Residents fear their houses are next in line for demolition for $60m Springbank Rd upgrade

Residents want clarity on which houses will be bulldozed for a $60m major intersection upgrade.

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Residents living close to a major intersection upgrade say a letter from a property valuer about the $60 million project has raised fears around the extent of the State Government’s compulsory acquisition program.

Adelaide-based Liquid Pacific recently letterboxed dozens of residents surrounding the controversial Springbank Rd/Goodwood Rd/Daws Rd upgrade at Panorama.

Liquid Pacific senior valuer Martin Burns said his company based at St Peters was “a legit business” pursuing a commercial opportunity.

But Panorama and Clapham Community Group member David Underhill said the letter has caused “anxiety” that the company knows far more than residents.

Mr Underhill said he hadn’t thought he was in the firing line to lose his house until receiving the letter.

Liquid Pacific letter about compulsory acquisition to residents around Springbank Rd/Daws Road intersection upgrade. Supplied.

“Because there is a vacuum of information created by government, people are expressing anxiety that this group knows more than we do,” he said.

“We’re all wondering, is my house on some list but no one has told me yet.

“This new plan just came out of the blue and we need far more information.”

A government spokesman said anyone affected by the project had already been approached by the department.

“If property and business owners haven’t been notified by now then they don’t need to worry,” he said.

“This looks like a private company just looking to drum up business.”

Designs for the fix of Springbank Rd took a new turn in early May when the State Government revealed plans to eliminate a dog-leg that it previously intended to retain.

In what was branded an embarrassing about turn, Transport Minister Stephan Knoll announced the State Government would deliver “a new four-way intersection” at a cost of $60 million, to be completed in 2022.

Residents say they have heard very little but are aware that since the federal election result the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure has taken steps to progress the project including delivering compulsory acquisition notices.

Springbank Rd/Daws Road intersection upgrade and notice of possible compulsory acquisition of houses for the $60 million project supplied by David Underhill of Clapham and Panorama Community Group

Popular landmark business Peter Van The Party Man was advised last week that DPTI would begin a process to acquire “by negotiation or compulsory process” the company’s 48-year-old property on the corner of Springbank and Goodwood roads at Panorama.

Mr Burns told the HillsWeekly Messenger his company meant to cause no distress and were only offering an “option” for homeowners.

“People are confused and rightly concerned about what is happening with compulsory acquisition and the government website is very limited in information,” he said.

“We’re just letting people know we are one of the options they can go to. We were approached first by a homeowner literally crying down the phone.

“The real issue here is the transparency of government when they do these things like this.

“We’re tried to call DPTI and they haven’t returned our calls either.”

An artist impression of the proposed upgrade to the Goodwood / Daws / Springbank Rd intersection. This is looking eastbound on Daws Rd.

Mr Burns said Liquid Pacific had an office in Sydney and had recently worked on acquisitions around the implementation of the light rail project in the Harbour City.

“We have usually worked for council and government departments that are acquiring properties and this situation doesn’t come up very often” he added.

“There are not many specialists in this area and government should be advising property owners of a list of appropriate agencies to contact.”