West Lakes, South Australia
West Lakes is a planned 688-hectare residential development constructed over the reclaimed marshland that was left after the River Torrens was diverted to discharge to St Vincents Gulf at West Beach.
The development of West Lakes commenced in 1970 and was completed in 2001. Approximately 10 million tonnes of earth was shifted to create the development.
A significant feature of the development is the tidal lake. At the southern end of the lake an inlet pipe runs through Tennyson Beach. At high tide when the sea water rises above the lake level a hydraulic gate opens and allows fresh sea water into the lake. As the tide lowers the gate closes keeping the water in the lake.
At the northern end of the lake an automatic outlet gate opens at low tide discharging water into the Port River. The system flushes approximately 410 Megalitres of water through the lake per day.
As the development is on reclaimed marshland considerable engineering was incorporated in house construction to achieve adequate development. West Lakes was one of the first developments to have underground electrical supply and telephone connections.
The development included a regional shopping centre and football stadium.
West Lakes won the inaugural Prix D’Excellence by the FIABCA in 1992.
References:
City of Charles Sturt West Lakes History factsheet
