01 August 2010

The Gillard Labor Government today announced that around 70 hectares of additional National Park and conservation reserve will be created at Malabar Headland following a decison to transfer the site to the New South Wales Government for conservation.

The transfer of the Headland, which is currently managed by the Federal Government, will see the spectacular environment protected for generations to come.

The Malabar Headland is one of Sydney’s most beautiful spots and now, thanks to this decison, families can begin to take full advantage of the area.

This is all part of the Gillard Labor Government’s commitment to protect our environment, protect our quality of life and to build a sustainable Australia.

Since coming to Government, Federal Labor has quadrupled funding to the National Reserve System which provides a network of parks and reserves around the country.

This includes projects such as bringing the former Air Services Australia site at Cranebrook into the public reserve system to secure additional green space for the residents of Sydney’s west and preserve critical habitat.

Sydney has some of the world’s best walks and the Malabar Headland will now join that list.

The community have worked hard on bush and revegetation efforts on the Headland and they waited a decade for the previous government to deliver on its promise to hand this site back.  Today the Gillard Labor Government delivers.

The Gillard Labor Government will be moving immediately to transfer the north-western edge of the headland (known as Lot 4) as soon as possible.

We expect families, bushwalkers and school groups could be enjoying walking trails in the western parkland early next year.

We also will transfer the eastern edge of the headland (known as Lot 2), following further investigation, remediation and subject to the development of appropriate access restrictions.

This staged transfer will enable locals to enjoy parts of Malabar Headland straight away, while allowing plenty of time to work on a plan for its long-term future with locals and groups that currently use the rest of the headland.

Both Lot 4 and Lot 2 will be managed for conservation purposes by the New South Wales Government as part of their National Park and reserve system.

With its fascinating World War II artefacts, Indigenous heritage and endangered eastern suburbs banksia scrub, Malabar Headland is a great community asset.

We will continue to consult the local community about how they can best enjoy the new Malabar parkland.

The plan is for the entire Malabar Headland site to eventually become public space.