Three land parcels will be added to Leeuwin Naturaliste national Park

29/9/98

Conservation reserves in the State's South-West region will be boosted by the addition of three parcels of land to Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park - an increase of almost 62ha of land.

Announcing the additions today, Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the inclusion of the three areas into the parks would help protect a popular area of coastline and facilitate management of the park.

"Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park is an important conservation area and one of the State's most popular national parks with its numerous environmental, recreational and tourism values," she said.

"Three areas of crown land, two near Smiths Beach and one near Mt Duckworth, are to be added to the park.

"This will enable the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) to effectively manage these areas under national park guidelines and preserve environmental and recreational values."

Mrs Edwardes said the two areas at Smiths Beach - one west of Smiths Beach, of 21.4ha, and one north-east, of eight hectares - were regularly used by bushwalkers, surfers, swimmers and nature-enthusiasts.

"The addition of 31.4ha of land near Mt Duckworth was the result of a subdivision in the area," she said.

"The land has been included into the park to create a buffer from the subdivision and for fire protection and aesthetic reasons."

Mrs Edwardes said the inclusion of these parcels of land would ensure that the environmental values and the associated cultural and recreational values of the area would be preserved now and in the long term.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9421 7777