NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) regional manager Tim Shepherd and Friends of Bithry Inlet (FoBI) member Phil Bramley are celebrating a spirit of goodwill and some positive outcomes after last year’s Penders community workshop.
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In September, the NPWS held a community workshop and among the decisions reached afterwards was the establishment of a new cooperative Penders Reference Group under the auspices of the parks service.
The group comprises two members from FoBI, one representative from the local Aboriginal community, and four members of the wider community, as well as NPWS staff.
After considering the views shared in September, NPWS confirms plans to have the Myer House available for holiday rental accommodation and to maintain the neighbouring structure known as The Barn for public day use.
“The Barn will be retained as a public shelter and low-key day use area, while the Myer House renovations are nearly complete and an online booking system for accommodation will open soon,” Mr Shepherd said.
“September’s workshop was positive and we are now implementing decisions that are stronger and better because everyone’s voices have been heard.
“Over the years there have been some challenges managing this section of Mimosa Rocks National Park, but our meeting cleared the air and I’m confident the spirit of cooperation will prevail.”
Members of Friends of Bithry Inlet (FOBI) agreed that the workshop led to positive developments and said they looked forward to working with NPWS and other stakeholders.
Community reference groups are one way the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage empowers people to get directly involved in caring for their local environment.
The Myer House sits on the former Penders property at the mouth of Bithry Inlet south of Bermagui.
The property was donated to NPWS by the Myer and Ground families in 1976 and was critical to the creation of Mimosa Rocks National Park.
Myer House and The Barn were leased to the families until 2010, after which the park service took control of the management of the site.
Read more about Mimosa Rocks NP:
