A new look: Acting manager of the Hawkesbury area for NPWS David Monahan chats with Labor spokesperson for Macquarie Susan Templeman about the national park improvements at Glenbrook.
Buildings and amenities at Glenbrook national park will receive a multi-million dollar overhaul after the Federal Government signed off on a 2010 election commitment.
NSW Senator Doug Cameron and Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean recently announced the government had approved $2.57 million to upgrade and expand the Jellybean Pool carpark and Euroka campground, and improve rangers’ office facilities, walking tracks and signage.
The funding was allocated under the Community Infrastructure Grants Program to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage for the Glenbrook Precinct Upgrade, Gateway to the Mountains Project, and was one of the Gillard Government’s Macquarie election commitments made in 2010.
The project, scheduled for completion by June 2014, has a total cost of $3.12 million and is being jointly funded with the NSW Government.
“The improvements will encourage more visitors and expand currently limited recreational opportunities for mountain bikers,” Mr Crean said in a statement.
“This project will also deliver economic benefits with short term employment for up to 20 contractors during construction and in the longer term will provide significant investment in community infrastructure that underpins tourism in the Blue Mountains.”
Senator Cameron congratulated Labor’s Macquarie spokesperson and 2010 election candidate, Susan Templeman, for securing the project as an election commitment.
“Upgrades such as these make the visitor experience more enjoyable and visitors also like to see that their parks are preserved and protected” he said in the statement.
“The range of walking tracks and improved signage will make a day out in the Blue Mountains an even better experience.”
Visiting the area last week, Ms Templeman also welcomed the funding.
“Nothing much has been done to these buildings since the 60s,” Ms Templeman said.
“As Ranger Dave Monahan says, it was a fine design for Skippy, but it doesn’t really meet the needs of a 21st century World Heritage park.
“The improvements will benefit visitors and locals alike.”
The announcement was particularly significant for Ms Templeman, as she said it represented “all of Labor’s commitments made for the electorate of Macquarie at the 2010 election . . . being delivered”.