A major revegetation push is underway across the Hope Valley Reservoir and Highbury Aqueduct Reserves, with thousands of native trees and plants set to restore canopy, biodiversity and habitat following the removal of pest-affected pines.
The SA Government has announced a new $2.5 million Giant Pine Scale Revegetation Program to rehabilitate areas impacted by the invasive insect, which attacks pine and other susceptible conifer species and can ultimately kill affected trees. The work forms part of a broader $5.4 million response since Giant Pine Scale was first detected in South Australia in 2023.
Infested and at-risk trees have already been removed from the Hope Valley Reservoir, Highbury Aqueduct Reserve and nearby sites within the City of Tea Tree Gully, with material chipped, mulched and quarantined to destroy the pest and its eggs. Authorities say the rapid response has helped limit the spread and keeps full eradication within reach.
The focus now shifts to restoring the landscape, with more than 4,500 native trees, shrubs and grasses already planted in areas no longer under quarantine. The revegetation effort is designed not only to rebuild the canopy but to enhance biodiversity, including the reintroduction of native vegetation communities such as South Australian blue gum grassy woodlands.
Clare Scriven said ongoing surveillance had allowed the state to take a proactive approach. “Ongoing surveillance work has enabled the government to be proactive in managing GPS in the Tea Tree Gully council area, which is hugely important for protecting our forest industry and broader green space,” she said, noting the work had significantly affected local canopy but opened the door to restoring vegetation with locally indigenous species.
“As Giant Pine Scale does not attack native species, there is an opportunity to increase biodiversity in the impacted areas by revegetating with locally indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses. This investment will allow us to significantly expand on the excellent work which has already been underway to revegetate areas impacted by this pest.”
The program is expected to deliver long-term environmental gains, with grassy woodlands known for their high biodiversity value and capacity to support native fauna. Vulnerable Yellow-tailed black cockatoos and the rare White-winged chough have already been recorded at Hope Valley Reservoir.
Nick Champion said the initial response had been critical in containing the outbreak and protecting key infrastructure. “Our rapid response to Giant Pine Scale has been effective in limiting its spread while improving community amenity at the Hope Valley Reservoir,” he said.
“The removal of infected trees was necessary to stop the spread. Now, we’re restoring these important green spaces with native vegetation that will provide habitat and amenity for generations to come while protecting the water infrastructure that serves our north eastern suburbs.”
