Conserving Biodiversity

South Para Parks Management Plan

Introduction Once adopted the South Para Parks management plan will be the first management plan for Hale, Warren The Department of Environment, Water and Natural and Sandy Creek Conservation Parks and will replace Resources is seeking community views to help in the an existing management plan for Para Wirra development of a management plan for the South Recreation Park. Para Parks: Para Wirra Recreation Park, Hale Conservation Park, Warren Conservation Park and Sandy Creek Conservation Park. Regional Profile

These parks are reserved under the National Parks and Sandy Creek Conservation Park is in the Barossa Valley. Wildlife Act 1972. The development of a park Land adjacent to the park is used for rural living, management plan for the South Para Parks provides grazing and viticulture. A landscape comprising parks, an opportunity for members of the public to help set wineries, vineyards and heritage architecture make the directions for the management of these parks. Barossa Valley a nationally recognised tourism destination. The South Para Parks are located 40km north east of Adelaide and they play a vital role in conserving Para Wirra Recreation Park, Hale Conservation Park remnant vegetation in the Northern Mount Lofty and Warren Conservation Park are situated in the Ranges and the Barossa Valley. These parks also Northern Mount Lofty Ranges, between the Barossa provide places for recreation and connecting with Valley and Adelaide. These parks are adjacent to nature that are close to Adelaide. softwood plantations, grazing properties and water supply catchments. The management plan will outline how these parks will protect and enhance the things that make them Para Wirra Recreation Park, and Hale and Warren special. It will also set directions for future Conservation Parks contain large areas of relatively management. intact woodlands within broader landscapes that have been significantly modified. Thirty percent of the

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Northern Mount Lofty Ranges remains covered by Creating a Sustainable Future – An Integrated Natural native vegetation and a significant portion of this Resources Management Plan for the Adelaide and remnant vegetation is within Para Wirra Recreation Mount Lofty Ranges Region: This plan sets directions Park. A thirty percent cover of remnant vegetation is for the management of the Adelaide and Mount Lofty relatively significant and provides a realistic Ranges region which encompasses the South Para opportunity to maintain and improve vegetation Parks. The development of a new plan is currently in condition across this landscape. progress.

Summary of Biodiversity Values Para Wirra Vegetation Management Plan 2002: This plan sets priorities for vegetation management within Para Wirra Recreation Park protects 1 502 ha of native Parra Wirra Recreation Park. The plan divides the park vegetation. The park, together with land managed by into 36 management units and assigns priorities based Forestry SA and SA Water, and privately owned land on vegetation quality, threatened species and forms an extensive area of native vegetation which is threatening processes. extremely important for the conservation of biodiversity. Informing Biodiversity Conservation for the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region South Australia 2010: Para Wirra Recreation Park contains a range of This document sets conservation actions and targets, vegetation types but is dominated by heathy lists significant endemic species and includes a woodlands. The South Para River flows through the framework for developing conservation management park and supports aquatic ecosystems. The southern priorities for each different landscape within the section of the park is known as ‘Mack Creek’. It is Mount Lofty Ranges. Para Wirra Recreation Park, Hale significant because it protects vegetation that is in Conservation Park and Warren Conservation Park are good condition. It also protects a number of within the Northern Lofty Landscape. Sandy Creek threatened species including the nationally threatened Conservation Park is within in the Barossa and Eastern Pink-lip Spider-orchid. Hills landscape.

Hale Conservation Park is characterised by its diverse Regional Recovery Plan for Threatened Species and landscape, steep rocky ridges and extensive flowering Ecological Communities of Adelaide and the Mount heathlands. The regionally threatened Pink Gum Lofty Ranges, South Australia, 2009 – 2014: This plan Heathy Woodland is protected in the park. Warren identifies regionally significant species, sets directions Conservation Park contains Warren Gorge and steep for the recovery of threatened species and threatened hilly areas. Sandy Creek Conservation Park conserves ecological communities. Regionally significant species some of the last remaining woodlands of the Barossa and threatened species are listed in Appendix 1 &2. Valley and protects a range of habitats for important bird populations. Current Priorities

Key Plans and Strategies Management priorities for conserving biodiversity and other natural resources are outlined in a number of The following key plans and strategies provide plans and strategies. Current conservation priorities guidance in setting strategic directions for biodiversity include: conservation in the South Para Parks. Vegetation in the Barossa and Eastern Hills landscape: Para Wirra Recreation Park Management Plan 1993: Vegetation within Sandy Creek Conservation Park is This plan has guided the management of Parra Wirra important because the native vegetation endemic to Recreation Park to date. this landscape is poorly represented within the protected area network.

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Heathy woodlands: These vegetation types are poorly Phytophthora: Phytophthora cinnamomi is a soil- represented within the protected area network. Blue borne disease that kills native vegetation and is Gum heathy woodland is found within Para Wirra difficult to detect and control. It has been detected in Recreation Park. Pink Gum heathy woodland is found Para Wirra Recreation Park at Mack Creek and near the within Hale Conservation Park, Para Wirra Recreation northern park boundary. Whilst it may be present, it Park (co-dominant with Long-leaf Box and Blue Gum) has not yet been detected in Hale Conservation Park and Sandy Creek Conservation Park (co-dominant with and Warren Conservation Park. Hale Conservation Park Southern Cypress Pine). is particularly vulnerable to Phytophthora infestation due to its soil types and location. Woodland birds: Sandy Creek Conservation Park provides important habitat for bird populations that Western Grey Kangaroos: Kangaroo populations have declined within the region. within the parks have the potential to become overabundant. As a result of excessive grazing by Flora and fauna species of conservation significance: kangaroos, herbaceous understoreys are depleted, There are numerous flora and fauna species of decreasing the food and habitat available for national, state and regional conservation significance mammals, reptiles and birds. found within the parks (Appendix 1 &2). These include the Critically Endangered Mt Lofty Speedwell in Fire: Inappropriate fire regimes have the potential to Warren Conservation Park, the Heath Goanna in Hale destroy populations of native species or change the Conservation Park and a range of nationally vegetation structure. endangered orchid species in the parks such as the Pink-lip Spider-orchid. The Southern Brown Bandicoot Human Impact: A range of human activities such as may be present at Para Wirra Recreation Park. illegal rubbish dumping have potential to impact on the biodiversity values of the park. Riparian vegetation: Para Wirra Recreation Park and Warren Conservation Park contain riparian vegetation Neighbouring land management activities: Each of the associated with the South Para River. parks are influenced by adjoining land use. Management practices adjacent to the parks may Peppermint Box grassy woodland: Peppermint Box exacerbate the spread of weeds and pest animals, woodlands in Sandy Creek Conservation Park fit the modify fire regimes, or change surface or groundwater description of this nationally threatened ecological systems. community. Climate Change: Increased temperatures and changing Areas of vegetation in particularly good condition: patterns of rainfall due to climate change have the There are many areas of vegetation in the parks that potential to displace native species as a result of more are relatively free of weeds and in relatively good frequent bushfire events. condition. Of particular importance is Mack Creek, an area in the southern section of Para Wirra Recreation Park.

Threats to Biodiversity Pest plants and animals: The invasion of weeds decreases biodiversity and disrupts ecosystem processes. Introduced animals such as foxes, cats and rats predate on small birds, mammals and reptiles. Deer and rabbits modify vegetation though browsing.

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Discussion Points Contact

The discussion points have been prepared to prompt Please write or email your comments to: people’s thinking about the parks. Your opinions, knowledge and ideas will help in preparing a draft Jessica Wilson, Policy and Planning Officer management plan. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources 1. In your opinion, which areas in the parks have GPO Box 1047, ADELAIDE SA 5001 high landscape appeal and intrinsic natural T: (08) 8124 4836 values? What is special about the parks? E: [email protected]

2. In your opinion, what do you consider to be the Fore more information about the planning process major issues that affect the parks? please visit:

3. What are the priorities for managing threatened www.environment.sa.gov.au/parkmanagement flora and fauna species?

4. What are the priorities for collaborating across park boundaries? Front Cover - Hale Conservation Park, Photo courtesy of Matthew Lee. 5. What are the key threats to the parks?

6. Which threats are not well understood and require additional research?

7. What are the key indicators of ecological condition within each park?

8. Are any of the objectives and actions in the current Para Wirra Recreation Park Management Plan (1993) still relevant?

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Appendix 1: Flora Species of conservation significance (drafti)

CONSERVATION STATUS SPECIES COMMON NAME EPBC Act NPW Act Regional Cwlthii SAiii Recovery Planiv Para Wirra Recreation Park Amphibromus archeri Pointed Swamp Wallaby-grass Rare Austrostipa multispiculis Many-flowered Spear-grass Rare Baumea acuta Pale Twig-rush Rare End Caladenia behrii Pink-lip Spider-orchid End End End Caladenia rigida Stiff White Spider-orchid End End End Correa glabra var. leucoclada Rock Correa Rare Crassula sieberiana Sieber's Crassula End + End + Eucalyptus fasciculosa Pink Gum Rare Gonocarpus micranthus ssp. micranthus Creeping Raspwort Rare Isoetes drummondii ssp. drummondii Plain Quillwort Rare Olearia pannosa ssp. pannosa Silver Daisy-bush Vul Vul Vul Olearia passerinoides ssp. glutescens Sticky Daisy-bush Rare Philotheca angustifolia ssp. angustifolia Narrow-leaf Wax-flower Rare Phylloglossum drummondii Pigmy Clubmoss Rare Prasophyllum pallidum Pale Leek-orchid Vul + Rare + Vul+ Prostanthera chlorantha Green Mintbush Rare Th Pterostylis foliata Slender Greenhood Rare Stellaria palustris var. tenella Swamp Starwort Rare Thelymitra aristata Great Sun-orchid End Veronica gracilis Slender Speedwell Vul Viminaria juncea Native Broom Rare

Hale Conservation Park Caladenia behrii Pink-lip Spider-orchid End End End Caladenia rigida Stiff White Spider-orchid End End End Callistemon teretifolius Needle Bottlebrush Vul Eucalyptus fasciculosa Pink Gum Rare Leionema hillebrandii Mount Lofty Phebalium Rare Vul Prostanthera chlorantha Green Mintbush Rare Th Pterostylis sp. Hale (R.Bates 21725) Hale Greenhood End Vul End

Warren Conservation Park Caladenia behrii Pink-lip Spider-orchid End End End Caladenia rigida Stiff White Spider-orchid End End End Callistemon teretifolius Needle Bottlebrush Vul Cardamine paucijuga Annual Bitter-cress Rare Correa aemula Hairy Correa Rare Diuris behrii Behr's Cowslip Orchid Vul Vul Eucalyptus fasciculosa Pink Gum Rare Galium curvihirtum Tight Bedstraw Rare Glycine latrobeana Clover Glycine Vul Vul Vul Luzula ovata Clustered Wood-rush Rare Mentha diemenica Slender Mint Rare Montia fontana ssp. chondrosperma Waterblinks Vul Vul Philotheca angustifolia ssp. angustifolia Narrow-leaf Wax-flower Rare Pterostylis foliata Slender Greenhood Rare Thelymitra grandiflora Great Sun-orchid Rare Veronica derwentiana ssp. homalodonta Mt Lofty Speedwell Crit E. End End

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CONSERVATION STATUS SPECIES COMMON NAME EPBC Act NPW Act Regional Cwlthii SAiii Recovery Planiv Sandy Creek Conservation Park Austrostipa breviglumis Cane Spear-grass Rare Austrostipa tenuifolia Rare Corybas dentatus Finniss Helmet-orchid Vul End End Corybas expansus Dune Helmet-orchid Vul End Corybas unguiculatus Small Helmet-orchid Rare Crassula exserta Large-fruit Crassula Rare Cyperus sanguinolentus Dark Flat-sedge Rare Eucalyptus fasciculosa Pink Gum Rare Maireana excavata Bottle Fissure-plant Vul Prasophyllum fecundum Self-pollinating Leek-orchid Rare End Prasophyllum pallidum Pale Leek-orchid Vul Rare Vul Prasophyllum pruinosum Plum Leek-orchid End Vul End Pterostylis psammophillus Sandy Creek Rufous-Hood # Ptilotus erubescens Hairy-tails Rare Thelymitra grandiflora Great Sun-orchid Rare

Appendix 2: Fauna Species of conservation significance (draft)

CONSERVATION STATUS SPECIES COMMON NAME EPBC Act NPW Act Regional Cwlth SA Recovery Plan Para Wirra Recreation Park Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill Un Acanthiza nana Yellow Thornbill Un Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird Un Anthochaera phrygia Regent Honeyeater End End Aphelocephala leucopsis Southern Whiteface Vul Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo Vul Cacomantis pallidus Pallid Cuckoo Vul Chalcites basalis Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo Vul Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper Vul Corcorax melanoramphos White-winged Chough Rare Vul Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella Un Epthianura albifrons White-fronted Chat Un Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Rare Rare Falcunculus frontatus Crested Shriketit Rare Vul Gliciphila melanops Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Un Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite Un Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite End Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin ssp Vul Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater Un Melithreptus gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater ssp End Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater Un Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter ssp Vul Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher Rare Vul Neophema chrysostoma Blue-winged Parrot Vul Neophema elegans Elegant Parrot Rare Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Un Petrochelidon ariel Fairy Martin Un Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin Un Petroica boodang Scarlet Robin ssp Vul Phaps elegans Brush Bronzewing Un

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CONSERVATION STATUS SPECIES COMMON NAME EPBC Act NPW Act Regional Cwlth SA Recovery Plan Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth Un Pomatostomus superciliosus White-browed Babbler Un Psephotus haematonotus Red-rumped Parrot Un Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail Vul Vul Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong ssp Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher Un Turnix varius Painted Buttonquail Rare Vul Zoothera lunulata Bassian Thrush Rare Vul Antechinus flavipes Yellow-footed Antechinus Vul Isoodon obesulus obesulus Southern Brown Bandicoot End Vul Vul Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum Rare Aprasia pseudopulchella Flinders Worm-lizard Vul Un Pseudophryne bibronii Brown Toadlet Rare Vul

Hale Conservation Park Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill Un Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird Un Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo Vul Chalcites basalis Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo Vul Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper Vul Corcorax melanoramphos White-winged Chough Rare Vul Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella Un Epthianura albifrons White-fronted Chat Un Falcunculus frontatus Crested Shriketit Rare Vul Gliciphila melanops Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Un Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite Un Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater Un Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater Un Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter ssp Vul Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher Rare End Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Un Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin Un Petroica boodang Scarlet Robin ssp Vul Phaps elegans Brush Bronzewing Un Pomatostomus superciliosus White-browed Babbler Un Psephotus haematonotus Red-rumped Parrot Un Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong ssp Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch Un Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher Un Turnix varius Painted Buttonquail Rare Vul Zoothera lunulata Bassian Thrush Rare Vul Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum Rare Varanus rosenbergi Heath Goanna Vul End

Warren Conservation Park Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill Un Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird Un Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo Vul Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper Vul Corcorax melanoramphos White-winged Chough Rare Vul Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella Un Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Rare Rare Falcunculus frontatus Crested Shriketit Rare Vul Gliciphila melanops Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Un Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater Un Melithreptus gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater ssp End

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CONSERVATION STATUS SPECIES COMMON NAME EPBC Act NPW Act Regional Cwlth SA Recovery Plan Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater Un Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Un Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin Un Petroica boodang Scarlet Robin ssp Vul Pomatostomus superciliosus White-browed Babbler Un Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong ssp Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher Un Zoothera lunulata Bassian Thrush Rare Vul Antechinus flavipes Yellow-footed Antechinus Vul Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum Rare

Sandy Creek Conservation Park Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill Un Acanthiza nana Yellow Thornbill Un Anas rhynchotis Australasian Shoveler Rare Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird Un Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo Vul Cacomantis pallidus Pallid Cuckoo Vul Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo Vul Vul Chalcites basalis Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo Vul Chalcites lucidus Shining Bronze Cuckoo Rare Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper Vul Corcorax melanoramphos White-winged Chough Rare Vul Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella Un Epthianura albifrons White-fronted Chat Un Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Rare Rare Falcunculus frontatus Crested Shriketit Rare Vul Gliciphila melanops Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Un Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite Un Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite End Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin ssp Vul? Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater Un Melithreptus gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater ssp End Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater Un Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter ssp Vul Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher End Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher Rare End Neophema chrysostoma Blue-winged Parrot Vul Neophema elegans Elegant Parrot Rare Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Un Petrochelidon ariel Fairy Martin Un Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin Un Petroica boodang Scarlet Robin ssp Vul Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin Vul Phaps elegans Brush Bronzewing Un Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth Un Pomatostomus superciliosus White-browed Babbler Un Psephotus haematonotus Red-rumped Parrot Un Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail Vul Vul Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong ssp Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch Un Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher Un Turnix varius Painted Buttonquail Rare Vul Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum Rare Pseudophryne bibronii Brown Toadlet Rare Vul

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i Flora and fauna lists have been generated using data from DEWNR’s biological databases (ENVMAPS) in July 2012 and are yet to be verified. ii Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Cwlth Crit E - Critically Endangered End - Endangered Vul - Vulnerable # - recently named species (yet to be nationally listed) iii National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 SA End - Endangered Vul - Vulnerable Rare – Rare + - Historical Record iv Willson, A. and Bignall, J. (2009) Regional Recovery Plan for threatened species and ecological communities of Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia. End - Endangered Vul - Vulnerable Th - Threatened Un –Uncommon

Front cover: Hale Conservation Park, photo courtesy Matthew Lee