Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis ‘appalled’ by Jetty Rd redevelopment after childhood in local shop

Tom Koutsantonis spent a large part of his youth at his parent’s Jetty Rd chicken shop. Now he’s slamming the council’s “appalling” project.

South Australia’s Treasurer has raised a concerning question over the future of Jetty Rd, Glenelg as another business has been forced to close by the ongoing redevelopment.

Yiros Shack Cafe, formerly Makis Yiros, was the latest business to collapse under the $40m project that has seen road and footpaths ripped up at Jetty Rd.

Owner, Mash, told The Advertiser in October he’d lost 50 per cent of his profits, with foot traffic significantly impacted by the redevelopment works.

Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis — whose family once owned a chicken shop on Jetty Rd — said it was “heartbreaking” to see so many businesses disappearing.

He said the real question was: “when this is finished, who’s going to be left?”

South Australia Labor Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis. Picture: Dean Martin

“My parents used to own a business on Jetty Rd, I spent a huge part of my youth in the Jetty Rd community, and to see what’s happening, it’s heartbreaking and I’m appalled to see the way this council project is being inflicted on the traders there,” he said.

“The South Australian economy is vibrant right now, the state is building in so many ways, and yet Jetty Rd traders are being locked out of those benefits — some of them for good.

Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson with the Elysian Fields sculpture on Jetty Rd/Brighton Rd corner. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“We have major events in Adelaide — summer is almost here and the Ashes are around the corner — and we’ve ensured there are additional services to get people to Glenelg, but unfortunately right now there’s chaos when they get there.

“(These works) could have been planned and budgeted to ensure a works schedule that would have seen this project completed in time to minimise impacts on businesses and allow traders to recoup their losses.”

Speaking on FIVEAA, Mr Koutsantonis said he visited Jetty Rd weekly and was afraid businesses wouldn’t survive.

“The most important thing about Jetty Rd is the businesses … it’s not the road, it’s the people there,” he said.

“Who’s going to be left?”

Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson said the project was “on time” and “ahead of schedule”.

“Jetty Rd itself is well supported, there’s loads of people on it,” she said.

Originally published as Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis ‘appalled’ by Jetty Rd redevelopment after childhood in local shop