The state Department for Infrastructure and Transport is conducting a Regional Public Transport Review  and is calling for input from regional areas, including the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island.The review will inform its Public Transport Strategy to set the vision of public transport for the next 30 years.It is an opportunity to have a say on local public transport – or the lack of it -and tell the state government what the region needs.Regional Development Australia conducted a regional public transport study for the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula last year, which it will feed into the upcoming review. It says access to effective public transport remains a challenge across most of the region and it is advocating for increased budget for regional public transport. “Currently, South Australia invests less per person in regional public transport than any other state*.RDA is urging people to get involved and provide feedback on public transport needs to the state government; its study can be found online. An information session on the Regional Public Transport Review will be held  next Thursday 12 June at the City of Victor Harbor Council Chambers from 4.30pm to 6pm.Another session will be held in Penneshaw on Saturday 14 June from 10am to 12noon.For anyone interested who can’t attend in person there will be an online webinar on Monday 16 June from 5pm to 6pm.To find out more and to complete the survey, visit the website. Consultation closes on Friday 27 June.

It’s not September, but the Shining Stars of the Milang Fibre Art Group will create a crafting Boogie Wonderland again at its annual Earth, Wind & Fibre Fair.It will be held at the Milang Institute this weekend, 7 and 8 June, from 10am to 3pm.The group will give demonstrations and advice on all things fibre, including weaving, rag rugs, knitting, spinning, felting and basket making.There will be a range of hand crafted items for sale from local fibre artists, as well as tools if the trade for crafters to make their own creations.A light lunch and refreshments will be available. For more information visit the Facebook page.

In a wide-ranging speech to state Parliament, MP for Finniss David Basham has issued his wish list for the region ahead of the next state budget, due to be handed down by the treasurer tomorrow, Thursday 5 June.Health; education; road and rail infrastructure; disaster prevention and mitigation; and long-term planning with fiscal responsibility are the local Liberal MP’s main priorities.“We need to make sure that we get the spending in the right locations, that the right projects are supported and that we as members of parliament—and particularly the government—direct that spending to the right priorities so that the community receives the benefit it needs from investing their tax dollars in the right places,” he says.“It must also be mentioned that we need to make sure those projects delivered in a timely manner.’Mr Basham says delays to the upgrade of  Victor Harbor’s South Coast District Hospital Emergency Department is a major issue for the people of Finniss.“I am told that September 2025 is the completion date for the new ED and I hope that will be the case. There is a long way to go yet.“Certainly, the roof is not all on yet and there are many external walls missing, let alone any internal fit-out that is required for the ED to have it completed by September.”Mr Basham says his family’s recent personal experience with the ED showed its overloaded capacity and lack of privacy was unfit for purpose, despite the excellent care provided.“I am very much looking forward to the delivery of the new ED, but as I said it is, sadly, running well behind the original delivery date of 2023.”He has reiterated his concern that the almost completed new helipad will not be in operation until the ED is at lock-up stage because of a concern that debris may be blown around from the building site.“It is a challenge for the hospital staff to continue to manage with an offsite landing site.”With a growing population, delays to infrastructure development is also top of mind for Mr Basham, saying the upgrade of the Hindmarsh Tiers Road-Victor Harbor Road intersection has taken too long to complete, given its importance for the safety of the community.“One of the big challenges of the area from Hindmarsh Island through to Encounter Bayis the traffic movement.“It is highly congested at times and really challenging to move, particularly during thesummer holidays, across that path.“We very much need to look at a second road that runs behind Middleton and Port Elliot.”He says part of that upgrade may actually solve another problem that also faces the township of Middleton, following the major flood there a couple of years ago.“Another issue that has been around for many years is the duplication of the Victor Harbor Road.Mr Basham says the parts of the road that have been duplicated have made it so much safer, but there is then the challenge for the rest of the way.“I see that there are probably three stages that need to be considered with this upgrade going forward over the next period of time, whether it is 10 or 20 years before we see all the work done.“With proposed growth down in Goolwa and Encounter Bay, but in particular Goolwa, the Mount Compass to Goolwa Road needs some significant investment to make sure that it is a safe road to travel. The first three or four kilometres of that road is an appalling piece of road.”He says tourism is such an important part of the business community and the life of the region and it also needs infrastructure support.“SteamRanger are doing a great job, as a mainly volunteer organisation, at making sure that the line is maintained as well as possible.”He says investment is required to preserve the ageing piece of infrastructure; the line itself and the bridges that are in operation on that line.Early childhood education also needs more attention from the state government, according to the Finniss MP, with Kindergarten capacity a particular issue with the three-year-old cohort coming in.He says the Mount Compass kindergarten is in an ageing and poorly located building that is nearly at full capacity now with just four-year-olds.“Likewise, there are challenges in Victor Harbor and Port Elliot. “To me there are many challenges going forward in the area of care and education for young children in my electorate.”

A series of three interactive workshops on building individual, community and regional action in the food community will be offered in Yankalilla. They are aimed at people who want to become more active food citizens, who are invited to share their thoughts on food resilience and sustainability. Co-hosted by The Food Embassy, Fleurieu Environment Centre, and District Council of Yankalilla, the sessions will feature inspiring guests, practical skills, take-home resources and time for discussion.Guest speakers will include local foodie Tara, permaculture practitioner Bill Mansell and chair of the Onkaparinga Food Security Collaborative Sharon McCann.The plan is to kickstart a locally led food project, with mentoring support available after the series to help bring ideas to life.The workshops will be held on Mondays 16, 23 and 30 June at Yankalilla Library from 5.30pm to 7pm.Tickets cost $40 for all three workshops, $30 concession, or $15 for a single session and include a light snack and drink. Find out more about the workshops and speakers and book tickets via Humanitix. 

Last week’s storm has had a lingering impact on Onkaparinga’s coastline, with high tides, strong winds and large surf causing damage and prompting several closures to ensure public safety.City of Onkaparinga closed the Port Noarlunga jetty, Witton Bluff Base Trail boardwalk and the South Port pedestrian bridge in response to the heavy weather on Monday and Tuesday, 26 and 27 May. The council says that while the new boardwalk is holding strong, the jetty has sustained damage and will remain closed while engineering inspections and repairs are carried out.“Storm tide conditions also led to water overtopping Saltfleet Street – a state-managed road – near Port Noarlunga’s Jubilee Adventure Playground, and SAPOL closed the road temporarily. The playground has been inundated and will remain closed while we assess damage.“Nearby, minor flooding has occurred at the Wearing Street aquatics precinct and Port Noarlunga Oval. The Moana Surf Life Saving Club also experienced water ingress despite proactive sandbagging.The council says heavy rain caused minor water damage at Aldinga Community Centre, which has since reopened and more significant flooding at Woodcroft Library, which is closed until further notice.“With 31km of coastline to assess, this work will take time. We ask the community to stay safe and respect all closures – they’re in place for your protection.“We sincerely thank SES, SAPOL and our council crews who continue working tirelessly in challenging conditions. With more wild weather forecast, we remain on alert and ready to respond.”

South Australia is leading the nation in providing the first health care facility to become fully powered by electricity, according to the state government. As the only fully electric health service in the country, the Kangaroo Island Health Service is leading the way with South Australia’s healthcare services adopting measures raised in the new SA Health Climate Change Framework.The Framework informs the public healthcare system how it can be environmentally sustainable, low carbon and climate-resilient while maintaining high-quality healthcare by making simple changes like transitioning to LED lighting and using specimen bags made from 100 per cent recycled plastic. The gas phase-out led by the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network and for it to use electricity not only reduces impact on the environment but is also more cost effective for the hospital.  This has been achieved by replacing all previously gas-powered assets and infrastructure, including hot water systems, cooking appliances, steam generator boilers and gas heaters. The success of this initiative is now guiding similar efforts across ten health sites in the region, including the new Mount Barker Hospital, which will be built gas-free. SA Health is responsible for approximately 30 per cent of the state government’s operational emissions, with healthcare nationally estimated to contribute to five per cent of Australia’s total carbon emissions. The Framework outlines four SA Health goals for responding to climate change and discusses the efforts undertaken to achieve its goals across eight priority action areas. Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier says climate change is the greatest threat to global health and is already impacting on the health of South Australians. “The SA Health Climate Framework lays the foundation for a net-zero emissions, climate-resilient health system that can anticipate, respond to and recover from climate-related challenges while improving the overall health of our population. “It paves the way for even greater achievements in emissions reduction across the years ahead, which will be to the benefit of all South Australians. “Adaptation is about protecting the health of South Australians, where climate change is already causing extreme heat, bushfires, flooding, and exacerbating health inequities.  “As well as reviewing and addressing climate risks to our healthcare infrastructure and services, the Framework outlines the need to work with key public health partners and local community to enhance preparedness across the state.”

Nine small businesses in Alexandrina will share $20,000 in Council Business Initiative Grants to facilitate projects including website improvements and initiatives to encourage tourism and build awareness of local produce.The funds were allocated in one competitive round as part of Alexandrina Council’s 2024/25 Grants Program and were approved by the council at its May general meeting.“It’s encouraging to see Council’s Business Initiative Grants making such a positive impact on small businesses in the region. I’m looking forward to seeing the outcomes and how these businesses progress,” says Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes.“Working with businesses and industries is crucial as it contributes to the prosperity of the region and aligns with Council’s vision to make our region more liveable, green and connected.“We hope that by funding these projects, it helps to put these small businesses on the map and attract more visitation and growth in Alexandrina.“Since Council is no longer accepting applications for the 2024/25 Grants Program, we encourage community groups, small businesses and individuals to be on the lookout for the opening of the 2025/26 Grant Program and to get involved to ensure projects happen in your community.”Applications for the Business Initiative Grants opened on Monday 10 February and closed on Monday 17 March.The successful 2024/25 Business Initiative Grant recipients were:• Bleasdale Vineyards $2,500 for Bleasdale 1892 Cellar Museum Renovations Documentation and Plans.• Debbie Constable $1,950 towards Fundamentals of Business & Leadership - Social Media Strategy.• Strathalbyn Tourism Association $2,500 for developing a portfolio of images.• The Huzzah Democracy Pty Ltd $1,500 towards website Improvement Project.• Slow Mover Coffee $2,500 for Slow Mover - Digital Upgrade.• Peninsula Providore Farm Pty Ltd $2,500 towards showcasing Local Flavour: Elevating Peninsula Providore’s Digital Presence Through Recipe Creation & Professional Photography.• Woodburn Homestead $2,300 for Woodburn 'Winter Series': Winter Staycation Project.• Hays St $2,000 for Marketing Enhancement for Hays St Bar & Kitchen.• Fleurieu Locksmith $2,250 for Enhancing Fleurieu Locksmiths Digital Presence for Business Growth.More information on the  2025/26 Grants Program will be available soon. For further details about the grant program and the selected applications, visit the website.Alexandrina Council offers a range of business support facilities, including access to meeting rooms, hot desks and expert-led training programs. It provides mentoring, workshops and networking opportunities to help business owners thrive. For further details contact [email protected] or visit the Business Hub at 12 Cadell Street, Goolwa.

A comprehensive assessment of environmental outcomes in South Australia under the Murray Darling Basin Plan shows environmental water is having a positive impact on ecosystems, biodiversity and habitat quality. Among the findings was that increased freshwater flows through the barrages has increased the resilience of fish species including black bream, greenback flounder and small-mouthed hardyhead. Upstream, increasing connectivity of wetlands and floodplains has improved outcomes for native freshwater fish, vegetation and waterbird species. The report also emphasises the need to recover the 450GL of environmental water as soon as possible, and from the southern Basin, to maximise environmental outcomes across the system, including increasing resilience to climate change. State Environment Minster Susan Close says the Plan’s 450GL environmental water target, which is absolutely critical for South Australia and the health of the entire River, has surged to 286GL under the current federal government, compared to 2GL over the previous decade. As a result, the River Murray and its wetlands and tributaries are in significantly better shape, despite drought conditions throughout parts of South Australia and western Victoria.“This evaluation has reinforced the importance of delivering the Basin Plan in full, including final 450GL of environmental water and addressing water delivery constraints, to ensure the health of the River Murray and protect our unique ecosystems. “Through this prolonged dry spell, that water has become even more important for the river’s ecology to ensure we maintain a healthy aquatic environment, which supports water supply, irrigation, recreation and tourism. The assessment found:Water for the environment is essential for ecosystems to thrive and its coordinated delivery along the entire length of the River Murray has contributed to improved environmental outcomes in SA.The operation of infrastructure, including floodplain and wetland regulators, has expanded water delivery areas, increasing connectivity and improving outcomes for native fish, vegetation and waterbird species.Increased freshwater flows through the barrages have provided critical pathways for the movement of fish and increased resilience of species, including black bream, greenback flounder and small-mouthed hardyhead.The Basin Plan has provided improved environmental outcomes during low flow periods, likely preventing similar outcomes to those during the Millennium Drought, but more is needed to ensure ongoing recovery and health.Despite improvements, challenges remain particularly in the southern Coorong and sustained actions, operations and additional investment are required to secure long-term environmental outcomes.The Basin Plan was adopted by the federal government in 2012 and aims to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the Murray-Darling Basin. To read the report visit the DEW website. Department for Environment and Water - Basin Plan evaluation  

RSPCA South Australia is thrilled to announce our "12 Dogs, 12 Days" adoption event! For a limited time, we’re offering half-price adoptions on 12 incredible dogs who are each waiting for their second chance at a loving home.🐾 Meet the 12 Dogs of the Event:Marshmallow – Sweet by name, sweeter by natureBingo – Your new best mate for adventuresHurricane – A whirlwind of joy and energyGonzo – Playful, curious, and full of charmBellamy – Gentle soul with a heart of goldCheeky – True to name, and full of personalityBozo – Quirky, fun-loving, and ready to entertainJimmy – Loyal and loving, with a dash of goofinessAustin – Easygoing companion and cuddle expertBoss – Strong, affectionate, and eager to pleaseSeamus – A bright spark with lots of love to giveSavannah – Smart, sensitive, and beautifully sweet📆 Promo Details:🗓 12 Days Only – Starting this week 💲 50% OFF adoption fees 📍 RSPCA South Australia – O’Halloran Hill Animal Care CampusDon’t miss this heartwarming opportunity to welcome one of these 12 incredible pups into your life. Whether you’re looking for an energetic adventure buddy or a calm cuddle companion, there’s someone waiting for you!👉 Learn more and meet the dogs at www.rspcasa.org.au

A man has been arrested following an alleged home invasion and assault at Christie Downs on Friday night.Around 8pm on 30 May, police were called to McKinna Road after a resident found an intruder in his bedroom. A physical struggle broke out before the suspect fled over a back fence.The homeowner sustained only minor injuries and was able to give officers a detailed description of the man. Southern District patrols quickly flooded the area and located the suspect nearby, arresting him shortly after.Crime Scene investigators examined the home and collected several items the suspect allegedly left behind.A 37-year-old Christie Downs man has been charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, aggravated assault, and theft. He was refused bail and is due to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday, 2 June.

A 16-year-old learner driver is facing court after allegedly crashing into a tree while drink driving at Seaford Rise early Saturday morning.Police were called to Whitestone Crescent just before 2am on 31 May following reports of a crash. When officers arrived, they found a blue Mazda sedan had collided with a tree.The driver, from O’Halloran Hill, and her 17-year-old passenger were not injured in the incident.A roadside breath test returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.103—more than twice the legal limit.The teenager was reported for drink driving and breaching the conditions of her learner’s permit. She was issued with an immediate six-month loss of licence, and her vehicle was towed from the scene.

In winter we welcome whales migrating to the south coast and June sees a month-long Winter Whale Festival.This year’s events, activities and workshops have been inspired by Kondoli, the whale from Ngarrindjeri Dreaming, under the direction of Mark Koolmatrie and Stacey Richardson.They celebrate Victor Harbor’s coast, culture, science, and creativity with more than 25 events featuring art, film, live music, cultural experiences, tours and science talks. A feature of the festival is always the Welcoming of the Whales and Smoking Ceremony, a free event to mark the whale season official opening.It will be held on Saturday 7 June at 9am at the Foreshore Amphitheatre in Victor Harbor’s Soldiers Memorial Gardens. The whole festival is family-friendly, with some activities specifically tailored for children, including junior whale spotting training, art workshops at the Victor Harbor library and marine education sessions at the Whale Centre.Rounding out the festival will be free whale-inspired lantern workshops for all ages, held over a week and culminating in the Kondoli Lantern Parade.Find the full program of Winter Whale Festival events on the website.

Hundreds of drought-affected sport and active recreation clubs have applied for a new grant program helping communities to stay active – with more time given for other clubs to tap into the crucial support. The Regional Drought Relief Round – established by the state government – has been extended for two weeks to Thursday 12 June, enabling more clubs to access up to $5,000 in targeted relief. The initiative is a new and additional round of the Active Club Program and is part of the comprehensive $73 million package to support communities impacted by drought across the state. More than 500 sport and active recreation clubs have applied for funding since the program opened last month, with strong uptake in Yorke and Mid North (160 applications), Eyre and Western (85), and Limestone Coast (65) regions. So there is ample room for Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island clubs to apply. Around one-in-four applications have already been screened and approved to receive funding, meaning grants can be used to relieve financial pressure quickly. Funding can go towards water-saving and drought-resilient measures like rainwater tanks, smart irrigation controllers and new or upgraded irrigation infrastructure, along with utility bill relief and energy efficiency initiatives. Essential costs such as equipment, uniforms and program delivery are also covered – helping to reduce barriers to participation and promote physical activity.The Regional Drought Relief Round has been expanded to include thoroughbred and harness racing clubs facing watering and maintenance pressures, which impact clubs’ ability to deliver programs and services in regional communities. Clubs are encouraged to spend grants locally to support their community.For more information and to apply, visit the Active Club Program website. 

A man has been arrested following a break-in at a Victor Harbor business last night.Just before 11pm on Thursday 29 May police were called to the business on George Main Road after a witness reported seeing a man acting suspiciously outside.When police arrived, they found the front glass door had been smashed and the alarm sounding.On searching the building patrols located a man hiding in the rear. When searched he was found to be in possession of a jar containing cash and a fuel card belonging to the business.Further checks showed a vehicle parked at the rear of the building had been broken into.The 21 -year-old man from Encounter Bay was arrested and has been charged with property damage, unlawfully on premises, serious criminal trespass and vehicle interference.He has been refused bail and will appear before the Christies Beach Magistrates Court today Friday 30 May.

Public voting is now open for the 2025 South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year Award, with a record 97 towns nominated from across the state — each showcasing the strength, spirit, and significance of agriculture in their local communities. The Fleurieu is again well represented, with nine nominated towns, plus two on Kangaroo Island, reflecting the diverse landscapes and innovative farming practices that define South Australian agriculture.Kingscote and Penneshaw are flying the flag for KI, while the Fleurieu towns up for the gong are Encounter Bay, Goolwa, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Meadows, Milang, Mount Compass, Strathalbyn, and Victor Harbor. Now, it’s up to the public to help determine which towns will progress to the next stage of this prestigious award. Voting is open until Friday 20 June, with the top ten towns receiving the most votes moving forward in the competition - to be announced in late June. These towns will then be invited to submit a written submission to an independent judging panel, which will assess their contribution to agriculture, community strength and regional leadership. From this group, three finalists will be selected for town visits before the ultimate winner is crowned later in the year. Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven says South Australia's regional towns are the heart of our state – driving innovation, food production and economic strength across the board. “The Agricultural Town of the Year Award is a fantastic way to celebrate these communities and acknowledge the incredible role they play in our state's prosperity. “I encourage everyone to get involved and vote for the town they believe best represents the values, innovation and resilience of our regional areas. “Congratulations to all the nominated towns – and good luck in making it to the top ten.” The Agricultural Town of the Year Award celebrates South Australian towns that demonstrate excellence in agriculture and are great places to live and work. Last year, 73 towns were nominated and more than 3,600 votes were cast by the public.  To view the list of all nominated towns and vote for a favourite, visit the website. 

Rainfall leads to more crashes on high-speed roads – with RAA revealing SA’s worst high-speed corridors for wet weather crashes, as Adelaide sees rain for the first time in months.Almost one in five crashes on high-speed roads (80km/h+) occur when the road is wet – compared with just one in eight on lower-speed roads.The worst high-speed roads in SA for wet weather crashes are Main North Road, the South Eastern Freeway, Port Wakefield Road and Main South Road.Main North Road saw 242 wet weather crashes occur in the five years between 2019-2023.RAA is reminding motorists to leave a three-second gap between them and the car in front, as stopping distances will increase by around one third when it’s raining, and turn their headlights on if visibility is low.Staggeringly, crash data also shows 51 per cent of fatal crashes on wet roads in SA involve either drugs or alcohol.A mind-blowing 38 per cent of fatal crashes on wet roads involved drug use between 2019-23, while 16 per cent involved alcohol. This compares with 17 per cent and 18 per cent respectively in dry weather.RAA Senior Manager Road Safety Charles Mountain says this could be due to the combination of impaired reaction times and longer stopping distances.“With rain returning after a long dry spell, the roads will be extra slippery due to the build-up of oil and other substances on the road,” Mr Mountain says.“If you’re driving at 80km/h it will take your car almost 90 metres to come to a stop when it’s wet – compared with 64 metres if it’s dry. These distances are even greater when your tyres are worn. “Remember to turn on your headlights when visibility is reduced – it helps other drivers, riders and pedestrians to see you from both the front and back.“Drivers should be extra vigilant today to leave a safe distance between themselves and the vehicle in front – especially if you’re travelling at higher speeds.“Remember to slow down to 25km/h if you see a stationary roadside assistance vehicle helping out a stranded motorist and displaying amber flashing lights.Mr Mountain says an alarming number of drivers who are involved in crashes are found to have either drugs or alcohol in their system.“If you’re driving under the influence – you’re putting the lives of other road users at risk,” Mr Mountain said.“Even small amounts of alcohol can and will affect your driving ability and increase your chances of being involved in a serious crash.“The fact more than half of fatal crashes in wet weather involve drugs or alcohol shows this is a recipe for disaster.”

The youngest ever person elected to the Australian Senate, Charlotte Walker, has a strong Fleurieu connection. The Australian Labor Party Senator elect, who grew up in Yankalilla and Normanville, turned 21 on election day – 3 May.She went to school in Victor Harbor, at Investigator College, and went on to work part time in the electorate office of state MP for Mawson Leon Bignell.The SA president of Young Labor was working for the Australian Services Union before the election.A large swing to the ALP saw Ms Walker elected as its third Senator for South Australia, along with Karen Grogan and Marielle Smith.Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Liberals Alex Antic and Anne Rusdon were also re-elected. Liberal David Fawcett was not re-elected.All six Australian states are represented by 12 Senators and the territories are represented by two each, with half elected every three years.The Australian Electoral Commission finalised counting of Senate votes for SA on Monday 26 May.Charlotte Walker’s six-year term will begin on 1 July.

Storm damage has been reported across the Fleurieu following the wild weather earlier this week, with at least two jetties closed to the public.District Council of Yankalilla has closed the Normanville Jetty and the Myponga Beach access stairs until further notice due to safety concerns.The council has urged the community to take extra care when out and about and be mindful of debris, fallen branches and altered beach access due to sand movement.It says staff were able to retrieve the Normanville pontoon largely undamaged, after it had shifted closer to the shore during the storm, and will now begin the process to see it returned to the water in time for summer.There have also been reports of storm damage to Second Valley jetty and Port Noarlunga jetty, as well as the Aldinga Community Centre.In a statement City of Onkaparinga says the impacts of the storm have been considerable to coastal areas, which have faced high tides, strong winds and large surf.  The council proactively closed the Port Noarlunga jetty and Witton Bluff Base Trail boardwalk on Monday 26 May to ensure public safety."While the new boardwalk is holding strong, there has been some damage to the jetty’s decking and a section of handrail."It will now take some time to complete engineer inspections and repair, so the jetty will remain closed until further notice. It’s too early to say how long it will remain closed or the costs involved, but we’ll keep the community up to date as soon as we know more."We ask the community to stay safe and respect the closure – it’s in place for your protection – and we sincerely thank SES, SAPOL and our council crews who continue working tirelessly in challenging conditions."There are hopes that the storm will have begun the process of clearing the algal bloom that has been affecting coastal waters off the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island, but authorities say it may take up to week to assess.

Noarlunga Aquatic Centre will close for around a year from Saturday 5 July to enable a $10.8 million refurbishment.The City of Onkaparinga has confirmed the last day of public access to the centre – including the pool and gym – will be Friday 4 July.Mossop Construction + Interiors has been awarded the contract to undertake the upgrade, which is jointly funded by the City of Onkaparinga and a $5.4 million contribution from the federal government’s Thriving Suburbs Program.The refurbishment works will include:replacing the roof and ceilinga new pool linerinstalling a new solar systemupdating the water filtration and disinfection plantpainting and cosmetic updatesseparating the lagoon pool from the main poolimproving pool accessibility with a new rampCity of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were says while the temporary closure will inconvenience users, the investment into the centre’s future will ensure it continues to serve the community for many years to come.“We’ve been keeping the centre’s users up to date about the potential closure date, and one of our priorities is ensuring a smooth transition so they can stay healthy and active,” she says.“This includes allowing the centre’s gym members to continue their fitness routines at the Seaford, Hub or Aldinga Recreation Centres, and providing pool users with a list of alternative aquatic facilities and the services they provide.”Stay up to date about the project via the City of Onkaparinga website.