JIM POLLOck

Whyalla Wetlands

Jim Pollock Whyalla Wetlands is an ideal picnic area with BBQ’s, a nature playground, toilets and shelter; a perfect spot for time out.

Stroll along the extensive pedestrian paths around the lakes pausing to take advantage of the interpretive signage, park benches, bridge and the gazebo atop the central hill. Paths around the lakes are equipped with disabled-access ramps. Kids can unearth adventure on the nature playground suitable for children to have adventures climbing, sliding and enjoying the flying fox.

A combined recreational and stormwater capture facility developed by the Whyalla Council, the wetlands include almost 7 hectares of artificial lakes fed by a combination of underground seepage and stormwater runoff. Water from the lakes is utilised by many species of aquatic plants, animals and birds.

The Jim Pollock Whyalla Wetlands are based on the remaining 24.8 hectares of the original aerodrome, which operated on this site until 1951.

The Whyalla Norrie Rotary Club was heavily involved in working with the City Council to develop many of the existing facilities, which include a viewing and parking area with a BBQ, shelter, picnic benches, lawn and landscaping. In keeping with the innovative theme of the Wetlands, there are environmentally friendly hybrid toilets. The toilet area also includes baby change facilities and disabled access wheelchair ramps all the way to the toilets.

Already, birdlife not usually seen in Whyalla is being attracted with many species now breeding and raising their young there. The Wetlands Walk is part of Whyalla Heritage Trailways, and as such interpretive signs are interspersed throughout the wetlands.

The wetlands name honours Jim Pollock, a much loved figure in the Whyalla community.

Elected to council in 1997 before rising to Deputy Mayor and then serving as Whyalla's Mayor from 2003-2016, Jim was a popular civic leader who always had the city of Whyalla and its people at heart. The 14-tonne lump of iron ore that carries the special plaque in Jim's honour is indeed, likened to the man himself, "Like a rock for Whyalla with a heart that probably weighed in around the 14-tonne mark."

The wetlands is a place that represents so many of the things Jim wanted for Whyalla, good facilities, beautiful attractions and wonderful places for the whole community to enjoy.