Owner of South Rd crisis accommodation centre slams acquisition process — but state government hits back

The state government has hit back at a former South Road owner’s claim that he’s been left waiting weeks to be paid for his compulsory land sale.

The owner of a crisis accommodation centre acquired by the state government for the North-South Corridor has attacked the process, which he says has left him waiting weeks to access money paid out for the property.

But the government has hit back, saying an application to release the funds was not lodged until this week and complaints made about the facility had ranged “from fear and lack of safety through to poor hygiene and cleanliness”.

Peter Kartabani vacated Safe Place SA at Glandore in November but is still waiting for a court to release the $2.55m the government has agreed to pay for the site.

He says over the subsequent weeks, he has been required to continue paying utility bills and making mortgage repayments.

Mr Kartabani estimated he had lost more than $20,000 on the property since the November 24 acquisition date.

“I have a loan for this building that I don’t even own, and I’m still paying repayments,” he said on Wednesday.

Former owner of Safe Place SA on South Rd, Peter Kartabani. Picture: Emma Brasier

He said his case was next in court on Monday, when the court was expected to release the money unless any further information had been requested.

Mr Kartabani is also contesting the $2.55m valuation based on another assessment that placed the figure at $3.5m.

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis confirmed the initial valuation had been paid to the Supreme Court for collection.

“It is a matter for his solicitor to arrange access to those funds, and doing so does not mean he can’t continue to contest the valuation,” he said.

“We have been informed that Mr Kartabani’s legal counsel only filed an application to withdraw these funds yesterday.”

In a separate statement, a spokesman said “the government has been in receipt of a range of complaints from different sources who have stayed at or used this facility”.

“The standards of the operation are such that we would not have endorsed use of this facility as homelessness accommodation as part of our homelessness service pathway,” he said.

In response, Mr Kartabani said health inspectors had signed off on the property, and the complaints were only lodged after tenants found out the facility – their home – was being acquired.

Opposition transport spokesman Vincent Tarzia, opposition leader David Speirs and Peter Kartabani at the South Rd site of Safe Place SA. Picture: Emma Brasier

He said a plan had been hatched by 3-4 tenants to complain about the facility so that the government would find them alternative accommodation.

The opposition criticised the acquisition process, with transport spokesman Vincent Tarzia calling on the government to “show them the money”.

“Peter Kartabani has done the right thing. He’s been waiting patiently, he’s been living off a credit card for nearly eight weeks now,” he said.

Opposition leader David Speirs said residents who have had their homes acquired have been treated with disrespect, and urged compassion to be shown.

“We’re seeing people not get enough information, we’re seeing people fall through the cracks, we’re seeing people dealt with quite differently between particular properties” he said.

He said the opposition had called for the establishment of a taskforce to support property-owners through the process and connect them with people who have previously had property acquired.

But Mr Koutsantonis accused the Liberals of seeking to politicise a sensitive situation for South Rd businesses and residents.

Everyone who had been staying at Safe Place SA has been relocated to other accommodation.