Hutt Street saga passes long-awaited hurdle in rowdy scenes
A more than year-long debate about a new look for Hutt Street was finally resolved last night in a rowdy, hours-long debate that had a full gallery of passionate spectators – one escorted out of the chamber by security.
After a decade of strategising a Hutt Street revamp and seven design concepts presented to council in the past year, one was finally chosen on Tuesday night.
The Adelaide City Council had a packed gallery –ranging from traders to active transport enthusiasts and figures like State Planning Commission Chair Craig Holden and Adelaide Economic Development Agency Chair Steve Maras– to see how Hutt Street would fare.
Before councillors entered into debate, 10 representatives spoke to the council, with six in favour of an option that would cut car parks and put in a protected bike lane.
After the first speaker, a member of the gallery had to be escorted out by security after an outburst where he said he wanted to see horses and carts return to Hutt Street.
Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith adjourned the meeting for five minutes after the scene, and when she resumed, she warned the gallery that under the Local Government Act the council has powers to fine members of the gallery who disrupt or interrupt proceedings.
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The topic of Hutt Street has earned a reputation in Town Hall, after a four-hour committee meeting in August included a censure, suspension threats for two councillors and a heckler having to be escorted out in another “embarrassing” scene.
There are currently 131 car parking spaces on Hutt Street and the about $25 million plan that won the night would retain 110 of the street’s 60-degree car parks.
The chosen design would also upgrade footpaths and lighting, which the council says would make the street safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and provide additional greening whilst maintaining convenient parking options to help support local businesses.
“The option we have settled on for Hutt Street ensures it is equitable for all users whether they ride, work or drive,” Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said.
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The works would be carried out in stages to minimise disruption, with a detailed design and construction dates to be confirmed in 2026, but shovels not expected in the ground until early 2027.
The plan chosen, dubbed option B, is a compromised design that was revised in the past month after much debate from councillors.
Retiree Doug McEvoy, who spoke against the chosen option at Tuesday’s meeting, said it was “a vote for the status quo”.
Councillor Patrick Maher told the meeting he would “rather spend $25 million on literally anything else than option B”.
Maher said he would have moved for the more ambitious option – which would cut car parks and include a protected bike lane – if option B was voted down, but he was unsuccessful.
After the result, Councillor Mary Couros posted to Instagram that “watching the Hutt Street community come together was nothing short of inspiring”.
“Residents and traders united, petitioned, lobbied, and worked tirelessly to send one clear message: revitalise, but don’t take away our car parks,” she wrote.
Plans first revealed in August 2024 would have slashed Hutt Street parking by more than half, leaving 72 parking bays on the street, which sparked outrage from concerned traders.
The issue drew input from higher levels of government, with Federal Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas and Environment Minister Lucy Hood penning a letter to Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith and SA Best Legislative Councillor Connie Bonaras raising the issue in parliament last month.
