Overview

• On May 27 the City of Marion council voted to seek state government approval to sell a 2,664 m² contaminated public plot to Tesla for a battery factory.
• A community consultation generated 948 submissions, of which 95% opposed the proposal over environmental concerns, loss of green space and anti-Elon Musk sentiment.
• Council staff and mayor Kris Hanna argued the project would create 100 full-time jobs, boost rates revenue and deliver $56 million in economic output alongside Tesla-led training programs.
• The land is currently inaccessible due to contamination, leading supporters to view a factory as a safe way to seal the soil and prevent protests.
• With local approval secured, the proposal now awaits state government sign-off before Tesla can proceed or consider an alternative site.