Glenthorne National Park in Adelaide’s southern suburbs will get $10m boost in State Budget

BOLD plans to create a 1500ha national park in Adelaide’s southern suburbs will be given a $10 million boost to turn the promise into reality.

• Deal signed to establish Glenthorne National Park
• Opinion: Our new southern National Park is closer to being realised
• University of Adelaide‘s secret $750 million development

BOLD plans to create a 1500ha national park in Adelaide’s southern suburbs will be given a $10 million boost to turn the promise into reality.

Next month’s State Budget will include $10 million over four years to establish the Glenthorne National Park.

The park will combine O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park, Hallett Cove and Marino conservation parks, Happy Valley Reservoir and the Field River Valley, as well as the long-threatened Glenthorne Farm.

In June the Sunday Mail revealed the State Government and the University of Adelaide had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as part of a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to create the national park.

The area covered under Glenthorne National Park.

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs yesterday told the Sunday Mail Glenthorne National Park will be Adelaide’s second major metropolitan national park and will be see large tracts of open space preserved and revitalised for future generations.

“The vision includes significant recreation opportunities such as walking and bike trails, picnic areas, camp grounds and 200 hectares of native revegetation which will all be considered as part of extensive community consultation, ”Mr Speirs said.

“It is also likely to include a new nature playground similar to the one recently developed at Morialta Conservation Park.

“While a new national park will take decades to bring to life in full, our initial investment in the park will be focused on providing basic infrastructure including amenities for visitors, walking and cycling trails and a destination which is expected to draw people from far and wide.”

The National Park would host activities such as sailing, kayaking and fishing.

Mr Speirs said a consultation process to design the park in partnership with the community is being developed and a public open day is expected before the end of the year.

Initial work at the site will begin soon with parts of the park expected to be open to the public the end of 2019.

The $10 million funding will also include investment in a large-scale revegetation partnership with the University of Adelaide that will result in the creation of an urban forest.

The park will have significant environmental benefits but also provide recreational space for the public.

“Our partnership with the University of Adelaide is crucial to delivering the vision that we desire for Glenthorne National Park,” said Minister Speirs.

“The urban forest will have significant environmental benefits and provide a home for native birds and animals, many of which are endangered as a result of habitat loss.”

Last year Freedom of Information documents revealed the university had put together a $750 million master plan for the 208ha O’Halloran Hill site, featuring housing, a shopping centre and business park, and floated its vision with the State Government.