Biodiversity in Campbelltown

Our environments are very different from those once occupied by the Aboriginal people of the Kaurna nation. Much of the indigenous biodiversity first encountered by European settlers in the late 1830s has been lost through agricultural pursuits and later residential developments.

Within the Campbelltown Council area the remaining biodiversity is restricted to small fragments in Council reserves and roadsides. However, rich and diverse flora can still be found along the western foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges. This is particularly true of the native vegetation found at the base of Black Hill, near Athelstone, and contained in Wadmore Park / Pulyonna Wirra.

Remnant vegetation also persists along the margins of Fifth Creek and the riparian reserves of Fourth Creek Morialta Parri.

Less original biodiversity exists along Third Creek, although some significant tree species remain and the Gums Landcare group is working hard to improve it.

View the Native Flora and Fauna Brochure for map guides of Campbelltown's native flora and fauna. Created by Campbelltown Landcare with the support of Campbelltown City Council.

Protecting and expanding areas of indigenous vegetation in Council reserves is an important part of conserving our biodiversity. To prioritise this work, we have surveyed and identified a number of reserves that are significant for biodiversity conservation. Our maintenance of these biodiversity reserves includes revegetation with local indigenous plant species and partnerships with community based groups, and other government and non-government groups for the management of indigenous vegetation.

View our complete Biodiversity Survey and Biodiversity Report Card.

Wadmore Park/Pulyonna Wirra

Wadmore Park/Pulyonna Wirra, situated in the suburb of Athelstone and covering approximately 30 hectares, is an important community asset. The Park will be retained and protected for the enjoyment of the community and visitors today and in the future. The Park is surrounded on its western, northern and eastern boundaries by residential land uses. On the southern boundary is Foxfield Oval Reserve, the Black Hill Conservation Park and the NRM SA Black Hill regional office.

The Wadmore Park/Pulyonna Wirra Management Plan 2021-2026 was recently developed to protect the indigenous vegetation and biodiversity value of the park.

There are two overarching goals of this plan.

The aspirational goal is to conserve, improve and advocate on the biodiversity and nature values of the Park for future generations while also protecting residents from bushfires.

There is also a management goal to undertake strategic and targeted management, learn by doing, and balance out different Park uses and expectations. Essentially this goal provides the “how” to the aspirational goal.

We work in partnership with the Campbelltown Landcare group to protect the indigenous vegetation of the park.

Wirra Marri Rotary Bush Garden

Council, with funding support from the Urban Forest Million Trees Program and the support of the Campbelltown Rotary Club, developed a biodiversity garden on the corner of Montacute and Newton Roads, Campbelltown. The biodiversity garden was developed by converting a general Council reserve into an indigenous garden to showcase local indigenous plant species.

The use of indigenous plant species in a landscape setting demonstrates to the community and visitors the potential for using local indigenous species in home gardens. This project supports Council's current efforts to promote indigenous plant species through the Backyard Biodiversity Booklet and the Garden Weeds and Bushland Invaders Booklet.

The garden is also providing a seed source of local indigenous plant species which can be collected and propagated for use in other Council reserves.

One of the key threats to remaining biodiversity is loss of habitat. Creating a garden with plants from the local area will help to increase habitat for local animals and insects.

By increasing biodiversity in your backyard you can also:

• reduce garden maintenance
• help to conserve native plants
• save water
• minimise chemical use

Weeds - many of which are garden escapees - also threaten our remnant habitats. By removing potential weeds from our gardens, we can reduce the threat of weed invasion.

Whether you have a large garden or courtyard home there are lots of things that can be done to help protect biodiversity.

To encourage the community to plant local indigenous plant species at home, Council, in conjunction with the Urban Forest Biodiversity Program, Our Patch, Campbelltown Landcare and with expert advice from SA Indigenous Flora produced a Backyard Biodiversity booklet. This booklet is a guide to biodiversity in the Campbelltown Council area and provides recommendations for planting in your own backyard.

Council has also published Garden Weeds and Bushland Invaders to help you recognise and eliminate weeds from your garden, particularly those that can escape into the bush.

A Sustainable Landscapes Guide that can also help you to decide what plants you may want to put in your garden has been developed by the Local Government Association of South Australia in partnership with other agencies.