Establishment

Prior to 1972 there were several Australian State and Territory non-government non-profit conservation groups concerned with the preservation of the natural environment and development of national parks. They existed quite independently of each other. Following initial meetings between these bodies and the Commonwealth Government in 1972 and 1973, it became clear that there was a surge of public interest in such preservation and establishment and that there was a need for some federal body to institute regular consultation between state and territory conservation groups and to co-ordinate action on a federal level about matters affecting all the groups.

Subsequent to a working group study during 1974, an inagural meeting on 25th May 1975 established the Australian National Parks Council Incorporated. Recently this name was changed to National Parks Australia Council Inc.

Achievements

Whilst initally established to increase and extend the effectiveness of voluntary organisations with a specific interest in national parks (both terrestrial and marine) and provide support for and between individual members, the Council's work has expanded over recent years to include matters relating to the biosphere and its management which may affect established and future national parks and the National Reserve Estate.

NPAC thus provides a forum that co-ordinates the views and policies of its members, demonstrates their unity of purpose in supporting conservation of the National Heritage, and interacts with governments.

Mission Statement

To protect, promote and extend national park systems within Australia.

Objects

1. To provide a means whereby non-government bodies having a special interest in national parks from each state and from the territories can have regular and formal communication.
2. To consider matters of common interest to members and where practicable to establish common policy.
3. To facilitate co-operative activities of members at a national level.
4. To act as spokesperson on matters of policy.
5. To identify priorities for promotion of national parks within Australia.
6. To confer and liaise with any government on any matter relating to national parks.
7. To confer and liaise with foreign and international bodies interested in national parks.
8. To sponsor or engage in publishing educational material and research in any field related to national parks, either alone or in co-operation with others.
9. To establish and maintain in Australia a public fund called the National Parks Australia Council Tax Deductible Donations Fund for the specific purpose of supporting the Environmental Objects of the National Parks Australia Council. The fund must comply with the requirements of subdivision 30-E of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.