Friends of Port Willunga (FOPW) is committed to engaging our community on issues that affect those of us who live here and love this special place.
Our goal is to care for and enhance its natural and cultural heritage, with special attention to the biodiversity hotspot that is the Linear Park Reserve and the riparian area bordering the creek that runs through it to the sea.
We also aim to protect and communicate the significant history of the area, including its cultural importance to the Kaurna people.
Biodiversity/Environment
Revegetation of the foreshore, estuary and Linear Reserve
FOPW have been working in collaboration with the City of Onkaparinga to rehabilitate the old campsite into a more natural coastal dune and estuary environment. We have continued to lobby for the removal of the two stobie poles that currently obstruct views, and to stop helicopter landings at the site.
We have collaborated with the City of Onkaparinga’s Natural Area Conservation team in the development of a comprehensive planting plan for the Linear Reserve area. As a consequence, groups of residents have been actively involved in the growing of indigenous seedlings for the coastal environment and woodland area of the Linear Reserve, the planting of river red gums along the creek line, the restoration of the reed beds to create a wetland area and the planting of vegetation around the Martin’s Barn ruin.
A range of planting events have been supported by the Friends of the Urban Forest, SA Urban Forests – Million Trees Program, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure – Planning and Development Fund, and Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges, and we look forward to working with the newly established Green Adelaide Board and the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board.
Bush Gardeners
FOPW have continued to support the maintenance of the revegetated areas in the Linear Reserve by weeding and planting and have established the FOPW Bush Gardeners group, which meets on the second Sunday of each month. The goal is to gather like-minded people to do a spot of weeding, learn a bit about the native species growing in the Reserve, gather seed, try our hands at raising seedlings and, in season, plant seedlings. Then we stop for a cuppa and a chat, share information and suggestions, make plans and generally get to know our neighbours. You can come regularly, or drift in and out, or just come for the cuppa at the end.
We’ll keep you abreast of developments for this activity via email, Facebook and Instagram, or you can contact us on hello@friendsofportwillunga.org.au
Port Willunga North Coast Park
FOPW sees the building of the proposed Port Willunga North Coast Park, a shared path along the coast linking Port Willunga to Maslin Beach, as an opportunity to support some of the FOPW priorities such as: the reinstatement of the dunes around the estuary, the revegetation and protection of the coast environment, the protection of the hooded plover nests, the preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage sites and the cliff stabilisation.
The FOPW met with Coast Park project officer in 2020, and made a detailed submission to Council on its – concept plan.
Heritage
Over the last few years Council has undertaken works to the Harbour Master’s Cottage and Martin Farm ruins to improve the safety and sustainability of the structures. Fencing has been constructed, the area has been revegetated and interpretive signs have been installed as part of the project works. Friends of Port Willunga are now working with Council to maintain the new plantings at these sites and throughout the linear park.
Heritage walk
FOPW support the establishment of a cultural walking trail through and around the Willunga Creek estuary that acknowledges both the Aboriginal and European heritage through interpretive signage and digital media.
