According to today's Australian Financial Review, Bush Heritage Australia chief executive Doug Humann said the purchase of the 8100ha block was about "building resilience" in the bush.

"We have such unique biodiversity in Australia that we have to protect the best of what is left and it makes much more sense to do the protection rather than the restoration," he said.

Edgbaston is said to contain four plants and two fish species which cannot be found anywhere else.

The group has received a $1.32m from the Federal Government to invest in existing habitats.

Bush Heritage has purchased 31 properties in total, for about $24m during its lifetime.

Earlier this year it bought Bon Bon Station, near Coober Pedy, SA, for $4.6m in conjunction with the Government.