The developments are expected to generate more than $280 million in private investment, deliver approximately 1150 new homes for up to 2600 new residents and support about 250 direct and indirect jobs a year during construction.
Site works commenced in November last year at Dock One. Stage One by Starfish Developments will comprise of 650 homes with open space and community garden. A promenade and new pedestrian bridge around the inner harbour will provide continuous public access to the waterfront and the former seven-storey Department of Marine and Harbours building will be transformed into apartments and retail premises. The old Customs House building will be retained and reused, initially as Starfish’s information centre and then for commercial or retail purposes.
Cedar Woods are finalising their design for the North West and Fletcher’s Slip precincts and are expected to commence site works mid-2018. The final development will comprise 500 homes, over 30 per cent public open space and promenade, adaptive reuse of the Fletcher’s Slip state heritage buildings and direct pedestrian connection to Glanville train station.
Southern Sea Eagles, a South Australian fishing company, will be moving their business and fishing fleet to Cruickshank’s Corner bringing life back to the site which has been vacant for many years. Southern Sea Eagles will be refurbishing the existing buildings and jetties and consolidating their entire business to the site including administration, fish processing and export facility, seafood retail sales and café.
The new Nile Street administration building has been completed – and with around 500 people moving in over the next couple of months – this will increase the activity in the precinct.
Design work is progressing on the new $16.4 million Port Dock rail spur and train station, which will bring passenger trains into the heart of Port Adelaide. Major construction works will commence in October 2018 with completion scheduled for mid-2019.
These investments have attracted stronger commercial interest in the Port and a renewed sense of community confidence in the Port’s future. Private sector investment includes the Precision Group’s $32 million refurbishment and expansion of the Port Canal Shopping Centre; Pirate Life Brewing will be moving to Port Adelaide; and several Commercial Road sites that have been vacant for many years are now under construction.
The Port Business Accelerator Program has been introduced to support existing and new businesses to Port Adelaide via seed investment, connections, mentorship and education, and apply for a share of more than $270,000 to take their businesses to the next level. This program has started to support 10 local businesses in their planning to expand and diversify their business with further potential of creating new employment and training opportunities and attracting more people to the Port. There has been a huge response from local businesses in the first round – with proposals aimed at activing street frontages and façade improvements, which are currently being evaluated and the process will be finalised shortly.
The place activation in the Port has been a driving force for huge crowds and increased visitation to the area. In 2017, the Wonderwalls street art festival attracted more than 15,000 people in one weekend, and has been listed in the Lonely Planet guide for street art, enticing more people to visit the Port in years to come.
In 2017, Winterfest attracted more than 57,000 people over 10 days. Winterfest 2018, is set to attract an estimated 100,000 people to Port Adelaide with an expanded program to include the whole mid-year school holidays, 6–22 July 2018. As well as showcasing local businesses to promote and encourage people to return to the Port.
Collectively, these investments and activations are delivering on the community’s vision of more people living, working, investing and spending time in the Port.