Have your say on plans for Barrenjoey Head

Media release: 21 March 2016

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is asking the community for feedback on concept plans for Barrenjoey Head that went on public exhibition today (21 March).

Barrenjoey Head is a prominent landmark in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The 22 hectare precinct includes the Barrenjoey Lightstation, the Barrenjoey Light, the Head Lightkeeper's Cottage and Assistant Lightkeepers' Cottages, two fishermens' cottages and the Boatman's cottage. The fishermens' cottages, vacated in 2014, are in poor condition, having extensive termite damage, wet rot and requiring asbestos remediation.

NPWS is proposing to undertake works and make cottages available to the public as short-stay holiday accommodation and provide new visitor facilities including a public toilet, a visitor shelter and new interpretation signs.

"Barrenjoey Head attracted nearly 200,000 visitors in the past 12 months and to cater for these visitors NPWS is preparing to connect the headland to the town sewerage and water supply to allow for a future public toilet, drinking water and additional fire fighting water supply.

"NPWS is also considering re-using the cottages for short-stay holiday accommodation to provide a unique and low-key visitor experience," NPWS Head Michael Wright said.

"Barrenjoey Head is an important asset not only for local residents but for people across Sydney. I invite all interested community members to have their say on the plans and your views will be taken into account in the final concept for the area."

The Barrenjoey Head Lightstation is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register and all works will be subject to approval by the Heritage Council.

NPWS is proposing to hold an 'open house' information day on site on Saturday 2 April to coincide with the public exhibition of the concept plans. The Lightkeepers cottages and the fishermans' cottage site will be open from 9am to 1pm. The concept plans will be available for viewing at each building. Chase Alive volunteers will also be running short guided tours of the lighthouse.

The plans will be exhibited on the Office of Environment and Heritage page at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parkmanagement/barrenjoey-head-concept-plans.htm. Anyone interested in commenting on the plans must do so by Wednesday 20 April 2016.

"We encourage everyone interested in the future of Barrenjoey Head to review these plans and register their feedback via the website. We value your feedback as the effective management of this site is in the best interest of the entire community."

The Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Lion Island, Long Island and Spectacle Island Nature Reserves Plan of Management provides for the adaptive reuse of the headland buildings for visitor use including short stay accommodation. It also allows for new signage and public toilet facilities to be investigated. The Plan of Management is available here www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parkmanagement/KuRingGaiChaseAndIslandsMgmtplan.htm

Contact: Sam Bartlett