[PRO] Keswick World Park (incl. Emergency Services HQ)

[Will]

Thanks Will. Is there any actual construction going on? I think the thread topic is rather optimistic.

Living in the south-west, I frequently use Richmond Road to go into the city. I personally haven't seen any sign oof progress to be honest for a few months now. However the Built Environs signs are still around, as is the giant billboard facing Richmond Road.

I have a feeling that this project has been delayed, but is not dead.

[Professor]

The site still looks like the opening scene from "No Country for Old Men"

[Ben]

This project will be recommencing in the next couple of weeks however has been scaled back to just one building. Not sure of the exact detials as yet.

[rhino]

This is from today's Adelaide Now - it looks like the same site. I can't work out how to put the picture in, which shows the site location, so if someone else can do that, it would help.

$250 million electricity substation for Keswick

KIM WHEATLEY
May 20, 2009 12:01am

A $250 million electricity substation will be built at Keswick to avoid Sydney-style blackouts that plunged that city into chaos over summer.
It is the centrepiece of $1 billion of infrastructure spending being undertaken by the state's monopoly operator of high-voltage powerlines, ElectraNet, to improve the reliability of its ageing network. The program is adding an extra $9 a year to the average $1100 power bill.
The substation, which will take a direct feed from the Torrens Island Power Station, is also designed to support growth in the southern suburbs, in particular the desalination plant.
The 275,000 volt powerline will be put underground and will involve digging up the route – which includes Port Rd – from next March.
ElectraNet said the $250 million project would be the biggest electricity infrastructure spending in the city for more than two decades.
"The reason we're doing this is to prevent a recurrence of the sorts of things that happened in Sydney and Auckland," executive manager development Greg Rice said.
"Where there's been failure of one item of the transmission network and that's resulted in a cascade failure and lights out."
The state's energy regulator, ESCOSA, ordered ElectraNet to build the substation to protect Adelaide from blackouts in 2006.
It set an operational date of December 31, 2011 "regardless of the cost".
The Keswick substation would provide the city's second high-voltage underground power supply to feed into the ETSA network.
It will also help – but not end – power failures.
ElectraNet says about 200MW of power is needed in the city in peak times and with 5 per cent annual growth, the new line, which carries about 700MW, would more than support expected load growth.
"This is a $250 million project – it is a big project – it has a big impact in terms of the economic viability of the SA economy and its infrastructure which will create jobs, so it's all good news," Mr Rice said.
"It will reduce the probability of power failures, but it won't prevent them."
In its 2007 submission to the Australian Energy Regulator, ElectraNet said 35 per cent of its infrastructure was between 40 and 60 years old, making it one of the oldest networks in Australia.
As part of the $1 billion spending over five years, ElectraNet is also building new power substations in Mt Barker, Port Augusta, the Mid North and Templars to support the Barossa region.
Business SA chief executive officer Peter Vaughan said the investment represented a huge boost for SA when combined with the Federal Government's investment in infrastructure spending. "The net effect will be we'll probably get more capital investment in SA in the space of five years than we had in the last 100," he said.
Acting Energy Minister Jay Weatherill said the expansion of the transmission network would "help ensure that future CBD demand growth can be met reliably while also providing support for demand growth in the western and southern suburbs".
"This expansion is an indication of South Australia's strong economic growth and increased business activity," he said.

[Norman]

This project doesn't greatly impact on the WP Development, as shown in the map on Page 2 of the document located here: http://www.electranet.com.au/getprojectfile.php?id=39

[JohnM]

Heads Up guys - press release today from Minister Weatherill

GREENING OF GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE AT WORLD PARK
The State Government’s green credentials are being enhanced by a plan to take up tenancy in Adelaide’s newest environmentally sustainable development.
Environment Minister Jay Weatherill said a range of public sector services could be housed in up to 4,500 m2 at the proposed ‘World Park 1’ development at Richmond Road, Keswick.
“A major feature of the World Park 1 development is its emphasis on environmental sustainable development and its commitment to achieving outstanding green-building outcomes,” he said.
“In particular it will set new standards for the conservation and management of water.
“World Park 1 will be set in a carefully landscaped environment with an on-site stormwater detention basin to assist with water recycling and on site water harvesting and storage.
“Axiom, the developers of World Park 1 estimate that a conventional building uses 77,100 litres a day whilst the World Park 1 office complex will use 7,500 litres.
“Not a drop is wasted resulting in a 90% reduction in the reliance of mains water as compared with traditional buildings.
“The landscaped swales and detention pond will provide an attractive environment to encourage native fauna and flora to inhabit the site.
“World Park 1 will also be a demonstration project creating greater public awareness of the environment and water conservation.
“In addition to providing employment for some 300 people in the construction industry the World Park development is likely to stimulate renewed interest in the precinct and this part of Adelaide.
“This government has set itself very challenging targets where sustainability and environmental measures are concerned and projects like this one are fundamental to us achieving them.
“I’m delighted to extend a commitment to environmentally responsible developers and to back them by forging an on-going relationship when the project comes to fruition.”
Adelaide based company, Axiom Properties Ltd is proposing the redevelopment of 3 hectares of land into an environmentally sustainable campus-style business precinct to be known as World Park 1.
The proposed development includes three 5 star ‘green’ rated office buildings set in a landscaped environment and linked to a central plaza.
Stage 1 offers 11,333 m² of office space in a 5-storey building, 180 car parks, construction of an on-site stormwater detention pond, common plaza fronting Richmond Road, internal ring road and site landscaping.
Features include:
???? Conservation and management of water, resulting in a 90% reduction in the reliance of mains water as compared to traditional buildings;
???? A ‘town centre’ feel with indoor and outdoor cafes, gym and childcare centre;
???? A decked car park (to be completed as part of Stage 2).
The development is expected to begin construction in July 2009 and be completed by the end of 2010.
Cheers

[JohnM]

Heads Up guys - press release today from Minister Weatherill

GREENING OF GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE AT WORLD PARK
The State Government’s green credentials are being enhanced by a plan to take up tenancy in Adelaide’s newest environmentally sustainable development.
Environment Minister Jay Weatherill said a range of public sector services could be housed in up to 4,500 m2 at the proposed ‘World Park 1’ development at Richmond Road, Keswick.
“A major feature of the World Park 1 development is its emphasis on environmental sustainable development and its commitment to achieving outstanding green-building outcomes,” he said.
“In particular it will set new standards for the conservation and management of water.
“World Park 1 will be set in a carefully landscaped environment with an on-site stormwater detention basin to assist with water recycling and on site water harvesting and storage.
“Axiom, the developers of World Park 1 estimate that a conventional building uses 77,100 litres a day whilst the World Park 1 office complex will use 7,500 litres.
“Not a drop is wasted resulting in a 90% reduction in the reliance of mains water as compared with traditional buildings.
“The landscaped swales and detention pond will provide an attractive environment to encourage native fauna and flora to inhabit the site.
“World Park 1 will also be a demonstration project creating greater public awareness of the environment and water conservation.
“In addition to providing employment for some 300 people in the construction industry the World Park development is likely to stimulate renewed interest in the precinct and this part of Adelaide.
“This government has set itself very challenging targets where sustainability and environmental measures are concerned and projects like this one are fundamental to us achieving them.
“I’m delighted to extend a commitment to environmentally responsible developers and to back them by forging an on-going relationship when the project comes to fruition.”
Adelaide based company, Axiom Properties Ltd is proposing the redevelopment of 3 hectares of land into an environmentally sustainable campus-style business precinct to be known as World Park 1.
The proposed development includes three 5 star ‘green’ rated office buildings set in a landscaped environment and linked to a central plaza.
Stage 1 offers 11,333 m² of office space in a 5-storey building, 180 car parks, construction of an on-site stormwater detention pond, common plaza fronting Richmond Road, internal ring road and site landscaping.
Features include:
???? Conservation and management of water, resulting in a 90% reduction in the reliance of mains water as compared to traditional buildings;
???? A ‘town centre’ feel with indoor and outdoor cafes, gym and childcare centre;
???? A decked car park (to be completed as part of Stage 2).
The development is expected to begin construction in July 2009 and be completed by the end of 2010.
Cheers

[omada]

I'd prefer the govt take up a tenancy in the city, plenty of prospective development they could help stimulate. The green credentials of World Park seem fair enough, but as there will be ample parking, it appears no one would bother taking public transport - so not so green after all eh?

[AtD]

I agree with you omada, definitely a liberal serving of greenwash. In their defence, there's a railway station next door which in theory would be quite useful. Unfortunately it's not useful, gets rubbish services and is generally derelict.

It also sounds like it'll be surrounded by vast areas of underutilised land.

[Ben]

From AdelaideNow:

Work to start on $50m Worldpark project



SARAH MARTIN

June 30, 2009

CONSTRUCTION of the $157 million Worldpark development at Keswick will begin within a fortnight, almost two years after the project was first announced.

Developer Axiom Properties says construction of the $50 million stage one of the business park will begin in mid-July, following a State Government commitment to lease two floors of the environmentally friendly building.

Engineering firm Coffey will be stage one's major tenant, taking 7000sq m over three floors.

Adelaide-based Built Environs will build the first stage, expected to be completed by September next year.

Axiom general manager Paul Rouvray said all three stages would be built on a rolling basis as tenants were found, but he said securing tenants for the first stage had been the biggest hurdle.

"I am very pleased. Getting the first building across the line showcases the precinct and really puts the precinct on the map," he said.

Once stage one was completed it would be easier to secure adequate precommitment for the rest of the precinct. "We anticipate we will be able to do that within the next three years," he said.

He said the delay had been the result of a deliberate risk-aversion strategy, as the company chose to have all of stage one precommitted before beginning construction.

"We were ready to go about 12 months ago and we had finance approval but we decided to sit back and wait until we had it fully let," he said.

"It has definitely been a lot harder than it was two years ago – every organisation is looking to cut costs."

Designed by Woodhead architects, the building will be five-green-star rated. The park has been designed to harvest stormwater and recycle grey water for non-potable use.

[AtD]

There's some more renders on the architect's website.
http://www.woodhead.com.au/

Features I can note include:
- Big blank concrete wall
- Vast empty space

I'd like to see a site plan, to gauge how far away this is from the street.

[Adamzed83]

Hi Guys,

I walk past this every morning on the way to work.
Lots of activity on site this morning.

Adam

[frank1]

World Park construction work begins

Article from: The Advertiser

SARAH MARTIN

August 19, 2009 12:30pm

WORK on the first major commercial development in Adelaide in more than 18 months officially began today, as the first sod was turned at the World Park development in Keswick.

The first $50 million building of the $157 million green development is being constructed by Built Environs and will be completed by September 2010.

Developer Axiom Properties general manager Paul Rouvray said he was excited to see the development happening more than 18 months after the company first acquired the land.

"To get a development of this size going in this market, especially given the environmental aspect which isn't as common these days given the squeeze, is pretty exciting,'' he said.

"The challenges have been finding an end user for it - convincing tenants to relocate in this market has been a very tough ask.''

The State Government will lease two floors of the environmentally friendly building, along with engineering firm Coffey who will be the building's major tenant with 7000sq m over three floors.

Mr Rouvray said construction of the second stage of the business park could begin as soon as early 2010 if sufficient tenant pre-commitment was secured. He said the construction of stage one would facilitate the rest of the development.

"Basically getting stage A going makes it possible for stages two and three to start - it goes from being a master plan to a precinct. Getting the first building up means we we will be able to showcase the rest of the precinct and market stage two and three on the back of that,'' he said.

A key feature of the five-green-star development will be its water-neutrality - the development will recycle and harvest water for non-potable use.

The sod turning ceremony held today was attended by State Government ministers Patrick Conlon and Paul Holloway.

[Will]

From the Woodhead International website:

Construction Begins for Worldpark, Adelaide
Construction has just commenced on Adelaide’s newest environmentally sustainable development, Worldpark Adelaide. Located in Keswick just outside the Adelaide CBD, the development is designed by Woodhead to achieve a five Star Green Star outcome.

Set in a carefully landscaped environment, ‘Green’ initiatives are an integral part of the design, providing sustainable benefits such as significantly reduced energy demand and extensive water recycling and saving measures.

With water conservation as a nationwide initiative, water recycling was a major focus for Woodhead and the design team have developed a water system that has increased efficient usage. A system of capturing water from roof and ground surfaces means onsite water can be re-used for toilet flushing, cooling towers and irrigation. It is understood to be the first system of its kind in Australia.

Office environment initiatives include passive chilled beam air conditioning which minimises energy use, at the same time providing the highest achievable levels of indoor environment quality.

The project aims to create an enhanced lifestyle environment not generally seen in business parks including; onsite child care facilities, gymnasium, retail, food and beverage and other support facilities.

Developed by Axiom Properties, the project is due for completion in September 2010 and it is expected that the development will set a new benchmark for green business park initiatives. Woodhead has provided masterplanning, architecture and interior design services for the 33000sqm business park site, with Coffey International as a major tenant. On Wednesday 19 August 2009 the site will have an official Sod Turning Ceremony, with The Hon Patrick Conlan, Minister for Transport Energy and Infrastructure officiating on the day.

[Wayno]

i drove past this site a few hours ago and i think i saw a couple of concrete pumps in operation...