Government Pauses Compulsory Acquisition of Mount Barker Restaurant

The South Australian government has paused the compulsory acquisition of Wok the Duck, a Thai restaurant in Mount Barker, following strong community backlash. The move will allow discussions to occur between Premier Peter Malinauskas and government departments, with Education Minister Lucy Hood meeting the restaurant's owners on Tuesday.

The decision comes after the SA government announced plans to build a $61.1 million preschool and primary school on a 5.5-hectare parcel of land in Mount Barker's south-east, a site that includes the restaurant and surrounding land.

'Like the Castle': Owners Rally Support

Restaurant co-owner David Keir, who runs the business with his daughter Ebony Moyle and Daniel Moyle, has likened the experience to the Australian film The Castle, comparing their fight against the acquisition to the film's iconic battle against compulsory purchase.

The family said they sold their family home to open Wok the Duck, and were just one year into a nine-year lease when the government announced its plans. Their emotional video, posted to social media, has been widely viewed, accumulating more than 400,000 views on Facebook.

"The success and the support is measured in people from around the world," Mr Keir told 891 ABC Adelaide. "We're actually getting phone calls from everywhere. It's not just people in the community, it's people everywhere."

On Saturday, the restaurant owners launched a petition calling for the government to pause the acquisition, receiving support from around the world.

Developer Lanser Critical of Government

Land developer Lanser, which has been working on the Aston Hills master plan for more than 16 years, expressed shock at the decision. A spokesperson said the acquisition would mean the loss of up to 150 new homes, trees, a new reserveainer and the restaurant itself.

The spokesperson said the company had gone without communication from the Department of Education for two years and that the acquisition was made "without notice or consultation, despite our longstanding engagement with the department and our efforts to identify suitable alternative sites."

The company believes there are more suitable sites for the school that have not been adequately assessed and maintains the acquisition is not in the best interest of the Mount Barker community. The developers argue the school could be built on the other side of Heysen Boulevard on vacant land behind a supermarket, while keeping the restaurant in place.

Community and Political Support

The petition against the school plans has garnered significant community support. Independent MP Matt Schultz has signed the petition and requested a meeting with the education minister.

Mr Keir said the support has been overwhelming, with the family receiving calls from people in the UK and supporters coming through the restaurant over the weekend.

"The success and the support is amazing," Mr Keir told ABC Australia. "We have had thousands of people wanting to sign petitions, so it's not only just people in the community in Mount Barker — it's people everywhere."

The developers of the land, Lanser, said they had been working on a master plan for the Aston Hills development for more than 16 years. A spokesperson said the company had gone two years without communication from the Department of Education before learning of the acquisition plans.

"We are deeply shocked and disappointed by this news, and devastated by the impact on our community and David and Ebony at Wok the Duck," the spokesperson said. "It is Lanser's view that there are more suitable sites for this school that have not been adequately assessed by the government."

The developer said the acquisition would mean the loss of up to 150 new homes, trees, a new reserve and the Thai restaurant. Lanser's interactive master plan, available on its website, shows a different school site with the restaurant remaining in place.

Key Claims

  • Compulsory acquisition pause: Education Minister Lucy Hood announced the government would "hit pause" on the compulsory acquisition of Wok the Duck following a meeting with owners on Tuesday. She said the pause would allow discussions between Premier Peter Malinauskas and government departments.
  • Community support: The restaurant owners launched a petition after the government announced its plans and said they received support from around the world. Keir said the restaurant had received calls from people in the UK, with the word spreading beyond the local community.
  • Developer's position: Aston Hills Mount Barker developers Lanser said they had been working on a master plan for more than 16 years, and the acquisition would mean the loss of up to 150 new homes, trees, a new reserve and the restaurant. Lanser said they had gone two years without communication from the Department of Education and described the acquisition as happening 'without notice or consultation'.
  • Minister's response: Education Minister Lucy Hood said the government would pause the acquisition to consider the best outcome for the community, a statement echoed by those close to the discussions.
  • Community response: Thousands of people visited the restaurant over the weekend following the announcement, with the owners receiving support from around the world and more than 400,000 views on their social media video explaining their situation.