Published on Wednesday, 19 January 2022 at 2:30:44 PM
MEDIA RELEASE - Dryandra Woodland WA’s Newest National Park
The State Government has recently advised that the Dryandra Woodland has officially became a National Park. The former State forest has had two class A nature reserves added, and totals 17,780 hectares, which will ensure the future protection of native animals such as Numbats, Brushtail Wallabies and Mallee fowl.
Shire President Leigh Ballard was ecstatic with the news and said, “The Shire has for many years been advocating for the official recognition of the Park as a National Park.”
President Ballard added “This is great news for the flora and fauna species that call this area home as their future is now protected.” “Credit needs to go to those worked tirelessly with the Government, including local DCBA staff, in achieving this result.”
The Dryandra Woodland National Park, near Narrogin, 180 kilometres south-east of Perth, is the first national park in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region.
Dryandra is a key stronghold for some of Australia's rarest and most vulnerable wildlife, including numbats, woylies, brushtail wallabies, chuditch, quenda and the mound-building malleefowl.
Numbers of numbats, Western Australia's animal emblem, have increased at Dryandra in recent years thanks to a Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions conservation program. The department's Western Shield program, which has been operating for 25 years and works to protect WA's native wildlife through broadscale management of introduced predators, including foxes and feral cats, has achieved significant conservation outcomes for many vulnerable native species in Dryandra.
The Dryandra Woodland National Park is also home to Barna Mia, a predator-proof animal sanctuary where the public can see rare and protected wildlife, including numbats, in their nocturnal environment.
President Ballard added “We would like to congratulate the McGowan Government and Environment Minister, Reece Whitby, in implementing this long held ambition to recognise this extremely valuable Woodlands.” “This will open up opportunities for small tourism and tour businesses, accommodation providers, and Indigenous and educational tourism entrepreneurs”. “Now that the recognition is in place, it is critical that investment occurs in ensuring it remains protected, with appropriate resources. Not just in it being marketed, signed and promoted, but providing staff and Indigenous rangers, on ground, 7 days per week.” “We will continue to push for world class visitor servicing facilities and to ensure that the Park is protected and safeguarded for future generations as our region’s most precious biodiversity hotspot.”
The new national park is located within the local government boundaries of Narrogin, Cuballing, Williams and Wandering and within a day's travel from Perth. The Parks’ main attractions are only 15 minutes north of Narrogin. It has over the years proven to be a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts, campers and bushwalkers, and adds to the growing tourism product and options to explore in the Narrogin Region.
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Further information on this media release may be obtained by contacting Dale Stewart, enquiries@narrogin.wa.gov.au or telephone 08 9890 0900.
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