The Blue Mountains Conservation Society has upped the ante in a push to have Radiata Plateau incorporated into the national park.
A rally will be held at Cahill’s Lookout in Katoomba on July 30, to raise awareness of “the need to leave Radiata Plateau wild”.
The majority of Radiata Plateau, also known as Mt Elphinstone, is privately owned by Maharishi’s Global Administration and Natural Law, which operates the Transcendental Meditation program. Currently the organisation provides public access to the plateau, which is a haven for rock climbers and bushwalkers.
In March the NSW Land and Environment Court refused two development applications on Radiata Plateau from Maharishi’s, but approved one dwelling on Pulpit Hill Rd, from which Radiata Plateau is accessed.
“The society and local community have been very concerned about the true intention behind the proposed developments as the owner had previously highlighted their desire for a considerable residential conference facility on the plateau,” said society president Madi Maclean.
“Even with the refusal of two of the three development applications the future of Radiata Plateau remains insecure – it is still in private hands and remains unprotected.
“Now is the time to secure its future and we are calling on all members of the community who are committed to seeing the plateau purchased by the state or Commonwealth government for incorporation into the Blue Mountains National Park, to join us for a rally on Sunday 30th to leave Radiata Plateau wild.”
The society says the plateau is home to rare and threatened plant and animal species, and is the last remaining undeveloped peninsula-plateau in the Upper Mountains.
The rally will be held at 1.30pm on Sunday at Cahill’s Lookout, Cliff Drive, Katoomba.
For more information visit: http://bluemountains.org.au/leaveradiataplateauwild.
