Q: Are you happy with how National Parks are currently managed in western NSW?
A: No

Q: Have you seen any economic benefits from National Parks in your area? (e.g. tourism)
A: No

Q: Have you seen any economic benefits from National Parks in your area? (e.g. tourism)
A: No

Q: Are you happy with how National Parks are currently managed in western NSW?
A: No

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A: National parks have a feral eradication plan. Its not the issue. And majority do upgrade fencing to containment to prevent feral such as goats, etc. The far western land are very marginal and subject long duration of poor returns also the loss of rail infrastructure in Broken Hill and stock yards the return to BH is very reduced. While the tourists are increasing with a sealed road to Tibooburra have made more opportunities for tourists as all the businesses will tell. And many land holders have jump at opportunities to place tourist stays. In my view its better for the economy of the far west.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A: National parks have a feral eradication plan. Its not the issue. And majority do upgrade fencing to containment to prevent feral such as goats, etc. The far western land are very marginal and subject long duration of poor returns also the loss of rail infrastructure in Broken Hill and stock yards the return to BH is very reduced. While the tourists are increasing with a sealed road to Tibooburra have made more opportunities for tourists as all the businesses will tell. And many land holders have jump at opportunities to place tourist stays. In my view its better for the economy of the far west.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A: National parks have a feral eradication plan. Its not the issue. And majority do upgrade fencing to containment to prevent feral such as goats, etc. The far western land are very marginal and subject long duration of poor returns also the loss of rail infrastructure in Broken Hill and stock yards the return to BH is very reduced. While the tourists are increasing with a sealed road to Tibooburra have made more opportunities for tourists as all the businesses will tell. And many land holders have jump at opportunities to place tourist stays. In my view its better for the economy of the far west.

Q: Would you be interested in being paid to improve the environment on your own land under a Conservation Agreement?
A: Yes

Q: What would make you more supportive of western National Parks?
A: Clearer rules for converting pastoral stations to parks

Q: What would help most with controlling feral animals?
A: Allowing conservation hunting in western National Parks

Q: What is your third biggest concern?
A: High purchase prices stopping new farmers

Q: What is your second biggest concern?
A: High purchase prices stopping new farmers

Q: While all may be important, what is your biggest concern about turning pastoral stations into National Parks?
A: High purchase prices stopping new farmers

Q: Do you support creating more National Parks in western NSW?
A: Yes

Q: Have you seen any environmental benefits from National Parks? (e.g. protecting native species)
A: Yes

Q: Have you seen any economic benefits from National Parks in your area? (e.g. tourism)
A: Yes

Q: Are you happy with how National Parks are currently managed in western NSW?
A: Yes

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A: It has been well established by research at Fowlers Gap by Uni of NSW that without active management and effective exclusion fencing that THERE IS NO BENEFIT TO JUST LOCKING UP LAND FOR SUPPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT. ALL of the issues raised in this survey must be addressed.

Q: Would you be interested in being paid to improve the environment on your own land under a Conservation Agreement?
A: Yes

Q: What would make you more supportive of western National Parks?
A: Clearer rules for converting pastoral stations to parks

Q: What would help most with controlling feral animals?
A: Allowing conservation hunting in western National Parks

Q: What is your third biggest concern?
A: Losing access to roads or fire trails

Q: What is your second biggest concern?
A: Losing a pastoral business that helps the local economy

Q: While all may be important, what is your biggest concern about turning pastoral stations into National Parks?
A: Feral animals getting out of control

Q: Do you support creating more National Parks in western NSW?
A: No

Q: Have you seen any environmental benefits from National Parks? (e.g. protecting native species)
A: No

Q: Have you seen any economic benefits from National Parks in your area? (e.g. tourism)
A: No

Q: Are you happy with how National Parks are currently managed in western NSW?
A: No

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
A: I write to offer a landholder’s perspective on improving environmental outcomes across semi-arid landscapes and National Parks in New South Wales. As someone actively managing land in the Murray–Darling Basin, I believe that with clear rules of accountability and holistic land management, landholders can deliver measurable biodiversity gains while protecting pristine environments.

There is a prevailing assumption that converting semi-arid lands into National Parks will automatically lead to ecological improvement. However, passive preservation often results in unmanaged fuel loads, invasive species proliferation, and declining landscape health. Without active intervention, these areas risk becoming ecological liabilities rather than assets.

Queensland’s model of tightly controlled grazing within National Parks demonstrates that conservation and production can coexist. Seasonal, monitored grazing reduces fire risk, mimics natural disturbance regimes, and supports biodiversity. NSW should consider similar pilot programs, particularly in western parks where fuel management and feral animal control are urgent.

Landholders already manage vast tracts of country with a blend of production and conservation. With clear accountability, we can:

Integrate native seedbanks and saltbush cultivation.

Manage erosion and invasive species.

Support wildlife corridors and regenerative grazing.

I respectfully urge the NSW Government to:

Re-evaluate the “lock-up” approach to semi-arid land.

Explore controlled grazing as a conservation tool.

Develop transparent protocols for converting pastoral land into National Parks.

Support landholders through conservation agreements and ecosystem service payments.

Ensure councils are compensated for lost rate revenue when land is resumed.

Environmental resilience will not come from exclusion—it will come from collaboration. I welcome the opportunity to contribute further to this conversation and offer practical insights from the ground.