Release of final blueprint for Darling Range Regional Park

30/10/95

The State Government today released the final blueprint for the establishment of the biggest regional park in Western Australia.

Planning Minister Richard Lewis said the Darling Range Regional Park would cover more than 38,000 hectares, encompassing one of the most attractive and distinctive landscapes in the Perth metropolitan region.

The Minister said the creation of the park would involve the amalgamation of existing parkland with new areas and the formulation of appropriate vesting and management arrangements.

"The current parks and recreation reservations within the regional park boundary comprise 22,500 hectares, while a further 15,000 hectares of State or local Government and Crown land will be reserved," Mr Lewis said.

"About 2,100 hectares of privately owned land will also be reserved, however, existing land uses will not be affected."

The proposal to establish the Darling Range Regional Park was announced by the previous Government in 1990 and was followed by a study which was released for public comment in January 1993.

The Minister said the Member for Darling Range, John Day, who was appointed Chairman of the Community Consultative Committee last year, had played an integral role in the preparation of the final document 'Proposals for the Darling Range Regional Park'.

A commitment to fully establish the Darling Range Regional Park was a key feature of the State Government's Urban Bushland Strategy, launched in July.

Mr Lewis said the Darling Range provided safe habitats for a wide range of animals and birds and refuge of some rare and endangered native flora.

"A total of 30 System 6 areas in the Darling Range were reviewed as part of the regional park study," he said.

The Minister said the Darling Range Regional Park would also protect one of our most precious resources, as it extends across 14 water catchment areas which supply Perth, the Goldfields and agricultural regions of WA.

"The preservation of the natural character of the area is important, not only to those who live in the area, but to many Perth residents who consider the Darling Range a popular day trip destination," Mr Lewis said.

The Minister said the park would be the largest of the 16 regional parks to be established in the metropolitan region.

"This network of regional parks will protect the outstanding environmental, recreation and landscape values of Perth for future generations," he said.

Media contact:  Bronwyn Hillman 221 1377 or 222 9595