Riverside West – a vision beyond the gloom

Riverside West – the State Liberal’s concept plan for an entertainment, sporting and cultural precinct between the River Torrens and North Terrace – will drive future economic development.

Releasing the concept plan today, State Liberal leader Martin Hamilton-Smith said “it was time Adelaide got its mojo back.”

“Our plan is about entertainment and excitement, recreation and city pride, in a green space that will revitalise the city.

“It’s time now to start planning for the next period of economic growth and getting the best out of it,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“We don’t want to be sitting here in ten years time lamenting the loss of another period of economic growth or lost opportunities.”

The sweeping plan covers an area linking the River Torrens and North Terrace from Elder Park to the brewery site at Thebarton.

It features expanded convention and entertainment facilities as well as major events space, public recreation areas and a site for a future city-based world-class sports stadium.

It includes;

Amphitheatre and performing space
Entertainment centre
Urban plaza
Science and Technology centre
Pedestrian walkways and bikeways, green space and educational wetlands
New pedestrian bridges across the Torrens
Interpretive indigenous design
Sporting academy precinct

Mr Hamilton-Smith said the precinct development would lift Adelaide to the top of the list among Australia’s capital cities.

“This will rival similar sites such as the Riverbank development in Brisbane, Melbourne’s Federation Square and Southbank and Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

“We propose a staged, sustainable master plan that all South Australians will be proud of.
“Our plan focuses on quality of life, excellence in design and new economic benefits as we drive South Australia through the current economic gloom and into the next period of growth.

“It builds on the vision of our state’s pioneers and provides excitement and opportunities for the young emerging generations of South Australia.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith said now was the time to prepare for the next stage of growth.

“Too often governments get paralysed by economic downturns, or miss opportunities from upturns,” he said.

“Now is the time to plan and begin a project that will deliver pride in our city, jobs in our city, and a legacy for our city.

“Change and development of this precinct will take time and will require investment by federal, state and local government with some input from the private sector.”

“This is our initial concept for Riverside West. I’m sure it will generate interest in the private sector and we look forward to their contribution.

“The precinct is green and accessible to families for entertainment, cultural and sporting use.

“Our vision is for a precinct which brings the River Torrens alive and enhances the natural beauty of the area.

“Let the public debate begin.”

Footnote: The State Liberals commissioned an independent report last year on options, costs and viability of city based sports stadia. The report is close to completion and will be released in the coming weeks.

Riverside West

Summary

This is a concept master plan for the Adelaide Riverside West precinct.

The core of this site is currently occupied by the Adelaide rail yards and inaccessible to the general public.
Given the site’s proximity to the river and city, the current use underutilises the site’s excellent potential.
The site could provide the City of Adelaide with a more dynamic function.
This report includes a proposal to locate a new inner-city stadium along with many other facilities in the Riverside West precinct.
Although the stadium is one of the major components it should be understood that there are many other components of this concept master plan that are designed to function independently of the stadium and have significant merit as stand-alone features.

Features

1. East zone

AMPHITHEATRE SPACE/PERFORMANCE STAGE
A terraced amphitheatre is proposed for Elder Park along the banks of the River Torrens. Part of this concept plan is about emphasising Adelaide as the Festival State and creating permanent structures and facilities that support various events and festivals.

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
The proposed new pedestrian bridge is already planned as a future project by the Adelaide City Council and this master plan supports it as an important contribution to the River Torrens precinct. The bridge will be a great link to the Adelaide Oval and surrounding facilities. The Bridge should be visually appealing and add to the aesthetics of the precinct.

CONVENTION CENTRE CONNECTION
A new connection is proposed to link the existing Convention centre with a proposed entertainment centre; this connection across Morphett Street bridge will be at road level and aim to make the bridge function more like a street, in addition it will help to slow down traffic entering the city.

BAR + CAFE STRIP
The encouragement of more bars and cafes in the vicinity of the Convention and Festival Centres is considered an integral part of activating the River Torrens and creating a water front that complements surrounding facilities.

2. Central zone

ADELAIDE STADIUM
A proposal to bring the next AAMI Stadium into the city will be the centre piece of the Riverside West development. The new stadium will be designed as a ‘best practice’ multi-purpose sustainable sports facility that is transit orientated. The proposed stadium will attract impulse spectators that are encouraged by the urban proximity; Friday night games can start with dinner at a city restaurant and followed by a visit to one of the many night venues in the city.

ENTERTAINMENT + EXHIBITION CENTRE
It is proposed that a new combined entertainment and exhibition centre be located west of the Morphett street Bridge. This will create a strong link with the existing convention centre along the River Torrens and North Terrace strip.

URBAN PLAZA
Based on the successful Federation Square model the plaza will act as the town square for the West End of Adelaide. Surrounded by the proposed Stadium, Train Terminal, Entertainment Centre, commercial precincts and the River Torrens, the plaza will be a crucial gathering point. The dynamic urban space will cater for many uses including the Adelaide Festival and Fringe events, concerts, performances, pre-event activities and many other imaginative applications.

TRAIN TERMINAL
The stadium is designed to be integrated with a new train terminal that will service the stadium and surrounding facilities.

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
The proposed pedestrian bridge west of Morphett Street is designed to create a new connection to the stadium for spectators approaching from the North; it also helps to activate the River and encourage pedestrian movement around the precinct.

NORTH BANK PRECINCT
Located opposite the stadium on the banks of the River Torrens, the proposed commercial precinct is planned to build on the already successful restaurants located next to the weir. Designed to activate the River frontage it is anticipated that there will be a combination of restaurants, cafés, bars, sport/clothing stores and other appropriate mixed use.

SOUTH BANK PRECINCT
Located on the southern side of the River Torrens and directly linked to the stadium, plaza and entertainment centre; this precinct will incorporate retail, cafés and restaurants. Designed to draw people in from the city and help to activate the river precinct, it will complement surrounding development.

WEIR ENHANCEMENT
The weir will require significant upgrades to accommodate the larger numbers of pedestrians and cyclists using the crossing.

PATHWAYS AND BOULEVARDS
The proposed Boulevard will run the entire length of the Park along the Port Road frontage. Designed to continue and emulate North Terrace it will be a major urban movement strip. Orientated for pedestrian activity it will be well planted and allow ample provision for seating. The main purpose of the Boulevard is to link the city to the West End, while creating an active street frontage.

3. South zone

URBAN FOREST + ART INSTALLATION SPACE
The existing SA Water site in the West Park Lands has been earmarked for Park Lands reclamation. It is proposed that once the existing structures are removed and site remediation has taken place that the area is converted into an urban forest that incorporates a flexible space for arts installations. The forest would consist of a dense canopy of trees ranging in form and height, with native grasses forming the ground plane.

PLAYING FIELDS
The existing playing fields in the West Park Lands, south of Port Road will remain and help to strengthen the surrounding sporting precinct. The surrounding Park Lands will receive attention in the form of further tree planting and the development of more amenities.

4. North Zone

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
A new science and technology centre is proposed as an integrated establishment with the old Adelaide Gaol. This centre will have similarities to the Powerhouse museum in Sydney which combined the old and new to create a culturally rich experience. The centre will emphasise the heritage of the existing buildings while creating a state of the art institute that provides a great recreational and educational space for the West End. The adjoining Gaol will remain rich in history and building character; it will provide a unique venue for exhibits and interactive components. In addition the centre will form a working relationship with the educational wetlands and adjoining play space.

SPORTING PRECINCT
It is proposed that the existing Thebarton police barracks area be converted into an active sporting precinct that incorporates different codes and sport related disciplines. At the core of this precinct will be a new sports institute and training facilities; this institute will be integrated with a sports science centre located where the police barracks are situated. Important heritage listed buildings will be preserved with all other buildings and structures being removed. The remaining heritage listed police barracks buildings will be upgraded and converted into the sports science and sports institute centre; this precinct will benefit many codes and in particular AFL and soccer. It is anticipated that SASI (South Australian Sports Institute) will also utilise and help manage these facilities.

INTERPRETIVE INDIGENOUS DESIGN
The proposed concept plan aims to incorporate indigenous character through interpretive design elements across the site.

RIVER TORRENS WETLANDS
Filtering wetlands are proposed along the River Torrens west of the rail line and incorporated through the Bonython Park area. The water body will be extended and the gradient changed to accommodate a significant wetland system. The master plan shows an illustrative version that is enlarged for visual purposes. The wetlands will incorporate considerable stormwater runoff from surrounding roads and buildings, focusing on WSUD (water sustainable urban design).

MAJOR EVENTS PARK
Bonython Park will remain a flexible major events park that can host particular activities like Sky show and various music festivals. It is proposed that a more permanent set-up that includes a stage and incorporated facilities be installed in the park.

PLAYSPACE
An important element of the Riverside West concept plan is the children’s play space area located North West of the gaol adjacent to the proposed wetlands. The main components are a designated playground, recreational fields and a water play park. The designated playground will consist of a combination of interactive elements from climbing to building and that are sure to be a year round attraction.