Marion Council calls on State Government to help fund repairs to Hallett Cove boardwalk
Marion Council will “humbly” go hat in hand to the State Government to help them save the Hallett Cove boardwalk after an audit recommended permanently closing some sections.
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Marion Council will “humbly” approach the State Government to help fund repairs to the popular Hallett Cove boardwalk, after an audit recommended permanently closing some sections.
Mayor Kris Hanna said it would likely cost millions of dollars to rebuild sections of the timber walkway between Hallett Cove and Marino.
“We are financially healthy but this will have a huge impact on our budget,” Mr Hanna said.
“This beautiful coastline is for all of Adelaide to enjoy, so in due course we will humbly be approaching the State Government for help with this project.”
The council has temporarily closed 2.5km of the boardwalk after an engineering report rated its safety risk as “high” because drainage problems had weakened the timber footings.
Marion councillors were last week given a report updating them on a safety audit of the 8km coastal path which revealed it will only be safe for up to another 10 years.
The report said some sections on the cliff face, including the stretch between Grey Rd Gully and Kurnabinna Gully, might remain closed if it proved too difficult or expensive to repair.
It recommends permanently closing the boardwalk on the foreshore at Murto Parade and Kurnabinna Gully.
The report also said Marion Council could look to rebuild the timber boardwalk with a longer-lasting material such as fibre-reinforced polymer or plastic.
“(This) is suited to marine environments and has an asset life of 50 years,” it said.
Federal Labor MP for Kingston Amanda Rishworth has written to both Premier Steven Marshall and Mr Hanna urging them to reach a funding solution.
“The Hallett Cove foreshore is an iconic part of our state,” Ms Rishworth said.
“I understand there are issues with the structure of the boardwalk, particularly the ageing footings.
“However, the permanent closure ... should not be considered an option.”
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Carol Bound, owner of the Boatshed Cafe at the Hallett Cove end, has called on the State Government to help the council fund repairs.
“I think people would like to see the State Government step in,” she said.
“The boardwalk gets used so much and it brings people to the area.
“It is quite an icon down this way.”
Environment Minister David Speirs is on leave and could not be reached for comment.