How are our Fleurieu Swamps holding up in the current dry conditions?

Swamps are natural sponges, helping to hold surface water in the landscape, and recharging groundwater. In SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula, these unique ecosystems are critically endangered. Many have been altered since colonisation, often with artificial drains criss-crossing their surface, taking any rainfall runoff away or discharging groundwater as quickly as possible, in an attempt to dry out the land for agricultural development.

For long-term readers, you may recall that NGT has led hydrological restoration works at several important remnant swamps of the Fleurieu Peninsula. This work has involved activities like infilling drains and even reinstating a natural meandering creek, keeping water in these swamps and maintaining saturation of the peaty ground, rather than letting it be rapidly diverted away. For a good recent example, take a look at Ben’s article about completion of work at Stipiturus CP and comparison photos of Hesperilla CP a year after hydrological restoration. A lot of these recent hydrological works have been supported by the Friends of Stipiturus and Hesperilla Conservation Parks, who undertake work at the sites and secured grant funding for NGT’s hydrological remediation works over the past couple of years.

It’s no secret that we’ve had an exceptionally dry year and a dry summer, as has been reported in the media recently, so just how well are our spongy swamps of the Fleurieu holding up to these extreme conditions?

John is a local landholder, land (and swamp) manager and upstanding member of the Friends Group. He’s kindly shared some insights into how the swamps are faring, so please read on below:

“The swamps and adjoining heathland at Stipiturus and Hesperilla Conservation Parks have survived remarkably well through the very dry 2024/25 summer. In spring many of the mature prickly tea tree (Leptospermum continentale) at Hesperilla died, and we think this was caused by the abundant emergence and damage from Diphucephala colaspidoides (Green Scarab Beetle).  At Hesperilla the dry spring and summer reduced the impact of weedy grasses, especially in the area burned in 2022. At Stipiturus the heathland restoration areas continue to thrive, with the most important maintenance work being removal of broom in spring.  Other areas of that park have grass weeds, which are managed by spraying. Glenshera Swamp at Stipiturus CP remains the largest Fleurieu Peninsula Swamp remaining on the planet!”

Friends of Stipiturus and Hesperilla Conservation Parks

The Friends group holds working bees at one or other of the parks on a Sunday between 9am and 12 noon each month.

The group implements a work plan developed with, and supported by, regional National Parks and Wildlife Service ecologists. The work enables participants to learn about swamp plants and hydrology, collaborate with like-minded people in friendly and interesting tasks, and contribute to the conservation of critically endangered plant communities of national importance.

If you live in and around Adelaide or the Fleurieu Peninsula, why not get involved, learn more about swamps and help a critically endangered ecosystem?

Please see the Friends Group flyer below:

Our recent hydrological restoration work in Fleurieu Swamps was funded by the Friends of Stipiturus and Hesperilla Conservation Parks through the National Parks and Wildlife Service Friends of Parks ‘Partnership Grants’ Program.