Onkaparinga Council to investigate finishing Witton Bluff coastal trail
PEOPLE power has convinced Onkaparinga Council to consider finishing a coastal trail linking Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga sooner rather than later.
PEOPLE power has convinced Onkaparinga Council to consider finishing a coastal trail linking Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga sooner rather than later.
More than 1000 people signed a petition calling on the council to earmark funding in its 2017/18 budget to finish the remaining 300m of walking and cycling trail at Witton Bluff.
Christies Beach Business and Tourism Association chairwoman Gail Pounsett and Reynell MP Katrine Hildyard pushed at a council meeting last week for the work to be prioritised, explaining it would help struggling businesses and boost tourism in the area.
After more than half an hour of debate, councillors voted to in March receive a report detailing planning, design and construction options for the trail.
Most of the 1.2km trail, which runs along the cliff edge between the two suburbs, was built in the 1980s.
But construction challenges including difficult access, potential erosion from waves and cliff instability stopped it from being finished.
The council labelled the project a “low priority” in 2013 because of the challenges and its $3 million price tag, which was based on 2009 designs for a boardwalk.
Funding remained a contentious topic of debate last week, with some councillors suggesting it should be sidelined until at least 2020.
However, Mid South Coast ward councillor Bill Jamieson told the chamber the staff report could offer options to reduce its cost.
He also reminded councillors they could apply for State Government funding to cover the cost of at least half of the trail, which would make up part of the 75km Coast Park path from Sellicks Beach to North Haven.
Port Noarlunga Business and Tourism Association chairwoman Jeanette Howell said the community was finally being heard.
Mrs Hildyard, Kaurna MP Chris Picton and Kingston MP Amanda Rishworth have vowed to lobby the State and Federal Government’s for funding.