15 August 2024
Any deal between developer Wee Hur Holdings and the State Government must secure the Cranker’s long term future, say the SA Greens.
According to media reports, the Malinauskas Government are on the cusp of reaching an agreement to protect the pub.
“After months of pressure from the community and the Greens, we welcome news that the State Government are finally taking action on the Cranker. This demonstrates the power of community activism on this issue,” said Greens MLC Robert Simms.
“It’s vital that any deal reached between the Government and the developer guarantees the long-term future of this iconic pub as a live music venue. A stay of execution won’t be enough. We need to ensure that it has the protection it deserves. It’s part of the beating heart of Adelaide and we can’t afford to lose it”.
“This whole saga has exposed the flaws in our state’s planning system. It’s currently skewed in favour of vested interests and developers, rather than the community. The Greens will continue to push for changes to our planning laws to beef up the cultural and social aspects of heritage protection,” concluded Mr Simms.
“Live music venues like the beloved Crown & Anchor have been crunched in the post-Covid cost of living crisis,” said Greens Federal Arts Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
“Labor needs to pull its finger out, commit to saving the Cranker, and get on with a real support package for live music venues and festivals in South Australia,” she concluded.
Back in May, a Greens motion recognising the value of the Crown and Anchor was passed by the state’s Upper House, after being watered down by Labor and the Liberals. The Greens have also been campaigning for a community right to buy model, to give citizens the right to buy iconic buildings like the Crown and Anchor.
On Sunday Robert Simms and Sarah Hanson-Young will speak at the rally to save the Cranker (at 1pm, Victoria Square).