Port MacDonnell Memorial Wall Precinct & Shipwreck Walk

At Ordinary Council Meeting held on Monday 18 March 2024, a summary of feedback received during the projects community consultation period was considered by Council to determine the next steps of the project.

Council endorsed to:

1. Receive and note Council report Port MacDonnell Memorial Wall Precinct and Shipwreck Walk as presented on 18 March 2024.
2. Proceed to finalise the design/building plans required for the project, and finalise the costings associated with undertaking these projects.
3. Include an allocation to undertake these projects in the draft 2024/2025 Council Budget, taking into consideration the funding contribution from the Port MacDonnell and District Maritime Museum Committee.

The District Council of Grant are seeking feedback from the community on the proposed Port MacDonnell Memorial Wall Precinct and associated Shipwreck Walk after extensive collaboration with the Port MacDonnell & District Maritime Museum Committee.

Over recent years, Council has been working closely with the Museum Committee to create a significant space to display local shipwreck history and recognise those who have lost their lives at sea due to boating, fishing, diving, swimming or any other water related accidents along the Port MacDonnell coastline through to the Victoria/South Australian Border.

Director of Environmental Services Leith McEvoy said the projects link to Council’s Port MacDonnell Urban Design Framework and Master Plan, and are aimed to further enhance The Waterfront developments completed in 2021.

“The Memorial Wall Precinct and associated Shipwreck Walk importantly commemorate the lives lost at sea, and also serves as a reminder to the fishing community and general boat ramp users, of the importance of water safety, with the Precinct’s purposeful placement at the entrance to the boat ramp and wharf area entrance,” Mr McEvoy said.

“Council is proud to have collaborated with the Museum Committee on these significant projects, and extend its thanks to the Committee for their dedication and input so far.”

The Memorial Wall Precinct features a freestone curved Memorial Wall which will have stainless steel plaques added to its surface remembering lives lost at sea along the Port MacDonnell coastline. Community members may recognise loved ones lost at sea with a plaque by contacting the District Council of Grant and completing an application process.

The Precinct also showcases historic shipwreck artifacts, while the Shipwreck Walk displays a bollard for every known local shipwreck. The Walk will link to the Memorial Wall Precinct running from the Port MacDonnell Jetty through to the new Precinct.

Port MacDonnell & District Maritime Museum Committee Member Vicki Ridley said the Committee knew the projects needed to capture coastal influence on the town, particularly in the design features within the Memorial Wall Precinct.

“The Committee suggested design features to have a soft coastal theme of nature, with subdued lighting, and curves in the built structures, the garden beds and the pathway, to reflect the ocean swells and waves. We hope that this emerges as an obvious connection to the coastline and our maritime, boating and fishing pursuits of today,” Ms Ridley said.

“The Committee then suggested another feature to reflect the significant maritime history of the town, a Shipwreck Walk. A trail of bollards marking the date and name of each of the thirty-one ships, mostly under sail, known to have been lost at sea along the treacherous coastline in the Grant Council in the years 1850 - 1950. The Museum has the probable sites of the shipwrecks on a wall map, and a bronze plaque is also on Cape Northumberland on the site of the first lighthouse.”

More information about the proposal can be found online at Your Say DCG, and at Council’s Principal Office and Port MacDonnell Community Complex.

Feedback is now open and will be accepted until 5:00pm Monday 12 February 2024.