A funny thing happened on the way to an election.
Your Adelaide Park Lands have become one step closer to State Heritage protection.
The Upper House of State Parliament last night passed a Bill that would require your Open Green Public Park Lands to be listed as a Heritage Area.
Bonython Park / Tulya Wardli (Park 27)
The Bill was an initiative of Greens MLC Robert Simms.
Surprisingly, the Heritage Places (Adelaide Park Lands) Amendment Bill was supported by all parties – even by Liberal State Government members.
However there is a catch. The Bill won’t become law because Parliament’s lower house, the House of Assembly, is not sitting before the election on 19 March, and so the Bill will lapse (meaning it won’t become law) unless or until the process starts again after the election.
Nevertheless it’s a symbolic win for your Park Lands. Mr Simms was jubilant after the vote:
“After years of delay, this is a big win for all those who have been advocating for the Park Lands to be included on the State Heritage List,” he said.
Possum Park / Pirltawardli (Park 1)
“Labor and the Liberals are now both on the public record supporting this Greens’ Bill. No matter who is in Government, we will re-introduce the Bill in the next parliament and push to make this a priority.
“In the meantime, the Liberals should defer any development plans for the Park Lands (including the Sports Arena), to ensure due consideration of potential State Listing.
“It would be reckless to push ahead with development when one of the Houses of Parliament has sent such a clear message regarding the value of our public green space,” Mr Simms concluded.
BACKGROUND.
For more than three years, the Liberal State Government has avoided acting on a 2018 recommendation from the State Heritage Council that your Park Lands should be declared a State Heritage Area.
Last month, both the Chair of the Heritage Council, Keith Conlon, and APA President, Shane Sody, raised the issue in separate meetings with Planning Minister Josh Teague.
Your Park Lands were nominated for State Heritage listing way back in 2009. What has happened over the years? Read the saga here: www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/heritage
