Beachgoer barrier at Christies Beach 'surprises' locals as seawall rebuild begins
The barrier reaches into the water at a fickle surf break known as Dumpsters. (ABC Radio Adelaide: Malcolm Sutton)
In short:
Locals say they were not consulted about a rock barrier at the southern end of Christies Beach.
It is part of works to rebuild a seawall alongside the ongoing Witton Bluff Base Trail Project.
What's next?
The seawall rebuild and pathway is expected to be complete by mid-2025.
The building of a rock barrier at a popular beach south of Adelaide has caught locals by "surprise" amid preparations to turn a large section into a construction site.
A digger on Thursday removed large rocks from the existing seawall at Christies Beach and placed them in a row that reached well into the water as a temporary barrier for beachgoers.
The rocks also stretch into the middle of a surf break that typically works during storms and attracts scores of surfers.
Locals told the ABC that, while they had been consulted on works to raise the seawall to protect the cliffs from erosion, they had not been told about the rock barrier.
"I come here nearly every day to walk my dog and didn't know this was happening. It's blocking off about a quarter of the beach," Rosa Pompilio said.
The seawall stretches for about 380 metres on the northern side of Witton Bluff at Christies Beach. (ABC Radio Adelaide: Malcolm Sutton)
Ms Pompilio said she was worried about surfers, bodyboarders, "even little kids if they're swimming out there".
"Look how big that wave is. If they get brought this way, they could smash their heads on that rock," she said.
While Ms Pompilio was talking with the ABC, a group of teenagers on a flotation device had been swept close to where the rock barrier had been constructed into the waves.
Teenagers on a flotation device are pushed close to the rock barrier on a lower tide. (ABC Radio Adelaide: Malcolm Sutton)
Dawn and Dale said it was a "surprise" to see it on Thursday and they had "no idea what it was" or what impact it would have on the beach.
"And we're concerned about its impact on surfers, who need easy access to this beautiful shoreline," Dale said.
The City of Onkaparinga acknowledged the timing might "not be ideal for beach visitors", but wanted to take advantage of optimal weather and tides for the project.
Storm waves at the location most typically occur during winter and spring.
Surfers questioned if the rock barrier needed to go so far into the water, although one surfer hoped the barrier would result in a new — albeit temporary — sand bank to produce better waves.
A 'temporary' barrier
City of Onkaparinga operations director Kirk Richardson said rocks for the seawall project would be stockpiled on that section of the beach, where heavy machinery would also be operating.
"The temporary barrier has been installed to keep the community safe, as an alternative to fencing, which would have been blown over by tides and in strong coastal winds," he said.
"We encourage swimmers, surfers and other beachgoers to keep a safe distance from the barrier when in the water."
The seawall is being made higher to stop the cliffs from eroding as sea levels rise. (ABC Radio Adelaide: Malcolm Sutton)
He said signs "discouraging beachgoers from approaching or crossing the rocks" into what would become an "active construction site" at the southern end of Christies Beach would soon be in place.
The council in September received a $1.2 million Australian government grant for the project through its Disaster Ready Fund.
The council has also committed $600,000 and secured another $355,000 from the SA government's Coast Protection Board.
Mr Richardson said increasing the seawall's height, width, steepness and rock size would ensure the cliffs could "withstand wave erosion and sea-level rise impacts for many years to come".
Boardwalk to open in December
The seawall rebuild is taking place alongside the Witton Bluff Base Trail project, which began in February, to build a boardwalk from Port Noarlunga and around the bluff to link up with the seawall walk at Christies Beach.
Mr Richardson said the base trail project was progressing well and to schedule.
"The much-awaited boardwalk is nearing completion and will open to the public later in December," he said.
"Once the sea wall repairs are completed, work will shift to upgrading the Christies Beach path to the north of the new boardwalk, aiming for a full trail opening by mid-2025.
"Funded by the City of Onkaparinga and the state and federal governments, the $9.6 million for these multiple projects will provide all-abilities access, support active lifestyles, repair critical infrastructure and boost local tourism."