Residents of West Torrens believe council is ‘rushing’ Crows HQ meeting

West Torrens councillors are gathering behind closed doors to receive a confidential briefing about signing a formal agreement with the Crows to redevelop Thebarton Oval.

A western suburbs council is preparing to sign a long-term lease with the Adelaide Crows for the $85m redevelopment of Thebarton Oval.

West Torrens councillors will gather behind closed doors on Monday night to receive a confidential briefing from chief executive Terry Buss and lawyers about signing a memorandum of agreement with the Adelaide Football Club.

The agreement is a formal undertaking between the council and Crows to work together on a masterplan for the Thebarton Oval precinct to enable a 84-year lease.

Elected members will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to vote on whether the agreement should be signed, despite the council being in caretaker mode for the council elections.

West Torrens mayor Michael Coxon wrote an open letter last week in a bid to appease growing community concerns the council was attempting to rush through the project.

While not opposing the Thebarton Oval redevelopment, residents are vocally objecting to the acquisition of a neighbouring park, Kings Reserve, for use as an AFLW and training oval.

The popular reserve is opposite the Brickworks Market on the corner of South Rd and Ashwin Pde, Torrensville.

Concept design for the redevelopment of Thebarton Oval by the Adelaide Football Club. Picture: City Collective

The current tenants of the reserve, Greek-based soccer club MC Hawks, have written to the council, asking for their lease to be extended when it expires at the end of next year

In his letter, Mr Coxon said there would be further community consultation before any final decisions were made on the masterplan or long-term lease was signed.

“Council wishes to make it very clear that no lease will be entered into with the Adelaide Football Club over the Thebarton Oval Precinct until all stages of public consultation have been concluded, assessed and approved,” he said.

Mr Coxon said this was most likely to occur next April or May.

The proposed area which will be leased by the Adelaide Football Club for the Thebarton Oval redevelopment. Picture: Supplied

The 750-page agenda for Tuesday night’s meeting was released last Friday as part of an exemption granted by Local Government Minister Geoff Brock for councillors to continue debating the project.

Residents want the decision on the memorandum of agreement to be delayed until a new council is voted in, which could be as early as next week.

Crows chief executive Tim Silvers said the club had tabled its community engagement plan ahead of the meeting.

“We are committed to doing the right thing, being a good neighbour and making a positive contribution to the local community,” he said.

“The plan maps out a path forward and shows genuine commitment to seeking input and feedback on our design and achieving a positive outcome for all parties,” he said.

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

A YourSay survey, in which flyers were delivered to 4500 residents, revealed the suburbs of Torrensville, Thebarton and Mile End had 62 per cent of residents objecting to the proposal.

Residents’ spokesman Dave Conroy said the outcome “proves our point that the engagement process has been inadequate”.

Mr Conroy said the release of the agenda two days before the council meeting was “a combination of spin and political manipulation” by West Torrens mayor Michael Coxon and Mr Buss.

“Council’s mismanagement of the consultation process has dented its reputation in the eyes of the community,” he said.

“With proper consultation before the MOA is signed, it could achieve a beneficial outcome for all parties and ensure the council’s reputation remains intact.”

Mr Conroy said residents were not objecting to the Crows moving to Thebarton Oval but the proposed acquisition of Kings Reserve.

“The community supports the Crows’ move to Thebarton Oval but has serious concerns about the second MCG size oval on Kings Reserve.” Mr Conroy said.

Mr Conroy said residents were confused with why the council was holding the special during caretaker mode for the elections.

“This appears to be a final act of contempt against the community and residents implore the current council not to vote onthe MOA and enter a binding agreement,” he said.

“This is not a matter for the current council that will be finalised, and never to be discussed again after Monday’s meeting.

“It will be a matter for the incoming council to continue to consider this proposal, the mismanaged consultation, and the consequences for the immediate and long term.”

A council spokeswoman said the briefing on Monday would allow councillors to ask questions and “seek clarity” about the memorandum of agreement”.

The briefing was being held behind closed doors because lawyers would be presenting legal advice.

Originally published as Residents of West Torrens believe council is ‘rushing’ Crows HQ meeting