A new conservation management plan for the Royal National Park Coastal Cabins Communities
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has commenced a project to develop a new conservation management plan for the State Heritage listed Royal National Park Coastal Cabin Communities to help guide future management.
The Royal National Park Coastal Cabins Communities cover a designated area including Little Garie, South Era and Burning Palms.
Project purpose
The purpose of a conservation management plan is to clearly identify and describe why a place is important (its cultural significance) and then proposes an action plan, policy or strategy to keep that importance and manage it into the future.
The finalised plan will provide a framework to facilitate decision-making about the conservation of Royal National Park Coastal Cabin Communities. For example, it will guide decisions around recreation and tourism at the site to ensure that heritage and conservation values are maintained alongside visitor involvement.
There is currently a conservation management plan in place for this site, but a lot has changed since 2005 when it was completed. This update will recognise the listing of the site on the State Heritage Register in 2012, and take into account changes in our understanding of the environment and relevant legislation.
More information on the site listing is at the State Heritage Inventory.
Project stages and timeframes
| Stage | Status |
|---|---|
| Establishment of the Coastal Cabins Stakeholder Reference Group | Completed July 2024 |
| Project planning and identification of gaps in current conservation management plan | Completed June 2024 |
| Tender to select a heritage specialist | Tenders closed November 2024 |
| Heritage specialist appointed | January 2025 |
| Plan development – Stage 1: Understanding the place | Due for completion May 2025 |
| Plan development – Stage 2: Conservation policies | Due for completion August 2025 |
| Public consultation | September to October 2025 |
| Finalisation of updated plan | End 2025 |
Contract for plan awarded
In early January Design 5 Architects were awarded the contract to develop the updated conservation management plan. The project team bring with them extensive experience with projects as significant as the Sydney Opera House and the Kinchela Boys Home in their portfolio.
Community engagement
Updates on key project milestones will be made available from this project webpage and by project newsletters. You can sign up to receive project newsletters at the bottom of this page.
Consultation with a range of stakeholders is critical to developing the conservation management plan. Consultation throughout the drafting process will seek to gather information from key stakeholders. There will also be a range of opportunities for input from the general public.
A community consultation plan is being developed by Design 5 to outline the range of mechanisms and opportunities for community involvement in the plan’s development. It will seek to engage the broad range of site users including licensees, surf clubs and other community users of the area.
The draft conservation management plan will also be placed on public exhibition providing an additional mechanism for public input.
Coastal Cabins Stakeholder Reference Group
National Parks and Wildlife Service has established the Coastal Cabins Stakeholder Reference Group to assist in the consultation surrounding the conservation management plan. The stakeholder reference group is chaired by the National Parks and Wildlife Service Greater Sydney Branch Director and includes representatives from the following groups:
- Heritage NSW
- Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Little Garie, Era and Burning Palms cabins licensees
- Cabins Protection League
- Burning Palms and Era surf life saving clubs
- Landcare
- NSW National Parks Advisory Committee
- NSW National Parks Heritage and local management.
Environmental impact assessment
As part of this project, the environmental impacts of the use and maintenance of the Royal National Park Cabins Communities will be considered. A preliminary review of possible environmental risks has been completed. Further work will be completed to assess these environmental impacts.
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If you have questions about this project, please fill out the form below or email the Royal Area at [email protected]. The project team will provide updates via this webpage.
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