13 Nov, 2013
New strategy set to enliven the city in the evening
A draft strategy to encourage more people to stay in the city in the evening has been released today for public feedback.
City of Adelaide and the State Government, through the Capital City Committee, have been working closely with the community to develop Good Evening, Adelaide, a strategy to guide what’s on offer in the city after 5pm.
Premier Jay Weatherill said the strategy outlines a vision to grow and diversify what’s on in the city.
“The State Government and City of Adelaide are already working together to create a vibrant and liveable city and exploring ways to support a diverse range of events and businesses.
“Major projects that are underway such as the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and Riverbank upgrade will transform the way people use the city and present exciting, new opportunities to offer a range of events and activities to attract and keep more people in the city in the evening.
“The draft Strategy is unique to the City of Adelaide. This isn’t about trying to be like Sydney or Melbourne – this has been informed by the people of Adelaide, for Adelaide,” the Premier said.
To coincide with the release of the draft Strategy, sector groups are being encouraged to pilot events and activities in the City after 5pm over the summer months. Some of the organisations taking part include:
• The State Library on North Terrace is putting on a variety of activities and tours on Wednesday evenings
• The Samstag Museum of Art, JamFactory, Australian Experimental Art Foundation, and Mercury Cinema in the West End will trial later opening hours on Thursday 14 November, joining the Feast Festival and Veggie Velo
• City Beach is hosting ‘Beach Netball,’ on Thursday evenings
• Rundle Mall is offering ‘Get Fit for Free,’ a schedule of free evening fitness classes and activities from Monday 11 to Friday 22 November
• The Howling Owl Café in the East End is offering continuous grazing into the evening on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays starting in November
• The Topham Mall Upark will have extended ‘early bird’ exit hours Monday to Friday until 20 December so people who enter before 9.30am can park up until midnight for $15, rather than having to exit before 7pm.
Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said it was great to see so many organisations taking the lead.
“The aim of Good Evening, Adelaide is to bridge the gap between day and night, increase the number of people in the city after five, expand the ways people use the city at night and prompt a change in the way people think about and act in the city in the evening.
“It’s not just about boosting the evening and night-time economy; it’s also about improving people’s experience of the city beyond 5pm,” Stephen said.
“One of the biggest challenges is that there is a perceived lack of entertainment options, events and activities in the city and at night, especially outside of the festival season.”
“To counteract that, we’ve put together a list of over 100 things to see and do in the city after five and will be posting one each day for a 100 days on the City of Adelaide Facebook and Twitter, so if you want some fun, creative ideas about how to enjoy the city, make sure you follow us.”
For further information about Good Evening, Adelaide including the pilot projects, the list of over 100 things to do and to provide your feedback on the draft strategy, go to cityofadelaide.com.au/council/good-evening-adelaide.
Follow the City of Adelaide on Facebook at facebook.com/CityofAdelaide and Twitter @CityofAdelaide.