Stobie pole moved away from Kurralta Park garage after stirring controversy
REMEMBER the Adelaide house with a garage you couldn’t access because there was a Stobie pole smack in the middle of its driveway? Take a look now.
THE newly built Adelaide home dubbed the “Stobie-pole house”, after its driveway was curiously built right behind a street power pole that prevented entry to the garage, is now almost accessible.
The owners of the Kurralta Park house, Fariba and Sassan Chegini, have paid thousands of dollars to have the Stobie pole moved about two metres to allow access to the Daly St carport.
They now just need to wait for a new driveway crossover in front to be finished.
The bizarre development sparked controversy in January after a photograph of the driveway with the Stobie pole in front of it was posted on social media.
Both the West Torrens Council and the State Government ducked for cover, blaming each other for the planning bungle.
Dr and Mrs Chegini said they didn’t realise the pole would prevent entry to the garage until the house – which they plan to rent out – was complete.
West Torrens city development manager Janine Lennon told a council meeting last month that, under State Government regulations, driveway crossovers no longer need approval before a development application for a house can be approved.
Keswick Ward councillor John Woodward said he was “glad it’s been fixed” but remains concerns State Government planning rules allowed it.
He has started a petition calling for tighter controls – and better quality housing – when it comes to building on land that’s been subdivided.
“The quality of what’s being built is not up to scratch,” Cr Woodward said.
Neighbour Neale Clarke is concerned developments aren’t being followed up.
Mr Clarke said it was “obvious” there was little in the way of checks and balances once a development had been approved by council.
“They could build any old crap,” Mr Clarke said.
Mrs Chegini has previously told The Advertiser it would cost up to $20,000 to move the Stobie pole 200cm.
SA Power Networks spokesman Paul Roberts agreed it would cost between $8000 and $20,000 to move a pole, depending on the voltage, and if a transformer needed to be moved.
Dr and Mrs Cheginis have been contacted for comment.