Have you ever climbed on basalt columns? The majority of NSW climbers spend most of their time on sandstone- and opportunities for basalt climbing in Australia are limited. Although basalt is wide spread in Australia, columnar basalt, the best form to climb on, is not common in Australia. In NSW the finest columnar basalt, at Sawn Rocks in Kaputar National Park, is a major tourist attraction and climbing is not permitted. Climbing on columnar basalt occurs in limited areas at Ebor and Bombo (and pitch 20 of The Camel at Mt Banks in the Blue mountains). Now, there is the possibility to secure and preserve a large area of columnar basalt at Bombo for climbing generations to come, but we need you to act before the 31 August and broadcast your support for this opportunity.
What is proposed: The quarries west of the Princes Highway are closing and the area is to be repurposed for housing and recreation. Detailed plans are not out yet, but the concept design suggests some of the quarry will be infilled and the remaining quarry walls may be “battered”, which can involve angling them away from the vertical.
What climbers would like to see: at present it appears that there are multiple walls of solid columnar basalt around 15m high that would provide an amazing recreational climbing opportunity and create a major climbing destination. Development of such a recreational opportunity would require planning before closure to preserve sites of suitable orientation and stability for climbing. Planning for drainage, access and hazard minimisation is also required in the closure phase to ensure safe access to cliff faces and boulders. There are well qualified climbers with backgrounds in geology, environmental science and geotechnical engineering who could provide advice as to the considerations required to create a unique and valued climbing opportunity. Large blocks could also be used to create bouldering opportunities.
Other things to consider:
- History of Climbing in the Bombo area: the old quarry, to the east of the highway was developed for climbing in 1980/81. NSW’s first grade 27, Hangman, was put up here by Geoff Weigand. Unfortunately, a sewerage outlet was then built in front of the best wall, blocking access. Roped climbing and bouldering does still occur without formal recognition in the Geological heritage area close to the ocean and has had a resurgence in popularity.
- Re-purposing quarries: precedents exist in the re-use of quarries for recreational climbing. These provide valuable recreational amenities in urban environments. Examples include Albury Quarry in NSW, Kangaroo Point in Brisbane, Waterworks Quarry and Freuhuf Quarry in Hobart, Mountain Quarry and Statham Quarry in Western Australia.
- The NSW government has an open spaces policy that recognises and embraces the need for adventurous play for all ages. “Adventurous play refers to unstructured and free outdoor physical play activities that push boundaries and involve an element of risk”. To read more about this, click here
- If you want to reference the NSW Governments Adventurous spaces insights report 2023 you will find it here
For further information on providing feedback and other information click below.
To see some of the proposed plans for the redevelopment:
Please take a few minutes to email a submission.
If you live in the area consider copying in the Council CEO, Jane Stroud at council@kiama.nsw.gov.au
and the local state member, Gareth Ward kiama@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Australian Climbing Association (NSW) 