Paul Rosser 
The City of Onkaparinga has recently called for community feedback on a proposal to rehabilitate and refurbish the pedestrian and boat access ramp at the beach end of Button Road, in the middle of The Washpool. Button Road Pedestrian Beach Access Repairs | Your Say Onkaparinga
According to local environmentalist Paul Rosser, who has been involved in rehabilitating the Washpool site for almost forty years, the proposal flies in the face of local community groups’ wishes for the future of the Washpool, especially now that the State Government has declared the area a Conservation Park.
According to Paul, it has always has been the aim of such local groups as Trees for Life and the Willunga Creeks Projects Group Inc to have Button Road closed at the last house entrance, with the relocation of the model plane club to another area to give this international bird breeding place a safer and quieter environment.
Paul said the old Button Road, the car park and the dilapidated ramp should be removed, and the North and South basins of the Washpool re-joined into one expanse of water as it used to be.
Access to the beach could be via the esplanade to the north west of the Washpool site and to the south via Sellicks Beach.
Paul has also called for the planting of indigenous plants, as per a list of species agreed to by the First Nations Elders, in specified areas of the proposed Conservation Park.
“The time is right to proceed with the closure of Button Road, the car park and the removal of the dilapidated ramp. One finds it difficult to support expenditure for refurbishment of the ramp when it is going to be removed in the future. These savings, with Council and State Government top-up funding, can accelerate the long-term plans for the Washpool.
“It is believed that this work would be an excellent and very visible contribution toward reconciliation, honouring the words expressed at the beginning of every meeting in the Onkaparinga City Council, in relation to honouring the First Nations People and the Land they have lived on productively for 60,000years.
“Who else wants to get on board?” Paul Rosser asks.
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