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Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve Plan of Management

The Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and is located in the south-east highlands of New South Wales, near Oberon and south-west of Katoomba. The reserve covers an area of 3,085 hectares and is part of the traditional Country of the Gundungurra and Wiradjuri Aboriginal People.
Publisher: Office of Environment and Heritage
Cost: Free
Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-925755-56-5 / ID: OEH20190099
File: PDF 4.61 MB / Pages 112
Name: jenolan-karst-conservation-reserve-plan-management-190099.pdf
 
Tags: Plan of managementFinal

The reserve includes the internationally renowned Jenolan Caves, one of the premier tourism attractions in New South Wales, receiving more than 200,000 visitors annually. Other features of the state heritage-listed reserve include Jenolan Caves House and significant natural values that form part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

The plan of management provides guidance on conserving the natural and cultural values of the park, providing enriching and memorable experiences for all visitors and developing partnerships with the community and corporate sectors.

The plan identifies:

  • Visitor Use and Services Zone – a 50-hectare area that is the focus of both above and below ground tourism assets, including all accommodation facilities and cave operations. This zone is managed to support sustainable visitation.
  • Conservation Management Zone – occupying over 98 per cent of the reserve. This will be managed primarily for the conservation of natural and cultural values, and provide for compatible nature-based recreation opportunities such as bushwalking.

The plan incorporates information on the natural and cultural values of the reserve, fire management plans, the draft conservation management plan, policies and guidance on managing karst environments, and takes account of strategic planning for the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The plan also incorporates additional lands that have been included in the reserve.

See also Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Strategic Plan (2009).