The City of Playford is a

local government area A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a federated state, state, province, division (politica ...

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which in ...

Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...

's northern suburbs. It was named in recognition of Sir Thomas Playford, who played a part in the development of the area, and was

's premier from 1938–1965. The city covers an area of , and is home to over 100,000 residents. Playford was the fastest growing local government area in South Australia in the 2010s.

History

Origins

The LGA was formed in 1997 through the merger of the

City of Elizabeth The City of Elizabeth was a local government area located in the northern suburbs of Adelaide and seated at Elizabeth from 1964 to 1997. In 1997, it was merged with the City of Munno Para to create the City of Playford, which governs the area t ...

and the

City of Munno Para The City of Munno Para, formerly the District Council of Munno Para, was a local government area of South Australia from 6 November 1958 to 1997, seated at the township of Smithfield. In 1997 the City of Munno Para merged with the City of Elizab ...

, which were formed in 1955 and 1958, respectively. It was named in recognition of Sir Thomas Playford, who played a part in the development of the area, and was

's premier from 1938–1965. Prior to the 1950s, most of the area surrounding the townships of Munno Para and

Elizabeth Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Empress Elisabeth (disambiguation), lists various empresses named ''Elisabeth'' or ''Elizabeth'' * Princess Elizabeth ...

were farming estates. After the end of the Second World War and the accompanying shortage of materials, the state government decided that South Australia needed to grow and become an industrialized state. A "satellite city" was planned for the Elizabeth area, and the

South Australian Housing Trust The South Australian Housing Trust (SAHT) is an independent statutory authority originally established by the Government of South Australia responsible for providing low-cost rental housing to working people and their families, as a means of su ...

initiated a housing development programme in the area, with a purchase of of land. The City of Elizabeth was formed on 16 November 1955, being named after

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

, who visited the city in 1963. The District Council of Munno Para was formed on 6 November 1958 following the renaming of the

District Council of Munno Para East The District Council of Munno Para East was a local government area of South Australia from 1853 to 1958, seated at Uleybury. History The District Council of Munno Para East was Proclaimed by Governor Sir Henry Young on 10 November 1853 to go ...

which was Proclaimed on 10 November 1853.

1997 to 2010

The first mayor of the City of Playford was Marilyn Baker, who had been the last mayor of the City of Elizabeth. She continued to hold that role until the 2006 council elections, when she was narrowly defeated by Martin Lindsell, the last mayor of the City of Munno Para. After 1997, the council planned and built a number of new housing developments aimed at attracting young working couples and families in an attempt to rejuvenate the area. A new Civic Centre including council chambers, library, theatre and function centre was built. Other developments of the period included a new library in the Munno Para Shopping City in Smithfield, and a revamp of the Elizabeth shopping centre, including an 8-screen cinema complex. In 2003 it was announced that A$1 billion would be allocated to rejuvenate the

Peachey Belt Peachey is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Alf Peachey (1908–?), English footballer *Allan Peachey (1949–2011), New Zealand politician *David Peachey (born 1974), Australian rugby league player *Don Peachey (born 1933), Ame ...

. Known as the Playford North Urban Regeneration project, it was expected that the population of the area would increase from 13,000 residents to 30,000 in 15 years and involve the demolition of most of the Housing SA homes. the project has since been renamed "Playford Alive". "As part of the 30-year Plan for greater Adelaide, significant growth and investment is pouring into Playford from business. Rapidly increasing employment coupled with new land releases has driven population growth and improved living standards."

2010 to present

Mayor Martin Lindsell was defeated in the 2010 local council election by

Glenn Docherty Glenn Brian Docherty (born 1983) is the third Mayor of the City of Playford in South Australia. He became mayor following the 2010 mayoral election. Docherty is, to date, the youngest mayor of Playford. Docherty unsuccessfully contested the Sou ...

, the council's youngest ever mayor. The council elected in 2010 started the creation of Playford Health Precinct around the Lyell McEwin Hospital. The

SCT Logistics SCT Logistics is an Australian interstate transport company operating rail and road haulage, with facilities in Brisbane, Sydney, Parkes, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. History SCT Logistics was founded in 1974 as Specialised Container T ...

Rail Freight Terminal, opened in January 2011 provided for goods and services to be transported by road and rail more efficiently and quickly. Playford is to become the logistical and advanced distribution capital of

. The A$750 million expansion within the

RAAF Base Edinburgh RAAF Base Edinburgh is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Military airfield, military airbase located in Edinburgh, South Australia, Edinburgh approximately north of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia and forms part of the Edinburgh Defenc ...

, including facilities for 7th RAR (Mechanized Army Battalion), was largely completed in 2011. the council has been involved in discussions regarding expansion of the Elizabeth City Centre (the major shopping precinct in Playford) on to of land to the west of the train line. the Playford council is working with the

South Australian Government The Government of South Australia, also referred to as the South Australian Government or the SA Government, is the executive branch of the state of South Australia. It is modelled on the Westminster system, meaning that the highest ranking mem ...

to release of industrial land in the greater Edinburgh Parks region, with the intention of attracting and supporting 38,000 jobs in the northern part of

. In 2011, Mayor Docherty stated he aimed to make Elizabeth the second central business district of Adelaide. He envisaged a movement away from low density commercial and "quarter-acre block" housing to multiple storey mixed use commercial and residential developments in Elizabeth and other central parts of the council area. In April 2013 the council announced its 2043 Playford Community Vision. From 2012 to 2015 the council partnered with the University of Adelaide to launch the Stretton Centre, a physical home in Playford for research into regional innovation. Its "anchor tenant" is the Adelaide University's Australian Workplace Innovation & Social Research Centre (WISeR). Platyford Council was assisted by a A$11.3 million grant from the Australian Government for the research centre. The Stretton Centre includes the Stretton Research Centre (occupied by WISeR), the (new) community library, public and private community meeting spaces and the Innovation Design Lab, which is to showcase new innovations and technologies in relevant to the community. Docherty was re-elected unopposed to continue as mayor in the 2014 local government elections.

Royal visits

The City of Playford (and its predecessor, the City of Elizabeth) has had a number of visits by members of the

Royal Family A royal family is the immediate family of monarchs and sometimes their extended family. The term imperial family appropriately describes the family of an emperor or empress, and the term papal family describes the family of a pope, while th ...

: * 1963 visit by

* 1977 visit by

* 1986 visit by

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, later Philip Mountbatten; 10 June 19219 April 2021), was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. As such, he was the consort of the British monarch from h ...

* April 2014 visit by

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge William, Prince of Wales (William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982), is the heir apparent to the British throne. He is the elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. William was born during the reign of his pat ...

and

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge Catherine, Princess of Wales (born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton; 9 January 1982), is a member of the British royal family. She is married to William, Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the British throne. Born in Reading, Berkshire, Readi ...

Council

Council consists of 16 Elected Members comprising a Mayor, and 15 Ward Councillors. The Council area is divided into five wards, with three Counicllors elected from each ward. The current council is:

Mayors of City of Playford

* Marilyn Baker (1997-2006) * Martin Lindsell (2006-2010) * Glenn Docherty (2010 -''Current'')

Demographics

The city covers an area of , and was estimated to have a population of 93426 in 2018. Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018. Playford has been the fastest growing local government area (LGA) in South Australia over the 2010s. In the five years to 2021, the Playford LGA experienced the greatest population growth of all

greater Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city ce ...

LGAs, increasing by more than 7500 residents. However, its annual rate in the 12 months to 2021 was lower than Mount Barker,

Adelaide Plains The Adelaide Plains (Kaurna name Tarndanya) is a plain in South Australia lying between the coast ( Gulf St Vincent) on the west and the Mount Lofty Ranges on the east. The southernmost tip of the plain is in the southern seaside suburbs of A ...

and

Gawler Gawler, established in 1839, is the oldest country town in the state of South Australia. It was named after the second Governor (British Vice-Regal representative) of the colony of South Australia, George Gawler. It is about north of the st ...

Suburbs

Services and facilities

Parks and recreation

Fremont Park Fremont Park sits centrally in Elizabeth, Adelaide, South Australia, which is located within the City of Playford. Elizabeth has large areas of open space, with the most prominent being Fremont Park, on Main North Road. It was originally known ...

is located immediately east of the Elizabeth City Centre. Providing recreation and leisure facilities, the park features a large lake with fountain and waterfalls, a rotunda for band performances and two playgrounds. The park also contains an adult fitness gym and is the host venue for many community events including

Australia Day Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet and raising of the Flag of Great Britain, Union Flag of Great Britain by Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove, a ...

celebrations, school Holiday programs, weddings, and other private functions. The Aquadome aquatic centre is the largest such facility in northern Adelaide. Included in this multi-purpose facility are a 50-metre pool, a beach entry leisure pool, café, a creche, outdoor picnic areas, a large carpark, and easy access to bus and rail transport. The Health Club, opened in 2009, contains a modern gym and fitness centre. Located on Blackburn Road, Hillbank, Jo Gapper Park is a major regional park. It has tennis court and basketball court, which are lit at night, playground, barbecues, shelter sheds and walking trails. It has a sealed carpark which is open from dawn until dusk. Stebonheath Park, Ken Patterson Reserve, Jubilee Park and the Munno Para Wetlands are other public green spaces in the City of Playford. The Playford Lakes Golf Course, which opened in 1993 as North Lakes, is located in Munno Para West, measures for 9 holes, and is par 70.

Libraries service

The Playford library is split across two locations: Elizabeth and Munno Para.

Youth services

Young people have a number of services and activities supported by the council, including: *

Northern Sound System Northern Sound System (NSS) is a dedicated youth centre focused on music, broadcasting, and other creative industries, located in Elizabeth, a northern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. Background The Northern Sound System was established ...

– a dedicated youth centre, including recording studios and a live music venue, which allows young people to learn, create and develop their musical talents, located in Elizabeth * Playford Youth Advisory Committee – a body intended to be the voice of young people aged 12 to 25 in the Playford Region meeting fortnightly at the Northern Sound System * Jibba Jabba Radio – a youth development program which gives young people in Playford the opportunity to produce and broadcast a youth radio program on Adelaide's PBA FM radio station

Waste management and recycling

Garbage, recycling, and

green waste Green waste, also known as biological waste, is any organic waste that can be composted. It is most usually composed of refuse from gardens such as grass clippings or leaves, and domestic or industrial kitchen wastes. Green waste does not inclu ...

collection services are provided by the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority.

Sports teams

The City of Playford is home to several sports teams, including: *

Central District Football Club Central District Football Club is an Australian rules football club that plays in the South Australian National Football League. Based in Elizabeth in the City of Playford, about 25 km north of Adelaide, the club's development zones include th ...

(Australian rules football -

South Australian National Football League The South Australian National Football League, or SANFL ( or ''S-A-N-F-L''), is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the state's sports governing body, governing body for the sport. ...

(SANFL)) * Playford City Patriots (Association football/soccer - FFSA South Australian Premier League) * Playford Aquatic Club, Elizabeth

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Playford Local government areas of South Australia Local government areas in Adelaide