‘Absolutely horrified’: Fears iconic Ginninderra Falls could be permanently off limits to public

Community group Voices for West Belconnen has urged the ACT Government to work with their NSW counterparts to bring Ginninderra Falls into public hands, as private developers circle the site known as Canberra’s Kakadu.

The 55-hectare privately-owned freehold land in Wallaroo (NSW) just outside West Belconnen, which includes waterfalls, walking tracks and platypus pools, was advertised for sale this week.

Region understands that neither the ACT Government nor NSW Government has shown serious interest in purchasing the site.

“It’s freehold land, we are selling the title of freehold land to a new owner. The new owner will control the destiny of the falls and it could go into private hands … they can do anything they want with it,” real estate agent George Southwell said.

“The reality is, it’s not just government that is a potential buyer. We’ve also had significant interest from private developers in Australia and in Singapore, we’ve also got privateers… there are a lot of enquiries from people who have the means that would like to have a home there.”

The site, currently owned by farmers John and Anna Hyles, has been closed to the general public since 2004 due to public liability issues.

“Ginninderra Falls is a very beautiful site… it’s a freak of nature, it was Canberra’s second biggest attraction when we had it open many years ago,” Mr Hyles said.

He added that it would be a shame if it was bought by an individual who turned it into a private retreat, but that could happen.

“We’re absolutely horrified that Ginninderra Falls could be permanently cut off from the general public,” Voices for West Belconnen president Dr Chris Watson said.

“This is such a beautiful site, we have lobbied for years for it to be a national park. I’d like to see the ACT Government work with the NSW Government and Federal Government to see how we can get this in public hands.”

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said at a press conference today (18 October) that the ACT Government was not in the market to buy it, contrary to some media reports.

“We are in a caretaker mode, we haven’t been briefed on it nor we would action until a new Assembly is confirmed… the land is in NSW, there is a legislative requirement around anything that the ACT Government would acquire outside the territory… that is a matter for government in the future.”

Mr Barr said the NSW Government may be a more likely buyer, but Region‘s enquiries suggest this is not the case.

“[NSW] Crown Lands is not currently considering purchasing the land,” a NSW Government spokesperson said.

Region understands that the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service is also not interested in purchasing the site and that it would not be on the radar of any other NSW Government agency.

Ginninderry, a joint venture between the ACT Government and private developer Riverview Group, has indicated some interest.

“The Ginninderry Joint Venture’s long-held view is that it looks forward to seeing the capital region community having safe access to Ginninderra Falls from Parkwood Road,” a spokesperson said.

“With the property now on the market, the Ginninderry Joint Venture will take the appropriate steps to consider the opportunity.”

Ginninderry indicated it had plans to create “visitor nodes” to provide public access to Ginninderra Falls, though its unclear how this would work if the site was bought by another private developer.

“The only access to Ginninderra Falls, the platypus pools and special significant sites is via the privately owned NSW land,” real estate agent George Southwell said.

Independents for Canberra Ginninderra candidate Leanne Foresti said she was shocked to hear the ACT Government wasn’t in the market to buy it.

“I strongly believe this property should be acquired by the ACT Government and that it be made into the Murrumbidgee and Ginninderra Gorges National Park for future generations to enjoy,” she said.

“I have some wonderful childhood memories of enjoying Ginninderra Falls with my family. Now as a mother myself, I was deeply saddened that I have not been able to share Ginninderra Falls with my own kids.”