Scrap legal review into Hutt St Centre, says Adelaide City Council’s Robert Simms
Robert Simms will ask Adelaide City Council to stop a legal investigation into whether controversial homeless shelter the Hutt St Centre is operating against planning regulations.
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Adelaide City Council will be asked to scrap a “reprehensible” investigation into the Hutt St Centre at its next meeting.
Councillor Robert Simms is heading the proposal to cancel the legal review, which is set to investigate whether the homeless shelter is operating against planning approvals.
Cr Simms withdrew an earlier request for a special meeting this week – instead opting to push his plan after new elected member Greg Mackie joins the council next month.
The investigation was touted by Deputy Lord Mayor Alexander Hyde and supported by the council last week.
It came after complaints from Hutt St traders that the Hutt St Centre was operating against planning rules and adversely affecting their trade.
Cr Simms said he was “absolutely disgusted” by the “reprehensible” review.
“We’re in the middle of a pandemic and I think most people in the community are interested in what we can do to help the most vulnerable,” Cr Simms said.
“It is despicable to see members of the council wanting to waste ratepayers’ money on an investigation such as this.”
He described ongoing criticism of the Hutt St Centre as a “witch hunt” and said his request to scrap the investigation would be a “moral test” for the council.
Cr Hyde said he had argued for increases in funding to fight homelessness and that Cr Simms’ proposal was “shallow political play”.
“It is a prime example of why we need a completely independent legal review this matter, completely at arms’ length from councillors and other interested parties,” Cr Hyde said.
“Cr Simms and others are attempting to make this a binary question of whether you support the homeless or not, which is completely absurd.”
The centre last month gained approval for a $2.2 million upgrade, despite strong opposition from traders and residents who said crime would rise in the area.
The upgrade will include a new laundry, locker room, as well as art and recreation spaces, foyer, canopy and outdoor kitchen.
It will not increase the number of homeless people the Hutt St Centre helps each day – currently about 200.
Cr Simms’ proposal will be discussed on June 9.