Record investment in South Australia’s parks

The new funding takes the total investment in South Australian parks under the Marshall Liberal Government to more than $130 million – the highest amount in the state’s history.

Parks across South Australia including at the Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills will be revitalised which will drive increased tourism and visitor numbers, improve amenity in our parks and create jobs.

Premier Steven Marshall said the record investment of more than $130 million in our State’s parks will bolster our reputation as a world class eco-tourism destination and boost regional economies.

“The Liberal Government wants South Australia’s tourism industry to thrive – this is a once-in-a-generation investment that will not only support regional communities and create local jobs, but also protect our precious environment for future generations,” Premier Marshall said.

“We are investing in projects that will revitalise parks across South Australia – from the Flinders Ranges to Kangaroo Island as well as opening up our reservoirs.

“This is part of our plan to keep South Australians safe and strong by creating jobs, backing businesses and building what matters.”

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the Marshall Liberal Government’s Parks 2025 initiative was injecting record amounts of funding into South Australia’s national parks.

“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,” Minister Speirs said.

“This is on top of nature-based tourism projects already funded such as developing an adventure destination in the southern Flinders Ranges as well as significantly improved visitor facilities on Kangaroo Island.

“The Marshall Liberal Government’s record investment will help us achieve our aim of doubling the state’s nature and heritage tourism expenditure to $3.4 billion over the next decade, creating 4,000 new jobs.

“The former government inexplicably ripped funding out of our parks whereas the Marshall Liberal Government is injecting record amounts of funding to boost visitor numbers and conserve our natural environment.

“These upgrades will not only enhance our environment but will improve social wellbeing by encouraging more people to get outside, connect with nature and enjoy what our state has to offer which we have seen is so important during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

New projects to be funded 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.
• Community access to national parks ($1.5 million) local park infrastructure upgrade projects across the state.

Existing projects include:

– Kangaroo Island ($52 million):

• Rebuilding infrastructure in Flinders Chase National Park
• Enhanced visitor experience and facilities at Seal Bay;
• New visitor precinct at Antechamber Bay;
• Upgraded visitor facilities at Murray’s Lagoon;
• A signature camping experience at D’Estrees Bay;
• New visitor experiences at 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) creating Adelaide’s second metropolitan national park.

– The Southern Flinders Ranges National Park ($10 million):

• Developing an international mountain bike destination at Mt Remarkable;
• Upgrading trails for hiking, cycling and horse riding, including a new iconic multi-day hike;
• To upgrade visitor facilities.

– 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 our 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.