Minister Ian Hunt has announced this morning, the acquisition of 2 parcels of land in the lower south east will help protect the orange bellied parrot among other native species. Two new land purchases will add to the protection of 50 kilometres of coastal habitat in the State’s lower south east.
The acquisitions will allow for a continuous strip of land from Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park to Southend, through Bucks Lake Game Reserve and Canunda National Park, to be protected.  Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister Ian Hunter said the purchase of these properties provides an important corridor of remnant native vegetation which will benefit the Orange-bellied Parrot, known to migrate along the coast.
“The first of the two properties – around 30 hectares adjacent to Carpenter Rocks
Conservation Park – holds high biodiversity value, and will also provide protection for the Carpenter Rocks Gum, a species listed as vulnerable in South Australia,” he said.
“This area will also help to conserve several other threatened species, including the nationally vulnerable Kangaroo Island Pomaderris shrub, the Swamp Antechinus marsupial mouse and the Olive Whistler bird.
“The second acquisition of around 10 hectares adjacent to Bucks Lake Game Reserve, protects swamp habitats and provides an important link in the coastal habitat chain.
“Both properties include areas of Thatching Grass Sedgeland, a wetland community considered vulnerable in South Australia due to historic clearance and drainage.”
Significant funding assistance from the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife New South Wales, the Nature Foundation SA and Friends of Naracoorte Caves National Park enabled the purchase of land adjacent to Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park.
Assistance was also received from the Friends of Mount Gambier Area Parks, the Friends of Shorebirds South East, the Friends of Beachport and Canunda Parks, and the Millicent Field Naturalists to purchase the property adjacent to Bucks Lake Game Reserve.
“I would like to thank the many groups who contributed to the acquisition of these important properties,” Mr Hunter said. “Their efforts have resulted in a great outcome for the State’s natural environment and the species that contribute to our unique biodiversity.”

Source:  Minister Ian Hunter, Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change