Budderoo parks draft plan of management consultation

Public exhibition of the draft plan provides members of the community with the opportunity to have a say in the management direction for the park.

The parks are in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands regions of New South Wales.

The draft plan proposes objectives and strategies to:

• protect Aboriginal cultural heritage and natural values
• continue recovery of threatened and rare ecosystems and species
• provide opportunities for nature-based visitor activities.

What is a plan of management?

A plan of management plan includes information on important park values and provides directions for future management. Once the plan is adopted, no management operations can be undertaken in the park unless they are consistent with the plan.

Why is a new plan being prepared?

The current plan of management for Budderoo and Macquarie Pass national parks and Barren Grounds and Robertson nature reserves was adopted in 1998 and amended in 2004.

This plan of management will also replace the statement of management intent for Macquarie Pass State Conservation Area, which was approved in 2014. A statement of management intent is prepared after a park’s reservation and before a plan of management has been adopted. It is not a statutory document, and a plan of management is still required under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

The visitor infrastructure of the parks is no longer catering for the demands of visitors. Visitor numbers grow with an increasing NSW and regional population and with improved transport corridors from Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong. Furthermore, many park visitors are seeking out experiences beyond existing visitor infrastructure. This is adversely impacting biodiversity values, threatening Aboriginal heritage values, and creating safety issues. This draft plan of management addresses this changing visitation pattern and its impacts.

Draft precinct plans provide additional information on proposals at 3 key visitor destinations: Minnamurra Rainforest, Carrington Falls and Macquarie Pass.

When will the plan be finalised?

At the close of the public exhibition period, we provide the South Coast Regional Advisory Committee with the plan and the submissions. The committee may then provide advice to the Minister for the Environment.

The Minister considers the draft plan, the submissions and advice provided, makes any necessary changes and decides whether to adopt the plan under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. Once a plan is adopted, it is published on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website and key stakeholders, including those who made a submission on the draft plan, will be notified.

Have your say

You can provide your written submission in any of the following ways:

• use the online submission form below
• email your submission to [email protected]
• post your written submission to:
  Manager, NPWS Planning and Assessment
  Locked Bag 5022
  Parramatta NSW 2124

Written submissions must be received by 5 pm on 9 February 2026.

Our response to your submission will be based on the merits of the ideas and issues you raise rather than the quantity of submissions making similar points. For this reason, a submission that clearly explains the matters it raises will be the most effective way to contribute.

Submissions are most effective when we understand your ideas and the outcomes you want for park management. Some suggestions to help you write your submissions are:

• write clearly and be specific about the issues that are of concern to you
• note which part or section of the document your comments relate to
• give reasoning in support of your points – this makes it easier for us to consider your ideas and will help avoid misinterpretation
• tell us specifically what you agree or disagree with and why you agree or disagree
• if you can, suggest solutions or alternatives to managing the issue.