SA Government to invest $130m in park projects from Mount Lofty to Innes National Park
The State Government will announce record spending of $130 million for spending on parks across the state. See the projects set to receive funding.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Funding to improve amenities at some of South Australia’s most popular parks from Mt Lofty to the Fleurieu Peninsula have been unveiled by the State Government today.
A full list of parks projects to be funded in next week’s State Budget includes money for a raft of things from koalas, to mountain biking trails and glamping.
The State Government is spruiking a record $130 million of investment into parks and reserves across the SA.
Premier Steven Marshall said this morning the investment was part of a bid to bolster SA’s reputation as a world class eco-tourism destination and boost regional economies.
New projects announced this morning include:
Mt Lofty Precinct ($3 million) – upgraded infrastructure including trails, amenities and car park.
Innes National Park ($3 million) – new visitor experiences, upgraded campgrounds and improved amenities.
Fleurieu Peninsula ($3 million) – new mountain biking and hiking destination.
Flinders Ranges ($2.5 million) – upgraded campgrounds and amenities.
South Para, Barossa and Warren reservoir precincts ($2 million) – new kayak access, walking trails and day visitor infrastructure.
Eyre Peninsula Parks ($2 million) – improved coastal tourism experiences through upgraded roads and campgrounds.
An additional $1.5 million will be spent on a “community access to national parks” pot of money for infrastructure upgrade projects across the state.
Environment Minister David Speirs said the new investment will fund a range of projects, from new visitor facilities and campgrounds to adventure experiences such as mountain bike and hiking trails across the state and improved access at South Australia’s reservoirs,” Mr Speirs said.
“This is on top of nature-based tourism projects already funded.”
Previous announced projects include
Kangaroo Island ($52 million) – for various projects including rebuilding infrastructure in Flinders Chase National Park, a signature camping experience at D’Estrees Bay and upgraded facilities at Seal Bay, Antechamber Bay, Murray’s Lagoon and Cape Willoughby.
Increased fire hazard reduction ($18 million) to increase the prescribed burns in parks program by as much as 50 per cent.
Glenthorne National Park ($12.5 million) to create Adelaide’s second metropolitan national park
The Southern Flinders Ranges National Park ($10 million) to develop an international mountain bike destination at Mt Remarkableandtrails for hiking, cycling and horse riding, including a new iconic multi-day hike.
Park Renewal Investment ($7.1 million)
Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail ($6 million)
Nature-Based Tourism Co-investment Fund ($5 million).
Ediacara Fossil Experience ($3 million) to create a major visitor experience at Nilpena to showcase the unique Ediacaran fossils which are 550 million years old.
Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park ($1 million) to renew visitor infrastructure and experiences.
Cleland Wildlife Park ($1 million) to build a new purpose-built koala hold facility.
The announcement coincides with confirmation the opening date for Adelaide’s oldest operating reservoir Hope Valley will be December 13 – timed with the first week of public school holidays.
Hope Valley is the first non-regional one to open.
A range of land-based recreational activities including walking, cycling and picnicking will be available around the reservoir, where an adventure playground will also be built.
Tuesday’s State Budget will include more than $130m of funding for outdoor projects across the state.