Premier announces four new national park boundaries

30/12/02
Premier Geoff Gallop has announced indicative boundaries for four new national parks in the State's South-West.
The proposed parks are Butler, Hilliger, Milyeannup and Blackwood River.
"The parks are located south-west of Margaret River and south-east of Nannup and further represent the State Government's determination to protect old growth forest," Dr Gallop said.
"The new parks extend over more than 67,000ha and include extensive areas of native forest in line with the Government's election commitments."
The State Government has now announced indicative boundaries for 15 new national parks to be created as part of its ambitious Protecting our old-growth forests policy.
"It will give communities such as Nannup, Augusta and Margaret River opportunities to develop a range of nature-based tourism and recreation activities, secure in the knowledge that these areas will be reserved for future generations," the Premier said.
He said comment would be sought from stakeholders, including community groups and interested members of the public, prior to finalisation of the boundaries of the new parks. Further details would be published in local newspapers at a later date.
"The boundaries are indicative only and have been prepared to take into account conservation values, as well as management issues such as access," Dr Gallop said.
"Where possible, the boundaries have been aligned along existing tracks or natural features."
Details of the proposed new parks are:
Butler - 12,580ha (including around 7,770ha of old-growth forest), comprising:

• 2,650ha of Butler block;
• 2,890ha of Darradup block;
• 5,090ha of Layman block; and
• 1,950ha of Rosa block.

Old-growth represents 62 per cent of the proposed park. Patches of old-growth forest in Butler and Rosa blocks that fall outside the boundaries of the proposed park will be set aside from timber harvesting in informal reserves.
Hilliger - 16,830ha, including 6,510ha of old-growth forest, comprising:

• 4,180ha of Blythe block;
• 3,940ha of Blackpoint block;
• 6,700ha of Hilliger block;
• 280ha of Canebreak block; and
• 1,730ha of Bidella block.

Old -growth forest represents 39 per cent of the proposed park.
Milyeannup - 18,000ha, including 11,880ha of old-growth forest, comprising:

• 420ha of Moonah block;
• 5,680ha of Milyeannup block;
• 3,530ha of Gayndah block;
• 2,340ha of Beaufortia block;
• 730ha of Redgully block;
• 1,570ha of Bottlebrush block; and
• 3,730ha of Telerah block.

Old-growth forest represents two-thirds (66 per cent) of the proposed national park.
Blackwood River - 20,380ha, including 9,040ha of old-growth forest, comprising:

• 1,290ha of Chapman block;
• 4,190ha of Adelaide block;
• 2,580ha of Schroeder block;
• 6,300ha of Ballan block;
• 1,280ha of Layman block;
• 2,490ha of Darradup block;
• 1,290ha of Blackwood block;
• 200ha of Sollya block;
• 20ha of Redgully block;
• 320ha of Jalbarragup block;
• 300ha of Helms block; and
• 120ha not in a forest block.

Old-growth forest represents 44 per cent of the proposed Blackwood River National Park.
Information relating to the formation of a community-based advisory committee to assist in the preparation of management plans for these new parks will be advertised at a later date. The committee will represent the community's conservation, recreation and cultural aspirations for the areas. The management planning process will address issues such as management of the biodiversity conservation values and the provision of recreation and tourism facilities.
These parks represent a significant addition to the conservation estate. They protect areas of outstanding landscape value, as well as old-growth forests and have potential for the translocation of animals once prevalent in the area such as ringtail possums, quokkas and woylies.
Premier's office: 9222 9475