The decisionThis change in risk tolerance has recently lead to a multi-agency working group deciding to close the main walking track and detour walkers via public roads to avoid the rifle range. Until this you could walk for 25 kilometres through the Berowra Valley without stepping onto a road. Now you only get seven kilometres in before being diverted into suburbia. Walking on roads is not uncommon on the GNW, but the plan should be to get more and more of this walk into bushland where possible. It seems that the road diversion is simply the path of least resistance.
This issue has been bubbling away for many years, and has been in serious focus for the last six months or more. I have bounced ideas with parks and rifle range staff. The local MP Matt Kean has also been great in trying to find a solution that works for everyone. Many other people have also been trying to find a solution, with MLC David Shoebridge, Kean and I chatting on local radio. One thing is clear: people want a better solution.
A better optionThere's a better option that would improve the overall walking experience, keep people safe and not interfere with the rifle range.
This solution has two parts:
Create three new short walking tracks of about three kilometres in total, allowing a diversion to the west of the danger area. The tracks would link Mitchell and Quarry Trails to the GNW.
Maintain and signpost the original walking track for use when the rifle range is not in use.
This solution gives people more choice, allows you to walk the full length of the national park without stepping onto roads, improves access to walking tracks from more suburbs, is Bewlow, affordable to build and maintain and creates a new circuit walks. Everyone wins.
This is what I recently sent to the NSW Minister for the Environment, Mark Speakman, for his consideration. The idea is being explored as you read this. I am not fixed on this solution; there may well be even better solutions out there. Like many others I just want a solution that is better than diverting such a fantastic walk out of the bush onto public roads.
As bushwalkers we cannot let our great walking experiences be degraded because of poor-quality decisions like this. We need our government agencies to be more creative, consultative and working towards a vision on better walking in NSW. As bushwalkers we need to be able to better work with all agencies to make significant improvements to our walking track networks. We need a vision and a plan to make NSW a premium walking destination, Let’s start by making the Great North Walk great again.
Bushwalk
