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What are our priorities in acquiring land?

Because some regions have far more conservation reserves than others, we need to take a strategic approach in acquiring areas for conservation. However, in all bioregions there are ecosystems that are poorly represented in the current reserve system.

What types of environment need to be better represented in the reserve system?

We have placed a high priority on acquiring land that contains the following:

• native grasslands
• semi-arid and arid environments
• wetlands
• sites containing threatened species, communities and ecosystems
• breeding sites for native plants and animals, such as drought refuges or nursery areas
• places of geological interest, such as cave systems and fossil sites
• places where natural features are significant to Aboriginal people
• properties which lie within, or provide improved management access to, existing national parks or reserves.

Which parts of New South Wales need more conservation reserves?

In considering the acquisition of land, we aim to protect the broadest possible range of the state's natural and cultural heritage. The park and reserve system must reflect the wide variety of landscapes and environments in NSW - from the lush rainforests of the north-east, to the semi-arid and arid rangelands of the far west, to the old-growth forests of the far south coast. The size and shape of reserves must also be adequate to maximise the long-term protection of this diverse heritage.

This approach to the development of the state's park and reserve network is encapsulated in the conservation principles of comprehensive, adequate and representative - or 'CAR' for short.

Scientists have divided the state into 17 'bioregions' or areas of similar climate, geology, soils, landforms and vegetation. Some of these bioregions - the alpine region and the Sydney Basin, for example - are well represented with large parks and reserves.

Others, especially those in the west, are poorly represented. In the Riverina bioregion, for example, less than a third of 1% is protected in the park system and in the Darling Riverine Plains it is less than 1%.

More information

Find out about DECC's strategy to systematically build up its terrestrial reserve system.

How much of your bioregion is conserved in parks and reserves? Check out the imbalance between eastern and western NSW on a map of the state.

Purchasing land in western NSW: Currently, just 3% of western NSW is held in public reserve, and many ecosystems and aspects of Aboriginal cultural heritage are not appropriately represented. Find out how we are developing the western reserve system.