Southern Flinders Ranges National Park

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (16:38): I move:

That this council requests Her Excellency the Governor:

1. 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

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

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

4. 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, firstly, alter the boundaries of Mount Remarkable National Park; secondly, to abolish the Telowie Gorge Conservation Park; thirdly, to abolish Wirrabara Range Conservation Park; and, fourthly, 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 area's 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) has provided in principle support for the proposal and the state government is negotiating a co-management agreement with the Nukunu over the proposed new park.

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 to the council.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (16:40): I indicate that the opposition will be supporting this motion but I will ask that perhaps as the minister sums up if she would be so good as to elaborate on how this will benefit native title holders.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:41): I rise in support of this proposal. I do not propose to speak in relation to all of these. I know that there are a number that are related. The Greens are supportive of these changes, but obviously I am interested to hear the response to the question that the honourable leader of the Labor Party has raised.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (16:41): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in this particular area. I do not have the main carriage of this so I am relying on the advice from the minister's office. We are negotiating new co-management agreements so I think through that process we are expecting that we will be able to work more closely with the local native title holders.

Motion carried.