New parks legislation introduced

23/6/04 Legislation to create nine new national parks and six new nature reserves was introduced into Parliament today, increasing the State's conservation estate by almost 120,000 hectares.

23/6/04
Legislation to create nine new national parks and six new nature reserves was introduced into Parliament today, increasing the State's conservation estate by almost 120,000 hectares.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards said the Reserves (National Parks, Conservation Parks and Nature Reserves) Bill 2004 fulfilled the first part of the Government's commitment to create 30 new national parks in Western Australia.
"Nature reserves sit at the top of the conservation register. They are afforded even greater protection than national parks, so this legislation goes way beyond the Government's stated commitment.
"The legislation also includes six new conservation parks and will increase the size of Wellington national park by more than 14,400 hectares."
The nine new national parks were:

  • Boorara-Gardner (11,008 ha);
  • Jane (6863 ha);
  • Boyndaminup (5439 ha);
  • Greater Dordagup (6158 ha);
  • Greater Beedelup (17,593 ha);
  • Greater Kingston (21,092 ha);
  • Forest Grove (1379 ha);
  • Yelverton (729 ha); and
  • Greater Preston (11,373 ha).
The Bill also included additions to the Serpentine and Mt Frankland national parks, the Lane Poole Reserve and Falls Brook Nature Reserve.
"These new parks, nature reserves and conservation parks are part of the Gallop Government's vision to have a world-class parks system in WA," Dr Edwards said.
"Our natural areas are significant drawcards for visitors and are an integral part of regional economies.
"For example, a recent study by the Co-operative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism found that 88 per cent of visitor expenditure in the southern forests is due to national parks and other forested areas. This represents around $61.9 million a year."
The introduction of the legislation followed extensive community consultation on the proposed boundaries.
Indicative boundaries for all of the proposed new national parks had now been released and a further Bill to create the remaining new parks would be introduced into the spring Parliamentary session.
Minister's office: 9220 5050

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