SOUTH Australians will feel their city is alive with an upgraded Adelaide Oval and a more vibrant, active city centre, psychologists and business experts say.

They say South Australia's reputation - here and interstate - as the backwater state where nothing happens also will fade when the Adelaide Oval and riverbank redevelopment goes ahead.

Widespread relief over Monday night's historic vote of South Australian Cricket Association members was tempered late yesterday when the State Government warned plans for AFL matches to begin at Adelaide Oval in 2014 would be placed in jeopardy if Parliament refused to play ball on landmark legislation to guarantee the project's long-term viability.

Infrastructure Minister Pat Conlon has revealed he will introduce legislation within weeks to guarantee football and cricket permanent rights to use the stadium and grant them a long-term lease over the site.

Mr Conlon yesterday also foreshadowed free public transport for all football fans heading to matches at the Oval in an attempt to reduce the demand for carparking.

The Government expects to begin construction after the next cricket season but has warned the project will become costlier and the start of football games delayed if landmark legislation is held up in the Upper House.

"It's difficult for us to go to that process with surety if, by then, we haven't got the legislation taken care of. And that's why we'd really like to do it quickly and get it through before we go on the mid-year break," Mr Conlon said.

"That's not going to happen if the Liberals oppose it. And it's going to make it very hard for us to keep timelines.

"The Legislative Council could stuff this around forever.

"The issue is whether they think it will proceed, and want it on time and in the cheapest fashion."

Family First and The Greens have expressed a willingness to support the changes.

However, the Opposition's support would guarantee speedy success. Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond said she would have to see what legislation was introduced.

Mr Conlon said one of the major complaints over the project - carparking capacity - could be solved by including the cost of public transport in a football ticket.

Organisational psychologist Dr Darryl Cross said the new major arena in the city centre would lead to people seeing their city in a different light.

"People often say there's not enough life in the city," Dr Cross said yesterday. "What they're talking about is movement and activity, which has often been described as dead. Bringing a stadium to life will have a fringe benefit."

Dr Cross said greater vibrancy in the area around Adelaide Oval would lead to more activity in the city, with people flocking to restaurants and shopping precincts.

"I think people will see (the redevelopment) as a step up."

Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan said that proceeding with the Adelaide Oval redevelopment would be a green light for generational change.

He said a no vote would have reinforced the view that you couldn't get anything done in SA.

"I think what's been done is it has given a green light to anybody who is thinking of putting money into Adelaide; that with good, hard work and planning, people here are happy with new ideas and thoughts," he said.

"Young people or old, what keeps workers in the state is if there is sustainable employment. This will create activity, employment and entertainment."

Their comments come as the Federal Government pledges talks with state counterparts over extra funding for the planned 50,000- seat stadium, in the wake of the 80 per cent SACA vote for football in the city.

Final results also indicate the vote's fate was sealed last week - well before the Wayville Showgrounds meeting.

It is believed that about 85 per cent of participating members lodged early proxy or online votes.

Adelaide City Council has expressed support for extending the length of the Oval contract but is reluctant to give up the control of - and possible revenue from - parklands ownership to sporting heavyweights.

The Opposition yesterday launched a new attack on the Oval project and demanded that the Government provide final costs for the redevelopment, which it claims will lock taxpayers into a near $1 billion spend.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday reaffirmed the organisation would provide a "significant contribution" to the development, expected to be about $5 million for football-specific infrastructure.

Five expressions of interest have already been received for the construction project and the Government intends to select a preferred builder as early as July.

A total cost will be determined then, but Mr Conlon says early indications are $535 million may be enough to finish the build.

Billy Stretch, 14, son of Melbourne wingman Steven, has always dreamed of playing AFL and could be one of the first to play at a revamped Adelaide Oval in 2014.

"It would mean a lot to play at Adelaide Oval," said Stretch, who plays in the SANFL, with Glenelg's under-16s.

"It looks to be a fantastic oval, right in the heart of the city; but it will take a lot of hard work and commitment to get it to that stage."

Woodville-West Torrens under-15 player Sam McGill said he had always dreamed of playing a higher lever of footy.

"It would be new and exciting to play on a deck like this which is so pristine," he said after having a kick with Stretch at Adelaide Oval yesterday.

"Playing footy here will be bring everyone from all over the place, whereas at West Lakes, it would just be the people from the west."