Auditor General Report 2017

The Auditor-General concluded that:

Controls over the procurement process were insufficient to provide reasonable assurance that it was conducted properly or in accordance with accepted standards. (Page 2)

The Department for Planning, Transport & Infrastructure (now Housing & Urban Development) did not establish probity assurance arrangements for the procurement and did not document the rationale for not engaging a probity advisor. (Page75)

After rejecting Walker Corporation’s initial proposal in 2013, the SA Government chose to enter direct and exclusive negotiations with Walker Corporation. There was no competitive tender. (Page 2)

There was a systemic failure to document the rationale for critical decisions, such as extending exclusivity periods and signing the 2014 Agreement to Lease while major aspects remained outstanding. (Page 44)

In September 2013, the then-Chief Executive of DPTI met with Lang Walker outside the official Renewal SA process. The Auditor-General described this as "inappropriate," as the CEO advised Mr Walker on how to "revisit" his proposal to get it back on track. (Page 20)

A subcontractor was found to be simultaneously advising the government on the precinct plan while working for Walker Corporation. (Page 80)

The planning minister invoked "early commencement" provisions for the Festival Plaza Code Amendment, allowing Walker to continue to advance the project. The Minister’s actions were contrary to s 78 of the PDI Act, which was designed to avoid pre-emptive development.

The Minister for Planning resolved not to seek advice from the State Planning Commission on the Code Amendment, claiming the matter of raising the allowable height limit from 3 storeys to 38 was "not considered to be significant".

There is a legal requirement for Code Amendments to follow the State Planning Commission’s Community Engagement Charter. There are five mandatory principles that need to be followed when consulting on Code Amendments. The principles are “engagement is genuine, inclusive and respectful, fit for purpose, informed and transparent and engagement processes are reviewed and improved."

More details can be found in the recent Ombudsmen Report dated 20 June 2025, publicly released in 2026.

Here are facts straight from the legislation - North Adelaide Golf Course Act:

SECTIONS 7 & 8:

Section 7(2) explicitly ordered the Council to vacate and hand over possession of the site.

Section 7(4) states that if the Council resisted, the Minister was granted the power to step in and take action "as if the Minister were the Adelaide City Council."

THE ENVIRONMENT (Sections 12 & 24):

Section 24(1) explicitly dictates that the Environment Protection Act 1993 does not apply.

Section 24(2) suspends the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act, allowing the destruction of trees.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS (Section 5):

Section 5(1)(b) gives the Minister the power to take additional areas of the Park Lands in the future simply by publishing a notice in the Gazette.

SECTION 30:

Explicitly states: "No fees or charges are payable to Adelaide City Council."

This is a description, explain what this section is all about in a few sentences. Highlight key points or benefits.

This is a description, explain what this section is all about in a few sentences. Highlight key points or benefits.