A planned Christmas concert for Goolwa is now uncertain, with doubts raised about using the Goolwa oval.

The Rotary Club of Goolwa had scheduled the carol service for Sunday 17 December.

It posted on Facebook on 15 November that Alexandrina Council had advised that the oval was unsuitable to hold the event.

Work on Stage Two of the Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct is currently underway and is expected to be complete early in 2024.

Alexandrina Council has issued a statement saying it was not preventing the Goolwa Oval from being used for the Goolwa Community Christmas Concert. 

“A stage, food trucks and rides can be placed on the oval - but given parts of the oval are active construction sites, access needs to be considered. 

“Insurance is also a non-negotiable requirement.”

Following the Facebook statement the council leapt into action and organised a meeting with the Rotary Club on Thursday 16 November.

Chief Executive Officer Nigel Morris says the council will work closely with Rotary to overcome the hurdles associated with running a major event.

“We are hoping that with our combined efforts that we can come together on 17 December 2023 at the Goolwa Oval and sing a carol together."

Rotary Club of Goolwa President-Elect Jan Lawrence says there was miscommunication regarding the use of Goolwa Oval for the concert and the meeting had been extremely productive.

“I thank Council for their support and for working with us as Rotary looks to ensure a successful event for our community.”

The event is Goolwa’s only festive season celebration following cancellation of the annual Christmas festival and pageant due to a lack of community resources.

Goolwa Rotary will sell its Christmas raffle tickets in the Goolwa Shopping Centre Mall from Thursdays to Saturdays up until the draw at 2pm on 23 December.