#Article: Adelaide in 2007 - the year in review

[Ben]

From The Messenger:

Adelaide in 2007 - the year in review
Chris Day

11Dec07

PEOPLE often moan nothing ever happens in Adelaide but 2007 has been an eventful year for the city and its future.

Trams are running along North Tce for the first time since 1960 and a record $993 million worth of new development application have been lodged with the City Council.

The Fringe Festival went annual, March's World Police & Fire Games attracted thousands of participants from 55 countries and last month saw the city's first Guitar Festival.

The State Government announced plans for a new $1.7 billion city hospital and Tiger Airways started selling flights to Melbourne from as low as $9.95.

After decades of inaction, plans for a $250 million shopping/apartment complex at North Adelaide's long-vacant LeCornu site were granted major project status by the government, and the City Council is close to finishing its $26 million bus station, in Franklin St.

Hotel smoking bans came into force sparking a rush of pub upgrades and forever changing the traditional front bar.

Labor swept to power nationally for the first time in 11 years, while in local politics a new city council was elected with eight fresh faces.

This week the City Messenger asked five prominent city identities to give their views of 2007 .

Lord Mayor Michael Harbison, as expected, was talking up the city's growth.

``It's been a great year and Adelaide is a city transformed,'' Mr Harbison said.

``It's been epitomised by the tram and that has made everyone stop and have a look around.

``We've got more cranes in the skyline and (development) is unsurpassed in real terms and dollar terms.''

Festival Centre CEO Douglas Gautier said it had been a bumper year for the arts and audience numbers at the
Festival Centre were up 40 percent on last year.

``It's been a great year for us,'' he said.

``I think people are very optimistic and proud of the city and it's reputation.''

Pick up a copy of this week's City Messenger for a recap of 2007 by some of Adelaide's leading figures.

[crawf]

Nice read, thanks

[Ben]

Full page article is todays Advertiser about the shift of the centre of the city to victoria Square and developments around it.

[Howie]

For the benefit of those who missed it.
http://www.sensational-adelaide.com/ima ... 080108.pdf

[frank1]

Cheers for the article. Just a quick question. It talks about the development of Hindmarsh square and mentions the Conservatory on Hindmarsh and apartment/hotel complex projects, but mentions a 10-storey residential and retail site. What is this project?

[Ben]

Cheers for the article. Just a quick question. It talks about the development of Hindmarsh square and mentions the Conservatory on Hindmarsh and apartment/hotel complex projects, but mentions a 10-storey residential and retail site. What is this project?

Just a mistake or misinterpretation. It is 18 stories but includes 2 levels of retail and 6 of carparking so 10 levels of office and apartments... if that makes sense.

[frank1]

Thanks for clearing that up. Much appreciated.

[teflon fox]

Cheers for the article. Just a quick question. It talks about the development of Hindmarsh square and mentions the Conservatory on Hindmarsh and apartment/hotel complex projects, but mentions a 10-storey residential and retail site. What is this project?

Just a mistake or misinterpretation. It is 18 stories but includes 2 levels of retail and 6 of carparking so 10 levels of office and apartments... if that makes sense.

Just a small clarification tothe above.

Ground floor tenancy area
4 levels of onsite parking - levels 1-4
5 levels of office accommodation - levels 5-9
53 apartments - levels 10-18

[PhilM]

Oh and don't forget that 2007 was the year the SA Assets Management Corporation finally resolved the State Bank debt created 17 years ago by a Labor Government appointed Chairman and nepotistic Board later described by the Auditor General as “incompetent”, “failing to take heed of warnings”, “lacking judgment”, and “acting without proper care”.

Ironically 2007 was also the year that WorkCover exceeded two billion dollars in gross liabilities with its net debt approaching one billon courtesy of a Labour Governement appointed Chairman and nepositic board about whom the Auditor General is yet to rule!

Seems the more things change the more they stay the same!

[Cruise]

If you post another thing about work cover im going to scream

[PhilM]

I guess you would rather I said nothing and when it hits the fan say I told so? Sorry buddy, I got 4 kids and I actually don't want them spending the next 18 years paying of a debt that should never have been.

[Mawen]

I agree with many of you, that was a great read. I think that Adelaide in 2007 set a benchmark that we need to (only) grow from. We need to keep the speed of development going and add bigger and bolder landmarks into the Adelaide Skyline and CBD.

Adelaide is a unique city and we should not be aiming for the mistakes of our sister cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - but development is not one dimensional it is multi-dimensional and we have a great population of people that can think outside of the square. We should not look at those cities for examples but look at them for inspiration and motivation. We need some innovative landmarks in 2008 and 2009 and beyond...

I am looking forward to the Adelaide in 2008 - the year in review.

[Mawen]

I agree with many of you, that was a great read. I think that Adelaide in 2007 set a benchmark that we need to (only) grow from. We need to keep the speed of development going and add bigger and bolder landmarks into the Adelaide Skyline and CBD.

Adelaide is a unique city and we should not be aiming for the mistakes of our sister cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - but development is not one dimensional it is multi-dimensional and we have a great population of people that can think outside of the square. We should not look at those cities for examples but look at them for inspiration and motivation. We need some innovative landmarks in 2008 and 2009 and beyond...

I am looking forward to the Adelaide in 2008 - the year in review.