by Shane Sody

Premier Peter Malinauskas says his Government has been subject to an “unfair characterisation that suggests that we've declared war on the Park Lands.”

The Premier has received the names of 7,500 people who’ve signed a petition, urging him to choose a win-win brownfield site for a new $135 million two-storey Aquatic and commercial centre.

I joined APA’s Deputy President Ben Ayris in presenting the petition signatories to the Premier during a meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday 26 September.

We discussed the possibility that his Government might act on the wishes of the 7,500 petition signatories to find an alternative win-win brownfield site, where a new Aquatic Centre might be located.

Despite the State Government’s purchase of the old West End brewery site for $61 million, Mr Malinauskas gave no assurances that this site, or any other brownfield site would even be examined.

Therefore, our petition is still open, gathering even more signatures.

***“Save These Trees: Choose a Brownfield Site for new Aquatic Centre”*** *The Premier, Peter Malainauskas receiving 7,500 petition names from APA President Shane Sody (centre) and Deputy President, Ben Ayris (right)*

The Premier took issue with the way the Adelaide Park Lands Association has characterised several of his Government’s decisions as “attacks” on your Park Lands. He told us:

“Notwithstanding the unfair characterization that suggests that we've declared war on the Park Lands, we are looking for opportunities to make Park Lands accessible; improve the public realm in and around the Park Lands, particularly around the New Women's and Children's Hospital site.

“The olives groves which are currently ensconced and enclosed by fencing that actively precludes access to the public, will go.

“The area around the old Adelaide Gaol, there will be significant components returned to publicly accessible Park Lands as a result of the decisions we're making to invest.

“We are looking for opportunities and to make Park Lands more accessible and improve their amenity and that is something that we continue to remain open to, and including working with the Park Lands Association on.”

Our response to this argument, by the Premier, was published a year ago. Promising to make some Park Lands sites “accessible” is an attempt to disguise the reality that your Park Lands are being chipped away, every time a new building covers part of your Park Lands in concrete.

Notwithstanding the Premier’s arguments about the proposed new Women’s and Children’s Hospital. there is no denying that his Government’s plans for a new $135 million megalith aquatic and commercial centre would represent an attack on your Open Green Public Park Lands.

*It’s starkly obvious: selecting a site for a new Aquatic Centre will represent a choice either to PROTECT or to ATTACK this three-hectare Open Green Public space in your Park Lands.*

Four broken promises

The Government’s proposed Park Lands attack for a new $135 million two-storey megalith Aquatic and commercial centre would break FOUR promises.

First, it breaks a promise to consult you on the proposed location. You were TOLD (not consulted) that your Park Lands would be targeted.
Second, it breaks a promise to protect and restore Adelaide’s tree canopy. Using this site would require the destruction of dozens of mature trees, that are providing habitat for possums, koalas, and many bird species.
Third, it breaks a promise to keep the old centre operating while the new centre is being built; and
Fourth, it breaks a promise that the new centre would be smaller than the old one to return land to your Park Lands.

Other issues taken ‘on notice’

During the meeting with the Premier, Ben Ayris and I also pressed him to consider a review of the Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005, which has proved totally ineffective at protecting your Park Lands.

The Act that does not protect your Park Lands. Questioned on whether he would consider a review of the Act, the Premier said he would “take that on notice”. The Act is the responsibility of Planning Minister Nick Champion.

Mr Malinauskas also expressed interest in the idea of the Adelaide Recreation Circuit, a proposed unbroken cycling/running/walking loop, around the entire Park Lands.

As a keen runner, he was enthused by the potential of the concept, but gave no assurances about whether he would support funding for a feasibility study.