With the deadline looming for public feedback on the City of Victor Harbor draft Recreational Boating Strategy, the Friends of Hindmarsh River Estuary Group is urging people to have a say.

The group says the strategy includes a Gold Coast–Style Marina for Eastern Beach, posting to Facebook about the completely inappropriate development.

“The proposed marina footprint is larger than Victor Harbor Central, stretching from behind the skate park past Qahwa Café to the tennis courts.

“It would permanently remove public coastal space, damage seagrass beds, increase erosion risk, and place pressure on already stressed marine ecosystems.

“Similar marinas have a history of ongoing financial losses, meaning long-term costs are likely to fall on local ratepayers — even though most residents would receive no direct benefit.

“This site has already been rejected twice in the past due to environmental concerns.

City of Victor Harbor has released its draft Recreational Boating Strategy for public consultation in early December. 

The council says it was developed with input from the Boating and Marine Facilities Advisory Group and key stakeholders and outlines a long-term vision for safer, sustainable and fit-for-purpose boating facilities across Victor Harbor.

It includes proposed upgrades to existing ramps and the investigation of a new Eastern Boat Ramp and associated marina facilities.

The strategy can be viewed on the council website; the deadline for public feedback is 5pm on Friday 30 January.