Protect Adelaide’s Democratic Heart

To: Premier Peter Malinauskas and the South Australian Parliament

From: Citizens of South Australia and supporters of democratic heritage everywhere

We, the undersigned, call on the South Australian Government to stop the construction of Walker Corporation’s proposed 38-storey commercial tower behind Parliament House, and instead protect Festival Plaza as a civic space of national and international democratic significance.

We call for two clear actions:

1. Halt the Walker Tower Two proposal, which violates previous development approvals by increasing from three to 38 storeys—placing private profit over public good.

2. Preserve Festival Plaza as open, public land, free from privatisation and overdevelopment, and retain its civic and cultural purpose.

Why this matters:

Adelaide is home to one of the world’s most significant parliamentary landmarks. In 1894, the South Australian Parliament became the first in the world to legislate for universal suffrage, recognising all adult women as full citizens with voting and political rights.

Now, this legacy is under threat. The proposed tower would:

OVERSHADOW National Heritage listed Parliament House, North Terrace, and nearby National Heritage Park Lands.
CREATE wind tunnels and block iconic views from public spaces to Parliament.
VIOLATE the character of the national heritage–listed precinct, impacting both the Parliament and Adelaide Park Lands.
DEFY democratic process—the Code Amendment that enabled this development was pushed through by the Malinauskas government without proper consultation or compliance with South Australia’s own Community Engagement Charter.
DIMINISH a global symbol of democracy and women’s rights in favour of speculative corporate interests.

This is not just poor planning. It is a civic and constitutional error—one that prioritises private power over public principle.

We believe:

Festival Plaza should become a civic square worthy of Adelaide’s legacy—a place of democracy, dialogue, gathering, education, visitation and open celebration.

Let us make North Terrace a beacon of democracy, not a shadow of corporate ambition

This has begun to happen- ACT NOW! PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION.

JOIN US: email SaveFestivalPlaza@gmail.com with your name.