Project Information

The City of Adelaide is seeking to understand your experiences of O’Connell Street and the surrounding streets to improve traffic management and pedestrian amenity. We are working with our community and key stakeholders to better understand whether you are noticing unsafe driving or excessive vehicle noise, so we can continue to make O’Connell Street an enjoyable place for everyone.

Background

Council is dedicated to a thriving neighbourhood for all. This project complements other projects and initiatives to improve neighbourhoods across the city, such as through the Integrated Transport Strategy, Speed Limit Review, O’Connell Street Revitalisation project and the City Plan Adelaide 2036.

In response to concerns raised about ‘hoon’ driving and excessive vehicle noise, the Council is now seeking further details about what businesses and the community are experiencing on O’Connell Street and the surrounding streets.

Your feedback will help guide any future recommendations and/or collaboration with SA Police.

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - active

    Consultation open

    9am 16 June 2025

  • Timeline item 2 - incomplete

    Street Corner pop-up

    1pm -3 pm Sunday 22 June

    North Adelaide Village, 66 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide

    An opportunity to speak with someone about the project.

  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    Community Meeting

    6.30pm - 8 pm Monday 23 June

    North Adelaide Community Centre, 176 Tynte Street, North Adelaide

    A formal presentation followed by a Q & A session


  • Timeline item 4 - incomplete

    Drop-in session

    4pm - 5.30 pm Wednesday 25 June

    North Adelaide Community Centre, 176 Tynte Street, North Adelaide

    An opportunity to speak with someone about the project.

  • Timeline item 5 - incomplete

    Consultation closes

    5.00pm Friday 4 July

Frequently Asked Questions

We recognise that traffic-related issues can impact how comfortable people feel on their streets and roads in their neighbourhoods. That’s why we’re consulting with businesses and residents to better understand their experiences.

We appreciate the feedback our community has provided to help shape the development of O’Connell Street. In this current consultation, the focus is specifically on driver behaviour. Through the O’Connell Street Revitalisation Project, there will be opportunities to provide input on the overall design of O’Connell Street at a later phase. If you’re interested, we encourage you to sign up to the project page to be involved, go to our Ouradelaide.sa.gov.au ‘O'Connell Street Revitalisation’.

Some driver behaviour can be described as ‘Hoon Driving’. The Department for Infrastructure and Transport defines “Hoon driving” as driver behaviour that includes:

  • Driving at very high speeds
  • Performing burnouts or doughnuts
  • Dangerous or careless driving
  • Failing to maintain proper control of a vehicle
  • Causing a vehicle to make excessive noise or smoke


    • In South Australia, these behaviours are considered hoon-related offences when committed in a way that endangers public safety or disrupts the community. Strong penalties, including impounding vehicles, are in place.

    We’ve been working closely with the community to shape the future of O’Connell Street—one of North Adelaide’s most iconic destinations.

    Since 2021, through conversations, surveys, and focus groups, we’ve heard what matters most to locals, businesses and visitors. We’ve explored ideas to improve safety, accessibility, amenity and vibrancy, and we have used this feedback to help guide planning.

    So far, we’ve:

  • Held stakeholder roundtables with the Lord Mayor
  • Engaged residents, businesses and visitors through surveys and focus groups
  • Explored how people use the street and what would make it more enjoyable
  • Worked with the community to develop vision and design principles

    • In 2022, Council engaged with the community to better understand priorities for O’Connell Street. Feedback from surveys, drop-in sessions, and stakeholder meetings informed key design principles, which have guided the concept design. Some of the key themes previously raised include:

  • Improved pedestrian safety and crossings
  • More greenery and shade
  • Cycle infrastructure
  • Better lighting and security
  • Support for local businesses

    • Speak with a staff member

      Please contact Beth Merrigan, Senior Planner

      T: (08) 8203 7203

      E: b.merrigan@cityofadelaide.com.au