Glenrock State Conservation Area draft plan of management and mountain biking plan

The Glenrock State Conservation Area draft plan of management was available for review and comment until 6 February 2023.

Hickson Street lookout, Glenrock State Conservation Area Once adopted, this plan of management will replace the existing plan for Glenrock State Conservation Area, which was adopted in 2010.

The draft plan is accompanied by the Glenrock State Conservation Area draft planning considerations report and draft mountain biking plan. Readers of the plan should refer to these documents.

The Glenrock State Conservation Area is approximately 8 kilometres from the centre of Newcastle. It is a popular destination for bushwalkers, trail runners, mountain bikers, horse riders, beach users and nature lovers, attracting an estimated one million visitors annually.

The draft plan of management and accompanying mountain biking plan seek to balance increasing visitation and growing demand for nature-based experiences and activities with protection of the park's natural and cultural values.

Key issues addressed in the draft plan include:

protecting natural and cultural values while also providing sustainable recreation opportunities
recognising and protecting the important Aboriginal cultural values of the park
conserving the significant historic heritage values of the park
maintaining and protecting the park's ecological integrity, biodiversity and regional connectivity
establishing a sustainable mountain bike network.

What is a plan of management? expand

Parks and reserves established under the 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.

Why is a new plan being prepared? expand

The current plan of management was adopted in 2010, and many things have changed since this plan was written. The draft plan provides a future direction for Glenrock State Conservation Area that aims to protect the natural and cultural values while also responding to increasing visitor numbers and providing opportunities for a range of outstanding visitor experiences.

The draft plan is being exhibited with the Glenrock State Conservation Area draft planning considerations report and draft mountain biking plan. The planning considerations document provides background information on the park's values and the detailed management considerations used to guide the development of the draft plan of management.

The draft Glenrock State Conservation Area Mountain Biking Plan provides detailed information about the cycling network that is proposed.

Draft Glenrock State Conservation Area Mountain Biking Plan

When will the plans be finalised? expand

At the end of the public exhibition period, we consider all submissions on the draft plans, prepare a submissions report and make any necessary changes to the draft plan of management. We provide relevant advisory bodies with the draft plan of management, all the submissions and the submissions report. They consider the documents, make comments on the draft plan of management or suggest changes, and provide advice to the Minister for Environment and Heritage.

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. The draft mountain biking plan is approved by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Once the plan of management is adopted, it is published on the department's website, along with the planning considerations report and mountain biking plan, stakeholders, including those who made a submission on the draft plan, will be notified.