by: Science Reporter Clare Peddie
From: The Advertiser
February 10, 2012 11:00PM
THE State Government will protect magnificent bays on the state's West Coast with two new conservation parks.
It is a big win for a local friends group, which has been fighting for more than a decade to save the bays, home to endangered raptors and sea lions.
A property with clifftop views of Heart Bay, known to some locals as Bum Bay, was saved from developers when the Native Vegetation Council ruled against clearing the land.
Construction had been given the go-ahead by a Council Development Assessment Panel, endorsed by the local Streaky Bay Council.
Today, Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister Paul Caica will announce two new parks - the Cape Blanche Conservation Park (810ha in size) and the Searcy Bay Conservation Park (870ha), about 25km south of Streaky Bay, between Venus Bay and Point Brown on Eyre Peninsula.
Convenor of the Friends of Sceale Bay, Grant Hobson, is thrilled with the outcome.
It's actually just putting a stamp on that area and saying yes, this is an extremely important wilderness area, it needs to be protected and managed for the future, Mr Hobson said.
It's just a real important, in bold, underlined commitment that they understand and respect and are willing to support long-term planning to preserve those natural heritage assets that have clearly been identified.
It's a big commitment on their part and we really congratulate them for having the conviction to follow it through.
Mr Caica said the two new parks added 1680ha to the state's reserve system.
This spectacular area of the Eyre Peninsula contains significant remnant vegetation and provides important habitat for a number of important and iconic species, and the State Government is committed to ensuring the area is protected, Mr Caica said.
The coastal cliffs adjacent to the new conservation parks provide important breeding habitat for the eastern osprey and white-bellied sea-eagle.
Both of these species are listed as endangered under the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and are protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.
The Peregrine falcon, which is listed as rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, also lives in the area.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/protection-for-slice-of-paradise/story-e6frea83-1226268272288 
