Witton Bluff base trail, Christies Beach

Published on 11 May 2020

Witton Bluff success

For years, City of Onkaparinga, residents, community groups and businesses have been calling for a trail to link the foreshores of Port Noarlunga and Christies Beach – one of the state’s most beautiful stretches of coast.

On the weekend it was announced that the vision will become a reality, with the state government agreeing to match council’s $2.65 million funding to build the almost 1.4-kilometre Witton Bluff Base Trail, part of a $1 billion statewide stimulus package.

“Council has been working with the local community and all tiers of government to deliver this project for many years,” said City of Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson.

“Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved! We look forward to working with the state government to make this iconic project a reality.”

There’s already a popular, informal path that runs around part of the base of Witton Bluff from Christies Beach.  This project will seal and improve disability access to this path, as well as extend it by building a new elevated 3m wide boardwalk above the existing wave cut shelf around the base of the bluff through to Port Noarlunga.

The area attracts a high number of visitors, has enormous tourism potential, and is important to Kaurna people.

The trail will become part of the state government’s Coast Park vision, which aims to develop a 70-kilometre shared-use path from North Haven to Sellicks Beach with matching funding support provided by local government.

City of Onkaparinga’s 31-kilometre coastline makes up almost half of this vision, and council has been working in close partnership with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure since 2003 to deliver it.

Council has so far completed 17.1km of the city’s Coast Park trail, with key achievements including the Christies Beach, Port Noarlunga South and Port Willunga South segments; and significant coastal node redevelopments such as Christies Beach Surf Life Saving Club and foreshore plaza, and Port Noarlunga foreshore. 13.9 kilometres are still to be completed.

The Coast Park project aims to improve access, facilities and reserves along the coastline, generating significant community benefit (e.g. through recreation and leisure activities), stimulating economic development and protecting the natural environment.

WITTON BLUFF

The new 1.4km Witton Bluff Base Trail will link the foreshores of Port Noarlunga and Christies Beach.