Public consultation has today opened on a key piece of draft legislation which will support the completion of the Coast Park project – a continuous 70km cycling and walking trail along Adelaide’s coastline.

The Coast Park project includes two stages of Linear Park yet to be completed: a 1.3km shared-use pathway from Semaphore Park to West Lakes Shore, as well as a 1.8km stretch between Tennyson and Grange.

The draft bill will strengthen the establishment of these Linear Park sections by giving them the statutory force of the South Australian parliament, enabling Coast Park the same status as the River Torrens Linear Park under the Linear Parks Act (2006).

Councils can use the new legislation to better manage and maintain Linear Parks, with certain laws able to be modified or excluded where they are not relevant to a Linear Park – which is designed to be used as a walking and cycling path only and closed to vehicle traffic.

This section of Coast Park is similar to other completed sections of shared-use pathways along Adelaide’s coastline, such as the Grange to Henley Square trail.

South Australians are encouraged to read the draft bill and provide their feedback on the PlanSA website here.

Consultation is open until 3 February 2023 with submissions received to be provided to the Minister for Planning for consideration.

Quotes

Attributable to Nick Champion

We want to open up this section of coastline and make it as accessible as possible for all South Australians to explore and enjoy.

You can have your say on the proposed changes to help ensure we get on with planning and developing the final sections of Coast Park, improving public access along the entire Adelaide coastline.

Councils are also set to benefit through a practical approach to the ongoing management of the newly developed Coast Park.