Kamay Botany Bay National Park is a magnificent headland site that bounds the mouth of Botany Bay, Sydney. The Kurnell Precinct of Kamay Botany Bay National Park is located on the southern headland of Botany Bay. The place is highly significant for Australia as it is the site of contact in 1770 between Aboriginal Australians and the crew the HMB Endeavour. It is also the place of last sighting of the French explorer Compte de La Perouse in 1788, the locality for many of the plant species first collected by Banks and Solander, and contains important samples of endangered ecological communities.
The Kamay 2020 Project is a joint Australian and New South Wales Governments project to commemorate the 250th anniversary since the encounter between Aboriginal Australians and the crew of the HMB Endeavour at Kurnell. This significant project has been informed by the Kamay Botany Bay National Park Kurnell: Master Plan and Plan of Management to deliver improved visitor amenity and access, provide new experiences and acknowledge the diversity of stories associated with this place.
Public feedback was sought from 30 April to 02 August 2018 on the Kamay Botany Bay National Park Kurnell: Draft Master Plan and the Kamay Botany Bay National Park Draft Plan of Management as part of the Kamay 2020 Project. The Master Plan was finalised in February 2019 and the Plan of Management adopted in December 2019.
The 250th anniversary of contact between Aboriginal Australians and the crew of the HMB Endeavour provides a unique opportunity to take a fresh look at this nationally significant place as one that respects and interprets many layers of history.
What's happening at Kurnell?
Implementation of Stage 1 of the Master Plan commenced in 2019 as part of the joint Australian and New South Wales Governments funding program. This includes several components managed by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS):
- installation of the commemorative sculptures (completed April 2020)
- conservation works to monuments including the 1870 Cook Obelisk (completed April 2020).
- restoration of historic Alpha House (underway).
- development of an Interpretation and Storytelling Plan (underway)
- detailed investigation, planning and design for a new Visitors Centre and other infrastructure in the park (underway)
- reinstatement of the ferry wharves at Kurnell and La Perouse is under development. This project is managed by Transport for NSW.
In addition to this, landscaping upgrades are planned for Cape Solander (2021) as part of the Improving Access to National Parks program funded by the NSW Government.
Information on these works and activities will be provided during the year and you can refer to the Master Plan for details on what's planned.
Have your say
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is encouraging feedback on the implementation of the Master Plan. There are 2 components which we are currently seeking community feedback.
Stage 1 Master Plan Delivery: Visitor Centre, infrastructure and landscaping concepts
National Parks and Wildlife Service has engaged three leading architects to develop design options for the new Visitor Centre and major precinct infrastructure improvements. These concepts build upon the ideas and themes developed in the Master Plan and take into consideration new information relating to bushfire risk and the site's sensitive environmental and archaeological values.
National Parks and Wildlife Service are releasing these 3 design options for public exhibition, and invite feedback prior to selection of the successful design by the Kamay 2020 Project Board.
We are keen to hear your feedback on these concepts.
You can submit your feedback by completing this survey or emailing the project team at kamay.2020@environment.nsw.gov.au