Don't fence me out!

All of the walks included in this web site are accessible to reasonably fit walkers. The walks are described in good faith but all walkers must take responsibility for their own safety. In particular they should go properly equipped for the walks bearing in mind the likely weather, the terrain as described, including possible dangers such as snakes and rough or steep ground.

For the most part walks are on public footpaths walkways/cycleways or roads. In other parts they traverse land where the legal situation regarding access is ambiguous. Special laws apply to quarries and building sites, as they present particular dangers. These areas are normally well protected by notices and fences. The description of a walk or footpath in this web site should not be taken to imply a right to walk there.

It is unfortunate for walkers that, in the few years that I have been exploring Prospect Hill, several walking routes have been fenced off and are now inaccessible, including access to Council-designated "public open space." Walkers should not break down fences, cause damage to stock (for example by allowing dogs to worry stock), leave open gates that should be closed, cause disturbance to wildlife, leave litter or break the law in any way. If walks that I have described as open are found to be closed, then alternatives should be sought.

Closures

Most walks shown on this web site are accessible 24 hours a day every day. However there are restrictions in and around the Prospect Reservoir Precinct and these affect our Circular Walks.

The Prospect Reservoir precint (which includes the Prospect Reservoir Picnic Area and the area from the gate at Reservoir Road to the western end of the Canal Reserve walkway/cycleway) is open from 7 am to 4.30 pm. daily during non-daylight saving and 6 a.m. to 6.30 pm during daylight saving. Entry is not permitted in the last 15 minutes before the closing time. Please check the details on the Sydney Catchment Authority web site as these may change.

The sign on the right is at the start of the Hyland Road to Andrew Campbell Reserve Section of the Circular Walk. It may be ignored if you only intend to walk as far as Reconciliation Road, where you may now turn left to Wetherill Perk or right along Reconciliation Road (Shortcut B).

Canal Reserve crossing of Reconciliation Road

According to early plans a bridge was to carry the walkway/cycleway across the multi-lane highway (two bus-lanes, two lanes of normal traffic and a cycleway). However it seems that Boral or the RTA or the State Government have reneged on this promise and substituted a signalised "at-grade crossing." This has now been completed.

The Canal Reserve Action Group (CRAG) is leading a campaign for the restoration of the footbridge into the plans. See their web site for details

There is some danger, especially for children, in coming down the steep hill from the safety and freedom of the walkway/cycleway and meeting the dual carriageway of Reconciliation with traffic lights the only protection.

Access to Prospect Hill

1. One Tree Hill, South Top and Reservoir Hill.

There is a strong 2-metre high fence surmounted by barbed wire around the whole precinct of the Boral Quarry area. On no account should walkers attempt to cross this fence. This precludes access to some parts of the ridge of Prospect Hill, including One Tree Hill, South Top and Reservoir Hill. It may be possible at times to approach the ridge as far as the Quarry Fence close to One Tree Hill from the western end of The Driftway in Pemulwuy.

2. Prospect Lookout

A few years ago (up to late 2008) Prospect Lookout could be easily accessed by paths from the north (Butu Wargun Drive), the east (Pemulwuy) and from the south (Clunies Ross Street). Now it seems that only the last route is available. This is through a public reserve of Holroyd City Council.

The route from Butu Wargun Drive was by a narrow, well-used path though an open gate at the roundabout near the top of the Drive. After being left open literally for years, this gate has now (January 2011) been closed and the holes in the fence partially wired up. The agile may squeeze underneath. Others may need to follow an alternative route. This is a very disappointing development as it impinges on the Circular walks. I have now altered the Circular Walk route and descriptions. The very top of the Lookout is in the designated reserve of the Prospect Hill State Heritage Register (SHR) Area: "In 1999... The Prospect Hill SHR Area was predominantly designated as public open space as part of the precinct plans for the development of the SEPP 59 lands and is listed as an item of State Significance (NSW Heritage Act 1977)." (Holroyd 2008).

3. Greystanes Hill

Greystanes Hill is situated in the Marrong reserve which is also part of the Prospect Hill State Heritage Register (SHR) Area. "As part of the precinct plan for development of the SEPP 59 lands the Prospect Hill SHR Area has predominantly been designated as public open space" [my emphasis]. (Holroyd 2008, p 83). There are prominent noticeboards in Pemulwuy suburb which clearly indicate that Marrong Reserve is a public open space. However this part of the reserve is surrounded by fences. To the west is the quarry boundary fence. Along Daruga Avenue is a boundary fence. Here and in other places where there is a temporary fence access can sometimes be made without incurring damage to the fence. If access cannot be gained, my firm advice is to give Greystanes Hill a miss.

A map on page 10 of the Prospect Hill Heritage Landscape Study and Plan Final Report shows a "Linear Park" extending the full length of the eastern ridge of Prospect Hill from Prospect Lookout almost to the South Top. Access points are planned on Daruga Avenue, Pemulwuy, opposite the top of Watkin Tench Parade; opposite the top of Dullai Avenue; on both sides of the roundabout near the top of Butu Wargun Drive and at Clunies Ross Street (Holroyd 2008, p 48).

4. Water Tower Hill

Of my routes up Water Tower Hill, only Routes B and C seem to be open to walkers at present. A notice at the start of the lane leading to Veteran Hall prohibits vehicular access but there seems to be no bar to walkers using the lane.

Update - restrictions on access to Water Tower Hill

In October 2010 it was reported that a walker using the sealed road in the Upper George Maunder Lookout was asked to leave by a security guard.

The construction site blocking the lane to the north of the summit has now disappeared so access to Water Tower Hill by Route C is again clear. However (as of November 2012) a new blockage of Route A has now been created at the gate on the road between the Upper George Maunder Lookout and the Water Towers. The small pedestrian gate has been replaced by a full wire fence topped with barbed wire. It is possible to circumvent this without climbing any fences but only by scrambing around through the undergrowth on steep ground. An old, roughly-painted notice may indicate that the Water Tower area is "restricted." However the absence of such notices on the other ascent routes suggests that this is out of date.