Question Time

City High-Rise Development

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (14:57): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, representing the Minister for Planning, a question about high-rise development in the south-east corner of the city.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL: Last week, the South East City Residents Association (SECRA) wrote to the Minister for Planning, and other members, concerning the approval of an eight-storey building in Hume Street on a block of only 394 square metres. The approval of this building was upheld by the Environment, Resources and Development Court as it was consistent with the Capital City DPA, which significantly increased maximum building heights and came into effect on interim operation; that is, before public consultation had been completed. SECRA writes to the minister:

It beggars belief that an 8 storey building containing 30 serviced apartments with no off street parking was allowed to be constructed in a narrow street containing only single and double storey residences by the court. However it appears that the court had no option but to assess the proposed development on the Capital City Development Plan Amendment (DPA) which was introduced by yourself, as the Minister for Planning, on 28 March 2012.

Is it any wonder that such an inappropriate development could occur in a narrow residential street when interim regulations are introduced in apparent haste and without adequate consultation and proper consideration of the implications of such regulations? This development will be a monument to what can occur when planning regulations are introduced without due process.

The letter concludes:

Unfortunately because of the decision of the Environment, Resources and Development Court of South Australia to allow this development there is now nothing that local residents can do to prevent such a high, overshadowing inappropriate development in their narrow residential street.

Is this the type of development that you, as the Minister for Planning, consider is appropriate in narrow residential streets in the City of Adelaide? If not, what action will you take to ensure that we do not have a recurrence of such an inappropriate development?

The letter is signed by John Underwood, chairperson. My questions to the minister are:

1. What is your response to SECRA?

2. Will you commit to a review of city planning in light of this decision and other approvals granted under interim operation of the Capital City Development Plan Amendment?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his questions and will refer those to the Minister for Planning in another place and bring back a response.