11 October 2022
Ms TRISH DOYLE (Blue Mountains) (20:49): The Blue Mountains electorate is home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. The geological history is ancient, rich and significant. I count my blessings every day that I am lucky enough to live there. Sadly, one pocket of the Blue Mountains is in trouble. The Fitzgeralds Creek catchment area is being trashed by trail bikes and four-wheel drive activity. It is heartbreaking to think of what will happen to this land, and the Indigenous cultural sites within, if nothing is done to protect it. Recently I went walking in the area with a group of concerned Blue Mountains residents. We connected over our love of the local bushland and talked about ways that we could raise awareness around preserving this beautiful place for generations to come. I thank those who joined me on that walk and those who could not but who are a part of these important conversations: Les Cormack, Bruce and Bradley Cameron, RFS Superintendent Nick Medianik, Linda Seiffert, Geoff Bennett, Megan Powell, Angela Langdon from Blue Mountains Conservation Society, Karleen Waldron, Steve Barrett, Kelvin Knox and our mayor, Mark Greenhill. Let's keep this conversation going.