How $7.8m would transform for Adelaide’s Gawler Place: Artist’s impression of revamp is released

THE designs were drawn up several years ago but kept under wraps. Now, this city strip is to get a multi-million dollar makeover. We take a look.

Cyclists and pedestrians will be encouraged into the heart of the city as part of the plan. Artist’s impression supplied by Adelaide City Council

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GAWLER Place will be transformed into a vibrant laneway with trees and street furniture under a $7.8 million plan to breathe new life into the precinct.

Adelaide City Council’s infrastructure and public space committee on Tuesday recommended work to start on concept designs for the upgrade, following the completion of the $30 million Rundle Mall redevelopment.

A council report outlined a vision to continue the same “high standard” of work used in the mall, such as paving, trees and furniture, as well as investigating the use of public art.

Cr Natasha Malani, who in April called for the council to fast-track the project, was glad the next step had been approved.

“We’re keen to get on to the progress of the Gawler place redevelopment,” Cr Malani told The City.

“Concept designs to take out to stakeholders for consultation will be the next step, but we’re firmly focused on seeing an outcome for Gawler Place sooner rather than later.

“We understand these things do take time to get it right, but we’re certainly not wasting any time.”

An artist’s impression of the revamped Gawler Place. Supplied: Adelaide City Council

A detailed design for the Gawler Place upgrade was created in 2013, but at the time councillors decided to consider the project in “future budgets”.

The 2013 design, which has not been publicly released until now, showed the north and south corridor of Gawler Place as a hive of activity, day and night.

The design included making the area more cyclist and pedestrian-friendly by reducing the width of the road and adding bike racks.

Better lighting and signage were also envisaged to illuminate existing business and arcades, while enhancing the entrance to the “heart” of Rundle Mall.

The council will now investigate additional design options and consult businesses along the strip on ways to activate buildings and improve adjacent laneways, such as Featherstone Place.

The community would be consulted on the design concepts, but the council report did not provide a time frame.

However, the council expected work on the upgrade to begin in the 2017/18 financial year.

The council estimated the redevelopment of Gawler Place would provide a $37.8 million return for Rundle Mall.