Media Releases – Page 2 – National Parks Association of NSW

Fulfill your promise Chris Minns: Protect the great koala national park forests now!

Posted by NPA NSWon January 13, 2025January 13, 2025in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

What: Rallies at Coffs Harbour and Pennant Hills Sydney outside the offices of the Forestry Corporation.

When: Monday, 13th January, 10am

Where: Coffs Harbour, cnr of Park and Gordon Sts

Sydney: Cnr Castle Hill Rd and Cumberland Forest Way, West Pennant Hills

Why: Creating the Great Koala National Park has been an ALP promise since 2015. Almost 2 years after getting elected, the Minns government has completed their assessment of the park and identified an industry restructuring package but has still not announced their decision on the park boundaries.

Since they were elected, the rate of logging inside the park has increased compared to under the Coalition. More than 60%. The logging is continuing with new areas being opened up. How much longer will they let the promised Park be logged?

Are they going to allow the Forestry Corporation to log the heart out of the promised park?

According to their own data the Minns Government has already logged the homes of 500 koalas and another 37 threatened species. This carnage has to stop now. These forests also hold the soils together, sequester and store carbon, act as natural water reservoirs and could provide boundless opportunities for recreation, education and appreciation.

31 groups have signed on to a letter to the NSW Government demanding they fulfill their promise to create a world class Great Koala National Park NOW

The statement, background and signatories can be found here.

Ecological health assessment of Royal National Park

Posted by NPA NSWon August 5, 2024August 5, 2024in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) has welcomed the release of the Ecohealth scorecard for Royal National Park, Heathcote National Park and Garawarra State Conservation Area.

A solid start to improving NSW nature laws

Posted by NPA NSWon July 17, 2024July 17, 2024in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

The National Parks Association of NSW today welcomed the NSW Government’s proposal to reform nature laws, beginning with the Biodiversity Conservation Act and Local Land Services Act.

‘NPA is particularly pleased with the Government’s adoption of a ‘Nature Positive’ approach, a commitment to repair and restore natural systems rather than simply regulating their degradation. The report also forecasts solid improvements to the Biodiversity Conservation Act and Local Land Services Act’ stated NPA CEO Gary Dunnett.

NSW biodiversity outlook report highlights need to end clearing of native vegetation

Posted by NPA NSWon May 9, 2024May 9, 2024in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

In response to the release of the ‘NSW biodiversity outlook report 2024’ the National Parks Association of NSW is calling on the Minns Labor Government to get serious about stopping runaway clearing of native vegetation for agriculture, forestry and infrastructure development.

Celebrating Kosciusko’s 80th anniversary

Posted by NPA NSWon April 22, 2024April 22, 2024in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

An enthusiastic group gathered at Thredbo on 19th April 2024 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Kosciusko State Park, now known as Kosciuszko National Park. The celebration, hosted by the National Parks Association, was attended by the Polish ambassador, current and former National Parks staff, representatives of the Polish-Australian community, conservation and bushwalking groups, the Public Service Association and other supporters of Kosciuszko National Park.

‘It was a privilege to mark this milestone in Kosciuszko’s history, especially in the company of so many people with such deep connections to the park’ stated NPA NSW President Dr Grahame Douglas.

‘Kosciuszko National Park is truly is an Australian icon, a majestic alpine landscape, the largest conservation reserve in NSW, the source of the mighty Murray, Murrumbidgee and Snowy Rivers and the irreplaceable home of so many unique species.

‘In celebrating the 80th anniversary of the park’s declaration we pay homage to the First Nation custodians who cared for the Australian Alps over millennia. We also thank all those who have advocated for the protection of the high country and especially the rangers and other staff whose work has sustained that legacy’.

Kosciuszko Heritage Incorporated spokesperson Urszula Lang stated ‘Kosciuszko Heritage Incorporated and the Polish Community are honoured to be part of KNP’s 80th birthday celebrations as stakeholders passionate about the Park’s history and future. Polish explorer Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki, when he climbed Australia’s highest mainland peak in 1840, gave it the name of Kosciuszko, after General Tadeusz Kosciuszko. Kosciuszko was a champion of equal rights, freedom and liberty. Like Australia’s First Nations, Poles through history have fought hard to have country acknowledged when Poland was invaded and partitioned. For these reasons, our connection to Mt Kosciuszko and Kosciuszko National Park, and the values associated with the name of Kosciuszko and its history, are very strong indeed.’

Former Kosciuszko regional manager Dave Darlington said ,‘this is an important opportunity to get many of the former park employees together to share their memories about the challenges they faced managing this very complex national park since the 1960’s through to more recent times’

ENDS

Media contacts:

NPA NSW: 02 9229 0000

Spokespersons are available from NPA NSW, Kosciuszko Heritage Inc and two of the 80 year olds who were special guests at the celebration.

Snowy Hydro must do better in Kosciuszko National Park

Posted by NPA NSWon April 15, 2024April 15, 2024in Media Releases, Snowy 2.0Leave a comment

The National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) is calling on the NSW Government to apply increased penalties to Snowy Hydro Limited and its contractors for repeated pollution incidents in Kosciuszko National Park.