Adelaide to Elon: 'No thanks, Mate!' as Tesla’s land bid kicks up anti-Musk firestorm among locals

Elon Musk just got a strong Aussie “nah” from the folks in Adelaide.

In South Australia's Marion City, plans to sell a plot of public land to Tesla for a new battery factory sparked a scorcher of a backlash — fuelled less by environmental concerns and more by one man’s name: Musk.

Tesla wants 2,664 square meters of fenced-off land to build a new factory. 

In return, the city gets 100 full-time jobs, Tesla-run training programmes, and a projected $56 million economic boost. 

Sounds like a win, right?

Not so fast.

Of the nearly 1,000 public submissions collected, a whopping 95% opposed the sale — and they didn’t mince words. 

Redacted rage

In fact, some residents went full roast mode, with language so colourful that the Marion Council had to redact several remarks.

"Because Elon Musk is a [redacted] human being and a [redacted]!” said one furious commenter.

“Elon Musk and Tesla are a [redacted] on humanity,” wrote another.

One submission even went poetic: “Destroying trees to build a factory for a company owned by a [redacted] would be a vile choice.”

And for one local skater, the concern was more... personal: “Please dear God. It’s not going to be good for anyone … [and] it would majorly interrupt my roller skating route.”

Despite the redacted rage, some voices sang Musk's praises, citing job creation and visionary ambition. “The world’s richest person has ideas worth listening to,” said one supporter.

Still, the overwhelming sentiment wasn't about batteries or green space — it was Musk himself. 

Many submissions cited his controversial online behaviour, his political dabbling, and that eyebrow-raising salute from earlier this year. The phrase “brand destruction” popped up more than once.

Anti-fascist

Marion Mayor Kris Hanna tried to keep things grounded. “Most Australians wouldn’t approach the project from a political perspective,” he said, but acknowledged a “core group” with strong anti-fascist sentiment driving the opposition. 

“If the decision is not to allow the factory to proceed, it won’t harm Elon Musk’s interests. Tesla will just set up somewhere else in Australia that’s more welcoming,” Hanna added.

About 948 submissions were received in total — more than half from outside the council area. 

Still, even locals close to the site voted 121 against, and only 11 in favour, according to a Guardian report.

Tesla and government agencies highlight the potential economic upside. Staff from the City of Marion recommended proceeding with the land sale. 

The final decision will be debated at a council meeting on Tuesday night. It’s not immediately clear when the decision will be announced.