Councillors calling for Crows community consultation to be extended
Two city councillors are calling for the consultation period on the $65 million new Crows headquarters in the Parklands to be extended.
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Two Adelaide City councillors will ask for consultation about the Crows’ $65 million plan for the Aquatic Centre extended, as a Federal Labor MP prepares to intervene in the controversial proposal.
Deputy Lord Mayor Alexander Hyde and Cr Mary Couros will next week ask the council to extend consultation three extra weeks, from February 19 to March 11.
The councillors said the feedback period should be extended amid concerns about the consultation page not being “user-friendly” and not translated into enough languages.
It comes as Federal Labor MP for Adelaide Steve Georganas prepares to host a community forum into the controversial issue, likely to be on Sunday, February 16.
Cr Alexander Hyde said there was a “clear desire” for an extension.
“I want as many people as possible to have their say so we can move forward knowing we have a strong representation of the community’s views,” Cr Hyde said.
“Extending the time, improving the interface and ensuring it’s accessible for the multicultural community and for people with a disability will help achieve that.”
The Crows released draft plans for a training and administration complex to the public in December last year.
The building, 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.
Cr Mary Couros suggested having council staff at the Jeffcott Rd road venue a few times a week so the public can ask questions.
Mr Georganas told The City he had invited Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor and State Liberal MP for Adelaide Rachel Sanderson to attend his community forum.
He said the forum would be a chance for constituents, centre users and sporting clubs – many that have come to him for clarification about the proposal – to discuss what the plans might mean for them.
Mr Georganas said he wanted to make sure users have “the same access to the amenities they have now”.
Adelaide Park Lands Preservation Association president Shane Sody said consultation was already “flawed” and an extension would “not fix that”.
“The council is asking ridiculous questions,” Mr Sody said.
Adelaide Crows has been contacted for comment.