DORRIGO TOURIST ASSOCIATION, INC PO BOX 179

DORRIGO NSW 2453 dorrigotourism@bigpond.com.au

Tel: (02) 66 571717

BY EMAIL: grafton.crownlands@crownland.nsw.gov.au December 17, 2014 The Manager Far North Coast Crown Lands PO Box 2815 DANGAR NSW 2309 Dear Sir: Re: Draft Plan of Management for Dangar Falls Reserve (under Trusteeship of the North Dorrigo Dangar Falls Reserve Trust) On behalf of the Members of the Dorrigo Tourist Association, Inc. we make the following representations in relation to the above mentioned Draft Plan of Management: By way of some background information, our volunteer Members operate the Dorrigo Visitor Information Centre in Hickory Street, Dorrigo. The Centre is open 7-days a week, 364 days of the year. Since 2010 the number of visitors our volunteers have recorded and attended to has averaged 15,000 per annum. 2014 is looking to be an equally busy year. Dangar Falls (2km north of the township of Dorrigo) is a very popular destination for visitors and is a key attraction at any time of the year. With regard to the Draft Plan of Management we endorse the following: 1. Current Viewing Platform. Expanding the size of the current viewing platform (in length and width) to safely accommodate the increasing number of visitors to Dangar Falls and in particular the disabled/wheelchair visitor. Dangar Falls is unique in our area in that it is one of the few Waterfalls visitors can drive to and view the Falls without having to walk any long distance. 2. Toilet Block. The existing toilet block at the Falls are old, smelly and need to be urgently upgraded to a modern eco-friendly facility. The toilets should be re-positioned elsewhere in the Reserve away from the walking track down to the bottom of the Falls. Currently the Disabled toilet faces openly onto the walking track giving no privacy. 3. Car Parking Area. The Car Parking area is untidy; part-gravel, part-bitumen and does not reflect a town that is cared for. A total bitumen re-surface of the parking area with formalised dedicated marked areas for cars, buses, motor-homes, etc. would enhance the whole Reserve.

4. Elevated Walking Track. The existing elevated walkway down to the bottom of the Falls ends abruptly short of being able to comfortably walk to the waters’ edge. To swim at the base of the Falls currently requires a scramble over long grass and rocks. Swimming at Dangar Falls is a great attraction for overseas and local visitors to Dorrigo and providing a continuing and safe, dry ‘path’ to the waters’ edge would enhance the experience of swimming at the bottom of the Falls. 5. Signage. The signage at the Falls (no camping; no diving; walking track; etc. and the static ‘history information board’) are faded, inconsistent in size and form and not immediately visible. There is an immediate need for directional signage at “eye level” identifying the walking track to the bottom of the Falls. The Dorrigo National Park exhibits a great example of clear, concise and immediately visible signage for their visitors. 6. Illuminate the Falls. Serious consideration be given to illuminate the Falls at night opening up a whole new area of tourism for Dorrigo. Such a possibility would encourage visitors to stay overnight in Dorrigo generating much needed income for the businesses of Dorrigo. We trust the above comments are useful and constructive. We would appreciate being kept up-to-date on the adoption and/or progress of any of the matters mentioned above. Sincerely, Dorrigo Tourist Association, Inc Jo Rees, President cc. Mike Grieve, Bellingen Shire Council Secretary, Dorrigo Chamber of Commerce

Manager Far North Coast,

Crown Lands,

PO Box 2815

Dangar NSW 2309

Dear Susan Rowe,

In regards to the draft Dangar Falls Management Plan currently on public display the Dorrigo Chamber

of Commerce submits the following points for consideration,

1. Due to the increased popularity of this local attraction as well as the high rainfall of the Dorrigo

Plateau we would like to see another shelter shed with BBQ facilities similar to the existing

shelter.

2. In the existing shelter we would recommend the installation of bird spikes to deter birds

landing and defecating on the BBQ’s and seating under the shelter. Please see photo below.

We would also like to see the existing sign ‘Attention please clean BBQ’s after use. Thanks BSC.’

moved to between the two BBQ plates where it’s more likely to be seen. The wall where the

sign is now located could be better used for information about the local area.

3. We would also like to see the access path to the disabled toilet widened to give better access

for people with limited mobility. Please see photo below.

4. We would like to see a cover over the children’s playground.

5. There are large parts of the walkway down to the falls that are breaking up and becoming quite

dangerous due to tree roots raising the asphalt. We feel strongly that these sections should be

replaced with more raised boardwalks or other appropriate path materials. Please see photos

below.

6. The bottom end of the walkway is quite unsafe and dangerous with no hand rails and

unfinished chain wire fencing. Perhaps the old chain running alongside the boardwalk at the

top on the left hand side could be repositioned at the end of the existing boardwalk which

would make the last section of the walk much safer until such time as the bottom section can

be replaced.

We believe these changes would help to make Dangar Falls a safer and more inviting destination for

both tourists and locals. Improving the facilities at Dangar Falls will lead to its promotion

throughout our Shire as a top tourist attraction which could in turn be used to help alleviate the

tourism influx that Gleniffer is currently experiencing.

Regards,

Kelli-Jo Weedon

For the Dorrigo Chamber of Commerce Inc.

BBQ surfaces and table and chairs are being defecated on inside shelter by birds.

Current sign in BBQ shelter. Children’s playground.

Path to disabled toilet not wide enough for someone in wheelchair.

Broken up asphalt along the pathways down to falls.

Uncapped chain wire fencing and no hand railing or support at end of pathway.

Submission to the Dangar Falls Draft Plan of Management(POM).

The proposed POM is welcome. However some aspects require more consideration before implementation. Funding is unlikely to be sufficient to ever carry out all the work.

The whole area is very important to the community, both socially for local use and as a tourist attraction. The natural environment needs to be preserved as does the history of the area. Improved visitor facilities must take this into consideration.

Some of the present facilities are adequate for the short term (lOyears) The existing shade trees in the picnic area should be retained. The following points are our priority for future works and improvements. Priority

1. Weed Control- An ongoing commitment of funding to control introduced weeds especially small leafed privet and honeysuckle. Initially to maintain current works and then to extend weed control to cover the whole reserve. Liaise with neighbours to extend weed control to adjacent land.

2. Car Parking Area.- Need to formalise parking, provide additional parking for cars, caravans and buses. All parking to be a tarred surface.

3. Sign Posting.- All signs to be co-ordinated in style. With clear directional signs to each point of interest. E.gto Cascadesfor swimming and picnic area. -to Base of falls for viewing, rainforest walk and swimming. Better large signsfrom town and at the entrance. Identification and information signs about trees species and forest types. Information on the Hydro-electric scheme. Sign at Labyrinth be relocated to less obvious position. 4. Improved Information Display.-The Dorrigo Rotary Club prepared and installed the present information panels in an empty shelter. The Rotary Club should be approached and involved in any upgrade. The information presented is suitable and adequate.

RECEIVED

1 7 DEC 2014

CROWN LANDS ~AIL CENTRE NEWCASTLE

5. Improve the walking track to the base of the falls.- Note- the ground level track must be reconstructed as a raised walk (+100mm) to avoid the uneven surface created by tree roots and to protect the vegetation from compaction. Many new synthetic decking materials are now available that are not slippery and do not rot. An exception to this is the bottom flood prone section that needs concrete. The new beautiful wooden section of walkway was built over the old track. The posts and chain from the old track need to be removed as they detract from the new structure. 6. Enlarged viewing platform.- The current one is too small and creates problems for large groups and bus tours. Remove introduced plants close to platform. 7. Improve the access to the top cascades and promote it for swimming and picnic area. 8. The proposed stage amphitheatre should be a dual purpose structure, suitable for day use as a BBQ, picnic shelter, incorporating toilets providing disabled access, mothers /baby and swimmers change areas. 9. Children's Playground.- This is in the best location, should have shade sails. The proposed site against the cliff and vegetation is inappropriate for safety and supervision reasons. 10. Lower viewing Platform.- While desirable is of lower priority. LOW PRIORITY Walkway to the southern side of the river. Revegetation of former cleared land on Southern side. REJECT TOTALLY. Proposed revegetation of the grassed areas to the cascadesabove the falls. This would block views, reduce public accessand detract from the open space feel. Proposed revegetation of the grassed area below the labyrinth ,this is attractive for views and overflow picnic use. Rod and Ruth Holmes 291 Mountain Top Road Dorrigo 2453 rodruthholmes@gmail.com 14/12/2014

Peter Gibson

270 Peakes Road Dorrigo NSW 2453 Ph: 0407281052

The Manager Far North Coast Crown Lands PO Box 2815 Grafton NSW 2309 E: graftoncrownlands@crownlands.nsw.gov.au 16 December 2014 Dear Madam Re: Dangar Falls Draft Development Plan I would be pleased to add the additional points in addition to endorsing the plans at hand. 1: We are in dire need of a second weather shed with BBQ’s to assist with the over load of picnickers, both tourist and local that currently enjoy the dated facilities. The fqaciltiy is often used by locals for parties and family gatherings and I believe a second weather shed should be larger than the current one, similar to what is provided at Boambee Reserve. The proposed stage may be able to be incorporated into the second building for better use of the facility. 2: the car park proposal will improve the difficult parking for coaches 3: The viewing platform is very small and over the past 10 years visitor numbers have increased markedly. A D shaped viewing area the same as Ebor Falls would better cater for the family and coach groups attending.

4: Walkway improvements as proposed will enhance the visitor experience. In addition improved or elevated decking over the bitumen track sections to lesson the risk of tree roots lifting the bitumen and causing a trip hazard which is currently occurring. A priority is to improve the walkway to the cascades 200 metres upstream from Dangar falls to a second swimming pool. This area is not utilized enough and may even enable disabled access to a fresh swimming area. 5: Overall the signage should be more users friendly i.e. Directions to the labyrinth, the lower swimming pool to the cascades and also trees should be identified for those who are interested. 6: There is a large sign in front of the labyrinth which could be easily replaced to one side so the participants using the labyrinth don’t need to look at the back of the sign (bright aluminium) while walking. 7: The existing play area is positioned reasonably close to Dangar Falls viewing area. I believe it needs to be covered using shade cloth which I undertand has already been purchased by Bellingen Shire Council. I hope these items are worthy of consideration as this area is recognised as a jewel in Dorrigo’s crown and encourages a much tourism for Dorrigo. Regards Peter Gibson