Alfords Point visit

Representatives of the Australian Climbing Association NSW (Vanessa) and Sydney Rock climbing Club/ACANSW (Arianne and Carl) met with Matt, the ranger for Georges River NP and Anita the Community Engagement Officer on-site at Alfords Point Crag on 20th October to discuss how climbers can assist in looking after the area.

This is partly in response to the area being flagged as one of the litter prone crags in Sydney but also to build on the great work done in the area by climbers a decade ago when a lot of dumped rubbish was removed from the base of the crag (see photos courtesy of Stu D.). Bush regeneration activities could also be undertaken.

ACANSW is partnering with the Take 3 organisation to try and help litter prone crags stay clean. Litter is seldom derived from climbers, but it’s a much nicer environment to climb in without litter and keeping the areas we climb in clean is part of good cliff stewardship. Keeping an area clean is a recognised prevention strategy that deters further littering. 

Assessment to date: As an initial step the University of NSW Outdoors Club completed a Groundswell pro forma to assess the current state of litter and then did a clean up of obvious litter. On our visit a few weeks later the actual climbing area was fairly clean, although there still remains of shards of glass that could be removed. As you get closer to the residences and the parking area litter becomes much more obvious, as does illegal tree clearing and weed infestations. 

Next steps: The first step is for the NPWS to create a volunteer group for Georges River NP so people can register and be covered by insurance for a clean up. This will likely occur around the Clean Up Australia Day activities next year. Bush regeneration can be developed once the area is clean. If you would like to help please join ACANSW or SRC (SRC members are included as an ACANSW member) or just keep an eye on the events page. If you have skills in bush regeneration and wish to help out with that aspect send us a message. Support has been offered by ClimbFIt climbing gym group, especially Kirawee in this endeavour.

Impending Plan of Management: One other issue we discussed was the upcoming Plan of Management. This is well overdue for renewal as it dates from 1994. At the moment climbing isn’t mentioned and it needs to be included to make climbing an officially permitted activity. The draft plan is to be prepared soon. 

There are other potential partnerships for one-off clean ups of cliff bases in the National Park that we are exploring and will promote these plans as they mature. 

Take 3: Finally every climber can adopt the Take3 ethos and Take3 for the crag:  take 3 bits of rubbish with you when you leave, take 3 actions to reduce your plastic footprint and take 3 people on the journey with you- simple actions that together have a big impact.