Planning, Place and Perspective in North West NSW

It was great to get back out to Narrabri and Wee Waa in North West NSW, where I’ve been helping a local community prepare a Plan of Management.

In between drop-in sessions, I also had the chance to visit Mount Kaputar National Park. This is an extraordinary landscape shaped by volcanic activity between 17 and 21 million years ago, which formed the Nandewar Ranges and the dramatic peaks of Mount Kaputar.

From the summit, sitting at around 1,510 metres high, the views were amazingly spectacular. The panorama is said to take in an incredible 10 per cent of NSW! I was lucky enough to experience it on a sunny Saturday, and it was a real reminder of just how remarkable this part of the state is.

I did, however, miss out on seeing one of the park’s most famous locals, the giant pink slug. This is the largest and most recognisable of the 21 threatened snail and slug species found only in the Mount Kaputar region.

What also stood out to me was the quality of the facilities and infrastructure throughout the park. The accessible lookouts, well-considered visitor infrastructure, and flexible range of experiences and overnight stays make it possible for people with different abilities, interests and timeframes to engage with the landscape in their own way.

A fantastic example of how thoughtful planning and investment can support both community access and environmental appreciation in one of NSW’s most unique natural places.