Environmental assessments approved
After 3 years of planning and community engagement, the proposals to build a new Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre and a 4-day Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk have been approved under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The environmental assessment considered all potential impacts on the environment, biodiversity and heritage, as well as issues raised in community submissions, and concluded that the projects are unlikely to have a significant impact on the environment, threatened species or ecological communities, or their habitats.
The reviews of environmental factors for both projects have now been determined, allowing the proposals to proceed subject to a range of specified conditions. Potential impacts have been avoided and/or minimised wherever possible through design and site-specific safeguards. National Parks and Wildlife Service has responded to topics raised in the submissions with some changes to the designs, as described in the submissions reports.
The final review of environmental factors documents will be published on the project webpage, along with the submissions reports and decision statements.
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Wompoo fruit dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) -
Dorrigo Escarpment, Dorrigo National Park -
Ravine orchid (Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii) in bloom
The Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk was also referred to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The referral assessed the level of impacts to National and World Heritage and threatened species, ensuring the highest level of public confidence in the project. After public exhibition in October, the department decided the proposal to construct, operate and manage a new multi-day walking track was not a controlled action and did not require further assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
The proposals will now proceed to Heritage NSW, who need to approve works or activities that may impact heritage listed items under the Heritage Act 1977.
Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk
Track construction planning ramping up
Tenders for the construction of the walking track sections closed in late November with contracts to be awarded in early 2026. Both nationwide and local track-building companies have shown interest by attending an inspection day with the project team at Dorrigo and Bindarri national parks in early November. Track construction is expected to commence in early 2026 and take up to 2 years to complete.
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Prospective contractors inspecting the thickly vegetated sit of the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk track during the construction tender inspection -
Prospective contractors attend the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk track construction tender inspection.
Bridge fabrication underway
Forge (working with Abseil Access) have designed the 5 main bridges along the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk. Offsite fabrication of the bridge components is nearing completion, and they will be delivered to Dorrigo in December with installation due to commence in early 2026. Having the bridges in place first will enhance access for the walking track construction teams.
Components will be flown to the site by helicopter sling, like what was done for the construction of the Crystal Shower Falls suspension bridge in Dorrigo National Park. The new suspension bridges have been designed with prefabricated footings and a buried anchor system to avoid the need to pour concrete onsite, helping to protect pristine river ecosystems.
Camp design
Our design consultant Bligh Tanner is progressing camp design with options for communal facilities and smaller bunk huts. Working with Gall architects and Cusp landscape designers, the design process will ensure the camp infrastructure is modest, constructed from simple materials and fits in well with the surrounding environment. The huts will be sensitively placed in the landscape of each camp and, with dark exterior cladding, will blend in with the rainforest.
Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre
Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre design taking shape
The principal design consultant Terroir is progressing the design for the new Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre. Bringing a fresh perspective to the project after the original concept planning, and having the benefit of community feedback, Terroir’s new designs differ from the draft master plan concepts while still delivering the key facilities and objectives. The low-profile centre will nestle into the site and showcase the protected central courtyard on the edge of the rainforest escarpment.
The shape and scale of the elevated walkway and lookout, which is replacing the Skywalk, has been significantly changed from the proposed oval-shaped design to take advantage of specific natural features and viewscapes. This new alignment and the removal of the second level weather room will also reduce the walkway’s environmental impact and construction cost while still increasing capacity and creating an awe-inspiring visitor experience.
Interpretation consultant Dark Lightning has consulted deeply with Gumbaynggirr representatives to develop a range of ideas to incorporate Gumbaynggirr knowledge and culture into the new centre and to support cultural experiences. Embedding this cultural perspective alongside the story of the Gondwana rainforests will create a compelling invitation for visitors to explore and connect with the rainforest below.
The preliminary designs have been positively received by National Parks and Wildlife Service and community stakeholders. The designers will make more improvements so the final design delivers a creative and inspiring visitor centre that’s easy to access and highlights the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Dorrigo’s World Heritage rainforests. We look forward to sharing the designs with you when finalised.
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Design rendering of the exterior of the Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre -
Design rendering of the interior of the Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre
Temporary visitor centre at the Glade
Observant visitors will have noticed that work has commenced on building the temporary visitor centre at the Glade picnic area. This facility is essential for National Parks and Wildlife Service to continue to provide visitor information and customer service while the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is redeveloped. The Glade picnic area will remain open during construction but vehicle access and parking via Lyrebird Lane may need to be closed for short periods over the next few months. See the National Parks and Wildlife Service Glade picnic area local alerts webpage to check for closures.
Never Never picnic shelter celebrates 50th birthday
The Never Never picnic area was officially opened on 29 November 1975 and is celebrating its 50th birthday. The iconic Never Never picnic shelter was designed and built by local National Parks and Wildlife Service staff, including Neville Fenton, Mylie Sawtell, Rod Holmes and Antonio (Tony) Vitali, supported by the park’s community advisory committee. The shelter won an architecture award and served the community and visitors for 5 decades.
Water damage had deteriorated this well-loved picnic shelter, and it was time for a refresh. We aimed to maintain the physical form and character of the original, while ensuring the heritage structure could continue to bring joy to visitors for many years.
Conserving the beautiful stone chimney, gable roof and round timber-framed structure was one of the key heritage considerations for the project. Other improvements to the area include an upgraded toilet block and pathways linking the day-use facilities. The local companies involved in the transformation did a fantastic job.
Here’s to at least another 50 years of use for this picnic area in Dorrigo’s World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest.
Visit Never Never picnic area.
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The Never Never picnic shelter has been rebuilt in keeping with the physical form and character of the original building -
Never Never picnic shelter has been rebuilt, but has kept its key heritage features
