Blue Mountains National Park and Kanangra-Boyd National Park Draft Plan of Management

The Blue Mountains National Park and Kanangra-Boyd National Park Draft Plan of Management public exhibition has closed.

Public exhibition of the draft plan provided an important opportunity for community members to have a say in the future management of the Blue Mountains and Kanangra-Boyd national parks. Once adopted, this plan of management will replace the existing plans for these parks, which were adopted in 2001. Opportunities to comment closed 26 September 2023.

The draft plan is accompanied by the Blue Mountains National Park and Kanangra-Boyd National Park Draft Planning Considerations report. It is recommended that readers of the plan refer to the planning considerations report for detailed explanations of the parks' values and management considerations.

These parks are a part of Darug and Gundungurra Country. The parks form the core component of one of the largest and most intact stretches of protected bushland in New South Wales. They are part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World and National Heritage property, contain significant areas of wilderness, occupy a large part of the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment, and are one of the key attractions in a major tourism region.

Key management directions proposed in the draft plan include:

  • improving recognition of the parks significant values, including World and National Heritage values, and providing for adaptive management to protect the values
  • recognising and supporting the continuation of partnerships with Aboriginal communities
  • providing outstanding nature-based experiences for visitors through improvements to visitor facilities.

Parks and reserves established under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 need to have a plan of management. The 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.

The current plans of management were adopted in 2001 and many things have changed since then. The draft plan responds to these changes and new information about the park values and management considerations.

At the end of the public exhibition period, submissions received on the draft plan will be provided to the Blue Mountains Regional Advisory Committee and the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council. These advisory bodies will consider the draft plan and the submissions and may provide advice to the Minister for the Environment.

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