Controversial Adelaide coast path to get underway, as Government declares it a linear park and pledges to finish 70km link
Detailed design on the Semaphore Park to Tennyson coast path will get under way as a linear park is declared to “drive” completion of a 70km walking, biking zone.
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A controversial planned coastal path that sparked controversy with some residents is being declared a “linear park”, as the State Government pushes on with new designs.
The plan for an unbroken 70km coastal path between North Haven and Sellicks Beach for riding, jogging and walking has hit roadblocks including a 2017 court fight.
Some of the unfinished sections include areas around the Tennyson dunes, where local groups have complained about a lack of council consultation and impacts on the environment.
Planning and Local Government Minister Vickie Chapman has now used state laws to declare a linear park on the path between Grange and Semaphore, to “drive” its completion.
She said detailed design on stage one, from Third Avenue in Semaphore Park to the edge of Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve, will start very soon.
A second stage, from the dunes reserve to Terminus Street in Grange is under consideration.
The Government says there will be public consultation if the second stage plan is deemed viable. An independent report will be commissioned to investigate options.
Ms Chapman said the Government would “ensure South Australians enjoy the benefits of an unbroken 70km coastal path between North Haven and Sellicks Beach”.
“The coastal path is a jewel of Adelaide’s recreation facilities and it will be a great day when we can ride, run or walk the length of Adelaide’s suburban beaches strung along Gulf St Vincent,” he said. “This path will be a fantastic addition to our coastline and will be greatly enjoyed by the local community and anyone who loves our world-class beaches.”
Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans said her council had delivered many kilometres of the Coast Park and would work with the Government to deliver the unfinished sections.
“We know thousands of members of our community are looking forward to being able to use this fully accessible pathway,” she said.
The path cuts through the key marginal seat of Colton, won by the Liberals in 2018.
Public consultation was held on the Semaphore to Tennyson stretch this year. In June, Government consultation found 88 per cent support for the project among respondents.
A total of 649 people responded to the government survey, with only 58 against.
The coast park has been progressively implemented by State Government and local councils since 1992. The new path aims to be publicly accessible, suitable for a range of users such as families with prams, wheelchair users, cyclists, wheeled toys and allow shared use.
