.
At this meeting, Council endorsed the release of the proposed concept designs for community consultation. Council also endorsed an additional option for consultation: a permanent fence with regular spaced gates around Unley Oval appropriate to the current match-day alignment, without brick pillars and arches.
Designs Endorsed by Council
Following the close of consultation, community feedback was reviewed and summarised in a report to Council, presented at the 25 August 2025 Council Meeting. At this meeting Council resolved to install a permanent perimeter fence around Unley Oval.
After considering the results of the consultation, Council resolved to proceed with a fence aligned to Langham Terrace, Frederick Street and Trimmer Terrace, with the following design options endorsed:
- Langham Terrace – Option 2
- Frederick Street – Option 1
- Trimmer Terrace – Option 2
View the August 2025 full Council Agenda and Minutes on Council’s website.