Media Releases

The Brisbane Lions will take on North Melbourne in a twilight match on Friday 5 April, while Richmond will go to head to head with St Kilda on the Sunday afternoon, 7 April 2024.

Mayor Robert Bria said the Council and the local community were absolutely ecstatic with the news.

“To say we have been waiting with anticipation is an understatement. Gather Round 2023 was an outstanding success for the Council, Norwood Football Club and the local community, so we are thrilled with the announcement,” he said.

“The vibe and excitement at Norwood Oval and along The Parade was electric this year, and I speak on behalf of thousands when I say…bring on Gather Round April 2024!”

Mayor Bria said the Council had been working on a range of exciting and engaging activities in the hope of securing matches for 2024.

“Over the next few weeks, the Council will be sharing details of these events which will not only please footy fans but also boost the local economy.”

Norwood Parade Precinct Committee Member, Mario Boscaini, who is also the Director of Boscaini Investments and owner of the Parade Central, Norwood along with this family, has urged all businesses to get on board and join in the events and excitement associated with Gather Round.

“To hear the news that Norwood Oval was successful in securing two matches for next year’s AFL Gather Round is a credit to the Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Council.

“I urge all businesses on The Parade to get behind this awesome event together with the return of the Norwood Food Festival to be held at the same time.”

Joshua Baldwin, the Principal and Executive Director of Munro real estate which is located on The Parade, also welcomed the announcement.

“As an engaged member of the Norwood Parade Precinct Committee as well as the Economic Development Committee, I am delighted with the AFL's decision to have two Gather Round games at Norwood Oval in 2024.”

“This presents an excellent opportunity for local businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, to showcase the vibrancy and quality of our community once again.”

Mayor Bria said the 2023 Gather Round resulted in a direct injection of $2.25 million into the dining and entertainment sector in Norwood, so with these additional activities planned for 2024, the Council expects this figure to climb even further.

“The Council has been working behind the scenes organising events and activities since May in the hope of positive announcement by the AFL, so today’s news means we can now move forward with certainty to deliver a memorable ‘Football Festival’ on The Parade and throughout our City.

“The aim is to ensure the activities and events associated with the football go to another level of excellence to ensure we optimise this incredible opportunity,” he said.

Media enquiries: Robert Bria – 0431 754 077

The New York City-based business and economic-focused daily broadsheet is the second-largest newspaper in the United States.

The article, published on 27 October 2023, particularly focussed on Dillons Bookshop, with the quote below accompanied by a large picture of the iconic retailer.

“Dillons, on The Parade, has such a wonderful collection of books and every section has something that’s just a little bit off-kilter. Plus, there are tons of other cute spots to check out around there.”

South Australian model and global activist, Adut Akech Bior, who contributed to the article, described The Parade as “being great for shopping” and recommended visitors check the area’s shops and overall fashion scene.

City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters’ Mayor Robert Bria said while it is common knowledge locally that The Parade is a great Main Street, receiving international recognition is always welcome.

“I am absolutely thrilled such a respected newspaper such as ‘The Wall Street Journal’ is helping to spread the word about The Parade on a global scale.”

“In April this year, thousands of interstate visitors flocked to The Parade for the inaugural AFL Gather Round and the feedback the Council received about our dynamic City was fantastic.

“That is why the Council is always striving to go to the extra mile, continually engage and work with business, to drive our local economy and deliver a great main-street experience for locals and visitors.”

“I would like to acknowledge and congratulate Ross and Sue Dillon, the founders of Dillons Bookshop for this incredible acknowledgment.”

“Dillons Bookshop is an Adelaide institution, having first opened its doors in 1984 and Ross has always been an integral part of our local community having been on the Norwood Parade Precinct Committee and always supporting the Council to make The Parade the number one Main Street in Australia.”

Media enquiries: Robert Bria – 0431 754 077

The Built Heritage Strategy - which has been in operation for one year - has delivered on the following initiatives, including, but not limited to:

• Council staff writing to all Parliamentarians and the Local Government Association to express support for a Private Members Bill to legislate to protect State Heritage Places from neglect
• Bluestone kerbing being conserved in various street upgrades and maintenance
• The Council’s Heritage Advisor providing specialist heritage architectural advice and services in 110 meetings or phone interactions with citizens
• Council staff writing to the State Planning Commission about the need for more nuanced policy about height criteria affecting Historic Areas, and height and setback criteria for development fronting The Parade in Norwood
• Council staff preparing and presenting a detailed submission to the Expert Panel on Planning System Review
• Continuing to liaise with various Residents Associations
• Preparing advice to the South Australian Heritage Council expressing support for listing Dr Kents Paddock (Kent Town) as a State Heritage Place.

“The Council’s role in supporting the retention of buildings and places of heritage value strongly aligns with one of the key objectives of the Council, which is to protect and enhance the City’s valued built form and character.”

To read the Strategy, visit: www.npsp.sa.gov.au: Built Heritage Strategy

Media enquiries: Mayor Robert Bria on 0431 754 077

Elected Members unanimously endorsed the appointment of civil contactor BMD to undertake Stages 2 and 3 of the Trinity Valley Stormwater Upgrade – one of the biggest flood mitigation projects in the Council’s history.

Mayor Robert Bria said the Council was extremely grateful for the $9.9 million it had received from the Australian Government’s Preparing Australian Communities Program, which targets local projects across the nation, with a focus on improving resilience against natural disasters.

“This funding has been matched by the Council, making it one of the biggest investments in the Council’s history to date.

“The new infrastructure will reduce surface flood waters during storm events by capturing stormwater and temporarily storing it in a proposed detention basin and underground detention tanks within the road network,” Mayor Bria said.

The upgrade to the City’s stormwater drainage network is taking place in the suburbs of St Morris, Trinity Gardens, Maylands and Stepney (known as the Trinity Valley).

The Trinity Valley Drainage Upgrade involves the installation of a new underground stormwater management network to increase capacity and once completed will result in improved flood mitigation during significant rainfall events.

There are four stages in total with Stages 2 and 3 to commence with major works to get underway in October 2023 and completed by May 2024, with work involving the installation of small and large underground culverts, pipes, drainage pits and, where required, reconstruction of roads.

Media enquiries: Robert Bria – 0431 754 077

For the first time, the Council has created a space, aptly titled The Gallery, which has five exhibition spaces inside the St Peters Town Hall Complex.

The initiative is to ensure that both emerging and established artists have every opportunity to showcase their work to the wider community, not just at particular events.

“Art comes in many forms and involves many emotions, and leaves lasting impressions,” Mayor Bria said.

“It is for that, and many other reasons that the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters is thrilled to once again be a major participant in SALA,” he said.

“SALA showcases the creativity and breadth of artistic talent in Adelaide’s East. There really is something for everyone, from art aficionados to those just interested in having a bit of a look around and experiencing our City’s art culture.”

“However, as we all know, SALA only lasts a month. Conversely, The Gallery is a space for everybody to explore and connect with contemporary art and cultural heritage all year round.”

This year the Council is hosting 11 SALA artists to enable 5 exhibitions to take place in our City, across three venues.

Our curated exhibition program gives the community the opportunity to engage with contemporary art and cultural heritage artifacts, as well as showcasing emerging and established artists.

Media enquiries: Robert Bria – 0431 754 077