Local sites benefit from heritage grants

Posted 11 June 2020.

Nationally-listed heritage fossil site Ediacara on Nilpena Station and a new visitor experience at Dalhousie Springs will be developed with an Australian Heritage Grant.

The grant of $160,000 was provided to protect the Ediacara Fossil site. The project will also receive a co-contribution of $125,000 from the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and additional funds from its project partners – the Flinders Ranges Ediacara Foundation and Nilpena Station.

National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Executive Director Mike Williams said the funds would improve security for the fossils on Nilpena Station as the fossil site transitions from a private pastoral lease to a public conservation park.

“The funds will allow us to prepare for controlled visitor access to the fossils on Nilpena Station by building an entrance gate at the main road with fencing, an automated gate, cameras and signage.

“We’ll also be able to install cameras and signage at important areas throughout the fossil site and develop information online about the fossils.”

On behalf of the Irrwanyere Aboriginal Corporation, South Australian Native Title Services also received funds for a dusk display of digitally projected story, song, sound and illumination at Dalhousie Springs in Witjira National Park. This will showcase the oldest continuous culture on earth using the newest technology to create an immersive cultural experience for visitors, and is expected to occur in mid 2021.

Australian Heritage Grants fund projects that improve recognition, conservation and preservation of National Heritage List values, access to National Heritage List places, and enrich heritage values through better engaging the community.