ABC Adelaide to Relocate to New CBD Arts and Media Hub

The ABC has announced a new location for its Adelaide operations, moving to a new arts and media hub in the CBD. The proposed facility will be at the former Adelaide Bus Station, known as the Tapangka site, on Franklin Street.

Arts and Media Hub Details

The hub will co-locate ABC Adelaide with Country Arts SA, State Theatre Company South Australia, and State Opera South Australia.

The public broadcaster and the South Australian government will partner with urban development agency Renewal SA to develop the hub, pending public works approval.

The move from the current Collinswood building, which is nearly 52 years old, is expected to be completed by 2031. ABC Chair Kim Williams stated that planning and approval processes would occur in 2026-27, with construction potentially beginning in 2028. The cost for the relocation has not yet been finalized.

The new ABC offices are planned to include modern production studios, along with content creation, technical, and administrative areas. The Tapangka location was selected following a detailed feasibility study.

Government Contribution and Future Plans

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the government will contribute $51 million towards the proposed arts precinct.

Decommissioning of the ABC Adelaide Collinswood property will proceed in parallel with the construction of the Tapangka Arts and Media Hub. The organizations currently at Collinswood will remain there for the next five years as divestment plans for the current site are finalized. The current Collinswood site on North East Road spans five acres and accommodates over 200 ABC staff.

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks stated that the new home for ABC Adelaide would be "fit for purpose for a modern public broadcaster" and offers significant benefits to the broader arts community.

Local Content Production Boost

In related news, a live-action adaptation of the children's television series 'Bananas in Pyjamas' will return to production in Adelaide with Windmill Production Company. This initiative is supported by the federal government's $50 million funding allocation to the ABC for local content, specifically focusing on children's programming. Production for 'Bananas in Pyjamas' is set to commence this year.

Additionally, a third season of the ABC comedy series 'Austin,' starring Michael Theo, has begun filming in South Australia and the United Kingdom.