Three stations added to the National Park network | Australian Markets

The Minns Labor Government is defending more native wildlife and threatened ecosystems by including more than 34,000 hectares throughout three massive land holdings in north west NSW to our network of national parks.

The authorities has invested $11.7 million to purchase the retired stations, totalling 34,773 hectares:

•Bellenbar – 13,674 hectares
•Iona – 13,456 hectares
•Innisfail – 7,643 hectares

Combined, the new reserves present recognized or potential habitat for more than 80 threatened species.

The new reserve at Bellenbar is north west of Bourke on the Warrego River and consists of 2,334ha of Coolibah – Black Box Woodland which is listed as an endangered ecological neighborhood.

Nine threatened species together with the endangered Kultarr and South-eastern Hooded Robin have been recorded on the property and an extra 27 threatened species have been noticed in the locality.

The new reserve at Iona is north west of Cobar and has known-and-potential habitat for 50 threatened species. That consists of 44 animals together with Corben’s Long-eared Bat, Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-Bat, Inland Forest Bat and Little Pied Bat, in addition to habitat for seven flora species together with the lancewood Acacia petraea.

Iona additionally consists of important rock artwork and cultural heritage of the Ngiyampaa people on the Cobar Peneplains. A research of the rock artwork of the Cobar Pediplain was accomplished by F.D. McCarthy in 1976 the place he states, they’re the “finest series of rock paintings in southeastern Australia.”

North west of Brewarrina, the Innisfail property is an element of the Mundiwa Aboriginal camp inhabited up till the early 1900s by Jimmie Barker and others who documented Muruwari tradition.

The property is wealthy in biodiversity with 22 fauna and two threatened species noticed, together with the endangered listed Hooded Robin and weak listed Grey-crowned Babbler.

The property at Innisfail additionally options 4,000ha of Coolibah – Black Box Woodland and riverine habitat alongside a 20km stretch of the Culgoa River in addition to quite a few different channels and waterholes on floodplains.

Following the acquisitions, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will endure intensive planning to decide how best to defend the environmental and cultural heritage values of these new reserves. Work together with feral animal control and fire management shall be carried out.

These three acquisitions almost double new additions for the 2024-25 financial yr to a complete of more than 73,000ha. The NSW national parks network now totals virtually 7,774,000 ha.

Quote attributable to Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe:

“The Minns Labor Government is dedicated to increasing our national park network to strengthen conservation, respect and rejoice Aboriginal heritage and help regional communities.

“These reserves defend over 80 threatened species, safeguarding nature for future generations.

“This land is not only environmentally significant, but also culturally rich. Protecting sites like Winbar Caves and consulting with Aboriginal communities about management of the new acquisitions ensures Aboriginal cultural heritage is recognised, respected and protected.”

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