Month: March 2015

Walk the Yorke, 500km Trail, Project Update

Posted on by Walking SA

UPDATE Feb 2016

We have a number of Walk the Yorke trail entries in our Find a Place to Walk directory:

Walk the Yorke signage March 2015, 2 x signs

Walk the Yorke signage, interpretive signage, March 2015

Interpretive signage

The Walk the Yorke is a 500km trail being constructed by the Yorke Peninsula Council to link existing coastal walking trails to create a walking experience around the coast of beautiful Yorke Peninsula.

The project is now 64% completed. This infrastructure includes trail markers, bollards and bench seats. Of the 19 shelters to be constructed, 14 have concrete flooring and 7 have their roof structures completed; associated rainwater tanks and picnic settings are yet to be installed. Compacted gravel trail construction is 94% completed and fencing and stile (off-road vehicle prevention gate) installation is 30% completed.

Map of Yorke the Walk from 2009 concept plan preview

View map of Walk the Yorke from 2009 concept plan

A large focus of current project work is on the development of the 210 podium signs to be installed at various locations. Progress Associations have submitted content for 60 of these signs. School students have also submitted content. Council has received drafts of Indigenous interpretive content and artwork for 40 signs.

The project is due to be completed in November 2015.

The terrains includes rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, secluded coves, rocky reefs and tidal pools, windswept sand dunes, historic lighthouses and a peek into some of Australia’s most productive farming land and indigenous scrublands.

View Trail Info

Government Response to Mt Lofty Ranges Mountain Biking Destination

Posted on by Walking SA

Back in December 2014, we made a submission to the Government of South Australia in regards to their proposal to develop the Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges as an international mountain biking destination.

We received a reply that discusses the balance between trails for mountain biking and walking. It states:

Response to letter, from Ian Hunter, Government of South Australia, re International Mountain Biking Destination, Adelaide Hills, Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges - balance of walking and mountain biking trail users

“While one of the State Government’s 2014 election commitments is to establish the Mount Lofty Ranges as an international mountain biking destination, there is ample room for the simultaneous promotion of our walking trails.

…preparing a technical report with recommendations… will include recommendations on a range of complementary outdoor recreation…

I note the concerns you have raised regarding the safety of trail users. The safety and enjoyment of all users will be a priority…

Best practice design will always be at the heart of responsible trail development. I am also advised that a combination of sharing paths where possible and setting aside single-use or single direction zones where appropriate will encourage the maximum number of people to use and enjoy our parks and other natural areas.

This is an exciting time for the Adelaide Hills. I acknowledge Walking SA’s input into the planning process and hope this will continue throughout the co-design planning process as we move towards achieving the vision.“

View the full response letter from the SA Government

Presidents Forum in Open Discussion Regarding Future Plans

Posted on by Walking SA

The Walking SA Presidents Forum was held at the Adelaide Pavilion on 19 March 2015

The Walking SA Presidents Forum was held at the Adelaide Pavilion on 19 March 2015. Hosted by Wendy Keech, Chair, the forum provided an opportunity for the Board to engage with representatives of member Clubs in open discussion regarding future plans, and ways in which Clubs could be involved in further development of the organisation.

The Forum also included a presentation by the Treasurer, Walking SA, on the insurance process and eligibility.

You can view copies of the presentations here:

Current Grant Opportunities (at 19th March 2015)

Posted on by Walking SA

We’ve prepared a shortlist below of current grant opportunities available to walking clubs.

View our 6 Tips for Grant Applications

1. Office of Recreation and Sport (ORS)

Grant website: ors.sa.gov.au/funding

Two ORS funding programs are open now: Closing date: 20th April 2015

1. The Active Club Program helps active recreation and sports clubs with:

  • programs and equipment (up to $5,000)
  • facility upgrade requests up to $20,000 on a $1 for $1 basis.

2. The Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program helps eligible organisations to plan, establish or improve sport and active recreation facilities that meet the needs of the community in South Australia.

2. Adelaide City Council

Grant website: adelaidecitycouncil.com/your-council/funding/recreation-sports-funding

The ACC Recreation and Sport Grants Program provides funding to eligible clubs and organisations that demonstrate consistency with the Adelaide City Council Strategic Plan 2012 -2013. Program priorities are to increase people’s participation rates in physical activity and utilise public spaces.

  • Minor grants (up to $8,000) are available for Be Active in the City programs. Applications are open all year.
  • Major grants (between $10,000 & $20,000 per application). Applications can be submitted any time, but assessment is conducted twice per year.

50% of total project cost (money or in-kind support) must be matched by the fund recipient.

The ACC Active Ambassador Program provides a great opportunity for Walking Clubs interested in providing a program of guided walks in the Adelaide City Council area. A small cost could be charged for participation. The Council is particularly interested at present in ideas for school holiday programs.

Note – The Club would be required to have a Child Protection Policy, and Walk leaders would need Police Clearances.

3. Department for Communities and Social Inclusion

Grant website: dcsi.sa.gov.au/services/grants-for-organisations/applying-for-dcsi-grants

DPCSI’s Community Benefit Grant scheme provides grants which aim to improve community participation, life management skills, well-being and quality of life of disadvantaged individuals, families and communities.

4. Residents Win Program

Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure

Grant website: residentswin.sa.gov.au

Resident Win grants assist residents or groups in a community to come up with innovative solutions for creating people friendly streets and safer roads. This could be an opportunity for a regional Walking Club.

5. GRANTassist

GRANTassist can help you locate Government assistance and programs most relevant to your communities needs. This site also provides useful tools for project planning.

Grant website: grantassist.sa.gov.au/community

Channel 7 Interview + Update from Wendy Keech, WalkingSA Chair

Posted on by Walking SA

Wendy Keech, chair Walking SAWe hope that you are taking advantage of this perfect walking weather and suggest that you might try the newly reopened Crafers Circuit trail that is an alternative to reach the Mount Lofty Summit.

Walking SA Chair, Wendy Keech, was interviewed on 5AA’s Michael Keelan show on March 1, 2015. Wendy talks about the role walking plays in people’s daily life and strategies to stay active and fit.

As you may be aware, Walking SA has featured in the media on several occasions in recent weeks making comment on the Crafers Circuit with an article in the Eastern Courier and a feature story on Channel 7 that aired over the weekend. As Chair of Walking SA, I was interviewed on 5AA and spoke about the role walking plays in people’s daily life and strategies to stay active and fit. This media attention has been a great opportunity to raise the profile of Walking SA and highlights the hard work and progress we have been making behind the scenes to ensure our place as the peak body for walking in South Australia.

Later this month we are holding a Club Presidents Forum for club representatives. This will provide an opportunity for the Board to engage with representatives of Clubs in an open discussion regarding Walking SA, bushwalking and trails, and the development of walking as a preferred recreational activity, mode of transport and the promotion of its benefits for general health and well-being.

This month we feature:

We hope that you enjoy this latest edition of news from Walking SA.

Wendy Keech
Chair, Walking SA

View newsletter

Club Profile: Adelaide Bushwalkers

Posted on by Walking SA

Adelaide Bushwalkers

This month we profile Adelaide Bushwalkers.

Mark Proctor, President, has answered a few of our questions.

Mark, tell us about Adelaide Bushwalkers. What walking activities do members engage in?

Adelaide Bushwalkers is a hiking club enjoying multi-day hikes carrying packs & camping, day walks, kayaking, cycling and other activities, near Adelaide, South Australia & interstate.

How often, how long and where are your walks?

There are multi-day walks 2-3 weekends a month during April to October. These walks are often around the Adelaide Hills and Flinders Ranges. There are some long weekend and week-long walks in the Flinders, Grampians and Tasmania. There are day walks around Adelaide on Wednesdays and some weekends.

What level of fitness would one need to participate comfortably?

Walkers need to be able to carry a pack with all their sleeping gear, food and tent. This can generally weigh 12-20kg. Gear hire and gear advice is available to members.

We are holding a weekend for new members in May at Kuitpo Forest, which answers common questions people new to multi-day hiking have.

What are the benefits of joining a club like Adelaide Bushwalkers?

Adelaide Bushwalkers specialises in off-track walking in remote places. The club walks in places that are not ordinarily accessible to people, or are difficult to organise and gain permission for. Meet like-minded individuals to enjoy hiking with.

Are you open to accepting new members into your Club? Tell us how someone may join Adelaide Bushwalkers and what your current membership looks like?

Members range in age from 20s and 30s through to their 80s. There are 200 members. People can see the walking program and join up on our website at adelaidebushwalkers.org. Membership is $60 per year, hikes are user-pays system (sharing transport costs, park entry fees), and gear hire is available at reasonable prices. Public meetings are held twice monthly on Wednesdays, 8pm at North Adelaide Community Hall, 176 Tynte Street, North Adelaide.

Visit AdelaideBushwalkers.org
Facebook/ABW.AdelaideBushwalkers

Walking Expo in October, 2015

Posted on by Walking SA

Walking Expo in October 2015Our annual Walking Expo, traditionally the opening of the walking season, will be held in October 2015.

Individual clubs are welcome to celebrate the commencement of the bushwalking season in their own way.

A smaller event planned for April this year, to launch the Mt Lofty Ranges Trails Project in Kersbrook has been cancelled. The trails infrastructure was damaged in the January Bangor Bushfire, and work needs to be undertaken to replace it.

New Find a Place to Walk Entry: Rocky River Hike – Stage 1 of Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

Posted on by Walking SA

Rocky River Hike (Stage 1 of Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail)This is stage one of the 63km five-day Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail which is under construction, and due for completion in June 2016.

The first section connecting Flinders Chase Visitor Centre to Snake Lagoon has recently been completed and is open for walkers. This section, the Rocky River Hike, is 9.5 km in length and is classed as moderate.

View Walk

Mid North Forests Future Strategy

Posted on by Walking SA

Mid North Forests Future StrategyFollowing the devastating 2013 and 2014 bushfires which destroyed 85% of the Wirrabara and Bundaleer forests, the Government is obtaining the views of stakeholders and the local community about the potential options.

The forests represent 1% of the state’s forestry resources, with the South East being the powerhouse of our commercial forests. If the forests were replanted, it would take 25 years to mature to harvesting readiness, and be under threat of a similar destruction as occurred. Forests in the Mid North grow at half the rate of those in the South East. The future may lie in adding Wirrabara forest into the adjacent Telowie Conservation Park.

Trees are being hurriedly harvested and shipped (the current load is too high for local sawmills) whilst the burnt trees still have commercial value.

Work is underway to restore walking trails and the Heysen Trail.

View Consultation Website

Talking About Walking

Posted on by Walking SA

Talking About Walking, a 28min talk from RN radio (ABC). ‘It starts with a step and then another step and then another that add up like taps on a drum to a rhythm, the rhythm of walking. The most obvious and the most obscure thing in the world, this walking that wanders so readily into religion, philosophy, landscape, urban policy, anatomy, allegory, and heartbreak.’

Talking About Walking, a 28min talk from RN radio (ABC).

Listen to or read transcript

Walking SA Interview on Radio Station 5AA

Posted on by Walking SA

Walking SA Chair, Wendy Keech, was interviewed on 5AA’s Michael Keelan show this morning.

Wendy talks about the role walking plays in people’s daily life and strategies to stay active and fit.

There are no prerequisites to walking – just get moving.

Walking on trails at overseas destinations is popular, as is bushwalking here in SA, but you can also start walking now in your local area.

If you have a destination, a trail, or people to walk with it is much easier. There are no prerequisites to walking – just get moving. There are many walking groups – from just get up and get going groups, to groups that walk from 1 hour to 5 hours, or have walking days away.

Listen to the Interview

Audio – 8min 30secs

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