Speculation rises over ‘secret govt plan’ to seize control of park lands
Speculation is mounting over a state government plan that could see Colonel Light’s statue “giving a two-fingered salute” to the park lands, Mike Smithson says.
Imagine the furore if the Malinauskas government took total control of the Adelaide Park Lands to develop the sensitive green space in anyway it sees fit?
Speculation is mounting that such a move, before the end of the year, is on a secret government agenda to activate the greenbelt in a way which will benefit the masses.
Given yesterday’s vocal and much publicised protest over the proposed MotoGP circuit being built through Victoria Park, such speculation will not sit comfortably with those passionate true believers.
It all comes down to the interpretations of founding father Colonel William Light’s vision for Adelaide’s precious green belt and if it still stands the test of time in 2026.
Peter Malinauskas has been unashamedly entrepreneurial with his own vision for the City of Adelaide and further afield.
He is stampeding through Possum Park on the northern edge of the River Torrens to turn a “public golf course into a better golf course” despite the howls of protest and even a current Federal Court challenge.
I expect we will know the final MotoGP plans including how much extra bitumen is needed, the final expected tree loss and perhaps a permanent pit structure by next Sunday as an anticipated announcement.
If the current speculation of changing laws to strip Adelaide City Council of its hold over the Park Lands has any truth to it, the button will be pushed on an almost-atomic explosion by the Mali haters, and then just wait for the nuclear fallout.
But not everyone might be against such an ambitious, albeit controversial, take over.
Such a plan could unlock increasingly neglected natural parklands and activate them into something much more useful and attractive.
The Adelaide City Council says it struggles to maintain the landscape with rising costs hitting rate payers hard.
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If the Labor government developed a tourism mecca, such as the vastness of Central Park in New York City, it could potentially dip into a user-pays facility.
Immaculately tended lawns, walking trails, ice cream stalls, horse coach rides, fountains, and playing fields could receive help with funding by surrounding councils even with a small entry fee for users.
Let’s face it, some parts of the Park Lands currently look more like a wasteland offering little attraction to locals and visitors.
All parts could be linked with proper pedestrian overpasses or tunnels to avoid crossing busy roads.
It could provide a complete uninterrupted loop, even with some corporate financial support.
But that could also result in Colonel Light’s statue giving a two-fingered salute, rather than a pointed visionary digit from his lofty position on Montefiore Hill.
If this all sounds fanciful, don’t forget the ambitious plans for the Northern Park Lands.
Last year the Premier launched it at a major business lunch with great fanfare describing it as a once in a generation opportunity.
“This is a rare chance to create vibrant, lasting public spaces that will enrich lives for generations to come,” the official document read.
“It will be a network of public open spaces connecting the Hills Face, to the Gawler and South Para Rivers.
“The Park Lands will create a continuous green corridor providing places for people to relax, play and connect with nature while protecting and restoring river environments and native vegetation.”
Over the weekend it took another step in the Northern Park Lands with the government promising 13,500 new trees to boost its under-pressure green credentials.
On a day when thousands of protesters were marching against plans for the MotoGP circuit and the redeveloped golf course in the city, Environment Minister Emily Bourke called a press conference where she was busy tree planting near Clifford Road.
Is it starting to sound familiar?
The government has already expressed activation as the key to its greenspace planning blueprint with, seemingly, LIV golf if it survives and the MotoGP just starting points of a more ambitious wedge.
But if Park Lands evolution comes about, courtesy of legislative change, where does it leave existing decision makers?
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Former Labor Premier Mike Rann enacted the Adelaide Park Lands Act in 2005 to protect the area for all time, as he put it back then.
Kadaltilla, also known as the Park Lands Authority, was established to undertake a key policy role for management and protection.
Its traditional Kaurna meaning is “green place” and that’s what it’s commissioned to protect at all costs.
It advises the City Council and state authorities on the operation of any leases or licences sought for activities in the green belt.
Funnily enough it’s chaired by the Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith herself, but how effective is the authority?
Exceptions have been made regarding the Adelaide Oval development including a lavish hotel tacked on a little later, the golf course and now the motorbike racing circuit.
With the government often criticising the Adelaide City Council and Lord Mayor over how they have conducted their affairs, even involving a tragic late-night fatality in Hindley Street, there is no love lost.
Some on council firmly believe the battle lines are deliberately being drawn for a Park Lands government coup with the constant bad mouthing aimed at them.
They claim the rumours of a takedown are being discussed within the upper echelons of the state’s bureaucracy.
It has even been suggested the government might move on council to strip it of its powers and appoint an administrator.
Some in Opposition doubt it would get to the point of sacking the ACC, but they also have their suspicions that Park Lands control is firmly on the government agenda.
It might be a thought bubble and will meet fierce resistance in the Upper House from the Liberals and Greens.
But then again, how would One Nation and Sarah Game deal with the matter?
When questioned on a possible take over of the Park Lands yesterday, State Development Minister Chris Picton was short and emphatic.
“Oh, we’ve got no plans to do that,” he said.
For the moment, the government is busy dealing with spot fires and protests without the MotoGP plans even in the public domain.
I may be kicked from pillar to post for even suggesting such a Big Brother tactic, but I’m just putting out there.
Often where there’s smoke, there’s eventually fire.
Mike Smithson is weekend newsreader and political analyst for 7News.
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