National Parks Association of NSW president, Dr Grahame Douglas has welcomed Environment Minister Matt Kean’s announcement of a new national park near Broken Hill.
Dr Douglas stated, ‘Western NSW has long been recognised as the big gap in the NSW reserve system.
‘This new national park joins Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park as landmark steps towards the conservation of the unique natural landscapes of western NSW.
‘The new reserve is known to have very significant natural and cultural heritage values. Even so, a range of environmental restoration works, possibly including the rewilding of locally extinct species, will be required to secure the biodiversity values of the new park.’ Dr Douglas concluded.
NPA Executive Officer Gary Dunnett noted ‘The purchase of former stations is very much in line with Professor Samuel’s recent review of Commonwealth environment laws, which emphasises that biodiversity conservation includes the restoration of historically modified landscapes.
‘NPA commends NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean’s commitment to enhancing the reserve system in western NSW.
‘We look forward to Minister Kean applying the same determination to the protection of lands of conservation significance that are already owned by the government, including State Forests that are currently under siege from gas, rail and logging proposals’.
ENDS
Media Contact
NPA EO, Gary Dunnett (02) 9299 0000
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