Biodiversity in Marion

Biodiversity is the incredible variety of life on our planet. It includes everything from tiny microorganisms to the animals and plants we see every day. Biodiversity around the City of Marion helps regulate our climate, clean our air and water, provides us with food, medicine, materials and supports our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

The City of Marion has many special places like the Sturt River, Warriparinga Wetlands, Oaklands Wetlands, Coastal Walking Trail which support amazing plants and animals. These areas are sanctuaries, each playing a unique role in maintaining the health and balance of our local ecosystems. One significant site is Hallett Headland which contains over 100 native plant species and over 30 species considered to be of conservation significance in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

The City of Marion Biodiversity Plan 2024-2029 will provide the overarching framework to assist management, enhancement and protection of natural areas and biodiversity for the next 5 years.

The plan addresses the need for consideration of biodiversity within the context of council’s management and operations by identifying values and issues and presenting strategies and actions that can be undertaken.

Protecting the natural environment and improving connection with nature are key elements of the ‘Valuing Nature’ theme of the City of Marion Community Vision.

The City of Marion Strategic Plan 2019–2029 seeks improved condition, diversity and connectivity of our ecosystems as well as identifying the challenges around increasing impacts and costs of remnant vegetation management due to climate change.

Council has committed to deliver this Biodiversity Plan as a priority in the City of Marion Business Plan 2023–2027 in response to feedback from our community identifying improved open spaces and environments as a top priority for the next 4 years.

• Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus): This small, colourful bird lives along the Sturt River at places like Warriparinga Wetlands, Trott Park and Oaklands Wetlands. It's a joy to see and plays a part in maintaining the balance of our woodlands.
• Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus): Along the Field River, this bird preys on fish, frogs and freshwater invertebrates helping keep our aquatic ecosystems in balance.
• Rakali (: The Rakali is an Australian native rodent or water rat which lives in burrows along the banks of the Sturt and Field Rivers. Rakali’s are known to feast on the highly poisonous cane toad without being poisoned!
• Diamond Sand-skipper butterfly (Antipoda atralba): This butterfly is found at Hallett Headland Bush for Life volunteer site and relies on the desert saw-sedge for its survival. This butterfly is an important pollinator, allowing other species to reproduce.
• Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus): The Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo can be distinguished by its black feathers with yellow on their cheek and tail. This bird relies on trees and shrubs around City of Marion for food and shelter.
• Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata): The Eastern Bearded Dragon has been spotted in our biodiversity reserves. Thriving in open forests, heathlands and scrub, the Eastern Bearded Dragon usually perches on exposed branches and logs.

• White-flowered Goodenia (Goodenia albiflora): With beautiful white flowers, these native plants add beauty to our grasslands. You can find these flowers in Roy Lander Reserve!
• River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis): You can find majestic River Red Gums along the Sturt River. These trees can be over 150 years old and produce hollows which provide an important home for local wildlife.
• Pale Fanflower (Scaevola albida): This beautiful groundcover plant has white fan-shaped flowers and attracts native butterflies and other important insects.
• Creamy Candles (Stackhousia monogyna): Creamy Candles, renowned for their sweet-smelling and cream-colored flowers, are found at various grassland reserves throughout the City of Marion. This species is important as it provides nectar for native butterflies.
• Narrow-leaf Fox tail (Ptilotus angustifolius): This is one of the most impressive and beautiful plants found in the City of Marion. For a chance to witness this remarkable plant, explore the coastal heathlands at Marine Parade Reserve, Glade Crescent Reserve and Lucretia Way Reserve.