FAQs
- filling out the survey on YourSAy
- emailing a submission to DEWProtectedAreaManagement@sa.gov.au with 'Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Draft Management Plan' in the subject heading
- posting a written submission to:
What is a park management plan?
Park management plans are the main strategic documents used to manage protected areas in South Australia. Management plans set strategic direction, contain information on park values and threats and outline the objectives and strategies for how parks will be managed.
Park management plans are developed and adopted in accordance with the requirements of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.
Why is the area being made a National Park?
National parks are protected areas considered to be of national significance due to wildlife, natural features of the land, or Aboriginal or European heritage. The changing of status of this area to National Park recognises the national significance of the Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert. Increasing the level of protection to national park also means no mining or exploration activities can occur without the Minister for Environment and Water’s approval of licences and associated operational documents.
What is the difference between the draft national park management plan compared with the existing management plan (for Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Conservation Park)?
The management plan for the Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Conservation Park was adopted in 2019. As the values and priorities guiding management of the land are not greatly changed since this time, this new draft plan is mostly identical to the current management plan. The new plan captures the same objectives for management as the existing plan, but differs in creating additional protection for the Kallakoopah Creek.
How will Kallakoopah Creek be protected through this plan?
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 allows park management plans to include the creation of zones with specific protection requirements. If a zone is created, the land within that zone must be maintained in accordance with any conditions declared by the management plan.
The Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert National Park draft management plan proposes to include a Kallakoopah Wilderness Zone, which will extend one kilometre either side of the Kallakoopah Creek. This zone will be used to protect the wilderness values of the creek, and the area will be managed in accordance with a wilderness code of management prepared under section 12 of the Wilderness Protection Act 1992.
Ultimately the Kallakoopah Wilderness Zone will have a focus on the preservation of wildlife and ecosystems, and minimising access. Through the Department for Energy and Mining’s statutory approval process, geophysical and/or drilling activities will not be authorised in the zone.
Will the visitor experience change as a result of the new management plan?
The plan does not provide any substantial changes to how visitors are managed, although it does outline that visitors will not be permitted in the Kallakoopah Creek area due to the sensitivity of the site. This is in-line with the current management regime. There are no visitor access tracks which lead towards the creek.
When will the management plan be finalised?
At the conclusion of the three-month consultation period, feedback received will be analysed and used in the development of the final plan. The consultation report, analysis of feedback, and final plan will be submitted to the Parks and Wilderness Council for advice before being submitted to the Minister for Environment and Water for adoption. This process is expected to be finalised in early 2022.
How can I have my say on the proposed management plan amendments?
During the public consultation period the public can make a submission by:
National Parks and Protected Area Program Unit
Department for Environment and Water
GPO Box 1047 Adelaide SA 5001.
