Preparation of draft plan for Lesueur national park

A draft management plan is now being prepared for the newly created Lesueur National Park near Jurien, and the adjoining Coomallo nature reserve.

Environment Minister Bob Pearce said the draft would be formulated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management, on behalf of the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority.

The plan would cover issues relating to recreation and access to the park, fire protection, dieback management, weed and feral animal control.

"CALM also hopes to provide a wide range of educational opportunities so people can enjoy and learn about the native flora and fauna in the region," Mr Pearce said.

"Members of the public can have an input into the management plan and I would urge anyone who has an interest in the area to submit their suggestions to CALM at its Moora and Mt Pleasant offices before October 9.

"It is vital that people have their say in the future of our important conservation estate, so once the draft plan is complete, it will be released for public comment before the final management plan is prepared."

The Lesueur national park was created earlier this year.

The area had long been recognised for its significant conservation value and as a result, the State Government rejected a proposal to establish an open cut coal mine on its eastern border.

Mr Pearce said the area was largely free of dieback disease, but had to be managed carefully.

"The creation of the park has allowed CALM to start protecting susceptible flora - the final management plan will incorporate strict guidelines to enforce these measures," he said.

The park contains 821 flora species, or 10 per cent of the State's known flora.  These include seven species of declared rare flora and nine species found nowhere else in the world.

Lesueur also has diverse fauna - with at least 15 mammal, 124 bird, 48 reptile and nine frog species.