Adelaide Brighton Cement opposes housing plan for Port Adelaide waterfront, fearing it will receive too many complaints

A MAJOR employer in the Port has opposed a State Government plan for a new housing development in the area — but for a reason you might not expect.

ADELAIDE Brighton Cement is opposing the State Government’s plans to build homes and tourism accommodation at Cruickshank’s Corner and Port Approach, fearing it will trigger more complaints about the plant’s activities.

At a public meeting last week held by the Development Assessment Commission (the state’s main planning authority), the Birkenhead plant raised concerns about plans announced in December.

The government envisions the land near Cruickshank’s Beach as a tourism precinct with marine activities and accommodation, and plans to build new homes at Port Approach.

The cement firm, which employs more than 400 people in South Australia, said accommodation and new homes should be prohibited on the sites.

If not, it wants the plans to include an acknowledgment of its nearby industrial activities and said the Government should consider constructing buffers to mitigate noise and dust from the plant.

Adelaide Brighton Cement is also concerned about the height of the proposed developments at Cruickshank’s Corner, saying occupants in buildings overlooking the plant may complain about the “unsightly” view.

Although the proposed homes are at least 800 metres away from the factory, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines, the area will still be impacted, Adelaide Brighton Cement said in its submission to the commission.

Adelaide Brighton Cement’s executive general manager Brad Lemmon said its economic benefit to SA could not be compromised by “inappropriate changes to planning policies”.

Mr Lemmon said Adelaide Brighton Cement had been a vital part of the Port for more than 100 years and contributed $400 million to gross state product each year.

“We ... intend to be an important part of the Port’s future growing alongside exciting suitable developments,” Mr Lemmon said.

Port Adelaide Residents’ Environment Protection Group president Tony Bazeley said an environmental study needed to be done before development begins.

The government is reviewing all written and verbal submissions.