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Environment and Heritage

Dorrigo Escarpment great walk review of environmental factors: public consultation

Have your say on the review of environmental factors until Monday 24 February 2025.

 

The Dorrigo Escarpment great walk proposal

The Dorrigo Escarpment great walk is a proposed multi-day walk that will connect visitors to Gumbaynggirr Country and the wonders of Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage.

The great walk is a single-direction 4-day walking track that will start at the proposed new Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre in Dorrigo National Park and finish at the Bindarray picnic area in Bindarri National Park.

The draft master plan provides further detail about the location and design of the proposed multi-day walking experience: Dorrigo Escarpment great walk draft master plan.

The review of environmental factors

The review of environmental factors documents the environmental and cultural impact assessment of the proposed activities to construct and operate a new multi-day walk in Dorrigo and Bindarri national parks. The review is a requirement under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. It examines the significance of the proposal's likely environmental impacts and details the measures required to mitigate adverse impacts to natural, cultural, and social values.

The multi-day walk, as outlined in the review, involves:

  • constructing about 44.1 km of walking track, which will vary from 600 to 900 mm in width
  • upgrading about 8.6 km of vehicle management trails to support the walk's construction and future servicing
  • constructing 3 new hiker camps with bunk accommodation, tent platforms, communal shelters and toilets
  • upgrading an existing remote camping area with a new toilet and camping platforms
  • upgrading the existing Baliiga (Never Never) picnic area
  • constructing 43 water crossings including 5 pedestrian bridges and one vehicle bridge
  • establishing 14 scenic viewpoints or lookouts
  • installing wayfinding and interpretation signs.

Overall, the review concludes that the construction and operation of the walk will have only a minor impact on the environment and values of the national parks. In consultation with key stakeholders, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has made significant refinements to the walking track route and its design and operation principles to best avoid and manage impacts and ensure the conservation of key park values.

Download

Review of Environmental Factors – Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk

Supporting documents

Your feedback is important

Public exhibition of the review of environmental factors is your opportunity to identify ways to improve what is proposed. Your feedback helps the determining authority to decide whether an activity should be approved and assists in the development of appropriate conditions should approval be given.

What happens next?

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will collate and consider the submissions received during public exhibition of the review of environmental factors. We will then determine whether the proposal should proceed as proposed or be modified. If the proposal is determined to proceed, we will publish the final review of environmental factors and its decision statement and keep the community informed about the project's delivery.

The project will also be referred to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to assess the level of impacts to National and World Heritage and threatened species.

Have your say

Public exhibition is from 24 January 2025 until 24 February 2025.

We invite you to read the review and associated reports and make a submission if you have any additional information, identify any errors, or have any comments about potential environmental impacts or recommended mitigation measures.

A submission that clearly and concisely explains the specific matters it raises, with reference to the relevant section of the document, will be the most effective way to contribute.

Printed copies of the documents and maps are available to be viewed on request at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, 142 Dome Road, Dorrigo.

Submissions may be lodged via:

  • the online form below
  • email to [email protected]
  • post to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Project Team, Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk, PO Box 170, Dorrigo NSW 2453.

Written submissions must be received by 24 February 2025.

Your submission on the review of environmental factors will be provided to Eco Logical Australia and relevant NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service advisory bodies.

The information you provide in this form will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected. See the department's Privacy and security page for information on how we will treat any personal information you provide.

 

More information