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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-12-02 Daily Xml
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PLACES FOR PEOPLE PROGRAM

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (15:10): Will the Minister for Urban Development and Planning provide details of any recent projects that have been completed after receiving funding from the Places for People initiative?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:10): It was with great pleasure that I attended the official opening ceremony of the Mitcham Cultural Village last month. The $1.7 million project integrates several historic and well-loved buildings through clever architectural design. This enables the cultural hub to reflect the history of the precinct, which dates back to 1839, just three years after the founding of the South Australian colony, while creating a functional sense of space for the community to enjoy. It also provided the opportunity to upgrade a number of under-utilised or derelict historic council-owned buildings, in partnership with the Uniting Church, which owns the adjoining site.

The centre also contains a plaza area integrating connecting spaces to enable exhibitions, displays and art installations to take place. There are also outdoor leisure spaces for people to gather. The design of the cultural centre levelled out the site and allowed the removal of three high boundary fences that previously separated the various buildings in the precinct. The creation of an open plaza provides an area for markets to be held in a country village setting.

The redevelopment provides an opportunity to adopt water sensitive urban design concepts. At a time when Adelaide faces enhanced level 3 water restrictions, it is important that we take every opportunity to showcase environmentally sustainable solutions. Water sensitive urban design is just one way in which we can adapt to the challenge of climate change.

The Mitcham Cultural Village will be able to host activities both day and night, which will not only create a busy and lively hub for extended hours but also act to deter crime. This project is a great example of how local and state governments can collaborate to improve civic facilities. The state government was able to provide financial support for the Mitcham hub, through a $765,000 grant from the Places for People program, in early 2008. The federal government also came to the party with $226,000, while the City of Mitcham contributed $670,000.

Places for People is one of two grant programs associated with the Planning and Development Fund, which is administered by the Department of Planning and Local Government and assisted by the Public Place Advisory Committee. This government has now invested almost $60 million in the past 7½ years in grants that have beautified the state through the creation and improvement of public spaces.

Whether it is beautifying town centres, such as the Mitcham village, or helping to redevelop and upgrade local parks and recreational facilities, this government is supporting local government and local service groups and volunteers to invest in their communities.

Through the Planning and Development Fund, the government has distributed $44.4 million to local councils as Open Space grants since 2002 and a further $15.2 million through the Places for People program. The principal objective of the Places for People program is to revitalise or create public spaces that are important to the social, cultural and economic life of their communities. A second aim is to foster a culture of strategic urban designs in councils, establishing practices that will benefit future public realm projects. I am delighted that the South Australian government was able to join with the City of Mitcham and the federal government to play its part in providing such wonderful facilities for the people of that area.

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