Southern Flinders Ranges National Park

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (11:14): I move:

That this house requests Her Excellency the Governor—

(a) to make a proclamation under section 27(3) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to alter the boundaries of Mount Remarkable National Park so as to exclude from the park the following land: sections 321, 322, 323, 325, 326, 327, 329 and 347, Hundred of Napperby, County of Victoria; allotments 1 and 3 in Deposited Plan 22619, Hundred of Telowie, County of Frome; allotment 15 in Deposited Plan 27599, Hundred of Telowie, County of Frome; allotment 4 in Deposited Plan 30142, Hundred of Napperby, County of Victoria; and allotment 21 in Deposited Plan 35859, Hundred of Napperby, County of Victoria; and

(b) to make a proclamation under section 29(3) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to abolish Telowie Gorge Conservation Park; and

(c) to make a proclamation under section 30(2) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to abolish Wirrabara Range Conservation Park; and

(d) to make a proclamation under section 30(2) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to abolish Spaniards Gully Conservation Park.

The purpose of this motion is to alter the boundaries of Mount Remarkable National Park, to abolish Telowie Gorge Conservation Park, to abolish Wirrabara Range Conservation Park and to abolish Spaniards Gully Conservation Park. The purpose of abolishing and excluding land from the parks is to allow for all of the above land to be proclaimed as the new Southern Flinders Ranges National Park.

The parks proposed for reclassification comprise a series of spectacular rugged ranges, steep gullies and gorges, featuring a variety of woodland, mallee and tall shrubland communities, which together form more than 8,600 hectares of contiguous protected areas. They are parks of high biodiversity value, protecting approximately 598 species of native flora and 186 species of native fauna.

The proposed reclassification to national park will better reflect the areas' nationally significant environmental and cultural values, enable greater involvement of the Nukunu native title holders in park management and provide greater opportunities for visitors. The Nukunu Wapma Thura (Aboriginal Corporation) have provided in-principle support for the proposal, and the state government is negotiating a co-management agreement with the Nukunu over the proposed new part.

Subject to the resolution of this house, Her Excellency the Governor will be requested to abolish the proclamations and concurrently constitute all of the land as the new Southern Flinders Ranges National Park pursuant to section 28(1) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. I commend this motion house.

Motion carried.