[COM] Victoria Square Upgrade - $24m

[Will]

Looking good - really liking the new Adelaide!

[Kasey771]

Looking good - really liking the new Adelaide!

Agreed, looks really good, Don't read the advertiser article on the new water feature if you value your sanity....so many BANANAS - Build absolutely Nothing (in) Adelaide Never Again. Drives me crazy. If you want to live in a dump with no infrastructure, go and live somewhere else! It finally seems as though things are getting done in this city over the past 5 years. Next up?? Hopefully the CBD Tram Loop or the O-bahn dedicated bus lane from the Hackney Hotel into Grenfell St.

[Paulns]

I can't wait until it's all the stages are done! The final master plan looks unreal!

[rev]

Looking good - really liking the new Adelaide!

Agreed, looks really good, Don't read the advertiser article on the new water feature if you value your sanity....so many BANANAS - Build absolutely Nothing (in) Adelaide Never Again. Drives me crazy. If you want to live in a dump with no infrastructure, go and live somewhere else! It finally seems as though things are getting done in this city over the past 5 years. Next up?? Hopefully the CBD Tram Loop or the O-bahn dedicated bus lane from the Hackney Hotel into Grenfell St.

I like that..BANANA.

People need to restrain their optimism. Some things might be changing...but our state economy is stagnant.
Off topic a little but Id prefer the states economy was fixed and me jobs created before most other things.
That and increased spending on infrastructure.

[Will]

Looking good - really liking the new Adelaide!

Agreed, looks really good, Don't read the advertiser article on the new water feature if you value your sanity....so many BANANAS - Build absolutely Nothing (in) Adelaide Never Again. Drives me crazy. If you want to live in a dump with no infrastructure, go and live somewhere else! It finally seems as though things are getting done in this city over the past 5 years. Next up?? Hopefully the CBD Tram Loop or the O-bahn dedicated bus lane from the Hackney Hotel into Grenfell St.

I like that..BANANA.

People need to restrain their optimism. Some things might be changing...but our state economy is stagnant.
Off topic a little but Id prefer the states economy was fixed and me jobs created before most other things.
That and increased spending on infrastructure.

Why can't Adelaide people accept a compliment about their city, without having to revert to negativity?

[rev]

I like that..BANANA.

People need to restrain their optimism. Some things might be changing...but our state economy is stagnant.
Off topic a little but Id prefer the states economy was fixed and me jobs created before most other things.
That and increased spending on infrastructure.

Why can't Adelaide people accept a compliment about their city, without having to revert to negativity?

Call it negativity if you want to, but I'm just being realistic.
My comment wasn't a counter to the compliment about it looking good, but a reply to the things getting done.

We are taking small steps, because that's all we can do at present.
Not until the economy is pumping, will we start taking those big steps.

FTR, I've seen the northern half of Vic Square in person and dare I say it's a dramatic improvement.

[Honey of a City]

If hospitals, expressways, medical research centres, universities, stadiums, bridges, convention centres, malls and squares all being constructed simultaneously in one city are small steps then what would you suggest might be a great leap forward? Many jobs have been created in all of these projects.

[Ho Really]

Now, I haven't been down to the square to feel the heat, but with less greenery (lawn and trees) than its original form hasn't Vic Square been turned into a heat sink this week? Also can anyone tell me where the water is from in the new "water play fountain"? Is it from the mains or recycled?

Cheers

One more comment: I just hope no one will damage the new English Plane tree plantings during the TDU's opening concert on Saturday night. If anyone does break a branch their arm should be broken in return!!

[Ho Really]

If hospitals, expressways, medical research centres, universities, stadiums, bridges, convention centres, malls and squares all being constructed simultaneously in one city are small steps then what would you suggest might be a great leap forward? Many jobs have been created in all of these projects.

I think rev is alluding to something else. This is all good, but they are construction jobs. They are temporary. What we need is sustainable long term work. Besides aren't most of these paid by taxpayers and ratepayers? How many of these actually bring in tax money to the state's coffers...there's very little.

Cheers

[rev]

That's right. Those things while good and much needed, are all paid for by the government(by our taxes).
That is all typical infrastructure you would expect in a capital city.

There is very little private investment in major projects or developments. Because our economy stinks.
We need jobs. Steven Marshall wants to double our population growth. Ok fair enough. What about employment? Are they going to do anything to create new jobs? Without jobs, you wont attract more people.
I've said it before, if you do a general search on Seek, for each major capital city, you will see just how far behind Adelaide really lags.

The reason I say these developments are small steps, is because they ARE. They aren't a big challenge. The real challenge is to create jobs, to get the economy going. That's how you attract people to move here.
People wont move to another city unless they have sufficient employment and income.

So yes, again, these are small steps taken in changing Adelaide. But they will be meaningless unless we get the economy going and provide jobs.
And those jobs need to be private sector jobs. The government needs to entice the private sector to invest their money and resources in our city and our state.
I'm not a politician or an economist so I don't know how they would do that, I just say it like I see it.

[mattblack]

That's right. Those things while good and much needed, are all paid for by the government(by our taxes).
That is all typical infrastructure you would expect in a capital city.

There is very little private investment in major projects or developments. Because our economy stinks.
We need jobs. Steven Marshall wants to double our population growth. Ok fair enough. What about employment? Are they going to do anything to create new jobs? Without jobs, you wont attract more people.
I've said it before, if you do a general search on Seek, for each major capital city, you will see just how far behind Adelaide really lags.

The reason I say these developments are small steps, is because they ARE. They aren't a big challenge. The real challenge is to create jobs, to get the economy going. That's how you attract people to move here.
People wont move to another city unless they have sufficient employment and income.

So yes, again, these are small steps taken in changing Adelaide. But they will be meaningless unless we get the economy going and provide jobs.
And those jobs need to be private sector jobs. The government needs to entice the private sector to invest their money and resources in our city and our state.
I'm not a politician or an economist so I don't know how they would do that, I just say it like I see it.

So you dont consider Tonsley Park, Medical precinct along with easier and faster access to Port facilities to be a catalyst for jobs growth?

[rev]

Wheres tye faster and easier access to ports? In any case, I also said government needs to spend more on infrastructure..so not sure where you're going with this..

The health precinct? Big deal existing RAH will move dowm the road.
Whose going to tenant the federally funded SAHMRI? government paid scientists and researches perhaps?
How much government money will contribute to the uni buildings?

U suppose though we should pin our hopes for an economic boom on the health precinct like people did with the alleged mining boom, is that what you're saying?

[Will]

I don't think anyone is denying that our economy is facing difficulties, however my point is, why is it necessary to bring it up when discussing the changing face of Victoria Square?

[[Shuz]]

Saw the fountain in operation when going past on the tram yesterday about 6ish. The jets are pretty powerful - they shoot up about 1.5m high. Is this appropriate for a 'kids play feature' ? They're little human beings... surely jets of 50cm will suffice... No need to let the fire hose loose on them.

I'm surprised how green the grass looks, given the spate of the hot weather. They've done well maintaining it. If only the rest of our park lands looked as lush.

[Ho Really]

Saw the fountain in operation when going past on the tram yesterday about 6ish. The jets are pretty powerful - they shoot up about 1.5m high. Is this appropriate for a 'kids play feature' ? They're little human beings... surely jets of 50cm will suffice... No need to let the fire hose loose on them.

Good observation there Shuz. What would happen if a child gets injured? Who pays?

I'm surprised how green the grass looks, given the spate of the hot weather. They've done well maintaining it. If only the rest of our park lands looked as lush.

Probably got a good irrigation/sprinkler system*. So...can anyone tell me if the water in the fountain is from the mains or recycled? I mean, we live in the driest state [in the driest continent] and we get another fountain to spray water everywhere. I know water attracts people but is it logical?

Cheers

* Maybe the water from the fountain is recovered and used for the lawn. Am I right on this?