Ms Helen Minnican
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Parliament House
Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Dear Ms Minnican
Thank you for your email about an ePetition with more than 500 signatures requesting
reopening the Wollumbin (Mount Warning) summit track in Wollumbin National Park.
Wollumbin National Park was closed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in
March 2020 due to COVID-19 health restrictions. The closure has been extended until the
end of November 2021 due to public safety risks associated with the summit walking track
and permit further consultation with the Aboriginal community and other key stakeholders
about the future management of the site.
I am advised the decision to extend the closure due to public safety risks was based on a
structural assessment carried out in August 2020 by an independent engineer. The
assessment identified significant safety issues with the post and chain system used in the
final approach of the summit track. Given the findings, NPWS removed the climbing chain in
November 2020.
As you may know, the upper reach of Wollumbin was declared an Aboriginal Place in 2014
in recognition of its special significance to Aboriginal people. This affords the place special
protections. I understand the local Aboriginal community has long expressed a view that
access to the summit should be closed due to its significance.
An Aboriginal Place Management Plan is being finalised which formally sets out the
Aboriginal community’s advice on access to the summit and documents Wollumbin’s
significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values.
The Plan has been prepared in consultation with the Aboriginal community including the
Wollumbin Consultative Group, which represents a range of Aboriginal groups and families
with connection to Wollumbin and has been providing advice to NPWS since 2000. The
decision to extend the closure to the end of November 2021 will enable further consultation
with the Aboriginal community and other stakeholders about the future of the track.
While this consultation process takes place, the NSW Government is investing in a range of
visitor infrastructure across the region as part of the largest capital investment program ever
undertaken in our national parks.
By way of example, the $7.35 million Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails project will provide a
four-day walk from Unicorn Falls to Minyon Falls with new and upgraded visitor facilities at
key points along the trail. Initial works at the Minyon Falls visitor precinct commenced in
December 2020.
If you have any further questions about this matter, please contact Mr Russell Madeley,
Director North Coast, NPWS on 6652 0923 or at russell.madeley@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Thank you for taking the time to bring this matter to the Government’s attention.
Yours sincerely
26 July 2021
Matt Kean MP
Minister for Energy and Environment

Changes include increased security, raising the internal height barrier fencing, installation of greater anti-climb mesh and additional surveillance cameras to prevent people climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge illegally. The penalty will also increase from $3300 to $22,000 in line with illegally climbing the Sydney Opera House.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the NSW Government is delivering on a promise to toughen up deterrents.

However, Aboriginal groups will force their way to the summit as a traditional custom.

Spoken by a bunch of people not likely to have done the walk anyway.

Spoken by a bunch of people not likely to have done the walk anyway.

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Jul 28^th, 2021 at 8:49am:


Its just what I usually find from my canyoning/bushwalking stuff. People who regularly bushwalk are respectful of land concerns.

Gordon wrote on Jul 28^th, 2021 at 9:09am:


National Parks, held in trust by government on behalf of all the people, must not be used to make political statements designed by a bunch of backroom layabouts on high pay.