Aspire estate residents Ryan Rowe (left), Nick Gehlert, Alison Allen, Kareena Raven-Whichello, Sharyn Scholz and AmySmith are frustrated with the location of the proposed $1 million go-kart and laser skirmish development on Tiver Road. PHOTO: Jack Hudson
A GROUP of residents in Evanston South’s Aspire estate are unhappy at the possibility of a new $1 million go-kart and laser skirmish amusement park being developed on Tiver Road, just metres from their houses.
Details of the development, which has so far received an overwhelmingly positive response from Gawler and surrounding community members, were released on Gawler Council’s website a month ago for a two-week public consultation period, which ended on June 19.
While the Aspire residents support the idea of the amusement park, the proposed location has left them frustrated.
“I think it’s a good idea, but the location is an issue,” Ryan Rowe said.
“It’s really close to our houses.”
Fellow resident Nick Gelhert believes it would be an Australian first if the go-kart track was developed so close to homes.
“It is way too close to a residential-zoned parcel of land,” he said.
“I’ve done my research on Google Maps; if it goes ahead, it’ll be the only outdoor bitumen go-kart track in Australia within 100m of a residential-zoned area.
“You have fast carts at Richmond, that’s an indoor facility and is in an industrial zone, Gepps Cross is an industrial zone, Pooraka fast carts is an industrial zone…this is in the wrong zone.”
The Aspire estate was developed by Lanser, and the company’s media advisor, Monique Webber, echoed the residents’ sentiments.
“The application is non-complying on more than one front,” she said.
“Council should’ve considered these issues in applying the zoning there, it’s surprising they’re considering putting this there.
“While it remains a fantastic idea, it’s probably not the ideal location.”
In a report to council, urban planner Ben Green stated the amusement park, despite currently being a non-complying development within a rural-zoned area, “warrants the granting of development plan consent, subject to public notification and concurrence from the State Commission Assessment Panel”.
“The subject land and locality have not been developed for rural or agricultural purposes for an extended period, and it would be very difficult and potentially unfeasible in both economic and environmental terms to remediate the subject land,” he stated.
A petition put forward by the residents opposing the amusement park has received 85 signatures so far.
