Wollemi National Park : amendment to the plan of management: establishing a Wollemi great walk

Abstract

Wollemi National Park is reserved to achieve the objectives of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act). These objectives are centred on conserving nature and cultural heritage values, and fostering public appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of these special values. The Wollemi National Park plan of management (NPWS 2001) describes how the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) intends to achieve the Act’s objectives. All operations undertaken in the park need to be in accordance with this plan of management. An amendment to a plan of management is required if there is a proposed change to the park’s management that is not consistent with the current plan. Section 73B of the NPW Act enables the Minister to amend a plan of management following public consultation. This amendment to the Wollemi National Park plan of management facilitates: • establishment of a Wollemi great walk • establishment of short walks and lookouts in the former Newnes State Forest, which was added to Wollemi National Park in May 2022 • upgrade of the walking track along the section of the former railway line between Newnes Campground and the Old Coach Road/Wolgan Valley end of the Glow Worm Tunnel to a shared walking/cycling track • prohibition of cycling in the Glow Worm Tunnel trail to minimise the potential for conflict with walkers • inclusion of Coorongooba campground in the plan. The following were considered in preparing this amendment: • the management principles for national parks listed under section 30E of the NPW Act • the matters listed under section 72AA of the NPW Act • advice received from the Blue Mountains Regional Advisory Committee • submissions received in the draft amendment to the plan of management. The amendment replaces some of the existing plan of management’s text and adds some new text. These changes should be read in conjunction with the adopted plan of management, specifically the section and page numbers referred to in the amendment. Where a change is proposed to an action in the body of the plan of management, corresponding changes will also be made to Section 5 ‘Plan Implementation’ as necessary.