Opening of Hope Valley Reservoir is still ‘many months’ away

THE State Government says its election promise to open up a northeast Adelaide reservoir for activities such as fishing, cycling, kayaking and swimming is still ‘many months’ away.

Stephen Ross (centre) and nearby residents say a reopened Hope Valley Reservoir would be a popular tourist destination. Picture: AAP/Roy Vandervegt.

• Open the gates, residents say

THE State Government has reaffirmed an election promise to open up Hope Valley Reservoir for activities such as fishing, cycling, kayaking and swimming, but the move is still “many months” away.

In a written message last month to Stephen Ross, the man behind popular Facebook page Hope Valley Reservoir — Time to open the gates, Water Minister David Speirs said opening the site remained a “clear priority … but it will take quite a while to execute”.

“Detailed plans have to be put together and a whole range of appropriate checks and balances put in place,” Mr Speirs said. “It’s going to take many months to get it right.

“However, it will happen.”

Mr Speirs said a letter given to him by Premier Steven Marshall outlined a list of tasks he was expected to get done as water and environment minister.

“This included opening up of a number of reservoirs in the state,” Mr Speirs said.

“Hope Valley is one of these.

“I will keep you posted.”

Former Water Minister Ian Hunter told the NorthEastern Weekly in February there had never been any official open access at the reservoir and his government opposed it on the grounds it posed a risk to the security of safe, clean and affordable water.

But Newland MP Richard Harvey said at the time it could become a weekend hub for fishing, cycling, kayaking and swimming.

Mr Ross said last week he was glad the new government remained committed to the project.

“(I’m) looking forward to … enjoying a walk around the Hope Valley Reservoir,” he said.

“Obviously there is a lot of planning to be done from here.”

He said he couldn’t ask for anything more this early into the State Government’s tenure.

“I understand it’s not as simple as knocking down the fence and I really want the government and SA Water to get it right,” he said.

“The most important part of the design is the ability to do a complete lap of the reservoir.

“My plan is to sit tight and contact David (Speirs) again in six months to see how it’s progressing.

“My expectation is that it will be open in the new government’s first term.”

The Environment and Water Minister did not respond to questions from NorthEastern Weekly before deadline.