THE State Government’s purchase of a station, 75 kilometres from Broken Hill, will help preserve threatened plants, animals and an Indigenous sacred site.
The State has purchased Broughton Vale Station – one of 12 land acquisitions made in 2024 to expand the network of national parks in NSW by just over 36,000 hectares.
The 31,500-hectare station includes the Kukirrka or Burkes Cave, a sacred Aboriginal birthing cave used for more than 2000 years, and other significant cultural sites containing artworks and engravings.
The cave and a nearby freshwater spring were also used by Burke and Wills during their 1860 expedition from Menindee to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and as a Cobb and Co stopover between Broken Hill and Wilcannia.
At least 70 threatened species have been recorded close to Broughton Vale Station including purple-wood wattle, Barrier Range dragon, pink cockatoo, Stimson’s python and the creeping Desert Pea.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will work with Aboriginal communities to ensure the protection of important cultural sites.
They will also carry out feral animal and weed control and ensure fire trail access.
Barkandji elder Dot Stephens said they haven’t had access to the cave for many years.
“Being able to return to the site, I helped assess in the early 90s is so important in us being able to look after country,” she said.
“When I was told the Minister had purchased Burkes Cave, I burst into tears.
“The site is a spiritual place, a woman’s site, and it connects our country from Mutawintji to Menindee Lakes and beyond.”
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the sale will preserve the site for many generations to come.
“Adding this land to the national parks network is an important step forward in environmental and cultural conservation in NSW,” she said.
“It will also greatly enhance ecological, educational, cultural and tourism opportunities in our Far West.”
