Two local mayors are pushing back on NSW Government buys of pastoral land for new National Parks.

Bourke mayor Lachlan Ford and Cobar’s Jarod Marsden will discuss the issue with fellow councillors at their council meetings on Monday 24 August.

They are asking for evidence of how the acquisitions support regional communities and calling for a halt to purchases until questions around management of existing parks, including pest control, biosecurity, and how maintenance of supporting infrastructure like roads will be guaranteed.

Land holders have told the Western Plains App they want the purchase of agricultural land stopped.

White Cliffs pastoralist Terry Smith says ‘’It's an enormous waste of tax payers' money and neighbouring land holders want a stop to this purchase of land.

Bourke Mayor Lachan Ford calls it a proliferation of land buying.

“I believe there should be a halt further acquisitions.

"There should be cease to new park purchases of pasture grazing land, except in cases with clear cultural value.

"With so many underutilised parks already, adding more offers little benefit to tourism and only stretches the already limited management resources.’’

Minister Tara Moriarty with Bourke Shire Mayor Lachlan Ford in Bourke in May this year. [IMAGE: facebook]

He says the government should look at evidenced based acquisitions that would require rigorous scientific and cost benefit assessments before any new park purchases.

Mr Ford believes diverse local representation should be involved in the decision-making process.

He called for reallocation of funding to park management so that budgets are used for effective on-ground management, with increased transparency and reporting for existing parks in the region.

In Cobar, Councillor Bob Sinclair with the backing of mayor Jarod Marsden wants the state government to provide a business case to justify the purchase of pastoral land.

Cr Sinclair has proposed that "Council seeks the Far North West Joint Organisation (FNWJO) support in writing to the premier and relevant Ministers in the NSW Government to provide the Business Case and Management Plans for all the land purchases as National Parks in the Far West region over the last five (5) years and in particular the purpose of declaring a national park."

Cobar shire councillor Bob Sinclair. [IMAGE: Cobar Shire Council]

He wants to know if there other means of protecting native fauna and flora and how such purchases have and will affect the local communities and the Councils in the north western area.

Fearing rates and other monies may be lost to council, Councillor Sinclair says the state government should answer questions on:

•  Access to water for road maintenance

• Maintenance of roads within national parks

• Maintenance of fire trails within national parks

• Erection and maintenance of national park boundary fences

• Payment of Wild Dog fence rates when breeding programs for wild dogs exist south of the Wild dog fence

• Control of feral animals and

• Noxious weed control.

Barwon State MP Roy Butler has echoed land holder and local council's concerns.

‘’The promise of increased tourism is usually dangled like a carrot, but local communities have seen enough National Park conversions to know that tourism doesn’t offset the revenue lost from a working station," he said.

"The promised tourist infrastructure is rarely built and few, if any, jobs are created.

“The Government is buying land at a premium, which denies local families the opportunity to become pastoralists themselves and contribute to the local economy.

"I hear even more agricultural properties in western NSW are being targeted for purchase – when will it stop?’’

The calls for clarity have escalated since the announcement of recent government investment of $11.7 million to 'acquire and retire' three more pastoral stations.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe. [IMAGE: Facebook]

The latest purchases added another 34,773 hectares to the existing park network in the Bourke, Cobar and Brewarrina areas:

• Bellenbar – 13,674 hectares
• Iona – 13,456 hectares
• Innisfail – 7,643 hectares

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe says it's about protect threatened species and Aboriginal cultural heritage.

“These reserves protect over 80 threatened species, safeguarding nature for future generations.

“This land is not only environmentally significant, but also culturally rich. Protecting sites like Winbar Caves and consulting with Aboriginal communities about management of the new acquisitions ensures Aboriginal cultural heritage is recognised, respected and protected.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to expanding our national park network to strengthen conservation, respect and celebrate Aboriginal heritage and support regional communities."