Community Invited to Shape the Future of the Wadmore House Precinct

The Coorong District Council is inviting residents, businesses, community groups and visitors to provide feedback on the Council’s preferred direction for the Wadmore House Precinct.

For the first time, the community is being asked to consider a future direction for the site and provide feedback on whether they believe that direction best balances community benefit, economic opportunity and financial sustainability.

The Wadmore House Precinct, located at 78A Princes Highway, Meningie, consists of three allotments, including Wadmore House (Lot 50), and two vacant adjoining blocks (Lots 51 and 52). The site occupies a prominent location in the heart of Meningie and has remained largely vacant since 2019.

Coorong District Council’s Acting Mayor Cr. Jonathan Pietzsch said the consultation presents an important opportunity for the community to influence the future of a significant Council-owned building and land parcels.

"Wadmore House has long been a valued landmark within Meningie and there are strong views within the community about its future," says Cr. Pietzsch.

“We have identified the option to sell a portion of land, seek grant funding to renovate Wadmore House and partner with Meningie Progress Association for operation of the facility, as Council’s preferred option. However, we have not yet made a final decision, and we're now putting all of the information on the table and asking the community to help guide our next steps.

“This engagement is about understanding what matters most to our community. Is it retaining the site for future community use? Supporting economic development? Generating funds that can be invested elsewhere? Or finding a balance between these competing priorities?

The consultation follows the completion of an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process that identified several possible future pathways for the precinct.

Council's preferred option, being a Council-Led Redevelopment with Partial Land Sale, proposes the sale of surplus land within the precinct, including Lot 52 and the rear portion of Lot 50, with sale proceeds and external grant funding used to renovate and preserve Wadmore House and the remaining land for future community use.

The option would retain the site in community ownership while creating opportunities for community activation and partnership with the Meningie Progress Association.

To support informed consideration, the Council has released a Wadmore Precinct Options Paper. The Options Paper outlines the opportunities, risks and financial implications associated with various options, including the Council’s preferred option.

The options present distinctly different outcomes for Council and the community. Some options would generate an estimated $825,000 in sale revenue and remove all future maintenance and asset management responsibilities from Council.

Other options would see Wadmore House retained in community ownership and opportunities created for future community use, but may require significant investment in repairs, grant funding applications and ongoing maintenance commitments.

Acting Mayor Cr. Pietzsch said while Council has expressed a preference to sell some land and seek grants for renovation of Wadmore House, community members are still encouraged to review all the options presented in the Options Paper before completing the survey.

“The options presented each come with their own benefits, costs and risks. We encourage people to take the time to understand these trade-offs and tell us which direction they believe best serves the future of Meningie," says Cr. Pietzsch.

“Whether you support retaining Wadmore House, selling part of the land, pursuing redevelopment, or disposing of the site altogether, we want to hear from you.”

Community members can participate by completing a survey and nominating their preferred option. Feedback received during the consultation period will be analysed and summarised in a Community Engagement Outcomes Report, which will be presented to Council for consideration before any decision is made.

Consultation opens on Monday, 31 August 2026 and will remain open for six weeks before closing at 5:00pm on Friday, 9 October 2026.

The Wadmore House Precinct Options Paper and community survey will be available to view on Council's website, at all Council offices and participating community locations.

For more information visit www.coorong.sa.gov.au or contact the Coorong District Council on 1300 785 277.

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Contact:

Joel Eckermann | Acting Chief Executive Officer

COORONG DISTRICT COUNCIL

Phone: 1300 785 277 | E: council@coorong.sa.gov.au