Jutland Water Reserve

As part of the Soldier Settler scheme the Jutland Water Reserve was established on Section 699 Jutland Road, Eden Valley and this forms part of the Marne River catchment and covers an area of 3.3 Ha. The Reserve is classified as Community Land by The Barossa Council, as per the Local Government Act 1999. It is 14km on Jutland Road from the township of Springton.

Also known as the Rhine Water Reserve, it is a proclaimed Water Reserve on a stock route meaning that overgrazing occurred in the early days. Before modern truck transport, the Reserve was used as a watering point and overnight stop on a stock route from the Sedan/Cambrai area via the Pine Hut road to the stockyards at Mount Pleasant. Remnants of the swing bridge crossing the Marne River were evident in 2015.

The current Memorandum of Understanding for the care of the site is due to expire on 31 December 2021. It is an agreement with the Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association (GWLAP) and was established in order to offset clearance of red gums for roadworks at the Bald Hills interchange in Mount Barker. Previously the Jutland Water Reserve Management Plan (2015-2020) had been created with the Eastern Hills and Murray Plains Catchment Group (EHMP) which managed the site and co-ordinated the maintenance. A representative of Council was on that group.

It is planned the progress the Management Plan and apply for a Heritage Agreement over the site to enable Council to seek grants for key management actions needed to protect and enhance the Jutland Water Reserve. Further detail regarding the plans for this Reserve may be found here cdn.barossa.sa.gov.au/meetings/2021/08-August/ordinary-council-meeting-17-aug-2021/minutes/2021-08-17-Minutes.pdf

During 2019-2020 there was planting of more than 1000 seedlings at Jutland Water Reserve as part of a new management plan for the site approved by The Barossa Council with GWLAP.