The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is calling for feedback on the future management of the proposed Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park.
Executive Director of NPWS, Mike Williams said NPWS’s Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park Draft Management Plan 2021 had been updated from the existing 2019 plan to recognise the new national park status and enshrine new protections for the environmentally significant Kallakoopah Creek.
“This change will help promote the park and strengthen the area’s conservation and biodiversity values,” Mr Williams said.
“These protected areas play an integral role in the conservation of South Australia’s biological diversity and natural heritage, and in maintaining the resilience of ecosystems against the effects of a changing climate,” he said.
He said the protected areas conserved vitally important ecosystems, habitats, plants and animals, unique land formations and culturally significant places.
“National parks are essential spaces to enjoy nature in all its forms, and provide South Australians with a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits,” Mr Williams said.
He said the Draft Management Plan focused on three themes:
* Maintaining the natural desert landscape, through conserving the fragile desert environment so that it could be enjoyed by all people for many generations to come;
* Keeping Wangkangurru Yarluyandi culture alive, through ensuring Country was protected, visitors could learn about Country and Wangkangurru Yarluyandi people could pass on cultural knowledge to younger generations; and
* Providing a unique cultural and nature-based experience for visitors, by enabling visitors to have a positive experience without impacting on the environmental values of the national park.
All feedback will be considered in the development of the final plan, with consultation open until 11 January 2022.
The 21-page Draft Management Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
