is this old news guys?
newspaper article last week in Australian>
edited copy

To let, low rent: only for the young


By Line : Andrew McGarry Published : 04/11/2004 Clip Ref : 13934834
Publication : Australian Section : General News Page : 4
Young low-paid workers and students will be offered subsidised rental accommodation under an Adelaide City Council plan to double the number of people living in the city's CBD by 2010. The council will offer a 25 per cent subsidy on 12 two-bedroom apartments at Sydney Place, in the southern part of the CBD.

-----------
it goes on to say Mayor Harbison says approx 9000 people will move in over next 6 years.

I reckon this means many more apartment towers will start up over next few years.

sydney place? where is that? subsidised 25%? cool.. I wouldnt mind.. ehehe

Been known for quite some time.

Yes, old news. It's a minor subset of a broader population plan for Adelaide City, to more than double the permanent residential population to 30,000 by 2010. All indication so far is that targets are not being met.

Millionaires' rows

30jan05
THEY are the domains of the wealthy, the Adelaide streets where money can buy a lifestyle many of us can only dream about.

Ranging from elegant mansions with city views to Tuscan-style multi-storey homes on the foreshore, they are the homes of corporate high-flyers, sports stars and celebrities.

Among those living in the millionaire rows include Santos chief executive Ross Adler, Today Tonight presenter Leigh McClusky and her husband, chocolate king Simon Haigh, and winemaker Wolf Blass.

The Sunday Mail asked several of the state's leading real estate agents to provide a list of the top 10 streets with the most expensive homes.

And, not surprisingly, they are in upmarket suburbs such as Springfield, Burnside and Unley Park.

"They are homes people aspire to," said Max Sanderson, of Smallacombe Sanderson Pty Ltd.

"We are seeing more million-dollar sales recently, an increase in people prepared to pay more than $1 million."

Coming up with a final list was the source of much conjecture and debate in the real estate industry.

Leafy Wootoona Tce, in St Georges, missed out because only part of it was considered to have "top-end-of-town" status.

Others clashed over which sections of The Esplanade, south of Glenelg, should rate a mention while the modern Burnalta Crescent, in Burnside, was seen as a controversial pick because it is not "established".

For those who fancy buying into these prestige enclaves, the tip is to be patient.

Real Estate Institute of Australia figures show sales are rare in these streets. For example, in the past five years there has been only one sale each in Burnalta Crescent and The Avenue, Medindie, and four in Springfield Ave, Springfield.

"People, when they get into these select spots, usually are pretty loathe to leave," Real Estate Institute of South Australia president Robin Turner said.

"It is that exclusivity and lack of availability which will lift the prices even further."

As such, not all homeowners in Adelaide's elite streets are necessarily rich, says agent Anthony Toop, of Toop & Toop Real Estate.

"A lot of the properties are occupied by descendants of the original owners," he said.

Mr Toop said owners were regularly approached by agents on behalf of prospective buyers.

"In 10 per cent of cases they will agree to sell," he said.

Among factors agents say make these streets the cream of the crop are the stately or luxury homes, big allotments, wide boulevards, seclusion and plenty of trees.

In most cases buyers will need at least $1 million to buy in.

While Adelaide's record price of $3.51 million is for a mansion in Robe Tce, Medindie, that stretch does not make the list.

The only downside of living in the top spots is you constantly come under the gaze of people driving past to see how the other half lives.

For that reason, many homes have high fences and sophisticated security systems to ensure privacy.

But for Janice McLeod, who lives in Springfield Ave, Springfield, being ogled by envious rubber-neckers is a small price to pay for her dream address.

After driving around the million-dollar neighbourhood as a young girl, she splurged out on a three-storey mansion in the exclusive area three years ago.

The french colonial-style house – built in the early 1970s – has been renovated and has such features as a mirrored lift, heated marble floors, a six-car garage, two wine cellars, piped music in every room, four bathrooms and a spa in the master bedroom ensuite.

"People drive past and have a look but they can't really see anything, it's very private," said Mrs McLeod, director of a company involved in manufacturing and wine exports.

However, she said the house was too big for her and her husband and they have put it on the market.

They are asking a minimum of $2 million for the 1750 sq m property, which was part of the original grounds of the adjacent Springfield House.

This was on news.com.au today.. thought i'd post it here for your benefit.


http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12275192-1246,00.html

Northern 'rustbelt' booming
By Andrea Stylianou
February 17, 2005
From:


THE city of Adelaide may be the soul of the state, but its heartbeat has shifted to the northern suburbs.
So much so that, according to an industry strategist, the central business district has essentially packed up and moved about 20km north.

"Adelaide's CBD needs northern Adelaide more than (northern Adelaide) needs the CBD," Playford Council industry strategist Rodin Genoff said yesterday.

In the past four years, $2.7 billion has been invested in the north and more than 7500 jobs have been created in manufacturing, construction and retail industries.

Mr Genoff said predictions in the 1980s were that the northern suburbs would become "a rust belt", but they had instead exploded with industry.

"This northern suburbs boom is fantastic news and we now have globally competitive companies that can sustain this growth into the future," he said.

"This confidence is felt with people buying new houses in the area."

The doom and gloom of the '80s had been turned around by major companies such as Holden "reinventing themselves" in an industrial "renaissance".

Elizabeth company BAE Systems Australia is the latest in a string of developments for Adelaide's north. As reported in The Advertiser yesterday, the company has been awarded a $135 million electronic warfare contract.

It is not just the north's exposure to industry that is allowing it to blossom.

Playford Council is planning a redevelopment of more than 4000 new and existing homes in Smithfield Plains, Davoren Park, Andrews Farm and Munno Para.

"The scale of this development is enormous," enthused council chief executive Tim Jackson.

"What we're aiming to create is a sustainable community that can be a model to other communities.

"Over the past six months, about 600 new homes have been approved in the City of Playford, which signals a newfound confidence in the future of northern Adelaide."

Mr Jackson also highlighted the critical role horticulture is playing in the north.

"Virginia is one of SA's major producers of horticultural products, which has a wholesale processing value of $402 million," he said.

"The tomatoes and cucumbers account for 82 per cent and 63 per cent of South Australia's total production."

And it isn't stopping there.

The Advanced Manufacturing Design Centre, under construction in Elizabeth West and to be completed in May, would encourage networks between companies developing new products and services for national and international markets, Mr Jackson said.

The Salisbury Council area is also riding high. Mayor Tony Zappia said it had experienced its highest level of development last year.

"We approved about $240 million of development applications throughout the city" he said.

"Based on our forecasts, this figure is likely to be maintained for the next two to three years."

Salisbury Council also had the highest population growth rate of any local government area.

"We have seen extensive residential areas, such as Mawson Lakes, Walkley Heights and Springbank Waters, and these projects will continue over the next three to four years," Mr Zappia said.

Ah, it's all good. Be sweet if some nice skyscrapers started to appear there. Adelaide might have twin CBDs!

Imagine a whopping landmark, with naming rights of 'Elizabeth Tower'. WOW!

If the ASC gets the $6bil warship contract, it'll be REAL sweet! *Fingers crossed*

I agree that the Northern suburbs are far from a rustbelt... the amount of industry around the Salisbury/Elizabeth area is amazing... The company I work for is based from Elizabeth, and supplies to a lot of these businesses...

I dont want that id rather have a larger Central CBD. I dont no what u mean by amazing....do u like havy Industry?

Scientific industry, engineering firms all over the shop, defence industry etc etc... there's a tonne you don't see without looking for it...

I dont want that id rather have a larger Central CBD. I dont no what u mean by amazing....do u like havy Industry?

Compared to other capital cities around Australia, Adelaide is not one of the major commercial or financial hubs like Sydney or Melbourne. A large proportion of our economy is based around industry or manufacturing. Look at the car production that occurs at Elizabeth or Lonsdale, or the submarine construction that goes on at Osborne, or how our state's largest company is based around a natural resource that cars depend on (also has naming rights of Adelaide's tallest building) and you'll see how significant these are to Adelaide.

Hi guys,

I found this article on theadvertiser.com.au, and thought i'd get your thoughts about the matter.



Adelaide `unaffordable'
By MILES KEMP
15apr05

ADELAIDE'S land shortage has caused the city to be ranked 12th most unaffordable in a study of world housing markets which compares average household income to average house prices.

U.S.-based Demographia: 2005 International Housing Affordability, compared the affordability of the 88 cities with populations over 500,000 throughout Australia, the US, New Zealand and Canada.

Within Australia, Adelaide ranked the third most unaffordable behind Sydney and Melbourne, with land shortages and restrictive urban boundaries blamed for the "crisis".

Of the 88 cities, Sydney was ranked 4th, Melbourne 9th, Hobart 13th, Brisbane 15th, Canberra 20th, Perth 21st and Darwin 32nd.

The Demographia index is calculated by dividing the average house price, $248,800 in the case of Adelaide, by the average household income.

This gave Adelaide a rating of 6.2 in 2004, with the most unaffordable, Los Angeles, rating 10.2 and the most affordable, Buffalo, in New York State, on 2.1. The report identified urban consolidation as the major factor in creating land scarcity.

But Real Estate Institute of South Australia President Robin Turner rejected the report, because average house prices were so much higher in Sydney and Melbourne than Adelaide. He said demand for land in SA was slightly outstripping supply, which provided a healthy market.

If you spread Adelaide south and north a little more, with appalling anemities and cheap housing, that should solve the problem.

That's true also. Do you reckon it comes back to the fact that most of us are quite land hungry? I mean having a low-density and spread out city like adelaide does have it's pitfalls. Interesting though.. i can see how having mid-rise buildings in suburbia is actually a good idea (thinking of westlakes in particular).

That's true also. Do you reckon it comes back to the fact that most of us are quite land hungry? I mean having a low-density and spread out city like adelaide does have it's pitfalls. Interesting though.. i can see how having mid-rise buildings in suburbia is actually a good idea (thinking of westlakes in particular).

Spot on! If everyone wants a quarter acre block in "inner" surburbia, off course it will raise prices because land is limited. The trend to medium and even high density housing is a direct result of these issues. You can build a 50 apartment block on the same amount of land as a single house. The cost to buy one of these apartments will obviously be a lot cheaper. I think affordability depends on what you want to buy and when you think that you can purchase an apartment on North Terrace (in the heart of Adelaide) for around 250K, that's pretty good buying anywhere.

something else worth noting... in the tiser today.


MORTGAGE TAX CUT: Homebuyers will save thousands from Budget decision
EXCLUSIVE: By State Political Reporter GREG KELTON
16apr05

STAMP duty on mortgages will be abolished in next month's State Budget, saving some homebuyers thousands of dollars.

Starting on January 1, the stamp duty saving on a $200,000 mortgage will be $689, rising to $1039 on a $300,000 loan.

From July 1 next year, all remaining forms of mortgage duty, including non-residential property mortgages, will be phased out over three years.

The decision, to be announced today by Premier Mike Rann, will cost the Government $230 million in lost revenue over the next 4 1/2 years.

State Cabinet signed off on the May Budget at a special meeting yesterday.






Although there is still likely to be minor "tweaking", it was decided to release the stamp duty decision early because it was a major concession.

Mr Rann said the cuts should provide "a huge boost to our economy at this very crucial time".

"We are going for growth and going for jobs," he said.

Mr Rann said the savings would begin from January 1 next year, when an estimated 25,000 owner-occupiers who took out home mortgages or refinanced their mortgage each year would benefit.

"This will save those homeowners $26 million a year by 2006-07 – rising to $31 million by 2009-10," he said. "This is the equivalent of a 0.35 per cent discount on their interest rate in the first year."

Mr Rann said the savings to households and businesses would be $56 million a year by 2009-10.

Currently, first homebuyers receive a full stamp duty concession on first-home purchases valued up to $80,000.

In the 2004-05 Budget, that concession was extended to provide a partial stamp duty concession for first homes valued above $80,000 up to $250,000.

Property taxes, including stamp duty and conveyance duty, are estimated to raise $979 million in the current financial year rising to $993.5 million in 2007-08.

The new concession comes only three days after the Government told Parliament any further stamp duty relief could generate further upward pressure on house prices rather than improving affordability.

Mr Rann said yesterday the latest decision was another significant tax cut for 150,000 businesses and households following on from other tax cuts in last year's Budget.

"Rather than being complacent with record numbers of South Australians in jobs, we want to keep confidence and momentum going," he said.

"The abolition of stamp duty on refinancing mortgages for the owner-occupier will also help create a more competitive environment among the banks."

Mr Rann predicted further tax cuts saying the Government's history on cutting taxes was "one we are very proud of and is one that will not stop here".

In a written answer to a question from Liberal MLC Angus Redford in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Rann said that in an environment of strong growth in property values driven by demand pressures, "the most likely impact of further stamp duty relief is that it will generate further upward pressure on prices as stamp duty savings are used to bid up house prices".

"Providing tax relief or increasing grants to first homebuyers may be counterproductive if the end result is to keep upward pressure on prices.

"The beneficiaries of tax relief may be the sellers, not the buyers, of property."

This week, Treasurer Kevin Foley warned of the danger of this year's Budget plunging into the red because of demands by federal Treasurer Peter Costello for the states to cut a range of business taxes over the next four years. SA is asking that the cuts be phased in over six years.



Hopefully that will ease entry into the SA housing market.

Its about time. This state goverment is finally feeling some heat on the issue of tax.

Getting rid of tax is good, and i like others here will
benefit from it. However maybe the government should
have only removed stamp duty tax on high rise appartments
to ensure urban sprawl does not go on unchecked.

Adding to the cost/benefit trade-off between appartments
and low-rise housing would entice more people into city
living, putting less pressure on resources and making the
city a thriving happening place.

Just a thought!!!

Getting rid of tax is good, and i like others here will
benefit from it. However maybe the government should
have only removed stamp duty tax on high rise appartments
to ensure urban sprawl does not go on unchecked.

Adding to the cost/benefit trade-off between appartments
and low-rise housing would entice more people into city
living, putting less pressure on resources and making the
city a thriving happening place.

Just a thought!!!

Excellent idea! Urban sprawl has gotten out of hand.

Discuss your opinions of Tourism in Adelaide.

What needs to be done
what is good
what the focal points are
Proposals
etc.

We should have something for the under 50's to enjoy... i mean vineyards, and restaurants are great... but how about something like luna park?

Exactly what i have always thought....we badly need something like a luna park. Holdfast park just wont cut it

How about really good dirt cheap shopping. People would just come here just to buy stuff. Don't know how you would go about it except through special tax concessions. How about a bloody big wave pool at the aquatic centre? (Always wanted one of those. :) ) Opening the top floor of santos tower to the public and making a sweet observation/restaurant floor - better still, build a 200m tower. Set up a giant light display using lasers and project images onto the Adelaide Hills (would annoy the residents no end.) Do all of the above. :)

That would be cool! only during summer...

theres some interesting posters i saw somewere that was mimiking anti tourism people.

They read:

''you'd be amazed what tourists leave behind'' (money)

" Tourists just make more work for everyone" (creates jobs)

Sounds like bad things but there great

LUNA PARK

Wayville Showgrounds would be an ideal location for a Luna Park or what I believe should be called CityWorld. It is the perfect size, has some rides there already, close to the city centre so tourists can easily get there and is right next to the railway line making it accessible via every railway route there is in adelaide. The theme should be of a city, with millions of 'fake' buildings used in rides and mini-landmarks etc. Should have the most incredible nightlife if built and would create so many jobs for the youth.

If some people know, at westfield marion, on the second level entrance at the above ground carpark, there is a bar called NY BAR and GRILL. The kind of posters around in CityWorld should be verysimilar to the one shown above the bar of NYC, with the fake statue of liberty. except i would illuminate the lights of all the buildings in each poster so that its like the MINI CITY of lIghts. and to power all these lights, build 2 wind turbines but the blades are also a ride. wheeeeeeeee around and around.

Wayville isnt an Ideal location. Also, its owned by the RAAS. (is that it?)

An ideal place would be henly beach or semaphore imo. Probarbly were the mini theme park is now at semaphore. Glenelg is out of the picture now unless the build were the buffalo is (whatever that reserve is called)

There used to be a Luna Park in Glenelg. I believe it was the first one?

god im young... i cant remember or i wasnt even alive!

Do u mean just the ferris wheel and stuff? also, what happened?

god im young... i cant remember or i wasnt even alive!

Do u mean just the ferris wheel and stuff? also, what happened?

One part of the former Luna Park does remain today. The rollercoaster that you see in Sydney's Luna Park used to be at Glenelg. The story goes that the rollercoaster had an accident some time in the very early 30s during the depression, so it was taken apart and transported to Sydney, where it still remains today.

Yup just read an article for google. Thanks anyway. i thought luna park was from like the 60s or something lol.

So the rollercoaster is really old!

The North Sydney council then requested tenders for how the area should be developed. This was won by Hermann Phillips from Melbourne. His previous park located in Glenelg, SA closed due to issues regarding expansion with local residents so all the rides were dismantled, transported by ship to Sydney and then reassembled in the new area.

^^ apparently it was complaints that Saw it come down. Looks like nothing in Adelaide residents has changed in the past 70 years...

OK so this is a tourism thread, I am heading to Adelaide for the first time last next week and am not sure what I am going to do other than maybe one winery tour and a visit to Handel (is that what its called). Im a young 30 year old gay boy and the only place I know of to go out is Mars Bar. There must be more to Adelaide!!!

Give me suggestions!!!!!!!! I know this thread is primarily about what more can be done for tourism in Adelaide but give me a run down of what you already have!!

Sorry, can't help you with the gay scene but certainly you can visit the Barossa Valley, Claire Valley and Mclaren Vale for all your wine tasting needs. Maybe visit Hahndorf (German town - quite cool), go for a drive down the coast to Starfish hill windfarm (really nice drive on a sunny day and excellent view) and then across to Victor Harbour and check out granite island (penguins, seals, whales, sightseeing) and then head back pass Mount Compass and do a bit of trout fishing at Tooperang trout farm before heading back to Adelaide.

In Adelaide, visit the cleland national park (roos, koalas, emus, birds, etc) and then catch the tram (oops, might not be running due to upgrade) to glenelg and check out jetty road and the beach. Have meal and drink at one of the many excellent cafes/restaurants along Rundle St, Gouger St, Hindley St, O'Connell St and Melbourne Street. I think the Greedy Goose is on Melbourne st (if you follow my Restaurant rules). Visit The Central Market and Chinatown whilst around Gouger St. Check out the Casino and the riverbank precinct as well as the Museum, the Art Gallery, the National Wine Centre and the Zoo along North Terrace. Maybe do some shopping the Rundle Mall or head out to the 'burbs and check out The Parade in Norwood for some more shopping and cafes or go towards Henley Beach (west of the CBD) and enjoy something to eat right on the shore at "Henley on Sea" cafe. If you have time, check out Historic Port Adelaide which will undergo some serious changes in the near future. I don't think it's running at this time of the year but you can go on dolfin sightseeing cruises down at the port by the lighthouse. You can also go for a trip out on the tall ship "the Falie"?. Check out the subs whilst you're out on the water.

I've never done these other things but apparently, you can go on hot air balloon rides out in the barossa (or claire valley?) and jet fighter rides down at goolwa. There's also jet boat rides at Glenelg (http://www.helava.com.au/).

I guess there's plently more to do but I think that might give you some ideas. (Did I mention Kangaroo Island?) :)

Thats what I want to know!!!! THanks Al. I didnt really need help with the Gay Scene anyway, thats the easy part!! What you have given me there is fantastic, now if you could wrap that up into a commercial and play it Australia wide for a couple of months then your tourism industry might just get a good boost.

Part of the problem with your tourism industry, is that the average person only really knows about South Australian Wine Districts, and while this is a brilliant asset to the state, it isnt the be all and end all of South Australia. Show me a commercial with the Jet Boat Rides, cruises, shopping and all the other fun and exciting stuff that has nothing to do with wine!!

As for amusement parks, you might not have the population to support it, but if you can then go for it!!

OK so this is a tourism thread, I am heading to Adelaide for the first time last next week and am not sure what I am going to do other than maybe one winery tour and a visit to Handel (is that what its called). Im a young 30 year old gay boy and the only place I know of to go out is Mars Bar. There must be more to Adelaide!!!

Having chatted to a few gay blokes recently, I can tell you they think Adelaide's gay scene is dead. Apart from the Mars bar, all I know is that apparently Semaphore is considered to be Adelaide's lesbian space. Sorry I don't have much more info mate, but I bat for the other team.

i dont know much about the gay scene in adelaide, but i do know that the SBS show Queer As Folk attracts some 90,000 viewers here in adelaide alone each time its shown. There is a gay meeting base in the parklands every fortnight, southern end. dont know why i konow this, but some guys from the group got murdered by the others cos they kept hitting on them, thought you might waana chekc it out if ur gay.

sorry we dont have a mardi gras festival either, but we have alot of gay male dog walkers on the riverbank.

Yeah OK, sounds interesting! Starting to wish I hadnt mentioned the gay thing, not even sure now why I did. So lets stay away from the gay topic and give me a few more ideas. Is there a good lookout up in the Adelaide Hills?

Yeah OK, sounds interesting! Starting to wish I hadnt mentioned the gay thing, not even sure now why I did. So lets stay away from the gay topic and give me a few more ideas. Is there a good lookout up in the Adelaide Hills?

Yes, quite a few.

Mount Lofty Summit is the most well known. Gets pretty cold up there I might add, apparently it was snowing up there yesterday. There's also Norton Summit and Skye Lookout.

AtD has a cracking panoramic shot taken from Mount Lofty Summit on his Photo Adelaide site:

http://www.photoadelaide.com/pano/

There's a great lookout on Blair Road. Lower North East Road also offers some great views. Black Top Hill Road offers great views of the norther suburbs but no view of the CBD.

One of the gems that is quite unique to Adelaide is the Bicentennial Conservatory as seen from Hackney Rd. SA Tourism should use it a logo.

Why not promote Adelaide on the 'SSC Banner' don't know what the rules are to post a photo up there, either it be your own picture or the picture from TourismSA.

I really love this pic, it highlights the buzz and rush on King William Street, but also captures the calm surrounds of the River Torrens.
http://www.southaustralia.com/images_satc/headings/h_adelaide.jpg

Agree mic, that's a fantastic shot.

Yeah OK, sounds interesting! Starting to wish I hadnt mentioned the gay thing, not even sure now why I did. So lets stay away from the gay topic and give me a few more ideas. Is there a good lookout up in the Adelaide Hills?

I know that we're moving on from the gay thing mate, but I felt like I had to chime in and tell you pass on redstar's suggestion and stay the fuck away from the South Parklands at night - rape and murder have a way of ruining holidays.

Where's that shot from mic? Memorial Hospital?

There are a few gay bars in Adelaide. Google is your friend.

By the same group who are working on Mawson Lakes, but this time involves more industry.

PUSH FOR
6000 HOMES
New urban plan for
northern suburbs
EXCLUSIVE: By Chief Reporter PAUL STARICK
22jun05
A MULTIMILLION-dollar plan by a major developer to build up to 6000 homes in Adelaide's northern suburbs is being considered by the State Government.

The plan involves a housing/industrial development on the scale of Mawson Lakes and a freight hub just west of RAAF Edinburgh at Salisbury.

The Advertiser has been told Mawson Lakes developer Delfin Lend Lease is pushing for the right to develop a 460ha land parcel in the Waterloo Corner area.

The housing would be marketed to first-home buyers but the plan is facing resistance because it involves extending northwards the State Government's boundary for Adelaide's urban growth.

The freight hub – a road/rail/air/sea interchange – effectively would be a large transfer, storage and distribution station.

Freight would be processed from the Adelaide to Darwin railway, nearby highways (including the Port River Expressway), Outer Harbor and, if the Defence Department agreed, the RAAF's Edinburgh base.

It is understood the Delfin plan involves funding a substantial portion of the freight hub, with costs being recouped through the adjacent housing development and some government funding.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Patrick Conlon told The Advertiser: "We're very supportive of the transport hub but we're concerned about extending the urban growth boundary. That's the matter most likely to be put to Cabinet in the future."

Salisbury Council is working with Delfin on the project, arguing it would attract more industry and create hundreds of jobs in the area.

The hub would be located near the intersection of Heaslip Rd and the Adelaide-to-Darwin railway, at the southwest boundary of RAAF Edinburgh. The housing development would extend to Taylor Rd, to the west.

The land is rural and Delfin is believed to have been negotiating with land owners for some months. Delfin general manager Alan Miller described the planned development as a "joint project between government and private sector" but declined to give further details.

He confirmed it involved extending Adelaide's urban growth boundary northwards.

"It (Adelaide's boundary for urban development) needs to be reviewed because it's having a severe effect on the housing process in Adelaide at the moment," he said.

Salisbury Mayor Tony Zappia said a transport hub was needed to cater for northern Adelaide's industry base, which would grow further in the wake of Adelaide securing the $6 billion air warfare destroyer contract.

"With more and more industry locating in the northern region, there will be a rising demand for housing," he said. Housing Industry Association chief economist Simon Tennent said a major housing development in northern Adelaide would be enthusiastically welcomed.

However, a lot depended on land release timing and the amount of infrastructure funded by local and state governments.

Mr Tennent urged developers to carefully time land releases to avoid an oversupply, and warned blocks would be prohibitively expensive if homebuyers had to pay for infrastructure.

Real Estate Institute of South Australia president Robin Turner said a large influx of sensibly timed land releases would help first-home affordability.

But the Defence Department is "very concerned" about the potential impact of an influx of nearby residents on the operations of RAAF Edinburgh and the adjacent Defence Science and Technology Organisation's Edinburgh laboratories.

Responding to The Advertiser with a written statement, the Defence Department said the RAAF base and DSTO were "long-term key Defence establishments" which employed a combined total of 4000 people.

"Defence is very conscious that the noise of operational military aircraft is of increasing concern to the residents near the flight paths," the department's statement says.

The State Government's concern at extending Adelaide's growth boundary centres on the need to protect prime agricultural land at Virginia to the north, which relies on local water supply and the Bolivar pipeline.

why are we building north where all the uncilvilsed adelaidians go. southside is waaay better, has more view and oppurtinity. should be trying to link with vicotr and goolwa more rather than no-towners in the boo-rossa. the mc-loving vales so much better

Who wouldn't want to live there, right next to Bolivar!

why are we building north where all the uncilvilsed adelaidians go. southside is waaay better, has more view and oppurtinity. should be trying to link with vicotr and goolwa more rather than no-towners in the boo-rossa. the mc-loving vales so much better

You obviously did not read the article. The area where these new suburbs are planned is north of Bolivar, and west of the RAAF Edinburgh base. It also comprises of a new freight terminal nearby.

why are we building north where all the uncilvilsed adelaidians go. southside is waaay better, has more view and oppurtinity. should be trying to link with vicotr and goolwa more rather than no-towners in the boo-rossa. the mc-loving vales so much better

The south is dead compared to the north. What major developments are happening south? A have completed expressway?

Goody! i love sprawl.... even adelaides string

The bloke said ''drop'' the gay thing.

Anyway, do you watn me to post that as a banner?

You love sprawl...? Why?

Fair enough for a freight hub, but more housing....
sounds like a bad idea. will overstretch already
overstreched services, like public transport, health,
education, etc.....

We need to move away from this sort of development
why cant we see more dense development happening
in Adelaide. Similar to the Port Adelaide Waterfront
but on a grander scale. But there is no land you say
what about Cheltenham racecourse isnt that going
to be sold. I remember Mitchell Park down south being
demolish and what has replaced those houses more
condensed one storey houses. We need more low rise
ie 4-5 storey developments popping up all around
Adelaide rather than urban sprawl.

Whats gonna happen when petrol is $2 dollar or $3 dollars
a litre it will happen as the US stock exchange has
said the only way petrol/oil will reduce in price is if
demand falls away cant see that happening with China
and India's growth....

Fair enough for a freight hub, but more housing....
sounds like a bad idea. will overstretch already
overstreched services, like public transport, health,
education, etc.....

We need to move away from this sort of development
why cant we see more dense development happening
in Adelaide. Similar to the Port Adelaide Waterfront
but on a grander scale. But there is no land you say
what about Cheltenham racecourse isnt that going
to be sold. I remember Mitchell Park down south being
demolish and what has replaced those houses more
condensed one storey houses. We need more low rise
ie 4-5 storey developments popping up all around
Adelaide rather than urban sprawl.

Whats gonna happen when petrol is $2 dollar or $3 dollars
a litre it will happen as the US stock exchange has
said the only way petrol/oil will reduce in price is if
demand falls away cant see that happening with China
and India's growth....

You've got my vote on this one!

i say reduce the sprawl, and focus on inner city residential developemnst and the encourage ment of gelenlg and port adelaide to become our sub-cities and encourage growth around there with the current projects goign on in those areas atm. A hosuing developemnt on garden and torrens islands would be good... if they did something about the power station.... and may i add, re-align the flightpath of airport so that glenelg can get a bit more highrise.

Well, if anywhere needs more people, it would definetely be the inner city areas bordering the parklands. Adelaide and Perth have the most dead inner cities of the major cities in Australia. Probably because they aren't well linked with their respective CBDs, and there are no real existing "active" streets.

(Northbridge in Perth is split from the CBD by rail lines)

You love sprawl...? Why?

Because im Athenian. :D

I no im weird to u people...

I find Boxie Buildings Attractive and like sprawl

Well, if anywhere needs more people, it would definetely be the inner city areas bordering the parklands. Adelaide and Perth have the most dead inner cities of the major cities in Australia. Probably because they aren't well linked with their respective CBDs, and there are no real existing "active" streets.

(Northbridge in Perth is split from the CBD by rail lines)

No real existing "active" streets. What do you call the parade in Norwood,
melbourne street and o'connell st North Adelaide and unley road unley etc....
I know they arent exactly st kilda road or chapel street etc.

Trams along these corridors would help as would a change in government planning to allow low rise 4-5 storey offices, appartments, retail etc around such transport and retail hubs...

Density is needed not urban sprawl like out Bolivar and Seaford Meadows, Seaford Heights etc etc... Appartment developers should also be enticed to build affordable low rise appartment dwellings that look great from the exterior but are normal/average on the interior. Not every building or everybody needs or can afford luxury fittings with state of the art communication/security systems etc etc etc.

No real existing "active" streets. What do you call the parade in Norwood,
melbourne street and o'connell st North Adelaide and unley road unley etc....
I know they arent exactly st kilda road or chapel street etc.

Trams along these corridors would help as would a change in government planning to allow low rise 4-5 storey offices, appartments, retail etc around such transport and retail hubs...

Apart from the North Adelaide streets, there are no other inner city streets with life that are actually within a kilometre or two of the CBD. I'm referring to areas such as Kent Town, Eastwood and Mile End, not suburbs 4 or 5km out that are completely seperated from the CBD by such areas.

News today ACC is considering upgrading Rundle Mall to have
a second level ie balcony walkways either side of Rundle Mall
to utilise empty retail space on the first floor. This would
be a great idea and look great.

Fantastic idea.

The second and third levels of Rundle Mall buildings go completely unnoticed.

Hope it happens.

An interesting idea. I would hope that this second level doesn't extend the entire length of the mall, as there are some absolute gem historic buildings that would either be ruined by installing a second shopfront, or be obscured by such a walkway.

Proceed with caution, council!

Agree with that.

I'd hope it was mostly glass and as unobtrusive as possible.

are we turning this place into another westfield marion.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

please dont go ahead with this, rundle malls fine, just.... build another mall.

are we turning this place into another westfield marion.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

please dont go ahead with this, rundle malls fine, just.... build another mall.

Who on earth cursed us with bringing you too these forums?

Hey guys, well I have returned from my trip to Adelaide!!! Loved it!! I have to say that the best thing your city has going for it is the fact that it is still small enough to be really friendly, that makes a hell of alot of difference in my book.

Love all the old buildings, and some of the new ones look magic, especially the law courts. Rundle mall was great, my only concern about the second level would be that its not that wide so as long as it doesnt make the ground level feel closed in, getting the right design will make all the difference and if you can pull it off it will add so much. I was really impressed with the shopping down there, and the prices, and not just because of the sales.

The wineries were great, better when not in a tour. Hahndorf was bigger than I expected and loved it. View from Lofty was magic. Didnt think much of Glenelg, thought it would be a good place for a small boutique theme park but then noticed there use to be one there so not sure now. If the pier was extended in length and width with some kind of attraction that would be cool. It didnt help that we were there when it was cold but hey.

I realise its a big deal at the moment, but they need to stop advertising on the news that adelaide is the murder capital of Australia, I had never even realised this until I got there. Im not sure that the rest of the country sees it that way.

I was impressed with the Southern (??) freeway, the one that changes direction, makes alot of sense. Great infrastructure from what I could tell, and the public transport for tourists was really good. In general the city seemed a little bit stagnant, and I think the state govt probably needs to do a little more to encourage new investment, but then I dont know what they are already doing. I do think that you will see the same thing that has been happening in Brisbane over the last couple of years happen in Adelaide in about 10-20 years, and then watch out.

Anyway, thats my thoughts guys!! Some of you need to stop being so negative about the fantastically beautiful and funky city that you live in, I didnt expect Adelaide to be so much of its own city but it is, and it works well, and right now if I had to leave Qld to live in another city Adelaide would be it without question.

OK, enough rambling from me!!! Cya!!

P.S. Will post pics from other computer in the next couple of days.

P.P.S. If you know people that are visiting Adelaide, I cant recommend Oaks Horizons enough as a great place to stay, tell them to book on Wotif.com for a great price.

Oh and one more thing, thank god you guys are getting the new airport terminal, the old one is the worst welcome to any city, even Canberra is better than the old one.

New one looks great though, bring it on.

Glad you enjoyed our city GMAC.

I'm really optimistic about the future of this place. I think we just need to find a groove and be happy with it and grow from there.

Currently, there are too many people pushing in opposite directions (ie nimbys of the worst kind on one hand and people who want another Sydney on the other). If we can find a decent medium, and I think we're on our way, then there's no doubt we can prosper.

Need some help guys. Has anyone got some good photos (hi res if possible) of a Balfours frog cake, pie floater, or pie cart? Need them for a little project so no copyright stuff. Thanks heaps.

Having recently spent five years living in brisbane, being a gay guys myself, and havving my family live in adealide (thoug i live in melbourne) i feel qualified to comment.



Firstly, coming from Brisbane, you will realise how handsome Adelaide is. You will notice how picture perfect many of Adelaide's suburbs are. Neat and tidy streets, large and attractive historic homes, orderly grids, parks and gardens.

Look up and see the pretty mountain views, and the skyline of Adealide looks crap in photos, but actually looks tasteful and attractive in real life.

in adelaide there's no suburb like west end or new farm or fortitude valley. simply, adelaides to '..well, neat and middle class. ' imo, adelaide reminds me most of an American city. think, columbas or indianapolis or something. just neat and white and middle class.


Adealide is basically Australia's Most Underated city by far!!! I largely blame the vicious and self-dstructive government for tha, and for south australian people themselves foe believing their government into thinking every thing about their state is falling appart and behind.


The fact is, you will realise Adealide shits all over Brisbane in terms of urban attractiveness and style. and you will wonder, what the fuck??? How can queensland do it, and why can't south australia??



Even, people on here in the Adelaide room, constantly put adelaide down . read the olympics thread for instance. it's sad, totally.


Anyhow, enjoy your stay in Adealide, everywhere you will be pleasantly surprised.

For the gay traveller, Adelaide offers a great quality of life. Try the Edinburgh Castle Hotel on Currie, and my favourite the Hampshire Hotel on Grote street. Those two bars are generally packed with straight acting boys from thurs to sun. Both are tastefully furnishd and the boys in Adealide in my opinion, are the best looking in the country. It'l make your Brisbane Sporties look like a looser nightmare.

The Southbank parklands is a real popular gay meeting place, all day, and up to 3am. it's adelalid'es premier beat, aka albert park spring hill i guess.

Like Brisbane, there's two saunas, go to Pulteny. its in an old adelaide mansion. great feel.

definately see north adelaide, unley, hyde park $$$$$$, norwood, glenelg, henley beach (theres a coffee club here yeay!!) and explore the botanic gardens.


get your self to handorf (very european most unlike qld) and also see mt lofty aka mt coot-tha lookout.

all in all, you will enjoy yourself in adelaide.


I would seriously live in Adelaide before Perth, it's more prittier and cultured. But Brisbane is very much the ugly duckling compared to adelaide, but to Brisbane's credit, it's got a far better local government pushing it, and it's got all the benefits of the gold coast, noosa, and hinterland rainforests that adelaide hasn't got.


south australia needs to develop it's kangaroo island and the flinders rangers. it needs to build boutique resort/casinos and resorts in these two locations. similar to launcestons country club casino.



adelaides airport is coming along nicely.



South Australia : Is The Good Life


(my slogan for the state as festival state is way shit)


hope this helps

south australia needs to develop it's kangaroo island and the flinders rangers. it needs to build boutique resort/casinos and resorts in these two locations. similar to launcestons country club casino.

I think i just found my new twin! finally someone knows what SA needs, and better because it isnt from an adelaidians point of view. The prob with SA and alot of Australia is were too...NATURAL.....we are all like, "ohh we better not build too close or we might disturb the kangaroos" and im like "get a grip!" citys dont grow by pleasing the kangaroos. The Kangaroos have elswere to live, but Adelaide is for the Human population. Humans need a habitat aswell, lets not disturb our needs. Humans have a need or atleast love to travel, adelaide dosnt cater for humans from other societys. I mean honestly, Kanagroo island is a DUMP and i say that loudly and proudly and i dont want you people to get all defence the place is a mess. Its awful. It has the potential of becoming the Santorini of the south! it has great beaches. but oh i forgot, it has Koalas and Kangaroos and we cant knock down a tree because its over 10 years old!. My bad.... :runaway:

More plans for the same area:

Battalion base plan starts to take shape
By Chief Reporter PAUL STARICK
23jul05
AN 80-hectare army base with nearby housing for 1000 people would be built in Adelaide's northern suburbs under the

A land parcel south of the RAAF Edinburgh base is being examined for the base, which would be co-located with a road/rail transport hub.

If the Government's bid is successful, about 1600 soldiers and support staff would shift to the area.

Housing for between 300 and 400 families would be required in the community near the base, while accommodation for between 1000 and 1200 single soldiers would be built near the base.

State Defence Unit chief executive Kevin Scarce told The Advertiser a business case would be finished by October for presentation to Defence Minister Robert Hill and the Defence Department.

"The first thing that we have to do is convince Defence that coming to Adelaide is a sensible option," he said.

Rear Admiral (retired) Scarce said the land near RAAF Edinburgh was "one location that we are keenly examining" but did not give further details.

The site would capitalise on the strategic value of the Adelaide to Darwin railway and the Edinburgh Parks defence industry precinct, which are both located nearby.

Arguing the case, Premier Mike Rann has pitched Adelaide as the nation's most cost-effective place for the army, both operationally and for the soldiers and their families to live and work.

Another selling point is the cost saving to be made by relocating to an established defence base such as RAAF Edinburgh.

The State Government this month rejected a plan for up to 6000 homes on a 450ha land parcel to the southwest of RAAF Edinburgh because it was outside Adelaide's urban growth boundary.

The push for an army battalion is the next stage of the Government's plan to grow the state's burgeoning defence industry.

It follows the $6 billion air warfare destroyer contract awarded to Outer Harbor-based shipbuilder ASC in late May.

Senator Hill expressed lukewarm support for the relocation idea but said there was no money set aside for the plan.

He said the concept of relocating a battalion to South Australia had not yet been considered. However, Senator Hill last month announced an expansion of the Cultana army training area near Port Augusta.

He said the Adelaide to Darwin railway enabled swift movement of tanks and helicopters to Cultana from their Darwin bases.

"The argument for it would be that it could link in well with the battalion in Darwin and allow rotation between the two, as a respite from the tropical conditions," he said.

"It would be facilitated by the railway and utilise the expanded Cultana training base, particularly during the northern wet.

"But the cost of any such move would be considerable and is not currently within our Defence Capability Plan."

whilst I support the idea for mid to high rise apartments in the inner suburbs, when you analyze the situation it appears that it is just a dream. Adelaide is an anti-high rise city, and to be honest I simply cannot see the inner city councils supporting anything over 2 levels. So with this in mind, if Adelaide is going to grow we have to accept urban sprawl.

read in the paper on the saturday
about the things adelaide could learn from
philadephia usa, as a couple of decades
ago phily was in decline but has rebounded etc.

However what i wanted to point out was
they stated that Adelaide had 1.2 million people
and density was 199 per square km compared
to Philadephia's 2.2 million people at a density
of 2000 od per square km. Now with more density
comes more vibrancy and better use of resources.

Adelaides Urban Sprawl is a thing created by
developers.... they like urban sprawl rather than
highrise as they can see a single house as soon
as its finished rather than a building...

Adelaide is too big for its population and the
urban growth boundary needs to be put in stone
and density should be increased at least in
nodal points centered around services and
public transport.

read in the paper on the saturday
about the things adelaide could learn from
philadephia usa, as a couple of decades
ago phily was in decline but has rebounded etc.

However what i wanted to point out was
they stated that Adelaide had 1.2 million people
and density was 199 per square km compared
to Philadephia's 2.2 million people at a density
of 2000 od per square km. Now with more density
comes more vibrancy and better use of resources.

Adelaides Urban Sprawl is a thing created by
developers.... they like urban sprawl rather than
highrise as they can see a single house as soon
as its finished rather than a building...

Adelaide is too big for its population and the
urban growth boundary needs to be put in stone
and density should be increased at least in
nodal points centered around services and
public transport.

Pittsburgh... not Philidelphia. Philidelphia is fair bit larger than 2 million people.

The problem with the statistic about density regards the way that they have been measured. Both Adelaide and Pittsburgh figures for metropolitan areas are correct. The density figure for the Adelaide metropolitan area is reasonable. However, the Pittsburgh figure for density is only for the city proper, which has a population of almost 350000 people, compared to Adelaide's city proper population of less than 20000.

Over the past 50 years, many of the cities in the developing world have had their CBDs go into declining population and density. At one stage Adelaide had a CBD population close to 80000 before post-WWII suburbia kicked in. Today it is not even a quarter.

Before Adelaide can support future population growth around nodal points in the suburbs, improvement needs to be made to public transport service. Half hourly service during the middle of the day on many bus and train lines and hourly services on train lines on weekends in nowhere near good enough. Also lacking are security and facilities at many railway stations. The pissy shelters aren't exactly encouragin either.

does anyone have an image showing the actual urban boundary of adelaide?

just a feel good story
classic pic
http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/SA/Cape%20Jaffa/Rookery%20and%20Chicks%20rm%204.jpg
The South Australian Parliament has passed legislation overnight which will effectively save the 133-year-old Cape Jaffa lighthouse platform.

The bill to absolve any future owner of the structure from liability claims was introduced by south-east Liberal MP Mitch Williams.

The structure was marked for demolition by maritime authorities.

Labor and the Democrats supported the bill - Democrats' leader Sandra Kanck told Parliament she is pleased the platform will now be saved.

"I have to say I can't understand how the Australian Marine Safety Authority came to the conclusion that this platform is a danger to shipping," she said.

"It's in the middle of the Margaret Brock Reef where no ships would ever be. I congratulate the Honourable David Ridgeway for introducing this bill, I think it's a very sensible one."

relocated lighthouse now museum

http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/SA/Cape%20Jaffa/Cape%20Jaffa%20wb%201.jpg

history of Cape Jaffa lighthouse

Established in 1872 on Margaret Brock Reef, the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse was built to protect ships from the treacherous currents that had seen the demise of many ships in the area.

The original multi-wick oil burner was replaced by a pressurised kerosene burner in 1909. This lighting apparatus was turned off in 1973 and is believed to have been the last of its type to operate in Australia.

This type of lighthouse is known as "Wells Screw Pile" and was selected for this location because the narrow wrought iron piles offered the most resistance to the heavy seas that break across the reef.

All the parts for this lighthouse were manufactured and pre-assembled, in England then dismantled and shipped to Australia

Extreme difficulties were encountered during its construction which took 3 years instead of the proposed 1 year.

Apparently when the site was first chosen the sea and weather was unusually calm. When it came time to construct the lighthouse sea were wild and the weather rough. Early construction was washed away and sometimes the contractors could not go out for days.

Another story from Jack Loney's book of Shipwrecks on the South Australian Coast tells of some castaways reaching the lighthouse only to find it was unmanned. On reporting this the body of one of the lightkeepers was found and the other was never recovered. It was known that they got on well and were very keen on fishing. Jack Loney states that it was this tragedy the led to the decision to close the lighthouse.

On 1 April 1973, a new lighthouse at Robe was switched on and the Cape Jaffa light was extinguished. A low powered temporary beacon was attached to the tower.

The then Department of Transport had decided to dismantle the lighthouse and replace it with a beacon on the platform.

The National Trust of South Australia (Kingston Branch) successfully lobbied for the lighthouse to be re-erected at Kingston where it could be preserved as a museum to show what life was like on the platform.

Dismantling began in February 1974 and was complete by March 1975.

The reconstruction began at Kingston in June 1975 and was completed in December 1976.

The Lighthouse was officially handed over to the National Trust of South Australia (Kingston Branch) on January 1976 and now operates as a museum.

original location
http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/SA/Cape%20Jaffa/Cape%20Jaffa%20On%20Reef%20kt.jpg

The first photo looks really kool, does it still look like that?

I think Adelaide can say goodbye to its "Most Affordable City Tag"

Adelaide house prices tipped to rocket
By LOUISE TRECCASI
01apr06
ADELAIDE will become home to more million-dollar suburbs while the cost of an average house is tipped to skyrocket 130 per cent within 10 years - growing from $276,000 to $644,000 by 2015.

The Real Estate Institute of South Australia said Adelaide house prices had risen by more than 750 per cent over the past 25 years, equating to an average growth rate of 8.83 per cent.

Using this average rate, the median Adelaide house price could climb to $644,000 within a decade.

The institute has selected suburbs covering all areas of metropolitan Adelaide to see what their value may be worth in a decade.

The median house price in Unley Park could more than double from $1,070,000 to $2,494,000 over the next 10 years. Norwood could rise from $447,500 to $1,043,000. Prices at beachside Glenelg North could climb from $395,000 to $920,500.

Even the northern suburb of Elizabeth may see house prices jump from $155,000 to $361,000. REISA president Mark Sanderson said the SA real estate market had been a steady performer and these figures highlighted the stability of bricks and mortar.

"Over the past 25 years, there have been periods of strong growth and periods of stability and this has levelled out to an average annual growth rate of 8.83 per cent," he said.

"In 1980 our median house price was $36,300 and in 2005 it was $276,000."

Mr Sanderson said the predicted price growth needed to be seen in context of inflation, relative value of the dollar and wages.

"The values sound very high now, but in 10 years time, the relative value of the dollar will very different," he said.

"If you have said to people 25 years ago that house prices would rise by 750 per cent, very few would have believed you, but times have moved on and the property market has surged on upwards."

Matt Smith of Klemich Real Estate, who specialises in Norwood, said the character city-fringe location would continue to experience strong capital growth over the coming decade as demand for quality homes in the leafy city-fringe location would invariably be greater than supply.

Mr Smith sold a single-fronted cottage in Norwood to Frank Vounasis and fiancee Laleh Rejaiean, both 22. The couple bought last October and plan to renovate.

"I sold my house at Croydon Park and Laleh sold her property at Greenacres so we could afford to buy in Norwood," Mr Vounasis said.

"The suburb has tree-lined streets, is close to the city and is very cosmopolitan. We are confident in our investment and confident prices will keep growing."

The Real Estate Institute says we should buy property? Who would have thunk it?

I was under the impression that housing prices were stabalising or even falling out in the 'burbs.

Good for me but not good for the state as a whole if we want to grow our population more rapidly.

Dumb article. Means nothing. That historical growth rate and the future growth rate is on par, or even below, the other major capital cities.
An average annual growth rate of around 9% has been the norm for SYDNEY for 40-50 years i.e house prices double every 9 years - so SYD current avg house price will be +$1 mill in about 8-9 years time. The eastern subs and lower north shore avg house price will probably be $4m + by then.

']Good for me but not good for the state as a whole if we want to grow our population more rapidly.
yea, you're right, Mr. Unley Park

Whats that supposed to mean?

That your a snoby elitist? j/k

I dont think we will lose the most affordable tag. House prices here may rise, but they will also rise interstate.

']Whats that supposed to mean?
hehe, only that you were telling me that you were better than me, because you lived in unley pk, n i lived in glenunga.

I dont think we will lose the most affordable tag. House prices here may rise, but they will also rise interstate.

Yeah true

hehe, only that you were telling me that you were better than me, because you lived in unley pk, n i lived in glenunga.
When did I say that??!?
If I did I was surely Joking because I am definetly moving out next month!

']When did I say that??!?
If I did I was surely Joking because I am definetly moving out next month!
lol i know you were joking...it was over msn btw

From the advertiser.


DEVELOPMENT : New suburb approved
03apr06

FINAL approvals have been given for the biggest housing development in 20 years in Adelaide's southern suburbs.

Plans for the first stage of Seaford Meadows, a new suburb that will house 6000 residents, have been approved by Onkaparinga Council.

Onkaparinga Council General Manager Terry Sutcliffe said: "It's the equivalent of adding another Walkerville to Adelaide." The 130ha Land SA project is valued at $500 million

More sprawl :(

Cool, More Good News for Adelaide!!!!!

The removal of productive agricultural land, a further stretch on limited public services and more congestion on our streets from another suburb built such that you are forced to own two cars and drive everywhere. Not good news in my view. They could at least fill in some of the land closer to the city.

Besides, more houses means less apartments. :D

Don't think the land was used for productive agricultural, dont think it was used for anything!!

you gotta remember their going to extend the noarlunga line to seaford with two new stations (seaford meadows & seaford)

really its just filling up needed land between seaford & the onkaparinga river

btw I don't think because of more houses, there will be less apartments

apartments are in the inner city area, not way out in the suburbs

Really!!!

This should be overturned by the State Government, it
will only lead to services being overstreched, pollution
from extra cars etc etc. Those people should live closer
to the city in appartments, whether they like it or not
because urban sprawl is bad for the economy and bad
for the environment and only good for the selfish developers.

I dont like it.
If it was a parcel of land amongst existing suburbs that was undeveloped, ie Walkley Heights, then thats another story. Isnt there enough urban sprawl?

btw I don't think because of more houses, there will be less apartments

apartments are in the inner city area, not way out in the suburbs

Well, it does to an extent. That is 6,000 people that could live in or around the CBD.

^^ Not to mention by increasing the limits of the 'outer suburbs,' the perception of what is classed as an 'inner suburb' is also increased in area, meaning lower-density housing all around.

At least there will be decent public transport if they extend the Noarlunga line.

Chill Guys!!!!

Seaford is already a suburb of Adelaide and really its just filling up a small gap between 2 suburbs. I would say the government will improve services for the seaford area because of the influx of people moving there, anyway there planning to redevelop the seaford shopping centre and put a new supermarket and big w there to help with the demand, plus centro collanades has just had a massive upgrade

Not everyone likes to live in a apartment or in the inner city area

The south is very much in 'patches'. Filling the gaps won't be much of a problem, and with an (eventual) Southern Expressway duplication and rail line extension Onkaparinga just gets more attractive (?).

Not good for someone like me who's going to need to buy their house in the next ten years.

^ yep i agree

plus its near victor harbour, aldinga beach, maslins (if ya like nude bathing, lol), world-famous mclane vale wine region and its near the huge collanades shopping centre and the best part its right next to a great surf beach - if you ask me, its in a great location - lol if I had the money, I would move down there!!!!!

Yeah but our pay rates will rise!!

Seaford Meadows is being planned along with the rail extension, and is on open land beside the former railway which went to Willunga. It makes sense, from forward planning as it will be an electric train on a standard gauge track. Check out the UBD map.

^^ But not necessarily to proportion. Food prices are climning at 4 times the inflation rate.

The south is very much in 'patches'. Filling the gaps won't be much of a problem, and with an (eventual) Southern Expressway duplication and rail line extension Onkaparinga just gets more attractive (?).
The cost of making the Southern Expressway a two-way dual carriageway will be more than double the initial cost of building the initial one-way road, due to poor design. A second carriageway would need more than twice the amount of bridges and earthmoving that the current road needed for construction. As nice as it would be to have a two way road, the last Liberal government stuffed up royally here, as no allowance was made in the design for a future two way upgrade.

Money may was well be spent elsewhere...

I read somewhere, that the southern expressway could be easily changed to a dual carriageway coz the liberal government made shaw of this

ill try and find the article

The road is correctly built as to allow duplication.

It was in the roadworks base. (http://www.ozroads.org.au/SA/New/2/m2.htm)

Quit bashing the Libs, it's getting beyond petty.

Not everyone likes to live in a apartment or in the inner city area

Yes but that equates to environmental vandalism. If we dont do something about the greenhouse gas effect and global warming sea level will rise due to melting polar ice caps. Its only a matter of time. Those suburbs will be underwater anyway. The greed and selfishness of the few should no longer outweight the needs of the many and a solution needs to be found that makes our cities more sustainable and its certainly not suburbs out in the bush.

By the way has anyone heard of the new SA swimming centre for MARION apparently Feds have given 15 mil towards it. Questions though where will they fit it all, that vacant piece of land on the corner of diagonal etc is small and their planning such things as a 100m wave pool...

"100,000 new homes are built across Perth over the next six years."

Also why does this derserve it's own thread?

"100,000 new homes are built across Perth over the next six years."

Also why does this derserve it's own thread?

Imagine if that was 100,000 new appartments Perth would look like a
world class metropolis and with such a high density the action and lifestyle
would be great. It would attract many many more tourists.

But like other Australian cities it is stuck in this environmental
selfishness and vandalism which goes by the name of the
Great Australian Dream. What is the Great Australian Dream to live
in a McMansion 30km out from town travel to town via a road riddled
with potholes, face traffice jams and high parking fees or put your life
in the hands of the incompetent public transport operators and
your never home to enjoy you McMansion its garden and pool because
your in town working like a slave to pay for it because its overpriced....

Those people should live closer
to the city in appartments, whether they like it or not


How very soviet!

Yes but that equates to environmental vandalism. If we dont do something about the greenhouse gas effect and global warming sea level will rise due to melting polar ice caps. Its only a matter of time. Those suburbs will be underwater anyway.
this is unrelated, but global warming is not as bad as it is made out to be. for millions of years our planet has undergone significant environmental changes: droughts, ice ages, continental drift, etc. just because we are here now, it does not mean that things are gonna change, cos they arent.
we're heading in the right direction, we definately dont want to head into another ice age.

and more good news about the new suburb :|. these plasterboard, tin roofed, cheap houses will become the slums of tomorrow. if you're worried about the environment and natural resources running out, these new homes need 4 times as much electricity to power their air-conditioners than homes that were built mid-1900s.

On ten news 2nite they were saying the southern suburbs are booming!!!

South struggles to deal with its growing pains
By TORY SHEPHERD
10apr06
THE exploding population in Adelaide's south is leaving gaping holes in vital infrastructure areas.

The population in Seaford, Aldinga and Sellicks Beach has increased by more than 9000 in the past 15 years.

In 1991 the population was about 16,000, but the influx of people looking for cheaper land and a "sea change" mean the area is now home to more than 25,000 people.

An investigation by The Advertiser has revealed:

RESIDENTS are waiting up to three weeks to see a doctor because of a severe shortage of GPs.

INADEQUATE public transport is leaving some residents isolated.

POOR recreation facilities for teenagers has led to the formation of youth gangs.

GRAFFITI and hoon driving are becoming significant problems.

PARENTS are concerned that the area's schools may not be able to cope with the influx of new students.

STORMWATER management is causing problems with sea pollution and the health of Aldinga scrub.

These issues will be exacerbated by the new development at Seaford Meadows, which is eventually expected to house up to 6000 people.

The development will occur in six stages over the next ten years.

Even without this extra demand, residents are facing typical waits of two or three weeks to see a doctor.

Onkaparinga Council chief executive officer Jeff Tate said new developments and the expansion of existing suburbs mean "there are not enough doctors available".

"This is not a new issue . . . (but) things seem to be getting worse rather than better," he said.

"I honestly don't know what's going to happen."

The council is also concerned with education, law and order, the environment, transport and the lack of facilities for young people.

Kelly Ward, 35, of Seaford, was waiting for a bus to the football yesterday. She said an increase in use of public transport meant a new interchange was needed.

Mr Tate said that while the coastal lifestyle was part of the appeal of the south, the increasing population still required access to basic infrastructure. "The very things people look to escape from, they help to create in the new areas," he said.

Opposition infrastructure spokesman David Ridgway has called on the State Government to deal with the problem as a matter of urgency.

"Any land release and development of this nature requires additional services . . . the responsibility is there for the Government to at least identify in the public consultation process what the shortfalls in the infrastructure are," Mr Ridgway said.

He said the waiting times for medical care were "unacceptable".

"This is a problem across South Australia, but it's exacerbated by poor planning such as this," he said.

Infrastructure Minister Patrick Conlon said the Government had promised extra police, health and child-care facilities for the region.

"The State Government has already covered several planning issues by working closely with the City of Onkaparinga and the developer, and strict requirements have been placed on all approvals," Mr Conlon said. "It is vitally important to provide the infrastructure and facilities that are required for a large increase in population."

SHOPS COUNT COST OF
ANOTHER BLACKOUT
By SAM RICHES
10apr06
SECTIONS of South Australia's biggest shopping centre were without power for 18 hours over the weekend, with ETSA and the building's owner last night blaming each other for the blackout.

Westfield Marion store owners - some forced to buy generators, hire cool rooms or bring in ice yesterday in a bid to stay open - lost thousands of dollars in lost trade and produce with many staff being sent home.

Twelve businesses were affected by the blackout, including Bakers Delight, a butcher and fish shop, continental shop, fruiterers and Charlesworth Nuts store.

Moviegoers at Greater Union cinemas in the shopping complex had to be evacuated on Saturday night when the power went out and were given refunds for their movie tickets yesterday.

Power went out at the Westfield complex about 10pm on Saturday, with the problem also affecting about 200 homes in the area. ETSA fixed the residential power supply within an hour.

A spokesman for the power distributor yesterday said houses had been blacked out by a problem in Westfield's internal power system.

"It was an internal problem from Westfield which has tripped off ETSA customers," spokesman Craig Cock said.

However, Westfield told store owners that the problem was caused by an ETSA power surge. "We really haven't been told much, other than it was an ETSA power surge which caused the problems here," said Rosie Broderick of Global Gourmet smallgoods.

Ms Broderick and her husband, Michael, were forced to buy a generator to continue trading yesterday.

Other businesses hired cool rooms and covered perishable products with ice. Power was restored to some shops by about 10am yesterday.

Twelve stores in a western extension of the complex were without power until 4pm.

Westfield spokeswoman Julia Clarke yesterday said the company was working with authorities to identify the problem. "We are still trying to get to the bottom of what has caused it . . . at this stage it is still too early to say," she said.

Joe Agostino, who owns Carousel Golden Fresh Fruiterers, said trade in his shop was down "at least 60 per cent on normal Sunday trading" and had lost a lot of money.

"At this stage, it's at least a couple of thousand dollars," he said yesterday afternoon.

"We have sent three staff home and have managed with a small generator to string up a few lights and have enough power to run the tills and provide emergency lighting for customers."

Stores are expected to resume normal trade today. The blackout did not affect the bigger traders at the centre.

Iv lived in the current place, for about a year and a half, and the power has gone out no less then eight times. Granted two or three were due to lightning strikes during the big storms we have had in that time period. Just the other day however, about 5am'ish, power went out again. The whole street from what I could see was blacked out(no street lights).

Besides the big storms, we get no explanation and calling ETSA is a big waste of time.
Every time I have called, the time that the power would be restored gets to within an hour of the time they first state, then another hour is added.


Oh the benefits of privatisation.

Allow higher density developments around the city centre and it will help ease the sprawl problems.

I got my first blackout in years a few months ago - and it lasted 1.5 hours. Not a problem in my current area.

Blackout? whats that? we never get them :D

Back to the topic.

Are the developers taking into account the areas needs? Or just throwing up new housing developments. I think the developers should in the very least, take these concerns/matters into consideration.

Hm, my on topic post was deleted?
Anyhow.
Giorgos, they still need a solution to the current problems, even if sprawl is limited.
Some things in my opinion developers could take the initiative, such as providing recreational facilities - parks, reserves, skate parks.

Hm, my on topic post was deleted?
Anyhow.
Giorgos, they still need a solution to the current problems, even if sprawl is limited.
Some things in my opinion developers could take the initiative, such as providing recreational facilities - parks, reserves, skate parks.
ah, for that ofcourse.
I was speaking interms of roads and health care facilities.

Hm, my on topic post was deleted?

My bad, sorry. I didn't see it there, on the end of the rubbish. I've put it back.

Back to the topic.

Are the developers taking into account the areas needs? Or just throwing up new housing developments. I think the developers should in the very least, take these concerns/matters into consideration.

No they are only taking into account short term profits as they can build
houses there cheaply and very quickly and then flogg them off. It should
be up the the government to control councils in stopping this madness
this environmental vandalism and rather direct developers to spending
their money making Adelaide CBD and its inner suburbs denser hubs of
activity. Firstly its better for the environment and second its better for
the economy. Also with a denser environment comes denser services and
that allows one to walk to the shops, doctor etc etc without having to
get into a car.

This is a continual problem that Adelaide faces as it tries to sort out what identity it really wants to take. There are the people in Adelaide who love the fact that it isnt a Melbourne or Sydney, and are fighting tooth and nail to keep it a small city, and then there are those who see Adelaide as the new city, built on the reputation of our great food, wine and climate.

The problem is that Adelaide as with all cities is that it is growing, and the infrastructure on all levels has not been able to handle it for some time now, and in some reagards our leaders on both sides of the fence have thrown the baby out with the bath water.

Public transport here is expensive for what it is, its not efficient, and under-resourced. I am lucky enough the travel a lot for work and there are some awesome public transport systems out there. The trainline for example that stops at belair, it should reach far beyond that to at least Mt. Barker, and then to Murray Bridge. More busses arent the answer as they are holding traffic up horribly already, better and increased use of rail is the answer to this problem, providing it is designed now to allow for easy expansion as the city grows further. (its not all that hard to do despite what we get told)

The need for a South Road Corridor that has no traffic lights is way overdue, feeding off to the city via Anzac Highway. The freeway we have needs to be continued to Greenhill Rd, with the view that in the future we could have a North / South corridor, the freeway, and there is the need for a faster road into the North Eastern areas like Golden Grove all connected with a ring system the already exists in Greenhill Rd, Fullarton Rd, Park Tce, and South Rd. Its not too hard to imagine.

Thats just the transport, there is the doctor shortage, in fact there is a skill shortage in this country in all areas, from trades, through to doctors via engineering (my area). But I agree, hospitals, schools and these vital areas are what will make this city come to life, inprove the lifestyle with better education and services and the people will choose to come.

The other thing to consider now is the power and water issue, we already have water and power issues, we need to again as per the transport system start building now with the future in mind, another resevoir may be needed, desalination?, something has to be done... If Adelaide can have its own water supply and decrease the demand on the Murray we are all going to be better for it. Power? I cannot understand why anyone is allowing us to burn Natural Gas for power generation, it is cheap, clean and easy, its also finite. I would rather see gas used for small industry where the other fuels like coal and oils are harder to make economic viablility. We are using vast quantities of gas for power at extremely low efficiencies, I would prefer to see coal, waste fuels etc used in this way, and leave the natural gas resource for the areas that have no alternatives, ie domestic, commercial and light industrial use. The "other option", and this may have some interesting comments from some is the nuclear option for power. We dig uranium up from Roxby, why not put a power plant right next door???? That way there is no Dangerous Goods transport issues, build a transmission line down to Pt. Augusta and connect into the grid.... and when we are done with the fuel rods, put them back down the hole they came out of so to speak.

Woah! I have just realised how much of a rant this has become, I apologise, and there may be a better place for it to be, the moderators can use their discretion on that. I am a passionate South Australian, I love seeing other parts of the country and the world, but Adelaide is in the fortunate position to look at the best of what has been done around the world to date, and incorporate it into its future and allow for it now. All we need is someone who is strong enough to carry a responsible vision for the bettering of the whole city to take it up. We listen too much to the outspoken minorities.

*Steps down off the soap box* I think that is enough.

North South Freeway and a SE and NS freeway connector.

I'm not sure what hills/east commuters think of the Glen Osmond Road hell at peak hour = no bus lanes, no parking lanes (meaning parked cars reduce it to one lane), no middle turning lane (meaning people turning right reduce it to zero lanes), two killer intersections at Fullarton and Bevington. The thing is a joke. To make it worse, it carries half of Adelaide's freight traffic too.

we rarely get blackouts.

the last 3 i can remeber have always been caused by trees falling onto powerlines, or the like...

i dont wanna sound all superior, but would the fact that Giorgos, JAKJ and i all live in higher class suburbs have anything to do with the fact that we have less frequent blackouts?

Higher Class areas for no reason just for the record. I hate City of Unley!
I doubt it would...

just coincidental then?

The freeway we have needs to be continued to Greenhill Rd, with the view that in the future we could have a North / South corridor, the freeway, and there is the need for a faster road into the North Eastern areas like Golden Grove all connected with a ring system the already exists in Greenhill Rd, Fullarton Rd, Park Tce, and South Rd. Its not too hard to imagine.
oh thats a great idea, keeping in mind i would no longer have a home if this happened.
although its a good idea, i disapprove for obvious reasons.
I'm not sure what hills/east commuters think of the Glen Osmond Road hell at peak hour = no bus lanes, no parking lanes (meaning parked cars reduce it to one lane), no middle turning lane (meaning people turning right reduce it to zero lanes), two killer intersections at Fullarton and Bevington. The thing is a joke. To make it worse, it carries half of Adelaide's freight traffic too.
Glen Osmond is really awful, i live just off it, and it is near impossible to get out of the side streets during peak hour. to make matters worse for us, a pedestrian crossing meets you as you swerve out into traffic. there is also another road travelling west towards unley which meets at an awkward intersection. the number of crashes (and i must admit we have crashed there) is enormous.

probarbly.
It might be because the infrastructures around the area are more devloped - nothing to do with wealth levels, just close proximity to Central Adelaide and the fact that its a well established area (compared to new suburbs in the south/north)

I think North Adelaide might be linked with the cbd? Also I am pretty sure we have a couple of hospitals on our grid, so maybe that is another reason?

Glen Osmond Road is One of Adelaide's worst roads!!!

such as you drive alone the scenic 6-lane freeway and then you get onto this small poxy 4-lane suburban street

They need to turn it into 6-lanes, coz its one of main entrances into the city from the east coast of Australia

They'd have to demolish a lot of business, much more than required for all of the South Road underpasses put together.

the entire western side from fisher street and the eastern side from glenunga avenue are businesses, motels, restaurants. not to mention the parkside clearance stores and the apartment tower opposite KFC on the corner of greenhill road. There are also many businesses closer to the top of glen osmond road; motels, hotels, supermarkets, car showrooms, etc.

i think there may also be a small church/hall on the corner of fisher street which may, or may not be heritage listed...

an underpass from fullarton to the corner of south terrace may work???

Its also a bad image (gridlock) for interstaters coming into Adelaide, as well as the international tourist heading out to the hills. Bloody ugly road too.

whats ugly about it? there are lots of trees, and good footpaths. its not as bad as some

Its also a bad image (gridlock) for interstaters coming into Adelaide, as well as the international tourist heading out to the hills. Bloody ugly road too.

I'm sure anyone from any other mainland state capital is used to it. At least it doesn't give the impression that Adelaide is a large, empty country town. :D

You've got a point there AtD ;). But I still think our premier interstate entrance/hills conduit could do with a facelift.

the entire western side from fisher street and the eastern side from glenunga avenue are businesses, motels, restaurants. not to mention the parkside clearance stores and the apartment tower opposite KFC on the corner of greenhill road. There are also many businesses closer to the top of glen osmond road; motels, hotels, supermarkets, car showrooms, etc.

an underpass from fullarton to the corner of south terrace may work???

Harbourtown is killing the Parkside Clearance Shops, everytime I pass it more shops have closed

I agree bdm Glen Osmond Road does need a huge facelift - such as undergrounding all powerlines, putting up attractive street lights and more lanes (tho that will probley never happen) etc...

New power failure hits Marion

13apr06
WESTFIELD Marion still was plagued by power problems yesterday, leading up to one of the busiest trading days of the year.

A back-up generator, providing electricity to 16 businesses in the fresh food precinct, failed at 11am, forcing some shops to close.

Yoghurt Shop state manager Josh Peak said he was lucky his business was not affected. "We've got power because we're on the border of the area which required the generator," he said.

Westfield spokeswoman Julia Clarke said the cause of the failure was not known. The company was working to restore it. The centre had an 18-hour blackout on Saturday. Power was cut again on Monday.

*!

New hub of the city
By LUCY HOOD
15may06
IMAGINE rock concerts, sporting events and special performances at one entertainment hub - in the heart of the city.

That is the vision supported by developers and promoters keen to utilise a flexible venue with links to public transport and city entertainment and dining.

Using land west of the Adelaide Railway Station, over the Morphett St bridge, a complex could be built over the tracks and, perhaps, linked to the Adelaide Convention Centre infrastructure.

Property developer George Kambitsis said it "made sense" to relocate the Entertainment Centre from Hindmarsh.

He said the new centre could incorporate a concert hall for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and major musical events.

For rating and taxing purposes, the Valuer General has given the 5.611ha Entertainment Centre site a capital value of $40.525 million and site value of $9.475 million. Mr Kambitsis said constructions for a new entertainment centre of the size required would be between $30 million and $50 million. He said relocating the Entertainment Centre to the city could be partially funded through the sale of the existing site.

The Convention Centre is a major breadwinner for the state, with more than 600 events and 300,000 visitors annually. Chief executive officer Pieter van de Hoeven said that, as a result, the centre was reaching near-capacity and management was looking at ways to expand. "There are options to expand on the site itself but, if we need to grow, there are options to go further down to Morphett Bridge, if not on the other side," he said.

The centre's last extension, at a cost of $92 million, opened in September, 2001. Mr van de Hoeven said he could not place a price on another extension.

Brian Gleeson, representing major concert and event promoters, said: "A purpose-built room for 3000, that includes seating and that could also be used for other functions, there is room in Adelaide for that."

Mr Gleeson said the Festival Centre and Thebarton Centre both held 2000. The Entertainment Centre required a crowd of 4000 to "look good". Another major promoter in Adelaide, Trevor Hunt, said he would welcome new venue opportunities.

The music editor of DB Magazine, Andrew Street, said expanding the Convention Centre was an excellent idea.

"(It) would bring people into the central entertainment precinct. . . bring people on to North Tce but also the venues and pubs through Hindley St and Waymouth St," he said.

"There also is something to be said about an entertainment hub close to public transport, you can just jump on a train (or bus) and you're there."

PAGE 17: Vote line

Grim welcome for train passengers
By LUCY HOOD
15may06
WHILE London, Paris and Sydney welcome international train passengers into their city centres, Adelaide throws down the welcome mat on a lonely platform at Keswick Railway Station.

A barren landscape of concrete, rubbish and stranded trains greets passengers. With little weather protection and no visible ATMs, pay phones or vending machines, passengers must collect their luggage and wait, many surprised there are no taxis nor buses to take them into the city.

The Advertiser approached visitors on The Ghan last week. Their response to the dilapidated station was less than positive.

National Railway Museum manager Des Egan says the major problem for a central transport hub in the city is gauge widths. Keswick was built in 1985 on standard gauge. Adelaide's suburban lines are on broad gauge. He says a dual-gauge track could link the two.

While he put the cost at millions, Mr Egan says it will bring travellers into the city. "Arriving directly into Adelaide by train was tops," he says. "I used to travel on the train from Adelaide to Mt Gambier and it was exciting, especially coming back into Adelaide."

Owner of the site, Great Southern Railways, plans to upgrade Keswick. Chief executive officer Tony Braxton Smith says their "two to three-year vision" is to contribute $500,000. They seek matching government support.

Grim welcome for train passengers
By LUCY HOOD
15may06
WHILE London, Paris and Sydney welcome international train passengers into their city centres, Adelaide throws down the welcome mat on a lonely platform at Keswick Railway Station.

A barren landscape of concrete, rubbish and stranded trains greets passengers. With little weather protection and no visible ATMs, pay phones or vending machines, passengers must collect their luggage and wait, many surprised there are no taxis nor buses to take them into the city.

The Advertiser approached visitors on The Ghan last week. Their response to the dilapidated station was less than positive.

National Railway Museum manager Des Egan says the major problem for a central transport hub in the city is gauge widths. Keswick was built in 1985 on standard gauge. Adelaide's suburban lines are on broad gauge. He says a dual-gauge track could link the two.

While he put the cost at millions, Mr Egan says it will bring travellers into the city. "Arriving directly into Adelaide by train was tops," he says. "I used to travel on the train from Adelaide to Mt Gambier and it was exciting, especially coming back into Adelaide."

Owner of the site, Great Southern Railways, plans to upgrade Keswick. Chief executive officer Tony Braxton Smith says their "two to three-year vision" is to contribute $500,000. They seek matching government support.

lol international passengers into Sydney eh? must be from that new cross-Tasman rail tunnel :D

Keswick is awful, and any money spent on it would be a waste! I wish southern railways would stop being such an obstinant bitch of a company and have the trains go into adelaide again. Penny pinching wankers.

There's a rough render in the paper. Personally I think it's a good idea, but if they were thinking of developing above the rail yard, they'll have to be very careful not to underdevelop, because it's about as good a site as their currently is in the city.

Crawf, as The Advertiser's going to be running these types of stories all week, I reckon we should keep them in the one Vision 2020 thread. Just a suggestion.

Any chance of someone scanning the render, even if it's not that great? *thinks Rundle/Pulteney "Time Square" render*

There's a rough render in the paper. Personally I think it's a good idea, but if they were thinking of developing above the rail yard, they'll have to be very careful not to underdevelop, because it's about as good a site as their currently is in the city.

Crawf, as The Advertiser's going to be running these types of stories all week, I reckon we should keep them in the one Vision 2020 thread. Just a suggestion.

I love the idea of this - its about time they cover up those ugly railway tracks and move the entainment centre into the city!!!

I believe this would boast the citys nightlife and the city in general!!

Pants, I didnt realise this was a part of the 2020 vision series until I saw the paper this morning. but I reacon this story will excite sa forumers - because im excited by this :D!!!

Any chance of someone scanning the render, even if it's not that great? *thinks Rundle/Pulteney "Time Square" render*

ill try and scan the render sometime today

but its a real basic render - nothing special!

Isnt the Entertainment Centre relitavely new? Imagine it would be a massive and unreasonable cost to simply move it 1 km further toward the city from its present location.
You could say the same thing about moving AAMI stadium from its present location and building a purpose built Docklands style stadium in the west parklands or near the old Adelaide Gaol.

Pants, I didnt realise this was a part of the 2020 vision series until I saw the paper this morning. but I reacon this story will excite sa forumers - because im excited by this :D!!!

Mate, it's a great idea in theory, but we shouldn't pass it off as a proposal. It's only a vision.

Hopefully this series in The Advertiser will motivate some people to get off there arses and make some of this stuff happen though.

Isnt the Entertainment Centre relitavely new? Imagine it would be a massive and unreasonable cost to simply move it 1 km further toward the city from its present location.
You could say the same thing about moving AAMI stadium from its present location and building a purpose built Docklands style stadium in the west parklands or near the old Adelaide Gaol.
If you read the article it says that the Entertainment cetre is valued at 40.5 Million Dollars and the land is worth almost 10 million meaning the construction can be mainly funded by the sale of the current centre. They can also get corporate sponsors and it would be in a brilliant location with good infrastructure....do you know how congested the streets around the ENT centre are after a massive event?

I think its a brilliant idea and really hope for it to develop further than a vision. The render also looks good even though its just simple.

Seriopusly why is this story still running its a saga that has gonme on for a decade and I cant believe the trains arnt terminating at the Railway Station on North tce. I really dont understand what the hold up is.

see i told you they would build an arena or something there

nothing to get excited about imo, until there is an actual proposal im not getting my hopes up.

remember its only a vision....

Not meaning to rain on everyone's parade, but this article is thin on any sort of details.


IMAGINE rock concerts, sporting events and special performances at one entertainment hub - in the heart of the city.

That is the vision supported by developers and promoters keen to utilise a flexible venue with links to public transport and city entertainment and dining.


Vision initiated by who? Supported by which developers. No mention of the ACC, Transport SA.. or any branch of government. Have Entertainment Centre management even been told of this?

It's a nice dream, but I could write an article proposing a 500m scraper and say that developers are keen. Doesn't mean it'll get off the ground.

*Yawns*

Another half-baked idea thrown into the ring. I want some ideas that are inspiring, not randomly thrown in with no consideration for other nearby districts. If we want the city to become successful, we need to consider projects as part of a larger, greater plan that encompasses larger areas of the city.

Consider this:

There are difficulties due to the gauge difference mentioned in the article. Intercity rail services are operated from Keswick on standard gauge, while Adelaide suburban rail operates on broad gauge. That isn't the only problem. The platforms at Adelaide Railway Station are only about 200m long, while some of the intercity trains now exceed 400m in length. Another problem is one created by the development of the Hyatt Hotel and Convention Centre in the area during the 1980s. Adelaide Railway Station used to have a significantly larger capacity than it currently does (13 platforms), until 4 were destroyed in the development, reducing the capacity to what it is now.

So ironically, the development around the northern side of North Terrace is partly contributing to holding back the intercity and suburban rail network.

Well Im just glad to see the tiser finally write something positive


btw I can see this arena plan getting of the ground - mainly because we now have a minister for the city and the convention centre is looking to expand!!

*Yawns*

Another half-baked idea thrown into the ring. I want some ideas that are inspiring, not randomly thrown in with no consideration for other nearby districts. If we want the city to become successful, we need to consider projects as part of a larger, greater plan that encompasses larger areas of the city.
Examples?

']Seriopusly why is this story still running its a saga that has gonme on for a decade and I cant believe the trains arnt terminating at the Railway Station on North tce. I really dont understand what the hold up is.

What AG said and Parking Facilitys - where are people going to park

anyway I think people should give up with the idea of interstate trains returning to the city - I cant see it happening (hopefully I'm wrong)

So I would rather see the state government demolish the current terminal and build a state of the art terminal what represents what SA is, I would also like to see free trams/shultle buses starting from the terminal with stops at the ytb bus terminal, victoria square, rundle mall and terminating at the railway station

another idea is to have suburban trains stopping at keswick terminal

Adelaide really is the railway hub of Australia - but it isnt living up to its name so it needs a MAJOR upgrade!!!

They're willing to contribute $500k to make the line between the Gaol and Adelaide duel gauge, lengthen the platforms at Adelaide and provide facilities for interstate (oh... international) rail passengers.

"Tell em he's dreamin"

$500k, whoop-de-fucking-do.

If the international trains are going to stop at Adelaide, where can the locos turn back or leave?
and the noise and air inside the station would be a concern too.

They're willing to contribute $500k to make the line between the Gaol and Adelaide duel gauge, lengthen the platforms at Adelaide and provide facilities for interstate (oh... international) rail passengers.

"Tell em he's dreamin"

$500k, whoop-de-fucking-do.


Huh???

the guy said they are planning to spend $500k to redevelop keswick terminal

Huh???

the guy said they are planning to spend $500k to redevelop keswick terminal


and most of that will go into planning and consultants

but they want the state government to match it

^^
Seriously though, do you think $1 million could redevelop the station??

You people are all strange. No offence.
But one minute I see people complaining there is no vision, no proposals, no ideas, nothing, and then when develoeprs are actually thinking and putting this stuff out there, people complain its not good enough and shoot everything down.

Im not saying that facility on top of the tracks is a must, or it should happen, but at least its a start. At least those who can do something, are talking and are interested.

Yes, but have a small impact.
Why waste money redevloping it.

Why don't they just build in 'sort-of' under north terrace? I mean, there you walk straight into a bustling city center.

well according to the tiser

Adelaideans want interstate trains returning to north tce!!

I totally agree Rev!

its all well and good to say that Rev and Crawf, but as Howie said, vision's dont always get off the ground.

a dodgy paintjob and a somewhat vague newspaper article aren't enough to get me excited. although its a great concept, like i said before, im not getting my hopes up.

Well it's great that the Advertiser's publishing these sorts of articles.. i'm all for that. But still it would be nice to have heard responses from Harbison, Rann, JLMS, developers, centre management ... basically the movers and shakers. They should be approached first and foremost, there's no use in giving the citizens of SA false promises if they'll promptly shoot these sort of developments down. It sort of reminds me of the silly 400m King William tower thread on this forum not long ago.

Of course Mants, lets not get our hopes up and get all excited. Thats not what Im trying to say at all. However, at least now, there seems to be some discussion about where the city, the cbd, are headed. And I think thats a positive thing that should be acknowledged. I dont think ideas(lets not call them actual proposals yet), such as that entertainment center ontop of the railyards, are actually serious, yet. And is more likely just putting ideas out there. Look at the "render" it looks like it was done in paint(probably by the Advertiser people).
Discussion is healthy, if this stimulates more, then that can only be positive in the long run(provided of course we see results).

its all well and good to say that Rev and Crawf, but as Howie said, vision's dont always get off the ground.

a dodgy paintjob and a somewhat vague newspaper article aren't enough to get me excited. although its a great concept, like i said before, im not getting my hopes up.
Not what you where telling me when the news first broke. :|

its wat im telling you now :)

What ever mants!!

I live near Keswick train station and it's one of the ugliest things in Adelaide. Hope they'll do something there...

Train system in Adelaide definitely needs big improvements.

from 2days tiser

Red faces: The minister's men who can't add up
By GREG KELTON
31may06
COST blowouts of millions of dollars have hit three major transport projects, with the Opposition calling for Transport Minister Patrick Conlon to be sacked.

Rising construction and land acquisition costs also are likely to lead to other projects being delayed.

The Government has refused to give a guarantee the $21 million Glenelg tram extension will not suffer cost overruns or be completed on time.

Mr Conlon stunned Parliament yesterday with a ministerial statement announcing the Bakewell Bridge replacement, a planned South Rd-Anzac Highway underpass and the proposed $300 million Northern Expressway all had been hit by rising costs and, in the case of the underpass, "a serious underestimation of land acquisition costs".

He said the bridge project, originally costed at $30 million, now was likely to cost $41 million.

Mr Conlon said costings for the underpass, one of three planned for the redevelopment of South Rd, now were more than $100 million. Government Budget papers put the cost at $65 million.

Opposition Leader Iain Evans, who called for Mr Conlon to be sacked for incompetence, told Parliament the expressway blowout was $600 million.

Mr Conlon said the Northern Expressway, a $300 million federal-state freeway project announced last July to link the Barossa Valley and Riverland to Port Adelaide, would be affected but would not give an estimate of the increased cost because that depended on the final scope and route of the freeway.

He said the bridge and the underpass would proceed on their timetables but other planned transport projects, which he did not name, would have to be timed "so that we maintain our investment budget discipline".

"The Northern Expressway will be the subject of further discussions with the Commonwealth," he said.

Mr Conlon said the increased costs had been driven by design changes arising from consultation, increased allowances for traffic management and increased labour costs.

He said further costings could not be determined until contracts were finalised. "I have been strongly advised that the Government should not publish the full range of estimates on a project as doing so would seriously hinder the Government's capacity to drive efficiency with contractors," he said.

Mr Conlon said despite the increased costs for the underpass, it still was a good investment.

He faced intense questioning from the Opposition after his statement and was asked when he first became aware of the blowout in the expressway costs and if he could guarantee the Glenelg tram project would proceed on time and within budget.

"I was first advised about it some time after the election in late March or early April," Mr Conlon said.

On the tram, Mr Conlon said he could not guarantee it would proceed on time because of consultations with the Adelaide City Council but the Opposition's recent claims of a cost blowout in the project's cost because of relocating underground services were wrong.

Outside Parliament, Mr Evans said transport and infrastructure development had collapsed in SA under Labor and the Premier should have sacked Mr Conlon instead of dumping Transport Department chief executive Dr James Horne.

This story about the never ending saga of the tramline has made my day miserable. I can not understand why Adelaide councils, which are undemocratic because people do not have to vote, and get elected with around 30% of ratepayers choose to overide a democratically elected state government. The Kwinana refinery in WA supplies the opal fuel and is shipped to Birkenhead. The government is aware of a future crisis and the bubble bursting.

delete me

I find it quite amusing to see the public swing one way and then swing the other way:

eg.
1. There's a lot of debate over the transport network, and yet whenever anyone wants to invest in it, the idea always gets shot down. However, the same people always seem to bring up worse ideas than the proposed one (such as the half-baked monorail).
2. The public always seems to be complaining about expensive electricity prices, and yet many favour an alternative (nuclear) that would only make it more expensive.
3. The public wants the economy to grow faster, and yet when the opportunity arises, all they want is the alternative of using uranium here and potentially shooting our state economy in the foot.

Lol, thats so true.

Labor blocks inquiry as road costs blowout
By KARA PHILLIPS
01jun06
THE State Government has blocked an inquiry into the alleged downscaling of the Marion interchange project as the Opposition continues to claim major road project blowouts have reached an extraordinary $800 million.

Transport Minister Patrick Conlon was the main target during a heated Question Time in Parliament yesterday, with Opposition Leader Iain Evans vowing Budget bungles would be unveiled in coming weeks.

Mr Evans said senior transport sources, still employed by the department, had told the Opposition that costs announced by Mr Conlon in April, 2005, for two South Rd projects - the underpasses at Anzac Highway and Port Rd - had climbed from $187 million to $400 million.

"A $600 million blowout (on Monday), a $200 million blowout (yesterday) and the interesting thing about it is the minister is not denying it," Mr Evans said.

"This is why the Government has delayed its Budget until September.

"The question now is will the Rann Government actually deliver on the South Rd for Adelaide's long-suffering motorists and when will Premier Rann appoint a Transport Minister who can deliver projects on time and on budget?"

Following Mr Conlon's stunning speech in Parliament on Tuesday that the costs for the Bakewell Bridge replacement, Northern Expressway and South Rd projects had risen, Mr Evans said it was impossible to believe Mr Conlon was not aware until recently that things had gone so wrong.

The Opposition transport spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith said yesterday that the Marion interchange project looked like being "scaled back to a far more minor project" and he was frustrated the State Government had "used its numbers in Parliament's Public Work Committee" to vote down the motion for an inquiry.

Mr Conlon said these major infrastructure projects had always been put in the "too hard" basket by the former Liberal government.


Internal leaks are hurting besieged Conlon
By PAUL STARICK
01jun06
PATRICK Conlon is under pressure on two fronts.

The most obvious is a sustained Opposition campaign over cost blowouts of tens of millions of dollars in key transport projects.

The second front is obscured, but potentially lethal.

The Transport Minister's departmental staff clearly are leaking information to the Opposition, in a calculated attempt to damage him.

In a newly focused and aggressive mode, the Liberals are only too happy to admit their information is being supplied by "senior transport sources" - it builds credibility for their attacks.

It seems the motivation for these leaks is the State Government's decision to dump chief executive Dr James Horne in mid-May. At the time, there were unconfirmed rumblings of cost blowouts in key projects.

An obviously frustrated and embarrassed Mr Conlon told Parliament on Tuesday these included $11 million more than expected for the Bakewell Bridge and a total expected cost of "in excess of $100 million" for the Anzac Hwy / South Rd underpass.

Yesterday, the Opposition quoted "senior Transport sources" as saying the cost of the underpass had ballooned from the original $65 million to "almost $150 million".

Opposition Leader Iain Evans briefly left Question Time, 32 minutes before it finished, to conduct a press conference - ensuring the Liberal message was plastered across last night's TV news.

Thus far, Mr Conlon has not been particularly damaged. His deft parliamentary skills and quick wit have enabled him to obfuscate, digress and dodge, particularly by highlighting the former Liberal government's own infrastructure problems.

During three parliamentary sitting weeks in the next month, it is likely Mr Conlon will continue to be tested.

Equally, the ability of the Liberals to score hits against one of Labor's best performers will be a crucial early test for new Opposition Leader Iain Evans.

I cant believe this has happened, I hope these important projects can still be built on time

patrick conlon should stand down or be sacked!!

I somehow don't think we're getting the full story.

I somehow don't think we're getting the full story.

yeah me either

how could the cost of all the transport projects blowout to a shocking $800million

Construction costs have gone through the roof.. what do you expect? (ask any developer) I really don't see what the big deal is, unless money is being embezzled, if this is what the project costs then so be it...

The problem with governemnt projects is they take so long to come about that in a boom you will almost always have budget blowouts because the cost of construction will tend to go up from the time of initial cost estimations to the time of construction.

New economics chief tackles skills crisis
By GREG KELTON
02jun06
COMBATING the shortage of skilled workers will be the first priority of Hills Industries chief executive David Simmons as he takes over Robert Champion de Crespigny's role as chairman of the Economic Development Board.

Mr Simmons, who starts immediately, has been appointed by Premier Mike Rann for two years.

He said that with major new projects in defence and mining coming on line, the state needed to build on its skills base.

He will spearhead the Government's plan to cut business red tape and make industry more competitive.

Mr de Crespigny, the first chairman of the board and a member of the executive committee of Cabinet, now lives in London.

Mr Simmons will not follow him on to the Cabinet committee because of his workload. EDB deputy chairman John Bastian will take up that responsibility. "I am no Robert Champion de Crespigny," he said. "He wears 11 1/2 shoes and I wear 5 1/2. He's rich and has hair and is handsome and I've got none of those. It would be foolish really to try to emulate what Robert has done." Mr Simmons said everyone on the board had asked "where do we go now?" when Mr de Crespigny resigned because it was not possible to duplicate what he had done.

"There was significant discussion that there were some significant initiatives under way which, if we just walked away, we would have wasted some serious part of our time over the past four years," he said.

"The skills shortage issue is a key one and we have serious investment projects coming into this state and we have to capture all the added value we can.

"The competitiveness issue for the state is no different from industry.

"Unless you review your business and adjust it, you just go out of business."

Mr Rann said he wanted the board to continue the momentum of a renewed business confidence in SA combined with low unemployment and record high levels of employment.

Build a Freeway, and I might come back. :D

They are, two in fact.

3

South Eastern Freeway
Southern Expressway
Port River Expressway

and the proposed Northern Expressway

They're building two, I meant, the Port River and the Northern.

Okay, but how about one that is practical? Like north-south.

SE Freeway is a very good road though, but the bridge over the Murray needs to be duplicated.

TooFar, have you lived here?

Yes, I grew up in Adelaide, Glenelg to be precise. UniSA Alumni.

No there not building a North-South Fwy, just a 600m tunnel and 2 underpasses on South Road

South Eastern Freeway is one of the best freeways in Australia, because it is has excellent road quality and it is very scenic

as for the bridge needed to be duplicated, its not really needed imo
well at least for now, maybe in 5 or 10 years time it might have to be duplicated - but now it would be a waste of money

New jobs make unemployment drop
By KARA PHILLIPS
09jun06
SOUTH Australia's unemployment rate has fallen to 5.2 per cent after another small surge of 400 new jobs.

The figure, down from 5.4 per cent on the previous month, however, was higher than the national average, which dropped below 5 per cent for the first time since the inception of monthly records in 1978.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics found 400 new jobs were created in SA, with 744,400 South Australians in work.

Employment Minister Paul Caica said the drop was good news and largely was through increased business confidence.

"The BankSA State Monitor suggests that business confidence has increased in South Australia as a result of a generally upbeat mood here about the business climate," he said.

The state's youth full-time unemployment rate, for those aged 15 to 19, also improved in May, falling 1.2 percentage points to 26.5 per cent.

Nationally, the total number of people in work broke the 10.1 million mark, while full-time employment climbed 55,800 to 7.3 million. Part-time employment was up slightly to 2.9 million.

The fall in unemployment occurred even though the number of people looking for full-time work increased marginally to 371,700.

Those looking for part-time work slipped 26,200 to 149,600.

Prime Minister John Howard said the outcome was a result of the Federal Government's reform agenda.

"I am delighted that we have finally got the unemployment rate with a 'four' in front of it," he said in Sydney yesterday.

from todays tiser

State resists rework on plan
By ANNA VLACH
13jun06
THE State Government is resisting pressure to rework its scrapped State Transport Plan following revelations of cost blowouts on projects including the South Rd underpass and Bakewell Bridge.

Transport Minister Patrick Conlon said the draft, which was released for public comment in May, 2003, and ditched in December, has been outmoded by the SA Strategic Plan and State Infrastructure Plan.

"Everything is so intimately connected that we have to plan on a broad basis now," Mr Conlon says.

But industry groups and the Opposition say a detailed stand-alone transport plan may have prevented the cost blowouts.

SA Freight Council general manager Neil Murphy said the State Transport Plan draft, which included initiatives to encourage car pooling and more people to ride bicycles and walk, should be "taken out of the too-hard basket and dusted off".

"Instead of pushing ahead and reducing the targets, the government killed the plan - quietly, at that," he said. The scrapped plan was probably "too ambitious", but a 20-year plan to be reassessed every five years was needed, Mr Murphy said.

Novar Gardens resident Lachlan Heinrich has been cycling to and from his workplace at Marion for the past 14 months.

Lachlan, 17, said he believed more bike lanes, particularly in the city, would be beneficial to both cyclists and drivers. "You don't have to use the same lanes as cars," he said. "It separates you from other traffic, and it's safer than having to travel in the same lane as other cars.

Business SA chief executive officer Peter Vaughan said the state needed a commitment to ensure infrastructure repairs were complete and up-to-date.

The Opposition agreed - a 20-year transport plan was one of its election promises - transport spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith said.

But Mr Conlon said planning that far ahead set up unrealistic community expectations.

Rather than under planning, higher-than-anticipated costs were the result of the "price of success", he said. "We live in an environment with accelerating fuel costs, skill shortages, accelerated steel and concrete costs and increasingly higher expectations from the community with the performance of government."

Migrants boost SA growth
PAUL STARICK
24jun06
AN influx of migrants has spurred South Australia's population growth rate to its highest level in 14 years.

A BankSA Trends report released yesterday predicts the growth spurt is likely to continue in the short term because of high job vacancy rates.

The state's population has risen by almost 10,000 in a year, the report finds - the biggest annual increase since 1992, which has been driven by a surge in international migration, which has trebled since 2001.

The report, by BankSA and Access Economics, predicts a boost to housing construction, saying this must lift if the state is to have as many homes as it has families.

But the optimism is tempered by a "return to the bad old days" of large numbers of people moving interstate and the older population limiting birth rates, which means the "current population strength may not last".

BankSA managing director Rob Chapman said SA's population growth had been accelerated by changes to the Federal Government migration scheme, which treated the state as a "regional area" with less restrictive visa conditions.

"We are now enjoying the highest level of population growth since 1992 and its positive impact on the economy is already evident," Mr Chapman said. "With continuing high job vacancy rates, the improvement in the state's population growth may continue in the near future."

But Mr Chapman said SA was losing an increasing number of residents interstate, particularly to the strong economies of Western Australia and Queensland.

The state's population at the end of last year was 1.546 million - the smallest of the mainland states - and behind WA's 2.02 million and Queensland's 4.001 million. More than a third of SA's international migrants in the second half of last year came from Britain, while 9.3 per cent were from China, 7.8 per cent from India and 4.1 per cent from New Zealand.

Australian Population Institute chairman Michael Hickinbotham said recognition of migrant's overseas skills was the "biggest area that we need to improve in".

"Affordable housing is one of the key drivers for attracting and retaining people in South Australia," he said.

That's very good, considering we only usually grow by about 6,000 people a year. Go SA! Just wondering, is it known where most of the migrants went to either urban or rural places?

Yet our present residents all seem to be heading interstate.

But, hey, we're doing fine, right?

Population is still growing, yes. Thanks to migration. ;)

10,000 people is a huge improvement, nearly double on the average 6,000 people we used to attract each year. The Rann goverment's policies on increasing growth certainly seem to be working, and hopefully they will continue to prosper further.

Has the actual numbers been released on how many migrants came here, or how many people left? Is this a census thing that we will have to wait for?

Last night Seven News aired something about Adelaide should have a big screen for the World Cup like Sydney and Melbourne.

And the response from it has been amazing from the Premier to the general public. The state government has allocated $40,000 for it, but the ACC has the finally word

tho the Lord Mayor was very pleased by the idea

so *fingers cross*

sounds cool. LOL one of my best friends is Croatian, n hes got a video msg of him n his mates with flares the other night :D

Whats so funny about that? :?

yahhh!!!!!!!!


Now, our biggest game on earth
TORY SHEPHERD
26jun06
AUSTRALIAN soccer faces its biggest moment tomorrow morning when the Socceroos play Italy for a World Cup quarter-final berth - and thousands of fans will be at Adelaide Oval to support them.

As anticipation grew before the 12.30am round-of-16 match in Germany, the State Government, Adelaide City Council and the South Australian Cricket Association were making last-minute arrangements to open Adelaide Oval so fans could watch the knockout game on the 70sq m scoreboard screen and a second screen donated by the South Australian Jockey Club.

The move, spearheaded by radio FIVEaa's Chris McDermott, followed widespread criticism of Adelaide's lack of a central supporter site. Melbourne's Federation Square and Sydney's Circular Quay have been packed with thousands of fans in the Socceroos' group matches.

Australia will be a nation up late as millions of supporters - including thousands of Italian heritage - are glued to televisions to see an Australian side tipped to provide a mighty contest, even though last night it was faced with the prospect of playing without injured superstar Harry Kewell.

Pubs and clubs around the country have been favoured venues for Socceroos fans, but their popularity has meant that thousands in Adelaide have been turned away.









When Adelaide Oval emerged as a possible large-crowd venue, SACA declared itself willing to host the event, provided government helped overcome the logistical stumbling blocks of the short notice. Premier Mike Rann said the State Government would contribute $30,000, but would leave the organisation to the council, which yesterday confirmed its involvement.

Lord Mayor Michael Harbison said the free event was "something we should pull out all stops for". "It means so much to people," he said.

The council will provide parking in the parklands north of the oval and will approach SBS to extend a broadcasting licence covering television screens set up in Rundle Mall for the World Cup.

A SACA spokeswoman said last night that organisers had decided to make the event a community and family festival and that no alcohol would be allowed. Bag checks would be made and dangerous items such as flares also would be banned.

Gates will open at 11pm and the Victor Richardson Gates will be the main entrance. A taxi rank will be at the gates and organisers were last night trying to organise public transport to support the event.

Congrats if your going but I am going to my cousins for the match.

at 1230 in the mornin? bit late for me :(

']Whats so funny about that? :?
lol...they really get into it, which is heaps cool. u should see some of the footage of the croatians with flares. fantastic! lol

lol...they really get into it, which is heaps cool. u should see some of the footage of the croatians with flares. fantastic! lol

flares have been banned, but their heaps cool to watch lol


anyway saca is expecting 5,000 to 30,000 people for tonights match

GO AUSSIE!!!

5,000 to 30,000 lol, good estimate

Could the variable be any bigger? LOL.

lol...they really get into it, which is heaps cool. u should see some of the footage of the croatians with flares. fantastic! lol
Pretty common...remember 2004?

did anyone go??

Flares are always banned, but w..they always bring them.

They should have had that screen up from the start of the cup.
Instead what did Harbo do? Put up some crap flat screens in a dimly lit part of rundle mall and expected thousands of people to turn up. Yea right, get a fuc*** clue ACC.

They has something about that yesterday in the paper about not having
a proper gathering place... Well thats the ACCC's fault. Remember the
Victoria Square proposal to close of the road that cuts accross it and to have a proper ampitheatre and courtyard etc. That plan was cool and would have been a great meeting place for such an event. A big screen could have been put up on the ampitheatre and would have been spectacular....

With the tram line moving next year from the centre of Victoria Square to the
side, it will be an oportune time to revisit that plan and to adopt it...

It is also proposed to have a tram from Norwood to the Adelaide Airport via Wakefield and Grote Streets at a later time, so the Vic Square must remain in 2 parts.

^^ well the ACC want to redevelop vic square

It will not happen. Certainly the Square needs a makeover with landscaping. But we have heard all this many times before.

Anyone hear anything about some upgrade at AAMI?
Something about a new big screen I think.

yeah, after watching the news it spoke of security upgrades, upgrades to the function rooms, a second screen (i wonder where they will put it?) and just some minor alterations around the place. However, it seems that they are holding back on the story and that there is more.

Yeah mate, More security cameras etc and a new superscreen at the southern end. Great news especially for those who sit at the north eastern pocket directly in front of the current superscreen.

It will not happen. Certainly the Square needs a makeover with landscaping. But we have heard all this many times before.

^^ it will once the tram extention is complete!

Racing into cul-de-sac
By TIM LLOYD
08jul06
CHELTENHAM Racecourse might be turning into a win-win situation for the SA Jockey Club.

It is lose-lose, however, for the cause of open space in Adelaide.

Part of the money raised from selling off Cheltenham is being viewed as money to be spent building facilities at Victoria Park Racecourse in the city's east parklands.

We lose green space at Cheltenham and in the parklands. For parklands watchers, this is another sad story of inappropriate development. Victoria Park is now under serious threat of being transformed into a built-up area of grandstands and associated facilities.

The SAJC is being joined by the V8 racing car fraternity, who are demanding permanent facilities and raceways.

Everyone wants a permanent fixture there, with a call also for an outdoor entertainment facility.

Surprise, surprise, we all want a slice of the free, publicly-owned, centrally-located land.

These urgent demands seem oblivious to the fact they alienate the very land that makes Adelaide so attractive as a city; that this land has an aesthetic and commercial value far beyond the needs of a few special interest groups.

Meanwhile, at Cheltenham, a big flat, treeless slice of what has been mostly inaccessible land is likely to come back into the public domain.

It lies alongside a railway line, oval complex, high school and developer-owned land, presenting an opportunity for a huge, fully-planned development including more than 30 per cent of parks.

It will be a tragedy if this is handed over willy nilly to private developers, since we all know the kind of mean-minded, energy-hungry residences likely to ensue.

Because it will not overlook the unrelentingly single-storeyed suburbs surrounding it, the development offers a real chance to mix low, mid and high density housing of several storeys or more and create a different kind of suburban community close to Adelaide.

It could also integrate public transport, low-energy waste-recycling and storm water systems that are not so practical in smaller developments.

The Cheltenham land is in desperate need of vision and leadership from state and local government. Victoria Park is in desperate need of respect for what it is - parkland.

I just don't want another Mawson Lakes; that place is souless and creepy. Mixed development and 30% reserves sounds great.

i thought Mawson Lakes was a nice place?

^^ Its all pretty when your driving in a car with locked doors...

Islington rail site to be new housing estate
By GREG KELTON
19jul06
CONTAMINATED former railways land at Islington will be remediated and developed into housing for students and retired people.

The development and remediation to rid the site of fuel spills, heavy metals and some asbestos are expected to cost about $35 million.

The State Government has sold the 5.4ha site, bounded by Churchill and Regency roads, and abandoned since 2001, for a new estate to be known as Palm Gardens.

It will be a joint venture between Palm Gardens Retirement Villages and Kimber Project Management, which won the tender to buy after about 100 expressions of interest.

Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith, who is the local MP and had campaigned for the site to be transferred to residential use, said there would also be open space and a health and community centre on the site.

Dr Lomax-Smith and Premier Mike Rann inspected the site yesterday. Mr Rann said it would be significantly improved and, importantly, the development would fit in well with nearby residential areas.

Kimber managing director Graham Kimber said depending on how quickly Prospect Council could handle planning and rezoning applications, development could be under way within six to eight months.

He said about 140 retirement units were planned for the site as well as some commercial and other supporting facilities.

Mr Kimber said student housing close to the railway station had been provided on the initial development plan favoured by the council.

The site is only 6.5km from the Adelaide CBD and adjoins the railway line to Salisbury, Elizabeth and Gawler.

"It's a great thing for the neighbours," Dr Lomax-Smith said. "This is all about position, position, position.

"It is right next to a railway station and within cooee of the CBD. It has it all."

Dr Lomax-Smith said residents in the area had been concerned the site would revert to light industrial use.

"There was overwhelming support for remediation of the site and a residential outcome," she said.

Prospect Council chief executive Ray Pincombe said the council was "pretty pleased" about the future of the site.

"The planned development is more in tune with what Prospect is all about," he said.

He said the council believed it could fast-track planning.

Just one problem: Islington station only gets a train every hour during the day, and every 20 (or so) minutes in peak.

But it's a good idea regardless. It's the sort of development that will lead to increased rail services. ;)

great news for the Tourism Industry and the states future


from the SA government website

News: ATE considered best ever by travel industry
Hon JANE LOMAX-SMITH MP

Tourism experts from around the world have heralded the Australian Tourism Exchange held in Adelaide in June as the “best ever”.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says feedback from delegates has been extremely positive, with ATE06 setting the benchmark for future events.

“The delegates loved everything about South Australia, from the welcoming people, to the relaxed atmosphere and our fabulous food and wine, and the event was also described as the extremely well organised,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

“Other highlights for delegates included the Adelaide Convention Centre, the layout and accessibility of the city and the official dinners, especially the Adelaide Oval event.”

Mr Ian Swain, President of Swain Tours in the US described ATE in Adelaide as “the best he had attended” in the past 18 years.

“ATE in Adelaide was excellent. The ease of being able to get to different venues each day and night; the great food and wine readily available at events; the friendliness of the locals; and the restaurants and hotels all made this the great event it was,” he says.

ATE injected around $10m into the local economy and resulted in approximately 13,000 visitor nights in Adelaide. In the long-term, it will also generate millions of dollars in export earnings as a result of business partnerships created at the event.

“This event is the southern hemisphere’s biggest travel trade show and to receive such positive feedback about South Australia as a host, and a destination, augers well for the future of the tourism industry,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

“Not only will the economy be boosted by this, but it also means more jobs for South Australians as the State’s tourism industry grows, providing fantastic benefits to Adelaide and the regions.”

The South Australian Tourism Commission’s Regional Marketing Managers also reported positive feedback from tourism wholesalers who indicated that they would like to increase the level of South Australian product available to international travel agents.

“ATE was extremely important for regional South Australia, with a range of locations across the State hosting delegates. Almost 80 trips were organised around the State, with more than 600 places filled on these trips,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

“International delegates saw first-hand the brilliant blend of tourism products on offer in South Australia, while also experiencing our hospitality and tourism expertise.

“Some of the world’s most influential tourism wholesalers visited locations such as the Naracoorte Caves, the Murray River, Kangaroo Island, and the Flinders Ranges, and the feedback was excellent.”


Ms Wong Tsui Shan of Pacific Arena Private Limited in Singapore says: “I particularly liked the wilderness and fascinating scenery on Kangaroo Island. I would recommend a two night stay in order to truly enjoy the tranquility”.

Mr Franz of Sakura Holidays Pty Ltd in Singapore says: “Kangaroo Island is indeed remarkable and the unique cottages in the Adelaide Hills and house boating holidays are appealing too. We are looking at the possibility of packaging these different experiences to Singapore consumers shortly”.

Mr Krisana Thammasan of Big Four Travel Co. Ltd in Bangkok says: “South Australia is a fantastic destination that visitors won’t find anywhere else in the world”.

Ms Morena Parati of Kuoni Gastaldi in Italy says: “The pre-tour to Kangaroo Island was perfectly organised and was a great opportunity to visit all the new developments including hotels, bed and breakfasts and other new projects”.

The benefits of ATE in South Australia are expected to be seen in the next 18 months when many of the tourism products start taking bookings as a direct result of the event.

http://www.ministers.sa.gov.au/news.php?id=395

_________________________________________________________________


from todays tiser
Train to the Barossa to get back on track
MICHAEL OWEN
22jul06
THE Barossa Wine Train, one of South Australia's most-loved heritage drawcards, has been saved and will run again for the first time in three years.

The three remaining operative Bluebird railcars had been languishing in the open at Islington, covered in graffiti, and on the verge of being sold to Sri Lanka.

However, in a last-minute, multi-million dollar rescue deal brokered between the Proud Australia company and entrepreneur John Geber, who owns the heritage-listed Chateau Tanunda complex at Tanunda, the tourist attraction is back.

Mr Geber, the man who invented round teabags, said the renovated 1952 Bluebird carriages, worth up to $7 million, would again begin scheduled tourist services on November 30.

The first day of service will coincide with the third SA Premier's Masters Ashes Cricket Match on Chateau Tanunda's international standard cricket oval.

The railcars had last week been moved under cover at Islington and cleaned of graffiti, Mr Geber said.

Before public liability issues forced the train to close in April, 2003, it took about 15,000 people to the Barossa Valley each year.

Established in 1998, the

four-day-a-week, year-round service allowed passengers to enjoy on-board wine tastings while travelling from the Adelaide Railway Station to the Tanunda Railway Station, just metres from Chateau Tanunda, before being shuttled by bus to wineries and tourist attractions.

Mr Geber hoped the new 90-minute service, which now had a world-class tourist destination in the chateau, would eventually carry more than 15,000 people a year.

"At long last it has a destination," he said.

"The chateau complex has 30 small winemakers in it, people can have lunch upstairs with food from Maggie Beer's Barossa Farm Produce and from there they can go visit other wineries."

He said the corporate market would especially be targeted, with complete all-day packages offered for about $140 per person.

Chateau Tanunda is transforming its century-old brandy distillery into heritage accommodation, using a $100,000 Federal Government grant to promote tourism in the Barossa Valley.

Mr Geber said the new train services would initially run on Sundays.

The train can carry more than 200 passengers a trip, with bars stocked with Barossa wines for tasting.

The Bluebird Preservation Group, which had campaigned hard to keep the train in SA, welcomed the news it had been saved.

In other news

Plans to revitalise the Adelaide Festival Centre (http://adelaide.tech.com.au/index.php?showtopic=39)

No more delays - U2 is coming to town (http://adelaide.tech.com.au/index.php?showtopic=38)

ADELAIDE'S Guy Sebastian and the Hilltop Hoods took top honours at the national Urban Music Awards in Sydney last night. (http://adelaide.tech.com.au/index.php?showtopic=40)

Harbison looks to sister city for ideas (http://adelaide.tech.com.au/index.php?showtopic=41)

Adelaide, 2010, and our world is in crisis (http://adelaide.tech.com.au/index.php?showtopic=42)

Salisbury transformed into economic hub
August 08, 2006 01:21pm

BLUE collar Salisbury has transformed itself from a battler to South Australia's economic hub, a new report says.


The report by economist Professor Richard Blandy says Salisbury, in Adelaide's north, is outstripping the rest of South Australia in performance.
But the Blandy report warns many Salisbury residents may miss out on the economic boom unless they are given greater opportunities to study and train.

He said by 2015, half of the jobs created in the suburb, now a defence precinct, will require a university degree.

Prof Blandy's report said Salisbury was one of Australia's fastest growing regions with gross regional product is set to reach $4 billion by 2015 - five per cent of SA's gross state product.

In the past five years, Salisbury had grown 4.2 per cent per year compared to the state average of three per cent; while jobs growth had been 3.2 per cent compared to the state average of 1.5 per cent.

Prof Blandy's report noted development approvals worth $320 million in Salisbury in 2005/2006 and planned new projects including Australia's largest retail distribution centre, a $40m food processing factory, and investment from defence projects.

souce: AAP

Go north - to our newest boom suburb

MATT WILLIAMS
August 09, 2006 12:15am

AN industry boom providing 9000 new jobs is predicted to transform the economic landscape of Salisbury over the next 10 years.

Economic researchers who have made the prediction, however, say a lack of skilled labor will mean many locals will miss out on job opportunities.
The report, written by Professor Richard Blandy and Philip Hagan, from AustralAsia Economics, says Salisbury has grown 40 per cent faster economically than the rest of the state in the past five years.

In 2005/06, the city council approved $320 million worth of developments. That included a $60 million Coles Myer Distribution Centre.

The 9000-job estimate is based on existing and developing industries, including manufacturing, wholesale trade, transport and storage, communication services, property and business services and government administration and defence.

The report estimates Salisbury's gross regional product will be $4 billion in 2015.

That is up from the current estimate of $2.7 billion. Professor Blandy predicts half of the jobs created will need to be filled by university graduates.

"In Salisbury, the skills required by industry have outpaced the skills on offer and the locals have found it difficult to pick up work," he says.

"A lack of skilled workers is a major problem Australia-wide and, surely, we can look local rather than getting workers through immigration."

Salisbury mayor Tony Zappia says the council is negotiating with schools, universities and TAFE campuses to develop training initiatives.

"We are optimistic that young people in our area will be provided with secure jobs in the future," he says.

Salisbury High School principal Helen Paphitis says schools in the region are working together to "meet the skills needs" of the area.

Students Ashley Meffert, 17, Luke Gale, 16, and Carol Harrison, 15, say they are looking forward to careers in the local area.

"I'll be looking around for jobs in my area after school, probably in hospitality and nursing, and then I would look to travel after that," Year 12 student Ashley says.

Luke, a Year 11 student, is planning to become an infantry officer in the defence force.

Carol, in Year 10, intends to study marine biology at UniSA's Mawson Lakes campus.
souce: the advertiser

This is going to cause a hell of a transport problem; Salisbury doesn't have the workers for the jobs being created in the region so they're obviously going to be commuting from elsewhere.

Still, if it was the council that aggressively sought this infrastructure -- good on 'em!

This is going to cause a hell of a transport problem; Salisbury doesn't have the workers for the jobs being created in the region so they're obviously going to be commuting from elsewhere.

Still, if it was the council that aggressively sought this infrastructure -- good on 'em!

Yeahhh it will be a big problem!!! I work in the area and commute each day by public transport mostly sometimes by car but i would never live there. So the problem is not just attracting works to fill those jobs but also retaining them as some people just dont want to live in Salisbury, Elizabeth, Mawson Lakes etc.

Government should be looking at seriously upgrading Adelaides Train network as i have been saying here in the forums on many occasions with standardised and upgraded tracks, electrification, new high speed trains capable of doing 140-160kms per hour and from Elizabeth their needs to be
a new bus with goes past Edinburgh Parks and the Defence Precint every 15 minutes at least in the morning peak and afternoon peak to drop off and pick
up workers. With the Army set to move in to new barracks next to the RAAF base in the coming years this only makes sense.

In regards to the Train network this must happen and the sooner the better with fuel prices going ever up.

I don't know why the government doesn't just tighten its belt and throw $500m into the PT system, especially in the far north and south - where people are (on average) far less likely to use public transport.

And regards to the northern suburbs; little by little the government should start building newer, more attractive suburbs and start bulldozing old Housing Trust shitheaps.

Would really be great if they could shed the reputation of these places within the next 20 years or so.

They are also looking at closing other barracks in Adelaide(such as Keswick), and moving them to an expanded Edinburgh. And with 3RAR(I think) coming over from Sydney soon, thats 1,200 based there already.

plus the smithfield area is about to get a $1 billion makeover

They are also looking at closing other barracks in Adelaide(such as Keswick), and moving them to an expanded Edinburgh. And with 3RAR(I think) coming over from Sydney soon, thats 1,200 based there already.


As a defence force member I can say that the closing of Keswick is not entirely true, At this stage they are looking at the feasibility of relocating existing units to an expanded Edinburgh precinct. At Keswick there are issues regarding heritage listed buildings which require special consideration.

As far as 3RAR relocating back to Adelaide (previously they were based at Woodside) this is a few years away, I doubt it will occur before 2010 at the earliest. There has also been issues with the 16 Air Defence Regiment relocating away from their current base at Woodside, issues such as the impact to the local community up their in the hills.

Drive to end skills drain
PAUL STARICK, CHIEF REPORTER

August 18, 2006 12:15am

FORMER Defence Force chief General Peter Cosgrove will spearhead a statewide strategy designed to solve skills shortages in defence, mining and other growth industries.
Recently appointed to oversee the state's drive to build up its defence industry, General Cosgrove wants to ensure there are enough skilled workers to meet rising demand.

The Defence Industry Advisory Board, headed by General Cosgrove, will oversee the strategy to expand higher education and recruitment.

"We want to identify the sort of skill sets that need to be resident in the state for us to have a really cutting-edge intellectual advantage in South Australia in the area of defence," General Cosgrove told The Advertiser.

"We think it's part of a wider agenda.

"I think governments of all types would say we need to smarten up to retain our best and brightest."

The State Government wants to boost defence jobs from 16,000 to 28,000 within a decade, while the mining sector is expected to grow with the proposed Olympic Dam expansion.

General Cosgrove said SA already had a "pretty good base" of skilled workers, singling out ASC (formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation), the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and Edinburgh Defence Precinct.

"It's pretty good but we want to expand," he said.

"We want to say that there's a labour force and environment in which industry can flourish."

General Cosgrove said among the workers required would be quality systems engineers, scientists and project managers.

ASC in May revealed it was extending a long-term recruiting campaign for 1000 shipbuilding jobs into schools in an attempt to combat a national skills shortage.

Awarded a $6 billion air warfare destroyer contract in May last year, the company and contract partners also target universities and vocational colleges promoting long-term careers in high-end manufacturing. General Cosgrove stressed the strategy would embrace the supply of skilled workers in industries other than defence.

The need for a strategy was decided at General Cosgrove's first meeting of the advisory board, which also included former navy chief Vice-Admiral David Shackleton and former chief defence scientist, Dr Ian Chessell.

General Cosgrove said the board would make submissions to Defence Minister Brendan Nelson's review of defence industry policy.

State Defence Unit chief executive Air Vice-Marshal (retired) Roxley McLennan said the issue of looming skills shortages "isn't going to go away in the next five years". "We see the defence industry and the mining industry growing progressively for the next decade or two," he said. "There isn't a skills shortage in defence but there's a challenge because we're growing the defence industry. If you're going to grow the industry, you've got to grow the workforce at the same rate."

The Defence Unit will develop the statewide strategy, about which General Cosgrove is writing to Premier Mike Rann.

The influx of skilled workers for the air warfare destroyer contract has started, with ship designer Gibbs & Cox Australia employing about 50 skilled workers this year. It expects to hire up to 150 more. Gibbs & Cox Australia managing director Peter Croser said high-end workers had been relatively easy to hire because it was a specialist area.

He said it was essential to increase the number of university graduates in engineering and science.

Major Adelaide defence companies, including ASC, BAE Systems and Tenix, in May signed agreements with the city's universities to better develop training.

As part of the incentive package for the destroyer contract, Mr Rann in February last year announced that a maritime skills centre would be built at Osborne to expand the state's workforce of welders, electricians and other skilled tradespeople

source: the advertiser

Maybe we should have a South Australian news and sport discussion thread, like they do in the WA forum.

ill kick it of

Key to SA mineral find
CARA JENKIN

August 17, 2006 12:15am
Article from: The Advertiser

NEW mineral deposits could be discovered in the north of the state, thanks to Adelaide research about how Australia was formed.
University of Adelaide PhD student Kate Selway says she has been able to pinpoint where three separate land masses came together 1.64 billion years ago to form one ancient continent.

Using a new geophysical technique, called magnetotellurics, Ms Selway was able to probe through previously impenetrable sedimenta to reach 150km below the surface.

She said the information collected would help scientists understand how the Australian continent was formed - and where the next big mineral deposits could lie.

"Before the continents collided, there was an ocean between them," she said.

"If you looked south from Alice Springs before 1.64 billion years ago, you would have seen an ocean. When the continent was forming, fluids moved into the collision zones and mixed with molten rock. "It is these fluids that can often carry the metals which concentrate into valuable mineral deposits."

Ms Selway tested a 380km area south of Alice Springs and in the north of SA as part of a collaboration between the University of Adelaide and the Northern Territory Geological Survey.

While the information itself will not definitively outline to mining companies where the mineral deposits are, it does present a greater likelihood on which companies can base exploration decisions, she said.

Ms Selway and other students from the university's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences will conduct similar surveys in other South Australian areas to gather more information.

$63m zinc mine wins approval
CAMERON ENGLAND

August 18, 2006 12:15am
Article from: The Advertiser

STRATHALBYN will be home to the state's newest mine following State Government sign-off on a $63 million zinc and lead-mining project yesterday.
Terramin Australia was granted a mineral lease for its Angas mine, 2km outside Strathalbyn, which is expected to create more than 100 jobs for at least seven years and another 170 in the construction phase.

Terramin managing director Kevin Moriarty said yesterday the project would "usher in a new era of development and prosperity for the region built on the back of the state's resources sector".

"As soon as Terramin receives formal approval of its mining and rehabilitation program (MARP), which contains the operational details for the project, we will commence placing equipment orders and hiring staff for this exciting development," Dr Moriarty said, adding that the MARP approval process was in its final stages.

"Surface and underground construction works are expected to commence over the next three months." Dr Moriarty said the final design followed more than a year of public consultations.

"I congratulate SA's Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Paul Holloway, and former SA Premier Dean Brown for positive guidance of the consultation process.

"I also thank the many members of the public who made constructive contributions during the public consultation phase of the project."

The project initially faced some community opposition, but Terramin agreed to meet stringent environmental controls at the site and fund a Community Consultative Committee which has met 10 times so far.

Meanwhile, Oxiana was expected to sign off on its $530 million copper and gold mine at Prominent Hill at its board meeting next Friday.

On your bike with the stars
STUART INNES
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/crawf_231/0521731600.jpg
Tour Down Under director Mike Turtur with Oppey and promotional girls Courtney and Chelsea.

THE Tour Down Under cycling race will next year provide more opportunity for novice and occasional bike riders to play active parts in the event.
The Fun Tour will be presented by The Advertiser on January 21, 2007.

People can dust off their bikes and take part in the 21km police-escorted ride from West Beach to the city. They can then ride a lap of the street circuit to be used later that day by the international professionals on the final day of the Tour race - even passing under the finishing arch to be used by professionals.

Children can take part, with arrangements for them depending on age.

Another first for 2007, announced at a city launch yesterday by Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith, is a Night of Stars at the Adelaide Superdrome on January 15. The event introducing team members - in the past restricted to officials and sponsors - will be open to the public.

They will be able to enjoy a two-hour exhibition by some of Australia's best track racers.

"These new events . . . mean there is opportunity for cyclists of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels to participate in a world-class cycling event," Dr Lomax-Smith said. Welcoming guests to the launch yesterday was Oppy the bike-riding kangaroo paraded on a vehicle in this year's Tour de France to promote the SA event.

The 2007 Tour Down Under routes were announced with a start for the first time at Mannum on the River Murray.

"The route will provide some great viewing spots for the 435,000 spectators who line the streets each year to cheer on the cyclists as well as showcasing some of SA's spectacular regions to the international TV audience," Dr Lomax-Smith said.

Last year's tour attracted 15,330 international and domestic visitors and was worth $16.3 million to SA's economy. Dr Lomax-Smith said many visitors were coming to SA for cycling holidays using the growing number of cycle trails.

The lack of a naming rights sponsor for the event was being worked on.

"It is one of the great, iconic events for SA," Dr Lomax-Smith said.

"Cycling is the sport and SA is the leader of the pack."

Tour details are available at www.tourdownunder.com.au

good idea merging all those threads into one :)

Shake-up in bus routes
RENATO CASTELLO

August 20, 2006 12:15am
Article from: Sunday Mail (SA)

BUS services on major routes through Adelaide's western and inner southern suburbs will be doubled under changes coming into effect in October.
A major improvement is the upgrading to Go Zones of 10 routes servicing major shopping hubs Marion and Arndale.

The changes will cut bus waiting times to 15 minutes from 7.30am to 6.30pm weekdays, and 30 minutes after 6.30pm and on Sundays and public holidays.

The overhaul coincides with a Sunday Mail campaign for the Rann Government to improve the ailing public transport system which is struggling to deal with inadequate services and overcrowding.

An extra O-Bahn service from Oakden to the city will also be introduced and the 301 service from Adelaide to Arndale will be extended to Port Adelaide.

Some of the routes have not changed for more than 10 years.

Transport Minister Patrick Conlon approved the changes on August 5 - 48 days after the Sunday Mail began its Fix It Pat campaign aimed at relieving congestion on bus services.

Torrens Transit executive director Neil Smith predicted the new Go Zones would increase patronage by 10 per cent over the next three years.

"What we have found is once buses run every 15 minutes there are a whole lot of people that will use them,'' he said.

"When you look at areas like Arndale, public transport useage should be much higher and when you look at Marion, it's becoming a city in its own right - that's why we see it as important to increase services there.''

The Go Zones will be on major corridors, including Anzac Hwy and Goodwood, King William, Torrens, Hanson, Grand Junction and Regency roads.

Mr Smith said the changes have been made within the existing budget and conceded that buses would be pulled from less patronised routes.

He would not disclose which ones.

"No one is going to lose their bus service, but areas where few people are using services will be smaller (and) there will be less buses in a day,'' Mr Smith said.

The increased number of Go Zones has been welcomed by bus drivers and transport lobby group People for Public Transport.

Transport Workers Union state secretary Alex Gallacher said feedback from most members had been positive.

"Particularly on the 203 (city to Clapham) - that's been a route which is struggling at the moment to meet schedules,'' he said.

"The only issue is whether they have got enough buses to do it ... that's really something the Government and companies need to address.''

People for Public Transport secretary Margaret Dingle said more Go Zones was good news.
But she said more investment was needed to expand them into the outer suburbs.

"The outer suburbs still don't have sufficient frequencies in public transport,'' she said.

"The State Government should give bus operators more money so they can put on more services instead of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.''

Flinders Uni $40m building program
DEBORAH TIDEMAN

FLINDERS University yesterday announced a new $40 million building investment, its biggest capital development since it was founded in the 1960s.
The chancellor, Sir Eric Neal, said two new buildings were planned to help Flinders maintain its high reputation for innovative educational programs and research.

"Substantial expansion of student numbers and research activities over the last five to 10 years has created an urgent need for expanding our accommodation," Sir Eric said yesterday.

Flinders vice-chancellor Professor Anne Edwards said construction would start before the end of the year and be completed by 2008.

The two new buildings will be on the main campus. One is to be occupied by the School of Education and the other will house parts of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Education and health are key areas for the university, which offers both undergraduate and postgraduate professional courses.

SkyCity to spend more on casino

CAMERON ENGLAND

August 22, 2006 12:15am
Article from: The Advertiser

SKYCITY Entertainment plans to invest another $55 million in its Adelaide casino after patrons spent up big in the past year.
The New Zealand gambling and entertainment group said yesterday there had been a strong customer response to the $21 million first stage of its redevelopment, which included new restaurant and bar facilities and new gambling areas.

Total revenues at the Adelaide operation were up 21.4 per cent to $131.2 million, with the food and beverage department recording a 41 per cent gain. This followed a disappointing result the previous year caused by the introduction of smoking bans and delays to the refurbishment.

"The Adelaide casino had not kept pace with the way in which these businesses had developed elsewhere as broader entertainment destinations," managing director Evan Davies said yesterday.

"What we wanted to do was provide more things for people to do, more reasons for people to go.

"We thought if we did it would be a more attractive destination and that's certainly proven to be the case."

Mr Davies said the company would re-start the redevelopment process within six months, dependent on the approval of a proposed 464-space car park.

Mr Davies said SkyCity was yet to receive the co-operation of all off its neighbours for the proposed car park expansion, and was working on this.

In all, $55 million was expected to be spent at the site by June, 2009, with about half being spent on the carpark and the rest on further food and beverage and entertainment facilities.

While food and beverage experienced the greatest growth, gaming machine and gaming table revenues also increased strongly.

SkyCity to spend more on casino

CAMERON ENGLAND

August 22, 2006 12:15am
Article from: The Advertiser

SKYCITY Entertainment plans to invest another $55 million in its Adelaide casino after patrons spent up big in the past year.
The New Zealand gambling and entertainment group said yesterday there had been a strong customer response to the $21 million first stage of its redevelopment, which included new restaurant and bar facilities and new gambling areas.

Total revenues at the Adelaide operation were up 21.4 per cent to $131.2 million, with the food and beverage department recording a 41 per cent gain. This followed a disappointing result the previous year caused by the introduction of smoking bans and delays to the refurbishment.

"The Adelaide casino had not kept pace with the way in which these businesses had developed elsewhere as broader entertainment destinations," managing director Evan Davies said yesterday.

"What we wanted to do was provide more things for people to do, more reasons for people to go.

"We thought if we did it would be a more attractive destination and that's certainly proven to be the case."

Mr Davies said the company would re-start the redevelopment process within six months, dependent on the approval of a proposed 464-space car park.

Mr Davies said SkyCity was yet to receive the co-operation of all off its neighbours for the proposed car park expansion, and was working on this.

In all, $55 million was expected to be spent at the site by June, 2009, with about half being spent on the carpark and the rest on further food and beverage and entertainment facilities.

While food and beverage experienced the greatest growth, gaming machine and gaming table revenues also increased strongly.


Where are they going to put the car park?? If it even blocks off an inch of the railway station view, or diminishes the structure in anyway it should be voted down..... its bad enough that it is a Casino in the first place....