Objectors against Alberton Oval redevelopment furious protest signs have been removed

It’s been billed as a David versus Goliath battle – the Port Adelaide Football Club against local residents furious at a planned redevelopment of Alberton Oval.

Anti-Alberton Oval redevelopment objectors are furious that signs they put up in protest have been removed. Picture: Supplied

Anti-Alberton Oval redevelopment objectors are furious protest signs they put up have been taken down, saying it takes away one of the few avenues they have to have their say.

Local residents have joined together to oppose the development of a new athletics building, carpark and soccer pitch, citing concerns about the impact of late-night traffic and noise, as well as the use of public open space and removal of 38 mature trees to make way for the development.

Residents placed posters on fencing around the existing dog park and on trees along the perimeter of the public land to express their opinion to the wider community.

No signage was placed on Port Adelaide Football Club facilities.

Anti-Alberton Oval redevelopment objectors are furious that signs they put up in protest have been removed. Picture: Supplied

Local resident Sharon Murdock said it was outrageous that the signs had been removed.

She said a major problem she has with the development process is that only 44 houses in the vicinity were officially notified about the proposal.

“This is a development that affects the whole Alberton and Cheltenham neighbourhoods,

not just 44 houses,” Ms Murdock said.

“According to the club’s own traffic assessments, the proposal will increase traffic movements in surrounding residential streets during evening hours to several hundred cars until late into the night every night of the week, while also taking away open green space available to everyone and some magnificent native trees,” she said.

Signage expressing the views of Anti-Alberton Oval redevelopment objectors. Picture: Supplied

“We are in a David versus Goliath battle to save important community land and I urge residents to voice their concerns to council before it’s too late.”

A Port Adelaide Enfield spokesman said council were aware of the protest signs and that it was not council that removed them.

Mayor Claire Boan urged local residents to have their say through the upcoming consultation process.

“The consultation process will commence soon and we encourage everybody in the community to have their say. People can register for updates and to be notified when it is live by visiting (the website),​” she said.

A spokesman from the Port Adelaide Football Club said they were not aware of any protest signs being removed.