News & Discussion: General CBD Development

[skyliner]

So..what is a transformer anyway??? Some kind of power feature??? A transformation for Light Sq?? A person??

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

[AtD]

So basically the site will have little substance but lots of explosions and even more product placement. Bah.

[monotonehell]

This is a major coup for Adelaide. I'm hoping it's optimus prime personally.

Type: Development Application Received
Application Number: DA/881/2009
Lodgement Date: 17/11/2009
Location: LIGHT SQUARE, ADELAIDE SA 5000
Description: Install a Transformer and upgrade surrounding urban works and upgrades

This will be knocked back as it doesn't match the heritage of the surrounding area. A steam engine will be installed instead.

[Brando]

Looks like the Casino will be staying where it is...Disappointing news. Could still happen one day down the track.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

Casino's one-tonne wow factor

THE city's largest chandelier will be the centrepiece of Adelaide Casino's newly refurbished Marble Hall.

The $5 million redevelopment, to be unveiled the week before Christmas, features a custom-built chandelier weighing almost a tonne.

General manager David Christian said the feature formed the theme for the "glamorous" new Chandelier Bar and a gaming area.

"The chandelier will definitely provide the wow factor in the new space," he said.

"The chandelier is a collaborative effort between Webb+, Custom Lighting, Norman Disney and Young Light, and is made up of 2029 glass bubbles of varying sizes that were hand-blown in Italy."

Mr Christian said the casino had three large chandeliers in the hall when it first opened in 1985, each made of 27,000 crystals and 90 globes.

These now light the North Terrace entrance.

"We know how much Adelaideans loved the chandeliers that originally hung in Marble Hall and wanted to bring back that charm and style for them," he said. that the casino was looking to relocate.

At the time, Mr Christian said relocation talks were yet to start with the site's owner, the State Government, but plans would take 18 months to two years to realise.

But Mr Christian dismissed the speculation.

"There were some initial discussions earlier this year around relocating premises, but they were nothing more than conceptual," he said.

"We are committed to the Railway Station building and, as the Marble Hall project demonstrates, we will continue to improve Adelaide Casino to make it even more appealing to our patrons."

[cruel_world00]

Chandeliers, even one tonne chandeliers, can be moved. Here's hoping.

[AtD]

Why are you disappointed the casino is staying put? It's a good use for an old building IMO that otherwise might be vacant. It also gives Adelaide a much classier looking Casino than Sydney.

[omada]

ATD: Why are you disappointed the casino is staying put? It's a good use for an old building IMO that otherwise might be vacant. It also gives Adelaide a much classier looking Casino than Sydney.

The casino is any BUT classy these days i'm afraid, it is merely a glorified pokie pub.

[Brando]

ATD: Why are you disappointed the casino is staying put? It's a good use for an old building IMO that otherwise might be vacant. It also gives Adelaide a much classier looking Casino than Sydney.

The casino is any BUT classy these days i'm afraid, it is merely a glorified pokie pub.

I haven't seen the Sydney Casino, so i can't really compare. If the Casino was restored back it's glory days, which some have said resembled Casino's of Monaco, i would be happy for it stay put. However, i have just come back from Macau, the whole precinct factor really works. There are just as many people in and around the hotel foyer, cafe's, shops etc as there are in the Casino...
I'm not comparing Adl to Macau, Melb or Vegas, but it works. Here in Star City you still need to enter the Casino complex if you just want to go to the Bars inside. I guess in all, i still hope for an entertainment & Shopping precinct and the Casino to be a part of it on the Torrens as opposed to the new hospital.

[Pistol]

Adelaide casino is not called Star City, it isn't even called SkyCity anymore.

The name change back to Adelaide Casino about 6 weeks ago.

[AtD]

The casino is any BUT classy these days i'm afraid, it is merely a glorified pokie pub.

Have you been to Sydney's? Adelaide's may be a glorified pokie pub, but at least it doesn't have styrofoam rocks and plastic trees.

I like the Casino's location, right on North Tce there. It would be nice if it had neighbours. IMO the Hyatt forecourt is both an eyesore and a waste of space..

[Briggzy_03]

Plan to solve Torrens algal problem and flush pollution

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... public_rss

MILES KEMP

November 25, 2009 08:00pm



A NEW vision for the River Torrens would lower the Torrens Weir and double the speed of water flow to permanently solve the algal blooms and the piles of rubbish which plague the waterway.

The Civic Trust will submit its "Southbank Torrens" plan to the State Government and Adelaide City Council after launching the plan at its annual Brickbats and Bouquets awards for urban development yesterday.

Civic Trust chairman Darian Hiles said the concept would shrink the lake at Elder Park back into the main channel of the Torrens but keep the river wide enough to allow rowing and other activities.

The result would be large areas of reclaimed land stretching from the weir up to the University of Adelaide, allowing an expansion of activities.

"With a new rock weir, water flow would double because the volume of water buildup would be much less and experts have predicted this would solve much of the pollution of the lake," Mr Hiles said.

As recently as yesterday morning, algal blooms could be found near the Adelaide Zoo and there were reports of large numbers of dead fish in the vicinity.

Mr Hiles said costed proposals for the Torrens would follow the submission of the plan to the Government and council. It would include:

LANDSCAPING to make use of reclaimed land when the weir was lowered 2m.

PLANTINGS of various native gardens.

FACILITIES on the hard surfaces between the river and the Hyatt and Convention Centre including restaurants, cafes, stalls, shops and a barbecue area.

At the Brickbats and Bouquets awards, the William Light Award was given to the Adelaide City Council's landmark Cultural Landscape Study of the Adelaide Parklands.

The Stuart Hart Award went to local councils on the Eyre Peninsula, which sponsored a sustainability plan for the region, and an ecological plan for the Mt Barker Creek catchment area also received an award.

Gardening works at the Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless Persons were also acknowledged, as well as the RI Australia building redevelopment of the former stock exchange, a residential extension in Corryton St, city, and Port Augusta Courthouse landscaping.

I'm all for development along the bank but wouldn't the rock weir setup mean more water would need to be pumped into the torrens? Please help my ignorance.

[Brando]

Adelaide casino is not called Star City, it isn't even called SkyCity anymore.

The name change back to Adelaide Casino about 6 weeks ago.

My bad mate...

[monotonehell]

I'm all for development along the bank but wouldn't the rock weir setup mean more water would need to be pumped into the torrens? Please help my ignorance.

There would be a narrower channel, less surface area, less water needed.

Our own Wayno should be able to fill you in more, as he was there.

[Omicron]

What a lovely idea from those (Honda) Civic chaps. Look to San Antonio's RIverwalk and Christchurch's delightful Avon River for inspiration, and make the Torrens into a quaint little thing.

[AG]

Financial crunch stalls city growth
Article from: The Advertiser
DANIEL WILLS POLITICAL REPORTER
November 25, 2009 11:55pm

CITY development approvals have almost halved in value over the past year, as money available for major projects dries up in the wake of the global financial crisis.

Adelaide City Council figures reveal $93.6 million in CBD developments was approved in the three months ending September, compared to $174.5 million for the same period last year.

The value of applications submitted to the council totalled $69.5 million, compared to $271.9 million.

Property Council of Australia SA executive director Nathan Paine said the credit crunch and lack of demand for office space had significantly stalled city development.

"Quite clearly, the global financial crisis is still out there, still the bogey in the corner, and will continue to have an impact for some time," he said.

Mr Paine said spending on small developments, including new homes and the refurbishment of existing commercial buildings, remained strong.

In a report handed to a council meeting this week, ACC general manager city strategy Debra Just forecast an upswing in development activity by the end of the year.

"Early indication is that the October-December 2009 quarter will have an increased value of planning applications lodged," she said.

Mr Paine said a "significant increase" in activity was unlikely in the short term but he predicted a major boost once long-term stability returned to the market.

"Once the tenants start flowing again and people want more space, we'll see more cranes on the skyline," he said.

Lord Mayor Michael Harbison said the council would continue to review ways in which it could remove red tape and promote new development.

Mr Paine said recent state reforms to planning laws, including stripping the ACC of planning approval power for developments of over $10 million, had helped promote development.

"We think there are still areas they can move to in the next tranche and we'll be having a conversation with them as we move towards the election," he said.