High rise okay — but not Jetty Rd wind tunnel

IF high rises planned for Glenelg’s foreshore aren’t properly thought out they could create a wind tunnel and impact on weather at the beach, warns a local councillor.

HOLDFAST Bay Council has urged the State Government to act with caution to ensure high rises do not turn Jetty Rd into a wind tunnel.

Councillor Amanda Wilson has called for assurances from the government that it will investigate the potential for wind tunnelling before approving high rises for the shopping strip.

The government last month announced the second stage of its inner metropolitan growth project, including plans to allow 10 storey buildings on the foreshore, Adelphi Tce, Anzac Hwy, Jetty Rd and Pier St.

High rise buildings interstate ... concerns have been raised too many high rises on Jetty Rd could turn the area into a wind tunnel, impacting on conditions on the nearby beach.

“Residents have raised concerns that tall buildings on the foreshore may create a wind tunnel effect and this may have implications for the microclimate of the beach,” Cr Wilson said last week.

“This is a big change for Glenelg and so I want to have reports that can help assess the likely impact and then advocate the best outcome for the area.”

She also raised concerns about overshadowing.

“I want Jetty Road Glenelg to be a modern seaside village and community and to have that the sun needs to shine onto the street.”

Cr Wilson asked staff at last week’s council meeting to confirm whether they had formally asked the Planning Department to assess the effects of wind tunnelling.

Staff said wind tunnelling and overshadowing had been discussed at a briefing with Planning Department staff on May 15.

The council also wrote to the government on May 26 asking to be “fully engaged” throughout the planning process.

A council spokesman said there would likely be a range of building heights up to 10 storeys and it would be premature to launch an investigation into wind tunnelling until exact heights and locations were known.

A Planning Department spokeswoman said the Adelaide City development plan had a policy to deal with “microclimatic” conditions, such as wind sheltering, which might be adopted for Glenelg.

The policy, which was released in April, said developments should be designed to minimise wind tunnelling.

It said podiums could be built at the base of high-rises to deflect wind away from the street or verandas could also help prevent tunnelling.

The changing face of foreshore

THE fences are up and the excavator is at work tearing down Scampi’s restaurant.

Work to raze the waterfront building is expected to be completed any day after the demolition crew rolled in last week.

The demolition will make way for a $1.3 million playground at the foreshore, which should be built in time for summer.

Holdfast Bay deputy mayor Bob Patton said the playground was exciting for the district.

“From December, local and visiting families will be able to enjoy an incredible, beachfront, all-access play experience ... overlooking beautiful Glenelg beach,” Cr Patton said.

Public toilets and showers have been installed in the Glenelg Town Hall to replace those in the foreshore building.