Name chosen for new regional park

A name has been chosen for a proposed regional park in the greater Bunbury region.

Meaning “place of fire” or “place of burning campfires” in Noongar language, the naming of Kalgulup Regional Park was finalised through consultation with representatives from the Gnaala Karla Booja Native Title Working Group.

The word highlights the importance of fire in supporting life and how stories and wisdom are shared around campfires.

Kalgulup Regional Park is the amalgamation of two proposed regional parks, the Preston River to Ocean and Leschenault regional parks, and will cover more than 3100ha.

Bunbury MLA Don Punch said the park would become a highly valued community asset.

“Language is an important carrier of culture so it is fitting there is a Noongar name to describe this place and enhance our understanding of our environment and its history,” Mr Punch said.

“I know how important the regional park is to our community and I am looking forward to seeing people out and about enjoying the newly-named Kalgulup Regional Park.

“It preserves our unique environment for generations to come, and I thank Gnaala Karla Booja for sharing a Noongar name for the park with the broader community.”

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said the park would be a stronghold for biodiversity, hosting 14 threatened animal species.

In conjunction with the naming announcement, the Kalgulup Regional Park draft management plan 2020 is now available for public comment.

The plan will provide guidance for the management of lands by a range of State Government agencies and local governments.

The park is being created as part of the State Government’s Plan for Our Parks initiative which aims to create five million hectares of new national and marine parks and reserves across WA.