100 prominent South Australians protest against plans to rezone the Adelaide parklands

A roll-call of Adelaide’s most prominent citizens has joined forces to speak out against plan to plonk buildings on Adelaide’s parklands.

More than 100 prominent South Australians have signed a letter to the state government protesting against plans to rezone the Adelaide Parklands.

Debate continues to rage about the plan, which would rezone around a 10th of the parklands next to the Torrens, for a new Women’s and Children’s Hospital and multipurpose arena.

The 28ha area affected is around 550 average suburban blocks of 500sqm in size, and the plan would allow towers of up to 20 storeys on the remaining land.

Signatories to the letter include former premier Mike Rann, former lord mayors Jane Lomax-Smith, Michael Harbison and Stephen Yarwood, three former or current chancellors of SA universities, astronaut Andy Thomas and many identities.

Artists’ impression of the proposed multi-purpose indoor arena, in the Adelaide Riverbank. Picture: Supplied

The letter will appear as a full-page advertisement in the Saturday edition of The Advertiser, describing the rezoning as “a massive overreach”.

Former Lord Mayor Michael Harbison.

Former chancellor of the University of Adelaide and former chair of the state’s Economic Development Board, Robert Champion de Crespigny, is one of the critics.

“The extraordinarily beautiful Adelaide Parklands are a unique asset for our state – indeed are a national treasure – that must be protected as they set us apart from other capital cities,’’ he said.

“Those of us who support the protection of the parklands and stand against any incursion or confiscation of the land are wrongly branded as anti-development. It is a disgrace.”

Throughout, the government has maintained its position that an arena is needed to attract top tier sports and entertainment, and the new hospital is essential.

Former Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood. Picture: by Matt Turner.

Former Premier Mike Rann.

Other prominent apolitical figures protesting against the development are:

• Mother of singer Sia and artist, Leonie Furler

• President of the National Trust Deborah Morgan

• Former Federal Court judge and University of Adelaide chancellor Catherine Margaret Branson

• Twice Oscar-nominated filmmaker Scott Hicks

• Astronaut Andy Thomas

• Businessman Frank Agostino

• Nobel prize for Literature winner John Coetzee

• Developers Theo Maras and Theo Samaras

• Redgum lead singer, songwriter John Schumann

Anne Moran, Chris Rann and Jane Lomax-Smith at a rally to save the parklands. Picture: Anne Moran

Astronaut Dr Andy Thomas said: “They say you can see the Great Wall of China from space. You cannot.

“But you can see icons like Central Park in New York City, and even more clearly, the Adelaide Parklands. In what way does it serve the public interest to surrender something so special to corporate greed?”

Former lord mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith, a longstanding resident of the city, said: “I hope that the wide range of signatories representing a diversity of backgrounds across business, industry, the academic world and a broad range of political perspectives should give those promoting the rezoning good cause to reconsider”.