Reinvigorating Belair National Park
The State Government’s revitalisation of South Australian parks will include Belair National Park with upgrade works in progress and community consultation on a master planning process for the former golf course and Country Club underway.
The upgrades include the redevelopment of Old Government House, a new kitchen for the Friends of Belair National Park group, weed control, and improved interpretation of heritage sites using digital tools.
The upgrades are possible thanks to $310,000 funding from the Federal Government as part of the $551 million Adelaide City Deal.
The funding for Belair National Park will help reinvigorate the area, improve environmental outcomes and increase visitation, complementing nearby investments at historic Carrick Hill, the Wirraparinga Trail Loop and Wittunga Botanic Park.
The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) is also seeking community views on the future development of the former Belair National Park Golf Course and Country Club – this time through a master planning process.
A Community Reference Group has been established to help guide the master planning process and they met for the first time in early August.
DEW Director of National Parks and Crown Land Programs Grant Pelton said the return of the Golf Course and Country Club to the department has provided a unique opportunity to shape the site’s future as part of Belair National Park.
“South Australia’s parks play a crucial role in conserving our natural environment as well as stimulating local economies,” Mr Pelton said.
“Belair National Park is Adelaide’s first metropolitan national park and the old Golf Course and Country Club is an important site for the local community who have made it clear they want to see the site revitalised.
“The restoration works at Old Government House, the new kitchen for the Friends Group, improved signage as well as the Master Planning process will help breathe new life into the area.
“DEW has carried out an extensive survey to establish what the community value about Belair National Park and those views helped shape an Expression of Interest (EOI) process which followed.
“The EOI attracted a range of business proposals linked to hospitality, recreation, sporting and educational activities. However, as the EOI process didn’t result in proposals that would see full use of the precinct, we have decided to undertake a master planning process to ensure we make best use of the entire site.
“The Master Plan will look to include the proposals which emerged through the EOI process but will also look at other work required to improve the site such as new visitor facilities and any remediation or revegetation works.
“We want to bring the community along with us throughout the process which is why we have formed the Community Reference Group.”
Public enquiries and input regarding the master plan can be emailed to: DEWProtectedAreaManagement@sa.gov.au
The master plan is expected to be finalised by the end of 2020 or early 2021.
