Sporting Facilities

In reply to the Hon. S.L. GAME ().29 October 2024).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State): The Treasurer has advised:

The inaugural AFL Gather Round was conceived in 2022 and held in April 2023. The Summit Sport and Recreation Park was opened in April 2021, well in advance of AFL Gather Round, and was developed to significantly advance the establishment of new sport and recreation facilities by the Mount Barker District Council to meet local community needs.

Following the success of the 2023 Gather Round, the AFL and the state government partnered on planning the future delivery of Gather Round infrastructure and services, in consultation with the SANFL. A review identified an opportunity to establish a venue in the Barossa Valley that would meet the specifications required of venues hosting AFL competition matches, whilst also maximising tourism and economic benefits in the region. This coincided with a project being planned by The Barossa Council to develop key infrastructure assets that would support growth in economic, social, community and environmental outcomes. The Lyndoch Recreation Park was selected as the suitable venue for this development.

As well as hosting AFL Gather Round fixtures, the Lyndoch Recreation Park will be the main sporting and recreation hub of the southern Barossa, catering for local cricket, tennis, football and netball clubs in the area.

The venue will also be used to bring new events and festivals to a high-profile regional location that is within close proximity to metropolitan Adelaide, increasing awareness of this iconic part of South Australia and driving visitation to the state. The precinct will also interlink with the Lyndoch village green to support events and the community in the southern Barossa.

This project will bring a range of economic, social and environmental benefits. A venue of this scale at Lyndoch has the potential to further contribute to the Barossa as a tourist destination, offering the means for both large-scale signature events and smaller scale community events.