$14.5m plan to rebuild the Hallett Cove boardwalk
Hundreds gathered at a community meeting to demand the Hallett Cove boardwalk be repaired as Marion Council confirms it will cost $14.5 million to rebuild the path.
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More than 200 people attended a community meeting on Saturday to call for the Hallett Cove boardwalk to be repaired.
The meeting came a day after Marion Council announced it was considering a $14.5 million plan to rebuild the entire path but needs the State Government to help with funding.
Hundreds of people rallied together at Heron Way Reserve to hear from Federal Labor MP Amanda Rishworth and then Marion Mayor Kris Hanna about the way forward to repair the popular 8km walkway between Hallett Cove and Marino.
The council has confirmed that more than 2km of the boardwalk will be reopened by February after being closed in June as a safety precaution.
Fixing the closed sections of the boardwalk – between Murto Parade, Marino to Peera St, Hallett Cove – will cost about $238,000 and include installing new timber bracing and inserting metal rods into existing footings to improve stability.
Mr Hanna said elected members will consider a $4.8 million plan to upgrade further sections of the 8km walkway at their next meeting on November 26.
This will include at Kurnabinna and Grey Road gullies and connecting the walkway between Heron Way Reserve and the Field River.
The path, which was built in the 1990s, will likely only last for up to another 10 years – even with repairs – before needing to be replaced.
As a result, councillors will also consider a long-term plan to completely rebuild the structure out of a more durable material, at a cost $14.5 million over 15 years.
According to a council report, the coastal cliffs are a fragile environment for the walkway and stormwater run-off combined with erosion have had an extreme impact on the structures’ footings.
“The coastal walkway is a popular attraction, which is why council is in need of a long-term plan to renew it,” Mr Hanna said.
He said the council will approach the State and Federal governments to help fund the work.
“Council shares the community’s wishes to preserve the walkway so it can be enjoyed by present and future generations,” he said.
“We will continue to keep people informed every step of the way.”
Ms Rishworth said the “huge crowd” at the meeting on Saturday showed how important the boardwalk was to the local community and South Australia as a whole.
“The message from the community is clear – they want to see all sections of the boardwalk reopened, including the two gully sections at Grey Rd Gully and Kurnabinna Gully,” Ms Rishworth said.
“I am pleased the State Government is now paying attention, but they need to put money on the table along with the City of Marion to secure the long-term future of the boardwalk.
“I will continue to urge the State Government to work with the City of Marion to safely repair the boardwalk and ensure no section is closed permanently.”
The State Government has been contacted for comment.