FOWB has been interested in the development of a cycling and walking path connecting Willunga and Aldinga for many years. In April 2023 we were advised that a route had been finalised for a shared use cycling and walking path between Willunga and Aldinga.

It is exciting to see that work has already started on the building of the path along Aldinga Road. We believe that the building of this shared path is the first step to opening up multiple east - west connections across Willunga Basin for cyclists and walkers and look forward to further developments on this front.

Council has received a development application for the construction of a recreation facility (a wave pool) and tourist accommodation, together with shop, office, wellness studio and food & beverage facilities located within the Tourism Development Zone, which encourages tourism related uses. The land uses proposed in the application generally appear consistent with the zone objectives.

We were delighted to have Ben Taylor, Senior Wetland Ecologist, Nature Glenelg Trust talk about the steps towards hydrological restoration of the Aldinga Washpool, including:

• the history of the NGT and their access to Green Adelaide funding for the Washpool Study

• an introduction to the Indigenous and European history of the Washpool

• hydrological studies and some alternatives for hydrological restoration

Port Willunga North Coast Park
FOWB, along with Friends of Pt Willunga and the Willunga Basin Trail are in ongoing discussion with Council regarding the detail of the planned path, especially as it relates to the Willunga Creek estuary and the associated dunes.
We are seeking good environmental outcomes, both in terms of how and where the trail down the dunes is constructed and as regards the level of environmental regeneration required to repair the current goat-tracked landscape. The removal of parking from Vincent Terrace and arrangements in lieu are also under discussion…

FOWB has promoted the need for a safe and enjoyable cycling track between Aldinga and Willunga for many years and we are pleased to hear that Onkaparinga Council has recently announced that the route for a shared use cycling and walking path between Willunga and Aldinga has now been finalised…

FOWB Committee is very concerned that the Safeguard Mechanism legislation the Australian Government is introducing for climate action is completely inadequate to deal with the very real chance of catastrophic and perhaps irreversible climate breakdown.

As it stands it allows unlimited expansion of coal and gas despite science saying there must be no new fossil fuel mines or wells. Under the legislation offsets can be used to counter the massive expansion in emissions this would cause

We ask FOWB members to take action in the next few days to demand changes to the planned legislation…

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport is seeking feedback on options for the default vehicle speed to apply to all South Australian beaches that allow vehicle access. A lower default speed limit for South Australian beaches is being considered to improve safety for all beach users, particularly given the absence of any formal road infrastructure and the changing nature of driving conditions on a beach.

Thank you to those who responded to our previous call out to voice concerns about the concept plan for Stage 2 of the Main South Road Duplication Project between Aldinga Beach Road and Sellicks Beach Road.

The date for consultation has now been extended to Friday 3 February 2023, so we just have time to raise any specific concerns you might still have to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT).

FOWB Committee members have drilled down to 3 main achievable suggestions for changes to focus on now:

With the major construction works of Main South Road Duplication - Stage 1 Seaford to Aldinga now well underway, our focus over the last couple of months has been on all matters relating to transport, roads and in particular safe paths, trails for cyclists and pedestrians across the Basin.

While communication with members has gone quiet for the winter months, our activities have continued unabated, Covid notwithstanding!

FOWB’s new website is going live in September!

FOWB committee members have been developing the new website in keeping with the goals of our strategic planning process. It’s been an exciting part of the process to articulate our vision and reflect on how it will continue to evolve.

Onkaparinga Council Water Assets Strategic Review

Today 13th July, is the last day to make your views known to Council on this important issue. FOWB considers Council water assets to be essential services that should be retained within government ownership…

Duplication of Main South Rd, Cycling & Pedestrian Crossings

FOWB has for years lobbied both State and Local Government for a suitable east-west cycle crossings, and more recently, for separate cycling & pedestrian crossings over South Road…

FOWB’s VISION 2050

The Willunga Basin is a culturally, ecologically & economically cohesive community that has embraced climate change mitigation & adaptation. The Basin continues to provide sustenance through primary production within a landscape that reflects its ancient and modern bicultural character…