Parks Week

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Can the minister inform the chamber about the range of events organised to celebrate Parks Week 2016, and how the South Australian government is ensuring that South Australians can make the most of the fantastic parks throughout this state?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:54): What a fantastic and thrilling question from the honourable member who, as we all know, enjoys getting out into nature from time to time. Parks Week 2016 ran from Saturday 5 March to Sunday 13 March, and presented a fantastic opportunity to get more South Australians outside enjoying and exploring the great range of activities available in our parks. We are indeed very blessed in South Australia, where living in a metropolitan area does not mean forgoing a connection with nature. We have 50 national parks and reserves, I am advised, within 50 kilometres of the CBD, covering a total combined area of over 13,000 hectares of land and offering people a wonderful day out.

Parks Week is an annual celebration of the important role that our parks play in contributing to the health of our communities. The state government uses Parks Week to promote our parks, to increase visitation and to promote awareness of our new online booking system. In total, South Australians could take advantage of over 30 activities, I am advised, including the launch of celebrations to mark the 125^th anniversary of Belair National Park; guided snorkelling tours of our marine sanctuaries at Second Valley in the Encounter Marine Park, that I understand were fully booked out prior to Parks Week; junior ranger activities at Para Wirra Recreation Park; Clean Up Australia Day activities; the opportunity for people to access half-price camping for the month of August for those who book online during Parks Week; and free vehicle casual day entry on Sunday 13 March across the state.

I am advised that, in total, around 2,500 people took part in these and many other activities across the state, helping us encourage more people to enjoy the many benefits of spending time outdoors. The state government has an outstanding track record on increasing our network of parks and reserves, Mr President, as you well know. South Australia has over 300 parks, showcasing a diverse range of natural attractions including Seal Bay, Flinders Ranges, Cleland, Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail and Naracoorte Caves. Since coming to office, we have systematically added to this network of parks and reserves by proclaiming 69 new parks and adding land to 76 existing parks.

South Australia now has the largest percentage of both public and private protected land of any Australian mainland jurisdiction—approximately 27,675,000 hectares; that is equivalent to the size of the State of Victoria. We have also worked hard to ensure that our parks and reserves offer visitors a great experience, investing $10.4 million to improve the facilities and infrastructure of metropolitan Adelaide's parks and reserves. These improvements include internationally recognised mountain bike trails, upgraded and better connected walking and cycling trails, new lookouts and fantastic nature play areas and selected parks to help children explore and connect with nature.

All of this will help us in our efforts to promote and implement the state government's newly released nature-based tourism strategy. That aims to activate South Australia's nature-based tourism sector. In having the market advantage as a nature-based tourism destination that we do, this strategy will build on that advantage to inject $350 million per annum, it is estimated, into the state's economy and create 1,000 new jobs by 2020. That is the advice that has been provided to us about how we can actually activate these areas around the state, particularly the perimetropolitan parks that are so easy to access.

Parks Week offered South Australians plenty of opportunities to visit the state's parks, connect with nature, and learn more about our unique landscapes, plants and animals. I would like to commend the staff in the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources for their efforts in putting together such a great program this year and for all of our help and volunteers through Nature Play who every week encourage more young people to go out and enjoy nature and play.