MORE PARK RANGERS A STRONG PLAN FOR REAL CHANGE 1

MORE PARK RANGERS A STRONG PLAN FOR REAL CHANGE 1

We re ready. Over the last four years, we ve been working hard developing our vision for the future of South Australia. Not just policies, but a series of achievable milestones that have been crafted for the long-term benefit of our state. Our focus will be MORE JOBS. LOWER COSTS. BETTER SERVICES. We ve got a strong plan for real change. A STRONG PLAN FOR REAL CHANGE 2

WHAT WE LL DO If elected in March 2018, a Marshall Liberal Government will increase the number of park rangers by 20 a boost of more than 20%. Park rangers are at the forefront of conservation in South Australia. They provide an iconic community service, caring for our environment and sharing their knowledge and understanding of the natural world with members of the public and in particular, tourists. Rangers have been trusted by South Australians and visitors to our state over generations and play a valuable role in managing our parks and caring for wildlife. They build partnerships with community groups and provide leadership for programs and projects which in turn can lead to more volunteer hours and financial support from community organisations being invested in our parks. A Liberal Government s approach to environmental policy will be practical and focused on delivering hands-on services rather than being driven by ideology. The role of park rangers, including a growing ranger workforce, will be a tangible example of this approach. A STRONG PLAN FOR REAL CHANGE 3

MORE JOBS. LOWER COSTS. BETTER SERVICES. As well as increasing the number of park rangers by 20, a Marshall Liberal Government will: Develop a volunteer ranger program based on the South Australian Ambulance Service s volunteer officer program. Alongside paid rangers, volunteers would extend the reach of the ranger industry, creating pathways into a career working with the environment. Volunteer rangers will be given training, resources and allowances to develop their knowledge and skills so they can serve on the frontline of nature conservation in South Australia. Our aim is to have 100 volunteer rangers in the field within the first four years of a Liberal Government. Provide specific career pathways for indigenous rangers, recognising the unique relationship that many indigenous South Australians have with the land. A Liberal Government will provide indigenous people with support to enter the ranger profession. Employ five coast specific rangers (within the 20 new rangers) who are trained to work on South Australia s unique coastal environments. Coastal protection and management will be a critical priority of the Environment Department under a Liberal Government. Our coast specific rangers will play an important role in establishing environmental programs and project to protect the coast and engage the community in coastal preservation programs. Establish a ranger service in southern Adelaide, based at the Glenthorne National Park to be created by a Liberal Government as our second metropolitan national park. This ranger service will be involved in the development of the new park, and will also provide services to many other parks south of Adelaide currently managed from the more distant Morialta Conservation Park, which reduces their effectiveness. A STRONG PLAN FOR REAL CHANGE 4

MORE JOBS. LOWER COSTS. BETTER SERVICES. WHY WE RE DOING IT South Australia s parks system covers more than 21% of the State s land mass. Our national and conservation parks and other reserve areas protect the best of our natural heritage and unique flora and fauna. Although their primary purpose is the protection of biodiversity, our parks also deliver invaluable economic, social, cultural and health benefits. We need to take active measures now to ensure that our parks system is preserved for future generations. When last in government, the Liberals made some significant additions to South Australia s parks system and also provided adequate staff to ensure it was properly managed. But in recent years the Weatherill Government has slashed the number of park rangers to well under 100. A STRONG PLAN FOR REAL CHANGE 5

STEVEN MARSHALL MP State Liberal Leader www.strongplan.com.au Phone: 08 8363 9111 Email: steven@stevenmarshall.com.au A STRONG PLAN FOR REAL CHANGE 6