New Mid-West reserves created on Badimia Country

Posted: February 3rd, 2021

Five new conservation reserves in the Mid West have been created on Badimia Country as part of the State Government Plan for Our Parks initiative.

The Badimia traditional owners have been working collaboratively with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Parks and Wildlife Service (DBCA) to create the reserves, which span more than 114,000 hectares.

The five Badimia conservation reserves comprise parts of two former pastoral leases – Lakeside and Burnerbinmah – that were previously purchased by the State Government for conservation, and unallocated Crown land at Kirkalocka and White Wells.

Proposed Aboriginal names for the reserves are also being considered in collaboration with the Badimia traditional owners.

The area contains multiple Aboriginal sites and significant cultural and pastoral heritage. The landscape provides habitat for 563 flora species and 162 fauna species, including many threatened and priority species, and is home to significant wetlands. The majority of Badimia Country is already a major drawcard for tourists during the spring wildflower season.

Congratulations to all on this achievement, which is another step forward to enable Traditional Owners to care for Country.