115
The Barker Inlet estuary is listed in the
Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia
23
. The area provides
habitat for uncommon marine fauna, including the pygmy squid, and international migratory birds (12
species) and 57 water bird species. Further details are provided in Section 7.3 (Coast and Estuary).
The Gillman Wetlands comprises a series of constructed wetlands that flow into Barker Inlet, including
Greenfields and Connector wetlands which comprise the ‘Barker Inlet wetlands’, Range and Magazine
Creek wetlands. The wetlands intercept urban and industrial stormwater runoff and improve water quality
prior to discharge into the mangrove estuary. The smaller Range and Magazine Creek Wetlands drain
into designated flood storage area north of the greater wetland complex that acts as a temporary storage
for high tides and flood conditions.
The River Torrens is the only east-west vegetated corridor in the Adelaide metropolitan region that
supports the movement of birds and other animals between the coast and the foothills. The River Torrens
Linear Park follows the northern boundary of the City of West Torrens and the southern border of the City
of Charles Sturt.
The potential impacts of climate change on surface water resources are likely to include a direct reduction
in rainfall, runoff and infiltration, as well as impacts associated with increasing water demand with a
warmer, drier climate.
Figure 7.1
shows the location of key water resource features across the Study Area.
7.2.
Biodiversity
The biodiversity of the Study Area has been dramatically altered since pre-European times, as vegetation
was cleared for urban development. Today biodiversity is retained in a few remnant vegetation patches
within the three council areas where it is managed as part of park and reserve management plans
(including coastal reserves) and by Community Group Action Program participants (previously ‘Our
Patch’). Many areas such as golf courses and West Beach recreational facilities are privately owned,
which limits the extent to which local government can manage these areas.
Numerous places of Aboriginal cultural, spiritual and ecological significance are associated with the
biodiversity resources of the region. In particular coastal dunes, samphire flats and mangroves are noted
as being of significance at locations including Mutton Cove, the Port coastline, Rosewater and Gillman
dunes (Pullen, 2006 reproduced in City of Port Adelaide Enfield, 2007).
Key biodiversity assets, values and threats are described in
Table 7.2
.
23
A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia
is a cooperative project involving the Australian and state and territory
governments. It is coordinated by the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities and is available online
