Sections of Hallett Cove to Marino boardwalk could permanently close
The Hallett Cove boardwalk may only last another decade, a new safety report finds. Replacing its ageing footings will only add five to ten years before permanent closure.
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Some sections of the popular timber boardwalk at Hallett Cove may remain permanently closed after an inspection found the path will only be safe to walk on for up to another 10 years.
Marion councillors were last week given a report updating them on a safety audit of the 8km walkway between Hallett Cove and Marino.
It revealed that repairing or replacing ageing footings would likely only extend the life of the boardwalk for another five to 10 years.
“Due to the age of the asset (20-25 years old) it is likely council will only gain another 5—10 years of the overall life of the asset,” the report said.
“The current building material used for the majority of the coastal walkway structures is permapine timber, which has an expected useful life of 30 years, given the surrounding environment.”
The council has temporarily closed 2.5km of the boardwalk to undertake safety inspections of about 560 footings and the wooden structures across 12 sites.
This followed an engineering report rated the safety risk as “high” due to drainage problems weakening the boardwalk’s timber footings.
The report said some sections on the cliff face, including between Grey Rd Gully and Kurnabinna Gully, may 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.
“Where it is not possible to undertake these works and where the cost outweighs the remaining life of the asset, investigations will be redirected into alternate alignment opportunities and these sections will remain closed,” it said.
The report also states that the 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.
If the council chooses to replace the attraction, it could apply for State Government funding towards the project.
Lizzie Aveson, 24, who has just moved to the area from California, said it would be terrible if the sections on the foreshore were permanently closed.
“I walked along (the boardwalk) for the first time today and it is the most perfect thing I have ever seen,” Ms Aveson said.
“I can’t wait to bring my parents here when they come to visit me, it is like a hidden gem, not enough people know about it.”
Over the past 10 years, Marion Council has spent $1.5 million to maintain the boardwalk. The council will receive a report in November.