Technical Tours will take place on Wednesday 15th September. All Tours will be half day in length, allowing delegates to attend another tour in the afternoon.

Tennis Australia will host our lunchtime function at The Pavilion in the Adelaide Oval, which will include a presentation overview of Tennis Australia’s future developments and its strengthened alliance with Parks and Leisure Australia.

Some tours will include walking and bike riding as well as bus and tram travel.

Payment of conference registration is required before delegates will be contacted and asked for Technical Tour preferences. Full delegates may elect to attend one or two tours. While best attempts will be made to give delegates the tours of their choice, this may not always be possible due to limitations on some tours.

Early registration is the best option. All tours will be dependent on registration numbers and some may be cancelled if numbers are too low.

Morning Tours (8.30am – 12.30pm)

Tour 1. Urban Development/ Health and Wellbeing

Research has demonstrated that links exist between the built environment and physical activity behaviour. For example, populations living in high-density suburbs are more likely to be physically active. This evidence is important to help influence urban planners and policy makers in creating neighbourhoods that are more conducive to physical activity. This tour will look at purpose-designed housing estates that incorporate principles such as active lifestyles, sustainability and transit orientated development. The tour will consist of 3 sites.

Playford Alive
The Playford Alive precinct covers a region totalling 1,000 hectares in northern Adelaide, in Smithfield Plains and Davoren Park, and adjacent vacant land in Munno Para, Munno Para West, Andrews Farms and Penfield. Currently approximately 13,000 people reside in the area but by 2020, there will be 8,000 new homes and 40,000 residents.

Mawson Lakes
Located just 12 kilometres north of the City of Adelaide, Mawson Lakes is an energetic mix of education, recreation, retail, residential and commercial facilities. 30% of Mawson Lakes is made up of open space (189 ha), including lakes and waterways. A 26km bike network links all residential villages with the community’s recreational and commercial facilities. Recycled Water System (All homes and businesses in Mawson Lakes are connected to a recycled water system separate to the normal drinking water supply. Treated storm water and wastewater is pumped to properties via a dedicated pipe network for watering gardens and parks, washing cars and toilet flushing. The system reduced usage of mains water in Mawson Lakes by 50%, of the Adelaide average and the community is estimated to save around 800 mega litres of water per year).

Lightsview
Lightsview is a new housing development ultimately boosting health and activity levels of thousands of South Australians. The project is the first in South Australia to adopt the Heart Foundation’s Healthy by Design principles, which deliberately encourage physical activity through urban design. Lightsview has been purposely designed to be a completely walkable community through kilometres of stunning landscaped paths and wide leafy streets, all of which place you no more than a 5 minute walk from one of the many green parks and reserves. All in all, this premium new address offers you a lifestyle made up of less transit time and more play time!

Tour 2. Water Management (Waterproofing of the North)

To the North of Adelaide are the adjoining Councils of Playford, Salisbury and Tea Tree Gully. Almost 300,000 people live, learn and work in this fast growing community. The region is also rapidly becoming the industrial, commercial and technology centre of South Australia. What is presented in the Waterproofing Northern Adelaide initiative is the region's commitment to ensure that future growth is sustainable and that the most valuable resource of all – water – is treated as liquid gold. In the past decade the City of Salisbury has pioneered the use of wetlands and water recycling projects to improve overall water efficiency in the region. Waterproofing Northern Adelaide is now underway. The Australian Government Water Fund is providing a $41.8m grant, the State will provide over $16m (mostly through LMC) and the three Councils will invest over $22m over the years.

This tour will look at 2 key sites of the Waterproofing Northern Adelaide Project. The sites include:

Stebonheath Park (City of Playford) – flow control park which was developed to control and treat stormwater from the Munno Para catchment to the east of Stebonheath Road using a series of 3 ponds and wetlands. The Park offers recreational opportunities including walking trails, children’s playspace and informal areas.

Watershed Sustainability Precinct (Greenfield Wetland) (City of Salisbury) - The Watershed showcases the regions' numerous achievements in water and environmental management. Extending over 114 hectares, Greenfields Wetlands is one of the first large, constructed urban wetlands in Australia. The Wetlands came into existence in 1984, when the City of Salisbury prepared and approved the initial concept of developing 42 hectares of low-lying saline land into a stormwater detention basin and wetlands habitat. After Council approval in 1989, Stage 1 (25ha) was completed in 1990, Stage 2 (12ha) in 1993 and the largest stage, Stage 3 (72ha) in 1995. This area of land has become home to over 160 species of birds, eight species of fish, four species of frog, yabbies, long-necked tortoise and numerous aquatic invertebrates. The wetlands consists of 2km’s of well maintained trails which incorporate a specially constructed bird hide where visitors can stop to watch some of the species at the wetlands. Interpretive signage along the trails provides details of the rich and diverse wildlife.

Tour 3. Therapy, Community Gardens & Sustainable Landscapes

Tour sponsored by

This tour will look at aspects of urban development such as Healthy by design principles, walkable communities, infill development in new subdivisions as well as water management and community infrastructure in the framework of the State’s 30 yr Plan that seeks to capitalise on transit orientated development (TODs) and more compact communities and will visit the following sites:

Gardens and their therapeutic benefits have long been known through medicinal plants for the experiences gained by either appreciating or working in gardens. Research shows that recovery times are better for patients in hospitals that can view or interact with natural environments or gardens and groups such as Horticulture Therapy South Australia - a special interest group of PLA - have been working to achieve improved health outcomes for people who use these spaces such as hospitals, aged care facilities and other areas where health outcomes are desired. Coupled with this, is a growing movement of community gardens, as our city populations increase and less area is available for growing produce and some unique models are in place for delivering these community outcomes. A tour is planned to take in some of the emerging gardens in Adelaide, that are being developed for improved health benefits & providing produce. Also the visit will take in Lochiel Park Green Village where sustainable landscape practices have been employed using local native plants in more formalised landscapes and as bush tucker sources.

Tour 4. River Torrens Linear Park bike ride including Coast Park (Glenelg to City)

This tour takes in a number of new initiatives along this bike route while getting a bit of fresh air and doing some exercise. These include new wetlands created in an area that was used for horse agistments and provided some unique challenges in its development, as well as key tourism and accommodation areas like Adelaide Shores and the Coast Park Trail. The River Torrens Linear Park Trail is a two-way walking and cycling path that travels from the Adelaide foothills to the coast, traversing the Adelaide CBD. The Linear Park is the first of its kind in Australia, travelling through nine local council areas. The 35-kilometre trail was developed in the 1980’s as a flood mitigation scheme and later evolved into a great recreational facility and transportation corridor.

This tour will also include a section of Coast Park from Glenelg to West Beach. Coast Park is a State Government Initiative to develop a 70km linear park right along the metropolitan Adelaide coastline, from North Haven through to Sellicks Beach. This tour will include cyclying from the Stamford Grand at Glenelg into the City, via the Coast Park Trail and the River Torrens Linear Park Trail. The ride is approximately 20km in length. With a sealed surface the trail is ideal for all ages and abilities.

Tour 5. Entertainment Facilities/Physical Activity Precinct

Entertainment Centre
The Adelaide Entertainment Centre provides world class live entertainment to hundreds of thousands each year and has also built an enviable reputation for being one of South Australia’s leading function venues. With modern architecture and acoustics, stunning function rooms and award winning catering, it makes the perfect venue for any occasion. The Adelaide Entertainment centre has recently undergone major redevelopment. The centre now includes the following facilities:

Theatre: South Australia will boast a new Theatre with a capacity of up to 2,500 people. The Theatre is suited to medium sized concerts and events, and a new commercial kitchen and bars adjoin to provide the highest quality in catering.
Super Screen: Guests will be greeted by a 2.4m x 67m LED high-resolution Super Screen with the ability to display moving video and static images to enable clients to brand events, acknowledge sponsors and create dynamic entry statements.
The Orb: This semi-enclosed dome entry structure is constructed from the same material as the Water Cube swimming venue made famous during the Beijing Olympics. The 140 pillows that make up this striking architectural feature can be individually lit in more than 16 million colours and patterns.

The Entertainment Centre now hosts major sporting events including International netball games, and BMX competitions.

War Memorial Drive Precinct - Adelaide Oval /Next Generation/Memorial Drive Tennis Facility
Adelaide Oval is widely regarded as the most picturesque Test cricket ground in the world with the northern aspect featuring St Peter’s Cathedral rising behind the elegant Edwardian scoreboard. Adelaide Oval’s surface is the one of the most acclaimed playing arenas in the worlds as noted by players, administrators and enthusiasts. In 2006-07, the playing surface underwent an $820,000 upgrade. The field was laser levelled, irrigation and drainage was installed and new drought resistant Santa Anna couch planted. SACA employs world famous curator Les Burdett, who has more than 30 years experience in surface preparation. Often working under intense scrutiny, Les and his team have prepared grounds for cricket, AFL, SANFL finals series, soccer and Rugby League.

Tour 6. Playspace / Youth Facilities

Burnside Adventure Playground
Burnside Adventure Park design draws inspiration from the surrounding parkland landscape of towering trees and winding creek bed. This environment has been interpreted through a whimsical giant’s theme where elements of the landscape are playfully distorted provoking curiosity and encouraging imagination and discovery.

The design aims to provide three forms of stimulation and experiences:

Physical stimulation through active movement, coordination and challenges.
Mental stimulation and interpretation that invokes the imagination of children (and adults) with narratives, trails, visual and tactile experiences.
Passive spaces that are comfortable, restful and contemplative and wide lawn areas for open movement and ball games.

Hazelwood Park Playspace
Hazelwood Park has a character unlike any other park in Adelaide. It is a major recreational reserve that includes the George Bolton Swimming Centre with a war memorial near the entrance, a network of paths, seating, picnic and play facilities and dominated by tall River Red Gums woodland lining First Creek. In early 2010, a brand new 5000m² playspace was constructed in Hazelwood Park. The overarching objective of the design was to create an all abilities playspace in Hazelwood Park within a naturalistic setting. The design provides a diversity of physical, explorative, interactive and imaginative play opportunities. The playspace will use a mix of indigenous and native planting to create a relevant naturalistic setting that offers diversity of colour, form, texture and scent whilst complimenting and reinforcing the existing planting regime in the park and offering shade.

Orphanage Park
The Orphanage Park open space area was purchased by the City of Unley with the assistance of a State Government Planning and Development Fund Grant in 1998.

In recent years a Master Plan has been prepared to turn Orphanage Park into a major suburban recreational area, with new junior and senior playgrounds, picnic and BBQ areas, shade sails, paths, seating, revegetation, public art and laying back the banks of Brownhill Creek, shelters, solar lighting, an interpretive garden, landscaping and sports facilities for basketball, petanque and hopscotch, and two outdoor chess and picnic tables.

Kurrangga Park BMX Track
Council’s popular BMX Track located in the South Park Lands on the corner of Unley and Greenhill Roads received a significant facelift in 2004. The facility has been upgraded and redeveloped to include a beginner, intermediate and advanced BMX elements.

City Skate Park
The City Skate Park, City SK8, located on North Terrace (corner of Morphett Street Bridge) was officially opened in May 2000. Since then skaters have flocked to hone their skills on SA's finest skating facility. City SK8 tests the skills of skaters and BMX riders of all ages incorporating features such as a funbox, steps and blocks, seat grinds, transition run and flat ramp combinations. But the Skate Park is not just a place for skaters. It is a vibrant and exciting place that attracts spectators to watch the skills and energy of talented young people.

Tour 7. Conservation and shifts in focus

Conservation encompasses more than just animals and vegetation and with elements such as water quality and public assess / usage becoming more important in the holistic management of areas this tour will look at the pressures in managing national parks in catchment corridors and the overlay of issues such as the conservation of plants, animals, habitat and water quality as well as flood mitigation and the impact on public realm, trials and other infrastructure improvements and management. The tour will focus on Belair National Park that is undertaking renewal of its infrastructure and trails and is in the Brownhill Keswick Creek catchment, which covers a number of councils under the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Natural Resource Management Board

Belair National Park
Belair National Park has important natural, cultural, historical and recreational values and is the birthplace of the national park system in South Australia. The park was dedicated in 1891, making it the first national park in South Australia. The park lies within the Mitcham and Adelaide Hills council areas, and forms part of a chain of national park reserves located along the Adelaide Hills Face Zone. The park is a part of our Southern Lofty District, which comprises 21 parks. The Park includes a range of recreational opportunities including tennis courts, adventure playground, informal areas, BBQ facilities and a number of walking/cycling trails and Orienteering activities.

The Adelaide & Mt Lofty Natural Resource Management Board
The Board manages, protects and restores the region's precious natural resources for he Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region & supports a mosaic of bushland remnants, farming land, urban development, rolling hills and plains, diverse marine environments and more than 440 kilometres of spectacular beaches and coastline. The marine environment also makes up a significant part of the Board's area, extending 30 km into the Gulf St. Vincent, and includes the eastern side of Investigator Strait and Southern Ocean, out to state coastal waters. The marine environment encompasses ecosystems that are found nowhere else in the world.

Afternoon Tours (1.30pm – 5.00pm)

Tour 8. Urban Development
(TODs Sustainability and Economic Development / Tourism)

Tour sponsored by

This tour will look at aspects of urban development such as Healthy by design principles , walkable communities ,infill development in new subdivisions as well as water management and community infrastructure in the framework of the State’s 30 yr Plan that seeks to capitalise on transit orientated development (TODs) and more compact communities and will visit the following sites:

1. Clipsal, - Bowden Village TOD Site
The Bowden Urban Village site currently operates as an industrial precinct (the Clipsal site) and sits within an Industry zone. The State Government has identified the site as one of a number of areas in Metropolitan Adelaide that can accommodate medium to high-density mixed-use development.. This change will occur via a two-stage process commencing with a Master Plan followed up with a Ministerial Development Plan Amendment (DPA) to rezone the site. This site is a key site for the government to demonstrate the development of TODs and the key principles of sustainable development with higher densities. The key focus will be around the quality of the public realm as has been the experience of oversees examples

2. Lochiel Park
Lochiel Park is just 8 kilometres from the Adelaide Central Business District alongside the River Torrens in the suburb of Campbelltown. The site has been transformed from a former education institution to model green village incorporating a raft of best practice sustainable technologies. Lochiel Park will serve as a model for other urban developments and assist in educating the public and the property development industry about sustainable housing and land development. Lochiel Park’s Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) technologies include energy efficient building design, solar energy systems, a recycled water system and the effective management of waste to minimise the impact on the environment. With only 4.25 hectares of the 15 hectare site allocated for the residential component, over 10 hectares have now been incorporated as parklands and are protected by legislation against future development.

3. Campbelltown Food Trail / Eco tourism
While in the area the tour will explore the emerging theme trails and the new and different approaches and infrastructure required as regions develop their economic and employment bases. In Campbelltown the Food trail is gaining momentum and visitors and the Lochiel Park site is now gaining more visitors that are interested in eco development including international delegations

Tour 9. Water Management (Waterproofing the South)

The City of Onkaparinga is South Australia’s largest metro Council with a current population of 160,000 increasing by 40,000 over the next 15 years. Water Proofing the South is a localised integrated water resource management strategy based in the City. It seeks to provide ‘fit-for-purpose’ alternative water sources such as recycled water and stormwater for traditional sources such as mains water and groundwater so that overall water use in the region is sustainable; economically, environmentally and socially. Stage 1 consists of measures that will deliver 3800ML of agricultural, viticulture and urban reuse facilitated by the creation of 1.1GL of additional storage. This will be achieved through a number of projects concurrently being developed across the city, at a total cost of $180M. Water Proofing the South Stage 2 at a cost of $30M, focuses on the capture, storage, treatment and reuse of stormwater to service reuse opportunities through the creation of an integrated system of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR – formerly Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)) schemes across the City. The objective is to offset as much as possible of the City’s mains water demand with fit-for-purpose water. The technical tour will explore how wetlands are being created to catch and recharge aquifers and look at how stormwater is being used to water council reserves as well as the use of recycled water in the viticulture industry of McLaren Vale.

Tour 10. Community and Sports Hubs through to elite facility Hubs

This tour will encompass a tour of Adelaide Shores, a diverse 135Ha community and sporting hub, and an elite sporting hub incorporating AAMI stadium and the new West Lakes Rowing facility. On leaving lunch in Adelaide participants will head to West Lakes and AAMI stadium for a walk through tour of AAMI stadium home, of AFL in Adelaide as well as the Adelaide Crows. The tour will look at the elite training facilities of the Adelaide Crows, recognized as a leader in the provision of high technology training methods. (not always reflected in good on field performance!). As well as elite training facilities the facilities also provide major function venues and a commercial gym facility. Adjacent to AAMI stadium is a new international standard rowing facility. A brief overview on the facility while driving past will be provided.

Moving up the road the tour will then go to Adelaide Shores a state owned, self managed and funded, 135Ha Community and Sporting Hub located between the Adelaide Airport and the sea. Balancing commercial and community needs it provides a wide range of services and facilities including multi award winning caravan park, Resort, 2 golf courses, 2 driving ranges, function centre, mini golf, boating precinct with launch facilities, skate park, 1.2km of coast line and 19Ha of playing fields. It is home to a number of state organisations including Sport SA, Softball SA, SA Sea Rescue and Surf Lifesaving SA are about to develop their headquarters in the boating precinct. A recent strategic planning process and subsequent facility development plans could see as any as 20 state sporting and leisure bodies base their home, administrative and/or playing facilities, at Adelaide Shores.

As well as a site tour and discussion on how this diverse range of facilities and users are being better integrated information will be provided on:

environmental initiatives including mini wind farm trial, lessons learnt from a comprehensive energy audit, revegetation of the Patawalonga Creek and sand dunes and the proposed new sand pipeline that minimise need for truck carting of sand to stabilise the beach
the planning process - what worked and opportunities for improvement
future opportunities and getting the community involved
how events are used to help generate income and promotion for the business component of Adelaide Shores to offset the community obligations

Tour 11. Adelaide Park Lands Bike Tour

This tour provides those interested with the opportunity to take in the Adelaide Park Lands first hand on the Adelaide City Council highly successful Free Bike Service. The tour will take in new capital improvements, key features in the Park Lands like stadiums, regional facilities and new alternative water systems like the $70m Glenelg to Adelaide Park Lands Recycled Water Supply. During the tour the management of the Park Lands will be discussed the governance models in place and the Authority established between the state and Adelaide City Council to provide the strategic direction for the Park Lands. Along the way the extensive events program for the park lands will be discussed that on average return around $30m a year in economic return to the state through events like the Clipsal 500, Fringe Festival, Womad and Adelaide Festival.

Tour 12. Cycling, Bike Trails and their Management Issues

The area covered here seeks to explore the various cycling needs for a city.

Eagle Mountain Bike Park
The South Australian Government developed this Park with the valuable assistance of local councils, cycling organisations, mountain bike clubs, vegetation management groups and volunteers.

The Park provides a network of trails that cater for a variety of mountain bike disciplines and abilities.

Approximately 21 kms of cross country trails
A specifically designed downhill trail
A skills development park
A jumps park
A trials area

The Park provides an opportunity to showcase best practice in the design, construction and maintenance of sustainable recreation trails in varying soil types and vegetation conditions. The establishment of Eagle MTB Park also provides a strategic recreation and biodiversity link between Cleland Conservation Park and Brownhill Creek Recreation Park as part of the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) ‘Yurrebilla - Greater Mount Lofty Parklands’.

Commuter Cycling
This section will discuss the City of Adelaide’s cycling strategy and the growing commuter cycling needs of Adelaide as more people choose this sustainable and energy efficient form of transport. Discussed will be the challenges of this in regards to the different needs of commuter cyclists vs recreational cyclists and the different requirements they have. Investment is occurring in the Copenhagen style commuter cycle lanes and expansion of cycling networks have been a topic of discussion through the latest “Thinker in Residence” transport expert Fred Hanson form Portland Oregon, USA

Recreational Cycling
The Park Lands trail will also be covered that along with the Coast Park Trail, Tramway Park Trail and Torrens Linear Park Trail is becoming a iconic trail in its own right with a cycle trail that rings the Adelaide Parks lands and provided opportunities for both recreational and commuter cycles. The Park Lands trail will also be covered that along with the Coast Park Trail, Tramway Park Trail and Torrens Linear park Trail is becoming a iconic trail in its own right with a cycle trail that rings the Adelaide Parks lands and provided opportunities for both recreational and commuter cycles.

Tour 13. City Placemaking

This tour will look at the changing face of the City of Adelaide through the work on more integrated design and City Placemaking . The tour will cover areas such as the new master plan for Victoria Square the central heart of the city, the upgrades of the North Terrace, Adelaide's Premium Cultural Boulevard including water sensitive urban design , discuss other works such as the Rundle Lantern, Northern Lights and view the improvements and connection upgrades occurring in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, the Botanic Park , the Adelaide Zoo and the wider Adelaide Parklands. Whilst in the Botanic Gardens see the work occurring around the principles of Sustainable Landscapes through demonstration gardens and programs, spectacular horticulture displays and grand avenues of trees and reinvigorated facilities such as the Museum of Economic Botany- well worth a look. On this tour we will also take in the Torrens River and discuss the interface issues of it in relationship to the wider precincts it supports.

We will also take in the Adelaide Zoo and the extensive work undertaking in reorientation its entry , creating new facilities and accommodating its latest Panda guests. The zoo has extensive conservation programs surrounding animals as part of a worldwide program and supports local programs in the conservation of native wildlife along with the Dept for Environment and Heritage. The landscapes created, the interface with the adjacent Botanic Park and the new facilities created to further promote the engagement of people in the conservation of animals and habitat. This is a great opportunity to look behind the scenes look at the developing landscape characters that try to replicate natural habitats from around the world, talk to the designers and the managers of the spaces from an animal and vegetation point of view. The zoo is now a space in the public realm serving the community in other ways such as a meeting place, a café and hub for the Council’s Free City Bike service

Tour 14. Alternative Leisure Trends – the retail sector (retail therapy)

This tour will look at the Rundle Mall and Central Market as key attractions in the City of Adelaide and shopping as a leisure activity. As part of this tour you will here from those involved in the management of these centre’s, the research and the industry trends that drives this growing leisure trend. When in these locations you will experience some unique shopping experiences, the social interactions and vibrancy of these spaces and the public realm that supports these areas.

Rundle Mall
Many of the buildings lining the Mall date back to the 19th century. Before its inception as a car-free shopping strip. The Mall was the extension of Rundle Street and home to most of the city’s retailers and an overwhelming proportion of its motor and pedestrian traffic. In November 1972, the then Premier Don Dunstan initiated action to close part of Rundle Street. Ian Hannaford Architects were awarded the project and on 1 September 1976 Rundle Mall opened. The Mall measures 520 metres from the Pulteney Street end to King William Street and has over 700 retail stores, 350 offices and service businesses, 3 department stores, and 15 arcades and centres spanning out from its hub.

Central Market
The Central Market is the City of Adelaide's fresh food pantry. It buzzes with life and colour all year round. The market is a special place with plenty of regular customers who wouldn't shop anywhere else. The range of fresh food is extensive, and it's all under one roof...fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, seafood, gourmet cheeses, cakes and more. People love to return again and again for the delicious aromas, the vivid colours and the atmosphere of an international melting pot of cultures