STEPHEN YARWOOD, Lord Mayor, City of Adelaide: In response to Andrew Wallace’s opinion piece (Hindley Street, it wasn’t always this way, InDaily, 9 October 2013), the Adelaide City Council is already working with the State Government on a joint strategy to guide our city after 5pm.

Similar to ‘Open Sydney’ but unique to Adelaide, the strategy aims to bridge the gap between daytime and night-time use of the city, increase the number of people in the city in the evening and at night, as well as expanding the ways people use the city after 5pm, inclusive of all ages and backgrounds.

It will also look at opportunities to boost communications and promotions of existing offerings, as well as ways to improve perceptions and create a more inviting and safer evening, night, late night and early morning experience for all users.

In developing the draft strategy, we have considered research and data about our city and others around the world, and have engaged with a wide range of sector groups, including transport, safety, retail, hospitality, arts and culture, universities, schools, sport and recreation, as well as precinct groups, city residents and the general community. This has helped to identify our strengths and weaknesses, and ignite ideas and opportunities to improve the city’s experience and offering beyond 5pm.

The draft strategy will be presented to the Capital City Committee later this month. The committee, on behalf of the State Government and the council, will then release it for public consultation. We look forward to hearing the community’s views and are keen to ensure that the strategy is community-focused and led.

JACKIE ROVENSKY: Re Vibrancy can win Jay election: Hawker (InDaily, 9 October 2013), South Australia doesn’t end at the toll gate or even 1 hours drive from the city centre. What use is a vibrant city when other areas of the state have to fight tooth and nail to get even the basic hospital, medical and dental services?

What’s the use of a vibrant city if families cannot afford to enjoy it? What’s the use of a vibrant city when the state is financially destitute?

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