Adelaide planning expert says superstorm proved why $2 billion satellite suburb should not go ahead at Buckland Park
A PLANNING expert has called for a new $2bn development to be scrapped over fears of future flooding.
- Website gone, but developer intends go-ahead for $2b Riverlea project
- SA Government approves new suburb at Buckland Park
AN Adelaide planning expert says last week’s superstorm demonstrated why a $2 billion satellite suburb should not be created at Buckland Park.
University of Adelaide professor of planning and property Jon Kellett said Walker Corporation’s plan to build a 12,000-home residential estate in the town should be scrapped because the area was prone to flooding and lacked vital services.
Walker Corporation intends to develop a new satellite suburb for 30,000 people over 25 years at Buckland Park, 35kms north of Adelaide.
The State Government granted the proposed Riverlea Estate major development status in 2007 and the first stage of the project was approved in 2014, however little progress on the ground has been made since.
Professor Kellett said the superstorm, during which Buckland Park flooded when the Gawler River broke its banks, reinforced why a major housing development was unsuitable for the area.
“Recent events really bring (flood issues) into sharp focus,” he said.
“It was never a good idea for a settlement in that location.
“It’s not a settlement that is connected by public transport.
“It doesn’t have jobs — there’s no employment lands so (there’s no) opportunity for people to work in close proximity to their home (and) it’s low-lying land which has been known to flood.”
Professor Kellett said there may be an “engineering solution” that could mitigate the flood risk but it could be costly both to the hip pocket and the environment.
“Who really, as a sensitive investor, would purchase a house in Buckland Park?,” he said.
Buckland Park resident Rocco Musolino said flooding plagued the area every eight to 11 years.
He said he had no issue with the Riverlea development going ahead, provided those in charge “address some of the (flooding) issues first”.
“Whether it’s the council, or the government or whether its Walker (Corporation) itself … the three of them should get together and come up with a contingency plan,” he said.
Beverley Russell, 75, lives near the proposed development and said Buckland Park was “just not a logical site” for a new suburb.
“My concerns are ... it’s going to be a mess,” she said.
Ms Russell said because Buckland Park was a low-lying location that was often waterlogged, the area should be turned into a wetlands for water storage and recovery.
Walker Corporation did not respond to the Sunday Mail’s request for comment by its print deadline.
However, in May the company said it was working with Playford Council on “critical elements of the project, including the intersection on Port Wakefield Rd”.
Acting Planning Minister Stephen Mullighan said the State Government expected the project to go ahead.
“The Government has had no indication from the proponents that they no longer intend to proceed,” he said.
“Many environmental factors, including the potential of flooding, and mitigation measures are required to be addressed before final approvals are granted.”
Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said the council wanted Walker Corporation to “ensure it implements adequate storm water infrastructure across the proposed site”.