The reasons for the disparity in status are largely political and historical. It has been suggested to the author that the only reason this area was reserved is because it is opposite the home of the local Member of Parliament, who convinced the then Minister for the Environment to protect the land as NPWS estate, presumably because the Member preferred a view onto vegetation rather than housing. Some of the land appeared too steep for conventional urbanisation and may well have been left as a residue lot to be dedicated as open space to be managed by Liverpool City Council. This would have been a more appropriate management arrangement than reservation as NPWS estate. Parramatta River comprised of several relativey small components including the former Parramatta Park, Bedlam Bay in Gladesville, Callan Point in Rozelle and Yarralla in Concord, stretching from the central west to the inner west.
Some areas maintain a modified fringe of mangrove communities.
Increasingly surrounded by urban sprawl within the North-west Sector housing project, the Riverflat Forest is under threat from proposed stormwater works that are intended to mitigate the impacts of runoff from upstream housing and rural activities. Weed invasion is a major concern in the remnant bushland. Western Sydney approximately 1,000 ha when complete. Linked by revegetation to Fairfield City Farm, which contains very significant flora including the endangered climber Cynanchum elegans . Formerly part of DUAP s Horsley Park corridor, originally designated as one of several regional open space areas as part of the 1960s Sydney Region Outline Plan.