What is a Master Plan/Whitmore Square Master Plan?
A Master Plan is a term commonly used to describe a comprehensive planning and design framework that describes the vision for a place or facility and provides a guide for implementing improvement works over time.
The Whitmore Square/Iparrityi Master Plan sets out a future vision for the Square as a green, welcoming, and safe heart of the southwest community; and a place for all ages and walks of life to relax, be active and enjoy the neighbourhood by establishing:
To achieve this vision, the Whitmore Square/Iparrityi Master Plan sets three overarching principles to guide the future direction of the square:
Delivery of the Master Plan will be progressed over a number of years through asset renewal and succession planting and improvements subject to Council’s annual budgeting and funding process.
How does the Master Plan align with the City of Adelaide 2020 -2024 Strategic Plan?
The Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening project could contribute to the following Strat Plan targets:
Outcome 1: Thriving Communities: Council will create a city that is welcoming, inclusive and accessible to all.
What we want to achieve together:
How we will do it:
1.1 Leverage the Adelaide Park Lands to promote health, wellbeing and lifestyle experiences.
In the City of Adelaide 2021 – 2022 Business Plan and Budget a new priority, Develop a suite of opportunities for the community and city users to connect, play, exercise, and learn in the Park Lands with particular focus on Wellbeing Month, implementing the Healthy Parks, Healthy People strategy and promotion of the Adelaide Park Lands trail. Delivered by: June 2022, has been set against this target. The implementation of the Masterplan objectives would contribute towards the achievement of this target
The Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening project could also contribute towards Outcome 3 – see below:
Outcome 3: Dynamic City Culture: Council will continue to create a beautiful, diverse city that celebrates its natural, cultural and built heritage.
What we want to achieve together:
• Beautiful, surprising places
How we will do it:
3.7 Deliver diverse parks and playspaces
The implementation of the Master Plan objectives generally and the Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening project in particular, could support the achievement of this Strategic Plan Key Action.
The Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening project could also contribute towards Outcome 4 – see below:
Outcome 4: Environmental Leadership: Council will be a leader in responding to climate change and support our community and businesses to be resilient in the face of environmental challenges.
What we want to achieve together
• Enhanced greening and biodiversity
How we will do it:
4.1 Increase street tree canopies and green infrastructure in city hot spots and public spaces
In the 2020 -2021 Business Plan and Budget: KEY ACTIVITIES FOR 2020 - 2021 FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP, the following Key Action Increase tree plantings, greening of streets and garden beds in identified parts of the City and design and construct greening, and paths around Whitmore Square was set against Strategic Plan Outcome 4.1. The 2020 – 2021 Business Plan and Budget identifies the Whitmore Square Greening as a key contributor towards the achievement of this Key Action.
When will the work on the Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening Project begin in the square?
The master plan will provide a plan for how the square will develop progressively. Upgrades to traffic management around the northern end of the Square are almost complete.
Work on the The Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening Project is scheduled to commence in August 2021 (TBC), with completion aimed for the end of 2021.
We have already implemented lighting to the diagonal path from Sturt Street west to Wright Street east, and feature lighting to three large trees. This path is a popular route for pedestrians walking to/from the Market District, and was one of the top issues raised in community engagement.
Will the Whitmore Square/Iparrityi Master Plan result in trees being planted or removed?
The Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening Project will support greening sustainability by planting:
Trees are considered a vital part of the square. One of the key pillars of our Strategic Plan is Environmental Leadership. New tree planning will allow for better safety, more open canopy and higher clear trunk, and helps reduce the heat island effect in the City (therefore contributing to cooling of the urban environment) by providing shading to hard surfaces (roads and paths). Trees help to create a dynamic area for the community to enjoy and provide a habitat for birdlife.
Some trees and bushes may need to be removed to ensure that the design aligns with CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) principles, and to avoid inappropriate placing in terms of new tree alignment, and inadvertently creating hazards.
Will the Whitmore Square/Iparrityi Master Plan include road and pedestrian safety?
Yes. The Whitmore Square/ Iparrityi Master Plan will focus on how changes to the physical Square, streets and public space can help encourage respectful behaviour, more people using the square looking out for each other, and improve people’s sense of personal safety through design and upgraded infrastructure, such as lighting.
Stage 1 of the implementation of the Master Plan saw safety improvement works undertaken at the northern end of Whitmore Square. The aim of stage 1 was to improve the level of safety for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The works included the implementation of;
Complementing the above will be improved public lighting in the northern area which SA Power Networks will be undertaking on City of Adelaide’s behalf in the coming months. Dates of these works are still to be finalised.
Will The Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening Project prevent me from using the square?
No. As far as possible the Square will be open during construction, subject to the location of works.
Access to the public toilets, basketball court and general access will be maintained. No road closures are foreseen. Any short-duration traffic lanes closures will be limited to off-peak traffic periods.
How is the Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening project being funded?
Stage 1 and 2 of Implementing the Master Plan is funded by the City of Adelaide and State Government to the value of $2.3 million. This stage 2 project (The Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening Project) is directly funded to the value of $900,000 through the Planning and Development Initiative funding through the Open Spaces and Places for People Grant Program.
I’ve lived on the square for a long time, how will my views be considered?
There was extensive feedback from the original consultation in 2018. We value feedback from all community members. If you have any questions or queries etc. please click here or email: whitmoremasterplan@cityofadelaide.com.au and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
How are people's concerns about anti-social behaviour and personal safety being addressed?
The City of Adelaide recognises everyone’s right to enjoy public spaces safely. If you are concerned for the safety of yourself or others, or you witness anti-social behaviour, please call Police on 131 444 or 000 in an emergency.
There have been concerns about safety in Whitmore Square. The City of Adelaide has consulted with SAPOL to improve the Square and make it a safer place for all to enjoy. The proposed improvements will help transform the area into a lively community space.
We have already begun to address security, a key issue raised in community feedback on the Master Plan. We have implemented lighting to the diagonal path from Sturt Street west to Wright Street east, and feature lighting to several large trees. This path is a popular route for pedestrians walking to/from the Market District, and was one of the top issues raised in community engagement.
The new perimeter path provides an alternative route around Whitmore Square and increases the opportunities for passive surveillance.
In addition, electrical conduits will be installed during this construction phase to support the installation of lighting and CCTV at a later date.
There’s a lot of new buildings near the Square, what role does the Whitmore Square/Iparrityi Master Plan play with this?
The Whitmore Square/Iparrityi Master Plan takes into account how buildings interact with the square and how they are designed to integrate with public space. The Development Plan guides any development on private land.
I have heard there are plans for a new tram route, is that being considered in the project?
Not at this stage. The State Government, through the Department for Infrastructure and Transport , has previously identified a preferred route for a future CBD tram loop. There is currently no timeframe to progress the CBD tram loop. Preparing a master Plan vision for the square can be used by the City of Adelaide to positively influence any future tram planning in the city.
I would like to ask a questions about Whitmore Square/Iparrityi, how can I do that?
For enquires, questions, queries etc. about The Whitmore Square Perimeter Path and Greening Project, please click here or email: whitmoremasterplan@cityofadelaide.com.au and we will get back to you.
If you have an issue which needs to be addressed in the short term or immediately, please call the City of Adelaide customer centre on 8203 7203.
