Fishing to be allowed at Myponga reservoir by this summer as SA also moves to allow kayaking, picnicking at other sites

Fishing will be allowed at Myponga Reservoir by the end of the year — as other dams become fully opened to the public, offering kayaking, cycling and hiking.

• Reservoir a tourist drawcard, paying dividends for local businesses
• Leaked report warns of water quality risk

Fishing, kayaking, cycling and hiking will be unlocked at South Australian reservoirs this summer as the State Government pushes ahead with its pledge to open them to the public.

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs has confirmed that in a state first, anglers standing on the shore will be able to drop a line at Myponga, south of Adelaide.

Hiking, cycling, picnicking and kayaking will also be allowed at the Warren and Bundaleer reservoirs.

Chris Fenech and sons Luke, 10, and Ben, 11, are keen to fish at Myponga Reservoir at the end of the year. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The move is in line with Premier Steven Marshall’s prominent election pledge to “open up our reservoirs”.

But it follows controversy last month when the Opposition seized on a leaked report to warn that more access put water quality at risk and to demand a complete Myponga shutdown.

The Myponga reservoir is about one hour’s drive south of Adelaide and supplies drinking water to parts of the metropolitan area and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Neither the Warren reservoir in the Barossa Valley, or Bundaleer in the Flinders Ranges, are drinking water sources.

In April, Mr Marshall opened Myponga to the public but limited activities to things like picnics and nature walks as more work was undertaken on the safety of water-based activities.

The forest walk lookout at the Myponga Reservoir trail. Picture: Mark Brake

On request from The Advertiser, Mr Speirs has released advice from an expert taskforce that finds only “a low risk to the safety of the drinking water” as long as Myponga anglers stay on the shore. It says the activity can be allowed if fishing is restricted to one portion of the reservoir and safeguards – including surveillance, fencing, signs and toilets – are put in place.

People with fishing permits are already allowed to access the Warren and Bundaleer reservoirs to hang a line, and permissions will still be required for that activity. But under changes to be in place this summer the public can hike, cycle, picnic and kayak.

Mr Speirs said the Government was planning to go even further next year to allow hiking, cycling, picnicking, kayaking and fishing at South Para reservoir. It is the second largest reservoir in SA and has a capacity of 44.8 billion litres, or 22,000 Olympic swimming pools.

South Para reservoir is near Williamstown, about 40 minutes drive from Golden Grove.

Fishing will be allowed in the reservoir by the year’s end. Cartoon: Jos Valdman

Mr Speirs said opening up SA’s reservoirs for recreational activity was an “amazing opportunity” and a practical way to improve the lives of average households. “We went to the election with a clear plan to open up our reservoirs for the people of South Australia to enjoy and have been busy working to make this a reality ever since,” he said.

“The opening up of Myponga Reservoir in April has been an outstanding success, providing both a social and economic boost for the Fleurieu Peninsula through thousands of visitors.

“A cross-government taskforce has been ensuring every aspect from roads and infrastructure, through to tourism, is carefully considered and factored into the planning.

“Protecting the health and quality of our drinking water supplies has of course come first, and has directly informed the types of activities being enabled, which will vary from site to site.”

The taskforce includes experts from the environment and health departments, and SA Water. Announcements on the Hope and Happy Valley reservoirs are expected later this year.

The opening of the Myponga Reservoir in April was great news for local business owners like Kate Henning, Simon Dunstone and Hoppy from the Smiling Samoyed Brewery. Picture: Tait Schmaal

The leaked report released by the Opposition last month was commissioned for SA Water and produced by auditors Water Futures. It found “major challenges” to safeguarding water supplies while also increasing public access that could require costly new treatment facilities.

The report’s major contamination concerns centred on a possible outbreak of cryptosporidium, caused when humans shed microorganisms into the water and drinking supply. Cryptosporidium can cause respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses involving diarrhoea and persistent cough. It may be fatal in people with a severely compromised immune system.

That report stated that SA Water was aware that the upgrade of treatment plants and use of ultraviolet decontamination, which would lift city reservoir filtration to a similar standard to that which applies to the River Murray, would be needed to ensure public safety.

The new taskforce advice released by Mr Speirs says that the levels of risk from more public access will differ between reservoirs, requiring separate responses or limits to activities.