THE campaign to secure World Heritage listing of the Royal National Park has received a major boost.
State Environment Minister Robyn Parker said the government was ‘‘moving to nominate’’ the region, which also includes Heathcote National Park and Garrawarra Conservation Area.
“Nominating areas for World Heritage listing is a collaborative process between the federal government and the states, and I have approached the new federal Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, to seek his support,’’ she said.
‘‘There is tremendous public support for World Heritage listing and the state government will be asking for federal assistance to prepare a nomination.’’
While the announcement will help the Liberal Party in the Miranda byelection, it appears the government was already moving towards supporting the cause.
Ms Parker invited a delegation from First National Park, a community group which has waged a long campaign to secure the listing, to an August 22 meeting.
The meeting took place a week before
the shock resignation of Miranda MP Graham Annesley.
Chairman of First National Park, Bob Walshe, said the meeting, attended by Bob Crombie, Dr Geoff Mosley and himself had been very encouraging.
‘‘In dealing with government departments, community groups are used to evasions and delays, but that wasn’t the case here,’’ he said. ‘‘The minister asked, ‘How precisely can we help?’ ’’
Mr Walshe said the group was offered ‘‘generalised support’’ and told it could apply directly to the federal government.
It had been agreed a strong letter of support from the state government would be influential.
Mr Walshe said he did not know if the state government’s subsequent, more proactive announcement was connected to the byelection.
‘‘I hope not, but regardless we would hope for bipartisan support,’’ he said.
Mr Crombie said it had been an extremely focused and ‘‘clarifying’’ meeting.
OUR PARK
Royal National Park was the first national park to be declared in Australia in 1879, and only the second in the world.
It attracts more than four million visitors a year, more than any other national park.
The park was added to Australia’s National Heritage list in 2006.
No other national park is among the 962 places on the World Heritage list.
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