Hunter Central Coast Region

 

Join us and help make a difference. The environmental weed scotch broom is widely distributed throughout sub alpine communities and is impacting on the structure, floristics and ecology of the area. These works are helping to protect endangered ecological communities and threatened species habitat in the Barrington Tops region. The objective of this activity is to protect the montane wetland and create habitat for a large number of rare and threatened species that were impacted in the 2019/20 Carters Road Wildfire in the World Heritage Area.

Responsibilities

• Cutting mature broom plants and emerging seedlings in the project area without the use of herbicide.

Skills and attributes

• Medium level of fitness is required.

Commitment, shifts and location

• This event runs over 4 days. Participants can elect which days they would like to work.
• Dates: 29 January - 1 February 2026.
• Works will be based around the Edwards Swamp complex.
• Activities will start and finish from Little Murray Campground where free camping is provided for volunteers.
• When completing your application, you will be able to sign up and book in for the days you are available to attend. 

Post Fire scotch broom control 2025/26 (4WD access only)

• Participants will provide their own transport to Little Murray Campground. Volunteers will need to have 4WD clearance vehicles. The roads are unsealed, and open to the public. The access to Little Murray campground and to the post fire work site is 4WD only.
• For directions and map on getting there, click here.

From Gloucester

• There is currently no access to the Gloucester main road. If this situation changes prior to the activity, we will inform you of the change. 

From Scone

• Take Gundy Road which becomes Hunter Road from Scone. Drive through Moonan Flat, then turn right onto Moonan Brook Road.
• After 3.4km turn left onto Barrington Tops Forest Road.
• Turn into Barrington trail, which is on the right 1km past Polblue. Follow Barrington Trail for around 5km to Little Murray campground. 
• Access from Scone is currently restricted to 2.5t on the Barrington Tops Forest Road.  Access via Hunter Rd / Tomalla Rd still open for all vehicles and the public.

 Little Murray Campground

• Click here to read about Little Murray Campground.
• The campground has been booked for event participants and camping is free. You are welcome to come up the night before or to stay the night after the activity to help manage fatigue and to give you more time to enjoy the Barrington Tops National Park.
• Little Murray is a basic campsite with a pit/drop toilet and picnic tables. The site is designed for ‘camp beside your vehicle’ and is suitable for camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes. Please bring plenty of drinking water, food and supplies for your stay as well as your own camping equipment & firewood.

Dress code

• Long sleeve shirt
• Long pants
• Jumpers and jackets
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Closed shoes (ankle high lace up boots preferred).

Gear list

• Drinking water, food, sunscreen and other gear.
• NPWS will supply tools and safety equipment for broom control works. You are welcome to bring your own personal safety equipment such as helmets, fluorescent shirts or vests, gaiters and sun protection. 
• NPWS will supply all cleaning products for disease and pathogen control.

Work Health & Safety

NPWS Health and Safety Policy is at the core of our workplace safety culture and operations, extending through to volunteer services.

Click Job Safety Analysis scotch broom control and ensure you read this document carefully prior to commencing volunteering. Please check with your Volunteer Supervisor if you have any questions or comments.  

Volunteers are required to

• Ensure all potential hazards, accidents and incidents are identified and notified to your Volunteer Supervisor.
• Take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of yourself and others while volunteering. 
• Report all injuries, accidents or near messes to your Volunteer Supervisor.  
• Attend required training in safe working practices and procedures 
• Use and care for any equipment provided for health and safety purposes 

Additional information

Weather

• It is important to be prepared for wet and cold weather for this activity, as the weather can change quite rapidly on Barrington Tops. Please ensure you have adequate warm and weatherproof camping, clothing and bedding.
• As part of the risk assessment process, we will discuss weather implications and how we will manage this.
• Your safety and comfort are important to us and if weather conditions deteriorate, we will cancel either the work session, the day or the activity.
• This is a sub - alpine environment with the potential for snow.
• If you wish to cancel due to predicted weather conditions, we respect that and ask that you inform us. Barrington Tops can become quite cold. 

Phone coverage

• There is very limited Telstra phone coverage at Barrington Tops.
• Normally you will only get reception at lookouts and at a couple of other spots around the plateau, including Devils Hole Lookout and the Dingo Gate.
• Other telco providers may not get any reception.

Activity Timetable

Day 1  

• 9am: meet at Little Murray Hut, you will see the NPWS marquee
• 9.15-9.45am: induction activity
• 9.45-10.30am: morning tea (provided by NPWS), bring your own mug
• 10.30am-12.15pm: drive to site and inspect worksite
• 12.15-1.15pm: lunch (bring your own food and chair)
• 1.15-2.45pm: scotch broom control works
• 3pm: return to campsite at your leisure.

Day 2, 3 and 4

• 9am: drive to agree meeting site
• 9.30-9.45am: morning tea (provided by NPWS), bring your own mug)
• 9.45-10am: take 5 safety briefing
• 10am-12pm: scotch broom control works
• 12-1pm: lunch (bring your own food and chair)
• 1-3pm: scotch broom control works
• 3pm: return to campsite / home at your leisure.

Contact details 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact your Volunteer Supervisor:

The Conservation Team

Hunter Central Coast Branch

Email conservation.hccb@environment.nsw.gov.au

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 

 

Cancellation 

As the number of volunteers able to participate on any given day is capped at 30 people, please ensure that you complete your application process fully. Once you have signed up to attend you can easily remove yourself by logging into you volunteer profile. This will free up a place that others can sign up for. 

Supported by

This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.