Purnululu National Park
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PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN 1995 - 2005 Department of Conservation and Land Management for the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority Perth, Western Australia, 1995 PREFACE National parks, nature reserves and marine parks and any other lands reserved under the Land Act and vested in the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority (NPNCA) are managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM). The NPNCA is responsible for the preparation of management plans for all land which is vested in it. These plans are prepared through the agency of CALM on a regional and area basis. In 1987 the Government made a number of decisions with respect to the preparation of this plan, in particular to ensure the involvement of the Aboriginal traditional custodians in the ongoing management of the Park, but otherwise planning is generally in accordance with the objectives of all national parks, that is, conservation and recreational activities that leave the areas unimpaired for future generations to enjoy. The Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (the CALM Act) requires that all national parks be managed so as to fulfil so much of the demand for recreation as is consistent with the proper maintenance and restoration of the natural environment, the protection of indigenous flora and fauna and the preservation of any feature of archaeological, historic or scientific interest. The perpetuation, or conservation of parks and their features is of paramount importance. However, it is these same features which make national parks so attractive for visitors; the more spectacular or unusual an area, the greater the demands placed upon it. Parks must, therefore, be managed to ensure that opportunities for use and access are provided in appropriate areas while retaining the integrity of natural and cultural features. The biophysical and cultural environments of Purnululu National Park and Purnululu Conservation Reserve are recognised as fragile and especially sensitive to uncontrolled access. This management plan provides management of visitor numbers in order to achieve conservation objectives while allowing for appropriate recreational opportunities in a variety of settings. The impacts of visitors on the Park will be monitored and assessed. A draft management plan for Purnululu National Park and Conservation Reserve was prepared by CALM and issued in May 1989 by the NPNCA for a period of public review extending to October 1989. Following consideration of public comment the NPNCA submitted the final management plan to the Minister, who approved this document as the Management Plan for Purnululu National Park on 18 November 1995. The plan is divided into two major sections, with Part A presenting background and resource information, and Part B the objectives and strategies for management of the Park. Presenting objectives and strategies in this manner is expected to assist in the implementation of the plan, with particular reference to the role of the Aboriginal traditional owners on the Purnululu Park Council. In August 1992 as the final management plan was being prepared a dispute developed between members of the Purnululu Aboriginal Corporation as to the identity of the primary traditional owners responsible for country now included within the boundaries of the National Park and Conservation Reserve. PAC advised that the dispute prevented them from participating further in the planning process, and the last stages of the plan were completed without their involvement. The finalisation of this plan was delayed while attempts were made to reach agreement on the issue, but this dispute remains unresolved. i Pending settlement of the issue CALM has offered both parties a place on the Purnululu Park Council so that their interests may be represented. In this document, and as long as the dispute shall remain unresolved, the term "traditional owner" means "Aboriginal persons recognised as being traditionally associated with land within the Park", and the use of the term shall not imply recognition by CALM of one of the disputing parties over the other, nor is it an acknowledgement by the State of the existence of native title to the land. The inclusion of a specific section on the environmental impact of developments recognises the unique values of Purnululu National Park by providing Park managers with guidelines to protect such values. Funding to implement the plan is the responsibility of CALM and implementation is subject to available resources. The management plan has a tenure of 10 years from the date of gazettal. On 10 November 1994 the Bush Fires Board endorsed this plan under Section 34(1) of the Bush Fires Act (1954) with the requirement that operational detail be made available regularly to the Board. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This is the first management plan for the conservation estate of Western Australia to provide a formal management structure for the participation of the Aboriginal traditional owners. Special thanks to the people of Purnululu Aboriginal Corporation and Billingjul Aboriginal Corporation, in particular Raymond Wallaby, Bonnie Edwards and the late Sam Butters, for their contributions to the planning process. Many other people from within CALM and from other organisations (government and community) have contributed to the plan, and their assistance is gratefully acknowledged. Maps contained in this plan were prepared by Information Management Branch, CALM. The many people and organisations who prepared submissions on the draft management plan are especially acknowledged. NOMENCLATURE Inclusion of a name in this publication does not imply its approval by the relevant nomenclature authority. iii CONTENTS Page PREFACE .......................................................................................................................................i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .........................................................................................................iii NOMENCLATURE.....................................................................................................................iii CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................................iv INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................1 1.0 OVERVIEW.......................................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................1 1.2 The Study Area.............................................................................................................4 1.3 Government Decisions.................................................................................................5 1.4 Park Boundaries and Tenure........................................................................................7 1.5 Conservation Significance............................................................................................8 1.6 Aboriginal Significance................................................................................................9 1 .7 Recreation and Tourism Significance...........................................................................9 1.8 Previous Studies...........................................................................................................9 1.9 Public Participation.....................................................................................................10 2.0 PARK MANAGEMENT..................................................................................................11 2.1 Aboriginal Participation..............................................................................................11 2.2 Management Goals and Objectives.............................................................................12 2.3 Purnululu Park Council..............................................................................................12 2.4 Purnululu Community Advisory Committee...............................................................13 2.5 National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority....................................................13 2.6 Department of Conservation and Land Management..................................................13 2.7 Purnululu Aboriginal Corporation..............................................................................14 2.8 Billingjul Aboriginal Corporation...............................................................................14 2.9 Reporting Responsibilities..........................................................................................15 PART A. BACKGROUND AND RESOURCES..................................................................17 A.1 NATURAL RESOURCES............................................................................................17 1.1 Climate.......................................................................................................................17 1.2 Geology......................................................................................................................17 1.3 Soils and Geomorphology..........................................................................................20 1.4 Hydrology..................................................................................................................22 1.5 Landscape...................................................................................................................24