July 2019
In July 2019 the Plateau’s owners Trancendental Meditation Group put the plateau up for sale on the open market.
The Society along with the local community continue the campaign – find out what you can do.
The Society has also written to the Minister Kean requesting a meeting on-site to discuss purchase by the NSW Government.
Trish Doyle continues to support the Leave Radiata Plateau Wild campaign and has also recently written to Matt Kean, on behalf of local residents, seeking purchase of the Plateau.
January to June 2019
Local member Trish Doyle and Penny Sharpe made the announcement on the 22 February 2019 at a Cahills Lookout which overlooks the Plateau.
This commitment from Labor would permanently secure the Plateau’s long-term future. This was a critical milestone in the campaign to have save Radiata Plateau, as it is the first time a major party has committed to purchase the Plateau and add it to the national park system.
The Society, along with the many local residents and community members who have fought to save the Plateau, thank our local member, Trish Doyle who has supported the Leave Radiata Plateau Wild campaign over many years.
Residents and Blue Mountain Conservation Society representatives met with the then Liberal Minister for the Environment, Ms Gabrielle Upton to put the case to have Radiata Plateau purchased by the NSW Government to become part of the Blue Mountains National Park. The Minister met with the community representatives on-site at the Plateau on 13 February 2019.
The meeting on-site allowed the Society and residents to brief the Minister about the significant environmental and Aboriginal heritage values of the Plateau, and for her to see this scenic part of the southern escarpment. The Minister also learnt directly from community members about the community campaign to have the area conserved.
While no commitment to purchase was made by Minister Upton, she did commit to raising the issue with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and seek advice.
Since the NSW state election, won by the Coalition government, the Society has met with senior national parks staff and presented a lengthy and comprehensive document outlining the significant natural and cultural heritage values of the Plateau. This includes nationally listed endangered species and ecological communities, including Blue Mountain Swamps, as well as the state listed heritage site “Blacks Ladder”.
We understand that NPWS has undertaken a conservation assessment of the Plateau and is providing advice to the new NSW Minister for the Environment Matt Kean. The NPWS have also have had discussions with the Plateau’s owners.
5th December 2018
Open Letter plea to secure Radiata
In a bid to secure the future of Radiata Plateau we have co-ordinated an Open Letter to the Hon. Gabrielle Upton, NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage - published in the Blue Mountains Gazette today.
The Letter explains why protection is crucial and calls on the Minister to urgently recognise the ecological and heritage significance of the Plateau. It asks the NSW Government to purchase the Plateau to enable its inclusion in the Blue Mountains National Park.
We continue to receive wide-spread support of the campaign, with over thirty signatories to the letter comprising environmental and heritage groups, local community leaders and state-wide environmental groups.
To coincide with the Letter, we're requesting an urgent meeting with Minister Upton to discuss the future of the Plateau. The Society is also approaching the Shadow Minister and cross benches seeking support for the purchase of Radiata Plateau.
We're also continuing to pursue discussions with the current owners of the Plateau.
Many thanks for your ongoing support - let's keep the pressure up!
Having been involved with the Plateau since the 1980's, Wyn's knowledge of the area is unrivalled - from the complex and convoluted cliffs to plants of the heath, shrublands and swamps. Accompanied by dramatic aerial footage, Wyn discusses some of the rare endemic species on this very ancient land and why protection of the Plateau is crucial.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to advocate to Leave Radiata Plateau Wild. Enjoy!
As we continue to campaign and seek protection of this important place, Wyn celebrates the majesty and solitude of the Plateau whilst pondering the "unnamed feet" that have passed over it and wondering why we can't "feel and meditate" in "places clean, unclad, uncluttered".
Written when the first large development was proposed on the Plateau back in the 1990s, the poem talks of the "ephemeral wayfarers" and their failed ventures on the Plateau.
We are continuing our campaign with the local community, liaising with local politicians, the government and the Plateau's owners to ensure a safe future is secured.
Thank you again for your ongoing commitment.
Last year, together with you, the local community, we fought against two development applications for three new buildings on the untouched Plateau - only one was approved.
Through 'Leave Radiata Plateau Wild' we're garnering broad support and have captured the interest of local, State and Federal politicians but we still need ongoing support and pressure locally to ensure a successful outcome.
This first video focuses on the local community and recreational aspects of the Plateau. Enjoy!
The letters seek the support of the NSW Minister for the Environment for the acquisition of the Plateau by the NSW Government for inclusion in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
Ms Doyle has committed to discussing the Leave Radiata Plateau Wild campaign with NSW Shadow Minister for the Environment, Ms Penny Sharpe, including the Plateau's important conservation values which include several highly-endangered plants as well rare bird and mammal species.
Thanks again for your support and let's keep up the pressure.
We emphasised the significance of the area and its environmental values, and discussed the Commonwealth's responsibility for conserving Commonwealth listed endangered species found on the site. It was a positive meeting.
As awareness of Radiata Plateau grows, strength is added to our community voice - we'd like to thank you again for your continued support.
In case you missed it, here's the September Hut News (the Society's monthly newsletter).
Both Ministers are very supportive, with Susan Templeman arranging for the Society and local residents to meet with the Federal Opposition Environment Minister, Tony Burke, to discuss the campaign further.
This growing support is exciting and continues to add strength to the Council's commitment and our community voice.
See the September Hut News (the Society's monthly newsletter), which has a double page article about the campaign.
This comes just days after the owners of the Plateau indicated that they were considering their options in terms of the Plateau and open to further conversation about its future.
It's been an exciting week and we are getting closer to securing the future of the Plateau.
Enjoy our new video and many thanks indeed for your ongoing support.
Now is the time to keep up the pressure and let the Government know of your commitment.
The Council Meeting is next Tuesday, 22 August 7.30pm
Council Chambers, Civic Place, Katoomba
We need to remind Councillors of the importance of this vote as their support is crucial to our success in securing protection of the Plateau.
Members of the public can attend Council Meetings as observers, and we encourage residents and supporters to attend the meeting to show support
Help us keep up the pressure and spread the word
We were delighted that Mayor, Mark Greenhill was able to join us and made a commitment to bringing forward a Mayoral Minute asking Council to support full protection of the Plateau, including asking the State and / or Commonwealth Government to acquire the land for inclusion in the Blue Mountains National Park.
Suzie van Opdorp, spokesperson for Trish Doyle MP, gave her support, recognising the need to protect the Plateau and that she was urgently seeking a meeting between the NSW Minister for the Environment, the Society and community members.
Help us keep up the pressure and spread the word
Write to the Minister for the Environment
Join the rally Sun. 30th July 1.30pm,
at Cahill's Lookout
Financial support is invaluable - consider a donation
Get social & spread the word
Too precious to lose, help us save the missing piece in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and secure the Plateau's future.
Join us at a rally on Sunday 30th July, 1.30pm,
Cahill's Lookout, Cliff Drive, Katoomba
We are seeking to have the Plateau purchased by the State or Commonwealth Government and be incorporated into the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
We greatly value your continued support and would love it if you could help us by spreading the word far and wide.
Thank you so much for all your support at Winter Magic - we were delighted by the initial response and interest in the campaign. There were lots of cheers from the crowd during the parade and most importantly a lot of letters sent off to the Minister for the Environment.
With community awareness now growing we'd really like your help in spreading the word far and wide as this is our chance to secure the future of this stunning area and have Radiata (Elphinstone) Plateau become part of the National Park.
We are planning to host a major event at the end of this month (Sunday 30th July) so please keep that afternoon free - details will be released shortly.
Stay wild!
We are delighted to announce that Leave Radiata Plateau Wild will be launched at Winter Magic on Saturday 24th June.
Campaign planning has been underway for a little while and with the support of local residents and the outdoor community, we are looking forward reaching the broader community to raise awareness of the necessity of protecting Radiata Plateau from development.
The two of the three development applications that had been lodged have been refused, leaving one approved for a dwelling. As such, we are firmly committed to seeking protection for the Plateau.
Join us at Winter Magic!