In The News

Heather Kennett has written in the Sunday Mail about Adelaide's development lobby plan to strip councils of power

ADELAIDE'S development lobby wants to strip councils of powers to approve projects worth more than $5 million or buildings taller than two storeys. The Property Council instead wants the state's Development Assessment Commission to assess such developments, in what will be seen as a renewed assault on the local planning authorities.

SPRA urges residents to attend the next public meeting on Thursday 21st March at the Norwood Town Hall. Councillors need to know that they have residents' support in pushing back against the demands of developers.

An article has appeared in the Sunday Mail with the headline Adelaide residents say building height plans will ruin suburbs.

RESIDENTS across Adelaide are pushing against higher building heights, saying increasing housing density will ruin their neighbourhoods.

Terry Walsh has written a deeply flawed opinion piece Terry Walsh: Adelaide has to get high(er) which has been published in AdelaideNow. Read a resident's response.

And we know that more and more South Australians would love to buy a smaller home in an inner suburb close to services and facilities - if only they could find one.

Do we really. Only last week, in the news was the fact that 45 Park Terrace, Gilberton didn't sell enough apartments to proceed. There is also plenty of vacant space in the CBD which could be developed without touching quiet residential areas. At the turn of the 20th Century the CBD population was double what it is now.

Councils are elected by residents and need to understand the concerns of residents and the reasons why residents live in the area. Developers might also find their projects more successful and better received if they understand the desires of the community, rather than chasing quick profits.

Another article in the Eastern Courier Messenger, written by Emma Altschwager, highlights eastern suburbs residents' opposition to the proposed height limit increases.

River St resident Jonny Wasserbaech, who has lived in St Peters for 12 years, said apartment living should be left in the CBD.

Ken McGregor and Heather Kennett have written about the West Torrens Council's high-rise plan for southwestern roads, including Anzac Highway, on AdelaideNow.

MORE than 230 residents and businesses have had their say about a plan to allow buildings up to eight-storeys along southwestern arterial roads.

Emma Altschwager has written about the RAA warning of increased traffic pressure around Britannia roundabout and other major roads on AdelaideNow.

RAA mobility and automotive policy manager Mark Borlace told the Eastern Courier Messenger high-rise apartments around the parklands would put more pressure on the Britannia roundabout and the east's main roads, already "over capacity".

"We can't add to the congestion problem that already exists if we want to continue to be a liveable city."

Emily Griffiths has written about the Council opens confidential workshops on plans for four storey buildings along River Torrens in the East Torrens Messenger.

It is disappointing that Councillors Sue Whitington, Lucy Marcuccitti, Geoff Rundle, Connie Granozio, Isaac Pasalidis and John Frogley voted against the motion.

Emma Altschwager has written about the public meeeting on 5th March 2013 in the article Residents lash high-rise plans on AdelaideNow.

MULTI-storey apartment buildings would have a detrimental effect on homes, roads and the environment, say eastern suburbs' residents opposing proposed height limit increases.

Emma Attschwager has written about the Developers push for 20-storey buildings on city fringe in the Eastern Courier Messenger.

In the submission, the group's executive director Terry Walsh said proposed height limits of up to 12 storeys were too restrictive.
"The conservative nature of many of the height limits is of concern," Mr Walsh wrote.
"In many instances, the height limitations may be too restrictive to encourage development of an existing site."
Mr Walsh said developments up to 15-20 storeys should be encouraged along Dequetteville Tce.

Liam Mannix has written an article titled “Soviet” stoush: Rau slams density opponents in InDaily about Planning Minister John Rau's criticism of residents.

“Histrionics about people’s tennis courts being overshadowed by buildings two or three kilometres way – again, not helpful.”

Two or three kilometers away is the CBD. What is being proposed by NPSP Council is high-rise on the block next door. SPRA suggests that it Rau who doesn't understand what is being proposed by councils.