Skip navigation
Partnership for the Outback
    Partnership for the Outback
  • Outback WA
  • What we can do for the Outback
    Indigenous Land Management Creating a Modern Outback Carbon Farming Invest in national parks
  • Take Action
  • Threats
  • About
  • Resources
  • News (current)
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Historic first step towards expanding WA parks estate

Historic first step towards expanding WA parks estate

Posted by Viviana Bernal on 25 July 2019

New Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park welcomed


The new Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park announced today by Premier Mark McGowan and Environment Minister Stephen Dawson is an historic first step towards the WA Government’s visionary agenda for new national parks across the state.

“The Government’s announcement in February that it would create five million hectares of new national and marine parks is the largest single commitment of its kind in Australia’s history, and a big win for nature,” said Linda Goncalves, spokesperson for the Create Ranger Parks campaign.

“Today’s park creation is a significant milestone towards this goal.”

Image: Aerial view of the Pelsaert Group of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands. Photo by Julie Edgley, Flickr

The Houtman Abrolhos Islands are a unique and special part of Western Australia – a series of low, windswept coral cays off the coast of Geraldton. They are home to more than 90 species of seabirds and are one of the most important breeding sites for tropical seabirds in Australia.

The unique marine environment surrounding the islands is a playground for the Australian sea lion, and the islands’ diverse flora includes mangroves, saltbush and salt lake vegetation.

“The new National Park is an essential step towards greater protection and improved conservation management of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands,” Ms Goncalves said. “As with all national parks, outcomes for nature will depend on the Government establishing an appropriate level of funding to ensure effective management of sensitive environments.”

“With proper management and funding, national parks are at the centre of WA’s efforts to ensure our unique wildlife thrive in the future. We congratulate the WA Premier, Environment Minister and their colleagues on this significant milestone towards the State’s visionary conservation goals,” Ms Goncalves said.

For media comment, contact Suzannah Macbeth on 0409 079 507

National Parks

Share this article:

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Send by mail

You may also be interested:

Proposed land reform changes to diversify the WA Outback

After several years of landholders calling for change, the WA Government has announced they will update the Land Administration Act. The changes include allowing for conservation and restoration on pastoral lands in...
Read more

Badimia Traditional Owners return to Country on Thundelarra

Your support to create new national parks and reserves in the WA Outback has been invaluable and we wanted to share a heart-warming success story from this campaign with you! Badimia Traditional...
Read more

New polling shows West Aussies love national parks

With the WA election coming up, it’s an important time to remind politicians about the things we care about. We know you love our national parks and now we can share that...
Read more
Partnership for the Outback

Partnership For The Outback is an alliance of leading conservation organisations working for nature, people and the future of Outback WA.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are advised voices and images of deceased people may appear on the site.

 

 

Photo Credits  |  Acknowledgement  |  Privacy  |  Contact

Created by Code Nation using NationBuilder