20250617 MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 17 June 2025

For Immediate Release

Cr Henry Davis Responds to State Government Move on North Adelaide Golf Course

“It Didn’t Have to Come to This!”

Adelaide City Councillor Henry Davis has today expressed deep disappointment following reports that the South Australian Government will compulsorily acquire the North Adelaide Golf Course and surrounding precinct, effectively removing the Adelaide City Council from any further involvement in its management or future development.

‘This is a historic and humbling moment for the Council,’ Cr Davis said. ‘The North Adelaide Golf Course is a legacy site, one that has served our city with pride for more than 120 years. To see it taken out of our hands is painful. It didn’t have to come to this.’

Cr Davis acknowledged that the State Government’s decision has been driven by mounting concerns over the Council’s capacity to manage large-scale projects and deliver value to ratepayers. He referenced ongoing scrutiny from the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA), which recently identified the Council’s long-term financial plan as ‘potentially unsustainable.’ and the council’s audit committee highlighting its financial position as an “extreme” risk.

‘When the city is running $89 million short on key infrastructure, when ratepayers are facing up to 500% rate increases, and when Council leadership is consumed by internal division and political games, it’s no wonder the State Government felt it had no choice,’ Cr Davis said.

Ex Labor Cabinet Minister Locked out

But what has shocked many, he added, is the total exclusion of the Lord Mayor from any part of the process despite her long-standing ties to the Labor Party.

‘I’m stunned that a Labor State Government has completely locked out a former Labor Cabinet Minister,’

‘If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about how seriously they view her leadership and this Council’s credibility, I don’t know what will.’

“We’re not talking about different sides of politics here. We’re talking about colleagues, supposedly allies. And still, they’ve said, ‘Enough is enough.’ That’s how far trust has eroded.”

‘This decision represents a failure of governance, not just politics.’

‘It should have been a state-city partnership, visionary, collaborative, and ambitious. Instead, it’s a forced takeover, driven by concern that the City of Adelaide can no longer be relied upon to act in the best interests of its residents, ratepayers, or commercial partners.’

A complete rethink of how the Council approaches its responsibilities needs to happen; urgently!’

‘If the Council wants to be taken seriously again, it must demonstrate competence, transparency, and unity, not performative outrage, factional gridlock, and financial denial.’

What this means for ratepayers and businesses

Cr Davis also warned that the Council’s exclusion from the project means it has lost its seat at the table—jeopardising its ability to advocate for North Adelaide residents or ensure the project delivers genuine benefits to city traders.

“There’s a real risk this becomes another state-led event that sucks vibrancy from the city and fails to deliver economic uplift where it’s most needed,” he said. “Without Council involvement, there’s no guarantee the needs of local businesses, residents, and the unique North Adelaide community will be properly understood or respected.”

Cr Davis pointed to recent decisions that have further eroded the Council’s credibility as a partner in city development.“

This is a Council that ripped out the parklet in front of Jack & Jill’s restaurant in the dead of night, without notice or consultation. It’s now pushing ahead with plans to remove more on-street parking in key precincts, despite clear objections from local traders. It’s waging a war on cars and working directly against the activation goals of the State Government,” he said. “If you’re a government trying to drive investment and foot traffic into the city, and the Council is doing the opposite, of course you’re going to stop inviting them to the table.”

Media Contact:

Cr Henry Davis

Adelaide City Councillor

0410 466 779