Upper House backs Greens motion to oppose Riverbank Arena plan

The state government’s election centrepiece is facing its biggest challenge yet after a late-night vote set major new obstacles in the path.

The state government’s $662 million Riverbank Arena is facing its biggest challenge yet after state parliament’s upper house on Wednesday night voted to oppose the development.

The upper house backed a Greens motion opposing the state government’s plan to develop Helen Mayo Park – the proposed location for the arena – “on the basis that this represents a further erosion of the parklands that is inconsistent with its status as a nationally heritage-listed site”.

Greens MLC Robert Simms. Picture: SA Greens/YouTube

Greens MLC Robert Simms also introduced a Bill that would stop the Planning Minister from rezoning the parklands without the approval of both houses.

The Private Member’s Bill is expected to go to a vote in the upper house during the next sitting week, in mid-November.

If passed, it would also need approval by the lower house to become law.

Artist impressions of what the riverbank area would look like. Picture: Supplied

Mr Simms said the upper house had “sent the government a clear message”.

“We don’t want to see the heritage values of our parklands being jeopardised by development,” he said.

“It is untenable for the government to now press ahead with its plans for this arena on the Riverbank, when it’s been opposed by one of the houses of parliament, along with the Adelaide City Council,” Mr Simms said.

A government spokesman said the Riverbank Arena would attract world-class acts, events and economy-boosting conferences from interstate and overseas.

“It will inject even more life into the city, fill up bars, restaurants and hotels – creating local jobs and massively boosting our economy,” he said.

“We need a world-class venue to showcase major international artists and draw national events and conferences to our great state.”

The council voted to reject the entertainment arena on Tuesday night, with Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor using her casting vote to ensure the parklands would be free of commercial buildings.