Fires at Cement Hill former quarry site in Seacliff Park ‘risk lives’, Marion Councillor says
THERE are calls to fully secure a long-abandoned quarry in suburban Adelaide earmarked for residential development after a series of deliberately lit fires. Here’s what else is worrying locals.
TEENAGERS lighting fires in Cement Hill are putting nearby residents’ lives at risk, and more needs to be done to secure the site, a Marion councillor says.
Tim Gard said a fire in the former quarry about a month ago was at least the fourth deliberately lit blaze at the site in the past seven years.
After his wife smelled smoke during the latest blaze, the couple called the police, and soon after, saw three youths “slinking away” from the site.
“It’s a nightmare – you just don’t know what’s going to happen next,” Cr Gard said.
“There’s a huge fuel load of grass and eucalypts that ranges between the central area, where the fires have been, out to our back lane.”
He said during the last major fire, he could see six-metre flames from three or four hundred metres away.
“Scores of lives and residences are in jeopardy, should a fire on the site get out of control.”
Residents have for years complained about the state of the 7.8ha Scholefield Rd site, which regularly attracts vandals who hang out on the property, do graffiti and set fires.
Developer Gasparin has earmarked plans for housing and shops on the land, which has sat vacant for decades.
However, the project has been held up because of discussions with Boral about the relocation of a haulage road for the nearby Linwood quarry.
On March 28, Marion Council voted to direct staff to ensure the site was secured until the development began, which is expected to be at least two years away.
A council report said a recent site visit found at least nine holes in the site’s fence.
From July, councils will have more power to deal with unsightly and dilapidated properties if owners fail to do so.
Cr Gard wants the council to use this opportunity to fix the fence, demolish the former quarry’s buildings and cut back vegetation, if Gasparin failed to do so.
The developer should also either employ security guards or install cameras to help catch offenders, he said.
Nearby resident John Parker said when he moved into his home 17 years ago he was told development at Cement Hill “was imminent”.
“Mostly it’s just an incredible eyesore,” he said.
“Every time we see fire engines pull up there, of course we’re concerned.”
Marino Residents Association president David Bagshaw said locals wanted to see the site developed sooner rather than later.
Developer Frank Gasparin was overseas and unavailable for comment last week.
Marion’s general manager city development Abby Dickson said the council had asked the developer to inspect the fence regularly and fix it when needed.
“If required, we will assess the condition of the site against new legislation which will give Council powers over nuisance and litter control in July,” she said.
Part of the site falls inside Holdfast Bay Council area, and Mayor Stephen Patterson said his council would keep working with Marion and the site owner to address community concerns.
What would you like to see done with the former quarry site? Leave your comment below.