Liberals pledge $27.5m to revive River Torrens and upgrade Linear Park

The Torrens would be revived for fishing, and Linear Park upgraded, under a $27.5m Liberal promise.

The River Torrens would be restored for fishing and Linear Park upgraded into a hills-to-sea nature trail under a $27.5m Liberal Party pledge.

The bulk of the money would come from the state government, $17.5m, with $5m pledged by the federal Liberals and the remaining $5m to come through negotiations with local councils.

Premier Steven Marshall said he wanted the Torrens to be a tourism drawcard to help businesses.

“We want to see recreational fishing return to the banks of the River Torrens and an upgraded, safer Linear Park trail that entices people from around the state to take on what will become an incredible, picturesque trail,” he said.

“This is Adelaide’s river and it’s time to transform it into a state centrepiece and special recreational experience for everyone to enjoy.”

The Torrens and Adelaide CBD viewed from the weir. Picture: Emma Brasier

Environment Minister David Speirs said the entire 80km length of the river would benefit.

“By working with the community and local councils, we will invest in removing rubbish and woody weeds, installing gross pollutant traps where most needed, developing wetlands to create habitat and improve water quality, and reintroduce native species including the much-loved platypus and freshwater catfish for recreational fishing,” he said.

“We want to see a green, clean, healthy wildlife corridor stretching from the hills to the sea which gives locals and visitors the opportunity to experience South Australia’s unique and precious nature living in the midst of our city.”

A cyclist enjoys the riverbank. Picture: Emma Brasier

The project, which would include better lighting and educational signage along Linear Park, would be overseen by the state government’s urban ecology body Green Adelaide and the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board.

The state government had already in November announced a $5m plan to revitalise the Torrens between Hackney Bridge and the weir with new wetlands and native plants in the hope the platypus could eventually be returned.

In January, fresh designs were released for the final stage of the $12m Breakout Creek project. This includes new wetlands in the 2.7km stretch of the Torrens from Tapleys Hill Rd, Lockelys, to West Beach.