Creek of Cultural Connection

by Shane Sody

The City of Adelaide has won a grant of $198,000 from the State Government’s “Green Adelaide” agency to restore Botanic Creek in your eastern Park Lands.

Botanic Creek is dry for much of the year, but after rainfall, the creek flows under Wakefield Road, under Bartels Road and Rundle Road and eventually finds its way into the Botanic Garden lake.

It existed as an ephemeral creek long before European colonisation. However, developments over the past 180 years have drastically altered both the course and health of the creek, as it collects stormwater running off East Terrace and eastern parts of the city.

1865 surveyor’s map showing what was then the course of Botanic Creek

The creek takes various forms. In Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) it’s a bluestone-lined channel.

It is unclear from City Council records exactly when the Botanic Creek channel in Victoria Park was lined with bluestone, but a date in the 1920’s is considered the most likely.

Further north, in King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina (Park 15) it’s hidden behind native vegetation.

Botanic Creek in King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina (Park 15)

In Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (Park 14) it flows through or under the ornamental lake, while in Rundle Park / Kadlitpina (Park 13) its banks are bare, as it’s channelled under Botanic Road.

Botanic Creek in Rundle Park/Kadlitpina (Park 13)

Now, the City Council is about to embark on a three-year upgrade project, to be named 'The Creek of Cultural Connection'.

The project will restore Botanic Creek, developing biodiverse swales, creating new habitat and natural spaces.

These concept images are from Councillor David Elliott:

Councillor Elliott has advised that the “Creek of Cultural Connection” project will explicitly acknowledge the fact that Botanic Creek links two important Kaurna cultural sites:

Councillor Elliott says this will “reinforce the ongoing Kaurna relationship to Country and bring Kaurna heritage to the surface of our city and Park Lands.”

The City of Adelaide has advised Councillors that:

“The three-year program weaves together the physical features of water sensitive urban design, watercourse rehabilitation, biodiversity restoration and Kaurna land and waterway management with community events in:

  • [Carriageway Park] Tuthangga (Park 17),

  • [Victoria Park ] Pakapakanthi (Park 16),

  • [King Rodney Park ]Ityamai-Itpina (Park 15) and

  • [Rundle Park] Kadlitpina (Park 13).

Community participation in a range of activities and events will support the restoration of ecological and Kaurna cultural values in the eastern Adelaide Park Lands. The project provides opportunities for community involvement in biodiversity restoration.

The project is aligned with the implementation of the (draft) Pakapakanthi / Victoria Park Master Plan to deliver on its principle to “Reveal and Reconnect the Water’ in the landscape."

A draft Master Plan for Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) was considered in May this year by Kadaltilla/ Adelaide Park Lands Authority but its release for public consultation has been delayed.