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I'm not particularly interested in the access argument myself - agree it's not a hugely strong point against the proposed fence. I do see (without seriously endorsing) the point some people make about it maybe being the thin edge of the wedge.The access argument isn’t really relevant, it would be no different to Prospect Oval and it’s mix of public access and sports being played on it.
Recently some morons were on Unley Oval threatening female players and officials.
What a perimeter fence Provides is better security from traffic for kids and dogs
I would never condone or defend morons behaving badly.
I would be interested in some data that supports the need for security from traffic (I'm not suggesting you have that data or should have it - just explaining why I am not persuaded by this argument at the moment). I am open to being persuaded. I have little kids and I definitely don't want them to be knocked over by a car.
But every time safety has been raised, even in the Council documents, it has been in this kind of motherhood way - I am not aware of there actually ever having been an incident that suggests safety is a real issue. There are a fair few obstacles between oval and road on 3 sides of the oval, and at the northern end (which might be the most vulnerable) you have to negotiate a picket fence and then a zig-zag train crossing style low fence to get from the oval to the street. If you are determined enough to run into oncoming traffic to negotiate those obstacles, a perimeter fence with an open gate probably isn't adding much by way of security.
I'm not aggressively anti-fence, I just haven't heard a compelling argument in favour of it other than one about the saving some money for the Sturt Football Club. Now I'm pro-footy, pro-SANFL, a Roosters fan so kinda neutral about Sturt. I bear them no ill will. But I don't particularly want to donate my rates to them either when that money would no doubt otherwise be used on other worthy causes in the community.
Anyway this is hopelessly off topic so I'll leave it there. I just am not a fan of the perception that people who don't want this fence are NIMBYs. There are some (and they are probably the loudest, and probably the f-wits threatening people). But actually I think the community's reservations about the idea are a bit more nuanced and, I would like to think, sensible.