Grose Valley Canyon Country Protected
"The National Parks Association congratulates the Carr Government for their support for the preservation of the scenic and natural values of the upper Grose Valley.", commented Tom Fink, President of the National Parks Association. "The NSW Government has returned about 900ha of land near Bell to the Blue Mountains National Park, thereby righting a mistake made more than thirty years ago".
The area in question comprises the Canyon Colliery mining lease, bounded by the Great Western Railway, Bells Line of Road and the rest of the park. The mine has ceased production although the lease extends for another six years.
"This decision saves this bushfire prone canyon area and its delicate low-nutrient soil plant communities from development proposals which would have restricted public access and altered the ecology to the detriment of the local flora and fauna and their habitat".
"The land is an important part of the headwaters of the Grose River and its wilderness - important to the health of the river and subsequently to the Hawkesbury-Nepean system".
A small area of about 50 hectares comprising the mine site itself has already had some restoration work undertaken and the lease has until 2005 to run for the work to be completed by the mine owners. During the life of the mine, bushwalkers and canyoners have had access to the rest of the area.
"Especially, the Association thanks the local member for Blue Mountains, Bob Debus and the Minister for the Environment, Pam Allan who have had to contend with a vigorous campaign by the proponents of a private fenced animal display and breeding development on the land".
"NPA is still willing to help the promoters of the captive breeding establishment to identify a more suitable site, outside the national park".
For more information contact the National Parks Association office (Kristi Macdonald or John Macris) on (02) 9233 4660.
10 March 1999