Alexandrina Council will temporarily close North Parade in Strathalbyn from today, 30 September for road works. Traffic management and a detour will be in place from tomorrow, 1 October, when North Parade will partially open to motorists. Parking bays will be cordoned off and not available for use during the duration of the works.The scheduled road works include:Road patching .Renewal of six parking bays.Renewal of heritage kerbing and replacement of damaged pavers. Resealing of the road will be completed at a later date. Weather permitting, works are expected to be finished by Tuesday 14 October.For details about temporary road closures in Alexandrina, visit the council website.

The Coast is Calling voucher program has so far delivered almost 3,000 bookings to coastal tourism businesses impacted by the algal bloom, providing a cash injection of $1.5 million in total booking value, according to the state government. More than 4,800 night-stays have been booked in coastal accommodation since the vouchers were allocated on Tuesday 23 September. The new $500 accommodation voucher is delivering on its objective to boost longer stays in coastal destinations, with more than 1,400 nights already booked through this voucher denomination alone. A total of 20,000 vouchers were released for experiences and accommodation. Joel Hirsch, General Manager of The Big Duck Boat Tours and Spirit of the Coorong, says there has been an incredible response to the vouchers.“Across our two brands ‘Spirit of the Coorong’ and ‘The Big Duck Boat Tours’; we’ve already had over 130 vouchers redeemed, generating more than $18,000 in bookings. “This campaign is delivering direct results. Unlike a one-off grant or cash handout, the voucher program drives real visitation and sustained engagement with our products. “It enables us to do what we do best: deliver unforgettable tours, while keeping our teams employed, our boats running, and our regional economies thriving.”Stephan Edwards is Edwards Group CEO, Owner and Operator of Echo Holiday Parks, and SA Parks Board Vice-President. “Echo Holiday Parks in Normanville and Port Pirie have already seen a change thanks to the Coast is Calling vouchers, with more than 110 bookings adding up to over 360 guest nights made through the program.  “This early response shows that South Australians want to get back to our coastal parks, and the program is delivering exactly what our communities need; confidence and visitors. “The return of guests in our parks will bring meaningful flow-on benefits for their local communities and wider visitor economy in the regions impacted by the algal bloom.”Lucky voucher winners must book by 11:59pm on Friday 24 October, for travel until 30 November 2025. Vouchers are transferable, so those who may not be able to redeem their voucher within the booking period can share their code for someone else to use and support the state’s coastal destinations.     

CFS crews were called to a house fire at Strathalbyn at approximately 8.40am today, Monday 29 September.Thirty firefighters in six trucks attended the fire along with three support vehicles. Crews were supported by SA Police, SA Ambulance, SA State Emergency Service, and SA Power Networks.Thanks to their quick response, crews were able to contain the fire to the house and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties.Three people are being treated by SA Ambulance for non-serious injuries.CFS crews will remain on scene and when safe to enter they will use thermal imaging cameras to check the house for any hotspots.The house is a complete loss with damages estimated at $500,000. Fire Investigators will attend the scene.The CFS has also issued a warning to avoid smoke in the Milnes Road area.Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.Warning areaShapes on this map image indicate the Warning Area to which this message applies.YELLOW: Advice Message; ORANGE: Watch and Act Message; RED: Emergency WarningThis message will be updated as the situation changes or before: 29/09/2025 10:36

Communities, small businesses and visitors are being left in the dark because the Government refuses to commit to daily updates on the algal bloom, according to Shadow Minister for Environment and MP for Finniss David Basham.He says out of date information is harming unaffected areas. And the state government has failed South Australians with its handling of the ongoing harmful algal bloom crisis along the coast.Mr Basham says the Government’s Algal Bloom website continues to list broad areas affected, which doesn’t take into account the local conditions and areas unaffected for months.“This is an absolute slap in the face to coastal communities,” he says.“People don’t need outdated websites telling them beaches are affected when they haven’t been for months, they need accurate, daily updates so they know whether it’s safe to swim, surf, fish or take their kids to the beach.“The Government has chosen confusion over clarity. By refusing to commit to daily updates.Labor is leaving people and businesses in limbo.“I will continue to advocate for my local business community because the misinformation being spread on official Government sites.”Mr Basham says local operators, tourism businesses, and health services are frustrated by the lack of clear and timely information.“As we start school holidays, we see families changing their plans, tourists cancelling bookings and residents worried about their health. “If the Government were to provide basic daily reporting it would go a long way to alleviating the anxiety in the community.Mr Basham has called on the Government to immediately commit to daily, transparent beach safety updates, backed by clear health advice, so that South Australians can make informed decisions.“Anything less is a betrayal of our coastal communities and small businesses who depend on the summer season.” 

Words: Tahney FosdikeThanks to Coast Lines magazineAt the corner of Aldersey Street and Main Road in McLaren Vale stands one of the region’s most historically significant landmarks — the former Congregational Church. Built in 1861 to serve a growing community of early settlers, the stone structure replaced an even earlier chapel erected in 1844 following the district’s first open-air church service. For more than a century, this place of worship was a hub of local life, and today, its legacy continues in a very different yet equally heartfelt form — as the home of Joe’s at Sabella.When chef Timmy Forster first visited McLaren Vale in 2024 with his partner Lilli Willoughby to meet her family, he was instantly taken by the region’s natural beauty and community warmth. Their days quickly fell into a rhythm of beaches, wineries, and a familiar dinnertime dilemma — where to eat. It sparked an idea. What if they opened a restaurant here? Within a month, they had left Queensland behind and made the move permanent.At 3am, before they’d even relocated, they posted in a local Facebook group asking about potential venues. One stood out immediately: the old church. They had a look at the historic property. “We walked out, and I said to Lil, ‘That’s the one. Let’s make it happen,’” Timmy recalls. “It was right without even talking about it.”They briefly considered Mexican cuisine but settled on Italian — a nod to the building’s more recent history in the hands of an Italian family since the 1950s. With decades of hospitality experience between them, including work across Asia and Australia, they opened Joe’s at Sabella with nothing but grit, passion, and an unwavering belief in what they were building.In just a few months, the restaurant has become a bustling and much-loved part of the community. Open Wednesday to Sunday, Joe’s hosts two special weekly events that reflect Timmy and Lilli’s deep love for food and people.Locals’ Night each Wednesday features one dish, no menu, shared tables, and BYO — often, Timmy jokes, of the soft drink variety. It’s a simple yet refined offering designed to break the ice and create connections. Bookings now fill weeks in advance.“A lot of work goes into those simple bowls of pasta,” Timmy says. “Even if I’m doing just one thing, I’m doing it well. It’s not $20 slop-and-drop; it’s refined food.”Lilli adds, “We’re not trying to build a tourist trap. We want to create a local joint where people feel welcome. We’ve made great mates, friends and community networking from it.”On Thursdays, there’s Joe’s Deli and Soup Kitchen. Timmy says they asked themselves how they could incorporate charity into their vision and be more than just a restaurant. Every Thursday since launching it in May, they’ve used a side space next to the church to share food with those doing it tough. Right now, there’s hot soup and bread on the menu, although it will evolve seasonally, turning into a taco cantina this summer. "It’s not about homelessness, necessarily. It’s young mums or families paying off the house or school fees. Those between pay checks. Anyone with just 10 bucks left." Timmy explains, adding that the venture is propped up by local generosity and follows a no-questions-asked model, "There’s no judgment or questions. If you need a feed, come and grab it."This intentionality seeps into all aspects of the operation. They’re working closely with the community, collaborating with local producers for wine, fruit and other produce. Their wine list, they say, is almost purely from a 20-kilometre radius. “People will drop off a box of fruit from their orchard, or wine. They don’t need to. That back-and-forth support is incredible. The people here get it,” says Lilli, who adds that they are often pouring whatever wine locals have supplied, seeking to uphold a circular system of generosity and quality.The local response so far? The newest dining joint in town is already an icon.“Everyone is so supportive, we’ve got so many regulars that come in again and again already, which is incredible after only being open for four months,” Lilli says. “It feels like we’ve got our own little family. People trust us to look after them and cook for them. It’s wild.” And the pair isn’t running out of steam. Every dollar is reinvested into the venue; there’s a ‘disco dunny’ bathroom installation and a wine label in the works. They’ve hinted at frozen margaritas for the summer too."Lil doesn’t know until I tell her, then it happens the next day," Timmy says on their rapid-fire yet long-game approach to business development. "This isn’t something we’re doing to make a quick buck. We want to institutionalise it. Legacy it."“There were nights where we sat outside and drank a glass of wine and ate pizza together because there were no customers,” Lilli reflects, “Now, I look out and there are 150 people in our dining room. It’s such a pinch-me moment.”And so, within the old church walls — steeped in the stories of McLaren Vale’s earliest settlers — a new story is being written. One of passion, resilience, shared tables, and community spirit. It’s a continuation of purpose, just with pasta instead of preaching.

The annual Nature Festival has kicked off this weekend with free and low cost family-friendly activities across the state up until 12 October.This year the festival explores the theme of Flow, from rivers and oceans to creative flow, impermanence and ephemeral desert flow, to the flow of communities and generations.The Fleurieu will host many events over the next two weeks encompassing art, adventure, music, food, wine, wellbeing and Aboriginal culture.In Victor Harbor join Fleurieu Marine Education for Coastal Custodian Spring on Tuesday 30 September, a full day exploration of the south coast from The Bluff, including lunch at the SA Whale Centre. Cost $15.Nangawooka Flora Reserve will offer an insight into The Nourished Path on Wednesday 1 October from 9am to 12 noon to bring people together in nature.Hosted by the South Coast Suicide Prevention Team, this free event encompasses mindful activities to connect reflect and meander into creativity.In Goolwa experience a First Nations storytelling experience when in Ramindjeri/Ngarrindjeri woman Kyla McHughes will tell the tale of Kondoli the whale.This will be Wednesday 8 October at Arthur Neighbour Reserve, next to Goolwa Library, from 10am to 11.30am and is suitable for children of all ages. Book a place via Humanitix.Find the full program for the Nature Festival and all the Fleurieu events on the website.

Two people have been taken to hospital after a vehicle rollover at Moana overnight.About 10.45pm Friday 26 September, police and emergency services were called to Moana Beach following reports of a crash.On arrival, patrols found a Toyota ute had lost control on the sand and rolled.The driver, a 42-year-old man from Lockleys, and his passenger, a 35-year-old woman from Seaford Meadows, sustained non life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.The driver was subsequently issued with a $1926 fine for failing to maintain control of his vehicle and driving whilst unregistered.The Toyota was towed from the scene.

A driver will face court after being caught nearly six times the legal limit Friday night.About 9pm Friday 26 September, police stopped a Hyundai hatchback on Kalimna Walk, Morphett Vale and the driver underwent a breath test, returning a result of 0.285.The 50-year-old woman from Old Reynella was reported for drink driving and issued with 12 month instant loss of licence.Her car was impounded for 28 days.249565

This International Rabbit Day, meet Poppy and Ryan, a delightful bonded pair of bunnies who are ready to hop into your heart and home! Currently living at RSPCA South Australia’s Adelaide Animal Care Campus, these two adorable rabbits are seeking a forever home together – and they come with a special 2-for-1 adoption fee of just $149 until next Friday!🌸 Meet Poppy (AID 195732)Poppy is the life of the party – curious, confident, and always the centre of attention. She’s playful, energetic, and absolutely loves exploring boxes and tunnels. If you’re looking for a bunny with personality plus, Poppy is your girl!🌿 Meet Ryan (AID 194739)Ryan is a gentle soul who’s more laid back than his bestie, but don’t let his shy nature fool you. Once he warms up, he becomes a couch potato who lives for massages and quiet cuddle time. Together, Poppy’s boldness brings out the best in Ryan.This newly bonded duo is the perfect match – balancing curiosity and calm, activity and affection.🏡 What They NeedA spacious, secure indoor setup where they can safely explore and play.A loving home that understands rabbits need companionship, mental stimulation, and proper nutrition.A family ready to welcome both buns – they must be adopted together.Remember, bunnies are a lifelong commitment, not just a holiday novelty. Adopting rabbits like Poppy and Ryan means bringing joy, softness, and a lot of fun into your life.📍 Visit Poppy and Ryan at RSPCA SA’s Adelaide Campus. 💖 Let's give them the loving forever home they deserve!

SA Water will start the final upgrade works on the Myponga Reservoir dam spillway gates next Monday 29 September.Reservoir Road will be temporarily closed between Forktree Road and the Myponga Reservoir Lookout for around three weeks to safely accommodate the heavy machinery required for the works.The upgrade project involved removal and refurbishment of the gates for the first time since they were commissioned in 1962.This final stage includes replacing bolts, painting and surveying the alignment of the three gates to ensure they continue operating reliably into the future.The works will take place from Monday to Saturday, 7am to 5pm; no water releases are planned.Myponga Reservoir Reserve will remain open for all land and water-based recreational activities during the works. More information can be found on the SA Water project page. 

City of Victor Harbor has drafted an Environmental Management Plan to be implemented over the next five years.It replaces the 2019 Environmental Management Plan and aims to guide the council’s efforts to protect and enhance the local environment until 2030.The plan has been updated to align with the Community Plan 2030 and Urban Growth Management Strategy, and to reflect emerging challenges and opportunities in climate change, biodiversity, sustainability and community expectations. Its goal include reducing the amount of waste going to landfill; increasing the local tree canopy; and improving water conservation.The plan can be viewed on the City of Victor Harbor website and the council is asking for community input.City of Victor Harbor will hold information sessions at the Civic Centre on Bay Road on Thursday 9 October from 10am to 12noon and on Wednesday 15 October from 4pm to 6pm.The sessions will provide the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback, which can also be given via a survey on the council website or in person at the council offices.Community consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 17 October.

The District Council of Yankalilla has announced that repairs to the storm-damaged Normanville Jetty will soon begin, following confirmation that the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) will fund the majority of the works.The council’s required lease contribution will be covered by insurance.It has appointed Southern Marine Resources, the specialist contractor recently responsible for the Port Noarlunga Jetty repairs, to undertake the project. The company has advised that it will take approximately four to six weeks to source the required timber and equipment, with on-site works to follow for about a month. The whole process is expected to take around 11 weeks, with completion anticipated by the second week of December, just in time for the busy summer season.Mayor Darryl Houston has welcomed the announcement, saying the news will be celebrated by the local community and visitors alike.“The Normanville Jetty is a much-loved icon of our district and an important part of our coastal landscape,” he says.“To have the repairs approved, funded and scheduled before the peak summer period is a fantastic outcome for residents and holidaymakers. I thank our staff for their persistence andDIT for recognising the importance of this project.”District Council of Yankalilla CEO Nathan Cunningham says the approval is the result of strong collaboration and careful planning.“This is only the second jetty repair approved across the many South Australian jetties damaged in this year’s May to July storms,” he says.“Securing funding and finalising a contractor required detailed engineering assessments and negotiations under our lease agreement with DIT. I am incredibly proud of the team fornavigating this process and ensuring that Council’s financial contribution, around $18,500, will be completely covered by insurance.”The Normanville Jetty suffered significant structural damage during a series of severe coastal storms earlier this year, including the loss of its final sections. The council reports it continues to progress storm recovery works across the district, including insurance assessments for the Normanville foreshore ramps, temporary sand protection at the Surf Life Saving Club retaining wall, and a funding application for replacement stairs at Myponga Beach.The Second Valley causeway and jetty have reopened following emergency DIT repairs, with further heritage-approved works still to follow.

Alexandrina Council has released its draft A2040 Our Plan to Thrive - Strategic Delivery Plan 2025–2035 for feedback today, Thursday 25 October. The Strategic Delivery Plan has been put together over almost a year, integrating community aspirations and priorities with over 30 guiding documents. It aligns with the council’s Long Term Financial Plan to ensure priorities and actions are both achievable and affordable. “This is a coordinated and comprehensive guide for Council’s decision-making and progress monitoring,” says Mayor Keith Parkes. “It will help to inform each Annual Community Plan to ensure we align priority actions with long-term financial sustainability.” The Strategic Delivery Plan is structured around the A2040 Community Vision - Liveable. Green. Connected - and five themes that reflect what matters most to the Alexandrina community: A trusted and financially sustainable council.Well-planned towns and growth.Climate and environmental stewardship.Inclusive and thriving communities.Connected transport. It draws on a wide range of informing plans developed by the council, the state g government, and other organisations and partners such as the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board and Essential Services Commission of South Australia. These include: Department for Housing and Urban Development Greater Adelaide Regional Plan.ESCOSA Local Government Advice 2025.Hills and Fleurieu Regional Pest Plan and Animal Strategy 2024. Council’s Revenue Strategy, Environmental Action Plan, Heritage Strategy, and township community and master plans. In late 2024, the council consulted the community on four draft strategic management plans. Following feedback, two were adopted - the A2040 Community Vision and the Strategic Asset Management Plan 2025-2035. It then started work to rebuild the Long Term Financial Plan and Strategic Delivery Plan. The rebuilt Long Term Financial Plan 2025-2035 was adopted in July 2025. Now, the rebuilt Strategic Delivery Plan is in draft and ready for community feedback. The council is encouraging the community to review the Strategic Delivery Plan and share their feedback to help refine it. Consultation opens at 5pm today, and closes at 5pm, Friday 17 October. The plan can be viewed and commented on at  the council My Say page. Printed copies are also available at council offices. 

City of Onkaparinga has opened its annual community survey, with a chance to win a shopping voucher for those who take part.The council says the survey provides a vital snapshot of the region and helps it understand what’s important to the community.Feedback received helps to plan delivery of services across the district, which goes beyond roads and rubbish to encompass parks and reserves, cultural diversity and heritage and the local economy.The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and offers the chance to win one of five $100 Drakes vouchers. It will remain open until Thursday 23 October.Visit the City of Onkaparinga website to find full terms and conditions and to complete the survey.

The state government will provide a new free no-needle influenza vaccine for children aged between two and five, to be rolled out from next year ahead of the flu season. The new game-changing needle-free vaccine – called FluMist – will be administered via a nasal spray, at GPs. The regular injectable flu vaccine is already free in SA for at-risk groups including children under five, and now this needle-free option will also be available for children aged between two and five. It’s hoped that providing this alternative will lead to an improved uptake of the influenza vaccine for young children, who are especially susceptible to harm from the flu. While South Australia has the highest flu vaccination rate of any mainland state for the general population and one of the highest for children under five, the coverage rate for children under five is still only about 25 per cent. The new vaccine is sprayed into the nose by a health practitioner and provides the same protection as the currently available vaccine for this age group. This innovative alternative for young children is a way to help protect the youngest and most vulnerable in the community.So far this year in South Australia, 178 children aged two to four have been hospitalised with influenza, Health Department, with 1806 cases of influenza reported in this age group.It says children aged under five have the highest hospitalisation rates for influenza compared to other age groups.Health Minister Chris Picton says this is a vaccination game-changer for parents and young children. “Many kids are scared of needles and this new nasal spray flu vaccine takes away that fear. “Providing a needle-free option will hopefully encourage more parents to get their kids vaccinated and protected from the flu. “It’s been successful overseas and we hope it’ll lift vaccination rates in the under five age group here for next flu season and beyond. Influenza can cause severe illness and even death in children, with common complications in young children including middle ear infections, pneumonia, and croup. High uptake of the needle-free vaccine has been seen across the UK and USA since 2023 when population vaccine programs were introduced, with significant improvements in vaccination rates. The use of this vaccine overseas, with high parental acceptability, has led to reduced illness, and fewer health service presentations and hospitalisations in children. New South Wales and Queensland have also announced in recent days a rollout of FluMist. Many children will only need one dose, but for children who haven’t previously been vaccinated with any influenza vaccine, two doses of FluMist four weeks apart are recommended. Some children may still need to receive the injectable flu vaccine if they have a range of existing health conditions, for example, if they are immuno-compromised. Health practitioners will be provided advice on who is recommended to receive the nasal spray and will make a clinical decision about the best form of vaccination for individual children.   

The Adelaide desalination plant will hold a free community open day on Tuesday 21 October to demonstrate how it turns seawater into drinking water.Built to underpin water security for metropolitan Adelaide, the Lonsdale plant has been operating since 2011 and is able to produce 100 gigalitres each year.According to Environment SA the Adelaide desalination pant has one of the smallest carbon footprints of any desalination plant in the world.It says independent reviews of the plant's environmental impact show that it has caused no harm to the environment, with continual monitoring the environmental health of Gulf St Vincent.The open day will offer guided bus tours of the site and visitors can also enjoy its native gardens and walking trails and the Kauwi Centre for Water Exploration.This event is free to attend but bookings for one of the three 90 minute sessions are essential via Eventbrite.

Victor Harbor has waved farewell to the Rock’n’Roll Festival for another year, but the announcement Red Hot Summer in 2026 gives music lovers something to look forward to.Kent Reserve will again transform into a stage set against the sea, with some of the country’s biggest music legends in the all-Australian line-up.They include singer songwriters Paul Kelly and Missy Higgins, rockers The Cruel Sea, cool jazzy sounds of The Cat Empire, country queen Kasey Chambers and up-and-comer Jess Hitchcock.The Red Hot Summer Tour will visit the south coast on Saturday 21 March, the final date of the series that starts in Victoria in January.Tickets go on sale from Thursday 25 September. 

The Department for Infrastructure & Transport (DIT) will deliver an information session to share an update on the Cape Jervis Harbour Precinct Master Plan next Tuesday 30 September.Key elements of the plan include:A new link road with Main South Road.Improved long-term car and truck parking.A larger boat ramp with multiple launch lanes and pontoons.Lookouts, cultural spaces, paths, loop trails and a pedestrian plaza.Cultural reflection spaces that reflect local Ngarrindjeri culture.There are two options to take the plan forward, one more basic and one more comprehensive, with opportunities for tourism developments.Both options can be completed over multiple stages; neither are funded at present.The information session will be held at 6pm at the Cape Jervis Community Club. It is an open session and everyone is welcome to attend.DIT will also provide an update on the overtaking lanes project and work on the upcoming Victor Harbor Road Management Plan.For more information on the Cape Jervis Harbour Precinct Master Plan, visit the DIT website.

Southern District Police are investigating a report of suspicious behaviour at Port Noarlunga last week.At 8am on Monday 15 September, witnesses reported suspicious behaviour at Old Honeypot Road when a man driving a red car pulled up alongside them. He remained in the car while he spoke to them briefly and then drove off.The vehicle is believed to be a new model red Mitsubishi Outlander.The driver has been described as male, in his 50's with little to no hair, short stubble beard wearing dark clothing.Police are asking anyone who was in the area at the time that may have seen someone fitting those descriptions or recognises the car to contact Crime Stoppers at or on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.Police urge members of the public to be aware of their surroundings and personal safety, and to report suspicious behaviour to police immediately on 131 444.