Glenelg traders pushing ‘open for business’ message ahead of Jetty Rd closure for tram track replacement
ADELAIDE’S iconic Jetty Rd will be decorated in pink, parking restrictions will be eased and vouchers will be offered, to urge shoppers to the strip even while work to replace the tram tracks happens.
- Work on Glenelg tram tracks delayed until after school holidays
- New tram tracks set to be laid on Glenelg’s Jetty Rd with rubber inlays to improve cyclist safety
- Council starts Jetty Rd Glenelg masterplan work to bring more people to area
GLENELG traders are urging shoppers to continue supporting them during a month of disruption to replace tram tracks on Jetty Rd.
Holdfast Bay Council is joining the campaign by offering free and extended parking, giving out shopping vouchers, and decorating the street pink to send a message that the strip is “open for business”.
Jetty Rd will be closed to all traffic and trams between Brighton Rd and Moseley St from Monday, May 15, to Sunday, May 28, while Transport Department contractors replace the tracks with quieter ones.
From May 29 to June 9, Jetty Rd will be closed from Brighton Rd to Moseley Square, but with north-south traffic access at Gordon and Partridge streets.
The Strand restaurant owner John Papatolis has opened a back entrance directly on to the council’s Partridge St carpark, letting diners avoid Jetty Rd altogether.
“We hope the whole community will really get behind all the businesses,” Mr Papatolis said.
“Having had a good look at the works and what the council is endeavouring to do, we envisage hopefully not too much disruption.”
Pedestrians will be able to cross Jetty Rd at several points throughout the works.
Holdfast Bay Mayor Stephen Patterson said his council and traders were “pulling out all the stops” to entice people to the precinct — and reward them for their support.
“We’re decking out the Glenelg precinct in pink to build on our ‘I want to stay’ campaign theme, because your traders are here to stay and need their customers to stay right here with them during the works period,” Mr Patterson said.
“You’ll see pink signs, pink decorations, pink trees and staff in pink hi-viz vests.”
The council is offering free two-hour parking at its Elizabeth St carpark and in the ticketed parking zones on Moseley St and Colley Tce.
People will be able to park for free on side streets for two hours instead of one hour, and there will be free parking for three hours instead of the normal two in the council’s two Partridge St carparks.
Bay Junction Florist owner Amanda Sim said she was trying to be “positive and upbeat” about the street closure.
“I’ve said to my customers, ‘It’s not going to the be the easiest but there’s plenty of carparking,’” Ms Sim said.
“It might mean you have to walk a bit more or you might have to change your route a bit to keep going to your favourite stores.”
She was particularly happy with the State Government’s decision to delay the start of the project until after Mother’s Day.
Villa Hampton homeware shop owner Lyn Allen said she was “worried” about the closure but hoped it would all go well.
“If people get used to shopping elsewhere, they might not come back to the precinct but you’ve got to live in hope as well,” Ms Allen said.
Feed Jetty Road cafe owner Gerald Wong planned to close altogether during the work.
“There will be no one coming in with the dust and noise,” Mr Wong said.
The council is giving away a $50 Jetty Rd gift voucher each weekday during the closure.
Anyone making purchases before Mother’s Day can also enter a competition to win an Escape Travel voucher worth $1500.
Free parking available
Two hours at the Elizabeth St carpark and in the ticketed parking zones on Moseley St and Colley Tce.
Three hours at the two Partridge St carparks, instead of the usual two hours.
Three hours in the Dunbar Tce carpark.
Two hours on-street parking in Jetty Rd’s side streets, instead of the usual one hour.
All-day parking in the Anzac Highway median strip and at the Morphettville Racecourse overflow parks.
Free tram travel from Morphett Rd to Brighton Rd.
Details: holdfast.sa.gov.au/glenelgtramtracks, infrastructure.sa.gov.au/public_transport_projects/city_tram_extension/jetty_road_glenelg_tram_rail_replacement_project or phone 1300 030 919.