Adelaide rink on thin ice as critics, including Labor MP Sarah Andrews, raise concerns at project destroying two gum trees

A multimillion-dollar Adelaide ice rink project could be stumped because two significant gum trees will be destroyed, a Labor politician and critics claim.

An artist impression of the Pelligra Group plans for a $20m ice rink and indoor rock climbing development at Marion. Picture: Marion Council

A multimillion-dollar Adelaide ice rink a Victorian property magnate wants to build should be sunk because two significant gum trees will be destroyed, a Labor politician and critics claim.

The Pelligra Group has proposed a $20m international standard ice rink and rock climbing facility on a 10,000sq m parcel of southern suburbs council land at 262a Sturt Rd, Marion.

The development, which would be built on leased Marion Council land, includes a single-rink arena with seating for up to 450 spectators, three rock climbing walls of varying difficulty and a car park.

But critics, including the local MP for Gibson, Sarah Andrews, oppose it because two gum trees aged up to 80 years old will be cut down, sporting groups will be removed and local traffic problems increased.

Gibson MP Sarah Andrews with Attorney-General Kyam Maher. Picture: Tara Miko

New Perth Glory Chairman Ross Pelligra poses with Perth Glory CEO Anthony Radich after in February. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

In a decision that has raised eyebrows among Labor colleagues, Ms Andrews will host a “sink the rink” rally on Saturday with the Conservation Council “against the council’s decision to remove two significant trees”.

She told parliament this week trees “that our community desperately care about” would go for a private, for-profit, interstate organisation on ratepayer land “purely to give the council guaranteed income of 42 years of rent”.

The $20m arena is located in Adelaide’s southern suburbs. Picture: Marion Council

“Not only are the community worried about the loss of two significant trees, trees which provide habitat, provide shade, cool our community and are of course a beautiful visual amenity,” she told MPs.

“But they are also concerned about the increased traffic on Sturt Road that this private, for-profit ice rink will bring to our community.”

Defending her stance on Friday, she said she had more than 800 signatures on a petition against the project, which would add to traffic problems in one of the worst crash areas.

“I’m not against an ice rink,” she said.

“There may be some local residents who want to be able to play ice hockey closer to home.

“It’s just not the right location. I’ve a lot of community support to go ahead with this (rally). It’s my responsibility to reflect the views of the community and that’s what they’ve been telling me.”

She said there were other larger open spaces in the area including around Hallett Cove that were more suitable.

Labor Party colleagues questioned her campaign. Others questioned an “odd choice politically”.

“You don’t have to be anti-tree to know this is thin ice,” one Labor source said. Ms Andrews declined to respond.

Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said there was widespread community support and his council supported various sports.

“When we considered community consultation about the ice rink there was very strong community support,” he said.

“Nobody has suggested a viable alternative site. Council would like it to go ahead.”

He said planning was in the final stages and solutions to traffic concerns “worked on”.

He said Marion Council’s “independent” Development Assessment panel will assess the application later in the year.

The project’s Melbourne-based developer Ross Pelligra, has told the council he wants to revive a large ice arena that had been abandoned due to financial problems.

Mr Pelligra said the centre would be a “grassroots” facility and open to for public events while he expected far more trees to be planted.

He said he was guided by council experts, and its due diligence, but noted another facility was further away, meaning users would have to travel more.

“We’re not interested in a concrete jungle building,” he said.

“We want to make sure the greenery and tree canopy adds value.”

Adelaide has only one ice arena, at Thebarton, which briefly shut late last year as it changed management.