Please refer to the supporting concept plans for more information on the project scope. These designs are not 100% final but summarise the extent of the project scope, phasing and design intent of the Frenchmans Terrace foreshore precinct. The design intent focuses on practical and durable built solutions to improve the visual amenity of the area and provide consistency with the surrounding built environment character and natural environment.

The project will improve parking delineation and pedestrian safety along Tangara Drive, particularly in front of the tennis courts by the Oyster Farm Shop. It will lift the appearance of the precinct, improve accessibility, add to the work completed as part of the Town Centres Project, help identify sites for future investment (both public and private) and create connections between existing services and facilities.

Prior to the targeted stakeholder meetings and open public information session held in late March 2024, consultation on different aspects of the project have occurred in recent years. Some of these projects include the Town Centres Project, Five Year Footpath Plan, American River Structure (Place) Plan, American River Strategic Plan, KIC Street Tree Program 2023-2027, KI Coastal Hazard Strategy and Annual Business Plan 2023/2024.

The project’s outcomes align with the following outcomes from the American River Strategic Plan, developed by the American River Progress Association in 2021:

• ● IA1 Footpaths - provide safe travel for residents and visitors
• ● IA2 Parking – provide parking infrastructure to avoid congestion in key areas of town
• ● IA3 - Walkways / Bike Tracks - provides alternative routes and transport means for viewing the surrounds of American River

The project also aligns with several of the Guiding Principles identified in the American River Structure (Place) Plan, but in particular Principle B: Connected Community.

• ● B1. A walkable community. Support a walkable community which is compact in form and well connected.
• ● B3. Create a network of accessible paths.
• ● B5. Ensure new residential areas and tourist and service centres are well-linked to each other, the coast, Marine Precinct, Town Centre and recreation areas.
• ● B7. American River remains a place which is characterised by its natural setting and environment through habitat enhancement and accessible trail networks.

The grant was submitted in early February 2024, and it is expected that the results of the South Australian Government’s Open Spaces funding will be announced in May 2024. Due to funding and grant requirements, Council is unable to commence work on the project until early in the new financial year, however planning, documentation and procurement will continue to advance.

The footpaths proposed on the western side of Tangara Drive will be concrete, and any which connect to the paths completed as part of the Town Centres Project will be Littlehampton clay pavers for design consistency and to further enhance the wharf precinct character. The foreshore trail has been designed to be slightly elevated, constructed from fine crushed limestone and compacted to provide a hard walking surface for prams and mobility aids. This solution will be cost-effective and fits in with the surrounding vegetation and foreshore character.

Council is currently reviewing the footpath program and a report will be presented to Council to ensure the program aligns with the IAMP. This will ensure it more accurately reflects costs associated with footpath upgrades (e.g. drainage, barriers, etc) and community needs. Within this review, the prioritisation of other footpaths across American River will be identified (e.g. Buick Drive) for the coming years.

This is a detailed design that has been developed to establish budgets and construction timelines, however there is still an opportunity for feedback. Any final changes or issues raised by the community will be considered by the project team during the preparation of tender and construction documents.

The project will be phased over multiple stages to reduce the area of disruption to the community. Work on the footpaths is expected to start in Spring 2024, subject to weather conditions and contractor availability. The project completion date will depend on whether Council is successful with obtaining grant funding or not.

The resealing work scheduled for the 2024/2025 financial year under the IAMP will require Tangara Drive to be closed for 1 day, with detours and local vehicle access available as practical. During the remainder of the works, some parking and pedestrian restrictions and daytime construction noise (within the EPA guidelines) may occur. Council will provide further updates once the construction schedule is finalised.

Council has completed a preliminary environmental and heritage report, and further environmental assessments and preparation will be completed closer to the construction of the foreshore. Exclusion zones for construction will be identified to minimise disruption to birdlife and other fauna in the coastal vegetation. Fortunately, the nature of the work is expected to be low impact and contained within existing disturbed sites. Minimal native vegetation will be removed as part of the project, and any required approvals will be obtained prior to any removal. An order has been placed with the KI Native Plant Nursery for some trees and shrubs as part of the project.

Council has an existing 3-year contract with a footpath contractor (Denco Civil), and a tender process will occur for the remaining project scope including earthworks, trail construction, landscaping, resealing and other associated construction, with the possibility of some work completed in-house, subject to grant expenditure guidelines.

A community information session was held on 26 March 2024, and once Council receives notification of the grant funding, further information and communications will be provided through a variety of target meetings, printed media, letter drops to affected residents and online communication which will provide more information on traffic restrictions and project timelines.

The final design will include contemporary Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) methodologies that include green swales and retention areas. This will be combined with traditional culverts and drainage infrastructure. Kerbing at existing sealed intersections of Moreanda and Bimberta Avenues will be subject to funding availability, but are not essential to the civil design.

Council is exploring the possibility of reducing the Tangara Drive precinct speed limit to 30 or 40kph, however the power to approve speed limits has not been delegated to any other agency other than the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, who is responsible for approving speed limits on all roads and road-related areas in South Australia, unless within a school zone or other specific crossing types. It is not intended for any major changes to traffic movement, and the resealing work will ensure it meets current road width and line marking standards.