Hansen Yuncken to develop $43.8 million Salisbury community hub

WORK to construct a controversial community hub in Adelaide’s north will begin next month after the major builder was announced to deliver the $43.8 million development.

• New images released of planned $43m Salisbury hub
• Council approves $43m community hub despite angry protests
• Council’s $43 million community hub wins final approval
• $43 million northern hub plan splits opinion

WORK to construct Salisbury’s controversial community hub will begin next month after major builder Hansen Yuncken was announced to deliver the $43.8 million development.

Mayor Gillian Aldridge made the partnership official today in Salisbury’s Civic Square, saying Hansen Yuncken was chosen because it could deliver more “than just bricks and mortar”.

Salisbury Council believes the project could create up to 150 new jobs and inject about $65.5m into the local economy.

Hansen Yuncken will join forces with Hassell Studio architects for the project. Preliminary works will begin next month.

Hansen Yuncken has agreed that:
■ A northern region workforce will complete at least 40 per cent of the total project hours;
■ Trainees, apprentices, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and local people with barriers to employment will complete at least 15 per cent of all labour hours;
■ At least 20 per cent of materials are sourced from northern region suppliers, and;
■ Australian steel is used when available.

Works are expected to be complete in the second half of 2019.

Hansen Yuncken state manager Mark Rosenboom said the company was proud to take on the four-storey building project, which will sit on a section of John St and a carpark next to the Parabanks Shopping Centre.

What the hub is expected to look like after completion in late 2019.

The hub will include council chambers, an administration centre, a library, meeting areas and a large outdoor video screen.

It has been met with fierce resistance from some parts of the local community, who say it is a waste of money which could be better spent on other projects.

However, the council said only 3.9 per cent of residents who took part in the consultation process did not support the proposal. Of the 832 responses, 86.1 per cent said they were supportive of the hub and 10 per cent (97 people) gave neutral feedback.

Ms Aldridge said people opposed to the hub had been given the “wrong information”.

“Once they see that it’s not going to put their rates up, that it is going to be a real beginning of renewal of the economy and town centre.

“It’s a special place that belongs to (the people)”.

Hansen Yuncken’s tender win comes two days after it was selected as head contractor for the $330m Adelaide Casino expansion.

The company is expected to deliver the majority of works for CBD redevelopment, which is expected to create up to 1000 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs on completion.

In late April, an independent report cleared Salisbury Council of “corruption” and “maladministration” suggestions made by residents opposed to the hub.

Detailed artists impressions of the Salisbury community hub.

Under section 270 of the Local Government Act 1999, the council was forced to engage an independent review of its decision to push forward with plans to build the complex after four official complaints.

Tony Lawson, Director of Tony Lawson Consulting, was formally appointed on February 23 to investigate the written requests for review.

Each submission sent to council chief executive John Harry expressed concern that the public was not properly consulted over the project.

Two submissions claimed that consultants at times used “free food (to) generate interactions” with the community and that “some survey respondents were essentially bribed”.

Detailed artists impressions of the Salisbury community hub.

But Mr Lawson’s findings, submitted publicly on April 19, concluded that the council went to “great lengths to consult and engage with the community”, and that there was “no evidence of corruption or maladministration” in relation to the project.

Ms Aldridge said she was excited at the opportunities the hub could create.

“Salisbury City Band wants to play shows in the afternoons on Saturday and Sunday,” she said.

“There’s so (much room) to grow.”

Ms Aldridge said the council first discussed the idea of the hub in 2009.