Kauwi-marnirla–Field River Conservation Park Draft Management Plan

Have yourSAy on the draft Kauwi-marnirla–Field River Conservation Park Management Plan.

What's being decided?

We are seeking public feedback for the Kauwi-marnirla–Field River Conservation Park Draft Management Plan to help guide the objectives and strategies for the long-term management of Kauwi-marnirla–Field River Conservation Park.

All feedback will be collated, analysed and used to develop a finalised Management Plan.

The final Management Plan will be provided to the Parks and Wilderness Council for advice, and then submitted for consideration and approval by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.

Background

Kauwi-marnirla–Field River Conservation Park (the park) is situated on the traditional lands of the Kaurna Miyurna (Kaurna people), 25km south of Adelaide between the townships of Sheidow Park and Reynella. In 2024, the Park was proclaimed as a reserve under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

The park is part of the traditional lands of the Kaurna Miyurna for whom the land, water, plants and animals are central to their spirituality and identity. Kaurna Miyurna maintain a living connection to the Field River and surrounding landscape bound by heritage, birth rights, dreaming and creation stories. Sites and features across the Field River catchment and the broader southern Adelaide region are culturally and spiritually significant for the Kaurna community.

The park is significant for protecting the Field River watercourse and the associated grassy woodlands which support a diverse range of native plant species, including grasses and other small herbaceous plants, many of which no longer occur in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region. State-threatened species recorded in the park include peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus Macropus) and yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Zanda funerea whiteae).

The park is also highly valued by the surrounding community as a quiet space to enjoy nature through walking, birdwatching, and connecting with the local history and culture.

The draft Management Plan outlines the objectives and strategies that will guide the long-term management of the park, with a focus on river catchment restoration and preservation, enhancing ecosystem health, protecting threatened species and ecological communities, and supporting visitation and Kaurna cultural practices. The management direction, objectives, and strategies outlined in the plan have been developed by the Department for Environment and Water in collaboration with members of the Kaurna community, key stakeholders, park managers and technical experts.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

Protected Area Policy Unit
Department for Environment and Water
GPO Box 1047
Adelaide, South Australia 5001

Hard copies of the draft Management Plan may be inspected at or obtained at the following offices of the Department for Environment and Water:

Adelaide

Customer Service Centre
Ground floor, 81-95 Waymouth Street
Adelaide South Australia 5000

Glenthorne Ranger Station

2 Majors Road
Ohalloran Hill, SA, 5158

Please note: Your submission may be made publicly available on the Department for Environment and Water’s website unless you indicate that you would like your feedback to remain confidential. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

After all submissions have been carefully reviewed, a final Management Plan will be prepared and forwarded to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for consideration for approval, together with a detailed analysis of feedback.

The final Management Plan will be released following adoption and will be available on the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA website.

Have yourSAy on the draft Kauwi-marnirla–Field River Conservation Park Management Plan.

What's being decided?

We are seeking public feedback for the Kauwi-marnirla–Field River Conservation Park Draft Management Plan to help guide the objectives and strategies for the long-term management of Kauwi-marnirla–Field River Conservation Park.

All feedback will be collated, analysed and used to develop a finalised Management Plan.

The final Management Plan will be provided to the Parks and Wilderness Council for advice, and then submitted for consideration and approval by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.

Background

Kauwi-marnirla–Field River Conservation Park (the park) is situated on the traditional lands of the Kaurna Miyurna (Kaurna people), 25km south of Adelaide between the townships of Sheidow Park and Reynella. In 2024, the Park was proclaimed as a reserve under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

The park is part of the traditional lands of the Kaurna Miyurna for whom the land, water, plants and animals are central to their spirituality and identity. Kaurna Miyurna maintain a living connection to the Field River and surrounding landscape bound by heritage, birth rights, dreaming and creation stories. Sites and features across the Field River catchment and the broader southern Adelaide region are culturally and spiritually significant for the Kaurna community.

The park is significant for protecting the Field River watercourse and the associated grassy woodlands which support a diverse range of native plant species, including grasses and other small herbaceous plants, many of which no longer occur in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region. State-threatened species recorded in the park include peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus Macropus) and yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Zanda funerea whiteae).

The park is also highly valued by the surrounding community as a quiet space to enjoy nature through walking, birdwatching, and connecting with the local history and culture.

The draft Management Plan outlines the objectives and strategies that will guide the long-term management of the park, with a focus on river catchment restoration and preservation, enhancing ecosystem health, protecting threatened species and ecological communities, and supporting visitation and Kaurna cultural practices. The management direction, objectives, and strategies outlined in the plan have been developed by the Department for Environment and Water in collaboration with members of the Kaurna community, key stakeholders, park managers and technical experts.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

Protected Area Policy Unit
Department for Environment and Water
GPO Box 1047
Adelaide, South Australia 5001

Hard copies of the draft Management Plan may be inspected at or obtained at the following offices of the Department for Environment and Water:

Adelaide

Customer Service Centre
Ground floor, 81-95 Waymouth Street
Adelaide South Australia 5000

Glenthorne Ranger Station

2 Majors Road
Ohalloran Hill, SA, 5158

Please note: Your submission may be made publicly available on the Department for Environment and Water’s website unless you indicate that you would like your feedback to remain confidential. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

After all submissions have been carefully reviewed, a final Management Plan will be prepared and forwarded to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for consideration for approval, together with a detailed analysis of feedback.

The final Management Plan will be released following adoption and will be available on the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA website.

Page last updated: 31 Dec 2025, 12:12 PM