by Shane Sody

A community activist has taken up the invitation issued recently by a world-renowned urban planner, calling for an expansion of your Adelaide Park Lands.

Recently, Rob Cheesman AM suggested that with a growing population Adelaide should be looking to secure more open, green spaces in or near the CBD, while also promoting higher-density housing development nearby.

Mr Cheesman did not suggest any specific sites, but Tim Jackson has zeroed in on one obvious potential site, which will become available early in the 2030s.

Mr Jackson is suggesting what would, in effect, be a land swap, involving the sites of both the old and the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The New Women’s and Children’s Hospital is being built on several hectares of Bonython Park /Tulya Wardli and Kate Cocks Park (Park 27 of your Park Lands).

*The New Women’s and Children’s Hospital construction site: off Port Road within Park 27 of your Park Lands.* *Pic: Anna Hacket.*

This is, of course, only one among hundreds of locations within your Park Lands that have been lost over the years to major developments.

The rate of Park Lands losses has ramped up in recent years, and especially since 2022.

There have been very few occasions in the past when Park Lands have been restored. On the contrary, when buildings on your Park Lands have passed their useful life and are due for replacement, even their replacement buildings (such as a new Aquatic Centre) have taken over and expanded their footprint and/or their dominance of Park Lands locations.

Prompted by Rob Cheesman, Mr Jackson has started what at this stage is a one-man campaign, zeroing in on this parcel of land nestled in-between Red Gum Park / Karrawirra (Park 12) and Brougham Gardens / Tantutitingga (Park 29).

*The old (current) Women’s and Children’s Hospital, bordering Park Lands and set to be vacated in the early 2030s.*

Mr Jackson has written to his local Member of Parliament, SA Labor’s Lucy Hood, to flag the idea:

Good morning Lucy.

We need to be constantly looking for opportunities to reverse the loss of Park Lands as a result of decisions of this Parliament.

Here is an opportunity albeit someway out.

Can you answer these questions?

Tim

Adelaide Park Lands

1. Do you believe the site of the current Women’s and Children’s Hospital should be become part of the Adelaide Park Lands to offset the proposed and past loss of Park Lands?

2. If yes, what are you doing to achieve this?

3. If no, why not?

4. Will you communicate your answers to your constituents?

The site of the old (existing) Women’s and Children’s Hospital is not, and never has been identified as part of your Park Lands.

*Colonel Willian Light’s 1837 plan for Adelaide did not include King William Road, but nor did it include this location as part of the Park Lands.*

The Adelaide Park Lands Association supports restoration of Park Lands that have been lost, but our Constitution omits any reference to the possibility of Park Lands expansion.

Nevertheless we will be keeping an eye on Mr Jackson’s initiative and will report any Government response.