Turning a blind eye to what is taking place on Munibung Hill is adding up to a legacy of harm that will be increasingly difficult and costly to correct the longer it goes on.
Walking up the north eastern side from Lucilla Ridge (Macquarie Hills) is becoming increasingly hazardous due to the worsening erosion of the ‘track’. It is a similar story for those approaching Munibung Hill from Blaxland Road and for walkers starting from Lakelands at either Ambleside Circuit or the Grasmere Close, Yuruga Street bend.
While it is a natural consequence of non-existent ground cover – that the surface is gouged out – it is unnecessary in that with a small amount of earth works and surface repair, ground cover could be re-established leading to this access route being an example of how to properly manage human and landscape values in a responsible and sensitive fashion.
To place this living earth story in human terms: when the soil (skin) that is naturally protected (clothed) with ground cover is exposed and subjected to constant weathering, it is unable to withstand the elements. Since it is due to human interference in the first instance that has lead to this situation, it is up to us to take remedial action, to put a ‘bandage’ on the wound to allow for self healing and regeneration.