The election of the new state government has revived hopes that the1860s Granite Island causeway could be saved for pedestrian use - even though dismantling of the historic structure has already begun. 

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan assured members of the Save the Victor Causeway group, before winning office last month, that he would seek advice on alternative options to the dismantling of the old causeway. 

He told them, while it was difficult for an opposition to commit to a course of action before the election, Labor had “remained sympathetic" to their cause.

The old causeway was closed to pedestrians at the end of January after the new $43M concrete bridge to the island was opened.

The horse drawn tram had already been re-routed along the new structure by that stage.

A long stretch of the white handrail along the old causeway has already been removed by contractors employed by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport

Victor Harbor Mayor Moira Jenkins supported the building of the new causeway but posted on Facebook this morning, “Just a question … If possible do you think the old causeway should be saved for pedestrians only, giving us two causeways?”

“Or do you think the original plan of keeping both ends of the causeway as viewing platforms is a better option?”

“I am just asking what you think (this is a personal question and does not reflect any council discussions but is a question I am personally asking in order to canvas what the general thoughts are).”

The post immediately attracted attention, with locals making arguments for both options.

The new causeway was originally expected to cost $31M but $43M has now been committed to the project.

The former government commissioned the construction in 2020 with local MP David Basham saying the old causeway was beyond repair and no longer fit for purpose.