House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-02 Daily Xml

Contents

Adelaide Electorate

Ms HOOD (Adelaide) (15:30): The Malinauskas Labor government is a government that delivers on its election commitments. We are getting on with the job and getting things done, and it is no exception in my community of Adelaide. I have four huge community projects underway at the moment. They are four really important election commitments and promises I made to my community, and I am really excited that we are getting on with the job and moving them forward.

One of them is building a new Adelaide Aquatic Centre in North Adelaide. Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with some of the architecture team from JPE Design Studio and Warren and Mahoney to discuss the project. We looked at various other designs from across Australia and internationally when it comes to new aquatic centres. It is really exciting to see them taking on the brief and coming up with some amazing ideas to deliver a brand-new Adelaide Aquatic Centre.

The difference this time around is that the current pool actually started as an outdoor swimming pool and then in 1985 we put a roof over it. It is really exciting that we can actually deliver a built-for-purpose Adelaide Aquatic Centre that is going to be beautifully designed. It is going to be so much more energy efficient and will keep our community healthy, connected and safe in the water for generations to come.

Another project I am really proud to be delivering for my community is returning a community hub to the former Walkerville YMCA site at 39 Smith Street. Last week, I sat down with the Town of Walkerville to get an update on the community consultation we did for this site. We had a fantastic response from the community about what they would like to see. I am really excited that I have committed $5 million to upgrade the existing building and to also look at the old brewery out the back.

What we are really excited about is potentially returning green space there, perhaps a community garden. I know people gave feedback about perhaps having a dog park as well. I really want to thank the Walkerville community for putting in their thoughts and ideas on this exciting project that is going to bring back a community hub with all the community, sport and recreation services that go with that to the wonderful Walkerville community.

In Prospect, I am delivering a pocket park on the corner of Main North Road and Da Costa Avenue, just opposite the giant Scotsman at Scotty's Corner. A couple of weeks ago, we held our first consultation with the community at the site. It was wonderful to see so many locals come along to share their ideas. Again, dog parks often come up as a popular idea for these types of parks, as we are huge dog lovers in our community. I think I know probably just as many names of dogs in our local area as I do the local residents. They are such an important part of our community.

It is fantastic to be able to return this disused, old, dirt block that previously had dilapidated buildings on it to open green space for our community to enjoy. Again, I would like to thank the Prospect, Medindie and Medindie Gardens communities for coming along and sharing their feedback on that election commitment.

Lastly, we are upgrading a lovely playground in Collinswood Nailsworth called RL Pash Park. During the election campaign, I spoke to a lot of people in the community about this park. It is a lovely green space, a really important hub for the community, but it is in need of an upgrade. We have kicked off consultation for that upgrade, and the community has until Sunday 20 November to provide feedback. I encourage them to go on the City of Prospect website—they will be the ones delivering that project—to make sure they provide their feedback.

There is a common thread through all of the commitments I made during the election campaign, and that is about creating a stronger and more connected community. It is about places where people can come together as a community to get to know their neighbours and, importantly, stay healthy, fit and active. I am really looking forward to seeing the consultation continue on these four important community projects and, importantly, seeing them delivered in this term of government.