RFA to create 12 new national parks [Audio]

"Obviously I am delighted that the regional forest agreement delivers balance, certainty and sustainability for our south west forests." (17secs/360KB)

"We have an outcome which is a world class forest reserve system that exceeds national targets." (23secs/506KB)

4/5/99
The Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement signed today creates 12 new national parks and results in more than 150,000 hectares being added to the State's conservation reserve system.

Western Australian Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the agreement was in line with the State Government's commitment to reserve additional areas under the RFA. This had been achieved with 1,047,200ha in the South-West forests being protected for future generations.
She said that more than 90 new reserves or additions to existing reserves would result in an increase of 150,885ha in conservation reserves.
Mrs Edwardes said this was an increase of 12 per cent in protected areas and was "greener" than the most conservation orientated outcome in the Public Consultation Paper.
"The 90 new reserves includes the creation of 12 new national parks and 25 additions to existing national parks," Mrs Edwardes said.
"This is a very significant and exciting step forward in forest conservation in this State.
"We now have more forest protected in reserves than ever before in the State's history."
The Minister said there was now a total of 232,800ha or 67 per cent of old growth protected in formal reserves. The total amount of old growth in all reserves was 245,500ha representing 71 per cent of the existing old growth.
"The creation of these national parks and reserves not only has significant conservation outcomes, but will have a very positive impact on local towns as well," Mrs Edwardes said.
"These additional national parks will help support local communities by creating tourism opportunities and jobs."
The Minister said the distribution of new national parks also ensured a wide range of forest ecosystems were well represented and protected.
All the targets for protection of biodiversity and old growth in the region have been met, except where land could not be obtained because it was private property or mining leases with pre-existing legal rights.
CALM will be responsible for managing these national parks which are planned to be formally classified within the next 12 months.
The State Government has purchased 3,000ha of jarrah and blackbutt forest near Wellington Dam in Collie to create a significant national park extending over 4,300ha to be known as Wellington.
Three new national parks will be created in the Margaret River region, including Yelverton (1,300ha), Margaret River (4,200ha) and Forest Grove (1,400ha).
In the Walpole region, parts of Sharpe, Collis and Trent forest blocks have been set aside for national park status.
The Blackwood River National Park (15,600ha) will be formed in the lower Blackwood Valley between Nannup and Margaret River.
Hawke Block near Pemberton - which consists of some of the State's finest karri and marri stands in the region - will also become a National Park, linking Warren and D'Entrecasteaux National Parks.
The Mundaring region will enjoy four new national parks to be known as Wandoo (43,000ha - of which 13,800ha is new reserve), Helena (15,000ha - of which 8,200 is new reserve), Pickering Brook (6,000ha) and Canning (3,000ha).
Mrs Edwardes welcomed the RFA and said it represented a balance between conservation outcomes and jobs.
Media contact: Nicole Trigwell 9421 7777