conservation and environmental sustainability

At Jenolan Caves, conservation and environmental sustainability are as important as tourism.

The Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Jenolan’s commitment to environmental sustainability is demonstrated by the way we define our mission:

‘To manage the natural and cultural heritage and visitor facilities . . . in an environmentally, socially and commercially sustainable manner’.

Environmental sustainability in cave tours

We aim to give visitors a greater understanding of the spectacular and ancient but fragile cave environment. Every tour is a demonstration of how we can all care for the caves. Both adventure and show cave tours are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner.

Each tour begins with ‘housekeeping’ instructions to visitors on basic conservation rules for the tour: No smoking, eating, drinking or touching crystal and, perhaps more importantly, the reasons for these vital rules.

Group numbers are limited, not only to make groups manageable or to fit in viewing areas, but also to protect the caves. For example, to minimise impact the Ribbon Cave, a beautiful and fragile area, is limited to eight visitors in a tour and usually shown only once a week.

Every Jenolan adventure activity has conservation and environmental sustainability at its heart. This message is emphasized by the guides to every client, and this focus on education does much to minimise excessive impact.

In full-day trips strict protocols are observed for eating, drinking and toileting in the caves. Group size and trip frequency are restricted to limit impact. Mammoth Cave runs once a month for a maximum of 10 people each trip. Only 16 visitors a year will see the Naked Lady chamber!

Stainless steel handrails

Jenolan was one of the first sites in Australia to install stainless steel handrails in caves. Galvanised piping was used previously, but materials from the galvanising process eventually leach into the cave and ultimately find their way into the water catchment. Stainless steel is an inert material which does not leach into the cave environment.

The reopening of the Nettle Cave for the self-guided tour was made possible by the installation of raised walkways to keep visitors off the sensitive floor of the cave.

Australia’s first hydro-electricity

Jenolan Caves had the first hydro-electric system in Australia! Today our hydro-electric plant is located on the Jenolan River 1.5km downstream of the Grand Arch. The Blue Lake was created to provide a water supply for the hydro turbine. During normal (non-drought) seasons the hydro can provide 60% of power needs thus reducing the ‘carbon footprint’ of the busy Jenolan Caves facility.

Leading the world in cave lighting

In July 1880, Jenolan was the first place in the world to use electric lights in caves! Today we still lead the world in cave lighting. New energy-efficient lighting systems were installed in the Lucas Cave (2004) and the Temple of Baal (2006).

In 2008, attention turned to the Orient Cave. The old system was inefficient and environmentally unsound. The objectives of the Orient project were to install a system based on established best practice including the following parameters:

Highly efficient luminaries with minimal heat radiation — latest generation LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) with an efficiency of 100 lumens per watt.
Uninterruptable power supply, to allow safe operation of tour regardless of external power outage.
Conceal all fixtures/cabling to the greatest practical extent and utilise remote infra-red switching compatible with other caves at Jenolan.
Install future capability for ex-cave data transfer and monitoring.

The new Orient Cave lighting has reduced power consumption for that cave by over 75%.

Water Purity

In association with the NPWS Karst and Geodiversity Unit hi-tech water monitors were installed at seven locations in and around the caves in December 2008. (See photo on page 9.) The graph shows water temperature in the Pool of Cerberus inside the caves. Like the air monitors installed early in 2008, the water monitors will give a clearer picture over time of what is happening in our surface and underground waterways.

Water supply

Jenolan’s water supply is sourced locally from the outflow of the Imperial River at its exit from the northern caves. It is not necessary to pipe water in over long distances thus saving the environmental problems associated with long pipelines.

Sewerage

Downstream of the caves the small sewerage plant provides primary and tertiary treatment of sewage with ultra-violet light at the final stage. Discharged water is 99.9% pure. Flushless urinals were installed this year.

Weed control

Unfortunately, after 170 years of European occupation we have a major ‘weed’ problem with sycamores, ivy and other garden escapees. Last spring and autumn Sycamore Weedbusting Weekends were run in association with NPWS and bushcare groups. About 25 volunteers tackled part of the 50-hectare sycamore infestation. If you are interested in helping with the weed problem, contact Willow Warriors.