A popular outdoor education initiative has been forced to suspend its operations at Anembo Park, following an unexpected shutdown order from the Mount Barker District Council over safety and land-use concerns.

Forest School SA, which has been operating at the Mount Barker site for approximately a year after relocating from Kuitpo, was ordered to immediately cease all activities. The sudden directive has sent shockwaves through the local community, disrupting schedules for about 40 families who rely on the nature-based learning program.

Council Cites Freeway Proximity and Environmental Impact

According to council officials, a recent site inspection revealed that the school's footprint had expanded significantly beyond what was originally understood to be a small area near the local tennis courts. Officials flagged several pressing issues, including unauthorized structures, newly installed swings, active fire pits, cleared vegetation, and activities encroaching onto land managed by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Of primary concern to the council was the program's proximity to the busy South Eastern Freeway, noting that there is currently no physical barrier or fencing separating the young participants from the high-speed roadway.

A council spokesperson clarified that they have not permanently banned Forest School SA, but rather directed them to halt operations until a formal application can be thoroughly and safely assessed. The council emphasized its support for nature-based learning and expressed a commitment to working with the organizers to find a compliant, safe pathway forward.

Organizers Defend Safety Record Amid Shock Closure

Forest School SA founder Isabella Gower expressed deep disappointment over the sudden closure, which she described as a "huge shock" to staff and participating families alike.

"We as educators use our professional risk assessment to be able to determine what we think is appropriate for the children to be doing," Gower said. "I would not say that anything we have here is wildly dangerous."

While Gower has submitted a formal application to resume at Anembo Park, she expressed doubts about whether the council would allow them to return to the site permanently. In the interim, a local Scouts group has generously stepped in to host the program, allowing outdoor classes to resume as early as next week.

Heartbroken Parents Plead for a Solution

For local families, the temporary relocation is a bitter pill to swallow. Parents argue that the unique environment of Anembo Park had become a second home for their children, many of whom thrive in non-traditional educational settings.

Local mother Teala Duke shared that her five-year-old daughter was "absolutely devastated" by the news.

"I was struggling to find somewhere for her to fit in or for her to really nourish her abilities... she likes to be out in the mud, exploring," Duke said. "It's heartbreaking. They have adapted so well to this environment—they call it home. They've created a bond with this area, and we don't want it taken away from them."

While the future of the Anembo Park site remains uncertain, Forest School SA and the Mount Barker District Council are expected to continue discussions in hopes of reaching a compromise that balances childhood exploration with public safety.