News & Discussion: Adelaide City Council

[Nathan]

I'm realistic that not everyone can or should ride a bike - but I certainly would like to see a large percentage of cbd residents (and inner suburbs) make the switch - and if these shops are more "suburban businesses" - then their clientelle I'd imagine would mostly be locals. It really amazes me the number of people who live in the city (specifically City South) who still hop in the car, just to drive to a different section of the CBD.

Copenhagen lanes are far superior to painted lanes. I take a relatively safer route through the CBD (Halifax St, Hutt St, East Tce) - bike lanes all the way, and even then I still have to contend with cars reversing out on me, buses and council vehicles pulling over or parking in the lane, council workers sticking temporary road signs right in the middle of lanes, and cars either cutting me off to turn left, or just casually meandering across the line because they're too busy daydreaming. With the Copenhagen lane, all of those are eliminated.

[Prince George]

I'm pretty sure this topic has come up already. There's this accepted wisdom that reducing parking here or there will harm the businesses near that place; that, by implication, the parking spaces are there primarily for the benefit of people going to those businesses. Ideally you would investigate this with proper studies - some professor gets a bunch of graduate students to watch hours of video of the area showing who parks there, where they go, how long they stay, etc etc - but that's obviously out of the question for a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs like us. Instead, I suggest that we could give the claim a little scrutiny by starting with taking some inventories:

• What businesses are in the area? What kind of services do they offer - how long would we imagine a typical visit would take? What hours would they attract people?
• How many parking spaces are on the street, how many have been / would be lost? How long can you park there? What does it cost to park there? How does that compare with the price of parking in one of the parking lots / garages?

Now, looking along the street on Google street view, and trying to search for businesses on Sturt St, I'm struck by just how much of the street is residential, and the businesses that are there are not the kind that says to me "high turnover retail"

• Mayfield Engineering have a big campus there, occupying 43-69
• Johnston Withers, a legal firm
• the Cystic Fibrosis association
• Ecopolis Architects
• serviced apartments at Quest and at Adelaide Terrace Apartments (I think they may have a large off-street parking lot)
• AAMI
• the Adelaide Southwest Community Centre
• Aztronics
• James Music
• Lyn Pike Management, administrative services
• Mission Australia's apprenticeship centre
• Statewide vacuum cleaner servicing
• UMCOS - hardware (eg wheelbarrows and concrete mixers) distribution
• Butler's pumps & irrigation (who have off-street parking)
• Adelaide Leather & Saddlery
• the Sturt St school
• a handful of delis / cafes

... and a few others that I couldn't quite make out, for example something that looks like Tennis Depot (?). Would somebody mind checking out what the parking conditions on the street actually are?

All in all, I don't see what the pressing requirement for the free and open access to parking is for these businesses - I can understand that they need some, but I suspect that a smaller amount with a tighter time limit (a mix of, say, 1/2 - 1 hour) would probably do just fine for them. To me it seems that the city gets held hostage by this nebulous idea that businesses must must must have parking or they will come to harm. Frankly, I'm a little suspicious that the principal users of that parking might be the people working in those businesses.

[jk1237]

I really dont see a problem with this dedicated bike lane. The ACC website even says its more for investigative and trial purposes of whether a copenhagen style bike lane would work. But why wouldn't it, we have such wide CBD streets that we are perfect for dedicated bike lanes, and there is more than enough parking for cars in that area of town. I rode along there last week, its clear that its not yet finished so I would hope they would give it a clean of the gravel when they finish.

Also has anyone else noticed recently that even with a green pedestrian light, that bimbos in their cars are more and more often beeping at pedestrians when they are turning left at city intersections. Happened twice last week, and one retarded female driver even drove into and skimmed a jacket of a lady because she was holding up her precious f*%$#ng car, when the pedestrian had full right of way. Even without lights, Im pretty sure that when your turn left onto a street or driveway, the rule is you give way to pedestrians. I am really getting fustrated with this car mentality in our city.

[Splashmo]

Also has anyone else noticed recently that even with a green pedestrian light, that bimbos in their cars are more and more often beeping at pedestrians when they are turning left at city intersections. Happened twice last week, and one retarded female driver even drove into and skimmed a jacket of a lady because she was holding up her precious f*%$#ng car, when the pedestrian had full right of way. Even without lights, Im pretty sure that when your turn left onto a street or driveway, the rule is you give way to pedestrians. I am really getting fustrated with this car mentality in our city.

I think the left turn onto KWS from North Terrace is notorious for this. You have a lot of drivers who are quite eager to get around, and then pedestrians in one of Adelaide's busiest intersections who continue to start crossing, even though the flashing red man indicates to them to stop.

[AtD]

I think the left turn onto KWS from North Terrace is notorious for this. You have a lot of drivers who are quite eager to get around, and then pedestrians in one of Adelaide's busiest intersections who continue to start crossing, even though the flashing red man indicates to them to stop.

The man could be red, green or doing a little dance. The car still must give way if there is no green arrow.

[Splashmo]

The man could be red, green or doing a little dance. The car still must give way if there is no green arrow.

I'm aware of that - I was just observing what appears to be happening at this intersection, regardless of the road rules.

[monotonehell]

Bottom line: some people are idiots whether they be pedestrians or motorists.

What's with people in recent years predicting lights and crossing well before their turn? I've seen several near misses in the CBD. And while we're in rant mode, what's with motorists blatantly using the Botanic Road bus lanes? Do they need to be all red and sparkly before people pay attention?

[david]

Wayno,

To answer the question you asked on 7 August about progress on Council's DPA's I can now report that following the 2 heritage ones that are now with the Minister awaiting his approval to release them for public consultation (hopefully with IDC), the next one being worked on is the Sustainability DPA.

For this one, preliminary investigations have commenced and Council is hoping for a Briefing in November. Then the Minister has to 'sign-off' on the Statement of Intent and then we complete our work on the draft document and move ton o Agency Consultation which is all the Government departments and agencies having their say. After all that is done we then move on to the public consultation phase which again has to have Ministerial approval. I guess all that will take the best part of 6 to 9 months.
It is a long and tortuous process; changing a DP takes a lot of time and a lot of resources (staff time and money)

The Population DPA is being held up pending completion of the Plan for Greater Adelaide so it could be up to 6 months behind the Sustainability DPA. I hope this information is helpful even if not very encouraging!
David

[Wayno]

david, thanks for the heads up on DPA timeframes. Did the State Govt make any requests for change to the Dev Plan?

[david]

Wayno,

Not as far as I know other than to want to ensure that our population targets and the continuation of our mixed-use zonings provide the capacity to accord with the State's plan for Greater Adelaide. This will be dealt when we start work in earnest on the the Poulation DPA.

David

[Shuz]

david; are you allowed to express your personal opinion on the issue of height limitations within the city, and if so, what are your thoughts - specifically, would you consent to taller buildings than Westpac House? Do you stand by the call for a 70 level iconic tower to be built, if economically feasible to do so?

[david]

david; are you allowed to express your personal opinion on the issue of height limitations within the city, and if so, what are your thoughts - specifically, would you consent to taller buildings than Westpac House? Do you stand by the call for a 70 level iconic tower to be built, if economically feasible to do so?

Schuz, I can always live dangerously and as your question goes to policy rather than assessment, I am happy to give you an answer! I have no problem with tall buildings as such and I am on record as favouring a pyramidal form of development in the city plus increased heights around the squares and along the terraces. But I do want to retain the human scale of our streets and to make sure that we don't create windswept, sunless canyons. This means tall buldings must go on larger allotments and must incorporate some form of scale-giving podium treatments and set-backs as you go higher. If you can accept these criteria then I can accept an iconic 70 storey tower!

Attached below is an extract from my election policy statement on Planning which is on my website at <www.davidplumridge.com>

Development plans attempt to control built form but say very little about the quality of public spaces, do not automatically lead to better transportation and pedestrian outcomes and fail to integrate the roles played by the private sector with those of the three spheres of government.

The latest version of the Adelaide (City) Development Plan has shortcomings and needs to be reviewed particularly in regard to:

· Mixed Use Zones, especially the interface with Residential Zones

· Height restrictions should be relaxed in prescribed core areas in the centre of the CBD and around the city squares.

· Parklands policies need to be reviewed to ensure effective protection from commercial development and the adverse impact of major events.

· A review of car parking policies and the role of public transport in the city.

· Incentives to increase the provision of affordable housing.

· Strengthening of the Urban Village communities in North Adelaide , the South-West and the South-East recognizing their different characteristics.


Development Assessment Panel decisions and results of ERD Court appeals should be continuously reviewed by the Council to ensure that the Development Plan reflects the wishes of the business and residential communities.

Spot rezoning is the antithesis of good planning and should be resisted at all costs. Council should vigorously defend its plan in respect to the LeCornu site which was determined after extensive consultation and comprehensive planning studies. David

[monotonehell]

David, I feel left out, (everyone say "awwwww") any chance of an outline of the bicycle lane petition?...

Thanks again for your thoughts and observations, David.

I wonder if you could outline the concerns the petition regarding the Sturt Street bike lanes raised? That came out of the blue.

[david]

David, I feel left out, (everyone say "awwwww") any chance of an outline of the bicycle lane petition?...

Thanks again for your thoughts and observations, David.

I wonder if you could outline the concerns the petition regarding the Sturt Street bike lanes raised? That came out of the blue.

Awwww! Sorry, I forgot about the earlier request for info on the petition; I will attach it below.
It was in opposition to the separated bike lane which Council has nearly finished constructing in Sturt St from West Tce to Whitmore Sqaure, on the north side. There were 159 signatories and it was presented at the 10 August Council Meeting (Item 11.1)
Right now I am being told that I can't add the attachment because 'the board attachment quota has been reached' so I will try later to send through the actual wording of the petition(after I have studied tomorrow's DAP agenda!)David

[monotonehell]

Right now I am being told that I can't add the attachment because 'the board attachment quota has been reached' so I will try later to send through the actual wording of the petition(after I have studied tomorrow's DAP agenda!)David

D'oh! Thanks David.