NSW earmarks another national park site as a feral-predator free area

In its efforts to support the return of locally-extinct wildlife, NSW is further expanding its rewilding efforts with another site earmarked as the state’s next feral-predator free area.

The NSW Government is establishing a network of seven feral predator free areas across the state, with the newest of the seven feral free areas being a 2,000-hectare forest in South East Forest National Park near Bombala, called ‘Nungatta’.

When the site is free of feral predators such as cats and fox, native mammals that were once abundant in this habitat, such as the long-footed potoroo, eastern bettong, smoky mouse, and eastern quoll will be reintroduced.

NSW Environment Minister James Griffin notes “this ambitious conservation project is part of the NSW Government’s $80 million investment in wildlife restoration, and will see Nungatta’s forests go back in time.

“Through Nungatta and our six other feral predator free areas in NSW national parks, we’re rewilding our state and helping our threatened species thrive into the future.

“Once all seven sites are completed, 65,000 hectares of national parks will be feral free and provide a significant conservation benefit for more than 50 species.”

Three of the seven sites are already operational, and nine locally extinct mammals have already been successfully reintroduced, with their populations flourishing.

Local State Member for Monaro Nichole Overall said in time, the Nungatta site will also become an exciting new visitor experience in the South East and advised “This feral free site in the South East Forest National Park is win-win for the environment and the local economy. Not only will it support biodiversity in our region, it’ll boost jobs and the visitor economy.”

More details about why this area has been selected and how the feral predator free site will be incorporated into the national park can be found in the South East Forests National Park Plan of Management Draft Amendmentl

The draft amendment is currently on public exhibition and the community can have their say before 16th June 2022.