Playford Alive Community Reference Group

Mr GEE (Napier) (15:25): Today, I rise to speak about a group of residents from my electorate who have made a long and ongoing contribution to our local community and they are the Playford Alive Community Reference Group, better known as the CRG. Last Friday, the CRG celebrated their 10^th anniversary. The event was a celebration of the involvement of the group as part of the Playford Alive project, a joint project between Renewal SA, Housing SA and the City of Playford. The Playford Alive concept was conceived in the mid-2000s and heavily supported by former Playford mayor and current councillor, Marilyn Baker.

The project itself has delivered very significant improvements to our local area and many people in the north would argue it is comparable with the impact that the Adelaide Oval, the Convention Centre upgrade and trams have had on the city. The Playford Alive project has delivered the Playford Alive Town Park, the John McVeity Centre upgrade, three new public schools and so much more. The Playford Alive CRG was formed at the commencement of the Playford Alive project as an ongoing group of residents and community representatives to consult with and on behalf of the Playford Alive community.

The inaugural chair, and a local resident for more than 50 years, Betty Alberton, and equally long-term resident, Shirley Harris, addressed the celebrations describing the impact of the project on our area and the importance of community involvement in the project. I wish to recognise Betty Alberton, Shirley Harris, Brenda Larnio, Geoff Pope and Ron Jones for their work in leading the CRG over the past 10 years. They have all been very strong advocates for our community.

The CRG assists the Playford Alive project partners to engage with the wider community for input into the project and to encourage positive debate. Sharing of project information with the community is a key role of the members. The CRG has been a crucial part of the Playford Alive project over the last 10 years. This started with original members being part of a charrette exercise that resulted in the Playford Alive master plan and vision being established.

The members of the CRG have been involved in many projects and events and have given literally thousands of hours of their time on behalf of our community. Examples of some of the achievements that CRG was responsible for are the establishment of additional public transport routes to service the project area, the street proud program and Police and Community Together (PACT) initiatives in Mandeville Street. The CRG has undertaken community consultation whenever community input is necessary for a program of change to proceed, as was the case with the Roberts Crescent Reserve.

All these projects have had a very positive impact on the local community. I also have to thank all the members of the neighbourhood policing team who have assisted the local community, particularly those who assisted with the Davoren Park Community Centre and the PACT project.

One project that is enjoyed by not only local residents but families from across the north is the Playford Alive Town Park, which I have spoken about on a previous occasion. The CRG played a significant role in engaging with the community about the design features of this award-winning park. The park features an innovative water play space, large grassed areas and one of the most complex skate parks in the Southern Hemisphere. CRG members can also be seen towing an information trailer around the local area and setting up in public spaces, where they talk to the local community about the project and the work that is ongoing.

I want to thank everyone who has been a member of the CRG over the past 10 years. I would like to give a special mention to Coral Gooley, one of our long-term Playford councillors and Pauline Frost, who has also been involved in the Playford Landcare and Greening Group for many years. The CRG will be out in force this Saturday, as they have been for the whole 10 years, at the Playford Alive Fun Day. It is a brilliant, free community event that attracts over 5,000 people and is being headlined this year by world-renowned performer, Isaiah Firebrace. The CRG will be running an information stall, managing the stage, hosting the Yellow Brick Road and much more.

Congratulations on 10 brilliant years, and thank you to all your family members who have given you support to enable you to give so much valued service to our community.