Abstract: National parks and reserves are not protected by their designation. Their conservation value is vulnerable to activities often exacerbated by increasing nearby urban development. Protected areas provide essential function and service to cities. These encompass the provision of ecosystem services, city identity as well as social, cultural, recreational and economic value. Environmental science has sought to quantify the impacts of development on the ecosystem function of natural areas. This knowledge is applied to some affect in Australian development assessment processes. However, it would seem that the level of attention given to the cumulative impact of development upon the environmental significance of protected areas is not as well incorporated into the strategic land use planning process, particularly where housing supply and the associated infrastructure is the overarching priority. This paper will, through a case study of four national parks in the growing city of Sydney, Australia, and, using content analysis, explore how statutory planning instruments, planning policies, plans of management and applicable legislation affect the ongoing conservation values. This analysis will be contrasted against broader economic and political influences prioritising growth as reflected in metropolitan and state based plans. The paper will conclude with insights on the efficacy of current strategic and operational practices and identify how broader land use planning and controls can be made to better accommodate conservation with this contemporary challenge of managing urban intensification.