ADI St Marys Regional Park Isn’t Worth Having National Parks Association of NSW

The National Parks Association of NSW today has taken the unprecedented step and asked NSW Parliamentarians to block the creation of the regional park proposed for the ADI St Marys site at western Sydney.

"The regional park was proposed by Government in January to protect part of the 1540 hectare site’s endangered woodlands and one of the last populations of kangaroos and emu left in Sydney," said Executive Officer, Andrew Cox.

"However at 630 hectares, and with boundaries wrapping around the development areas on the site, the regional park is not big enough to ensure that the area’s exceptional values are protected and the boundaries are totally unmanageable."

"We have written to all members of the Upper House of Parliament to seek their support for a disallowance resolution that will block any attempt by the Government to create its promised regional park."

"Any regional park can be blocked in this manner (see Section 47R National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974), but this has never been done before."

"Under the NSW Government’s plan, there will be a new township of 8,000 homes for about 20,000 people, industry and business on the site. This will give the small regional park little chance of surviving urban pressures such as stormwater runoff, weed invasion, rubbish dumping and domestic animals. The regional park is too narrow and convoluted (see attached zoning map)", said Mr Cox.

"The Urban Affairs Minister promoted his plan for the ADI site as ‘sustainable’ development that demonstrates ‘world’s best standards’ in environmental practice."

"In terms of protecting the natural values of the site, the Government’s plan fails."

"In short, NPA thinks the regional park is not worth having!"

"The ADI Residents Action Group supports our approach."

"NPA seeks the protection of the ADI Site at St Marys as 100% regional park to properly protect the State and regionally significant conservation values and provide adequate recreational opportunities for western Sydney residents."

"To do this we the State and Federal Governments must make a serious attempt to protect the site", concluded Mr Cox.

Contact: Andrew Cox 9299 0000 or 0438 588 040

30 March 2001


Sunday 1 April: ADI St Marys Rally and Motorcade

10:30am Motorcade around the ADI Site

1:00pm Public Rally at Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, High St, Penrith

Organised by ADI Residents Action Group www.savetheadisite.bmt.com.au


| National Parks Association of NSW | More press releases |