Marion Council approves sale of park for Elon Musk’s Tesla factory
Marion Council has voted on whether or not a contaminated park should become a Tesla factory – despite a massive community backlash against controversial billionaire Elon Musk.
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A southern suburbs council has decided the future of a vacant park, paving the way for a Tesla battery factory to be built.
Marion Council voted eight to three in favour of freeing up and selling Chestnut Court Reserve to developer MAB CCT to build a Tesla factory for repurposing batteries, including a servicing facility and vehicle showroom.
The heavily contaminated reserve has been closed to the public since 2016, with the factory set to provide around 100 jobs.
The electric vehicle company is owned by controversial billionaire Elon Musk – sparking massive community backlash.
The decision comes despite an overwhelming push back from the local community, with 95 per cent of the 1000 submissions to council opposing the controversial proposal.
But more than half of those who responded during community consultation were people who did not live in Marion Council.
A council report states“anti-Tesla and anti-Elon Musk sentiment” was a key theme received during feedback, which did not relate to the “physical merits of the developer’s application”.
Marion mayor Kris Hanna said the decision would provide a shot in the arm to the local community.
“The soil of council’s land is contaminated. It’s not safe for recreation, so it makes sense to have it sealed over with a renewable technology facility,” Mr Hanna said.
“If we didn’t proceed, it would have cost 100 jobs to local residents, but it would have had no impact on Elon Musk.
“Tesla would almost certainly find somewhere else in Australia to build their factory.”
It is not known how much the developers would pay for the site, but the council said it would use “any proceeds from the sale” to purchase nearby Ash Avenue Reserve from Renewal SA.
Frustrated residents have slammed the council’s call, labelling it “completely senseless” and “opting for easy money”.
Many residents voiced concerns about the company’s controversial owner, while others opposed the move due to a loss in green space and removal of 50 trees.
Councillor Sarah Luscombe, who voted against the proposal, was disappointed the council didn’t listen to the overwhelming community feedback.
“Nothing has been looked into for this land, this was kind of the first shiny thing that came along,” she said.
“Community members who spoke to me were concerned that these types of processes can end up just being tokenistic.
“Time and time again we see big corporations’ interests prioritised over communities.”
Other residents slammed the decision online, with one labelling it a “cash grab”.
The council’s decision will now be reviewed by the Local Government Minister, with development approval still required on the proposal.
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Originally published as Marion Council approves sale of park for Elon Musk’s Tesla factory
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