Joslin to stage new protest against over Chinese consulate compound

An eastern suburbs mayor says he understands why residents oppose the imposing new Chinese consulate, but the matter has been taken out of local hands.

The Chinese consulate in the suburb of Joslin in Adelaide has left neighbours feeling Pic Roy VanDerVegt

Upset residents are staging a protest about the heavily protected Chinese consulate in their leafy eastern suburbs street.

The Communist nation’s consulate – a fortified compound with 3m-high concrete walls – is a stark contrast to its neighbouring heritage-style homes in Joslin.

Residents say they have tried to raise concerns about the compound – on a sprawling block between Fourth and Fifth avenues – but they have been handballed by different levels of government.

Those issues have included worries about security cameras, which allegedly point into private properties.

They have also raised concerns about shoddy workmanship on the border of neighbouring properties.

The Chinese consulate in the suburb of Joslin. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

A resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said she knew of neighbours who had tried to make complaints about issues and had not been able to find help. She said it had discouraged her from bothering to raise any issues herself, particularly about the security cameras that surround the compound.

“I’ve heard the council wiping their hands of it, so I don’t see that me complaining is going to do anything about getting rid of it,” she said.

“It’s not like (people at the consulate) are making loud noise. It’s the cameras and the building just doesn’t fit in with our area. I don’t understand how they’ve been allowed to put up that high fence.”

A resident, who also asked not to be named, whose property faces the 3m concrete wall said she had “battled” with contractors who worked on the consulate.

Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Council Mayor Robert Bria. Picture: Dan Schultz

Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Mayor Robert Bria said he was aware of complaints made to the council’s planning department about security cameras.

However, he said the responsibility for planning around the consulate had been taken away from the council and given to the Co-ordinator General four years ago.

He said the council was told it would “not be the assessing authority, thanks very much, nothing to see here”.

“It’s not a local government matter but I completely understand how residents feel helpless in terms of what they consider to be issues local government should be dealing with, but we have no jurisdiction over,” Mr Bria said.

He said residents with “security” concerns, including CCTV cameras, had been advised to contact police. But a spokesman for Premier Steven Marshall – whose electorate of Dunstan includes Joslin – said the council “have responsibility for any such applications in the area”.

Chinese consul Li Zhang has previously said the consulate had complied with all laws and regulations.