“NSW environment agencies are to be hit with $20 million worth of cuts this year— on top of $60 million already slashed from environment since the change of government three years ago,” NPA CEO Kevin Evans said.

“Yet just six months ago, in an election pitch, Mike Baird promised to protect, enhance and expand our national park estate and to reduce entry prices. But by cutting budgets he has forced the NPWS to increase visitor and camping fees to cover core business costs.”

Mr Evans said that he found it hard to equate budget cuts with enhanced protection and this has eroded the ranger numbers – perhaps at a particularly crucial time.

“Rangers are the highly skilled visible face of NSW’s national parks - almost as iconic as the eucalypts and koalas they protect,” he said.

“Throughout the shire they work alongside field officers … they do the heavy lifting in terms of on-ground works, campsite maintenance, weed control and visitor interaction.

“And most crucially, given predictions of a strong El Niño and an early start to the fire season, an erosion in ranger numbers compromises NPWS’s ability to fight fires and conduct hazard reduction burns.

“The government is said to be considering doing away with ranger positions completely. The NPA believes that to wipe out a position that is well respected by the community and who perform tough jobs well is incredibly short sighted and will diminish local environmental protection.

“We want a guarantee from (Environment Minister) Mark Speakman that the vacant positions will be filled, that Mike Baird’s promise of enhanced protection is realised and that rangers don’t go extinct in NSW like so many of our native animals have.”