Port Adelaide Council planning a $1.5 million upgrade of Naval Reserve, Birkenhead
Port Adelaide Enfield Council is planning a $1.5 million upgrade of a Birkenhead reserve and will also contribute $250,000 towards a redevelopment of a park in Blair Athol.
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A Birkenhead reserve is in line for a $1.5 million upgrade, which will feature recreational activities and an entry artwork.
Port Adelaide Enfield Council is preparing to redevelop Naval Reserve, on Fletcher Rd, and will later this month consult the community on its vision for the park.
The council engaged a landscape architect to develop a preliminary concept plan for the project, which takes in the reserve’s cultural and historical significance.
The plan includes recreational activities at the park’s northern end, including a half-sports court, barbecue, Kaurna interpretative feature, landscaping and provision for a toilet.
Currently, only $180,000 has been allocated in the council’s 2021/22 budget for the renewal of the park’s playground, which is almost at the end of its useful life.
The upgrade comes as the council prepares to spend $3.4 million over the next two financial years to develop a stormwater basin at the reserve, as part of the Lefevre Peninsula Stormwater Managment Plan.
The basin is being developed to help reduce the frequency of flooding in the Birkenhead area, and the funding also includes infrastructure works in nearby streets.
The stormwater basin will be located at the reserve’s southern end.
Mayor Claire Boan said the council was aware of the importance of the community having access to open spaces to support play and wellbeing.
“Birkenhead Naval Reserve was originally planned to be a stormwater project to help reduce flooding in the area, but we saw an opportunity to make it much more, by turning it into an exciting public space as well,” Ms Boan said.
The council agreed at its last meeting that community consultation and further design for the reserve upgrade be undertaken later this month.
It agreed that this be based on a budget of between $1.4 million and $1.5 million – excluding the stormwater works – which the council will include as part of its 2022/23 budget process.
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Meanwhile, the council is partnering with the State Australian Housing Authority to develop a reserve in Blair Athol, bounded by Sheffield Crescent, Rosedale Avenue and Preston Street.
The upgrade will include recreation facilities – such as a four-square court – exercise equipment and a children’s play area.
The council is contributing $250,000 towards the project, and the SAHA has earmarked $300,000, with work expected to start before the end of this year.
A council report said the reserve has “effectively been an eyesore” for almost 10 years and that the council was regularly contacted by residents asking when it would be finished.