Regional Parks in NSW
The following summary on regional parks is taken from the Draft Plan of Management for Berowra Valley Regional Park
Regional parks are a relatively new category of park established by the New South Wales Government in 1995. They provide large areas of regional open space and bush land that are assessed as having high conservation, landscape
and recreation values. Being generally situated on the edge of rapidly growing urban population centres, Regional parks serve the dual purpose of providing outdoor recreation opportunities while providing protection for flora and
fauna species threatened by urban expansion.
As regional parks are generally situated near large population centres, their environments have in some cases been largely altered since European occupation. Facilities found or being developed in most regional parks include
playgrounds, picnic areas, bike tracks, walking tracks, lookouts and heritage sites.
One major feature of these parks is that some activities allowed within them are not permitted in other land categories within the national parks reserve system. Leashed dogwalking areas are found in some regional parks but are
not permitted within other areas.
The proximity to large urban areas provides regional parks with strong social, cultural and historical values while providing valuable opportunities for the rehabilitation and regeneration of degraded
areas and providing the community and region with access to high quality recreational experiences within a natural bushland setting.
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A waterfall on the upper Berowra Creek, typical on many
on creeks within the Park |
Plan of Management
Sandra Nichols, Hornsby Shire Council
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 requires that a Plan of Management be prepared for each park covered by the
legislation. Plans of Management are approved for a period of five years from the date of assent by the Minister for the Environment. A Plan must set out management priorities for the Park to maximise conservation of the
Park's natural assets and list permissible recreation activities.
The Berowra Valley Regional Park Draft Plan of Management was publicly exhibited in early 2003. Submissions were received
from a diverse range of community and government organisations and from individuals with an interest in the Park.
Activities not permitted in the Park
The Draft Plan proposes that some activities should not be permitted anywhere in the Park. These
include horse riding, abseiling, parachuting, hang gliding, bungy jumping and off-road vehicles.
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Recreational activities to be permitted in designated areas include bushwalking, picnicking, camping, cycling,
leashed-dog walking, fishing and boating. Up to date information and the legislative basis for which activities are allowed in the Park are set out in the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002. To obtain a copy of the
Regulation contact NPWS on (02) 9585 6444, by email at info@npws.gov.com.au, or visit:
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/ National+Parks+and+Wildlife+Act+1974
Activities requiring written consent
If you are thinking of planning a commercial or large group (more than 40 people) activity for a school, community or
other group, in the Park, you will need to contact the NPWS for activity consent. Contact the Senior Ranger, Lower Hawkesbury Area NPWS phone: (02) 9472 9321 for an application form. A small fee applies for the processing of
activity consents.
Group camping inquiries at Crosslands Reserve should be directed to Hornsby Shire Council phone
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