It is a real indictment on NSW that the existence of a neighbouring rifle range can dictate the use of protected national park land. There is no safety risk, no impact on visitor experience and no impact on the rifle range. The campsite is on national park land and 1.7 kilometres from the range firing point.

This closure is just another blow in a series for our community and the national park. Earlier this year, a beautiful section of the Great North Walk was closed and redirected via public roads. It seems the plan is to chip away slowly, making the walk worse month by month. Three months ago I sent a proposal to the NSW Government on how to keep this section of the walk off the roads. I have received no formal response.

While most other states are investing to improve bushwalking experiences, the NSW Government appears to be running as fast as it can the other way. It is no wonder that NSW has the slowest growth rate of bushwalkers then any other state.

Despite the popularity of the pursuit and the potential economic benefits to the state, there is no vision for bushwalking in NSW, there is a lack of communication with the bushwalking community and a significant underinvestment on areas that need attention. Ironically in some regions, there is a massive overspend on really inappropriate information and infrastructure that makes the walking experience significantly worse for visitors. To say it is a complete shambles is not overstating the problem.

I asked Minister Speakman's office for a comment on this article and got the following response from a spokesperson for the Office of Environment and Heritage: "As per the Berowra Valley National Park’s Draft plan of management which was put out for public consultation last year, the National Parks and Wildlife Service will continue to investigate camping needs and suitable camping sites along the Great North Walk."