Premier Malinauskas pictured with pint in hand as Save the Cranker Bill finally passes parliament

The Premier enjoyed a cheeky pint at the Crown and Anchor Hotel after landmark laws passed parliament – but the pub’s backers warn there is more to come.

One of several rallies to save the Crown and Anchor Hotel, after its future was thrown in the balance by a development proposal. Picture: Natalie Vikhrov

After months of protests and backroom negotiations, the future of the Crown and Anchor Hotel has been safeguarded as extraordinary laws were finally passed through parliament.

Premier Peter Malinauskas took to the beloved live music venue for knock-offs on Tuesday night, shortly after the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Amendment Bill went through the state upper house.

Premier Premier Malinauskas celebrates with the Save the Cranker team at the Crown & Anchor Hotel. Picture: Jessica Renaglia

Premier Malinauskas at the Crown N Anchor having a beer. Picture: Jessica Renaglia

Music and heritage lovers rallied to save the 170-year-old pub on Adelaide’s Grenfell St, after it was revealed in Marchthat a Singaporean developer sought to build a 19-storey student apartment building on top of it.

The venue would have been forced to shut and bulldozed on the inside, but in August, Mr Malinauskas announced a deal had been brokered between the government and Wee Hur Holdings to permanently preserve the building for live music.

In return, the developer was given permission to build an extra 10 storeys on the rest of the earmarked site next door.

Wee Hur Holdings’ original development plan, which would have seen the hotel bulldozed save for the facade. Picture: Brown Falconer Architects

The new visual render, with the Crown and Anchor intact. Picture Supplied

Making the announcement to a crowd of hundreds at Parliament House, Mr Malinauskas at the time said the Cranker would be given “an unfettered right to play live music for ever more”.

The bill also includes noise complaint protections for city music venues.

The Greens won amendments to increase heritage damage fines to a cap of $500k for individuals and $1m for body corporates, as well as a parliamentary inquiry into challenges facing live music.

Hundreds rallied at the Crown and Anchor Hotel on April 28. Picture: Matt Loxton

Greens upper house member Robert Simms said “today’s outcome represents a win for people power”.

The pub will be closed for up to two years once development on the student apartments begins, with a temporary home currently being sought.

In a public statement, Save the Cranker campaign organisers said they were “committed to holding the government and Wee Hur to their promises”.

“We will see this through, and when we reopen, it will be with the same spirit that has carried us through this fight,” the statement said.