The Harrington Public Realm Upgrade
Address: 71 Prospect Road, Prospect (eastern side between Pulsford Road and Milner Street)
Ward: Central Ward
What: Public Realm Upgrade in front of The Harrington
Status: Delivery
Project background
The Harrington Public Realm Upgrade aims to address access, safety and amenity concerns associated with the interface between the Prospect Road footpath and The Harrington development.
Following Council concerns regarding the completed public realm works, a review identified challenges relating to pedestrian accessibility, potential safety risks associated with level changes, the overall quality and usability of the area, and movement between on-street parking and the footpath.
The preferred design has now been finalised and improves accessibility, enhances public safety, strengthens the streetscape presentation and supports activation opportunities such as outdoor dining. The design has been developed with careful consideration of budget, construction constraints and the need to minimise impacts on local businesses during delivery.
Proposed Works
- Access and safety improvements
- Footpath and paving works
- Outdoor dining
- Balustrade
- Planter boxes and garden bed upgrades
- Removal of some trees and installation of tree grates on remaining trees
- Irrigation
- Streetscape improvements
- Public realm activation
Over the last few months Council has been progressing procurement of a delivery contractor and procurement of long-lead time items associated with the project.
Camco has recently been engaged to deliver the works on site. Site mobilisation is expected to commence from Monday 19 October, with works expected to be completed by mid-December, weather permitting.
The project will involve a combination of day and night works, depending on the specific activities being undertaken and the requirements of Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) roadworks permits and impacts on Prospect Road traffic. Work scheduling will also consider the need to minimise impacts on local businesses, and the surrounding community.
The community and key impacted stakeholders, including businesses and residents, will continue to be updated during the project. To date, site meetings with businesses have been conducted and community notification letters have been distributed. Ongoing updates will continue to be updated here.
Project timeline
| Phase | Target Date |
|---|---|
| Design finalisation and procurement | September 2026 |
| Engagement with local traders and the broader community | Ongoing (through on-site business meetings) |
| Commencement of works | October 2026 |
| Project completion | Mid-December 2026 |
Project benefits
Council is delivering a more accessible and welcoming footpath outside The Harrington, improving pedestrian movement and creating a safer, more inclusive connection along Prospect Road. The upgrade will support people of all ages and abilities while strengthening the quality and usability of the public realm.
The endorsed design will resolve the level difference between The Harrington floor level and the footpath, provide a continuous and accessible path of travel, and improve connections between businesses and the wider precinct. It will also deliver a high-quality streetscape that supports outdoor dining, public realm activation and a more attractive Prospect Road.
Anticipated impacts
Night works: Following the first week of day time site mobilisation and preliminary works, the next two weeks of works will be undertaken at night to ensure a safe worksite adjacent to the active traffic route on Prospect Road and to minimise daytime disruption.
Parking: Parking on Pulsford Road will be temporarily impacted during construction. Parking directly outside the site on Prospect Road will be permanently restricted to support the new accessible footpath, outdoor dining area and garden beds, as there will be inadequate safe space to alight from vehicles.
Access to businesses: Businesses will remain open as usual throughout the works. Access arrangements may change as construction progresses. Where a business has two entrances one may be temporarily affected whilst works are carried out. Members of the public are encouraged to remain aware of the changing site conditions and follow any signage or directions in place.
Traffic management on Prospect Road: Temporary speed restrictions and bicycle lane closure will be undertaken during day and night works. Two way traffic flow will be maintained during the day works. The southbound lane will be closed during nightworks and contraflow (stop/slow) will be in place on the northbound lane. Footpath closures will also occur during night works, outside of business hours. Pedestrian redirection signage will be in place.
Noise: Construction noise will be unavoidable but will be managed in accordance with applicable requirements.
Dust: Dust suppression and site management controls will be implemented throughout construction.
Frequently asked questions
The Harrington was approved in 2019 by the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP), not Council.
While the building itself was constructed in line with those approved state plans, the physical interface between the building floor levels and the existing public footpath created an unexpected height difference.
Because the footpath space is narrow, resolving that gap required significant engineering redesign to ensure long-term pedestrian safety and accessibility.
The development and associated public realm works were undertaken in accordance with the developer’s vision, and they obtained the required approvals from Council.
However, the extent of the final level difference between the delivered public realm upgrades and the roadway, whilst conforming to relevant standards, created a heightened safety risk to our community that was deemed unacceptable by Council in the context of its surrounds.
As a result, Council implemented interim safety measures and commenced investigations to develop a long-term solution that addresses accessibility, safety, and improved public realm outcomes.
The temporary fencing was never meant to be a long-term fixture, and we share the community’s frustration on this.
As the site is tightly constrained and due to the level differences Council could not apply a quick fix that aligned with accessibility standards, and long-term durability.
We had to thoroughly investigate, design, and cost a long-term solution that addresses safety and accessibility properly and further considered opportunities around public realm activation.
The upgrade supports Council’s broader objectives for an accessible, safe and well-managed public realm that better supports people of all ages and abilities.
It also aligns with Council’s Asset Management approach by upgrading the footpath to a consistent standard and appearance improving the durability and whole-of-life value.
The developer of The Harrington is contributing to the cost of the public realm works, including completion of the outstanding paving bands, tree grates and bollard.
The developer will also replace the driveway entrance to the rear car park with a new concrete driveway.
The current upgrade is a Council-led public realm project focused on improving accessibility, safety, and amenity within the road reserve.
While the original development delivered public realm works as part of the plans approved by the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP), the preferred rectification solution endorsed by Council includes broader streetscape improvements and public realm enhancements that extend beyond the developer's original obligations.
Costs of the project will be released once the project and associated commercial sensitivities are completed.
Businesses will remain open and accessible throughout construction.
Maintaining pedestrian access to businesses is a priority, as is minimising any impact on businesses. 'Business as Usual' signage will be installed to help direct customers.
Car parking is still available at the rear car park off Pulsford Road.
Traffic management will include
- Reduced speed limits throughout the work zone
- Traffic controllers on site during key activities
- Temporary pedestrian and cyclist diversions where required
- Half road closures to assist with the staging of the works at night (with contraflow (stop/slow) in place)
Traffic staging will change as works progress. Road users should be alert to changing conditions and follow all traffic management directions.
Bus services will continue to operate as usual.
Contact us
For more information about the project, please contact the Team Leader Delivery Team on 8269 5355 or email admin@prospect.sa.gov.au.