New community space now open in Rosewater
Wednesday 14 October 2026
Just under a kilometre of space alongside a disused railway line between Russell Street and Grand Junction Road in Rosewater has been turned into a welcoming community area, following completion of the South Australian Government’s $1.5 million Rosewater Railway Loop project.
The completion of the project better connects the suburbs of Rosewater, Ottoway and Gillman with the Outer Harbor Greenway and Port Adelaide centre and creates a vibrant outdoor area for the community to enjoy.
The regenerated space features an unsealed path along the Loop. The project also includes an upgrade to the existing sealed connection at Eastbourne Terrace, and two new connections spanning Kelmscott Street to Leader Street, and Henry Street to Neptune Terrace.
Lighting upgrades to existing infrastructure have been completed at all three connections with the addition of one new light pole on Kelmscott Street to improve safety.
Native landscaping tailored to the local environment enriches the area’s natural appeal and revitalises its biodiversity and local habitat. A new picnic area near Campbell Street features tables and lawn to create a pleasant environment where locals can gather.
A new mural painted by Ella Simpson of Ink & Ruby Studios and facilitated by Rail Care SA brings colour and vibrancy to the area. The original theme for the mural was developed collaboratively by the local community, reflecting their ideas and aspirations for how the space could look and feel. The concept centred on the themes ‘Where We Play’ and ‘Woody Meadow’.
As part of the creative process, a group of Year 5 and 6 students participated in a three-day workshop facilitated by Ella. The students contributed their own ideas and designs, creating an interpretation of the original themes through their unique perspectives and artistic expression.
The artwork incorporates a range of elements inspired by both the local environment and the students’ designs, including Creeping Boobialla flowers, Indigofera Australis flowers and gum leaves.
The shapes in the artwork were inspired by the sawtooth industrial buildings of the area. Train line motifs were derived from student drawings, with circular forms inspired by train wheels and the colour palette informed by student artwork and recommendations from local greening groups.
The artwork forms part of the broader revitalisation of the Rosewater Loop, celebrating local identity while strengthening community pride, creativity, and a stronger sense of place.
Volunteers have been a vital part of the project, contributing to planting, maintaining the area and keeping it clean, and providing feedback to help guide the project to best reflect the community’s wishes for this space.
The Rosewater Loop is complemented by a recently completed new shared use path through the Gillman Railyards between McNicol Terrace, Rosewater and Florence Terrace, Ottoway, delivered by the City of Port Adelaide Enfield with $200,000 of grant funding from the South Australian Government’s State Bicycle Fund.