Greens throw weight behind World Heritage push for Royal National Park

 Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon has signalled that the Australian Greens will stand squarely behind the growing campaign to give World Heritage listing to the Royal National Park and nearby Garawarra State Conservation Area and Heathcote National Park.
 
Senator Rhiannon today launched a video in support of the campaign: http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/royalnationalpark.
 
“The Royal National Park is a unique and beautiful place that deserves to be World Heritage listed,” said Senator Rhiannon.

“The Royal was the first national park to be designated in Australia and it is already recognised on the National Heritage list. It is time to take the campaign to the next level.
 
“I know first-hand the ecological uniqueness of the area, having done my honours thesis in 1975 on coastal Banksia species in the Royal.
 
“It is a biodiversity hotspot, home to surviving remnants of Gondwana biota and iconic features such as figure-of-eight pools and the Bulgo sea caves.
 
“The landscape is scattered with ceremonial sites, burials and middens of the Dharawal people.
 
“The Australian conservation movement was born here. The Royal set the scene for one of Australia’s first anti-logging protests in the 1920s.
 
“I congratulate community group ‘First National Park’ for their tireless campaigning to World Heritage list the Royal, Garawarra State Conservation Area and Heathcote National Park,” said Senator Rhiannon.
 
Greens Senator and environment spokesperson Larissa Waters said “The Royal National Park is an area of exceptional ecological significance, with strong cultural significance for the Dharawal people. 
 
“It deserves the protection and recognition that comes with World Heritage status and I am pleased to add my support to this campaign,” Senator Waters said.