by Shane Sody

There are several unrelated construction projects either under way, or recently completed in your Park Lands.

There are sure to be differing opinions about which ones are good, or bad, or ugly. See the pics below to make up your mind.

Motor racing

Not surprisingly, at this time of year, a large swathe of Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) is fenced off, as annual construction goes ahead on a grandstand and other infrastructure to cater for four days of carbon-emission motor racing in mid-November.

A 40-year-old law gives the Premier unlimited power to disturb your Park Lands as much as he wants, as long as he wants, as often as he wants, to serve the interests of commercial motor sport.

This grandstand and supercar track layout work will soon be followed by construction of an additional, fenced dirt speedway track, expected to be in King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina (Park 15).

The SA Motor Sport Board has released an artist’s impression of what the additional dirt track will look like during the speedway races, also scheduled for mid-November. It will take many weeks, over spring and summer, to construct, then disassemble this new speedway track in your Park Lands.

Hutt Road “Entry Statement”

The $3 million project, bordering Hutt Road on the edges of Parks 17 and 18 is nearing completion. Irrigation pipes have been laid, and planting is continuing.

New shed

While that is going on, finishing touches are being made to a large new shed in Possum Park / Pirltawardli (Park 1) near the clubhouse for the North Adelaide Golf course.

The City of Adelaide advises that the shed is on the site of what was previously a “hard-stand” paved area, previously used for stockpiling mulch and other garden supplies.

Earthmoving in Rymill Park

A fenced compound in Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (Park 14) includes heavy machinery and a large pile of earth. Apart from the contractor’s name (CatCon) on the outside of the fence, there is no signage to indicate what works are being carried out here.

The City of Adelaide advises that the compound has been the base for completion of the recent Rymill Park lake upgrade.

CATCON has been completing final landscaping, plumbing, and automation works related to the new lake and rain gardens. The compound is expected to be removed by mid-September.

Elder Park - new stone wall

In Elder Park, next to the King William Road City Bridge, the decades-old stone retaining wall is being replaced:

The City of Adelaide advises that the wall is due to be completed by the end of September, after which there will be remedial work on the surrounding grass area. City Council documents advise that “the new wall will afford greater protection of the grassed and banked areas” and “renewing aging assets will lead to improved operational efficiency reduce maintenance and operational cost.”

Light’s Vision

New concrete and asphalt footpaths have been installed at the Montefiore Hill lookout, in Tarntanya Wama (Park 26). The upgrade is intended to improve pedestrian safety and reduce ongoing maintenance.

The City Council's landscaping teams have replanted garden beds and reinstated the lawn.

Mounds of earth

On 1 September, these mounds of earth were dumped on the northern part of Bonython Park / Tulya Wardli (Park 27). However they won’t stay there for long.

The City of Adelaide advises that the soil will be used for “top dressing” in Bonython Park as soon as Monday 9 September (weather permitting) and/or on following days.

Hospital

The major work affecting access to your Park Lands is the State Government’s massive attacks on Kate Cocks Park and Bonython Park / Tulya Wardli (Park 27). Works will be continiumg for several years, but have already resulted in the destruction of hundreds of trees, many of them well over a hundred years old. See more here.

Aquatic Centre

Likewise, a very large slice of Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2 of your Adelaide Park Lands) has been lost, as the State Government breaks four of its own promises, and destroyed dozens more trees. See more here.

The author of this article, Shane Sody, is the President of the Adelaide Park Lands Association and the editor of the semi-monthly newsletter, "Open Green Public".

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