Growing our National Parks: Conservation, Connection and Investment must go together

Outdoors NSW & ACT welcomes the direction of the draft NSW National Parks Establishment Plan 2026 and its stronger recognition of the connections between conservation, visitor experiences and community wellbeing.

Our feedback supports strategic growth of the national park estate, while calling for clear commitments to sustainable recreation, outdoor education, industry engagement and long-term funding.

For our industry, these decisions matter. National parks are places where people learn, build confidence, experience adventure and develop a lifelong connection with nature. They also support businesses, employment and regional communities.

Recognising the value of connecting people with nature

The latest draft includes “Visitor Experience Value” as one of its seven assessment themes. It recognises opportunities to improve accessibility and support sustainable nature-based experiences.

This is a welcome direction, reflecting issues we raised during the earlier consultation. We also welcome the Plan’s recognition of cultural heritage, Aboriginal connection to Country, ecological connectivity and climate resilience.

We support the aim of building a comprehensive, adequate and representative protected area system—protecting the diversity of our landscapes and ensuring they can be cared for into the future.

Making recreation and outdoor education explicit

We have recommended strengthening the assessment theme to “Visitor Experience and Recreation Value”, with clear recognition of outdoor recreation, outdoor education and adventure tourism.

These activities deserve explicit consideration in decisions about future parks. A school group learning in nature, a guided adventure and a community recreation program each bring different needs and benefits.

Recognising these uses early would help NPWS plan appropriate access, facilities and management arrangements alongside environmental and cultural protection.

Growing the estate requires lasting investment

Our central message is that strategic expansion must be supported by transparent funding for the full life of a park.

Acquiring land is the beginning of an ongoing responsibility. Effective management requires staff, ecological monitoring, cultural heritage protection, fire management, pest and weed control, visitor safety, access and infrastructure maintenance.

The draft acknowledges these responsibilities and the need for additional resources as the estate grows. We welcome that recognition and seek clearer commitments to how those needs will be funded.

New parks should be established without reducing the capacity to care for existing parks. Partnerships and additional revenue can contribute, but dependable public investment remains essential.

Involving industry early and planning for access

We are calling for early engagement with outdoor providers and relevant communities when land is considered for reservation. Our industry can contribute practical knowledge about existing activities, access routes, seasonal use, participant needs and opportunities for responsible recreation.

Changes in land tenure should include careful consideration of legitimate existing access and the connections between trails, waterways and neighbouring public lands. Where changes are necessary, they should be informed by evidence, consultation and clear communication.

This planning must respect conservation priorities and Aboriginal cultural authority while identifying where sustainable access can be supported.

Measuring the benefits for communities

We have also recommended that reporting extend beyond the area of land protected to include recreation and community outcomes. Alongside conservation results, it is valuable to understand whether people can access parks, whether outdoor learning opportunities are supported, and how parks contribute to regional employment and local businesses.

These measures would help demonstrate the broader public value of a well-managed national park estate.

Outdoors NSW & ACT looks forward to continuing constructive engagement with NPWS. Our vision is an estate that protects nature and culture, supports responsible connection with the outdoors, and has the resources to deliver those outcomes for generations to come.

To submit your own feedback on the DRAFT NPWS Establishment Plan, go to https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/NPWS-est-plan?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8HNIflG5bjo8_vwDIAQtS_jg60fyeVd5BlTexaUQnx3IBTKuakaRrwdiY5Enh1D37wlBPNkCYv_IFT99YlZn8TisLSSHgI_-BFlmW6SME7UIl96mA&_hsmi=34467431&utm_content=34467431&utm_source=hs_email