In the City of Onkaparinga we have approximately 31km of unique and varied coastline featuring open beaches, reefs, dunes and cliff formations. Nearly 18% of our population live in our coastal suburbs, so coastal management is extremely important.
The coast is a place for leisure, recreation, residence, and employment, enjoyed by both our City’s residents and its visitors.
Our coast is under constant pressure from:
pollution from the 24 major stormwater outfalls, creeks and rivers from our 9 catchments, and effluent from the Christies Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant
the effects of farm run-off, recreation, fishing and tourism
the results of sand dredging off Port Stanvac, and land use changes and development along the coast
The combination of these factors has lead to pollution and degradation of our coastline. This has resulted in:
extensive loss of seagrass and decline in marine populations, for example the Leafy Sea Dragon
inhibited growth of organisms that live on and around the reefs
cliff stability problems along our coastline