Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve Conservation Management Plan Volume 1 : Report August 2009 Conservation Management Plan property address month & year only Conservation Management Plan Volume 1of 2 - Report Prepared for Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change August 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................i 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1 1.1 The Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve .......................................................................................1 1.2 Scope of the Report .........................................................................................................................1 1.3 Aims of the Report............................................................................................................................1 1.4 Structure of the Report.....................................................................................................................2 1.5 Site Ownership.................................................................................................................................2 1.6 Site Location.....................................................................................................................................2 1.7 Site Visits..........................................................................................................................................2 1.8 Methodology.....................................................................................................................................2 1.9 Terminology......................................................................................................................................3 1.10 Constraints and Limitations..............................................................................................................3 1.11 Author Identification..........................................................................................................................3 1.12 Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................4 1.13 Other Reports...................................................................................................................................4 1.14 Further Research, Monitoring and Review ......................................................................................4 2 Site Description..............................................................................................................................5 2.1 Site Location.....................................................................................................................................5 2.2 Site Curtilage....................................................................................................................................6 2.3 Reserve Zones and Precincts ..........................................................................................................7 2.4 Definition of the Precincts within the VUSZ .....................................................................................9 2.5 Definition of Items within the Precincts ............................................................................................9 2.6 Geography and Topography ............................................................................................................9 2.7 The Natural Environment ...............................................................................................................10 2.8 Built Heritage..................................................................................................................................12 2.9 Aboriginal Archaeology ..................................................................................................................12 2.10 European Archaeology...................................................................................................................14 2.11 The Cultural Landscape .................................................................................................................15 2.12 Cave Infrastructure and Historic Inscriptions .................................................................................15 2.13 Site Description - Summary of the Precincts within the VUSZ ......................................................25 2.13.1 Grand Arch Precinct.........................................................................................................25 2.13.2 Jenolan Cottages Precinct...............................................................................................28 2.13.3 Five Mile Road Housing Precinct.....................................................................................30 2.13.4 Burma Road Housing Precinct ........................................................................................31 2.13.5 Two Mile Road Housing Precinct.....................................................................................33 2.13.6 Campground and Utilities Precinct ..................................................................................34 2.13.7 Bellbird Cottage Precinct .................................................................................................36 3 History ...........................................................................................................................................38 3.1 Aboriginal History ...........................................................................................................................38 3.2 Phases of European Development ................................................................................................39 3.2.1 Discovery and Early Visitors, c1838 – 1866 ....................................................................40 3.2.2 Jeremiah Wilson and Early Accommodation, 1867 – 1895.............................................40 3.2.3 Government Intervention: A Retreat for the Wealthy 1896 – 1906 .................................41 3.2.4 Expansion and Early Popularization 1907 – 1929...........................................................41 3.2.5 Depression, War and Post-war Recovery, c1930 – 1968................................................42 02 Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve CMP Vol 1 Report 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED 3.2.6 Nostalgia and Environmental Concern c1968-1988........................................................42 3.2.7 Planning for Change 1989 - 2003....................................................................................44 3.2.8 Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage 2004 - 2009 ...........................................44 3.3 Historical Development of the Precincts within the VUSZ .............................................................45 3.3.1 Grand Arch Precinct.........................................................................................................45 3.3.2 Jenolan Cottages Precinct...............................................................................................51 3.3.3 Five Mile Road Housing Precinct.....................................................................................51 3.3.4 Burma Road Housing Precinct ........................................................................................52 3.3.5 Two Mile Road Housing Precinct.....................................................................................52 3.3.6 Campground and Utilities Precinct ..................................................................................52 3.3.7 Bellbird Cottage Precinct .................................................................................................53 3.4 Historical Themes...........................................................................................................................54 4 Intangible Evidence......................................................................................................................55 4.1 Background Review of Documents................................................................................................55 4.2 Social and Cultural Context............................................................................................................56 4.2.1 Analysis of Social and Cultural Context...........................................................................57 4.3 Stakeholder Consultation ...............................................................................................................58 4.3.1 Interview Questions and Responses ...............................................................................58 5 Comparative Analysis..................................................................................................................64 5.1 Natural Heritage .............................................................................................................................64 5.1.1 Natural Landscape...........................................................................................................64 5.1.2 Geology............................................................................................................................64 5.1.3 Flora and Fauna...............................................................................................................65