We at FoMH feel that the new 50 year lease arrangement is a secret backroom deal which was unannounced (except by Senator Leyonhjelm on Facebook), undiscussed and decidedly underhanded. There was no consultation at all. Just a few months ago we had the shooters and Minister Hunt in agreement that the rifle range would be relocated to another facility in “3, 5 or even 17 years”, and now NSWRA have a new confidential 50 year lease signed sealed and delivered.

It seems that there will be a massive increase in shooting days from the current one or two days per week to 5 days per week. This would mean that the new Eastern National Park would only be open to the public on two days per week, and perhaps not at all on weekends. We think this is an unacceptable situation that could have been avoided if consultation had occurred between ALL the stakeholders of Malabar Headland prior to signing any new lease. This is public land after all.

FoMH was not consulted or notified of the new lease. NPWS were also not consulted and had to confront the NSWRA in a meeting about the news! Local residents were not consulted about the increased shooting days.

FoMH has always recognised that without the Rifle Range, there would probably be no bush now to protect, and we do not view the new 50 year lease as a negative in regard to the protection of the precious ESBS bush. The continued presence of shooters should mean that there can be no development on the headland, although we don’t know the terms and conditions of the lease. We do know that our vision for the whole of Malabar Headland is now many more years away.

It is disappointing that the landfill will not be remediated any time soon, and that the Rifle Range will not become Public Open Space in the near future, but we appreciate that fixing the landfill is a very expensive proposition for any government and we wonder why/how shooters and horses/riders can utilise the unremediated landfill areas safely.

People are quite rightly upset about the complete lack of community consultation in this new lease arrangement and the secrecy associated with the terms of the lease, and how things have changed so quickly from the earlier statements of Minister Hunt. They are confused about how a new National Park can be closed 5 days a week and on weekends. They are worried about noise from increased shooting.

We trust that NPWS and the shooters will work closely together to ensure that there is a satisfactory compromise between public access and shooting access. We understand that if the shooters are not active on any particular day, the Eastern walkway will be accessible, and NPWS will leave the gates in the new fence open at all times EXCEPT when they are shooting. The eastern walkway is progressing at a fast pace, and will be opened very soon. We are hoping for an invite to the opening.

We will be working hard to ensure fair public access to the Eastern walkway and National Park! Why not join us?

 

There are a lot of things happening on the Headland at the moment. There is the construction of Eastern and Western walking tracks, plus fencing, signage and various civil works. Here is a great summary of the happenings from Claire.  Also included is Rifle Range operation dates for the next few months.

MHNP Works update

Eastern Walking Track Work

26 April – TBC Mid to Late June

A crew of 4 will be working from the 26^th of April to mid-late June. Installing 350mtrs of temporary elevated mesh boardwalk in wet areas along the main coastal track. Work continues on the detailed design of this route and is scheduled to be completed this financial year.

Civil Works (East)

2 May – TBC 16-23 May

Repair of Access Road / Interim walking track. 2 stages, removal of bitumen and blue metal, replacement with VENM crushed sandstone. Future works will include hardened drainage elements and extending the road to Fisherman’s Rd Carpark (subject to approvals). The access road is for maintenance not public vehicle access.

 

Park Signage Installation (East & West)

TBC Mid May for 1 week

Installation of safety signage, way finding, park entry & ID signs, closed areas

 

DoF Fencing Works (East and West)

TBC May – TBC June

Fence installation to reduce informal access and ensure safety of park visitors, will be constructed on DoF land. DoF has indicated a desire to begin these works in May. Awaiting confirmation.

 

Heritage Structure Security/Stabilisation, Gate Installation (East)

TBC Late May to Mid June

Closure of southern searchlight block and 2 x engine rooms, stabilisation of southern searchlight block pending further assessment. Installation of vehicle gate and bollards at apex of access road to reduce motorbike and pedestrian access to observation tower and gun emplacements.

 

Bush Regeneration Contractors

14 April – 31 May

4 contractor crews will continue to work sporadically throughout April and May.

 

Storm Water Remediation (West)

11 April – TBC 22 April

Council have removed the damaged fence at Franklin St / Pioneer Park, they will remove the headwall in the coming days and backfill erosion with VENM crushed sandstone.

 

Western Walking Track

TBC

Community consultation phase completed (March 31). Randwick Council has indicated a desire to proceed to tender on completion, awaiting confirmation.

 

NPWS Field Staff

Ongoing

There will be an increase in field staff operations, some of the works we will be doing in-house include; removal of commonwealth signage, repairing heritage structure security, cleaning up the railway line, weed suppression, pest species surveys, closure of informal tracks, etc.

 

Scheduled Rifle Range Operation Dates

Latest shooting range operation dates below as of 13/4: (may be subject to change)

16th May; 23rd May; 20th June; 11th to 16th July

 

Annual All Park Passes for Volunteers

Do you need encouragement to participate in bush regeneneration/bush care? For info about working in Botany Bay NP, contact NPWS directly. For info about working in Malabar Headland, see our Membership – Contacts tab.

Volunteers who have completed over 50 hours voluntary service in any one year on an NPWS approved program can receive one free All Parks Pass for one designated vehicle registered at the volunteer’s home address.

Now there is even more incentive to become a bush regenerator with us!