Matt Kean

NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean has today announced the successful reintroduction of the bilby, into a large cat and fox-free area, at Sturt National Park more than a century since they were declared extinct in NSW.

Mr Kean said the bilbies, part of a new breeding program at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, will begin the process of returning the area to what it was before feral animals wreaked havoc on our native animals.

I’d like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land and pay my respects to owners past, present and emerging.

Can I thank the CEDA for the opportunity to speak to you today. I’d also like to acknowledge the other speakers today: Lily D’Ambrosio (Victoria’s Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister) Ingrid Southworth (Acting British High Commissioner to Australia) and Nigel Topping (the UK’s High Level Climate Action Champion).

NSW Squash has received a major boost after the NSW Government announced a $960,000 grant for upgrades to the Thornleigh Squash Centre.

The grant was awarded for improvements to the facility which will include better disable access and allow for 24/7 entry. 

The grant was part of Round Two of the NSW Government’s Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund which has seen almost $40 million awarded to 22 projects across Greater Sydney to improve the quality and quantity of sports infrastructure.

In a further step to protect the state’s koala population, the NSW Government has listed Mount Gilead Estate with its sweeping landscape and historic homestead in Sydney’s south-west, as an item of state heritage significance to be protected in perpetuity.

Situated in the Camden and Campbelltown region, the 150-hectare property showcases both the State’s colonial history, reflecting changes in agricultural pursuits and approaches to major estate planning, while containing significant archaeological evidence of the prior Aboriginal occupation and custodianship of the land.

Important koala habitat is to be protected for future generations with the creation of the new Guula Ngurra National Park in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the creation of this national park delivers on a commitment from the 2019 election and is an important step to securing the future of koalas in the wild.

“Koalas are an iconic Australian animal and national parks like this protect their habitat for future generations,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Berowra Waters Inn is a day in the country, a water-access-only foodie’s paradise sited in dense bushland just an hour north of Sydney’s centre. At least, that’s how it used to be. The Glenn Murcutt-designed, glass-walled 1980s icon was considered among Australia’s most expensive and cutting-edge restaurants, the place for those raking it in when greed was good.