Chapter 2
Tuthangga (Park 17)
Wita Wirra (Park 18)
Pityarilla (Park 19)
1
Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18) & Pityarilla (Park 19)
Introduction
1.0
Directions
1.1
1.2
1.3
2.0
Desired Future Character Statement
Challenges
Management Directions
Background
2.1
Heritage
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
Kaurna Heritage
Kaurna Naming
European Significance
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 2 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.
Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18) & Pityarilla (Park 19) are grouped together in this chapter
because of similarities in landscape character and use. The key to each Chapter is the Management
Directions which represent the application of existing strategies and policies in each Park area.
1.0
1.1
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1.2
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Directions for Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra
(Park 18) and Pityarilla (Park 19)
Desired Future Character Statement
Meet the sporting and recreation needs of the community in attractive, wide open spaces
surrounded by large shady trees within an open woodland character and maintain the interesting
contrasts of Himeji and Osmond Gardens within these parks.
Challenges and Opportunities
Managing the Parks’ competing uses and activities, including various licence-holders, while
preserving its cultural landscape character.
Contributing to the open space and recreational needs of the growing residential communities of the
City of Adelaide, Burnside and Unley (particularly along South Terrace and Greenhill Road).
Improving the management of creek lines and drainage channels.
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.
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1.3
Management Directions
1.3.1 Enable appropriate activities and events
in the Parks. (RS2 & 6)
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) including:
DESIRED FUTURE CHARACTER
‘Meet the sporting and recreation needs of the community in attractive, wide open spaces surrounded by large shady trees within an open woodland
character and maintain the interesting contrasts of Himeji and Osmond Gardens within these parks.’
1.3.11 Maximise programmed usage of the netball
and tennis courts and foster community access.
1. Sugar Gum Avenue – Ponder Avenue
1.3.3 Retain, conserve and pursue Local
Heritage listing of:
2. Former Glenelg Reservoir and fencing
3. Elm Avenue Carriageway
4. Tuttangga Benchmark
5. Osmond Gardens
6. Himeji Gardens
1.3.4 Retain existing spatial layout and pathway
alignments which are part of the cultural
heritage values of the Parks.
1.3.12 Restore and interpret the Elm Avenue
Carriageway plantings in Tuthangga (Park 17) and
develop a secondary trail for walking, cycling &
other recreational purposes through the
carriageway and picnic areas. (R11)
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4
2
6
1.3.14 Using Remnant Vegetation sites as core
areas, seek opportunities to achieve additional
biodiversity outcomes in the broader area. (NS3 &
4) Key Biodiversity areas shown as:
3
1
1.3.15 Manage Osmond Gardens and Himeji
Gardens as significant public attractions in Wita
Wirra (Park 18) and continue to review and upgrade
as necessary consistent with 1.3.3.
1
1.3.6 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). Park Lands Trail shown as:
3
1.3.16 Manage car parking availability for park
visitors, in particular focusing on Beaumont Rd and
the SA Croquet Association car park. (PLP14)
1.3.17 Explore opportunities to naturalise the
drainage line along Glen Osmond Road whilst
retaining important historic features.
1.3.18 Manage drainage lines to accommodate
stormwater management and temporary detention
of overflow.
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1
Priority Park Lands Paths for upgrade shown as:
1.3.19 Improve the long-term management of
creek and drainage lines by removing weeds,
considering opportunities to pare back creek banks
and reintroduce native vegetation. (NS4)
1.3.7 Lighting should support the safe
movement of pedestrians throughout the Park.
(R9)
1.3.9 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:
1.3.13 Manage with biodiversity conservation as
the primary objective. Remnant Vegetation Sites
shown as:
3
1.3.5 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 open woodland character consistent
with the Open Woodland/Sports Zone and
manage landscape consistent with the planting
directions in 2.2 below. See 2.2 below re
planting directions. (L13)
1.3.8 Ensure that CPTED principles are taken
into consideration, whereby sightlines are
supported through vegetation management.
(R9)
1.3.10 Permit leases and licences as shown on
Lease and Licence Areas Map 2.3 and in
accordance with Chapter One.
1.3.20 Manage Marshmallow Park including the
children’s play space and adjoining picnic and
community sports facilities as a major regional
activity hub for informal recreation.
Pityarilla (Park 19)
Wita Wirra (Park 18)
References to Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy:
R - Recreation
PLP - Park Lands Priority
H - Heritage
S - Strategy
L - Landscape
MP - Management Principles and Strategies
NS - Natural Systems
2 - Number refers to relevant strategy or principle
Example: HS3&4 refers to Heritage Strategies 3 & 4
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Tuthangga (Park 17)
1.3.21 Explore opportunities to develop a smallscale commercial service (e.g. cafe/kiosk) to
complement current activities and uses in parks.
(MP2)
1.3.22 Support rationalistion of buildings and
upgrade of regional sports areas. (MP4.3 and R17)
1.3.23 Plan for the needs of residents of Unley and
Adelaide City Councils and pursue convenient and
safe access across adjoining main roads (Greenhill
Rd).
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2.0
Background
Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18), Pityarilla (Park 19) all comprise part of the South
Park Lands. The Adelaide Park Lands Landscape Master Plan identifies four landscape zones in
the Park Lands - Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18) and Pityarilla (Park 19) are within the
Open Woodland/Sports Zone characterised by large open grassed spaces semi-enclosed by
predominantly native groves of trees, the open spaces generally used for sporting activities.
Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18), Pityarilla (Park 19) serve as a recreation precinct for
a number of licence holders as well as serving the community through provision of facilities
including sports fields, tennis courts, netball courts and a playground.
The Adelaide Himeji Garden and Osmond Gardens are key attractions to Wita Wirra (Park 18).
The gardens are regularly used for formal occasions including weddings and are regularly visited
by the public.
Tuthangga (Park 17) contains several historic features of particular significance including the
Elm Avenue Carriageway and the raised embankment of the former E&WS reservoir.
Isolated examples of remnant vegetation are scattered around the edges and within the Park.
Numerous sites have been restored with native vegetation including a substantial Bush For Life
site in Tuthangga (Park 17).
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2.1
Heritage
2.1.1
Kaurna significance:
There are no specific references to Kaurna sites or activities, pre-contact or post-contact for
Tuthangga (Park 17) or Wita Wirra (Park 18)1. However, there are general references that point to
the regular use of the South Park Lands as a camping venue.
Pityarilla (Park 19) has indigenous significance as one of the many parks which comprise the Park
Lands as a place where the Kaurna people lived and as a symbol of dispossession.
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 17 is known as “Tuthangga” which loosely translates as ‘grass place’. This Park was so named
because of the continuing presence of remnant native grasses.
Park 18 is known as “Wita Wirra” which means ‘peppermint tree grove’. Wita Wirra is derived from
‘wita‘ peppermint tree and ‘wirra’ forest.
Park 19 is known as “Pityarilla” which means ‘marshmallow root place’. The marshmallow plant was
known to the Kaurna people as ngunna and its roots, which they ate, as pityarra. It is likely that this
plant is Lavatera plebia. The stem is very stringy and could be used to make twine or string.
2.1.3
European significance:
Tuthangga (Park 17) retains its overall shape and form as devised by Colonel William Light, and has
evidence of substantial tree planting that accords with the spatial and species intent of John Ednie
Brown2, and August Pelzer3, such as pathway alignments and species plantings including the central
English Elm (Ulmus procera) Carriageway avenue. The Park hosts several contemporary facilities
that have partially compromised the original intent but provide additional cultural and social
significance to the place.
The Park has important cultural landscape elements and sites including the historic English Elm
Carriageway, a Desert Ash Avenue and the E&WS reservoir mound.
1
Tarndanyungga Kaurna Yerta – A 1998 Report on the Indigenous Cultural Significance of the Adelaide Park Lands.
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
2 John
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Tuthangga (Park 17) has vegetation and elements of merit including:

English Elm (Ulmus procera) carriage-drive Avenue that arcs through the Park from Hutt St to
Beaumont Rd
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Desert Ash (Fraxinus augustifolia ssp oxycarpa) pedestrian avenue that diagonally transects the
Park
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Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon ) Grove, located in the north-western flank of the Park
between the English Elm (Ulmus procera) carriage-drive Avenue and the Desert Ash (Fraxinus
oxycapa) pedestrian Avenue
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Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) Grove, located to the eastern side of the Hutt Street sporting
pavilion
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Park Lands Creek which provides a focal feature
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The raised embankment of the former (E&WS) reservoir provides an interesting topographical
feature (refer to 1.3).
There are additional (individual) trees of merit identified in the (Dr David Jones) Cultural Landscape
Assessment Study (2007) for Tuthangga (Park 17) however, only the avenues and boulevards of trees
are identified in this Plan.
Wita Wirra (Park 18) retains its overall shape and form as devised by Colonel William Light, and has
evidence of substantial tree planting that accords with the spatial intent of John Ednie Brown² and
August Pelzer³. Perimeter pathways and some sweeping paths have been constructed and planted.
Perimeter plantings appear to have been spatially laid out faithfully including a large mass planting in
the southern corner of the Park around the creek.
The introduction of Osmond Gardens (officially declared by Council in 1907) substantially changed
the character of the Park enabling a formal gardenesque landscape (introduced by Pelzer) in the
north-western corner. Introduced sporting facilities appear to have minimally altered the spatial
configuration proposed by Brown. The Park also contains an important representative of Japanese
Garden design principles and styles in Himeji Garden which was opened in 1985 to commemorate
Adelaide and the Japanese city of Himeji becoming ‘sister cities’ in 1982.
Wita Wirra (Park 18) has vegetation and natural elements of merit including:
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Sugar Gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) located on the north-eastern and south-western flanks of
Glen Osmond Road planted in 1913-1915 and on the corner of Greenhill and Unley Roads
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English Elms (Ulmus procera) on the south side of South Terrace
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Osmond Gardens contains a range of important exotic and native plant and tree species
including a Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera), Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus), Fan Palms
(Licuala ramsayi) and River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
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Himeji Garden plant assemblage contains a collection of groundcovers, lower-storey, middlestorey and support storey trees, flowering shrubs and grasses.
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Park Lands Creek which provides an interesting internal feature.
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There are additional (individual) trees of merit identified in the (Dr David Jones) Cultural Landscape
Assessment Study (2007) for Wita Wirra (Park 18) however, only the avenues and boulevards of
trees are identified in this Plan.
Pityarilla (Park 19) retains its overall shape and form as devised by Light, and has evidence of
substantial tree plantings that accord with the spatial intent of John Ednie Brown² and August
Pelzer³. Perimeter pathways and some sweeping paths have been constructed and planted.
Perimeter planting appears to have been spatially laid out faithfully including a large mass planting in
the southern corner of the Park and around the creek.
Introduced sporting facilities appear to have minimally altered the spatial configuration proposed by
Brown. The Park’s significance is in its contribution to the overall plan by Light and Brown’s Report.
Pityarilla (Park 19) has vegetation and natural elements of merit including:
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Desert Ash (Fraxinus augustifolia ssp oxycarpa) pedestrian Avenue developed in 1920-1930
extending from Greenhill Road to corner of Unley Road and South Terrace
English Elm (Ulmus procera) pedestrian Avenue running along Greenhill Road to Unley Road
and along South Terrace
Sugar Gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) boulevard lining the edge of Glen Osmond Road and corner
of Greenhill and Unley Roads
River Red Gum (Eucalyptus Camaldulensis) line of trees along the northern portion of Unley
Road
Hutt Street English Elm (Ulmus procera) Avenue (now being replanted with Corymbia maculata
due to lack of irrigation) located at the south-eastern edge of the Hutt Street-scape
There are additional (individual) trees of merit identified in the (Dr David Jones) Cultural Landscape
Assessment Study (2007) for Pityarilla (Park 19) however, only the avenues and boulevards of trees
are identified in this Plan.
2.1.4
Heritage Listing:
Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18) and Pityarilla (Park 19) are part of the Adelaide Park Lands
and City Layout which are on the National Heritage List. See Part 1, in the CLMP Planning
Framework, at 1.3.1 for further information. These Parks contain no State or Local heritage places
that are identified in the Adelaide (City) Development Plan.
2.2
Landscape
The Adelaide Park Lands Landscape Master Plan identifies four landscape zones in the Park Lands.
Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18), Pityarilla (Park 19) are located within the Open
Woodland/Sports zone characterised by large open grassed spaces semi-enclosed by predominantly
native groves of trees, the open spaces generally used for sporting activities.
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
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detailed information about the cultural landscape features of Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park
18) and Pityarilla (Park 19).
Key planting directions from the Adelaide Park Lands Landscape Master Plan: Open
Woodland/Sports Zone are:
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2.3
Restore and reinforce an open woodland character generally across the Zone
Dominant tree species should be native/indigenous, informally planted, and interspersed with
open grassland
Increase tree planting where spatial structure of open spaces needs enhancement
Limit understorey planting to areas that screen out unwanted elements such as vehicular traffic,
and areas where natural landscapes for increased biodiversity are proposed, balanced with the
general ‘open’ character of this zone, providing long views where appropriate
Plant exotic grasslands for sports fields and active recreation, and native grasslands in other
areas to reinforce the natural character
Retain exotic species around designated facilities and gardens and in culturally significant
avenues
Conserve and enhance areas of high biodiversity particularly key remnant vegetation sites
Allow for food-bearing plants in suitable locations.
Recreation
Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18) and Pityarilla (Park 19) make an important contribution to
the recreation facilities of Zone 1, the Open Woodland/Sports Zone indicated by the
Adelaide Park Lands Landscape Master Plan. These include a number of licensed sporting facilities
(shown on the Lease and Licence Areas Map below), including:

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Tennis courts, croquet lawns and sports fields used mainly for touch football and cricket in
Tuthangga (Park 17)
Soccer fields in Wita Wirra (Park 18)
Tennis courts, netball courts and soccer fields in Pityarilla (Park 19)
Existing facilities are available for use by other users outside of licensees’ hours of use.
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Lease and Licence Areas Map
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1
2
13
8
12
7
6
5
11
4
3
10
9 January 2012
Legend
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
2.4
South Terrace Croquet Club
SA Dog Obedience Club Inc
Sports field
Sports field
Sports field
Sports field
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
SA Croquet Association Clubrooms
Tennis courts
Sports field
Sports field
Sports field
Sports field
Unlicensed tennis courts
Natural Systems
Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18) & Pityarilla (Park 19) contain isolated examples of rare
remnant vegetation. The Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy (APLMS) Landscape Character
map (page 22) identifies biodiversity conservation areas (of importance) in all three Parks.
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 Tuthangga (Park 17). Refer to the map in Section 1.3 for information regarding the location of
‘key biodiversity areas’ in Tuthangga (Park 17).
Park Lands Creek and a number of drainage lines that traverse the three parks are heavily degraded
and infested with weeds and exotic vegetation. Drainage lines need to be managed to
accommodate stormwater management and temporary detention of overflow.
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Relevant Links:
Adelaide Park Lands Management Strategy
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/assets/acc/Environment/planspolicies/docs/parklands_management_strategy.pdf
Cultural Landscape Study
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/environment/park-lands/heritage1/culturallandscape-study/
Landscape Master Plan
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/assets/acc/Council/policies/docs/111107%20Parkland
s%20MP%20Report_.pdf
Kaurna naming
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/community/reconciliation/kaurna/place-naming
Cultural Landscape Study - general
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/environment/park-lands/heritage1/culturallandscape-study/
Cultural Landscape Study – Reports and Assessments on Tuthangga (Park 17), Wita Wirra (Park 18)
and Pityarilla (Park 19)
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/environment/park-lands/heritage1/culturallandscape-study/
Adelaide City Council Biodiversity and Water Quality Action Plan
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/assets/acc/Council/policies/docs/Biodiversity-and-WaterQuality%20-Action-Plan.PDF
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