AFL news 2024: Adelaide Crows hopeful $100m Thebarton redevelopment plans approved by end of March

Adelaide is stuck in a waiting game as an independent body assesses its $100m plans to transform Thebarton into its new home. But the club is hoping good news comes soon.

Adelaide Football Club is hopeful its $100m plans to redevelop Thebarton can go to tender by the end of March.

The Crows are awaiting a State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) decision that will determine the fate of the club’s proposed new home base in the inner-western suburbs.

Adelaide submitted its application to the independent body as soon as West Torrens Council agreed to give the club a 42-year lease last month.

Details of the Crows’ plans will be released during a public notification period before SCAP meets to assess the matter.

Adelaide expected a decision to happen as early as March and no later than June.

The Crows anticipated local residents who were against the club’s Thebarton plans to again make submissions, but noted SCAP would look at South Australia’s interests, not solely the local area as a council would.

Designs of the Crows’ proposed new training, administration and community precinct at Thebarton Oval. Picture: City Collective

Emma Dawes, a member of the 5031 Community Facilities and Greenspaces Action Group, said they were awaiting further information before deciding their next move.

“Our concerns are the same as they have been all along,” Dawes told this masthead.

“We don’t know specifics about things like traffic management, where they’ll have taxi and Uber ranks, what kind of signage they’ll have, the sound systems they’ll be using.

“They’ve said they want to be good neighbours so we’re hoping when the plans come out, we don’t have to do anything, that they’re respectful and considered plans that minimise the impact.

“We will be waiting with bated breath for those papers to come out.”

Vision of the Adelaide Football Club’s proposed new training, administration and community precinct at Thebarton Oval. Picture: City Collective

Planning Minister Nick Champion appointed SCAP to make the decision because of the proposed redevelopment’s economic importance for the precinct and South Australia-wide interest.

The state government is contributing $25m towards the project.

Adelaide is pushing ahead with final designs after consulting all components of the club.

Aside from the SCAP decision, the other key hurdle for the Crows is Thebarton’s existing lease holder, the SANFL, returning to Football Park as part of a $27m redevelopment.

Charles Sturt last month postponed a decision on the matter until February, wanting more detail on concerns raised during community consultation.

Originally published as AFL news 2024: Adelaide Crows hopeful $100m Thebarton redevelopment plans approved by end of March