We have some of the most beautiful beaches in South Australia, running from West Beach right through to Semaphore with 14.5kms of pristine coastline. Being able to spend time along our beaches is really important for our residents and visitors into the City.
The Government of South Australia is committed to the development of a Coast Park from North Haven to Sellicks Beach.
Coast Park provides an opportunity to develop a continuous public link in a park like setting along the metropolitan coastline, further enhancing public use and enjoyment of the coast.
Coast Park - Who to contact
Enquiries regarding the Coast Park project should be directed to the State Government's Coast Park Project team.
Phone: 1300 060 456
Email: dit.coastpark@sa.gov.au
Website: www.coastpark.sa.gov.au
Update January 2024
Coast Park Stage One Construction Complete
The State Government has completed Stage One of the long-awaited Coast Park shared-use path, providing greater community access to the coastline between Semaphore Park and West Lakes Shore.
The new path stretches 1.3 kilometres between Third Avenue, Semaphore Park and Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve.
Walkers, joggers, cyclists and families will now be able to enjoy more of the picturesque coastline, and take advantage of new shelters, benches and picnic areas.
The path is approximately three metres wide, allowing users to comfortably move in both directions.
With Stage One delivered, the focus now shifts to Stage Two, which will create a 1.8-kilometre shared-use path between Terminus Street, Grange and Bournemouth Street, Tennyson.
Update May 2023
Coast Park Stage One Construction Commences
The State Government has begun construction on Coast Park Stage One along the coastline of Semaphore Park and West Lakes Shore in an important milestone in the project.
This stage focuses on a 1.3 kilometre shared-use path between Third Avenue, Semaphore Park and Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve.
The pathway will provide safe and convenient access for people of all ages and abilities to walk, cycle and enjoy our beautiful coastline.
The final design considered community and stakeholder feedback and sought to minimise the impact on the dune system, native vegetation and local fauna, while maximising community benefit and reducing effects on neighbouring properties.
State Government Treasurer Stephen Mullighan MP announced on Friday 19 May that construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, weather permitting.
Update March 2023
Construction of Coast Park Stage One
Construction of Coast Park Stage One between Third Avenue, Semaphore Park and the northern edge of the Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve is scheduled to commence in the coming months following extensive consultation under the Linear Parks Act 2006. Its delivery will be managed by the State Government Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
The final design considers community and stakeholder feedback and has sought to minimise the impact on the dune system, native vegetation and local fauna, while maximising community benefit and reducing effects on neighbouring properties.
The path will be a hard surface, consistent with other sections of Coast Park. Importantly, the shared-use path will increase access to this part of our coastline to be used and enjoyed by people of all abilities.
In preparation for the start of construction, the contractor (McConnell Dowell) will begin setting up the site compound from mid April 2023, weather permitting. The main site office will be located on the western side of the Mirani Court car park at West Lakes Shore.
Some temporary pedestrian detours will be in place around the work site office and pedestrians are advised to follow directional signage. Every effort will be made to minimise impacts to the community.
Update November 2022
Proposal to establish a Linear Park between Semaphore Park and West Lakes Shore
Consultation for a proposed Linear Park, between Third Avenue, Semaphore Park and the Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve, West Lakes Shore, was undertaken between 19 August and 9 September 2022. After carefully considering all of the submissions and all relevant matters, the Minister for Planning has decided to establish the proposed Linear Park pursuant to the Linear Parks Act 2006.
Next steps
The design for the planned shared-use path within the Linear Park will now be finalised, taking into account the additional feedback received during this recent consultation process.
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport will manage delivery of the Linear Park, with construction planning to commence following contract award. Construction of the path is expected to be completed in 2023.
Should you have any enquiries, please contact the project team with the details below:
Coast Park Project Team
Department for Infrastructure and Transport
T: 1300 060 456
E: dit.coastpark@sa.gov.au
Update August 2021
Following extensive consultation under the Linear Parks Act 2006, a Linear Park has been established between Third Avenue, Semaphore Park and the northern edge of Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve (Stage One). A final design has now been approved for the shared-use path and associated landscaping.
Construction is expected to begin early next year and will be managed by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, which will work with community and stakeholders to ensure any disruption is minimal.
Consultation is now open for a potential Stage Two – a proposed Linear Park between the southern edge of the Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve and Terminus Street, Grange.
The Minister for Planning and Local Government is seeking feedback which can be provided until 5:00 pm, Friday 17 September 2021 via the Plan SA website.
If you have any enquiries about the project you can:
- email the project team at dit.coastpark@sa.gov.au
- call 1300 060 456
Update December 2020
Council resolved the outstanding court action with the Coastal Ecology Protection Group (CEPG), with the CEPG agreeing to consent to judgment being entered in the Council’s favour.
Council on weighing up the cost of additional court proceedings (estimated at up to $450k) agreed to a final $77,500 payment to the CEPG given consent from them being entered in the Council’s favour.
We look forward to the State Government commencing construction in the northern section for Stage One - establishing a Linear Park between Third Avenue, Semaphore Park to the edge of Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve in 2021. The State Government will also begin consultation on the design / alignment of the southern section for Stage Two to establish a Linear Park between the edge of Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve to Terminus Street, Grange. This consultation will be under the Linear Parks Act and is anticipated to occur in 2021.
Update October 2020
The City of Charles Sturt has welcomed the State Government’s announcement to proceed with the Coast Park. Detailed design followed by construction for Stage One of the Linear Park between Third Avenue, Semaphore Park and Terminus Street, Grange was given the go ahead by Minister Chapman.
We have delivered kilometres of the Coast Park across our coastline, and look forward to the State Government progressing the last remaining section.
Update May 2020
Public Consultation - Proposed Linear Park (Grange to Semaphore Park - Stage 1)
The State Government is currently undertaking consultation on Stage 1 of the proposed Linear Park (Semaphore to Grange) and proposed Coast Park shared-use pathway within it.
To get involved in the discussion and provide your feedback go to Yoursay.sa.gov.au
Coast Park - Final Section of Coast Park
The final section of the path yet to be constructed is from Third Avenue, Semaphore Park to Shore Court, West Lakes Shore, and Bournemouth Street, Tennyson to Terminus Street, Grange (excluding the Tennyson Dunes Conservation Park section which is under the control of the State Government).
Since 2013, the City of Charles Sturt (CCS) has undertaken extensive consultation with foreshore property owners and occupiers as well as the broader community, including open ‘speak out’ sessions and the formation of a Coast Park Project Reference Group (CPPRG).
The CPPRG identified four options for the path alignment, as the basis for broader community consultation. Consultation on these options in late 2014 resulted in 1,100 responses: with both Options 1 (CPPRG Preferred Option with a dual path) and Option 2 (Beachfront shared use path) receiving similar levels of support. See Council Report.
As Coast Park is a joint project between State and Local Government, CCS sought direction from the State Government regarding a preference for either of these two shortlisted options. The State Government advised that funding would only be available for Option 2 (Beachfront shared use path) as it is the option that aligns with the coast park objectives.
Final Section of Coast Park Map
Coast Park - Coast Park Legal Challenge Update
As has been widely reported a community group, the CEPG, took Council to court in 2017 challenging the previous decisions of Council that determined that construction work commence on the final section of Coast Park.
The attachment below is a summary of the judgement that provides an understanding of what was a very complex determination (170 pages).
Coast Park - History of Coast Park
Since the late 90s, we have worked with neighbouring councils and State Government to deliver the State’s Coast Park initiative. A key aspect of the project has been the development of a continuous, shared use recreational path along the foreshore which caters for the use and enjoyment of people walking, jogging, cycling, wheeling prams and wheelchairs. In addition to the path, we have provided infrastructure to enhance the surrounding environment including new landscaped areas, park furniture and artwork.
To date the City of Charles Sturt has completed approximately 7km of the Coast Park path. The first section of Coast Park completed was in 1998 along Marlborough Street, Henley Beach. In subsequent years we have completed construction from West Beach through to Grange and sections within Semaphore Park.
These sections connect West Beach to Grange Jetty and the River Torrens, with the path providing a unique recreation experience along the coast, connecting our vibrant coastal destinations of Henley Square, Grange Jetty and West Beach. The completed sections also link to important destinations along the coast outside of the Council area including Glenelg, Semaphore and Outer Harbour. The State Governments vision is to provide a continuous Coast Park along the entire metropolitan coast.
The path is 3m wide, this width meets the relevant national standards (Austroad 2009 Guide to Road Design Part 6A – Pedestrian and Cyclist Paths). The path is designed to allow prams, cyclists and wheelchairs enough space to pass one another safely. The aim throughout this project has been to revitalise and sustain a pathway that protects sensitive dune areas and provides a healthy, diverse and accessible pathway. The joint project with the State Government has improved pedestrian and cycling facilities along our coastline, and research demonstrates that access to beaches encourages recreational walking, jogging and cycling.
The construction of the path hasn’t always been an easy process, with many competing factors to take into account. Respecting the needs of residents who live along the foreshore to reasonable privacy, having the path alignment next to our precious dune systems and our need to develop a path that is not at significant risk of storm damage have all been important considerations.
The high level of interest from residents all over our City, and from wider metropolitan Adelaide, have also needed to be reflected in how we construct the path. We are lucky to be able to welcome so many users of the path down to our coast, and are proud of providing such an open, accessible path that has become a destination.
As well as accessibility and the ability to attract visitors to our coast, we have a responsibility to provide quality recreational infrastructure for our residents. The continuous coast path ensures a whole range of people can use the path together in a safe environment, encouraging health and wellbeing. Our involvement in the construction of the path ensures we are encouraging residents to be active, get outside and move – whether it be through walking, cycling, jogging or a mix of all three!
Update December 2018
Council, having reviewed the Supreme Court decision, has resolved to continue to pursue this final section of Coast Park. It is doing so on the belief that completing the job is important for both the people within Charles Sturt and visitors to the area.
To pursue this objective Council must revisit a number of matters in an endeavour to meet its statutory obligations as defined by the Local Government Act.
One of these that requires early consideration is that of biodiversity impacts of any proposed pathway that may traverse the dunes west of properties between Terminus Street, Grange to the Tennyson Dunes Conservation Park.
To undertake this work Council has engaged the services of a consultant (T & M Ecologists Pty Ltd) who also advised the State Government on the possible vegetation impacts of the recent pathway upgrades in the Tennyson Dunes Conservation Park. You can read about this proposed work that is to commence in January 2019 by viewing the council report from 10 December 2018 Council Meeting .
T & M Ecologists Pty Ltd will undertake an independent Environmental Report of the Coastal Dunes between Terminus Street, Grange and Bournemouth Street, Tennyson in the area where the Coast Park path has previously been proposed. The purpose of the Environmental Report is to:
- Report on the biodiversity of the area between Terminus Street, Grange and Bournemouth Street, Tennyson.
- Recommend monitoring and management strategies to improve biodiversity.
- Suggest performance targets and measures to Charles Sturt Council that will inform future community land management plans.
The findings of the Environmental Report will be most useful as it will:
- Provide a clear and up-to-date picture of the species that make up the Tennyson Dunes area.
- Assist Charles Sturt Council plan for the protection and maintenance of this important coastal environment.
- Provide information that will assist Charles Sturt Council manage existing and future paths to and from the beach.
- Provide information that will assist Council plan the final section of the Coast Park shared use path.
To assist T & M Ecologists assess the coastal dune landscape, we have asked surveyors to peg the previously proposed Coast Park path alignment. This means community members may see surveyors and ecologists working in the coastal dunes during January and February 2019.
A letter advising local residents of this environment assessment has been distributed to those living adjacent the land to explain why they might be seeing people in this location undertaking some survey work.
This study should be completed in February/March 2019 and a further update will occur at that time, including this website.