news, local-news, wollondilly, council, nepean, river, gorge, bargo, celestino, julie

The Nepean and Bargo River Gorge is one step closer to becoming a national park after Wollondilly Council supported a call for the dedication of a 150-metre publicly-owned buffer zone between the edge of the gorge and a housing development. National Parks Association Macarthur branch member Julie Sheppard said it was a good outcome for the association. At Monday night's council meeting councillors voted to accept an application from Celestino (formerly EJC) for 125 rural residential lots and one open space lot at River Road, Tahmoor, with one amendment. The amendment requires Celestino to gift the Nepean and Bargo River Gorge area to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for the creation of a national park or reserve or to the council. "Ideally we don't want the development at all," Ms Sheppard said. "None of us like to see agricultural land taken over by big houses. "But it is the best development in terms of environmental protection we could hope for. It is a compromise." Councillor Kate Terry said the right decision had been made because the gorge needed to be protected to allow a national park listing for future generations to enjoy. Councillor Judith Hannan echoed the sentiment. Thirlmere resident David Hunt said the adjoining lots would be reduced in length to allow for the buffer zone. "I think it was a good outcome and the best we could have hoped for," Mr Hunt said. Ms Sheppard said the next step was to continue lobbying the government to get the area listed as a national park. A change.org petition that calls for the protection of the gorge now has 1500 signatures which the association hopes to present to NSW Minister for the Environment Mark Speakman if he visits the area. Celestino declined to comment when contacted by the Advertiser. ■ To support a petition campaigning for protection of the gorge, visit https://www.change.org/p/cr-simon-landow-mayor-of-wollondilly-mark-speakman-nsw-minister-for-the-environment-protect-mermaids-pool-and-the-tahmoor-gorge?recruiter=22818083&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=mob-xs-share_petition-no_msg

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