Debate heats up over Richardson Reserve sale to supermarket giant Kaufland

SEVERAL councillors are expected to vote against selling a 3.4ha site in the north-eastern suburbs to supermarket giant Kaufland after hundreds of residents spoke out against the loss of green space.

• Kaufland eyes Richardson Reserve
• Another offer to sell off green space to shopping centre
• Kaufland spruiks SA as ‘state of great opportunity’

AT LEAST three Tea Tree Gully councillors are expected to vote against selling Richardson Reserve to a supermarket giant after more than 1000 residents responded to a council survey.

The NorthEastern Weekly understands Cr Paul Barbaro, Cr Chris McLafferty and Cr Lucas Jones will vote against the Kaufland sale, while Cr Robin Coleman and Cr Sandy Keane have indicated they will be led by community sentiment about whether to accept $13.8m from Kaufland for the 3.4ha Wynn Vale site.

“My election campaign was all about the protection of green and open space,” Cr McLafferty said last week.

Cr Matthew Harbison said last Tuesday at a council meeting he had “no idea” how he would vote, while Cr Bernie Keane, Cr Peter Field and Cr Mary Kasperski said it was too early to decide.

Community engagement about the Kaufland offer was held from May 28 to June 25, where more than 1000 residents responded.

Almost 600 residents have also signed an online petition opposing the sale.

Residents spoken to by the NorthEastern Weekly last week were concerned the council’s buying of a 9.8ha site at Golden Grove in March, was proof the council had already agreed to the Kaufland offer in principle.

The waters were muddied further when Kaufland — in a press statement on June 15 — said it had offered for Tea Tree Gully Council to “repurchase” 5000sq m of Richardson Reserve, even though the land had not yet been sold.

The company has since apologised to council staff for releasing the statement and confusing residents.

The council may move the reserve’s tenant, Modbury Vista Soccer Club, the Golden Grove site, if the Kaufland sale goes ahead. The soccer club supports the relocation.

Mayor Kevin Knight stressed buying land in Golden Grove was not dependent on the sale of Richardson Reserve and he had “no idea” how the council would vote on the Kaufland offer.

“It’s too early to say what will happen with this land (in Golden Grove),” Mr Knight said.

“It was an operational decision to buy it.

“Even if the sale of Richardson Reserve doesn’t go ahead, the Golden Grove site will be a key asset for the community now and in the future.”

Mr Knight said it was likely Modbury Vista would stay at Richardson Reserve if the land sale fell over.

“At the end of the day we can’t move them if we don’t have the money,” he said.

“My gut feeling is, if we can’t move them, a cheaper option is to put one (synthetic pitch) there to start with.

“If it doesn’t go ahead, I won’t lose any sleep over it.”

A report will be tabled in the August 14 council meeting which will outline issues including: the total cost of a new centre at Golden Grove; timelines for construction at both sites, and; the impact on the council of funding a Golden Grove hub without the sale of Richardson Reserve.