Funding boost for algal bloom projects

The City of Onkaparinga has secured $219,000 for six coastal projects as part of the state and federal government’s algal bloom response.

Five projects will be funded through the Local Government Fund:

• Tiller Drive Coastal Beach Access Renewal, $50,000 – This project renews the coastal beach access by replacing all stair treads and landings on the timber beach access stairs – using durable, slip-resistant fibre-reinforced plastic – at the end of Seaford’s Tiller Drive.
• Coastal Tourist Parks Outdoor Beachside Showers, $50,000 – Installation of four stainless-steel outdoor showers at beach entry points at the Moana and Christies Beach Tourist Parks.
• Beyond the Bloom, A Creative Community Response, $54,000 –A creative community response to the bloom through exhibitions, workshops, performances, a publication, community events and a major public artwork, activating Port Noarlunga as a vibrant coastal arts hub.
• Onkaparinga Libraries Citizen Science, $9,600 – This project provides training and equipment to enable community-led collection and contribution to algal bloom data collection, through a Phytoplankton Monitoring Network.
• Bin Cleaning Trailer, $40,400 – A new bin-cleaning trailer to improve the council’s maintenance of bins designed for marine animal disposal.

The council also secured $15,000 through the state and federal government’s Algal Bloom Event Support Fund, which helped encourage visitation, build regional confidence and support SA’s seafood industry with an enhanced program at the Beachside Food and Wine festival, including a live cooking demonstration.

City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were said the funding would help Onkaparinga’s coastline and communities as they recover from the devastating impacts of the state’s harmful algal bloom.

“One of the council’s key goals is to protect and maintain coastal features including beaches, reefs, cliffs and ecosystems – which have taken a huge hit during the state’s harmful algal bloom crisis,” she said.

“This funding helps us to realise that goal, while supporting the local economy and the communities who depend on the coast for work, play, connection and identity.”