The state governments recent acquisition plan is causing devastation for many South Australians
Some families and businesses have had a nasty Christmas surprise after discovering they will be forced to pack up and move out from South Rd.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Business owners have been left perplexed that they will be forced to pack up and move out from South Rd to make way for a new open green space along the North-South corridor.
A large block of commercial properties, opposite the Brickworks at Thebarton, have been swept up in the state government’s latest acquisition plan for the Torrens to Darlington project.
It has come as a shock to many of the businesses who were not under threat in the former Liberal government’s plans for the corridor.
They now have until August 2024 to find a new home.
Mohammed Keddeh runs an automotive business, Ezyauto, on the corner of West Thebarton Rd and was only told his fate days ago.
“I’ve just seen the plans … it’s just a green strip, so what’s the point? It wouldn’t be too bad if they were widening the lanes or doing something specific for the road, but it’s just green grass,” he said.
“But they’ve protected the West Thebarton pub and they’ve protected the Brickworks, which is ironic.”
Mr Keddeh said they only started the business 18 months ago and had spent thousands on renovations.
“Two years ago the T2D group came in and said it was definitely not in the plans … so we thought let’s put some money into it, we’ve just started getting ready to build a cafe next door,” he said.
“They say they’ll help us relocate, but it doesn’t matter where you go, it’s a very saturated industry. Not to mention you have to start all over again.”
At the nearby Thebarton Crash Repairs, it was The Advertiser who broke the bad news to owner Mustafa Shaista.
He said he’d had no correspondence from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
“I am a bit shocked because you’re the one telling me. We’ve been setting up this business for seven years now and my father has been next door for over 20 years,” he said.
A department spokesman said the engagement team had previously delivered a letter to the business.
“The department’s engagement team has spoken to the business tenant at this property again today (Wednesday),” he said.
Mr Shaista said it was a “huge disappointment”.
“I’ve put a lot of energy and effort into the place, basically any money I was earning, I’ve been putting into the business,” he said.
“I’ve got over 1000 customers and the reality is they come in because it is convenient for them, so if I have to move somewhere else, 90 per cent of them I’m never going to see again.”
Residents on nearby Jervois Ave have received more clarity about the partial acquisition of their homes.
George Czerwinski met with the department on Wednesday to discuss the parameters of the government’s new plans.
He said he was set to lose up to 4.2m of his backyard.
“It’s good to know where we sit, but it’s not a win-win situation, if I stay I’m going to lose, if I go I’m going to lose,” he said.
“I understand things have go to go ahead … I feel more sorry for the people who are losing their homes, because we were in that position under the previous government, at least we now have a choice, they don’t have a choice.”
Further south, Clovelly Park residents have learned their houses would not survive the new upgrade.
Dianne Turner has been living at her English Ave property for 42 years and said she was shocked when she was handed a letter last week.
“I wasn’t too happy about it,” she said.
“It bumped my blood pressure up.”
Ms Turner was hoping to spend the rest of her life at the family house that is home to many memories.
“I’ve just got the house the way I want it, it’s comfortable,” she said.
“Someone my age didn’t really need that (news).”
She was led to believe a while ago that her property would be safe despite other road works in the area.
The English Ave resident is now looking at packing up all her belongings that have accumulated over the past 42 years.
She said her two sons and their families will be helping her in the coming months.
“I’ve told them that they’re welcome if they bring a cardboard box,” she said lightheartedly.
The Miles family have lived on York Ave for five years and have also been informed about the acquisition of their land.
Laura Miles, who lives at the property with her husband and two daughters, said she was informed in a heartbreaking phone call.
“It’s upsetting, I really don’t think we’re going to be able to replicate what we’ve got,” she said.
“The land gave us so many options to be able to help our kids. I feel like the rug got pulled out from under us a little bit.”
Sam Kazerani has also been living on York Ave for about three years with his partner Alice and dog Theodore.
Mr Kazerani said a letter was dropped into their letter box to inform them of the land acquisition.
“It’s a bit frustrating, we’ll have to start looking elsewhere,” he said.
Despite the initial shock when the couple learnt about the acquisition, Mr Kazernai said they are trying to keep a positive mindset.
“We’ll have to move forward and do the best we can.”
How much rate cuts will save you this year: every suburb
The Reserve Bank is expected to soon announce an interest-rate cut, with new modelling revealing the varying impact it will have on household budgets across each suburb.
‘Kept getting sick’: Kids at risk as childcare centre forced to close
A Blair Athol family would rather send their kids to a childcare centre that let two children run onto a busy main road than their previous one. Find out why.