Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne has congratulated the State Government on its decision to expand its National Park network, saying it's a win for residents of Western Sydney.
On Sunday, the State Government announced a 500 hectare site located at Shanes Park, between Penrith and Windsor, would be become the newest National Park in NSW, with locally extinct native species such as quolls, bettongs and brush-tailed phascogales to be re-introduced into this area.
"This is fantastic news, especially for Western Sydney residents," Mayor Byrne said.
"As Sydney continues to grow, we need to protect our green spaces, such as Shanes Park. This allows for important conservation efforts to be carried out and a place where our native wildlife can survive and thrive.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is also highlighting how important these spaces are, especially for our physical and mental wellbeing," Mayor Byrne added.
Mayor Byrne said the State Government's recent announcement gives her hope that the Cumberland State Forest, located at West Pennant Hills, could also be reclassified as a National Park, which would give it greater powers of protection.
"The Cumberland State Forest is home to some of the country's most valuable flora and fauna species, and we want to protect that," Mayor Byrne said.
"Reclassifying the State Forest into a National Park will mean we can strengthen its protection and ensure it can continue to provide a much-needed place where people can enjoy the great outdoors and nature, as well as play a key role in looking after the area's remaining biodiversity.
"I believe Cumberland State Forest deserves the same classification and protection as Shanes Park. I'm hopeful - and with the support of our local Baulkham Hills MP, David Elliott and the Minister for Energy and Environment, Matt Kean MP - that we can make this happen," she added.
The Cumberland State Forest is Australia's only metropolitan state forest and is home to an array of fauna, flora and ecological communities.
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