Acting Premier Vickie Chapman says City Deal not affected by federal Liberal turmoil
ACTING Premier Vickie Chapman has predicted the high-level talks for an Adelaide City Deal to re-energise the CBD will be unaffected by leadership turmoil enveloping Canberra.
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ACTING Premier Vickie Chapman has predicted the high-level talks for an Adelaide City Deal to re-energise the CBD would be unaffected by leadership turmoil enveloping Canberra.
Responding to a question from The Advertiser about the federal Liberal meltdown, Ms Chapman said the State Government looked forward to “continuing our strong working relationship with the Federal Government to deliver better services and infrastructure projects”.
It is understood the talks have focused on redevelopment of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, despite Adelaide University’s decision-making role there being questioned by Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.
The state Liberals remain committed to seeking federal funding for election promises at the old RAH site, which include a national gallery for Aboriginal art and culture, an innovation and start-up hub, and an international centre for tourism, hospitality and food services.
But business leaders at a Future Adelaide Forum convened by The Advertiser, before the federal turmoil erupted, argued that a City Deal should focus on capitalising on $90 billion in submarine and shipbuilding projects centred on Osborne’s naval shipyard.
City Deals bring together the three levels of government, aiming to align planning, investment and governance to drive growth, jobs, urban renewal and economic reforms.
Professional services firm PwC has produced a CityPulse Adelaide report, urging a City Deal focusing on the defence opportunity.
Speaking at the Future Adelaide Forum, PwC Adelaide managing partner Kim Cheater said the features and opportunities at the old Royal Adelaide site would take care of themselves.
“I don’t think it needs a City Deal to spark off what that is. I think government will be focused on it because of what its importance is to the state and private investment will flow at the old RAH,” Mr Cheater said.
“We’re going to build a massive, game-changing industry in a part of Adelaide that has been let go for a long time, doesn’t have the facilities, the services, the infrastructure, social and hard infrastructure.
“That’s the opportunity and that’s also what the City Deal was designed for — it’s to completely transform, reinvigorate a part of a city that hasn’t been done.
PWC’s CityPulse report, revealed by The Advertiser as part of the Future Adelaide series, recommended a City Deal to transform Adelaide and create a unique precinct near the Osborne naval shipyard.
PwC partner and former cities minister Jamie Briggs is a close confidante of federal leadership challenger Peter Dutton and was involved in the CityPulse report’s preparation.
“The incredible opportunity that the naval shipbuilding program provides for Adelaide brings with it considerable growth for the areas surrounding the Osborne shipyard,” the report says.
“The pressure this growth will bring to bear on the infrastructure and transport networks and its connections to broader Adelaide creates an opportunity for transformative change.”
Defence Teaming Centre chief executive officer Margot Forster agreed with Mr Cheater, saying: “The city itself is beautiful, our CBD is beautiful. Let’s sort out Port Adelaide.”
SO, WHAT WOULD A CITY DEAL MEAN FOR:
INFRASTRUCTURE
PWC CityPulse report says we need to consider infrastructure needs of the “fourth industrial revolution”. This involves combining digital and physical processes, perhaps by “smart” roads which relay traffic information to drivers.
EDUCATION
Significant opportunity to develop a world-leading education system focused on developing teachers and students with skills, knowledge and capabilities for future work. Needs to build skills for existing and future workforce, predicted to be 8000 direct and indirect jobs.
HOUSING
2040 vision for Osborne area prepared by Lendlease canvasses a waterfront community for 4000 people.
This would be a medium-density town with a school, innovation hub, library and town centre. This could be similar to Boston’s Clippership Wharf, featuring apartments on the edge of a restored shoreline.
TRANSPORT
Most obvious opportunity for innovation is land transport in and out of the Le Fevre Peninsula, according to PWC CityPulse. “With only one road in and out and heavy rail connections, the additional jobs being created in the area will put significant strain on existing transport infrastructure. With growth comes opportunity and … one obvious opportunity is the introduction of light rail.”
Outer Harbor’s rail line is near the Osborne shipyard but would need a spur to be attractive to the expanded workforce.
OTHER
Significant opportunity to finally harness Port Adelaide’s potential. Has been hailed as next Fremantle for more than 30 years.