Elizabeth CBD

Enjoying the sunshine in Prince George Plaza are Lyndel with son Cavan, 3, and friend Bailey, 5.

Exciting progress for the centre of Playford.

Exciting progress has been made to transform the centre of Playford into a retail, business and entertainment precinct, with proponents being selected to develop site-specific, detailed proposals for the development of the CBD.

At a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 30 November, Council selected proponents to develop comprehensive concept designs for allotments within the CBD site along Main North Road at Elizabeth.

It moves the project a step closer to understanding what new buildings, features and experiences will form part of the renewed city centre.

With a population that is expected to reach 132,000 by 2036, a revitalised CBD will meet the needs of the city’s rapidly-growing community. It also responds to growth in areas beyond Playford, such as Gawler, Light and the Barossa, with the CBD acting as a centre that services regional communities to the north.

Importantly, developing a vibrant CBD fulfils a key aspiration from the Playford Community Vision 2043, with the community expressing their desire for a vibrant and active city centre.

Detailed concept designs must be in line with this vision. Council is also seeking assurance of delivery from proponents, to ensure that any accepted plans are delivered in a reasonable timeframe.

The decision follows a recently held Expression of Interest process in which the market was invited to submit proposals to Council.

WE ARE HERE

A new approach to gateway sites

As part of the project, Council considered the viability of developing an entry statement to the CBD along portions of Main North Road. This included a proposed revocation of community land along the eastern and western sides of Main North Road, Elizabeth, between Yorktown and Midway Roads and Philip Highway and Judd Road.

After assessing proposals from the EOI and considering community feedback from its consultation process, Council has decided to modify its approach to the gateway sites. Most community land along Main North Road will be retained as open green space for public use, except for: • a parcel at the northern end of Main North Road (near Philip Highway) • a parcel at the southern end of Main North Road (near Judd Road) These two parcels have been strategically earmarked for potential development that supports community need.

Excitingly, if development proceeds at the northern and southern ends of Main North Road, a master planning process will take place that will refresh and enhance the space for community use, and include things like shared use paths for cycling and walking, open space amenities and enhanced landscaping.

This aligns to Council’s vision for the CBD; to provide a thriving mix of retail, commercial, entertainment and public spaces that will bring new life and activity to the centre of Playford.

What’s next for Main North Road?

With this change in approach, Council has now amended its application for the revocation of community land to this smaller footprint. More information on the next steps of the process will be shared with the community.