An amended Light to Light Strategy has been released by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for the iconic walk which runs from Ben Boyd Tower to Green Cape Lightstation. The amended Plan of Management for Ben Boyd National Park has also been adopted.
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In June 2018 it was announced that there would be $8m to develop the walk and by December 2018 there was talk of turning it into one of Australia's Great Walks.
Naomi Stephens, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) executive director, said the amendment and the Light to Light Strategy outlined the long-term vision for the region's signature attraction.
"NPWS will now move forward with plans to transform the existing Light to Light Walk through Ben Boyd National Park into a spectacular, uninterrupted 30-kilometre coastal track with purpose-built hut accommodation and new campgrounds along the way," Ms Stephens said.
The newly updated Light to Light Strategy acknowledges three areas of concern raised by the community feedback after submissions closed in August 2019: the potential loss of remote walk-in camping opportunities, the privatisation of on-park accommodation and availability of accommodation at Green Cape Lightstation.
NPWS said it will formalise a low-key, walk-in only public campground at Mowarry Point and develop a new purpose-built walk-in campground at Bittangabee Bay for use by pack-campers doing the walk.
The campsite at Bittangabee Bay was impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires and NPWS said the campground was being upgraded and would include designated walk-in sites for Light to Light pack walkers.
"The walk will be enhanced in stages starting with two new eco hut sites at Mowarry Point and Hegarty's Bay, offering comfortable stopovers along the way," Ms Stephens said.
"The first stage also includes an upgrade of the informal campground at Mowarry Point to establish a purpose-built walk-in camp site with new tent platforms and toilet, as well as a new walk-in camp site at Bittangabee Bay.
But a spokesperson for the Ben Boyd Light to Light Community Action Group said the eco huts were a misnomer.
"This is accommodation for 36 people with showers and toilets. Where does the waste water go? These are accommodation complexes," the spokesperson said.
On privatisation NPWS said the walk would remain a public walk and all accommodation would be managed by NPWS.
The community action group spokesperson said it was important for local businesses to be involved in the walk.
"If jobs are created then they should be for local businesses," the spokesperson said.
NPWS said it was committed to removing leasing accommodation arrangements. "This means NPWS will own and operate all accommodation as part of the Light to Light Walk," the organisation said.
The strategy does indicate that there are likely to be charges for people undertaking the walk at some stage.
NPWS said it is committed to offering casual short-stay bookings at Green Cape Lightstation for visitors not doing the walk for a minimum four-week period each year.
The community action group has been concerned about loss of opportunity to stay at Green Cape Lightstation for anyone unable to take part in the walk.
The group's spokesperson also points to the lack an environmental impact statement and cultural and heritage assessments although the NPWS said it would be available in coming weeks and available for comment.
"In response to concerns about potential impacts on environment and cultural heritage values, NPWS conducted comprehensive environmental and cultural heritage assessments prior and once again after the bushfires. These assessment form the Review of Environmental Factors that will go out for public comment in the coming weeks," NPWS said.
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Ms Stephens said that some sections of the existing track would be realigned closer to the coast, "to offer spectacular views and to protect the environmental and cultural values of the park".
The first stage of the project is expected to be complete around December 2022.
NPWS received more than 200 submissions during the public exhibition of the draft Plan of Management amendment and draft Light to Light Strategy.
"I thank the community for providing valuable feedback that will shape how this project moves forward," Ms Stephens said.
"A key outcome is the establishment of a Light to Light Walk Stakeholder Reference Group that will work with NPWS to guide the roll out of the project.
"NPWS will now invite representatives from a broad range of local and regional organisations to be part of the group," Ms Stephens said.
The Stakeholder reference group will include around 10 representatives from government, industry and community groups.
NPWS said it would be contacting relevant groups this week to invite them to participate.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said funding from the Regional Growth-Environment and Tourism Fund will allow new tourism infrastructure to be built, including overnight accommodation for walkers.
"The popularity of multi-day walks is surging, and this investment is going to encourage visitors to the Sapphire Coast to revel in nature-based and adventure tourism," Mr Barilaro said.
Further information about the Light to Light Walk project is available at environment.nsw.gov.au/light-to-light-walk