North Adelaide retailers furious at plans to remove parking, cut speed limit on O’Connell St

North Adelaide traders are furious at a council parking plan for one of the main arterial roads into the city, saying it will be a “prosperity killer” and must be dumped.

O'Connell St in the heart of North Adelaide.

• Leafy east’s parking crackdown

North Adelaide faces a “prosperity killer” with plans to remove parking, put in bike lanes and cut the speed limit to 30km/h on O’Connell St, business leaders warn.

The plan has sparked uproar among traders who say there were not consulted and have started a petition urging the council to dump the plan for one of the main arterial roads into the city.

SA Business Chamber chief executive Andrew Kay said the “logic-defying Adelaide City Council” must drop the plan.

Writing in today’s The Advertiser, he lists other plans, and already implemented changes, to remove parking and “strangle” the city.

These include the new bike lanes replacing vehicle lanes on Frome Rd, plans to close the western side of Light Square to traffic and moves to remove some parking from Hutt St.

“The latest prosperity killer for business is the convoluted plan to shrink O’Connell St down to single lanes outside of peak hour, removing street parking and adding in protected bike thoroughfares,” he said.

“I drive down this street every day and often frequent the local businesses. It’s not an exaggeration to say what should be a thriving boulevard has been on life-support for years.

“That’s why traders have been eagerly awaiting the completion of 88 O’Connell, the luxury residential development with its injection of humans and new retail offerings.

There are plans to remove parking, put in bike lanes and cut the speed limit to 30km/h on O’Connell St. Picture: Russell Millard

“Why then, on the cusp of its completion, would the ACC penalise the developers, the tenants and the traders who have all made a financial commitment, by removing access to parking and giving everyone, other than cyclists, good reason to avoid it like the plague?”

He notes Colonel Light ensured the city had plenty of green space and a better investment would be to find ways to activate the parklands.

“Slip across East Terrace to nearby Hutt Street which has spent the past couple of years trying to rebuild its reputation as a food and wine destination and you will learn of further plans to remove street parking,” Mr Kay said.

“This call has merchants shaking their heads in disbelief and asking if the ACC is anti-car, anti-business, anti-development or just doesn’t care.

Architect's render of the $250m redevelopment of 88 O'Connell St, North Adelaide. Picture: Commercial & General

“Did I mention they are also considering a 30km/h speed limit across the city including O’Connell and Hutt Sts?”

Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said: “Traders and property owners have requested infrastructure upgrades of several main streets but no final designs have been chosen and they will depend on the outcome of broad community consultation.”

Adelaide City Council’s website advises: “Early works will begin in mid-2025 and will focus on the section between Tynte Street and Archer Street during the completion of the construction of Eighty Eight O’Connell to minimise disruption.

“These early works will be limited to footpath and new street furniture, improved lighting, enhanced pedestrian crossings, and does not include the separated bikeway.

“We will finish detailed designs for the remainder of the revitalisation O’Connell Street through 2025 – 2026 along with undertaking ongoing engagement during this process.”

Originally published as North Adelaide retailers furious at plans to remove parking, cut speed limit on O’Connell St