Plaza idea, more greenery for seedy Whitmore Square being discussed by Adelaide City Council

IT’S one of Adelaide’s most maligned precincts, with a reputation for drunkenness and rough sleepers. But now the city council is planning to revitalise seedy Whitmore Square and make it more accessible.

A couple enjoys a picnic in Whitmore Square. Picture: Supplied

• Resurgence of Adelaide’s southwest city corner bringing new life to quiet streets

CREATING a central plaza with a cafe or kiosk and planting more greenery to make Whitmore Square more like a park than a “roundabout” are among ideas being pursued by Adelaide City Council to make the much-maligned city precinct more user friendly.

However a survey conducted by the council says improving the safety of the square — one of Adelaide’s most popular meeting spots for those sleeping rough — at all times of the day should be among its key priorities for the area.

The council is developing a masterplan for the south west city patch of land, with community consultation on the six plans closing on Sunday.

They are;

A CENTRAL Plaza that could include a cafe and kiosk to act as a meeting spot and a multipurpose activity space,

OPEN lawns, separated from the road that could host a community event — which would mean extending the current lawns and removing some trees,

INCREASED “greening” to make it feel more like a park rather than a roundabout,

A GATHERING space, improving seating,

INTERACTIVE small areas for playing and linking to local art, and

IMPROVE the intersection and arrival points for pedestrians and cyclists by creating “prominent” entries into the square.

Kids playing basketball in Whitmore Sq. Picture: Eugene Boisvert

An Adelaide City Council spokeswoman said the draft masterplan would be ready by late next month to go out to the community.

Priority projects would be recommended, with $200,000 already proposed in the draft Integrated Business Plan to progress some of them.

President of the City South Association David Bolton said the community was excited about the ideas proposed in the masterplan.

“I think the general feeling is one of being quite pleased,” he said.

“The engagement has been good so far.”

But the community feedback and a survey conducted by the council has feeling “safe and comfortable” in the square as one of the three top themes.

With the Salvation Army and the St Vincent de Paul’s men’s crisis centre both in Whitmore Square, it is one of the most popular locations for homeless people in the CBD.

People walking and jogging in Whitmore Square. Picture: Supplied

Shelter SA chief executive Dr Alice Clark said she hoped those service providers had a chance to respond to the survey.

“Providers have actually said that they think the open space actually makes it safer,” she said.
“I hope the Salvos and Vinnies and the like got the chance to have their say.”

A council spokeswoman said safety and comfort in the square also included traffic and lighting.

“The project team is also drawing on City of Adelaide’s ongoing relationships with local social service providers and state government to ensure the master work understands the needs of specific social services and their clients in the vicinity,” she said.