News & Discussion: Adelaide City Council

[david]

Hi Wayno,

Your question is timely!

Council last night adopted a budget which includes $24m towards Victoria Square over financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13. This expendiyure would ba contingent on commitments for contributory funding from other Government sources.

Next Tuesday Council is to recieve an update on the work that has been going on over the past 12 months. I will be very disappointed if we are not told that the project is close to be being tender-ready. This will of course include full estimated costings prepared by quantity surveyors.

When I supported the move to contract documentation I was of the impression that we were talking $75m but more recently the figure of $100m has been bandied about. I will be reluctant to go beyond the $75m mark but we will have to see what develops in the coming weeks.

The actual cost will depend on just how many baubles we feel we have to add to the project to make it viable. Personally, I want to see an attractive, useable space without too much built form and clutter. For me, the more important thing is how we activate the space to make it a continuously interesting and attractive place to visit and to linger in.

David

[Ben]

Hi David,

Do you know what is happening with "The Precinct". I was under the impression the developers Urban Construct were allowed to exceed Height Limits for the area because they had a strict development timeline, however there has been no development on site in over a year.

Initially I think I heard the whole precinct was to be complete by 2015 however this will definately not be possible now.

It would be good if the council could make the developers pull there fingers out. The old Bus Station site in particular is an eyesore.

Ben

[Will]

Dear David,

I congratulate the ACC for deciding to stick with the redevelopment of Victoria Square. It is a worthy project that is an essential piece in the rejuvination of Adelaide.

However, taking into account the failure so far to secure state or federal funding, I would like to know whether the ACC is looking at alternative funding options?

Members of this forum have made suggestions of alternative sources of funding for the project, and I am sure that if the ACC were to go down this path, we would be only too happy to suggest them again.

Regards,

Will

[cruel_world00]

Hi david,

Not sure whether it is a real possibility (Advertiser reporting can't be trusted), but please can we make sure a 3am curfew in Adelaide does not go ahead.

Band-aid solutions like this will not stop violence/binge drinking. Increased police presence and greater focus on venue licensing etc is a better outcome.

Adelaide constantly fights an uphill battle to retain youth and our "backwater" tag would only gain increasing accuracy if a 3am curfew came into place.

Let's not ruin the city nightlife due to a minority of drunken yobs.

Thanks.

[Will]

Hi david,

Not sure whether it is a real possibility (Advertiser reporting can't be trusted), but please can we make sure a 3am curfew in Adelaide does not go ahead.

Band-aid solutions like this will not stop violence/binge drinking. Increased police presence and greater focus on venue licensing etc is a better outcome.

Adelaide constantly fights an uphill battle to retain youth and our "backwater" tag would only gain increasing accuracy if a 3am curfew came into place.

Let's not ruin the city nightlife due to a minority of drunken yobs.

Thanks.

I can't believe this crazy idea of a curfew is still been considered. It is beyond me how politicians think that unleashing thousands of drunk people out onto the street at the same time will make things safer? In fact, I can foresee more fights as people fight for taxis and bump into each other in the exodus out of the city.

Furthermore, a curfew will only lead to more suburban house parties which cannot be adequately policed, if at all, but furthermore, such an idea will hurt city businesses and the reputation of our city, which is not exactly positive for most young people.

I work hard during the week, and it is unfair that I am now going to be denied the chance to enjoy myself. The vast majority of young people drink, but they do not partake in violence. I should not be punished for the actions of a small minority.

[Wayno]

I congratulate the ACC for deciding to stick with the redevelopment of Victoria Square.

Agree.

[skyliner]

+1

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

[believesinadsy]

it is very crucial and it is evident that ol'moran is trying to keep it as a couple of old trees by stating the mall isn't coping too well.

[ChrisRT]

Hi David
Do you know what is going on with the tree plantings for Stage 3 of the North Terrace Redevelopment? I noticed today that they have once again all been ripped up. It's at least the second time that they have been planted and then subsequently ripped up. If I was an Adelaide City Council ratepayer I'd be starting to get pretty angry by now.
Thanks David.

[metro]

Yes, i'm wondering the same as ChrisRT. What the hell?

the ones in front of the State Library and Art gallery seem to get to a decent size and then they get cut down and replaced with tiny new ones again. Also in front of the old Uni SA building this one (http://www.nearmap.com/[email protected] ... d=20110424) got chopped down. I'm dont consider myself a tree hugger but, when i hear the city council getting worried about State government projects that require trees to be cut down, i just think it's a bit of the old 'Pot calling the kettle black'.

also there was this one that got cut down because it was in the way of cars
October 09:
http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-34.921545,1 ... d=20091029

December 09:
http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-34.921545,1 ... d=20091201

[david]

Councillor David Plumridge Notes - Issue 66

- Council Budget Overview
- People-Friendly Streets
- Civic Trust Awards
- DAP decisions
- Council Decisions 28 June Meeting

Notes from Councillor Issue 66.pdf

(199 KiB) Downloaded 206 times

David Plumridge
Deputy Lord Mayor
Adelaide City Council

[crawf]

Good to hear that vacant block adjacent the Hutt St Centre will be developed

Looks quite nice and modern too

[SRW]

I essentially live on Hutt Street, so I was interested to see in David's newsletter and recently in the City Messenger plans for traffic calming. I have to say that I disagree with David's comments about either side of the street being disconnected from the other (I've never found trouble crossing, even in peak hour), although I can see some sense in encouraging through-traffic to take Pultney or King William streets.

That said, I'm pleased that the vacant block on the corner of Hutt St and South Tce is finally proposed for development. It's long being a blight, and I'm happy at the prospect of some passive surveillance in a sometimes uncomfortable spot.

Does anyone know where I might find the plans?

[david]

SRW asks where the plans of the development approved for the corner of South Tce and Hutt St can be seen.
I tried to load a file on to this post but was told that it was too big so I am now trying to give a link to Council's Agendas and Minutes. I am hoping I have made it work as a hyperlink but I am not across all the technology!

The item was no. 2.4 on the DAP agenda of 20 June. Each item has a separate file attachment with the drawings, reports etc. but they are quite big downloads.

http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/coun ... nutes.html

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

In answer to a question about trees on NorthTce (Stage 3 - Prince Henry Gardens) I am told that we have been the victims of more than usual vandalism at this site. The trees have been snapped off, slashed or totally removed on more than one occasion - very frustrating. We are also losing certain parts of our street furniture on a regular basis, suchas the bronze arm rests on our park seats.

David Plumridge
Deputy Lord Mayor.

[SRW]

Thanks for the pointer, David. The direct link to the pdf is here. Although I initially would have liked to have seen a mixed-use residential development, I am really quite happy that St Andrews will be expanding their cancer clinic into this building -- should mean more comfortable treatment for patients. Hopefully it commences soon!

And yes, it's sad about the vandalism to North Terrace. As I mentioned in the North Terrace streetscape thread, I have personally seen the trees attacked. The poor things haven't been given a chance to establish themselves. But I heard on the news that police will be increasing foot patrols in the area, which seems only appropriate for the premier public realm in the state.