Adelaide City Council and Royal Adelaide Show negotiate new deed for parking on the parklands

Parking for the Royal Adelaide Show is already a nightmare. And things may be about to get a whole lot worse if the Adelaide City Council gets its way.

Adelaide City Council is finalising a new parking agreement with organisers of the Royal Adelaide Show which includes a 10 per cent reduction in parking over the course of the 15-year deed. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Thousands of South Australians flocking to the Royal Adelaide Show may find it slightly harder to nab a coveted parking spot in the future, with a reduction in spaces planned.

Adelaide City Council is finalising a new 15-year deed with the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA for use of the parklands for carparking beyond 2026.

The draft deed includes a clause requiring a minimum 10 per cent reduction in parking over the course of the deed, which equates to 315 fewer car spaces.

Parking is always at a premium during the Royal Adelaide Show with private property owners charging up to $80 on the show weekend. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The council has supported parking for the show since 1926 and both organisations shared a long-term goal to phase out parking in the parklands through improved public transport.

Already parking has decreased by approximately 380 spaces over the course of the existing 15-year deed due to the installation of new netball courts and greening projects.

The show society chief executive, Will Rayner, said parking was always an ongoing problem for showgoers, with many of its visitors from country areas.

“We’re still working through the detail with Adelaide City Council, but we get close to half a million people coming to the show, so parking is always an issue,” Mr Rayner said.

“It’s a great problem to have because we want as many people as possible coming to the show. (But) it is a long-term goal to see an increase in public transport use.

“A lot of our visitors and exhibitors come from rural and regional areas where there is no public transport available, so parking will always be needed.”

Historically, the show moved from Frome Rd to its dedicated venue in Wayville for its proximity to parking in the parklands, Mr Rayner said.

The show society had previously sought a 30 year deed and “we’re delighted with 15 years”.

“We’ve had a great relationship with the council for 100 years,” Mr Rayner said.

The council would continue to encourage the use of public transport through discounted parking at its city carparks, adjacent to bus and tram stops.

This year, the Glenelg tram line will be closed for six months from August 4, including during the show, as work starts on three major transport projects, however any parking changes would be from 2027.

Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA chief executive, Will Rayner, said parking was always an ongoing problem for showgoers, with many of its visitors from country areas. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The council’s city planning, development and business affairs committee will discuss the draft deed on Tuesday night, before being presented to the council for adoption.

The council would set the parking fee and revenue raised would remediate parklands following the event and be included in its operating budget, a report stated.

Parking areas would remain the same, but an amended clause would give the council an option to reduce parking over the course of the deed for repurposing of the parklands.

The council did not want to provide comment.

Originally published as Adelaide City Council and Royal Adelaide Show negotiate new deed for parking on the parklands