Adelaide Parklands (SA)
Imminent risk of deterioration. No solution agreed.

The Adelaide Park Lands, the green belt surrounding the city, are the most distinctive and unique asset of Adelaide’s cultural landscape. They are as important in defining the character of the city as the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are to Sydney. Although nominated for both State Heritage Register and the National Heritage List, neither nomination has been determined.

Since their dedication in the late1830s almost a third of the Park Lands have been alienated for the development of buildings. The most recent proposal, is to construct within Victoria Park in the eastern section of the Park Lands, a three storey building 200 metres long, primarily to house private boxes and other facilities for the Clipsal 500 motor race, an event which is held for four days a year! This involves realigning the existing horse racing track away from its historic grandstand so that it will no longer be able to be used to view horse racing.

This proposed building constitutes a 200 metre long impermeable barrier which will block vistas through the Victoria Park and irrevocably change its open character. Ancillary services such as parking and fences will take up additional areas of the park. It is now imperative that there be a thorough assessment of the cultural and heritage values of the Park Lands and effective management strategies put in place in order to preserve

their special character.

The proposed stand will form an impermeable barrier across Victoria Park blocking vistas through the Park Lands.

South Australia Nomination