South grows up with major rezoning plans for land around Tonsley, Flinders University and Warriparinga wetlands
A BLUEPRINT for Adelaide’s old Mitsubishi site and its surrounds has been released and includes a plan for 15-storey buildings, high-density wetlands living, restaurants and shops – and that’s just the start.
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HIGH-density housing near the Warriparinga Wetlands, 15-storey buildings in Tonsley and new shops and restaurants feature in a bold State Government vision to rezone the area.
The government has released the proposed changes, to cater for population growth and capitalise on the South Rd upgrade at Darlington and new Flinders train link.
It would allow homes, including aged care for Aboriginal elders, overlooking the Marion Rd wetlands.
The plan also paves the way for:
MORE educational, office and research-based activities in Laffer’s Triangle, between Sturt, Marion and Main South roads. Buildings up to 10 storeys high would be allowed in the area;
APARTMENTS and shops next to the Clovelly Park train station. Buildings up to 10 storeys would feature on Tonsley Blvd, and 15 storeys on Mab Circuit, also in the Tonsley innovation precinct;
A TONSLEY rail line extension to the Flinders medical centre and private hospital, with shops and accommodation surrounding the final stop and
EXTENDING Flinders Drive alongside the new rail line to Tonsley, with buildings up to six storeys allowed along the thoroughfare. There would also be a walking and cycling trail alongside the train line.
The plan, released last week, says the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) wants to develop its 5.8ha site next to the wetlands in Laffer’s Triangle with retirement accommodation for Aboriginal elders.
“Land adjacent to the Warriparinga Wetlands should predominantly cater for medium to high density residential uses, shops with outdoor dining areas, and tourist accommodation to maximise the outlook over this important regional open space,” it states.
In 2012, the Friends of Warriparinga unsuccessfully pushed to have much of the 35ha Laffer’s Triangle rezoned “conservation’’ to save it from further development.
Friends of Warriparinga chairman Bruce Wilson this week said the group was concerned housing near Warriparinga could create issues with stormwater run-off getting into the Sturt River and Oaklands Wetlands.
“We’ve been associated with this area for 26 years and every year we’ve had to bring the public’s attention to something about this place because it’s continuously threatened,” Mr Wilson said.
“It’s a sanctuary in the middle of suburbia.”
Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said he expected the most “striking feature” for locals would be the new height limits, although they were unlikely to see their full effect for years.
“It’s inconceivable to have buildings that are actually that high within the next generation,” he said.
The mayor believed the ILC’s undeveloped land next to the Warriparinga Wetlands and fronting Marion Rd would be a good spot for aged care.
“Whatever happens there, we have to preserve the beautiful creek habitat,” he said.
An ILC spokesman confirmed it was “looking at a range of possible uses for the land it owns fronting Marion Rd, including Aboriginal elder retirement accommodation”. He would not comment further on what that would look like.
The land at present is being used as a service site for construction workers building the South Rd upgrade.
The rezoning plan is open for public comment until Tuesday, August 29.