THE Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has named Kalamunda as the area with the most percentage of national parkland in Western Australia.

Utilising the statistical area three (SA3) data, the ABS determined that Kalamunda contained 32.5 per-cent parkland in the statistical area, beating second-place Manjimup’s 28.1 per cent by four points.

The Augusta-Margaret River-Busselton area was third with 15.4 per cent, while Bunbury was fourth with 14.2 per cent and Gascoyne was fifth at 14.1 per cent.

City of Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas said the city is extremely proud of their parks.

“The region has long been known as the lungs of Perth and was promoted as an eco-retreat as early as the 1930s,” she said.

“The city is committed to preserving our natural heritage and ensuring long-term sustainability of our ecosystem.”

The ABS utilises SA3 data to determine a regional breakdown of Australia, with the statistical areas generally representing an area serviced by a major transport or commercial hub in major cities across the country.