War memorial director Brendan Nelson joins fight to save St Clair Reserve Charles Sturt Mayor Kristen Alexander and Alan Wilson at St Clair Reserve. Picture: Ian Roddie Source: adelaidenow What do you think of the St Clair development? A PLAN to build houses on St Clair Reserve is an appalling one that shows a lack of respect to veterans, Brendan Nelson says. Dr Nelson, a former Liberal leader and defence minister and the current director of the Australian War Memorial, has joined local residents and veterans criticising the plan to develop the St Clair Reserve at Woodville, which the community wants recognised as an official war memorial. "I too am appalled by this potential decision and the apparent lack of respect to those who served the nation," he writes in response to a letter of protest. Could I ask you to provide details of your federal MPs and I will write to them myself to implore them to assist further in this endeavour. Dr Nelson said he wanted to help but pointed out that the situation was "not in the ambit of the Australian War Memorial." An artist's impression of the St Clair wetlands design. Wetlands plan for St Clair development In 1942, the wartime community signed a petition to turn the site into a memorial park. The ashes of Woodville veteran and former councillor Harry Guy are scattered there, along with those of his wife, Gwenneth. Charles Sturt Council has been locked in a battle over whether the 4.7ha piece of land should be made an official war memorial. An original vote to lobby the State Government to that effect was rescinded in a second vote. A rezoning plan for a section of St Clair Oval, Woodville Rd, has been released for public consultation. But tonight the council reversed that decision - going back to their plan to lobby the Government. The development plan, which is separate from the St Clair housing development on the former Cheltenham Racecourse site, includes about 300 houses, shops and offices. Mayor Kirsten Alexander, who was elected after campaigning against the original St Clair land swap, said the community's wishes were being ignored. Veterans, families, the RSL are all saying the same thing. Please preserve this park as a memorial park," she said. That's what it was intended to be. Australian War Memorial chief Brendan Nelson. Vets dig in for war memorial at St Clair Ms Alexander said the State Government could, "with the stroke of a pen," make sure the development could not go ahead. However, a spokesman for Planning Minister John Rau said the Minister could not make a decision until he had received advice on the zoning from the Development Assessment Commission. It is expected to report in the coming months.