e-Gazette No, 60 - March 2020

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SUPPORT SWELLS FOR PARK 2 

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

• Support Swells for Park 2
• Prominent South Aussies call for Park Protection
• Money Vs Parks - Pick a Side
• Park Lands Circuit "Globally Unique"
• Risks from the new Planning Code
• Building Design Guidelines
• 2020 Art Prize - Winners named on 1 April
• High School Expansion: Going Up, not Out\
• What's On in the Park Lands
• Briefly, in Other Park Lands News
• Photo of the Day - Recent Highlights

PROMINENT SOUTH AUSSIES CALL FOR PARK PROTECTION

The fight to protect the northern Adelaide Park Lands from a corporate takeover by a local franchise of the Melbourne-controlled AFL has stepped up a gear.

The City Council's flawed consultation process, which featured biased, irrelevant and leading questions, finally drew to a close last Wednesday 11 March,.

Still pretending that they are following a "proper process" the City Council next month will finally accept belated feedback, after last year secretly encouraging the Adelaide Football Club to bid for a corporate office block in Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2).

The next City Council meeting, on 14 April will learn the results of their so-called "consultation".

In the meantime, see what a Who's Who of Adelaide residents has been saying.  Comments from 26 prominent South Aussies (including those below) are collected at www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/crows 

See the gallery of prominent Park Lands supporters who've either expressed concerns, or raised their voices against the proposed Crows takeover.  See www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/crows

Join them by signing a petition.  See www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/crows

MONEY Vs PARKS - PICK A SIDE 

"It's good to make money - it's good to be profitable".   On Monday 2 March, the Adelaide Football Club reported its annual profit in 2019 was down 30% to $2.68 million.  The AFC staged a livestream of its corporate announcements but cut off the video feed when AFC management faced questions from its paying supporters about its proposed $65 million facility in Park Lands.

APPA understands that CEO Andrew Fagan is under pressure from within the club, to switch focus to an alternative site.  Some football club supporters are disappointed that Mr Fagan is risking the AFC's reputation by focussing exclusively on the 0.2% of Adelaide that is National Heritage-listed Park Lands.

Various supporters (not APPA) have started petitions. 

• https://www.change.org/p/adelaide-football-club-say-no-to-afl-crows-office-block-on-adelaide-s-park-lands

• A petition to the South Australian House of Assembly (the lower house of State Parliament)’ and

• A petition to the City Council

The latter two petitions will be accepted only if they are printed, and signed.

Print out either or both of them, gather some signatures, and return the signed sheets to APPA by 13 April, so all sheets of signatures can be presented together.

Any completed petition sheets can be mailed to our PO Box, or contact APPA and we'll pick them up.  See our contact details here.

On Tuesday 10 March the Adelaide Football Club made the astounding claim, in an email to its members, that building a two-storey office block on Park Lands would "make the park lands more accessible to more people”.  Seems like they haven't thought very much about what makes a Park.....

Also on 10 March, the City Council rejected a bid by Councillor Anne Moran to immediately halt the Adelaide Football Club 'Unsolicited Proposal' Process. 

You can read the story here:   https://indaily.com.au/news/local/2020/03/11/council-rejects-move-to-junk-crows-park-lands-push/

On Saturday 14 March - a new campaign was launched by another group (not APPA) to protect Park 2 from the proposed Adelaide Crows takeover.

The new group "Save the Parklands" has its own website: https://www.savetheparklands.com/   .

They launched with a half-page advertisement in The Advertiser: 

PARK LANDS CIRCUIT: 'GLOBALLY UNIQUE'

Business SA Chief Executive and former Lord Mayor, Martin Haese is urging the State Government to fund a feasibility study, to consider a world-unique tourism icon for Adelaide.

The idea is being promoted privately by private citizen Jason Redman who met recently with both Business SA and APPA to advise us of his campaign.  Mr Redman sees the plan as an opportunity to simultaneously link a number of worthwhile goals: boosting active tourism, highlighting Adelaide's Kaurna and European heritage, promoting better health, and encouraging connections between Adelaide's existing near-city attractions and park lands features. 

Chief Executive of Business SA, Martin Haese (left) and Jason Redman (right)

The proposal would include a network of new bridges and/or tunnels to take runners, pedestrians and cyclists under, or over each of the roads that cut through the Park Lands.

In addition to that infrastructure, the proposed circuit would also feature sustainable solar-driven lighting on the pathways, to encourage its use both day and night.  These pictures give some examples of what might be possible, drawn from pathways in other parts of the world:

Mr Haese agrees that there is potential for such a bold vision to create greater recognition and appreciation of Adelaide's Park Lands - not just locally, but around the world.  

"The proposal is for a globally unique pathway that incorporates modern technology and sustainable techniques, is in harmony with the existing parklands and leverages established
pathways and infrastructure where possible. Major roads will be by-passed with bridges and/or underpass crossings to ensure it is a truly uninterrupted circuit.

"A unique track around the perimeter of the Adelaide (CBD) Park Lands could also act as a catalyst for long-term parklands preservation, much more than advocacy alone," Mr Haese says.

This is the existing Park Lands Trail.  The proposed Park Lands Circuit would not necessarily follow this route.

APPA agrees that an opportunity to run, walk or cycle entirely around a major city, day or night within a world-unique whole-city Park, without the hazards of dodging traffic, would be a drawcard that could:

• attract tourists in its own right, 
• add value to local residents;
• add value to anyone who might be visiting Adelaide for other reasons;. and
• boost the current bid for World Heritage recognition of the Park Lands.

We hope that the proposal circuit would include both the CBD and the northern Park Lands, to reflect the figure-8 double loop around both the City and North Adelaide.  We intend to support the Business SA approach to the State Government for a feasibility study.

RISKS FROM THE NEW PLANNING CODE

If you want to put up a carport or a shed, then the proposed new "Planning & Design Code" is your document. That's how it’s being promoted to the general public.  However it's much more extensive than that.  It is a total overhaul of SA's Planning Rules.

The intent is for a single statewide "Code" to replace all of the "Development Plans" that have different rules in each Council area.

The change has created controversy throughout the State, especially in regard to heritage buildings.  However it also has a potentially huge effect on the Adelaide Park Lands.

APPA has lodged a formal submission to the State Planning Submission about the proposed Code. 

In particular, we've drawn attention to discrepancies between the Code and other legal plans that apply to the Park Lands - especially the Park Lands Management Strategy and Community Land Management Plans.

The Code contemplates new and larger buildings within the Park Lands.  In our submission, we've called for specific policy content to suit the unique qualities of the National Heritage-listed Adelaide Park Lands.

 You can read our full submission here:

http://archives.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/Submissions%20and%20Letters/APPA%20Planning%20Code%20Submission%20FINAL.pdf

BUILDING DESIGN GUIDELINES

While consultation on the Planning and Design Code was being undertaken by the State Government, the City Council was undertaking separate consultation (now concluded) on Park Lands "Building Design Guidelines".

These Guidelines do not have any legal force, and therefore can be ignored when it's convenient to do so.   However the Council is proposing that they should be linked to the new Planning and Design Code in future, which would give them legal recognition (see above item).

In APPA's submission about the new Planning and Design Code, we made the point that these proposed Park Lands Building Design Guidelines are essentially architecturally-driven, and contain no rigour with regard to policy for reducing built form impact on landscape values, such as the containment of footprint and height limits.

2020 ART PRIZE - WINNERS NAMED ON 1 APRIL

Congratulations to 73 artists (with 77 art works) judged as "finalists" in this year's Adelaide Park Lands Art Prize.

They are all in the running for a share of the $38,500 prize pool, including the $20,000 first prize.

You'll have to wait until the exhibition opening on 2 April to see them all, but here (below) are three of the finalists:

• Donovan Christie - Lungs and Heart of the City.
• Joshua Juett - Illuminated Surroundings
• Fruzsi Kenez - Kaurna Tarntanya, She Is Mother to Us All

See the full list of finalists here: https://www.parklandsart.com/finalists-list/

There is an invitation-only opening night and prize-giving on 1 April.  We are keeping an eye on official health warnings about containment of the coronavirus COVID-19 but at the date of this newsletter (6.00pm Sunday 15 March) the official opening on 1 April was still scheduled to proceed.

 A day later, the exhibition of all 77 finalists will commence.  It will be open from 2 April to 30 May in the foyer of the Festival Centre. 

There were record number of entries for this year's Art Prize.  A total of 352 were received, and we thank all those who entered the event. 

HIGH SCHOOL EXPANSION: GOING UP, NOT OUT

In last month's newsletter we broke the story about a proposed expansion of the Adelaide High School in Ellis Park / Tampawardli (Park 24).

A "confidential" presentation was made to the Adelaide Park Lands Authority on 6 February.  Members of the public were excluded for the duration of the presentation.

The State Member for Adelaide, Rachel Sanderson, has contacted APPA to advise that "the footprint of the expansion is the same as the footprint of the existing building - the expanison is going up, not out."

Nevertheless, the details are still secret.  The Park Lands Authority decided on 6 February

that the matter must remain confidential "until 31 December 2021 or until the matter is released by the City of Adelaide Chief Executive Officer".

The reason for the confidentiality was:

"This Item contains commercial information of a confidential nature which the State Government has requested be considered in confidence on the grounds that the details and budget for the project are still being resolved and the release of this information prematurely may be misleading. The disclosure of the draft project details could reasonably be expected to prejudice the commercial position and negotiations of the State Government with external parties."

WHAT'S ON IN THE PARK LANDS

There are always events scheduled in the Park Lands, many of them free, and there are always opportunities to explore the Park Lands on your own, or with friends or family.  Browse our Explore Parks pages for hints about interesting spots to visit. 

This month, some previously-scheduled events have been cancelled or postponed, to assist in limiting the potential spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.   

At the time of writing, the following events were still scheduled to go ahead, but please check with the organisers:

BRIEFLY, IN OTHER PARK LANDS NEWS

Gold Coast trying to emulate Adelaide 

They are starting well behind.  The Gold Coast has plans for a 200-hectare park that the Gold Coast City Council says will be "the most important public space" in the city.  This would be a large park, but still small compared to the 700 hectares that Adelaide enjoys as the world's only City in a Park.  Read more here: https://architectureau.com/articles/200-hectare-park-mooted-for-gold-coast/

Adelaide Botanic Garden lights up for night-time events 

Visitors will be enchanted by the nocturnal wonders of Adelaide Botanic Garden with a new program of curated after-dark events that will see the garden come alive through the cooler months.  It's called "Botanica Lumina".

An environmentally sustainable and flexible lighting system by renowned designer Geoff Cobham has the Botanic Garden transformed for a range of evening events with live music, art, film, historical tours and botanically inspired food tastings.

https://www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/latest-news/Botanica_Lumina

Heritage Management Plan - coming at last?

When the Adelaide Park Lands were listed on the National Heritage Register in 2008, there was an expectation that there would be a Heritage Management Plan drawn up.

National Heritage sites are supposed to have heritage management plans.  It's impossible to manage a heritage area unless you are clear about the area's heritage values.  Otherwise, it's impossible to answer the question:  "What are you Protecting?"   You can think of it as an instruction manual.

The lack of such a Plan might be a factor, at present, in the City Council's current confusion - believing it might somehow be permissible to put a commercial office block on Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2).

Nevertheless, the lack of a heritage plan might soon be addressed. 

The Adelaide City Council has applied to the Federal Environment Department for a grant to help write such a plan.  The outcome of the grant application will be known by the end of March.

The hole in Park 26

There's belated recognition of the disaster that has befallen Festival Plaza from Adelaide's shonkiest real estate deal of this century.

Writing in The Advertiser on 20 February ($ subscriber-only) Michael Maguire was scathing about what he calls a "billion-dollar hole in the ground".  

See more of the background to this disaster at www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/festival-plaza

Kaurna cultural burn to help manage Park Lands

In a national first for a capital city, the Adelaide Park Lands will undergo "cultural burning" next month.

The procedue aims to encourange biodiversity and reinstate a traditional Aboriginal practice.  Scheduled for 29 April, the burn off will take place in Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21W).

Read The Advertiser article (subscriber only)

Commercial-in-Confidence Park Lands 

The Park Lands Authority meeting on Thursday 5th March, excluded the public from debate about two matters deemed to be "commercial-in-confidence":

• Bonython Park Kiosk – results of an Expression of Interest process; and
• Jolley’s Boathouse – Lease & Capital Works Project.

Whatever was decided went to the City Council as a recommendation the following week - on Tuesday 12 March.  The item was still confidential and likely to remain so for some time. 

Wildness in urban parks important for human well-being

Experiencing "wildness" in urban parks offers particular physical and mental health benefits for humans that are not found with more managed parks.

While past research has demonstrated the health benefits of nature, a new study by the University of Washington is the first to show that wildness in urban areas is profoundly important.

Wild areas - and particularly those in urban zones - are constantly under development pressure.  The researchers hope their findings will help inform decision-making for urban natural areas.  Read the ScienceDaily summary

Celebrating 10 years of community gardening

The Walyu Yarta Community Garden in Park 21 is 10 years old this month.  Members of the garden community will commemorate the event with a special gathering at the garden on Sunday 29 March.

A Kaurna Community Hub a step closer

As foreshadowed in last month's e-Gazette, the City Council has now approved the commencement of lease negotiations with the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation to locate their proposed community hub within the 1857 State-heritage listed North Adelaide Railway station.

Annual General Meeting - 26 April - pending changed advice re COVID-19

At the time of writing, advice from health authorities was that gatherings of 500 or more people should be avoided, in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.

APPA's Annual General Meeting is scheduled for 10am on Sunday 26 April, at the Box Factory, Regent Street South (pictured below).  Our AGM usually attracts around 100 people, so we are not expecting that the AGM would need to be called off.  Naturally, we will keep informed about health warnings and will prioritise the health and safety of our members, consistent with any health advice that emerges in the meantime.

If necessary, we can make arrangements to livestream the AGM to facilitate remote attendance.  APPA members will receive invitations shortly.   

Former Lord Mayor and former Member for Adelaide, Jane Lomax-Smith has agreed to be the guest speaker.  More details here: http://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/agm-2020

Join us!

You can be a proud Park Lands supporter, with membership starting at only $7.50 (for concession and student membership) expiring 30 June.  Longer-term memberships are also available.

We rely almost exclusively on annual membership fees to continue our Park Lands advocacy, so if you haven't already, please consider putting your money where your mouth is and backing APPA to keep up the Park Lands fight. 

As a financial member of APPA, you receive:

• the priceless satisfaction of supporting APPA's work;
• free participation in our monthly guided Park Lands walks;
• eligibility to become a Park Ambassador and lead an annual guided walk through one Park;
• the responsibility to help guide APPA's activities through the Annual General Meeting;
• the opportunity to join the APPA Managing Committee;
• a printable PDF membership certificate (as below).

Those who've already paid their 2019-20 membership have already received one of these printable certificates.

PHOTO OF THE DAY - RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

From the top:

• The 101-year-old Glover Playground off South Tce in Blue Gum Park / Kurangga (Park 20)
• Sundial and Crepe Myrtle tree in Pennington Gardens West, part of Tarntanya Wama (Park 26)
• White bottle-brush (Callistemon) in Yam Daisy Park / Kantarilla (Park 3) off Prospect Rd
• Roses in Palmer Gardens / Pangki Pangki (Park 28)
• The Garden of Unearthly Delights Fringe venues in Rundle Park / Kadlitpina (Park 13).  Photo: Park Ambassador Hero Weston

The Park Lands "photo of the day" series has been running since May 2014, and the collection of Park Lands photos gathered over almost six years now numbers over 2,000. 

We maintain (and gradually grow) more than 40 separate albums: one for each numbered Park and Square, along with several albums for "Alienations".

Contributions are very welcome!  To find out more about any of these featured Parks, click the link to the Park number.

To see the #AdelaideParklands Photo Of The Day as it's released each morning, just follow us on Facebook, Instagram &/or Twitter.

Despite being a National Heritage-listed place, the Adelaide Park Lands are not well protected by Federal environmental laws.

That's why we've joined the Places You Love Alliance, to campaign along with 56 other organisations for better environmental protection laws.

NEWSLETTER TEAM

Editor: Shane Sody
Contributors: Ted Jennings, Kate Treloar
Proofreader: Trish Russell

Send content enquiries/submissions to secretary@adelaide-parklands.asn.au

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