Hallett Cove’s bridge over troubled walkers: Marion Council reveals scenic coastal trail upgrade plan

After years of problems, the Hallett Cove coastal boardwalk is set to be upgraded with a 50m-long suspended cable bridge over a gully.

It’s not quite the Sydney Harbour Bridge but Adelaide is to get a landmark new bridge set to become a tourist attraction in its own right.

The as-yet-unnamed 50m suspended cable bridge will stand 25m high over Kurnabinna Gully at Hallett Cove and form part of Marion Council’s Coastal Walkway, replacing boardwalk stairs.

Almost 3km of the walkway was closed in June last year due to safety concerns, with 2km reopening in January.

The $4.8m project will be equally funded by the council and the state government, and will form part of the government’s 71km Coast Park walk stretching from Sellicks Beach to North Haven.

Artist impressions of the bridge proposed for the Hallett Cove coastal walkway.

Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said finding a safe way to allow access over the gullies had been a challenging design problem.

“These gullies do down more than 50m and we were constrained by a tight budget but we have a wonderful partnership with the state government,” he said.

“Having a bridge will be a lot safer with not so many twists and turns.

“It is a very popular walkway and already a tourist attraction – this will enhance that.”

The project includes new lookouts along the upgraded section of the walk. Beach access will be removed at Kurnabinna gully due to ongoing safety concerns about rockfalls.

Artist impressions of the bridge proposed for the Hallett Cove coastal walkway.

The City of Marion has released designs for the replacement sections of our much-loved Hallett Cove boardwalk. This includes a cable bridge across Kurnabinna Gully (pictured), replacing the steps which go up and down the gully. Picture: City of Marion

On his Facebook page, Environment Minister David Speirs spruiked the bridge as boosting accessibility “to people with mobility challenges and users of all ages”.

Compared to replacing the stairs, he said the bridge could be completed faster, would reduce impacts on native plants and animals, and overcome safety concerns about the long-term stability of the cliffs.

Many of the 160 comments his post attracted praised the project for accessibility and environmental sensitivity.

But some bemoaned the loss of workout challenge the stairs provided and said the bridge failed to blend into the landscape.

The plan is out for community consultation and Mr Hanna said if there were no significant objections he hoped building would commence over summer.

Submissions close on October 19 and the council will discuss the project at a meeting on October 26.

The concept was first endorsed last November when it was approved to progress to detailed designs.

The bridge is expected to have lower ongoing maintenance costs compared to the stairs.

Mr Speirs said: “This boardwalk has been closed for far too long and it’s time to get it back open.”