Perup plan to protect conservation reserves

• Minister releases final management plan for Perup

• Plan includes protection for internationally significant wetlands

• Management area includes 2 national parks and 17 nature reserves

A final management plan for parks and reserves in the Perup area of the South-West will cover an area of almost 107,000ha and protect the internationally recognised Muir-Byenup wetlands.

The plan covers the Greater Kingston and Lake Muir national parks and 17 nature reserves, including Lake Muir and Tone-Perup nature reserves.

Launching the plan today, Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the Muir-Byenup wetlands were internationally recognised under the Ramsar Convention, a treaty that was first signed in Iran in 1971.

"The pristine Muir-Byenup Ramsar site contains the largest natural sedgelands in Western Australia and is also a significant refuge for 35 migratory bird species," Mr Marmion said.

"The area is also known for its flora and fauna, as one of the last remaining strongholds of the threatened woylie, numbat, tammar, phascogale, Muir's corella, Australasian bittern and Balston's pygmy perch."

The Minister said the planning area encompassed regionally-significant visitor facilities including the Perup - Nature's Guesthouse facility and Lake Muir Observatory, with the majority of visitor use being low-impact recreation such as day trips for bushwalking, eco-education, bird watching and nature photography.

"Also of great importance are the Aboriginal sites of mythological, ceremonial, cultural and spiritual significance, and other Australian cultural heritage sites associated with early settlement, agriculture and forestry," he said.

"The plan outlines conservation, visitor services and community involvement management strategies for the next 10 years, in order to reflect a balance between conservation and recreation and incorporate the interests of the community."

The plan was prepared by the Department of Conservation and Environment on behalf of the Conservation Commission of WA following extensive community consultation over the past three years, including eight community workshops, two of which were with native title claimants.

      Fact File

• Draft plan received 250 public submissions, of which 212 were pro forma submissions

• The plan is available at http://www.dec.wa.gov.au 

Minister's office - 6552 6800

Photograph caption: DEC's Warren region staff show Environment Minister Bill Marmion the final Perup Management plan