The Federal Government has declared a huge new reserve in Central Australia, becoming country’s largest ever land based conservation zone.

 

The Government has outlined 10 million hectares to be protected as the Southern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area.

 

“The Southern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area is the largest single land area ever dedicated to conservation in Australia - around the same size as Portugal or Hungary,” Federal Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon said.

 

“The Australian Government is providing $1.6 million over the next two years to support the Southern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area and its Working on Country rangers. Not only is this helping the environment, it will provide jobs on country, leading to better health and social outcomes for these desert communities.”

 

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said the creation of the protected area is critical for preserving the area’s unique species, such as the now threatened bilby.

 

“The Southern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area is a critical part of the Trans-Australian Eco-link, a globally significant wildlife corridor that will stretch more than 3,500 kilometres from Arnhem Land to the Great Australian Bight,” Mr Burke said.

 

For more information about the Southern Tanami IPA:www.environment.gov.au/indigenous/ipa/declared/southerntanami