Walpole wilderness area boundaries released

27/08/04
The final boundaries for the Walpole wilderness area were announced today.
Environment Minister Judy Edwards said the 363,000ha Walpole wilderness area, between Denmark and Walpole, was part of the State Government's 'Protecting our old-growth forests' policy to create 30 new national parks as part of a world-class parks system for Western Australia.
Dr Edwards said the final boundaries included four new national parks, three existing national parks - Shannon, Mt Frankland and Walpole-Nornalup - and forest conservation areas.
"However, the boundaries have been designed to include about 21,000ha that will be designated as forest conservation areas," she said.
"This is so the local community has access to firewood, craftwood and apiary sites.
"These areas also will provide for licensed wildflower picking and the extraction of basic raw materials such as gravel for roadworks subject to environmental approvals."
The boundaries mean about 95,000ha of old-growth karri and jarrah forest will be included within the Walpole wilderness area.
The Minister said the final Walpole wilderness area boundaries were testimony to the value of extensive public consultation that had taken place over the past three years.
"Preliminary boundaries for the area were released in April 2001, two months after the election of the Gallop Government and the end to old-growth logging," she said.
"A stakeholder reference group - including representatives from 18 interest groups - was formed in November 2001 and since then, there has been extensive consultation and community input into planning for the Walpole wilderness area.
"The final boundaries reflect the numerous and varied interests of the public and other stakeholders."
Dr Edwards said the proposed new national parks were:

• Mt Roe;
• Mt Lindesay;
• Mt Frankland South; and
• Mt Frankland North.

More than 3,200ha of old-growth forest also would be included in the existing Mt Frankland National Park.
"The reserve design has taken into account proposals for future water supplies through dams on the Denmark, Styx and Bow rivers to cater for expected increase in demand from communities in the lower Great Southern, especially in the Denmark-Albany-Mt Barker triangle," the Minister said.
"The inundation area of the proposed Denmark River reservoir will be created as a separate reserve. The inundation areas of the proposed Bow and Styx rivers reservoirs will be in forest conservation areas.
"The management plan for the Walpole wilderness area is being prepared in consultation with the community and will recognise that these catchments may be needed for water supplies."
Dr Edwards said she appreciated the positive contribution representatives of the many stakeholders had made in finalising the boundaries of the Walpole wilderness area.
"These interest groups include local government, timber industry, craftwood, firewood, water resources, mining, tourism, indigenous heritage and culture, conservation, the commercial flora industry and beekeepers," she said.
"Their contribution has resulted in a reserve design that will not only meet the needs of the local community, it will further strengthen WA's parks system and ensure this distinctive area is conserved for the benefit and enjoyment of generations to come."
Legislation to create the new national parks within the Walpole wilderness area, along with other new national parks proposed under the 'Protecting our old-growth forests' policy, will be introduced into Parliament in the spring session. Legislation to create the first nine new national parks and extend the Wellington National Park was introduced in June this year.
Minister's office: 9220 5050