Calls to rip up Torrens Parade Ground bitumen amid changes to Torrens Training Depot

Calls have been made to rip up the Torrens Parade Ground’s bitumen and replace it with trees, pavers and lawn – in a push likely to anger veterans.

Torrens Parade Ground’s bitumen should be ripped up and replaced with trees and lawn, Adelaide Park Lands Association says, in a push likely to anger some veterans.

During consultation on how to make the Torrens Training Depot on King William Rd opposite Elder Park more accessible to the public, some respondents, including association president Shane Sody, suggested it would be more inviting if the area were greener.

Many other respondents said whatever happened at the site, veteran or military history-related uses should be prioritised.

“It would be hard to think of anything that’s less inviting than what’s there now,” Mr Sody said, referring to the parade ground’s bitumen surface.

“Who wants to walk across a vast expanse of bitumen, especially on a hot day to go and visit the History Trust? It could be made much more welcoming if it had an open, green, front yard,” he said.

Centenary Parade of units of 9th Brigade, Australian Army at the Torrens Parade Ground in the city. Picture: Calum Robertson

Mr Sody said in keeping with the site’s placement in the centre of parklands, “at a minimum”, the area should feature lawn, trees and pavers, which would not prevent its use for military events.

“I would hate to see its connection with the military lost – that’s not what we’re saying at all,” he said.

“Being connected to its military history does not require bitumen. There are a lot of iconic open, public and green military spaces not only in Adelaide but throughout Australia.”

The Park Lands Association is among those responding to a state government call for ideas for the Torrens Training Depot and Torrens Parade Ground.

Adelaide parklands preservation authority secretary Shane Sody. Picture: Celeste Villani

Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce is chairing a committee that will early in the new year report to the state government on options.

RSL SA president Cheryl Cates declined to comment.

Ian Smith, an army veteran of 28 years and former Adelaide University Regiment soldier who served at the Torrens Training Depot in the 1980s, said the parade grounds had a “sacred connection to the battlefield”.

“I don’t know what position Kevin Scarce and his committee would take on that, but hopefully they will support what I think would be a generally held veteran view about the maintenance of the parade ground as a parade ground,” he said.

Veteran Ian Smith disagrees and says veterans are unlikely to support any move to rip up the parade ground’s bitumen. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Mr Smith suggested the area could be used more regularly for ceremonies, such as on Australia Day and the Queen’s Birthday for artillery salutes. In the past, that had been made difficult because other events have been booked at the parade ground on those days.

“We’re looking to encourage the serving ADF units in the state to use the parade ground more,” Mr Smith said.

“Hopefully it will engender a greater connection between the general public and serving ADF units if they’re able to come and watch ceremonial parades in the city on the parade grounds.”

Other comments on the government’s Your Say consultation page said the site’s accent should be on military history, traditions and encouraging more defence-related activity on the grounds.

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