Onkaparinga Council to challenge Hickinbotham Group’s Seaford Meadows housing estate in Supreme Court
Onkaparinga Council will launch a Supreme Court challenge against a controversial $215 million housing development, planned for a 42ha site that’s home to the south’s famous Gary the goat and his mob of kangaroos.
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- Onkaparinga Council considers legal costs of blocking new estate
- Green light for $215m Seaford Meadows development ...
- ... despite fears it could leave Gary the Goat homeless
Onkaparinga Council will launch a Supreme Court challenge against a $215 million housing development at Seaford Meadows.
The council has revealed that it is seeking a judicial review in the Supreme Court to try and overturn the state planning authority’s approval of the Hickinbotham Group development.
The developer was given approval last August to build 700 homes on a 42ha site on Commercial Rd — home to the south’s famous Gary the goat and his mob of kangaroos.
The review, which could cost the council up to $300,000 if unsuccessful, would look at whether the State Commission Assessment Panel made an error in approving the application, rather than the merits of the proposal.
If the appeal was successful, the panel could cancel or reassess the application, however, Hickinbotham could also lodge a new application.
Cr Beau Cowan said he hoped the appeal would result in a new masterplan for the site to be designed in consultation with the council and the community.
“There will definitely be houses going up but the main purpose is try and stop (houses) from being jam-packed in there,” Cr Cowan said.
“I’m really impressed that the (Port Noarlunga South Residents Association) kept pushing (against it) because I was pretty cynical that there was anything we could do.”
The Port Noarlunga South Residents Association has fought against the development for the past two years and even threatened to get in front of bulldozers in order to save Gary the goat’s home.
Port Noarlunga South Residents Association spokeswoman Annette Haridan said she was “crossing her fingers” for a positive result.
The elected members voted to go ahead with the appeal at last week’s council meeting after hearing advice from its lawyers.
The decision was made in confidence, however, chief executive Mark Dowd agreed to revoke the confidentiality order and make the decision public this week.
The Southern Times Messenger understands that a leading South Australian barrister specialising in environment and planning matters has been appointed to represent the council.
The land was zoned residential in 1988.
Renewal SA called for expressions of interest to develop the site in 2016 and it was sold to the Hickinbotham Group in 2017.
Onkaparinga Council and Hickinbotham Group have been approached for comment.
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