WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby says he understands the importance of the region’s key national park, despite not yet meeting the demands by a local alliance to do more.

Mr Whitby said he remained committed to discussing local concerns about the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, following a State Budget which saw millions handed to restoring the Wadandi Track and improving campgrounds across the Cape-to-Cape region.

“I appreciate local stakeholders have several priorities, but my understanding, based on feedback from Jane Kelsbie MLA, is the broader Margaret River community has welcomed this funding,” he said.

“Since the Margaret River-Busselton Tourism Association and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River published its six-point recovery plan in 2022, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has sought to implement a range of bushfire mitigation measures.

“These include utilising lower fuel loads to reintroduce prescribed burning under mild conditions.”

The alliance has also called for progressing joint Aboriginal management of the park, improved weed, feral animal, and bushfire management, tightening up access points, and adding four more rangers to the system.

Nature Conservation Margaret River is among the ranks of the alliance’s other members, which were bolstered last week by the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation and the volunteer-driven Friends of the Cape-to-Cape Track.

Mr Whitby said $30 million was invested in regional bushfire management and Karri Karrak would be involved in the joint-management talks alongside DBCA.

“I understand the Calgardup bushfire was significant for those in the Margaret River community who rely on Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park to make a living,” he said.

“I also recognise this park is an important part of WA.

“I am always happy and willing to sit down with stakeholders to listen to their concerns.”

He also thanked Nature Conservation, the Friends, and Birdlife Australia’s contributions to conservation.

MRBTA chair Stuart Hicks said his colleagues remained “alarmed” the declining health of the park amid a drying climate was not on the Government’s radar.

“It’s weird that Government – which holds a sacred duty of care for the most precious part of our coast – is being shown up by private individuals and volunteer community groups in the care of next-door parcels of land,” he said.

“These days, private landholders who adjoin the park are putting more effort into fundamentals like control of weeds and feral animals than is occurring within the park.”

Mr Hicks pointed to an undertaking from Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie to bring Mr Whitby back to the meeting to face the alliance’s concerns.