This deputation is made as a result of the decision made by Council in December 2023 to proceed with the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre in spite of the cost being three times what was expected in 2022, and the effect this will have on the future Council finances.

In 2022 & earlier the pool cost was expected to be about $20m.

In the 2023/4 budget a figure of $24m was used although it was expected that tenders would be in the order of $30m.

We spoke to this when we addressed Council prior to last year’s budget.

The $60m cost is double that of the similar facilities currently being built at Salisbury.

SPRA responded to the Local Government Participation and Elections Review with a detailed response that covered many topics including:

• Council engagement with community
• Council meeting
• Nominating for council
• Elections including compulstory voting

SPRA nominated this tree for the 20 Metre Trees 2024 Competition.

Great news. This tree made it to the list of ten finalists. Please vote.

Dunstan By-Election Forum

The Dunstan By-Election has exposed a weakness in our political system whereby the major political parties Labor, Liberals, and Greens, take for granted that people are happy with the level of political discussion and the strategy adopted by the candidates in this electorate.

A quick perusal of social media in Dunstan sees lots of smiling on The Parade, token red dresses, or bopping with the former premier and gym workouts. Many of us despair at such orchestrated snapshots.

The March 2024 newsletter contains the following items:

• Town Hall Candidate Forum – Dunstan By-Election
• SPRA Annual General Meeting
• St Peters Heroes Memorial WW2 Plaque Grant Application
• Marden & Royston Park Traffic Management Plan
• Dunstan Adventure Playground
• Former Transport SA Carpark
• SA Tree Of The Year Competition 2024
• Proposed 40km/h Speed Limit in Residential Streets
• Stolen Waterbird Sculpture - Linde Reserve
• Council Tree Incentive Program
• Power Outages Due to Bats

This article contains background information on Allottment 13 off Holton Court, Joslin which is known as the Transport SA Car Park and is owned by the Commissioner of Highways. The primary source of information are the minutes of meetings of the Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council. For two decades the council have requested multiple times that the car park is included in the River Torrens Linear Park.

The position of SPRA as outlined in the Old Transport SA Car Park GARP Response is consistent with the Council's request to have the car park included within the River Torrens Linear Park.

It has been suggested that SPRA should enter a local tree in the 2024 SA Tree of the Year Contest.

The organisers of the competition, 20 Metre Trees (facebook), will open nominations soon.

Do you know of a local tree that should be entered? If so, please contact Evonne Moore info@stpeters.asn.au and tell her why this tree is important to you. A story and photo will help in the application process. SPRA can assist with this.

St Peters Residents Association 2024 Annual General Meeting

To be held at 6:30pm Wednesday 20 March
St Peters Banquet Hall
St Peters Street, St Peters

The 2024 SPRA Annual General Meeting will be held prior to the Town Hall Candidates Forum.

It will be very short!

As part of the response to the Greatuer Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP) Discussion Paper, SPRA raised concerns about the car park located at the end of Holton Court, St Peters, being inclued in the areas to be investigated for possible Neighbourhood/Centre Infill.

On 23rd of March 2024, a by-election for the seat of Dunstan will be held. It's about the future of our community and our place!
SPRA has organised a meet the candidates forum at 7pm on Wednesday 20th of March at the St Peters Banquet Hall. Ask your questions of candidates on issues of concern such as loss of amenity, high rise development and urban infill. All candidates will be attending.