Council is seeking feedback from the community about a proposed 42-year lease for Pedare Christian College.

Pedare Christian College (the College) is a Pre-Reception to Year 12 school with approximately 1170 students, located on Surrey Farm Drive, Golden Grove.

The College is proposing to install perimeter fencing along its frontage to Surrey Farm Drive. Part of the proposed fencing would extend onto Council-owned Community Land within the Surrey Farm Drive Plantation. The plantation is included in the Tree Screens City-wide Community Land Management Plan (CLMP) with its main purpose to provide a visual buffer between Surrey Farm Drive and nearby property owners, contributing to the amenity of the local area.

The College is seeking Council approval to install a portion of the fence on Council land due to uneven site conditions, which would reduce vegetation impacts and deliver a more practical and efficient outcome. The proposed fence is anticipated to be between 1.8–2.1 metres high and will comply with all relevant planning requirements, including approvals for building over utility easements.

The College’s reasons for installing the fence include duty of care, safe student access, preventing unauthorised entry during school hours, and improving site security outside school hours.

Council is proposing to grant a 42-year lease over the affected portion of Council land to address the encroachment and enable the fence installation. The potential lease area of Council land is approximately 1109 square meters, representing approximately 23% of the total area of the plantation (see map in next tab).

A peppercorn rent of $1.00 per year is being proposed and is considered appropriate due to the land’s limited commercial value and restricted recreational use. Community benefits—such as improved safety, security, and pedestrian management—are expected to outweigh any perceived loss of access. Under the lease, the College would take on ongoing maintenance responsibilities for the portion of Council land, formalising an existing arrangement.

The black dotted line represents proposed fence installation. The light orange shade indicates the potential lease area, approx. 1109 sqm representing approx. 23% of the total area of the reserve.