Save the Cranker campaign claims a public submissions win
The Save the Cranker campaign says more than 800 public submissions have been made to the State Commission Assessment Panel in a bid to prevent the Crown & Anchor hotel from being gutted for an apartment block – a figure it has claimed as a record.
Part of the crowd at a "Save the Cranker" rally at Parliament House on April 28. Photo: Tony Lewis / InDaily
Campaign organisers hailed supporters for their efforts to stop the historic East End pub from being demolished for a 19-storey student housing block.
A planned student apartment tower on the Crown & Anchor hotel site. Image: Brown Falconer/Plan SA
SCAP is the authority that will rule on the development application in September, and invited public submissions from April 19 until midnight Friday, May 10.
Singapore developer Wee-Hur Holdings has applied to demolish the longstanding live music venue and retain only the facade as a nod to its local heritage listing, prompting a public backlash and wide debate about cultural heritage and planning laws.
The developer plans a cafe on the site of the current front bar, along with a laundry and waste area, first-floor yoga room and more than 700 beds for students.
“The record number of representations on an application to SCAP was 380,” Save the Cranker organisers told supporters on Monday.
“Together, we didn’t just beat it. With over 800 submissions, we more than DOUBLED that number! And those are just applications we know about (by either receiving a CC email about or hand delivered to SCAP personally).”
Organisers said they hoped that the final tally of SCAP submissions would pass 1000.
“Onya campaigners! Together we have sent a clear message to the state government that this crew is ready and willing to stand up and fight to protect the living culture, heritage, and vibrancy of our city! This should be their job,” they said.
InDaily has asked PlanSA for comment.
Thousands of supporters rallied and marched to Parliament House on April 28.
The Crown & Anchor site, along with neighbouring Roxie’s and Chateau Apollo is still owned by Adelaide developer Gerry Karidis and Karidis Corporation, and all would be levelled for the proposed housing block.
Labor’s Adelaide MP Lucy Hood on Friday posted a photo of the SCAP submission she was preparing on behalf of the community, and urged people to get submissions in before that night’s deadline.
“Locals who contacted me, who I met with, and who sent me their feedback, overwhelming oppose the proposed development given the impact on the beloved Crown and Anchor,” she wrote.
“‘The Cranker’ is a historic 171-year-old pub and successful live music venue that contributes significantly to the life of our city, in particular, the live music scene.
“You can read my full submission, on behalf of the community, in the comments below. Please contact my office if we can assist you with putting in your own submission.
“I look forward to presenting in person to the State Commission Assessment Panel when the matter is heard.”
Hood also reminded people that they could put in a submission “for the Cranker to be permanently STATE-heritage listed”.
The SA Heritage Council, which reports to the state government, last month gave the Crown & Anchor a provisional listing on the state heritage register, protecting it from development for three months while its heritage value is assessed.
The Heritage Council has posted a public submission it has received for the hotel to be state heritage listing on its website and says submissions are open until 5pm on August 3.
