History
Photo: Tony Knight
We established FOWB to focus on planning and environmental issues across the Willunga Basin and address these issues with both state and local government.
Early History
The history of Friends of Willunga Basin is a proud one, stretching back to 1988 when Aldinga Bay Anti Marina Association (ABAMA) was created to combat Willunga Council’s plans for a Marina in the Washpool area, between Aldinga and Sellicks.
Its mission accomplished, this group evolved into the Friends of Willunga Basin (FOWB) in 1994 aiming to target inappropriate development and seeking environmental protection of the Willunga Basin. A particular focus in the early years was on the areas surrounding the Aldinga Scrub, Washpool and Sellicks area.
In a big shift following the abandonment of the marina, Committee and other members of FOWB were elected to Willunga Council. With planner Iris Iwanicki, they influenced Council to prioritise the protection from urban sprawl of the rural areas of Willunga Basin. Willunga Council’s Preferred Future report signalled a vision of a rural future, leading to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Council and State Government that there be no new housing east of Main South Road. It received bipartisan Government agreement.
FOWB lobbied against housing developments around valuable and vulnerable Aldinga Scrub and succeeded in securing some improvements in the Sunday Estate and a wetland buffer zone to protect the scrub, which became the Hart Rd Wetlands in 2013.
In the 1990s, FOWB made submissions and lobbied State and Local Government on a great many planning, heritage and environment issues, including Structure Plans for the District, and the amalgamation of three councils. It successfully opposed the appalling choice of the amalgamated council’s original chosen name “City South” and thus we became Onkaparinga!
FOWB developed a sound and effective relationship with the Onkaparinga Council subsequently, keeping lines of communication open with local elected members and council staff. It particularly raised the importance of action to promote local action on Climate Change and more sustainable urban development. At this time FOWB was led by the tireless and determined John Lawrie who was awarded a Centenary Medal in recognition of his work.
Perhaps the proudest actions of FOWB have been its key role in the introduction of the Character Preservation Legislation, which defines the rural areas and prevents urban sprawl in Willunga Basin’s rural areas and puts firm boundaries around the townships. A first step was an Urban Growth Boundary in 2002 which then encircled metropolitan Adelaide. It largely arose from discussions between FOWB and planning minister Diana Laidlaw. However, FOWB believed that nothing short of specific legislated protection would last. It worked determinedly with other local groups, Onkaparinga Council and in particular MP Leon Bignell, who won over a sceptical cabinet. This resulted in another national first, with Leon successfully getting the Character Preservation , McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley Acts passed in 2013. FOWB later defended the legislation when it was reviewed, following a push for boundary creep proposed by developers.
In 2016, with FOPW, we successfully lobbied for improved built form for new OTR & Aldi stores in historic Aldinga township, including re-design of OTR and restrictions on height, lighting and signage to better blend both buildings into the township.
Over the years FOWB has monitored and made representations regarding Development Applications within the Willunga Basin. These have included:
a proposed four-storey residential development opposite Aldinga Shopping Centre, with FOWB joining Council in an ERD Court appeal against an approval previously granted
Vigena Wines on Main South Rd at McLaren Vale, which was completely redesigned as a result
a proposed 3 story, 82 room motel on Field St in McLaren Vale
Friends of Willunga Basin have had a long association with Willunga Environment Centre, stretching back to its origins in the 90s. It has been represented on its committee much this time, and it has been our home base for many years.
Another proud achievement was initiating the concept of a bush walking trail around the Basin. Chris Davies led a group of enthusiastic walkers to explore the possibilities of designing the trail. Discussions with Council and State Government elected members and staff, commenced in 2008, and the Willunga Basin Trail became an incorporated, not-for-profit community-based group, formed to create this magnificent trail.
Another spin off group originating from FOWB is McLaren Vale Biodiversity, a joint initiative of local community, industry and government. They remove feral vegetation from creek lines within the McLaren Vale region and replace them with native plant species. They nurture these new seedlings until they are established and then watch, as the new environment flourishes and essential native fauna returns to the area.
David Gill
Significant Projects
Aldinga Washpool (Wangkondilla-Kauwi ngaltingga)
At last the Aldinga washpool is now officially a conservation park. This priceless ephemeral wetland that was threatened to become a marina and posh canal development, now has legal status and protection.
Friends of Willunga Basin started life in the 1980s as a group campaigning to stop the marina. Ever since , we have never lost sight of the need to properly protect it and ensure better management of its Kaurna biodiversity, cultural and educational importance.
The Washpool Lagoon is the only coastal lagoon of its type in the southern metropolitan area. It is a shallow wetland that teems with aquatic micro life.
Between June and December it supports large numbers of swans, ducks and other visiting birds from Australia and overseas, including many waders from as far away as Japan and China. The basis for the remarkable productivity of this unique ecosystem is the samphire plant which covers most of the inundated areas north and south of Button Road. There are also areas of rushes near the small outlet weir.
Find out more about how the Washpool was saved (link to article Washpool saved by a spirit of co-operation published in the Willunga Environment Centre Newsletter August 2022).
Willunga Basin Trail
The idea of a walking trail to indicate the extent of the Willunga Basin and give walkers access to its diverse landscape arose and grew , within FOWB from 2009.
March 2016 saw a separate group form from the original FOWB sub-committee, led by Chris Davies and Zara Lupton and joined by enthusiastic people from the wider public. This group called itself Willunga Basin Trail (WBT) Inc.
Planning, design and application for funding commenced then and from 2019 to 2022 the trail was built, with over 7000 hours of volunteer work. Maintenance, funding, management and improvement of the 130km trail remain the function of WBT inc.
A walking group developed from 2013 to scope the Trail and continues today as Willunga Basin Trail walking group, holding weekly walks on the trail and in the region.
Biodiversity McLaren Vale
Spawned by FOWB, Biodiversity McLaren Vale is a joint environmental initiative of community, industry and Government, with the aim of improving regional biodiversity through the regeneration of the three principal creek-lines of the Willunga Basin.
It grew from a discussion between Geoff Hayter, grape grower and creek owner and Jock Harvey, a man for all seasons. Both have an environmental bent and at the time Geoff, who is also the Chair of Friends of Willunga Basin, and his partner Tess, were well into the regeneration of their own section of Willunga Creek. A tap on the shoulder of Dana Miles at the NRM, which had partnered the Willunga Creek work, and an idea was born.
The project aims to remove feral vegetation from the three principal creek systems and other selected sites within the Willunga Basin, to replace these weeds with endemic species and to maintain those plantings through their establishment phase. The project works at a landscape scale, creating corridor linkages to and working on areas of significant remnant native vegetation.
MVBP was incorporated in March 2018 as a simple legal entity to enable the Project to receive and expend funds and to be better able to attract industry and other funding and, thereby, become more self-sustaining.