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Writer's pictureHenry Davis

Ferguson Conservation Park - In need of an Overhaul

Updated: Jul 3, 2020

History:

Alice Effie Ferguson on 24 June 1949 donated the land to the state government requesting that it be dedicated “for the benefit of the public in perpetuity”. Until 27 April 1972 the land was managed by the South Australian Government Tourist Bureau before being re-dedicated under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 as the Ferguson Recreation Park before being re-constituted as a conservation park 24 June 1976.


The Park is classified as an IUCN Category III protected area which classifies it a as a Natural Monument of Feature. The park is managed by National Parks and Wildlife Service SA.



Today:

I recently met with representatives from the "Friends of Ferguson Conservation Park" to discuss some of the challenges within the park.



The creek is suffering from erosion and has had a number of wooden dams installed in it which were designed to slow the speed of the water and prevent further erosion. Unfortunately the water is now pushing around these dams and into the embankment causing further erosion and potentially causing an unsafe bank.





The creek is riddled with weeds. There is a pipe which continually pushes water into the creek bed 24/7. This has positive and negative effects, firstly it means there is always water running through the creek making it a drinking source for many animals, however it also means that foreign weeds are able to grow all year round without having to be resistant to the harsh Australian summer. These weds clog and take over from plants that would naturally be found in an Australian waterway. The remainder of the reserve, particularly so in winter is covered thickly with soursobs and other weeds making it near impossible for native grasses or plants to grow. I understand that some varieties of soursob are native to Australia but are still considered weeds.


The walking trails in the park become rivers during downpours and widen as a result. This makes them increasingly unstable and walkers often being to walking into the undergrowth further destroying Park.






The Rare Mountain Galaxias

The Mountain Galaxias is a fish native to our waterways in Burnside but do not, as far as I know, live in Ferguson Conservation Park. They can only live in fresh water and the water quality in the park can be very poor. They are about 10cm in length and their silver colouring, along with their ability to jump up waterfalls, makes them a unique species. They have successfully been reintroduced into the Michael Perry Botanic Reserve after a huge rehabilitation of the upstream environment which was heavily impacted from mining.


I would like to see the Mountain Galaxias in that creek again but it would require work to prevent further erosion, stabilization of the riverbank, rocks to be placed to line the river and rock ramps with resting ponds to be installed.


Rehabilitation:

The park is in desperate need of a rehabilitation and conservation plan. Whilst it is not owned or managed by the City of Burnside Council, the council still play an important role in its preservation. Perhaps the City of Burnside Council could take over management and recreate the success of the Michael Perry Botanic.




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