The last remaining undeveloped peninsula-plateau in the upper Blue Mountains is to be protected for future generations.
Minister for the Environment, Matt Kean said the Radiata Plateau was to be incorporated into the State’s national park reserve system.
Mr Kean said the land purchase would protect the last remaining undeveloped peninsula-plateau on the upper Blue Mountains western escarpment.
“This site supports important wildlife corridors and nationally listed endangered ecological communities, including Blue Mountains swamps, and endangered species such as the Spotted-tailed Quoll, the Dwarf Mountain Pine and Greater Glider,” Mr Kean said.
“I am delighted to announce that we have just exchanged contracts for this important 300 hectare parcel of land, which will help secure this beautiful landscape forever.”
He said the Government had been working toward acquiring the private property over recent months in order to ensure that the area was protected and that the public would continue to enjoy it.
“The property holds significance to the Gundungurra and Dharug people and includes the state significant heritage site ‘Blacks Ladder’, which marks a traditional Aboriginal pathway into the Megalong Valley,” Mr Kean said.
“I would like to thank the community and the Blue Mountains Conservation Society for their three decade long campaign to ensure this land is protected,” he said.
“I know from the hundreds of letters I received that the plateau is widely loved by the community and its network of walking tracks are enjoyed regularly by local residents, bush walkers, climbers and bird watchers.”
Mr Kean said that once the purchase had settled, the National Parks and Wildlife Service would commence developing a plan of management to guide the areas protection, management and access for the public.
