Funding Secured for $587,000 Upgrade to Ingalalla Falls and Second Valley Forest

Funding Secured for $587,000 Upgrade to Ingalalla Falls and Second Valley Forest

Grant funding announcements have been flowing in for the District Council of Yankalilla and Forestry SA to improve the visitor experience at Ingalalla Falls and Second Valley Forest on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

$587,000 in funding has now been secured for stage 2 of the Second Valley Forest ‘Shared Stewardship Sustainable Trails’ for the creation of a new carpark to increase capacity, installation of accessible toilet facilities and upgrade of sections of the current trail to Ingalalla Falls to class two to make the walk suitable for wheelchair users and family groups. Two loop walking trails will also be established at Ingalalla Falls (1.2km) and Barton Ruins (2.2km).

Stage 2 is being delivered in partnership with Council and Forestry SA and funded through multiple sources including;

• $250,000 from the South Australia Government’s Opening our Great Outdoors Fund
• $160,000 from the South Australia Government’s Nature-based Tourism Co-investment Fund
• $130,000 from the Australia Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program
• $47,000 from the District Council of Yankalilla (including a portion of in-kind contributions)

Construction of the new accessible toilet facilities is expected to commence in April 2022 and be completed in June 2022, with the rest of the project to be staged over the next year, to be completed in mid-2023.

Forestry SA and Council have already demonstrated their successful working relationship having completed stage 1 earlier this year with two new multi-use trails, the Wilampa Trail and Jones Journey opening in Second Valley Forest.

A further stage 3 of the project proposes new hike and bike ride trails, visitor infrastructure, signage and safety barriers.

District Council of Yankalilla Mayor Simon Rothwell can see the benefits of this project saying;

“It’s fantastic to see that this popular site attracted over 48,720 visitors last year, with the recent founding announcements we will now be able to build the infrastructure to provide a great visitor experience for all.

I’d particularly like to thank the group of enthusiastic local youth who have now formed Fleurieu Trails, they wanted to see more trails and bike tracks in the forest, so they have been proactively working with us and assisted with advocacy by hosting Ministers out onsite, which has assisted to secure the funding,” added Mayor Rothwell.  

Lisa Pearson Council’s Group Manager Economy, Tourism and Community said It was fantastic to see this community-driven project achieve this funding result.

“The project was Identified through our Tracks and Trails Action Plan which came from community consultation and working with the community representatives on our Trial's Reference Group, we asked the community where they go and what they want to be improved, and Ingalalla Falls and Second Valley Forest rated highly.  

We’ve got more work to do but we’re proud that through our Tracks and Trails Action Plan we have now delivered improvements and new trails like the Big George Walk, Yankalilla Pump Track, portions of the Carrickalinga Foreshore Trail, Opening of Myponga Reservoir Reserve and opening of on-water activities, Wilampa Trail and Jones Journey, Goondooloo Ridge Walk and of course the Heysen Trails upgrades,” Said Ms. Pearson.