Bushland Park History

History

The traditional custodians of the Lobethal district are the Peramangk peoples. Before colonisation, they relied upon harvesting native foods such as bush vegetables, honey, seeds, eggs, insects, reptiles, fish and native animals for their sustenance.

European history reveals many other uses of this park since 1836. It was mined for 120 years and in the 1880s and 1920s the two reservoirs were built to supply the Onkaparinga Woollen Mill and the township of Lobethal with water. Extensive logging was also undertaken to serve demands during WWI and construction of wharves in Murray Bridge and Morgan. In the early 1980s the land was sold to the local council who would preserve the area’s natural value. ‘Onkaparinga St John Bushland Park’ was opened in 1986 by South Australia’s Governor, Sir Donald Dunstan, with support from St John Ambulance.

The site has been used by many community groups and locals for recreation and leisure activities including picnics, bushwalks, gatherings and events. The site is managed by the Adelaide Hills Council but is heavily supported by the Friends of Lobethal Bushland Park, Bush For Life and Landscapes SA. These groups have committed years of time into bush regeneration activities which have significantly improved the condition of habitat across the park.

The Parks recent history is still evident some 12 months after the December 2019 Cudlee Creek Bushfire. Much of the parks vegetation and some of its infrastructure was impacted by the fire with the building to its south remaining untouched.

With its varied history, and recent impacts caused by the bushfire Council is seeking the communities input into how it would like to see the park managed, maintained and improved into the future. Additionally, there is an opportunity for the community provide specific feedback on the new play space which is to be located near the southern reservoir.