‘NIMBYs’ behind demise of expansion of Fitzroy nursing home, owner says
THE owner of an Adelaide nursing home who failed to prove it was worth enough to become a major project says “NIMBYs” were behind its demise.
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THE owner of a Fitzroy nursing home who failed to prove it was worth enough to become a major project says “NIMBYs” were behind its demise.
Terry Snell applied to the State Government in September to expand St George’s Park Nursing Home in a project he said was worth $21 million.
It was accepted as a major development under a regulation applying to retirement villages and aged care projects worth more than $20 million.
The regulation was scrapped last week but Mr Snell withdrew his application earlier this month.
A Planning Department spokesman said Mr Snell had not provided “verification of the cost for development at 13-14 Fitzroy Tce” after concerns about its true value were raised by Prospect Council last month.
The council rejected a similar development lodged by Mr Snell last year worth $12 million.
Mr Snell this week said he did not have enough time to provide details to the department on how he had calculated the project’s value.
He did not know what he would do next.
He said NIMBYs – an acronym for “not in my backyard” – would oppose his plans no matter what.
Several neighbours opposed last year’s proposal and had been preparing a campaign against the latest development.
“NIMBYs can scream – and they do,” Mr Snell, of Fitzroy, said.
“They will scream no matter what the development will be.
“Their concerns – and they have no real reason for concern – prevent this huge development giving employment to construction workers and giving employment after to 86 people.
“I would have thought the economy of the nation was more important than the NIMBYs.”
Mr Snell’s application included adding 74 new rooms to the existing 32, both in a new two-storey building and the mansion next door to St George’s.
Prospect Residents Association president Elizabeth Crisp said neighbours’ opposition had nothing to do with NIMBYism.
“It’s do with the fact it’s the wrong place for an expanded nursing home,” Ms Crisp said.
“I think it’s astounding that a nursing home was ever built there.”
Planning Minister John Rau said his decision to scrap the regulation on $20-million-plus retirement villages was based on “preliminary advice and community feedback” to applications lodged under the scheme, including Life Care’s plans to redevelop its sites at Joslin, Norwood and Glen Osmond.
Life Care last Monday said it would shelve the three proposals, together valued at $250 million, following months of community opposition.