National Parks and Wildlife Service Annual Report 1986-87

Abstract

Conservation achievements and infrastructure development in New South Wales parks and reserves marked significant milestones in 1986-87. This report documents the state's expanding protected areas network, with particular emphasis on two major conservation initiatives: the World Heritage listing of key rainforest sites and the establishment of the 57,000-hectare Nombinnie Nature Reserve in the state's western mallee lands. Under the National Rainforest Conservation Program, a joint Commonwealth-State initiative with $22 million in funding, multiple interpretative centers and low-impact walking tracks were developed across several national parks. Urban parks received substantial investment, with over $1 million allocated to Royal and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Parks for visitor facilities. The report demonstrates the government's dual focus on biodiversity conservation and public accessibility, positioning New South Wales's national park system among the world's top five according to international authorities. These developments reflect a comprehensive approach to nature conservation, balancing the protection of both high-profile rainforest ecosystems and less prominent but equally threatened semi-arid environments, while enhancing public engagement through improved infrastructure and interpretative facilities.