A number of tracks within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, will be closed each night over the next 11 months.
The purpose of the extended closures is to ensure the safety of the public during a feral cat control program to be conducted after dark. The aim is to protect the populations of recently reintroduced Western Quolls and Brushtail Possums.
The evening closures commence on Thursday, 3 November 2016 and will continue through to Saturday, 30 September 2017.
As daylight hours vary over the period of the control program, there are a range of closure times. They are:
- Thursday, 3 November to Wednesday, 30 November 2016 8.30pm to 5am
- Wednesday, 30 November 2016 to Tuesday 31 January 2017 9pm to 5am
- Tuesday, 31 January 2017 to Tuesday, 28 February 2017 8.30pm to 5am
- Tuesday, 28 February 2017 to Sunday, 30 April 2017 8pm to 5am
- Sunday, 30 April 2017 to Tuesday, 31 July 2017 6pm to 5am
- Tuesday, 31 July 2017 to Saturday, 30 September 2017 6.30pm to 5am
Tracks and walking trails will remain open outside of these times.
The Heysen Trail will remain open at all times, however walkers must:
- remain in designated campgrounds and huts, or
- camp within 20 metres of the Heysen Trail within the park after dark.
Walkers camping in the park may see spotlights and occasionally hear firearms in the distance at night. The Rangers have advised that the control program will not take place in the vicinity of campgrounds or huts.
The tracks that will be closed at night include –
- Trezona Track
- Mount Sunderland Track
- Rifle Range Track
- Old Blinman Track
- Jones Camp Track
- Telegraph Track
- St Mary Peak outside trail
- Cooinda Track
- Pound Gap Track
Further information on the feral animal control program and the nightly trail closures can be obtained from the Natural Resources, SA Arid Lands or by phoning them on (08) 8648 5344 or 0428 116 035.