Plan for floating restaurants on River Torrens in Adelaide
Floating restaurants on the River Torrens could become major new tourist attractions, under an ambitious idea being considered by Adelaide City Council.
The council has received at least three “unsolicited” approaches to operate new hospitality venues, likely on boats, in an area of the Torrens Lake adjacent to the redeveloped $535 million Adelaide Oval.
Business groups have backed the idea for such a new tourist attraction in the heart of the city near Elder Park and the new footbridge.
A council committee will this week decide whether to undertake a feasibility study before any proposal is put to the State Government’s Riverbank Authority.
No further details were available while council officials said no formal applications had been lodged with Town Hall.
Despite receiving unsolicited bids to set up the new ventures, the council has no policy on whether floating restaurants should be allowed while rules governing the Parklands do not specifically reference them.
A council report, to be tendered at the meeting, concluded the concept should be further explored.
The River Torrens: insert floating restaurant here. Picture: Dean Martin
“Cafes and restaurants are consistent with general activation and enhancement principles for the Parklands and a floating restaurant may potentially provide public benefit through increased community use of the river,” the report states.
A floating dance hall was moored on the River Torrens, near Elder Park, in the 1920s.
The Palais de Danse opened in 1924, and was popular for several years until the barge was scuttled in 1928. It was refloated later that year before being demolished in 1929, because of its poor condition.
Lord Mayor Martin Haese said a floating restaurant on the Torrens Lake could recapture some of the city’s bygone grandeur, if done properly.
“People naturally gravitate towards water,” he said. “It’s very good to see Adelaide is starting to look at ways to activate its waterways and areas around them.
“We have done this before so there is no reason why we can’t do something similar today, but it would have to be the right proposal.”
Property Council SA executive director Daniel Gannon said a floating restaurant was a new way of building the area’s economy.
“If Adelaide is to become a globally competitive city ... then we need to embrace innovative ideas such as this.”
It comes come days after the State Government announced a $180 million taxpayer injection into the southern bank of the Torrens as part of a major upgrade of the barren Festival Plaza.
Source : The Australia Anthony Tenpletown March 22nd 2015
