Protestors Decry “Chaotic” Elon Musk’s Influence on Local Adelaide Project

Local activists in Adelaide are linking Elon Musk’s “chaotic” influence on US government agencies to his proposed Tesla factory, as they continue their fight against the project despite a recent council approval. The anonymous group of activists and “Trees not Teslas” are leveraging global concerns about Musk’s leadership and ideology to strengthen their local opposition.
The connection between Musk’s global actions and local sentiment in Adelaide is palpable. Many of the nearly 1,000 public submissions to the Marion city council, 95% of which opposed the Tesla project, explicitly cited “anti-Tesla and anti-Elon Musk sentiment.” This suggests a deeply personal and political dimension to the local protest.
Despite the strong community backlash, the Marion city council decided to approve the project’s initial stage, sending it to the state government for final review. The council highlighted the economic benefits, including 100 new jobs and millions of dollars in revenue, as compelling reasons to proceed, with the mayor suggesting Tesla would simply go elsewhere if rejected.
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.