Gardens of Stone development

Protect the Gardens of Stone

No commercial developments in protected areas

To whom it may concern
I would like to raise my objection with you about the proposal to grant a lease for serviced accommodation over the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. The Gardens of Stone contain globally rare and significant pagoda landscapes that are completely inappropriate for any development other than what might be absolutely necessary for community and environmental safety.
The proposed cabin sites, put forward by Wild Bush Luxury Experience, will adversely impact the environmental, cultural and visual values and integrity of the protected area.
The locating of serviced accommodation will result in the production of waste, including grey and black water, that cannot be guaranteed to not impact the water and ground quality of the protected area. The very thin soil, rocky landscape, and local creeks, place an unacceptably high risk of contamination if serviced accommodation is allowed to proceed. 
The cultural significance and values of the Gardens of Stone exist at a landscape scale and the addition of commercial accommodation will decrease, rather than enhance, these cultural values. Wiradjuri Elder, Auntie Helen Riley, had the following to say on behalf of the Mingaan Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation: “The respect for the land is paramount to ensure not only the protection of the environment but equally Aboriginal culture. Look after the land and the rivers and the land and the rivers will look after you. Our landscapes are our pages telling our story. Damage to any part is disrespectful to all our Ancestors.”
The protection of the cliffs and the pagoda landscape was one of the most important outcomes from creating the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. The visual values of these areas are particularly high. Constructing accommodation structures on ridgelines and near cliffs will drastically impact the visual value of the Conservation Area and will likely be visible from long distances and potentially from the neighbouring Wollemi National Park. Such a high impact on the visual values will undermine the integrity of the area and diminish the values that led to it becoming protected.
The Lost City adventure park was rejected by Environment Minister, the Hon Penny Sharpe, due to its impact on pagodas. The cabins proposed by the proponent represent an extension of high-impact commercial developments in an area that has incredibly high existing value to the people and environment of NSW
Approval of the cabin lease would set a bad precedent for commercial accommodation in pristine bushland that is supposed to be protected. Other visually prominent cliff tops and coastal headlands elsewhere would then be at risk of similar lease proposals. 
I am totally opposed to serviced accommodation being built in NSW national parks and reserves, especially in bushland areas with high impact value views.
Sincerely

I would like to BCC myself

Gardens of Stone development

The Protected Area network in NSW is under siege from a push towards commercialising these special places, the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area is the latest to be targeted.

The Minns Labor Government is continuing with plans to grant a 20 year lease to a luxury camping company, to develop permanent serviced cabins. This plan was started under the former Liberal Government and is inconsistent with the objectives of protecting natural and cultural values in protected areas.

We must draw a line under commercial and profit driven development in protected areas, and send a submission to stop this project in its tracks.

Gardens of Stone development

Protect the Gardens of Stone

No commercial developments in protected areas

Gardens of Stone development

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