Blue Mountains News

Designed to keep bushwalkers safe during their adventures, the upgrade includes a more user-friendly trip intention form and SMS reminders to both the bushwalker and their designated emergency contacts before and after planned trips. The online system can also provide alerts to hikers if the park they were planning to visit has suddenly closed due to events such as unsafe weather or a bushfire so they can change plans.

NPWS will feed the information into a secure trip-intention database for use by NSW emergency services and park managers, better enabling swift incident responses, and to help keep visitors as safe as possible.

Over the 2022–23 financial year, 683 people were rescued during land searches by NSW Police, with a substantial number of these searches occurring in national parks. While most people are found within 24 hours, timely information about a visitor's planned trip location can be critical in ensuring their safe return.

NPWS Acting Executive Director Business Delivery Michael Vader emphasised the positive impact of these technological advancements on visitor safety.

'These changes will help protect the millions of bushwalkers, campers, skiers, and families who enjoy NSW national parks every year,' Mr Vader said.

'National parks are natural environments and weather events can impact safety. By improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our safety system, we can respond more quickly to get help to those in need,' he said.

The upgrades align with the Think Before You TREK bush safety initiative, a collaborative effort between NPWS and the NSW Police, aimed at promoting preparedness and visitor safety.

Trip intention forms have been instrumental in numerous search-and-rescue operations in parks across the state. The forms were also used during the 2019–20 fire season to identify, notify and evacuate visitors at risk of being caught in bushfires.

The upgraded trip intention form plays a vital role in keeping bushwalkers safe by collecting detailed information about walkers’ plans and sharing it with their friends and family. If a bushwalker does not return on time, emergency contacts can get in touch with NSW Police. By encouraging more people to share their plans, NPWS aims to ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for all who explore NSW national parks.

The new trip intention form can be found online on the NPWS website.

Visitors should also check NPWS Alerts for safety messages and up-to-date information ahead of their visit.