Former West Torrens Mayor John Trainer backs Adelaide Crows Thebarton Oval plans

A former long-time mayor says he can smell “an artificially generated controversy” over the Crows’ Thebarton Oval HQ. Take our poll: Do you support the plan?

Former longserving West Torrens mayor John Trainer says he can “clearly smell an artificially generated controversy” over the Adelaide Crows’ Thebarton Oval redevelopment proposal, declaring he cannot see “any genuine widespread community groundswell of opposition”.

Issuing a veiled attack on West Torrens Council election candidates hijacking the issue for political purposes, Mr Trainer endorsed the Crows’ $80m plans for new headquarters at the inner-western Adelaide precinct.

Mr Trainer, West Torrens mayor from 2000 to 2018, said he believed an overwhelming silent majority was in favour of the project, despite residents expressing concern at the council’s consultation process, parking, traffic and open-space access.

Artist impression of the Crows’ proposed new base at Thebarton Oval. CREDIT: City Collective

Mr Trainer, who also was state parliament Speaker from 1986-90 and a Labor MP for 14 years, argued the community would benefit from upgrades to the oval and adjacent Kings Reserve.

“There are another 60,000-plus residents of West Torrens who were not present at either of the two recent council meetings or at the public meeting,” Mr Trainer told The Advertiser.

“Those silent majority residents will all benefit from the creation of two substantial recreational facilities, that will predominantly be open for them to use but that will be built without the local community having to foot the bill.

“I cannot see any genuine widespread community groundswell of opposition across West Torrens. But I can clearly smell an artificially generated controversy.”

An aerial artist impression of the Adelaide Crows’ proposed new base at Thebarton Oval. Picture: City Collective

The-then West Torrens Mayor John Trainer, pictured in 2015, when he was awarded an OAM for his service to local and state government. Picture: Campbell Brodie

Adelaide Crows chairman John Olsen, a former Liberal premier, has declared the Crows wanted to deliver a sports and community hub that ensured “local residents have access to what will be a new and improved precinct” and vowed about $45m of the $80m-plus project cost would be spent on “infrastructure that benefits the community”.

West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon in October said the consultation process would continue until a decision could be made in March, April or May 2023.

“The Adelaide Football Club have been very clear that if this matter gets to the masterplan stage they will seek to engage with the community and have community representation in the development of the masterplan,” he said.

The Crows in August revealed plans for the 9.1ha Thebarton site including two AFL-size grounds – one equivalent to Adelaide Oval and another like the MCG.

The plans also included “more member and fan-focused areas, such as an interactive museum and cafe, along with greater on-site carparking options”.

Originally published as Former West Torrens Mayor John Trainer backs Adelaide Crows Thebarton Oval plans