We are committed to enhancing our city's spaces and making Port Adelaide a more welcoming and vibrant place for everyone. This project represents a significant step in addressing the findings of our Open Space Strategy 2021–2026, which highlighted a low provision of open space in Port Adelaide. It also aligns with the development of the Dock One pedestrian footbridge jointly funded by Renewal SA and Kite Projects and managed by Renewal SA, which is currently under construction.

Our vision is for this open space to serve as the primary welcoming point for pedestrians arriving in Port Adelaide, offering a place of rest and an attractive area that complements the features of the bridge and the Port riverfront. This area provides a strong pedestrian and cyclist connection to the new Port Dock Train Station via the redirected Outer Harbor Greenway.

The new plaza area will provide an opportunity to increase functional public open space in an area with an increasing residential population and to enhance local amenity for both residents and visitors.

This engagement closed on Sunday 28 April 2024. At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 9 July 2024, Council endorsed the decision to extend the proposed green space and proceed with detailed design and subsequent construction (proposed to begin in early 2025).

Explore the Final Concept Design and find out more about the project next steps and what we heard from our community, by viewing the tabs below.

We asked our community what they thought of the draft Concept Plan for McLaren Parade community plaza.

People who supported the proposal were generally in favour of:

• Increased open space
• The overall proposal
• Improved connectivity
• Increased trees and vegetation
• Supporting amenities e.g. bike parking drink fountain
• Shade and seating

People in support of the proposal also requested:

• Extra shade and seating in addition to the shade and seating already included in the proposal
• A toilet

People who did not like the proposal, or who thought it needed more work, expressed the following general responses:

• They were concerned about losing parking spaces and the effect that this might have on residents and businesses
• They wanted to know if there would be any alternative parking opportunities
• They supported increased open space within the precinct but requested a larger open space
• They were concerned about noise, maintenance, safety and antisocial behaviour
• They requested additional amenities (e.g. a toilet, a BBQ)
• Provided suggestions for alternative or additional open space locations

Funding for construction of McLaren Parade community plaza was referred to the 2024-2025 Draft Annual Business Plan which was endorsed at the Special Council Meeting on 25 June 2024.

At the Council Meeting on 9 July 2024, Council resolved to amend the proposed design and extend the open space, following community feedback and in line with Council’s commitment to enhance our city's spaces and make Port Adelaide a more welcoming and vibrant place for everyone. The Council Report and Meeting Minutes can be viewed under the Document Library. Administration will now continue with detailed design for the community plaza.

Construction of the community plaza is planned to begin in early 2025 and finish in April 2025 to coincide with the completion of the Dock One pedestrian footbridge.