City of Playford
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| City of Playford South Australia |
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| Population: | 70,022 (2003) | ||||||||||||
| • Density: | 203.0/km² (525.8/sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Area: | 344.9 km² (133.2 sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Mayor: | Martin Lindsell | ||||||||||||
| Council Seat: | Elizabeth | ||||||||||||
| Region: | Metropolitan Adelaide | ||||||||||||
| State District: | Little Para, Kavel, Light, Napier, Taylor | ||||||||||||
| Federal Division: | Wakefield | ||||||||||||
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The City of Playford is a Local Government Area of South Australia, located in Adelaide's northern suburbs. It was formed in 1997 through the merger of Elizabeth and Munno Para City Councils, which were formed in 1955 and 1853, respectively. The name 'Playford' comes from the recognition of Sir Thomas Playford, who played a part in the development of the area, and was South Australia's premier from 1938-1965. Its major business district is Elizabeth.
Prior to the 1950s, most of Munno Para and Elizabeth were farming estates. At the time, South Australia was growing and becoming an industrialised state and there was a housing shortage coming on. The South Australian Housing Trust initiated a housing development program in the area, with a purchase of 3,000 acres (12 km²) of land. The City of Elizabeth was formed on 16 November 1955, being named after Queen Elizabeth II, who visited the city in 1963.
Elizabeth is home to many of South Australia's largest industries, such as Exide Batteries and General Motors Holden, which has based their manufacturing plant there.
Despite being a major industrial centre in Adelaide, The City of Playford has suffered economically since the 1970s and carries a higher rate of disadvantage than other areas in Adelaide. This has occurred because of falling migration rates in the 1970s, higher rate of unemployment (as much as 30% in some suburbs), and the recessions that Adelaide has suffered through the years. Recently however, the council has created a number of new housing developments, which have been planned and built - attracting young working couples and families in an attempt to rejuvenate the area. A new Civic Centre including a council chamber, library, theatre and function centre has been built. Other notable developments are the new library in Smithfield, and the revamp of Elizabeth City Centre shopping centre including a new 8-screen cinema complex. It was recently announced that AUD$1 billion would be allocated to rejuvenate the Peachey Belt. Known as the Playford North Urban Regeneration project, it is expected that the population of the area will increase from 13,000 residents to 30,000 in 15 years and will involve the demolition of most Housing SA homes.
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 beaten by Martin Lindsell, the last mayor of the City of Munno Para.[1]
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