Onka sidelines legal challenge over Seaford Meadows housing estate

Onkaparinga Council will sideline a Supreme Court challenge and instead negotiate with the Hickinbotham Group over its planned $215 million, 625-home estate in Seaford Meadows.

The Seaford Meadows site of the $215m housing development by Hickinbotham Group. Picture: Supplied

• Onkaparinga councillor ‘advised’ to abandon bid to halt legal action
• Onka v Hickinbotham in the Supreme Court
• Green light for $215m Seaford Meadows development

  …

• … despite fears it could leave Gary the Goat homeless

Onkaparinga Council has decided to negotiate with the Hickinbotham Group rather than challenge its $215 million housing development at Seaford Meadows in the Supreme Court.

Councillors made the decision behind closed doors at the council’s meeting last week and announced it publicly on Monday.

Mayor Erin Thompson said the council was contacted by lawyers representing Hickinbotham Group, requesting that the matter be dealt with through mediation or negotiation, rather than

proceeding to a trial process before the court.

Mayor Erin Thompson. Picture: Dean Martin

“Right now, we believe this to be the best way forward because there is potential to achieve a

better development outcome at a lower cost to our ratepayers,” Ms Thompson said.

“Should the negotiation process not succeed, we reserve the right to revert to a formal trial

process.

“Council is not trying to stop the development; our aim is to achieve an outcome that provides

better open space and connections through our city.”

Gary the goat with his kangaroo mates in Seaford Meadows.

The council had previously lodged a challenge in the Supreme Court in February against the State Commission Assessment Panel’s decision to approve 625 homes on vacant land on Commercial Rd, Seaford Meadows.

The 42ha site is home to the south’s famous Gary the goat and his mob of kangaroos.