Dear Supporter and Concerned Community Member,
There is alarming news about the future of our Adelaide Parklands. The Government has introduced a ‘Riverbank Precinct Code Amendment’ to the planning regulations which will allow substantial developments on both sides of the Torrens river.
The current ‘Adelaide Parklands Zone’ protecting this area will change to a ‘City Riverbank Zone/Health Subzone’ which will cover 70 hectares and embrace a so- called ‘world class’ health, biomedical, entertainment, ‘activity’ and ‘innovation’ precinct. It also envisages ‘on water’ development.
Much of this is code for commercial activity and allows for high rise developments of up to 20 storeys. And this is in addition to the previously announced massive and unnecessary basketball stadium on the South Riverbank.
The planned latest health precinct encompasses the proposed new Women’s and Children’s Hospital and its associated car park, transport hub and flyover bridge which will extend its footprint to the river and west to the Adelaide Goal.
This gross infringement on the riverbank and its historic olive grove is a by product of the disastrous decision to build the hospital on an inadequate footprint next to the RAH.
With all this desecration of our treasured riverbank and Parklands environment, we will still be left with a hospital that would barely be adequate for our current needs, let alone able cater for our women and children when it is finally completed in six years time.
One of the more cynical aspects of this scenario is the use of the health and biomedical imperative as a ‘Trojan Horse’ to promote the extension of commercial and inappropriate development into the Parklands. We cannot possibly object to the former so we must tolerate the latter!
These proposals in all their aspects sit at the lunatic fringe of urban development.
They must be exposed and resisted.
You can find more details on the Plan SA website. I urge you to express your concerns in public feedback through the Your Say website and by writing to Members of Parliament.
For those you wanting to know more about current and future planning issues, the National Trust is hosting a free public forum ‘Planning Beyond Tomorrow’ on Saturday 30th October at UniSA, from 10 am- 5 pm.
The forum features eight expert speakers and will launch the National Trust’s 50 year plan for metropolitan Adelaide: Adelaide 2070 Visions and Plans.
Registration is free, but places are limited and pre-registration is required. Don’t delay in booking your place at this important forum.
This will be an opportunity to hear experts examine the need for a more rational, enlightened and environmentally sensitive approach to urban planning.
Thank you for your support.
Warren Jones
Convenor, Protect our Heritage Alliance
Say no to the desecration of our Parklands!
Make sure you are heard by submitting written feedback
or contacting your local MP. Give your feedback before 26 October
Professor Warren Jones AO is the Convenor of the Protect our Heritage Alliance, a coalition of concerned organisations and individuals, working to protect our built and natural environment. GPO Box 2021 Adelaide, SA 5001
Phone: 0419 852 622 Email: convenor@protectourheritage.org.au
www.protectourheritage.org.au Facebook: protectourheritageSA
Friends of the City of Unley Society, Inc. 