16 August, 2013
New reserves are a welcome addition to the parks estate
Nature Conservation Council of NSW has welcomed the creation of two new state conservation areas in western NSW and the declaration of 250 hectares of wilderness close to Sydney.
Environment Minister Robyn Parker today announced the addition of two new properties that will protect endangered species and habitats that are under-represented in the state’s reserve system:
- The 12,000-hectare Warrambool State Conservation Area near Lightning Ridge; and
- The 465-hectare Ukerbarley State Conservation Area near Coonabarabran.
She has also announced a further 250 hectares of the Kanangra-Boyd National Park will be declared wilderness.
“Warrambool State Conservation Area will protect three endangered ecological communities in the state’s north-west, an area that is not well represented in the existing network of national parks and reserves,” NCC Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke said.
“Much of the native bush west of the Great Dividing Range has been extensively cleared for agriculture over the past 200 years and only a small proportion of the original vegetation exists in good condition.
“It is not only the tall forests in the east of the state that require protection. The state government has a responsibility to create a reserve system that is comprehensive, adequate and representative of all the types of habitat that make nature in NSW unique, so it is very encouraging that the NSW government is adding reserves such as Warrambool are to help protect the delicate arid zone ecosystems as well.”
Mr Clarke said the Ukerbarley State Conservation Area near Coonabarabran was relatively small but was a valuable addition because it provided a wildlife corridor for the superb parrot and nearly 140 other native animal species.
“Good quality habitat for wildlife in the state’s west is highly fragmented so wildlife corridors such as Ukerbarley SCA are critical for the long-term viability of many native species in these areas,” he said.
Limited protection for state conservation areas
Mr Clarke said that under NSW law, mining and gas development was permitted in state conservation areas.
“We will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure the conservation values of these new reserves are not compromised by future resource development,” he said.
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Forests and wildlife
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