Liberal MP David Pisoni in surprising battle against changes to air ventilation system at Dusk Glenelg, next to his property

A senior Liberal MP is in one of the strangest fights of his career as he rails against changes coming to a $55m building next to his Glenelg property.

Liberal MP David Pisoni at the Dusk Glenelg block being built, where is opposed to changes to the air ventilation system. Picture: Mark Brake

Liberal MP David Pisoni is turning a private battle with a property developer into his latest political cause as he rallies against changes to an air ventilation system approved for a building next to his Glenelg property.

Mr Pisoni said the developers of Dusk, a $55m 14-storey luxury apartment block being built next to a unit he owns at Glenelg, recently decided to move the ventilation system to near the bottom of the building, where it would disturb residents of the units.

The change has been approved by the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) as a minor variation – meaning no development application was required and neighbours could not raise objections through a public consultation process.

In a media statement, which Mr Pisoni said was made as a private citizen, he said the change was “not a minor tweak” but rather “a fundamental variation that changes the very nature of the development and directly affects neighbours through noise, hazardous emissions, and loss of amenity”.

Liberal MP David Pisoni at the Dusk Glenelg block being built, where he is opposed to changes to the air ventilation system. Picture: Mark Brake

Concept image for the $55m Dusk Glenelg building. Picture: Supplied

He blamed the change’s approval on a planning document named Practice Direction 19, claiming this was a “new Labor policy” introduced this year which loosened the definition of a minor variation.

Mr Pisoni said the direction was “released without the usual Labor media fanfare to avoid public scrutiny” and it would affect residents across the inner suburbs.

However, a state government spokesman said “the entire premise of Mr Pisoni’s media release is incorrect” because the change was approved under a separate regulation in place since 2016, not Practice Direction 19.

“The variations to the development at 19 St John’s Row, Glenelg were required because of Metropolitan Fire Service requirements and operational matters to the building itself,” he said.

Property Council SA executive director Bruce Djite said calling “for an increase to red tape and seeking to interfere with the state’s independent planning system does nothing but worsen supply and affordability”.

“It is extremely disappointing to see anti-housing, NIMBY campaigns during a housing and affordability crisis,” he said.

A planning law expert, who did not wish to be named, said Practice Direction 19 did not change the definition of a minor variation but was instead a “user-friendly guide” for how to apply the present regulation.

Concept image of a living room at Dusk Glenelg, where apartments are selling for $4m. Picture: Supplied

Concept image of a bathroom at Dusk Glenelg. Picture: Supplied

Two other residents at the Glenelg units, Michael and Lee Battye, said the “noisy vents and hydraulic equipment” were being relocated to “within a few metres of bedroom windows”.

They said SCAP’s failure to hold the developers to account “should be of concern to all South Australians”.

An Opposition spokeswoman said it was a private matter, “not one that the Liberal Opposition would take a position on”.

The developers, Mina and Harry Vetos, declined to comment.

Originally published as Liberal MP David Pisoni in surprising battle against changes to air ventilation system at Dusk Glenelg, next to his property