News & Discussion: Adelaide City Council

[david]

Hi Maximus,

Apologies for long delay - I have been 'on leave' !

There has been no discussion about possible use of pop-up street urinals at the Council level. That is not to stay that it hasn't been pursued at the staff level. There will possibly be a budget bid for additional public toilets in the West End so it may get discussed then.

David

[david]

Notes from Councillor David Plumridge - Issue 104

- New Year Resolution - Public Good to win over Private Profit

- Decisions made at Council Meeting held on 28 January.

Notes from Councillor Issue 104.pdf

(179.34 KiB) Downloaded 363 times

Area Councillor David Plumridge AM
Adelaide City Council.

[mattblack]

Notes from Councillor David Plumridge - Issue 104

- New Year Resolution - Public Good to win over Private Profit

- Decisions made at Council Meeting held on 28 January.

Notes from Councillor Issue 104.pdf

Area Councillor David Plumridge AM
Adelaide City Council.

It is pretty easy to understand what constitutes Private Interest. Just listen to the shibboleths constantly spewed out by the vocal minority lobbies around town. They are cashed up, appear to have the ready ear of Council and relentlessly work to undermine orderly planning of the city.

During this Council’s term, we have seen the insidious moves of the State Government to undermine the balance between community rights and the demands of developers racing to make a mint on the back of some mythical boom.
(A billion dollars worth of Council DAP- approved development lies waiting to be built – Loads of spare capacity!)

So would no furture investment slated (whether it gets built or not) with full capacity be better?

[Vee]

Hi David,
Serious Q. for ACC but also directed towards the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority?
Are there any public toilets, accessible and available, to people outside the Adelaide Oval and Plaza / general surrounds of the northern riverbank/park lands in the immediate vicinity of AO?

I raise the question after hearing an older gentleman, and a woman on another occasion, complain about the lack of toilets available to those queued up outside the Southern Stand. Nobody (general public) is allowed into the ground before the advertised open gates time.

Queues can form quite early (eg 2 hours) before 'gates open' for a highly popular game eg Ashes, ODI, BigBash, Showdown etc at the AO. Many SACA members and others, wanting to get an unreserved seat in their favourite part of the ground, start to queue several hours before opening time.

I did a search and the nearest public toilets I could find on the Australian Govt National Public Toilets map were in Elder Park (south of the river) and Victoria Drive. Too far to be practicable for the folk queued up outside AO. Are there any others in close proximity? Any other solution?

Is there any plan to address the need, given the increased popularity of the Northern riverbank, with the footbridge opening soon, and more pedestrians and events spanning both sides of the riverbank and the Oval/Plaza area?

[david]

Hi Vee,

You raise a good question.

There is a toilet block in Pennington Gardens which is currently a part of the builders construction compound.

I don't think there is a disabled toilet in that block and indeed the whole thing, from memory, is not too flash.

I think to meet the specific needs of people waiting to enter the Oval through the southern plaza there should be access to toilets within the Oval area and this would be a matter for the SMA.

Council has no plans (nor any funds) to build any toilets in this location. As you say there are some toilets just across the road bridge in Victoria Drive but I agree that they are some way from the Oval.

David

[david]

Notes from Councillor David Plumridge - Issue 104

- New Year Resolution - Public Good to win over Private Profit

- Decisions made at Council Meeting held on 28 January.

Notes from Councillor Issue 104.pdf

Area Councillor David Plumridge AM
Adelaide City Council.

It is pretty easy to understand what constitutes Private Interest. Just listen to the shibboleths constantly spewed out by the vocal minority lobbies around town. They are cashed up, appear to have the ready ear of Council and relentlessly work to undermine orderly planning of the city.

During this Council’s term, we have seen the insidious moves of the State Government to undermine the balance between community rights and the demands of developers racing to make a mint on the back of some mythical boom.
(A billion dollars worth of Council DAP- approved development lies waiting to be built – Loads of spare capacity!)

So would no furture investment slated (whether it gets built or not) with full capacity be better?

From where I sit I can assure you that what you call the vocal minority are always outgunned by the development lobby.
All Development Plans are the property of the Minister and in recent times these have swung the pendulum heavily in favour of private interest over public good!

As far as supply is concerned, I am not quite sure I understand your point but current city zoning controls have enough potetntial for about 10 times what is required to meet the 30-Year population targets.So we don't need to destroy the city's character with multiple 30+ storey buildings. BUT as I wrote, there should be parts of the CBD where we absolutely would want to see very tall and exciting buildings, well designed as structures AND well integrated into their urban settings, and compatible with their neighbourhood.

David

[Vee]

Thank you, David for your prompt response to my query re available and accessible toilets for the general public (queued up or otherwise) outside Adelaide Oval in the vicinity of the Southern Stand and Plaza area. It's a pity there are no ACC funds to build (and maintain) some new look, safe, clean public toilets in this vicinity.

I see the need to provide such a service, including disability access, as the Riverbank precinct becomes an increasingly important hub of entertainment and leisure. The plaza area has outdoor seating and space for people to presumably bring their own fold up chairs eg to assemble/barrack/watch special live sporting/other events from overseas (usually in the evening/early morning) on the big screens eg World Cup?
... The Oval closed.... Nature calls.... Join the dots.

The plaza is presumably an adjunct entertainment etc (utilizing the plaza space and stepped seating) to a festival spanning both sides of the riverbank as well as a standalone space for specific happenings. Portaloos could be set up on the park lands opposite the plaza during events/festivities but it's not ideal.

Obviously, there are logistical problems for the SMA to folk getting access to the toilets inside the AO - before gates open, no ticket - no entry, not open etc. and an external/dual access facility or discreet (standalone?) was not incorporated into/with the build plans.

As an aside, searching the Govt Public Toilet Map website and using the 'Where's the loo?' mobile app for this query revealed the spread (or real gaps) of such public facilities for visitors and locals, the reliance on cafés, shopping centres, transport hubs etc (to fulfill this need), the need for good signage and visitor information and for urban planners to not shirk the issue.

[mshagg]

Given the public funds invested and fact that private entities stand to make windfall profits from the development, it seems a bit of a stretch to ask the council to reach into their pockets for toilets.

That said, it's a good idea. With the large screens and mini-ampitheatre at the southern entrance there has been plenty of people not lucky enough to get entry soaking in the atmosphere and watching the cricket in the public space. I can imagine that will only increase with the football. Real possibility to have a fed square-esque community spot which obviously deserves some amenities!

[monotonehell]

There may very well be toilets available to the entry, but the Adelaide Oval website has no map on its "toilet map" page.

[Honey of a City]

There must be toilets in the Memorial Drive tennis stadium right next to the plaza. Maybe they could come to an arrangement to open them as required when there are events at the Oval. The SMA could pay a fee to Tennis SA if necessary.

[david]

The Southern Plaza to the AO and all the space down to War Memorial Drive all form part of the area previously leased to SACA for a reasonable rent but which Council was forced by legislation to lease to the Government (which then sub-leased it to the SMA) for a period of 80 years for not one cent of rental, so I really can't see why you would expect the ratepayers of Adelaide to pay for toilets to support a multi-million dollar commercial operation . If their customers want toilets then the SMA can build them - or you use the Council toilets in Pennington Gardens!

Council was also robbed of the revenue it made from parking cars in the area north of the Oval, the proceeds of which went into Park Lands improvements. All in all I can see no reason why Council should be asked to fund any of the upgrading required to support the operation of the Adelaide Oval. Do I make myself clear?!

David P

[ml69]

Hi David,

Really love what ACC is doing with Leigh St .... It looks great and has a wonderful urban ambience. Is there any consideration from ACC to close Peel St to through traffic, just like Leigh St (subject to consultation with Peel St businesses)?

Peel St is still pretty poor as a public space in my opinion despite numerous new businesses opening and preparing to open. It has such great potential as an urban laneway!

I spent a lunchtime in Peel St recently. It's main problem is that since Leigh St has now closed to through traffic, cars use Peel St as a shortcut from Currie to Hindley St, dodging and weaving past people and bollards along the way. I saw a constant stream of cars doing this. It is impossible to have any form of outdoor seating/dining whilst allowing this through traffic within the confines of this narrow lane.

If ACC is serious about making Peel St a vibrant laneway, Peel St needs to be closed to through traffic like Leigh St. Delivery access can use the little loading zones at either end of Leigh St, or loading zones on Currie or Hindley St. This would then permit the new businesses to erect retractable canopies over Peel St and have some outdoor seating. Also some new street trees and lighting wouldn't go astray.

I think this increased pedestrian focus would accelerate the transformation of Peel St, and allow the new businesses on the street to thrive. The vibe I got from spending time in Peel St is that it's on the threshold of something transformational ... New businesses have opened and other properties are being fitted out for new businesses to move into. It's an exciting time, but Peel St won't realise its full potential whilst cars are using it as a shortcut.

This rejuvenation should be possible without ACC having to spend a huge amount of money in order to do it.

Your thoughts?

[[Shuz]]

The Southern Plaza to the AO and all the space down to War Memorial Drive all form part of the area previously leased to SACA for a reasonable rent but which Council was forced by legislation to lease to the Government (which then sub-leased it to the SMA) for a period of 80 years for not one cent of rental, so I really can't see why you would expect the ratepayers of Adelaide to pay for toilets to support a multi-million dollar commercial operation . If their customers want toilets then the SMA can build them - or you use the Council toilets in Pennington Gardens!

Council was also robbed of the revenue it made from parking cars in the area north of the Oval, the proceeds of which went into Park Lands improvements. All in all I can see no reason why Council should be asked to fund any of the upgrading required to support the operation of the Adelaide Oval. Do I make myself clear?!

David P

David,

I can completely understand yours and the councils frustration with regards the deals / arrangements between the State Government and the ACC concerning the Adelaide Oval precinct. However I think that this is a case where you / the ACC should try and be the better person / entity here and investigate options of building a new toilet facility in the area in response to c. I think it's completely fair to establish such a facility with a charge (say 50c) to use it - as is the practice in some cities internationally that I'm aware of - and if people were to question it / complain about it , use the above argument (loss of revenue) as the reason why you / the ACC are imposing this charge. Its a sort of a win-win for you, because you gain the recognition and respect for providing toilet facilities in a locality where it is needed, but rightly put the onus onto the SMA for imposing a charge to use it. Use it as a wedge to coerce the SMA into having a rational and fair discussion with the ACC about reclaiming some of your lost revenue, or to find new avenues of revenue collection to make up for what was lost.

[david]

A couple of comments.....

I am afraid I don't see toilets on the southern plaza as a priority for the ACC. As I said we do have toilets i the adjoining Pennington Gardens. They may need a bit of sprucing up when we get that area back from the contractors in march. A higher priority for more toilets would surely be the Hindley St/West End precinct.

As for Peel Street, you make a good point and I will see what can be done about making that street more pedestrian-friendly. Actually my next priority is to continue the work Council has done (with Ipoh) in Leigh Street, across into Topham Mall to upgrade the public space between Currie and Waymouth St. And we need to get back to do something of a much higher standard than what DPTI did in Bank Street.

David P

[ml69]

A couple of comments.....

I am afraid I don't see toilets on the southern plaza as a priority for the ACC. As I said we do have toilets i the adjoining Pennington Gardens. They may need a bit of sprucing up when we get that area back from the contractors in march. A higher priority for more toilets would surely be the Hindley St/West End precinct.

As for Peel Street, you make a good point and I will see what can be done about making that street more pedestrian-friendly. Actually my next priority is to continue the work Council has done (with Ipoh) in Leigh Street, across into Topham Mall to upgrade the public space between Currie and Waymouth St. And we need to get back to do something of a much higher standard than what DPTI did in Bank Street.

David P

Thanks for your reply David.

I, as well as many others, really appreciate your comments on this forum as it's a great way to access ACC insiders like yourself whilst also discuss a topic with a wider audience.

Ultimately we all want Adelaide to realise its potential as one of the world's great small cities, and all these things we discuss are steps towards that goal.