News
10 January, 2026
Wingecarribee Shire Council facing criticism over national park promotion on extreme fire danger day
Despite a total fire ban and extreme fire danger warnings across the Southern Highlands, Wingecarribee Shire Council has drawn criticism after a council tourism unit encouraged locals and visitors to head into national parks.
Despite a total fire ban and extreme fire danger warnings across the Southern Highlands, Wingecarribee Shire Council has drawn criticism after a council tourism unit encouraged locals and visitors to head into national parks today.
The NSW Rural Fire Service declared a total fire ban across multiple shires, including Wingecarribee, on Friday, January 9. The RFS also warned that fire conditions in the region on Saturday were extreme, advising residents to “take action now to protect your life and property”. The RFS are known to pull water from dams and water sources in the event of a fire including in national parks.
The Bureau of Meteorology had forecast extreme temperatures and strong winds across the region for much of the past week particularly today. The BOM have advised the community to seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre.
Wollondilly Shire Council have issued a heatwave update advising that the Wollondilly Library will be open until 5pm for those who do not have cooling at home. Wollondilly Shire Council also confirmed they will work with the agencies and keep the community updated.
The NSW State Emergency Service also issued warnings for southern and coastal NSW, urging residents to prepare for damaging winds with peak gusts of up to 100km/h, cautioning that conditions could change quickly.
At a press conference on Saturday morning, NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the day would be “really difficult”, urging cooperation across agencies and the community.
The NSW RFS Commissioner said emergency services were prepared to respond and encouraged residents to have the Hazards Near Me app installed.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation from the National Situation Room, urging Australians to “take the advice of the authorities”.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service announced on Friday that bushwalking would be prohibited in many NSW national parks due to the total fire ban and extreme fire danger. Some parks were closed completely, such as Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, near Robertson, and Carrington Falls. National Parks warned that entering a closed park could attract fines of up to $3,300.
Despite the conditions and the warnings, Wingecarribee Shire Council, through its Destination Southern Highlands business unit, posted a video on social media on Friday afternoon suggesting locals and visitors could “cool down with these spots to swim at Carrington Falls just near Robertson”.
Carrington Falls is located within Budderoo National Park, adjacent to Barren Grounds Nature Reserve.
The video described the location as “a great one for families”, encouraged viewers to “follow the fern-filled path”, and concluded by promoting “insta-famous views”.
At the time of publication, the video remains on the Southern Highlands NSW Facebook page.
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What is your view?
While the Southern Highlands is known for its natural beauty, national parks and swimming holes, should a council business unit be encouraging people to enter national parks during a total fire ban — particularly when many parks are closed and warnings have been issued by emergency services, government ministers and the Prime Minister?
Read More: Southern Highlands, Wollondilly, Robertson