Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need this initiative?
What is ‘woodland recovery’?
Will the University ‘fix’ the Mt Lofty Ranges habitat?
What is Glenthorne?
Why should Glenthorne be used for this initiative?
When will the project begin?
How long will the project last?
How does this work fit in at a Federal, State and local level?
How will the work be funded?
Why does the Woodland Recovery Initiative cost so much?
What will happen if development of Glenthorne is not approved?
What consultation on the initiative is occurring?

Why do we need this initiative?

The single most significant threat to maintaining South Australia’s unique biodiversity is a lack of habitat.

The Mt Lofty region is listed as a Biodiversity Hotspot by the Federal Government, just one of 10 hotspots listed across Australia. This listing recognises not just the uniqueness of the region’s species at a national level but also its precarious existence. This region, more than any other, urgently requires habitat to be re-instated.

Only 52,000 ha (7%) of natural habitat remains within the Mt Lofty region, and a further 150,000 ha of new habitat needs to be constructed if biodiversity losses are to stop.

As a consequence of limited amounts of natural habitat there will be significant ongoing losses of native species if something is not done to address the problem. For example, about half of the species of birds inhabiting the Mt Lofty region are predicted to become regionally extinct based on the small amount of habitat that remains. Predicted changes in climate will exacerbate these losses.

What is ‘woodland recovery’?

Woodland recovery aims to re-establish complex natural woodland habitats that will support native flora and fauna species.

The project goes beyond planting trees, focusing on re-constructing diverse, resilient habitats that will allow populations of threatened species to increase in abundance and distribution.

The Woodland Recovery Initiative will contribute to South Australia's ‘No Species Loss’ policy.

Will the University ‘fix’ the Mt Lofty Ranges habitat?

The University is not able to solve all of the Mt Lofty region’s habitat problems. However, through the Woodland Recovery Initiative we aim to make a significant contribution towards the region, in partnership with government bodies and the community. This will be done through our work at Glenthorne, which will to help better understand how native habitats can be restored in the Mt Lofty region.

It will take some time for the work at Glenthorne to yield results, and additional time for that work to be transferred elsewhere throughout the Mt Lofty region.How this will be done is dependent on the outcomes of that work, and on funding.

What is Glenthorne?

Please refer to our section About Glenthorne.

Why should Glenthorne be used for this initiative?

Please refer to our section About Glenthorne.

When will the project begin?

That will depend on the outcome of community consultation and the University’s ability to raise the required funds for this work. The University hopes to begin work as soon as possible, but it is a long-term project.

How long will the project last?

The Woodland Recovery Initiative is aimed at being a long-term, multi-generational project. There is no end date to this project.

The work to build natural habitats will need to be spread over many years – in some cases, many decades – to re-construct the basic elements of natural habitats at any one location. Some components of habitats, such as tree hollows, can take more than 100 years to form.

A long-term view is needed in order to overcome the damage already caused to our biodiversity over many generations, and to better understand the impacts of climate change.

How does this work fit in at a Federal, State and local level?

South Australia’s Strategic Plan has a ‘No Species Loss’ policy and clearly states the need to re-establish extensive areas of habitat to stop losses of species.

The Natural Resource Management (NRM) Plan for the Mt Lofty Ranges and Greater Adelaide Region has stated a regional target of 30% habitat re-establishment.

We hope that the University’s Woodland Recovery Initiative will provide the inspiration and leadership to act as a catalyst for the wider delivery of South Australia's biodiversity outcomes, in line with Federal, State and regional plans.

The Woodland Recovery Initiative will require close work with local, State and Federal stakeholders.

How will the work be funded?

To be a long-term project, the Woodland Recovery Initiative needs sustainable funding. The University estimates that it will need to establish a $100 million trust fund to see the project succeed over the next 100 years.

The University has investigated a range of funding options, including direct government, corporate and academic sector funding. It has also explored several possible plans for Glenthorne to help raise funds, including a tourism centre, vineyard, market garden, large-scale commercial farm, cemetery and crematorium, however none of these plans were sufficient to raise the required funds.

Partially developing a portion of the land at Glenthorne is the only viable option with the potential to raise sufficient capital required, and underpin the ongoing and long-term operational costs of the Woodland Recovery Initiative.

Why does the Woodland Recovery Initiative cost so much?

The Woodland Recovery is a 100-year, intergenerational program, with substantial start-up funding for renovation of buildings at Glenthorne and then ongoing maintenance, operational and implementation costs associated with the design and construction of substantial areas of woodland habitat across the Mount Lofty region.

The initiative will employ about 30 people, including scientists, technicians, teachers and managers to build resilient habitats for wildlife across the plains and ranges of the Mt Lofty region to save our wildlife from imminent extinction.

The funding strategy proposed will ensure the project can meet the substantial costs of developing 100 years of sustainability without those costs having to be met by taxpayers.

What will happen if development of Glenthorne is not approved?

If development of a portion of land at Glenthorne is not approved, the initiative will not proceed.

Due to the significant expense in establishing, delivering and maintaining the Woodland Recovery for generations to come, the University of Adelaide has identified the partial development of Glenthorne as its only viable option.

Without funding derived from development activities, the University will not be able to finance the Woodland Recovery Initiative, which will in turn jeopardise the future plans for Glenthorne.

What consultation on the initiative is occurring?

Since the University announced the Woodland Recovery Initiative in June 2008, the University has been engaging with State, Federal and local government bodies, as well as key community and business groups and individuals, to seek their views on the initiative.

In addition to this consultation process there will be two Community Information Days, giving members of the public the opportunity to discuss the plans in more detail.  These will be held on Tuesday 14 October and Saturday 18 October.

For more information about the Community Information Days, check our News & Events section.

A phone survey will also seek local community views on the initiative.