Winter’s high tides
September 20, 2021
Pop-up Labyrinth for Nature Festival
September 28, 2021
ECF and the North Haven Surf Life Saving Club have been collaborating since mid 2020, seeking funds to plan a Swimming Pool in the inner harbour of the Port River.
The first stage of the project is to undertake a coastal engineering scoping study, assessing potential sites between the Derek Diver Bridge and the Jervois Bridge.
The University of NSW’s Water Research Centre would do the feasibility study. Pools designed by the Centre include Port Macquarie (2020), Hallett Cove (2019), Ballina and Mona Vale.
A swimming pool in the Port River can highlight the improvement in our local environment, provide a great attraction for locals and visitors, offer safe entry and exit to the River and help people cool off in summer.
The River’s water quality, like our beaches, permits swimming except within 3 days of a major storm event. This allows the North Haven Surf Life Saving Club to host The Long Swim Through the Port River, commencing in 2017.
So far, through the generous support of the Suzanne Elliott Charitable Trust we have $10K of the $20K (plus GST) needed for the feasibility study.
ECF and the Club want an Olympic size swimming facility that’s accessible, affordable and safe, offering programs including Vacswim, school water safety programs, learn to swim, exercise for seniors, community events. We hope people appreciate and enjoy our River and the Port River comes to be recognised as one of a growing number of ‘swimmable rivers’ around the world.
While multiple sites will be considered in the inner harbour, the most likely site seems to be using a pontoon structure, off from Cruickshanks Beach, out to where there is consistently water 2 to 3 metres deep. Local firm Maritime Constructions has done some indicative drawings and costings and these will be further developed through the feasibility study.
Renewal SA and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield have given their in principle support and the City is currently considering support for a Port River Sports Festival. While there are State and Commonwealth grants for building swimming facilities, there’s no ready grant sources for funding feasibility studies. Hence ECF and the Club’s efforts to raise the funds needed.
