One of Western Australia's most important areas for wildlife conservation, Dryandra Woodland, is set to become the Wheatbelt's first national park to ensure it remains a safe haven for wildlife and a major nature-based tourism destination.
 | Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the new national park was a part of the Liberal National Government's commitment to conserving Western Australia's natural assets. "Dryandra Woodland is the largest remaining remnant of Wheatbelt woodland that provides a sanctuary for 10 threatened species, including one of the few remaining wild populations of woylies, numbats and tammar wallabies," Mr Jacob said. "We are already working to protect the woodland's natural values, with a 1,000-hectare feral predator-proof enclosure due to be completed by the end of the year. This will safeguard threatened species, alongside cat and fox baiting under the Department of Parks and Wildlife's flagship Western Shield wildlife recovery program." |
The Minister said the Gnaala Mia campground opened in Dryandra in June as part of the four-year, $21.05 million investment in the Parks for People initiative, and the woodland was also home to the Barna Mia sanctuary where visitors could interact with wildlife up-close at night.
"Just a two-hour drive from Perth, Dryandra Woodland is already a major drawcard for wildlife enthusiasts, campers and bushwalkers, so it is clear that this is a very special place that needs to be protected for generations to come," he said.
"Dryandra National Park will be a valuable addition to our existing network of 100 national parks, in addition to our recent announcement that we will be creating the Abrolhos Islands National Park in the Mid-West."
Mr Jacob said the recent replacement by the Liberal National Government of archaic wildlife legislation with the modern Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 would further protect threatened species in Dryandra.
Fact File
"Just a two-hour drive from Perth, Dryandra Woodland is already a major drawcard for wildlife enthusiasts, campers and bushwalkers, so it is clear that this is a very special place that needs to be protected for generations to come," he said.
"Dryandra National Park will be a valuable addition to our existing network of 100 national parks, in addition to our recent announcement that we will be creating the Abrolhos Islands National Park in the Mid-West."
Mr Jacob said the recent replacement by the Liberal National Government of archaic wildlife legislation with the modern Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 would further protect threatened species in Dryandra.
Fact File
- Dryandra Woodland is home to about 100 bird species, 50 reptile species and 24 mammal species
- The woodland had more than 52,000 visits in 2015-16
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