Passionate residents in the south are pushing back against a plan to build a Tesla factory on a disused community reserve, with locals describing the proposal as “ugly”, saying it would be a “planet-destroying temple to billionaires”.
In April, Marion Council, in Adelaide’s southwest, proposed selling Chestnut Court Reserve for a Tesla battery factory, service centre, and showroom, citing the potential financial benefits. However, many residents strongly opposed the plan, sharing concerns over its controversial owner, Elon Musk and the loss of green space.
The world’s richest man, Musk has faced mounting backlash in recent months for his close involvement in the 2024 US election, his personal ties to President Donald Trump, and sweeping cuts to public services in his role as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency.
Tesla factories and showrooms around the world have recently drawn hundreds of protesters opposing Elon Musk’s political ventures — a scene Adelaide residents fear could be replicated if the proposed site goes ahead.
The site of the proposed Tesla factory. Source: City of Marion
Why are locals against a new Tesla factory in Adelaide?
While the Chestnut Court Reserve has remained closed since 2016 due to contamination stemming from historical industrial activity, some 90 per cent of nearly 1000 community consultation responses rejected the proposal. A total of 897 respondents voted against the project, while just 57 were in favour.
Community members have created a website dubbed “Trees Not Teslas” to oppose the facility, stating that it could soon “bring protests to the area and give the community a bad image”.
“Clearing this public land will mean removing 58 trees, including mature trees that help cool the neighbourhood and support biodiversity. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Replacing these lost trees by replanting saplings does not offset the harm, and new sapling growth can’t be guaranteed,” the site read.
“The ground contamination, which was exacerbated by previous manufacturing (including car manufacturing) in the area, is larger and more widespread than most realise.
“Putting a factory on top of it will not help, and promises from private companies to clean and decontaminate public land are ahistorical. The government should, and can, commit to decontaminating the land itself.”
Melbourne-based property developer MAB CCT Pty Ltd is behind the proposal to purchase and develop the land at Tonsley, with Tesla lined up as a long-term tenant.
While much of the focus has been on Chestnut Court Reserve, it represents only a small portion of the total land the developer aims to acquire. To progress the deal, the City of Marion is currently applying to the South Australian Government to revoke Chestnut Court Reserve’s classification as “community land”, a necessary step before it can be sold. Supporters of the project, including Marion’s mayor, said it will generate around 100 jobs and bring economic benefits to the area.
Protesters against the Tesla Battery Factory plans for Chestnut Court Reserve. Source: The Adelaide Advertiser
But City of Marion councillor Sarah Luscombe is against the idea. She argued council should look at alternatives.
“If council wants to do more to activate the land, then it could be put out to open tender to more local companies who could innovate and do something with the land for conservation biodiversity (and) improve tree canopy,” Ms Luscombe told The Adelaide Advertiser.
The issue is set to be discussed at the next council meeting. Yahoo News has contacted the City of Marion for comment.
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