State conservation areas: Review and results

Abstract

State conservation areas form an important reserve category in the state's national parks network. They protect natural and cultural heritage values and provide recreational opportunities. Unlike national parks and other reserves, exploration and mining is permissible in SCAs. This enables land that is important for its mineral values, but which also has significant natural and cultural heritage values, to be reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and managed for conservation, public appreciation and enjoyment, without unnecessarily restricting mining and exploration activity.