On Sunday, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell elevated the Dharawal area, near Darkes Forest, to national park status, protecting the area from coal seam gas exploration.

The announcement was immediately attacked by Opposition environment spokesman Luke Foley, who said the area would still come under threat from mining companies which owned exploration licences close to the 6500ha park.

A nearby site in Darkes Forest is already being explored by Apex Energy for its coal seam gas potential. Mr Foley said it was "likely" there would be several hundred wells if mining went ahead with a "high potential" for groundwater contamination.

"It is likely that there would end up being several hundred wells if it went to production and there is a high potential for off-site impacts on the new national park, including on groundwater and other water reserves," he said.

"Creating a national park that straddles coal seam gas activities makes a mockery of the O'Farrell government's pre-election commitment to protect high conservation and prime agricultural land."

Ms Parker rounded on Mr Foley yesterday, accusing him of scaremongering.

"This pristine area is protected from mining for the first time ever and that means it can never be mined under," she said. "It means that this government will make sure it is protected, and it means that those who harm its environment will face the full force of the law."

Mr O'Farrell said on Sunday the area's new status would protect it from mining.

"There will be no mining under the national park, through the national park, in the national park," Mr O'Farrell said.