In February 2022 we wrote to residents advising of the outcomes of consultation and the final steps for reimagining Chief Street, a future upgrade of the street between Port Road and Hawker Street.

In this update we provide further information on the final endorsed concept and proposed timeframes of construction.

Based on commuity feedback and a technical review, we recommended that Council adopt Option 1 with modifications to provide:

• a footpath adjacent a bicycle path (instead of a shared use path) to reduce pedestrian-cyclist conflict
• parking on the eastern side

Key features of this design are:

• Undergrounding of power lines (PLEC application has been submitted with a favourable preliminary response).
• 2m width footpaths on both sides.
• 2.5m wide bicycle path adjacent the footpath on the eastern side.
• On-street parking between tree beds on the western side (in approximate location of existing parking area).
• On-street parking adjacent the bicycle path on the eastern side.
• 6m wide vehicle carriageway located further east than the existing vehicle carriageway.
• Verge planting around street trees.
• Additional pedestrian crossing points
• Raised platform and pedestrian crossing at Ethelbert Square
• Raised wombat crossings at side roads
• Rest areas at various locations along the street.
• Public art and heritage interpretation at key points of interest.

The Final Master Plan, consisting of the modified Option 1 (off-road bike path on eastern side), was presented at the Asset Management Committee meeting on 21 March 2022. At that meeting the Committee endorsed the final Chief Street Integrated Streetscape Project Master Plan for the future streetscape upgrade of Chief Street between Port Road and Hawker Street.

The final concept plan endorsed for detailed design can be viewed here.

Finalise Streetscape Design Ongoing to Late 2023

Detailed Design and Construction next steps

We have been progressing the detailed engineering design for the Chief Street project and have been working with SA Power Network (SAPN) representatives to enable the undergrounding of powerlines to commence after July 2023.

Residents that are impacted by the undergrounding of powerlines on Chief Street will be directly notified by SAPN at the time that they commence their works.

During the undergrounding of powerlines, we will continue to finalise the design for the roadway and will provide an update to the local community on the reconstruction and upgrade of the road towards the end of this financial year.

Undergrounding of Powerlines Before 2024

At the Asset Management Committee meeting on 21 March 2022 the Committee endorsed a recommendation that staff continue negotiations with the Powerline Environment Committee (PLEC) to have the power lines placed underground as part of the project and a further report be provided to Council detailing the outcomes of detailed design and negotiations between staff and PLEC.

We have been working with the PLEC to fund undergrounding of power. In October 2022 were successful in obtaining funding to underground powerlines for Chief Street between the railway underpass to south of Ethelbert Square. We are continuing to work with PLEC and expect to also be successful in obtaining funding to underground powerlines for Chief Street between Ethelbert Square and Hawker Street later this calendar year.

Construction to Occur 2025/26

Former Gas Works Site & Streetscape Construction
The former gasworks site, adjacent Chief Street, is currently undergoing soil remediation works which is anticipated to have timing impacts to the civil construction of Chief Street.

To avoid any potential conflicts with the gasworks site and our streetscape upgrade, construction has now been programmed for the 2025/26 financial year.

Further information about our construction timing will be provided closer to the time we commence.