Coastal Protection Board hands down Witton Bluff coastal walkway investigation

The long-awaited $5.3m Witton Bluff trail may have another chance at life following a state government-ordered environmental investigation. See the latest.

Planning for long-awaited Witton Bluff Base Trail can recommence with a state government-ordered environmental investigation being completed.

Work on the $5.3m coastal walkway was called to a halt in March following eleventh-hour discussions between the Port Noarlunga Conservation Society and Environment Minister David Speirs which resulted in a ministerial stop-work request to allow further investigation.

The society campaigned against the trail – which would connect Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga – citing concerns of the fragile nature of the cliffs it would be built into.

However a report from the Coastal Protection Board has since found the current design was unlikely to lead to “unacceptable impacts on the coastal environment”.

An artist impression of the Witton Bluff Base Trail. Picture: Onkaparinga Council

“Geotechnical investigations suggest the impact of the walkway footings on the landform is

minimal and manageable, due to the strength of the limestone shelf, design siting and

construction methodology,” the report said.

“The walkway footings are therefore unlikely to significantly influence or exacerbate erosion at the base of the rock platform.”

It also found the project complied with the board’s coastal access, environmental and hazard polices.

Most of the trail was built in the 1980s. However, construction difficulties and the project’s multimillion-dollar price tag stopped it from being finished.

Mr Speirs – who referred the project to the Coastal Protection Board – said he was pleased the report said the project should be able to proceed without impacting the environment.

“However, the board has also recommended a number of checks and balances that the council must thoroughly follow,” Mr Speirs said.

“I found it odd that Labor-aligned councillors and MPs called into question this referral. “Surely this is exactly what the Coast Protection Board is for: to investigate, to reassure and to put appropriate environmental protections in place.

The community is concerned a base trail would negatively impact the cliffs at Witton Bluff.

“This should be celebrated as the system working well and I encourage the City of Onkaparinga to work with the board in the future rather than try to circumvent its counsel.”

Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the council would continue to work collaboratively with the board and Department of Environment and Water.

“This project has strong community support, can deliver economic, social and recreational benefits to our city, and will deliver on the state government’s broader Coast Park vision,” Ms Thompson said.

“Work will now continue with the concept design planning and working with our Kaurna community.

“We expect an update report will be coming back to Council mid-2021.”

The Port Noarlunga Conservation Society has been contacted for comment.