Published May 2023
The Opposition has become aware of an alternative location at Ellis Park in the West Park Lands that has firmed as SAPOL’s second preference site to relocate the police barracks, following community demands for Peter Malinauskas to abandon bulldozing a biodiversity haven in the South Park Lands.
The Opposition understands there are still major concerns with the viability of Ellis Park (Park 24), and that another option - the Green Waste and Mulch Centre at the eastern end of War Memorial Drive (near Park 10) - has also been investigated.
Peter Malinauskas and Environment Minister Susan Close have come under heavy fire for choosing Park 21 West for the new police barracks site and a backflip appears imminent with the Premier reportedly telling community event attendees that “we’re doing what we can to move it to a different site”.
Leader of the Opposition, David Speirs, called on Peter Malinauskas to reveal the 14 sites under consideration for the new police barracks to allow the public to properly have their say.
“Peter Malinauskas is the source of mass anxiety in the community because he refuses to reveal the 14 sites that are under consideration for the new police barracks location,” Mr Speirs said.
“We understand the need to relocate the police barracks but what I cannot understand is why this process is being kept secret from South Australians, and at this stage there seems to be a significant chance precious parklands space will be bulldozed for buildings and unsightly barbed wire fences.
“The public pressure seems to be getting to Peter Malinauskas and Susan Close and a potential backflip on the South Park Lands location seems on the cards. No matter which way the Premier turns, ripping up any part of the parklands will not go down well.”
Shadow Assistant Minister for Environment and Heritage, Jack Batty, criticised Peter Malinauskas’ handling of the relocation of the new police barracks.
“We need an appropriate solution to this concerning issue and that solution must include clear community consultation on any proposed site for the new police barracks,” Mr Batty said.
“We cannot have a situation where we see the decimation of open green space and biodiversity, and the community who love the parklands forcefully shut out of the conversation because it will cause too much political turmoil.
“Peter Malinauskas promised to “protect Adelaide’s unique Park Lands”, but just last week continued to oppose legislation to create a State Heritage Area over the Adelaide Park Lands and CBD layout.
“Peter Malinauskas has broken his election commitment and his lack of transparency over a land grab at Park 21 West, or other potential sites, indicates he’s made a decision that the community will be furious with.”
