Stepping towards Edithburgh dive platform

Yorke Peninsula Council has been working with the local community to upgrade the Edithburgh jetty steps.

Swimmers, snorkelers and divers use the steps to access the water, which is one of the premier diving locations in Australia.

For that reason, Council has obtained concept designs for new dive access steps that have platforms at different heights, so people can easily and safely enter the water regardless of tide height.

Council took the project to a new level with a co-design workshop held on Friday, 18 November.

“The workshop aimed to foster conversation among the community and key stakeholders to determine how to maximise the project,” CEO Andrew Cameron said.

“It was not only about upgrading the steps but looking at other ways to improve the Edithburgh jetty experience for visitors and locals, and help turn the site into a true attraction befitting the area’s amazing sea life.

“We thank everybody who attended the workshop, in person and online, to contribute to these discussions.”

Additional ideas for the project have included a shelter area for people to change into and out of diving gear, an underwater camera showing people the water clarity, an artificial reef structure on the bottom of the lowest dive-step platform and more.

“We are collating and assessing the ideas raised at the workshop,” Mr Cameron said.

“We are waiting for an appropriate grant opportunity to be announced, and the funding available will help determine the scale of the project – we will start with the jetty steps upgrade as our top priority and see what’s possible from there.

“We want this to be a fantastic facility for Edithburgh and the wider Yorke Peninsula.”

Elected Members endorsed $15,000 to obtain the design work for dive access steps through the 2021-2022 Annual Business Plan and Budget.