Media Releases

Sydney will take on Gold Coast in a twilight match on Saturday 11 April and Geelong will go to battle against the West Coast Eagles on Sunday 12 April.

Gather Round 2026 will mark the first outing on Norwood Oval for the Swans, West Coast and Geelong, while Gold Coast played Fremantle in 2023.

Mayor Robert Bria says the Council is excited about hosting AFL Gather Round in 2026 and thrilled that three new teams will play on the hallowed turf on The Parade.

“The Council has had been quietly reviewing and planning for Gather Round 2026, which has captured the imagination of footy fans across the country.”

“We’ve developed a very good working relationship with the State Government and AFL over the past three years, and together with the Norwood Football Club we are ready to take our activations and events to the next level.

“We particularly look forward to greeting footy fans from right across the eastern seaboard, some of whom probably don’t come to South Australia as often as Victorians. Hosting three non-Victorian teams at Norwood gives our City great exposure to the rest of the country.”

Mayor Bria says the return of the Norwood Food & Wine Festival has been an “enormous success” with 90,000 patrons ion April 2025, a significant leap from the 70,000 patrons in 2024.

“There is no other suburban ground like Norwood Oval where you step out of the stadium and a massive street party is at your feet,” said Mayor Bria.

Mayor Bria’s says the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the 2025 Gather Round resulted in $15.8 million consumer spending in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, of which $1.2 million can be attributed to interstate visitors.

Victorians spent $750,000 while visitors from New South Wales forked out $191,000 and Queenslanders $182,000.

Consumer spending on hospitality during those three days was $4.6 million, with $1.5 million spent on the Sunday when the Norwood Food and Wine Festival was held.

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

Mayor Robert Bria says the Council is excited to continue this important public art initiative with the support of the State Government.

“The Council’s success in winning this grant demonstrates our commitment to supporting public art in our City.

“It is also a strong vote of confidence from the State Government in our ability to deliver an impactful project and be an exemplar for local government in terms of commissioning major public artwork.”

The first stage of concept design for the fifth Quadrennial Public Artwork was undertaken in February 2025, which attracted 42 submissions from local and interstate artists.

A selection panel shortlisted three artists and artistic teams to further develop their site-specific concepts, with the selected artistic team now preparing detailed designs.

“This fifth Quadrennial Public Artwork will bolster our City’s well-earned reputation for standing firm on its long-term vision to foster creativity in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters,” says Mayor Bria.

The artwork will be located on Osmond Terrace and unveiled by August 2026, at which time it will join the Council’s four previous Quadrennial Public Artworks:

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

Mayor Bria said positioning the artwork on Osmond Terrace where it intersects with William Street, will present an environment with clear lines of sight for motorist, cyclists and pedestrians. 

“The combination of Adelaide’s premier boulevard, residential buildings and a tree-lined median strip provides a stunning setting for the artwork,” he says.

Under the Council’s Public Art Policy, the Council has allocated $300,000 during this current four-year term of Council for the artwork, which includes the $100,000 grant from

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

The George Street Upgrade project, between The Parade and Webbe Street, will enhance the public realm to deliver a safer, greener and high-quality streetscape and a more welcoming environment.

“The Parade Masterplan sets out a bold vision that will protect and enhance The Parade’s unique identity and appeal when delivered in its entirety, and ensure that Adelaide’s premier main street maintains its competitive edge as a thriving and vibrant destination,” says Mayor Robert Bria.

Mayor Bria says the upgraded George Street will deliver a host of benefits for residents, visitors and local businesses.

“Expect to see wider and well-lit footpaths that enhance pedestrian safety, more street trees and irrigated garden beds to cool and green our local environment, and new street furniture.”

The project will commence with the construction of new stormwater drainage infrastructure in Harris Street and George Street, which has been brought forward in the Council’s Long-term Stormwater Drainage Program, to address stormwater management in the local area.

Once construction of the stormwater drainage is complete, the works will progress into transformation of the streetscape.

The Council’s project team has been working closely with stakeholders to develop a staged approach to construction that minimises impact to traders and visitors.

“While we aim to keep impact to a minimum there will be some reasonable disruptions to traffic flow during construction, however we will maintain access to businesses in George Street throughout construction,” says Mayor Bria.

Following a competitive tender process, South Australian large-scale landscaping and civil construction specialists Outside Ideas has been appointed as the main contractor for this project.

“Outside Ideas is proud to partner with the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters on the delivery of the George Street Upgrade—a project that represents a significant investment in the future of this vibrant precinct and its wider community,” says Director, Aaron Superina.

“We have committed an experienced project team that is focused on the seamless delivery of an exceptional outcome through careful planning and collaboration with local residents, businesses and the Council.”

Aaron assures that Outside Ideas prioritise minimal disruption to business operations and will maintain access to local residences for the duration of the construction works.

“We acknowledge the vital role that George Street plays in the daily life of the precinct and recognise the broader significance of this upgrade and our responsibility to deliver it with care, respect and community sensitivity.”

Construction of the George Street Upgrade commences from 2 September and is scheduled for completion in March 2026.

To find out more about the project, changes to access and to subscribe for updates, visit: www.npsp.sa.gov.au/georgestreet

For the first time, The Parade, Norwood will be transformed into the starting line for the Women’s Tour Down Under race, which will see the peloton cover more than 126km through the Adelaide Hills before finishing in Campbelltown for the Hyundai Stage 3 on Monday 19 January.

Mayor Robert Bria says Norwood is the home of cycling in South Australia, so it is only fitting that the Council extend our hosting to both the men’s and women’s races as part of the Santos Tour Down Under.

“Hosting a stage start for the women’s race is an exciting prospect and a great addition to our long history of hosting world-class cycling events.”

For the first time in Tour Down Under history, all 15 women’s World Teams are set to be on the start line in Adelaide for the women’s race from 17–19 January.

“With women’s sport growing in participation and popularity, we expect that we will see a huge attendance on The Parade in celebration of these incredible athletes.”

The men’s race covers five stages following the race prologue, kicking off on Tuesday 20 January with six days of thrilling racing culminating on Sunday 25 January.

On Thursday 22 January the Health Partners Stage 2 Start will depart Norwood heading towards the slopes of Norton Summit, then pushing further into the Adelaide Hills and towards the Uraidla finish – a gruelling 148km journey that will see cyclists climbing more than 3,600 metres.

“Each year thousands of spectators line The Parade to watch the Santos Tour Down Under, creating an electric atmosphere as fans cheer on the peloton.

“With international media filming our leafy green streets and promoting the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters cosmopolitan lifestyle across the world, being a part of the Santos Tour Down Under is an incredible opportunity for the Council and our community.”

The Santos Tour Down Under is Australia's greatest cycling race, with a rich history as the highest regarded and most popular bike race in the southern hemisphere.

For more information visit: Santos Tour Down Under

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

First elected in May 2000, Cr Whitington served on numerous Council committees and almost 25 consecutive years on the Eastern Health Authority Board—a position she stepped down from earlier this year when electing not to renominate.

Mayor Robert Bria, who has served alongside Cr Whitington throughout her time as an Elected Member, paid tribute to a person he considers to be “a dear friend, valued colleague and passionate representative”.

“Cr Whitington has served her local constituents and our community with integrity and passion for more than a quarter of a century.

“With a sustained commitment to representing the public health interests of ratepayers and residents, Cr Whitington has also been an ardent supporter of the Council’s cultural heritage and public art programs and an advocate for improving local amenities such as parks, footpaths, roads, libraries and swimming pools.

“I am grateful for the broad and valued contributions Cr Whitington has made to ensure our City is the best place to live, work and visit, and will continue to be inspired by her tenacity, authenticity and passion.

“Representing your community as an Elected Member is a significant commitment and responsibility, so after 25 years, I wish her and Peter all the best for the next chapter in their lives.”

On behalf of the Elected Members and staff, Mayor Bria congratulates Cr Whitington on 25 years of service to our community. 

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