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Council seeks feedback on use of open space land
Whyalla City Council is seeking feedback on the possibility of utilizing a section of land along Arthur Glennie Drive for commercial development purposes.
The council has received a number of enquiries from business and development proponents interested in leasing a section of council owned land positioned next to the Whyalla sub-station on Arthur Glennie Drive currently zoned as open space, to undertake commercial development.
Many of the proponents enquiring about the area have indicated their desire to be located next to the Whyalla sub-station to access spare megawatt capacity to feed-in renewable generated power.
The land is bound by Arthur Glennie Drive to the north and west, Lincoln Highway to the east, and the Whyalla Golf Course and quarry to the south.
The site is currently zoned as ‘open space’, which is considered a zone in which the open space character is preserved to provide a visual contrast to the surrounding area and is reserved for a range of passive and active outdoor recreation activities and open space development, conservation and revegetation, in a parkland setting.
The land contains substantial electrical infrastructure comprising the Whyalla substation and high voltage transmission lines that pass through the site, and extensive low-level native vegetation.
Whyalla mayor Lyn Breuer said the council was ever mindful that in these challenging economic times, projects that had the potential for significant economic outcomes and employment generation for the Whyalla region should be given robust consideration.
“The council certainly supports new projects coming to Whyalla, particularly in the renewable energy sector, however the current zoning of the land in question provides limitations for any projects going ahead in this area,” Ms Breuer said.
“The council is seeking feedback from the community to determine whether or not it would be appropriate to allow for some form of commercial use on the land, or whether the community would like to see the land maintained as open space in its current capacity.
“The council has developed a survey on this matter to help it get a better understanding of what the community would like to see done with this section of land,” Ms Breuer said.
“Prior to providing your feedback the council encourages you to travel Arthur Glennie Drive to view the locality to understand and appreciate the land in its current state.”
The survey is available for completiton at www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/openspaceconsultation, www.surveymonkey.com/r/NLZ3JD6 or hard copies are available from Whyalla City Council’s civic building in Darling Terrace, Whyalla Public Library or at Westland Shopping Centre in front of the electoral office for Member for Giles Eddie Hughes.
The consultation period opens on Thursday, May 25 and will end on Thursday, June 15