Note: This is a WA: Better By Nature media release.

The Cook Government should press ahead with creating more protected areas, following the release of the Western Australian Government’s report on the economic value of national parks. Conservationists say it confirms what communities, Traditional Owners and tourism operators have long known: protected areas are one of Western Australia’s greatest assets.

The Social and economic value of protected areas in Western Australia report highlights the significant contribution national parks and other protected areas make to the WA economy through tourism, regional jobs, visitor spending and nature-based recreation. 

Key findings include:

• Protected areas are projected to generate a total social asset value of $26.6 billion over the next 30 years
• Protected areas support 20,445 full-time equivalent jobs
• Aboriginal tourism linked to protected areas generated $55.1 million and supported 514 full-time equivalent jobs
• Two million Western Australians visited a protected area in 2023-24 
• An estimated 830,000 additional visitors are brought to the state each year by protected areas

The WA: Better by Nature alliance has welcomed the report, saying it was an important reminder that investing in national parks delivers lasting returns for people, nature and regional communities.

“This report puts a dollar figure on something Western Australians understand deeply – our national parks are priceless,” said Mitch Hart, WA Manager for Pew.

“National parks support jobs, attract visitors and strengthen local economies, particularly in regional WA. The report shows protected areas supported more than 20,000 full-time equivalent jobs and generated enormous social value for Western Australians through recreation, wellbeing and the knowledge that these places are being protected for future generations.”

National analysis backs up the WA data, with findings from the 30 by 30 Alliance showing that Australia’s biodiversity generates up to $511 billion for the economy each year. When broader services such as carbon sequestration, flood prevention, recreation and other non-market benefits are included, nature supports about  20% of Australia’s GDP – comparable to the combined output of the finance and mining sectors.

“Investing in protected areas is one of the smartest economic decisions governments can make,” said Matt Roberts, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of WA.

“Healthy national parks and conservation areas – when managed properly with adequate resources – can protect habitat from harm. They also support tourism, agriculture, clean water, climate resilience and healthier communities, while helping avoid far greater costs from biodiversity loss, disasters and degraded landscapes.”

“Two million Western Australians visited a protected area in 2023-24, with an additional 830,000 visitors coming from interstate. That tells us parks are not a niche issue – they are central to the WA lifestyle and need to be scaled up.”

Mr Hart said the findings should encourage WA to build on the success of recent conservation commitments, including Plan for Our Parks, by continuing to work with Traditional Owners and regional communities to protect more of the state’s globally significant land and sea Country.

“Many of WA’s national parks hold deep cultural value and protect places of enduring significance to Traditional Owners. WA’s jointly managed parks show what is possible when traditional ecological knowledge and Western science come together to care for Country.”

“At a time when nature is under growing pressure, this report solidifies the case for continued investment in creating, expanding and properly managing protected areas across the state.”

“There is still a major job ahead to protect more of WA’s extraordinary landscapes. If we invest properly in protected areas now, we can strengthen regional economies, protect the natural systems that support jobs and livelihoods, and leave WA better prepared for the future,” said Mr Hart.

Notes for editors:

• WA: Better by Nature is an alliance of Traditional Owner groups, conservation organisations, community not-for-profits and nature advocates working together to make sure WA’s unique nature is looked after for future generations.
• The WA Government report found the total social asset value of protected areas is $26.6 billion over 30 years, combining experience value from visits and existence value for residents who value protected areas whether or not they visit them.
• The value of nature-based industries to Australia’s national economy was calculated by Cyan Economics for the 30 by 30 Alliance in 2025, which revealed nature underpins industries that contribute at least $138 billion annually to the Australian economy (equivalent to 5.3% of GDP). This value to the economy grows to $511 billion when including essential non-market services such as recreation and carbon sequestration – supporting around 20% of GDP, matching the combined output of the finance and mining sectors.