LIAM PHILLIPS

SA Premier Steven Marshall officially opened the South Para Reservoir to the public on Saturday to kayaking, fishing and cycling.

Over a thousand people from across the state converged on the reservoir just south of the Barossa Valley to mark the occasion and use the newly available land.

Well-known Gawler poet and writer, Martin Johnson, spoke about the people who lived at the South Para Reservoir work camps during the dam’s construction to the event’s attendees.

Mr Marshall said the initiative focussed on boosting tourism to regional South Australia, creating local jobs in the process.

“We’re excited to be delivering this hugely popular commitment to open up our reservoirs, which have been kept closed for far too long,” he said.

“Opening up reservoirs at other locations around South Australia has proven to be an outstanding success, bolstering the South Australian economy and growing jobs.”

Minister for environment and water, David Speirs, said South Australians were particularly keen for water-based activities such as kayaking and fishing.

“We’ve heard a particularly positive response for action-based activities, like kayaking and fishing, throughout our conversations with locals, and it is exciting that these activities are now on offer for everyone to enjoy,” Mr Speirs said.

“Combined with existing access at the nearby Warren reservoir, having new access at South Para will provide a real boost to the local economy and tourism scene on offer in the Barossa region.

“In time, an expanded network of trails will connect the South Para and Warren reservoir reserves to conservation parks and nearby plantation forestry to provide an integrated experience for those who are a bit more adventurous.”

South Barossa Alliance (SBA) chairman, Simon Taylor, said he was proud of the event SBA had organised in conjunction with the Williamstown Action Group and SA Water.

“The Southern Barossa,  nd specifically the Williamstown area, is providing new opportunities for visitors who want to make ‘adventure tourism’ part of their Barossa experience,” Mr Taylor said.

“We are already seeing that the opening of the reservoirs stimulates the prosperity of our local businesses, as well as contributing to improved health and wellbeing of our community through  increased access to outdoor recreation facilities in our backyard.

“Fishing, kayaking, picnicking and family fun – then sampling fine wine at some of the Barossa’s best boutique wineries – what better way to spend a Saturday or Sunday just 50 minutes from Adelaide?”

Holding a capacity of close to 45 billion litres, water stored in the South Para Reservoir is transported to the nearby Barossa Reservoir where it is treated and delivered as safe, clean drinking water to approximately 85,000 customers across the region.