- 293,000 hectares of Badimia Country protected under new plan
- Six Badimia Ranger positions have been created to manage the reserves
- Badimia Parks and Reserves Joint Management Plan developed with Badimia Traditional Owners
- Part of Cook Labor Government’s acknowledgement of the cultural heritage of Western Australia’s Aboriginal people and protect and restore the land
A vast and remarkable landscape in Western Australia’s Mid West known for its salt lakes, threatened species, and spectacular spring wildflowers is now protected under the Badimia Parks and Reserves Joint Management Plan.
The plan will guide the management over the next decade of almost 293,000 hectares of Badimia Country. This will strengthen conservation and cultural heritage outcomes while supporting visitor experiences and opportunities for future tourism development.
Jointly managed by the Badimia Bandi Barna Aboriginal Corporation and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), the parks and reserves span the Murchison, Yalgoo, and northern Wheatbelt regions and include Lakeside National Park, Lakeside, Barnabinmah, Thundelarra, and Gurdurdu conservation parks, and Gagarlagu and Biluny Wells nature reserves.
The reserves are home to four threatened animals – the Australian painted snipe, malleefowl, western spiny-tailed skink, and Lake Goorly shield-backed trapdoor spider – and the threatened plant species glistening triggerplant (Stylidium scintillans), as well as numerous priority species.
The Badimia parks and reserves were created in 2021 under the WA Labor Government’s Plan for Our Parks initiative, which has added 6.5 million hectares to Western Australia’s conservation estate, representing a remarkable 20 per cent increase.
View the joint management plan at dbca.wa.gov.au/management/plans .
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
“This is a significant milestone in the partnership between the Cook Labor Government and Badimia Traditional Owners.
“This is a shared vision for caring for almost 293,000 hectares of culturally and environmentally significant Country for the next 10 years.
“Six Badimia Ranger positions have already been created, with four filled, to work alongside DBCA staff in caring for and managing the reserves.”
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
“The Badimia Parks and Reserves Joint Management Plan is another important step in recognising and strengthening the role of Traditional Owners in caring for Country.
“This plan reflects the knowledge, connection, and cultural responsibilities that Badimia people have maintained for generations and ensures those values will help guide the management of these remarkable landscapes into the future.
“By working together in genuine partnership, we can deliver better outcomes for culture, conservation and future generations.”
As stated by Mid West Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“The Mid West is home to some of Western Australia’s most remarkable landscapes, and we want to make sure they are protected and cared for into the future.
“Joint management will also create new opportunities for Badimia people and help more visitors experience this special part of our State, supporting regional communities and jobs.”
As stated by Badimia Bandi Barna Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Darryl Fogarty:
“We are pleased to have been working with DBCA towards joint management of Badimia Country.
“Badimia people are looking forward to being able to get back onto Country, to once again care for Country by looking after our sites, cleaning out our soaks and waterholes so the birds and animals can have water, collecting bush tucker and camping. We also have Badimia Rangers to work on Country.
“It will be great to be able to take our young ones out to camp on country so we can teach them our culture and pass on our knowledge.
“We know Badimia Country will be here for future generations as we will be working in a two-way partnership with DBCA experts.”
