Walkway around iconic Southern Bluff to create continuous coastal trail announced by Onkaparinga Council

Approval has been granted for a new 1.37km section of walkway designed to be accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.

The green light has been lit to connect two iconic southern coast walkways with a new walkway. Picture: Darryl Leach

Onkaparinga Council has received approval to start a project that would see a link between the foreshores of Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga.

The project, titled the Witton Bluff Base Trail, proposes a new 1.37km section of walkway around Witton Bluff designed to be accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.

Construction is due to start in February 2024 and when completed the path will create a continuous coastal walkway from O’Sullivan Beach to Moana.

Councillor Gretel Wilkes for City of Onkaparinga council posted the update on social media on Tuesday after the decision was finalised in a recent council meeting.

An artist interpretation of the new Witton Bluff Base Trail that was approved to begin construction in early 2024. Picture: Onkaparinga Council

The confirmation comes after a lengthy delay while authorisation under Section 23 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 was being determined by the State Government, a process that began in 2021.

These delays have also meant a significant increase in costs for the project which, after requests, the State Government has offered an additional $700,000 on top of the previous $2.65 million pledged in 2020.

An artist impression of the Witton Bluff Base Trail. Picture: Onkaparinga Council

Local community members commented on the councillor’s post, with many excited to hear about the update.

One resident commented: “Great job, should have been done a long time ago but better now than never”.

Another tagged a friend and said: “We will be able to run all the way to porties now and can avoid the hill”.

A third was less happy with the news and said it was a “pity that there isn’t the same focus on making our neighbourhood footpaths inclusive. Or on fixing our buggered stormwater systems.”

Originally published as Walkway around iconic Southern Bluff to create continuous coastal trail announced by Onkaparinga Council