A new national park more than three times the size of Centennial Parklands is being created in Western Sydney in a major boost for affordable recreation and threatened wildlife.
The Minns Labor Government is establishing Gulguer National Park, west of Bringelly, offering a new backyard for walkers, mountain bikers, nature lovers and our native animals to explore.
As Western Sydney continues to grow, the 1,100-hectare park will give families, friends and communities a new and affordable place to enjoy the local natural beauty.
The park will add around 700 hectares of new land to the existing environmentally protected areas at Bents Basin State Conservation Area and Gulguer Nature Reserve, creating a destination where recreation, conservation and Aboriginal heritage come together.
Named after the swirling waters of the Nepean River, the new park will preserve significant Aboriginal cultural heritage, including rock art, Aboriginal artefacts and shelters.
Gulguer National Park will protect some of Western Sydney's most important habitat for at least 28 threatened species, including the southern greater glider, powerful owl, giant burrowing frog, eastern coastal free-tailed bat and Cumberland and Dural land snails.
It will also provide stronger protection for the critically endangered Shale Sandstone Transition Forest and Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest.
Land acquired through the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan is helping create Gulguer National Park, which protects important habitat while supporting the delivery of around 73,000 new homes in Western Sydney.
This is the second national park in Western Sydney to be delivered by the Minns Government. The first is Warranmadhaa National Park along the Georges River between Long Point and Appin.
NSW's network of around 900 parks and reserves hosted a record 65.6 million visits last year, showing just how much families, communities and visitors value time outdoors.
Quote attributable to the Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car:
"For too long, families in Western Sydney have missed out on access to outdoor spaces that other parts of the city take for granted.
"That's why the Minns Labor Government is delivering the quality recreational areas Western Sydney communities deserve while protecting our local wildlife and natural heritage.
"At a time when families are under pressure, this new National Park will give locals a world-class destination right in their own backyard."
Quote attributable to Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Penny Sharpe:
"The Minns Labor Government is making it easier and more affordable for Western Sydney families, visitors and local communities to enjoy the great outdoors.
"The new national park will protect threatened species like the powerful owl and southern greater glider.
"It is part of our ongoing commitment to boost conservation in Western Sydney, to ensure our precious native creatures and plants exist here for generations to come."
Quote attributable to Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully:
"The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan allows Western Sydney to grow while permanently protecting important habitat.
"Gulguer National Park is a major part of that work, supporting new homes and infrastructure while securing environmentally significant land for future generations."
