Little ideas for a big city

[bike19]

something i would love to see is more bicycle parking in the CBD.
king william street from the mall to grenfell st is barren, with not even a street sign to lock a bike to.
i wouldnt have a clue who to contact at the council in regards to this, but several other bike messengers all agree that some locations leave a lot to be desired in respect to safe parking for our work vehicles

[JamesXander]

Not that little, but move the Governor of SA into a mansion in North Adelaide.

tear down all the walls around government house, make it into a park. With government house either becoming a mueseum or just a function place for important meeting (of government or private business). Would cost very little but would have a huge impact on the city!

The gardens inside the government house walls are brilliant, they need to be shared. Not to mention the role of the governor has...well waned over the years.

[monotonehell]

Not that little, but move the Governor of SA into a mansion in North Adelaide...

This is an idea that has been suggested a few times before, but is one that is born from ignorance of the function of the place.

It's not a place where the Governor lives a swanky lifestyle in luxury. Most of the place is treated like a living museum. The grounds are public, just not in a way where you can go play football on the lawn. They are used for functions of a charitable or civic nature. Once or twice a year they hold an open day.


Even if we take your idea on, exactly what would use would it serve? You only have general fuzzy ideas - another park, maybe a museum or maybe a function place for important meetings (which it already is).

[Vee]

Not that little, but move the Governor of SA into a mansion in North Adelaide.

tear down all the walls around government house, make it into a park. With government house either becoming a museum or just a function place for important meeting (of government or private business). Would cost very little but would have a huge impact on the city!

I like the idea, particularly the opening up of the streetscape and gardens to the public. Imagine the difference in not having that walled garden blocking the views across (and access to) North Terrace, King William St. and Kintore Avenue. It would integrate the Riverbank precinct more closely with the rest of the city and provide another accessible park for residents and visitors to enjoy. The grounds could provide an important adjunct to the Parade Ground and use during major Festivals.

The House could contribute to the significant streetscape of public heritage buildings along the North Terrace Boulevarde and provide an important piece of the interpretation of our history.

Australia is bound to become a Republic in the next decade or two and there will be no need for a Governor and Government House. Currently, the House and gardens appear to be underutilized for official functions. (Adelaide didn't even feature in the latest Royal visit by the Queen) There must be other grand houses in North or East Adelaide that could serve as an official residence for the Governor.

It's worth considering.

[Nort]

Australia is bound to become a Republic in the next decade or two and there will be no need for a Governor and Government House. Currently, the House and gardens appear to be underutilized for official functions. (Adelaide didn't even feature in the latest Royal visit by the Queen) There must be other grand houses in North or East Adelaide that could serve as an official residence for the Governor.

It's worth considering.

That entirely depends on what republic model is adopted.

It's also worth pointing out that if the gardens were open to the public 24/7 they would not stay in as good a state as they are now.

[Aidan]

While we're on the subject of gardens... the Himeji garden is quite popular, and generally regarded as a great success. So how about doing a similar thing with our other sister cities: an Austin Garden, Christchurch Garden,George Town Garden and Wuhan Garden (if Wuhan is still a sister city - there doesn't seem to be anything about it on the ACC website).

[ml69]

While we're on the subject of gardens... the Himeji garden is quite popular, and generally regarded as a great success. So how about doing a similar thing with our other sister cities: an Austin Garden, Christchurch Garden,George Town Garden and Wuhan Garden (if Wuhan is still a sister city - there doesn't seem to be anything about it on the ACC website).

Great idea. It would enhance the parklands, and be a tangible and permanent link to our sister cities. We may even be able to get them to stump up some money as a goodwill gesture!

These themes gardens could be incorporated in an expanded Botanic Gardens after the RAH moves in 2016.

[PeFe]

Idea worth floating: Pool on the Torrens An artist's impression of how the Torrens Lake could look.

A FLOATING swimming pool on the River Torrens where people can take a dip in the heart of the city without fear of polluted water is among innovative suggestions to enliven the CBD.
The concept - raised as part of the State Government and Adelaide City Council's 5000+ project - is based on The Badeschiff, a public pool floating on the River Spree in Berlin, Germany.

With surrounding decking, an artificial beach, a bar and a DJ, the pool was built from a converted old vessel in 2004 to enliven city life along a neglected stretch of the unsanitary River Spree.

Integrated Design Commissioner Tim Horton said the idea was one of many being raised by urban experts and the community to inject vibrancy into the city as part of the 5000+ project.

The project calls on city residents, shoppers and workers to submit ideas to help shape a long-term vision for the greater CBD.

Creating a "vibrant city" has emerged as a key theme among the 1000 ideas already uploaded to social media sites and is also the focus of this week's feature blog on the 5000+ website.

Mr Horton said the concept of a floating pool would help make the River Torrens, and the heart of the CBD, a "place of recreation" again.

"The riverbank where the city meets the water is a very important part of a vibrant city and for too long we have turned our back on the water," he said.

Other ideas to increase vibrancy have included creating more "studio spaces" in vacant sites around the CBD, building a big public rooftop garden with views of Adelaide and making laneways pedestrian-only to create cross-city walkways free of cars.

Mr Horton said more street parties, outdoor cinemas and performances - as are popular during February and March with the Clipsal 500, Fringe and Womad festivals - would also help to make Adelaide an "18-hour city" year-round.

"There's something delightful about sharing an experience with thousands of other people and sometimes Adelaide shies away from that because we have become used to empty streets and quiet places," he said. "It's trying to bring some of that energy into the city, its laneways, parks and squares."

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/idea-wort ... 6244464956

[Will]

In Melbourne, they have erected a floating bar (ponyfish island) in one of the pylons of the pedestrian bridge crossing the Yarra near the Flinders Street train station. We could do something similar in the proposed pedestrian bridge across the Torrens.

[Vee]

In Melbourne, they have erected a floating bar (ponyfish island) in one of the pylons of the pedestrian bridge crossing the Yarra near the Flinders Street train station. We could do something similar in the proposed pedestrian bridge across the Torrens.

A floating attraction on the Torrens, whether it be a swimming pool (and adjacent sand beach), bar or other facility would be a real plus to enliven the upgraded Riverbank precinct. It would provide an added purpose to visit, to participate and to meander in / view the various attractions on offer.

It would also balance the attractions on both sides of the Riverbank and increase the use of the pedestrian footbridge at times other than major events at the Oval and Drive.

It worked for the floating dance palais on the Torrens in the 1920s (mentioned in this forum) and it would be great to see another attraction to add that much needed diversity. Don't forget that the Adelaide City Baths swimming pool was in this general precinct back in the days when Olympian Dawn Frazer was in training. The Baths were demolished when the Festival Centre and Plaza were constructed.

I would much rather funding go towards this than the mooted wetlands, which I think is in the wrong location.

[metro]

the southern side of Currie St between King William St and Topham st, some shade would be nice. ACC need to plant some trees or something.

[Evvo]

I agree with beautifying all roads leading into the city, as well as major arterial roads. Large trees would make the grandest statements, but also followed by nice groundcovers so there isn't dirt showing. Something like enhanced tree pits in the city would be great. The right types of trees should be chosen though, such as small - medium trees if its in front of a good looking building, and large trees for main roads, and throughout the parklands. Using the types of trees that are used throughout the city already would add a good consistency, such as elm trees, plane trees, fan palms, date palms, ginkgos, and ornamental pear trees. Add nice pavers to the mix, and a simple, and relatively cheap idea, becomes so effective.

(I would show a picture of the Enhanced Tree Pit, but I'm a rookie at this, so try google image it if interested)

[SRW]

I agree with beautifying all roads leading into the city, as well as major arterial roads. Large trees would make the grandest statements, but also followed by nice groundcovers so there isn't dirt showing. Something like enhanced tree pits in the city would be great. The right types of trees should be chosen though, such as small - medium trees if its in front of a good looking building, and large trees for main roads, and throughout the parklands. Using the types of trees that are used throughout the city already would add a good consistency, such as elm trees, plane trees, fan palms, date palms, ginkgos, and ornamental pear trees. Add nice pavers to the mix, and a simple, and relatively cheap idea, becomes so effective.

(I would show a picture of the Enhanced Tree Pit, but I'm a rookie at this, so try google image it if interested)

You mean the plantings that capture (and filter) run-off? I believe the recently completed street upgrades to Gouger Street and North Terrace (in front of the Prince Henry Gardens) feature this, for those wondering.

For the record, I also would like to see more avenue plantings along our major roads and streets.

[AtD]

Grand trees are great, but they're not a be all and end all. I would like to see the trees in front of Parliament House removed as part of a street upgrade. It's a beautiful old building and it is a shame to have it hidden by trees.

[Will]

Grand trees are great, but they're not a be all and end all. I would like to see the trees in front of Parliament House removed as part of a street upgrade. It's a beautiful old building and it is a shame to have it hidden by trees.

Indeed. Edmund Wright House is another grand edifice covered by trees.