Playford Council moves to sell community land in Elizabeth CBD and on Main North Road

A northern council’s plan to sell off community land for private development is mainly to reduce its “significant” $125.3m debt, a local MP says.

Playford Council wants to improve the gateway to Elizabeth. Picture: Playford Council.

A plan to potentially sell community land in the Elizabeth CBD and along Main North Road for private development is mainly to reduce its “significant” debt, a local MP says.

On Tuesday night, City of Playford councillors committed to a proposed revocation of land at the corner of Prince Charles St and Main North Rd, and several lots along the strip into Elizabeth, between Yorktown and Judd roads.

The council want to enhance the gateway to Elizabeth. Picture: Playford Council.

“The allotment(s) suitable for development may be sold to a prospective developer, conditional on the proposal being acceptable,” a council report stated.

“Any remaining land outside of the allotment(s) suitable for development will be retained in council control.”

However, a move from councillors Shirley Halls and Misty Norris to exclude the eastern side of Main North Road failed to win sufficient support.

“My personal opinion is that the land should remain as community land,” Cr Norris said.

“I believe having a natural, open environmental gateway in Elizabeth is welcoming, a good buffer between the housing zones and main road and offers many benefits to residents.

“If anything the parklands should be rejuvenated to entice more people to utilise them. “Playford needs more green spaces not less and the residents are very passionate and vocal about this issue.”

Cr Akram Arifi said the council would ensure any future development did not diminish the neighbourhood and preserves and enhances the area.

The council wants to create a “new, continuous and coherent gateway corridor into the CBD”, to enhance the council’s image with “attractive developments united by a ribbon of parklands” with “high quality landscaping”.

The council could sell community land highlighted in blue on Main North Rd. Picture: Playford Council.

However, some of the proceeds could be used to pay down debt which is currently at $125.3m.

“Should any funds achieved through any sale of allotments remain available upon achieving the vision for the land, it is envisaged this will be used to reduce council debt,” the report stated.

Elizabeth MP Lee Odenwalder said it appeared debt reduction was the main reason for reclassifying the land.

The council may sell the land in green for development. Picture: Playford Council.

“This proposal does not specify or explain to residents how the money council will receive from selling this community land will be used for core council services and amenities, as opposed to being used to retire council debt incurred over a number of years,” he said.

However, Cr Marilyn Baker said the plan had “nothing to do with paying down debt” and the entrance to Elizabeth needed to be improved.

“It’s very shabby, it isn’t a very good entrance way into our city,” Cr Baker said.

“There was some positive feedback from residents, and some negative, which happens when you have change in the air.”

The council also received a petition – entitled “save the trees in Elizabeth East and Elizabeth” – objecting to the selling of land on Main North Rd.

The council say funds from land sales would be used for landscaping. Picture: Playford Council.

Residents highlighted concerns with housing infill of green spaces, funds being used for debt recovery, traffic issues, “environmental loss”, “a lack of trust in council”, safety concerns, heritage loss and the quality of developments.

Fifty-seven residents opposed the Main North Rd proposal while nine supported it, following a council survey.

Some residents were keen to see a “likely uplift in property values”, a change in Elizabeth and more “high quality development”, the report revealed.

Playford Council could sell multiple lots along Main North Road for private development. Picture: Playford Council.

Staff stated the revocation of the community land status did not commit council to development, but provided “the flexibility required to commence an expression of interest process with the market”.

Mayor Glenn Docherty said if approved by the Planning Minister, elected members would need further information before the council decided to proceed with the revocation of land.