Paul Rosser 
While local environmental groups have been celebrating the inclusion of the Washpool as part of an enlarged Aldinga Conservation Park, local environmental activist Paul Rosser feels strongly that there are still a few steps needed to complete the process of fully protecting and restoring this valuable natural and cultural resource.
Paul Rosser and Kerrod Trott, co-Chair of the Willunga Environment Centre, recently met with local State MP Leon Bignell to discuss their concerns.
According to Paul, the meeting recognised that the consolidation of the Washpool, Aldinga Scrub and the Hart Road Wetlands was a valuable ongoing process.
The consolidation of the five State Government land holdings contained in the boundaries of the Washpool in early 2022 was a major breakthrough in a process that goes back nigh on 45 years, to Minister Susan Lenahan’s day in the early 1970’s.
Unfortunately, the remaining parcel of land surrounding the Washpool exit creek to the sea, and Button Road which divides the lagoon, together with the Hart Road Wetlands which is to the north of the Aldinga Scrub, were not included, as negotiations with Onkaparinga Council had not proceeded to that point.
With the March State election seeing a change of Government, and the resignation of the Council CEO, Paul is very concerned that momentum is in danger of being lost in achieving the goals of:
- Consolidating all parcels of land into one to enable a conservation park of great significance to South Australia to be proclaimed,
- For Button Road to be closed at a point west of the last house on that road, to enable,
- The southern part of the lagoon to be re-joined with the larger northern section.
Paul sees this as a major part of the First Nations reconciliation process as this land is a sacred site for them. It is also part of the Tjilbruke Dreaming Trail and contains one of the wells that were formed by his tears as he proceeded south carrying his deceased nephew. It offers the Government a rare opportunity to bring the First Nations People & the rest of the community together as one.
The Washpool is also an internationally recognised Wetland site via the RAMSVAR agreement, which our country is a signatory to. Bird life from as far away as Siberia comes to breed at the site every year, before fattening up chicks for the return journey in late March. This site is worth saving.
Currently, Ben Taylor of the Nature Glenelg Trust is conducting research for a Report to the Department of Environment & Water (DEW) paving the way for rejuvenation of the Washpool, in readiness for consolidation of the site with the scrub & the Hart Road Wetlands. This work must continue and be used as a blueprint for the future as it includes the First Nations People and all Environmental groups in the South. Never before have we had such joint commitment to getting a result in this matter.
The steps forward include:
- Inclusion of the Council land into the parcel, as a matter of urgency,
- Consolidation of the Washpool, Aldinga Scrub & the Hart Road Wetlands into one Conservation Park,
- Constituting an Aldinga Conservation Park Management Board to manage the Park, with majority membership of First Nations People,
- Analysis of the Taylor Report, with view to aligning the aims of all interested parties,
- Development of an integrated Concept Plan for the enlarged Conservation Park,
- Development of an on-ground plan of works for the Park.
This needs to be done with the needs of the First Nations Peoples first and foremost, given they have Native Title Ownership over the area.
Image by Kerrod Trott
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