SPRA AGM 2026 - Committee Report

The past year has been busy and involved both successes and disappointments.

Since our last AGM, In the St Peters Ward councillor Claire Clutterham was been elected to Federal Parliament in the seat of Sturt. Councillor Rita Excell was elected to replace her. We thank her for assistance as returning officer tonight. Councillor Sandy Wilkinson has also been elected to fill a vacancy in the Kent Town ward.

Development

SPRA continue to be concerned that the heritage of the area remains under threat. Of particular note is the demolition of 7 Stephen Terrace, a representative item and 23 Torrens St, a 1914 Edwardian Villa. We applaud council for rejecting the demolition of 48 Sixth Avenue, a gentleman’s bungalow and the six storey redevelopment of the Adelaide Caravan Park.

We applaud Cr Kester Moorehouse’s motion to extend the Heritage Conservation Zone to Seventh and Eighth Avenues. Too often developers seek to argue that properties on the boundary of the edge of the zone should have less protection SPRA are also concerned that developers are neglecting heritage properties so that they fall into disrepair and can be demolished.

SPRA remained concerned about over development on Payneham Road, increased traffic congestion and parking issues.

Greening Adelaide are campaigning for increasing tree canopy, however we continually see blocks subdivided and massive houses built that result in trees being cut down and no room for trees to be planted. For every one tree council plants, two trees are cut down on private property.

Budget

For the past three years, SPRA has made budget submissions raising concerns about the financial risks posed by the $60 million Payneham Memorial Swimming Pool and the lack of public consultation. We are disappointed that Cr Grant Piggott’s motion to defer spending on the $4.2 million dollar upgrade of 100 metres of George St outside the Hoyts Cinema complex was defeated. It defies logic that this was not delayed until after The Parade master plan was completed and demonstrates a lack of restraint by council.

ESCOSA’s ‘Advice to NPSP Council’ released in February echoes the concerns of SPRA and others projecting that council is ‘Potentially Unsustainable’ and provides a number of risks that if they are realised will result in council being financially unsustainable.

The ESCOSA report contains many recommendations including improved consultation and greater transparency. The process of setting the next budget is starting now. I encourage residents to read the report and discuss the contents with your local councillors. Unfortunately many projects such as the Ann Street pedestrian crossing and Hannaford Reserve have been delayed due to financial constraints.

To reduce financial risk, ESCOSA’s recommended mitigation is for rates to continue rising above CPI. Two years ago rates rose by an average of 8.5%, last year 9.49% and this year is likely to again be the highest in the state. I doubt this will please residents. I want to remind you that your rates rising is not caused by house prices, but council spending and debt.

Last night (3rd March 2026) the council met and the ESCOSA report was not seen as important enough to be added to the agenda. The advice was only discussed because our St Peters councillor Kester Moorehouse raised a question and Kent Town councillor Grant Piggott raised a motion under ‘Any other business of an urgent nature’. I am concerned that the current council will ignore the report and continue their unsustainable spending.

Activities

We held two candidate forums for Sturt Federal Election and St Peters Ward Council election. Tonight we host the Dunstan State Election and later this year we will host candidate forums for the council elections.

SPRA thanks the NPSP Council for providing funding to purchase the amplification system we are using tonight and is available for use in community events.

In November, Denise Schumann, local Historian and Heritage Consultant presented an entertaining talk on Agnes Goode. 100 hundred years ago, in December 1925, Agnes Goode made history by becoming the first woman elected to local government in South Australia. While conservative in her values, she was a key member of the committee that established Hackney and Stephney Kindergartens. After her passing, the Stephney Kindergarten was renamed in her honour.

I am pleased to report that after three years of frustrating delays, that council finally approved the installation of a stobie pole mosaic by local artist Travis Cox. The artwork is titled “Reflections” and you can find it on Eighth Avenue between Harrow Road and St Peters St. I recommend making the effort to view Travis’ work and look forward to more installations appearing.

Committee Membership

Annual membership is only $10 for individuals and $20 for a family. This enables us to lobby on your behalf, host events like tonight and occasionally print newsletters. Please see Anne & Evonne at the desk to join. As a committee we do appreciate your membership and contributions.

I want to thank the committee for their work during the year and particularly thank David Cree, Joan Sedsman and Anna Bowman for their roles on the committee, often stepping in for me when I’ve had work commitments.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the work of the committee please come and have a chat. Members interested in joining the committee are welcome to discuss that. We meet about once a month.