Today’s post isn’t about the Hawkesbury, but of a dearly loved tourist destination nearby in the Blue Mountains I am sure many of you have visited.
In January I took a few days’ holiday and visited Katoomba, Bilpin and Jenolan Caves. The Caves have been a special place for me over my entire life. I did my work experience there as a cave guide in year 10. I spelunked there with the Sydney University Speleological Society in my Uni days. I hiked the Six Foot Track. I led school science excursions there for many years.
I was immediately saddened by the catastrophic damage wrought by the 2020 bushfires, and an earlier flood. But apart from the damage caused by disaster, I observed a precinct looking rather run down and worn. Essential maintenance has not occurred. Some caves are no longer shown because the paths and wiring have not been upgraded. The on-site staff quarters have been condemned, meaning people have to commute in. The small but historic on-site Caves community is dying. The caver’s cottage, beloved in my memory and used as a springboard by speleological societies for research into the karst area, burned to the ground. The Devil’s Coachhouse and Blue Lake walk both closed because damaged railings have not been replaced and of a perceived risk of rockfalls.
I immediately wrote to the local MP, Paul Toole and the relevant Minister, Matt Kean to seek urgent intervention.
Paul-Toole-Jenolan-Caves-letter-Jan-2021I’m pleased that my call for funding and remediation works for this internationally recognised environmental treasure and tourism gem has been heeded. Today, an additional $7.9M of funding has been announced to repair damage, and takes the Government’s total commitment to the precinct to over $20M.
I thank MP Toole and the Minister for recognising the value of Jenolan Caves.
