What Might Have Been........

["Lachlan Smith" <lsmith@senet.com.au>]

I recently stumbled upon a very interesting report in the Adelaide
University (Barr-Smith) library.

The introduction states: 
"On the 19th February 1974, following earlier discussions and negotiations,
Hassell and Partners Pty. Ltd. (an Architectural/Planning firm) was invited
by the Director General of Transport to undertake work in developing a
master plan for S.A.R. property......"

The report describes a massive proposed redevelopment of Adelaide Railway
Station.
It recommends that elements of the development should include:

-a new transport terminal, including facilities for intraurban trains,
rural trains interstate trains,
 and rural, interstate and airline buses
-modifications to existing transport arrangements, including construction
of the following: 
             -an underground railway
             -a bus terminal
             -standard gauge facilities within the complex
             -automated baggage handling
             -rapid transfer facilities
-an international hotel
-a stadium
-parliamentary offices
-residential accommodation
-commercial space
-limited parking and retail activities

The following excerpts give some details relating to the above:

"....The location of the Transport Terminal is primarily dependent on the
existing configuration of the railway tracks, the location of the proposed
underground railway, and the area to be served by the transport terminal
itself. It is currently proposed that the underground railway will
supersede the present metropolitan lines, obviating the need for
approximately six platform faces. Platforms for rural trains are to be
retained with the additional requirement of the capacity of accommodating
standard gauge lines linking with other capital cities......"

"......If possible, passenger facilities should be centrally located over
the rail and bus platforms to minimise walking distances......"

"......It is assumed that plans for the construction of the standard gauge
line from Pt Pirie to Adelaide connecting to Adelaide Station will
proceed......in order to make the most flexible use of available platform
space, it is assumed that three-track rail lines will be adopted similar to
those in Victoria....."

"......It is assumed that many rural rail services operating on the
existing broad gauge tracks will   continue in operation during the
redevelopment period......"

"......The study assumes that Intra-Urban Rail services in Adelaide will
continue to provide a useful and viable part of the urban transport system.
It is assumed that the heaviest concentrations of passengers will continue
to be on the North Gawler, Port and Marino lines...."

".....It is assumed that, by the time the redevelopment is complete, the
intra-urban rail traffic would be completely separated from the interstate,
country and goods movements, on separate tracks. Some of this will come
about during the process of electrification of the urban rail tracks which
is planned to commence on the Christie Downs extension of the Marino
line....."

"......It is assumed that the proposed subway running north-south through
the central area of Adelaide will proceed. It is assumed that this subway
will be a twin-tunnel, two-track system and will operate with online
stations near Gawler Place and in Victoria Square, as well as Adelaide
Station......It is assumed that the Marino and Belair lines will be
relocated to operate through the subway, entering from the south. The Port
and Gawler lines, on the other hand, will enter the subway from the
north......"


I hope that gives you an idea of the essence of the document, which is very
extensive.
Very interesting is it not?
Does anyone know how high profile this report was when it was released?

I assume that its recommendations were disregarded following the AN
takeover, and the state governments subsequent reluctance to have
Commonwealth owned and operated trains in its railway station. Hence
Keswick was built instead. What a shame.

The report also mentions that the Glenelg trams had obviously reached the
end of their useful economic lives. Remember, this is 1974!!

The report is titled "South Australian Railways Advisory Board - Adelaide
Station Air Rights Development"




Lachlan