Greens candidate for the Mayo by-election, Lynton Vonow has called for the government and Liberal Party to “come clean” on what they know about a proposed massive housing development to the east of Mt Barker.
As much as 1000 hectares of housing could be developed on prime food producing land, bordered by the South-Eastern Freeway, Bald Hills Road and beyond going south. Reports that multi-million dollar offers have been made to landholders to sell up and that contracts have been presented to landholders who have been told not to disclose this publicly under threat of legal action, have been made to Mr. Vonow.
Mr. Vonow said: “This sized housing development would be bigger than present day Mt Barker itself.
“So much housing, on brilliant food producing land, is completely inappropriate for Mt Barker.
“This is good agricultural land - it should not be inappropriately developed. The view from the top of Mt Barker tells all, a wonderful view, of prime land and reliable rainfall, best left as is, to provide for the needs of future generations.
“Mt Barker already struggles with infrastructure for its existing population. Why should our wonderful clean and green land become another sea of houses?” We need these areas for our food production and for amenity.
More drawdown from the Murray River for water needs would take place, and handling an increase in sewage are two problems with such a development, and we already have significant water problems in SA now.
“The people of Mt Barker and indeed all of SA, must be allowed to decide about such projects, not have these secret deals going on,” he concluded.
For comment contact Lynton Vonow on 0427 975 047