News & Discussion: Squares and Parklands

[Wayno]

If cost is an issue the state government should fund it. It creates such a negative impression of poverty for the city having dustbowls in summer surrounding the CBD instead of lush green grass/ plants.

You can't drop a ball that was never picked up; cost indeed being the issue. The ACC has in the past requested funding from the state govt for parkland rejunenation & maintenance. Perhaps it's time to do so again - in a highly public manner this time, coupled with a clear business case that shows it's not money spent, but an investment with a high ongoing yield.

Perhaps cash could be raised by sponsorship - The Adelaide Parklands, brought to you by McDonalds.

[claybro]

Perhaps cash could be raised by sponsorship - The Adelaide Parklands, brought to you by McDonalds.

So long as Mc Donalds dont want to put a red roof on any of the bus stops in the parklands it should work.

[Nathan]

I've always wondered why the parklands don't seek private sponsorship and donations. Plenty of other parks and public spaces around the world do.

[ozisnowman]

Our parklands should be called bushlands because only a few are what people in other cities call parks and gardens.
These areas full of gum trees and scrubs are so uninviting to our international visitors and interstate guests.

[Waewick]

Our parklands should be called bushlands because only a few are what people in other cities call parks and gardens.
These areas full of gum trees and scrubs are so uninviting to our international visitors and interstate guests.

that is the intention for some of it.

[rev]

Here's an idea..
Why not extend the river/lake torrens from the Zoo/Botanic Park off Frome Rd, through Botanic Park, into the Botanic Gardens, into that lake in the middle there(make it deeper if necessary), out under North tce into Rundle Park, under Rundle St into Rymil Park, under Bartells Rd into CBC Oval, under Wakefield St into Victoria Park and then into part of of the southern park lands?
Make it deep enough and wide enough for the popeye ferry's to continue along. And then transform the south-eastern part of the City into high rise living, shopping, cafe/restaurant culture type thing...
Then amalgamate Etsa Park, Santos Stadium, Hindmarsh stadium into a new multipurpose rectangular stadium in Kurrangga Park, and call it Kurrangga Park!!

[claybro]

Rev, I love the idea of more lakes/waterways in the parklands. But highrise living in the SE corner will never be allowed. They call it the "Parisian quarter" or some wank. Someone from the city council, I forget who, proposed pumping water from the wier end of Torrens lake, through the parklands, creating lakes and irrigation water, to then be piped back in at the zoo end of the Torrens, to create some flow and help stop the Algae blooms. Apparently a prohibitavely costley proposal.

[mattblack]

Here's an idea..
Why not extend the river/lake torrens from the Zoo/Botanic Park off Frome Rd, through Botanic Park, into the Botanic Gardens, into that lake in the middle there(make it deeper if necessary), out under North tce into Rundle Park, under Rundle St into Rymil Park, under Bartells Rd into CBC Oval, under Wakefield St into Victoria Park and then into part of of the southern park lands?
Make it deep enough and wide enough for the popeye ferry's to continue along. And then transform the south-eastern part of the City into high rise living, shopping, cafe/restaurant culture type thing...
Then amalgamate Etsa Park, Santos Stadium, Hindmarsh stadium into a new multipurpose rectangular stadium in Kurrangga Park, and call it Kurrangga Park!!

Imagine the amount of excavation needed. Put Olympic Dam so shame not to mention any State, Local or aboriginal heritage issues.

[Nathan]

http://vimeo.com/68984524

New masterplan for the Riverbank
LIAM MANNIX | 24 JUNE 2013
http://indaily.com.au/news/2013/06/24/n ... riverbank/

ADELAIDE | A reinvigorated Bonython Park will become the centrepiece of the State Government’s bid to attract more people to live in the city’s inner suburbs under a new Riverbank Implementation Masterplan to be released for public consultation on Sunday.

The new plan, which supersedes the
Riverbank Masterplan
released in November, will look at ways to link together the city’s various precincts via a continuous riverbank path.

The plan envisages a full redevelopment for the Park in Adelaide’s west. New, wider paths are planned, as are new leisure spaces. The park is considered strategically important because it is close to Bowden, the site of a major State Government urban regeneration and residential development project. It is hoped the improved park will make Bowden a more attractive proposition for home buyers.

A pedestrian overpass or underpass – Renewal SA is undecided on the best option – crossing Port Road is also considered in the plan.

The plan does not provide any final guidance on what will be done with the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site when the new RAH opens in 2016.

However, it does say the site could be used to link the now disconnected Botanic Gardens, East End and the university precinct.

A government flyover provided to media today – in advance of the release of the Masterplan on Sunday – shows slides of a remade RAH precinct with historic buildings retained, grassed areas and bike paths, and unidentified new buildings.

At a media conference today Premier Jay Weatherill said an announcement about the future of the RAH site would be made soon.

“The River Torrens winding through the heart of Adelaide is one of our city’s best assets–but Adelaide has never used the river to its greatest advantage,” Weatherill said.

“We want to bring more South Australians and visitors into the city to enjoy what we believe will become of the great city parks.

“Our parklands are unique and the recent investments in the Riverbank area are exciting but this plan brings all of these together into a new Riverbank park.”

The plan also calls for a daytime economy to be created around the Casino.

A redeveloped Bonython Park could be the site of various water-quality-improvement projects for the Torrens.

Weatherill and Renewal SA chief executive Fred Hansen both praised the “good work” of the scrapped Integrated Design Commission which was the first body to look at the future of the Riverbank from Bowden to Gilberton.

A portion of the IDC’s work went into the Masterplan, the Premier said.

[Shahkar]

New Torrens Riverbank masterplan extends to Bowden

A NEW masterplan has been revealed for Adelaide's Riverbank precinct as the State Government also confirms it has received a proposal to redevelop Festival Plaza.

Premier Jay Weatherill today released a high-level concept plan earmarking future uses of land between the Bowden redevelopment, the Riverbank and North Tce.

The plan's vision is to create a "grand central park and cultural precinct" between the CBD and North Adelaide to attract more people and investment.

It contains little detail of plans for new construction and does not explain what kind of development is planned for the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

The Government is now consulting on what should be done in four key precincts - Bonython Park, the biomedical precinct, core entertainment area and old RAH site.

The plan comes after the Government has committed billions of dollars to other developments, including the Adelaide Oval and Convention Centre upgrades.

Adelaide Casino is also considering a $300 million expansion.

Mr Weatherill said the plan was "about imagining a future for South Australia which has at its centre a vibrant city which attracts people to come and enjoy this beautiful park".

"This plan is all about creating a new identity, a park in the middle of the city," he said.

"There are so many important opportunities here that we thought, at this stage, it was crucial that we made sure that they were planned by reference to each other.

"The connections between each of these areas is so important."

Mr Weatherill confirmed the Government had received plans from developer Lang Walker for the redevelopment of Festival Plaza and was considering them.

"There is a proposition that has been sent to the South Australian Government," he said.

"We've made it very clear that all of these things need to speak to one another.

"We will be making a decision about that matter soon."

Mr Weatherill said further Government money was not currently being sought.

Deputy Premier and Planning Minister John Rau said the Greater Riverbank Implementation Plan would be displayed at the Convention Centre at a public open day on Sunday.

[mattblack]

http://vimeo.com/68984524

New masterplan for the Riverbank
LIAM MANNIX | 24 JUNE 2013
http://indaily.com.au/news/2013/06/24/n ... riverbank/

ADELAIDE | A reinvigorated Bonython Park will become the centrepiece of the State Government’s bid to attract more people to live in the city’s inner suburbs under a new Riverbank Implementation Masterplan to be released for public consultation on Sunday.

The new plan, which supersedes the
Riverbank Masterplan
released in November, will look at ways to link together the city’s various precincts via a continuous riverbank path.

The plan envisages a full redevelopment for the Park in Adelaide’s west. New, wider paths are planned, as are new leisure spaces. The park is considered strategically important because it is close to Bowden, the site of a major State Government urban regeneration and residential development project. It is hoped the improved park will make Bowden a more attractive proposition for home buyers.

A pedestrian overpass or underpass – Renewal SA is undecided on the best option – crossing Port Road is also considered in the plan.

The plan does not provide any final guidance on what will be done with the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site when the new RAH opens in 2016.

However, it does say the site could be used to link the now disconnected Botanic Gardens, East End and the university precinct.

A government flyover provided to media today – in advance of the release of the Masterplan on Sunday – shows slides of a remade RAH precinct with historic buildings retained, grassed areas and bike paths, and unidentified new buildings.

At a media conference today Premier Jay Weatherill said an announcement about the future of the RAH site would be made soon.

“The River Torrens winding through the heart of Adelaide is one of our city’s best assets–but Adelaide has never used the river to its greatest advantage,” Weatherill said.

“We want to bring more South Australians and visitors into the city to enjoy what we believe will become of the great city parks.

“Our parklands are unique and the recent investments in the Riverbank area are exciting but this plan brings all of these together into a new Riverbank park.”

The plan also calls for a daytime economy to be created around the Casino.

A redeveloped Bonython Park could be the site of various water-quality-improvement projects for the Torrens.

Weatherill and Renewal SA chief executive Fred Hansen both praised the “good work” of the scrapped Integrated Design Commission which was the first body to look at the future of the Riverbank from Bowden to Gilberton.

A portion of the IDC’s work went into the Masterplan, the Premier said.

Ummm .... WOW

If this comes together it really will put Adelaide on the map for livability. If you have a look at the video there is provision for a tennis centre of excellence on the crn of West/Nth Tce, City Pool on the Nth side of the Torrens next to Morphett St bridge, Health and wellbeing precinct in Bonython Pk, Arts and Science hub on the Nth side of the river next to the uni bridge and a world music centre in Botanic Pk. Bring it on. Cant wait until Sunday for the presentation.

[SRW]

Admirable concept. I look forward to reading the masterplan in full, and hope that details emerge quickly of proposals within the framework (old RAH, Festival Plaza).

[claybro]

Ummm .... WOW

If this comes together it really will put Adelaide on the map for livability. If you have a look at the video there is provision for a tennis centre of excellence on the crn of West/Nth Tce, City Pool on the Nth side of the Torrens next to Morphett St bridge, Health and wellbeing precinct in Bonython Pk, Arts and Science hub on the Nth side of the river next to the uni bridge and a world music centre in Botanic Pk. Bring it on. Cant wait until Sunday for the presentation.

Perhaps we can all get Sen Ad name tags made up so we can all recognize each other there. On second thoughts, given some of the agro from time to time maybe not.

[Matt]

Have I missed something major, or is the extent of this plan a few new paths and a fingers crossed for private development of Festival Plaza?

[Nathan]

Matt: much more than that. Vision for a cohesive urban park, connections through precincts and attractions, connections to the city, how the park can drive changes in culture and city use.

Went along today and went over all the details, and also had a chat with one of the RenewalSA team. There's quite a lot to take in, and a variety of projects - some smaller stage 1 type stuff, and some bigger long term concepts. Asking for a lot feedback, both by questionnaire, and by sticky notes on the presentation boards. Seems like there is still an uphill battle, as I read some pretty bad feedback (people whining about too many bridges, or that paved areas are a conspiracy by landscape architects so they can charge more, and strangely a lot of demand for dog parks, lots of dog parks...). I believe that RenewalSA a smart enough though to know which feedback is worth paying attention to and which isn't.

I also was interviewed by Channel 7 news. I was a bit put on the spot, so probably kept repeating myself about potential and ignoring feedback from people who get their info from the 'tiser, and didn't get to my thoughts on how it plays into urban renewal and encouraging denser inner city living - but I'm sure they'll edit me down to about 8 words anyway.

Incidentally, the northern pocket of Bonython Park is still on the cards as a shorter term project (tying in to Bowden) — but with the long term plans of the entire park taken in to consideration. The Torrens Junction however seems to be still up in the air. Was told that they believe the funds the feds allocated aren't quite as available as they were initially thought.

Edit: and the website is now live http://www.riverbank.sa.gov.au