Park Theft - confusing Town Hall responses
Two weeks ago, we headlined a story that the City Council had “surrendered to State Government Park theft”.
Did we leap to a wrong conclusion? Or have some members of the Council had a re-think?
On Tuesday 28 September 2021, a City Council “Committee” meeting discussed the State Government’s threats to re-zone 70 hectares of your Open Green Public Park Lands.
Without reaching any formal decision, Councillors at that meeting agreed on a clear message: “oppose building on the Park Lands".
However two days later, Thursday 30 September 2021, a meeting of the Adelaide Park Lands Authority chaired by Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor left open the door to much of the State Government’s controversial Park Lands development agenda.
The Authority had before it a draft resolution, a recommendation from a senior City Council staffer calling for strong advice to the State Government:
“Large-scale built form, such as sporting arenas, commercial car parks and residential or commercial buildings, are completely at odds with the statutory principles under the Park Lands Act
“One of the most liveable cities in the world should not be building on its Park Lands. We should only ever improve parks, make them more beautiful, more rewarding.”
The State Government’s vision for your Riverbank Park Lands - more and more buildings like these
However, that resolution was not adopted. At the urging of Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor the Park Lands Authority deferred the matter, pending another workshop and talks with the State Government.
Several members of the Authority suggested that a “workshop” and talks with the State Government might allow the Authority to provide advice that could “add value” and result in some compromise from the Government.
Authority member, Cr Alex Hyde said the deferral might allow the Authority to provide advice which might “influence” the Government’s desired projects “to fit into the Park Lands better.”
Is this the proper role of the Park Lands Authority?
Should the Town Hall be looking to compromise over plans to rob you of Open Green Public Park Lands?
Faced with a Government threat to rob future generations of 70 hectares of Park Lands, the message from the Town Hall is at best confusing.
At worst, it seems like key figures within the Council are preparing to cave in to the Government’s park theft agenda.
Find out what you can do about it.