Controversial Tennyson coast path plans out for public consultation after years of delays
Plans for a coastal path leading to the Tennyson dunes – that for years have been the subject of legal battles and opposition from nearby residents – are now out for public consultation.
West & Beaches
Don't miss out on the headlines from West & Beaches. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Charles Sturt Council hands over plans for stretch of continuous coast path
- How to make the most out of your Advertiser subscription
Plans for a controversial stretch of coastal path – that in 2017 was the centre of a Supreme Court battle – have been brought forward after the State Government opened public consultation on the project.
Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll has opened the consultation after the Government last year took control of the long-delayed project from Charles Sturt Council.
The first stage would be built between Third Ave, Semaphore Park, and the Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve.
A second stage would be built south of the dunes, after a separate round of consultation.
The path will eventually form part of a 70km stretch from North Haven to Sellicks Beach.
According to a letter from Mr Knoll to Charles Sturt chief executive Paul Sutton, the new path alignment would have “no environmental impact and no further investigation or studies are required”.
Concrete is proposed to be used for the path.
In a submission to the consultation, Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans said the council “strongly supports” the planned path, adding it should be made of either concrete or boardwalk.
But Geoffrey Reed, of the Wild Endangered Dunes Group, in a deputation to the council, opposed a concrete path, which he said would encourage speeding cyclists and be, in places, 2m from bedroom windows.
He said “the majority of people want a natural, low-impact path”.
“A meandering, natural path is far more flexible because it can be sited further away from bedroom windows,” Mr Reed said.
The project has had extensive delays due to opposition from Tennyson locals and environmental groups over the path’s planned proximity to homes and potential damage to sand dunes.
A 2017 Supreme Court judgment vindicated the Coastal Ecology Protection Group, which argued Charles Sturt Council had failed to properly consult with residents about its plan to build a concrete and boardwalk path.
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure last year wrote to Mr Sutton advising him that it would take over the project under the Linear Parks Act.
The legislation allows the Government to “establish, maintain and preserve” linear parks throughout the state.
The council handed over previous reports and plans to the Government so it could come up with a suitable design.
The Government has so far spent $43.3 million building 45km of the trail.