The revised plan will see an expanded aquatic launch area with two conveniently located riverbank access ramps providing safe access for all users, including people with restricted mobility.
It’ll also see a total of 65 carparks, plus three disability access parks within the broader Wearing Street precinct, delivering an overall increase of 17 spaces, while maintaining existing parking capacity near the riverfront.
It will include parking options along Wearing Street and in an upgraded Port Noarlunga Arts Centre car park.
The redevelopment also features:
- new community aquatic accommodation replacing existing aging storage sheds and clubroom
- an upgraded riverfront public realm including shelters, new public toilet, seating, lawn and planting
- formalising Mann Street to provide improved access to the precinct and traffic management for residents.
The project will be completed in stages, with works on the Arts Centre carpark to start in April 2021 and upgrades to the aquatic groups’ buildings to start in Spring.
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the revised plan was a great outcome for Port Noarlunga.
“Council and the community have been working together on these plans for years, so it’s fantastic we’re going to see work begin in 2021,” she said.
“It’s such an important site for the community because it’s a hub for aquatic recreation.
“It’s home to the Onkaparinga Canoe Club, South Port Surf Life Saving Club and the Department for Education’s Port Noarlunga Aquatic Centre, which provides school aquatic education programs for kids across Adelaide.
“It’s a focal point for the iconic town, bounded by the Onkaparinga River, the dunes and Sauerbier House, so this redevelopment has the potential to be a real gateway statement for those entering or leaving Porties across the Saltfleet Street Bridge.
“It’s also a site important to the Kaurna people, and we’ll be working with representatives to further explore opportunities to incorporate Kaurna culture into this significant precinct.
“Ultimately this project aims to enhance the popular aquatics destination, promoting healthy lifestyle activities in and around the water, and create an iconic destination that encourages locals and visitors to experience Port Noarlunga.”
Council has considered and approved several iterations of the Wearing Street concept plans since December 2017 in response to continued community and key stakeholder feedback, with Council approving the latest CEO review in May 2020.
Mayor Thompson said finding the right balance between the site’s uses and community groups had been challenging due to the enormous opportunities, relatively small land parcel and sensitive setting.
She said the revised concept plan is supported by aquatic user groups, responds to broader community feedback and achieves a greater functional balance between the aquatic launch area, open space, carparking, riverfront amenity, revetment walling and community space.
Council has identified $3.1 million in funding across 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 to put towards the project, as it seeks to secure additional funding via government stimulus and grant opportunities.
AQUATIC HUB
Kayakers on the Onkaparinga River alongside the Wearing Street precinct.