Bushwalkers welcome the reopening of Scott Creek Conservation Park after 2021 fire

More than a year after the devastating Cherry Gardens bushfire, Scott Creek Conservation Park is reopening for the public – in time for the bushwalking season.

More than a year after it was ravaged by bushfire, Scott Creek Conservation Park has finally reopened to the public.

The Cherry Gardens bushfire burnt more than two thirds of the conservation park last January.

Two houses were destroyed as well as at least 17 outbuildings and sheds.

Since then, the park – which is home to endangered fauna and flora – has been closed for safety. But staff and volunteers have been working hard to restore the landscape and monitor precious remaining habitat for signs of life.

National Parks and Wildlife Service executive director Mike Williams said he was very pleased to see the park reopen.

“The Friends of Scott Creek have played an integral role, having undertaken a significant effort towards recovery of habitat spending many hours on the ground removing, treating, monitoring and planning weed control as well as monitoring and contributing to the management of listed plant species,” he said.

“While the park is now reopen there’s still a lot of work which continues in helping vulnerable and threatened species of animals and plants within the park to recover and recolonise the fire scar.”

Smoke at the Scott Creek Conservation park after the Cherry Gardens fire, January 26, 2021. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The park is home to the nationally endangered southern brown bandicoot and chestnut-rumped heathwren, nationally vulnerable bassian thrush, 10 species of nationally listed plants and many other threatened flora and fauna. A new monitoring program was launched last year.

“Weed management also remains a key focus on-park, with extensive areas of the park being restored to excellent condition,” Mr Williams said.

“However weed seed banks remain in the soil and will have been triggered by the fire, so this will remain an ongoing focus.”

Scott Creek Conservation Park is 30km south of Adelaide, it can be accessed via Dorset Vale Rd or Scott Creek Rd, Scott Creek. The park is open daily.

To find out more visit parks.sa.gov.au

Damage to Scott Creek Conservation park after the Cherry Gardens fire. Photo by Kelly Barnes