Chapter 8
Pirltawardli (Park 1)
Pirltawardli (Park 1)
Introduction
1.0 Directions
1.1 Desired Future Character Statement
1.2 Challenges and Opportunities
1.3 Management Directions
2.0
Background
2.1
Heritage
2.1.1 Kaurna Heritage
2.1.2 Kaurna Naming
2.1.3 European Significance
2.1.4 Heritage Listing
2.2 Landscape
2.3 Recreation
Lease and Licence Areas Map
2.4 Natural Systems
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Introduction: The Community Land Management Plan
This document is Chapter 8 of the Community Land Management Plan for the Park Lands (the CLMP). It should be
read together with Chapter 1, which is the CLMP Framework. Chapter 1 explains the requirements for the CLMP, the
legislative and planning context, the CLMP Statutory Principles, and the CLMP Framework.
The key to each Chapter is the Management Directions which represent the application of existing strategies and
policies in each Park area.
1.0 Directions for Pirltawardli (Park 1)
1.1
Desired Future Character Statement
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1.2
Meet the golfing and other sporting and recreation needs of the community in attractive, wide open
spaces surrounded by large shady trees and dense understorey vegetation within a diverse landscape
character.
Challenges and Opportunities
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Contributing to the open space needs and expectations of growing residential communities.
Appropriately recognising and interpreting significant Kaurna and European histories.
Improving the management of the Torrens River/Karrawirra Pari, creek and drainage lines.
Improving the biodiversity values of the Parks whilst ensuring they remain safe for users and maintain
important views and vistas across the Adelaide Plains.
Ensuring historic tree avenues and boulevards are conserved or gradually replanted as required.
Meeting demand for improved pedestrian and cyclist access for recreation and commuter purposes.
Improving golf participation levels.
Ensuring sustainable water use.
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DESIRED FUTURE CHARACTER
1.3
Management Directions
Meet the golfing and other sporting and recreation needs of the community in attractive, wide open spaces surrounded by large shady
trees and dense understorey vegetation within a diverse landscape
1.3.1 Enable appropriate activities and events in the Park. (RS2 & 6)
1.3.11 Explore opportunities to naturalise the drainage line along Park Terrace to improve
safety and appearance (NS4, NS5, NS8).
1.3.2 Conserve, enhance and interpret the identified cultural heritage landscape and its
contributory features such as exotic species, avenues and corridors (HS3 & 4) (see 2.1.3 for
more detail):
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7.
1.3.12 Continue to support the restoration and rehabilitation of the River Torrens/Karrawirra
Parri through revegetation of riparian areas with appropriate species and other measures to
improve water quality and mimic a more natural runoff regime (NS7).
Moreton Bay fig avenues
Oriental Plane avenue to the golf course clubhouse
Italian poplar avenues
Strangways Terrace olive grove dating from 1870s
Lemon-scented gum grove
North Course iron barks
Golf course use and layout
1.3.13 Explore opportunities to upgrade riverbank and the creation of attractions that support
activity between Bonython Park and the Zoo (R71.3.10).
1.3.14 Maintain and enhance views and vistas to the skyline and the Adelaide Hills through
carefully planned tree planting and spatial arrangements to reinforce the open and expansive
character of the Open Woodland/Sports Zone (LS9). Views illustrated as:
1.3.3 Retain, conserve and pursue Local Heritage Listing of:
1.3.15 Continue to protect and manage the Biodiversity Revegetation Sites (yellow areas).
8. Pirltawardli Aboriginal area colonial store and signal station site archaeological and
memorial
9. Mills Terrace tennis court
10. Strangways Terrace fence posts.
Using the Remnant Vegetation Sites as core areas, seek opportunities to achieve additional
biodiversity outcomes in the broader area (blue areas). Biodiversity Revegetation Sites and Key
Biodiversity Areas shown as:
1.3.4 Manage the following State Heritage Places in recognition of their status:
1.3.16 Look for opportunities to improve the condition of some poor quality remnant
vegetation which is present in this Park (orange areas). Poor Quality Remnant Vegetation
Areas shown as:
11. Torrens Weir (weir no. 1)
12. North Adelaide Railway Station
13. Railway Bridge over River Torrens.
1.3.5 Retain existing spatial layout and pathway alignments which are part of the cultural
heritage values of the Parks.
1.3.17 Manage car parking availability for park visitors including users of golf courses, tennis
facilities and the North Adelaide Railway Station. (PLP14)
1.3.6 Strengthen the outer and City edges of the parks through large tree species plantings
and retain and strengthen distinctive mature tree species through succession planting to
enhance the Park’s character consistent with the Structured Parkland / Sports Zone and
manage landscape consistent with the planting directions in 2.2 below. See 2.2 below re
planting directions. (L13)
1.3.18 Support the progressive upgrade and increased usage of the North Adelaide Golf Links
golf courses, clubhouse and supporting facilities to improve their viability and use, and
broadening of opportunities for social activity and other sporting activities. (RP16)
1.3.19 Maximise programmed usage of tennis courts on Mills Terrace and War Memorial Drive
and foster community access (MP2).
1.3.7 Introduce substantial local provenance and exotic species plantings along the golf
course fairways to strengthen and enhance the appearance and vistas as part of the Million
Trees Program.
1.3.20 Support opportunites to improve existing commercial services (restaurant/café/kiosk)
as well as new services to better utilise the North Adelaide Railway Station. (MP2, HS3)
1.3.8 Complete and manage Park Lands Trail and other paths for the use of residents and
visitors, and, where appropriate, completing the Trail (including supporting facilities),
upgrading existing and constructing new paths and linking with City and suburban walking
and cycle networks (R10, R11, R22).
1.3.21 Support rationalistion of buildings and upgrade of regional sports areas. (MP4.3 and
R17)
1.3.22 Permit leases and licences as described in 2.3 below.
Park Lands Trail shown as:
River Torrens Linear Path shown as:
References to Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy:
1.3.9 Lighting should support the safe movement of pedestrians throughout the Park. (R9)
R
H
L
NS
P
1.3.10 Ensure that CPTED principles are taken into consideration, whereby sightlines are
supported through vegetation management. (R9)
Pirltawardli (Park 1)
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Recreation
Heritage
Landscape
Natural Systems
Project
PLP - Park Lands Priority
S - Strategy
MP - Management Principles and Strategies
2 - Number refers to relevant strategy or principle
Example: H.S.3&4 refers to Heritage Strategies 3 & 4
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2.0
Background
Pirltawardli (Park 1) is a valued key regional park predominantly serving golf enthusiasts from all
over metropolitan Adelaide. A majority of the Park is set aside as golf courses. There are two
full-size, 18-hole golf courses (referred to as ‘North Course’ and ‘South Course’) and a smaller
18-hole Par 3 course which straddles the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri.
Pirltawardli (Park 1) features examples of remnant vegetation as well as a number of significant
and attractive vegetation features including avenues and groves of vegetation, and the River
Torrens. In addition, the Park contains areas of Kaurna and European cultural and historical
significance such as the original Aboriginal Location site together with the site of the first
Colonial Store, and the State Heritage-listed North Adelaide Railway Station, Torrens Weir and
Railway Bridge.
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2.1
Heritage
2.1.1
Kaurna significance:
The Adelaide Park Lands are part of the Red Kangaroo Dreaming place, an important place for the
Kaurna people long before Adelaide was established. There are considerable references to Kaurna
sites or activities, pre-contact and post-contact for this Park. Pirltawardli (Park 1) has indigenous
significance as one of the many parks which comprise the Park Lands as a place where the Kaurna
people lived.
Pirltawardli (Park 1) is considered an important Kaurna and indigenous contemporary significant
place because it played a central role in the history of South Australian race relations, it is also of
importance for all South Australians’1. The stretch of river between Pirltawardli (Park 1) and Tulya
Wodli / Bonython Park is culturally significant to the Kaurna people in terms of their cultural beliefs.
In particular, a location called Pirltawardli, the first ‘Native Location’ or ‘Aboriginal Location’ was
formally established and intended by colonel governments to concentrate local aboriginals in one
place and provide education. This location has strong cultural values to the Kaurna and South
Australian Aboriginal communities as well as a role in the state’s early development. Over time, the
location grew to include an indigenous school, stores and various housing ‘sheds’. The first Colonial
Store was erected on the upper reaches of the present Golf Course where European food and
manufactured goods were sold and where Kaurna and European ‘offenders’ were executed by
hanging in the 1840s.
The post-contact Aboriginal associations as to this Park are significant. During the development of
the Par-3 golf course oral advice recorded evidence of bones and building materials being
uncovered, and renovations to the ground surface of the golf course have disguised the site of the
Store. Both sites would contain archaeological evidence, and cultural meanings and significance to
the Aboriginal and Kaurna communities.
2.1.2
Kaurna Naming:
As part of the Adelaide City Council’s commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal communities,
places within the City have been given Kaurna names.
Park 1 is known as “Pirltawardli” which loosely translates as ‘possum place’.
2.1.3
European significance:
Pirltawardli (Park 1) retains its overall shape and form as devised by Colonel William Light, and has
evidence of substantial tree planting consistent with the spatial and species intent of John Ednie
Brown2, and August Pelzer3, such as pathway alignments and species plantings. Over the years, the
1 Hemming, S. and Harris R. 1998, Tarndanyungga Kaurna Yerta: A Report on the Indigenous Significance of the Adelaide Parklands,
Unpublished Report prepared for the Adelaide City Council, Adelaide.
2 John
Ednie Brown, Council’s Supervisor of the Plantations, engaged to prepare a Report on a System of Planting the
Adelaide Park Lands (1880)
3 August Pelzer, City Gardener 1899-1934
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Park has been transformed from agistment, stone excavation and rubbish dumping purposes into a
number of golf courses.
The “Pirltawardli Precinct” consists of the original Aboriginal Location site together with the site of
the first Colonial Store. These archaeological sites were important post-contact sites. The first
Colonial Store was erected on the upper reaches of the present Golf Course below Strangways
Terrace. This was a regular venue for interchanges between colonialists and Indigenous people.
Already the site of hangings for Europeans, it soon became the place for regular hangings of
indigenous men, as well, reinforcing the dominance of the colonialists over indigenous peoples. An
archaeological site, it is marked by the Pirltawardli memorial near the Par-3 golf course.
The use and layout of the two main golf courses, and the southern course, in particular, which dates
from 1899, is significant, with an extension to create the northern course in the 1940s and the small
Par-3 course added near the weir in the 1960s.
Plantings of Cultural Significance
There are many additional (individual) trees of merit identified in the (Dr David Jones) Cultural
Landscape Assessment Study (2007) however, only the avenues and boulevards of trees are
identified in this Plan. The avenues and boulevards include:
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Upper Carriage Drive - A sweeping tree-lined carriage drive created in the 1880s that is strongly
edged by principally a single line of Moreton Bay Fig trees, but occasionally parallel plantings at
the foot of the North Adelaide plateau escarpment. Dispersed within the circuitous corridor are
a range of period plantings dating back from 1875-1900
Oriental Plane (Platanus orientalis) corridor – a group of 12 Oriental Planes on the southern
alignment of Hill Street (north-east of Golf Clubhouse)
Montefiore Hill Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla) – a group planting of 4 trees opposite
Carclew on Jeffcott Street.
Montefiore Drive Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) Plantation – prominent corridor
planted along edge of Montefiore Drive in the 1970s.
Italian Poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’) lines of trees – double line of Poplars running from southeast corner of Park up to the Clubhouse.
Angophora (Angophora costata) grove – a grove of 7 healthy and mature Angophora trees
located in the middle of White Poplar tree lines.
Italian Poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’) avenue – located through middle of southern Golf course
Montefiore Hill False Acacia (Robina pseudoacacia) grove: a grove of five False Acacias on the
north-western corner of Montefiore Hill.
War Memorial Drive (middle and middle west) Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla) grove.
Additional individual specimens line the Drive.
War Memorial Drive (middle) Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) grove – a grove of 7
specimens.
War Memorial Drive Hackberrys (Celtis occidentalis) – a broken single line of specimens.
False Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) - a line of 5 elderly trees north-west of the Clubhouse.
Strangways Terrace Olive (Olea europaea) grove – small olive grove dating back to 1870s.
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Lemon-scented Gum (Corymbia Citriodora) grove – 14 specimens located between two golf
greens.
Prickly Tea Tree (Melaleuca styphelioides) grove – eight mature specimens planted in 1970s.
Swamp She-Oak (Allocasuarina glauca) grove – eight healthy swamp specimens.
North Course Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) – plantation of 11 health specimens in an east-west axis.
Jeffcott Street Stone Pines (Pinus pinea) – a line of stone pines on western Flank of Jeffcott
Street.
Jeffcott Street Woodland – dominated by Sugar Gums and River Red Gums.
Mills Terrace Canary Island Pines (Pinus canariensis) – pines flank Mills Terrace.
North Course Ironbarks (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) – line of 25 Ironbarks separating fairways.
Aloe (Aloe pluridens) clump - located adjacent to the Riverside Rowing Clubhouse.
2.1.4
Heritage Listing:
Pirltawardli (Park 1) is part of the Adelaide Park Lands and City Layout which are on the National
Heritage List. See Part 1, at 1.3.1 in the CLMP Planning Framework, for further information. This
Park contains State heritage places and important Kaurna and European archaeological features
which are identified in the Adelaide (City) Development Plan.
The following places are listed on the South Australian Heritage Register:
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Torrens Weir (weir no. 1) - an imposing concrete sluice gate structure constructed in 1929.
The North Adelaide Railway Station - constructed in 1857 and one of the earliest railway stations
in the State; and
The Railway Bridge over the River Torrens (metal truss) - dating from 1955 over the River
Torrens/Karrawirra Parri.
While not listed as heritage places, the golf course clubhouse is in the Georgian revival style with
terracotta roofing dating from the 1920s. The 1960s weir restaurant structure is of architectural
merit and a landmark building in its location.
2.2
Landscape
The Adelaide Park Lands Landscape Master Plan identifies four landscape zones in the Park Lands –
Pirltawardli (Park 1) is predominantly located within the Structured Park Land / Sports Zone
characterised by its structured character transitioning between the informality of open woodland to
the formality of abutting urban parks. Its vision is:
“A transition landscape between the Torrens River and North Adelaide, this zone has long vistas
across the open playing fields and fairways. A mix of native and exotic trees and mown green turf
provides an ordered structure to the landscape”.
The southern portion of the Park is located in the Civic, Cultural and Urban Parks Zone characterised
by structured and intensively-used Parks. Its vision is:
“This zone, building on the Torrens River and the array of cultural and tourist activities along the
northern edge of the city, is the major destination within Adelaide for local residents and visitors
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alike. Urban gardens and plazas, waterside parks and intensively used recreation hubs and event
spaces create a unique sequence of parks which are a defining feature of the city and its lifestyle”.
These zones build on the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri and the array of cultural and tourist
activities along the northern edge of the city and is a major destination for local residents and
visitors. The North Adelaide Golf Links, tennis courts, linear trail and waterside parks create a unique
sequence of parks which are a defining feature of the City and its lifestyle.
Generally, plantings comprise a mix of large exotic and native trees that create continuous
perimeters to sports fields and fairways, and establish avenues along dissecting roadways and paths.
Important supporting material to the development of the CLMP is the Adelaide Park Lands and
Squares Cultural Landscape Assessment Study October 2007 by Dr David Jones which provides
detailed information about the cultural landscape features of Pirltawardli (Park 1).
Key planting directions from the Adelaide Park Lands Landscape Master Plan: Structured Park Land /
Sports Zone and Civic, Cultural and Urban Parks Zone are:
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2.3
Rationalise plantings utilising large exotic and native trees to create continuous perimeters to
sports fields and fairways, and establish avenues along dissecting roadways and paths to
achieve a height which is in scale with adjacent open grassed areas.
Enhance vistas to and from North Adelaide and the CBD and the Torrens River through framing
with new tree planting.
Reinforce tree planting in North Adelaide Golf Links and its park frontage to residential areas in
North Adelaide to reflect a ‘structured’ Park Land character.
Mix exotic and native species to provide spatial definition, shade and wind protection for
adjacent spaces.
Characterise the existing planting structure with a strong delineation between mown exotic
grass and adjacent enclosing tree plantings.
Utilise limited understorey planting to define and soften spaces. Use low plantings to reinforce
walkway edges and avenue plantings.
Grass or terrace slopes along the River and in other areas, use terraced gardens to showcase
low water-use vegetation which add colour and texture to the park environment.
Conserve and enhance biodiversity areas within the zone including key remnant vegetation sites
and support the Million Trees Program.
Recreation
Pirltawardli (Park 1) makes an important contribution to the recreation facilities of Zone 2, the
Structures Parkland / Sports Zone indicated by the Adelaide Park Lands Landscape Master Plan. This
is primarily facilitated by the Council-managed North Adelaide Golf Links – North Course, South
Course and Par 3 Course. Golf SA is the State’s peak golfing body which operates from the
Clubhouse and facilitates educational and administrative operations consistent with the Active City
Policy.
Rowing on the Torrens Lake is a significant recreational activity in this Park.
In addition, Tennis SA leases courts in the south of the Park which are a popular facility.
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There are a number of leases and licences within the Park shown on the map below.
Use of recycled water in recreational areas is encouraged.
Lease and Licence Areas Map
1
6
5
2
3
4
7
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Legend:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
North course
South course and Golf Clubhouse (includes lease of part of the building to Golf SA (golfing peak body for the State))
Par 3 course
Two restaurants in the Torrens Weir building (as well as Par 3 kiosk operated by the Golf course)
Mills Terrace community tennis courts
North Adelaide Railway Station (subject to a commercial lease)
Licensed Tennis Courts
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There are opportunities for increased use of existing facilities by other users outside of licensees’
hours of use.
This park is not an important event park, however there are opportunities for golf-related and other
events.
2.4
Natural Systems
The Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy (APLMS) Landscape Character map (page 22 & 30)
identifies biodiversity conservation areas (of importance) primarily along the banks of the River
Torrens/Karrawirra Parri.
The Biodiversity and Water Quality Action Plan 2011-2016 has been adopted by Council and
represents the additional research conducted in the development of the ‘key biodiversity areas’
within Pirltawardli (Park 1). Refer to the map in Section 1.3 for information regarding the location of
‘key biodiversity areas’ in Pirltawardli (Park 1).
Pirltawardli (Park 1) contains isolated examples of rare remnant vegetation. Irrigated fairways and
greens have been systematically planted in Pirltawardli (Park 1) with non-indigenous trees and
shrubs, mainly Western and Eastern Australian species.
Prior to European settlement, the indigenous landscape of the area would have been characterised
by River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and SA Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) woodland in
the southern section of the Park and Mallee Box (Eucalyptus porosa) Woodland in the northern
section of the Park.
Some remnant vegetation of the original woodlands are scattered throughout the Park including
spear grasses (Austrostipa sp.) and wallaby grasses (Austrodanthonia sp.). There are opportunities to
look at improving their condition. A portion of the northern bank of the River bordering the Golf
Links, near the intersection of War Memorial Drive and Montefiore Road has good stands of
remnant Narrow-leaf Bulrush (Typha domingensis), Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Large
Bindweed (Calystegia sepium).
The River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri is a key natural feature of the northern part of Tulya Wodli (Park
27). It is the most significant watercourse in Adelaide and the only watercourse through the area.
The River offers an important riparian environment for flora and fauna and is of aesthetic
significance that provides recreational opportunities. In more recent times, attempts have been
made to improve water quality in the River Torrens/ Karrawirra Parri through the introduction of
macrophytes.
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Relevant Links:
Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/environment/plans-and-policies/park-lands-managementstrategy.html
Cultural Landscape Study
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/environment/park-lands/park-lands-heritage/culturallandscape-study.html
Landscape Master Plan
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/assets/acc/Council/policies/docs/111107%20Parklands%20MP
%20Report_.pdf
Kaurna naming
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/environment/park-lands/park-lands-heritage.html
Cultural Landscape Study - general
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/environment/park-lands/park-lands-heritage/culturallandscape-study.html
Cultural Landscape Study – Reports and Assessments on Tuttangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18)
and Pityarrilla (Park 19)
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/environment/park-lands/heritage1/cultural-landscape-study/
Adelaide City Council Biodiversity and Water Quality Action Plan
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/environment/biodiversity.html
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