Adelaide to plant 13 extra trees at Thebarton Oval precinct after four were wrongly removed

The Crows have ordered an “immediate review” of the planning documentation around their $100m plan to construct a new training base at Thebarton Oval after a mix-up.

Adelaide has pledged to plant 13 extra trees at the Thebarton Oval precinct after four were wrongly removed during construction of the Crows’ new training ground.

The Crows have ordered an “immediate review” of the planning documentation around the $100m plan to establish a training and administration base for the club at the precinct after the unauthorised removal of the four trees, as well as a fifth that was heavily trimmed back.

As part of the planning approval for their new home at Thebarton Oval the Crows have to plant two replacement trees for every regulated tree it chops down and three replacement trees for every significant tree.

It is understood the four trees - none of which were classified as significant or regulated and are around the perimeter of the oval - were always earmarked to be removed and this was outlined in the Crows’ masterplan for Thebarton Oval and certain parts of the Development Application.

Artist Impression of New Crows Facility at Thebarton Oval.

But graphical errors in the demolition plans meant they were not authorised to be knocked over as per the West Torrens’ Council’s approved planning documentations.

It is understood the error has been attributed to what has been described as inaccuracies in documents produced by an urban design firm for the club.

When contacted by The Advertiser, a Crows spokesman described the situation as “unacceptable”.

“We have ordered an immediate review of the planning documentation to ensure there are no further issues,” he said.

“The club has gone to great lengths to work with the community and followed council’s processes and requirements over the last couple of years.

“We have previously committed to planting three new trees for each one removed on the development site and given this current situation we are proposing the planting of an additional 13 trees on the adjacent Kings Reserve.”

Impressions of the Crows new training base at Thebarton Oval. Supplied

There is also a plan in place to promote regrowth in the tree that was cut back.

Work finally began on the Crows new training base and headquarters at Thebarton Oval over the last two months.

Just how many trees would be cut down and saved as part of the development has been a point of contention between local residents and the club during the Crows’ process to get all necessary approvals for their plans.

Last year 10 trees at the adjacent Kings Reserve threatened to jeopardise the plans, prompting the club to start talks with government officials about the boundary of its proposed second oval there.

The club began exploring a move to a new training base in 2013, with plans for at least four sites scuttled before the Crows settled on Thebarton Oval.

They are still hoping to move from their current base at West Lakes to the new Thebarton Oval complex in 2026.

Originally published as Adelaide to plant 13 extra trees at Thebarton Oval precinct after four were wrongly removed