Yiraaldiya National Park feral predator-free area: update July 2025

Stage 2 construction is complete

In 2023, we built a 56-hectare area called Stage 1, nested within the larger Yiraaldiya feral predator-free area, and declared it feral predator free. This allowed the reintroduction of locally extinct species to commence.

We have now installed the remaining 7.5 kilometres of conservation fencing, completing Stage 2 and finalising the 555-hectare feral predator-proof area. We have also completed civil and vegetation management works, upgraded trails, and built predator-proof floodway crossings.

The initial adaptive reuse and development of existing infrastructure to accommodate visitors is now complete. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is now facilitating access to the area, with local schools, community groups, and government agencies actively using the facilities.

Returning locally extinct wildlife to Yiraaldiya

In autumn 2024, we reintroduced the New Holland mouse, a tiny native rodent listed as vulnerable under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, into Stage 1 of Yiraaldiya feral predator-free area. This is the first ever translocation of the New Holland mouse in New South Wales. The release is the first step to establishing a self-sustaining, wild, genetically diverse population in Yiraaldiya. For more details, see the media release: New Holland mouse joins koalas and eastern bettongs in Yiraaldiya National Park.

Our monitoring shows that the koalas and eastern bettongs reintroduced to Stage 1 in 2023 are healthy, gaining weight and improving their body condition. We are planning to translocate additional koalas and bettongs, to supplement the existing populations.

Yiraaldiya National Park draft plan of management

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service develops and implements legal documents called plans of management which guide how a park will be sustainably managed, including its natural and cultural values.

We recently sought feedback on the Yiraaldiya National Park draft plan of management. The opportunity to comment closed on 3 June 2025. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Greater Sydney Regional Advisory Committee, and the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council will consider the feedback. They will then submit a revised draft plan to the Minister for the Environment.

The Minister will consider the plan, submissions, and advice from the advisory bodies, and decide whether to adopt the plan under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. Once a plan is adopted, it is published on the department's website and key stakeholders, including those who made a submission on the draft plan, are notified.

Stage 2 feral animal eradication

We are currently working to remove feral predators like cats and foxes, as well as feral herbivores like goats and deer, from Stage 2. This is crucial to protect native wildlife and ensure the success of the feral predator-free area conservation project. We will use a range of conventional methods, including trapping, shooting, ground baiting and Felixer cat grooming traps.

Next project update

The next project update will be published when feral predator eradication has been achieved in Stage 2 and there are further animal reintroduction updates.