Hundreds of properties could be compulsorily acquired for North-South corridor project under planned new laws

Up to 1000 properties could make way to complete the North-South Corridor project as the Government says it will “tweak and reform” the laws governing compulsory acquisition.

• Funds set aside for final stage of North-South Corridor

The North-South Corridor’s final stages are expected to swallow up between 600 and 1000 properties, as Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll declares the Government will “tweak and reform” the laws governing compulsory acquisition.

As planning continues on the best options for the final stages of the North-South Corridor – along South Rd between the River Torrens through to Darlington – Mr Knoll has outlined the potential toll on homes and businesses. When properties are acquired, owners are entitled to the “market value” assessed as if the road upgrade was not occurring.

Compulsory acquisitions for the 10.5km final stretches of the project are set to dwarf the total number of properties acquired for previous work on the North-South Corridor.

The North-South corridor project could swallow up between 600-1000 properties.

Figures provided by the Transport Department show 557 properties have been acquired for a raft of other projects in recent years including 229 for the Torrens to Torrens section and extension, Darlington (105), South Rd Superway (40) Northern Connector (108) and Pym to Regency, (75). The State Government is considering the best way to build the final piece of South Rd, between the River Torrens and Darlington, that will be the most costly and difficult section of the non-stop freeway between Gawler and Old Noarlunga.

The last remaining portion is to link the recently completed Torrens to Torrens with the Darlington Upgrade that is now underway, a troublesome 10.5km stretch which runs through built-up suburbs and commercial districts just north and south of Anzac Highway.

The three solutions being examined by the State Government are one super tunnel, or a hybrid option of two that includes traffic returning to the surface between Anzac Highway and Edward St in Melrose Park. A tunnel-free design is also being examined, which would be similar to the Torrens to Torrens build.

Lawash Bakery owner Bashir Attayee outside his Thebarton business. Picture Dean Martin

Mr Knoll said the last piece in the North-South Corridor puzzle would slash travel times, make the road safer and unlock a huge amount of economic potential that would create jobs. “Land acquisition is a key consideration about whether or not we tunnel because it will be acquiring significantly less properties and help keep the communities alive along South Rd.

“This project will underpin thousands of construction jobs over the next decade,” he said.

He also hinted at changes to the process in which people can have their homes and businesses taken to make way for the works. “Broadly speaking, the land acquisition process in South Australia provides a fair system and works relatively well,” he said.

“However, the Marshall Government will be looking to tweak and reform the Land Acquisition Act 1969 to strengthen the process even further.”

Long-time Thebarton home owners, Judith and Brian Hall. Picture Dean Martin

Business SA spokesman Anthony Penney said the project was vital for opening up the north and south of Adelaide. He said the project would enable cheaper, faster and more efficient movement of goods, particularly exports.

Small business commissioner John Chapman last week said the State Government should set up a “contingency pool” as part of the project. The money, he said, could be used to compensate businesses that will suffer from the roadworks.

Business and property owners along South Rd in Thebarton this week had mixed emotions about impending roadworks.

Lawasha Bakery owner Bashir Attayee told The Advertiser his 18-year-old business would not survive if he had to pack up and move elsewhere.

“We will lose our customers and we would lose our business,” Mr Attayee said.

West Thebarton Hotel manager Simon Hughes. Picture Dean Martin

The Afghani restaurant was the first of its kind in Adelaide and was about to undergo a new refurbishment. But uncertainty about where the roadworks would go has made him question the future.

“If the roads takes this way, we will have 10 people lining up for Centrelink,” he said.

Across the road, Brian and Judith Hall are not as concerned. Mr Hall, 73, was born in the house, as was his mother before him but he and Mrs Hall, 67, have known for a long time the government could take the property. “I would say if you have got $550,000, no worries,” Mr Hall said.

‘They already took 4m of my front yard about 20 years ago when they widened the road.”

Judith agrees: “It would be sad to leave it but we do want to downsize eventually.”

Down the road, West Thebarton Hotel Manager Simon Hughes was also not fussed.

“Due to the heritage listing of the hotel we are safe here,” Mr Hughes said. “Any roadworks that they do in the future will just be a benefit for us.”

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