The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council has completed the redevelopment of St Morris Reserve, transforming the reserve into a destination that seamlessly blends high-quality open space with essential and climate-resilient stormwater infrastructure.
Mayor, Robert Bria said the Council was very proud of the redevelopment, which was delivered as part of Stage 4 of the $20 million Trinity Valley Stormwater Drainage Upgrade.
“The transformation of the reserve is nothing short of amazing and is another example of the Council’s ongoing commitment to providing quality infrastructure across the City that meets the social and cultural needs of our community whilst also addressing an important environmental imperative,” said Mayor Bria.
At the heart of the upgrade is a new playground which includes multi-age equipment and integrated shade sails for sun-safe play.
Families can also enjoy a dedicated picnic shelter, BBQ facilities, accessible toilet facilities and improved park furniture, all connected by a network of accessible paths.
For those seeking an active leisure lifestyle, the reserve now features a multi-purpose court and a dedicated ‘hit wall’ for basketball and other activities.
The reserve has been revitalised with extensive irrigation and landscaping, including new trees, shrubs and water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) elements such as a landscaped swale which collects stormwater runoff and serves as natural irrigation.
While the redevelopment of the reserve required the removal of some trees within the basin area, 148 new trees have been planted which will significantly enhance the local tree canopy cover and create a greener, cooler space and neighbourhood.
Dogs can continue to enjoy St Morris Reserve with off-leash times remaining between 5pm and 8am, seven days per week.
The broader Trinity Valley Stormwater Drainage Upgrade project was designed to reduce flooding risks across the suburbs of St Morris, Trinity Gardens, Maylands and Stepney.
Stage 4 involved the installation of new pipes and pits within the roadway of surrounding streets such as Glynburn Road, Third Avenue, Green Street, Seventh Avenue and Gage Street.
A vital part of the essential upgrade of the City’s stormwater infrastructure has been the construction of an open detention basin within the reserve, creating a dual purpose for the site.
This basin has been engineered to increase capacity of stormwater drainage infrastructure during one-in-100-year storm events – that is, a severe storm or flood that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year.
The Council says the redevelopment of St Morris Reserve and Stage 4 of the Trinity Valley Stormwater Drainage Upgrade involved significant engineering hurdles, including integration of new infrastructure into existing networks and managing major earthworks within narrow residential streets.
The redevelopment of St Morris Reserve was informed by the community with more than 150 submissions received during the consultation in early 2023. The final design incorporated suggestions offered during the consultation to ensure the new reserve meets expectations of the local community.
The $20 million project represents a landmark investment by the Council in the City’s infrastructure to reduce the risk and impacts of flooding and is supported by approximately $9.9 million from the Federal Government’s Preparing Australian Communities Local Stream Program. The funding has enabled the completion of all four phases of the Trinity Valley project, with the final stage of construction anticipated to commence in Maylands and Stepney this year.
Mayor Bria acknowledged the support of the community in the delivery of the St Morris Reserve Upgrade.
“The St Morris community and residents from nearby suburbs deserve a facility of this standard and the Council thanks them sincerely for their patience and understanding during the construction phase,” he said.
More information about the project: https://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/projects/trinity-valley-drainage-upgrade-st-morris-reserve-stage-4.
