Draft Open Space Plan

Update: Open Space Plan adopted by Council with minor amendments in final report. View the adopted Open Space Plan.

What is public open space and why is it important?

Public open space in West Torrens includes parks and reserves, sports fields, playgrounds, and linear pathways, such as the River Torrens Linear Park and bikeway corridors. It includes land with a drainage or utility purpose, some paved areas, and some landscaped road reserves. 

There is a strong link between good quality, accessible open space and the liveability of our suburbs. Open space underpins many social, environmental and economic benefits that are essential to a healthy community and provides opportunities for people to play sport, be active, relax and connect with nature as well as with other people. 

Purpose of the Open Space Plan

The Open Space Plan (the Plan) is a long term strategy rather than informing on details such as the items provided in a specific park (although the Plan will provide guidance on this). 

The Plan will guide the delivery of quality public open spaces and aspires to meet the needs of the community by the City of West Torrens over the next 5 years.

The objectives of the Plan are to:

• Protect existing areas of open space.
• Deliver a diversity of open space types and experiences to suit the needs of the community.
• Provide an equitable distribution of public open space across West Torrens by responding to:
  • areas of population growth (rising demand)
  • areas in short supply of open space (gap areas) and
  • opportunities to enhance open space.
• Enhance the accessibility and safety of open spaces and strengthen linkages between open spaces and key activity nodes.
• Maximise the greening and cooling benefits of the open spaces and open space network.
• Enhance open spaces through coordinated planning, management and maintenance activities.
• Describe goals and strategies that will inform Council asset management planning and funding requirements for open space.

Emerging issues

A number of key issues have been considered in the preparation of the Plan including: 

• Increasing infill development
• More people are living on smaller parcels of land with less garden space. As such, the community is becoming more reliant on public open space.
• A growing and diverse community
• As the population continues to grow, it is important that Open Space is accessible and attractive for all age groups and people of all abilities.
• Climate change and urban heat
• As South Australia’s climate becomes warmer and drier, Council’s open space network plays a pivotal role in reducing urban heat islands and managing drainage and flood events.
  
  

View documents 

• Draft Open Space Plan 2021 - 2026
• Draft Open Space Plan - Overview
  

How to have your say

Provide your feedback using any of the following:

• Online
  Use the online feedback form at the bottom of this page.
  
  
• Information displays
  Project information displays and surveys will be setup at the following locations for the duration of the consultation. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, staff have been unable to conduct the planned pop-ups sessions in order to discuss the Draft Open Space Plan and answer questions. If you would like to discuss the Plan or have any questions, please contact our Sustainability Planner on (08) 8416 6259.
  
  
  • Hamra Centre Library foyer
    1 Brooker Tce, Hilton SA 5033 
    
    
  • Civic Centre
    165 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton SA 5033
    
    
• Post
  Complete the downloadable feedback form or prepare a written submission (including your name and residential address) and mail to:
  'Draft Open Space Plan submission'
  City of West Torrens
  165 Sir Donald Bradman Drive
  Hilton 5033
  
  
• Email
  Complete the downloadable feedback form or prepare a written submission (including your name and residential address) and email csu@wtcc.sa.gov.au with the subject heading 'Draft Open Space Plan submission '.

All responses must be received by 5pm Wednesday 18 August 2021. 

 
Additional information 

Sustainability Planner on 8416 6259 / email nobroin@wtcc.sa.gov.au

Council’s use of personal information 

Please note that the City of West Torrens is a public authority which is bound by the Local Government Act 1999, and other relevant legislation, to retain information and to make certain information publicly available. In some instances, this will require Council to publish personal information such as names and addresses of those whose information it holds. If you have any questions regarding the use of your personal information please contact Council on (08) 8416 6333.

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