Public consultation completed on Casuarina Coastal Reserve becoming Northern Territory’s newest National Park

Casuarina Coastal Reserve is to be expanded and safeguarded as a National Park for Territorians to continue to enjoy their recreational activities.

Casuarina Coastal Reserve and an additional 33 hectares are proposed to become the Northern Territory’s newest National Park.

Public consultation revealed that Territorians value the recreational opportunities Casuarina Coastal Reserve offers, and would like to see improvements in the future.

Almost 20% of Top End residents who made submissions revealed they want to enhance recreational activities such as fishing, cycling, horse riding and making campfires on the beach.

The public consultation revealed that dog walking is a stand out popular activity for Top End res-idents, and there will be no reductions to the existing recreational activities that Territorians love.

Territorians were also concerned about resources to manage the reserve and would like to see an increase of rangers, environmental management and maintenance works in Casuarina Coastal Reserve.

Though there is a clear concern from community members of Defence Housing Australia land near the Reserve, while it cannot be considered in this process, there will be 22 hectares of DHA land located west of Lee Point road proposed for zoning as a Conservation Area to become part of the Reserve once rehabilitated.

The NT Government has listened to the concerns of Territorians. 

Boundary survey works for the reserve and the additional 33 hectares of Lot 9458 are currently underway, scheduled for completion on 24th June 2024.  The survey will be included with the public feedback, which will finalise the section 14 report recommending to the Administrator that Casuarina becomes the Territory’s newest National Park.

NT Minister for Parks and Rangers Selena Uibo advised “Casuarina Coastal Reserve will expand and be safeguarded as a National Park for Territorians to continue to enjoy the recreational activities they love.

“We have listened to the concerns of Territorians, and you will continue to walk your dogs, go bike riding and fishing, and enjoy the beauty coastal and dry monsoonal rainforest for years to come.

“Turning Casuarina Coastal Reserve into a National Park with the expanded area will enhance the value of the location and ensure the habitat of endangered species and recreational space is there for generations to come.”