Residents disappointed as Cement Hill development delayed again
Residents thought work on the long-vacant Cement Hill site was about to start. They were wrong.
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Long-awaited plans to redevelop the derelict Cement Hill site have stalled – again.
Marion and Holdfast Bay councils last year developed a plan for the 7ha site at Seacliff Park – but, almost 12 months later, no work has started.
The hold up is the relocation of a so-called “haul road” to the neighbouring Linwood Quarry, owned by Boral.
Until that road is complete, new Planning Minister Vickie Chapman cannot sign off on the development plans.
Boral’s southern region executive general manager Lloyd Wallace said the company had hoped to begin construction on the haul road last month.
However, he did not say why the work had been delayed or when it might start.
“We look forward to being able to announce a sod turning for this project at the earliest opportunity and we will keep the community updated on our plans as the situation becomes clearer,” Mr Wallace said.
He said relocating the haul road would provide a safe thoroughfare for both existing and new residents to the area – including those within the future Cement Hill development,
“We take our commitment to the local communities of Marino, Seacliff and Hallett Cove very seriously,” he said.
The Seacliff Park land has been vacant for decades and local residents have often complained about the state of the site and it attracting constant vandalism.
The land is owned by developer Seacliff Oceanview Estate, which plans to develop the site into housing and retail tenancies.
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The president of local community group 5049 Coastal Community Association, David Bagshaw, said the community was understandably eager to see progress at the site.
“The community has been waiting 30-plus years for something to happen on the old Cement Works site and have been anxious about it ever happening,” he said.
“If (the haul road) has only delayed by a month then that’s not a big deal, but obviously we like everyone else would be anxious if it takes any longer.
“For something quite simple it’s been a very complicated process and has taken longer than we would have thought.”