Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk and Arc Rainforest Centre – A new plan of management for Dorrigo and Bindarri national parks
Public exhibition of the draft plan provided an important opportunity for community members to have a say in the future management of Dorrigo National Park, Bindarri National Park and Bindarri State Conservation Area.
Once adopted, the final plan of management will replace existing plans for Dorrigo and Bindarri national parks and be the first plan for Bindarri State Conservation Area. The consultation closed on 15 January 2024.
These parks are on Gumbaynggirr Country and cover an area of over 17,500 hectares. They are valued for their rich biodiversity, World Heritage and National Heritage values, cultural significance, diversity of landscapes, protected water catchments and recreational opportunities. Dorrigo National Park is a centrepiece of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area in New South Wales and makes an important contribution to the regional economy through tourism.
Draft master plans for the proposed Dorrigo Escarpment great walk and the Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre are also on public exhibition. Draft master plans provide further detail about the location and design of the proposed multi-day walking experience, replacement visitor centre and elevated walkway.
What is a plan of management?
Parks and reserves established under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 need to have a plan of management. The plan includes information on important park values and provides strategic directions for future management.
The plan of management is a legal document, after the plan is adopted all operations and activities in the park must be consistent with the plan.
Why is a new plan being prepared?
The existing Dorrigo National Park and Bindarri National Park plans of management were adopted in 1998 and 2009, respectively. A statement of management intent for Bindarri State Conservation Area was published in 2014. The existing Dorrigo National Park plan is now dated and no longer fit for purpose.
As these parks border each other and new proposals described in the draft plan traverse through multiple parks (for example, Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk), from a park management perspective, it makes sense to combine the 3 parks into a single replacement plan of management.
What does the new plan include?
The plan contains information on important park values and provides key strategic directions for future management of these parks. Key management directions proposed in the draft plan include to:
- support and celebrate Aboriginal cultural values and strengthen partnerships with Gumbaynggirr people
- protect, enhance and promote World Heritage and National Heritage values
- provide a world-class Gondwana Rainforest experience through improvements to visitor facilities, development of the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk and the redevelopment of the Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre.
When will the plan of management be finalised?
At the end of the public exhibition period, submissions received on the draft plan will be provided to the North Coast Regional Advisory Committee and the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council. These advisory bodies will consider the draft plan and the submissions and may provide advice to the Minister for the Environment.
The Minister considers the draft plan of management, submissions and advice, makes any necessary changes and decides whether to adopt the plan under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
Once a plan of management is adopted, it is published on the department's website and key stakeholders, including those who made a submission on the draft plan, will be notified.
How can I comment on the proposed Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk and Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre master plans?
The consultation closed on 15 January 2024.
Two draft master plans provided further detail about the multi-day walk and the new Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre. These plans were on public exhibition. This provided an opportunity for feedback before detailed planning commenced.
To view the Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre and the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk draft masterplans, please see the project's consultation page.
Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk project
You can also register your interest to receive ongoing project updates.
For further information about the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk or Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre draft master plans, please see the consultation page or contact the Project Team.
The environmental impact assessment reports (review of environmental factors) will also be placed on public exhibition at a later date.
What is the difference between a draft plan of management and draft master plans?
A plan of management is a legal document under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 that provides information on important park values and outlines the strategic management direction for these parks.
Once a plan is adopted, all operations and activities in the park must be consistent with the management plan. Master plans are non-statutory, subsidiary plans that outline in more detail the new and improved visitor facilities in these parks.