'Gobbled Up': New Outback National Park Protects Rare Pink Lakes, but Locals Push Back

Key points

• The NSW and federal governments have jointly bought Pulgamurtie Station, a 74,000-hectare property 235 kilometres north-east of Broken Hill. The site holds two pink lakes and habitat for more than 70 threatened species.
• NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe called the purchase a once-in-a-generation conservation and tourism opportunity. Pastoralists and Barwon MP Roy Butler have criticised the move over pest animals, fencing, job losses and tourism claims.
• Butler has introduced a bill requiring future park purchases to assess local economic impacts.