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Imported stone for revamped Mall

New pavers for the Rundle Mall redevelopment will be sourced entirely from Asia, 7News can reveal.

Work on the $30 million makeover started last month, and Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood helped remove the first pavers.

Over the next 18-months, the entire strip will be repaved.

Initially the bricks were going to be made from granite sourced mainly from within South Australia, but 7News has learned that in recent days, the council has decided to buy the stone entirely from China to save around $2 million.

“It’s obviously a big disappointment for us,” said granite manufacturer Seppo Karvonen.

“Now, when we need help from the domestic clients and councils and government, it seems to be disappearing.”

The council insists high quality paving will be used.

“We went to our contractors and said to source based on that – best quality, best cost – it’s open to Australian suppliers and if they can supply for that cost, by all means,” said Tom McCready from Adelaide City Council.

But industry insiders claim Chinese stone is an inferior product.

The Rundle Mall upgrade joins a growing list of local projects using imported materials.

The new Adelaide Airport plaza was paved using Chinese granite, and it is feared the Victoria Square upgrade and Torrens footbridge are headed the same way.