News & Discussion: Squares and Parklands

[Dog]

-

[Wayno]

What would we consider our top 10 wish list for the riverbank precinct?

[Dog]

-

[Dog]

-

[Nathan]

Looks like I got even less than 8 words in the 7 report, ha!

Going by the masterplan, and disregarding the things that are already underway (like the footbridge, convention centre, medical precinct) - the main priority should be the River Path. It's the strongest route through the entire park, and important to get right first. The North Adelaide route I feel is less important, and the North Tce route will largely take care of itself, with perhaps some minor work once the medical precinct is done, and the RAH site redeveloped.

I'd like to see Bonython Park (Bicentennial Park) moved forward. The idea of a grand urban park for the bicentenary is good, but I think it's a lynch pin in connecting Bowden and potential redevelopments in Hindmarsh and Thebarton to the riverside precinct, the parklands in general, and the city. It's probably the most expensive part of the plan though (aside from the additional pedestrian bridges), so that's probably why it's set aside as a long term item.

The Central Path route, I think the connection from Bonython Park, past the south of the gaol, and then the bridges connecting across the raillines to the hospital and then to the river is an important one. The gaol has long been isolated from the rest of the parklands, and the RAH needs a connection across the lines - that solves all those problems.

I appreciate the Kintore Ave upgrade, but would prefer to see Government House opened up to the public, and combined with the Memorial Gardens and the Parade Grounds to connect North Tce all the way through to the river (closing Victoria Dr from King William St to Kintore Ave), with a pedestrian tunnel under King William Rd from the Memorial Gardens to the Festival Centre (Memorial Gardens is already set quite a bit below road level).

Little things like the city pool, the world music stage in Botanic Park, and the landscaping around where Jolley's Boathouse is are nice touches and are probably some easier short term wins.

But ultimately, this is a frame work and not about specifics. We already have a number of projects underway and this is about linking them together in a cohesive manner and also ensuring that future projects along the riverbank are done in a manner that considers the greater area. That's why the four paths and the connections are the focal point of the masterplan.

[Mants]

A few points I'd like to make, I'm sure I can think of more, but these things came to mind straight away.

- Better connections from Rundle Mall, Hindley Street and Rundle Street. This is vital to draw people from the city centre into the heart of the riverbank. A clear path connecting the entire precinct from east to west is also of the utmost importance.

- Providing space for restaurants, bars, nightclubs, coffee shops, boutique shops, ice cream vendors, etc. Also vital to attract people of all different ages and interests to the precinct. Affordable rents are a must! It is definitely important to create venues which take advantage of the river. For example bars/nightclubs which have outdoor areas fronting onto the river to increase atmosphere at night. Creating different levels so as to encourage balcony dining at restaurants and to capitalise on space. Perhaps areas where the food trucks can drive down and pull up along the river could be included.

- Opening up the Governor's House. Ship the Governor off elsewhere and knock down the walls. It currently acts as a huge barrier to the river from Rundle Mall. The House could be converted into a Museum of South Australia or an Aboriginal Art Gallery? Or even space as a reception venue for weddings, etc?

-Would love for the old RAH site to include an amphitheatre (think Sidney Myer Music Bowl) built on the northern end of the site. The venue could then be used during large music festivals such as WOMAD. Some of the other festivals and bands touring in the warmer months could use the venue also.

- Public Art is essential. We have some fantastic local artists! Competitions could be held annually, commissioned by the government/council perhaps? We could even make a new festival out of it! Perhaps the pedestrian link from the city to Adelaide Oval could include a series of statues along the way, not only to act as a path to the venue, but to commemorate our state's most famous sportspeople (and horses!).

- Interactive garden space. Many of our local gardens seem to actually lack natural grandeur and beauty. Well designed, beautiful natural space is a must! Perhaps another design competition here? Interesting water features in the river itself could tie in quite nicely. Also, with the Hindmarsh Square playground in mind, perhaps large objects (quintessentially South Australian) could be integrated into a sort of adventure playground for children...perhaps around the area of the proposed public pool?


Also on a side note... I am already proud of our emerging health precinct. I cannot wait to see all of it completed... It is such a worthwhile investment which all South Australians will benefit from. I hope we continue to attract more investment in the area and that the entire precinct can amalgamate with the plans to improve the entire area. It really is time to start looking at the precinct as a whole, rather than a series of individual developments and I commend the government and other associated bodies who are working to achieve that.

[Vee]

So many great ideas!
I hope all Forum participants are feeding these into the online survey for the Greater Adelaide Riverbank precinct.
http://www.riverbank.sa.gov.au/Joininoursurvey.aspx

I support Mants, Nathan, Dog and others in this forum who would love to see the State Government make a bold move and remove/lower the walls of the Governor General's house and shift its location. I think Carclew would be suitable - a magnificent residence in a prestigious location. This would allow the physical and visual barriers of that great big wall to be removed forever.

The Republic is on the horizon so this space will need to be re-purposed, hopefully sooner than later. Do it now.

Opening up the fantastic vista and the space, better connecting the CBD with the Riverbank, Arts and entertainment precinct and onwards to Adelaide Oval, returning a section of excised park lands to the people - now that would make a huge difference!

This is a big opportunity to tie it in with a great new plan, while North Terrace is undergoing massive changes associated with the re-location (and ultimate redevelopment) of the RAH, the new bio-medical, health/education/research precinct and the Riverbank renewal.

It also provides a wider funnel for pedestrians to reach and exit the Riverbank precinct and Adelaide Oval, Outdoor plaza with widescreen and the Tennis Centre. This provides more accessible options for pre-post match or event activities and public transport and brings the East End and redeveloped RAH site within easier reach.

[Wayno]

We, S-A, intend to produce a formal submission to the riverbank proposal. Here's your chance to make an impact. Please add your ideas to this thread over the next week or so. More detail is better than one liners. Where possible reference similar ideas implemented elsewhere, including pictures.

[[Shuz]]

Agree that the Government House walls needs to be demolished ASAP and gardens opened up to public - advocate relocating Governor's residence to Carclew, Carrick's Hill... Hart's Mill?

Support construction of many more pedestrian footbridges!

Bars, resturants, cafes and kiosks are a must if the Riverbank Precinct is to survive.

Support construction of a city pool adjacent the Torrens.

More investment and better strategies needed to 'clean' up the Torrens regularly.

There are several physical barriers throughout the whole precinct. They need to be torn down where applicable and the space opened up as much as possible.

Advocate undergrounding (and even diverting/constructing new rail corridors) the rail lines from 'entry' points into the Parklands - be vague on this... I'm sure we have all our differences as to how.

Where exceptional differences amongst members is evident - perhaps suggest 'vague' concepts and ideas to appear more united on our end, and where strong support exists for a particular idea - hone in on these.

Personally, I don't support the office development in Festival Plaza. There is plenty of opprtunity in the CBD for such ventures to be undertaken.

Lighting up the Festival Theatre year round and a permanent Northern Lights feature a must have!

[monotonehell]

...Personally, I don't support the office development in Festival Plaza. There is plenty of opprtunity in the CBD for such ventures to be undertaken...

While I tend to agree with you, there is a point to having mixed use to keep an area alive throughout the day. Office workers = lunchtime business for traders who may not survive on out of hours business alone.Which leads to more variety.

[Dog]

-

[monotonehell]

Yes agree, keep the offices in the CBD, the festival theatre has already had its far share of extensions over the years pinching space from under the plaza. Properly managed as an open space entertainment, exhibition and out door markets area like Fed square.

You do realise that Fed Square is also a mixed use area? It contains offices as well as eateries, cultural entities and so on. Single use areas are devoid of life most of the time. Mixed use is a good way to get activity around the clock.

[Shahkar]

Agree with all of Shuz's points except for the office development. My decision would entirely depend on what we would be getting if it were to be an office. It could be used for a new museum or even another theatre?

Be aware, most of points are more entertainment based and most of them would not even be viable!

Maybe a hedge maze which changes every few months/season.
Radio controlled sail boats?
Definitely dealing with the problem of the Torrens algae because of which it is closed down.
Fireworks every now and then with water shows every night? Better lighting along the footpath.
Tram towards North Adelaide and Norwood.
Attract more buskers/street entertainers to the area. That is one of the best part of London's South Bank.
Aquarium?
Revive Gaol in some way or another. It could be a great tourist attraction.
More links from North Terrace.
Redeveloped Memorial Drive.

I'll add others if I can think of any.

[Dog]

Yes agree, keep the offices in the CBD, the festival theatre has already had its far share of extensions over the years pinching space from under the plaza. Properly managed as an open space entertainment, exhibition and out door markets area like Fed square.

You do realise that Fed Square is also a mixed use area? It contains offices as well as eateries, cultural entities and so on. Single use areas are devoid of life most of the time. Mixed use is a good way to get activity around the clock.

Yes see your point defiantly like the eateries, toilets and perhaps a big screen, just think offices should stay in the CBD, and a lot of the problem is poor surface finishes (pebble-Crete) and fading paint.

[[Shuz]]

I agree mixed use is a good way to get activity around the clock - but don't you think that the Casino adjacent already provides that for the area, being a 24/7 establishment?