Trees on the northern side of the terrace will be lit up as part of the state government’s commitment to enhancing city vibrancy through the Adelaide Riverbank project.
The $380,000 North Terrace Tree Illumination project will be jointly funded by the Riverbank Authority and the Capital City Committee, delivered by Renewal SA, and is a joint initiative of the Government of South Australia and City of Adelaide.
The project will complement the state government’s $50 million extension of the city tram service eastwards along North Terrace to the East End, as the first stage of the CityLINK loop around the CBD. It will also complement the planned redevelopment of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, following the relocation of clinical services to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital in September.
The bud lights will encircle the trunks of each tree and spread outwards along the main branches, creating a glowing pattern of light along North Terrace, which will enhance its appeal and pedestrian safety.
As part of the project, solar energy will be harnessed to supply electricity to light bud lighting in two large trees outside the University of Adelaide‘s Bonython Hall. This will test the viability of solar energy for other lighting projects in the CBD. The work is part of a commitment by the Government of South Australia, City of Adelaide and the University of Adelaide to achieving a Carbon Neutral Adelaide.
Two local firms, selected through a competitive tender, have begun working on the North Terrace Tree Illumination project. These are Deadshort Electrical and engineering consulting firm Bestec, which is providing technical engineering support.
The latest installations will complement tree up-lighting installed in December 2016 on the northern side of the Torrens River between the King William and Morphett Street bridges, and other lighting installations planned for the Adelaide Riverbank.
Renewal SA General Manager of People and Place Georgina Vasilevski said the lighting project was part of the agency’s commitment to making Adelaide a vibrant place to live, work and spend time.
“North Terrace is one of Australia’s great boulevards, with its unique co-location of cultural institutions and gracious heritage buildings, including the State Library, the South Australian Museum and the Art Gallery,” she said.
“The new lighting installation will encourage more people to enjoy all that North Terrace has to offer and improve public safety.”
City of Adelaide Lord Mayor, Martin Haese, said the new lighting would help light the way past some of Adelaide’s greatest cultural treasures and enhance Adelaide’s premier boulevard.
“Something as simple as bud lighting in trees can make a significant difference to the appeal of a precinct and we are sure this will further increase the amenity of the eastern section of North Terrace,” he said.
“This project will make an immediate difference to this precinct, ahead of the council’s $5m investment in streetscape improvements to North Terrace in association with the state government’s tram extension.”