U/C: [Cheltenham] St. Clair | $500m

[Howie]

In the current release, there are off-the-plan townhouses around $480k. That includes your landscaping, and estate requirements (there are *alot* of them). Living space isn't huge, but it isn't all that small either. Not what I'd call affordable.

[fabricator]

Whilst taking a look on the Charles Sturt ratepayer's site (which doesn't appear to be damaged, btw).

Oh really, didn't find the forum them ?

http://forum.charlessturtratepayers.org/

News: This Forum was discovered to have been hacked today, Thursday 26th November 2009. Certain members will note they have the ability to login despite the fact we have taken the forum down. It appears that some of our members may have been targeted by very skilled individuals who do not want the views of the residents in the City of Charles Sturt known publicly.

It is unfortunate that we may need to start again from scratch. When we come back we will hopefully be more careful who we grant privileges to. This will be handled by independent parties who have no interest other than freedom of speech to all.

In the meantime, write to every Council Member, MP & the Federal Government letting them all know that we all have an equal right to be heard. This is Australia NOT China!

Note: The Administrator of this Forum has been personally targeted with their main internet access down, computers hacked and more recently, had personal property vandalised by a person or persons unknown. These matters have been reported to State & Federal Police.

Justice to all,
The Charles Sturt Ratepayers Team

I can guess what has happened, someone has pretended to be their friend, then once given moderator type access has proceeded to vandalise the forum. Also sounds like someone has used contact details posted in certain topics to harass members.

[Howie]

^^ That sounds about right. I had my doubts about the usage of the word 'hacked'.

[fabricator]

Hacking is defiantly the right term for whatever they did to the admin's internet and computers. Not the mention the general vandalism.

It makes me sad that people think their money is more important than freedom of speech.

[Howie]

But technically it's not a hack if the user was granted permission to modify the forum by the admin. Not saying what the user did wasn't wrong, but the admin should've known better than to grant administrative access to someone he doesn't know... that's sort of asking for trouble.

[Port Adelaide Fan]

Residents revolt against 'arrogant' state and local governments

RESIDENTS have accused the State Government of` being "arrogant and not representative" after it approved plans to swap St Clair Reserve for a formerly contaminated factory site.

In the latest of a string of suburban battles between residents, councils and the State Government, Health Minister John Hill yesterday granted approval for the swap, sparking outrage from Woodville residents opposed to the move.

The decision will allow Charles Sturt Council to revoke the community land status of the reserve and proceed to create a park on the former factory site, facilitating the development of a new transit-oriented suburb near Woodville train station.

A vocal group of Woodville residents oppose the swap, echoing emotional community outcries over issues including the sale of Cheltenham racecourse for the St Clair project, proposed sale of Chelsea Cinema by Burnside Council, and proposed population growth and town expansion around Gawler and Mount Barker.

St Clair Reserve Ratepayers Association spokeswoman Kirsten Alexander said Mr Hill's approval of the land swap was just another example of a government that was "arrogant and not representative".

The Health Minister reviewed the plan's merits and the council's planning processes, after the Supreme Court last week allowed State/Local Government Relations Minister Gail Gago's earlier approval to be set aside.

Mr Hill said the Government's support for the plan had not influenced his decision and that his decision had not been rushed. But Ms Alexander said Mr Hill had ignored requests from residents to meet him to discuss the issue.

In a letter from the minister received by Charles Sturt Council yesterday morning, Mr Hill said the benefits of the land swap outweighed any negative impacts.

He suggested the council consider maintaining "a strip of open space along Woodville Rd as part of the 12.5 per cent open space requirement and that this should include the children's play equipment (from St Clair Reserve) and as many mature trees as possible" and that the council "implement an ongoing consultation and engagement process to ensure maximum participation of community members in the overall development".

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

[Will]

Good to see that common sense has prevailed. In order for a TOD to be succesful the people that live in them must live very close to the public transport. Human nature the way it is, if people are forced to walk 400 or 500m through a dark park to catch a train, they are simply not going to do it, and instead they will drive to work, which defeats the whole purpose of having a TOD in the first place.

[Wayno]

The govt is certainly gung-ho on increasing density in Woodville. Surely there'll be a tram extension announcement in the not too distant future, maybe even pre-election.

[Howie]

The govt is certainly gung-ho on increasing density in Woodville. Surely there'll be a tram extension announcement in the not too distant future, maybe even pre-election.

There's already the dual purpose electrification of the port adelaide line which will run trams down that way. That'll stop at Woodville.


Maybe from there Woodville station could become a hub with an arterial line to the big bus exchange at Arndale. Patronage would be huge through this line where people currently walk from Arndale to Woodville. I.e. here http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 1&t=h&z=16

[rhino]

That map is a bit misleading, Howie. If people walk from Woodville Station to Arndale, why would they first walk right around the outside of the Arndale carpark to enter from the back of the shopping centre?

[Prince George]

I'm with Rhino, that map indicates that it's more than a kilometre from the station to Arndale, which is outside the huge majority of people's walking radius for this kind of thing. Not that it should be a problem for any able bodied adult to make that walk, but a kilometre along a rather featureless road is a big deterrent for most people, especially if they're carrying anything. If you were going to walk from a train station, wouldn't it be Woodville Park?

[Howie]

That map is a bit misleading, Howie. If people walk from Woodville Station to Arndale, why would they first walk right around the outside of the Arndale carpark to enter from the back of the shopping centre?

That's just google maps following the bus route to Arndale. You know how you can't drive through buildings and that..

If you were going to walk from a train station, wouldn't it be Woodville Park?

Woody Station services a number of businesses, schools and the hospital, so everyone usually just hops off there. Plus it's probably safer at night to walk down woodville road then torrens road.

[AG]

Council rules in favour of St Clair Reserve development
Article from: The Advertiser
DANIEL WILLS
December 15, 2009 12:01am

ST CLAIR Reserve will become the site of a high-density housing development after the local council gave final approval for a controversial land swap last night.

Charles Sturt Mayor Harold Anderson said the decision to swap the land for a formerly contaminated factory site was "difficult" and called for the divided community to accept the ruling.

The State Government has also approved the swap despite vocal opposition from ratepayer groups.

"Council's decision comes after comprehensive community consultation," Mr Anderson said.

"Council is excited about the housing, transport and recreational opportunities this land swap will provide for all of us living in the western suburbs.

"It was a difficult decision to make, but council is firmly committed to moving forward and we encourage the community to move forward with us as we achieve a significant outcome for the whole community."

[Norman]

Good, now let's get to actually starting some construction.

[Mpol]

So will they be digging up the park still or will they now de-contaminate the soil at the back and build upon that?