Chapter Four |
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Route E - Connector - Loftus Creek and Engadine
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| Sub-section |
| Start and finish |
Sydney Water Gate (GR: LH 187 321) to Sabugal Gully via Engadine Rail Station / Centre |
| Distance |
E1 = 1.5 km, E2 = 2 km, E3 = 2.5, E4 = 1.5 km |
| Grade |
2-3 |
| Main features |
- Loftus Creek
- Waterfalls
- Noorumba Guide Camp
- Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest
- Ferntree Reserve and Views
- Engadine Park / Anzac Oval
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| Description |
Route heads SE from Pipeline Road at gate, across Forbes Creek via bridge, fire trail (Sewer Easement) via Noorumba Guide Camp. At Loftus Creek several routes converge. Across creek and go S - detour to waterfall - route is steep for 100 m. Sandstone surface in poor condition - erosion severe in places. Leave fire trail at Dobell Res., then via streets to City Rail Engadine.
On local streets to Engadine Park via 3 main street crossings. Then Woronora Rd. and steep descent to access control gate.
Walk link E4 goes via Amiens Ave, Ferntree Rd and Fire Trail. |
| Facilities |
- Dobell Reserve
- Engadine Shopping Centre
- Engadine Park - Swim, BBQ, Picnic, Oval, Play
- Ferntree Park - Play, Picnic
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| Opportunities and constraints |
- Trail Bikes increasing track and bush degradation around E1
- User conflict/safety issues
- 2 x waterfalls ideal rest point features
- 7(b) zoning requires amendment by SSC to include cycling
- Display Shelter in Engadine Park and display panels at end of Woronora Rd. and City Rail Station
- Several safer road crossings required in Engadine
- Partner with youth groups such as Boystown / sponsorship from local business
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| Actions Required |
- SWC/SSC Upgrade Gates at Pipeline Road, Dobell Reserve and Ferntree Res. ACPs
- DIPNR/SSC/SWC Track improvements - sandstone + binding agent on slopes
- SSC/SSEC locate and install 16 x markers
- SSC/SWC 2 x safety info signs
- SSC install 2 x display boards
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| Current Status/Zoning |
Crown Land under care and control of SSC - Gandangara LALC land claim / SWC Sewer Maintenance Easement / Public Roads |
| Priority |
B |
| Estimated cost |
$50k |
| Stakeholders Community |
NPA, Billies Bushies, Sutherland Shire Bushwalking Club, Sharkbike, Scouts and Guides, Maandowie Creek, Loftus Creek and Fahy Creek and Urana Road Bushcare Groups, Yarrawarrah PS, Engadine HS and PS, Engadine Rotary Club, St John Bosco Cath. Coll. and PS and Youth Centre, Boystown, Engadine West PS, Engadine Bowling Club, PCYC, |
| Agency/Land Manager |
SSC, DIPNR, SWC, SSCMB, Gandangara LALC |
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Rationale:
Connector E offers a potential spine route, whilst agreements are being negotiated on the viability of the Pipeline Road option.
Sub Sections W2-E1 and W3-E2 utilise a popular existing fire trail exploring the narrow fingers of bushland which extend south along two small tributaries of the Woronora - Forbes and Loftus Creeks. |
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It provides a connection between the Woronora Way (W2-A6) and Engadine, meeting walking tracks (W2-L, W3-N) which descend from the suburbs of Loftus and Yarrawarrah on the plateau above.
Presently zoned 7(b) Environmental Protection (Bushland), an amendment is required if cycling is to be permitted.
The surface is in poor condition, with erosion and gullying exacerbated by illegal Trail Bike use. Better access prevention measures are required along the Pipeline Road and at Loftus. Gandangara LALC have claims on this and nearby vacant Crown land, and their consent is required for any additional works to the track.
Sub Section W3-E3 is a suggested on street route for pedestrians and cyclists to connect to the spine route "cross-roads" at Sabugal Gully (W3-A7/A8 and W5-D1) and access the Needles passive recreation area, from Engadine Station and Shopping Centre. It links local institutions, schools and parks.
Sub Section W3-E4 is a suggested pedestrian route along streets and fire trails connecting W3 to the Pipeline Road spine route W3-A8. There are panoramic views of the upper Woronora River, Prestons Gully and Heathcote National Park from Ferntree Reserve. |
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• The Glen 
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre | Suite 4 (1st Floor), 2-4 Merton Street, Sutherland NSW 2232