South Australia is now home to Australia’s largest and newest national park, with the official proclamation of Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park at the end of last month (26 November).
Announcing the proclamation, Minister for Environment and Water, David Speirs said changes also included four other new national parks: Wapma Thura – Southern Flinders Ranges National Park; Lake Frome National Park; and the upgrade of Cleland and Deep Creek to national parks.
“The new changes mark the biggest expansion of national parks in the State’s history,” Mr Speirs said.
“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 and these protected areas conserve vitally important ecosystems, habitats, plants and animals, unique land formations, and culturally significant places,” he said.
Mr Speirs said Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park was 3.6 million hectares in size, large enough to fit 1.75 million Adelaide Ovals in it.
“It’s also more than one million hectares larger than the next biggest national park – Kakadu,” he said.
The Minister said the new national park for the Simpson Desert had been made through changing the legal status of the existing Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Conservation Park, which would strengthen the park’s conservation and biodiversity values.
Director of the Wilderness Society South Australia, Peter Owen welcomed the creation of the national park.
“For over a decade the Wilderness Society has been advocating for a conservation corridor in the heart of Australia, allowing endangered animals and plants to move and adapt to a rapidly changing climate,” Mr Owen said.
“This grand initiative is a significant step,” he said.
Further information on the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park can be accessed at this PS News link.
