BRICKWORKS MARKET

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:38): My question is to the Minister for Urban Development and Planning. Will the minister advise the council of any progress on the proposal of the City of West Torrens to revitalise the historic Brickworks Markets?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for his timely question. Established in 1983, the Brickworks Markets have developed into one of Adelaide's most popular weekend markets. Built around the historic and heritage listed Hallett brickworks and the Hoffman kiln, these markets weekly draw South Australians to its collection of stalls and specialty shops.

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Perhaps the honourable member can come out and say something about the heritage of people in the City of Adelaide. Why doesn't the honourable member come out and say something about what she thinks about those residents in the City of Adelaide who are going through their heritage plan at the moment? Do you support those who say their heritage places shouldn't be listed or not?

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink: I am very pro heritage.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I see, so you think they are wrong. You are telling them they are all wrong, are you? If the honourable member wants to talk about heritage, I am happy to do so. What this government stands for is a balanced approach to heritage. I could have sworn that the Leader of the Opposition in the other place during the election campaign was talking about getting a can-do government and talking up the prospects of development in the city. Then the deputy leader up here apparently is saying that everything should be on heritage lists. No wonder members opposite seem to have a lot of difficulty in working out what they stand for. Certainly the people of this state did. They are all over the place.

What we are talking about in this question, to get back to it, are the important, heritage listed Hallett brickworks and the Hoffman kiln, and, contrary to what might be suggested, I do believe that these are wonderful and appropriate examples of heritage within this state.

The markets weekly draw South Australians to their collection of stalls and specialty shops. However, the economic potential of this major landholding has been held back by the previous zoning, which limited its use as a weekend market. I am pleased to say that the future of the Brickworks Markets at Torrensville is now looking more secure. Following an exhaustive consultation process, I have today approved for gazettal a development plan amendment for the site at Torrensville. The rezoning of the historic Brickworks Markets, initiated by the City of West Torrens, aims to create a revitalised market precinct at the site.

Between 1910 and 1979 the site was used for brick making by J. Hallett & Sons. The key remnant of the site's former use—the kiln and chimney on site constructed in 1912—is one of only two Hoffman kilns remaining in South Australia. Listed as a state heritage place, these structures provide a landmark for this well-patronised market. As members would be aware, the Brickworks Markets are strategically located close to key transport routes, the Adelaide CBD, the Thebarton Biotech Precinct, existing industrial activities and the River Torrens Linear Park.

The Brickworks Markets development plan amendment was initiated by the City of West Torrens in 2006 due to concerns that the economic potential of this strategic landholding was being severely limited. I am advised that, at that time, a number of market stallholders reported difficult trading conditions and approached the council for revitalisation of the site to improve trading conditions.

The revitalisation of the Brickworks Markets required the rezoning of this precinct, which was predominantly a commercial recreation zone along with a narrow western allotment contained within an industry zone. The provisions of the commercial recreation zone did not provide any real scope for diversification and alternate commercial development on the site.

On 16 December last year, the City of West Torrens lodged the Brickworks Markets Precinct Development Plan Amendment for approval in accordance with section 25(14) of the Development Act 1993. The City of West Torrens resubmitted this DPA on 14 January this year with minor amendments as requested by the Department of Planning and Local Government.

This rezoning and the potential redevelopment of the site will ensure that the iconic market remains economically viable. The area around the 6.5 hectare site has been rezoned to accommodate a discount department store, supermarket and specialty shops, offices, a health centre, educational and community facilities, and high density residential accommodation.

The amended development plan also ensures that the heritage listed chimney and kiln are retained as a focal point for the redevelopment around the site. As part of the future development, vehicle access to the site will be from an upgraded Ashwin Parade, which aims to limit the impact of increased traffic flows on South Road.

Initiation of this development plan amendment followed the removal of a community land classification carried out through a separate process undertaken by the then minister for State/Local Government Relations. This process ensured that a 60 metre corridor adjacent to the River Torrens was protected from the revocation of the community land classification.

I am pleased to advise members that the decision to amend the development plan initiated by the City of West Torrens is supported by traders at the Brickworks Markets and the local community. I am confident that the Brickworks Markets redevelopment will provide a catalyst to revitalise the site as a vibrant and exciting commercial precinct that underpins the continued success of market stallholders.