NPA NSW

A New Direction for NSW Parks — Urgency, Ambition and Practical Paths Forward

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2026August 31, 2026in Spring 2026, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Warwick Pearse and Ross McDonnell

Urgent, practical and hopeful: the NPA sets out how a reimagined National Parks Establishment Plan can protect and restore coastal, forest and fertile lands — fast, fairly and for the long term.

Recently, the NPA was asked to comment on a draft NPWS National Parks Establishment Plan (NPEP). Current and earlier plans have existed that give the community some guidance as to where and why reserve establishment occurs.

In response, two NPA committees (Landscape Conservation, and Park Management) met to formulate a response. Below we outline the key points.

Honouring a Lifetime for Nature: A Farewell to Gary Dunnett

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2026August 31, 2026in Spring 2026Leave a comment

Liz Jeremy, President NPA NSW

As Gary Dunnett prepares for a well-earned retirement, the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) pauses to reflect on an extraordinary career dedicated to protecting the state’s natural heritage. Gary’s tenure as NPA’s Chief Executive Officer marks the culmination of decades of tireless advocacy, public service, and deep personal commitment to conservation across New South Wales.

Strengthening our Foundations, Expanding our Reach

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2026August 31, 2026in Spring 2026Leave a comment

Liz Jeremy, President NPA NSW

Our recent State Council meeting at Currawong in Pittwater brought together branch representatives from across NSW. While delegates worked through key strategies, the weekend was above all an energising, bonding celebration of local community action. Connecting people with nature through our bushwalking heritage remains central to NPA, even as we expand our focus to marine conservation. Council captured this evolving momentum: welcoming the new Northern Beaches Branch, establishing a dedicated Marine Group, and receiving an inspiring presentation on the Great Southern Forest project.

New Poll shows support for the Great Southern Forest

Posted by NPA NSWon August 18, 2026August 18, 2026in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

A Pyxis poll has shown overwhelming support for the creation of new national parks and protected areas on the NSW South Coast.

Statewide, 67 per cent of voters would support the creation of large new protected areas like the Great Southern Forest National Park proposal, with this number increasing to 72 per cent within the NSW South Coast area.

New Report Calls for Major Improvements for the Solitary Islands Marine Park

Posted by NPA NSWon June 20, 2026June 19, 2026in UncategorizedLeave a comment

A major new report into NSW’s Solitary Islands Marine Park (NSW SIMP) confirms the national significance of this subtropical biodiversity hotspot, while recommending significant improvements to the management of the Marine Park to keep pace with growing challenges to its’ condition and values.

The report, authored by marine scientist Iain Watt, Solitary Islands Marine Park: Safeguarding a Unique Marine Protected Area has been prepared by the National Parks Association of NSW under a grant from the City of Coffs Harbour.

NSW South Coast communities call for the creation of the Great Southern Forest

Posted by NPA NSWon June 19, 2026June 18, 2026in Great Southern Forest, Media ReleasesLeave a comment

The National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) along with other conservation groups are calling for the creation of the Great Southern Forest, a visionary new national park proposal to protect nearly 1.2 million hectares of forests, wildlife habitat, vital water catchments, and cultural landscapes across southern New South Wales.

Strong community and government actions to create the globally iconic Great Koala National Park inspired three local South Coast-based NPA branches to join forces to protect their own patches through the Great Southern Forest proposal.