Update 5: Aldinga Washpool

The Hon Rob Lucas MLC
Treasurer
GPO Box 2264,
Adelaide SA, 5001

Dear Treasurer,

Re: Aldinga Washpool, and the new Conservation Park

I write to you in your capacity as the Minister responsible for Housing and Urban Development. As a former Senior Adviser to Ms Rebekha Sharkie MP, I am writing to you in my personal capacity and out of a keen interest in environmental conservation, and for the Aldinga Washpool site in particular.

Firstly, may I commend your Government for its decision to provide permanent conservation protection to the Aldinga Washpool site within the marginal electorate of Mawson[1]. It has yet to be determined whether some of the land at the Washpool site will become part of the newly announced Conservation Park, including parcels of land which I understand to be owned by the Minister responsible for Housing and Urban Development, namely:

  • F40143 Q1; and
  • F40143 Q2.

As you might imagine, I strongly urge the State Government to follow through on the spirit of its commitment to the future of the site by contributing these parcels to the new Conservation Park. Parcel F40143 Q2 is clearly integral to the actual watercourse itself, but the important positive impacts of restoring the directly adjacent areas (such as parcel F40143 Q1) on the environmental outcomes for the Washpool site, such as with surface run-off and the hydrological balance in the waterbody – and the countervailing negative effects should this buffer zone be removed – should not be underestimated.

May I kindly request an update on whether these parcels are still under the ownership (and/or care) of the Minister responsible for Housing and Urban Development, and whether there is active consideration for their addition to the new Conservation Park?

If so, what is the likely process and timing for a Ministerial decision to be made?

Thank you again for your Government’s commitment of support for permanent conservation of the Washpool site and for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Cornish

23 / 6 / 2021

Cc Mr Geoff Hayter, Chair, Washpool Coalition

[1] As per: https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/news/media-releases/news/aldinga-washpool-to-become-a-protected-area