TREES NOT TESLAS

Say NO to the Tesla build in Tonsley!
This is about more than one block of land.
It’s about who gets to shape our neighbourhood — and whether public space stays public.

Join the Fight

Sign our petition on Change.org:

SIGN PETITION

For updates and more information,
join our mailing list and see our news page:

Mailing List

News & Updates

Download and share our flyer in any way you can!

Print it, post it, share it, letterbox your street, put one up at work - hell, stick one on a pole somewhere.
By intentional government design, we're short on time, so any bit helps.

Check out our Report!

Our report has info about us, summaries of the issues, information and solutions, what we're asking, and feedback and comments from the community.
This is what we are, and have been, handing to our representatives.

What's Happening?

The City of Marion Council has approved plans to revoke the community status of green space at 7A Chestnut Court Tonsley and allow out-of-state developer MAB CCT Pty Ltd to build a factory for tenancy by Tesla.

You can see the council's proposal here:
makingmarion.com.au/chestnut

More Details

↓

Who is MAB CCT?

MAB CCT (Pty Ltd) is an out of state developer, known previously as 3A MEARS WY (Pty Ltd).
They have not developed in Tonsley before, and we suspect they strategically changed their name in July 2024 to attempt credibility via association to the Tonsley Innovation District's MAB building.

What is Tesla?

Tesla is an American car and energy company that makes electric cars and batteries, and who's CEO and largest shareholder is Elon Musk.
They are infamous for unsafe working conditions, union suppression, and racial discrimination within their facilities.
Recently, their stock values have been plummeting and are proving themselves to be a bad investment.

Who is Elon Musk?

Elon Musk is the world's richest person. He is deeply involved politically in the USA, giving at least $260M to Donald Trump's election campaign.
He now runs the new US Government's 'Department of Government Efficiency' (DOGE); a position he simply brought through power and influence, and was never elected for.

The Council's Community Feedback Report,
that shows the 95% disapproval rating the proposal received, can be seen here:
Community Feedback Report

We Strongly Oppose This Development

We're calling on the Council to:
Reverse their decision
Reject the revocation and sale of this publicly owned green space
Commit to decontamination and preservation
Prevent the expansion of Tesla facilities into the surrounding community

We're calling on the State Government to:
Reject the Council's request to revocate and sell the land
Do what the Council has failed to do, and actually represent the words of the people
Follow as they have campaigned, and prioritise people before profits

Find Out Why

What Can I Do?

Feedback submissions for the proposal are now closed. On 28 May the council approved the proposal despite extremely negative feedback, choosing to ignore the community and intentionally choose profit over people. Which, quite frankly, is absolute bullshit.

But it can still be stopped.

What's Next

Contacting Your Representatives Calling them is preferable, but emailing and lettering is good too.
If you can, go in and see them. Talk to them personally.
Your voice matters — and remember, they work for you.

Information and ideas for what to say can be found in our talking points, but the best response is a personal one.

Tell them how you feel and what’s important to you, tell them what you want to see happen and what you expect of them, and hold them accountable as representatives of the people.

Representatives List
The final decision will be made by
Minister for Local Government
Joe Szakacs (Labor)
He's the primary point of contact, has the power to reject the Council's decision.

If you live within the City of Marion, contact
Member for Elder
Nadia Clancy (Labor)

To rally support within parliament:
Rob Simms (Greens, Member of the LC)
Tammy Franks (Ex-Green, Independent, Member of the LC)
Connie Bonaros (SA Best, Member of the LC)

Talk your local member as well, and if you're unsure who that is you can find out here.

Tell these representitives why it's important to you that the proposal be rejected.

Labor State Premier Peter Malinauskas says he's the "People Before Profits" Premier,
yet he's willing to let his government actively do the opposite. Let's hold him to his word.

Trees Not Teslas is an independent collective of individuals concerned for the community.
Contact: treesnotteslas@gmail.com

We acknowledge we are situated on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people and recognise the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land.
Sovereignty was never ceded — it always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.

The content of this campaign concerns an issue of public interest and is intended solely for the purpose of informing and encouraging public discussion. All opinions expressed are honest opinions made in good faith and relate directly to matters of public interest. We do not intend to cause harm to any individual, organisation, or entity. The information we provide is a fair summary of facts and details that are already publicly available. No one involved in this collective campaign stands to profit from any outcome.