• Land milestone achieved under ground-breaking Plan for Our Parks initiative
• Aboriginal archaeological sites and wildlife habitats protected 

An area near Nannup's Lake Jasper has been officially reinstated into D'Entrecasteaux National Park, marking another milestone in the McGowan Government's Plan for Our Parks initiative.

This historic announcement comes after about 368 hectares of land was removed from the national park in 1996 to facilitate mining, and the subsequent withdrawal of a mining lease application in 2020.

An important biodiversity hotspot, Lake Jasper and its surrounds are home to more than 25 species of water birds, provide nursery habitat for endangered freshwater fish and frogs, and harbour a unique array of plant species.

Importantly, the land is also an Aboriginal heritage site which holds immense cultural value, and has archaeological sites, including ceremonial and mythological sites, which date back approximately 5,000 years.

Plan for Our Parks was announced by the McGowan Government in 2019, with the aim to create five million hectares of new national parks, marine parks and other conservation reserves across Western Australia over five years.

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:

"I am proud to see this area near Lake Jasper reinstated into D'Entrecasteaux National Park where its rich cultural and biodiversity values will be protected.

"Not only do these wetlands provide safe habitat for a number of waterbirds and other wildlife, it holds significant Aboriginal cultural value with history dating back more than 5,000 years.

"This has been a very important milestone for both Plan for Our Parks and the local community, who are very invested in protecting this beautiful piece of Western Australia.

"The McGowan Government values our precious and iconic natural areas, and this milestone with Lake Jasper is another example of how we are continuing to showcase and conserve our environment so it can be enjoyed by current and future generations."