The Port Lincoln foreshore project was co-funded by the council and the state government’s Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program.

The $8.2 million project involved construction of a foreshore plaza, a play space, jetty activation and upgrade, foreshore activity zone, and walking trail and sea wall upgrade.

The jetty had faced several temporary closures in recent years for minor works, a trend being seen at jetties around regional South Australia.

Port Lincoln mayor Diana Mislov told InDaily the jetty refurbishment had not gone entirely to plan.

“We had quite a grand vision for the jetty refurbishment, but at the end of the day we had to work with the funds we had, and that meant stripping it back to basics and just repairing the jetty that we had,” she said.

“With all projects, we suffer in the regions with a bit of tyranny of distance. Like all things you get a quote and just the passage of time in some cases mean the costs escalate.”

Mislov said the council ran out of money during the jetty refurbishment, but Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis visited  for a Bush Summit in 2023 and agreed to fund the completion of the project.

“Those repairs that have been affected now should see us through… maybe another 30 years,” she said.

“It’s so well utilised, everyone is loving the new jetty. Even though the footprint is the same as the old one, just the condition now just makes it so much more accessible and safe for the community.”

Contractors Kym Clarke Constructions and Groundworks Landscaping completed the foreshore works, which included new pavement and timber amphitheatre seating.

A basketball and netball half-court were also delivered through the project, alongside the revitalisation of the Parnkalla Trail, and the inclusion of First Nations art and storytelling.

Mislov told InDaily the initial plan included a dedicated “reconciliation area”, but the budget available meant it was not possible.

“What we’ve decided to do is incorporate as much as we could, some Aboriginal art and storytelling in the redesign and refurbishment of the existing project,” she said.

Mislov said the works aimed to improve “functionality, accessibility, and aesthetics” while also “revitalising the coastal foreshore area into a vibrant contemporary waterfront destination”.

“The Port Lincoln Foreshore Project has had a transformative impact on the foreshore area, enriching recreational opportunities and social engagement,” she said.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, who is currently in the Eyre Peninsula for Country Cabinet, said the Port Lincoln foreshore “now more functional, accessible and safe”.

“This project will benefit locals and the many tourists who visit this beautiful part of the world,” he said.

The plaza is set to be open on Friday, May 10, with official celebrations from 3pm.

Mislov thanked the Port Lincoln community, who she said had been “extraordinarily patient” throughout the development.

“Especially the traders along Tasman Terrace, where this has had the most major impact,” she said.

“I hope following the open that the community will reap the rewards of the inconvenience.”