The City of Playford is a local government area of South Australia in Adelaide's northern suburbs. It was named in recognition of Sir Thomas Playford, who played a part in the development of the area, and was South Australia's premier from 1938–1965. The city covers an area of , and is home to over 90,000 residents. Playford was the fastest growing local government area in South Australia in the 2010s.
History
Origins
The LGA was formed in 1997 through the merger of the City of Elizabeth and the City of Munno Para, which were formed in 1955 and 1958, respectively. It was named in recognition of Sir Thomas Playford, who played a part in the development of the area, and was South Australia's premier from 1938–1965.
Prior to the 1950s, most of the area surrounding the townships of Munno Para and Elizabeth were farming estates. After the end of the Second World War and the accompanying shortage of materials, the state government decided that South Australia needed to grow and become an industrialized state. A "satellite city" was planned for the Elizabeth area, and the South Australian Housing Trust initiated a housing development programme in the area, with a purchase of of land. The City of Elizabeth was formed on 16 November 1955, being named after Queen Elizabeth II, who visited the city in 1963. The District Council of Munno Para was formed on 6 November 1958 following the renaming of the District Council of Munno Para East which was Proclaimed on 10 November 1853.
1997 to 2010
The first mayor of the City of Playford was Marilyn Baker, who had been the last mayor of the City of Elizabeth. She continued to hold that role until the 2006 council elections, when she was narrowly defeated by Martin Lindsell, the last mayor of the City of Munno Para.
After 1997, the council planned and built a number of new housing developments aimed at attracting young working couples and families in an attempt to rejuvenate the area. A new Civic Centre including council chambers, library, theatre and function centre was built. Other developments of the period included a new library in the Munno Para Shopping City in Smithfield, and a revamp of the Elizabeth shopping centre, including an 8-screen cinema complex.
In 2003 it was announced that A$1 billion would be allocated to rejuvenate the Peachey Belt. Known as the Playford North Urban Regeneration project, it was expected that the population of the area would increase from 13,000 residents to 30,000 in 15 years and involve the demolition of most of the Housing SA homes. the project has since been renamed "Playford Alive".
"As part of the 30-year Plan for greater Adelaide, significant growth and investment is pouring into Playford from business. Rapidly increasing employment coupled with new land releases has driven population growth and improved living standards."
2010 to present
Mayor Martin Lindsell was defeated in the 2010 local council election by Glenn Docherty, the council's youngest ever mayor.
The council elected in 2010 started the creation of Playford Health Precinct around the Lyell McEwin Hospital.
The SCT Logistics Rail Freight Terminal, opened in January 2011 provided for goods and services to be transported by road and rail more efficiently and quickly. Playford is to become the logistical and advanced distribution capital of South Australia.
The A$750 million expansion within the RAAF Base Edinburgh, including facilities for 7th RAR (Mechanized Army Battalion), was largely completed in 2011.
the council has been involved in discussions regarding expansion of the Elizabeth City Centre (the major shopping precinct in Playford) on to of land to the west of the train line.
the Playford council is working with the South Australian Government to release of industrial land in the greater Edinburgh Parks region, with the intention of attracting and supporting 38,000 jobs in the northern part of Adelaide.
In 2011, Mayor Docherty stated he aimed to make Elizabeth the second central business district of Adelaide. He envisaged a movement away from low density commercial and "quarter-acre block" housing to multiple storey mixed use commercial and residential developments in Elizabeth and other central parts of the council area.
In April 2013 the council announced its 2043 Playford Community Vision.