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~Road Scholars~
[OZ] Council plea for ban on 'bikie shed'
Sat Aug 28, 2004 9:57am
209.86.139.36
Council plea for ban on 'bikie shed'
By Belinda Heggen
August 29, 2004
ONKAPARINGA Council in Adelaide is seeking police intervention
over concerns a residential development at Old Noarlunga may be
used as a "bikie fortress".
Council chief executive officer Jeff Tate said council had
ordered construction be stopped of a light industrial shed,
toilet block and covered pergola at a property off Seaford Road
following complaints from residents.
Mr Tate said council now was referring the matter to Police
Commissioner Mal Hyde, asking that he refuse the development on
the basis it may become a "fortress".
He has also asked the applicant to provide more details about the
property's intended use given the high standard of internal fit
out and facilities.
"We had complaints from residents that led us to have a look
at the work that was taking place with the shed," Mr Tate
said yesterday.
"It seemed to be developing in a form that suggested it may
not have been used solely as a shed."
Mr Tate subsequently wrote to Planning Minister Trish White about
the matter on June 4.
He asked the minister to declare the project a "major
development" under section 46 of the Development Act because
council was concerned the site "may be developed as a bikie
fortress".
However, in a letter to City of Onkaparinga mayor Ray Gilbert
this month, Ms White said it was "not necessary" to
declare the project a major development and suggested council
refer the matter to the Police Commissioner.
She said the Government's new anti-fortification laws which came
into effect on February 1 "should more than adequately deal
with this issue".
"Under this legislation, suspected bikie gang fortification
development applications must be referred to the SA Police
Commissioner," she wrote.
"If the Commissioner concludes the proposal is, or includes,
a 'fortress', the Commissioner will direct the development
application to be refused."
In April, at the request of Charles Sturt Council, Ms White took
the unprecedented step of calling in an application linked to the
Rebels Motorcycle Club for a proposed two-storey bikie fortress
in Adelaide's western suburbs.
It was subsequently rejected by State Cabinet on the grounds it
might be used for "unlawful purposes".
Opposition police spokesman Robert Brokenshire criticised the
Government for its "inaction" over the development.
"This Government has separate rules for some parts of the
state to other parts," he said. "(The Government) is
just beating (its) chest but is delivering nothing of substance
to prevent outlaw bikies from moving into your
neighbourhood."
A spokeswoman for the Minister said the two applications were
different because the Old Noarlunga development was submitted to
council after the new anti-fortification laws came into effect.
