Greater protections for iconic Outback salt lake

A new management plan has been implemented by National Parks and Wildlife Service SA (NPWS) for the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park in the state’s Far North.

The park - which is South Australia’s second largest park at more than 1.3 million hectares - is co-managed by the state government in partnership with the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation.

Covering about 9500km², Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is a registered site under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 and is famous for infrequent and spectacular flooding.

The park is primarily a dry lake bed that, on average, experiences a small flood every three years, a large flood every decade, and fills an average of only four times each 100 years. Visitor numbers vary greatly from about 5000 in a dry year to about 25,000 in a flood year.

The new management plan restricts recreational access to the lakebed, including visitors entering the lakebed on foot. All other recreational activities, including swimming, driving, boating and landing aircraft, are already restricted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

Accessing the lake can cause significant damage to the fragile salt crust and surface, leading to scarring that lasts many years. The lake surface and fragile arid vegetation can be incrementally damaged through the movement of visitors, their vehicles and their equipment.

NPWS National Parks Programs Manager Jason Irving said the changes were also about encouraging tourists to view the spectacular lake bed safely from designated visitor areas or from the air.

“This is very much about public safety,’’ Mr Irving said. “Venturing out on the lake can be extremely dangerous because it is vast and has significantly variable weather conditions, which makes it easy to become disoriented and get lost.

“The lake is incredibly remote and people who may get injured or lost on the lake bed cannot rely on others to rescue them. Vehicles driven out on to the lake can also break down or get bogged and leave people stranded. These circumstances have led to deaths on SA salt lakes.

“Thousands of people a year can still enjoy the experience of visiting Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre by taking one of the scenic flight tours or by marvelling at the lake from one of the designated viewing areas.”

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre has been designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International as it supports major breeding for numerous species.

The Arabana people are the native title holders of the lake, which is considered in lore to be sacred and dangerous to visit without the guidance of cultural authority. This knowledge, and responsibility for the safety of park visitors, has been passed down through dreaming stories from Elders.

Bronwyn Dodd, Chairwoman of the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation, said the lake was a place of great importance for Arabana.

“We are proud to share this part of our Country, and the Ularaka (story) that belongs here,” she said.

“This plan reflects Arabana’s cultural responsibility to protect our Country, and preservation of this lake and all that lies within it and surrounding it preserves our way of life. It is a very special place.”

More than 230 people provided feedback on the management plan during public consultation. A total of 47% of respondents were completely or mostly satisfied that the management plan conserved natural values, protected and respected culture, and allowed for appropriate visitor use.

The plan also covers Elliot Price Conservation Park on Arabana Country, and the northeastern land portion of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, located on Dieri Country.