Maras Group calls for tram along Henley Beach Rd, as West Torrens councillors prefer Richmond Rd
ONE of Adelaide’s biggest property owners is calling for a western suburbs tram to go down Henley Beach Rd after local councillors said they wanted a different route.
- West Torrens councillors say Richmond Rd would be better option for tram than Henley Beach Rd
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ONE of Adelaide’s biggest property owners is calling for a western suburbs tram to go down Henley Beach Rd and is organising other businesses to join the fight.
The move comes after West Torrens councillors last month spoke in favour of a tram going down Richmond Rd instead.
Maras Group chief executive Steve Maras said a tram down Henley Beach Rd would stimulate business.
“We see Henley Beach Rd as the obvious choice,” Mr Maras said.
“It’s the activity centre and core main street of the west so it makes a whole heap of sense.
“I’ve always said, ‘How have we never had a proper link between the city and the airport?’ – that should be first on the cards.
“There just needs to be better collaboration between (the) council and the State Government to address the concerns around parking and traffic congestion.”
The Maras Group owns the Torrensville Shopping Centre and several office buildings on Henley Beach Rd.
It also owns shops in the city’s East End, where it successfully lobbied the State Government to commit $50 million for a tram along North Tce towards East Tce.
A Maras Group representative addressed a West Torrens Council meeting last week in support of a Henley Beach Rd tramline, and the company has approached local traders to back its campaign.
The government spent $4 million last year on a consultant’s report that recommended Henley Beach Rd ahead of Sir Donald Bradman Drive or Richmond Rd for a western suburbs tram.
However, councillors are concerned about the loss of on-street parking caused by a tram, added traffic congestion and trees being cut down.
Cibo Espresso Torrensville owner Tony Hollick backed having a tram on Henley Beach Rd.
“If it brings more people down the strip, then I’m definitely in favour of it,” Mr Hollick said.
“We would really benefit from it and it would be great to have a tram go right down to Henley Square.
“It has to be done right though – other measures need to be put in place on this road, like slowing traffic down. There are lots of accidents in our section of Henley Beach Rd.”
Cr Tony Polito, who has owned property on Henley Beach Rd for nearly 60 years, said there would be no room for trams, tram stops, traffic and parking spaces on the road.
“Where are the motor cars going to go to the beach?” Cr Polito asked.
“Will they fly in the air?”
State Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan has previously said he expected to submit a final plan on new tram routes to the Federal Government before the federal budget in May.
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