The Little Para Golf Course proves that when councils think creatively, community and economic growth can thrive side by side.

There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when a familiar place becomes something entirely new - when a space people once drove past suddenly becomes a place they can’t wait to return to. That’s the story unfolding at the Little Para Golf Course, where the City of Salisbury and GreenSpace Management have transformed what was once a financial challenge into a buzzing, proudly local success.

Winner of the Excellence in Local Economic Development Award, this project shows what’s possible when councils rethink the way assets can serve a community. And it all began with one simple question:

What if a struggling golf course could become a destination?

Reimagining what a public golf course could be

For years, Little Para Golf Course operated at a significant loss, costing the community more than $240,000 annually. The space had potential - but it needed a fresh approach and a bold vision.

Enter Salisbury’s partnership with GreenSpace Management.

Together, they flipped the traditional model on its head. Instead of treating the site purely as a place to play 18 holes, they rebuilt it as a multi-use recreation experience.

SHANX Mini Golf brought colour, fun and energy to the precinct.

TrackMan technology turned the driving range into a modern, high-tech sporting drawcard.

Upgraded irrigation and safety infrastructure ensured long-term viability.

And above all - the entire facility was redesigned with community connection in mind.

The result? A course that finally reflects what Salisbury residents were looking for: an affordable, lively, inclusive hub that feels just as suited to family fun as it does to serious golf.

The moment everything changed

For project lead James Catterall, one moment stands out.

“When we cut the ribbon at SHANX, the kids sprinted to the first hole, parents were laughing, grandparents joined in - it was the moment we knew we’d created something special.”

What was once a quiet patch of green has become one of Salisbury’s most joyful community meeting points. Birthday parties, date nights, school groups, weekend catchups… the Little Para Golf Course is now part of the social fabric.

It’s proof that smart investment doesn’t just save money - it builds pride.

A commercial turnaround with community at its core

While the smiles tell one side of the story, the numbers tell the rest.

Visitation has skyrocketed.

Revenue has exceeded expectations.

For the first time in decades, the course is turning a profit.

And perhaps most importantly, it has redefined what financial sustainability can look like in local government.

“This project showed that commercial success and community benefit don’t have to compete,” James explains. “They can actually strengthen each other.”

The partnership agreement - which includes profit-sharing and long-term capital investment commitments - has ensured stability, mutual benefit, and ongoing innovation. Other councils have already begun looking to Little Para as a model for transforming underperforming community assets.

The team who made it possible

Projects like this don’t succeed by accident - they succeed because people believe in what’s possible.

A long list of names sits behind the transformation:

• Andrew Hamilton, who championed ambition and community focus.
• Ben Hopkins, who designed a partnership agreement built on trust and shared goals.
• Amy Pokoney Cramey, who advocated fiercely for the people and the place.
• James Catterall, who steered the entire operational transition from concept to reality.
• Tom Beales, who continues to champion commercial growth.
• Nigel Dennis, who keeps collaboration strong.
• Craig Grocke, the steady strategic voice.
• Brayden French, who ensured the numbers worked - and kept working.

Together, they achieved something many thought impossible: turning a financial liability into a thriving, sustainable community asset.

What the award means

For the Salisbury team, the recognition has been deeply meaningful.

“It felt like a pat on the back for every late-night phone call and every ‘what if we tried this?’ conversation,” James says.

For the community, it’s reassurance that council is innovating boldly and investing wisely in spaces that add real value to local life.

What’s next for Little Para?

The momentum isn’t slowing down.

More community events, expanded facilities, and a few yet-to-be-announced additions are on the horizon. And the lessons from this project - collaboration, creativity, trust - are already shaping how Salisbury approaches future opportunities.

As James puts it: “Partnerships and new ideas… they’re the real game changers.”

Thank you to our partner Norman Waterhouse for sponsoring the Excellence in Local Economic Development Award.

GIF: Features a variety of images from the Little Para Golf Course, and those representing the project at the LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner.