ohalloran hill recreation park; marino conservation park; hallett cove conservation park; happy valley reservoir Glenthorne National Park

[Seán]

Hi there,

Have been observing with interest the recent election in SA and in particular the promise Liberals made regarding a new "Glenthorne National Park".

I am very sceptical of all politicians, irrespective of their persuasion, geography, race , creed... so am wondering if anyone has any thoughts or insights on the possibility that anything contained in their blurb below will actually see the light of day ?

 

https://www.glenthorne.com.au/about

Our vision for Glenthorne National Park

Overview

Glenthorne National Park will be Adelaide’s second metropolitan National Park, located in our southern suburbs. This 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.

The National Park would include: Glenthorne Farm; O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park; Marino Conservation Park; Hallett Cove Conservation Park; Happy Valley Reservoir and the Field River valley. This is a total area of more than 1,500 hectares, which is bigger than Belair National Park.

Preserving our environment

The Liberal Party is committed to preserving and invigorating this unique green belt in the midst of Adelaide’s southern suburbs.

Central to the proposed park is Glenthorne Farm, 208 hectares of rare open space which has been locked away from the public for far too long. It’s time to tear down the fences and welcome the community into Glenthorne Farm, creating a vibrant environmental precinct which will experience large-scale weed eradication and re-vegetation projects, creating an urban forest that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

The areas of open space which surround Glenthorne Farm, including O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park, the Field River Valley and Hallett Cove and Marino conservation parks will be uniquely linked into an overarching management structure, ensuring that wildlife and vegetation corridors are preserved and given the support they need to survive and thrive.

Recreation and lifestyle

Recreational opportunities include picnic areas, camping and accommodation facilities, fishing, walking, cycling and horse riding trails.

Majors Road, which runs east/west through the national park, has the potential to become a ‘recreational hub’ for the south. This site already has a pistol club, an archery club, a driving range, a major Riding for the Disabled facility and a model aircraft club located within it. It is also the site of the recently announced state BMX Centre. Other recreational facilities could include soccer fields and equestrian facilities.

In addition, 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 on the water. This is the norm in other places, with the Wivenhoe Dam in South East Queensland not only the main source of drinking water for Brisbane, but also a very popular recreation destination. We see no reason why South Australia’s reservoirs shouldn't also be available for public recreation.

Highlighting our history

Glenthorne National Park has significant heritage assets, with heritage listed buildings that link back to World War I when Glenthorne Farm was a training ground for military horses.

The old Worthing Mine buildings in the Field River Valley provide a unique example of how copper mining took place in South Australia in the 19th Century.

There are also significant Aboriginal heritage sites around the Field River Valley, with the area forming part of the Tjilbruke Dreaming Trail.

Stretching back further in time, Hallett Cove Conservation Park has some of the nation’s most important geological formations, which can be viewed from the stunning boardwalk through the conservation park.

 

 

 

https://www.glenthorne.com.au/

[Seán]

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

Matt Smith, Sunday Mail (SA)

August 18, 2018 3:44pm

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.