Uncategorized – National Parks Association of 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.

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.

Nature Kids Summer 2025

Posted by NPA NSWon December 1, 2025December 1, 2025in Summer 2025, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Seeking a ‘Win Win’ for First Nations Peoples and Conservation

Posted by NPA NSWon February 27, 2025February 27, 2025in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Janine Kitson, NPA Member

What happens when Aboriginal land rights conflicts with the rights of nature? 

Topographic Maps of NSW 2022 Series

Posted by NPA NSWon November 27, 2024November 28, 2024in Summer 2024, Uncategorized1 Comment

Bob Snedden, NPA Member, Milton Branch

The defining feature of topographic maps are the presentation of the form of the landscape topography via the contour lines. Along with this are the vertical and horizontal grid coordinates for the ‘Grid References’ and ‘GPS positioning’. The current 2022 Series fail to do this, rendering the maps unfit for purpose and therefore presenting something of a risk to the user. Those who rely on accurate landform information e.g. Rural Fire Service, NSW NPWS and bushwalkers will be directly affected. After examining 20 maps in the 2022 series covering the south coast region, from one outlet all were found to be similarly deficient.

NSW must follow Victoria’s lead on ending native forestry logging by the end of the year

Posted by NPA NSWon May 24, 2023May 24, 2023in Media Releases, UncategorizedLeave a comment

National Parks Association President Dr Grahame Douglas welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to accelerate shutting down public native forestry by the end of 2023, drastically moving forward the original deadline of 2030.

‘It’s a relief to see a State Government acknowledging that we are running out of time to protect our last remaining forests and forest dependant fauna. Now’s the time for the NSW Government to follow suit and end the logging that is driving our forests and unique wildlife to extinction’ said Dr Douglas.