Ben Boyd National Park, Light to lightThe NPWS has made a number of significant changes to their original plan based on the community response. Although many environmental groups still say they plan goes to far. So what has changed?
1. Independent overnight campsites The plan was to close the existing remote campsites and all overnights must be in the huts are at the two car-based campsites. Now, the remote walk-in Mowarry Point campsite will be formalised as a backpack camping site near the huts that are to be built. However, the walk-in campsite at Hegartys Bay will be closed (replaced with huts) and the walk-in only campsite provided at Bittangabee Bay (near the car-based camping.
2. HutsNPWS has highlighted that "Construction of huts and associated facilities is expected to be more complicated at Hegartys Bay" and that the hut may be relocated to near the car-based campsite at Bittangabee Bay. There is still a sense of remoteness
3. Commercial operationsThe original plan allowed for commercial operators to book out the huts and on-sell accommodation such as to commercial groups. This was clearly ripe for profiteering risks and would limit access based on price. NPWS has now dropped this idea but will still allow commercial operations in a similar manner as with other parks (guided walks, transport, equipment supply etc).
4. Track realignmentThere was a note that there was significant concern about some of the track changes. NPWS noted that the final track location is still being reviewed.
5. Green Cape accommodationThe proposal to use the lighthouse precinct for the final night (end of the walk) was met with significant opposition, NPWS has not changed their position on the plan and now retain "the option to build new accommodation at Green Cape, either outside or within the lightstation precinct".
6. Reference Group to be createdNPWS have proposed that a new Light to Light Walk Stakeholder Reference Group will be established until the end of the project. There is no comment on the powers they will have.
OpinionAlthough there are few "wins" based on the public comments I am still very disappointed by this project plan overall. Although I am confident it will become a popular walk NSW has far better, lower impact and more affordable options available. NPWS are digging themselves a big hole and setting an unreasonable expectation of what our national parks in NSW should deliver.
New national park in western SydneyThe 500 hectare site at Shanes Park between Penrith and Windsor will soon become a national park. The Environment Minister, Matt Kean said the park is set to be a "Noah’s Ark" of native animals including emus, koalas, bettongs, bandicoots, and quolls. The park will become one of seven fenced and feral free parks in NSW, with the plan to re-introduce 30 species at this site once safe to do so. Fencing will start this year, the park is expected to be legally declared early next year and open to visitors in early 2023 with a new visitors centre and walking tracks.
Great Sandy National Park, K’gariSome 250 kilometres north of Brisbane is the world’s largest sand island. The Badtjala (Butchulla) people call this K’gari (pronounced Gurri), meaning paradise. The island has been inhabited for more than 5000 years. Soon after European colonisation it was named Great Sandy Island and was more recently known as Fraser Island until formally changed back to its original name on 19 September 2021. Great Sandy National Park is a World Heritage Area.
Fraser Island is named after Eliza Anne Fraser (c.1798–1858), a Scottish woman who was shipwrecked on this island on 22 May 1836. She was taken in and supported by the Badtjala (Butchulla) people. She claimed to have been captured by the Aboriginal people. Many other people who surveyed her wreck disputed her claims of poor treatment, while other whites reported they had been cared for well by the Badtjala people. In part, Fraser's claim led to the 1851 massacre and dispossession of the Badtjala people.
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