A South Australian couple who walked away from commercial viticulture have transformed their former property into a thriving natural habitat, successfully drawing rare wildlife back to the land. Tony and Cherie Townsend made the decision in 2022 to clear 40 acres of grapevines at Murtho, located in South Australia’s Riverland region along the River Murray, and restore the acreage to native bush.
Rather than pivoting to another commercial agricultural enterprise, the Townsends chose to contribute to regional biodiversity. Their land restoration project has positioned the property as a crucial waypoint for the threatened regent parrot, a native bird whose populations have plummeted due to widespread habitat loss. The initiative forms part of a broader conservation push coordinated by regional environmental groups to mend fragmented ecosystems across the River Murray landscape.
The restoration undertaking has unfolded over three years, concluding its final phase in 2026. According to updates from the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, the project successfully rehabilitated approximately 14 hectares of former vineyard land. More than 3,000 native seedlings were planted during the final phase alone to establish dependable food sources and shelter for local fauna.
The property’s strategic location along natural avian migration corridors makes it especially valuable for the regent parrots. Conservation organisations including Trees For Life have collaborated extensively with landholders on the Regent Parrot Conservation Project. Trees For Life has advanced a wider Murtho initiative encompassing 40,000 plants representing 25 locally native species spread across a 40-hectare area, utilizing direct seeding techniques alongside managed plantings.
Regent parrots, scientifically classified as Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides, are officially listed as a vulnerable species nationally. South Australia’s breeding population has dwindled significantly, with current estimates suggesting fewer than 400 breeding pairs remain within the state. The species faces continuous pressures from habitat destruction, the eradication of mature nesting trees, shrinking native food supplies, and fierce competition for appropriate nesting hollows.
Ecological requirements for the birds demand diverse landscape structures. Regent parrots typically rely on the deep hollows of mature river red gum trees for nesting, while adjacent mallee woodlands supply essential foraging grounds rich in native seeds, buds, and flowers. Maintaining continuous bands of vegetation allows the birds to navigate safely between breeding sites and feeding areas without exposed crossings.
Ongoing population monitoring continues to offer insights into species recovery. Annual breeding surveys executed by the Nature Foundation, in partnership with the Regent Parrot Recovery Team and the Landscape Board, tracked notable activity during a 2025 assessment at Murbpook Nature Reserve. That survey identified a pair nesting in a previously undocumented sector of the reserve, establishing a third distinct nesting zone at the location.
Beyond its ecological impact, the Townsend property restoration has evolved into a multigenerational community endeavor. Four generations of the Townsend family have engaged directly in planting and cultivating the native flora. Additional labor and community support came from local school groups, youth council participants, Aboriginal corporation rangers, and professional conservation staff.
While giving up potential agricultural income from the acreage, the Townsends have established a living example of how private rural land can be repurposed to aid wildlife recovery. Although the nascent ecosystem will require years to mature into a fully functioning woodland, the project has already demonstrated tangible benefits for native species struggling to survive in a heavily altered landscape.
