Newletter - October 2026

This is the October 2026 newsletter for the St Peters Residents Association, representing the Residents of St Peters, College Park, Hackney, Stepney, Maylands, Evandale & Joslin.

The newsletter is available as a PDF for downloading and printing.

Contents

Items that we hope you will find of interest include: -

History house with wall bracing

Public Meeting - House Cracking and Subsidence

SPRA will host a public meeting on Wednesday 28th October 2026 at 7pm in the St Peters Banquet Hall to discuss how houses that many would think are beyond repair due to cracking and subsidence are actually now able to be fixed.

The House Cracking and Subsidence Meeting page has more details, including speakers.

Update - St Peters Billabong Access and Encroachments

Residents will be aware that for some years SPRA has been pressing Council to enforce its planning regulations and take action with reSTspect to a significant encroachment on River Street at the top of the Billabong plateau. We are concerned that at the meeting on 1 September, Council resolved that its report, discussion and minutes be kept confidential until the revocation of the Community Land

process commences.

The Revoking of Community Land has more details on this.

Council Elections Delayed until April 2027

The State Government has passed legislation deferring the Local Government elections originally scheduled for this November until April 2027.

Ahead of the upcoming vote, the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters ward boundaries have changed.

  • St Peters / Kent Town Ward (Enlarged): This ward now encompasses the suburbs of Joslin, St Peters, College Park, Hackney, and Kent Town. Voters will elect two Councillors to represent this area.
  • Trinity / Maylands Ward: Boundaries have shifted only slightly. The ward includes Stepney, Maylands, and Evandale, and will be represented by three Councillors.

Save the Date: Meet the Candidates Forums

To help residents make an informed decision, the St Peters Residents Association will once again host dedicated Mayoral and Ward Councillor Forums. These events offer a direct opportunity to hear from the candidates and understand their vision for our local community.

Please mark the first confirmed date in your diary:

  • St Peters / Kent Town Ward Forum
    Date: Wednesday, 3 March 2027 at 7pm
    Location: St Peters Banquet Hall.
  • Trinity / Maylands Ward Forum
    Date: Thursday 4 March 2027 at 7pm
    Location: To be advised.

Further details and updates will be shared as they become available.

Green Connections: Is Your Street Ready for 2027?

Enhance your streetscape with help from council's Green Connections Program which "helps residents create greener, cooler and more beautiful neighbourhoods by planting for nature and climate — with support or at your own pace."

Is Your Street Ready for 2027 provides more details on the program and support offered by council, including a curated selection of local native tube stock.

NPSP Tree Canopy Action Group Update

The October Update from From Madeleine St Johnston-Romano, group convenor of NPSP Tree Canopy Action Group (Facebook) provides details on how we can care for our street trees and verges today and long term solutions like tree inlets.

So, caring for street trees in ways that will really help them, for the long term, also means addressing some of the most expensive, distressing issues that attach to owning a home in our council area, along with also reducing our water bills and great stress on our reservoirs. Clearly then, it is wise to care for trees!

Bell's Plumber Shop - Restoration at Last

For over 40 years, the St Peters Residents Association (SPRA), the former St Peters Council, the current City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and some councillors have voiced deep concern over the neglect of the State Heritage-listed Bell’s Plumbers Shop at 15 Payneham Road, College Park. Over the decades, the property has been allowed to deteriorate into a significant public eyesore.

Following years of inaction—which included a 2016 court ruling finding the owner guilty of failing to comply with a Heritage Protection Order—there is finally cause for optimism. SPRA is heartened to report that the owner has submitted a development application to restore the building. The Bell's Plumber Shop - Restoration at Last page contains more details on the restoration.

Adelaide MotoGP Circuit Redevelopment

The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council has unanimously supported a motion by Councillor Grant Piggott to formally oppose the proposed Adelaide MotoGP Event being held in the Adelaide Parklands.

Council has officially advised the Hon. Blair Boyer MP, the Minister responsible for administering the South Australian Motor Sport Act, of its opposition. Elected members are urging the State Government to fully consider the extensive disruptions the project will inflict on local residents and businesses including:

  • the inappropriate messaging to the community caused by the removal of significant trees and disregard of heritage listings;
  • the disappointing need for permanent bituminizing and gravelling of large sections of Victoria Park and East Parklands;
  • the anticipated disruption to traffic during the construction phase and each year during and between the events, and
  • the noise impacts on residents near the event site.
    The NPSP submission also requested a commitment from the State Government that:
  • the simultaneous closure of Wakefield Street, Bartels Road and Rundle Street occurring only during the event days themselves;
  • the additional closure of Wakefield Street and Bartels Road required for the Moto GP be the same as that currently required for the Supercars event (Friday - Tuesday);
  • the closure of Rundle Street kept to a minimum; and
  • any evening activity planned within the circuit ceases at or prior to 11.00 pm.

For more details see the Council Agenda and Minutes for 22 September 2026.

Adelaide Caravan Park Redevelopment

In December 2024 the Aspen Group, the owners of the Adelaide Caravan Park on Richmond Street Hackney lodged plans for a $70m complete redevelopment. The Council Assessment Panel considered the application at a meeting in January, and unanimously rejected the development.

The Aspen Group subsequently appealed the refusal to the Environment, Resources & Development Court. In July the Court reversed the refusal and approved the development.

Adelaide Caravan Park - Appeal Successful contains more details on the approved plan and appeal.

Facebook Page

SPRA now has a Facebook page where some matters will be posted and where you can leave comments on items that have been posted.

Please follow on your Facebook app.

Please remember to renew your membership if you haven't already done so.