National parklands are set to expand with the purchase of 153,415 hectares of land in the far north west of the State, the largest purchase of private land for national parks in NSW’s history.
Announced by the Minister for the Environment, Matt Kean, the purchase of Narriearra Station will help protect threatened species, important habitat and wetlands.
“Narriearra Station stretches across the outback Channel Country and includes part of the Bulloo River floodplain, ephemeral wetlands and landscapes currently not found anywhere in NSW national parks,” Mr Kean said.
“Narriearra is an important refuge for threatened wildlife, with more than 25 threatened animal species, including nearly 90 per cent of NSW’s critical habitat and breeding areas for the nationally endangered Grey Grasswren,” he said.
“Narriearra, along with the nearby Sturt National Park, will create a vast near-contiguous conservation area of almost half a million hectares, or twice the size of the ACT.”
Mr Kean said the acquisition secured a key section of a nationally important wetland, the Caryapundy Swamp, which could host tens of thousands of waterbirds including pelicans, straw-necked ibis, egrets and whiskered terns during inland flood events.
“Adjoining the Pindera Downs Aboriginal Area, Narriearra contains many significant and valuable stone artefacts, tools and stone arrangements,” the Minister said.
