July/August 2022 News Update
While communication with members has gone quiet for the winter months, our activities have continued unabated, Covid notwithstanding!
FOWB’s new website is 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. Quite apart from being informative and looking good, the website is critical to our goals of streamlining communication and management of the organization. Thanks to Gabriella Smart for raising the funds to achieve this.
Onkaparinga Council Water Assets Review
Council has officially responded to FOWB’s submission and subsequent attendance at the Council meeting of 23 August. Council has undertaken to do ‘further due diligence and engagement’, with an outcome in 2023 after the upcoming Council elections. There was widespread community concern about the issue. FOWB has resolved to continue its submission opposing divestment at the first meeting of the new Council.
McLaren Vale Water Allocation Plan Advisory Committee
A community forum was held in McLaren Vale recently. The Review Committee recommended that management of surface and groundwater should be amalgamated, though questions about McLaren Vale being subsumed into the Western Mount Lofty Water Allocation Plan administrative region were raised. Gavin Malone will continue on the advisory committee.
Guidelines for trees on rural roads
FOWB has been actively engaged with Onkaparinga Council on guidelines for roadside plantings and in particular indigenous vs non-indigenous species. Some recent plantings considered to be inappropriate have been discussed. Research and engagement on guidelines for urban species, particularly in coastal suburbs is planned.
Legislative Council Select Committee on Public and Active Transport
FOWB raised concerns about the availability and quality of public transport linking the outer Adelaide suburbs and local country towns and proposed a system of electric vehicles not necessarily on fixed rail. FOWB submission will be on our new website!
Port Willunga North Coast Park (coastal shared path)
State funding has been allocated and the project is proceeding to the design stage. FOWB continues to participate in consultations.
McLaren Vale Township Planning Review
FOWB submission sent and outcome is pending.
Ongoing long-term negotiations include Main South Rd and Victor Harbor Rd duplication; Victory Rd, Sellicks Hill; Aldinga/Willunga Bike Path. Each of them involves persistence and readiness to communicate with a range of stakeholders.