The Guardian 22 February, 2006
Sth Australian dunes saved
A spectacular West Coast dune system and salt lake is now better protected say South Australian conservation group The Friends of Sceale Bay following a long campaign to protect them. The South Australian Government has agreed to upgrade the local reserve into a state conservation park.
Adelaide Convener of the Friends of Sceale Bay, David Kirner welcomed the Department of Environment and Heritage’s move to place new signage around the new Sceale Bay Conservation Park. The newly upgraded park is approximately 700km from Adelaide and 20km from Streaky Bay.
Mr Kirner said that lobbying had taken place over several years starting with requests to then Conservation Minister Iaan Evans to stop water basin pumping and to ensure farmers did not encroach on the reserve. The Friends of Sceale Bay had also lobbied Minister John Hill to put up signage so that tourists could visit the billabongs and see the unusual dunal salt lake.
"We were pleasantly surprised when Minister Hill responded to our calls with an upgrade to a new State Conservation Park", said Mr Kirner. "We have lobbied successfully to preserve nearby sea lion breeding colonies at Nicholas Baudin Island in a marine Conservation Park and Aquatic Reserve and this new move and action is encouraging."
"We are now interested in making sure that the new park is included in our claim for a broader interlinked environment park covering four major bays in the region — called the Chain of Bays."