Kidman Park, South Australia

History

Once owned by the eponymous pastoralist, Sidney Kidman, Kidman Park was established in 1954 by the South Australian Housing Trust.

St. James

In June 2023, South Australian property developer Fairland Group announced a masterplanned community named St. James. It is slated for the site of a former Metcash distribution centre at the southeastern edge of Kidman Park.

The development area is bounded by Valetta Road to the north, Findon Road to the east, the River Torrens and Linear Park to the south, and a number of residential cul-de-sacs to the west. Approximately 400 homes will form the development, offering predominantly detached two-storey homes and apartments.

Precincts

St. James will comprise six distinct precincts, intended to section the development by character and composition.

• Valetta Promenade — the primary thoroughfare connecting Valetta Road to the development with larger homes offering greater street presence.
• St James Place — set to be the hub of St. James with a mix of commercial spaces and apartments on the corner of Valetta and Findon Roads.
• Central Park — oriented towards Findon Road with smaller lots and apartments set around a central reserve.
• Veneti Place — set deeper within the development adjacent existing cul-de-sacs to the west, its name takes inspiration from early Venetian immigrants who resided in Kidman Park.
• Greenwood — adjacent to the River Torrens Linear Park, narrower "terrace" allotments will take advantage of views over the river and the existing landscape.
• Keele Bridge — a small retail precinct set to integrate with apartments and townhouses, its name takes inspiration from the bridge that connects Findon and Rowells Road across the River Torrens, opened in 1937.

Geography

Kidman Park lies between Grange Road and the River Torrens. Findon Road forms the suburb's eastern boundary.

Demographics

The 2016 Census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics counted 3,380 persons in Kidman Park on census night. Of these, 48.8% were male and 51.2% were female.

The majority of residents (21.1%) are of Italian background, with other common census responses being Australian (17.6%), Greece (7.9%) and England (19.2%).

The age distribution of Kidman Park residents is skewed higher than the greater Australian population. 75.4% of residents were over 25 years in 2016, compared to the Australian average of 68.8%; and 24.6% were younger than 25 years, compared to the Australian average of 31.2%.

Politics

Local government

Kidman Park is part of Findon Ward in the City of Charles Sturt local government area, being represented in that council by Doriana Coppola and Joe Ienco.

State and federal

Kidman Park lies in the state electoral district of Colton and the federal electoral division of Hindmarsh. The suburb is represented in the South Australian House of Assembly by Paul Caica and federally by Matt Williams.

Community

Schools

Kidman Park Primary School is located on Dean Avenue. It was founded in 1967.

Facilities and attractions

Parks

Collins Reserve is located on Valetta Road. Linear Park extends along the River Torrens on the suburbs southern boundary.

The Fulham Cricket Club has its home at Collins Reserve. It is a cricket club in the western suburbs of Adelaide. The Club fields several senior and junior teams with the red, white and black colours and Falcon emblem.

Transportation

Roads

Kidman Park is serviced by Findon Road and Grange Road, the latter connecting the suburb to Adelaide city centre.

Public transport

Kidman Park is serviced by public transport run by the Adelaide Metro. buses run on findon road, grange road, valetta road and tapleys hill road.

Bicycle routes

A combined pedestrian and bicycle path lies along Linear Park, Collins Reserve and the Torrens River.

References

References

1. "Place Names of South Australia". State Library of South Australia.
2. "Kidman Park, South Australia (Adelaide)". Postcodes-Australia.com.
3. "City of Charles Sturt Wards and Council Members". City of Charles Sturt.
4. "Electoral Districts – Electoral District for the 2010 Election". Electoral Commission SA.
5. "Find my electorate: Hindmarsh". Australian Electoral Commission.
6. (26 June 2023). "Fairland’s Kidman Park development cleared for launch after re-zoning approval granted".
7. "Masterplan".
8. (19 June 1937). "Opening Of Keele Bridge". [[The Mail (Adelaide)]].
9. (2011). "Adelaide and surrounds street directory". UBD.
10. {{Census 2006 AUS
11. "Australian Schools Directory". Australian Schools Directory.
12. (15 November 2022). "History".
13. "Public Transport in Adelaide". Dept. for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Public Transport Division.