Debate resumed from an earlier hour.
Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (17:31): I am delighted to contribute to debate on the National Park Estate (Great Koala National Park Reservations) Bill 2026. This is a great piece of legislation for the Great Koala National Park. I will speak specifically to this piece of legislation but, with the indulgence of the House, I will talk also by extension to the Warranmadhaa National Park in Campbelltown, which should be treated in the same light for koala preservation to ensure that a national park is in place so our valued koala colony can not only survive but also thrive. That is exactly what is happening. But this legislation is about the establishment of the park reserve, State forest and other Crown lands as managed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
The bill uses multiple reserve categories, including national park, regional park, nature reserve and Aboriginal areas, to balance conservation, cultural values and recreation. In terms of Aboriginal cultural values and joint management, the bill creates new Aboriginal areas, adopts traditional reserve names and supports future joint management agreements. The bill excludes State forest plantations from the park and preserves ongoing access and management arrangements for forestry operations in line with the Government's commitments to ensure access to those plantations. If we look at the background to this legislation, the Great Koala National Park has been Labor Party policy for many years. It was first taken to the 2015 election by Luke Foley.
If we look at Labor governments of the past, from the Carr Government onward—and even under today's Labor Government with Warranmadhaa National Park—no party has a prouder legacy on the preservation of land and the establishment of national parks than Labor governments in New South Wales. I am proud to be a member of a party that has championed these environmental protections, not only for the conservation of habitat but also for local communities to enjoy, and that is exactly what they do. The Government made the commitment to establish the Great Koala National Park at the 2023 election, as we did for Warranmadhaa National Park, which stretches from Glenfield down to Dharawal National Park. That commitment will ensure the security of the land for the preservation and conservation of those valuable koala colonies.
The assessment process included independent environmental, cultural heritage, social and economic analysis, together with advice from dedicated Aboriginal, community and industry advisory panels. The final reservation proposal reflects the outcomes of those assessments and consultation processes. It seeks to protect nationally significant environmental and cultural values while recognising existing recreational uses, Aboriginal cultural interests, community expectations and practical land management requirements. The Government has implemented comprehensive support measures for affected workers and businesses, including retraining, relocation and business transition assistance. The creation of the national park will protect over 12,000 koalas, 36,000 greater gliders, habitat for over 100 other threatened species, old-growth forests and significant water catchments.
Its establishment is one of the highest conservation priorities in New South Wales, and there has been much consultation. With the indulgence of the House, I draw the attention of members to areas south of my community through to Dharawal National Park. I acknowledge in the Chamber my friend the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, and member for Wollongong. He has been a great support to me and our community when it comes to finding the balance between the delivery of homes that people need and want, while also making sure we have appropriate and adequate measures in place for our koala colony. The reality is we have to find a balance, because people want to live in houses, and that means they are going to be built. It is one thing to construct a house, but it is a whole different conversation to build a community.
We have to get it right in the southern parts of Campbelltown, down into Appin, Menangle and Picton, and towards the beautiful region of the Illawarra, which is connected by Dharawal National Park. I will not look in the rear-vision mirror, but in previous years it was not done right. The community felt disengaged. There was nothing in sight. Koala fences were not put up along Appin Road. No measures were put in place for koala underpasses. One is already open. For the locals who have no doubt tuned in to listen to my contribution while they have dinner at home tonight—I am sure they have tuned in—construction has begun on another underpass at Brian Road near Ousedale Creek. It is just past the old dog track on the right-hand side as one heads down to Appin. Another underpass will go in underneath there.
Those underpasses are based on recommendations by the chief scientist. I acknowledge the many valued volunteers who are passionate about the issue. I agree that this is an issue to be passionate about, but we must follow the recommendations and advice of the experts. I acknowledge there are many experts with their own views on this particular issue, but the reality is that we must follow process and take the advice of environmental scientists and, indeed, the chief scientist when it comes to preservation. So much more is going on to the south of Campbelltown, but I will not just focus on that particular area alone. Warranmadhaa National Park connects many other pieces of land that will benefit, including out the back of Kentlyn and Glenfield and around the river stream. While Smiths Creek Reserve is not part of Warranmadhaa National Park, it connects to that national park and is another important preserved area where the balance was found, as it was developed, for koalas to cohabitate with humans. That was as far back as the 1960s.
I thank the Minister and the Government for their efforts in environmental conservation and preservation, because it does matter. I am a bit jovial about it. Of course, no-one sitting at home is watching me say this right now. But I will get a video of it and put it on my Facebook page so that they can do it at a time of their convenience. It is only appropriate that I do so, because we need to make sure that people are well informed and are getting the best and most correct information, which at this time is that this Government is taking every appropriate action and adequate step for environmental preservation and protection as well as habitat conservation.
I note the presence in the Chamber of the member for Cronulla opposite. I especially mention him because he was the environment Minister once upon a time, in the year of our Lord 2017, I think—or whenever—and he was good. I will never forget that he sent me a national park pass, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Jokes aside, I acknowledge his efforts during his time in that portfolio. I know he confronted many barriers, headwinds and challenges during that time. But under those circumstances and given that situation, in light of those barriers and challenges, he did a pretty good job. I acknowledge that. To conclude, I commend this bill to the House and thank the relevant Ministers who have worked hard to see it come before us today. I believe that it finds the balance between the conservation of land and the preservation of habitat in the face of urban population growth.
