Childcare has been dropped from a multistorey retail development due to soil contamination fears

Plans for a childcare centre to be part of a multistorey retail and office development in Adelaide’s inner south have been axed following contamination concerns.

The proposed retail hub for the former TAFE site at Panorama. Pic: Evo Arc.

Plans for a childcare centre to be part of a multistorey retail and office development in Panorama have been dropped following soil contamination concernse.

Landmark Homes and Properties have lodged plans with Mitcham Council’s assessment panel to construct “Panorama Village”, which would house an X Convenience service station and a pair of two-storey buildings for consulting, office and retail.

It initially proposed to have childcare services on the upper level of one of the buildings.

However, those plans were dropped for the 621 Goodwood Rd site – the former home of a TAFE building – following contamination concerns highlighted by two consultants, Fyfe and Greencap.

Both assessments revealed “soil vapour” under concrete slabs and there is “potential risk to human health receptors, particularly with respect to sensitive land uses proposed for the site”, a report tabled with the panel revealed.

“Additional assessment of the nature and extent of groundwater contamination and resultant soil vapour would be required to determine the extent of the risk more comprehensively.

The development would include an X Convenience service station. Picture: Evo Arc

“In response to these findings and one of the representations received, the applicant has removed a sensitive upper-level childcare land use from the application, and replaced it with upper-level offices in the same position.”

However, the panel received further advice from consultant Greencap, who confirmed the land is suitable for a service station, consulting rooms, offices and shops.

Local resident Jenny Panagaris said Fyfe’s assessment revealed “levels of soil vapours on the site that exceed standard criteria”.

Plans for a childcare centre have been dropped following concerns with contaminated soil at the site. Picture: Evo Arc

“The chemicals mentioned (in the report) are health harming to humans,” she submitted.

She also said the fuel outlet was “oversized in relation to the space allocated for shops, offices and businesses on the rest of the site” and it would “not contribute to a sense of neighbourhood”.

Meanwhile, SA Power Networks also submitted the project could be impacted by noise due to the operation of transformers and circuit breakers.

The site was previously sold to Bunnings for $7.81m in 2014, after the state government relocated classes to a new TAFE campus in the former Mitsubishi factory at Tonsley.

The panel, who have been recommended to approve the application, will assess it this week.