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Showgrounds condemns parklands plan

The Adelaide Showgrounds said existing facilities should be used to host international performances rather than building a site in the city's west parklands.

Adelaide City Council is about to consider whether to approve construction of a 10,000-square-metre asphalt performance area.

It is expected to be used by Cirque du Soleil when it performs in Adelaide.

Showgrounds chief executive John Rothwell said it already had the infrastructure to host such performances.

"Particularly in lieu of the efforts to minimise effects in the parklands and we've worked very hard on that in regard to the [Adelaide] Show, we think that it would be better not to be putting hard stands down in the parklands, so our position would be let's use something that already exists," he said.

Adelaide City Council calls for crackdown on homeless

Chloe Kennedy
City Messenger
July 26, 20122:26PM

Adelaide City Council will call on police to address anti-social behaviour in the parklands.

The City Council will call on police to help put a stop to anti-social behaviour fuelled by people camping in the parklands.

Lighting campfires at night, drinking and shouting abuse at passersby are among incidents occurring in the south-east parklands, according to elected members speaking at last night's council meeting.

They voted for the council to meet with police and residents south of the city to discuss concerns relating to anti-social behaviour.

This will include a group of homeless people camping in tents at an area known as Sherwood Forest, near Fullarton Rd.

Cr Michael Henningsen, who raised the issue, said he had been approached by a number of residents concerned about the behaviour of people in Victoria Park, Veale Gardens and the southern parklands.

Cr Henningsen told the meeting residents were concerned for their health and safety and the police needed to be involved in managing violent incidents.

"The issues in relation to public health and public safety include lighting campfires at night, drinking, shouting and abuse," he said.

"The main issue is people screaming, shouting and fighting at two in the morning, which is pretty disconcerting.

"There are no toilets in the (south-east) parklands and that is a public health time-bomb."

KING William St traders are excited about an outdoor dining trial they hope will bring more visitors to the strip.

The City Council is also planning a series of activities to make the CBD more children-friendly.

As part of the City Council's 2012-13 Splash Adelaide program, up to 22 businesses north of Victoria Square will have the opportunity to trial alfresco dining.

A City Council by-law currently prohibits outdoor dining on King William St because it is considered a "ceremonial street". If the trial proves to be successful it could pave the way for permanent alfresco dining on the city's main strip.

The City Council trialled outdoor dining with three businesses on King William St, including the Bean Bar, during this year's Splash Adelaide.

Bean Bar owner Simon Robinson welcomed the opportunity to trial outdoor dining again. "It was fantastic this year," he said. "We have been waiting for this for ages."

Mr Robinson said the opportunity to sit outside and enjoy the street was particularly appealing to tourists.

The City Council will match funding of up to $100 per business for traders to buy outdoor furniture over the next six months.

Under Splash Adelaide, 11 laneways, streets and thoroughfares will become active laneways with outdoor dining.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said he hoped the community would embrace the strategy. "We only worked with a couple of specific businesses (earlier this year), whereas now we will work with the entire street," he said.

Splash Adelaide is branching out from its previous adult-focused projects to include more family-friendly events this spring and summer.

"Imagination Playgrounds", which first popped up in New York in 2010, will appear on North Tce near the museum and Hindmarsh and Wellington squares.

The playgrounds use blocks, sand and water to engage children's imagination.

The City Council has approved $1 million for its City Activation program in 2012/13, which will run from next month to the end of June next year.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said the council was looking to partner with more city-based businesses for more children-friendly activities.

"It's been a gap that's been identified through a review of the (last) Splash program," Mr Yarwood said.

"We want to make the city accessible for everyone."

North Adelaide's Carclew Youth Arts will also partner with the council to deliver a summer holiday program for 12 to 15-year-olds.

Still in its planning stages, the program is set to involve North Adelaide's aquatic centre, library and golf courses.