Park Lands Authority says Adelaide Aquatic Centre redevlopment plan is ‘inconsistent’ with usage legislation

The peak advisory body for the Adelaide Park lands says the proposal for a $65 million redevelopment of the Adelaide Aquatic Centre by AFL's Adelaide Crows could be at odds with what legislation on the use of the city's green belt.

Following two hours of debate, the Adelaide Park Land Authority agreed at its last meeting that the plan was “potentially inconsistent” with the Adelaide Park Lands Act and the Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy.

As reported by the Adelaide Advertiser, members questioned whether there would be any “public benefit” in having a commercial organisation build on the land, but remained open to further information about how the Crows would operate.

Board member Craig Wilkins said while the Crows had responded to community concerns in its preliminary designs, he was unsure about whether the building should be in the parklands.

Wilkins was quoted by The Advertiser as stating "the club has responded to some concerns around height and scale, however, the locating of the core administrative function of, let’s face it, a corporate entity on public land - does that match the spirit and intent of the Act?"

Meanwhile, other members said the Crows had not released enough information to determine whether the proposal should be supported or not.

Advising that more information was needed, Board member Ben Willsmore stated "there is insufficient detail and there is no clear proposition … I think we need to be fair and be sure that we are not judging something too early and making too many assumptions."

The Crows released draft plans for a training and administration complex to the public in December last year.

The building, within the existing footprint of the Aquatic Centre, would be no higher than two storeys and separated into three integrated sections – a new aquatic centre, community building and training and administration building.

With the new building to have a smaller footprint than the existing facility, a Council report said a decrease in footprint would be “viewed positively” and the building appeared “to be sympathetic to its parklands setting”.

During a deputation, Adelaide Parklands Preservation Association President Shane Sody said a commercial business like the Crows did not benefit the Park Lands, even if the footprint was reduced.

Friends and Residents of North Adelaide convener Valdis Dunis feared the proposal would set a precedent for other developments in the Park Lands, adding "if we say yes to the Crows, can we fairly say no to Port Adelaide?”

“It will be very hard to say no.”

The Authority’s recommendation will be considered by Adelaide City Council next week.

Images: Concepts for the redeveloped Adelaide Aquatic Centre in North Adelaide.