South Australians and visitors to our state will start enjoying new recreational access opportunities at reservoirs, with the Marshall Liberal Government opening the Myponga Reservoir Reserve the weekend before Easter.
In the first stage of opening at Myponga, visitors will be able to walk, run and cycle around bushland tracks with water views, enjoy picnics, and visit lookouts and viewing platforms to see and photograph wildlife and scenic vistas.
As part of the phased opening of Myponga, future stages of expansion at Myponga will create opportunities for other activities like shore-based fishing as early as later this year.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the opening of Myponga Reservoir Reserve marked the beginning of a wider program that will drive regional tourism, encourage community wellbeing and promote environmental education.
"I can't wait to see people hitting the tracks around Myponga to work up a sweat, or take their camera on a casual Sunday afternoon stroll to one of the lookouts," said Minister Speirs.
"I've been lucky enough to visit the reserve a few times as preparations for opening have been underway and opening this reservoir up to the general public is hugely exciting.
"There's great natural beauty to enjoy at Myponga, but there's also a thriving local community with weekly markets, local stores and an artisan brewery, that make for a fun day out that will also help energise local businesses."
The gates to Myponga Reservoir Reserve will open on Sunday 14 April 2019 with a full day of activities including a fun run hosted by Trail Running SA and children's activities delivered by Nature Play SA and Trees for Life.
A range of activities will also take place around Myponga Township with a classic car tour stopping off between 11am and 1pm, and the weekly Myponga Markets in full swing in the old cheese factory building.
Minister Speirs said additional new recreational access opportunities would be made available at other reservoir reserves around the state, including South Para where 180,000 fingerlings were released this week as a draw for future fishing visitors.
"We went to the election with a plan to open-up our reservoirs for the people of South Australia to enjoy and have been busy working to make this a reality ever since," said Minister Speirs.
"Myponga Reserve is just the start with plans in place to open up other reservoirs around the state.
"A cross-government taskforce has been ensuring every aspect from roads and infrastructure, through to tourism, is carefully considered and factored into the planning.
"Protecting the health and quality of our drinking water supplies has of course come first, and has directly informed the types of activities being enabled, which will vary from site to site based on their individual characteristics like water volume, visitor facilities and the water treatment infrastructure.
"The opening of each reservoir will be done in a staged process, however, we are hoping to have two more available to the public by the end of the year including South Para and extending activities at Warren.
"Other reservoirs such as Hope Valley, Happy Valley as well as those in the regions will be looked at after that.
"This program is about boosting regions, so the reservoir access offering at each location will complement existing attractions and experiences, not compete with them."
Visit reservoirs.sa.gov.au to register for activities at the Myponga Reservoir Reserve opening, or learn more about the full range of ways to enjoy, explore and preserve reservoirs around the state.
