Popular Casuarina Coastal Reserve officially declared a national park

See what the expanded boundaries of the Territory’s newest national park mean for what you can and can’t do. ALL THE INFO.

Parks and Rangers Minister Selena Uibo and Member for Casuarina Lauren Moss at the newly created Casuarina Coastal Reserve national park.

It’s official — Casuarina Coastal Reserve is the Territory’s newest national park, including an extra 34ha of ecological, cultural and recreational space.

In formally completing the process of creating the new park, the Territory government expanded its boundaries and “guaranteed the protection of one of the Territory’s most cherished recreational attractions”.

The government says the reserve’s new status under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act will ensure the protection of the dry monsoonal rainforest that is home to some of the Territory’s most iconic endangered species, the black-footed tree-rat and the endangered Atlas moth.

It also constrains the type of development that can occur on the land and provides safeguards that any development is consistent with maintaining the values of the park.

But the area’s new status will not stop visitors enjoying the reserve, with locals and tourists alike still welcome to walk their dogs, have picnics and BBQs and enjoy small campfires on the beach.

The Casuarina Coastal Reserve is now officially the Territory’s newest national park. Picture: Che Chorley

The government will now develop a plan of management to allow Territorians to have their say on the future management of the yet-to-be-named park.

Parks Minister Selena Uibo said the declaration would protect “the many values of the Casuarina Coastal Reserve, including biodiversity, recreation, nature appreciation, enjoyment and valuable scientific research”.

“Our Lawler government has safeguarded one of our most precious coastal and rainforest environments so Territorians can continue to enjoy the Territory lifestyle, whether that is walking your dogs, fishing, birdwatching or just having some quality nature time,” she said.

Originally published as Popular Casuarina Coastal Reserve officially declared a national park