Elon Musk’s announced pivot back to his core businesses, including Tesla, is meeting fierce local resistance in Adelaide, where a proposed factory is facing sustained opposition despite recent council approval. The ongoing battle highlights the challenges Musk faces in expanding his ventures amid growing public scrutiny and criticism.
The proposed Tesla showroom and battery recycling and repurposing factory has ignited a local firestorm, with nearly 1,000 public submissions to the council, 95% of which vehemently opposed the project. Many of these objections directly cited “anti-Tesla and anti-Elon Musk sentiment,” indicating a strong personal and political dimension to the local protest.
Despite this strong community backlash, the Marion city council voted to approve the project’s initial stage, sending it to the state government for final review. The council cited the economic benefits, including 100 new jobs and millions of dollars in revenue, as compelling reasons to proceed, despite the strong community backlash.
Nevertheless, the “Trees not Teslas” movement remains committed to its cause. They argue that the council’s decision disregarded genuine public opinion and that the potential environmental impact, particularly concerning tree removal, is unacceptable. The ongoing struggle in South Australia reflects a broader global resistance to developments associated with controversial corporate leaders.