Community consultation open for future management of almost 293,000 hectares of land in Mid West and Murchison

The Mid West community can have their say on the future management of almost 293,000 hectares of land in the Mid West and Murchison area. The Badimia parks and reserves draft joint management plan, created in 2021 as part of the State Government’s Plan for Our Parks initiative, focuses on culturally significant places, improved visitor and staff facilities at Thundelarra Conservation Park and building biodiversity knowledge. Prepared by the Department and Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Badimia Bandi Barna Aboriginal Corporation, the plan covers seven national and conservation parks and nature reserves in the Murchison and northern Wheatbelt. Six Badimia rangers will work alongside DBCA staff to manage the reserve. BBBAC chair and Badimia elder Darryl Fogarty welcomed the opportunity for traditional owners to learn and work on country. Conservation and Parks Commission chair Jo Lanagan said the reserve was culturally significant and had a rich pastoral heritage. “The reserves are home to four threatened animal species — the Australian painted snipe, malleefowl, western spiny-tailed skink and Lake Goorly shield-backed trapdoor spider — and two threatened plant species, the native foxglove and shining triggerplant, and a number of priority species,” she said. “There is also potential to establish nature-based and cultural-tourism opportunities in the future, while ensuring the unique values of the land are preserved for current and future generations.” The community are invited to have their say on the management plan before Friday, November 8. To comment, visit the DBCA website.