St.Helena - what has happened???

I went to so the St.Helena Track last weekend, and discovered to my horror that the entire section from the Oaks turnoff to the crossroad junction has been widened and made into sandy fire trail! When did this happen?? I live in Syndey so only get to go there every few months, so presumably this happened a while ago? I last did the trail in August/ September, so was expecting the same sweet singletrack that it has always been. I couldn't believe what had been done, and didn't even recognise the trail crossroads so ended up turning left (on the main track) and got lost. Only when I back tracked did I realise my mistake. I also met a trail runner who was coming back the other way as he had also got lost and couldn't find the correct path.
I understand that it is important to have good access for the firies, but it is such a shame that the Blue Mountains' best singletrack has been destroyed. Now it's become an Oaks clone......