Seacliff Park Development

Campaign Summary

“A decades long campaign to transform a 12ha eyesore in Adelaide’s south is edging towards reality….. It’s a relief for residents who have had to put up with anti-social behaviour at the derelict site of Ocean Boulevard and Scholefield, Seacliff Park.”  So begins the Advertiser article from April 2022:  the long awaited for brownfield development site on Scholfield Road at the entrance of Marino is starting to take shape.  Read the rest of the short Advertiser article here.

The Association has supported the development in principle as a potentially positive contribution; while recognising our limited ability to have any influence over the outcome due to historical experience, the scale of the development and awareness that the devil is in the detail.

Brazzale Group have released artist impressions for the development and you can view the plans and register your interest for the floor plans from the Brazzale website.

Villawood have been announced as the home builder, you can register your interest with them on the Villawood website

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Read more about this development…

Latest Campaign News

Background

Located  within the suburbs of Seacliff, Seacliff Park and Marino; it is mostly in Marion Council, however a small portion to Scholefield Road  is in the City of Holdfast Bay. The site is located prominently at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Scholefield Road, with the latter being one of the main entrances into the suburbs of Seacliff Park, Kingston Park and Marino, and Hallett Cove.

The site has historically been used for quarrying, concrete manufacturing, domestic land fill, concrete roofing tile manufacturing and as a depot for a construction company. Dilapidated industrial buildings, areas of stockpiled “fill” and vandalism on the site have contributed to the poor visual appearance of the land. Its derelict nature has been a major cause of concern for residents in these suburbs for many years. While recent site works have resulted in the removal of the buildings and some tidying of the land, illegal access and activities on it are continuing. In addition, parts of the site are known to be contaminated

The site as a former industrial site has been vacant and derelict for many years. It has had  multiple uses over time

• Adelaide Brighton Cement used it as a site for the production and storage of cement
• Asphalt Plant
• Monier Tiles used the site for the making of coloured cement tiles
• Lorenzin Contractors used the site for the storage of heavy machinery and earth moving equipment
• Over the years, a portion of the site was used to dump rubbish
• The site was then sold to the Gasparin Group with the intent of developing it for housing

It was acquired some years ago by a developer (Gasparin Group  ) and is in the process of being rezoned (Development Plan Amendment -DPA) for a mixed use development mostly housing and commercial. The community has had a long association with this problematic site and has campaigned about its impacts on the community for the over 40 years. In more recent times the general consensus has been that the development of the site is welcomed, subject to the details. However the progress has been sporadic and slow. The re-zoning process is complex and appears to have stalled due to key stakeholder negotiations between Boral, the Developer and SA Govt. As a major development, other than the re-zoning process, the approvals will be a State Government Process so the local Councils will have limited influence over the process.

Overall, it is considered the proposed rezoning of the land for more intensive development is desirable and will offer increased development opportunities, provide an incentive for remediation of some of the site and a significant opportunity to improve the amenity of the area, with consequent benefits to the local and wider community. Indeed the provision of up to 600 new homes will effectively double the population of Marino adding diversity, amenity and additional facilities for the wider community.

The adjoining Linwood Quarry ( Boral) will continue to operate for the next 200 years we believe. Go here for details

Both the Councils believe that “The policies proposed in this DPA will support the development of the site for multi-level, medium density residential development, shopping and community facilities and open space, while ensuring potential adverse impacts are overcome or minimised.”

Our Position

The Association and the community support the development in principle as a potentially positive contribution; however we recognise our ability to have limited to no influence over the outcome, due to historical experience and the scale of the development. However we will continue to monitor and seek opportunity for influence within our capacity; and reserve the right to support direct action by the community if the need arises.
However as always the devil is in the details

There has been a public consultation process over the proposals in the last 2 years and the Association has lead 2 public meetings, made submissions and representations to highlight community concerns about some aspects of the proposed development (see later). However our ability to influence the outcomes is very limited.
What we understand:

• This is a major state controlled, developer lead development
• Our ability, resident’s ability and that of the local Councils to influence the project is limited
• Overall it is seen as a potentially positive development – but the devil is in the detail
• The level of detail on the proposal is very sketchy; 450- 600 houses, up to 6 storey etc.
• The time line is currently indeterminate (10 years?)
• The fact that the Developer is still committed is remarkable given the delays which appear to be outside their control.
• The current state of the site is an ongoing concern and unless there is a real life safety issues, no one can trigger improvement. It is hoped that now there is a commitment to proceed that some pride and presentation will prevail.
• Relationship between the developer and the community is non-existent despite many attempts
• City of Marion was actively pursuing Boundary realignment to ensure the whole site is in City of Marion. This has not progressed. In fact City of Holdfast Bay have approached the boundaries commission for the site to move to Holdfast Bay.
• The DPA ( rezoning) is a State Planning process, lead by the Developer and facilitated by both councils involving  public consultation (complete see details) Actual designs were not a requirement for this process only site planning/zones, types of buildings, heights etc.
• Assuming the development commencement  the process will be as follows:
• It is most likely that the site will be subdivided as per the DPA and individual allotments or parcels be sold off to other developers, particularly the commercial components.
• Individual development applications would be made through the new State Planning system.
• The development approval process will be via the State Government Planning portal and will include public notification and inputs/approvals from key stakeholders eg DPTI, EPA Public Utilities, Local Councils (limited extent) etc.
• Under the new Planning & Design Code, developments, particularly large developments will be approved through Planning SA with limited opportunity for local councils or community to input.  Hopefully the community will be engaged in the process and have an opportunity to have a say. It will depend on the Developer as to how this happens. .

Here is a link to Making Marion Seacliff DPA for their latest updates
Unfortunately very little news on this as it is held up by the new haul road agreement process. It is also unclear on the impact of the New Planning and Design Code on this DPA.