Breakout Creek
now offers habitat
and safe breeding
grounds to native
fauna as well
as providing a
shared recreational
space for the local
community.
The development of innovative projects to restore damaged watercourses, prevent
pollution and provide habitat to native flora and fauna is a major priority for the
Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board.
Breakout Creek, located at the coastal end of the
that could be enjoyed by the local community,
Torrens River, has been the focal point of a long-
while delivering water quality improvements and
term watercourse rehabilitation project for over ten
maintaining flood protection.
years.
Stage one, completed in 1999, centred on the
The rehabilitation involved widening and deepening
500-metre stretch of the river upstream of Henley
the existing waterway, constructing viewing
Beach Road. Stage two focused on the 700-metre
platforms and public access paths, removal of
stretch downstream of Henley Beach Road, to
weeds and extensive planting of native vegetation.
Tapleys Hill Road, and was completed in 2010.
Breakout Creek now offers an attractive space for
During construction, sections were drained and
the community to enjoy a range of recreational
temporary weirs constructed upstream while
activities. Different species of native fish and birds
excavating the deep pools.
have been spotted since the project commenced,
clearly finding appeal in the range of new habitat
Benefits
available in the area.
•
Project history
•
and aquatic habitats
paths through the wetland
Breakout Creek section of the Torrens River was
•
The Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural
•
City of West Torrens developed a concept plan in
consultation with the local community to achieve
these improvements.
The concept plan was delivered in two stages
and completed in 2010. The aim was to create a
viable ecosystem that offered recreational facilities
creation of a variety of habitats for
fauna, including birds, frogs, fish and
Resources Management Board (then the Torrens
Catchment Water Management Board) and the
significant enhancement in potential for
recreation use
quality improvements.
www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au
increased public access to the site through the
addition of viewing platforms and shared-use
The project dates back to the mid-1990s when the
identified as having potential for riparian and water
improvements in the biodiversity of the riparian
macroinvertebrates
•
fish passage and habitat to facilitate the
migration of fish along the river for breeding
•
maintained flood management of the River
Torrens
•
improved water quality during low flow
conditions.
V1SEP10
Breakout Creek Wetlands
Breakout Creek wetlands and
watercourse restoration project
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Facts and figures
•
Stage 1 total cost - $550,000
•
Stage 2 total cost - $3.4 million
•
Excavation of 60,000 cubic metres
of material to shape the wetlands
•
platforms
Planting over 200,000 indigenous
plants representing dozens of
different species
•
Path
Open Water
Construction of concrete weirs, a
footbridge, bridle path and viewing
•
North
Removal of over 30 weed species
Sedges
Shallow
Reedbeds
Mown
Parkland
Native Grasses
Woodland
Woodland with
Understory
Riparian Fringe
Weir
Horse Bridal
Path
River Red
Gums
Viewing
Platforms
He
Catchment of the River Torrens - Breakout Creek location shown in red
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CONTACT US
Community consultation
The Torrens and the Reedbeds
Eastwood
Public consultation has been a major feature of
At the time of European settlement, coastal sand
T: 8273 9100
the planning process for this project. Opinions
dunes formed a barrier that prevented water from
E: reception@
adelaide.nrm.sa.gov.au
have been canvassed opinions from a range of
the Torrens River flowing out to sea. During rainy
stakeholders and partners over more than a decade.
seasons, floodwaters filled a series of linked
Gawler
T: 8523 7700
E: gawler.office@
adelaide.nrm.sa.gov.au
Lobethal
T: 8389 5900
E: lobethal.office@
adelaide.nrm.sa.gov.au
Willunga
Prior to the commencement of detailed planning for
Stage 2 of the project, a Social Impact Assessment
wetlands formed from Grange to Glenelg. This area
of wetlands was known as The Reedbeds.
was conducted. This ensured that the issues and
Breakout Creek was originally a small channel
ideas of the community were identified, explored
dug by a Fulham landholder to divert water south
and documented, particularly the impact on horse
towards the Patawalonga River during floods.
agistment in the area.
During the 1930s, a deeper, wider, straighter
Feedback garnered from the community mostly
channel was dug through the sand dunes to the sea
centred on themes such as recreation, walkways
to alleviate seasonal flooding issues.
T: 8550 3400
and viewing platforms, and a bridle path linking
E: willunga.office@
adelaide.nrm.sa.gov.au
areas between Tapleys Hill Rd and the sea. Where
the Lockleys Riding Club with the horse agistment
possible, the feedback and ideas were incorporated
in the final plan.
This diversion of water away from the area, coupled
with housing developments, land clearance and
grazing over many years destroyed the natural
wetland system.
The Torrens River boasts Australia’s earliest and
largest hills-to-coast linear park along 30kms of its
length. The park offers bicycle and walking tracks as
well as playgrounds and other recreational facilities
dotted throughout its length.
River Torrens and the Reedbeds
Natural resources
management is caring
for our land, water, plants
and animals – balancing
people’s needs with those of
nature.
Printed on 100% recycled
Australian-made paper
from ISO 14001-accredited
sources
Legend
www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au
Note: Suburbs, roads, railways and topography as existed in July, 1882.
Source: Adapted from South Australian Department of Mines, Bulletin 46, 71-835