{"id":34138,"date":"2026-10-08T13:02:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=34138"},"modified":"2026-10-08T13:02:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:02:29","slug":"nsw-and-australian-governments-buy-74000-hectare-outback-station-protecting-states-first-pink-lakes-and-habitat-for-70-threatened-species-including-brolga-pink-cockatoo-and-slender-darli","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=34138","title":{"rendered":"NSW and Australian governments buy 74,000-hectare outback station, protecting state\u2019s first pink lakes and habitat for 70+ threatened species, including brolga, pink cockatoo and slender darling pea"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-134789073,imgsize-167750,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg\" alt=\"NSW and Australian governments buy 74,000-hectare outback station, protecting state\u2019s first pink lakes and habitat for 70+ threatened species, including brolga, pink cockatoo and slender darling pea\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Pink lakes within the New South Wales national parks estate will be protected for the first time after the NSW and Australian governments jointly purchased Pulgamurtie Station, a 74,000-hectare property about 235 kilometres north-east of Broken Hill.<!-- --> This landscape is home to more than 70 threatened species, including the iconic brolga, pink cockatoo and slender darling pea.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"3\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h3>Two lakes, plenty of sky<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Protecting NSW\u2019s rare pink lakes and wildlife\" msid=\"134789093\" imgsize=\"221692\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-221692,msid-134789093\/protecting-nsws-rare-pink-lakes-and-wildlife.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Pink lakes are rare in NSW, and many appear only in certain seasons. The two on Pulgamurtie are among the state&#8217;s most spectacular natural wonders. Their peculiar hues occur naturally due to the presence of certain microorganisms, including algae and bacteria, that thrive in highly salty water and produce pink pigments.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"9\"\/>The station covers more than 74,000 hectares. Beyond the lakes, it has sweeping outback plains, rolling sand dunes and thriving wetlands. The larger lakes and wetlands are critical feeding and breeding grounds for thousands of waterbirds, including some migratory species that travel between Australia, Russia, China and Japan.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"11\"\/>NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the purchase is a rare chance to protect the natural environment and its threatened biodiversity. \u201cThese will be the first pink lakes protected by the NSW national park estate. This is a once-in-a-generation conservation and tourism opportunity that will protect these spectacular landscapes and allow more people to experience them,\u201d the minister said. \u201cFew places capture the scale and diversity of the NSW outback quite like Pulgamurtie, where a mosaic of wetlands, lakes and rolling arid plains exists side by side.<!-- --> This is a critical investment in conservation that will help safeguard this unique landscape, its wildlife and its rich cultural heritage for generations to come.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h3>Brolga and the pink cockatoo call this home<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"NSW protects its first pink lakes&lt;br&gt;\" msid=\"134789106\" imgsize=\"314812\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-314812,msid-134789106\/nsw-protects-its-first-pink-lakesbr.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>This property is home to more than 70 threatened species, including the brolga, the pink cockatoo and the slender darling pea. This effort is part of a push to protect landscapes that are under-represented in the reserve system. The two governments are jointly buying high-priority conservation properties through the Australian Bushland Program. <!-- -->The federal government says such purchases have helped it protect more than 25% of Australia&#8217;s land mass.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"23\"\/>Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt said protecting the habitat is the current focus. \u201cAustralians love spending time in the bush and this purchase will protect more of it for future generations. With our natural environment under significant pressure, the Albanese Government is committed to protecting and restoring more land across Australia,\u201d the minister said. <!-- -->\u201cThrough our partnership with the NSW Government, we\u2019re helping secure important habitat and expand the network of protected areas in places that deliver the greatest conservation benefits.<!-- --> By protecting and conserving diverse areas of NSW, we\u2019re supporting many threatened species and the habitats they call home.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"28\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h3><keyword id=\"39855092\" type=\"Denny\" weightage=\"20\" keywordseo=\"Aboriginal-cultural-heritage\" source=\"keywords\">Aboriginal cultural heritage<\/keyword><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Pulgamurtie is not only known for its natural environment but also for its Aboriginal cultural heritage. <!-- -->The property is a significant part of Dreaming songlines and has historic stone artefacts, hearths and grinding stones.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"33\"\/>Moving ahead, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will work closely with the Malyangapa Aboriginal Community, neighbouring landholders and other stakeholders.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"35\"\/>Mark Sutton, a representative member of the Malyangapa Native Title Board, also expressed hope about the purchase. <!-- -->\u201cThe Malyangapa people are supportive of the continued expansion of protected areas in Far West NSW. The acquisition of Pulgamurtie ensures that representative landscape types and Aboriginal cultural heritage will be protected,\u201d he said. \u201cWe look forward to engaging with National Parks and Wildlife Services to create another recreational destination for locals and visitors alike.<!-- -->\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"41\"\/>Pulgamurtie was on the market for around two years. It was acquired after it failed to meet its reserve at a public auction. <!-- -->NPWS has bought five of the 60 properties sold in Far Western NSW in 2024 and 2025.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"45\"\/>Meanwhile, the NPWS will eventually consider the possibility of welcoming visitors. The station sits along the Silver City Highway, and NPWS will explore campsites near the larger lakes, day-use areas, walking trails and scenic drives. Birdwatching is on the list, along with views towards the Koonenberry Range. No opening date has been given. According to the government, national parks contribute $433 million a year to Western NSW and support nearly 9,000 jobs.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/rest-of-world\/nsw-and-australian-governments-buy-74000-hectare-outback-station-protecting-states-first-pink-lakes-and-habitat-for-70-threatened-species-including-brolga-pink-cockatoo-and-slender-darling-pea\/articleshow\/134788892.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pink lakes within the New South Wales national parks estate will be protected for the first time after the NSW and Australian governments jointly purchased Pulgamurtie Station, a 74,000-hectare property about 235 kilometres north-east of Broken Hill. This landscape is home to more than 70 threatened species, including the iconic brolga, pink cockatoo and slender [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34139,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Pink lakes within the New South Wales national parks estate will be protected for the first time after the NSW and Australian governments jointly purchased Pulgamurtie Station, a 74,000-hectare property about 235 kilometres north-east of Broken Hill. This landscape is home to more than 70 threatened species, including the iconic brolga, pink cockatoo and slender [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":1,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":4,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg",300,169,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/two-pink-lakes-now-under-nsw-protection.jpg",150,84,false]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34138"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34138\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}