Additional conservation reserves for Far West NSW
On 27 October 2002, NSW Premier Bob Carr announced the formal reservation of five large new additions to the NSW reserve system in Far West NSW. This increased the total area of national parks and reserves in Far West NSW by nearly one third.
The additions total 350,000 hectares. They include a wide range of diverse environments representative of Far West NSW.
The additions are:
- Paroo-Darling National Park and State Conservation Area (230,000 hectares - includes the former Peery National Park)
- Oolambeyan National Park (21,851 hectares)
- Leadknapper Nature Reserve (16,339 hectares)
- additions to Gundabooka National Park (20,311 hectares)
- additions to Mungo National Park (60,790 hectares).
Documents to download More about the additions Paroo-Darling National Park and State Conservation Area
This large area includes the former Peery National Park, which was renamed as part of the announcement. The area protects a broad sweep of floodplain and associated environments at the lower end of the Paroo River and middle reaches of the Darling River.
See a map of the new park (PDF - 140KB)
Oolambeyan National Park
This area protects important areas of native grassland and grassy woodland environments south of Hay. It also supports a population of the nationally vulnerable plains wanderer.
Leadknapper Nature Reserve
This area protects the unique spinifex-ironbark communities which are found in a narrow band of deep sands stretching north of Bourke to the Queensland border. This is the first time these environments have been conserved in a protected area.
In spring, these environments put on a spectacular wildflower display. They are already popular with wildflower enthusiasts.
Additions to Gundabooka National Park
The addition of approximately 20,000 hectares to Gundabooka National Park means that the park protects the majority of the Gundabooka Range.
The park also conserves surrounding lowland forests and woodland environments. This includes a significant stretch of Yanda Creek - the main creekline draining of the northern end of the Cobar Peneplain Bioregion.
The park also includes many highly significant Aboriginal sites.
Find out more about Gundabooka National Park.
Additions to Mungo National Park
This 60,790-hectare addition will triple the size of the current Mungo National Park. The park protects much of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area.
Find out more about Mungo National Park.
Page last updated: 27 February 2011
