Adelaide is becoming a ‘City of Light’ following Adelaide City Council’s world class approach to public lighting.

Currently rolling out Stage 1 of its Go Green with Public Lighting project, Council will progressively replace all of its 5,000 existing public lights with energy efficient LED globes in an effort to cut back electricity use and carbon emissions.

“This innovative project demonstrates Council’s commitment to a sustainable and environmentally-friendly city,” Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said.  

“We are the first Council in South Australia and one of the first in the country to install energy efficient LED lights on a large scale.”

 “They are a shining light for sustainability and will provide high-quality and consistent white light, adding to the vibrancy and safety of city streets.”

Stage 1 will see a total of 405 public lights replaced with the latest in light emitting diode (LED) technology at the following locations: Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Grote Street, Wakefield Street, Wakefield Road, Glen Osmond Road, King William Street, Medindie Road, Victoria Square, Light Square / Morphett Street and Montefiore Road.

The ageing lights that are being replaced are at the end of their lifespan and are predominantly energy-intensive metal halide, mercury vapour and high pressure sodium lights. The new LED lights use much less energy and therefore produce far fewer carbon emissions, deliver high quality and consistent lighting and will maintain high levels of output over time.

“The first stage is expected to reduce energy use, carbon emissions and cost by 38% with a payback of just over 6 years,” Stephen said.

“This equates to 200,650 kWh per annum and a reduction of 144 tonnes of carbon – the equivalent of taking 37* cars off the road each year.”

The project is part of Council’s Energy Management Action Plan 2011-2014, adopted by Council last May. Planning for Stage 2 is currently underway and will involve the replacement of further street and pedestrian lighting.

Council set a target to reduce carbon emissions from its own operations by 60% by 2012 and achieved this interim target ahead of schedule by the end of the 2009/10 financial year. It is now on schedule to becoming completely carbon neutral by 2020.
 

* Based on 3.9 tonnes per year and Australian average use of 14,100km per year. Source: ABS and http://www.greenfleet.com.au/Global/Individuals/Transport

Grenfell Street between Frome Street and Pulteney Street will be resurfaced next week.

Frome Street (from Rundle St. to Pirie St.) will be closed on Sunday 29th January from 5pm to 4am.

There will be traffic contra-flows in place on Grenfell Street during the following times:

Sunday 29th January 5pm to 4am
Monday 30th January 7pm to 5am
Tuesday 31st January 7pm to 5am
Wednesday 1st February 7pm to 5am

Day time traffic will not be affected.

Visit the Adelaide city council website for the latest news http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/
 

The City of Burnside is continuing with the process of securing a lease for the Chelsea Cinema.

“Council is attending to the process very thoroughly,” said Mayor David Parkin.

“Council is mindful of the interest of the community in the process surrounding Chelsea Cinema but it regards confidentiality at this time to be of fundamental importance to the proper discharge of its obligations.”

“Once the process has been finalised, Council will advise its community of its decision.”

Expressions of Interest for the lease of all, or some, of the Chelsea Cinema (the Cinema, the non-Cinema parts of the building, the adjacent land to the east and the residential property at 39 May Terrace), commenced in July 2011 and Council is continuing negotiations with selected parties.

The confidential discussions ensure that the Expressions of Interest process is not compromised by participants obtaining information about the identity of parties who have submitted an application to lease Chelsea Cinema. Confidentiality will also ensure details of any offer submitted to Council will not be released publicly until the appropriate time.

As part of the Expression of Interest process, Council resolved that vacant possession of the site would be granted from 1 January 2012. Council has advised all tenants of the steps taken toward seeking Expressions of Interests from potential lessees for possession of the entire Chelsea Cinema Precinct.

This has been done both formally (by way of letter) and also by direct consultation with Council staff managing the EOI process.

Council has provided each tenant with six months notice to vacate the premises, which meets or exceeds the minimum notification requirements of Council.  All of the existing leases cease on 31 December 2011.

Any possible new lease arrangements for existing tenants will be a matter for consideration by the Council and the future lessee of the Chelsea Cinema Precinct.

Mayor David Parkin added “Council has had a long partnership with all of its tenants on the site, and we would like to wish them well with their future endeavours.  That is especially so of the Wallis Group, who first entered into a lease with Council in 1971.  The Wallis family and Manager Bob Parr, have been instrumental in the longevity and success of that relationship, particularly in regards to providing the venue to many community groups for fundraising opportunities.”

“It is now the responsibility of the Council and its next tenants to build on that excellent community provision, while ensuring that this significant heritage building is maintained accordingly and a successful business operates from it.”

“This whole process has been managed to ensure that the Cinema is returned to its glory days, ensuring the revival of the much loved Art-Deco building.  Council has maintained that the Cinema will remain as an operational cinema; it will be retained in Council ownership; and it will remain an operational asset for the benefit of the community.”
 
The very diligent and careful process that Council has undertaken will ensure that these objectives remain at the forefront of the City of Burnside decision making process for the future of the building”

NOTE: Media release supplied by the City of Burnside.

The Convention Centre’s makeover of the successful and award-winning bistro is also the first major redevelopment of the Riverbank food and cultural precinct which will continue to be developed over the coming years.

The mainly glass structure offers views from Elder Park and the Oval, and all the way down to the weir.

The design should encourage a relaxing but active atmosphere on the Riverbank, and the building will have flexible spaces that can change with the seasons, the time of day, the day of week.

Regattas will fit in with the new look Riverbank precinct perfectly as Adelaide Convention Centre Chief Executive Alec Gilbert explains.

“I think we’ve created a space with enough elements for people to find their own place,” he says.

“The outside is very much part of the inside. When the weather’s warm, everything will be open and people can move from one to the other. When it’s colder, you can be inside and warm but still see the day, or the night.”

Whether your after a few casual drinks, pub style dinner or a more formal affair, the new Regattas will be able to cater to any occasion.

“It’s a very different function space to a conventional convention centre,” says Alec. “It will appeal to our conference clients, but it’s also a great place for local business and government clients to host anything from boardroom lunches and cocktail parties, to official functions and receptions.”

A patch of prime riverfront real estate and a blank canvas have been a designer’s dream. Regattas, on the Riverbank, looks set to be a patron’s dream, as well.

To keep updated, visit Regattas Bistro on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/regattasbistro

Adelaide City Council has tonight proposed a notional figure of $30 million over the next three years to kick start the detailed design of initial works of the Rundle Mall Masterplan.

In a move that has been widely welcomed by the Rundle Mall Management Authority (RMMA) and Business SA, Councillors voted for the notional funding to be factored into its budget process from 2012/13 and beyond, subject to public consultation.

In addition, Council is seeking $10 million from a combination of State Government and private investor contributions over this period.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said Council is committed to ensuring Rundle Mall remains the primary retail precinct and meeting place in SA.

“We are bringing about the most significant changes to the Mall since its creation,” Stephen said.

“The City of Adelaide is evolving – from the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval, the Riverbank precinct, and our plans for Rundle Mall – the vibrancy of the CBD is going to be at a level not seen here before.”

He said the motion coincided with Premier Weatherill’s announcement earlier this month to deregulate trading hours on public holidays in the CBD.

Councillor Houssam Abiad said the proposed $40 million should give new investors’ confidence in Rundle Mall and the city in general. He said the detailed design phase would demonstrate to Council how best to prioritise its spending.

“Council, the RMMA, traders, shoppers and visitors to the Mall want it to attract a better – and unique – retail mix. Council wants to increase the Mall’s competitive advantage and reinstate the Mall as a compelling City experience,” Cllr Abiad said.

Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said he welcomed the proposal from Council, which aims to revitalise of the area.

“A vibrant and attractive CBD is important for business and this development is also good news for workers, shoppers and tourists,” Mr Vaughan said.

Chairman of RMMA, Theo Maras, said Council’s and the State Government’s support, in progressing the redevelopment of the Mall, will reflect on the City as a whole.

“The Mall is the most visited site in Adelaide with 24 million visitors annually,” Mr Maras said.

Rundle Mall General Manager, Martin Haese said: “Rundle Mall is a key economic driver for the City. Council’s decision is to be applauded – it is a great vote of confidence for the future of the precinct."

Hundreds of local residents and guests are expected to attend a parade and community event to be held on tonight (Friday 18 November) in Vine Street Plaza to officially celebrate the completion of the Prospect Road 'Village Heart' Master Plan works.

Students from local primary schools, Nailsworth Primary, Blackfriars Priory, Prospect North Primary and Rosary School, will be part of the celebrations wearing red and carrying heart themed decorations in a colourful and vibrant parade along Prospect Road from St Helens Park.

The parade will be led by a group of children from HeartKids SA, an organisation dedicated to supporting children with heart disease and their families.  

"The colour red and hearts are intended to reflect the new Village Heart and that the people of Prospect love where we live, our families and community." says City of Prospect Mayor, David O'Loughlin.

The Parade will travel from St Helens Park to Vine Street Plaza where children will meet up with their families and join in the community
celebrations. In Vine Street Plaza people will be able to enjoy food and refreshments, participate in workshops, browse the wonderful Vine Street markets, enter the Prospect Library 'design a jersey' competition and spend an evening with your local community enjoying the new Prospect Road Village Heart. The $3.4m Prospect Road Master Plan is designed to take full advantage of the shift of consumers back to mainstreet shopping. The upgrade also incorporates the inclusion of nine new public art works 'PULSE' by artist Warren Langley. Certain to delight pedestrians and passer-by with its magical forms and changing light effects.

Council's vision is to create for its mainstreets a series of retail and commercial precincts that are people-friendly with an eclectic collection of cafes, shops and boutiques, offices, shady trees, funky street furniture, entertainment and cultural experiences including interactive public art.

"The Village Heart redevelopment has transformed the existing arterial road into a shared place for people that will drive economic and social vibrancy. Importantly this Master Plan work is being undertaken in conjunction with our Development Plan Amendments which aim to increase the density and height of developments, to inspire significant private property redevelopment and infill development opportunities along our main arterial roads' Mayor O'Loughlin said.

Key features of this project include:

* A design 'first' to slow traffic speed (40km/h) on an arterial road and improve safety for all road users.

* Fully indented parking bays in attractive and wider paved footpaths.

* An additional pedestrian-activated crossing between Flora and Kintore Avenues.

* Attractive landscaping, including groundcovers and additional shady trees.

* 24 hour bicycle lane on each side of the road.

* Re-sealing of the road surface.

* Uplighting.

* New public artworks PULSE by Warren Langley.

* Innovative street furniture.

* A complete makeover of Vine Street Plaza.

* The National Broadband Network Company have 'future proofed' the Village Heart through laying conduit prior to main construction work to meet future increased demand for digital telecommunications.

* Significant improvement to street signage and identification of parking.

The completed project previews many of the outcomes envisaged in the State Government's 30 year plan for greater Adelaide.

All the residents and business owners in the City of Prospect are invited to join in the main street celebrations and walk or ride their bikes to Vine Street Plaza where bike racks will be provided and the festivities, including free, roving entertainment and children's craft workshops, will continue.

City of Prospect will further showcase the redeveloped Prospect Road Village Heart when we host the start of Stage 1 of the Santos Tour Down Under on 17 January 2012 and the Tourrific Prospect street party on 16 January 2012.

Event Snapshot:

Date: Friday 18 November 2011
Time: 5:15pm – children assemble at St Helens Park
5:45pm – parade leaves St Helens Park
5.45pm – 8:00pm – Vine Street Plaza celebrations including a welcome and launch by State Transport Minister Pat Conlon and Mayor David O'Loughlin.
Where: Parade from St Helen's Park, Prospect Road, Prospect, followed by festivities at Vine Street Plaza, Prospect
 

Adelaide City Council will be undertaking some maintenance work on the nature strip along Mann Road, North Adelaide this week.

One lane of traffic will be closed off between 9.45am to 3pm on Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd November.

Please see map for location: http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=mann+road,+north+adelaide&hl=en&hnear=Mann+Rd,+North+Adelaide+South+Australia+5006&gl=au&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0

Motorists are advised to be aware and to drive according to the conditions.

Please visit the Adelaide City Council Media Centre for the latest news.

A passionate advocate for cycling, Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood is proud of the city’s 33 kilometres of new bike lanes as a result of Adelaide City Council’s Bicycle Action Plan (BAP).

“Making the city bike-friendly is a top priority for Council and I’m committed to making Adelaide the best cycling city in the Southern Hemisphere,” Stephen said.

Introduced in 2008, the current Bicycle Action Plan is in its final year and has rolled out a number of cycling-friendly initiatives to make pedalling in the city safer.

This includes new bike lanes along Angas Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Highway and the installation of facilities to assist cyclists at various intersections around the city including Frome Road, Rundle Street, Pulteney Street and West Terrace.

There are now more than 250 bike parking rails spread across the city and on-street parking nodes can be found on Rundle Street and Pirie Street.

Undercover bike parking spaces are also available in all 9 undercover UParks and an application is under way for a new city “bike hub” to be established with secure bike lockers, parking and showers.

And the improvements will keep on coming! On Tuesday night, Council endorsed a new interim Bicycle Action Plan, led by the Lord Mayor, to ensure cycling initiatives continue into 2012 while seeking a more ambitious plan for 2012-2014 to be finalised in the New Year.

The new plan will aim to fill in some of the most critical gaps in the cycle lane network, including the design of dedicated cycling routes along sections of Pulteney Street, King William Road and Regent Street / From Road.

It will also continue to improve cyclist safety at intersections, introduce more bike parking, help promote and organise cycling events and networks and add to existing signage and bike racks around the city.

“It’s just logical. We have wide streets, flat terrain and excellent climate, making the city a great place to cycle,” Stephen said.

“The initiatives and facilities that will continue to be rolled out through the Bicycle Action Plan will make it even easier and safer for cyclists to get around.”

“Cycling burns fat and saves you dollars while driving burns dollars and makes you fat – so get on your bike and start riding!”

Council will continue to work with the State Government on ways to improve cycling access into the city and will set up a reference group to oversee the implementation and delivery of the new plan with members from Council staff, the State Government’s Office of Cycling and Walking, city cyclists and a Council Member nominee.

It will be prepared in consultation with the cycling community and alongside the Integrated Movement Strategy review, which will provide a framework to maintain and enhance the accessibility of the city, with top priority given to cycling, pedestrians and public transport.

http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com.au/

The Adelaide Aquatic Centre has reopened its doors to show off a modern new roof and a refreshed look and feel throughout much of the Centre.

The pools, spas and saunas are now available for use and all programs are up and running, including term four of Swim School.

“The Centre is much-loved by the people of Adelaide and it’s exciting to see this first stage of its transformation into a regional leisure and community centre completed. We’re aiming for it to continue to be a fantastic facility for all ages to enjoy,” Acting Lord Mayor David Plumridge said.

The Acting Lord Mayor and Councillor Clearihan were at the Centre this morning to welcome those who came in for a first look.

“The roof’s unique and contemporary design and bright panels lets the sunshine in, creating a light and airy environment that has given the Centre a real boost,” Councillor Clearihan said.

The pools, spas and saunas were closed in late March to allow for the roof upgrade. During that time work was also completed on other parts of the Centre.

“The steam room has been refitted and new bi-fold windows have been installed in the spa area so people can look out onto the gardens. The members’ change rooms have also been renovated,” said Andrew MacDonald, Manager of Adelaide City Council’s Active City Program.

The pools have not been changed but there has been some maintenance work on the joints and tiles.

There are more Swim School places available and a more streamlined enrolment process has been introduced.

“As the elite athletes are now using the State Aquatic Centre at Marion for training, there is more room available in our pools for Swim School as well as more lanes for lap swimming,” Andrew said.

“There is new fitness centre equipment and increased hours as well as more fitness classes. The fresh swim shop fit-out houses the latest range of Speedo swimwear and staff have stylish new uniforms,” Andrew said.

New to the Centre is a school holiday fun program starting in January next year. Crèche opening hours have also been extended.

An activity-filled summer fun day is planned for Sunday 20^th November to celebrate the reopening. Details will be announced soon.

For more information about the Adelaide Aquatic Centre please go to www.adelaideaquaticcentre.com.au