Introduction |
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The Great Kai'mia Way is over 200 kilometres of sustainable access routes to the foreshores of the Georges and Woronora Rivers, linking with the Illawarra Escarpment and Botany Bay. It is a vision of non-motorised movement through the valleys - on foot, by bicycle or in canoe, respecting the ecological, cultural, social and heritage values of the area. It is also a vision about partnerships and community participation, about building an asset that respects the past, the current and future generations.
This report is about how the community, councils and government agencies can achieve that vision. It is the result of a twelve-month study undertaken by the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre (SSEC) in conjunction with the Georges River Environmental Alliance (GREA) and funded by the Georges River Foreshores Improvement Program (GRFIP). |
Naming the project "The Great Kai'mia Way" began the process of developing the vision. Kai'mia is the Aboriginal dreaming story of the Georges River and Botany Bay catchments. It tells of a young warrior named "Kai'mia" who rescued members of his band trapped in a cave. They were travelling up the valley to give thanks to the creator spirit. Kai'mia was wounded during his ordeal leaving a trail of blood. The Kai'mia (Gymea) lily plant, with its red flower, grows where his blood touched the earth.
The dreaming story is about respect for the environment, elders and the spirit of the land.
The Gymea Lily is a spectacular plant common in bushland through the Georges River catchment. With its large red flower and bright green foliage, it is a striking and a recognisable symbol, providing the image from which the stylised logo for the project was developed. |
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Although SSEC and GREA spearheaded and coordinated the project, many people have contributed to the data gathered and the conclusions reached. This close partnership and consultation with stakeholders and the community has been a deliberate strategy and recognises that the Great Kai'mia Way (also referred to as "Way" throughout this report) traverses one of the most urbanised catchments in Australia, winding its way through a region that houses more than one-and-a-half million people and significant industrial sites, and lands within the authority of twelve councils, several government agencies, Aboriginal Land Councils and private landholders. By attempting to involve a maximum number of stakeholders, the project managers hoped to ensure that most issues regarding route features and selection are identified and appropriately considered in the discussion and recommendations for route implementation.
Community consultation is one of the four integrated components that underpinned the study. The other three components are:
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Research and documentation of the natural and cultural features (including existing routes and planned routes) in the areas close to the rivers to provide the groundwork for Kai'mia Way routes.
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Creation of opportunities to increase sustainable use of the environment and care of our cultural heritage. This includes opportunities to promote the project and stimulate ideas for the different uses of the system of routes, tracks and trails.
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Establishment of funding strategy for implementation and ongoing care of the Great Kai'mia Way.
The following discussion will deal with each of these components and a fifth one which stakeholders also identified as important for implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way:
- Coordinated implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way.
Report Structure
This report begins with background information about the Georges River Catchment, the GRFIP, SSEC and GREA. Chapter 1 also explains how the Great Kai'mia Way can improve the health of the catchment and the wellbeing of people living in the catchment. To provide a framework for maximising outcomes, the project team adopted five guiding principles:
- Caring for Country
- Sustainability
- Community stewardship
- Safety
- Loops and linkages
Chapter 2 then provides the details of how the project team engaged stakeholders, the contribution of stakeholders and the ongoing role they have in the Great Kai'mia Way project.
Chapters 3 and 4 provide the details of the groundwork done for location of routes. For quick reference for all stakeholders, the information is provided in standardised tables and broken into sections. Chapter 3 contains information about routes in the Georges River Catchment. Chapter 4 contains information about routes in the Woronora River Catchment. The recommendations arising from the study are discussed section by section and listed in Appendix 10.
Chapter 5 provides suggestions for the coordinated implementation of the Great Kai'mia way. These suggestions range from the use of materials for making tracks and signage through to safety issues and design to control and manage usage and ongoing management of routes.
Finally, Chapter 6 discusses recommendations and options for implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way. Implementation will require ongoing commitment from stakeholders and a commitment of resources to ensure that the full potential of the Way is realised.
Report Intent
The information in this report is intended for use by councils, agencies and community members interested in either building and maintaining the Great Kai'mia Way, or using it for environmental, health and community capacity-building programs. It aims to enhance opportunities for regional coordination, efficiency and sustainability, as well as to promote general principals for sustainable trail route planning, design, construction and maintenance.
Much care has been taken to propose routes for the Great Kai'mia Way that are sustainable and inviting. However the report authors are aware that there are many contingencies guiding the selection and implementation of routes - and these contingencies change over time. This report is not meant to bind landholders or managers to proposed routes. It is ultimately up to landholders and managers to work together with stakeholders to ensure that the final route meets their special needs and objectives. The authors hope that the work that has been done in this feasibility study provides a sound foundation for making decisions about timing and routing of the Great Kai'mia Way. |
Aims of this report
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Assist the community, councils and agencies to implement the Great Kai'mia Way (Way) while promoting general principals for sustainable Way route planning, design, construction and maintenance.
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Enhance regional coordination, efficiency and sustainability through the implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way through an extensive network of community, local and state government support.
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Present comprehensive information on the existing network of routes in the Georges and Woronora catchments, including the identification of opportunities for bush regeneration, environmental restoration and heritage conservation and community building along the foreshores of the waterways.
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Outline funding options for the construction and maintenance of the Great Kai'mia Way.
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Outline community use, education and promotion strategies for the Great Kai'mia Way.
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• Exec Summary 
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre | Suite 4 (1st Floor), 2-4 Merton Street, Sutherland NSW 2232