Quality Green Public Space
A second flat, lifeless, single-usage-focus, restricted use training oval for elite professionals isn’t Quality Green Public Space
There is a strong link between good quality, accessible green space and the livability of our suburbs.
Quality green space underpins many social, environmental and economic benefits that are essential to a healthy community.
But not all green spaces are equal.
Professional AFL training ovals simply don’t provide the desired benefits the City of West Torrens, other councils and the State Government talk about when they talk about Quality Green Public Space.
So why is the City of West Torrens handing over Quality Green Public Space for a second oval that only benefits the Crows?
Growing
population
& growing demand for
quality green public space
A vital public resource in rising demand
Kings Reserve is arguably the most critical piece of open space north of Henley Beach Rd in the entire council wards of Thebarton and Lockleys. It is situated in the City of West Torrens which is in a current state of population growth and experiencing a high level of urban infill development activity.
On top of this backdrop of increasing infill development, the two closest suburbs to Kings Reserve, Torrensville and Thebarton are seeing the redevelopment of former commercial and industrial precincts into residential precincts. The nearby former Adelaide University site in Thebarton is undergoing a change into residential and mixed-use development. The redevelopment of the former Coca Cola site on Port Road is expected to transform the site into a large mixed use development, bringing more residents and workers to the area and the adjoining former West End Brewery site is also expected to be transformed into a significant residential area with mixed use land use.
It is clear that there is a growing population with people living at higher densities on smaller parcels of land in the immediate area and Kings Reserve will therefore be vital in meeting the increased demands for quality green public space, now and into the future. This must also be considered in the context that there is no typical ‘higher density resident’ which means that the open space needs to accommodate multiple concurrent uses.
Replacing mixed-use space with two AFL sized ovals that offer a single usage focus and are restricted to pubic usage only when the Adelaide Football Club aren’t using the space is a step backwards for community health and wellbeing.
Untapped potential
Kings Reserve has seen little maintenance or investment over the past two decades. The state of its existing infrastructure has gradually declined and fallen largely into disrepair. Recent years have seen the Council remove the once popular playground and parts of the adjacent picnic facilities.
By contrast, the many eucalyptus trees planted on the reserve in the late 1990’s have continued to grow and increase in value and amenity, bringing the many benefits that can only be achieved with the passing of substantial time. Today, these trees have reached towering heights, providing abundant natural character, vital natural shade as well as supporting a vibrant natural habitat for a range of creatures and bird life.
The space, while unkept and neglected by Council, offers a level of potential that money simply cannot buy.
Quality Green Public Spaces in their design, delivery and management respond to these six key principles.
So how does the Adelaide Football Club’s proposal for a second full size training oval on Kings Reserve respond to these principles?
Second AFL
Training Oval
on Kings Reserve
✘
Promote community health and wellbeing
The second oval primarily supports professional interests at the expense of community facilities, access and participation.
✘
Connect with nature
Over 50 mature eucalypts in a previously designated picnic area destroyed by a second oval.
✘
Build stronger communities
‘People-centric’ replaced with ‘AFL-centric’. Existing community based sport displaced. Space becomes less inclusive and less welcoming.
✘
Deliver connectivity and access for all
Accessibility, equality and inclusivity diminished by second professional training oval. Community values and needs ignored.
✘
Contribute to neighbourhood character
Local landscape, cultural and climatic conditions ignored. Valued mature trees and landscaped character replaced with a flat, curated, uniform surface.
✘
Support resilient neighbourhoods
Sustainability, air quality and response to climate change are diminished. Maintenance, water and energy requirements increased.
A second oval on Kings Reserve offers clear benefits to the Adelaide Crows
but it displaces many of the benefits that the City of West Torrens claims it supports
‘Infill housing and development is an issue that all Adelaide metropolitan councils face, as population numbers increase and the demand for inner-suburb living increases. As infill development increases, residential lot sizes become smaller and this puts added pressure on councils to provide spaces where our community can exercise, play, socialise and take part in sporting activities.
Open space is not just about liveability for our communities; it has an important role to play in supporting our environment by providing essential habitats for the continued existence of locally native plants and wildlife. Plants and green space also help cool temperatures in hot weather and purify air for us to breathe and it is a well-known fact that suburbs that have attractive green space often increase value in our community’
Michael S. Coxon
Mayor, City of West Torrens
Message from the Mayor,
City of West Torrens
Open Space Plan 2021-2026