!'upcrs and Pmci'Cdings o{the Royal Societv olfosma11ia. Volume /22/2). /9/1,R 73

LAND USE ON CAPE BARREN ISLAND, TASMANIA

by R. A. Perrin

(with six text-figures)

PERRIN, R.A., 1988 (31:x): Land use on Cape Barren Island. Pap. Proc. R. Soc. Tasm. 122(2): 73-83.

https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.122.2.73 ISSN 0080-4703. P.O. Box 763, Rockhampton, Queensland. Australia 4700, formerly University of Tasmania. llobart.

The physical and biological environment of Cape Barren Island is described. the human environment is outlined in terms of past and present patterns of land use, and land use issues are detailed. The island has important biological and historical features. and reservation of certain areas seems warranted. Agricultural developments on the island arc severely constrained by the poor soils and isolation from markets. but alternative developments such as aquaculture and wilderness conservation appear feasible. Tasmanian Aboriginals at present claim extensive land rights on the island and the resolution of these claims is necessary if a land management plan for the island is to be successfully implemented. Key Words: Cape Barren Island, land use, aquaculture, wilderness conservation.

INTRODUCTION Granite underlies most of the island and in places forms peaks exceeding 500 m in height. The Mount Cape Barren Island lies about 20 km off the Munro range in the northwest runs east-west across northeastern coast of Tasmania and, like many the island for approximately IO km and culminates other islands in the Bass Strait region, remains in Mount Munro (687 m) (fig. 2). The Mount relatively undisturbed. There have been few land Kerford range in the southeast runs north-south for use developments on the island, primarily due to its approximately IO km and peaks at Mount Kerford remoteness and poor soils, but with increasing (503 m). Two other significant peaks are Double pressure for farmland and tourism destinations this Peak (512 m) and Hogans Hill (392 m) (Blake situation is likely to change. 1947). If changes in land use are unplanned, there is On the eastern side of the island there is a a danger that the unique environment and special low-lying coastal plain, from Puncheon Point in the historical and biological importance of Cape Barren north to Cape Barren in the south, comprising about Island will be degraded. There has been a call for 20% of the land area. In places sand dunes have the production of a management plan for the island altered drainage patterns and formed lagoons which (Allen et al. 1978) but this is yet to eventuate. parallel the coast. On the western side there is a The aim of this paper is to bring together the slightly elevated undulating plain extending from basic information on the physical, biological, and Sandford Bay on the north coast to Thunder and human environment of Cape Barren Island and to Lightning Bay on the south coast. introduce the options for future land use. It Drainage is mainly via short creeks arising in represents the first comprehensive compilation of the high inland areas. Most of the creeks flow information on Cape Barren Island, the data being either north or south directly to coastal bays via gathered from published and unpublished papers, broad low-lying valleys (Pinkard & Richley 1982). letters, interviews, and a trip to the island in Information on the climate of Cape Barren October 1985. Island was derived from the records of the Bureau of Meteorology, Hobart. Rainfall data were PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT collected on Cape Barren Island, wind and temperature data at Pats River. Flinders Island. Topography and Climate Cape Barren has a temperate maritime climate. The average annual rainfall is 710 mm and Cape Barren Island, located south of Flinders precipitation is greatest in winter (fig. 3). The Island. is the second largest island in the Furneaux island experiences generally mild and even Group, with an area of 445 km (fig. I). It is a high, temperatures with a maximum in February and a rugged island with a much indented coastline and minimum in July. The prevailing wind directions offers visitors spectacular coastal panoramas. arc westerly and northeasterly. 74 R. A. Perrin

Puncheon Point

Apple Orchard Point

A Double Peak (512 m)

Site of Early

THUNDER & LIGHTNING BA Y Cape Barren ~.------~I------4 5 10 Kilometres JAMIE SONS o Passage 148"15' Point BAY

FiG. J -- Cape Barren Island.

f=-1 [ill]] 8 D PRIVATE TIMBER CROWN LAGOONS PROPERTY RESERVE LAND

FiG. 2 --- and land tenure oj' Capc Barren Island (alter Tasmania :100 O()() Topographic Map Land Tenure Index Series, edition 2, Flinders Island Lands Hohart, 1983) Land use on Cape Barren Island, Tasmania 75

I I ./

2' I 20 I 19 I 80 18 I H, I 80 '? 16 I

151 Maximum 70 14 I 13 ./ 60 12

11

10

Minimum

30

20 I I

10 L FMAM,]J ASONO FMAMJJASDNDJIU1J

T

Climatic in/ormation Fir Cape Barren Island. 76 R. A. Perrin

Geology and Minerals Soiis

The geology of Cape Barren Island is similar This section is derived from the work of to that of northeastern Tasmania and Wilsons Pinkard & Richley (1982), who, on the bases of Promontory in Victoria (EJ. Reid, pers. comm.). topographical, climatic and geological data, divided The oldest rocks on the island are the Cape Barren Island into a series of land systems. Mathinna Beds (metamorphosed, complexly folded The soil descriptions are thus a broad of beds of sandstones and siltstones) probably of soil types in each of these land systems. Devon ian age, occurring in an east-west tract from On the eastern, southern, and parls of the Apple Orchard Point on the north coast, towards western areas of the island the soi Is arc with Harley s Point on the east coast. Shore outcrops ridges of pale yellow sand, sometimes in ,he form occur at Thunder and Lightning Bay in the of low coastal dunes (fig. 5). The sand soil on the northwest (fig. 4). fiats has an iron organic layer at depth, while the The Mathinna Beds have been intruded by sands on the gently sloping plain are mottled. In granite and granites now underlie or are exposed the central parts of the island there are I arge areas over much of the island. Eleven distinct granitoid of stony and gravelly soils, with rock outcrops plutons were recognised by Cocker (1980) on the occurring frequently. In places the granite soils are basis of their mafic mineralogy. In places the overlain windblown sand. In the Lee River and granites have been invaded by dolerite dykes. Dover River areas (fig. 2) there are rock outcrops Tertiary deposits on the island include on the crests and upper slopes. Duplex soils are calcareous sandstones and limestones of Miocene found on the mid-slopes while clay soils are found agc, notably in the vicinity of The Comer (the on the lowest areas. On the extreme eastern coastal island township) and the lowlands of western Cape area and at places along the northern coast, deep Barren Island, and fluviatile tin-bearing sediments, sand soils have developed. The calcareous sands occurring most frequently in the low areas of the close to the beaches are undifferentiated and are island. There is a small, isolated outcrop of Tertiary subject to wave erosion. In the area around Mount basalt occurring at Lascar Point on western Munro mottled duplex soils are encountered. The Barren Island (Cocker 1980). surface soil is gravelly, while red are Quaternary sediments on the island consist of evident at depth, particularly in the soils on the aeolian deposits, marine sediments, and alluvium crests and steep upper slopes. (Goscombe 1965). There are long attenuated sand Viewed overall, the island's soils are poorly dunes, oriented in the direction of the prevailing developed and this has constrained wind in many low-lying coastal areas. Sandy sedi­ agricultural development (P. Warren, pers, comm.). ments occLlr over mLlch of the coastal areas of the island. The most recent developments include transverse dunes at Thunder and Lightning and BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Deep Bay, lunettes on the eastern side of the island, and " 0.3-1 m veneer of alluvium and topsoil which Vegetation blankets the valleys (Goscombe 1965). Traces of gold, graphite and The shares affinities with both the (Blake 1947), topaz (Cocker J980), amethyst, Tasmanian and Australian mainlands and consists gamct, opal, marcasite, rutile and quartz (Matthews largely of coastal heathlands with smaller areas of 1981) ha ve been identified on the island. Some dry sclerophyli forest and woodland. areas interesl is current in the contcnt of have been affected scruh fires, beach and inland dune sands, in zircon, resulting III an immature and a rutile and monazitc (for its content of rare-earth of the grasstree (Xanthorrhoea minerals) (D. pers. comm.). australis R. ilL) (Whinray 19T1) wilh an The only mineral extracted from Cape Barren of shrubs and Island in the past was alluvial tin but poor values, 1977). Significant land has occurred in the impurities, difficult extraction conditions, and lack of Puncheon Point, Orchard Point, of an adequate water supply production, and on the western side of the island, near The The small scale, the isolation, and the depressed tin Corner. markets make tin mining uneconomic at the present In the lowland portions of the island there are time. areas of heath (fig. 6). In the drier areas of the lowlands, the larger are the Smithton Land use on C'ape Barren Island, Tasrnanio 77 o Mathinna BEds Granile Limestone AlluvIum etc. (De\lon, anl (Devonian) (Pleistocene) (Holocene) t QuartzV',1,1 eke land fflUl.}';;t0I18 t1\1 I

FIG. 4 - Geology Barren Island (after Geological Map j .500000. Tasmania 1976 J.

D Duplex Soils Stony and Deep Sand and Mottled Duplex Deep Sand (Mid-slopal Gravelly with Duplex Soils Soils Clay Soils Rock Outcrops (Lower-slope)

o 5 10 >------t------J I< i I () mat res

FIG. 5---Soiis ojCapp Barrell Island (ajier Pinkard & Richie) 1982}. 7R Ro k Perrin

[J WI ~ [J'.::': 11I111111 II D ~eath Sclerophyll Casu8rina Coastal Saline Freshwater Cleared Forest Forest Complex Wetland Wetland land

?t--___51-1 ----i~ 0 Kilo met r es

FiGo 6 - Vegetation of Cape Barren Island (after Kirkpatrick & Dickenson 1984}0

peppermint (Eucalyptus nitida Hooko f), the In the higher areas, such as Mount Munro grasstree (Xanthorrhoea australis), silver banksia and Mount Kerford, there are small outcrops of (Banksia marginata Cav.) and the Tasmanian tea­ eucalyptus forest, survivors of the frequent scrub tree (Leptospermwn glaucescens So Schauer). The fires. These forests comain the manna gum smaller species in the drier areas include (Eucalyptus l'imillalis Labil!.) and the blue gum bauera (Bauera ruhioides Andr.), swamp (E. Klohulus Labil!.). The manfern (Dicksonia heardheath (Leucopogon esquamatus R. EL), antarctica Labill.), dogwood (Pomaderris sp.) and guinea flower (Hihhertia pro cum hens (Labil!.) blackwood (Acacia melanoxyloll R. Br.) are DC.), and hairy boronia (Boronia pi/osa vaL commonly found in the understorey. lariciji)iia Hook. f.). Common herbs in these areas Salt marshes are found on the extreme include bogrush (Schoen us turhinatus (R. Br.) eastern margins of the island. These marshes Poir), climbing sundew (Drosera pianchonii Hook. usually include species such as Cotula replans f.), and the slender bogrush (Schoen us tenuissimus Benth., Eryngium vesciculosufll Labill., Juncus Henth.) (Whinray 1977). krausii Hocbst., and Scl/ieria radicans Cav. In the wetter areas of the lowlands there are (Kirkpatrick & j 981). scented paperbarks (Melaleuca squarrosa Donn. ex Cape Barren Island has a number of rare and/ Sm.), swamp paperbarks (M. eriei/i)lia Sm.), and or poorly reserved and communities of manuka (Leptospermum scopariufII f.R. and plants. The importance of the island's flora is G. Forst.). Smaller include the examined in the conservation sectiono flowered rapier (LcpidosfJermaforsythii A.A. Hamilton) and the pink swampheath (Sprengclia Fauna incarnata Sm.) (Whinray 1977). There are also a number of herbs in these areas, such as the angled Early reports of visits to the Furneaux Group lobelia (Lohelia alata Labil!.) and the tufted hy naturaiiSls make no mention of Cape Barren centrolepis (Ccntrolepis LabilL) Island (Gabriel & Campbell 1894, Le Souef 1929, (Whinray 1981). McKay ] 955) and data on its mammals were not Land use on Cape Barren Island, Tasmani!1 79 collected uniil 1969 (Whinray 1971, Hope 1973). largest settlement in Australia (behind Bird data have been collected during short visits to Cove and Norfolk Island), and it preceded the the island (Guiler 1961, Whinray 1970, Abbott Risdon Cove settlement in southern Tasmania 1972, D. pers. comm .. P. Duckworth, four years. It is not clear for how long the Kent pers. COlInn., P. Brown, pefs. comm.). Bay settlement was occupied, but seals were still Five native mammals have been recorded on being harvested there in 1810 (Cumpston 1973). the island. and a further four species have been The next phase of settlement on the island found in fossil deposits. The five extant mammals was by the descendants of European sealers and are the brush wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus their captured Aboriginal "wivcs"(col!ective!y Desmarest), the pademelon (Thyloga/e billardierii termed "islanders"). The islanders also inhabited Desmaresr), the ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus many of the other islands in the Furneaux peregrinus Boddaert), the echidna (Tachyglossus but it seems they were displaced from them when (leu/ealus Shaw & Nodder) and the eastern swamp the Government annexed the islands for sale or rat (Rattus liI/reolus Gray). The four mammals lease as farmland. Many of these displaced recorded from fossil deposits are the potoroo islanders had settled on Cape Barren Island the (Potomus Gould), the tiger cat (Dasyu/'Us 1870's (Murray-Smith 1973). In 188l the islanders maculatus Kerr), the brown bandicoot (lsoodon were given exclusive use of (but not title to) a ohselus Shaw & Nodder) and the wombat 2400 ha land reserve on the western side of (Vomhatus ursinus Shaw). Introduced mammals on Barren Island (Meston 1947). However, the island include the house mouse (Mus musculus cultural practiccs did not develop at this stage, and Linnaeus), ships rat (Rattus mttus Linnaeus) and the islanders relied heavily on hunting mutton birds the domestic cat, dog, sheep, cow, horse and goat. (Puffin us tenuirostris Temminck) for food and There are 71 bird species recorded from the income (Allen et al. 1978). island (GuileI' 1961, Whinray 1970, Abbott 1972, Tin was reported from Cape Barren Island in P. Brown, pel's. comm., P. Duckworth, pers. comm., 1871 and mining commenced at Rooks River D. pers. comm.). The Cape Barren Goose 2) in 1882 (Goscombe 1965). Mining was confined (Cereopsis novae-hollandie Latham) has been mostly to the Rooks River and Modder River areas recorded as occurring on the island (Guiler 1961) and apparently never reached a large scale due to hut not breeding successfully there (G. Hocking, the lack of water for the tin extraction process. pel's. comm.). The occurrence of the tawny­ Small-scale mining continued in the Rooks River crowned honeyeater on the island is particularly and Modder River areas at least until the mid noteworthy as it has a very restricted distribution in 1930's. Tasmania (P. Brown, pers. comm.). Further interest in the minerals of the island Collections have been made of land and was shown by large mining companies during the freshwater snails (Smith & Kershaw 1981), 1960's. In 1965 the Utah Development Company centipedes (Mesibov 1986), spiders, praying mantis initiated a geological reconnaissance of the and land planarians (R.H. Green, pers. comm.). Furneaux Group, with particular emphasis on tin Overall, the faunal assemblage, especially the extraction in the Rooks and Modder River areas invertebrates, remains poorly studied (R.H. Green, (Volker 1968). In 1968 Broken Hill Proprietary and pel's. comm.) Utah a joint offshore drilling programme to explore for tin in Deep Bay (fig. 1). Both of these programmcs proved unsuccessful due to low HUMAN ENVIRONMENT concentrations of tin. In 1972 Blue Metal Industries continued to prospect for tin in the Rooks and Historical Perspective Modder River areas but failed 10 locale tin in commercial concentrations and the programme was As yet there is no evidence of pre-European abandoned (Standard 1970). occupation of Cape Barren Island by Aboriginals, although it is known that there were Aboriginals Current Land Ownership and Use living on Flmders Island approximately 7000 years ago (Orchiston & Glennie 1978). The first docu­ The Department of Lands, Parks and Wildlife mented settlement of Cape Barren Island occurred has control over most of the 44 500 ha on the at Kent Bay 1) in 1798 with the establishment island, its areas of control being unallocated Crown of the headquarters for an English sealing Land (35 200 hal, leasehold land (6900 and (Cumpston 1973). For a short while it was the third Coastal Reserve (approximately 100 hal. NO l? A Perrin

The of land consist of the Government (Allen ct 0:1. 1978) The Study two farms, one on the extreme western side of the Group recommended that a Lands Trust be set up island (Ihe Modder River Station), and the other on a committee drawn from the northeastern end of the island, close to organisarions in Tasmania. Funher, it n:commended Punc heQll Poi nL In addHion, there are a number of that all of Barren Island" with exceptIOn smail farms and residential blocks ne"r The Corner of the freehold and lease areas. be vested and along the nurthwestern c(ESt. Of the total Lands Trust and that the rent island area of 44 500 ha, only 2300 ha (5.2%) are go to the Trust. Tbe Trust under private No more Crown Lmd will to grant leases be so Id, as an was on such sales for up to 99 years. tile Tasmanian Government in July 1985. residents and with The Forestry Commission has a 133 ha Barren Island CounCIL timber reserve in the of Mount Munro, but The group also recor.-nnended: the reserve is nor under active management by the H __ • that all slIch leases be granted in Commissioll. accordance with a management plan for No areas are reserved under the National Cape Barren Island which would preserve the Parks and Wiidlije Act 1970 on Cape Barren Island major part of its wilderness area of but there are some wildlife sanctuaries, nature coastal heathland while hunting by reserves. and one historic site on some of the small " (Allen et al. 1978). islands near Cape Barren Island. Some reservation N one of the recommendations of the under that Aet is considered warranted because of Aboriginal Affairs Council have been imple- the island"s heathlands and wetlands and the mented. historic lite of the early operatiuns at Kent Since 1978 a Tasmanian Lands Bay (P. Bosworth, pefS. comm.)" Council Bill has been before Parliament which seeks to vest control of certain lands with a eouncil LAND USE ISSUES of adult members of the Tasmanian Ahoriginal Centre Inc. Amongst olher areas, Land 35 000 ha on Barren Island are listed for control by the council (Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council Bill 1987). The Bill that the Land issues date baek to the late council shall hold, and manage land on 1860's when Barren Islanders petitioned the behalf of Tasmanian In the Government to reserve some of the smaller islands council would have the right to review, cancel or in the Furneaux Group for mutton birding (Meston any Crown leases. Further, the 1(47). In 188 L 6000 acrcs (2430 hal of land were taking of any wildlife from land vested in the reserved for the exciusive use of the islanders and council would be providing in 19 J 2 the Governm(~nt the Cape Barren of the Is/and Reserve Act (Tasmania) ] 912 which gave the i:;landers an opportumty to each lease 20 ha of would land with a tenure. The Act in 195 I have effects on land use patterns on and some islanders took out further leases around Cape Barren Island. As yet the Bill remains un- The Corner issue in need of there have been further resolution before Jand management for Tasmanian decisions can be made. which have involved Barren bland. first national CONSERVATION Tasmanian in rcnewed to Government for aside of important communities and and, areas of Tasmania for In 1971 a in particular, the extensive heathlands arc petition by Tasmanian for land considered to be areas of conservation value. allocations resulted in the establishment of an The heathlands were examined as part of a A ffairs Study in 1978 by Tasmania-wide which revealed that of the Land liSt' on Cape Barren island, Tasmania 81 nine heath cumrmmities identified on Cape Ban-en a large area around Kent Bay (the site of early lsland, the omnmant community was poorly ing operations) as an Historic Site but the proposal reserved in State Reserves. It was stated that the is yet to he accepted (P. Bosworth, pers. comm.). conservaliun of the dominant community was urgent 1977). In addition. some 200 ha of the island's wet- AGRICULTURAL/INDUSTRIAL lands were and were also found to contain DEVELOPMENT species and communities which were unre,;erved or throughoLlt mainland Tasmania. In Further expanslOll of on particular, and two communities were Barren Island is resr.rictcd by poor considcred need of reservation (Kirkpatrick & development. isolation from markets and a Harwood ISiS]). Further, 42.3 km were nominated frequency. There remain some unused area, and for inclusion on the list of Wetlands reasonable land (S. Fuglsang, of International Importance Especially as Water­ comm.), but, in the present economic climate, fowl HabitiH (WIIEWH), under the Ramsar would allow at most only a few more small farms Convemion, to which Australia is a signalory to become established. (Blackhall 1(86). An assessment of the forestry 01 In the eastern part of Cape Barren Island Cape Barren Island was made in 1975 the there is area of Crown Land which has Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs remained unexploited by humans. The vegelation and the Tasmanian Forestry Commission. It was of this area has been degraded by the recurrent concluded that plantation forestry would be scrub fires the island but contains 12 plant uneconomic in the long tenn due to the inadequate species found on mainland Australia but not on soil depth and drainage, low soil fertility and mainland Tasmania, and is thus of considerable bio· rainfall, high salt spray and sea winds, risks of fire, As well, this area houses lack of expertise on the island, poor road the rare bog club moss (Lycopodium infrastructure, and isolation from markets (R.N, Kunze in Lchm.) and may prove to be the Parker, pers. comm.). Sincc this Australia·wide stronghold for this species thes.e factors have changed littie and (Whinray 977). appears to be uneconomical. In 979 a survey team reported on wilderness Preliminary into the suitability in Tasrnania to the Australian Heritage of the island for aquaculture ventures involved the Commission. In its findings the survey team growing of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea J.;igas recommended that the "wilderness'" area of Cape Thunberg) and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis Barren Island, including offshore rocks and islands. planulatis L) in the vicinity of The Corner. but the was of protection (Russell el ai, 1979: 67 et results were inconclusive (D. Wolfe, pel's. comm.). seq.). However, the aquaculture of Barren Studies have been conducted on waterbird Island appcars to be considerable. There are many habitat on Barren Island as part of a National bays, inlets and rivers that are to be suited Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS _... now for the culturing of such as oysters., into the Department of Lands, Parks, mussels, abalone., scallops and freshwater and WilclEre) survey to determine waterbird usage crustaceans. Thc low levels of marine and and the conscrvation of selected freshwater hahitats arc an economic asset Tasmanian wetland:,. Seven we!lands were visitcd, for the island, as such habitats become in the recommendation that and scarcer elsewherc in Tasrnania. on the castern side of the i,land There has been should have a conservation The in the of beach and inland dune sands on also stated: the east coast of Cape Barren Islane!. The Ytrium Corporation Pty Ltd has for an " ... It \vimld be highly desirahle to reserve the llcence to prospect for minerals used in entire coastal to Point ... if the At the time of writing no licence Service is unable to do this it is recommended had been issued. The area of exploration that firs! be to "Flyover" Lagoon includes heath and wetland communi ties and second 10 an area from Harleys Point to (K irkpalrick 1977, Kirkpatrick & Harwood 19113) Jamiesons (Blackhall ! 986), and areas on the list of WIIEWH The NPWS also the reservation of (Blackhall 1(86). 82 J? A. Pellin

In the short to medium term, prospects for oil establishment of a conservation/wilderness area. and gas developments in the immediatc offshore Such an area would aid the protection of the rare arc as of Cape Barren Island are considered low and endangered flora and fauna of the island, and (P. W .. Baillie, pers. comm.). would help meet Australia's internationa.l Although no formal tourist statistics arc kept, commitments to the Ramsar Convention on it is known that about 500 peoplc visit the island Conservation of Wetlands. Further, protection of during the period October~April each year. They the area arollnd the sealing site at Kern should normally arrive by boat or light plane and are self­ be fostered, as this site is of great historic sufficient as no accommodation cxists for tourists ilnportancc. on the island (G. L1oyd·Webb, pcrs. comm.). In a Agricultural developments, such as recent study of tourism in the north and northeast and cattle and sheep grazing, are to expanej of T:lsmania, the developmcnt of a wilderncss lodge greatly due to poor soils and the isolation of rhe was proposed for cither southern Flinders Island or island from markets. There needs to be a com Barrcn Island in the vicinity of Puncheon prehensive feasibility study of around Point (fig. 1). The study recognised that develop Cape Barren Island. men! constraints on the Cape Barren Island site The resolution of the Aboriginal land rights included indecision on the future management of claim for the unallocated Crown Land on the island the island, high costs of construction and is complex and beyond the scope of this paper. main tenance, low waler availability, and the Clearly, however, the issue must be resolved if a shortage of suitable land (Hepper et al. 1987). long-term management plan for the island is to be Cape Barren Island offers areas suitable for successfully formulated. outdoor recreational pursuits such as wilderness Already many tourists have been attracted to trekking or diving-fishing tours. As wilderness the island. It seems that the special qualities of the areas diminish in Tasmania the potential for island, primarily its wilderness areas and isolation, recreation based on the Cape Barren Island arc major tourism assets which so far remain wilderness increases. underexploitcd. The dearth of information relating to the island has contributed to its unofficial "undiscovered" status, but this will change as the COMMENTS AND CONCLUSIONS pressures increase for new recreational opportunities. Future land use decisions affecting Cape Finally, a major threat to any future develop· Barren Island need to lake into account a number ments on Cape Barren Island is the frequency of of important environmental and cthnological fires. Protection of homes, properties and Crown features. The island retains significant areas of Land from the persistent fires is of major concern. wilderness (if somewhat fire degradcd), a rapidly diminishing resource in Tasmania. In addition, it has historic and current cultural importance, the homeland of many of today's Tasmanian ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ahoriginals. Little information exists on the island's The author wishes to thank the staff of the natural history, but what is known shows that the Centre for EnVironmental Studies at the island has several rare or endangered species or of Tasmama for financial and ediwrial assistance in communities. more research into the flora the of this and Airlie Alam and fauna of the island is needed to document these for her of the figures. various communities, prior to any major changes in land use. The mining of beach and inland dunes of Barren Island would threaten important vegetation and faunal assemblages. As well it REFERENCES would destabilise sand dunes reslll in irreversible darnage to wilderness and farmland ABBOTT. I., 1972: Birds of Bass Strait. Pup. Fmc. R. Soc. Tasm. 85: 197-215. areas. An examination of the impact of via ALLEN, M.D., WHITE, P.W .. JACOBS, AR., JESSUP, a comprehensive environmental impact statement, H.J. & NlCHOLAS. A.L 197R: Report of the seems warranted. Aboriginal Affairs Study Group of Tasmania. Cape Barren Island offers wide scope for the Tasm. Pari. 1. Pap. 199(2): I-52. Land use on Cape Barren Island, Tasmania 83

;,LACKHALL, S,A., 1986: A survey to determine MATTHEWS, W.L, 1981: OCCURRFNCE,<; OF watcrhird p)::tge and conservation significance of GEMSTONE MINERALS IN TASMANIA selected Tasmanian wetlands. Gee. Pap. Tasm. Department of Mines, Tasmania: 1~16. Nar! ,oks Wiidl. Sen'. 14: 1··1] O. MESlBOV, D., 1986: A GUIDE TO TASMAtvlAN BLAKE, F. 1947: The Furncaux group of islands. CENTlPFDES. D. Mesibov: 1~64. Unpubl. Rep. Dcp. Mines Tasm. MESTON. A.L., 1947: The halfcastes of the Fllnwaux COCKER, J.D., ]480: Regional geology of the Southern Group. Rec. Queen Vic!. Mus. ji( 1): 47··52. Fumcauy Uroup. Pap. Proc. R. Soc. Tasm. 114: MURRAY· SMITH, S., 1973: Beyond the pale, the 4961. islander community of Bass Strait in the CUMPSTON, J.<::., 1973: FIRST VISITORS TO BASS nineteenth century. Tasm. NiSI. Res. Assoc. Pup. STIL\lT. koehuck Soc. Puhlication 7: l~lm. PIOC. 20(4): 167~200. GABRIEL, 1. & CAMPBELL, A.J., 1894: Report of ORCHISTON, D.W. & GLENNIE, R.C., 1478: Residllai exp"ditioll IO Furneaux Group. Viet. Nat., 10: Holocene populations in Bassiania: Aboriginal 179 ]i>4 man at Palana, northern Flinders Island. Allst. GOSCOMBF, P.W, 1965: Report on a geological Archaeol. 8: 127~141. reconnaissance of Cape Barren Island with PINKARD, G.J. & RICHLEY, LR., 1982: LAND proposah for drilling stannifcrous leads. Unpub!. SCHEMES OF TASMANIA, REGION 2. Rep. Utah Development Company, Melbourne Tasmanian Government Printer, Hobart: 1-66. 133: 1··16. RUSSELL, LA., MATHEWS, J.H. & JONES, R., 1979: GUILER, E., 1961. The 1959~60 Cape Barren goose Wilderness in Tasmania, a report to the aerial survey. Emu 61. 197·-215. Australian Heritage Commission. Oce. Pap. HEPPER, ./., BERESFORD, D .. BOWMAN, S. & Univ. Tasm. Env. Stud. 10: 1~103. RIEDER, L., 1987: TOURISM STUDY NORTH SMITH, B.J. & KERSHAW, R.C., 1981: lASMANfAN AND NORTHEAST TASM£1NIA. Government LAND AND FRESHWATER MOl.LUSCS. Fauna Printer, Hobart: I ~321. of Tasmania Handbook No.5, University of HOPE, J.H., 1973: Mammals of the Bass Strait islands. Tasmania. PIOC. R. Soc. Vict. 85: 163~195. STANDARD, J.c., 1970: Geological evaluation of KIRKPATRICK, .LB., 1477: THE DISAPPEARING offshore drilling for tin, north east Tasmania and HEATH. Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc., Cape Barren Island. Unpub!' Rep. Blue Metal Hobart: 1 ·95. Industries Min ing, EL 18/70 and 19/70. KIRKPATRICK, .I.E. & DICKENSON, KJ.M., 1984: VOLKER, J., 1965: Report on offshore drilling, VEGETATION OF TASMANIA. Forestry Tasmania. Unpub/. Rep. 583, Utah Development Commission, Hobart. Company· Broken Hill Proprietary, Melbourne. KIRKPATRICK, 1.B. & GLASBY, J., 1981: Salt WHINRA Y, 1.S., 1970: List of birds of Cape Barren marshes in Tasmania: distribution, community Island, Furneaux Group, Tasmania. Ta.l'm. Nat. composition, and conservation. Oce. Pap. Univ. 23: 1~2. Tasm. Geo!!. g: 1~62. WHINRA Y, J.S., 1971: The present distribution of some KIRKPATRICK, J.B. & HARWOOD, CE., l'iS3: mammals in the Furneaux Group, Bass Strait, Conservation of Tasmanian macrophytic Tasmania. Vici. Nat. 88: 279~285. wetland vegetation. Pap. Proc. R. SoC, Tasm. WHINRA Y, J.S., 1977: Some plant records for the Cape J 17: 5-20. Barren Wilderness Area. Tasm. Nal. 5 [. 9~ 13. LE SOUEF, A.S., 1429: Notes on some mammals from WHINRA Y, J.S., 1981. An extra plant record for Bass Strait islands, including a new subspecies Tasmania. Vic!. Nat 98: 80··8l. of Pscudochirus. Aust. Zoo!. S: 324··332. MeKA Y, R.D., 1955: Notes on a collection of reptiles and amphibians from the F'urneaux Islands, Bass Strait. AUSI. Zoo/. 12: 160~164. (accepted 31 March 1989)