News & Discussion: Adelaide City Council

[Raider]

Maybe there should be a proposal to remove the traffic lights. If they weren't there, traffic wouldn't bank up causing a bottleneck.

There could be a serious argument to be had on whether it should be relocated a little, perhaps closer to Gawler Place, on the other side of the Telstra Building. I haven't used it too often, and when I do, I'm usually heading from the southeast to the northwest through the city and have found it a bit close to King William Street, but that's only my personal experience.

[Nort]

The crossing is in a sensible place, it matches up with how pedestrians flow through the blocks on either side of Pirie Street.

Pirie Street is a single lane, it's not meant to be a street a car can rush down.

[Norman]

Looks like Antic is trying his best to f*ck things up again. Hopefully this will go nowhere...

Proposal for Adelaide City Council to remove crossing east of Pirie and King William St intersection

AN opinion-dividing pedestrian crossing on a busy CBD street would be scrapped in an attempt to stop traffic bottlenecks, under a proposal to be put to the Adelaide City Council.

The zebra crossing at Pirie St, just east of the intersection with King William St, has split opinion ever since it was installed in 2013 — marking a return to pedestrian crossings in the CBD for the first time since the 1970s.

Its installation drew criticism from some for banking up traffic, while others said it provided a safe point for thousands of city workers and pedestrians. But the crossing could soon be no more if a proposal to be heard by the Adelaide City Council next week gets up.

Councillor Alex Antic has proposed that the zebra crossing be scrapped, saying it was creating a “Pirie St bottleneck”.

“This is essentially a relic of the 2012 Smart Move policy,” he said.

“When there is a very workable set of traffic lights just 10m away, I don’t think it is required.

“At peak times it is causing traffic to bank up back to Gawler Place, and anyone predicting the death of the motor vehicle is very wrong and whatever form they are in be they electric or hydrogen, they will still be an important part of our city.”

Cr Antic said he was not sure whether his fellow elected members would support his push, saying he predicted an interesting debate on the issue.

While zebra crossings are present at low speed areas such as carparks and Adelaide Airport, the Pirie St one has failed to encourage a raft of installations around the city.

Former Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood, who said it was his “pet project” having lobbied the State Government to get it, said removing the crossing made no sense.

From: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenge ... 96ba4bba86

I saw the headline and immediately thought... Antic. Proven right again.

On a happier note, he will be gone by the next federal election as he is on the senate ticket for the Liberals.

[SBD]

Looks like Antic is trying his best to f*ck things up again. Hopefully this will go nowhere...

Proposal for Adelaide City Council to remove crossing east of Pirie and King William St intersection
...

From: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenge ... 96ba4bba86

I saw the headline and immediately thought... Antic. Proven right again.

On a happier note, he will be gone by the next federal election as he is on the senate ticket for the Liberals.

That sounds like a good reason to vote "below the line" if I didn't already have one.

[SRW]

Martin Haese has decided not to pursue a second term as Lord Mayor at the 11th hour. At this stage, the only remaining candidate with nominations closing Tuesday is the conservative-bent Mark Hamilton. Anyone feel like throwing their hat in the ring?

[Nathan]

Wow, that's come out of nowhere, especially since he's been campaigning. In the article it says he's backed Sandy Verschoor, but has she actually nominated?

[crawf]

Really disappointed by this news. Despite the original fears, Martin Haese has been a great mayor for the city.

Mark Hamilton would be a horrible choice.

[Llessur2002]

Good news that Sandy will run but I am sad that Martin has decided not to. I agree with the sentiments above that, despite my original reservations, he has been a pretty good mayor for the city - helping to progress the drive towards vibrancy and increased population, an advocate for tram extensions etc. God help us if Mark Hamilton gets the job...

Sandy Verschoor, the Adelaide Deputy Lord Mayor, will run for top job

A SERVING city councillor will today bid to become Adelaide’s first female Lord Mayor in almost two decades.

Sandy Verschoor is a former chief executive of the Adelaide Festival and the Fringe Festival and has also held key roles with WOMADelaide and the Festival of Ideas. She will nominate for Town Hall’s top job after making a decision late last week.

If successful at the November local government elections, she would become just the third female Lord Mayor of Adelaide, and first since Dr Jane Lomax-Smith in 2000.

Serving Lord Mayor Martin Haese has decided not to contest the upcoming council elections and will stand down.

Other candidates to put their hand up for the top job include former Deputy Lord Mayor Mark Hamilton and dance-studio owner Steven Kelly.

Cr Verschoor, a former Adelaide City Council senior manager and its current Deputy Lord Mayor, last night told The Advertiser she hoped to help Adelaide evolve into a city that attracted people, creativity and investment.

This, she argued, would encourage the city’s best and brightest residents to remain in Adelaide or return home from stints interstate or overseas.

“I love this city and believe Adelaide is poised (and) ready for great things,” she said. “A future that is progressive and dynamic, where environmentally sustainability, indigenous and multiculturalism and creativity are not tacked on afterthoughts but fundamental to everything we do.

“I am ready to lead the next council towards that future. To future-proof our city.”

Cr Verschoor joined the council in 2015 when she won the area councillor by-election triggered by former Greens Senator Robert Simms entering Federal Politics – making the council evenly comprised of both men and women for the first time since 1840. She was then elected to the role of Deputy Lord Mayor in June 2016. Before she joined the elected member body, Cr Verschoor spent three years as the council’s general manager for city culture and community services.

During this time, she said she helped develop and lead the council’s Vibrant Adelaide agenda, initiated a transformation of Leigh and Peel streets, helped introduce more public art into infrastructure as well as managing small bars licensing changes introduced by the former Labor State Government. Outlining her agenda if she won, she said would prioritise tackling homelessness.

“There is so much positive work being done that I am absolutely convinced we can end homelessness in Adelaide and become a beacon of social justice around the country,” she said. She also hoped to position Adelaide as the country’s epicentre of screen industries, food and wine culture.

She said she would also cut red tape, reduce costs and provide better business support.

Nominations for council elections close tomorrow.

From: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenge ... 0de08eba4d

[crawf]

During this time, she said she helped develop and lead the council’s Vibrant Adelaide agenda, initiated a transformation of Leigh and Peel streets, helped introduce more public art into infrastructure as well as managing small bars licensing changes introduced by the former Labor State Government. Outlining her agenda if she won, she said would prioritise tackling homelessness.

Sounds like the perfect candidate for the top job. Fingers crossed Sandy Verschoor is successful.

[crawf]

During this time, she said she helped develop and lead the council’s Vibrant Adelaide agenda, initiated a transformation of Leigh and Peel streets, helped introduce more public art into infrastructure as well as managing small bars licensing changes introduced by the former Labor State Government. Outlining her agenda if she won, she said would prioritise tackling homelessness.

Sounds like the perfect candidate for the top job. Fingers crossed Sandy Verschoor is successful.

[timtam20292]

Ugh please don't vote for Mark Hamilton, he strongly opposes high rise development in the south west.

[rev]

The circus is trying to make a come back.

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenge ... ca0b745102

Outgoing Lord Mayor Martin Haese said the five-year City Plan should look at capping building in heights in specific city areas.

Mark Hamilton, who was chairman of the last five-year review, said the plan needed to encourage low to medium residential in-fill development.

Yeh, low rise residential in the city. Good one.
There should be a push to remove low rises from the City, not a push for more.

With idiots like Marshall and Lucas in government though, this sort of backwards stupidity will probably be indulged.

[timtam20292]

[timtam20292]

What is everyone's opinion on who should be voted for at the council election?

[Norman]

Depends on the area... Some heritage zones should have a height cap so they retain their heritage character. The debate should be able which areas they should be.