consisted of national and international water experts, state and local government representatives, community and environmental organisations, and a number of universities. WACRA played a significant role representing the community. Our collective role was to provide a report to the government minister on recommended actions, responsibilities and findings by March 2007 (Torrens Taskforce Final Report, May 2007). The determination of WACRA to seek out funding and commitment from the federal, state and local governments to complete the third stage of the wetland has been a standing item on our agenda. In 2015, many meetings, submissions and presentations resulted in the Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board working with key stakeholders to develop a concept plan for this section of the waterway. Although things went quiet due to changes in government, we were nevertheless relentless in pursuing funding commitments from the three levels of government. Things started to move when the City of West Torrens closed off the horse facilities at Lockleys Oval and agreed on a plan to shift them to a new modern facility in Apex Park on the southern side of the Torrens riverbank. An additional funding commitment of $12 million was promised by the federal and state governments, City of Charles Sturt and City of West Torrens to complete the final stage of the wetland. In November 2020, the concept plan is being finalised. It is promised that work will commence in spring 2021. Breakout Creek wetlands will be an environmental and ecological showpiece which will have met its vision and objectives.
Stage 1 Breakout Creek (east of Tapleys Hill Road)
Dredging Outer Harbor Peter Schultz
In May 2018, the state government granted the Flinders Ports corporation development approval to widen the Outer Harbor shipping channel. Larger ships are being used by international shipping companies and Post-Panamax vessels have a width of 49 metres. Currently vessels 35 to 42.2 metres have restricted accessibility to the port at Outer Harbor. 52
52