This map reveals the emergence of the area as we know it. New industries, the demise of farming and the formation of suburbs are significant. So, too, are the success of wine and the moulding of modern tourism along coasts and inland.
Rural land uses are situated in Rural and Hills Face Zones. These zones cover over two thirds of the City of Onkaparinga and include the ranges, escarpment and Willunga Basin . Recent expansions in viticulture have replaced less intensive agricultural uses like grazing, placing greater demands on the clearance of existing vegetation and water resources.
Urban development is the dominant land use activity west of the rural areas. It is confined to a narrow coastal corridor bounded by South Road , broadens out into the Noarlunga Plain and extends to the suburb of Coromandel Valley in the north. Other urban areas include the rural townships of Clarendon, Kangarilla, McLaren Flat , McLaren Vale, Old Noarlunga and Willunga. The replacement of natural surroundings with built form and introduced plants and animals has significantly changed the landscape character of this region. Remnant patches of vegetation are primarily confined to roadsides, open space areas and riverine environments.
Industrial development is confined to small land pockets, in particular the Lonsdale area. Interestingly, larger sites (eg. Pt Stanvac) have retained some areas of native vegetation that may have otherwise been lost to more intensive residential development.
