The Department of Infrastructure and Transport will be installing new traffic signals at the junction of Brighton Road and Ocean Boulevard and Scholefield Road in Seacliff Park to improve accessibility and safety for all road users, pedestrians and cyclists. They are seeking feedback on the current concept design. Community feedback is open until 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026.

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport will be installing new traffic signals at the junction of Brighton Road and Ocean Boulevard and Scholefield Road in Seacliff Park to improve accessibility and safety for all road users, pedestrians and cyclists. They are seeking feedback on the current concept design.

Design features include:

• Installation of new traffic signals, including Pedestrian Actuated (push button) Crossing signals.
• Extension and duplication of the left-hand turning lanes from Scholefield Road onto Brighton Road.
• Extension of the right-hand turn lane from Brighton Road into Scholefield Road.
• New and upgraded pedestrian and cyclist pathways and connections.
• Landscaping.

The upgrade will support the new Seacliff Village development which is proposed to provide around 700 new dwellings, across a mix of townhouses and apartments, as well as a new town centre that will be developed adjacent Scholefield Road.

Design, planning and survey activities will continue through 2026 with construction expected to commence in 2027.

A Green Adelaide Grassroots grant in 2024 has made possible very interesting transformations for the disused netball court at McConnell reserve west.

The grant funded the installation of sixteen wicking beds placed on the old court to showcase local bush tucker plants supplied by Warraparinga Cultural Centre and native coastal shrubs. Surrounding the court, the Hilltop Hub volunteers along with Marion Council staff have also planted a diverse range of native coastal shrubs

The grant included a 6 metre long concrete path to enable easier wheelchair and walking frame access.

A significant outcome in 2025 was the signing of the DOA with Marion Council to create the McConnell Community Native Garden.

The grant has been the catalyst for many other benefits: increased community recognition with the popular Neighbour Day picnic each March, involvement with other gardening groups, educational workshops and an arts grant.

The grant and the volunteers’ hard work have succeeded in increasing the biodiversity of flora and fauna of McConnell reserve into a cooler, greener space for the enjoyment of the community.

The 5049 Coastal Community Association has lodged its formal submission on the City of Holdfast Bay’s Draft 2026-27 Annual Business Plan, offering a range of observations and recommendations on behalf of the Seacliff and Kingston Park community.

Rates and Financial Position

The Association acknowledges the Essential Services Commission SA’s broadly favourable assessment of the Business Plan and welcomes the improvement in Council’s Net Financial Liabilities ratio, which has reduced from 111% to 97%.

However, we note that the proposed rate rise of 6.6% exceeds the 5.4% figure previously advised to the commission. We reiterate its recommendation that a rate cap of less than 10% be introduced and applied automatically — consistent with the approach taken by other South Australian councils.

Capital Investment in Seacliff and Kingston Park

A significant concern raised in the submission is the limited prospect of new capital projects in the Seacliff Ward over the next three to five years, reflecting the financial pressures associated with the Transforming Jetty Road Glenelg project.

Against this backdrop we are calling for Stage 2 of Seacliff Plaza to be designated as Council’s top funding priority. The project would deliver improved beach access, greening, and a more cohesive public precinct — completing a vision already outlined in Council’s existing Masterplan.

Kingston Park Coastal Reserve and Other Priorities

The submission welcomes news that Tulukutangga (Kingston Park Coastal Reserve) Masterplan is approaching Ministerial approval, while noting the substantial funding gap. The gap is estimated at $5–10 million against the $700,000 currently available, this will need to be bridged for works to proceed. We are hopeful that State and Federal funding can be secured to progress key elements, including the restoration of the Tjilbruke Spring.

Other matters addressed in the submission include the Brighton Road tree replacement program, the proposed relocation of the Rifles Monument, community project suggestions for Seacliff Plaza and Singleton Bridge, and the long-term reimagining of Brighton Village and Brighton Road.

Read the Full Submission Here

On Sunday April 12th a bunch of garden enthusiasts braved a cold windy morning at the garden to be inspired by a seed propagation workshop.

It was ably led by Natt Giffney from Green Adelaide and Glenn Christie from Succession Ecology. They demonstrated a variety of different native seeds and various ways to collect them. They then planted 6 rows of different seeds and also showed us how to water them.

We were told both the botanical name in latin and the common name in English .
The seeds included mealy saltbush, boobiala, black-headed grass, old man saltbush, native juniper and coastal seaberry. Some have already sprouted and will be planted out into small pots and eventually into the garden.

If you would like to come to further workshops at the garden please email hilltophubatmcconnell@gmail.com

Sunshine, laughter, guitar music, sizzling sausages, scarecrows, roses, conversations and native plants all came together to make a wonderful Neighbour Day at McConnell Community Native Garden on Sunday 29th March.

Young children were entranced by the Kpop queen, Rumi and families made amazing scarecrows from straw and recycled clothing. Others focussed on chalk drawn mandalas on the ashphalt surround the wicking beds.

Neighbours new and old enjoyed each other’s company and enthusiastically bought raffle tickets to win local restaurant vouchers, plants, flowers, garden essentials, or home made preserves. Everyone relished the delicious BBQ sausages and veggie kebabs cooked to perfection by the 5049 volunteers from the Neighbour Trailer.

Local, state and federal politicians visited to enjoy the festivities as well as to admire the native garden progress and meet over 150 locals.
Congratulations to everyone involved and thanks to the City of Marion events grant, which made for a very successful and well attended event.

Our local community rallied at short notice over the March long weekend and were successful in saving the reserve again, after Counsellor Crossland made another attempt to cash in community land.

Thank you to the many councillors who did not support this motion and the community who rallied for a cause.  It’s so important to keep community land in community hands

Congratulations to our beautiful Marino community for sticking up for public land

We look forward to celebrating with you at our Neighbour Day picnic on March 29th.  All welcome.

After a successful pop up playgroup day held in October 2025, local parents have established an ongoing playgroup in Marino.

The playgroup is at the Marino Community Hall on Tuesdays from 10am – 11.30am.

The playgroup is free with no booking required – just turn up. There will be a Playgroups SA QR code on the day for free registration.

The 5049 Coastal Community Association supported the group in its first month while it was getting established and will continue that support in March and April 2026.

Nest Kiosk and Little Nest cafe are sponsoring the playgroup in February 2026.

Thank you to these wonderful local sponsors who are covering the cost of room hire and keeping the playgroup free for families.

In the early stage of the playgroup, toys and play items are not yet established so feel free to bring something to play with together. BYO snacks for your child(ren) – please be conscious of allergens.

The Marino Community Hall has toilets, baby change table and is a pram and wheelchair friendly venue.

Playgroup is for mums, dads, grandparents and caregivers with their babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers (aged 0-6 years). It is a great way for your child(ren) to learn about the world, make friends and develop social skills. Playgroup also gives mums, dads, grandparents and caregivers a chance to share parenting experiences. Many long-term friendships for both children and adults begin at playgroup.

Parents, grandparents and caregivers are encouraged to come along and share their ideas about how they’d like to see the playgroup be run. Volunteers to keep the playgroup going are needed – so be sure to chat with the team while you’re there about your ideas and ability to be involved (no previous experience necessary).

Local families are invited to drop in and find out more about what the playgroup offers.

Photo. 5049+Electrify Team with Saul Griffiths at his book launch in September 2025.

In the 5049 area we are witnessing first hand the devasting effects of the algal bloom.

The warmer ocean temperature has created ideal conditions for algae to grow and is one of the key causes of the algal bloom. As water warms, it holds less oxygen, making it harder for fish and plants to survive while favouring heat-tolerant algae. The blooms block sunlight, deplete oxygen and kill fish. Climate change is impacting the intensity and frequency of marine heatwaves and therefore the likelihood of more algal blooms like we are seeing now.

5049+ Electrify is a small group of local volunteers, part of a growing Australia-wide movement, passionate about addressing the climate crisis through a plan to electrify everything.

Fully electrifying your home is one of the most effective ways households can reduce their carbon footprint. By switching from gas to efficient electric appliances powered by renewable energy, families can significantly cut their carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. South Australia already leads the nation in renewable generation, meaning an electrified home benefits directly from cleaner, cheaper power.

The 5049+ Electrify group encourages you to consider making this climate-friendly transition with a step-by-step local and practical plan.

We were lucky enough to support the recent book launch of Saul Griffith’s latest book Plug In! The Electrification Handbook.

In this book, energy expert Saul Griffith, with help from some of his electrifying friends, covers the five big decisions you can take for your home

1. Where you get your electricity
2. Hot water
3. Heating your home
4. Cooking
5. Transport

The book is available at most major book retailers.

It provides practical advice on electrifying your home and cars and could be a great Christmas gift for someone you know!

Ways you can connect with us

• Follow us on our Electrify 5049+ Facebook page
• Come for a chat at our stall at the Repair Cafe on the 3rd Sunday of every month at the Marino Community Hall

Thanks to a Green Adelaide grant, to cool and green the western side of McConnell Reserve, 50 bush tucker plants have been installed into the wicking beds.

Plants were provided by Mark Calyx from the Kaurna Cultural Centre and are endemic to the region eg muntries for fruit and coastal rosemary for seasoning.

Families including children were enthusiastic helpers on the planting day.

The Hilltop Hub group are a friendly bunch of residents, always welcoming any assistance in maintaining this unique project. Regular working bees are held every second Sunday of each month 9-11.30 am.

Thanks to the City of Marion community garden team for their support.

The 2.7 million dollar upgrade to the Marino Railway Station has officially been completed. I would like to extend my thanks to the overwhelming support of the local residents and businesses that have offered their support during the 3 year campaign.

A special thanks goes out to the former Marino and Kingston Park Neighbourhood Watch committee members and volunteers who gave their time and dedication to this project. Without them, this would not have been possible.

The station is now fully operational with ten live CCTV cameras covering the station platform, tunnels and the Newland Ave carpark, including a 24 hour emergency phone.

Other improvements include, a information monitor, providing real-time live information, tactile markers, improved lighting throughout the station precinct and a new all weather platform structure.

I would to acknowledge Alex Dighton MP, Louise Miller Frost MP, the Honourable Minister Tom Koutsantonis and the Honourable Premier Peter Malinauskas,
for their support and assistance, including attending numerous meetings with me to implement this community safety initiative.

Finally, as a result of further community feedback, additional seating will be installed at both the southern and northern ends of the platform to accommodate mobility boarding and exit points.