Community involvement in establishing new parks

We welcome community involvement in establishing new parks. Find out how you can get involved.

There are several ways that you can be involved in establishing new parks.

These include contributing to:

  • planning
  • assessment
  • acquisition
  • reservation
  • park management planning.

Opportunities for involvement vary and will depend on whether:

  • we are responsible for the process or recommendation that land be acquired
  • a confidentiality constraint limits community involvement before acquisition
  • the acquisition proposal is considered routine or extraordinary

The land acquisition program is guided by conservation priorities outlined in the NSW National Parks Establishment Plan, which is periodically reviewed.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is always seeking ways to improve the conservation value of the national parks system and welcomes your input to shape our priorities. You can contact the Reserve Establishment Unit by email.

You can also propose land to be considered for acquisition.

Acquisitions to the parks system may involve:

  • the purchase of private land
  • the transfer of public land.

Proposals involving private land purchases

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service acquires land by agreement under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. When land is offered for sale, the dealings are commercial-in-confidence, and a landowner’s privacy and confidentiality must be respected. Therefore, it is generally not possible for the community to be involved in the process of purchasing private land. 

Proposals involving public land transfers

The community may be able to be involved in acquisition proposals for public land where:
  • the government agency responsible for the land supports this
  • it is not part of a broader public land assessment that requires other consultation mechanisms.
We may seek community input for our decision-making process when proposals to acquire public land involve:
  • relatively large parcels of land
  • land that is currently being used for activities that would be unlikely to continue if the land was acquired because they are incompatible with national park objectives
  • potential adverse socio-economic impacts on a local community.

After we acquire land for new or existing parks, we notify the local member of parliament, local government and, where possible, adjoining landholders. A public acquisition announcement may also be made. Lands recently acquired are listed on our website. The list is updated regularly.

The reservation of land under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 provides the highest level of long-term security for the maintenance of environmental values. Reservation protects land in-perpetuity, allows land to be covered by a plan of management, ensures all the provisions of the Act apply and publicly identifies land as part of the national parks system. Reservation occurs by the publication of a notice in the NSW Government Gazette.

The community and other government agencies may identify conflicting land uses and suggest the category of reserve and a name for a proposed new park. This usually involves park-based committees or consultation processes across government.

Stakeholders involved in informing our decision making include:

Once land is acquired, a range of park management planning processes begin, such as incorporation of the land into new or existing reserve plans of management, and fire and pest management strategies. The community can provide input into these.

Search for a specific park management plan.