The State Government has announced a plan to create five million hectares of new national and marine parks and reserves across Western Australia. This is part of the McGowan Government's whole-of-government target for A Livable Environment, under its Our Priorities: Sharing Prosperity program of targets.
The Plan for Our Parks will see new and expanded parks from the Kimberley in the north, across WA’s Rangelands, through population centres in Perth and Bunbury, to our south-west forests and along our southern coastline. This will create more opportunities for nature-based and cultural tourism, provide enhanced biodiversity conservation and build on Aboriginal joint management throughout Western Australia. The plan will deliver on a number of existing strategic priorities and commitments, and create new, visionary opportunities for parks and reserves.
The Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park off the Geraldton coast is the first national park to be created under Plan for Our Parks. The addition of former industrial estate (Site L) into Murujuga National Park in the Pilbara has also been completed, marking another significant achievement under Plan for Our Parks.
Following the Premier’s launch of Plan for Our Parks in February 2019, the State Government has continued to consult with key stakeholders and interest holders, including: traditional owners, conservation groups, the resource sector, commercial and recreational fishers, pastoralists, local government authorities and neighbours. Several hundred stakeholders were contacted and given the opportunity to meet and contribute their feedback, which to date has been very constructive and positive.
The expansion plan will build on the State Government’s successful Aboriginal Ranger Program by providing more opportunities for traditional owners to jointly manage country. The creation of new parks and reserves will be subject to endorsement from traditional owners and the finalisation of Indigenous Land Use Agreements.
The consultation timeline outlines the State Government’s comprehensive and ongoing consultation process withTraditional Owners; pastoral, fishing and mining industry; conservation organisations; interest holders and all levels of government. There is flexibility with the design of Plan for Our Parks. Through the consultation process, specific proposals, boundaries and management approaches will be developed. Download the consultation timeline below.
Plan for Our Parks spans the State, from the Kimberley region in the north to the South Coast. Find out more about the proposed new and expanded parks, including regional maps.
Plan for Our Parks Frequently Asked Questions4.17 MB Plan for Our Parks brochure6.35 MBConsultation timeline1.27 MBOverview map of new park opportunities610.81 KBFor additional information please contact:
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