St Peters Street upgrade

Design Feature

Type of project
Local Government Initiative
State
South Australia
Location
Urban
St Peters Street in the City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters (NPSP) is a vital corridor between the St Peters precinct and nearby St Peters billabong. It was previously defined by narrow and undulating footpaths, scattered street trees, wide carriageways and an underutilised median that lacked shade and amenity. A project to re-imagine it as a ‘complete street’ has produced a vibrant boulevard that maintains connections to the city’s history and surrounds, supports urban greening and provides new opportunities for physical activity.
Building connections to Country
The upgrade has created a contemporary native boulevard that draws inspiration from the Karrawirra Parri (River Torrens) and the historic alignment of Second Creek, which is referenced by meandering gravel banding within the median. Natural materials have largely been sourced from the surrounding Kaurna Yerta Country with an emphasis on sustainable practices – where trees were removed, the timber has been repurposed for habitat logs. Cut stone boulders reinforce wayfinding and showcase the quality and richness of local South Australian materials.

Design that greens the city


In upgrading St Peters Street, NPSP Council sought to create a contemporary biodiversity corridor. This has been achieved by the installation of new logs and boulders for habitat; the retention of 97 trees, many of them eucalypts; and the introduction of 205 new trees and 12,000 plants, including grasses and groundcovers selected for their fast growth and easy maintenance. More than 1800m2 of paving has been removed and replaced with new garden beds, soft landscaping and bio-basins.
Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) is a key design feature. Garden beds and trees are irrigated with recycled water sourced from the Linde Reserve aquifer recharge system, allowing plants and trees to establish quickly. WSUD and swale species support cleaner waterways, and local area flood management has been improved with the installation of new infiltration swales. New stormwater infrastructure enables 2.5 megalitres of stormwater to infiltrate the strata every year. This work makes a substantial contribution to greening the city and supports Council’s broader commitment to delivering green infrastructure in the greater Adelaide area.

Supporting pedestrian and cycling amenity


As a public open space, the revitalised St Peters Street provides a green corridor that supports walking and wheeling activities and links people to the natural world.
Project team
City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters
Landskap (landscape architecture) in collaboration with Kaurna meyunna, Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC)
Dryside Engineering (civil and WSUD engineer)
Hydroplan (irrigation and hydraulic)
Enerven (electrical)
Be Engineering (traffic)
Project cost
$4.45 million, comprised of:
  • $1.27 million from the Australian Government’s Local Government and Community Infrastructure Program
  • $200,000 from Green Adelaide
  • $2.98 million from the City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters

Health value
  • Improved shade and amenity enable safe and accessible walking and riding. Encouraging physical activity among residents and visitors supports physical and mental health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases1 and improving emotional wellbeing.2
  • The inclusion of space along the median for informal ‘doorstep’ play provides opportunities for informal interaction that builds a more connected community.
  • Improved access to, and amenity of, public open space, coupled with improved connection to the River Torrens, encourages people to interact with the natural environment. Connection to nature is linked to improved psychological health.3

Economic value
  • As a result of the upgrade, Council has further extended the connection of the aquifer recharge system to nearby reserves, thereby saving ongoing irrigation costs.

Environmental value
  • The revitalised street links people and wildlife to public open spaces, enabling movement within and between them.
  • The retention of existing trees and the introduction of new trees and thousands of plants increases biodiversity by providing vital habitat.
  • Increased urban greening, including new planting with climate resilient plants, coupled with the removal of 1800m2 of hard landscape, mitigates a wealth of environmental impacts including urban heat and air pollution.4
  • WSUD features, including infiltration swales, permeable spoon drains, tree pits, permeable paving and recycled water irrigation, supports cleaner waterways and more effective management of water resources.

Social value
  • Improved amenity and sense of place provide opportunities for residents to linger and connect with others, fostering a sense of shared space and belonging.

Use value
  • The complete street now serves as a play and gathering space and an environment for physical activity, thereby fostering community connections and encouraging activities that support wellbeing.
  • Urban greening and WSUD improve biodiversity and overall amenity and support better environmental outcomes.5

References

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