News & Discussion: Laneway & Streetscape Projects

[claybro]

Well, at least it appears they are making somewhat of an effort. But those white planter cylinders? Come on guys....looks like something from some cheap renno show. This a premier location. Good to see some irrigation works, but lets hope the ACC learns how to use a corer in these high traffic areas.

[NTRabbit]

Well, at least it appears they are making somewhat of an effort. But those white planter cylinders? Come on guys....looks like something from some cheap renno show. This a premier location. Good to see some irrigation works, but lets hope the ACC learns how to use a corer in these high traffic areas.

The paint has already been half peeled from one of them too. Wish they'd fix and turn that water feature back on.

[SRW]

I missed until now that the concept design for the Pitt Street upgrade is out for consultation. It appears to be similar spec to the Bentham Street upgrade, with tree planting confined to one side and paving in asphalt and concrete rather than stone. They have also demurred from making it one-way on the opposition of traders. I feel too much space has been dedicated to cars, especially given the car park and traffic is not that significant — you have to laugh at one of the visualisations with a cyclist superimposed in a less than safe scene. But, more positively, the part of the street between Metro Hotel and Her Maj will be at one grade and closable with bollards for events.

Consultation survey is open until 23 June, so have your say:
https://yoursay.cityofadelaide.com.au/p ... et-upgrade

[Llessur2002]

Adelaide City Council to upgrade four major CBD streets after heated debate

A spending plan to upgrade the CBD’s main streets has finally been approved after years of debate.

The confirmation of Adelaide City Council’s 2023/24 budget — with an increase in rates revenue confirmed at 10 per cent — brings to an end heated debate about what was planned to be a massive spend on four main streets.

Now approved for upgrades are:

HINDLEY ST: $2.4m for detailed designs, then $12.6m for construction in 2024/25 and 2025/26.

GOUGER ST: $500,000 for plans in 2023/24, then $2m for detailed design in 2024/25 and $12.5 million for construction in 2025/26 and 2026/27.

O’CONNELL ST: $2.5m, for design in 2024/25 and $12.5 million for construction occurring in 2026/27 and 2027/28.

MELBOURNE ST: $1.5m for design work in 2025/26 and $5 million for construction in 2026/27 and 2027/28.

HUTT ST: $2.5m designs in 2024/25 and $10 million for construction occurring in 2025/26 and 2026/27.

The more modest spending came after council rejected the administration’s plans for Hindley St to be funded with $24.7m, Hutt St $30m, Melbourne St $40m and O’Connell St $45m.

But when revealed in April, the lavish plan was immediately attacked by Deputy Mayor Phillip Martin who said the “astronomical” $140m bill was about $30m more than the total of rates collected from businesses and residents each year.

His criticism was supported by Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith who said she feared no major project would be finalised by the council in its current four-year term, which began late last year.

At the Adelaide City Council meeting which approved the budget on Tuesday night, Mr Martin said; “I am delighted to be part of a council that has finally agreed to launch a main street upgrade program”.

“The previous council was deluded that it could deliver these projects but it never did.

“We talked for years and years about upgrades to Hutt St, O’Connell St, Melbourne St, and Gouger St, and that is all we did. We talked. We drew up rough plans that went out to consultation, but nothing ever happened.

“It its first budget this council has finally agreed that it will make improvements in Hindley St, in Hutt St, Gouger St, O’Connell St and Melbourne St.”

Only Councillor Henry Davis spoke against the more modest spending plan.

Mr Davis was repeatedly warned by the Lord Mayor as chair, when he delivered a passionate speech in favour of the $140m projects.

“Why are you trying to silence this, why are you afraid of this,’’ he said.

From: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sou ... 20faf2b92e

[Nathan]

So anywhere between half and a quarter of the original budget for each street. Personally I'd prefer they concentrate on 2 or 3 properly with the original plans, than doing all of them half-(or quarter)-arsed.

[SRW]

This really speaks to the power of the trader lobby groups. These streets attract disproportionate attention while other areas of the city (such as Currie/Grenfell or Flinders/Franklin) languish. And realistically, Hutt and Gouger Streets are fine, and could be rejuvenated for much less than $10-13 million. Even Hindley Street wouldn't be so bad if the council had maintained the street over the years -- now, it probably needs more than the $12.6 million allocated but everyone else wants their own slice of the pie, leaving everything half-baked.

[ChillyPhilly]

I agree that traders have arguably too much power.

Just don't get them started on their seldomly used kerbside parking

[[Shuz]]

Arguably, Hindley Street is the only one on that list that actually -needs-an upgrade. The others are just nice to haves.

[Ben]

I think you’ll find it’s largely related to who is elected to council. Gouger street and moonta street had a lot of money spent on them last time and the same this council term even though there is a huge list of streets far more deserving and needing.

[dbl96]

I think you’ll find it’s largely related to who is elected to council. Gouger street and moonta street had a lot of money spent on them last time and the same this council term even though there is a huge list of streets far more deserving and needing.

Gouger St would really benefit from wider footpaths, traffic calming features and a lower speed limit. It is a key pedestrian precinct, and a relatively minor street in terms of motor traffic flow, but a huge amount of space is dedicated to motor vehicles. This makes the footpaths too narrow to accommodate the large pedestrian flows and the al fresco dining which is key to the street's identity. Also, inexplicably, the speed limit is 50 - the same as the highway sized Wakefield St. This makes crossing the street much more difficult than it needs to be.

But yes, in terms of prominent streets needing a facelift, Gouger St is probably not the highest priority. Grenfell/Currie, Flinders/Franklin, King William St South and Hindley St are the ones that need it most.

In terms of small streets/lanes requiring work, I wish the council would give more attention to the other laneways in Chinatown like Field St, California St and Market St. Field St is in particular need of attention - in recent years the core of Chinatown has spread further south and Field St is lined with busy restaurants, and is a busy pedestrian thoroughfare. Yet it remains wall to wall cracked bitumen with barely a footpath and no trees in sight. In the Rundle Mall precinct, Twin St could similarly do with some attention.

[Ben]

I think you’ll find it’s largely related to who is elected to council. Gouger street and moonta street had a lot of money spent on them last time and the same this council term even though there is a huge list of streets far more deserving and needing.

Gouger St would really benefit from wider footpaths, traffic calming features and a lower speed limit. It is a key pedestrian precinct, and a relatively minor street in terms of motor traffic flow, but a huge amount of space is dedicated to motor vehicles. This makes the footpaths too narrow to accommodate the large pedestrian flows and the al fresco dining which is key to the street's identity. Also, inexplicably, the speed limit is 50 - the same as the highway sized Wakefield St. This makes crossing the street much more difficult than it needs to be.

But yes, in terms of prominent streets needing a facelift, Gouger St is probably not the highest priority. Grenfell/Currie, Flinders/Franklin, King William St South and Hindley St are the ones that need it most.

In terms of small streets/lanes requiring work, I wish the council would give more attention to the other laneways in Chinatown like Field St, California St and Market St. Field St is in particular need of attention - in recent years the core of Chinatown has spread further south and Field St is lined with busy restaurants, and is a busy pedestrian thoroughfare. Yet it remains wall to wall cracked bitumen with barely a footpath and no trees in sight. In the Rundle Mall precinct, Twin St could similarly do with some attention.

There is/was a plan for Field street. It got put on hold until the development was finished. That finihsed a long time ago now so i'm not sure if its been scrapped butthe plans are here:

https://yoursay.cityofadelaide.com.au/f ... d#tool_tab

[Spotto]

Hindley Street East solution: Make it permanent one-way travelling westbound, with full closure to all vehicles during late hours. Widen the footpaths so there’s only one through lane and daytime parking on both sides

The street is bumper-to-bumper during the night anyway, so less risk of clubbers getting on the road or angry drunks raging against drivers.

[Norman]

Hindley Street East solution: Make it permanent one-way travelling westbound, with full closure to all vehicles during late hours. Widen the footpaths so there’s only one through lane and daytime parking on both sides

The street is bumper-to-bumper during the night anyway, so less risk of clubbers getting on the road or angry drunks raging against drivers.

They tried this a few years ago, the cars were shown to be a useful barrier between people. Once the street was closed, reported violence increased.

[SRW]

Consultation is open for a proposed Wakefield Street upgrade between Vic Square and Hutt Street to be completed 2024/25. In general, the proposed treatment is similar to that completed for Grote Street between Morphett and West Terrace — planted medians with spotted gums and better lighting/pavement. Long overdue for a primary boulevard. Submissions open till Friday:
https://yoursay.cityofadelaide.com.au/wakefield-street

[abc]

zebra crossing now on Gouger Street near Moonta intersection

long overdue