Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation has backed the South Australian government's acquisition of the environmentally and culturally significant Mundoo Island Station.
Located south of Goolwa, the Station sits at the end of the Murray River and forms part of the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Ramsar Wetland - considered one of the country's most important wetland sites.
The joint purchase of the a 1900-hectare property by the Federal and State governments, as well as the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, will see the property added into Coorong National Park, increasing the internationally recognised park to more than 50,000 hectares.
The acquisition includes Mundoo, Ewe and Long Islands along with other surrounding islands off the eastern tip of Hindmarsh Island.
Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation executive officer Bill Wilson commended the South Australian government's decision to purchase the property, which has operated as a cattle and sheep station for more than a century.
"Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation are genuinely excited by the State Government purchase of Mundoo Island, which holds significant cultural heritage to the Ngarrindjeri Nation," Mr Wilson said.
"Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation look forward to working in co-partnership relationship with the State Government around the care and protection of Mundoo Island into the future."
The property is set to be destocked with grazing, cropping and fertiliser use ceased to enable significant wetland restoration and rehabilitation.
Improved habitat will support native shorebirds as well as dozens of migratory bird species, including the critically endangered curlew sandpiper and far eastern curlew, the South Australian Government said.
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife chief executive Ian Darbyshire said the acquisition marks a significant milestone in the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife's commitment to safeguarding Australia's unique natural environment and protecting First Nations cultural heritage.
"We are proud to partner with the Australian and state governments to support the conservation of up to 65 nationally listed threatened species and three threatened ecological communities, helping to set a global benchmark for conservation excellence," Mr Darbyshire said.
"This collaborative work advances our three pillars of Healing Our Land, Saving Species and Growing Parks, with a clear focus on embedding the knowledge and stewardship of Traditional Owners at the heart of conservation outcomes."
In addition to its environmental value, Mundoo Island is culturally significant to the Ngarrindjeri people and contains registered Aboriginal heritage sites.
The South Australian Government said the Department of Energy and Water will work with the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation to ensure these important sites are protected, including the 'Meeting of the Waters' where the River Murray and Coorong and surrounding waters connect.
South Australian Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Lucy Hood, said the acquisition marked a globally significant addition to South Australia's parks network.
"Land long used for cattle and sheep grazing will be given an incredible opportunity to regenerate and strengthen a vital wetlands system," Ms Hood said.
"More habitat will be provided, and protected, for key fish and bird species that attract visitors with spectacular displays.
"By transforming this site, we have moved to improve environmental resilience, reduce nutrient input and boost water quality."
To help manage the bigger park, the South Australian government said it will prepare a new management plan to guide management of the new additions.
South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, said the acquisition of Mundoo Island represents a "significant new addition" to the state's national park network.
"Situated at the junction of the Ramsar wetlands of Lake Alexandrina, the Coorong and the Murray Mouth, this is a significant site of biodiversity, cultural and environmental significance," Mr Malinauskas said.
"By transforming the island from a grazing property into a park, we can help restore the environment, protect threatened and endangered species, and improve water quality."
