It may not be a well-known fact, but feral animals remain one of the biggest threats to Australia's native wildlife.
Now it is hoped the construction of "feral-free zones" across NSW national parks will help bring dozens of species back from the brink of extinction.
The state government is proposing to create 65,000 hectares of feral-free national parks, with the first coastal zone being proposed in the South East of NSW, near Bombala.
Head of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Atticus Fleming, said the plan would help address one of Australia's biggest conservation problems.
"One of the biggest factors in that extinction rate has been the impact of feral cats and foxes and other feral animals."
The New South Wales government has proposed feral-proof fences around 2,000 hectares of the South East Forest National Park, Nungatta.
Native mammals including the long-footed potoroo, eastern bettong, smoky mouse and eastern quoll are among the species the project could reintroduce into the area.
The $2.5–$3 million zone is one of seven predator-free areas set up by the state government and the first to be established on the east coast.
Mr Fleming said it was hoped it would help "turn back time" for the bushland.
Project contributes to bushfire recovery
Sections of the South East Forest National Park were severely burnt during the 2019–2020 bushfires.
David Lindenmayer from ANU's School of Environment and Society said the reintroduction of native species would help the bush recover.
"These animals do a lot of digging and burrowing, which actually helps lead to much better infiltration of rain, much stronger patterns of plant growth and much higher levels of plant cover."
More solutions needed
While conservationists like professor Lindenmayer welcome the creation of these "mainland islands," he said more work needed to be done.
"It really makes no sense to do these kinds of things unless we tackle the other drivers of animal decline," Professor Lindenmayer said.
"Problems like extensive logging, too much fire and land clearing need to be tackled as well."
Another issue he raised was the "lack" of funding for conservation by the state and federal governments.
"Our investment is about one-tenth of what it needs to be — so we need to get that sorted out," he said.
However, NSW Environment Minister James Griffin said the government was spending more on conservation than it ever had.
"We've never spent more money than we're spending right now," he said.
The public is encouraged to have their say on the plan of management regarding the South East feral-free zone before construction begins in the middle of the year.
It's hoped the first native species can be reintroduced by the end of 2023.
