An impressive series of art panels have been installed under the fig trees as part of the renewal of the western end of the Parnkalla Trail which is one component of the Port Lincoln Foreshore Project.

The art panels were designed by Galinyala Barngarla artists Jenna and Vera Richards, who were selected through a public Expression of Interest process. The art work were laser cut and fabricated by local company Plazma Cuts.

This element of the Foreshore Project supports the creation of connections to ​first nation’s people ​and place through the incorporation of First Nations storytelling and cultural interpretation which is one of the project’s key objectives.

At the launch Jenna explained the story behind the design.

"Our design links into the actual site of the fig trees up above us on the deck. They form part of the 7 sisters dreaming. Trees and water are life. For us, the trees are our fellow sisters and brothers, in the case of the fig trees, they are the 3 sisters of the Pleiades. In our design, we showcase the lady of the tree, and this is talking about the spirits that are within all living things including our trees and plant life, creatures of the sea, land and sky.

We have symbols throughout the design representing our people and family gathering together. This shows that we are one and the same with our environmental surroundings. We also have the Karkalla plant, our native pig face which is a food source for our people and this is scattered all across our Barngarla yardanha country especially along the wambiri coastline.

We’ve included the gooya, the fish throughout our design. This is another food source. But also applies to Goorilyali which is our name for Boston Bay which translates to the Bay of dancing fish. It’s also ironic that Port Lincoln is well known for our aquaculture seafood industry and that we have fish farms within our Bay and our traditional Barngarla name correlates to bay of dancing fish.

But back in the day, we also have been told that there were songs and dance that our old people used to do to sing in the sharks and dolphins and whales to push the fish into our shallow waters where they would be caught in our traditional fish traps made of stones and sticks. We still have fish traps that are around our coastline which are more noticeable during the low tides. These are unfortunately becoming less and less due to not being maintained due to lack of access.

In the last panel we have Nammana our sacred whale and the 3 sisters riding on his tail. Nammana is one of our Dreamtime stories and he was responsible for creating our wambiri coastline.

He also brought our people on his back to Galinyala Port Lincoln and we still look to him for guidance in our times of need. He was also our late father’s totem and this gives him even more special meaning and significance for me and my sister and our family as a whole.

Ngami Yarda Mother Nature and her creatures look after us and provide for us so we must in turn look out for them as well.

Port Lincoln and surrounding areas are also well known to be a whale sanctuary. Whalers Way used to be the nursery and it has taken many years for the whales to return and feel safe again in our waters after what happened many moons ago with the whaling industry being based around here.

We also have Thindoo the sun, the bringer of light and life and without him, we wouldn’t have life on earth. Majority of the world and nature needs the sun to survive so Thindoo is also very important to us.

The border across the tops and bottoms of each panel represents the crosses on our shield that represents our people and our whole Barngarla tribe. Barngarla stands for fire people, people of the light and our ancient boundary extends from Galinyala (Port Lincoln) to Goordnada (Port Augusta) and surrounding areas.

We enjoyed working on this project with you and we look forward to future endeavours.

Yoowa walira

Bawoo"

Photo Left to Right: Art Panel Artists Jenna Richards and Vera Richards

As the playspace component of the Port Lincoln Foreshore project nears completion, works on other elements of the project will start later this month.

The Port Lincoln Foreshore Concept Plan, endorsed by Council in June 2021, included much needed renewal works on sections of the Seawall and Parnkalla Trail including repairs to structures and paving and minor refurbishment works.

Mayor Diana Mislov said, “McMahon Services have been contracted to undertake the Seawall and Parnkalla Trail works with construction set to start this month. As part of the works a new rock armour wall will be built at the trail’s western end.”

Advanced signage will be in place prior to work commencing along sections of the trail at the western and eastern end. Access to the lower carpark outside the front of the Port Lincoln Hotel will be inaccessible to the public to be used as a worksite for McMahon Services contractors.

“Minor refurbishment works to the jetty carpark toilet block are scheduled to start later this month by local contractor Kym Clarke Construction and will take approximately six weeks to complete. Throughout this time the toilet block may need to be closed and the public are asked to use alternative toilet blocks,” said Mayor Mislov.

“Council is close to entering into a contract for works on the Foreshore Plaza and Activity Zone and it is anticipated these works will start next month.”

“The Port Lincoln Jetty will finally get the much need attention it requires with Maritime Constructions engaged to begin renewal works in June.”

“There is plenty happening along the foreshore over the next six to eight months that will deliver great outcomes for the community. Council acknowledges that there will be quite a bit of disruption associated with these works and will work with the contractors to minimise this as much as possible.”

“We will keep the community informed as work progresses throughout each stage of the projects through Council’s Facebook page and website www.portlincoln.sa.gov.au. Visit Council’s online Engagement Hub yoursay@plcc.sa.gov.au for the Concept Plan and further details.

The State Government’s Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program is contributing matched funding of $3.640 million towards the Port Lincoln Foreshore Project.

"Sitting on the jetty or strolling down Tasman Terrace you would be forgiven for wondering why progress has slowed on the Foreshore Playspace site? While a small team carry on installing pathways, rubber and adding finishing touches including artwork by the Yailgoo Aboriginal Arts group the real progress has been hidden within workshops of a collection of Port Lincoln local manufacturers," says Martin Elton of Elton Landscapes.

"Last week, local fabricator Lincoln Steel, completed the last welds on the centrepiece elevated walkway/ play structure, ready for delivery to local painter Rustbusters to apply coatings."

“It’s not your usual piece of structural steel, there is a lot of unseen work in every curved corner and non-square angle. With that said it is good to give the team something a bit out-there from time to time, it keeps things interesting and the skills sharp," said Trent Adams of Lincoln Steel.

"The structure will now receive a high durability paint treatment including fibreglass bound undercoats to ensure the structure stands up to the frontline coastal environment and remains safe and rust free for children to enjoy for many years to come," said Mr Elton.

While businesses across the region, and well beyond, struggle with the significant material and labour shortages council is extremely proud to see this major piece of the foreshore project constructed by local trades to a very high standard. Given previous delays with geotechnical conditions, design and adaption of the structure to meet unforeseen site conditions fabrication was only able to commence early in 2023 and has progressed at a steady rate since.

The three coat system requires significant curing time between coats and the process is expected to take 2-3 weeks to get right. Upon curing, head contractor Elton Landscapes has engaged local operator Eyre Cranes to assist in installing the structure on site. From there, floor finishes, balustrades, handrails and play equipment will be able to be installed as well as works adjacent left to facilitate access until this point.

The community can look forward to some major transformations on site in the coming weeks with practical completion and independent certification booked to see the play space open to the public around the end of March.

The State Government's Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program is contributing up to $3.640 million towards the Port Lincoln Foreshore Project and includes the following:

• Construction of new plaza
• Construction of a new play space
• Construction of a new sport and activity zone
• Upgrade of foreshore carpark including additional spaces and accessible bays
• Construction of shared space parking area and market
• Toilet, beach access and boardwalk, landscaping, paving walls and fencing and retaining structures and shelters
• Remedial work to Parnkalla (Barngarla) Trail.

The new inclusive playspace will feature elevated play pods with rope climbs, slides, rock scrambles and basket swings, with a focus on incorporating elements of Indigenous heritage and storytelling.

Stories from the area’s Traditional Owners, the Barngarla people, will be highlighted throughout the playspace, such as the waterplay feature inspired by fish traps used by the Barngarla people across coastal Eyre Peninsula, including Whalers Way.

Council will be working with Elton Landscapes and in-turn the local sub-contractors, Origin Paving and Landscaping, Chris Cash Plumbing and Gas Fitting, Diggin It Earthworks, who will be working together on this part of the overall foreshore project, which is tipped to give a much-needed boost to the city’s economy.

To read the full media release issued Friday 10 June 2022 click on the Attached document link below.

Please note the above artist impression shows the new playspace features only and does not show all the existing structures such as the Tuna Poler.