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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-11-21 Daily Xml
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ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question about environmental monitoring.

Leave granted.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Do you mind?

The PRESIDENT: Order! There is too much conversation in the chamber.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: When it comes to proper management of our precious parks and reserves, knowledge is the key. Without complete and up-to-date data and observation, land and NRM managers are fighting an uphill battle. Will the minister please inform the council of any recent initiatives to improve our knowledge of South Australia's parks and reserves?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:35): I thank the honourable member for his question, and I am pleased to say that a recent biological survey of the Caroona Creek Conservation Park has greatly improved our knowledge of this beautiful tract of land. In fact, it has produced further confirmation that this area is home to some amazing and rare plants and animals. It is located on the western edge of the Olary Plain, about 50 kilometres north of Burra. It contains very beautiful terrain.

As I alluded to a moment ago, a biological survey of the proposed park, carried out by DEH and the SA Museum, has turned up some amazing results. We now know that the Caroona Creek is home to four species previously unrecorded in this area, including three lizard species and the native Bolam's mouse. The three lizard species, previously unrecorded in the area, are a real treat to have found.

Surveys like this one, completed just last month, are an invaluable tool for better managing our precious parks and reserves, as they let us know exactly what species populate which areas. They help to fill significant gaps in our knowledge of many species, and they play an important part in helping us to achieve our conservation goals. These surveys are also tremendous opportunities to strengthen community ties, and I would like to acknowledge the many community volunteers who took part in this most recent survey.

The park conserves a representative sample of transitional terrain between the rounded hills of the Mid-North in this area of the Flinders Ranges. The knowledge we have gained will now be used to better manage the park and contribute nationwide to our understanding of the dispersion of these wonderful species.

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