North Adelaide suburb in William Light's plan complicates Adelaide's role as the capital city of South Australia
William Light's plan uses the River Torrens as a clear divide between the city centre and North Adelaide.
Image courtesy City of Adelaide
William Light’s plan for Adelaide had a long-lasting effect on its identity as a capital city when he gave it a suburb called North Adelaide.
Light’s decision to create a south (city square mile) and north Adelaide – both enclosed by parklands – followed on from his plan straddling the Torrens creek valley. The valley provided a key requirement, aside from fresh water, for the site: stones for constructing the city.
Light’s plan divided the city square mile into 700 well-ordered town acres, but he had to resort to town acres at odd angles to fit North Adelaide around the river valley.
The River Torrens (not really a river but a series of water holes), was easy to cross in dry weather, but changed dramatically during a flash flood. Crossing the river before 1856, when the first flood-proof bridge was built in the King William Street extension, was dangerous.
This encouraged a closer relationship between North Adelaide and Walkerville residents who in 1855 discussed separating from south Adelaide.
Adelaide’s local government autonomy, insulated from the rest of the metropolitan area, was long debated. But the role of the city council in charge of the state capital’s symbolic centre was complicated by the role of – and often control of the council by – residents of the North Adelaide suburbs.
The state government and city council came closest in the 21st Century to easing long-standing acrimony and resolving the council’s dual role of local government for the state capital and for city/ North Adelaide residents.
Light’s plan set off other controversies right from the start but time proved that his plan was right. Making the best of it took longer.
