West Torrens locals feel left ‘in the dark’ after Crows HQ meeting

West Torrens locals say they feel “unheard” and confused after a bizarre meeting on the future of the Crows’ new headquarters.

West Torrens locals say their opinions about the Adelaide Crows’ new headquarters at Thebarton are not being listened to after a peculiar meeting on the matter on Monday.

Local Emma Dawes said attendees of the Master Plan Advisory Group meeting on Monday night were shown a single image of an updated plan for the $85m development but were told it could not be photographed and was to be kept in confidence.

“There’s been a lot of smoke and mirrors through this process,” Ms Dawes said.

“We feel left in the dark but we also feel unheard.

“We are feeling this is our last opportunity to impact what the Crows are going to do.”

Adelaide Crows artist impressions of their new base at Thebarton Oval. Picture: City Collective

Ms Dawes said attendees at Monday’s meeting were told the next meeting to discuss the development would be closed to the public.

However, West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon said the meting would not be closed.

“All I flagged last night in the meeting is that as we get into the detail on this matter, if there’s any matters that revolve around commercial sensitivities, then those elements need to remain confidential,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide.

“If we do head into that kind of territory, we may need to have elements of the next meeting in confidence.”

Mr Coxon said a presentation was made at Monday’s meeting which contained confidential images that he asked attendees not to share.

West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon.

“Anybody and everybody who was at that meeting last night saw the image,” he said.

“The purpose of last night’s meeting gave everyone an opportunity to advise the Crows on what were the key things that were important from a council and community perspective.”

Mr Coxon said whether or not the image was made public would be up to the Crows.

The development, which was announced last year, sparked outrage among West Torrens locals when it was revealed much of Kings Park Reserve would be taken over by the new facilities.