State Government orders stop and investigation into Witton Bluff coastal walkway

Port Noarlunga conservationists have secured an eleventh-hour stop-work order on the Witton Bluff coastal walkway.

An artist impression of the Witton Bluff Base Trail. Picture: Onkaparinga Council

The State Government has vetoed Onkaparinga Counciland ordered an environmental investigation into the Witton Bluff coastal walkway.

The project was the subject of eleventh-hour discussions on Tuesday between the Port Noarlunga Conservation Society and Environment Minister David Speirs, resulting in a ministerial stop-work request to allow further investigation.

The society has been campaigning against the project, saying it is anchored into fragile cliffs close to the waterline between Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga.

“These cliffs are very sensitive and in some parts break up in your hands,’’ Mr Speirs said.

“A few residents have raised it as a concern and with these more formal representations today and I do have the power to ask the board to look into an issue if there are immediate concerns, which I have never used before.”

The council has defended the project for several years following extensive environmental and demographic studies.

Director of city operations Kirk Richardson said the project would take into account “visual impact, potential impact on flora and fauna and the marine environment during the design and construction phase”.

“The path presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase the remarkable scenery, geology, heritage and natural beauty of the Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga coastlines,” he said.

“The project will protect environmental and cultural heritage in sensitive areas and improve cliff stability through a formalised trail.”

An artist impression of the Witton Bluff Base Trail. Picture: Onkaparinga Council

Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson added that the council “takes its responsibility to protect the environment very seriously”.

More than 1000 residents signed a Labor Party online petition in 2019 calling for the walking and cycling path to be completed.

The Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga Business and Tourism associations have been pushing for the path to be built for years.

Residents’ spokesman Yvonne Wenham said the residents were happy that the matter will now be heard by the Coastal Protection Board.

Many other residents support the trail, much of which was built in the 1980s, but was never connected together because of difficulties with the crumbling cliff wall and sea life below.

It would mean that the two suburbs are connected by a walkway for the first time.

Around 300m of the track is yet to be completed at a cost of $5.3m, with the current State Government matching Onkaparinga Council’s funding commitment.