Minister to make call on short-stay accommodation
A new plan of management for Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, which includes proposed new uses for heritage buildings on Barrenjoey Headland, could be finalised this month.
Public comment on the new Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Island Reserves Draft Plan of Management closed in late November, with a report then being prepared for the relevant advisory bodies.
Over 400 submissions were made to the draft plan, created by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which outlines new potential uses for historic buildings on the Palm Beach headland.
The plan proposes the unoccupied Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage could be used by NPWS staff or the community, including for visitor tours, while the Assistant Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage could be considered for short-stay visitor accommodation.
Meanwhile the Boatman’s Cottage, which is currently staff accommodation, could also be used for short-stay public visits.
The plans have been met with opposition from the Palm Beach and Whale Beach Association (PBWBA), which says the headland should remain accessible for all people, at all times.
The association recently met with representatives of the NPWS to voice its resistance to, what it calls, ‘a commercialisation of the precinct’.
The proposal is not the first time short-stay visitor accommodation has been proposed for the site, with the community staging a rally against similar plans at Governor Phillip Park in 2012.
Once NPWS finalise the submissions report, it will be delivered to the Greater Sydney Regional Advisory Committee and the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council for feedback.
Their advice, along with the community submissions and the draft plan, will then be provided to the NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage James Griffin for his consideration.
It is understood this information could be provided to Mr Griffin this month, ahead of his decision.