Opposition Leader Steven Marshall announces election commitment to create 1500ha national park in the metro area
KAYAKING, sailing and fishing in the heart of the southern suburbs could be a reality after the next state election amid a pledge for a new national park. But where will it be? SEE THE VIDEO
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KAYAKING, sailing and fishing in the heart of the southern suburbs could be a reality as part of a plan to create a new national park.
Opposition Leader Steven Marshall will today announce details of an election commitment to create a 1500ha national park – almost double the size of Belair National Park – in the metropolitan area if the Liberal Party is elected at the 2018 State Election.
The new national park would take in areas not open to the public including Happy Valley Reservoir and 208ha of Glenthorne Farm.
It would also connect O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park, Marino Conservation Park, Hallett Cove Conservation Park and the Field River valley under one management structure.
Likely one of the most welcome aspects of the plan would be opening the reservoir to the public for swimming, fishing and other water sports which could make the park a popular recreation destination, similar to the Wivenhoe Dam is South East Queensland.
Mr Marshall said he saw no reason why the public was banned from enjoying some of the state’s reservoirs.
“Happy Valley Reservoir has huge recreational potential – walking trails can be created around the reservoir’s edge, while kayaking, sailing and fishing are all possibilities,” he said.
“This project will not only create a new backyard for thousands of residents in the southern suburbs, but will also transform previously locked up land.”
Mr Marshall said other recreational opportunities in the new park would include picnic areas, camping and other accommodation, walking, cycling and horseriding trails.
Majors Rd, which cuts east-west across the proposed park, would become the “recreational spine” as it was already home to a range of clubs and was the site of the recently announced state BMX Centre.
“There will be something for everyone,” he said.
“Our proposal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve and revitalise a significant portion of existing open space and turn it into a thriving environmental and recreational precinct.
“We have identified this area as an important open space for the environmental health, wellbeing and enjoyment of South Australia, particularly people living in the southern suburbs.”
While Mr Marshall cited many possible new uses for the park, he did not put a price tag on the proposal but acknowledged it would come at a cost.
The Liberals plan to undertake community consultation to decide exactly what elements would be included in the park and then allocate funding.
In 2001, the State Government sold Glenthorne Farm to the University of Adelaide but the site has remained virtually untouched and locked up during that time.
A proposal in 2009 to build about 950 homes on the site was knocked back following community backlash but fears again surfaced last month about a new place to put houses on the site.
Mr Marshall said given the university owns the Glenthorne land there would have to be negotiations around how it could be involved in the plan.
He said he was confident the university would be open to the idea.
Labor will likely criticise the plan for being uncosted and including land that was not owned by the Government.
The local community has long campaigned for the area to be opened up and redeveloped for recreation as it has heritage and environmental significance.
The state’s first police commissioner, Major Thomas O’Halloran, settled the land in 1839, and many of the buildings from the 1850s still stand on the property.
“Under the State Liberals’ plan, Glenthorne National Park will become a vibrant environmental precinct that will be enjoyed for generations to come,” Mr Marshall said.
The State Government has previously announced a plan to investigate which SA Water reservoirs could be opened up for recreational fishing.
PLANNED FOR THE PARK
• OPEN areas currently closed to the public, including Happy Valley Reservoir and Glenthorne Farm
• CONNECT O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park, Marino Conservation Park, Hallett Cove Conservation Park and the Field River valley under one management structure
• ALLOW swimming, fishing and other water sports at the reservoir
• FEATURE picnic areas, camping and other accommodation, walking, cycling and horseriding trails
• BE HOME to a range of clubs and the site of the recently announced state BMX Centre