Artist impression of Witton Bluff Base Trail
The eagerly anticipated Witton Bluff Base Trail construction is set to commence next month, providing significant enhancements to the coastal experience at Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga.
Scheduled to start late February 2024, this transformative project aims to provide improved access to quality public open space while showcasing the scenery, geology, heritage, and natural beauty of the area. The project got the green light in January following hefty discussions around the project.
“This is such an exciting project!! So glad to see it going ahead,” Member for Davenport Erin Thompson MP said on a Facebook post.
With a budget of $6.7 million, the Witton Bluff Base Trail is jointly funded by the State Government as part of its Coast Park project, and the City of Onkaparinga as part of its approved Coast Park Plan.
The Coast Park Plan identifies and prioritises segments along the City’s coast yet to be completed and the Witton Bluff Base Trail is the remaining link for a continuous coastal pathway from O’Sullivan’s Beach to Moana.
The Witton Bluff Base Trail construction will unfold in stages, beginning with the boardwalk from the northern end of Port Noarlunga, extending north above the limestone shelf. This phase, expected to be completed by late 2024, will be followed by the upgrade of the existing seawall and path at the Christies Beach end, commencing in late 2024 and aiming for completion by mid-2025.
During the construction period, the community can anticipate some disruptions, including construction-related traffic and noise, restricted access in certain areas for public safety, and the establishment of a site office in Port Noarlunga.
Access restrictions will be in place, and temporary disruptions may occur at the site entrances with controlled access for larger vehicles.
The Witton Bluff Base Trail project has a high community value and priority, offering economic benefits through construction and additional visitor spend, as well as environmental and cultural heritage protection. It also presents an opportunity to interpret Kaurna heritage through artwork, signage, and ongoing tourism potential.
With a rich history dating back to the 1970s and 1980s with the original section of path built to facilitate construction of the sea walls, it’s been in the community for some time.
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