NSW Government announces new River Red Gum National Park

New National Parks will protect the internationally significant values of these wetland forests. Photo: R Jung

The Wilderness Society has welcomed the creation of a new National Park across the internationally significant Millewa Group of River Red Gum Forest, announced by outgoing NSW Premier Nathan Rees.

Millewa Forest group forms part of the worlds’ largest River Red Gum Forest. It has huge conservation significance, and provides crucial habitat for iconic species such as koala, superb parrot and barking owls, which today’s announcement recognises.

The forests of the region suffer from extreme water stress, with up to 75% of the trees stressed dead, or dying. They have been further degraded by the combined pressures of industrial logging and grazing.

Today’s announcement precludes the final report and recommendations for their future, due to be released by the NSW Natural Resources Commission on December 21. The Wilderness Society is calling on new NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally, to follow this announcement with the creation of new National Parks across the entirety of the River Red Gum State Forest estate.