Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve has been closed effective immediately following a weekend of increased visitor numbers and their failure to comply with social distancing requirements.

More than 500 people visited the Reserve on the weekend and were confined to a reduced area as a result of January’s bushfires. As a result, the ACT Government is now closing the park for the safety of the community as well as Parks and Conservation personnel.

Other ACT Parks and Conservation Service facilities including Tidbinbilla Visitor Information Centre, Namadgi Visitor Information Centre, campgrounds, playgrounds and cottages were also recently closed as part of our response to the current public health emergency.

Public campsites, including Cotter Campground, Blue Range Campground, Northern Border Campground, Kowen Campground – as well as all campsites in Namadgi National Park - are now closed. All current bookings will be refunded.

Playgrounds within the Parks and Conservation areas are also closed, including those at Tidbinbilla, Cotter Avenue, Casuarina Sands and Pine Island.

Minister for the Environment and Heritage Mick Gentleman said it was disappointing to have to close Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in response to people ignoring social distancing rules.

“I encourage everyone to respect the closures, think of others and maintain social distancing while using outdoor spaces,” Minister Gentleman said. “This means not congregating in groups larger than two, keeping 1.5 metres from others, avoiding peak usage periods and practicing good hand hygiene.”

For more information on these closures visit www.environment.act.gov.au