The Great Kai'mia Way |
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The Great Kai'mia Way is over two hundred kilometres of sustainable walking tracks and cycleways which link Botany Bay, the Woronora valley, large parts of southern and western Sydney, and the Illawarra Escarpment.
The Great Kai'mia Way is a vision for integrating positive environmental and social outcomes in the catchments of Botany Bay and the Georges & Woronora Rivers.
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Its aim is to create a sustainable trails network through this diverse bushland and urban landscape, for people to explore, learn about, appreciate and care for their environment, and learn about Kai'mia.
What Does "Kai'mia" Mean? Kai'mia is the Aboriginal Dreaming story of Botany Bay and Georges River catchment in southern Sydney. It refers to the spectacular Gymea Lily, symbol of the region.
What is a Sustainable Trails Network?
One which is ecologically and socially sustainable by:
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Developing partnerships with the whole community in the spirit of Local Agenda 21
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Taking into account community concerns regarding security, safety and impact on flora and fauna
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Maximising the use of existing tracks and trails
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Enhancing biodiversity by raising awareness of the value of the catchment's ecological services
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Respecting Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal heritage
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Being accessible to as many people as possible including those with limited mobility
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Reducing dependency on private vehicle use
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Using locally sourced sustainable materials
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The Great Kai'mia Way is a common theme encompassing 3 separate public access trail proposals, each with its own distinctive character as identified on the map.
The initial stage of the project is a 12 months feasibility study to research potential routes for the trails along the Georges and Woronora river valleys:
The Georges River Trail
The Georges River Trail (150km approx.) covers a diversity of terrain and habitats from Botany Bay upstream to Prospect and Cabramatta Creeks, through to Campbelltown and beyond. The main goal here is to enhance the capability of the community to sustain the vision of a regional trail beyond September 2003, through the setting up of community based working groups, advancing funding bids and producing an implementation plan to bring the trail network into reality. The idea originated from Dr Peter Tralaggan and Sharyn Cullis of Georges River Environmental Alliance (GREA).
The Explore the Woronora Trail
The Explore the Woronora Trail (20km) links the Georges River National Park to Heathcote NP and Royal NP and offers the opportunity for community stewardship of the valley to ensure net gains for biodiversity, and the creation of loop trails for each settlement. It advances the initial work of Sutherland Shire Council. The idea originated from the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre (SSEC).
The Botany Bay Trail
The Botany Bay Trail (50km, at the concept stage) links historically significant La Perouse and Kurnell via the suburbs of the foreshore. The flat terrain and large areas of recreational open space offer opportunities to provide a Trail for people of all levels of mobility. The idea originated from Jim Coleman as part of the Botany Bay Program on behalf of the Southern Regional Organisation of Council (SSROC).
Who Will Carry Out the Feasibility Study?
The Study is a joint initiative between GREA and the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre (SSEC) funded by the Georges River Foreshore Improvement Program (GRFIP) through PlanningNSW.
The project will be managed by the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre: Suite 4, 2-4 Merton Street, Sutherland, NSW, 2232 PO Box 589, Sutherland, NSW 1499, Phone: (02) 9545 3077 |
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Sutherland Shire Environment Centre | Suite 4 (1st Floor), 2-4 Merton Street, Sutherland NSW 2232