State government deal reportedly ‘imminent’ to save Adelaide’s Crown & Anchor hotel

The premier has taken personal carriage of negotiations with developers over plans to gut the Crown & Anchor hotel, with an agreement reportedly looming.

A deal to save the imperilled Crown & Anchor hotel is “imminent”, with Premier Peter Malinauskas understood to have brokered an agreement with the developers behind planned student accommodation on the site.

Mr Malinauskas has reportedly taken “personal carriage” of the issue, speaking directly to developers Wee Hur Holdings Ltd over plans to gut the historic live music venue for a 19-storey accommodation block.

The controversial development plan was lodged by the Singapore-based company in early March, prompting a groundswell of backlash from live music fans, parliamentary debate and criticisms from the state’s Government Architect.

The Advertiser understands the government and Wee Hur Holdings have been involved in a number of meetings since backlash kicked off over the development, with a deal close to being struck.

On Thursday morning, Mr Malinauskas said his government would like to see the Cranker saved, but not at the expense of investment in development, particularly in accommodation and student accommodation.

“We’re not about to make any decisions or take any actions that would curtail investment in increasing housing supply,” he said.

“I’ve made that plainly clear from the outset when it comes to this.

“Having said that, yes it is true that we would like to see the Cranker saved and we are open minded to any opportunities that would facilitate that.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas’ government has reportedly brokered a deal to save the imperilled pub. Picture Dean Martin

The Crown & Anchor hotel’s future has been under a development cloud. Picture Dean Martin

While details remain under close wraps, the government’s deal reportedly strikes a balancing act between protecting the venue’s future and ensuring it doesn’t deter developers by setting a precedent of intervening in major investments in the CBD.

Greens MLC Robert Simms, who was behind a parliamentary motion in May that voted to acknowledge the venue’s history and importance — but fell short of backing changes to the state’s planning laws to consider “cultural heritage” — said any agreement must guarantee the long-term future of the pub as a live music venue.

“A stay of execution won’t be enough. We need to ensure that it has the protection it deserves. It’s part of the beating heart of Adelaide and we can’t afford to lose it,” Mr Simms said.

In July, Environment Minister Susan Close bought the venue more time after pushing back a deadline for submissions to the SA Heritage Council on whether the pub should be included on the state heritage register.

Thousands are expected to rally again for the venue’s future this weekend. Picture: Jessica Renaglia

Submissions now close on November 3, until which the hotel’s provisional listing on the register will remain in place.

During the public consultation period for the development, the State Planning Assessment Commission received about 800 submissions from members of the public – a figure which more than doubled SCAP’s record.

At 1pm on Sunday this week, thousands are expected to rally once more for the venue’s future at Victoria Square (Tarntanyangga) with performances by Dave Gleeson of The Screaming Jets and local Adelaide band LOLA.

When asked whether he would be attending Sunday’s event, Mr Malinauskas said he was “not likely to be wearing tight black jeans and growing a mullet between now and then”.