Colton Electorate

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (15:34): I rise today to bring the attention of the house to an issue in my electorate and one in the electorate of the member for West Torrens.

There are two sites earmarked for development changes: the Pierson Street site in Lockleys and the former MetCash site diagonally opposite in Kidman Park, both fronting Linear Park and the Torrens and both, at most, close or bordering the local collector roads of Rowells Road and Findon Road, and both modest in size in well-established areas.

I was stunned to recently receive the proposed code amendment or zone changes for the MetCash site being put forward by the Charles Sturt council in Kidman Park. I was stunned for several reasons. While just outside my electorate, the Pierson Street developer-led code change impacted my area because both these developments are so close and so similar they are intrinsically connected.

The member for West Torrens and I both fronted a community meeting to hear the objections and concerns of local residents, the primary concern being the four to six-storey height limits. From what I understand, the member for West Torrens, along with me, the West Torrens council and the Charles Sturt council, provided submissions opposing the zoning changes and outlining the concerns of our communities. I quote paragraph 4 from the Charles Sturt submission to the Lockleys code amendment consultation:

Council also wishes to raise concern regarding the 4 to 6 storey height limits proposed along Linear Park, which are considered to be inconsistent with the amenity of Linear Park. The prevailing character of the Linear Park is for single or two storey development and the proposed height limit will create a significant impact on the established character. Therefore, it is requested that the height limit is reduced.

I was stunned because this is now exactly what the Charles Sturt council is proposing on the MetCash site in Kidman Park directly opposite facing Linear Park. The draft master plan for the MetCash site, which went to a council committee, was predominantly two-storeys in height. The pictures and topographies in that document were two-storey townhouses and standalones, with one potential area of three to four storeys on a building or area facing Findon Road.

However, the formal code amendment, which has been distributed through my community, now proposes a small area backing existing housing at two storeys, the majority of the site at three storeys, and five—yes, potentially five—areas of four to five-storey buildings. I cannot reconcile this with Charles Sturt's submission to the process regarding the Lockleys site directly opposite. To add further insult, the public meeting for the MetCash site consultation is being conducted after submissions close for public feedback. How does that even work?

I have contacted local residents for their views, and I have no reason to believe that the member for West Torrens, now a minister, has changed his position in regard to the Lockleys development. I certainly remain committed to my position. I want to hear from my community on this issue as soon as possible, and I want to remind the now minister, Minister Champion, of the responsibility that he has for the Lockleys and MetCash site code change decisions and the importance of those decisions. They will shape the future of these suburbs and the Linear Park. They will set the bar for what is possible under zone changes moving forward.

I thank the member for West Torrens for his bipartisan approach on these issues to this point, and I encourage my community to make their voices heard as submissions close in just 13 days on 14 June.

Time expired.