New South Wales National Parks Establishment Plan 2008

The NSW State Plan recognises the important role of parks and reserves in achieving the Government’s natural resource targets to conserve native flora, fauna and wetlands, increase opportunities for nature-based and cultural tourism and recreation, and improve community wellbeing.

DECC’s parks and reserves protect a diversity of native flora and fauna and water catchment areas. They are vital in tackling the decline of biodiversity, mitigating the effects of climate change on our natural environment and protecting the health of whole landscapes. Indeed, a securely protected and well-managed public reserve system is an essential component of the infrastructure needed by societies to ensure their long-term sustainability.

The DECC reserve system also conserves many significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites and artefacts, historic buildings, scenic landscapes and geological heritage.