Adelaide University strikes deal to hand over Glenthorne Farm, which will become a new national park

A deal has been struck between the University of Adelaide and the State Government to establish a huge new national park in Adelaide’s southern suburbs. But what’s the catch?

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South Australia’s new national park is a step closer to reality after the University of Adelaide gifted land to the State Government for just $1.10.

In exchange, the educational institution will look to establish a greater footprint at Lot Fourteen in the city.

Environment Minister David Speirs on Saturday unveiled a new master plan for the Glenthorne National Park in Adelaide’s southern suburbs.

The Glenthorne Farm land was previously owned by the University of Adelaide and will be

transferred to the Minister for Environment and Water to allow the creation of Adelaide’s second major metropolitan national park.

Under a memorandum of understanding, the State Government will pay the university $1.10 for its land in return for a greater presence at Lot Fourteen — Australia’s first innovation precinct on the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site on North Tce. It is set be the home of the nation’s space agency headquarters.

Plans for recreational use of Happy Valley Reservoir in the planned Glenthorne National Park.

The land that will be encompassed by Glenthorne National Park.

“To finalise a deal for the transfer of land, which sees us take ownership of Glenthorne Farm, allows us to get on with delivering this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve and revitalise a significant portion of open space and turn it into a thriving environmental and recreational precinct,” Mr Speirs said.

“In a win-win for South Australians, the potential presence of the University of Adelaide at Lot Fourteen would add value to the precinct through knowledge and research collaboration and industry engagement.”

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen said he welcomed the transfer of Glenthorne.

“This is an exciting time and will be of great benefit to the community,” Prof Rathjen said.

“We look forward to opportunities to work with the government in continuing to apply our expertise in revegetation and land management to this site to further enhance its ongoing value to the local environment and community.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the government on the realisation of its vision for Lot Fourteen ... it presents an exciting opportunity to create an ecosystem where

government, universities and industry can work together to drive new technologies and advances in a range of areas of great importance for our state, including defence and associated technology development.”

Mr Speirs has also unveiled a new draft master plan for the site that was created with public feedback.

“In April this year, more than 3000 people flocked to Glenthorne’s first open days and provided ideas to help shape the draft master plan,” Mr Speirs said.

“We have taken these ideas on board, and this weekend the gates to Glenthorne are open again for the community to come down and see the draft master plan, view artist’s impressions of what the space may look like, and provide their thoughts.”

The plan includes establishing shared-used trails for walking and cycling, as well as building a visitor centre, incorporating cultural and heritage areas and creating a nature play space for children

Friends of Glenthorne member Rae Campbell with local resident Honey at the Glenthorne Farm property that will form the hub of the new Glenthorne National Park. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Mr Speirs said the draft master plan identifies the need to retain the distinct natural character and functions of each park which make up the precinct, while enhancing the connections between them, using existing and new infrastructure to create an accessible and inclusive network of open space.

The Glenthorne property is envisioned as the “hub” of the new national park.

“The newly opened park ranger station on the Glenthorne property will act as a base while the

property is being developed for park rangers to take care of the entire precinct and provide visitor support,” Mr Speirs said.

The draft master plan includes recommendations about expanding transport options and traffic access.

Glenthorne National Park will total more than 1500 hectares — and includes the Glenthorne property, O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park, Marino Conservation Park, Hallett Cove Conservation Park, Happy Valley Reservoir and areas of the Field River Valley.