South Australian United Church Netball Association raises concerns over parklands RAT distribution site
The safety of thousands of netballers could be impacted as SA’s only free rapid antigen test distribution hub opens just days after informing association.
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The location of South Australia’s only free rapid antigen test distribution hub has sparked concerns thousands of netballers who play at the southwestern parklands site could be impacted.
Safety and welfare issues have been raised by the South Australian United Church Netball Association (SAUCNA), which fears its almost 500 junior and senior teams’ seasons could be affected.
The “supersite” was launched on Thursday at Park 22 for close contacts of a Covid-19 case to collect home-based RAT kits.
SAUCNA uses the courts and carpark at the site – bordered by Goodwood Rd, Anzac Highway and Greenhill Rd – four nights a week for it more than 60 grades.
The association’s summer season is due to resume on February 1 but there has been no indication how long the state’s only free RAT distribution location will be in place for.
In an email to clubs on Thursday, SAUCNA said it was only made aware of the plan on Monday.
The association also said it had been advised those attending games would need to use an alternate car park on the other side of Anzac Highway and cross the road to enter Park 22.
“We are disappointed that decisions have been made without consulting us as major stakeholders for Park 22,” the email read.
“While the board supports the actions taken to make RATs more accessible to people who are close contacts, this will very likely impact the resumption of the summer season in just under three weeks.
“The board has raised immediate concerns about the impact this will have on all attendees, particularly children, in having to cross Anzac Highway to access the courts.
“We have voiced our strong objection to this hub, considering the safety and welfare implications for SAUCNA members.”
SAUCNA also said the RAT site would impact the association’s Covid management plan, which has specific directions on entry and exit points.
The association hoped to meet with site operator SAFECOM and landlord Adelaide City Council early next week.
Queues at the site were running along Greenhill Rd to Anzac Highway, along Anzac Highway to West Terrace and back down Goodwood Rd when it opened at 7am on Thursday.
But the collection process was reportedly running smoothly by midmorning, with short 10 minute waits to get inside the gate to then pick-up packs.
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