02 July, 2018

Council breathes new life into inner city streets and spaces

Key streets and laneways will be upgraded over the next 12 months under Council’s plans to improve Adelaide’s Central Business District as a business, tourism and retail destination.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese says Council will spend more than $4.5 million as part of its 2018-19 Integrated Business Plan to improve sections of four key pedestrian and transport links:

• Gray Street (between Currie and Waymouth) Street
• Pirie Street (from Gawler Place to Hindmarsh Square)
• Union Street
• Wright Street, Wright Court & Field Street.

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

He said these upgrades were 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 said.

Other major citywide projects to be continued in 2018-19 include:

Commencement of the Gawler Place redevelopment

• Upgrade of the streetscape along North Terrace following completion of the State Government’s tram extension, and
• Further stages of the north-south City bikeways route
• Further stages of the Market to Riverbank Link upgrade.

The Lord Mayor said Council would also continue to roll out the Ten Gigabit Adelaide high-speed data network infrastructure with partner TPG Telecom.

“This is an Australian first which creates a strong competitive advantage for local business, and a unique platform to attract new businesses and investment to the CBD, furthering Adelaide as a connected, smart and entrepreneurial city,” he concluded.

Simon Latimer