Progress and events that have occurred during 2020-2025
August 2020 - February 2024
further progress has been made towards the creation of Helena Aurora National Park
Mt Manning Conservation Park*, which includes Helena and Aurora Range (Bungalbin) and Mount Manning Range,
was upgraded to Class A National Park
in November 2023!
This occurred via the WA government's Reserves Bill 2023, which passed successfully through both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council in November 2023.
This is part of Stage 2 in the creation of Helena Aurora National Park.
The final part of Stage 2 is the negotiation and signing of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) between the Traditional Owners and State government.
Note: The proposed Helena Aurora National Park is a combination of:
- Mount Manning Range Nature Reserve (created in 1979 and upgraded to Class A national park in February 2021 = Stage 1) and the
- Mt Manning Conservation Park* (created in 2005 and upgrade to Class A national park in November 2023 = part of Stage 2)
Posted: February 2024
* * Mt Manning Conservation Park (Reserve 48470) consists of two distinct areas:
- Helena and Aurora Range Conservation Park and
- Mount Manning Range Conservation Park.
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March 2024 - October 2025
On 2 January 2025 the Cook Labor Government announced
the successful completion of Plan for Our Parks
with more than 6.5 million ha of land & water added to WA’s conservation estate
Although the final stages to create Helena and Aurora National Park was not yet completed at this time,
it would continue to progress post the formal completion of
Plan for Our Parks
The final part of Stage 2 is the negotiation, signing and registration of
an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA)
between the Traditional Owners and State government.
This will be followed by a Land Adminstration process
Note: On 19 December 2025, Federal Court Judge O’Byrne recognised the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title claimants as the rightful Traditional Owners of their native title claim area (which includes Helena and Aurora Range, Bungalbin).
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