Local love of Glenrock State Conservation Area drives construction of new carpark
Visitors to Glenrock State Conservation Area will soon enjoy an upgraded car parking experience, with construction to start on a new, 47-space carpark off Scout Camp Road next week.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager Mitch Carter said the carpark will support improved accessibility and visitor safety for Glenrock State Conservation Area (SCA).
“Yuelarbah car park, off Burwood Road, Whitebridge, is considered one of Glenrock State Conservation Area’s primary parking precincts, providing access to the popular Yuelarbah walking track and mountain bike network,” said Mr Carter.
“The carpark is regularly at full capacity, thanks to the large number of walkers, runners, mountain bike riders and school groups enjoying Glenrock SCA.
“Many visitors resort to illegally parking on the shoulder of Burwood Road, which results in dangerous pedestrian behaviour that puts visitors at risk.
“To improve visitor safety and simplify access during busy periods, NPWS will be constructing a new carpark for visitors to Glenrock SCA, off Scout Camp Road.
“The carpark will be built entirely within the existing disturbed electricity easement to reduce any impacts to cultural heritage or the local plants and animals that call Glenrock home,” said Mr Carter.
As part of the $1.1 million project, a dual-purpose bus and truck turning bay will be built to create a safe location for visitors to disembark from buses, as well as designated bus and horse float parking spaces and an additional overflow parking area.
A minor re-routing of the Deluge mountain biking trail is required to accommodate the new carpark. The mountain biking trail will be closed for the duration of construction. Visitors are reminded to check the NPWS Alerts webpage for the latest closure information.
Construction is due to start on Wednesday 21 June and will be completed in September 2023, weather permitting.
The 554-hectare Glenrock State Conservation Area is a popular reserve attracting an estimated one million visitors a year, including trail runners, bushwalkers, mountain bike riders, surfers, scouts, horseriders, hang-gliders and abseilers, local residents and families.
Glenrock State Conservation Area is home to over 140 species of birds, echidnas, bats and gliders and conserves 5 threatened ecological communities and 7 threatened plant species, including the rough doubletail orchid and the white-flowered wax plant.
