Marine centre, tidal pool among features in Whyalla Council’s grand foreshore upgrade plan

A coastal town is planning a huge upgrade for its foreshore, including a tidal pool, marine centre, hangout zone, outdoor cinema and water park.

A tidal pool, marine discovery centre, water play park and a redeveloped surf life saving club feature in a grand plan to revamp Whyalla’s foreshore.

The local council has endorsed a draft master plan for the area, which will be released this week for public consultation.

The uncosted plan would take about a decade to deliver, subject to public support, government grants and private investment.

The marine discovery centre would include museum and gallery spaces, a cafe and shop overlooking the town’s marina.

The proposed cuttlefish-themed water play park in Whyalla. Picture: Supplied

It would celebrate the local marine environment and the town’s world-famous giant Australian cuttlefish aggregation, sitting alongside space for pop-up shops and events.

The council would convert a roped-off marina swimming area into a separated tidal pool, extend a boardwalk along the foreshore and build an adventure playground.

Plans also include:

FORMER school buildings turned into a boutique hotel, residential accommodation or offices;

A WATER play park themed around cuttlefish;

NEW glamping and camping areas;

A TEEN ‘hangout’ zone with large swings and seats;

WALKING and cycling paths and revegetation projects;

OUTDOOR cinema, minigolf course and a range of new events, and;

AREAS set out for future residential and retail development.

An artist's impressions of the marine discovery centre precinct in Whyalla. Picture: Supplied

The town is already expecting extra visitors under plans for the Foreshore Motor Inn to be converted into a four-star hotel with more than 200 rooms and apartments.

A report to the council says the overhaul would help diversify Whyalla’s economy – an ambition regularly flagged amid the town’s reliance on its steelworks as a major employer – and boost tourism.

The improved boardwalk planned in Whyalla Council’s overhaul of its foreshore. Picture: Supplied

Mayor Clare McLaughlin said the popularity of the town’s new $7.8m “loop” jetty was among the master plan’s catalysts.

“By delivering to the public something as cool as the jetty, we’re thinking let’s look at what else we can do for the community but also for tourism,” she said.

“We’ve just finished the cuttlefish season that has been incredibly popular … and we know that we can deliver on tourism outcomes.

“We’ve got confidence that we can continue to build on our diversification of economies in this city and we think our beach is as good as you get anywhere.”

Ms McLaughlin said consultation would help the council decide the projects to pursue within the next two years and those that would be rolled out in the longer term.

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Originally published as Marine centre, tidal pool among features in Whyalla Council’s grand foreshore upgrade plan