State Government projects within Riverbank Precinct trigger fears of further Adelaide parklands erosion

Proposed state government projects within a rezoned Riverbank Precinct are triggering fears 6.5 hectares of parklands will be eroded.

Moves to rezone an estimated 6.5ha of the Adelaide parklands for state government projects worth $6.5bn will further contribute to their “erosion”, a report warns.

The Adelaide Park Lands Authority (APLA) is due to meet government officials behind closed doors on Thursday to discuss proposed zoning changes released for community consultation by Planning Minister Vickie Chapman.

The changes will create new areas within the Riverbank precinct to enable government projects to proceed in parts of the parklands with minimal input from Adelaide City Council or interest groups such as the Adelaide Parklands Preservation Association.

The proposed State Government projects within the rezoned Riverbank Precinct. Picture: Adelaide City Council

The projects include a new $1.95bn Women’s and Children’s Hospital next to Royal Adelaide Hospital on North Tce.

It will have a realigned road, multi-level carpark and dual-use bridge built on historic olive groves at Kate Cocks Park, near the heritage-listed Adelaide Gaol and Thebarton Police Barracks.

A large water retention basin created for the RAH will be relocated to a triangle of land between nearby rail lines.

The other project involves construction of the multipurpose $750m Riverbank Arena on Helen Mayo Park, near the Morphett St bridge.

It will require removal of an open carpark and demolition of two buildings used by Pulteney Rowing Club and Riverside Bowling Club.

Planning Minister Vickie Chapman. Picture: Mark Brake

Architect’s render of the $750m Riverbank Arena proposed for Helen Mayo Park next to the River Torrens. Picture: Supplied

A council report to be presented to APLA has calculated the total amount of land needed for the projects at 65,000sq m – or 6.5ha.

The report says under existing state legislation governing the parklands, transfer of the land to the government will either require the consent of council, approval from both houses of parliament, a 42-year lease from council or special legislation for a longer lease, such as that used for the Adelaide Oval upgrade.

The report says activity in the parklands is controlled by the Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy (APLMS) developed by the government and the council.

“The current APLMS does not envisage the new WCH, a multistorey car park or a large sporting stadium on the park lands,” the report says.

The proposed Riverbank Precinct zoning changes will affect the area within the red line. Picture: Adelaide City Council

“Any construction on either Helen Mayo Park, Kate Cocks Park or on the open space at the western end of the Royal Adelaide Hospital site could be seen as actions which contribute to the cumulative erosion of (the) parklands”.

Ms Chapman said the proposed Riverbank zoning changes “would create the strategic framework necessary to ensure any proposed changes to or development within the precinct are well managed and considered”.

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor, who presides over APLA, declined to comment before Thursday’s briefing.