Tea Tree Gully Council votes against selling Richardson Reserve at Wynn Vale to Kaufland
MONTHS of divisive debate have prompted councillors to vote against selling a public reserve in northeastern Adelaide to a German supermarket giant, promising instead to spend $6.5 million to upgrade facilities for a local soccer club.
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A GERMAN supermarket chain has lost its bid to buy a public reserve in Adelaide’s northeastern suburbs in the face of strong public opposition.
Tea Tree Gully Council has voted unanimously 9-0 against selling Richardson Reserve at Wynn Vale to Kaufland for $13.8 million.
They instead have decided to spend $6.5 million on upgrading facilities at Richardson Reserve for long-term tenant Modbury Vista Soccer Club.
The upgrade will involve the installation of two artificial soccer pitches, construction of new clubrooms and more car parking.
The council deferred a decision on a proposed masterplan for a 10 hectare block of land it has bought at Greenwith, which would have become the new home for Modbury Vista if the Kaufland offer had been accepted.
The decision to reject the offer came after months of heated community debate over Kaufland’s attempt to buy Richardson Reserve, leading to 200 people attending Tuesday night’s meeting at the Modbury Civic Centre.
Kaufland representatives appeared before elected members, making a detailed submission about their plans for the publicly-owned reserve.
This included a late offer last week to spend up to $750,000 on a 5000 sq m park on the oval’s frontage on Richardson Rd.
Kaufland SA development manager Maximilian Wiedemann told the meeting it had never been the company’s intention to divide the community over its proposal to build a supermarket on Richardson Reserve.
“Kaufland does believe our proposal has many benefits for the local community,” he said.
Mr Wiedmann said Kaufland accepted the council’s decision and would continue to look for other sites.
Kaufland made an unsolicited offer to buy Richardson Reserve early this year, prompting Councillor Sandy Keane to obtain support to seek community feedback.
Council conducted an extensive survey canvassing community views while 1369 signed a petition opposing the sale to Kaufland.
Of the 1434 people who responded to the survey, 910 were opposed, 504 were supportive and 20 were neutral.
Among key objectors to the sale were Tea Tree Plaza’s Scentre Ltd, The Grove Shopping Centre’s owners, Challenger Ltd, SA Independent Retailers and neighbouring Wynn Vale Primary School.
Councillors received comprehensive reports from staff and a detailed briefing at the meeting before speaking in support of rejecting the Kaufland offer.
Several residents opposed to the sale addressed the meeting, including environmental science student Tania Williams who mobilised a community campaign.
Tea Tree Gully mayor Kevin Knight said the decision to reject the Kaufland was the culmination of months of work by staff in consultation with the community.
“In 20 years we have purchased more land than we have sold,” he said.
“We don’t do these things lightly, we do give them a great deal of thought.”
Modbury Vista Soccer Club chairman Stuart Carlisle welcomed the decision to upgrade the club’s facilities at Richardson Reserve.
“From our club’s perspective this is a fantastic outcome,” he said.
“It provides us with certainty for the future and we look forward to working with council and our neighbours to develop the masterplan.”
Council voted to write to Kaufland to encourage the company to continue looking for development opportunities at alternative sites within the northeastern suburbs.
