Promises, promises

by Shane Sody

The State Government’s credibility is on the line.

Six promises about your Adelaide Park Lands have either been broken, or have not (yet) been delivered.

1. Protect Adelaide's Tree Canopy

In February 2022, during the State election campaign, Deputy Labor leader Susan Close said:

"Labor's commitment is to improve SA's tree regulations so they are the best in Australia. .... The community believes that the Government should lead by example.”

Since last December, State Parliament’s Environment, Resources and Development Committee has been examining "how to improve the resilience and longevity of trees comprising the urban forest."

However before that Committee has reported, Labor is pushing ahead with plans to destroy these dozens of mature trees in your Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2).

2. Aquatic Centre location

Before the 2022 State election, Labor promised to listen to community feedback about where a new Aquatic Centre should be located. However, in Government the community was presented with a fait accompli. In 2022, no site other than in your Denise Norton Park/ Pardipardinyilla (Park 2) was offered, nor has any brownfield site been considered for a new Aquatic Centre.

The State Government so far has ignored the unfiltered views of survey respondents, and is still ignoring more than 4,800 petition signatures calling for a new Aquatic Centre to be built on a convenient, near-city brownfield site.

“Hands Up for Your Park Lands”. Protecting Denise Norton Park/ Pardipardinyilla (Park 2) . More than 4,800 petition signatories are being ignored. Pic: Alex Frayne

What’s more, the proposed new centre is set to be much larger the existing Aquatic Centre: a two-storey megalith, including shops, club rooms, a gym, offices AND a vastly expanded car park, on your Park Lands.

3. Old centre to be closed early

In September 2022, Labor’s Lucy Hood promised that the current Aquatic Centre would:

“continue to operate while we build the new centre – meaning the hundreds of thousands of visitors, locals and families who rely on this service each year won’t miss out during the upgrade.”

However in June 2023 that promise was shredded. Unless the State Government does another U-turn, the current centre is due to be torn down in August 2024, and its staff made redundant, at least 18 months before any new Aquatic Centre is constructed. This represents a broken promise to Aquatic Centre users.

Each of the three promises above could still be fulfilled if the State Government belatedly heeded community feedback and switched its plans, by selecting a convenient near-city brownfield site, close to public transport, for its promised new Aquatic Centre.

4. State Heritage listing

Prior to the 2022 State election, SA Labor supported immediate State Heritage listing of your Park Lands. However since then, they have refused to act and have voted AGAINST State Heritage listing.

Their refusal to grant State Heritage status has ignored overwhelming community backing since 2017.

5. Fully protect Helen Mayo Park

Helen Mayo Park (part of Park 27) on the riverbank.

Your Helen Mayo Park (in Park 27) was threatened by the previous Liberal State Government which was planning a huge stadium to destroy the Park. Labor promised to " restore full protection to Helen Mayo Park." But they have fallen short, providing only partial protection.

6. Adelaide Recreation Circuit

Prior to the 2022 State election, Labor promised to "investigate creating an uninterrupted walk, run and cycle circuit around the Park Lands."

The proposed Adelaide Recreation Circuit, supported by business groups, sporting groups, and APA.

So far, there has been no action to fulfill this promise.

What can you do?