Last Tuesday night, a meeting between concerned residents, Mayor Brenton Vanstone and regional manager of Housing SA Liz Malcolm was held at the lot.

Ms Malcolm heard complaints from the residents, among which were problems with the designs of the two houses, the developments not having to comply with standard building codes and that neighbours had not been notified until building began.

“This is a residential zone. There was no requirement for us to consult with the

residents of the area,” she said.

“All councils were notified of these plans in March last year.”

There are 22 Housing SA houses being built across Port Pirie and, according to Ms Malcolm, there was no reason for deciding on any of these areas in particular – including Melissa Court.

Residents are furious that the Port Pirie Regional Council’s planning controls were over-ridden in this case.

Marcus Stephens, who is a local builder and chamber of commerce president, lives directly across from the allotment and says the fact that government housing is being built is not the problem, but the poor planning is the issue.

“The issue is not who will be living there – I have no problem with the social aspect,” he said.

“But we have planning regimes for a reason and I do not believe this would ever get approval.” Projects director for Housing SA David O’Loughlin said he was disappointed that people were upset.

He said that the only concern from residents of the area that he had personally heard was to do with the design which can be fixed.

“I have spoken to the neighbours next to the allotment on Melissa Court and their only issue is the ‘setback’ from the side fence – we can resolve that,” he said. Cr David Haldane raised the issue at Wednesday’s council meeting, asking why elected members were not able to do anything about it.

“Local government is getting laughed at by State Government,” he said.

Mr Vanstone said the issue would be put on the agenda for the next strategic

planning workshop.

QUESTION TIME...Port Pirie Mayor Brenton Vanstone, left, and Housing SA regional manager Liz Malcolm listen to the concerns of Melissa Court residents at the building site.