KOSCIUSZKO HUTS ASSOCIATION
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NSW UpdateIf you are interested in helping out with the reconstruction of the huts in NSW then please register directly with NPWS NPWS by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The KHA Reconstruction Sub-Committee has provided a list of names to NPWS of those members who have previously advised their interest BUT we strongly recommend that you also register directly by emailing the above address if you want to be sure you are registered Advise that you are are a KHA member when you register and also advise any skills and construction qualifications including WHS tickets and licence that you have. Whilst having regard to hard skills, NSW will prioritise attendance at rebuild workparties as follows: 1st: Caretakers and descendants and families of the hut builders. 2nd: KHA members. 3rd: Interested members of the public. For the ease of management, the NPWS will set up a dedicated hut rebuild programme group on VIP, separate to the general KHA VIP group. The first rebuild will be Sawyers Rest House on the Snowy Mountains Highway. This will hopefully start at the end of January or early February. So if you are interested then please register ASAP. Please Note: All volunteers must have a White Card to participate. If you are a financial member of KHA then KHA will cover the cost. For information please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ACT UpdateNegotiations are continuing and it appears ACT PCS are willing to consider the possibility of rebuilding huts at each of the sites provided they are not on the original footprint of the destroyed huts. A lot more painstaking work is to be done to progress negotiations. |
NPWS has announced the list of Huts to be rebuilt subject to environmental assessment:
Delaneys
Four Mile
Resthouse at Sawyers Hill
Round Mountain
Bradley & O'Briens
Brooks
Happy's
Vickery's
Linesman Huts - 2 huts . it is possible that only one of these will be rebuilt. No decision as yet.
Tantangara hut which suffered extensive damage will be reconstructed.
National Parks and Wildlife Service will rebuild almost all the huts damaged by the catastrophic 2019–20 summer bushfires, following an extensive assessment process which considered the significance of each structure.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager Steve Cathcart said that these important structures include 10 historic huts that were burnt despite the valiant efforts of firefighters.
'There are more than 70 huts in Kosciuszko National Park, with others across the Australian alps, that are considered to have outstanding national heritage value and significance, and as a group the huts have State Heritage significance for their historic, aesthetic and social values,' said Mr Cathcart.
'The huts are an integral part of the cultural landscape of Kosciuszko National Park demonstrating different construction materials and techniques, past land uses, travel, communication practices, past times and continue to be visited today by people enjoying the park including walkers, riders and skiers,' he said.
'Since February 2020, NPWS officers have been working to assess and record damage, preserve original features where possible and consult with groups such as the Kosciuszko Huts Association and descendants of the huts builders.
'After the loss of huts during the 2003 bushfires, changes to heritage conventions enabled the option of rebuilding the huts to retain their social significance. Even though some original fabric may be gone, the huts can be rebuilt to retain peoples’ connections with these places; from the families who built them, to current caretakers and people who visit them for recreation.
'The rebuilding program will be developed in consultation with Kosciuszko Huts Association and families associated with the huts. NPWS will enlist the aid of staff, contractors and volunteers trained in traditional construction techniques to enable continuation of heritage building skills, such as splitting slabs with a maul and froe, and log cabin construction and help keep these skills alive. NPWS is looking for additional staff to be part of the program and positions will be advertised at iworkfor.nsw.gov.au.'
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KHA Enquiries please email KHA Bushfire Reconstructions - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
