Big changes are coming to National Parks across NSW, with the state government looking to transfer ownership of every single park, 10% of NSW to traditional landowners over the next two decades. The move expands the existing joint-management model, which currently sees about 30% of National Parks handled by traditional owners in partnership with the government. But not everyone is convinced this is a step forward for public access.
What’s Changing?
Under the plan, land titles will be handed over to traditional owners, who will then lease the parks back to the government for management at a nominal fee. The government claims the public will retain full access to National Parks, with traditional owners gaining greater influence over management, employment opportunities, and heritage protection.
That all sounds good on paper, but many in the 4X4 and outdoor community have seen what happens when access control shifts. The reality is, land that is technically still “open” can have more restrictions, higher fees, and, worst of all, more locked gates.
The Hypocrisy of ‘Public’ Land
One of the biggest concerns is that while this is framed as a move toward cultural conservation, there’s often an economic angle. Too often, we see access to these areas become dependent on commercial opportunities. Whether it’s guided cultural tours, permits, or simply restricted access, what was once a national park for everyone risks becoming a pay-to-play system.
While cultural heritage is absolutely worth protecting, the hypocrisy is hard to ignore. National parks were originally set aside to preserve natural spaces for public enjoyment. Now, under the guise of ‘returning land,’ we could see them become harder to access unless you’re willing to pay the toll.
What About Track Access and Camping?
The 4X4 community knows all too well how land management changes can impact access. National parks have already suffered from track closures and tougher restrictions in the name of conservation. If this new model follows a similar pattern, expect more limits on vehicle access, remote camping, and off-road exploration.
There’s also a real concern over how “joint management” will actually work in practice. Will traditional owners prioritise access and recreation, or will they take a stricter conservation-first approach? If the latter, we could see popular 4X4 tracks and campsites gradually disappear from national parks in NSW.
A Need for Transparency
At the core of this issue is the need for clarity. If the government is going ahead with this plan, it needs to be upfront about what it means for the public. Will existing tracks remain open? Will access fees increase? What kind of camping restrictions will be put in place?
The consultation period will take 18 months, so now’s the time for the 4X4 community to speak up. If national parks truly remain public, they must stay accessible for everyone—not just those who can afford a tour ticket. Otherwise, we’re not expanding access, we’re just putting up more gates.
What do you think? Will this lead to better land management, or just more restricted access? Let us know in the comments.
53 comments
I think it’s a really bad idea! As surmised in your article, there will be more restrictions and higher cost to access these parks. I am very much against it!
Wtf
This is a people of Australia decision, NOT the Governments alone. I am sick of them making decisions that the Majority of Australians ( who they are supposed to represent ) do not agree to.
I 100% disagree with this move!!!!!
I applaud the Government’s decision to return National Parks to their traditional owners, who will lease them back to the government. I have come to have respect for traditional owners generally to care for the land and manage it appropriately. The land is a key part of their culture and spirituality. Many living in rural and remote areas are keen 4×4 drivers. In addition, the “public” land was never ceded to the Commonwealth, unlike other colonised countries where treaties were negotiated. I am happy to observe any arrangements to manage the parks and conserve the fauna and flora.
I 100% disagree also. This is public land owned by all Australians. The government are custodians of this land with the responsibility to preserve it for all. If the government wants to transfer ownership then a referendum would be required
This is political action to appease a minority at the expense of the majority. Think Stockton Beach expanded – more restrictions, higher fees, waste and mismanagement. This isn’t even for indigenous people, it will benefit indigenous land councils who are widely perceived as corrupt and inept – and rightfully so. This is Voice related rubbish by stealth. I am 100% against this move and I’m sure most of Australia is too. National Parks are just that – parks for the nation, not lands for the few.
No wonder the Voice was defeated. So many uninformed, illiterate, rednecks with knee jerk reactions without doing their homework. Typical of “conservative” voters so fearful that someone else is getting something from the government and its not them.
You know what give them a bloody go, can’t do any worse than the current jokers at least they will be accountable unlike a government dept.
Anonymous and other self righteous narcissistic fools. Need to take a step back. They’re National Parks for everyone. Not to be owned by dysfunctional money skimming Land Councils. What a waste of taxpayers monies and misguided conviction 4X4 on ..
This is the biggest load of crap any government in this country has come up with so far, think of all those good men who gave their life keeping it from falling into a far worse fate than the English taking over,for gods sake keep this country free and not for a patronising group to make the decisions
Another mess . Look whats happened to Kakadu, Lawn hill etc.
Then we have the restricted access like in the Grampions, Arapiles, Mount Warning.
Its a fantasy to believe this will work.
The so called traditional owners should not receive anything. We are Australia as one and what happened in the past should remain in the past. Why should all Australians lose this land and then have to lease it back. As Rodney Liddell and a lot of anthropologists had discovered and attested to is that indigenous australians stole this land from the Papuans only 1000 years ago.
I can’t help thinking that the people supporting this absurd decision are those who never actually visit these areas.
Climbing Ayers Rock was a wonderful experience, but thanks to the traditional owners. My kids cannot enjoy that.
National parks have been restricting access to the Australian people – no matter what colour!!
National parks are FOR Australians – I was born here so does`nt make me Aussie? And if they are for ALL Aussies, why do we pay for the priviledge.
It was stolen in the first place. I’m happy to give it back and pay a price. We will still all get to enjoy. USA redneck style fear mongering is the problem.
Bad move, non indigenous people have been here for more than two hundred years and it’s our land as well. This is separation and not being as one. Very bad decision. Will cause problems.
Are not national parks for ALL AUSTRALIANS, regardless of race, culture, gender etc. Are we not trying to unite Australia as one?? Why is the government causing the gap to become wider??
We need more explanation and transperacy as to why this is happening!!
Bad move this will cause conflict between all parties involved and at the end of the day it will lead to closures of things to all, it won’t matter whats on paper it will happen look at Queensland on some of the beach places on the Frazer coast or what ever they call it now bad move by the Government and we all will pay in the end
All National parks should be for the use and enjoyment of Every Australian. These parks should continue to be owned and managed by all Australians, and not handed over to the local traditional owners.
What the NSW government intends to do is just plain wrong and adds to the widening division between Black and White Australia.
Very bad idea. Leave things as they currently are. One Australia for ALL.
These area have to remain in public hands and open to everyone to enjoy not just a select few.
NPWS are at stage 2 with this process. The public only get to comment once the model has been developed, so it will be too late. This is one comment from the consultations: “A view was also put forward that the land should be restored to how it was at the point of first contact – pre colonisation. This view went to the extreme of saying Healthy Country means the removal all things that were not present in 1788, including all buildings, introduced species and other infrastructure.” see https://righttoclimb.blogspot.com/2025/01/nsw-national-parks-handbacks-process.html
What a load of codswallop! Yet another “Government” decision that totally ignores that we are ALL Australian are we not and that we ALL should we not have access to the land? Just wait and see how it pans out – expect a high level of mismanagement and grabs for money yet again!
Bad move It takes good land management skills backed by current science to manage parks into the future and that knowledge does not exist in indigenous people unless they are brought into modern times.(actually trained how natural systems work. ) I will sign off anon because stupid people will call me racist.
I agree with Ron and the reference he sites re that the current indigenous race might not be the original inhabitants.
With reference to the term “Original Owners” that seems to be used widely, I believe the term should be ” Custodians” as historically that has been their role, and I can understand their connection to specific parts of the country and desire to have access to it in its natural state
Some authorities say “Ownership” does not infer restricted access to parts of our country, but this appears to be dependent on the specific authority and /or the local indigenous people
We are all Australians and should not be treated differently, the National Parks are for all of us to use and look after
I have seen what has happening in Queensland with islands like Fraser, Moreton and Stradbroke being renamed and handed back to traditional owners. It was so much easier to book and organise trips under the control of National Parks and we certainly saw rangers much more frequently than now. I have seen a degradation of these areas since control was handed over to the indigenous groups. National Parks are funded by and belong to everyone!
This is absolute joke. Who gave any government the right to make these stupid decisions. This should be put to a referendum. These decisions are foolhardy and will take away the rights of the majority. We have been paying for decades for this minority and they are still on the gravy train. Stop the funding and make them send their kids for an education that taxpayers provide and they should be able to get a job and provide for themselves. Let’s even up the playing field.
Indigenous peoples do generally not have fire management skills or do not have biological understanding it’s more spiritual connections which is OK but modern times require more understanding of how the bush actually works not dreamtime stuff
Fixed assets require realistic protection. Threatened species require protection driven by science not rorting by so called Indigenous experts. Spare me please! Parks need to be managed for all Australians and not be managed to make money for a few who know how to rort the system
Caring for country is a nothing term.
We all care and we need to fix issues with modern thinking
And we need to share and promote the enjoyment of our parks
4WDers care and enjoy our parks as much as any group.
We need to safeguard our rights and yes involve indigenous peoples in enjoying the land. Where they claim connections yes help them become involved but not at a cost to all other users. I agree many Indigenous peoples don’t have a real practical understanding of the bush but I do respect their feelings of connection. Time for some basic training if they are willing to accept the real world.
Joe
I’ve got the feeling that the vast majority of Australians have a gutful of these virtue signaling lefty governments pleasing the indigenous activists. This whole scenario is aimed to get more money out of our pockets one way or another for entering national parks.
You should look at what is happening in Victoria which is much further down the same path. Closure of the Mallee Rally and rock climbers locked out of the Grampians and Mount Arapiles.
Already happening in the Riverina gates locked only access for selected ones
Why doesn’t the NSW Govt learn from interstate experience ? Just look at what has happened to Cape LeVeque in WA since it was handed back to the traditional owners – it is now stuffed for visitors. Firstly they want to charge for everything but limit which part of the beach, tracks and fishing spots you can use. To top it off non indigenous just get harrassed.
More ‘Pie in the sky’ decission making… keeping it very quiet, watch the fees increase as the first thing to happen. Then the restrictions to areas will start appearing, who is going to account for the expenditure of public money… a great move to re-introduce division into society, that is why The Voice, failed, thanks Minns, you helped me make up my mind on who to vote for at the next State, Fereral and Local electrions…sneaky move, no discussion, no advertising and no consultation, sounds like I’m living in ‘China’….
Onne Nation, One Country, One Flag. Lets defeat this separatist action. Surely the land can be shared and enjoyed by all and not ceded to 3% of our population. Thi8s is the sort of action that is dividing the country and yet our Government is supporting it.
Many good National Parks in WA, especially in the Kimberleys, were handed over to “traditional owners” in previous years and they are now being poorly managed and neglected. In a recent trip there we were unable to secure access or accommodation in several areas, with phone calls and emails not being responded to. Entry permits and fees were also imposed in areas that were previously free, or with minimal charge when managed by the state Parks authorities.
The NSW parks should still be managed by NPWS and not handed over. The “traditional owners” could provide consultative advice as required.
You guys are forgetting it’s their land, that was stolen off them, kinda like us Māori I applaud the government for doing it finally getting their land back
I commented yesterday, but not published. This is not an open site. Comments from real people are ignored.
bloody unbelievable
It is worthwhile reading an excellent article on what has happened to Mt.Warning (north NSW) and to what will happen to the rest of OUR Nat. Parks if this proposal goes through.
Called “Stealing a Mountain”, put together by Robert Onfray and Mark Hendrickx.
https://www.robertonfray.com/2023/06/02/stealing-a-mountain-a-warning-for-all-of-us/#comment-13967
Thanks to them for all they are doing on our behalf.
Unfortunately, my previous “comment” which told the truth, must have been a bit blunt and was rejected. Looks like the truth now has to be moderated.
Jeez…I should start proceedings to claim land that my ancestors roamed on once upon a time even though someone else was there before them and after them. This is political appeasement to people who have applied pressure, there is plenty going on that the public don’t know. 100% against.
More lockouts, more dollars…
So they’ll hand the land over so the Government (us tax payers) can pay a nominal fee to use the land.
So increased costs for the tax payer on top of a fee to use the land in what ever way, shape or form.
I was born here in this country, as was my family and their family before them. How is it that I can’t use the national parks as I have been over the last few decades.
And why the change? Is it to appease the minority? How are the “traditional land owners” going to look after the land.
And when it comes down to massive bush fires and floods, are the traditional land owners going to pay for the jets, helicopters and man power to save the bushland from fire and flood? I doubt that very much. That’ll be ANOTHER cost to the tax payer.
This government is a joke, this country has gone to custard.
What a joke . Its just a money grabbing exercise . Hand everything over to the so called traditional owners so we can give them even more money and to be second class citizens . Lock us out of he bush we care for and enjoy . Are there equal rights ? I dont think so
Guys why can’t we actually share the land . Why do we have to stop usagege which is whats happening . NPWS Please stop taking actions that block people from “public” land
The majority of comments have covered all the reasons a hand back is a very bad idea. In the past, countries have been invaded and taken over by others. How often have apologies been made and the place been handed back? (only to be squandered and mismanaged by money grabbers) Not too often I’m guessing.
It gets worse. Fraser Island is in its sights to hand over. Mt Warning now locked up, The Simpson, Wilpena, Kosciusko next. The government is also in the process of handing over state forests to National Parks who will guess what, give them over to “traditional owners”. The fed gov is already planning to spend money in regional communities to shore up the devastation that will occur when the forestry and tourism industries collapse as a result.
These comments are a bloody shambles. Put your emotions and generalizations aside, do some actual research rather than exercising your own confirmation bias, and then make an informed decision. Lots of revolting comments here from all sides. Doesn’t help anything
Absolutely ludicrous situation. What happened to looking after all Australians. All Australians should have the opportunity to work & manage all our National Parks. Also how smart are the State Government leasing back land they already have control of for a nominal fee. How much is a nominal fee?
Too many questions, zero transparency from the Govt, and we wonder how much could go wrong!
Already seen a case of hand back and in the area it was an immediate locked gate and no access. I dont agree with this and it will hurt a lot of Australians who go 4×4 and camping
W T F It wont-work, the traditional people take the money and run. are the traditional people going to hand back the money they get giving from government grants. No, they wanted both ways.
I 100 % disagree with this proposal. Public land is public land. I believe that this proposal will kill it.
I also 100% disagree, this is discrimination against all Australians that are not aboriginal! Our Governments, State and Federal are fully to blame. When will they (Govt.s) STOP driving a wedge between us Australians. Strangely enough most TO’s feel the same, but this is coming from people in ivory towers that think they know best. All in Govt. need to Stop the destruction and division of our country!