A sacred Aboriginal site in far-western NSW will be preserved and threatened species protected with the NSW Government’s purchase of Broughton Vale Station, 75 kilometres east of Broken Hill.
Announced on Friday, it is one of 12 land acquisitions made in 2024 to expand the network of national parks in NSW by just over 36,000 hectares.
It makes more of the natural environment available to the public and is part of what the state government called its “commitment to turn around biodiversity loss and restore habitats and ecosystems”.
The 31,500-hectare Broughton Vale Station includes the Kukirrka or Burkes Cave, a sacred Aboriginal birthing cave used for more than 2,000 years, and other significant cultural sites containing artworks and engravings.
Barkandji Elder Dot Stephens, noted: “We haven’t had access to Burkes Cave in many years and being able to return to the site I helped assess in the early 90s is so important in us being able to look after Country.”
“When I was told that the Minister had purchased Burkes Cave, I burst into tears. The site is a spiritual place, a woman’s site, and it connects our country from Mutawintji to the Menindee Lakes and beyond,” she said.
Barkandji Elder Feona Bates said it “is so important that National Parks purchase places like Broughton Vale as it allows us to look after the place”.
“There are men’s and women’s sites on the property, and we need to protect them,” she said.
The cave and a nearby freshwater spring were also used by Burke and Wills during their 1860 expedition from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and as a Cobb and Co stopover between Broken Hill and Wilcannia.
At least 70 threatened species have been recorded close to Broughton Vale Station including purple-wood, Barrier Range dragon, pink cockatoo, Stimson’s python and the creeping Darling pea. It also includes vegetation types and landscapes not found in any other national park in NSW.
More than half the property supports the Threatened Ecological Community Neila (Acacia loderi) tall shrubland.
The property adjoins the recently created Langidoon-Medford State Conservation Area. Together these reserves will permanently protect around 92,000 hectares conserving threatened plant and animal species and cultural landscapes.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will work with Aboriginal communities to ensure the protection of important cultural sites. NPWS will also carry out feral animal and weed control and ensure fire trail access. Future visitor facilities could include a campsite and walking trails.
NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, said: “It cannot be understated how fundamental the preservation of this sacred land is for Traditional Owners and the broader community.”
“The Broughton Vale Station contains sites of enormous cultural significance to the local Aboriginal community and I am proud the Minns Labor government has taken the steps to ensure this Country will be protected for generations to come,” he said.
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said the sacred site on Broughton Vale Station holds significant cultural and spiritual meaning for Aboriginal communities and the government has taken action to preserve it for generations to come.
“Adding this land to the national parks network is an important step forward in environmental and cultural conservation in NSW. It will also greatly enhance ecological, educational, cultural and tourism opportunities in our Far West,” she said.
“{The government) is committed to turning around the loss and restoring habitats, ecosystems and biodiversity, and expanding our national parks is one way we are delivering on that commitment.”
.jpg)
In 2024, the NSW Government secured more than 36,000 hectares to expand existing parks, create new ones and protect critical habitats. Six acquisitions directly protect koala habitat, as part of the government’s action to save koalas from extinction in NSW.
The national parks estate covers about 10 per cent of NSW and contains a diverse range of landscapes. NSW records more than 53 million domestic visits to national parks a year, plus many more by international travellers.