John Rau's Brisbane "South Bank" plan for the River Torrens Adelaide's picturesque River Torrens. Picture: Tom Huntley Source: Supplied CITY revellers will soon be sipping cocktails on the grassy banks of the Torrens if Planning Minister John Rau gets his way. Mr Rau wants to transform the grassed verge in front of the redeveloped Convention Centre - adjacent the new footbridge - into "Adelaide's South Bank," after the cultural precinct on the southern bank of the Brisbane River. "The idea is this: the Convention Centre redevelopment that is going on presently prevents the full potential ... at the moment because it is a building site," Mr Rau told The City. Planning Minister John Rau has bold plans for the River Torrens. But when that is finished - and that won't be for some little while - in my mind's eye there would be a series of opportunities for businesses to operate at that lower level, on to the grassed area all the way along there, where there are restaurants or bars. I think there is every reason to think [this can occur]. This is something that I would like the Riverbank Authority to turn their minds, to, curating to make sure we have the right pitch there. But any proposed works would not begin until the $350 million Convention Centre expansion are complete in mid-2017, Mr Rau said. Debate has raged about how to revamp the area in the wake of the successful opening of the $535 million redeveloped Adelaide Oval and the completion of the $40 million Torrens footbridge. Footy fans on the new River Torrens footbridge. A government-commissioned report, published late last year, revealed community support for upgrading the Riverbank. Mr Rau said the plan, which his department was still developing, was among one of the first agenda items he wanted the newly formed Riverbank Authority to investigate. The Riverbank Authority, which appointed board members in September, will oversee the long-term vision and planning for an area along the river from Bowden in the inner west to Gilberton, in the east. The River Torrens at night. Picture: Mike Burton Source: Supplied Mr Rau said: "Is there going to be activation of areas around the Convention Centre, then what style of business do you want there? Do you want hamburger joints or do you want nice restaurants, or do you want cafes or a mix of retail? Brisbane's South Bank. Personally, and with no disrespect to international chains, I would not want to see McDonalds, Hungry Jacks [or] Buffalo Bills. It would be nice if it were a little bit more nuanced than that. Mr Rau's intervention comes as the government considers a proposal from tycoon Lang Walker for a $170 million Riverbank hotel and carpark development. The government is considering Mr Walker's proposal to build a hotel of up to 20 storeys behind Old Parliament House as well as developing a strip of bars and restaurants in Festival Plaza. A decision is weeks away, and, if approved, could potentially trigger a long-awaited $350 million Adelaide Casino expansion. Originally published as "What Adelaide needs is our own South Bank"