Native habitats safeguarded in the Adelaide Hills

State Environment and Water Minister, David Speirs, Adelaide Hills Council Mayor, Jan-Claire Wisdom, and Member of the Friends of Woorabinda Reserve Committee, David Ragless.

Native vegetation within the Woorabinda Bushland Reserves near Stirling will be protected in perpetuity thanks to a new Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement.

The Agreement, made between Adelaide Hills Council and the South Australian Government, was officially presented to the Mayor by Minister for Environment and Water, David Speirs, in May. 

It covers 34 hectares of bushland made up of four adjacent reserves: Hender, Madurta and Woorabinda Reserves, and Stirling Park.

This area includes more than 20 conservation listed fauna and more than 20 plant species with conservation listing, making it the highest ranked natural biodiversity of any Adelaide Hills Council reserve.

Mayor, Jan-Claire Wisdom, noted that the Heritage Agreement was an important step in conserving the many treasures of this special bushland reserve.

“Woorabinda Bushland Reserves are a rare gem set a short walk away from the buzz of Stirling, yet they provide a haven of biodiversity for our residents and visitors.

“I must take this opportunity, particularly during National Volunteer Week, to acknowledge the commitment of the Friends of Woorabinda who have been actively supporting the Reserves for nearly 30 years.”

“Their amazing efforts enrich the area for our community and have been vital in making these Reserves the biodiversity hot spot we recognise today.”

The Friends of Woorabinda has been active in undertaking significant habitat restoration work through weed control and revegetation, which also involved residents, community groups, schools, and conservation groups.

They have provided more than 45,000 volunteer hours, and established more than 40,000 revegetation tubestock since 1989.