Council joins Aquatic Centre brownfield push

The Adelaide City Council has backed a community push to have a new State Aquatic Centre built on an alternative site - not where the Government wants to put it, on your Open Green Public Park Lands.

There’s been widespread support for Government proposals to build a new Aquatic Centre; but a growing community disquiet about the location the Government has selected, a site that would require destruction of dozens of mature trees.

At a meeting on 31 January 2023, City Councillors voted 9-2 supporting a motion from newly-elected Councillor Janet Giles.

Reports prepared by the State Government’s own consultants show that building a new Aquatic Centre in Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2) would reduce available habitat for cockatoos, possums, falcons, and flying foxes. Even koalas have been recorded in this Park, in the sugar gums that would be at risk from Government plans.

The Government’s insistence on this Park attack defies overwhelming public demand for protection of Adelaide’s world-unique green garland.

Councillor Janet Giles

“I’m pleased that council now has a strong position in opposition to the proposed site for the aquatic centre” says Councillor Janet Giles.

“This allows us to confidently discuss this issue with the State Government knowing we are representing the views of residents.”

Here’s how the story was covered by City Mag: https://citymag.indaily.com.au/happening/community-council-throw-down-gauntlet-for-new-aquatic-centre-location/

“Hands Up for Your Trees” - our rally on site, on 24 September. More actions will be coming if the Government resists what would be a win-win option of choosing an alternative brownfield site.

Government isolated - still in denial

The State Government is still resisting the community’s wishes. Despite the growing support for a brownfield site, Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis is doubling down, and says he’s not looking for any alternative sites.

Mr Koutsantonis claims that the Government has been “completely upfront” and had “consulted broadly”.

However, before last year’s State election, there was no “completely upfront” promise to destroy dozens of trees; nor was there a “completely upfront” refusal to consider any brownfield sites.

In contrast, there was a “completely upfront” promise to protect Adelaide’s tree canopy, but that promise seems to have been forgotten.

We’ve called bullshit on this. It doesn’t pass the pub test.

What can you do?

If you haven’t done so already, then:

More details of the re-zoning at the Planning SA website: https://plan.sa.gov.au/have_your_say/code-amendments/on-consultation

Hands Up for Your Trees. The Government wants to Restore and Attack. They haven’t yet grasped the win-win outcome of choosing an alternative brownfield site, to allow Restore and Protect.