Community Feedback

The purpose of community engagement was to ensure stakeholders were aware of the project and the proposed concept plan to install permanent bollards along the existing no-vehicle zone at Sellicks Beach and to also understand any local issues that should be considered.

The engagement techniques used for this project included onsite signage, flyers distributed with beach passes, presenting information via the Your Say Onkaparinga platform, emailing residents and community groups who had previously registered via Your Say Onkaparinga and sending letters to surrounding properties.

While engagement was open, 1199 people visited the Your Say Onkaparinga page and 196 contributions were received via online, letters and emails – noting some of the contributors may have accessed multiple channels:

• 193 via online survey tools
• 1 direct email of support
• 1 written letter of support
• 1 email submission from Green Adelaide
• 4 Paper surveys received – included in online survey entered by the Engagement team.

Of the 193 contributions received to the online survey responses were as follows:

• 144 responses in support of the proposal
• 7 responses support the proposal, but have some concerns to raise
• 1 response neither supports or does not support the proposal
• 41 responses do not support the proposal

Overall, there is substantial support or partial support for the proposal both within the local community and more broadly.

A summary of themes emerging from the commentary of both those supportive and non-supportive are as follows:

Safety for children, families, pedestrians, dogs and other beach users is a central concern across all views. People differ on how safety should be achieved, but most agree it is important.

Protection of the coastal environment is a shared value

Many respondents value the protection of reefs, dunes, wildlife and biodiversity. Supporters see bollards as necessary protection, while others feel the environment is best protected by leaving the beach physically untouched.

A key point of division is whether existing signage and rules are sufficient. Some report frequent non-compliance and support physical barriers, while others rarely observe breaches and see bollards as unnecessary.

The appearance of the beach matters greatly to respondents. Some want infrastructure that blends into the landscape, while others strongly oppose any permanent structures on the beach.

Across all groups, people raise the importance of maintaining quick and reliable access for emergency vehicles and responders, particularly during high tides or emergencies.

Driving on the beach is seen by some as an important part of living in or visiting Sellicks Beach, while others feel car-free areas are essential and increasingly necessary as use increases.

Many comments, including from both supporters and non-supporters, reference a small number of people ignoring rules and creating safety or environmental risks.

There are differing views on whether spending on bollards is justified, with some supporting investment for safety and environmental protection, and others preferring funds be directed to maintenance, enforcement or other services.

Regardless of position on bollards, many respondents call for better enforcement, clearer signage, monitoring, education and visible consequences for rule-breaking.

Feedback extends beyond the proposal, with suggestions about consistency across beaches, future population growth, tourism impacts and the balance between vehicles and pedestrian focused beach use.