Picture, for a moment, temperate eucalypt forests, towering sandstone plateaus, the ancient and majestic Wollemi pine, waterfalls, canyons, caves, mallee heathlands, swamps and grasslands—a pristine wilderness. Picture a sacred place for ongoing cultural practices for Dharug and Gundungurra peoples. Known as Ngurra, it encompasses the lands, waters, native flora and fauna, and spirit of this special place. It is a unique place that holds a record of the evolution of plant life here on Earth, Aboriginal rock art demonstrating the ongoing custodial connection to land, and a rich system of waterways and complex geomorphology. It is an exemplary illustration of biodiversity, and it is one million hectares of national park right on Sydney's doorstep.

This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations recognising the Greater Blue Mountains as a World Heritage Area. Protected and managed under both the Commonwealth and the State of New South Wales, there is a strategic plan in place to ensure the Greater Blue Mountains remains one of the most important conservation areas in the world. Creating a sustainable future is a huge task that requires significant input and cooperation from government, conservation organisations and business, and it requires hearing the lived experience and cultural knowledge of First Nation's Peoples and local residents.

Through evidence-based conservation practices, we must fiercely continue to protect and restore this place for the long haul, to ensure its natural values are not compromised. We face many challenges in this endeavour, and we must not be complacent. We face the complexities of the impacts of human-induced climate change, development, intense bushfires, weed proliferation, invasive species, loss of habitat, and species extinction. It is a huge task. There are many organisations working tirelessly to ensure the ongoing stewardship and conservation of the Greater Blue Mountains. I acknowledge the incredible work of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the National Parks Association, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, Wilderness Australia and the Blue Mountains City Council, whose shared vision and collaboration stand as the first line of best practice in conservation and sustainability measures. I thank them for the work they do every day in bringing their leadership, knowledge and expertise to the fore.

I also thank organisations in my community whose dedication, advocacy and efforts in conservation and land management practices really do change the game when it comes to protecting the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The Blue Mountains Conservation Society is a constant voice in this dialogue, and I acknowledge its advocacy and knowledge-sharing around issues such as environmental weeds, habitat protection, plant studies, identification of native fauna and their ecosystems, and many more. It has a fabulous team of dedicated people committed to the environment. I also give a shout-out to the Blue Mountains City Council Bushcare team. The community collaboration and action that Bushcare promotes is remarkable. Each week over 55 groups of volunteers work in various pockets of land carrying out invasive weed management and restoration of damage caused from stormwater run-off.

The incredible work of the Connecting with Nature schools program is opening doors for our younger generations to develop a deep and experiential understanding of what it means to live in and care for the Blue Mountains. I congratulate Leura Public School, which was recently awarded a Bushcare milestone award, having dedicated 15 years to the Bushcare program. It is truly leading by example in this space. The important work of Bushcare is further assisted by organisations such as the Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue Service, which sells native tube stock grown from locally harvested seed and provides essential knowledge to local communities about endemic plant species. Its important work empowers local communities, organisations and residents alike to make informed choices about the plants they grow in their garden. That has an extremely important flow-on effect to create safe environments for bees and other pollinators, and essential habitat for native wildlife.

It is that grassroots community action and engagement, along with overarching policy and input from government and experts in the scientific community, that will be essential in the ongoing preservation the World Heritage values of the Greater Blue Mountains. We can protect this place when we work together, when we deepen our understanding of this place, when we immerse ourselves in and learn from the rich cultural Aboriginal history, and when we experience firsthand the majesty of the expanse that is the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. I acknowledge Joan Domicelj, constituent extraordinaire and wonder woman who was the principal consultant and editor for the Greater Blue Mountains area's nomination to UNESCO's World Heritage List. I also acknowledge former environment Ministers Robert Hill and Bob Debus for their contributions. Happy 25 years!