National Parks Association Endorses New National Parks for Central/North-West

The National Parks Association of NSW held its State Council meeting at the Mendooran RSL Club on Saturday the 5^th of May.

The meeting’s focus was Government’s western regional assessment. Local speakers discussed their attitudes towards new national parks. Warren Mundine, ALP Senate candidate spoke about Aboriginal interests in the region.

The NPA State Council unanimously resolved to support:

• greater community involvement in Western Regional Assessments;
• immediate dedication of Goonoo, significant parts of the Pilliga and other important areas as national park;
• adequate funds for the regional assessment, including a timber industry adjustment package, and;
• provision of financial incentives to land holders who wish to protect areas of remnant vegetation.
• funding for a preliminary study of the Riverina/Red Gum from July 2001
• integration of the Nandewar bioregion, covering the western side of the New England Tablelands, into the assessment process.

Mr David Paull, NPA Western Woodlands Officer said today, "There has been considerable interest in the community about the benefit that new national parks bring to the region, both for increased tourism and better conservation of large areas of bushland."

"Pilliga and Goonoo are the most important areas of native vegetation in central and north-west NSW. Nothing that is privately owned compares to these areas in terms of size and condition."

"The Orana region is poorly covered by national parks compared to other regions. Only 2% of the region is national park. Many indigenous ecosystems in the region are unprotected, particularly box and ironbark woodlands, mallee and broombush," said Mr Paull.

"This assessment is long overdue, and we hope it places the long-term management of the region on an ecologically sustainable footing."

The NPA State Council meets every three months to discuss internal matters of the organisation and sets Statewide policy and strategic direction. Representatives from many of the 19 branches throughout the State undertook a field trip to Goonoo led by David Paull and Mendoran local Karin Guce.

Contact: Andrew Cox 02 9299 0000 or 0438 588 040

David Paull 6885 0504

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