Hutt St Centre gets green light to start upgrades
A controversial Hutt St development – which has had strong opposition from residents and traders – has been given the green light.
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A controversial upgrade of the Hutt St Centre has been given the green light, despite traders’ fears it will increase alleged anti-social behaviour on the street.
Adelaide City Council’s Assessment Panel on Monday night approved the $2.2 million project to improve access to the centre, reduce loitering and better use space.
There will also be a new laundry, locker room, as well as art and recreation spaces, foyer, canopy and outdoor kitchen.
The upgrade will enhance existing homelessness services, however, it will not affect the amount of people the centre can look after.
Hutt St Centre chief executive Chris Burns said the project would cater for a “significant increase” in women and children experiencing domestic violence and homelessness accessing its services.
There will be new areas for women and children, including an internal play space.
“The upgrade will improve the quality of services and facilities for our clients and help with the critical process of assisting them out of homelessness into housing, education, employment and, where appropriate, reconnection with families and communities,” Mr Burns said.
He said the upgrade would encourage people to go into the building, rather than congregate on the footpath.
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Traders and property owners have long been concerned that some centre clients were behind anti-social behaviour in the area. The centre has rejected the claim.
At the meeting, three presentations were made on behalf of seven representers against the proposal, mainly traders and nearby pub Arab Steed Hotel.
They feared the development would attract more anti-social behaviour. They also maintained the centre did not suit Hutt St.
Planner Phil Brunning, on behalf of five representers, said he wanted an independent review into the centre’s land use, claiming it was operating against approvals. He said the centre’s scale and intensity was at odds with what it should have been used for.
Hutt Street Traders Association secretary Wayne Copley, who believed the centre was operating “ unlawfully”, said the application should have been rejected.
Meanwhile, panel member Mads Gaardboe said the upgrade was an improvement to the streetscape.
Mr Burns said work would start as soon as possible.