Revealing the new face of Adelaide’s old central bus terminal

A NEW deal means one of the city’s most blighted sites is to be overhauled to make way for a sweeping environmental hub — here’s what’s planned.

ONE of the city’s most blighted sites is to be overhauled into an environmental hub after a new deal was struck to revamp the CBD site.

Conservation SA has won a public tender and signed a three-year lease for the old central bus terminal, at 111 Franklin Street.

Its proposal includes creating community gardens, eco classrooms, community arts displays and will operate a free bike hire node with Bike SA, the existing tenant of the area’s main building.

It also hopes to operate a cafe serving local produce and build a community kitchen that “transforms food waste from the Central Market into nutritious meals”.

The Department of Transport has leased another part of the site for use as a bus layover.

The area has remained under-utilised since the council’s new $27 million Central Bus Station, located next door, opened in March 2008, following its largest capital investment at the time.

Conservation SA chief executive Craig Wilkins was unavailable for interview but in a statement posted the organisation’s website, he described the deal as “incredibly exciting news”.

He said while the area become rundown over the past several years, with buildings covered with graffiti and surrounded by temporary fencing and weeds, he hoped it would now transform into a “lush, productive oasis”.

“We want this to be a nurturing and bustling space connecting nature, creativity and community in the heart of Adelaide,” he said.

“This is not just about creating an attractive place to work or visit; we see this new centre as a major step forward in our vision to build a movement of South Australians who care about our environment and living sustainably.

“The beauty of our new centre is that it will be a tangible and accessible demonstration of the kind of future we all want. Far more powerful than just talking about what we want — we will be able to show it, share it and live it.”

He said central to the concept was a “desire to educate the next generation” and talks have already started with local schools.

The plans now hinge on a major fundraising drive. Conservation SA did not say how much money it needed to raise.

Mr Wilkins added: “The building is old and run down. We are determined to use the most sustainable products as possible.

“However, these can often cost more than conventional, cheaper options.”

In a statement, Mike Philippou, the council’s property development manager, said he was “looking forward to watching what CCSA does with the site”.

Bike SA will move to new premises next week.