Photos courtesy of NPWS
The cavers worked with the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) to carry out the delicate task of installing the bridge and ladder structure to protect the fragile ecosystem.
NPWS area manager Graham Bush said that the job of designing and installing a bridge and ladder in a cave was a difficult operation. "The B4-5 cave system, also known as Fossil Cave and Hogans Hole, is popular amongst recreational cavers, taking two to three hours for a group to navigate,” he said. “Unfortunately constant usage was taking its toll on some of the more important values of these caves resulting in degradation.
"However a team of experienced cavers came up with the solution, which was to install a specially designed bridge and ladder to reduce the erosion caused by people.”
Members of the Highlands Caving Group, Canberra Speleological Society and the NPWS collaborated on the design and fabrication of a final bridge structure.
"A mock PVC pipe side section of the structure was made within the cave system to see how it would work and fit. It was then removed in sections and later helped with the fabrication of the final bridge sections,” said Bush.”
"Once the bridge and ladder were constructed, a team of 26 experienced cavers installed the bridge over a weekend. The cavers were from six different Australian Speleological Federation caving clubs. It was a difficult job in really cramped conditions. The NPWS is really grateful for all the help from the caving clubs.”
The park includes a 325m-deep canyon - the deepest in Australia.
