[COM] [Fullarton] Living Choice | $112m

[AG]

It's so Farr gone
ELISSA DOHERTY
February 23, 2008 09:40pm
IT is the disgrace of Fullarton – a derelict eyesore that residents say is a magnet for criminal activity and is ruining their property values

Frustrated neighbours say problems at the vacant Fisher St building – the former Julia Farr Centre – have worsened in recent times with drug-users moving in and videos on YouTube attracting more vandals and hoons.
Graffiti is scrawled on walls, most windows are smashed, and empty beer bottles, shards of glass and empty spray cans are strewn on the ground.

Residents are now hoping the wrecker's ball will finally knock it down, with moves afoot to again sell the four-storey building.

Consortium Fisher Street Management, whose list of directors is top-heavy with Adelaide business leaders, is negotiating to sell the site to interstate development company Buxton Group.

The pending sale comes after its own plans to turn it into a luxury retirement village did not eventuate.

Unley Council records show the consortium first lodged a development application in 2004 for a conversion into 69 retirement apartments.

It lodged a subsequent application in 2006 for 111 apartments, which gained planning consent.

Mounting residents' concerns led to a meeting convened late last year by Liberal member for Unley David Pisoni between police, a consortium representative and Unley Council.

Mr Pisoni said the consortium had pledged to engage regular security and secure the site by repairing fencing and removing undergrowth.

He said patrols had only begun last month.

"Residents have been frightened and very frustrated," he said.

"I was shocked to see how severe the problem was."

But neighbour Jerry, who has endured years of being woken by youths smashing windows, stealing copper wiring and running amok, said little had changed since last year's meeting.

"I get woken up every few nights, they always come after midnight," he said.

"I'm sick of it, and people are worried their property values have been affected because of it.

"All that is done is they keep fixing the fence, but then they (vandals) just go and cut holes in it again."

Nearby resident Elaine Dougan said the problems began about two-and-a-half years ago.

She said groups of up to 15 youths partied at the site every weekend, disrupting residents.

"If this was King William Road it would not be allowed to stay in this state," she said.

Among those listed as directors of Fisher Street Management are real estate identity Bernard Booth, accountant Peter Hunt, retail king Russell Trim and Daycorp director Dean Day.

Mr Booth said the sale was under negotiation and was likely to be finalised very soon, and predicted development on retirement accommodation could start within the next few months.

"It's going to be a good outcome," he said.

When asked why the consortiums' plans did not proceed, Mr Booth said: "It is a major project and requires substantial financing to produce the approved planning outcome".

"The issue was the commercial reality."

[Mants]

this building is absolutely disgraceful.
ive also heard it is ridden with asbestos.

[Maximus]

I drive past this building almost every week, but only recently noticed just how bad it is. I was a little stunned, actually. The vandals have absolutley gone to town on it... Not sure how long this has been going on (many years I think), but the entire structure is COMPLETELY covered in extremely prominent graffiti. It looks more like a Los Angeles ghetto than the leafy eastern suburbs of Adelaide. The sooner they do something with it, the better. I would have though it was a prime piece of land.

[Will]

Finally some action on the site.

From the Messenger:

$80m Farr plan is out

Tim Williams

16Jun08
FARR OUT: The old Julia Farr site. Pic: Keryn Stevens.

FARR OUT: The old Julia Farr site. Pic: Keryn Stevens.

AN $80 MILLION, five-storey retirement development on the derelict part of the former Julia Farr Centre site could finally put an end to Fullarton's greatest eyesore.
Developer Living Choice Australia, the same group behind the retirement development on the former Walford boarding house site, Hyde Park, has signed a conditional contract to buy the 1.1ha site, known as the Fisher Building.

The developer proposes to build two, five-storey buildings of separate units. It would be supported living with on-site nurses.

The building roofs would be covered in solar panels and underground tanks would store water for gardens and toilets.

The Fisher Building, a favourite target of vandals, has been unused for more than 30 years. Living Choice co-owner Ian Tregoning said his plans would not be significantly different to the four-storey, 111-unit complex proposed by the Fisher St Consortium and approved by Unley Council, in November 2006.

Although there was an added storey, the actual building would not be any higher, he said.

Mr Tregoning could not say how many units the complex would have but said they would be mostly two bedroom, designed for residents aged more than 70. The previous proposal was for three bedroom units.

``Supported living is a hugely needed service in Adelaide, particularly in these (inner suburban) postcodes with the oldest demographics in the country,'' he said.

A suggestion that Living Choice was considering swapping its property in Commercial Rd, Hyde Park, with the Fisher St Consortium for the Julia Farr site were untrue, he said.

Consortium member Robert Zamet said the group was selling because some members were uncomfortable with it
becoming ``a much bigger project then originally intended''.

The consortium's original proposal, lodged in 2004, was for a 69-unit complex.

A contract between the parties for the Julia Farr site was signed on Friday, June 6, but the sale is subject to Living Choice gaining council approval for its plans.

Consortium member Roger Pitt is helping Living Choice consult with Unley Council and nearby residents.

Marlborough St resident Elaine Dougan, one of a small number of Fullarton residents to receive a briefing from Mr Pitt, said ``it looks like there'll be a much greater number of apartments,'' estimating 180-200 in total.

Ms Dougan said overlooking was her main concern, with the proposed setback only a few metres from her fence, and increased traffic.

Mr Tregoning said the buildings would be tiered to minimise overlooking and setbacks had not been finalised.

Traffic would be minimal because most residents would be elderly, frail and would not drive, he said.

[aussie2000]

Thanks to AdelaideNOW - http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 82,00.html

$80m grand retirement village vision for Fullarton

ANTIMO IANNELLA
September 18, 2008 12:30am

A PROPOSED $80 million retirement village in Adelaide's inner southern suburbs is expected to help to meet the housing demands of our ageing population.

An unused 1.2ha site in Fisher St, Fullarton, will be transformed into a 190-apartment village, under plans lodged with Unley Council.
A luxury leisure centre and bowling green also will be included in the development.

The development, by Living Choice, is one of several planned in the metropolitan area as the number of people aged 65 and over in South Australia continues to grow.

The state's population is the oldest in nation with 15 per cent over the retirement age, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Figures from Jones Lang LaSalle's National Retirement Village Database show that in South Australia 8 per cent of people aged over 65 live in retirement accommodation – the highest rate of any state in Australia.

There are 43 new villages and about 3150 units either proposed, approved or under construction in the state.

Included among these are a $30 million over-55s lifestyle apartment and villa complex on West Lakes Boulevard and a $60 million retirement village in Woodcroft. The project co-ordinator overseeing the Fullarton proposal, Roger Pitt, said the development would provide much-needed retirement living for people aged 70 and over.

"It's staggering, the age of our population," he said.

"The Fullarton-Unley area is one of the oldest demographics in Adelaide so this village is well placed."

Mr Pitt said one-bedroom apartments would start in the high $400,000s.

Subject to council approval, construction is expected to begin early next year, with completion of Stage 1 scheduled for the end of 2009.



http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 82,00.html

[rhino]

From today's Adelaide Now:

Julia Farr demolition blocked
DANIEL WILLS, POLITICAL REPORTER
December 17, 2009 04:10pm

A COURT ruling has blocked the demolition of the derelict Julia Farr Centre, which has become a magnet for vandals and arson attacks.
The Environment, Resources and Development court this week rejected a proposal from Living Choice Australia to build a retirement village on the Fullarton site.
It found the development, including 190 aged care units and 159 underground carparks, was too large and would clash with neighbouring buildings.
The decision was sparked by complaints by residents about the final proposal and over-ruled an earlier approval granted by Unley council.
Last week, 51 firefighters were called to the centre and battled a blaze started by arsonists.
Living Choice Australia director Ian Tregoning said he was "devastated" by the ruling and an appeal to the Supreme Court action was "a very viable option".
"We're getting legal advice at the moment, but we believe that we will appeal because the decision is flawed," he said.
He said the existing building was a "disgrace" and "an eyesore" but his company was unable to begin demolition until approval for a replacement building was granted.
It is understood demolition alone would cost the company about $1 million.
Liberal Unley MP David Pisoni called on the Government to grant the development major project status and "fast track" it for approval.
"I'd like the building demolished and I'd like the building work started as soon as possible," he said.
"It's been a haven for vandals for the last two or three years and residents are at their wit's end.
"We have a chronic shortage of assisted retirement development in Unley and we have an ageing population.
"I would like to see a development fast-tracked that is suitable to the residents."
Unley Mayor Richard Thorne said his was "surprised and disappointed" the building would be allowed to remain an "eyesore".
"We share the concerns of the residents and we would like to actually see it demolished but we don't have any power to do that unless it is unsafe," he said.
AdelaideNow is seeking comment from Planning Minister Paul Holloway.

[fabricator]

This has gotten beyond the joke, the place is not worth fixing anyway, but the developer can't get permission to demolish it until the new building is approved.

Too large, what a lame excuse, I'm sure the current buildings on the site are too large also.

I wonder how many times that place will catch fire before its finally pulled down.

[Wayno]

the council also runs the risk of a trespasser becoming injured or killed. You know the story, someone breaks into your house through the bathroom window, trips over the soap, breaks his (or her) leg, and sues you!

[mattblack]

The decision was sparked by complaints by residents about the final proposal and over-ruled an earlier approval granted by Unley council.

These idiots would rather have a drug infested slum next to them instead of a retirement village They probally also belong to the Parkland Preservation Society, real quality citizens of this city.

[waz94]

The decision was sparked by complaints by residents about the final proposal and over-ruled an earlier approval granted by Unley council.

These idiots would rather have a drug infested slum next to them instead of a retirement village They probally also belong to the Parkland Preservation Society, real quality citizens of this city.

Hey, leave the Parklands Preservation Society alone!!!! They're doing a great job.

[fasterthanlids]

The decision was sparked by complaints by residents about the final proposal and over-ruled an earlier approval granted by Unley council.

These idiots would rather have a drug infested slum next to them instead of a retirement village They probally also belong to the Parkland Preservation Society, real quality citizens of this city.

Hey leave desperate drug users alone!!! They're doing a great job.

[mattblack]

The decision was sparked by complaints by residents about the final proposal and over-ruled an earlier approval granted by Unley council.

These idiots would rather have a drug infested slum next to them instead of a retirement village They probally also belong to the Parkland Preservation Society, real quality citizens of this city.

Hey leave desperate drug users alone!!! They're doing a great job.

Maybe the drugies and PPS are one and the same? Would explain alot!

[Wayno]

Unley Council is expected to grant development approval for the Julia Farr Centre site in late-december (this year - just to be clear ).

[Will]

Unley Council is expected to grant development approval for the Julia Farr Centre site in late-december (this year - just to be clear ).

Wayno, are you referring to the 5 level retirement living development?

[Wayno]

Unley Council is expected to grant development approval for the Julia Farr Centre site in late-december (this year - just to be clear ).

Wayno, are you referring to the 5 level retirement living development?

hey Will, yes i am. Sorry for being vague - wrong thread perhaps?