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| GOOD WORK: Kingsley Turner's work at the St Peters billabong has earned him the NP&SP Council Citizen of the Year |
OVER the past 50 years, Kingsley Turner has watched the St Peters billabong transform from a muddy dump to a haven for people, plants and wildlife.
His work on restoring the billabong which spans about 15 years has earned him the Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council Citizen of the Year award, announced on Australia Day.
``I’m only part of the picture,’’ the Stepney resident says humbly.
``The project’s more important than anything or anyone else.’‘
The $1 million clean-up project, started in 2002 by the council, the Torrens Catchment Water Management Board and Friends of the Billabong, followed years
of campaigning by Mr Turner and others.
of campaigning by Mr Turner and others.
With the help of hundreds of volunteers, Mr Turner co-ordinated the planting of thousands of native trees and plants to turn the former stretch of the River
Torrens into a peaceful oasis.
Torrens into a peaceful oasis.
The 62-year-old’s eyes light up when he talks about the new species of birds, mammals and reptiles, like the eastern water skink, that have returned to the
area.
area.
``The billabong had some pretty massive earth works (in 2002) and it just looked like a moonscape with water.
``But now, where houses once all faced the street, the new ones are being built to face the billabong because it’s just so beautiful.’‘
Mr Turner, who works as a TAFE lecturer, says all the volunteer work has paid off.
``If you’re at home getting a bit crapped off, you can just come down here and it’s so peaceful it makes you feel calm right away.’‘
NPSP Mayor Robert Bria praised Mr Turner for his work on the billabong.
``There are few people with a better understanding of local biodiversity than Kingsley Turner and he has offered this extensive knowledge widely, with great
enthusiasm and generosity,’’ he said.
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