Establish A New National Park For The Southern Highlands
To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
We, the undersigned, acknowledge that environmentally significant lands in Wollondilly and Southern Highlands need protection and connection to the surrounding National Parks.
Without protection and designation as a National Park, the land is left under Council control with no investment or protection of Aboriginal artefacts.
We ask the Legislative Assembly to call on the NSW Government to:
1. Acknowledge that the Crown Land reserves of Bargo River Gorge in the North and Mount Alexandra in the South of Wollondilly are surrounded by National Park and Environmental protected zones.
2. Recognise the Bargo River Gorge and Mount Alexandra as well as the surrounding Environmental Protected lands provide essential continual tree canopy that is used by native wildlife and is integral to the Cumberland Plain Conservation Area.
3. Establish a new Southern Highlands National Park which includes the Crown Land reserves of Bargo River Gorge and Mount Alexandra as well as associated Crown Lands in Wollondilly.
4. Create a Planning Considerations document to consider the Environmental Protected C2 Land surrounding the National Park for integration into the park plan for protection, covering recreational use and Aboriginal artifacts.
Southern Highlands National Park
The proposed National Park would bring together several adjoining and adjacent pieces of land that are currently overseen by different government agencies, which results in no continuity of management or care for this unique and endangered ecosystem.
Combining the forests, creeks, rivers, catchments, flora and fauna under one National Park would achieve continuity of foraging range to assist our struggling koala population to grow and survive in an otherwise fast developing environment.
As a National Park all of these lands will be protected from future logging, mining or housing developments ensuring habitat for some of the most unique creatures in the world today. In addition, the area contains cultural sites, as well as other endangered flora and fauna.
Unifying these areas as one National Park with the associated funding and management ensures that it is protected for future generations, preserving the invaluable green spaces around our growing towns.
“Native fauna does not subscribe to the boundaries that we studiously keep on our computers and ultimately mean nothing. If a Koala or Kangaroo can travel through all of these lands, should we not treat them all the same and protect them for all of us to enjoy?”
“It is not a good outcome when care is considered for animals based on parcels of land under the care of individual Government agencies.”
“The proposed National Park would bring together several adjoining and adjacent pieces of land that are currently overseen by different government agencies, which results in no continuity of management or care for this unique and endangered ecosystem.”
View my speeches advocating for a Southern Highlands National Park:
Private Members Statement - Southern Highlands National Park
Private Member's Statement - It's Time to Declare a Southern Highlands National Park
Notice of Motion - Biodiversity Offsets and a Southern Highlands National Park
