FAQs

A nature-based tourism venture including tours of Dingley Dell cottage and the installation of ecologically sensitive tourist accommodation, amenities and supporting infrastructure has been proposed for Dingley Dell Conservation Park. The current management plan (Small Inland Parks of the South East) was adopted in 1994 and while the plan does support tourism in the park, tourist accommodation is not envisaged. The draft plan has been developed to outline a contemporary approach to managing the park that strikes a balance between protecting heritage and conservation and enabling tourism opportunities including the development of eco-sensitive tourist accommodation.

The plan provides high-level direction on the key priorities for managing the park. This includes ensuring the conservation and preservation of Dingley Dell cottage and remnant woodland vegetation, and the establishment of new nature-based experiences in the park including the type of facilities envisaged.

The themes, objectives and strategies will be used to inform operational planning and the day-to-day management of the park. When funding becomes available, the plan will also help guide where that funding should be focussed.

For the most part, there is little change. The protection and conservation of natural and heritage values, including Dingley Dell cottage, and providing opportunity for tourism is a focus in both the current plan and the draft plan.

The draft plan enables upgrades of existing infrastructure and the development of new facilities including small-scale accommodation to support tourism and nature-based experiences. While tourist accommodation and supporting infrastructure is envisaged in the draft plan, there are a number of further steps that need to occur before any proposals can be developed. These include formal processes under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, assessment against the Planning and Design Code and authorisation from the Department for Environment and Water.

Any tourism venture that becomes operational will be required to maintain general public access to the area immediately surrounding Dingley Dell cottage including the car park and picnic area. Dingley Dell cottage will remain closed to the general public however self-guided or guided tours may be provided by a commercial operator in the future.

The design and positioning of new facilities will take into account the park’s values and will be focused in more degraded areas and areas where impacts to native vegetation can be avoided or minimised. All development will be subject to approvals in accordance with legislation including the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, Heritage Places Act 1993 and Native Vegetation Act 1991.

The draft plan is intended to set the direction for strategic management of the park. It is not intended to address every issue or cover every aspect of management in detail. The specific actions required to manage the park in accordance with the plan will be developed and monitored at the park operations level.

Once the plan is finalised and adopted by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, the new plan will replace the content relating to Dingley Dell Conservation Park in the Small Inland Parks of the South East Management Plan.

All feedback received will be collated, analysed and used in developing the final plan which will be submitted to the Parks and Wilderness Council for advice before being submitted to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for adoption.

By late 2024.