Multi-million dollar plan to makeover this foreshore in Adelaide’s south west moves a step closer
A MULTIMILLION-dollar plan to makeover a foreshore in Adelaide’s south west is taking shape with the local council giving the nod for design work on a new amphitheatre and playground to start.
MARION Council will push ahead with design work for a new amphitheatre and playground at Hallett Cove Foreshore after it endorsed the latest concept plans.
Staff will also seek State Government money to help fund the area’s $2.7 million overhaul.
Under the plans, a new playground on the foreshore would include an adventure trail, water play area, sandpit, slides, swings and a climbing frame.
There would also be an amphitheatre for events, fitness equipment, a new public toilet, extra shade, sand dune protection work, a carparking upgrade and stormwater work.
Elected members voted to go ahead with detailed designs for the upgrade, after it was largely supported during community consultation.
The project’s first stage was a $360,000 war memorial, built in time for the Anzac centenary last year.
Hallett Cove Lions project manager Graeme Botting, who organises dawn services at the memorial, said his members were “quite excited” about the rest of the upgrade.
“Finally something is going to be done down there,” Mr Botting said.
“All it is at the moment is a stretch of grass — there’s nothing there at all and no shade.”
About 7000 people attended this year’s Hallett Cove dawn service.
“There’s also a lot of people that go to the memorial because there’s a barbecue there and with the new plans the council have got, it will blend in with family barbecues and picnics.”
The council has $1.253 million set aside for the rest of the project’s cost, and will approach the Planning Department seeking matching funding.
It had initially planned to work on the amphitheatre after completing the playground.
However, the council has since decided to swap the timelines around, so it can host a community concert there in March 2018.
A Planning Department spokesman did not respond before presstime.
Marion city development manager Abby Dickson said if the council’s funding bid was unsuccessful, it would reconsider the timing of the works, and look at other funding options.