Western Australia is home to some of the most iconic national parks, including three World Heritage sites.
Western Australians love national parks. Expanding and better managing national parks ensures more places for people to explore nature, safeguard our native plant and animal species and help boost regional economies and create jobs.
In February 2019, thanks to the support of more than 17,000 Create Ranger Parks supporters we were successful in securing a commitment from the WA Government to create 5 million hectares of new national parks and marine parks and reserves through the Plan for Our Parks initiative.
The was a huge achievement, Australia’s largest ever commitment to national parks and securing a new conservation estate that is almost the size of Tasmania!
A 2021 poll by Ucomms found that 74 per cent of Western Australians supported the Plan for Our Parks initiative and 69 per cent of people believed national parks were good for creating jobs and the WA economy.
As part of the initiative, the proposed parks will be jointly managed and jointly vested with Traditional Owner groups, giving Aboriginal rangers and leaders a central role in formulating, and managing the new parks.
Currently agreements are being negotiated between the relevant Traditional Owners and government for the location and management of the parks.
On top of the 18 properties currently being negotiated, an extra 8 parks are now also being considered.
An additional 830,000 hectares have now been identified as additional properties under Plan for Our Parks, including the expansion of the iconic Karijini National Park and the Waldburg National Park, adjacent to Mount Augustus (Burringurrah).
It also includes the creation of two other proposed parks in the WA Outback including:
Dear Premier, Opposition Leader and Local MP
I support the creation of new national parks jointly managed by Traditional Owners, as an important part of the WA COVID economic recovery.
The expansion of our national park estate in WA will be a longstanding legacy for all Western Australians.
The pandemic has reminded us all just how valuable national parks and nature are to our health, wellbeing and the economy, as well the importance of protecting our natural wonders and wild landscapes.
Investment in national parks not only protects WA's best natural assets, but also creates employment and regional development opportunities. These include tourism and the creation of Aboriginal ranger jobs, which benefits the environment and remote communities.
I urge you to commit to continue creating new national parks in partnership with Traditional Owners into the next term of government -for us all to enjoy.
Plan for Our Parks will go a long way in protecting WA's natural assets. However, a continuation of this ground-breaking initiative is needed with the creation of new national parks and through protecting former pastoral leases that were purchased for conservation.
With every day that passes, the threats to these unique places grow stronger and the task of returning them to health grows more challenging.
Learn more about National Parks
Dear Premier, Opposition Leader and Local MP
I support the creation of new national parks jointly managed by Traditional Owners, as an important part of the WA COVID economic recovery.
The expansion of our national park estate in WA will be a longstanding legacy for all Western Australians.
The pandemic has reminded us all just how valuable national parks and nature are to our health, wellbeing and the economy, as well the importance of protecting our natural wonders and wild landscapes.
Investment in national parks not only protects WA's best natural assets, but also creates employment and regional development opportunities. These include tourism and the creation of Aboriginal ranger jobs, which benefits the environment and remote communities.
I urge you to commit to continue creating new national parks in partnership with Traditional Owners into the next term of government -for us all to enjoy.
My Country is very harsh at times but it also can be very nurturing. It is an environment that if you look after it, it will look after you. Create Ranger Parks is an opportunity to connect people to their traditional country and to protect the natural and cultural heritage that matters to all Western Australians.
Bianca McNeair, Malgana Custodian, Shark Bay
We've got to get people out on Country and where is better suited for this purpose than the 60 Outback properties that have already been purchased for conservation and land management - places that are home to hundreds of important Aboriginal cultural sites that help tell the story of this land.
Richard Nelly, Yamatji Elder, Geraldton
