9 November
2006 - Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Greg Hunt, and
Member for Gilmore, Joanna Gash, today congratulated
Park rangers and traditional owners at Booderee
National Park, on Jervis Bay, after the park was
named one of the nation's 10 most outstanding
protected areas.
The WWF-Australia Top 10 awards
were today announced at a special ceremony at
Parliament House in Canberra.
Mr Hunt said he was delighted
to see Booderee National Park gain national recognition.
"The reserves are selected
for their exceptional contributions to Australia's
National Reserve System and their national significance
in protecting key components of biodiversity,
including rare or threatened species and ecosystems,
and places of outstanding species richness,"
Mr Hunt said.
WWF presented the Minister for
the Environment and Heritage, Ian Campbell, and
Julie Moore, Chair of Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community
Council and representative of Booderee's Indigenous
owners, with awards to mark the Park's outstanding
achievements in biodiversity conservation.
Mr Hunt congratulated local
rangers and traditional owners for their work
in protecting and opening up Jervis Bay to visitors
from throughout Australia.
The Federal Member for Gilmore,
Joanna Gash, said: "Booderee is jointly managed
by Parks Australia and the Park's Indigenous owners,
the Wreck Bay Community, plays an important part
in the local tourism industry. "It not only
helps to provide a sanctuary on Jervis Bay but
also provides local jobs. The partnership is reflected
in a growing Indigenous business - Wreck Bay Enterprises
Ltd which is successfully delivering a range of
park management services, such as campground and
track maintenance," Mrs Gash said.
Booderee National Park lies
170 kilometers south of Sydney in Jervis Bay.
Booderee is an Aboriginal word from the Dhurga
language meaning 'bay of plenty' or 'plenty of
fish.' The Park covers more than 6000 hectares
on land and sea and is leased by the Wreck Bay
Aboriginal Community Council to the Director of
National Parks.
"Booderee makes an outstanding
contribution to Australia's National Reserve System,
a continent-wide network of protected areas, protecting
Australia's unique landscapes, plants and animals
for future generations," Mr Hunt added.
John Deller (Mr Hunt's office)
Shawn Burns (Mrs Gash's office)
