PLACEnews June 2010 Issue 7
South Australia’s Playford Alive project – a leading example of place making practices
Playford Alive involves the physical and community renewal of the existing northern Adelaide suburbs of Davoren Park and Smithfield Plains, about 30 km north of the CBD.
The project is linked to the development of more than 500 hectares of greenfield land located at Munno Para, Munno Para West, Munno Para Downs, Andrews Farm (South) and Penfield.
Playford Alive’s vision is to create a new, diverse, integrated and sustainable community in northern Adelaide - by using world’s best practice in urban and community development we are creating a place where innovation and opportunities thrive – Playford Alive.
The 1,000-hectare project will provide new and refurbished housing along with new schools, shopping, recreation and other facilities, and will increase the population through the project area from 13,000 residents to more than 40,000 residents.
The renewal of the existing suburbs is expected to be completed by 2017/18 with the development of the associated greenfield land expected to be completed by 2022/23.
Playford Alive is being planned and delivered in a partnership between the South Australian Government (represented by the Land Management Corporation and the Department for Families and Communities), the City of Playford and the local community. The project is being rolled out under the place making objectives of LMC’s Sustainability and Innovations Strategy to ensure excellence in urban design, creating an integrated neighbourhood style that delivers land and housing options for present and future community needs.
Place making initiatives to date include:
• Playford Alive Initiatives Fund comprising 1% of gross revenue from land sales in the greenfield area with fund proceeds to support activities that increase community wellbeing through the project area. The first round of funding in late 2009 provided more than $200,000 to organisations providing community benefits within the project area with another $150,000 available for projects in mid-2010.
• Street Proud - Neighbours Working Together initiative implemented in Blight Street at Davoren Park – a program that encouraged neighbours to work together to build community pride, involving informal chats through to street BBQs and practical opportunities to make improvements in the street.
• Numerous training and employment programs covering retail skills, home building, civil construction, plumbing and electronics.
• Two new public schools (birth – Year 12 and birth – Year 7) under construction in the project area.
• Playford Alive Community in Transition Plan published and formally launched
• Renovations to existing Housing SA properties undertaken as part of Nation Building Economic Stimulus Program.
Other place making initiatives to be undertaken in 2010/11 include:
• Further development of recycled water strategies for the project area and the completion of a major wetlands development.
• Development and implementation of a strategy to engage with private owners/ investors in the renewal area, including housing and shopping precincts, to facilitate the improvement of assets across the renewal area.
• Development of a project wide strategy for public art – locations, themes and community involvement.
Supporting a safe and healthy lifestyle is also part of the Playford Alive vision: upcoming initiatives include a recreation plan for the renewal area community and the development of a bicycle and pedestrian plan.
