Mutton Cove muddle

Seven plus years after a break in the seawall at Mutton Cove, that flooded its saltmarsh and endangered nearby infrastructure, the State Government has still not determined how this important area will be managed.

The protection of Mutton Cove – via a Living Shoreline – was one of the reasons that ECF was established. ECF was hoping to raise funds and respond to pleas from the Friends of Mutton Cove for the seawall to be maintained; pleas that the State Government ignored, supposedly due to cost. This short doco from 2016 outlines the history of Mutton Cove and the proposed Living Shoreline design by Peri Coleman, Delta Environmental.

In May 2016, the first break occurred in the seawall and there have been subsequent breaks, so that the area has transformed into a mangrove forest. The banks on the north, west and south of Mutton Cove are not seawalls and will continue to erode.

Mutton Cove, along western edge, Nov 2023

Mutton Cove eastern view, Nov 2023

Mutton Cove, northern end, March 2024

At least 4 years ago community reps were advised that we were to be involved in concept planning for options to restore Mutton Cove, through a project being jointly funded by Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI), Flinders Ports, City of Port Adelaide Enfield and Green Adelaide.

ANI has continued, since then, to brief Port Adelaide Residents Environment Protection Group (PAREPG) and ECF reps and we’ve been heartened by ANI’s recognition of the significance of Mutton Cove’s contribution to  the local environment, the community and the well-being of nearby workers.

The extent of the damage, and the establishment of the mangroves, seems to rule out the option of restoring the seawall. The other alternative is stabilising and strengthening the banks on the northern, western and southern boundaries.

It’s challenging not to bemoan the lack of foresight (and maintenance) prior to the breach in 2016 and the lack of action since then which makes remedial action now more expensive.