FAQs

A management plan is a strategic document that sets a long term vision for each park. Management plans contain concise background information about the park(s) and outline the objectives and strategies developed to meet that vision.

The proposed amendments were developed through a pre-planning process involving consultation with key stakeholders and the Nullarbor Parks Advisory Committee. This process determined the key issues that required changes to the Management Plan in order to maintain the values of the Nullarbor Parks.

The NPAC is established under the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area Co-management Agreement, and provides advice to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water and the Director of National Parks and Wildlife on the management of the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area and the Nullarbor Regional Reserve. NPAC consists of eight members, with four of these members being Far West Coast People who identify as Mirning, and four DEW members.

The Management Plan includes the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area, the Nullarbor National Park and the Nullarbor Regional Reserve.

Visitor numbers to the Nullarbor region have grown since the Nullarbor Parks Management Plan was adopted in 2019, as has the incidence of off-track driving and unauthorised camping within the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area. The draft amendments enable the provision of campgrounds and associated infrastructure such as fencing, toilet facilities, interpretive signage and management tracks to manage visitation more effectively and meet the increased demand for overnight stays. In addition, the draft amendments allow for improved security and visitor management at Koonalda Cave, and provision for a new fibre cable and upgrade to Telstra infrastructure within the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area.

The location of new campgrounds has not yet been determined but would be situated to the south of the Eyre Highway adjacent the Bunda Cliffs between Cook Road and Diamond Bore Road. The amendments to the management plan will allow for campgrounds to be considered where there is a need to improve the visitor experience, accommodate higher demand, reduce environmental impacts or improve park management operations, and would be considered as part of future planning and design processes.

The draft amendments enable installation of improved security measures and infrastructure such as fencing and barriers, alongside the closure of unofficial tracks where required. Opportunities would be enabled for signage with detail on park values and minimal-impact visitation at key visitor nodes such as the Nullarbor and Border Village roadhouses, the Bunda Cliff lookouts, Koonalda Cave, Koonalda Homestead, and camping areas.

The Nullarbor contains a nationally important telecommunications link across Australia. Technological advances and higher network demand means that telecommunications infrastructure requires replacement and upgrading to ensure it remains fit for purpose. It is proposed to install a new underground cable approximately 80-100m north of and parallel to the Old Eyre Highway and to upgrade the Koonalda East Repeater Station for additional power supply.

All submissions and the survey outcomes will be analysed following the conclusion of the consultation period. The feedback received will be considered by Department staff in finalising the proposed amendments to the Management Plan. 

The proposed Management Plan amendment, along with all submissions and the survey outcomes, will then be provided to the Parks and Wilderness Council for advice, prior to consideration for approval by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.

It is anticipated the amendments to the Management Plan will commence in the first half of 2026.