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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-25 Daily Xml
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Waite Trust (Activities on and Use of Certain Trust Land) Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 13 November 2025.)

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (17:22): Over 110 years ago, Peter Waite and his wife, Matilda, made an extraordinarily generous gift to the state that has had a significant and continuing impact on South Australia. On 3 October 1913, Peter Waite advised the state government that he wished to gift his Urrbrae estate for two clear and specific purposes: to establish an agricultural research centre, what is now known as the Waite Research Institute, and to establish a secondary agricultural school, now the Urrbrae Agricultural High School.

Peter Waite's generosity was driven by his deep conviction that agricultural science and rural education were and continue to be vital for the future of our state. On 26 February 1914, part of the land was formally transferred to the Crown, creating the Waite Trust, which specifically required the land to be used for agricultural education. After Peter Waite's death in 1922, the University of Adelaide assumed ownership of the adjoining land, establishing the Waite Agricultural Research Institute in 1924. Urrbrae Agricultural High School opened in 1932, fulfilling Peter Waite's original vision.

Over the years, parliament has amended the Waite Trust. These legislative changes have consistently upheld the trust's principal purpose to support agricultural education and related activities. Through this bill, further variation of the trust is proposed to enable the construction of sporting and community facilities on part of the Urrbrae Agricultural High School oval for the Sturt Football Club (SANFL). It is important to note that while the original gift was explicitly for educational purposes, this proposal seeks to expand that use to enhance existing sporting facilities, with the minister's approval. The redevelopment of Urrbrae Agricultural High School oval, which I have been told will go out for consultation during the planning approval process, will include sports lighting, goalposts and a facility for multipurpose rooms, change rooms and spectator facilities.

This development will create a second oval for the Sturt Football Club, primarily to support their expanding junior and women's football competitions. The cost of the project is expected to be $4 million, with $3.5 million already committed by the federal government.

I note that the member for Unley, the Hon. David Pisoni MP, and the Liberal candidate for Unley, Rosalie Rotolo, are both very supportive of the proposal and have been in long discussions with stakeholders about these changes. The project has been in planning for approximately three years and will significantly enhance opportunities for women and girls in football, which we know has expanded over recent years.

The historical intent of the land is explicit. Peter Waite's gift in 1913 was for the education and training of young South Australians in agriculture and related sciences. His vision was educational and charitable, not recreational or commercial. Therefore, any diversion from the original purpose must be carefully considered against the trust's longstanding legacy. In my briefing with the minister's office, I sought clarification over key points, including:

Consultation—a public YourSAy platform was released to inform the community a few weeks ago and it is uncertain how far that was distributed. I look forward to asking questions on this during the committee stage.

Licence arrangements—the proposed 10-year plus 10-year option will be with Sturt Football Club and for use by other groups as well. I would like to ask further questions about that during committee as well.

Financial arrangements—while annual payments from the club have not been fully detailed, the project will benefit the school directly, particularly in supporting student participation in sport. It is anticipated that ongoing running costs and maintenance will be factored into any licensing agreements going forward.

Footprint of the project—I asked questions through the briefing and listening to the minister in the other place. The redevelopment proposal is contained within the existing oval footprint and is linked to the school for educational purposes and use.

This is a carefully considered proposal that honours the spirit of Peter Waite's gift, while also providing tangible benefits for the school and the wider community. With that, I commend the bill to the chamber.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (17:27): This is, as the member has highlighted, a very important bill, a unique one, it being the Waite Trust, an area that has been made available for agricultural learning purposes and also for recreational purposes. Today, we can further strengthen the value and the public asset of this site, and I look forward to progressing this through the committee stage and thank the honourable member for her feedback today.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

In committee.

Clause 1.

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO: Could the minister please outline what consultation was undertaken on this bill and what is the plan in regard to consultation during the planning process?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: I understand there was a two-week consultation period through the YourSAy platform, with 45 responses received. Overwhelmingly, these were positive responses and ones that highlighted again the significance of what the Waite Trust is able to offer: the combination of having a dedicated education facility during the day that is now going to be improved, and also the opportunity to ensure that sporting clubs have facilities that not only enable them to be successful but provide an opportunity to attract new members, particularly young girls.

Clause passed.

The CHAIR: I need to advise you also that this bill is a hybrid bill and was referred to a select committee pursuant to the standing orders. As the House of Assembly referred the bill to a select committee, there is no need for the council to do the same with regard to a select committee.

Remaining clauses (2 to 6), preamble and title passed.

Bill reported without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (17:31): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.

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