Sensational-Adelaide.com

Riverbank Precinct code amendment would allow buildings up to 20 levels high near River Torrens
First it emerged plans were afoot to allow buildings on Pinky Flat. Now there could be apartment towers near the Torrens banks. And there’s so much more on the agenda.
Concerns about proposed zoning changes for the parklands have intensified with revelations they could enable high-rise apartments on the banks of the River Torrens.
The Adelaide Park Lands Authority will hold a special meeting on Thursday to discuss its formal response to a raft of changes proposed for the Riverbank Precinct. Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor, who is the authority’s presiding member, called the meeting following a council briefing to the authority’s members.
It revealed residential buildings up to 20 levels could be allowed near a new $680m arena while 15-storey commercial buildings were possible near the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The report said possible uses for high-rise buildings near the Riverbank arena announced by Premier Steven Marshall included serviced apartments “which may not be compatible”.
“Rezoning to the City Riverbank Zone (Entertainment Precinct) would allow residential but only where it can be demonstrated that impacts on residential amenity from mix of uses can be adequately addressed,” it said.

Public debate erupted last week when it emerged other potential developments within new zones being proposed near and along the Torrens included bars, cafes, shops, kiosks, offices, healthcare facilities, hotels and other tourist accommodation.

One of the areas which could be developed was Pinky Flat, beside the Morphett St bridge.
The changes were part of an amendment to the new Planning and Design Code, released by Planning Minister Vickie Chapman for community consultation.
Ms Verschoor said she was working with council staff to determine the potential impact on areas classed as parklands, and therefore under the control of the council.
“Council staff are doing a lot of work with the Adelaide Park Lands Authority and I will be taking a briefing to council,” she said.
“It is not as though there are any proposals which have been put forward for consideration but if the code is changed, then we will have to assess a lot of these things.

“What I am trying to interrogate is what the changes mean so I am very clear what our response is going to be.”

Public feedback on the changes closes on October 27, with PlanSA staff also undertaking direct consultation with key stakeholders.

Labor candidate for Adelaide Lucy Hood said the rezoning bid confirmed that “the fears of many in my community are warranted”.

“Rachel Sanderson and Steven Marshall must come clean on their plans to build on the parklands,” she said.

“We already know they want to build a basketball stadium on the parklands during a hospital overcrowding and ramping crisis but what is next?
“This government’s priorities appear to be all wrong.”
Liberal MP for Adelaide Rachel Sanderson said she recognised the parklands were a “much-loved, iconic and historic area”.
Ms Sanderson urged people to have their say about the proposed zoning changes.
“I encourage anyone interested in the code amendment to go online, or attend a public information session, and make a submission,” she said.
“I urge my constituents to contact my office direct with any concerns or feedback about the rezoning proposal so I can continue to advocate their views.”

WHAT COULD CHANGE ALONG THE RIVERBANK
Proposed zoning changes for the Riverbank Precinct are intended to support a “world-class” health, sporting, education and biomedical precinct.

According to an Adelaide City Council report, they will allow serviced apartments, tourist accommodation, hotels, shops, bars, cafes, offices, community centres, consulting rooms, convention facilities, and preschool facilities across four new “subzones”

Health and biomedical precinct
■ Will enable construction of a multistorey carpark to service the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Other uses include medical-related activities.
■ Total land area of 22ha.
■ Possible building height of 15 levels or 53m.
■ State-heritage listed Adelaide Gaol and Thebarton Police Barracks to be included for potential “adapted re-use”.
■ Public notification of applications only required for demolition of state or local heritage assets.

Entertainment precinct
■ Will enable the construction of a $680 arena near the Morphett St bridge.
■ Total land area of 9ha.

■ Boatsheds for two rowing clubs will be demolished.
■ Possible building height of 20 levels or 71m.
■ New policies to improve pedestrian and cycling access across Montefiore Rd.
■ Changes also provide for range of health, education and research facilities west of Montefiore Rd.

Active waterfront precinct
■ Aimed at generating “a diverse range of small, low-scale shops, cafes, community, cultural and tourism activities” on both sides of the Torrens.
■ Total land area of around 37ha.
■ New buildings must not exceed footprints of 200sq m.
■ No height limit indicated.
■ Elder Park to be protected as open public space.
■ Pedestrian and bicycle movement to be further developed.

Innovation precinct
■ Botanic High School will be removed from parklands zone and put into new Riverbank Precinct zone.
■ Total land area of 2-3ha.
■ Possible new uses include education facilities, including preschool.

SRW wrote:It's complete overreach and smacks of sneakiness. Aside the nWCH, none of this has been canvassed previously and departs radically from the established masterplan. Why? What's the vision and how do they justify it over alternatives? The sort of lazy governance I've come to expect from the Liberals. The rezoning should be resisted.

Nort wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 28, 2021 8:45 am

I'd personally love to see the uniqueness of the parklands embraced by bringing samples of things from around the state into them.

1NEEDS2POST wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:45 pm

Nort wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 28, 2021 8:45 am

I'd personally love to see the uniqueness of the parklands embraced by bringing samples of things from around the state into them.

This is a great idea! The aboriginal art centre in Lot 14 could be incorporated into this too.

Nort wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 8:36 am

1NEEDS2POST wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:45 pm

Nort wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 28, 2021 8:45 am

I'd personally love to see the uniqueness of the parklands embraced by bringing samples of things from around the state into them.

This is a great idea! The aboriginal art centre in Lot 14 could be incorporated into this too.

Exactly. The way they seem to be planning to blend more seamlessly between that area and the botanic gardens is a great example.

The parklands could be the back yard of Adelaide, and the vision and long term commitment should be to making them a destination in their own right. When international tourists are visiting South Australia there is no reason that one of the must-do's on travel guides shouldn't be "...spend a day strolling the several kilometers of parklands that encircle the city, taking in the gardens, food, views, markets and lively atmosphere along the way..."

SRW wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 27, 2021 8:41 pm

It's complete overreach and smacks of sneakiness. Aside the nWCH, none of this has been canvassed previously and departs radically from the established masterplan. Why? What's the vision and how do they justify it over alternatives? The sort of lazy governance I've come to expect from the Liberals. The rezoning should be resisted.

wilkiebarkid wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:29 pm

Property developer Simon Chappel to build a 15 storey retirement apartment building on the corner of Angas and Gunson Streets. Adelaide Adveriser.