Nangawooka Flora Reserve, Victor Harbor 79km S from Adelaide CBD Where is it?: Nangawooka Flora Reserve is situated on the Adelaide – Victor Harbor Road near the intersection of Waterport and Welch Roads, about 5 km north of Victor Harbor. Owner: Crown Land managed by the City of Victor Harbor. Property summary: Total area c. 2 hectares. Hundred of Goolwa – Section 299. Landscape SA Management Region: Fleurieu and HillsLandscape Management Region: Hills and Fleurieu History: As early as 1882 this section of land was defined as a Forest Reserve within District No. 3 under the The Woods and Forests Act, 18821. On 29 May 1975 Sections 298 and 299 were designated as the Goolwa Forest Reserve22. In 1976 Section 299 was offered for lease as grazing land. The reserve was founded by the Zonta Club of Fleurieu Peninsula (a service club for women), who approached Don Overall to assist in finding a site to plant Australian native plants for the Year of the Tree 1982. After receiving a Local Government Assistance Fund Grant of $500 in 1982, plans for the Flora Reserve were presented to the District Council of Victor Harbor. Once permission was granted, site work was undertaken with the Council providing fencing, a watering point and grading tracks through to the top gate in 1982. In May 1983 after good rain, a large group of South Coast Field Naturalists led by the late Don Overall, and a smaller group of Zontians and partners led by Margaret Stephens prepared the ground and planted over 200 native trees and shrubs. Don Overall proposed the name ‘Nangawooka’, an aboriginal word meaning ‘Place of Springs’, which was the well known name of the adjacent property. Nangawooka Flora Reserve was officially opened by Hon. Don Hopgood, Minister of Environment and Planning on 10 October 1984. On 19 March 1992 all previous proclamations were revoked and Section 299 as Crown Land was again declared to be a forest reserve3. On 27 July 2000 the land ceased to be a forest reserve4. There are conflicting dates when this land was handed over to the council and it was not until 27 November 20005 this crown land was dedicated as a Flora Reserve and declared that it shall be under the care, control and management of the City of Victor Harbor. Habitat: The area was originally grazing land and the habitat was comprised mainly of Pink Gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) and large scattered specimens of River Red Gum (E. camaldulensis) and South Australian Blue Gum (E. leucoxylon). The understory consists of Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Christmas Bush (Bursaria spinosa). Over 1250 varieties of Australian native plants have now been planted. Total Species Recorded to Date: 75 (non-passerines 31, passerines 44) Common Species: Adelaide Rosella, Superb Fairywren, Eastern Spinebill, New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Grey Fantail Less Common Species: Laughing Kookaburra, Brown Falcon, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Eastern Shriketit References: 1 Government of South Australia (1952). The Woods and Forests Act, 1882. Schedule B. Forest Districts. Definitions of Boundaries. District No. 3. The Woods and Forests Act, 1882. p. 17. 2 Government of South Australia (1975). Forestry Act, 1950-1974-Section 26-Forest Reserves. 22: 2082. (29 May 1972). 3 Government of South Australia (1992).South Australian Government Gazette 23: 877. (19 March 1992). Forestry Act 1950 Section 3: Revocation off Previous Proclamations Under Section 3; Declaration of Forest Reserve. 4 Government of South Australia (2000).South Australian Government Gazette 120: 298. (27 July 2000). Forestry Act 1950 Section 3(3): Southern Hills Forest District Land Ceasing to be Forest Reserve. 5 Government of South Australia (2000).South Australian Government Gazette 187: 3358. (30 November 2000). Crown Lands Act 1929: Section 5. Updated: 26/07/2021 Download the bird list