THE NSW Government’s shocking neglect of Yanga National Park is a great loss for our region.
The Park once housed a glorious pastoral station, with prime merino grazing land utilised to generate hundreds of local jobs.
But in 2005, the NSW Government bought the 1932-hecare Yanga National Reserve and turned into a national park.
The concept of national parks sound great in theory.
But the NSW Government have failed to maintain it, turning a great community asset into a wasteful fire hazard full of pests and weeds.
In March, it was my pleasure to join the inaugural meeting of a new Yabba for Yanga action group, headed by Balranald accountant Andy Millar, which is seeking to restore Yanga’s former glory.
The group gave NSW shadow environment minister Penny Sharpe and myself a tour of the area.
It was so sad to see Yanga Homestead run down and falling apart.
A glorious historic building that has so much potential is clearly being wasted.
In fact, the entire park is looking in bad shape, with so many opportunities lost.
Even allowing locals to sell the naturally fallen timber as firewood would be good for both the local economy and the environment.
NSW Environment Minister James Griffith is a decent bloke.
But he lives on Manly Beach, nine hours away. He’s not likely to be a good landlord for our national parks out west.
When people in Sydney hear about the creation of national parks, it makes them feel good.
But the reality is this government just lock them up and leave them.
Allowing Balranald locals to manage Yanga would be a win for everyone.
