Gilberton boardwalk re-opened following riverbank remediation

Work to repair a section of storm-damaged riverbank along the Torrens near Mersey Street in Gilberton is now complete.

SA Water, on behalf of the State Government, began the works in mid-June. The site is the first of four locations to receive repairs this year.

SA Water's General Manager of Asset Operations and Delivery Mark Gobbie said recent heavy rains only slightly dampened the project's timeframe, and remediation has already begun at the second repair site in Lockleys.

"Gilberton was prioritised due to the potential safety risk of further riverbank deterioration, but factors such as the volume and frequency of visitors the sites receive, were also taken into consideration," Mark said.

"The completion of repairs to the 20-metre section of riverbank enabled the Town of Walkerville to re-open the nearby boardwalk, with all public areas at the site now fully-accessible."

Subject to weather, riverbank repairs at Lockleys - which began in late July - are expected to be complete by the end of September.

"Work at the third and fourth sites - Torrensville and Thebarton - will be undertaken progressively over the next few months, with all work expected to be complete by the end of the year," Mark said.

"We will continue to update the relevant councils and communities as these works progress."

Management of the River Torrens and Linear Park is a joint state and local government responsibility, with SA Water sometimes called on to contribute its construction management and engineering expertise to help repair riverbanks.

Work being undertaken by SA Water as part of the overall $5.2 million project will vary between locations, and includes:

• debris and unstable soil removal
• some vegetation removal to ensure bank stability and safety of our workers and the community
• installation of concrete pins and gabion walls (specialised steel baskets filled with rocks) to support the riverbank through any future high water events
• temporary removal of existing infrastructure such as walkways and fencing, for better access during construction.

The four sections of riverbank were damaged by severe storms in late 2016. Since this time, SA Water has helped with other similar repair projects along the Torrens, including works adjacent the brewery at Hindmarsh and at Paradise.

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