Growing backlash at sale of green space in Adelaide’s north
TEA Tree Gully Council is facing a growing community backlash against the possible sale of two public reserves, with increasing numbers of residents questioning its commitment to its green space strategy.
- Debate heats up over Richardson Reserve sale to Kaufland
- Another offer to buy up green space for shopping centre
- Kaufland spruik’s SA as ‘state of great opportunity’
TEA Tree Gully Council is facing a growing community backlash against the possible sale of two public reserves, with increasing numbers of residents questioning its commitment to its green space strategy.
More than 1400 people have signed a petition against the potential disposal of Richardson Reserve at Wynn Vale to giant German supermarket chain Kaufland while Modbury North property owners are mobilising against the partial sale of Sir Frank Berryman Reserve to the Clovercrest Shopping Centre.
Neighbours living near the shopping centre have started a petition and Facebook page to raise public support to stop a bid by its owners to build over a street and 5500 sqm into the green space opposite their houses.
Eileen St resident and spokesperson Nadine Bubner said the Clovercest Shopping Centre expansion was incompatible with the area and went against Tea Tree Gully Council’s strategy of preserving open space.
Ms Bubner said residents were concerned about the effect of the development on property values, traffic flow and parking, noise and dust during construction and the loss of public amenity within Sir Frank Berryman Reserve.
“It’s grandiose in scale and certainly not needed for this small area,” she said.
“There are already an abundance of shopping centres close by.
“As I see it what the owners of the Clovercrest Shopping Centre are planning would involve completely destroying the current building and starting again.”
Ms Bubner said residents were particularly angry with comments by Tea Tree Gully mayor Kevin Knight to North Eastern Weekly that “only a small part” of the reserve would be used for the development.
“ If approval is granted what is stopping the council from selling off more land at a later date? Especially given the mayor’s attitude,” said Ms Bubner.
“All of the reserve matters. Not only to those of us fortunate enough to live opposite but for the daily visitors who choose to bring their dogs, or to fly a kite or kick a ball or to just enjoy the green open space.”
Ms Bubner said ratepayers across the Tea Tree Gully Council area should be concerned at the council’s willingness to consider financial offers from developers to build on public reserves.
“All ratepayers should be very concerned as it could well be a reserve in their area that is targeted next,” she said.
“Richardson Reserve in Wynn Vale is an example of this. It’s being targeted to make way for a Kaufland shopping centre.
“We need to fight this. It’s our lifestyle at risk here because once the trees are cut down and the land is bulldozed and built upon you can’t reverse that.”
Ms Bubner said Tea Tree Gully Council’s open space strategy stated its vision was that “open space is integral to the character of to the city of TTG.
“Their own vision says ‘open space has substantial social, cultural, environmental and economic value and contributes to the health and well being of all age groups’.
“At the end of the day the decision on whether this proposal goes ahead lies with the elected members of council.
“I wonder how many of them actually consider the effect this has on the ratepayers, the sad feeling you get when you look out at your reserve and contemplate its destruction?
“No money can replace the need for open space and naturalness.”
Ms Bubner said she hoped “common sense prevails” and the council’s vision of “Naturally Better” would become a reality.
“Sir Frank Berryman Reserve, Richardson Reserve and so many others in the Tea Tree Gully area must remain untouched,” she said.
Public consultation on the Sir Frank Berryman Reserve proposal closes on July 19. Residents can comment at the website haveyoursay.cttg.sa.gov.au/berryman