Summary
- The natural beauty of the landscapes and waterways around the confluence of Ginninderra Creek with the Murrumbidgee River make the area stand out as being ideal for the establishment of a national park, the proposed Murrumbidgee – Ginninderra Gorges National Park.
- In years gone by the Ginninderra Falls have been an attractive tourist destination open to the public. Also, the stretch of the Murrumbidgee River from the ACT border downstream to the river bend at Willow Tree Waterhole flows through a gorge of outstanding interest and beauty and has been attractive to visitors with diverse interests.
- Over the years there has been progressive restricted public access to the area. The rural land in the area is traditionally grazing country. Increasingly there has been diversification into vineyards, small farming, hobby farms, horse breeding, and quarrying of gravel deposits near Ginninderra Falls.
- However, there is now a recognition that the conservation, heritage and recreational value of the area to the wider NSW and ACT communities can be increased enormously. The inherent beauty and amenity offered by the proposed Murrumbidgee – Ginninderra Gorges National Park strongly supports a change in land use from private to public ownership.
- For about 150 years generations of visitors have been coming to this part of NSW to admire the river systems, rapids and waterfalls. Let us re-establish long-term public access. Future generations will certainly appreciate our foresight.
- A viable business model must be developed that ensures the long-term viability of the proposed national park.
“The Ginindarra (Ginninderra) Creek looking to Murrumbidgee hills, County Murray, N. S. Wales” - painting by Gordon Cumming, 1875 (National Library of Australia)