Council accepts advice Crows parklands proposal could be inconsistent with legislation
The public consultation period for the Crows’ controversial plans for the Aquatic Centre site has been extended, while new legal advice shows it could breach parklands legislation.
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Consultation on the Crows’ proposal for a $65 million headquarters at the Aquatic Centre site has been extended, as Adelaide City Council accepts high level advice the plans could be at odds with what the city’s green belt should be used for.
The council voted seven to two to extend community consultation three extra weeks, from February 19 to March 11.
It comes as the council “noted” advice of the Adelaide Park Lands Authority that the football club’s plans for a training and administration complex might breach laws designed to protect the parklands.
During heated debate, councillors argued the community needed more time to respond to consultation because of its “clunky” interface, while others said it was just a way to “buy more time” on an “already flawed” consultation process.
Cr Mary Couros, who pushed for consultation to be extended, said the community needed more time to respond to the controversial consultation because it was not “user friendly”.
“We will give people the opportunity to really come forward and express their views,”Cr Couros said.
Cr Jessy Khera said that the public would welcome the extra time “wholeheartedly.”
However, Cr Phil Martin, who said the public was overwhelmingly against the development, said an extension of “what is a pathetic attempt at public consultation” would make no difference.
Last week, the Crows released new images about its proposed training and administration complex at the Aquatic Centre site.
The plan includes an eight-lane, 50m pool, a children’s pool and splash area and unfenced ovals, where the Crows would train.
The building, located within the existing footprint of the Aquatic Centre, would be no higher than two storeys and separated into three integrated sections – a new aquatic centre, community building and training and administration building.
About 600sq m of land would also be returned to the parklands.
At the meeting, the council agreed to write to Premier Steven Marshall, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and other neighbouring councils about funding available that “could be used” to upgrade the current Aquatic Centre to a “modern and fit for purpose facility”, should any proposal with the Crows not go ahead.
In a deputation made to the council, Prof David Ness argued the proposal was “unsympathetic” to parklands because trees would be lost and was “unsustainable”.