Changes to Normanville’s $12m foreshore upgrade follow criticism about costs, environmental issues and carparking

A coastal council is planning a series of changes to its $12m town foreshore upgrade, after concerns were raised about issues including its cost, environmental impact and carparking.

An artist's impression of the Normanville Foreshore & Jetty Caravan Park Masterplan. Picture: Supplied

Yankalilla Council is facing criticism over its $11.7m Normanville Foreshore upgrade, including worries about its cost, environmental impacts and changes to carparking.

It’s prompted numerous changes to the plans, to be presented to councillors next month, but chief Nigel Morris says the lively debate all stems back to locals being “passionate about the area”.

A report to elected members said 279 feedback submissions were received about the area’s facelift, which includes building 23 new up-market cabins, a new surf life saving club, bigger lawn and future jetty extension.

“I am terrified that (the) council is being led down a path by its executive with the enticement of low interest rates and consequent increased borrowing power in order to reduce “the rate burden,” one submission read.

“To believe that (the) council will not have to resort to rate increases eventually to accommodate unexpected … costs is simply naive to the extreme.”

Yankalilla Council is planning an $11.7m upgrade to the Normanville foreshore. Picture: Supplied

Others raised concerns about the caravan park becoming “elitist” and expensive, development in sand dunes, a reduction in carparking space and traffic issues.

“Do we really want increased tourism?” another submission asked.

“The mess at Normanville, overflowing rubbish bins, overcrowded car park, speeding cars on the beach on January 1 showed we cannot cope with those we get now.”

Mr Morris said the council had allocated up to $4.8m for the works and would receive another $4.7m from the Normanville surf life saving club and state and federal governments.

It is seeking further grant funding to pay for projects including a nature playground, public plaza area and larger lawn, and some of those elements may not proceed without it.

“The debt that we’re taking on for the cabins is income-producing debt,” Mr Morris said.

Yankalilla Council chief executive Nigel Morris. Picture: Supplied

“It will pay for the financing plus return funds for council to do additional projects. I think the flow-on effect for the economy is worth it.”

He expected locals would be “much happier” with the revised plans, which were “less dramatic” than what was first proposed. They will no longer include a new carpark in the area’s “basin” next to the beach, or an access road in the dunes, and will feature a smaller lawn area – but still larger than what’s there now.

A redesign will also ensure disability access to the jetty and reverse plans to remove carparks from the foreshore.

A kayak jetty planned on the Bungala River will be deleted from plans, and a move to relocate courts and build a new headquarters for the Normanville Tennis Club will only take place after a business case is complete, along with further consultation.

A local accommodation provider complained that the council’s “luxury cabins” were “direct and unfair competition” to the business.

“We’ll continue to work with that organisation but … we think that providing extra accommodation down here has a good flow-on effect and benefits other accommodation providers as more people learn about the district,” Mr Morris said.

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