Minister for the Central Coast, Member for Wyong David Harris has hit back at suggestions made by the State Liberal Party’s Shadow Minister Jacqui Munro that there is something sinister about plans to allow some campgrounds in national parks to be set aside for private operators to manage.

Speaking with Coast Community News, Mr Harris said recent discussion about private operators in national parks had been misunderstood and did not represent a move to privatise public camping areas.

He said the program being discussed involved licensed operators offering “supported camping” experiences within national parks, a model that had existed for many years.

“These operators can provide things like guided walks, kayaking experiences and First Nations cultural tours,” Mr Harris said.

He said the policy framework enabling these programs was introduced under the former Coalition Government in 2018 as part of an initiative to expand nature-based tourism within national parks.

“This is simply another expression of interest for operators across 23 parks in NSW for supported camping programs,” he said.

According to Mr Harris, the aim of the initiative was to broaden access to national parks, particularly for people who may want to experience camping but did not have the equipment or experience to do so independently.

“Some people might want to go camping but have never done it before and don’t own the gear,” he said.

“This gives them the opportunity to spend a couple of nights in the park and experience it, and maybe that encourages them to take up camping more regularly.”

Mr Harris rejected suggestions that the program was designed to raise revenue or signal a wider shift towards private control of national park facilities.

“The program is only expected to generate about $32,000 a year,” he said.

“That money goes back into maintaining our national parks.”

Mr Harris said the initiative was ultimately intended to help more people experience the state’s protected natural areas while ensuring the parks remained publicly owned and managed.

The proposal has generated debate locally, with some community members expressing concern about private involvement in public park facilities, particularly in highly valued coastal reserves.

This article appeared in Coast Community News, 19 March 2026.