Adelaide Crows’ bid to build HQ at Brompton Gasworks site rejected
Housing for 2200 people, a 120-room hotel and a piazza surrounded by bars and restaurants – here’s what a Victorian firm has planned for the Brompton Gasworks site, after it knocked over the Crows’ HQ bid.
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The Victorian firm that pipped the Adelaide Crows for the right to redevelop a historic site at Brompton says it has plans to transform old gasworks buildings into a modern housing and retail zone.
Treasurer Rob Lucas announced on Thursday afternoon that Melbourne-based developer MAB Corporation had been selected to rejuvenate the 6ha site over 10 years, with construction works set to begin in the second half of this year.
The club’s first coach, Graham Cornes, has blasted the decision to select a Melbourne developer rather than choose the Crows’ proposal, which included 57 per cent open space.
“Renewal SA should hang their heads in shame,” he said.
“There’s a real chance that developments like that could turn into ghettos.”
MAB Corporation chief operating officer David Hall said the company was pleased to have been selected to redevelop the old Brompton gas works site and was committed to “providing the best possible outcome for South Australia”.
“With over two decades of experience in remediation, urban renewal and commercial development we are excited to form a distinctly South Australian team, bringing international experience in urban renewal design and delivery alongside some of South Australia’s most experienced and well credential experts,” he said.
“We look forward to the opportunity to partner with Renewal SA and deliver our shared vision to create a vibrant urban village that blends heritage, sustainability and community.”
At the Bowden site, MAB Corporation plans to adapt and restore former gasworks structures and tunnels and build a 120-room hotel as well as a commercial and retail zone incorporating a piazza surrounded by cafes, restaurants and bars.
The commercial and retail space, featuring an Employment Hub, will flow across about 11,500 sqm – four times larger than Bowden’s Plant 3 and Plant 4 combined.
The development will house an estimated 2200 residents once completed, including 207 townhouses, 120 zero-carbon affordable apartments, 305 market sale apartments and up to 200 build-to-rent and aged care apartments.
About 1.5ha – or 25 per cent of the site – will be retained as open space.
In total, MAB Corporation is expected to invest $459m into the precinct, with an average of 190 construction jobs supported over the site’s 10-year development.
A further 730 to 1000 ongoing jobs are expected once the rejuvenation has been completed.
Mr Lucas said MAB Corporation had been selected because it offered the highest economic benefit of all proponents during both the construction and operational phases.
“The MAB proposal delivers an intergenerational solution for the site, remediating it for future generations,” he said.
“The project will also deliver long-term benefits to the state, both through the construction jobs, trades and local companies supported over the 10-year development cycle and the 730-plus ongoing jobs once completed.”
Mr Lucas said the Crows’ plan was viable and competitive – landing among the top three proposals out of about 10 expressions of interest – but was ultimately not the best option for the site.
“I know … when they make their public statement the Crows will be disappointed that they’ve been unsuccessful – I understand that,” he said.
“On the basis of the evidence I saw, there was no other reasonable decision that could have or should have been taken by me as the responsible minister when I saw the evaluation.”
Mr Lucas also defended the selection of an interstate developer to winning the deal.
“I think it’s fantastic that South Australia is such an impressive place to develop now,” he said.
“We’re attracting the best of the state, national and in some case international people wanting to invest in South Australia and create jobs.”
The announcement knocked on the head the Crows’ plan to redevelop the former Brompton Gasworks site.
But Crows chairman John Olsen said the club would push on in its search for a new “intergenerational” home, despite the latest rejection.
Mr Olsen said there had always been potential for a large commercial property developer to overwhelm the Crows’ “community-focused plan”.
But he said the Crows’ financial sustainability should never be jeopardised when considering major investments, such as a new headquarters.
“Our extensive due diligence and multi-criteria assessment has also shown our desired football outcomes could be achieved equally at either site, while our key member and fan engagement initiatives could be delivered at Thebarton,” he said, in a written statement.
“We are determined to build a state-of-the-art training and administration facility which underscores our football-first focus and our unwavering commitment to deliver the type of on-field success we all want.
“This is an intergenerational project that will positively impact the club and its players, coaches, staff, corporate partners, members and supporters for decades to come.”
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The Crows are expected to turn their attention to Thebarton Oval, another location it was keen to pursue as a potential base in its long-running bid to find a new home closer to the city.
West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon, in a Crows statement, said he was excited at the prospect of the Crows moving to Thebarton.
“The council is supportive of Adelaide’s plans and we have been in long-running discussions with their hierarchy,” Coxon said.
“We look forward to bringing to life the many and varied benefits that the Crows will generate for the people who live in Thebarton and surrounding suburbs.
“Their proposed facility will encompass the AFLW team’s home ground and it will be great for the growth of the women’s sport in our area. We will continue to work through the options with a view to finalising an agreement.”
Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas, a Port supporter whose Croydon electorate includes the Brompton site, highlighted that the Crows’ proposal involved 57 per cent open space versus MAB’s 25 per cent.
He also stressed that the Crows’ plan would have created $3.1bn in economic activity over 20 years.
“They’ve chosen more high-density housing in what’s already a densely housed community and denied a project that was ostensibly commercially viable and provided more green space,” Mr Malinauskas told The Advertiser.
“Between Port Rd and Torrens Rd in the Bowden and Brompton community there’s no oval for people to kick a footy or play cricket.”
Mr Malinauskas said he would seek an urgent briefing from Renewal SA about the decision.
MAB Corporation was behind the village of NewQuay in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct, as well as Merrifield in the city’s northwest. It has also remediated other former gasworks sites including Osborne Gasworks in SA, Millers Point Gasworks in NSW and Fitzroy Gasworks in Victoria.
Mr Olsen in May last year revealed the club had narrowed down its search for a new base, to either the gasworks site or Thebarton Oval.
Backed by the developer of Holden’s former Elizabeth plant, Pelligra, the Crows had plans for a commercial and residential development at the site.
Their plans also included a new oval, which could have been used by the community when not in use by the club, as well as a running track and community plaza.
The club’s mooted Bowden base would have cost about $50m.
The joint venture would have meant a $200m contribution from Pelligra and $70m from the Crows – $270m all up.
It came after the club shelved plans for a new training and administrative facility at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre in North Adelaide.
The Bowden site, just north of Port Rd, is currently vacant and about 3.5km northwest of Adelaide Oval. It is bordered by Chief St, Second St, Drayton St and the train line to the western suburbs.
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