Mapped: SA councils reveal $395m capital works wishlist to help stimulate the economy – explore the list of projects

From new playgrounds to fixing dangerous roads, Adelaide councils have revealed $395m worth of projects planned for the next financial year.

Over 200 community projects could be rolled out in the new financial year across 19 SA council regions.

Several Adelaide parks have been slated for upgrades in the next financial year as councils plan to install new playgrounds, skate parks, and improve sporting facilities across the city.

Almost 200 capital work projects, worth over $395m, are currently being considered for government grants to help revamp community assets across 19 metro and regional councils.

This includes the construction and refurbishment of 16 new play spaces in the Campbelltown, Marion, Port Adelaide Enfield, Barossa, Tea Tree Gully, Gawler and Mitcham councils – worth a combined $20.26m.

Highlights include the proposed super playground at Thorndon Park, the creation of a Paradise Recreation Plaza – complete with a skate park, bmx trails and play spaces – and a new adventure playground at Goldenfields Reserve.

Use the search and filter functions in the table below to explore projects by council area.

An all-ages playground and community space at Hugh Johnson Boulevard, Sheidow Park is also on cards and is one of 12 capital work projects earmarked for Marion council.

“If we were granted everything, we would have to go out and borrow a bit of money to get it all going and probably hire one or two more staff but that would be a wonderful problem to have,” Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said.

“When I arrived (at council) six years ago...I proposed a long-term plan for playgrounds, so now we’re methodically working through playgrounds, particularly those that exceeded or are getting close to 20 years old and are up for renewal.

“On top of that, there are also some new projects with the jewel of the crown being the proposed $2m playground in Glenthorne National Park.”

Campbelltown Council CEO Paul Di Iulio said modern-day play spaces were for all ages to promote healthy living.

A concept image of the new Thorndon Park super playground.

“We’ve spent a lot of money on infrastructure in the sporting field, now we’re doing that with large playgrounds that are very inclusive for people of all ages and abilities,” he said.

“So we’re really focusing on a number of our playgrounds...where people actually come along and get active and support the Game On campaign, which seeks more people to get out and active in the community.

“So the Thorndon Park project will be quite significant - we want to put a $2.5m playground in there - but we’re also looking at prioritising the skate park, which has been there since 1999. We want to replace that with a $3m recreational plaza.”

Mitcham council also plans to overhaul play spaces at Kingswood Oval, Blackwood Hill Oval, Thurles Street Reserve, Mcelligot’s Playground, Waverley Reserve, Sherwood Reserve and Thistleton Reserve.

Community sport clubs and ovals will also be prioritised in the new financial year.

A total of $1m has been budgeted.

Around 50 sporting clubs will also see improvements to facilities with over $70m worth of projects flagged across greater Adelaide.

These including a $33.7 overhaul of the Regional Indoor Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Mount Barker and the relocation of Barossa Rams Rugby from Lyndoch Oval to a new $2.721m purpose-built facility at Tanunda.

Campbelltown Council may spend $3 million on an upgrade of Paradise Recreation Plaza.

A $2.1m upgrade of the Aquatic Reserve Paddle SA Clubroom in West Lakes is also under consideration, as is a $15m to $19m upgrade of Richmond Oval to improve current sporting infrastructure.

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said investing in community assets was important to support population growth.A total of 21 capital works projects are currently considered for the council region, worth over $18m.

“We’re wanting to provide new spaces that are complementing the new developments that are going in areas and that realises the increase in population,” Ms Boan said.

“But we also have retiree assets that need renewal which, over the past few years, haven’t been looked after the way we would have liked them to.

“So we’re going through a bit of a period where we now want to lift community infrastructure and turn them into places where people belong.

“We’d also like to see other levels of government see the importance of improving infrastructure as, essentially, rates and taxes are the community’s money.”