A $7.6 million project to transform Sugars Beach and the Murray Mouth into a thriving Fleurieu Peninsula tourism hub is a step closer with the state government committing $1 million to the project. 

The Alexandrina Council project will create a world-class tourism and educational experience and include a cultural tourist hub, boardwalks and viewing platforms, amphitheatre space, nature-play area, jetty, car park and a dedicated food truck area. 

Sugars Beach provides tourists with one of the few land-based locations where people can view the Murray Mouth without a boat or four-wheel drive. 

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development and Member for Finniss David Basham says the $1 million is from the Regional Growth Fund – Opening our Great Outdoors and the project is expected to create nearly 50 local jobs. 

“The Murray Mouth is one of South Australia’s most iconic tourism destinations but it can be difficult to access for many,” Minister Basham says. 

“The Sugars Beach Murray Mouth Icon Project will transform the area into a thriving tourism and educational hub allowing more people to visit. 

“This will have significant economic benefits for the Hindmarsh Island, Goolwa and wider Fleurieu Peninsula region boosting the local economy and creating local jobs. 

“The project is expected to facilitate a sense of community, providing social benefits through the creation of high-quality public space and raising awareness of the high environmental value of the Murray Mouth. 

“It will also provide the opportunity to promote Ngarrindjeri cultural heritage, including showcasing and promoting aboriginal art, which will create economic opportunities for Ngarrindjeri people and strengthen relationships in the community.

“While the project will still require Federal Government funding to go ahead, I look forward to working alongside the Alexandrina Council to try and secure this and deliver a transformational project for the region.” 

Alexandrina Council Mayor Keith Parkes says the Council welcomed the state government contribution to the project. 

“The Sugars Beach Murray Mouth Icon Project will create a world-class tourism and recreation destination for locals and visitors to experience,” he says. 

“This is an ambitious project which will provide significant economic and social benefits to our local community and I am pleased the state government is supporting us to deliver it.”