LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe’s recent adoption of an amendment to the Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo National Parks Plan of Management in Tenterfield Shire.
Ms Saffin said the amended plan will recognise the Western Bundjalung People as native title holders, sign the existing 2018 Western Bundjalung Indigenous Land Use Agreement and progress the Western Bundjalung People’s aspirations for park management on Country.
The amended plan, informed by public submissions, will also improve the visitor experience by managing existing visitor sites for increased visitation, while providing ongoing protection of the parks’ natural and cultural heritage values, according to Ms Saffin.
Ms Saffin said positive changes for the parks included:
- Incorporating Western Bundjalung cultural interpretation in the parks (as approved by the native title holders).
- Ensuring commercial tour operators delivering Aboriginal cultural heritage material are endorsed by native title holders.
- Making a cabin in Boonoo Boonoo National Park available for short term visitor accommodation.
- Upgrading the Cypress Pine campground and the Bald Rock picnic area and campground.
- Permitting construction of cycling bridges where management trails are submerged at creek crossings to minimise erosion of creekbanks, sedimentation of creeks and to improve visitor experience.
- Permitting future development of walking tracks in the parks where it is consistent with the conservation of the natural and cultural values of the parks.
The amended plan of management will be available at: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/plans-of-management
Photo caption: Lismore MP Janelle Saffin pictured in Boonoo Boonoo National Park during a visit to Tenterfield last week.
