Light to Light Review of Environmental Factors released

NPWS director Kane Weeks said the document, including a biodiversity assessment report, track scoping report and preliminary designs will be on public exhibition for a month from September 15 to October 15, 2021.

"The project is moving forward and we are now at the point where we are seeking feedback on what the walk might look and feel like for visitors," Mr Weeks said.

The REF covers how the project proposes to upgrade and realign sections of the current track, construct new sections of walking track and provide hut accommodation and walk-in camping options.

It breaks work into three main projects: Activity 1 which deals with the walking tracks and installation of directional and interpretative signage, Activity 2 accommodation and facilities and Activity 3 vehicle and site access.

Activity 1 covers the realignment of the existing Light to Light Walk from Boyds Tower to Green Cape Light station as a three-day, Class 4 walking track. Much of the realignment takes the track closer to the coastal edge.

It will incorporate new realigned track sections, replacements for sections which may have been damaged by the fires, and maintenance of existing sections.

The realignment includes South of Boyd's Tower, Walkers Rock, Leatherjacket Bay, Mowarry Point, Sea Caves, Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay to Green Cape.

The track will mostly be a natural surface track between 1000mm and 1500mm wide.

Activity 2 covers new hut accommodation and facilities at Mowarry Point, formalisation of the existing campground at Mowarry Point and new hut accommodation and facilities at Hegartys Bay.

The Mowarry Point accommodation will include six twin share huts, three eight-person share huts, one communal hut, with basic kitchen and dining area, treated water and solar power, one amenity hut comprising remote composting toilets and non potable water, one staff hut, with amenity and cooking facilities, solar power, workshop and battery store

A new boardwalk would be constructed from the existing 4WD management trail to the amenity hut. The timber accommodation would be built to meet BAL-29 with small APZs. There would be a bushfire refuge located at the beach.

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The proposal also includes the formalisation of the existing campground at Mowarry Point which would comprise 10 tent sites and a double pump-out toilet. No water would be provided.

The new hut accommodation at Hegartys Bay would be the same as that proposed for Mowarry Point but the staff hut would be constructed to meet BAL-FZ and sized as a bushfire refuge. There would also be a storage module with a small workshop and battery store.

A new boardwalk would be constructed from the Light to Light Walk to the amenity hut for servicing.

Activity 3 includes the maintenance of Hegartys Bay vehicle access trail including establishing a small compound site capable of helicopter sling operations.

Mr Weeks said there was no local precedent for this type of project.

"We are talking about creating a new and exciting signature attraction to the far south coast that will offer a multi-day experience for visitors," he said.

"In order to fully captures everyone's feedback we ask that they submit their response through the official channels set out on the Light to Light website.

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The REF will also be discussed at the first Light to Light Walk Stakeholder Reference Group meeting later this month.

At the end of the public exhibition period on 15 October 2021 all submissions will be reviewed and a report will be provided to the determining authority.

You can also post your written submission to the NPWS Sapphire Coast Area Office, Corner Sapphire Coast Drive and Merimbula Drive, Merimbula NSW 2548 or email