‘Astronomical’ cost to revamp Hindley, Hutt, Melbourne and O’Connell streets

Adelaide’s tattered main streets need a $140 million makeover but rate revenue just won’t cut it. So where will the money come from?

Four major streets in the heart of Adelaide need upgrading – but at an eye-watering cost to Adelaide City Council of $140m.

Council planners have revealed run-down Hindley St needs $24.7m of work, Hutt St $30m, Melbourne St $40m and O’Connell St $45m.

But Deputy Mayor Phillip Martin said the “astronomical” $140m bill was about $30m more than the total of rates collected from businesses and residents each year.

“These public realm upgrades in the city are vital and there is no doubt some of the precincts are looking tired,’’ he said.

“And while they remain tired, businesses know it is having an impact on their trading.”

The Main Street Revitalisation plan for Hutt St. Supplied: City of Adelaide

The plans will be debated at the council’s Infrastructure and Public Works Committee on Tuesday night, but Cr Martin said he could see no way ratepayers could fund the plan alone.

“The price tags are astronomical and frankly the city’s finances are such that we can’t afford it but have to find the money,’’ he said.

“We will have to look at all the possible ways to deliver this, either staged, increasing revenue.

“The sad fact is all of these projects should have been done years ago.”

Cr Martin said state and federal governments could be asked by the council to help.

Adding to the cost, material and labour shortages for public works have caused prices to skyrocket since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Other run-down main streets which will be discussed, but not with funding proposals, are; North Tce, Gouger and/or Grote streets, Currie and/or Grenfell streets, and Flinders and/or Franklin streets.

The council report found Hindley St needed resurfacing of the road and new wider footpaths, raised pedestrian crossings at the Morphett St, Leigh St, Bank St intersections and near Rosina St, street trees and new lighting.

Melbourne St needs new road and footpath surfacing, wider footpaths, fewer car parks for more outdoor dining, bike parking, event spaces and greening. It also could have gardens, street trees, a 30km/h speed limit and pedestrian crossings.

Hutt St needs traffic calming, abolition of angle parking, wider and safer footpaths, pedestrian and cycle crossings including at Gilles, Halifax and Carrington streets, a 30 km/h speed limit, new surfacings, cycle paths, and better public lighting.

O’Connell St needs new road surfacing and wider footpaths, more trees, better lighting, better traffic control for safety, art works, cycle lanes, street furniture and hedges.