Blue Mountains City Council has unanimously adopted a plan for the future management of one of the local government area’s most iconic and sensitive visitor sites.
The Council said the Lincolns Rock Locality Plan was developed in collaboration with the community and is based on a destination stewardship approach.
This recognises that not all sites are suitable for increased visitation, and that careful management is needed to protect the cultural, environmental, social and economic values of the area, said Mayor, Mark Greenhill.
He said the plan strikes the right balance between protecting Lincolns Rock and ensuring the public can continue to enjoy the site.
“Lincolns Rock is a unique and much-loved place, but it is also a sensitive site that must be managed carefully,” Mayor Greenhill said.
“The community has been clear. Around 80% of more than 250 submissions supported a low visitation approach, and that is what this plan delivers.”
The locality plan is guided by key principles including respecting and caring for Country, protecting the environment, supporting sustainable visitation, maintaining residential amenity and upholding public safety.
The final management strategy provides for a low visitation approach, encouraging pedestrian access while limiting and managing vehicle access, particularly tourist coaches and buses, said the Mayor.
“This is a responsible and balanced plan,” he said.
“It allows the public to continue accessing this extraordinary place, while responding to the very real safety, environmental and amenity concerns that have been raised by residents and the broader community.”
The next stage will involve the staged implementation of actions identified in the plan.
The first stage will include the installation of parking restrictions and other traffic measures, in consultation with surrounding residents.
The timing of these measures, future actions and the reopening of the site will be the subject of a further report to Council in the coming months.
Access the Lincolns Rock Locality Plan at bmcc.nsw.gov.au/lincolns-rock-reserve.
