| Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1] | |
  Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park | |
| Location | South Australia |
| Nearest city | Kybybolite[2] |
| Coordinates | 36°51′13″S140°58′07″E / 36.8535°S 140.9686°E /-36.8535; 140.9686[1] |
| Area | 13 ha (32 acres)[3] |
| Established | 15 January 1976 (1976-01-15)[4] |
| Visitors | not stated (refer below) (in 1992)[5] |
| Governing body | Department for Environment and Water |
Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park is aprotected area in the Australian state ofSouth Australia located in the state's south-east in the gazetted locality ofKybybolite on the border with the state ofVictoria about 25 kilometres (16 mi) north-east ofNaracoorte.[2]
The conservation park occupies land in section 681 ofthe cadastral unit of theHundred of Binnum which was proclaimed on 15 January 1976 under theNational Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Prior to proclamation, the land was “vacantCrown Land” which may have been used forgrazing.[5][4] As of July 2016, the conservation park covered an area of 13 hectares (32 acres).[3]
The conservation park occupies about 35% of the extent of the Mullinger Swamp with the remainder being located in Victoria and which received protected area status as theMullinger Swamp Wildlife Reserve in 1983.[5][6]
In 1992, the conservation park was described as having soils that were “alkaline, poorly drained, deep, grey, self-mulching, cracking clay” while the land surrounding the swamp had “alkaline. imperfectly drained, hard, apedal. mottled-yellow, duplex soils.” The latter supported “ariver red gum open forest with a disturbed understorey ofwallaby grass (Danthonia sp.), introduced grasses and pasture weeds such asCape weed (Arctotheca calendula).”
As of 1992, the conservation park was used by “local and district residents” for “picnics, fishing and swimming” and “on occasions by field naturalists and birdwatchers.” However, its attraction as a swimming site has declined due to the establishment of a swimming lake in Naracoorte.[5]
The conservation park is classified as anIUCN Category IV protected area.[1] In 1980, it was listed on the now-defunctRegister of the National Estate.[7]