Push for sponsors to fund South Australia’s neglected national parks
McDONALD’S walking trails and Harvey Norman education centres could soon be appearing in the state’s national parks, with corporate sponsorship being spruiked as the answer to funding shortages.
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McDONALD’S walking trails and Harvey Norman education centres could soon be appearing in the state’s national parks, with corporate sponsorship being spruiked as the answer to funding shortages.
The push by the Foundation For National Parks And Wildlife comes as other conservation groups warn State Government funding cuts mean parks are not being properly maintained.
The foundation’s chief executive Ian Darbyshire told the Sunday Mail the future of parks funding was in the corporate sector.
“You can raise money to actually help preserve species and create more parks,” he said.
Under Mr Darbyshire’s plan, corporate partners would provide funding and support for park infrastructure, education facilities and interpretative signs — adorned with company logos — in return for a “huge kick” in exposure.
“It is has to be the way to go,” he said.
“You need more than just the Government to fund the parks.”
Environment Department parks boss John Schutz said the Government was interested in more commercial relationships.
“We are very open to further input from communities and the private sector in managing South Australia’s significant conservation areas,” Mr Schutz said, pointing to the huge increase in land area the department looks after.
“In 2002, just 70,000ha of South Australia had wilderness protection status.
“This level of protection has since more than doubled to approximately 1.8 million hectares of land.”
State Budget figures show the Government is spending $145 million on national parks and other reserves this financial year — about $10 million less than the previous year.
Conservation Council SA chief executive Craig Wilkins said there were not enough financial resources for the state’s reserves — highlighted by a Birds SA submission to State Parliament during the week that said the loss of bird species in South Australia was a “catastrophe”.
“The investment getting people to parks is not being matched by investment to preserve them,” Mr Wilkins said.
Mr Schutz said visitation to the state’s wild places had exceeded expectations.
“More than two-thirds of South Australians are visiting parks every year,” he said.
“Investments in new trails and facilities make it easier for South Australians to get active in our parks.
“These investments are part of a State Government election commitment to provide $10.4 million for upgrades in seven national parks in or near metropolitan Adelaide.”
The Government is seeking proposals from private sector investors interested in building and operating eco-sensitive accommodation facilities for walkers on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.