RIVERLAND PARKS

The Hon. I. HUNTER (15:17): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question about the management of Riverland parks.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I. HUNTER: Properly managing remnant vegetation is a pressing priority for all parks. It is important as an end in itself but also because it provides shelter for native fauna. The fragile regions of the Murray-Mallee and Murray Plains are a particularly good example of the dual purpose for vegetation management. Will the minister inform the council about the management of the Mowantjie Willauwar and Punthie Ruwi-Riverdale conservations parks in the Riverland?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:18): I thank the honourable member for his very important question (and for his pronunciation of these most difficult names). I am very pleased to announce that a draft combined management plan for these two significant conservation parks (near Tailem Bend, for those opposite who do not know where they are) is now available for public comment. These conservation parks are home to some of the region's most important remnant vegetation and threatened fauna. Only 27 per cent of the native vegetation remains in the Murray-Mallee, Murray Plains regional ecological area where these parks are located. It is important to ensure conservation efforts in this particular area are well targeted and sustainable. Protection is being afforded to species such as the southern cypress pine forest that is home to two nationally threatened orchid species—the vulnerable sandhill greenhood orchid and the endangered metallic sun orchid. Also protected is the largest known area of intact centred iron grass and spear grass tussock grassland. Of course, members would be well aware that South Australia's native grasslands are particularly under threat and must be better protected because of the shelter that they provide to native birds, reptiles and insects.

The parks are given Ngarrindjeri names because of their significance to local people. These parks are relatively recent additions to the South Australian protected areas system, both having been proclaimed since this government came into office. The management plan covers important strategies on soil stabilisation, native vegetation, fauna monitoring and protection, and control of introduced plants and animals. There are also strategies on fire management, tourism and recognition of cultural heritage, both indigenous and non-indigenous, within the parks.

The draft management plan for both parks is available for public consultation for the next three months, and copies may be viewed at and downloaded from the DEH website. I encourage people involved with these parks, whether as visitors or volunteers or neighbours, to have a look at this draft management plan, review the proposed management strategies and give feedback to the Department for Environment and Heritage so that this plan best serves the protection and management of these important conservation parks.