A plot of residential land at Black Forest will be returned to the community as green space, preserving two historic trees on the property which gave the suburb its name, following a campaign by Member for Badcoe Jayne Stinson.
The government has purchased the property on Winifred Avenue through the Planning and Development Fund.
Locals raised concerns when it hit the market that the block could be cleared and developed by a new owner.
The decision adds approximately 800 square metres to the adjacent Forest Avenue Reserve, to be enjoyed by Black Forest Primary School and the wider community.
The decision preserves and protects two regulated Grey Box trees at the rear of the block, which are at least 300 years old.
The trees are believed to be the last remnants of ‘The Black Forest’, after which the inner southern suburb was named, earning them great significance.
The remaining portion of the property will be put back on the market to recoup costs as soon as the land transfer is complete.
Quotes from the Member for Badcoe Jayne Stinson
We should be doing all we can to preserve trees – and these are not just any old trees!
The suburb of Black Forest was once a dense native forest (named The Black Forest) and local people have long understood that these trees were remnants from the original forest.
These trees are vessels for story telling and spark conversations about the bushrangers who once roamed the forest and the use of the trees by Kaurna people prior to European settlement.
I want to thank the local residents who took up the cause of these trees and have passionately appealed for their rescue – particularly Kate Hubmayer.
I am deeply grateful to the Minister and I couldn’t be happier to be part of a government that prioritises our environment and natural history and is prepared to act.
Quotes from the Minister for Planning Nick Champion
I commend the Member for Badcoe on her excellent advocacy which protects these historic trees.
She has listened to her community and successfully fought to preserve the tree canopy and green space in her electorate.
It’s another example of this government’s dedication to protecting our heritage.