24 Aug, 2015

Rundle Mall Catenary Lighting Work on Schedule

The final stage of the installation of the catenary lighting in Rundle Mall began last night, Sunday 23 August.

Preliminary work has been going on for the last few months, but visitors to the Mall can now see the cables and lights being strung up across the Mall. Work will continue this week outside of retail operating hours and is expected to finish on or before the 14 October end date.

Tom McCready, Executive Program Manager Public Realm said that work had gone well last night.

“The team have put up the cabling from King William Street to Woolworths / Rundle Place overnight. It is moving along at a good pace.

“The floating lights will provide increased levels of lighting for safety and visibility, as well as adding ambience and atmosphere, encouraging people to spend more time in the Mall, day and night. The lights will also support festive decorations,” said Tom.

The lighting is supported by fixtures on buildings and spires at each end of the Mall. The lights are energy efficient long-life LEDs. In addition, directional lighting from the spires will illuminate the entrances and feature / heritage buildings at the eastern and western ends of the Mall.

There has been more than approximately half a billion dollars in private investment in the Mall since the commencement of the $30 million Rundle Mall Masterplan, including new international and local retailers as well as improvements by existing retailers and exciting changes in connecting laneways and upper levels.

The first recipient of the Rundle Mall Innovation Fund, Two Bit Villains, also recently opened their new café upstairs in Adelaide Arcade, reinstating the balcony overlooking the Mall.

The installation of the lighting is the final stage of the project.

“Council and the Project Team wishes to thank those property owners who permitted the fixing of the catenary lighting to their properties and the continued support from the retail community throughout the redevelopment,” Tom said.

Paula Stevens