Parliamentary committee tours peninsula's coastline

THE Environment, Resources and Development parliamentary committee toured Yorke Peninsula's coastline on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 15-16.
The committee of state politicians, plus Coast Protection Board and Local Government Association representatives, met with Copper Coast and Yorke Peninsula Councils as part of the Inquiry into the Coast Protection Board and Legislation.
Presiding member Nick McBride said the inquiry was necessary because the Coast Protection Act hadn't been reviewed since 1972.
"We also have climate change going on, further and future developments, and a lot of issues just bubbling away, so it was considered a good idea to hold an inquiry," Mr McBride said.
"Some of the common feedback we are receiving is the huge cost in mediation and corrective measures on erosion and storm damage for local councils.
"This doesn't suggest the state government isn't participating, but highlights the repair and maintenance on our coastline and the small budgets of councils."
Mr McBride said another issue is the number of tourists visiting South Australia's coastline as a result of COVID-19 and international border closures.
"This has led to an immense strain on camping grounds, rubbish bins and infrastructure which used to see tourists prior to COVID-19 but now has probably seen a trebling in numbers," he said.
"Now there is a lack of space -- people are camping in areas that were never camped in before and some of the infrastructure like toilets and rubbish bins can't cope."
Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis said it was a pleasure to host the committee while its members conducted their inquiry.
"Narungga has a significant amount of coastline and a number of communities where coastal protection has become an issue," Mr Ellis said.
"I was glad to have some input into the communities they visited, and I'm sure the committee will benefit from seeing some of our coastal protection issues firsthand."
Following the inquiry, a report will be written and presented to the relevant ministers.