South Australian Government Pauses Compulsory Acquisition of Mount Barker Restaurant for School

The South Australian government will "hit pause" on its plan to compulsorily acquire a popular Mount Barker restaurant to build a $61.1 million school amid community backlash.

The state government last week announced a preschool and primary school would be built on a 5.5-hectare parcel of land in Mount Barker's south-east, including on the site of the Thai restaurant Wok The Duck, to accommodate rapid population growth.

The restaurant owners launched a petition and said there had since been a swell of community support.

Aston Hills Mount Barker developers Lanser, who said they had been working on a master plan for more than 16 years, said there were more suitable sites for the school.

Today, Education Minister Lucy Hood told 891 ABC Adelaide the government would pause the compulsory acquisition following a meeting with the restaurant owners on Tuesday.

"We're just going to hit pause while we consider all our options here," she said.

"That obviously doesn't guarantee an outcome, but we can see the enormous community impact that Wok the Duck has in that area, so we're just going to look at all those options to make sure we're achieving the best outcome for that community."

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said a pause did not mean the government would pull the pin on the development.

"What I've done is pause that compulsory acquisition process so I personally can examine exactly the work that has been undertaken up until this point, and make sure it's been done with the best interests of the community writ large, as a whole, at heart," he said.

"I'm really sympathetic towards the proprietors of Wok the Duck, I understand their concern here and I just want to satisfy myself that the state government is acting prudently by considering every last option where we can, before we go ahead with the final decision."

'Pause' welcomed

Wok the Duck co-owner David Keir said he had spoken with Mr Malinauskas this morning.

"It was appreciated getting a phone call from the premier … he just said he's going to investigate, he's going to look into it because something's not right," Mr Keir said.

Lanser managing director Shaun Bowden said the company was "very grateful to the premier for intervening" and hoped the restaurant would stay.

"We think this is a great outcome for the community and we look forward to working with the government on a positive resolution," he said.

Local MP Matt Schultz welcomed the pause, saying it was "a case of sensible heads prevailing".

"I'm really pleased that the government and the department have put pause on this and are looking at alternate options," Mr Schultz said.

"I'm very pleased that we are having a school built here, but we don't want to see Wok the Duck impacted in terms of being relocated or shut down."

Ms Hood said the department had evaluated 16 other sites in Mount Barker for the new school, but the Wok the Duck site was selected as the best location.

Last week, Ms Hood said compensation for the restaurant owners would be considered as part of the compulsory acquisition process.