Prevent the proposed increase in vehicle use and infrastructure within Sydney Harbour National Parks
Petitioner:
Ms Vashti Hughes
| Member:
Greenwich, Alex
| No. of Signatories:
284
| Date closed:
02/05/2023
To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, National Parks and Wildlife Service are currently revising a draft South Head Master Plan. The exhibited plan supports part of the walking trail within the park becoming a 'shareway' and proposes construction for an elevated road for private vehicle access to service privatised 40-year building leases.
We therefore ask the House to restrict the proposed increase in vehicle use, access and additional vehicle infrastructure routes within South Head National Park. Preserve South Head National Park wildlife corridor, including the existing walking trails for physical wellbeing and mental health. With the exception of Lighthouse Rd, as the current public entry road, legislate all existing trails that pass between HMAS Watson Base and South Head National Park for permissible essential services and emergency vehicle access and egress only.
This includes Legislation for Gap Bluff Rd for emergency vehicle access and egress only, with permissible essential services only in keeping with the purpose for which the land has been reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Services Act 1974. The significance of these walking trails extend beyond the South Head Cultural Landscape, that the Heritage Council of NSW have resolved to recommend listing on the State Heritage Register (SHR). They form part of the earliest road network in the colony connecting the iconic Macquarie Lighthouse to Hornby Lighthouse and original fishing port of Watsons Bay, Camp site of the Birrabagal with the existing indigenous overland track. An increase in vehicles will impact the parkland.
