Chestnut Court Community Land Revocation

Background

The City of Marion have been approached by a developer (MAB CCT Pty Ltd) seeking to acquire Chestnut Court Reserve, Tonsley. This process has been administered through Councils Unsolicited Proposal process.

MAB CCT Pty Ltd. are proposing to build a fit for purpose factory for the tenancy of Tesla Inc. The proposal will establish a long-term tenancy for Tesla that will provide a facility for the repurposing of Tesla batteries, and a servicing facility and showroom for Tesla vehicles. Tesla have an existing presence at Tonsley and strong connection to the clean technology energy agenda of the Tonsley Innovation Precinct.

The proposal presents significant economic benefits with an estimated 100 jobs set to be created, and financial benefit for Council, with the proceeds of the potential sale to be allocated to Council's Asset Sustainability Reserve Fund. In addition, the proposal will generate continuous revenue from rates.

Chestnut Court Reserve has not been accessible to the public since 2016 due to contamination concerns. Through the sale of the land MAB CCT Ltd would be required to address the contamination to support a future development application.

Subject to a future development application a total of 58 trees will be required to be removed. This comprises of 2 significant trees and 28 regulated tees. It is estimated 62 trees will be required to be planted to offset the removals.

Location

MAB CCT Pty Ltd. are proposing to purchase the Target Site area in the map below outlined in red, which comprises a portion of land currently owned by Renewal SA (shown in yellow) as well as Chestnut Court Reserve area shown in green, and a portion of the South Australian Housing Trust (SAHT) land shown in blue. The blue dashed outlined area on the map is owned by SAHT and is currently leased to Council for use as a reserve providing residents with open space till 2028.

Join the conversation

Section 194 (2) of the Local Government Act (1999) requires that the City of Marion must prepare a report for consultation on the proposal and undertake community consultation for a minimum of 21 days to collect community feedback in relation to the proposal to revoke this Community Land.

You are invited to view a copy of the Section 194 Report and provide your feedback via a short survey below.

If you wish to complete a paper survey or require assistance, please call customer service on 8375 6600 or email communityengagement@marion.sa.gov.au  

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - active

Consultation open
Timeline item 2 - incomplete

Consultation closes

Thursday 17 April.
Timeline item 3 - incomplete

Community feedback report

Considered at General Council meeting on Tuesday 27 May 2025.

Document Library

Frequently Asked Questions

Most land that is owned by Council or under its care and control is set aside for the public to use and enjoy.

All local government land (except roads) that is owned by Council or is under the care, control and management of Council is classified as Community Land under the Local Government Act 1999, unless it has been exempted through legislation, excluded by resolution of Council or the classification has been revoked.

This land is classified as “Community Land” to make sure it is looked after for the benefit of the whole community and to reflect that some land has special meaning to locals because of important cultural or historic features. Council is responsible for actively managing this land.

Sometimes Council needs to consider whether it is in the long-term interests of the community that the protection of a parcel of land under the classification of Community Land should continue. Council (in consultation with the community) may decide that such protection under this classification is no longer required, to enable the land to be sold.

The Local Government Act 1999 contains important restrictions on the ability of Council to revoke and sell its Community Land. Community Land cannot be sold without first consulting with the broader community and giving the public an opportunity to consider any proposal to sell the land. Council must take into account the views and opinions of the public when Council makes its decision as to whether it will revoke the Community Land status of the land.

There is a further step in the process. The Minister for Local Government must also consider the overall merits of the proposal and decide whether to consent to the revocation and sale and give Council the authority to proceed.

Section 194 of the Local Government Act 1999 requires Council to prepare a report on a proposal to revoke the Community Land classification of any land and to make the report available, and follow the steps set out in its public consultation policy before considering any submissions and submitting the proposal to the Minister for Local Government for decision. The report describes the proposal, the reasons behind it, where the land is located and the possible future use of the land.

The feedback received from the consultation will be used to assist Council in its decision making process.

Contact Information
Phone	08 8375 6600
Email	communityengagement@marion.sa.gov.au
Website	www.marion.sa.gov.au
In writing	PO Box 21 Park Holme South Australia 5043

Phone

08 8375 6600

communityengagement@marion.sa.gov.au

Website

www.marion.sa.gov.au

In writing

PO Box 21 Park Holme

South Australia 5043

Proposed revocation of community land

Background

Location

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