02 July, 2018

Upgrade to city's southern Streets, Squares and Parks

Whitmore Square is among a host of key public spaces and residential streets that will be significantly upgraded across the city’s south over the next 12 months.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese said Council had listened to the community and was committed to making Whitmore Square a more user-friendly and welcoming public space.

“I am pleased to confirm that the first stage of improvements to this historic square will be funded through our 2018-19 Integrated Business Plan.

“Based upon extensive local engagement and feedback, we have finalised a Whitmore Square Master Plan to guide its staged redevelopment over the next three years.”

The Lord Mayor said two historic and much loved areas in the southern Park Lands - Veale Park/Walyu Yarta and Peppermint Park/Wita Wirra would be rejuvenated in 2018-19, with new garden beds and irrigation systems to be installed.

“To further improve access to the southern Park Lands, Council will also build a new shared use path along South Terrace between Sir Lewis Cohen Avenue and the ANZAC Highway/Greenhill Road intersection.”

Upgrades to residential streets are also planned in 2018-19 for:

• Vincent Place and Vincent Street
• Wright Street, Wright Court and Field Street.

“Improvements to these streetscapes will involve initiatives such as more greening (trees and planter boxes), better lighting and where needed, road resealing,” the Lord Mayor said.

He said the planned upgrades formed part of a $39.4 million citywide infrastructure investment program to ensure that Adelaide remains one of the world’s most liveable cities.

“At the same time, Council will leverage growth from new development activity occurring across the city to relieve cost of living pressures on residential and commercial ratepayers by freezing the rate in the dollar for the fourth consecutive year.

“Our intention is to strike a balance between delivering improved services and facilities that meet our local community’s needs while still reducing our reliance on revenue from rates,” the Lord Mayor concluded.

Simon Latimer