City of Playford

The City of Playford is a local government area of South Australia in Adelaide's northern suburbs. The name 'Playford' comes from the recognition of Sir Thomas Playford, who played a part in the development of the area, and was South Australia's premier from 1938–1965. The City covers an area of 345 km2 (133 sq mi), and is home to approximately 90,000 residents. Playford is the fastest growing local government area in South Australia.[4][5][6][7] As of 2016 the city motto is: "a great place to live, work and play".

City of Playford
South Australia
Population
 • Density262.8/km2 (680.7/sq mi)
Area345 km2 (133.2 sq mi)
MayorGlenn Docherty
Council seatElizabeth
RegionNorthern Adelaide[3]
State electorate(s)Little Para, Kavel, Light, Napier, Taylor
Federal Division(s)Spence
WebsiteCity of Playford
LGAs around City of Playford:
Adelaide Plains Council Light Regional Council Town of Gawler
City of Playford Barossa Council
City of Salisbury City of Tea Tree Gully Adelaide Hills Council
Looking northwest over Greenwith and the Little Para Reservoir from an aeroplane flying west down the River Torrens valley.
The dark area on the far side of the reservoir is the suburbs of the City of Playford. In the background are the outer northern suburbs of Adelaide, and the northern Adelaide Plains of the Gawler River.

Council

The council members elected in November 2018 are:[8]

WardCouncillorNotes
Mayor Glenn Docherty
Ward 1 Peter Rentoulis
Clint Marsh
Cathy-Jo Tame
Ward 2 Gay Smallwood-Smith
Jane Onuzans
Stephen Coppins
Ward 3 Andrew Craig
Veronica Gossink
David Kerrison
Ward 4 Marilyn Baker Deputy Mayor[9]
Dennis Ryan
Katrina Stroet
Ward 5 Misty Norris
Shirley Halls
Akram Arifi

History

Origins
Main articles: City of Elizabeth and City of Munno Para
The Adelaide skyline from Hillbank in the City of Playford. The Adelaide city centre is located approximately 29.7 km (18 miles) from the City of Playford.

The city was formed in 1997 through the merger of the City of Elizabeth and the City of Munno Para, which were formed in 1955 and 1988, respectively.[10] Prior to the 1950s, most of the area surrounding the townships of Munno Para and Elizabeth were farming estates. After the end of the Second World War and the accompanying shortage of materials, the state government decided that South Australia needed to grow and become an industrialized state. A "satellite city" was planned for the Elizabeth area, and the South Australian Housing Trust initiated a housing development programme in the area, with a purchase of 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of land. The City of Elizabeth was formed on 16 November 1955, being named after Queen Elizabeth II, who visited the city in 1963.

1997 to 2010

The first mayor of the City of Playford was Marilyn Baker, who had been the last mayor of the City of Elizabeth. She continued to hold that role until the 2006 council elections, when she was narrowly defeated by Martin Lindsell, the last mayor of the City of Munno Para.[11]

After 1997, the council planned and built a number of new housing developments aimed at attracting young working couples and families in an attempt to rejuvenate the area. A new Civic Centre including council chambers, library, theatre and function centre was built. Other developments of the period included a new library in the Munno Para Shopping City in Smithfield, and a revamp of the Elizabeth shopping centre, including an 8-screen cinema complex.

In 2003[12] it was announced that A$1 billion would be allocated to rejuvenate the Peachey Belt. Known as the Playford North Urban Regeneration project, it was expected that the population of the area would increase from 13,000 residents to 30,000 in 15 years and involve the demolition of most of the Housing SA homes.[12] the project has since been renamed "Playford Alive".[13][14]

"As part of the 30-year Plan for greater Adelaide, significant growth and investment is pouring into Playford from business. Rapidly increasing employment coupled with new land releases has driven population growth and improved living standards."

City of Playford civic centre in 2017

2010 to present

Mayor Martin Lindsell was defeated in the 2010 local council election by Glenn Docherty, the council's youngest ever mayor.[15]

The council elected in 2010 started the creation of Playford Health Precinct around the Lyell McEwin Hospital.[16]

The SCT Logistics Rail Freight Terminal, opened in January 2011 provided for goods and services to be transported by road and rail more efficiently and quickly.[17] Playford is to become the logistical and advanced distribution capital of South Australia.

The A$750 million expansion within the RAAF Base Edinburgh, including facilities for 7th RAR (Mechanized Army Battalion), was largely completed in 2011.[18]

As of 2010 the council has been involved in discussions regarding expansion of the Elizabeth City Centre (the major shopping precinct in Playford) on to 30–40 hectares (74–99 acres) of land to the west of the train line.[19]

As of 2011 the Playford council is working with the South Australian government to release 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of industrial land in the greater Edinburgh Parks region, with the intention of attracting and supporting 38,000 jobs in the northern part of Adelaide.[20][21]

In 2011, Mayor Docherty stated he aimed to make Elizabeth the second central business district of Adelaide. He envisaged a movement away from low density commercial and "quarter-acre block" housing to multiple storey mixed use commercial and residential developments in Elizabeth and other central parts of the council area.[22]

In April 2013 the council announced its 2043 Playford Community Vision.[23]

From 2012 to 2015 the council partnered with the University of Adelaide to launch the Stretton Centre, a physical home in Playford for research into regional innovation.[24] Its "anchor tenant" is the Adelaide University's Australian Workplace Innovation & Social Research Centre (WISeR). Platyford Council was assisted by a A$11.3 million grant from the Australian Government for the research centre.[25][26] The Stretton Centre includes the Stretton Research Centre (occupied by WISeR), the (new) community library, public and private community meeting spaces and the Innovation Design Lab, which is to showcase new innovations and technologies in relevant to the community.

Docherty was re-elected unopposed to continue as mayor in the 2014 local government elections.[27]

Royal visits

The City of Playford (and its predecessor, the City of Elizabeth) has had a number of visits by members of the Royal Family:

Suburbs

Services and facilities

Parks and recreation

Fremont Park is located immediately east of the Elizabeth City Centre. Providing recreation and leisure facilities, the park features a large lake with fountain and waterfalls, a rotunda for band performances and two playgrounds. The park also contains an adult fitness gym and is the host venue for many community events including Australia Day celebrations, school Holiday programs, weddings, and other private functions.[29]

The Aquadome aquatic centre is the largest such facility in northern Adelaide. Included in this multi-purpose facility are a 50-metre pool, a beach entry leisure pool, café, a creche, outdoor picnic areas, a large carpark, and easy access to bus and rail transport. The Health Club, opened in 2009, contains a modern gym and fitness centre.[30]

The North Lakes Golf Course, opened in 1993, is located in Munno Para West, measures 5,730 m (18,800 ft) for 9 holes, and is par 70.[31]

Located on Blackburn Road, Hillbank, Jo Gapper Park is a major regional park. It has tennis court and basketball court, which are lit at night, playground, barbecues, shelter sheds and walking trails. It has a sealed carpark which is open from dawn until dusk.[32]

Stebonheath Park, Ken Patterson Reserve, Jubilee Park and the Munno Para Wetlands are other public green spaces in the City of Playford.

Libraries service
Main article: City of Playford Library Service

The Playford library is split across two locations: Elizabeth and Munno Para.

Youth services

Playford Council has the highest number of young people per population count than any other council in South Australia. Young people have a number of services and activities supported by the council such as:

  • Northern Sound System – a dedicated youth centre which allows young people to learn, create and develop their musical talents
  • Playford Youth Advisory Committee[33] – a body intended to be the voice of young people aged 12 to 25 in the Playford Region meeting fortnightly at the Northern Sound System.
  • Jibba Jabba Radio[34] – a youth development program which gives young people in Playford the opportunity to produce and broadcast a youth radio program on Adelaide's PBA FM radio station.

Waste management and recycling

Garbage, recycling, and green waste collection services are provided by the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority.

Sports teams

The City of Playford is home to several sports teams, including:

See also

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Playford (C)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  2. "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019. Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.
  3. "Northern Adelaide SA Government region" (PDF). The Government of South Australia. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  4. "Snapshot of the City of Playford". City of Playford. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  5. "Playford Demographics". City of Playford. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  6. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/executive-living/home-design/regional-cities-going-for-growth/story-fn6njxlr-1226073094262
  7. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/north-northeast/playford-council-is-fasted-growing-district-in-adelaide-according-to-new-abs-figures/story-fni9ll1r-1226876688965
  8. "City of Playford". 2018 Council Elections Results Page. Electoral Commission of South Australia. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  9. James, Colin (28 November 2018). "Former Playford Council mayor Marilyn Baker becomes deputy mayor as Mal Hemmerling dispute continues". Messenger Community News. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  10. "Thursday, 13 February 1997" (PDF). The Government Gazette of South Australia. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  11. "Eight mayors lose council elections". ABC. 12 November 2006. Retrieved 18 November 2006.
  12. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. Playford Alive Archived 27 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Playford Alive Archived 19 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine, www.playford.sa.gov.au
  14. Playford Alive website, www.playfordalive.com.au
  15. Nelligan, Kate (15 November 2010). "Docherty Playford's youngest mayor". News Review Messenger.
  16. Greenwood, Rob (5 August 2010). "Health hub plan for Lyell McEwin". The Messenger.
  17. Smith, Geoff (25 January 2011). "Jobs, safer roads promised from rail freight project". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  18. Wheatley, Kim (8 February 2010). "7RAR Battalion coming to South Australia in boost for defence industry". The Advertiser. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  19. Nelligan, Kate (14 September 2010). "Talks to expand city hub". News Review Messenger. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011.
  20. "$30 Million rail freight terminal for South Australia". T and L News. February 2011. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2017 – via T&DC Pty Ltd. (press release)
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 March 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. Schliebs, Mark (14 May 2011). "Shire aims to be second CBD". The Australian. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  23. Siddall, Rachael; Young, Sarah. "Playford Community Vision 2043: Looking forward 30 years" (PDF). City of Playford. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  24. "Stretton Centre". City of Playford. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  25. "Media release: Supporting jobs in northern Adelaide". The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2016. The City of Playford will receive $11.3 million to support the Stretton Centre, part of the Playford Alive project.
  26. "$11.3 million grant to help boost jobs in Adelaide's north". University of Adelaide. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  27. Elizabeth Henson (17 September 2014). "Mayor Glenn Docherty will lead Playford Council until 2018 after being re-elected unopposed". Northern Messenger. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  28. "Royal Visit 2014". 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  29. "Fremont Park". www.playford.sa.gov.au. City of Playford. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  30. "Aquadome". www.playford.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  31. "North Lakes Golf Course". Belair Turf Management Golf. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  32. "Jo Gapper Park". City of Playford.
  33. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

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