3m-high pharaoh a traffic stopper

Artist Emad Kerolos El-Meiri with the pharaoh he is producing for the Coptic church at Cowandilla. Picture: Sam Wundke Source: adelaidenow

COWANDILLA motorists could be forgiven for doing a double take when passing a 3m statue of an Egyptian pharaoh.

The St Mary and Anba Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church has put up a statue of Ramses II, along with a 4m high pyramid, to educate children about Egyptian and Coptic history.

The group, based on Goldfinch Ave, has its fingers crossed the replica of Egypt's Step Pyramid, about 30km south of Cairo, will be ready in time for History Week, beginning May 1.

Sculptor Emad Kerolos El-Meiri has been working on the plaster and foam statue since October.

"It is what I enjoy doing and it will be good for the community because it will create an interest in what it is and what it represents," Mr Elmairy said.

"It has been difficult because I have had to protect it from the rain but I'm happy with the result so far."

West Torrens Council slapped a stop work order on the statue's construction last month.

The church was forced to submit a retrospective development application because work began without council planning approval.

The statue has since been given the all-clear and Father Philippos Youssef was confident the pyramid would also be approved by May.

"We are writing a letter (to the council) explaining how it will benefit the community and why it should be allowed," Mr Youssef said.

"We talk to people who live around here and they do not seem to have a problem with it - a lot of people come and take photos."

Church neighbour Vicki Symenoikas, 77, said neither the statue nor the pyramid bothered her.

"It will be nice when they are built - they will be interesting to look at," Ms Symenoikas said.

"They are lovely people. (Mr Elmairy) pushes me in my wheelchair when I need to go somewhere."

King Ramses II ruled from 1279-1213 BC and is often considered the most powerful pharaoh because of his success in battle, the length of his rule, and because he built the UNESCO listed Abu Simbel temple near Aswan in Egypt.

The statue is visible from Goldfinch Ave, while the unfinished pyramid is in the back of the church's carpark.

A council spokeswoman said its Development Assessment Panel would consider the church's application within a few weeks.

For more news on the west, pick up a copy of the Weekly Times Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

 

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Sinkhole disrupts traffic at major city intersection

Construction workers try to fix a sinkhole cause by a burst water main on the corner of North Tce and East Tce in the city. Picture: Dean Martin

A SINKHOLE caused by a burst water main at the corner of East Tce and North Tce in the city - near popular Fringe venues - is expected to disrupt traffic for several hours.

SA Water crews are trying to fix the broken main - next to Rundle Park where The Garden of Unearthly Delights is based - but warn it could take up to 24 hours.

Police said all west-bound traffic on North Tcebetween Hackney Road and East Tce is closed until further notice.

The sinkhole at the corner of East Terrace and North Terrace in the city. Picture: SAPOL

East-bound traffic on North Tce is unaffected.

Motorists travelling east on North Tce can make a right turn into East Tce.

The sinkhole on the corner of North Tce and East Tce in the city. Picture: Dean Martin

Road restrictions are expected to change throughout the day.

Police at the site of the sinkhole, which is expected to cause traffic delays for several hours.

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High-rise will add to traffic pressure: RAA

The RAA is concerned the Britannia roundabout will come under even more pressure if high-rise apartments are allowed near the parklands. Source: The Advertiser

HIGH-rise apartments around the parklands will add extra pressure to already overburdened eastern roads, the RAA says.

The RAA has lodged a submission in response to the State Government's plan to allow buildings up to 10 storeys to be built along Greenhill and Fullarton roads.

In its submission, the RAA has called on the government to commit funding to reconstruct the Britannia roundabout and add extra lanes and extend clearways on Greenhill Rd.

RAA mobility and automotive policy manager Mark Borlace told the Eastern Courier Messenger high-rise apartments around the parklands would put more pressure on the Britannia roundabout and the east's main roads, already "over capacity".

"The Britannia roundabout is already a problem and a lot of the main roads like Greenhill, Unley and Goodwood already have congestion problems," Mr Borlace said.

"We can't add to the congestion problem that already exists if we want to continue to be a liveable city."

He said the government needed to develop a comprehensive transport plan, which included off-street parking and pedestrian and cyclist access.

"It needs to be an integral part of the plan so it doesn't make parts of Adelaide's transport network worse," he said.

Mr Borlace said the RAA welcomed the Federal Government's announcement last week that it would fund a $2 million integrated transport study for Adelaide.

In a statement, Planning Minister John Rau said the study would focus on integrating planning, infrastructure and transport to guide federal, state and local investment for the next 30 years.

More than 40,000 motorists use the Britannia roundabout daily.

For more news on the east and inner-south, pick up a copy of the Eastern Courier Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

 

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Road watch: Expressway traffic heavy

THE Southern Expressway is already becoming busy from Majors Rd.

It will be closed between 9.30am and 2pm for duplication work today.

Nick Green from the Australian Traffic Network said the South Eastern Freeway uptrack had returned to normal after a broken down car near the tunnel.

Mr Green said the Southern Expressway was beginning to get busy from Majors Rd. 

Main North Rd and Prospect Rd, Blair Athol

Airport Rd and Henley Beach Rd, Brooklyn Park

Cavan Rd, Dry Creek

Black Rd, Flagstaff Hill

One Tree Hill Rd, Golden Grove

Lyons Rd, Holden Hill

Grand Junction Rd, Hope Valley

Wright Rd, Ingle Farm

Anzac Hwy and Richmond Rd, Keswick

Churchill Rd, Kilburn

Anzac Hwy, Kurralta Park

Smart Rd, Modbury

Montague Rd, Pooraka

Regency Rd, Prospect

Grenfell Rd, Redwood Park

Marion Rd and Richmond Rd, Richmond

Brighton Rd, Seacliff

Hancock Rd, Smart Rd and Tolley Rd, St Agnes.

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