An Adelaide council has taken a step towards potentially approving a Tesla battery facility in the city’s southern suburbs, despite considerable opposition fueled by what has been termed the “anti-Elon factor.”
On Tuesday night, the City of Marion council voted 8–3 in favor of requesting the South Australian government to revoke the community land status of Chestnut Court Reserve in Tonsley.
Revoking this status would allow the land to be sold for the development of a Tesla facility, which council documents state would be used for battery reuse, car servicing, and a retail showroom.
This decision followed a community consultation, during which 95 percent of the 954 responses—948 survey entries and six written submissions—opposed the development.
Key concerns among opponents included the loss of trees and public green space, potential environmental damage from the industrial site, the desire to see the area used for social housing, and strong ideological opposition to Elon Musk and Tesla.
A report presented to the council noted that Chestnut Court Reserve has been closed to the public since 2016 due to contamination and is unsuitable for recreational use. It also stated that the developer planned to replant or compensate for any trees removed.
The proposed facility is expected to create about 100 full-time jobs and contribute an estimated $56 million to the local economy. The report also noted that Tesla would look to develop the project in another location if Tonsley is ruled out.
Some public comments opposing the project cited Elon Musk’s behavior, with one submission stating that public land should not be sold to private companies, especially if it contains mature trees, regardless of current access limitations.
Despite some redacted comments, the council report acknowledged the overwhelming public opposition but argued that the benefits—such as job creation, innovation, emissions reduction, and the reuse of contaminated land—outweighed symbolic or political criticisms.
Mayor Kris Hanna said the community’s resistance to Elon Musk was considered but balanced against the project’s economic advantages.
“Voting against the proposal wouldn’t have affected Elon Musk personally. Tesla would simply have chosen another location in Australia,” Hanna told ABC Radio Adelaide.
He acknowledged concerns over the removal of over 50 trees but noted the developer’s promise to retain three significant trees and replant at least two for every regulated tree removed, and three for each significant tree.
“There are strong emotions involved, but the economic benefits are substantial,” Hanna said.
The final decision now rests with the Minister for Local Government, who must approve the removal of the land’s community classification.
Premier Peter Malinauskas commented on Monday that, while he strongly disagrees with many of Musk’s views, he supports major industrial investments in South Australia.
He emphasized that rejecting investments based solely on differing political beliefs goes against the principles of governance in Australia.
Malinauskas praised Tesla’s history in the state, referencing the company’s construction of a 100-megawatt battery in 2017.
