A Ministerial Taskforce on Tourism and National Parks in NSW has been established to examine and report on opportunities for an enhanced level of sustainable tourism in NSW's parks and reserves that is compatible with the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage values of those areas, by the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, the Hon Verity Firth MP and the Minister for Tourism, the Hon Matt Brown MP.

Headed by Mr Brian Gilligan, former head of NPWS, the Taskforce has begun consulting with conservation and tourism groups and the broader community. The Taskforce will build on the work already underway within the Department of Environment and Climate Change to assist the Government meet its State Plan visitor and tourism targets.

Ms Firth said, “The eight-member Taskforce comprises key players from business, government and conservation in NSW. Sitting on the Taskforce are Evan Hall from the Tourism & Transport Forum, Penny Figgis, Rob Pallin, and senior representatives from DECC NSW, and Tourism and the Department of Lands.

“The best way to ensure support for our National Parks is to help the community see first-hand the value of the land that’s already been protected”, Ms Firth said.

“Measures to encourage community enjoyment and appreciation of our national parks must be devised very carefully. The Government has therefore decided to appoint a Tourism and National Parks Taskforce.”

Under its Terms of Reference, the Taskforce will advise the Ministers for the Environment and Tourism on practical methods to increase visitation in line with NSW State Plan objectives.

Submissions should be sent to:

The Secretary
Taskforce on Tourism and National Parks
GPO Box 7050
SYDNEY NSW 2001

The Taskforce encourages the lodgement of submissions in electronic form to parksandtourism@tourism.nsw.gov.au.