Seaford Meadows residents gearing up to fight to save Gary the Goat
RESIDENTS have vowed to “get in front of bulldozers” if necessary to save southern celebrity Gary the Goat, whose home is soon to be carved up for housing. TAKE OUR POLL
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RESIDENTS have vowed to “get in front of bulldozers” if necessary to save southern celebrity Gary the Goat, after news the block of land he calls home is to be carved up for housing.
The Port Noarlunga South Residents Association is preparing to call a public meeting, after learning Renewal SA had sold the block of land Gary lives on with a mob of kangaroos on Commerical Rd, Seaford Meadows, to the Hickinbotham Group.
Association spokesman Gordon Penhall said the “Leave Gary the Goat Alone” Facebook page had been flooded with comments of support from more than 1500 residents offering to help stop the development.
“We’re extremely angry and disappointed that we were not consulted with,” Mr Penhall said.
“That’s the last paddock in the area and it’s going to disappear with 700-odd houses.
“We will picket Hickinbotham-owned sites to get our point across … we’ll get in front of bulldozers if necessary.”
Mr Penhall said he would meet with Kaurna MP Chris Picton this week to discuss the latest development in the long-running saga to protect Gary.
Last year, more than 8000 people signed a petition calling on Renewal SA to backflip on its plan to sell the 42ha site.
Olivia Dee, who helped gather the petition, said while Gary and his kangaroo friends were the face of the campaign to block the development, there were larger environmental concerns at stake, including protecting an Onkaparinga River estuary about 500m from the site.
“We want an outcome for the environment and the area so we’re going to keep pushing on so the community has a voice,” Ms Dee said.
“There are a multitude of reasons to save this area and we will take this further with Hickinbotham and State Planning Commission.”
A statement from the Hickinbotham Group said the company welcomed feedback from the community about ideas to be incorporated into the $215 million residential development, which will include 6ha of open space.
“The Hickinbotham Group is aware that the local community has historically
taken a keen interest in the site including its inhabitants,” it said.
“The future of the kangaroos and goat that reside on the site will be considered as part of the masterplan and development process.
“We are interested in understanding any issues that you consider should be addressed as part of the masterplan and development process.”
Hickinbotham will host an open day at the Arts Centre in Port Noarlunga on September 2, where designers and consultants will be available to take feedback and answer questions.
Renewal SA did not respond to a request for comment.
