News & Discussion: Adelaide City Council

[Ho Really]

In that render of Victoria Square where did they have the tram terminus? Did someone think about undergrounding the tram from the South Parklands? That would be the best (and costly) solution for the Glenelg-UNISA West Campus line (and any loop back to Vic Sq.).

Cheers

[Will]

In that render of Victoria Square where did they have the tram terminus? Did someone think about undergrounding the tram from the South Parklands? That would be the best (and costly) solution for the Glenelg-UNISA West Campus line (and any loop back to Vic Sq.).

Cheers

How exactly would spending millions upon millions of extra dollars for the sake of saving one lane of of KWS be the best solution?

And also we would probaably be the only city in the world with an underground tram line, what a white elephant! Melbourne has 3 times more people and trams that share the roads with cars. This has not made Melbourne ugly, it has not increased crime, it has not lowered the amount of tourists visiting the city and small children have not been run over.

[bdm]

In that render of Victoria Square where did they have the tram terminus? Did someone think about undergrounding the tram from the South Parklands? That would be the best (and costly) solution for the Glenelg-UNISA West Campus line (and any loop back to Vic Sq.).

Cheers

A resurgence of the MATS plan! There was going to be an Adelaide underground (with two lines: Port Adelaide-Bridgewater and Gawler-Noarlunga), complete with a subway straight down King William Street with stations at Rundle Mall, Vic Square and South Terrace.

[AG]

San Francisco has an underground tram line through the city centre called the MUNI. But it isn't served by only one line through, it is served by around 3 or 4 lines running every couple of minutes in each direction.

[Ho Really]

How exactly would spending millions upon millions of extra dollars for the sake of saving one lane of of KWS be the best solution?

My comment was referred to the render, and looking at it there seems to be no tram lines, maybe they wanted to enlarge Victoria Square as much as they could and have the tram lines underneath. If this is what they considered, it would be very awkward undergrounding the line anywhere but at the South Parklands or at the railyards on North Terrace.

And also we would probaably be the only city in the world with an underground tram line, what a white elephant! Melbourne has 3 times more people and trams that share the roads with cars. This has not made Melbourne ugly, it has not increased crime, it has not lowered the amount of tourists visiting the city and small children have not been run over.

You are right, it probably would be, but who says it will be a white elephant. People would still use it regardless of where it was.

Cheers

[AtD]

In the 2003 ACC plan, the trams were to go along the east side of the square just like how the Rann government wants them to now.

[Will]

Media Releases


18 OCTOBER

2006 New Development Assessment Panel structure


News ID: ACCN1485 Send to a friend


The Adelaide City Council last night began the formal implementation of the State Government's new Development Assessment Panel (DAP) structure for the City.The new DAP will have seven members in total, down from the current 12 member Panel, and will include four independent members and three Councillors. The DAP presiding member will be drawn from the independent members.The three Councillors appointed to the Adelaide DAP are Lord Mayor Michael Harbison and Councillors Anne Moran and Judith Brine.These changes to the DAP structure apply across all Councils. In introducing the changes, the State Government indicated that it aims to reduce the cost and turnaround time for development applications and to improve the consistency of decision making on DAP.Adelaide Lord Mayor Mr Michael Harbison said that while development in the City was presently at historically high levels, this did not mean that current DAP structures could not be improved."The State Government has the responsibility to implement and achieve the South Australia Strategic Plan, and as the Capital City of the State, we see ourselves as a key partner in achieving these goals."The State Government has decided that throughout the State, changes need to be made that will help developers cut approval costs and times, encourage investment in the State and give the community greater confidence in the quality of our built environment."We certainly support these goals and will be making the most of our DAP restructure to help achieve them."The new DAP structure will be implemented by the first DAP of January 2007, in line with State Government requirements.Council will now be inviting expressions of interest from members of the public who are willing to serve as members of the DAP and who have relevant professional skills and expertise. A decision on appointments will be made by Council in November.All members of the new DAP will be paid at a rate of $90 per sitting hour (or part thereof) with the exception of the presiding member, who will be paid at a rate of $120 per sitting hour. Currently only independent members are paid for their sitting time at DAP.

For further information contact: Adelaide Lord Mayor Michael Harbison: Ph 0419 804 896 ACC Strategic Communications Adviser, Nat Bradford: Ph 8203 7760

[Will]

Media Releases

18 OCTOBER 2006

Adelaide's city population booming under new Council regulations

News ID: ACCN1486 Send to a friend


An Adelaide City Council report says worker, student and resident numbers are growing strongly, following Council's adoption of new planning regulations and big pushes for city workers and international students.The details are contained in the latest Strategic Management Plan Progress Report presented to the Council at its meeting tonight.The report shows that population growth targets have been met for workers and students, and that the decline in the number of visitors reported last year has been halted.Adelaide City Council achieved more than three quarters of its planned milestones for the last financial year, encouraging population growth in the City.Highlights for the year include the introduction of new development planning rules for the City, the start of building work on the new bus station and 600 space car park near Central Market, the continuation of the strategic site development program and new parking initiatives, including free on-street parking on public holidays and special Christmas shopping offers.While the overall picture of success is very positive, there is still a lot more work to be done according to Adelaide Lord Mayor, Mr Michael Harbison."This has been a very successful year with the major changes to the Adelaide City Development Plan and the introduction of the North Adelaide Heritage (Conservation) Zone. "These changes open up the potential for an additional $6 billion worth of development in the central business areas of the City, while providing increased protection to the major residential areas which add so much to the character of the City."The Council spent another $1 million protecting the heritage and character of the City as well as introducing the new North Adelaide Heritage (Conservation) Zone which provides additional protection for the character of the area."Our projects to assist business appear to be working with the Council reaching its worker population growth target, with more than 98,000 workers now based in the City."Joint projects with the State Government, Business SA and the Property Council have resulted in strong business confidence and an increase in business growth in the City."The Flinders Link development, an Adelaide City Council strategic development site, will soon be completed as will the City Central project, adding to the very high level of commercial development that has attracted the attention of investors interstate and internationally."Vacancy rates continue to be at historically low levels, and we are pleased to be working with the Property Council to address any future issues with C and D Grade buildings. We are determined to do everything we can to put a halt to the pattern of high vacancy levels in lower grade buildings during peak development times."The Council deliberately set ambitious residential population growth targets to support the South Australia Strategic Plan introduced by the State Government. While we continue to experience strong population growth, currently five times the metropolitan average, we need to accelerate residential growth, which we expect to happen over the next couple of years."In particular, we need to be better at grasping the opportunities offered to us for greater affordable housing. We still believe that we can achieve the 2010 target of 26,000 permanent residents in the City as the strong development growth begins to have further effects."While visitor numbers remain steady from last year, they are below expectations. As a result of this, we passed an Annual Business Plan and Budget in late June that highlighted projects to bring visitors to the City."We intend to build on the overwhelming success of the City's busiest start to the year in 2006, which included the inaugural Annual International Busking Festival. This will be assisted by the State Government's decision to fund the Fringe as an annual event."Recent free parking offers in selected UParks on Sundays and other special offers over Christmas and in conjunction with the East End Rundle Street Markets are resulting in a steady increase in parking numbers in the City and are addressing the perception that parking in the City is difficult."It is disappointing that some of our milestones were not met in the financial year. The Council took the decision to delay the launch of the Rundle Street Markets until September to ensure the best possible chance of commercial success for local traders and stallholders, rather than begin the markets immediately before winter. We believe that these markets will become another Adelaide icon very quickly."And while Stage 2 of North Terrace did begin in July, it was regrettable that this major City project was delayed for even a few months. Regardless, there are no shortcuts for a project of such importance to the character of the City."Overall, the City is going very well and it is clear that Adelaide City Council is contributing to this success. This is not the report card of an abject failure, and those who continue to talk the City down are doing themselves and everybody else a disservice."This is the picture of an international City that will be attractive for increasing numbers of residents, workers, students and visitors."

For further information contact:
Lord Mayor, Michael Harbison: Ph 0419 804 896 or Strategic Communications Adviser,
Geoff Barbaro: Ph 8203 7646 or 0408 820 015

Released: 18 October 2006© 1999 - 2002 Adelaide City Council All Rights Reserved

[Howie]

Thanks for posting that Will. Sounding positive.

[Will]

Media Releases

18 OCTOBER 2006

Peel Street shared use zone a first for Adelaide


News ID: ACCN1488 Send to a friend


Peel Street has become the City's first Shared Use Zone after a $400,000 upgrade by the Adelaide City Council.A Shared Use Zone is an area in which pedestrians and vehicles share the carriageway with pedestrians having right of way. Adelaide Lord Mayor Mr Michael Harbison said the Shared Use Zone has no kerbs to define the edge of the traffic pavement and the start of the footpath as with traditional roads. "Traffic calming devices are used to slow vehicular traffic and to define the path for vehicles. The speed limit is 10 Km/H (reduced from 50Km/H) and the one way flow of traffic has been retained," Mr Harbison said."Previously Peel Street was not particularly pedestrian friendly with its narrow footpaths. The footpaths were difficult to access by wheelchair users or parents with prams. "Council has created a Shared Use Zone in order to better manage traffic in the street and to create a streetscape that is safe and far more user friendly whilst still remaining accessible to motor vehicles. "It is expected that the number of pedestrians using Peel Street will increase significantly as a result of the improvements to the amenity and safety of the street leading to an increase in trade," Mr Harbison said.Peel Street business owner, Terry Brown of specialist clothing manufacturer Dragon's Blood Creations, said the upgrade had completely changed the look and feel of the street."The street is now open and light and looks fantastic," Ms Brown said."As a small business, we rely heavily on the passing foot traffic for sales opportunities. By making the street more open and pedestrian friendly we expect our business will increase as more people use Peel Street as they travel between Hindley Street and Currie Street."Work commenced in June 2006 and was completed in early October and included an upgrade to the street lighting.

For further information contact: Adelaide Lord Mayor Michael Harbison: Ph 0419 804 896
ACC Strategic Communications Adviser, Nat Bradford: Ph 8203 7760

[Howie]

There was a small article about this in today's City messenger also.

[Will]

There was a small article about this in today's City messenger also.

I was in the city on Tuesday night, and I had the good fortune of being able to have a look at the new Peel Street. It is a wonderful transformation; one which I think should be extended to other important lanes in the CBD. I feel that for too long the lanes of the CBD have been neglected. The lanes of the city are fascinating, and I encourage people to visit them as you never know what surprises you may find.

[crawf]

one which I think should be extended to other important lanes in the CBD. I feel that for too long the lanes of the CBD have been neglected.

I agree Will, the city laneways have been neglected for far too long. I reacon the ACC should do the same with all the laneways connecting Rundle Mall with North Terrace & Grenfell St (such as Gawler Place).

Does anyone have any photos of the "new" Peel Street?

[Howie]

Some statistics on ACC's performance against their key targets today in the Advertiser.

Adelaide By The Numbers

Permanent Residents
2001 estimate = 13,000
2006 target = 17,000
estimated at Jun 2006 = 15,203
2010 target = 26,000

Workforce
2001 estimate = 89,000
2006 target = 98,000
estimated at Jun 2006 = 98,937
2010 target = 111,000

Students in institutional learning
2001 estimate = 50,000
2006 target = 58,000
estimated at Jun 2006 = 62,978
2010 target = 66,000

Daily Visitors
2001 estimate = 100,000
2006 target = 125,000
estimated at Jun 2006 = 88,382
metro only = 74,900
2010 target = 150,900

Key : orange means they failed to meet targets, green means they did meet targets.

[Snorkie]

They are way off with daily visitors!!! Would that estimate be based on just one particular day, or would they have taken an average over a couple of days or weeks? Find it hard to belive they would have been that far off...