Media Releases

The funding is part of the Australian Government’s $32 million South Australian Alternative Water Supply Efficiency Measures (AWSEM) Program, which supports local governments in building infrastructure that reduces reliance on the River Murray. 

As a member of the ERA Water—a joint venture between the City of Burnside, Town of Walkerville, and the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters—this investment will directly impact our local streetscapes, ovals and reserves. 

Expanding our sustainable water network 

ERA Water’s infrastructure captures stormwater flowing down Third and Fourth Creeks which gets treated through wetlands and biofiltration and by UV disinfection before being pumped into underground aquifers for storage, primarily during the wetter winter months. 

In summer, the captured stormwater that is held in the underground aquifer is extracted from the aquifer and distributed through the ERA Water pipe network to more than 40 different parks and reserves in the eastern region. 

ERA Water Chairperson Jeff Tate says the grant funds will be “Used to improve supply to already connected sites in the foothills, provide new connections to parks and schools, and shore up the availability of water in response to predicted impacts of climate change”. 

“This includes predicted less overall rainfall for Adelaide and heavier downpours when it does rain.” 

Key components of the project include: 

• Upgrading infrastructure to harvest more recycled stormwater. 

• Improve water pressure to enhance network supply. 

• Connecting the scheme to new sites across the alliance area where feasible. 

• Generating projected water savings of between 105 and 110 megalitres (ML). 

“This funding also allows ERA Water to further improve our financial performance though improved provision of water supply to paying customers.” 

A commitment to water security 

Jeff Tate notes that the scheme acts as "a type of insurance" against drought and impacts of climate change. 

"The eastern suburbs are known for their beautiful open spaces and streetscapes. This scheme is an environmental initiative that aims to drought-proof our suburbs and reduce our reliance on water from the Murray-Darling Basin," Mr Tate said. 

South Australian Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Emily Bourke, emphasises the vital role of local councils in this effort, stating that the program is a key step in making "better use of all available water sources, including for irrigation and green space". 

Project timeline 

Construction and roll out of the new measures have already commenced with preparations for a new booster pump to be installed at Adey Reserve in Firle. 

“This, in particular the booster pump, will help improve pressure and supply to sites in the Adelaide foothills,” says Jeff. 

“Practical completion of the funded projects is targeted for August 2027.” 

Mayor Robert Bria welcomes the funding and is excited about the opportunities this presents for the local community. 

“ERA Water is an important intergenerational project that reinforces the Council’s commitment to environmental sustainability and ensures that our community's high-quality parks and ovals are preserved for future generations.” 

ERA Water Chairperson Jeff Tate concurs. 

“We are very grateful to have received this vital funding to increase the supply and reliability harvested and treated stormwater, in particular to irrigate public spaces in the eastern suburbs. 

“By using captured stormwater instead of precious drinking water for irrigation, the project helps ensure our parks remain leafy green even during dry periods.” 

For more information on water security and network sustainability initiatives in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs, visit the ERA Water website. 

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834. 

This achievement signals the final stages of a three-year construction collaboration between the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and construction partner, BADGE. 

“Delivering a facility of this scale is no easy feat but collaboration between the Council, BADGE and other project partners has been second to none, to ensure that our community inherits an aquatic centre that stands the test of time,” says Mayor Robert Bria. 

“While the construction is largely behind us, the Council now has a significant task ahead to prepare the Centre for operations.” 

To lead the Centre into this new era, the Council appointed experienced leisure facility management company BlueFit to oversee day-to-day operations. 

BlueFit will deliver an exciting program of aquatic experiences with a focus on swim safety and learn-to-swim programs, ensuring that the facility remains an inclusive space for everyone. 

Waterslide testing with a purpose 

Before the facility is handed over to the Council in the coming days, rigorous testing of the two new waterslides is required to ensure they are ready for public use ahead of the official opening of the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre on Saturday 10 October. 

Rather than treating this as a routine procedure, the leadership team at BADGE turned the requirement into a significant physical challenge to raise funds and awareness for FightMND and supporting vital Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research. 

BADGE SA’s General Manager Jay Johnson, Operations Managers Ed Whiting and Nick Yorston, and Project Manager Isoa Ronavuso completed a combined total of 240 test slides—60 slides each. 

This "BADGE Big Freeze” for MND is more than just a trip down the flumes; it represents a challenging physical undertaking for an important cause, including a combined: 

• 16,800 stairs 

• 3.92km of climbing 

• 6.1km of sliding. 

Donations can be made online at FightMND. Your contribution helps turn this construction milestone into hope for those battling MND. 

Watch video: Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre: Sliding into action

The home stretch 

This milestone marks the transition into an intense six-week program to prepare the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre for operations and its Official Opening and Community Celebration on Saturday, 10 October. 

Once open, these slides will be a centrepiece of the new premier aquatic destination, which also includes a 50-metre outdoor Olympic-sized pool and a zero-depth waterplay area, in addition to indoor swimming facilities. 

To ensure a high-quality experience for all visitors at the Community Celebration on Saturday, 10 October, bookings for the Community Celebration are essential and will officially open on Tuesday, 1 September. 

For more information, visit: www.paynehamswim.com.au 

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834. 

Commissioned through the Council’s Quadrennial Public Art Program, the sculpture was created by local art and design team Wills Projects, comprising artists Laura Wills and Will Cheesman.

Mayor Robert Bria will officially welcome Rain to the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, at a special ceremony marking a major milestone in the Council’s commitment to public art, urban enrichment and curation of the City’s strong sense of place.

“Public art has the ability to transform our streets and public places,” Mayor Robert Bria says.

“It invites us to pause, to look more closely, to question, and to see familiar places in new ways. It enriches our everyday lives and helps tell the stories that make our City unique — and Rain is a wonderful example of this.

“I congratulate Laura and Will on creating this incredible addition to our public artwork collection and extend my thanks on behalf of the Council for their creativity, vision and dedication.

“They have delivered a landmark artwork that will become part of the City’s identity and further enhance our unique sense of place.”

A tribute to nature and place

Inspired by the humble rain moth, Rain celebrates one of nature’s often-overlooked inhabitants.

On behalf of Wills Projects, Laura Wills says, “The artwork explores the story of the rain moth, an amazing local story exploring temporality, fertility and connection to place, and we are pleased to be sharing it with the community.”

The sculpture features striking wings that act as a canvas for local stories, featuring intricate, lace-like imagery woven into patterns of camouflage.

The installation provides an immersive experience; beneath the main sculpture, glowing caterpillars and a constellation of lights create a sense of simultaneously looking underground and into the night sky, encouraging curiosity and imagination.

“I hope everyone who encounters Rain, whether they are passing through the area, visiting for the first time or have lived here for decades, will discover something new each time they stop to look, and be inspired by the story of Rain,” says Mayor Bria.

A collaborative vision

Laura says, “The quadrennial artwork commission has been a rewarding process. It has enabled us to assemble a skilled team of collaborators, and we've enjoyed realising our vision for the artwork, from concept phase through to delivery.”

The project is the result of extensive collaboration between the Laura and Will and the many talented collaborators whose expertise has contributed to Rain.

“This includes an artistic partnership and Kaurna consultation with artist Violet Buckskin, author Jennifer Mills, filmmaker Tayla Stabile, and entomology experts from the South Australian Museum.

Investment in the Arts

The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters is widely regarded as a leader in the public art space.

“The Council’s Quadrennial Public Art Program realises one new major public art commission during each term of Council, with the first work, Spectrum, installed on Osmond Terrace in 2010 as an impressive entry statement to the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters,” says Mayor Bria.

Under the Council’s Public Art Policy, a total budget of $300,000 was allocated for this commission, including a $100,000 grant secured from CreateSA, through the Government of South Australia.

“The backing of the State Government through the provision of this significant and much appreciated grant represents a strong vote of confidence in the Council’s ability to deliver impactful major public art.”

A growing collection

Rain joins a prestigious collection of major public artworks in the City, including:

• Seed Mix (Hackney, 2022)
• Perpetual Sun (Stepney, 2018)
• Fallow (St Peters, 2014)
• Spectrum (Norwood, 2010).

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834.

With the Centre’s official opening scheduled for Saturday 10 October, the Council is pleased to announce the appointment of BlueFit as Centre Manager and launch the Centre’s bold, new brand identity that will carry it into the future as a premier community facility.

Mayor Robert Bria says construction is nearing completion with the handover from the builder, Badge, to the Council to occur in mid-August 2026, ahead of an intense six-week program to prepare the Centre for operations.

"The Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre redevelopment represents one of the Council's most significant investments in community recreation and well-being,” says Mayor Bria.

“We have reimagined this facility to ensure it remains a contemporary and leading destination for our diverse community for decades to come.

“I am proud of the legacy that both the current and previous Councils will leave through this facility; one that will serve our community for generations.”

A brand built on architecture and history

The Centre’s bold new visual identity created by NATION, reflects the deep consideration given to the facility’s striking architectural design.

The contemporary logo features a bespoke illustrated graphic device inspired by the unique timber grid ceiling and the precise architectural angles found throughout the new building.

While firmly modern, the brand also pays tribute to the Centre's rich history.

The brand identity adopts a colour palette of muted, energetic hues in a nod to mid-century design—a deliberate tribute to the era of the original 1968 facility.

“It was a privilege to work alongside the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters to create a visual identity that reflects the significance or the new Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre,” says Nick Brz, Creative Director and Partner of NATION.

“Our approach was grounded in celebrating the centre as more than just a place to swim — it’s a connected community hub where people of all ages will come together to learn, stay active and create lasting memories.

“We wanted the brand to capture a sense of energy and local pride, while providing a flexible identity that will serve the centre well into the future.” 

BlueFit appointed as Centre Manager

To lead the Centre into this new era, the Council has appointed experienced leisure facility management company BlueFit to oversee day-to-day operations.

BlueFit will deliver an exciting program of aquatic experiences with a focus on swim safety and learn-to-swim programs, ensuring that the facility remains an inclusive space for everyone.

Mayor Bria says the Council is excited to be working with BlueFit as it prepares to welcome the community back to the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre.

“This partnership ensures that while we provide state-of-the-art amenities—from our Olympic-sized outdoor pool and indoor lap pool to the new waterslides and children’s splash play—we are also delivering high-quality programs and activities, and local employment opportunities that reflect the social fabric of our City.

“BlueFit comes to the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters with extensive experience and a distinct community focus, which the Council is confident will underpin the success of the Centre.”

The appointment also brings a significant recruitment drive to the region, creating local employment opportunities across aquatic operations, customer service and leadership roles.

Todd McHardy, BlueFit CEO, says it is a privilege to operate not only the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre but also Adelaide's oldest (and most loved) swimming pool in Norwood.

"We're excited about the partnership with the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters to launch this wonderful new facility. Work is now underway to recruit a new local team in readiness for the launch and the busy summer period.

"BlueFit's goal is to ‘Inspire Community Activity’ which is made easier when local governments make this level of investment in their sport and recreation infrastructure."

Grand opening: Saturday 10 October

The Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre’s grand return will be officially marked by a community celebration on Saturday, 10 October from 11:00am.

This free day of entertainment and aquatic fun will allow residents to experience the new 50-metre Olympic-sized outdoor pool, the two waterslides descending from a 14-metre-tall waterslide tower and the children’s zero-depth waterplay area, in addition to the indoor facilities.

“Four years on from the closure of the old facility, we are excited to welcome the community to the new Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre and there’s no better way to do that than with a day of free celebrations, activities and entertainment,” says Mayor Bria.

To ensure a high-quality experience for all visitors at the Community Celebration on Saturday, 10 October, bookings for the Community Celebration are essential and will officially open on Tuesday, 1 September.

Websites for both Payneham Swimming Centre and Norwood Swimming Centre will be launched in the coming weeks.

Any enquiries regarding employment opportunities, learn to swim programs or school bookings for Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre and Norwood Swimming Centre can be emailed to payneham@bluefit.com.au

More information: Visit the Council’s website: www.npsp.sa.gov.au/swimmingcentres

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834

_{Image gallery: Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre}

For the first time in the event's history, the fan-favourite precinct will be the launching point for the race's deciding day on Sunday, 24 January 2027.

The final stage, Race Day 6, will see both the men’s and women’s pelotons tackle an identical 136.2km route from Norwood to Stirling.

This historic occasion marks the first time a UCI WorldTour race has held men’s and women’s stages on the same course, on the same day, and over the same distance.

Mayor Robert Bria says the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters is proud to be part of such a significant chapter in the race’s history.

“Norwood has become a popular and iconic part of the Santos Tour Down Under,” says Mayor Bria.

“The Parade in particular is a perfect stage host with huge crowds regularly turning out to see the world’s best cyclists.”

“Next year will be the first time in history Norwood has hosted the start of the final stage — which heads to Stirling to decide the ochre jersey,” Mayor Bria continues.

“And it will also make history as part of the first race in the world to hold men’s and women’s UCI WorldTour racing over the same distance and on the same day”.

Innovative new race format

Race Director Stuart O’Grady says the innovative format of the 2027 race—culminating in the Norwood to Stirling finale—represents a milestone for the sport and a coup for cycling fanatics.

“As a cycling fan, next year’s race will be as close to the holy grail as you can get. You can come to Adelaide and see the best men’s and women’s riders in the world in the one day and on the same stage.

“By having two races out on the roads at the same time, we had to get creative with our course design and I feel there will be a lot more unknowns next January.”

The Sunday morning start in Norwood will lead riders into the heart of the Adelaide Hills.

The challenging route includes the famous Norton Summit, King and Queen of the Mountain points in Ashton and Checker Hill, and passes through towns including Birdwood, Lobethal and Hahndorf before culminating in a final lap of Stirling.

Local businesses prepare for bumper Sunday start

Local traders along The Parade are preparing for a vibrant celebration, with the shift to a Sunday morning and two race starts expected to draw even larger crowds to the precinct's cafes and shops.

Owner of Pave Cafe, Rimu Good is excited about the shift in programming and The Parade being host to two stage starts on Sunday, 24 January.

“Having the race on a Sunday is great! Sunday is typically an expensive day for traders to be open so a massive event and an increase in visitors to the area will be a big boost for small business.

“For almost 20 years the TDU has had a presence on The Parade and with the influx of tourists in the weeks leading up to and following the race, it can be a real boon for small business.”

The 2027 Santos Tour Down Under will run from 16–24 January, beginning with the City of Adelaide Tour Village in Victoria Square.

The Norwood to Stirling finale is expected to draw massive crowds as it determines the ultimate winner of the Santos Ochre Leader’s Jersey.

For more information on race routes and festival programming, visit: tourdownunder.com.au

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834.