New National Parks welcomed in Western NSW

Media Release
15 November, 2010

Environment groups have welcomed the news that approximately 70,000 hectares of new National Parks will be created in western NSW by the NSW Government.

A Bill introduced into the NSW Parliament last Friday will protect important vegetation remnants and corridors in western NSW. Most of the areas earmarked for new National Parks are located between Narrandera and Dubbo in the central-west of NSW.

“We are pleased to see the NSW Government making substantial additions to the reserve system
in western NSW, and we look forward to seeing the Bill passed quickly through the NSW Parliament” said Mr Kevin Evans, Executive Officer of the National Parks Association of NSW.

“The new reserves will protect essential wildlife habitat in some of the most heavily cleared landscapes in NSW, giving many local species a better chance at survival” said Mr Pepe Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.

“The state’s newest national parks will provide welcome protection for endangered ecological communities such as Inland Grey Box Woodland and Sandhill Pine Woodland” he said.

“This latest decision completes a very good year for the NSW protected area network, building on new reserves in both the Riverina and Goulburn areas earlier in the year” said Mr Peter Cooper, campaigner with the Wilderness Society Sydney.

“Collectively, the new protected areas created this year represent a significant step forward in improving the conservation status of western NSW” said Mr Jeff Angel, Director of the Total Environment Centre.

“Future Governments will need to continue to build on the decision taken today, as there is still a long way to go to create a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative reserve system in NSW” said Mr Keith Muir, Director of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness.