PORTIONS of land near Southend and Carpenter Rocks are to be added to Canunda National Park in a bid to protect a number of threatened species.
The proposed additions by the State Government to the park measure about 389ha in the Hundreds of Kongorong and Mayurra.
“The proposed additions are of high biodiversity value, comprising seasonally inundated swampy areas adjacent Lake Frome and coastal shrubland communities on the Admella Dunes south of Lake Bonney,” Environment and Water Department protected areas manager Jason Irving said.
“These areas are critical habitat for a number of nationally threatened species including swamp antechinus and curlew sandpiper.”
According to correspondence sent to various agencies, the Environment and Water department has proposed proclaiming 29ha to Carpenter Rocks National Park on the north eastern side of Pelican Road.
The proposed addition to the Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park comprises land controlled by the Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister and is situated in the primary production zone.
“Its addition will protect virtually the entire known range of Carpenter Rocks gum” Mr Irving said.
Furthermore, he said the sedge-land and surrounding dense mallee heath provide critical habitat for a number of threatened species, including the nationally vulnerable swamp antechinus and Kangaroo Island pomaderris.
“Proclamation of these areas as park will provide the appropriate legislative protection for the biodiversity values of the land.”
