LITHGOW, NSW – Wilderness Australia has hit out at the New South Wales Government’s plans to allow private resort developments within the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area, labelling the proposal a betrayal of the region’s internationally significant geoheritage.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) late Thursday released a draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for three resorts to be built amongst the rare pagoda landforms. The projects are slated to be operated by Wild Bush Luxury, which is currently being transitioned to the global travel giant, Intrepid Travel.
Keith Muir, spokesperson for Wilderness Australia, says the proposal makes a mockery of the area’s conservation status.
"If reservation of a conservation area—effectively a national park in waiting—does not prevent resort development in sites of international heritage significance, then the reservation is meaningless," Mr. Muir said. "The NPWS is acting as both the proponent and the approval authority. They are effectively marking their own homework, and it is the environment that will pay the price."
"Hair-Splitting" Science and Dangerous Precedents
The NPWS claims the resorts are in degraded areas, a claim Wilderness Australia flatly rejects. The selected sites were chosen specifically because they are essentially untouched by past logging, coal mining or off-road vehicles.
"The NPWS is using hair-splitting reasoning to suggest that building three glamping beside these ancient formations won't impact them. You cannot build a glamping resort in a pagoda landscape without blighting that landscape forever," said Mr. Muir. "If these resorts go ahead, it sets a gold-plated precedent for damaging development in every high-quality scenic location across our national park system. It stinks."
Concerns over "Developer Firewall" and Corporate Transparency
Wilderness Australia is raising the alarm over the lack of transparency regarding the commercial arrangements. The lease proposal remains hidden from public view, despite the impending takeover of Wild Bush Luxury assets by Intrepid Travel for $5.1 million.
"The NPWS is doing the dirty work for these private companies, shielding them from the brunt of the consent process so their green credentials remain unsullied," Mr. Muir said. "Intrepid Travel has a strong reputation, but they are stepping into a project that has already seen thousands of objections. We urge Intrepid to reconsider whether they want their brand linked to the blighting of pristine pagoda landscapes."
Call to Action
Wilderness Australia is calling on the public to lodge formal objections before the exhibition period closes.
"Environment Minister Penny Sharpe needs to decide if her legacy will be the protection of our national parks or the damaging privatisation of them," Mr. Muir concluded.
The draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is on exhibition until 5:00 PM, Thursday 26 February, 2026.
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Media Contact: Keith Muir, O.A.M., spokesperson, Wilderness Australia
mobile 0412791404; email keith.muir6@bigpond.com
About Wilderness Australia: Wilderness Australia is a leading advocacy group dedicated to the protection and restoration of Australia’s wild places and the integrity of its national park system.
