The Mount Barker District Council has instructed Forest School SA to halt its operations immediately. This decision stems from the council’s “significant concerns” regarding safety risks associated with activities conducted at Anembo Park.
The founder of the program is currently awaiting the council’s evaluation of a formal application to continue its activities. The sudden suspension of this well-regarded outdoor education initiative has taken organizers by surprise.
Last week, the council mandated that Forest School SA cease all operations at Anembo Park due to concerns related to property management and safety, which were highlighted during a recent site inspection. Bell Gower, the founder of the program, reported receiving an email from the council instructing the immediate suspension of all activities at the site while the situation is assessed.
The council’s email outlined its serious concerns regarding safety risks posed by the current activities. It detailed various issues, including damage to trees, improperly maintained fire pits, evidence of fires, and activities encroaching on land managed by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
During the inspection, council officers noted the presence of swings within the reserve and pointed out that the area utilized by the Forest School is situated adjacent to the South Eastern Freeway, lacking any physical barrier or fencing to separate participants from the roadway.
Before any further activities can occur at Anembo Park, the council indicated that a formal application must be submitted and approved. Gower mentioned that the program had been operating in Mount Barker for approximately one year after relocating from Kuitpo and had received prior approval from the council.
The closure has left staff and families in shock. Gower expressed disbelief, stating, “We thought we could resolve this without halting operations.” She noted the emotional impact on families, with many children expressing their reluctance to move to a different location.
Gower indicated that she had submitted a formal request to resume the program and is awaiting feedback, although she remains skeptical about the possibility of returning to the original site. “As educators, we conduct professional risk assessments to determine what activities are suitable for children,” she commented. “I wouldn’t categorize our practices as overly dangerous.”
In light of the circumstances, Gower stated that the local Scouts group has offered to host the program temporarily, and she anticipates classes might resume next week. However, she acknowledged the disruption this has caused for families and the children who have formed connections with the site over the past year.
The program currently enrolls around 40 families and has attracted hundreds of participants during school holidays.
A spokesperson for the council affirmed the district’s support for “nature-based learning” and noted that they have been collaborating with Forest School SA since early 2025 to formalize its operations. The spokesperson explained that, while the council initially understood the program to be operating from a limited area near the tennis courts, a recent inspection revealed a significant expansion of activities, including structures, cleared vegetation, and fire pits extending into neighboring land.
The council clarified that it has not shut down Forest School SA as an organization; rather, it has mandated that operations at Anembo Park cease until a lawful and safe assessment can be conducted. They acknowledged that this might be disappointing for families involved and are committed to working swiftly with Forest School SA to explore compliant options for moving forward.
Parent Teala Duke shared her feelings of heartbreak regarding the situation, emphasizing how well the program suited her five-year-old daughter’s learning needs. “It has been a challenge to find a place where she can thrive,” Duke explained, noting her daughter’s fondness for exploring and engaging with the environment.
Duke expressed her daughter’s devastation over the temporary relocation and her hope for the program’s continuation at Mount Barker. “It’s heartbreaking. If the children lost access to this area, it wouldn’t be the same,” she lamented. “They have formed a bond with this space; it truly feels like home to them.”
