[COM] Victoria Park Redevelopment

[Aidan]

Basing policy on the preservation in a location of a species without proper knowledge of its existence in other places isn't really defensible, imho.

Failing to base policy on the preservation of a location of a species until we have proper knowledge of its existence in other places isn't really defensible IMNSHO. This is a species that is far less common than it used to be, and we should take this opportunity to arrest the decline.

As to the increased use of Vic Park, I'm all for it.

Whereas I'm for it in ways that don't preclude racing and still allow the butterflies to thrive.

The grandstand idea had a few serious problems. Here's a quick retrospect, as I see it:

1. The 'grandstand' was to be built at public cost for private use, which lowered support. At a cost of $55 million the structure was to be used for 4 days of the Clipsal race and according to SAJC between 8 and 20 days of horse racing. SAJC ruled out any continuing use as a licenced function premises, perhaps doing so under pressure from various quarters as a result of rumours of proposals for a 'Lucky Horseshoe' style facility like those operated under CEO Steve Ploubidis at Morphettville and Cheltenham. This meant that even a bank rate return on the investment of $55 million would require an imputed rent of about $220,000 per day in use, which was obviously not on the cards. This made the $1 million pa cost of erecting and breaking down the temporary stands more palatable.

The main benefit would be that it would be likely to attract Formula 1 back. But you do raise an interesting question: why would a permanent stand be so much more expensive than temporary ones?

[rhino]

....... IMNSHO.

[stumpjumper]

Aidan wrote:
The main benefit would be that it would be likely to attract Formula 1 back.

That would be a great thing, but I'm not sure if it was on anyone's radar at the time. As I understand it, F1 went basically because it cost too much. The drivers and the organisation loved the Adelaide venue, especially as the last race in the calendar.

...why would a permanent stand be so much more expensive than temporary ones?

The round figure of $1 million pa is supposed to be the cost of set up, break down and storage of the Meccano set temporary stands. The cost of the components is not included in that $1 million.

In general terms, a permanent structure will cost more per sq m of floor area than a temporary one for many reasons - among them are siteworks (footings, sewerage etc) that a permanent structure needs, the much higher building codes to which a permanent structure is built and so on. Fitted out with all specialised wiring etc but not furnished you could be looking at $1,500 - $2,000 per sq m, at a very rough guess, for a permanent pit straight building.

[Omicron]

...it would be not very likely to attract Formula 1 back.

[Ben]

From The Messenger:

Vic Park's $10m shortfall

Feb 12 @ 08:00am by Alice Higgins

MORE than $10 million is needed to complete Victoria Park upgrades or the project will remain unfinished indefinitely - the latest in a growing list of unfunded City Council projects.

The council has spent $7.1million on Victoria Park works since its masterplan was released more than three years ago, including planting trees, installing benches and building a fitness track.

But it is now seeking $1.7 million in external funding before it will allocate $8.5 million from its own coffers to fund further upgrades, including an adventure playground, barbecues, picnic areas and toilets.

The project is the latest in a string of unfunded Town Hall projects.

The council has allocated $24 million to its $100 million Victoria Square masterplan, unveiled in mid-2010, and has unsuccessfully attempted to attract State and Federal funding for the facelift.

The City Messenger last December reported the project needed $10 million in government funding before the first sod could be turned - the latest roadblock in the long awaited overhaul.

The council’s contribution to its Rundle Mall masterplan, revealed last October, also falls $30 million short of the project’s estimated $60 million price tag.

Similar to Victoria Square, the council is also relying on $10 million in external funding from the State Government and private investors to upgrade the mall.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said the Victoria Park masterplan was “absolutely not” another ambitious council project it could not afford.

“This is a project we can stage, this is a project we can do incrementally,” Mr Yarwood said.

“It does not have to all be done in one fell swoop.

“You are not going to wake up one day and it is all going to be finished.”

He also said there was “never any expectation” a council masterplan would be fully funded.

“It is important to stress masterplans are misrepresented as being definitive when it is an indicative vision of where we want to go,” he said.

The council could also seek to strip much-needed money from rural communities to help it fund the remainder of Victoria Park upgrades - despite unsuccessfully attempting to secure money from the same grant for Victoria Square.

The council failed in its bid to snatch an estimated $25 million of the $1 billion Regional Development Australia Fund last July before deciding against reapplying in round two last December.

“We are not certain at this stage if there are going to be more rounds, when they are going to be and what the allocation of money will be,” Mr Yarwood said.

“(But) we will always lodge a submission for regional development funds and we will always be pursuing Federal Government funding.”

[[Shuz]]

Council just needs to drop its funding and commitment to Victoria Square and just focus on North Terrace, Rundle Mall and what's left of Victoria Park.

[omada]

The council has spent $7.1million on Victoria Park works since its masterplan was released more than three years ago, including planting trees, installing benches and building a fitness track.

$7.1 million, insane. Could someone from the ACC provide a breakdown on this? There is almost nothing there to justify $7.1 million! Does the figure include demolition and renovation costs for the old SAJC buildings?

[Waewick]

I think there was a fair bit of remeditaion.

and don't forget the study into the butterfly.!

[crawf]

Council just needs to drop its funding and commitment to Victoria Square and just focus on North Terrace, Rundle Mall and what's left of Victoria Park.

That's the problem with the Adelaide City Council, they start all these projects and never finish them. Prime example ofcourse is North Terrace, but things like the street light replacement along King William Street. Which looks to have stalled half way through.

Instead of funding towards Victoria Park & Square, I would rather that money directed to improving existing streets that will attract investment. The pavement along some streets are unsafe and make the city look ugly, while Franklin/Flinders Street could be turned into a beautiful boulevard with a wide median strip lined with trees. Forget the white elephant projects and focus on this, worry about it when the State Government comes to the table or nearby councils for Victoria Park.

[skyliner]

Council just needs to drop its funding and commitment to Victoria Square and just focus on North Terrace, Rundle Mall and what's left of Victoria Park.

Too much common sense to be taken notice of - anyway. who would get the recognition for such an idea. BTW - Shuz, IMO think what you said is spot on.

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

[Vee]

Council just needs to drop its funding and commitment to Victoria Square and just focus on North Terrace, Rundle Mall and what's left of Victoria Park.

Agree!
I can't understand why the ACC tries to do so many projects at once, stretching funds and resources and ultimately credibility, when projects don't get completed in a timely fashion and or get scaled back or stalled when funding runs out.

The Victoria Square design looks like 'pie in the sky' wishful thinking - if only ...< Insert white knight with mega trailer of dollars!!! > Not surprised it has languished.

Complete North Terrace and do the Rundle Mall redevelopment as these will add value to, and complement, the Riverbank precinct redevelopment. Shelve Victoria Square until the global economy improves and the squillions from the Mining boom kick into SA coffers and other projects have been completed.

As to Victoria Park, this has been a great disappointment. This is a prime section of the park lands with a great history. It pains me to see so little achieved of the grand vision (despite cost and time blowouts of remediation). The park is underutilized and has very little to show for the funds invested to date.

The sight of infrastructure (stands/pits etc) for the Clipsal 500 being erected then pulled down for half the year every year is annoying, costly and unsightly. How much has been wasted over the years when a permanent, multipurpose building could have been built and used for more than one event? That's another story.

I like the plan to replace the lights with efficient LED lights. I love seeing the big green solar bus doing the rounds of the city - great advertisement for a clean, green city. But, where is the additional tree planting and landscaping that will make such a difference to our city, given our Mediterranean climate. Hutt Street shows what can be done. Rundle Street and Gouger St have huge alfresco dining precincts but insufficient shade trees (need wider pavements).

The area around the Central Bus Station (a place where many visitors gain a first impression of the city) needs urgent attention.

North Terrace (western end) needs to be a high priority for appropriate landscaping, street furniture/art etc, timed to enhance the new developments in the HRMI, Hospital, Convention Centre and revamped Uni SA. This will be one outstanding boulevarde from west to east as the lovely older buildings of the RAH are re-purposed and the Botanic Gardens extends into the area vacated by the demolition of the ugly buildings on the Emegency side (east boundary).

[Waewick]

hopefully this is the thread for it

but I took my daughter through the Vic Park this arvo, it really is coming along nicely and is a lovely place to walk

so a few photo's

this is near the entrance along East Terrace, you can just see the racecourse on the right with the old terrace stand just to the right



similar photo just looking at the grandstand



a bit further up going toward Fullarton Rd



looking right (towards Greenhill Road), you can see the fenced off site which used to be a soccer field and has (now) derelict toilets - I'll have a look through the master plan and work out why it has been fenced off.



near the exit of Fullarton Road, you can see the bike racing to the left



bit of a zoom on the grandstand which looks really good, you can make out the "premium" soccer field at the front.



some WIP grass facing Fullarton/Wakefield




Looking back at a new path intersection - you can see the new paths and the type of street lights (they are good IMO)



A New Path going towards Greenhill Road, nice and wide plenty of room for my with the pram and bikes/runners etc



Cross training material - there is another 2 of these that I could see, but couldn't take a photo given people were using them




a bit more work in progress, you can see the fenced off segment in the background - this photo faces East Terrace



Silimar photo as above, however you can see the trouble they are having with some of the trees, I noticed quite a few dead ones (I'm assuming the waterlogged ground might be the problem - without any backup to that opinion of course.)



Photo facing Fullarton/Greenhill Road - not sure if those trees are dead or not. You can see a green "lip' in the background beyond that is a really flat field which doesn't seem to be being used at this point.



I would have taken more photos but my daughter decided now was the time to crack it so it was a mad rush back

in summary, it is looking really good, especially near the existing grandstand with lots of new trees and lawn being put down.

hopefully it starts to take shape over the rest of winter

any questions happy to try and answer them

[mutt]

i dont really see what they're improving

if you compare nearmap of 3 years ago to now, all they've achieved is more mud. it didnt look any less like a public park then.

[Waewick]

as a user of the park the place has improved significantly

bear in mind it is clearly a WIP.

the access, paths lighting, chairs and playing fields are all a vast improvement on what was there.

[cruel_world00]

Would've preferred the Clipsal Grandstand tbh.