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eNEWS 2 | Christmas Edition | December 2018

my MESSAGE

Dear Guest


This week we had our second meeting of the new City of Adelaide Council on the 11th December. 


In this issue of a betterADELAIDE, I will provide you with a summary of outcomes of that meeting. You will also find a guide to Christmas in Adelaide.


This will be the last edition of a betterADELAIDE for 2018. I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope 2018 was a good year for you, and I wish you a healthy and prosperous 2019 ahead. 


Together we can create a betterAdelaide.


Houssam Abiad

Deputy Lord Mayor | City of Adelaide


Christmas in Adelaide | What's On?

Your full guide for Christmas in Adelaide. Activities, Food, Gifts, Events and so much more. 

   

City of Adelaide Meeting | 11th December 2018

I will keep you updated with a summary of council meetings. To download the full agenda and minutes for the meeting please click here


Item 12.10 Treasury Policy Revision 

An amendment to the recommendation was Moved by Clr Khera and Seconded by myself. The amendment moved recommended the adoption of the proposed Treasury Policy, as contained in Attachment A, to Item 12.10 on the Agenda for the meeting of the Council held on the 11 December 2108, excluding all reference to giving preference to banks and other financial agencies that do not invest in fossil fuel industry. 


The amendment was endorsed and carried by Council with 7 voting for (Clrs Abrahimzadeh, Couros, Hou, Hyde, Khera, Knoll and myself) and 4 voting against (Donovan, Martin, Moran and Simms) 


I seconded the amendment after asking questions of the administration with regards to the Treasury Policy. The original recommendation was a "Toothless Tiger" and in essence a motherhood statement that I believe will mislead our community. I agree that our reliance on fossil fuels needs to be reduced, but the original recommendation did not reference any of the transaction accounts or facilities for the Council, it was merely that if Council choose to invest (wish we don't often) that we apply this lens. What some will have you believe, according to media headlines, is that Council was planning to completely divest from banks that supported the fossil fuel industry.  


Items 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8 & 12.9 Appointments on Committees & External Boards.   

Please refer to the full list on the minutes of the meeting. You can find on page 5 to 12 here.


5 Motions by Councillors | 11th December 2018

Item 16.1 Councillor Moran - Motion Without Notice - Hotel at Adelaide Oval

Motion Moved by Councillor Moran that:

Council strongly opposes the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority plan to build a hotel on the Park Lands and asks the Lord Mayor to immediately write to the Premier and the members of State Cabinet setting out Council’s position on the development while also foreshadowing the inclusion of the matter on the agenda of the next meeting of the Capital City Committee.


Seconded by Clr Simms. The Council voted unanimously in favour of this motion.  


I supported this motion for the following reasons:

  1. The legislation is very clear, indicating that Parklands are under the care and control of Council. 
  2. When the initial lease was negotiated with Council, there was no mention of a Hotel being built. 
  3. The lease does stipulate in the event of any changes to the built form, that Council is to be consulted. Granted we will not be the approving authority, but at least allow the Council the opportunity to respond on behalf of rate payers.
  4. Philosophically, governments shouldn't be interfering in the market, especially when there are many hotels being build in the City. This is not a level or fair competing field for our rate payers, especially when the hotels that are being built do not have access to the same government loan, nor concessions of free land, free land tax, free stamp duty and free council rates. 

I understand that the Stadium Management Authority are looking for ways to diversify their income streams, but maybe there are ways to do so by sticking to their core business model.  

     

Item 15.1 Councillor Couros - Motion on Notice - Car Park - 88 O'Connell Street

Motion Moved by Councillor Couros That Council:
  1. Notes the recent closure of multiple businesses on O’Connell St and the impact this has had on the community.
  2. Requests administration look for ways to open the Car Park at 88 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide, immediately and especially for the Christmas trade.

Seconded by myself. The motion was endorsed and carried by Council with 7 voting for (Clrs Abrahimzadeh, Couros, Hou, Hyde, Khera, Knoll and myself) and 4 voting against (Donovan, Martin, Moran and Simms) 

I supported this motion for the following reasons:
  1. Traders and Customers have requested such initiative for O'Connell Street.
  2. Council currently owns the land and can tray to assist with the provision of parking especially for Christmas Trade. 
     

Item 15.2 Councillor Couros - Motion on Notice - 88 O'Connell Street Box Park

Motion Moved by Councillor Couros That Council:
  1. Notes the ongoing Expression of Interest process for the development of Eighty-Eight O’Connell Street and the imperative to keep the site activated throughout this process.
  2. Requests for administration to prepare a report on how a temporary activation, similar to a box park concept, can be established on the Eighty-Eight O’Connell Street site to attract complementing and non-competing operators to North Adelaide.3. Requests for this report to be returned no later than February 2019
Seconded by Clr Abrahimzadeh. The motion was endorsed and carried by Council with 7 voting for (Clrs Abrahimzadeh, Couros, Hou, Hyde, Khera, Knoll and myself) and 4 voting against (Donovan, Martin, Moran and Simms) 

I supported this motion for the following reasons:
  1. The site will be developed, but there would be a period of planning before that where it will remain vacant. This is a easy & quick way to activate the site in the Short Term. 
  2. It will bring a mix of New Cultural & Retail Mix to the area
  3. It will give the opportunities for Trades in North Adelaide to participate and be part of the park. 
  4. It is a temporary activation that can potentially also generate a return of investment to the Rate Payers given the size of the investment they have placed in the site. 
The video below will give you an example to how this concept has worked else where too. 
     

Item 15.3 Councillor Dr Donovan - Motion on Notice - Waste Management Policy

Motion Moved by Councillor Dr Donovan That Council:
  1. Prepares a report reviewing the Waste Management services provided by Council.
  2. Prepares a Waste Management Policy for Council consideration which provides options for waste services(including organics) for city businesses.
  3. This policy would also address applicable fee for service models, including reducing fees for strata groups.
Seconded by myself. The motion was endorsed and carried by Council unanimously. 

I supported this motion for the following reason:
Part of my election promise was that we look at ways to better manage waste collection, and to provide more services to Rate Payers, especially Apartment Dwellers and Businesses that currently Council does not cater for. This will help reduce Strata & Outgoings Costs for residents and businesses. 
     

Item 15.4 Councillor Martin - Motion on Notice - Staduim

Motion Moved by Councillor Martin That Council:
Is aware of the ongoing media reports calling for a stadium for soccer and other sports and speculation about its construction on or near the City of Adelaide Golf Links and so requests the Administration to publicly release by January 1st, 2019 an extract of the draft Golf Course Master Plan noting this Master Plan has been received but not approved by the elected body and is currently the subject of a confidentiality order made by Council.The CEO be delegated authority to release this extract Golf Course Master Plan concept document which should;
  1. Not include any information which is genuinely commercial in confidence or copyright protected.
  2. Provide as many illustrations as possible to demonstrate the extent of the draft plan of the proposed redevelopment to create an international standard golf facility and, in doing so, the likely impact of any stadium or other project on any such redevelopment
Seconded by Councillor Simms. I moved an amendment to lay the motion on the table and deal with it at a later time. The amendment was successful. A division was called with 7 Councillors supporting the amendment (Abrahimzadeh, Couros, Hyde, Hou, Khera, Knoll and myself) and 4 voting against (Donovan, Martin, Moran and Simms) 

I did not support this motion for the following reason:
On asking questions of Administration, Council is yet to endorse a draft plan before the release of any documentation. With no endorsed Council decision what exactly would we be releasing to the public?

5 Questions by Councillors | 11th December 2018

Item 13.1 Councillor Simms - Question on Notice - Status of Skate Park

Can administration provide an update on their efforts to secure State Government funding for a permanent skate park inthe City of Adelaide?

Response:
  1. A draft City Skate Strategy (which includes location options) is currently being finalised to present to the AdelaidePark Lands Authority and Council in March/April 2019 seeking endorsement for a preferred site for a new CitySkate Park.
  2. Once a preferred site is selected by Council, further discussions and a partnering approach with the StateGovernment for the funding, design and construction will be sought for 2019/20.’The tabled Reply for Item 13.1 is attached for reference at the conclusion of the Minutes of this meeting
     

Item 13.2 – Councillor Simms – Question on Notice – Edmund Wright House

Given community concern about the State Government’s disappointing decision to sell the historic Edmund Wright House on King William Street, can Administration advise Council as to the current status of this process?
As this property has recently been subject to littering and graffiti, has or will Administration advocate for the State Government to immediately put in place a maintenance program to rectify these issues?

Response:
  1. The property was introduced to market via a formal tender and the tender closed on 4 October 2018. All the tender’s submissions where conditional on the approval of the South Australian Government (cabinet).
  2. No formal announcement has been made regarding the process however we understand that the matter currently sits with the Hon Stephan Knoll - Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government and the Minister for Planning and a decision is imminent.
  3. The Administration will engage with the relevant State Government agency and raise Council’s concerns relating to presentation of the property (littering and graffiti) and seek a maintenance program that will address these concerns.
     

Item 13.3 – Deputy Lord Mayor Abiad – Question on Notice – Boxing Day Promotional Activity

Noting the State Government’s recent announcement to allow all South Australian shops to trade on Boxing Day, can Council Administration please provide an update on what marketing promotional activities the City of Adelaide (CoA) is undertaking to encourage shopping in the City on Boxing Day 2018?’The response may consider CoA businesses such as U-Park and the Rundle Mall Management Authority (RMMA).

Response:
  1. A multi-channel campaign highlighting the City’s unique retail offerings, will be activated in the week preceding Boxing Day. The campaign will highlight the City’s superior range of brands, unique and flagship stores,unmissable offers and extended shopping hours, whilst promoting flat rate parking availability at all U-Parks.
  2. The RMMA has developed and funded an extensive Boxing Day Activity plan that includes above and below theline media and public relations, major prize promotions, on-mall activation, pop-ups and unique retail offers. CoAwill support the RMMA campaign in addition to broader shopping in the City and North Adelaide messaging.
  3. The Administration will also execute additional marketing and communication activities to include:
3.1. Digital Advertising – an extensive digital marketing campaign will commence from 22 December 2018 to 26 December 2018 leveraging Google and Facebook advertising in line with target shopper demographics and communication preferences. The campaign will be monitored and enhanced throughout execution to ensure maximum reach and effectiveness.

3.2. Owned Media Channels – the CoA will utilise established media channels including social media, CoA website, Adelaide Living Blog, ‘What’s On’ and electronic direct mail(EDM) to engage audiences and drive awareness of Boxing Day activity in the city. Additional support will include digital walkway screens, digital billboards and U-Parksignage.

3.3. U-Park – U-Park will conduct a targeted digital marketing campaign to promote the flat $8.00 “Boxing Day”rate for city shoppers.
     

Item 13.4 – Councillor Abrahimzadeh – Question on Notice – Frome Road Traffic Management Plan

Noting the Adelaide Botanic High School will be opening for Term 1, 2019;Is Council Administration able to provide an update on what traffic management arrangements, if any, have been made for the portion of Frome Road between North Terrace and Victoria Drive to accommodate the additional traffic?

Response:
1. Adelaide Botanic High School will open on Tuesday 29 January 2019, with Year 8 and 9 students only(approximately 350 students). The capacity of the school is planned to be 1,250 students by 2022.
2. The school has a vision for all students and staff to access the school either by foot, bike or public transport(noting car parking on the site is very limited) and are actively implementing measures from day one of opening to encourage this behaviour. These measures include:
    2.1. commencing school start at 9.25am (10.15am on Wednesdays) and finishing at 4pm, which will generally enable students to travel outside of peak commuter travel times
    2.2. providing off-street parking spaces for two cars, which will store two pool cars for staff, as well as storage for more than 170 bikes along with change rooms and lockers
    2.3. providing 200 students with a free student Metrocard (valued at $5). A Metrocard charging station will be located at the school, offering a 5% discount for students and staff.
3. We have been working with the Adelaide Botanic High School to assist in managing travel demand. This includes:
    3.1. installation of two drop-off/pick-up areas (‘kiss & drop’), comprising of 10 spaces, on Frome Road (to the north of Victoria Drive). 
    3.2. improvements to the traffic signals at Frome Road and Victoria Drive to reduce pedestrian wait times during school drop-offs and pick-ups.
    3.3. arranging a bike education course for students to support and encourage students to ride to school.This course is planned to take place in the second half of the first term, focusing on bike skills and safe bike riding techniques.
    3.4. installation of education ‘decals’ on the Frome Road bike path in front of the school and surrounding shared use paths to encourage appropriate riding behaviour and etiquette.
    3.5. refreshing the traffic and bike lane line marking on Frome Road between North Terrace and Victoria Drive (including footpath and on-street) which are currently faded.
    3.6. providing our Parking and Information Officers to assist with managing drop-off’s and pick-ups on the school Welcome Day held on 3 December and will do again during the first week of school opening.
4. Recent counts have indicated that traffic on Frome Road has reduced significantly, from around 16,000 vehicles per day in September 2015 to 12,000 vehicles per day in August 2018. This is considered to be as a result of a number of significant land-use changes and major projects in the area, including the relocation ofthe Royal Adelaide Hospital, Frome Street lane restrictions for various projects and the North Terrace tram works.
5. We will continue working with Adelaide Botanic High School to support safe access to the school for students,and the management of any traffic issues that may arise.
6. Discussions have commenced between ourselves, relevant State agency (Department of Planning Transport& Infrastructure and Renewal SA in the context of Lot 14), Botanic High and the University of Adelaide regarding a plan for the Frome Precinct, Council will be kept informed on the progress of this work. 
     

Item 13.5 – Councillor Dr Donovan – Question on Notice – Bikeway Network Implementation Plan

Could Administration please provide an update on the progress of the Bikeway Network Implementation Plan as outlined as an action in the 2016-2018 Smart Move Interim Action plan?

Response:
  1. We are working through the Smart Move Interim Action Plan (2016-2018) actions, the preparation of a Bikeways Network Implementation Plan is one of the outstanding actions.
  2. The preparation of a Bikeways Network Implementation Plan will be considered as part of the 2019/20 Integrated Business Plan and Budget process

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