The State Government’s ambitious environmental agenda has continued with the creation of a new national park at Mungada Ridge – the eighth national park created by the McGowan Government.
Spanning 1,000 hectares, Mungada Ridge is located on Yamatji country, and will be jointly vested with the Bundi Yamatji Aboriginal Corporation (BYAC) and the Conservation and Parks Commission, who will work collaboratively with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions on future management.
Following the signing of the Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Western Australian Government in 2020, the Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation was established to manage the benefits of the agreement. As part of the Yamatji Nation governance structure, BYAC was established as the organisation to hold Native Title.
The creation of the Mungada Ridge National Park fulfils a commitment under the Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement and will ensure that Yamatji people have the opportunity to protect and care for their country in a genuine partnership with the WA Government.
The new national park is a stronghold for an array of species including the threatened flora acacia woodmaniorum and threatened fauna malleefowl, as well as rare and restricted vegetation communities.
The area is home to ancient rock formations, known as banded iron formations (BIF). These are distinct landforms that are considered some of the oldest rock formations in the world.
Mungada Ridge is the first largely intact BIF in the Mid-West region to be reserved as a national park and provided with the highest level of protection.
BIF ranges are of significant biodiversity value as a consequence of their unique geology, soils and relative isolation. Work has been underway for more than a decade to identify and protect the most significant areas within the BIF ranges of the Mid-West and to create this national park.
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
“The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring that our unique natural landscapes are protected so biodiversity thrives in our State.
“Mungada Ridge National Park is home to an array of ancient rock formations along with rare and restricted plant and animal species identified by WA Labor as warranting protection more than a decade ago.
“Joint management and joint vesting of this special place will further promote a positive partnership with the Yamatji people.”
As stated by BYAC Chairperson Leedham Papertalk:
“Today’s announcement represents the culmination of a decade of work to protect and manage this unique area and delivers on the promise to have Yamatji Nation people working alongside DBCA in the ongoing management of Mungada Ridge.”
