August 2025 News Update
Annual General Meeting
7.00pm Thursday 25 September 2025
Willunga Hub, 1 St Peters Tce, Willunga 5172
Come and hear Michael Cornish, Policy Lead at the Australian Land Conservation Alliance, speak on:
The State’s new Biodiversity Act:
What’s In, What’s Out & What Does it Mean for You?
Michael will give an overview of the new Biodiversity Act and its implications for groups and individuals who advocate for local biodiversity and responsible planning and development. There will be time afterward for questions and discussion on the Act and environmental advocacy in SA. More information on the act can be found HERE
Michael is the Policy Lead at the Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA), Australia’s peak body for private land conservation. In this role, Michael collaborates and advocates on a wide range of Federal, State and Territory legislative and policy issues to support the land conservation sector to protect, manage, and restore nature on privately managed land. Michael is also the current nominee of the Conservation Council SA on the Native Vegetation Council, as well as on the board of the Conservation Council SA.
Prior to joining the environment sector, Michael’s professional experience has ranged across law, economics, international aid, academia, and Australian and international politics. Michael and his family live in the Adelaide Hills and he is parochially proud of South Australia and its natural environment.
Business of the AGM
1. Minutes of FOWB AGM 24 September 2024
2. Treasurer’s report - Rob Bickford
3. Chair’s Report - Gabriella Smart / Geoff Hayter
4. Strategy Launch - Felicity Isaac
5. Election of Committee Members - followed by supper and chat
Wave Park application withdrawn
The developers (“The Break”) behind the proposed Wave Park at Tuit Road have formally withdrawn their original application for the development of a wave lagoon and associated facilities, which had been approved by the City of Onkaparinga on 2nd May 2024. NOTE: This is the original main application for a wave park that predates the amended lighting tower variation application (which was withdrawn earlier this year).
This outcome is a significant win for our community, while it’s important to note that “The Break” may choose to submit a new application in the future.
Port Willunga North Coast Park
City of Onkaparinga have now finalised the detailed drawings for the trail’s construction. This will allow procurement of a contractor to construct the trail. The timing of procurement and construction of the Port Willunga North Coast Park remains dependent on successful completion of negotiations with private landowners for public access around the Chinaman Gully section of the approved trail. It is anticipated that construction works will start in the first half of 2026. More information can be found HERE
Air Quality Monitoring at Sellicks Beach
In response to concern about dust, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is initiating an Air Quality Monitoring Campaign in the Sellicks Beach area to better understand the source of the dust impacts on the existing community.
This monitoring campaign is planned to commence in November2025 for a period of 12 months, and once the monitoring equipment is installed, live data will be available to be viewed 24/7 on the EPA website.
More information about the EPA’s regulation of the Sellicks Hill Quarry can be found HERE