Gawler Buffer (Evanston South)
The Gawler Buffer project sites are located in the northern Adelaide suburb of Evanston South and situated within the ‘Green Belt’ that separates the Council areas of Playford and Gawler. Owned by Planning SA, the combined area of these land parcels totals 230 hectares and they contain important stands of native grassland and Mallee Box (Eucalyptus porosa) woodland in an area that has been highly cleared and has a low level of remnant vegetation.
The project is transforming former agricultural land into a valued open space reserve and resource for local residents, as well as restoring the Mallee Box woodland using seed collected locally. Landscape restoration techniques such as native grass establishment trials and the use of on-site seed orchards are being implemented. Education of the public on the importance of native bushland and the benefits in providing extended wildlife corridors is also a focus, with signage to be erected when the site is ready for amenity features. The sites are part of Adelaide's MOSS (Metropolitan Open Space System) and are being developed in line with principles of conservation and passive recreation.
According to Ross Oke, Manager of the Million Trees Program, the Gawler Buffer projects are well on track with further stages to get underway in 2009. “These sites within the MOSS system are playing a major role in reducing the physical impact of our city on the local environment, and improving the quality of life for residents, visitors and future generations, he said."
