Draft plan released for Tuart Forest National Park

• New plan for Tuart Forest National Park
• Plan to protect important woodlands and recreational areas

Environment Minister Bill Marmion today released a draft management plan for the Tuart Forest National Park for a two-month public comment period.

Mr Marmion said the area was known for its tall tuart woodlands, which are endemic to the Swan Coastal Plain.

"The planning area contains the most southern occurrence of tuart and the biggest area of remnant tuart in a formal conservation reserve," he said.

"It provides important habitat for a range of endangered species, including western ringtail possum, Carnaby's cockatoo and southern brush-tailed phascogale.

"It also contains 142ha of high conservation value wetlands, including part of the Ramsar-listed Vasse-Wonnerup wetlands and Aboriginal sites of archaeological, cultural and spiritual significance.

"The area is historically significant because it has remnants associated with the early timber industry, including former forestry houses, lime kilns, timber mills and railways.

"The planning area also caters for a range of recreational activities, including bushwalking, bird watching and horse riding.

"The management plan was drafted with the aim of protecting the high conservation-value ecosystems within the planning area, particularly the tuart woodlands and wetlands, and the native species they support."

      Fact File

• 3,040ha planning area is 200km south of Perth and 15km north-east of Busselton
• Area incorporates Tuart Forest National Park, areas of State forest, unvested reserves and unallocated Crown land
• Copies of the draft plan can be obtained from DEC's offices, or follow the links on DEC's website at http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/250/1757/
• The plan was prepared by DEC in consultation with the Tuart Forest National Park Community Advisory Committee, on behalf of the Conservation Commission

Minister's office - 9220 5000