Thebarton residents hit out after Adelaide Crows granted 42-year lease by West Torrens Council

The Crows’ HQ battle has ruffled new feathers after a Thebarton lease was finally granted, with locals fearing it will come at the expense of smaller community projects.

Western suburbs residents have been left frustrated by a “rushed” decision by the West Torrens Council to grant the Adelaide Crows a 42-year lease at Thebarton, fearing the $11.2m council contribution could take funding from other local projects.

At a special general meeting on Tuesday night, elected members voted 11-2 to grant the Crows a 42-year lease to establish a $100m training and administrative base in the precinct.

But Dr Emma Dawes, a member of the 5031 Community Facilities and Greenspaces Action Group, said residents were disappointed the debate hadn’t been pushed into the new year.

The council’s decision came just four days after the results of a community consultation survey were handed down.
Dr Dawes said survey results showed residents “weren’t happy” with the financial deal agreed to by the West Torrens Council, which will contribute $11.26m to the Crows for the project.

They also raised concerns that enough information had not been provided about traffic management and the community impact of light and sound pollution, anti-social behaviour and liquor licencing.

Adelaide Chairman John Olsen thanked the council for its support after securing a 42-year lease at Thebarton. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“Before the Port Adelaide Enfield Council granted the lease to Port Power for their new facilities at Alberton they required all of that documentation (around community impact) to be made available,” Dr Dawes said.

“Our frustration is that there was huge participation in feedback – the biggest response council has ever had – and we don’t believe that feedback has been taken on board.

“It feels like community consultation was just a box-ticking exercise and they weren’t interested at all in small amendments or changes that could have been made to make sure residents were getting the best deal.

“We’re really concerned that the decisions that have been made, particularly around finances for this project, are irresponsible, and that we’re going to be left with a debt or if not a debt, an inability to sort of pursue other projects because we’re investing so much in this one.”

Of the 428 responses from the West Torrens district, 51.8 per cent did not support the masterplan as it stood, while 43.4 per cent were in favour.

Dr Dawes said residents overwhelmingly supported the project as a whole but did not support it in its current form.

She said frustrations came particularly after Charles Sturt Council deferred its decision on the SANFL’s move back to West Lakes until February, believing West Torrens Council could have done the same.

An impression of the Crows’ new Thebarton HQ. Picture: City Collective

The council says the project will bring an additional $42m in community benefit. Picture: City Collective

“It was frustrating that there were very key things that could have been amended, and it was exceptionally frustrating to see it voted through with minimal discussion,” she said.

“Charles Sturt Council doesn’t meet until February, so (West Torrens) could have deferred the issue or at least made some pretence of considering residents’ concerns.”

Mayor Michael Coxon said the council was excited to reach this point after almost two years of deliberation and many changes to the Crows’ original proposal.

“We believe it will inevitably be the jewel in the crown for West Torrens,” Mr Coxon said.

Residents are set to take their fight to the State Assessment Commission Panel, which will now determine if the project will go ahead.

Aside from the State Assessment Commission Panel’s decision, Thebarton’s existing lease holder, the SANFL, returning to Football Park is the other key hurdle for the Crows.

The Crows have been exploring moves away from their West Lakes home since 2013.

They had potential shifts to North Adelaide and Brompton Gasworks scuttled, before choosing Thebarton as their preferred new base in August last year.

Adelaide’s AFLW side will play home games at Thebarton and the club will train there, as well as have a portion of Kings Reserve as a secondary oval.

The Crows hope to be in their new base by 2025.

Originally published as Thebarton residents hit out after Adelaide Crows granted 42-year lease by West Torrens Council