Great Walks takes five with Kris Sheppard, Senior Project Officer for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service who has been working on the new 27km Tomaree Coastal Walk for the last couple of years.
GRW: What is your role at NSW National Parks and what does it entail?
KS: My role is the Senior Project Officer within the Assets and Infrastructure Unit of the Hunter Central Coast Branch. Predominately I work on the Tomaree Coastal Walk project and all aspects of planning and delivery.
The walk includes approximately 9km of new track and 12km of upgraded existing track (the remaining 6km is either on the beach or roadside in coastal villages), five upgraded precinct areas, one new precinct, three new lookouts, new directional signage and park entry signage, and new interpretation for the walk and the broader Tomaree National Park. I have led the project team which has delivered on the key physical deliverables. This includes planning, stakeholder engagement, procurement, quality control and construction supervision, and heli-ops coordination for materials movements into the park.
GRW: What has been the most challenging part of developing and building the Tomaree Coast Walk?
KS: Managing a project like Tomaree Coastal Walk has been quite dynamic. Often the small project team had to juggle many moving parts concurrently.
The volume of work has been substantial and although best efforts were made to program the work to avoid acute spikes in workload, external factors such as adverse weather conditions, difficulties with materials availability and other unexpected delays meant it was not uncommon for the team to be managing several contractors across several sites undertaking vastly different types of work (natural track building, civil works at precincts, construction of structures) whilst continuing to progress other critical engagement such as signage and interpretation planning in the background. Thankfully we were well supported by a number of skilful teams within NPWS to help overcome challenges and keep us on track (sorry for the pun!)
GRW: Part of the Worimi Aboriginal cultural landscape, how is this aspect of the walk presented to visitors?
KS: The interpretation that can be found along the walk takes influence from Worimi culture and the landscape. This ranges from the background on the interpretation panels being taken from a commissioned artwork designed by a Worimi artist, to the cultural information and stories that are told.
All the stories were informed by a group of local Worimi community representatives who provided guidance and support to ensure the right balance was found in what has been shared and the way in which we have done it. The result has been an enhanced visitor experience of the cultural importance of the lands they have walked.
GRW: How important is highlighting the indigenous connection to any of the state's multi-day walks in our national parks?
KS: Incorporating indigenous cultural content in our NSW National Parks multi-day walks is of huge importance. Every day we walk paths that have been walked for thousands of years. Along Tomaree Coastal Walk we pause and eat lunch overlooking a view that has been used for the same purpose for thousands of years.
It is important that this is acknowledged along with the passion, care and knowledge that Aboriginal people have for their country. Highlighting the connection is another way that we can inspire people to get out, visit a great walk and leave with a greater appreciation of country.
GRW: What can visitors look forward to on this two-day walk?
KS: The most fascinating part of Tomaree Coastal Walk for me is the diversity of the landscape and natural environment. One moment you can be walking along beaches, then next around the corner rocky shorelines, coastal heath and angophora forest that leaves you feeling miles from anywhere – only to pop out in a coastal village where you can order a coffee or cold drink to keep you going.
This along with the bird and wildlife on offer gives this walk something for everyone. Keep an eye out in the sky for the white-bellied sea eagle that is a regular visitor to the track. My tip is to escape the crowds during peak holiday periods and take on the walk in the cooler months and find the best land-based whale watching in the state along the 27km stretch of Tomaree Coastal Walk.
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