How this family's beloved patch of hills bushland was protected in perpetuity
Thanks to a heritage agreement, this family's beloved patch of bushland is protected in perpetuity. Find out how they tailored the agreement for future flexibility, and discover the South Australian native wonders enjoyed by four generations.
In Coromandel East in the Adelaide Hills, Helen and Bob Goldney have a 12-acre property, with around 9 acres of bushland under Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement.
They call it ‘Yultiwirra’ – Kaurna for ‘stringybark forest’.
It’s a sanctuary where native flora and fauna can live largely as they did for millennia, when traditional Kaurna owners walked gently on the land.
Now, four generations of family enjoy connection to nature here, discovering and protecting its fascinating biodiversity.
Why a Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement?
“We know now that the land can never be cleared, or used for anything else other than cared-for bushland,” said Helen.
With a lifelong love of Australian native plants, she could spot the value of the uncleared native vegetation when she first explored the property.
The landscape is largely stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) woodland, with understorey including large-leaf bush-pea (Pultenaea daphnoides), yakka (Xanthorrhoea semiplana), and wire rapier-sedge (Lepidosperma semiteres).
There are also patches of rare pink gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) woodland.
Helen has documented over 150 species of indigenous plants here, including 22 orchids, rare species pygmy caladenia and prickly geebung, and regionally near-threatened dwarf wedge-pea.
Grants are periodically available to help Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement landowners care for the land.
Most recently the Yultiwirra property and neighbours (as the Coromandel East Biodiversity Action Group) received funding for the removal of invasive sollya, or bluebell creeper.
This Western Australian native climber was once sold in South Australia as a garden plant but is now a declared weed that is known to smother understorey plants.
A wildlife corridor for bandicoots and more
The property has also been part of a grant-funded large-scale project to improve biodiversity and connectivity between Mark Oliphant Conservation Park and Belair National Park, including revegetation and weed control, across 27 private properties.
This corridor of native vegetation is particularly important habitat for the nationally endangered southern brown bandicoot.
The southern side of Yultiwirra adjoins another property with over 70 acres of land under Heritage Agreement.
Across the road at least five more neighbouring properties have areas of Heritage Agreement vegetation.
“We’re surrounded by like-minded people,” says Bob.
Although family members have never spotted a bandicoot on the land, they frequently see echidnas, koalas and kangaroos, reptiles including bearded dragons, sleepy lizards (shinglebacks), skinks, gekkos and the occasional snake.
A hair-trap study in 2008 found evidence of native antechinus and swamp rat.
The bird life is another highlight, with conservation-significant species including yellow-tailed black cockatoos which feed on indigenous hakeas, and the delightful scarlet robin.
An exclusion zone allows for diverse use
The Heritage Agreement was designed to protect precious areas of indigenous vegetation, but also to allow Helen and Bob to landscape part of the block into a welcoming green space for recreation, family gatherings and gardening.
This area contains remnants of an old house and garden from the 1800s, including a one-room stone building.
“We were able to build this exclusion zone into the Heritage Agreement,” says Bob, “which means we can use it as we like to at the moment, and building a house here would be possible in the future.”
Helen grows a large variety of non-invasive Australian plants in the garden area and has been awarded more ribbons than she can count for her native flower exhibits at the Royal Adelaide Show.
In 2025 she has been recognised with the Banksian Medal, the highest honour for a horticultural exhibitor.
Passing down a love of the land to generations
Since Helen and Bob purchased the block in 2004, the space has been enjoyed by their three children and partners, nine grandchildren, and now two great-grandchildren, who are beginning their lives with connection to this land.
“It’s been a great thing for the family, and for us to share it with other people,” said Bob. “Most of the family have joined in the work on the property – all the grandchildren have at different times.”
“When we first started bringing the grandchildren here, when they were very young, they were a bit overwhelmed – it seemed very big, and the drive in was very overgrown,” said Helen.
“But before long they were exploring and climbing trees.”
“Twelve acres is not a lot, but it is to a little kid,” said Bob.
“And they can just about get lost here and take risks and get exposed to the bush and dirt.”
Daughter Kate, herself an accomplished horticulturalist, said that the bushland of Yultiwirra has been a priceless part of her children’s upbringing.
“The space to explore and see wild animals and birds, it’s been such a gift. But also the little things – the fungi, the tiny native orchids, the sundews, the bugs and tadpoles. Seeing what changes across the seasons. It’s really important to preserve these things for our kids, and for their kids, and for all the future generations. Knowing this land will always be protected feels like such a good thing.”
Interested in protecting your own patch of native habitat?
Private land owners across South Australia have a vital role to play in preserving our native habitat and biodiversity.
You don’t have to be a native vegetation expert to get started. For support, advice and assistance, see the latest grant information from the Native Vegetation Council, Green Adelaide (if you're within Adelaide's 17 metropolitan councils) or your local Landscape Board.