Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013–14 YearbookAnnual Report Acknowlegements This yearbook was prepared by the Public Information and Corporate Affairs Branch of the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

For more information contact: Department of Parks and Wildlife 17 Dick Perry Avenue Technology Park, Western Precinct Kensington Western Australia 6151

Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre Western Australia 6983 Telephone (08) 9219 9000

The recommended reference for this publication is: Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013–14 Yearbook, Department of Parks and Wildlife, 2014

ISSN 2203-921X (Print) ISSN 2203-9228 (Online) December 2014

Copies of this document are available in alternative formats on request.

About the logo The design is a stylised representation of a bottlebrush, or Callistemon, a group of native plants including some found only in Western Australia. The orange colour also references the Western Australian Christmas tree, or Nuytsia.

WA’s native flora supports our diverse fauna, is central to Aboriginal people’s idea of country, and attracts visitors from around the world. The leaves have been exaggerated slightly to suggest a boomerang and ocean waves. The blue background also refers to our marine parks and wildlife. The design therefore symbolises key activities of the new Department of Parks and Wildlife.

The logo was designed by the department’s senior graphic designer and production coordinator, Natalie Curtis

Front cover: Nearer to Nature education officer Zac Walker with Mundaring Primary School student Caitlin Zlatnik learning about bush tucker at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre, Beelu National Park. Photo – Jennifer Eliot

Back cover: Greens Pool at night, William Bay National Park. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013–14 Yearbook

Elephant Cove, William Bay National Park. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 1 Contents

Acknowledgements Inside cover Visitor-use monitoring 30 List of tables 4 Visitor survey program 30 Inaugural Director General appointed Astronomy 31 Public outreach, education and information 31 for Parks and Wildlife 5 Volunteers 31 Director General’s year in review 6 Telescope observations 31 Parks management 12 Support to the Conservation Commission and Marine Parks and Reserves Authority 32 Planning for management 12 Other initiatives 33 Acquisition and administration of protected areas 13 Memoranda of understanding 33 Reserve acquisition 13 World and national heritage 33 Leasing activities 13 Formal management arrangements Apiary site management 14 with Aboriginal people 34 Park presentation and resource protection 14 Regional activities 36 Capital park improvements 14 Goldfields Region 36 Royalties for Regions park improvements 14 Kimberley Region 36 Roads 15 Midwest Region 37 Recreation planning and design 16 Pilbara Region 40 Enriching the visitor experience 16 South Coast Region 42 Interpretive planning and design 16 South West Region 43 Community liaison, consultation and advisory services 17 Guided interpretive programs 18 Swan Region 45 Aboriginal liaison, consultation and heritage 18 Warren Region 47 Planning and relationship building 18 Wheatbelt Region 49 Education and training 18 Wildlife management 50

Business management 20 Legislation, policy and plans 50 Park passes and fees 20 Biodiversity conservation legislation 50 Commercial operations and events 20 Regional nature conservation plans 50 Legislation and policy for Parks and Visitor Services 22 Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy 51 Legislation 22 Establishment of the terrestrial and marine Policy 22 conservation reserve system 51 Recreation activities and trails 23 Effective management of the conservation reserve system 52 Trails WA 23 Management planning 52 Bibbulmun Track 23 Management action 52 Cape to Cape Track 23 Good Neighbour policy 52 Mountain biking 23 Recovery and management of threatened species and Munda Biddi Trail 24 ecological communities, significant species Motorised recreation 24 and ecosystems 54 Community involvement 26 Recovery of threatened species and ecological Volunteer awards and activities 27 communities 54 Tourism and marketing 28 Flora 54 Parks for People 28 Threatened flora seed centre 55 Campground booking and information system 29 Native animals 56 Social and visitor research 29 Threatened ecological communities 62

2 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Restoration 66 Silvicultural guidance 110 Recovery planning 66 Monitoring of areas subject to timber harvesting Wetland conservation 66 and associated treatments 110

Management of marine wildlife 70 Fire management 114 Management of commercial activities involving flora Bushfire season 2013–14 114 and fauna 70 Prescribed burning 119 Regulation 70 Operations, planning and interagency cooperation 124 Managing system-wide threats 83 Aerial bushfire suppression operations 124 Invasive species control 83 Bushfire detection 124 Plant disease management 88 Bushfire training and development 124 Altered hydrology and salinity 89 Prescribed fire planning and risk management 124 Assessment of land and resource use impacts Bushfire preparedness on unallocated Crown land 124 on biodiversity conservation 91 Interagency bushfire management 125 Building biodiversity knowledge 92 Key efficiency indicators 125 Biological inventory 92 Taxonomy and biotic collection management 95 Marine operations 126 Fire and biodiversity research projects 96 Information and data management 96 Encouraging public understanding and support for biodiversity conservation. 97 Provision of private land for biodiversity conservation support and advice 98 Animal ethics 100

Forest management 102

Implementation of approved forest management plans and government policies and programs 102 Forest Management Plan 2004–2013 102 Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 102 Community forest inspection program 103 Inventory, assessment and modelling of natural resources 103 Maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity and other values 104 Health and vitality in natural landscapes 104 Integrated planning support 104 Management of soil disturbance in timber harvesting 105 Implementation of fauna habitat zones 105 Management system for approvals, monitoring and compliance 105 Forest monitoring and research 105 Forest auditing 106 Adaptive management 110 Circular Pool, Walpole-Nornalup National Park. Provision for harvesting, regeneration and growth of forest Photo – Fran Stanley/ Parks and Wildlife products 110

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 3 List of tables

Table Page Operational area Description

1 20 Parks Management Breakdown of park pass distribution 2 20 Parks Management Fees waived-visits by Region 3 27 Parks Management Community involvement volunteers 4 55 Wildlife Management Flora translocations 5 61 Wildlife Management Native animal translocations 6 67 Wildlife Management Management plans for Ramsar wetlands in WA 7 73 Wildlife Management Fauna and flora licences 8 80 Wildlife Management Reported offences 9 81 Wildlife Management Offences under WC Act and Regulations 10 82 Wildlife Management Offences under the CALM Act and Regulations and the Sandalwood Act 11 95 Wildlife Management Specimens held at the WA Herbarium 12 106 Forest Management List of coupes sampled 13 107 Forest Management Summary of coupe demarcation 14 107 Forest Management Summary of incidents 15 108 Forest Management Habitat retention 16 109 Forest Management Crop trees assessment 17 109 Forest Management Crop tree tops disposed and not disposed 18 109 Forest Management Erosion control 19 111 Forest Management Silvicultural objectives 20 113 Forest Management Trends in the area of native forest harvested 21 115 Fire Management Bushfires in 2011–12 to 2013–14 22 116 Fire Management Bushfire causes 23 117 Fire Management Area and number of bushfires 24 121 Fire Management Prescribed burns conducted by Parks and Wildlife in local government areas 25 122 Fire Management Area of prescribed burns by regions 26 123 Fire Management Area of prescribed burns by tenure 27 125 Fire Management Prescribed burning in south-west forest regions 28 125 Fire Management Fire suppression efficiency

4 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Inaugural Director General appointed for Parks and Wildlife

Environment Minister Albert Jacob and Director General Jim Sharp with the Wanneroo fire crew. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

In March 2014 Jim Sharp was appointed as the first Director General of the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Mr Sharp was a deputy Director General in the former Department of Environment and Conservation and was acting Director General of the Department of Parks and Wildlife since it was established in July 2013.

He has more than 40 years’ experience in the government sector and has worked extensively in the key areas of conservation and land management.

With a broad knowledge and experience of parks policy and management at a Environment Minister Albert Jacob, volunteer campground hosts Wendy and Rod State, national and international level, Mr Walsh, Colin Holt MLC and Director General Jim Sharp at the opening of Martins Tank Sharp has successfully led the formation campground upgrade. Photo – Parks and Wildlife of the new Department from its inception.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Education and brings with him skills in contemporary management and engaging in partnerships with parks and conservation stakeholders and community interests.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 5 Director General’s year in review

Cane River Conservation Park. Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife

On 1 July 2013, the Department of that result in tangible improvements to Parks and Wildlife was created when conservation, improve recreation and ‘‘To achieve our goals the Department of Environment and tourism facilities, and enhance local and in conserving the Conservation was separated into landscape-scale management outcomes. two agencies. This yearbook serves The first year of the Department was State’s natural assets, to highlight the broad range of work a busy and productive one, marked done across the Department, and is we continue to meet by significant achievements in the key a companion volume to the Annual areas of parks, wildlife, forest and fire challenges by building Report. It also provides an account of the management. strong relationships Department’s achievements for the public with traditional record. In 2013–14, the Department managed 100 national parks, 13 marine parks and The role of conserving the State’s natural numerous other conservation reserves, owners, partner environment on behalf of the people of receiving more than 16 million visits. Western Australia is a challenging but organisations and the Visitor satisfaction was at a high level of rewarding one. During the year, Parks 89 per cent. A priority was to create more community.’’ and Wildlife staff demonstrated an community enjoyment of the facilities, extraordinary level of commitment to the wildlife and natural environment in national environment and the community. Staff parks. engaged in a wide variety of work across the State, such as disentangling whales, The Department made good progress fighting fires and carrying out prescribed under the Parks for People initiative, burns, researching and translocating progressing the upgrade of nine threatened species, removing weeds campgrounds across WA. Under the and pest animals, and managing visitors initiative, Parks and Wildlife aims to to national parks, among many other establish 450 new camp and caravan activities. sites across WA and upgrade many existing camp sites and visitor facilities. Notably, the Strategic Directions This is an immense task that will cement document was revised, guiding the this State’s national parks and reserves as way the Department works with the world-class destinations to camp in and community to conserve the State’s explore. plants, animals, ecosystems and world- class network of terrestrial and marine A world-class improvement initiative parks and reserves. Under the Strategic in Fitzgerald River National Park was Directions, there was a strong focus completed. The five-year project saw on investing resources on programs major access roads upgraded and

6 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 recreational sites redeveloped, in what Working in partnership with the partner organisations and the community. was the biggest infrastructure project in community, other organisations and Maintaining a healthy natural environment the agency and its predecessors’ history. traditional owners, the Department that is enjoyed by the public cannot be continued to carry out major landscape- done by the Department alone. Work continued on the Department’s scale ecological restoration and native My sincere thanks go to the almost 11,000 flagship five-year Kimberley Science animal reintroduction programs, including registered volunteers who work with Parks and Conservation Strategy, one of the at Dirk Hartog Island National Park off and Wildlife, from manning the 24-hour largest and most significant conservation the Midwest coast, and Lorna Glen Wildcare Helpline to assisting with weed initiatives in Western Australia’s history. (Matuwa) in the northern Goldfields. control, fencing, planting, animal surveys, Building on the objective to retain and These groundbreaking programs were scientific research, community education enhance the high biodiversity and underpinned by Western Shield, the and much more. Thank you also to the landscape values in the north Kimberley, Department’s flagship wildlife recovery many community groups, agencies progress was made on the proposed program, and one of the biggest wildlife and organisations that continue to work North Kimberley Marine Park, creation of conservation programs ever undertaken closely with the Department and make a a national and marine park at Horizontal in Australia. valuable contribution towards protecting Falls and establishment of the proposed Western Australia’s environment. Kimberley National Park. During the Importantly, in January 2014 the year, work focussed on the improved Department implemented the Forest I am pleased to present the 2013–14 management of fire regimes, pest Management Plan 2014–2023, paving the Department of Parks and Wildlife animals, weeds and threatened animals, way for the protection and management Yearbook. as well as new opportunities for Aboriginal of forests in the State’s south-west for the employment and nature-based tourism. next decade.

History was created when the As well as working with other agencies Department signed the first joint to respond to bushfires, the Department management agreement for a marine continued to conduct strategic prescribed park in Western Australia. The agreement burns to mitigate the severity of bushfires, Jim Sharp with the Dambimangari Aboriginal for nature conservation and for forest Director General Corporation covers management of the management. Parks and Wildlife December 2014 Lalang-garram / Camden Sound Marine also rolled out a mandatory bushfire Park. preseason training program that included burn-over drills and the use of two-way The Department also undertook a wide radios and fire blankets. range of wildlife management projects and activities. To achieve our goals in conserving the State’s natural assets, we continue to meet challenges by building strong relationships with traditional owners,

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 7 Tribute to Ian ‘Jock’ Marshall

It was with great sadness that colleagues, friends and family bid farewell to Ian ‘Jock’ Marshall, who tragically died in June 2014 in a vehicle rollover east of Manjimup.

Jock was a much loved and respected colleague and a long-serving employee of Parks and Wildlife and its predecessors. He worked in the Donnelly District for 46 years.

Jock began his career with the Forests Department in January 1968 as a conservation employee at Tone River settlement east of Manjimup and worked his way up to overseer in 1975. In 1989 he relinquished his overseer position to take on a senior mentoring role in the Donnelly District fire crew. He also served as a firefighter for many years.

He was an energetic and enthusiastic worker who was well known among colleagues across the south-west for his great sense of humour.

Jock’s tragic loss has been deeply felt by his colleagues in the Donnelly District and Warren Region.

He is survived by his wife Inez and their sons Robert and Colin.

8 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 William Bay National Park. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 9 Awards recognise Parks and Wildlife staff

The achievements of staff across program was developed to acknowledge achievements of a senior fire manager Parks and Wildlife were recognised in staff members who consistently or incident controller involved in the May 2014 at the Department’s annual demonstrate excellence, leadership and Department’s fire management activities. graduation and awards ceremony, with dedication in their fire management roles Perth Hills District fire coordinator Environment Minister Albert Jacob and other core activities. In 2014, 28 Michael Pasotti received the Outstanding presenting the awards at the Keiran nominations for the awards were received Achievement Award and Shaun McHenry McNamara Conservation Science Centre, from across the State. Eleven people the Outstanding Crew Leadership Award. Kensington. received fire management awards or A total of 21 people graduated with commendations. For the first time, awards were handed qualifications in conservation and land out acknowledging excellence in fire Kimberley regional fire coordinator Ed management. Four graduates from management as part of the inaugural Fire Hatherley received the Outstanding the Department’s Mentored Aboriginal Management Recognition Program. The Leadership Award, which recognises the Training and Employment Scheme were also recognised.

Kimberley-based Keith Boombi was awarded the Aboriginal Trainee of the Year for his dedication in a range of roles including the Kimberley biodiversity surveys, and his commitment to his goal of becoming a qualified ranger. Over the last two years Mr Boombi has achieved a number of qualifications including Basic Bushfire Awareness, Level One Firefighter, Survival Training, and Tracking and Search and Rescue and has completed his Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management.

Aboriginal Trainee of the Year Keith Boombi and supervisor Alexander Scott. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

Recipients of fire management awards. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife

10 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Awards recognise Parks and Wildlife staff

Jason Richardson, a Yawuru ranger in Pathways Program The Leadership Scholarship in Broome, received the MATES program’s Memory of Seamus Mulholland Certificate III in Conservation and Land Kwabalitch Award for demonstrating Management–Matthew Anning (Walpole), Stephen Bradfield (Master of Business tenacity, perseverance and dedication James Boothey (Kirup), Glenn Hancock Administration–Leadership) to his studies throughout his traineeship. (Mundaring), Jasper Kruse (Kununurra), The Pathways Program Award went to Director General’s Scholarships Luke Millar (Pemberton), Simon Prins conservation employee Allan Clarke from for Career Development and Study (Wanneroo), Marko Serra (Wanneroo) Dwellingup who completed Certificate IV Assistance in Conservation and Land Management. Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Paula Casserly (Double Diploma Management–Phillip Arthur (Exmouth), Graduates and awards in Business and Human Resource Phillipa Carboon (Yanchep), Allan Clarke Management) Fire Management Recognition (Dwellingup), Huw Dilley (Exmouth), Program Tim Gregson (Wanneroo), Greg Hamlyn Thomas Holmes (Australian Diver (Pemberton), Tony Howard (Exmouth), Outstanding Leadership Award– Accreditation Scheme Occupational Timothy Hutton (Busselton), Philip Maher Ed Hatherley (Broome) Diver Part 1) (Kirup), Grantly Morton (Jerramungup), Outstanding Achievement Award– John Prins (Margaret River), Alison Raper Nicola Mincham (Certificate IV in Michael Pasotti (Mundaring) (Collie), Tracey Robins (Pemberton), Government) Shannon Wilson (Pemberton) Outstanding Crew Leadership Award– Michael Rule (Australian Diver Shaun McHenry (Walpole) Pathways Program Award Accreditation Scheme Occupational Diver Part 1) Commendation awards–Keith Low Allan Clarke (Dwellingup) (Kensington), Alfred Lorkiewicz George Shedrawi (Australian Diver The Women’s Scholarship in Honour (Bunbury), Clayton Sanders (Wanneroo), Accreditation) of June Craig Alex Bickley (Busselton), Tim Gregson (Wanneroo) Frances Hoskins (Master of Environmental Law) Outstanding Contribution awards–Anna MacDonald (Kensington), Michael Wright Jelena May, (Master of Science–Natural (Forest Products Commission), Paul Resource Management) Cassidy (Main Roads WA) The Science Scholarship in Memory of Parks and Wildlife Mentored Dr George Malajczuk Aboriginal Training and Employment Scheme (MATES) Stuart Barter (Graduate Certificate of Environmental Compliance) Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management–Keith Boombi (Kununurra), Wendy Chow (Graduate Diploma of Eugene Park (Kununurra) Hydrogeology)

Certificate III in Conservation and Land Saorla Finucane (Master of Science– Management–Jason Fong (Broome), Environmental Management) Benjamin Taylor (Exmouth) Rebecca Ong (Master of Science– MATES program awards Natural Resources)

Aboriginal Trainee of the Year– Chris Nutt (Master of Science- Keith Boombi (Kununurra) Environmental Science)

Kwabalitch Award–Jason Richardson Chris Philips (Master of Science– (Kununurra) Environmental Science)

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 11 Parks Management Operational highlights

Interpretive signage at the viewing platform at Cave Point, Fitzgerald River National Park. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

• involving Aboriginal people in park Planning for management Parks management in order to protect the During 2013–14, the Minister for value of the land to the culture and Environment released the final heritage of Aboriginal people Management management plan for Lalang-garram / • involving Aboriginal people in the Public involvement, visitation and Camden Sound Marine Park, and draft provision of visitor facilities and appreciation of the natural environment management plans for Kalbarri National services on Parks and Wildlife-managed lands Park and Swan Coastal Plain South were released for public comment. and waters is coordinated through the • providing visitor information, and A further nine terrestrial management Department’s Parks Management designing and initiating educational plans and four marine park management Service. The provision of parks and visitor and interpretive activity programs that plans were in preparation. These were services includes: enrich visitor experience and help develop greater community awareness for Albany coastal reserves, Barrow • preparing and implementing and support for parks, natural areas, group nature reserves, Esperance and management plans in accordance astronomy, nature-based tourism, and Recherche parks and reserves, Leeuwin- with the Conservation and Land recreation services and policies Naturaliste Capes area, Northern Yilgarn Management Act 1984 (CALM Act) conservation reserves, Yawuru out-of- • undertaking scientific, visitor and town conservation area, Yoorrooyang • preparing and implementing recreation social research in cooperation with Dawang proposed conservation site development plans other research institutions parks, Tuart Forest National Park, the • providing, managing and maintaining • providing services to the Conservation proposed Horizontal Falls national and appropriate access, recreation Commission and the Marine Parks marine parks, the proposed Roebuck opportunities and visitor facilities and Reserves Authority. Bay Marine Park, the proposed North Kimberley Marine Park and Eighty Mile • protecting natural areas, visitors and This work is carried out by staff around Beach Marine Park. facilities from bushfire the State, with the support of thousands • training Departmental staff and of volunteers as well as local visitor The public contributed to the content of volunteers centres, tourism operators and local management plans through public and community organisations. • working with local visitor centres and stakeholder workshops and meetings, commercial tour operators newsletters and invitations to comment

12 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Camping in the Pilbara. Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife

threatened species and ecological The Department entered into 24 communities, or additions to existing formal agreements in 2013–14. Major reserves that would greatly improve their achievements were: diversity or facilitate their management. Other programs and processes led to the • a new lease for Hotham Valley Tourist acquisition of lands suitable for inclusion Railway’s local headquarters in in the conservation reserve system, Dwellingup including land ceded to the State as a • an agreement with the Leschenault condition of subdivision, land acquired Hand Gun Club for a shooting range from negotiated exchanges, and reserves at Kemerton Park no longer required by other agencies on draft plans. Aboriginal people were • the negotiation and formalising of six and organisations. Work continued also engaged through the involvement new licences for recreational huts at on the implementation of tenure of Aboriginal native title representative various locations in D’Entrecasteaux changes proposed in the Department’s bodies and Aboriginal park councils. National Park management plans. Acquisition and • a new licence to Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd for the installation of a pipeline administration of protected The Department also continued to areas provide advice on land proposals referred • a new licence to the City of from other organisations, such as the Rockingham for the creation of a Department of Lands, and advised on navigation channel at Bent Street Reserve acquisition issues including the use or disposal of within the Shoalwater Islands Marine The formal process of adding land to unallocated Crown land and surplus Park the State’s system of protected areas Crown reserves. • a new lease to Western Australia continued throughout the year. The Biomass Pty Limited for the Department purchased nine parcels of Leasing activities construction of a biomass plant in freehold land of high conservation value Lease arrangements are maintained State forest near Manjimup. covering 3,783ha for future addition to for a wide range of purposes. During the year, a number of other formal the conservation reserve system. Details At 30 June 2014 there were 271 formal arrangements expired and, at 30 June, of these acquisitions and how they were arrangements for various uses on Parks were at various stages of renewal. funded are recorded in the Department’s and Wildlife-managed lands including 2013–14 Annual Report, which is recreation, tourism accommodation, available on the website: www.dpaw. utilities and sawmills. The formal wa.gov.au/about-us/annual-report-and- arrangements comprised 149 leases, yearbook. 43 written agreements, 59 licences, 16 memoranda of understanding and three The Department’s priorities for purchases sawmill site permits. were areas containing ecosystems not adequately represented in existing conservation reserves, areas containing

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 13 Parks Management

Apiary site management Park presentation and • continuing the remote parks housing resource protection improvement program in Millstream At 30 June 2014, there were 3,301 Chichester, Karijini and Cape Le apiary site permits. Of the 1,674 on Parks The Department aims to provide high- Grand national parks and Wildlife-managed lands, 887 were quality visitor services and facilities that • improvements to long trails such as located on State forest, 104 on timber are planned, designed, developed and the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi reserves, 366 on national parks, 219 managed in a sustainable way. During Trail on nature reserves, 64 on conservation 2013–14, the Department coordinated parks and 34 on other lands vested in the the investment of $22.2 million of capital • developing partnership projects with Conservation Commission of Western funding in parks and reserves around mountain bike and four-wheel drive Australia. WA. groups • improvements to the interpretive During 2013–14, 455 apiary site permits Capital park improvements were processed, comprising: displays at Milyering Discovery Centre The Parks and Visitor Services Division in Cape Range National Park • 115 authorities transferred between capital works program continued • development of the off-road vehicle beekeepers to improve and maintain recreation area at Pinjar and tourism assets in national parks, • 41 site permits from applications to • construction of a section of dual-use conservation parks, State forest and occupy new or previously cancelled path in Yellagonga Regional Park. sites other reserves across the State. A description of projects undertaken in • 16 site permit relocations Works were typically associated with each of the Department’s nine regions is • 248 site permit renewals the construction, upgrading and provided in the Regional Activities section maintenance of roads, trails and camping • 29 site permit cancellations (see pages 36 to 49). facilities. Works were also undertaken • 4 replacement sites issued to ensure visitor safety and to protect Royalties for Regions park • 2 sites not approved. environmental, social and landscape improvements values at recreation sites. Work under the Department’s two During 2013–14, the capital works Royalties for Regions-funded initiatives program focussed on the following key continued to improve and expand areas: recreation and tourism facilities in national parks, conservation parks, State forest and other reserves across the State.

Collie River, Wellington National Park. Phil Griffiths and Tim Hutton building Scarp Road Bridge at Logue Brook Dam. Photo – Kris Bezemer/Parks and Wildlife Photo – Carl House

14 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 The $20 million Conservation Parks A description of projects undertaken Visitor Infrastructure and Roads Initiative under the Royalties for Regions initiatives commenced in 2010–11 and aims to in each Department region is provided in improve facilities and road infrastructure the Regional Activities section (see pages at several parks across the State. The 36 to 49). $1.8M initiative is expected to be completed Roads spent on the development during 2014–15. Works completed in of campgrounds 2013–2014 included upgraded roads The Department continued to classify in Kalbarri and Karijini national parks, roads and undertake road inspections upgraded visitor facilities in Kalbarri and condition assessments for its National Park, new and expanded 37,000km road network. During 2013–14, campgrounds in Yalgorup National Park, this work focussed on parts of the State’s Lane Poole Reserve and at Logue Brook, south-west. This project will assist in and continued implementation of the identifying high priority road improvement Naturebank program at various locations works, planning strategic road 3,638 across the State. requirements, managing road hazards, signs developed for parks and identifying present and future funding and reserves The $21.05 million Parks for People requirements. In collaboration with Caravan and Camping initiative was Landgate, the Department continued launched in 2013–14 to improve and rectifying road data stored in databases expand visitor experiences by providing from Landgate and Main Roads WA to facilities and services, in particular ensure its accuracy. Collaborative work establishing affordable camping and with local government authorities and caravan accommodation. The initiative 266 Main Roads WA on inter-regional road complements the State Government’s construction and maintenance work schools and community groups Western Australian Caravan and across agency boundaries continued. involved in Nearer to Nature program Camping Action Plan 2013–18 and will provide about 450 new camp sites During 2013–14, the tourist road across the State. During 2013–14, $1.8 improvement capital program focussed million was spent on the development of on upgrading roads in John Forrest, campgrounds. Nambung and Lesueur national parks. 25,651 park passes distributed

9 Naturebank or potential Naturebank sites identified

Camp kitchen at Hamersley Inlet On top of the world, Mt Ragged. campground, Fitzgerald River National Park. Photo – Mike Shephard/Parks and Wildlife Photo – Jude Sharpe

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 15 Parks Management

A $1 million Main Roads WA grant Gap and Natural Bridge in Torndirrup Broome, Lake Clifton, Jurien Bay Marine was directed towards the annual road National Park. Construction and tender Park, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, maintenance program in parks and documentation was completed for Ngari Capes Marine Park, the Shark reserves across the Department’s nine campgrounds at Nanga in Lane Poole Bay World Heritage area and several regions. Reserve, Credo former pastoral property parks and reserves in the Department’s and Koongk-a-maya campground in Midwest Region and on the Swan A new initiative to repair or replace Dryandra National Park. Construction Coastal Plain. A purpose-specific bridges in the south-west forest regions documentation was completed for visitor sign structure system was designed commenced in 2012–13. Many of the facilities at Castle Rock in Porongurup for Barrow Island and signage was timber bridges on the Department’s road National Park and The Loop and West developed for installation on the island. network were constructed between the Loop in Kalbarri National Park and both 1960s and 1980s and are reaching the developments were constructed to a high The Department continued installing or end of their life span. In 2013–14, $1.4 standard. updating signs and displays to enrich million was invested by the Department visitors’ experiences to parks and on refurbishing the Bannister Road trestle Planning, training and design advice was reserves managed by the Department. timber bridge and replacing several other provided on several leases, licences and In 2013–14, 3,638 signs were timber bridges with modular, kit concrete projects associated with the Department, developed including 307 directional/ bridges. including Naturebank projects. Staff identification signs, 568 visitor risk signs, represented the Department on working 1,206 management signs and 1,557 Recreation planning and design groups including the Coastwest technical interpretation signs. The Department prepared visitor services assessment group. Interpretive projects of particular note plans, master plans, concept plans and Visual impact assessment, included: site development plans for many projects recommendations, guidelines and across the State. These documents specialist advice were provided for a • installation of Yawuru Conservation guide government decision-making, number of proposals throughout the Park boundary signs by Yawuru assist with strategic planning decisions year, including the Millstream Chichester Rangers and funding applications, and enable capital works projects to be built to a high National Park Naturebank project. Expert • completion of interpretive signage in standard. advice continued to be provided on visual both eastern and western precincts landscape planning. Departmental policy and the northern entry point of During 2013–14, planning commenced for visual resource management was Fitzgerald River National Park as part for campground projects funded under progressed to include recognition of the of the $40 million improvement project the Parks for People initiative at Conto importance of seascape values in the • completion of stage one of the and Boranup in Leeuwin-Naturaliste State’s marine parks. Milyering Discovery Centre, and National Park, Big Lagoon in François finalisation of the design and tender Péron National Park, Lucky Bay in Cape Enriching the visitor documentation for stage two Le Grand National Park, Shannon in experience • installation of Munurru art site and Shannon National Park, Osprey in Cape Interpretive planning and design Range National Park and Potters Gorge walk trail interpretation in Wellington National Park. Significant Work continued on providing information • rollout of designs using the site and master planning and stakeholder to visitors to help them interpret, Department’s sign system for all Parks consultation was undertaken for Yawuru understand and appreciate WA’s and Wildlife-managed lands and in-town and out-of-town parks, Wedge parks and reserves. During 2013–14, waters including the incorporation of and Grey shack settlements and for interpretation project plans were joint management identities recreation opportunities in de-proclaimed prepared for major site developments, • development of interpretation and water catchments in the south-west. with interpretive facilities including orientation panels for Cape Peron, The Gap in Torndirrup National Park Edel Land, Shell Beach and the Design and construction documentation and Conto campground in Leeuwin- Shark Bay World Heritage area. including drawings were prepared for Naturaliste National Park. many small structures, such as toilets An interpretive fragrant garden bed and barbeque shelters, with significant Signs were developed for Purnululu was completed at the Department’s tender documentation completed for The National Park, Yawuru lands around Denham office

16 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 • updating of all entry fee signage at parks and reserves across the State.

Community liaison, consultation and advisory services

Consultation with special interest groups, agencies, individuals and Aboriginal communities is a key aspect of site developments and their interpretation on and off Parks and Wildlife-managed areas.

Staff worked with the Miriuwung- Gajerrong Park Council and the Mirima Language Centre in Kununurra on signs in Mirima National Park, and on Yawuru lands and waters around Broome. Nyangumarta and Ngarla traditional owners for the Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park continued working with the Department to develop recreational opportunities near Broome.

Liaison, consultation and support continued with the National Trust of Australia (WA), WA Museum, Interpretation Australia and the Forum Advocating Cultural and Eco-tourism.

Advice was provided to local authorities and various ‘friends’ groups on the planning, design and production of signs and displays. Premier Colin Barnett and Environment Minister Albert Jacob at the opening of the upgraded Fitzgerald River National Park. Photo – Jude Sharpe

Quion Head. Photo – Mike Shephard/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 17 Parks Management

Guided interpretive programs • organising and participating in Education and training NAIDOC community activities Guided interpretive programs continued During the year the Department to be provided regularly in major areas • contributing to an Aboriginal continued efforts to increase awareness throughout the State. These included the employment expo in WA of the culture, history and diversity Nearer to Nature program provided in • advising on the use of Aboriginal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perth’s regional parks, and at the Perth images in Department marketing people. In 2013–14 this was done Hills Discovery Centre, Yanchep National through: • ensuring Aboriginal news, events and Park, Penguin Island and the Perth achievements were promoted in the Observatory. • the Nearer to Nature program, which Department and at external forums. provided cross-cultural education In the regions, guided tours and/or programs to 266 schools and Planning and relationship building interactions were provided at Geikie community groups totalling more than Gorge National Park in the Kimberley, Building relationships with Aboriginal 10,000 people Monkey Mia Reserve in the Shark Bay and non-Aboriginal individuals and • training and assistance for World Heritage area, Cape Range organisations both within and outside Department staff, organising Welcome National Park in the Ningaloo Coast the Department remained a priority. In to Country ceremonies for events, World Heritage area, marine parks 2013–14, this included: and providing advice on protocols for around Broome, Valley of the Giants acknowledgment of traditional owners and Coalmine Beach near Walpole, • providing ongoing cultural advice at Department meetings and events Barna Mia in Dryandra Woodland, and assistance to Department staff and Perup‑Nature’s Guesthouse near regarding Aboriginal consultation and • developing a new cultural awareness Manjimup. Regional staff also continued involvement on Parks and Wildlife- training program available to all to respond, where appropriate and managed lands and waters Department staff available, to requests for specific • providing links between regional • exploring further learning and training presentations and guided experiences in and district staff and Aboriginal opportunities for Department staff in local areas. communities the areas of heritage site training and native title Aboriginal liaison, • maintaining ongoing relationships with consultation and heritage a range of agencies and organisations • providing training for Aboriginal staff in such as natural resource management facilitation and presentation skills A high priority is placed on liaising, groups consulting and working with Aboriginal • supporting workplace opportunities elders, traditional owners and other • participating and providing executive for Aboriginal cadet and school-based stakeholders to enhance management support to the Department’s trainees of Parks and Wildlife lands and waters. Aboriginal Employee Reference Group, • contributing to the Department’s During the year the Department, with Access and Diversity Committee and community education strategy for the help of its Aboriginal Heritage Reconciliation Action Plan Committee customary activities regulations and Unit, undertook a wide range of work • implementing Reconciliation developing and delivering training including: Action Plan strategies by providing for regional staff on the customary • working with elders in local Aboriginal opportunities for Department staff to activities regulations communities regarding traditional land participate in key Aboriginal and Torres • presenting on the customary activities use and protocols Strait Islander events and dates of regulations to Aboriginal reference • liaising with elders conducting significance including NAIDOC Week groups, Aboriginal Legal Services Welcome to Country for Department and National Reconciliation Week and the Western Australian Aboriginal events • developing guidelines for the Advisory Council • advice on traditional owners for Parks recruitment of Aboriginal staff to the • providing training to enhance and Wildlife-managed lands and Department community development skills waters • participating in public sector forums • coordination of the Parks and Wildlife • assisting inter-agency engagement focusing on Aboriginal employment. Aboriginal staff conference. in the regions to support heritage protection

18 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 World-class camping created

The Parks for People Caravan and Camping initiative is a $21.05 million investment over four years, part-funded through Royalties for Regions, to improve and expand camping and visitor experiences in national parks and conservation reserves Visitors enjoying the newly completed viewing platform at Cave Point, Fitzgerald River National Park. Photo – Peter Hartley/Parks and Wildlife throughout WA.

It was developed as part of the • promotion of the new and expanded/ New visitor facilities including picnic Government’s Western Australian upgraded parks, State forest areas, viewing platforms and walk Caravan and Camping Action Plan recreation areas or former pastoral trails were created at Barrens Beach, 2013–18 and aims to establish lease areas. Barrens Lookout, Four Mile Beach, East affordable, high quality camping and New and improved campgrounds Mount Barren, Point Ann, Hamersley caravan accommodation; walk, bike and Inlet, Cave Point, West Beach and drive trails; and interpretive information. During 2013–14, $1.8 million was spent Mylies Beach. on the development of campgrounds The initiative will deliver: at several sites across the State under The five-year upgrade, funded jointly the Parks for People initiative. Nine by the State and Federal governments, • eight new campgrounds in eight campgrounds were in the process of with road works done in partnership parks, State forest recreation areas or being upgraded in national parks and with Main Roads WA, was the biggest former pastoral lease areas reserves. These included Leeuwin- infrastructure project in the history of • the expansion/upgrade of at least Naturaliste, D’Entrecasteaux, Millstream the Department of Parks and Wildlife nine campgrounds in eight parks, Chichester, François Péron, Cape Range, and its predecessors. State forest recreation areas or former Cape Le Grand and Shannon national Kalbarri National Park pastoral lease areas parks and Lane Poole Reserve, among • at least 450 new camp sites and others. A $7.7 million upgrade of Kalbarri caravan sites National Park was completed in Other key park infrastructure projects April 2014. The major investment by the • co-investment in at least three completed included upgrades at Kalbarri Royalties for Regions program included commercial tourism accommodation National Park and Fitzgerald River a $5.8 million upgrade of a section of lease areas National Park. the Loop-Z Bend access road. • new and improved visitor facilities Fitzgerald River National Park in at least nine parks, State forest The sealing of 12km of the old road, recreation areas or former pastoral A major $40 million upgrade to enhance which was in poor condition, has lease areas visitors’ experiences at Fitzgerald River vastly improved access and safety for tourists visiting the area. Shade • investigation and establishment of National Park on the south coast was shelters, lookouts, walking trails, visitor mobile and web-based applications, completed in June 2014. Work included including the provision of wi-fi at reconstructing and sealing 40km of roads information areas, sealed car parks and selected parks, for use by visitors and upgrading a further 40km of gravel toilets have been provided at the Loop roads. and Inyaka Wookai Watju (West Loop lookout).

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 19 Parks Management

Business management Table 1: Breakdown of park pass distribution 2013–14 Providing accurate park information, Type of park pass Number distributed Change from promoting responsible behaviour by 2012–13 visitors and providing services to the Holiday 7,50 8 Increase 7 - .09% tourism industry are important functions Annual Local 6,652 Decrease 754 – 10% of the Department. Annual All 6,536 Increase 685 – 12% The Commercial Business Unit provided Annual All Concession 3,945 Increase 431 – 12% guidance and assistance in identifying Goldstar 1,010 Increase 13 – 1% new opportunities on Parks and Wildlife- Note: Includes passes invoiced to retail outlets and distributed to Department offices that may managed lands. In 2013–14, advice was not yet be sold. provided for alternative management options at several campgrounds. This Table 2: Fees waived – visits by Region included the completion of management option papers for Conto and Shannon Region Swan Midwest Pilbara Kimberley Warren South campgrounds and draft options for Lucky Coast Bay and the Perup Ecological Centre. A Number 18,752 7,3 51 4,429 174 612 3,531 pre-feasibility study and draft business of visitors plan were also completed for the Tree Top Walk rejuvenation project. In 2013–14, the Department approved During the year, 66 two-month licences To assist regional and district offices in 376 requests for entry fee waivers. were granted. Two-month licences identifying commercial opportunities, a The value of foregone revenue was are used by seasonal and interstate template plan was developed to assist approximately $165,129 based on operators and for commercial sporting in commercial operations planning. The estimated visitor numbers of 34,849 events. plan has a marketing section that can be (see Table 2). The Department offers used to identify promotional activities to fee waivers to support aged and infirm Under the Review of Nature Based raise awareness about what people can visitors, disabled groups, carers, Tourism recommendations, there is a do in parks. educational groups, community service requirement for all licence holders to groups and not-for-profit organisations. achieve recognised quality assurance During the year, a restricted ‘E’ class accreditation. At 30 June 2014, all Commercial operations and events licence was allocated via a publicly operators with licences of 12 months or advertised call for expressions of interest Commercial operations licences more were accredited, or had applied for for a safari tour operation incorporating accreditation. a Yardie Creek boat tour option in Cape Commercial operations are licensed to monitor and manage the commercial use Range National Park. Several accreditation schemes were of Parks and Wildlife-managed lands and recognised by the Department. These Park passes and fees waters in accordance with the CALM were Australian Tourism Quality Assured- Regulations. National park passes are distributed at endorsed accreditation schemes that 83 locations around the State including assessed businesses and operators At 30 June 2014, 308 commercial 36 departmental offices and selected to the highest level. Newly licensed operations licences were current for national parks, and 47 independent retail operators are given six months from the activities in marine and terrestrial outlets. issuing of a licence to gain accreditation. reserves, up from 307 licences at Two-month licence holders are exempt 30 June 2013. These comprised 267 from having to be accredited. general ‘T’ class licences, and 41 ‘E’ class licences for operations where the numbers of licences granted are restricted.

20 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 More information about commercial operations on Parks and Wildlife- managed lands and waters is available on the website: www.parks.dpaw. wa.gov.au/for-business/commercial- operations-licensing

Filming permits/licences

Commercial filming and photography on lands and waters managed by the Department can make a significant contribution towards raising awareness of conservation issues, and promoting the appreciation and use of parks and reserves.

The Department does not charge for commercial filming or photography applications considered to have a major tourism or other benefit to the State, or likely to increase appreciation, awareness and understanding of parks and reserves. In these cases, applicants are granted permits by the appropriate regional staff. Where it is deemed that a commercial filming or photography application has no such benefits, charges are applied on a set scale and a commercial filming licence is issued. In 2013–14, 93 commercial filming or photography applications were assessed and approved. Sunrise at Lorna Glen. Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife Naturebank

The Naturebank program involves the identification and preparation of suitable sites on Parks and Wildlife-managed lands for sustainable ecotourism initiatives. This program is a partnership between Tourism WA and Parks and Wildlife.

Breaksea Island, the old and new lighthouses. Photo – Mike Shephard/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 21 Parks Management

In 2010, the State government Legislation and policy for announced Royalties for Regions funding Parks and Visitor Services over four years to support the preparation of Naturebank sites. At 30 June 2014, Legislation nine sites had been identified as A variety of miscellaneous regulation 25,000 Naturebank or potential Naturebank sites. amendments were being prepared to hours contributed by These were: bring penalties up to date and to enable Bibbulmun Track volunteers 1. Purnululu National Park, World certain Aboriginal customary activities Heritage area (Kimberley) to occur. Amendments were also being 2. Windjana Gorge National Park proposed to better manage moorings (Kimberley) and inappropriate behaviour in parks. 3. François Péron National Park, Shark Bay World Heritage area (Midwest) Policy 4. Wharncliffe Mill, Bramley National Park (South West) During 2013–14, the development or 4,345 5. Cape Le Grand National Park (South review of policies continued in the people volunteered with the Coast) following areas: Department 6. Millstream Chichester National Park • moorings (Pilbara) 7. Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge, King • non-Aboriginal cultural heritage Leopold Ranges Conservation Park • recreation, tourism and visitor services (Kimberley) – Policy Statement 18 8. Ngamoowalem Conservation Park, • delegations of power under various Aboriginal land close to Kununurra 598 legislation. (Kimberley) campground hosts registered 9. Icy Creek, Lane Poole Reserve (Swan) In addition, nine policies were released in the following areas:

Naturebank sites in Purnululu National • commemorative memorials Park, King Leopold Ranges Conservation • merchandising Park and Bramley National Park are fully operational. The François Péron • events and organised group activities National Park site was advertised via an • cave and karst features protection and Expression of Interest but this did not management 75 result in a preferred proponent being • commercial filming identified and direct discussions with star viewing nights assisted by potential developers in collaboration • Aboriginal customary activities Perth Observatory volunteers with Tourism WA were ongoing. Tourism • Aboriginal joint management WA continued development of the site • burial of Aboriginal people prospectus for the Ngamoowalem Conservation Park site prior to potential • Aboriginal outstations, camps and developers being approached. The settlements. proposed Windjana Gorge National More information about legislation and Park and Cape Le Grand National Park policy is available on the website: www. sites were both discontinued due to 506,285 dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/36-policies- environmental and cultural issues. The hours volunteered to projects and-legislation Millstream Chichester National Park and across WA Icy Creek sites were in the process of having final assessments completed prior to seeking potential developers.

22 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Recreation activities and the online user survey was updated. Both Mountain biking trails the trail counter and survey data will allow both the Department and the Foundation During 2013–14, Parks and Wildlife During 2013–14, the Department to gain a better understanding of usage, worked closely with the Department of continued to coordinate the management to improve and better manage the track. Sport and Recreation, Westcycle and of outdoor recreation activities consistent More information on the Bibbulmun Track the WA Mountain Bike Association in with the protection of natural and the management of mountain biking is available on the website: www.parks. cultural values on the lands and waters it across the State. The development of dpaw.wa.gov.au/know/bibbulmun-track manages. the WA State Mountain Bike Strategy Cape to Cape Track was completed and released for public Work continued with the Department of comment. Sport and Recreation, Outdoors WA, The Department continued its long Trails WA, Westcycle, the Australian Trail partnership with the Friends of the Aligned with the State strategy, staff Horse Riders Association and other key Cape to Cape Track, with the Friends worked closely with stakeholders in stakeholders on important recreation volunteers contributing more than the development of the South West initiatives, including the development of 1,000 hours of trail maintenance during Mountain Bike Master Plan, which an outdoor strategy for WA, the Trails 2013–14. has identified and prioritised areas WA website, the WA State Mountain Bike for future development of mountain Strategy and commencing work on the Department staff delivered a strategic bike opportunities, and will guide their State Horse Trail Strategy. planning session with the Friends of development. Specific trail development the Cape to Cape Track and key local plans have commenced for the highest Trails WA stakeholders, to provide future direction priority areas. on the management of the track. The Department continued to support In preparation for the strategic planning Building on the South West Mountain Trails WA, the not-for-profit peak trails process, staff completed an audit of Bike Master Plan, a similar master body for the State. During the year, the the current condition of the track and planning process started in the Perth Department assisted in the development facilities. The data collected will be used and Peel regions to identify and prioritise of the Trails WA website, which was to develop an ongoing maintenance and the future development of mountain bike launched in October 2013. The website works program that will be completed by trails in these regions. is a central, searchable portal for public both staff and volunteers. trails information across the State. Of the 93 trails listed on the website, 26 are on Parks and Wildlife-managed land, with an additional 19 in the process of being listed.

Bibbulmun Track

The Department continued its strong partnership with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation during the year. Foundation volunteers continued their much- valued support of the Bibbulmun Track, contributing in excess of 25,000 hours to assist in the maintenance of the 1,000km walk trail.

Staff completed the installation of pedestrian trail counters along the length of the track, and trained a selection of dedicated foundation volunteers to Bibbulmun Track walkers on Mandalay Beach. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife undertake the data collection. In addition,

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 23 Parks Management

To ensure consistent standards in the trail through the development of a formal additional training and support from provision of mountain bike trails across adoption that sets out the roles and departmental and Foundation staff. Staff the State, the Department is facilitating responsibilities of each organisation. assisted the Foundation in the transition a working group for the development of Further adoptions will be developed for from an advocacy and trail development mountain bike management guidelines. other major mountain bike trails and focus, to a new role of assisting with the These will provide standards for the networks. ongoing management, maintenance and planning, development and management More information on mountain biking in community support for the trail. of mountain bike trails and facilities, parks is available on the Department’s During 2013–14, final reports and both for the Department and external Explore Parks WA website: www.parks. acquittals were completed for the stakeholders. dpaw.wa.gov.au/activity/mountain- $2.5 million contributed to the trail’s biking Staff continued to work with the mountain development under the Royalties for Regions program, following the bike community and facilitated the Munda Biddi Trail ongoing maintenance and construction successful opening of the entire trail. of trails in the Perth Hills, Wellington and The Department continued its strong The construction of a significant new Blackwood districts. partnership with the Munda Biddi Trail suspension bridge over the Kent River Foundation, with new maintenance near Denmark to replace the road In partnership with the WA Mountain volunteers being trained by staff. Since crossing was completed, thus ensuring Bike Association and the Kalamunda the opening of the completed 1,000km the trail remains open year-round. Collective, guidelines were developed off-road cycle trail in April 2013, volunteer More information on the Munda Biddi for external sponsorship of the trails hours have doubled, with more than 85 Trail is available on the website: within the Kalamunda Circuit. Under the per cent of the 108 maintenance sections www.parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/know/ guidelines, the Kalamunda Collective allocated and volunteers undertaking munda-biddi-trail successfully signed up 22 sponsors, regular inspections and maintenance. Motorised recreation which have contributed $23,500 towards the ongoing maintenance of the trails. Staff also worked closely with the During the year, the Department The sponsorship program is now being Foundation to improve the existing continued working closely with the WA rolled out across other mountain bike trail volunteer maintenance program. The 4WD Association, Track Care WA, the networks. 108 maintenance sections along the Recreational Trailbike Riders’ Association The Department continued to trail were split into five sectors and of WA and Motorcycling Western formalise the existing partnership volunteer sector leaders appointed to Australia in promoting responsible use with the Kalamunda Collective for the coordinate the volunteers in their sector. of public lands by four-wheel drivers and maintenance and management of the The volunteer sector leaders received trail bike riders.

The Mudda Biddi Trail can be broken up into short rides and caters for a range experiences levels. Photo – Munda Biddi Foundation

24 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Tree Top Walk notches up three million visitors

The Valley of the The milestone was reached by It is staffed by a team of passionate and Queensland tourist Annette Moodie, who dedicated guides and Parks and Wildlife Giants Tree Top had been travelling around Australia with staff, supporting valuable employment Walk in Walpole- her husband Tom. opportunities for local people. Nornalup National Park The award-winning attraction has been The concept of a tree top walk was first open since August 1996 and features a proposed 20 years ago, with the aim of celebrated a significant 600m walkway positioned 40m above enabling the ever-increasing number of milestone in March the ground amid the ancient tingle forest visitors to the area to have an enhanced canopy. experience while protecting the tingle 2014 when it welcomed forest. The Tree Top Walk was built to allow its three-millionth visitor. people to enjoy the forest without causing an adverse impact on the trees.

Frankland District Manager Allison Donovan, visitor Annette Moodie, Parks and Visitor Services Director Peter Sharp, Tree Top Walk manager Julie Ross and Frankland District Parks and Visitor Services leader Mick Murphy celebrate three million visitors to the Tree Top Walk. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

Tree Top Walk. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 25 Parks Management

Rossmoyne Bush Rangers learning about invertebrates in Dryandra Woodland. Photo – Wendy Corrick

The adoption program developed and the Department’s Shark Bay Community involvement with Track Care WA and the WA District Volunteers are highly valued by the 4WD Association continued to grow • dune restoration and maintenance of Department because they build in popularity. During the year new Yeagarup Beach Track undertaken by communication links and understanding adoptions and project opportunities were the Land Rover Owners Club and the between the Department and the developed by staff. Some of the new Department’s Donnelly District community. Volunteers also make formal adoptions signed included: • assessment and classification of a significant contribution to the • the Toyota Landcruiser Club and Fawcett Track in Lane Poole Reserve management of parks and reserves and the Great Southern District assisting undertaken by the Armadale 4WD to a range of conservation programs with the management of Dryandra Club and the Department’s Perth Hills throughout the State. During 2013–14, Woodland and the Holland Track District. the Department continued to enlist community support and provide within Emu Rock Nature Reserve The Department continued to collaborate meaningful and interesting opportunities • the South West 4WD Club assisting with the Recreational Trailbike Riders’ for volunteers to take part in conservation the Department with the management Association, to further improve trails for activities and a total of 4,345 volunteers of Lennard Track in Wellington trail bikes in the gazetted off-road vehicle contributed 506,285 hours to projects National Park. areas at Pinjar and Gnangara. across WA. More information on four-wheel driving in Some of the projects undertaken parks is available on the website: included: www. parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/activity/4wd- • a clean-up on Dirk Hartog Island adventure-motorcycling National Park undertaken by Track Care WA, the WA 4WD Association

26 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Table 3: Community involvement volunteers

Year Total New Volunteers New Number of Total Average number of volunteers active in projects volunteers number hours per volunteers previous contributing of hours volunteer registered three years worked since 1999

2004–05 7,6 0 0 1,500 28 4,000 422,000 106 2005–06 8,230 630 6 3,882 470,600 121 2006–07 9,726 1,496 8 3,250 406,000 125 2007–08 7,78 4 -1,942 9 3,439 424,500 123 2008–09 9,558 1,774 7 4,004 426,200 106 2009–10 11,082 1,524 23 3,038 451,040 148 2010 –11 12,759 1,677 27 3,602 436,216 121 2011–12 14,604 1,845 51 3,838 457,557 119 2012–13 16,446 1,842 7,58 5 28 4,717 564,350 120 2013–14 18,327 1,881 8,989 25 4,345 506,285 117

Volunteer awards and activities volunteer hours, welcoming visitors and Partnerships with organisations such as helping to manage campgrounds around Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) An annual Volunteer of the Year and the State. and four-wheel drive clubs continued to Outstanding Service awards function provide volunteering opportunities. In The quarterly newsletter distributed is held to acknowledge the important particular, the CVA Earth Assist project, to all the Department’s registered support provided by volunteers. Two sponsored by Rio Tinto and supported by volunteers continued to be well received volunteers were awarded Volunteer of the Parks and Wildlife and the Department of and assisted in recruiting volunteers by Year in 2013, with a further 15 individuals Education, remained a collaborative effort offering cross promotion of volunteering and one volunteer group receiving especially beneficial to young people. Outstanding Service awards. opportunities, advertising new projects and highlighting volunteer achievements. Ongoing volunteer programs and projects such as the Campground Host program, Bibbulmun Track Foundation, Reptile Removalists, Wildlife Rehabilitators, Wildcare Helpline, Honorary CALM officers and projects at the WA Herbarium continued to contribute to the protection and care of the environment. At 30 June 2014, the Department had more than 300 volunteer projects across the State.

The Department’s new volunteer vest was introduced at the campground host annual workshop in November 2013, to help campground hosts identify themselves to other visitors.

The Campground Host program continued to attract volunteers in 2013–14, with 80 new hosts joining, making a total of 598 registered with Campgroud hosts Tom and Mary McConchie in their new volunteer vests. the Department. During the year, 208 Photo – Parks and Wildlife campground hosts contributed 150,569

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 27 Parks Management

Volunteers monitoring turtle hatchlings. Photo – Marissa Speirs/Parks and Wildlife

Across the State, 25 new projects Tourism and marketing a variety of activities, including: were registered with the Community • regular meetings with the Tourism Involvement Unit during 2013–14. Parks for People Industry Reference Group to assist New projects included: A new visual identity was created to with communication between the • Cable Beach turtle monitoring reflect the Parks for People brand. Department and the nature-based This was supported by a number tourism industry • central Wheatlbelt priority and of promotional activities including a threatened flora survey • participation in the Kimberley, photographic competition conducted Ningaloo and Great South West Edge • monitoring program for translocated in partnership with the Sunday Times National Landscapes programs golden bandicoots – Doole Island newspaper and free entry to all national • development of smartphone • pest plant management – Exmouth. parks during the WA Day long weekend. applications providing visitor safety During 2013–14, the Department The Department distributed about and park information provided training programs to more 20,000 copies of the free booklet • publication of Touring WA, an than 700 volunteers with support from National, marine and regional parks in electronic magazine featuring articles, specialist services within the Department Western Australia—a visitor’s guide to the information and opportunities for and external agencies. Training included State during the year. In March 2014, the visitors to enjoy parks the Campground Host Forum; safe work Department’s Parks for People display at practices as part of the Department’s the Perth Caravan and Camping Show • working with Tourism WA and the corporate induction; risk management; showcased the Department’s online and Caravan Industry Association of WA basic fire awareness; first aid; cross on-ground services. The Department on the Caravan and Camping Action cultural awareness; the basic course continued to support and engage the Plan marketing program to encourage in wildlife rehabilitation; advanced and recreation and tourism industries through more Western Australians to consider special topics for wildlife rehabilitation; camping as a holiday option. and Wildcare Helpline evaluation and training.

28 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Campground booking and information • the completion of a study, preparation • ongoing involvement in long trail use system of a report and journal article on the monitoring, with data being collected Department’s parks visitor market for the Bibbulmun Track The campground booking and segments information system was upgraded and • the development of a user survey relaunched as Park Stay WA, offering • the completion of a study to determine for the Bibbulmun Track to provide an improved search function and platform occupancy, using camera information about patterns of use, compatibility with tablets and mobile monitoring equipment at the The Gap satisfaction levels, user expenditure, phones. During 2013–14, bookings lookout in Torndirrup National Park societal and personal benefits and through the system increased by • ongoing involvement and support visitor profile of track users 13 per cent, with 11,592 bookings made of the Kimberley Marine Research • review of the visitor survey and visitor online. program in investigating human use, use program values and aspirations for Kimberley Social and visitor research • ongoing involvement in a survey coastal waters to determine visit and visitor During 2013–14, several social and visitor • the completion of a study at Penguin characteristics, activities, knowledge research projects were undertaken in Island to determine visit and visitor of marine parks, and satisfaction with collaboration with tertiary institutions and characteristics, activities and services and facilities at Shoalwater other agencies. Projects included: satisfaction Islands and Marmion marine parks.

• the completion of a study and preparation of a report about the desired nature-based camping experience sought by visitors to Parks and Wildlife-managed lands and a profile of camping market segments • the development of baseline data and methodology for ongoing monitoring of visitor camping usage • the completion of a Statewide campground audit to determine the number of campgrounds and camp sites on Parks and Wildlife-managed land • the completion of an online survey to determine the effectiveness of the Department’s volunteer program and the expectations, motivations and satisfaction of volunteers, the results of which will assist in the future development of volunteer programs • the completion of involvement in an Australian Research Council linkage project, Promoting and managing national parks into the 21st century, that will improve understanding of the place that parks occupy in Australian society

Beraking camp site on the Bibbulmun Track. Photo – Chris Garnett/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 29 Parks Management

Visitor-use monitoring Figure 1: Total reported visits to Parks and Wildlife-managed lands and waters In 2013–14, visitor use was monitored at 396 sites using a variety of methods 18 16.69 including traffic classifiers and counters, 16.17 15.37 15.59 pedestrian counters, observation surveys 16 13.73 14.33 14 and ticket sales in national parks, State 12.38 11.65 12.05 forest and other reserves throughout the 12 10.81 State. The total reportable visitation to 10 Parks and Wildlife-managed lands and 8 waters during the year was 16.69 million, 6 Visits (millions) an increase from the 16.17 million visits 4 reported during 2012–13 (see Figure 1). 2

Visitor survey program 0 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 The Department’s visitor survey program Year continued to provide visitor feedback that was used to assess visitor needs and Figure 2: A comparison of annual visitor satisfaction levels within Parks expectations, as well as gauge visitor and Wildlife-managed lands and waters satisfaction with recreation and tourism facilities and services provided by the 91.0 Department. 90.0 89.7 89.3 88.9 89.1 As part of the visitor survey program, 89.0 88.5 88.8 88.1 88.0 a benchmark visitor satisfaction index 88.0 87.2 has been adopted to compare visitor 87.0 86.8 satisfaction levels each year. This 86.0 benchmark has been set at 85 per cent. 85.0 The 2013–14 index, averaged from visitor

Satisfaction (%) 84.0 responses to the survey at the selected 83.0 parks, reserves and State forest areas 82.0 around the State, was 89.1 per cent. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 The results from 2013–14 and previous Year years of the visitor survey program are Satisfaction Benchmark satisfaction illustrated in Figure 2.

Fitzgerald River National Park. Photo – Mike Shephard/Parks and Wildlife

30 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Astronomy Volunteers During the year, astronomy activities were The Observatory’s highly trained and conducted at the Perth Observatory, motivated volunteers are a vital part of Bickley. The Observatory provided a its outreach and education programs. range of opportunities in public outreach, During 2013–14, volunteers assisted education and information. with 75 star-viewing nights, with four volunteers assisting each night, as well Public outreach, education and as assisting with the day tour and school information programs.

Perth Observatory’s outreach program Telescope observations enables the public to experience the splendour of the night sky using The online outreach telescope was used telescopes operated by experienced by astronomers around the world to volunteers under the supervision of an observe astronomical objects of interest. outreach coordinator. During 2013–14, Galactic gamma ray bursts and stellar 3,550 members of the public took part dynamics were observed on a regular in the program that brings science to life basis. Circulars and publications resulting through astronomy. Other lectures, talks, from these observations were part of the field nights and consultations engaged collaboration between the Observatory a further 5,300 members of the public in and the international astronomy outreach the outreach program. program.

During 2013–14, 680 students and adults took part in the day tour program. To increase school participation numbers, work continued on a curriculum-based astronomy program.

An online telescope was successfully integrated into an international astronomy outreach program, providing educators 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 with a rich source of science learning. In the initial eight months of testing, about 30,288 images were taken.

The annual summer lecture was delivered by Dr Gretchen Benedix-Bland from Curtin University. The Observatory again participated in Astrofest, an expo run by the local astronomical community and held at Curtin University. The Observatory also hosted two charity events, with the Organ Donation and Transplant Foundation and the organisation Bright Blue.

Star viewing, Perth Observatory. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 31 Parks Management

Support to the Conservation • facilitating liaison between the Highlights for the year included: Commission and Marine Department and the Conservation Commission on the coordination and • the release of the final management Parks and Reserves plan for the Lalang-garram / Camden Authority analysis of submissions during the public comment period of the Forest Sound Marine Park Support is provided to the Conservation Management Plan 2014–2023 • a periodic audit of the implementation Commission of Western Australia in • preparing the Forest Management of the management plan for the accordance with the CALM Act and Plan 2014–2023 and submitting Shoalwater Islands Marine Park the 2011 Operational Relationship the Public Environmental Review • a 10-year audit of the implementation Agreement. document to the Environmental of the management plan for the Swan Protection Authority During 2013–14, the Department Estuary Marine Park and Adjacent Reserves provided the Conservation Commission • facilitating liaison and advice relating with corporate services support of the to the statutory functions of the • the completion of the Guidelines for Conservation Commission Service Unit, Conservation Commission for leases, Collaborative Management of Marine licences and permits, land tenure, which in turn supported the Conservation Reserves undertaken by Parks mining proposals and ecologically Commission in: and Wildlife and the Department of sustainable forest management. Fisheries to maximise efficiencies in • facilitating liaison between the Support is provided to the Marine managing in the State’s marine parks Department and the Conservation Parks and Reserves Authority (MPRA) and reserves where there are shared Commission Management Plan in accordance with the CALM Act and management responsibilities Review Committee for the delivery a memorandum of understanding. • an annual performance assessment of the Commission’s statutory During 2013–14, the Department workshop for WA marine parks and responsibilities in management assisted the MPRA by providing policy reserves. planning under the CALM Act advice, developing indicative and final management plans for proposed marine • preparing draft management plans parks and reserves and executive for Kalbarri National Park and Swan support services. Coastal Plain South • undertaking management plan and issues-based performance assessments with two performance assessment reports completed, Parks of the Perth Hills and Salinity Management in the South-West of Western Australia, and three in development, Parks of the Fitzgerald Regional Planning Area, Karijini National Park and Nambung National Park • making old-growth forest recommendations for the following blocks: Alco, Andrew, Boorara, Challar, Cleave, Court, Crowea, Diamond, Gray, Iffley, Lane, Lewin, Mattaband, Morgan, Muirillup, Murtin, O’Sullivan, Quinninup, Solai, Storry Sutton, Wattle, Weld and Yanmah • reporting on community-nominated Circular Pool, Walpole-Nornalup National Park. old-growth forest in the Warrup forest Photo – Fran Stanley/Parks and Wildlife blocks (compartments 02 and 08)

32 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Other initiatives The MOU between the Department and The partnership between the Department Leave No Trace Australia continued, and Fairbridge Western Australia Inc. Memoranda of understanding with further projects to promote visitor continued to provide opportunities A number of significant partnerships that behaviour that has minimal environmental for cooperation between the two are formalised through a memorandum impact. organisations on employment and training outcomes for young Aboriginal of understanding (MOU) continued to be During 2013–14, the successful maintained. people. Projects involving Fairbridge partnership between the Department, Aboriginal trainees were undertaken A long-standing MOU continued with Conservation Volunteers Australia, the at Wellington National Park, Dryandra the Department of Corrective Services, Department of Education and Rio Tinto Woodland and other areas. allowing prisoners to make a valuable continued with Rio Tinto’s Earth Assist contribution to departmental projects program. The MOU was renewed and World and national heritage extended for a further five years, enabling and the community through maintenance Day-to-day management of three World the continued involvement of students and construction of walk trails and other Heritage areas, Shark Bay, the Ningaloo in Perth and regional WA to take part in facilities including the Bibbulmun Track, Coast and Purnululu National Park, the program, which offers environment- the Munda Biddi Trail and the Cape to continued. Cape Track. Prisoners assisted with based volunteer opportunities to high signage work, construction of picnic school students. The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Advisory Committee was established and tables and benches, weed control, The MOU between Parks and Wildlife, held its inaugural meeting in February maintenance of firebreaks, and cleaning the Department of Health and the 2014. and repair of campground facilities Department of Housing in support of in many parks and reserves around the Fiona Stanley Hospital and Health Implementation of the Shark Bay World the State including Mirima, Millstream Precinct project continued to contribute Heritage Property Strategic Plan 2008– Chichester, Porongurup and Leeuwin- significantly to the rehabilitation of land 2020 continued. Naturaliste national parks and Coalseam at Beeliar Regional Park, research into Conservation Park. Carnaby’s cockatoo and the Wildcare Helpline.

Bald Head from Breaksea Island. Photo – Mike Shephard/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 33 Parks Management

More information on the achievements Marine Park with the Dambimangari in the Ningaloo and Shark Bay World Aboriginal Corporation, at a signing Heritage areas can be found in the ceremony in Derby coinciding with the Wildlife Management section of the release of the Lalang-garram / Camden Yearbook. Sound Marine Park management 16.69M plan. This is the first joint management In Purnululu National Park, two Caring agreement for a marine park in WA. visits to Parks and Wildlife- for our Country-funded projects were The park will ultimately cover more than managed land and waters undertaken to protect the park’s 7,000 square kilometres and protect the World Heritage values by reducing the southern hemisphere’s largest humpback impact of hot late-season fires and whale calving ground, and conserve upgrading a walk trail to protect fragile habitats for flatback and green turtles, soils, vegetation and places of cultural snubfin and Indo-Pacific humpback importance in the park. Progress was dolphins, dugongs, saltwater crocodiles made on the establishment of a new and several species of sawfish. The 89.1% advisory committee. State government is also negotiating an visitor satisfaction ILUA with the Dambimangari Aboriginal Formal management arrangements Corporation in relation to the joint with Aboriginal people management of the proposed Horizontal The Department made significant Falls national and marine parks and progress negotiating and creating new proposed Great Kimberley National Park. joint management arrangements under Miriuwung-Gajerrong the provisions of the CALM Act, as well as implementing existing agreements. The Department has a central 3 role in implementing the Ord Final Nyangumarta World Heritage areas managed Agreement ILUA, in partnership with by the Department In May 2014, the State government the Yawoorroong Miriuwung Gajerrong signed an Indigenous Land Use Yirrgeb Noong Dawang Aboriginal Agreement (ILUA) with the Nyangumarta Corporation (Miriuwung Gajerrong people to enable the creation and Corporation) and other partners. Both joint management of Eighty Mile the Department and the Miriuwung Beach Marine Park and Walyarta and Gajerrong Corporation have joint Kujungurru Warrarn conservation responsibility for developing management reserves within Nyangumarta country. arrangements for six new conservation 11,592 reserves (totalling 150,000ha) in the east This is the first ILUA for a marine park in online campground Kimberley. WA and includes the important intertidal bookings made area at Eighty Mile Beach. Yawuru

The Department had already established An ILUA was signed on good working relationships with 25 February 2010 with Yawuru native title Nyangumarta people through the marine holders over 5,297 square kilometres planning process and ongoing on-ground of land in and around Broome. The works such as turtle monitoring, fencing, agreement enabled the creation of conservation and cultural interpretive terrestrial and marine conservation 13% signage works. The agreement formalises reserves, to be jointly managed by this partnership and provides for the Yawuru people, Parks and Wildlife and, increase in online campground employment of Nyangumarta rangers. within the Broome town site, the Shire bookings of Broome. These areas included a Dambimangari coastal park covering the intertidal area, In November 2013, the Department terrestrial reserves around Broome signed a joint management agreement and its north, and a marine park from for the Lalang-garram / Camden Sound Gantheaume Point to Cape Villaret.

34 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Burrup (Murujuga)

In January 2013, Murujuga National Park was created, covering 4,913ha, which comprises about 86 per cent of the Dampier Archipelago National Heritage place that has been gazetted on the Burrup Peninsula. The Murujuga National Park is held freehold by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), leased to the State and jointly managed with Parks and Wildlife as a national park. The Murujuga Park Council, the joint management body, comprises representatives from MAC, Parks and Wildlife, and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

Work continued with MAC and the Murujuga ranger team, which undertakes on-ground land management activities. During the year, the Department worked with MAC to support training, capacity building and authorisation of Murujuga rangers to strengthen their operational management function in the park. In October 2013, the Department participated in strategic planning for the park and the broader national heritage- listed place with MAC, the Federal Government, Woodside, Rio Tinto, The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University and other stakeholders.

Other joint management arrangements currently in negotiation

The Department continued to engage with traditional owner groups across the State to implement formal joint management agreements. These included negotiations as part of the South West Native Title settlement process, negotiations with the Ngarla and Karajarri native title holders over the Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park, and negotiations with the Gooniyandi and the Uunguu native title holders to achieve joint management outcomes under the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy.

Cullham Inlet from East Mount Barren, Fitzgerald River National Park. Photo – Mike Shephard/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 35 Parks Management

Regional activities • Campground hosts and volunteer • Under the Kimberley Science and caretakers contributed more than Conservation Strategy, the Bunuba Goldfields Region 5,000 volunteer hours at Lorna Glen, ranger program continued to grow. The joint management project with the about 5,000 hours at Credo, more Rangers started their training for Wiluna Aboriginal community continued than 2,000 hours at Lake Mason and Certificate II and III in Conservation at Lorna Glen (Matuwa) and Earaheedy about 2,000 hours at Goongarrie and Land Management and continued (Kurrara Kurrara) and included fence former pastoral stations. to undertake weed and feral animal control in west Kimberley parks. An maintenance, erosion control, road • The multi-use field study centre operations officer was employed to maintenance and fire management at Credo was used by CSIRO for assist in the supervision and delivery contract work. Additional work was conducting research and by other of the Bunuba ranger program. undertaken in the adjacent Birriliburu organisations for training purposes. native title-determined area and • Negotiations continued with Ngarla • Ongoing maintenance work Indigenous Protected Area. people in relation to an ILUA and joint and improvements to the Credo management agreement over Ngarla • Joint management activities with the homestead recreation site and an native title-determined lands which Tjuntjuntjara community in the Great upgrade of the shearers’ quarters form the southern part of Eighty Mile Victoria Desert and the Spinifex native were undertaken. This included Beach Marine Park. title-determined area included the painting and repairs, installation repair and maintenance of two existing of air-conditioning systems, and • The Karajarri people agreed shed tanks, weed control and reserve improvements to the electrical system to progress an ILUA and joint management. and water supply. management agreement for the northern part of Eighty Mile Beach • Consultation, monitoring and • Other work undertaken at Credo Marine Park. clearance work relating to fire included erosion mitigation works and management was undertaken with the removal of more than 2,000 tyres • A fit-for-purpose 20m vessel for the various Aboriginal groups in the from water courses at Credo. Two northern Kimberley marine parks Goldfields under the Great Western nature conservation projects were was commissioned, allowing regional Woodlands Strategy. undertaken at Credo and Lorna Glen. staff to undertake joint management operations with traditional owners on • Joint management for conservation • The caretaker’s house at Lorna Glen sea country. and multiple-use was progressed with was renovated and a new deck area the Menzies Aboriginal Corporation for added to the office. The bunkhouse • Ranger accommodation for Eighty the Adelong pastoral lease adjacent to was painted and upgraded, Mile Beach Marine Park was secured. Goongarrie. with partitioning for additional • Several projects were undertaken • A four-day joint management training accommodation. Other work included collaboratively with Nyangumarta course was run in April 2014 for Martu flood mitigation around the homestead people at Eighty Mile Beach, including rangers, Goldfields Land and Sea and on the predator-proof enclosure. the construction of a fence at a Council (GLSC) rangers, Spinifex • The access roads to Goongarrie Ramsar site, cultural and conservation rangers and staff. Thirty-five rangers and Cave Hill recreation sites were interpretation activities, cultural attended and were trained in first aid upgraded after a severe rain event. awareness activities for school holiday and AusChem weed spraying. programs, and other science and Kimberley Region conservation research programs. • The Credo working group was set up with assistance from GLSC to • Engagement and negotiations • Work continued on developing four progress Aboriginal involvement continued with native title and other management plans for the Yawuru and joint management of Credo and Aboriginal groups to facilitate the conservation estate. several meetings were held. implementation of the Kimberley • Four trainee Yawuru rangers employed • Under the Parks for People initiative, Science and Conservation Strategy. within the Yawuru joint management development of a new campground • Negotiations continued with the team continued their training for at Credo started and involved Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Certificate II and III in Conservation consultation with local Aboriginal Corporation in relation to an ILUA and Land Management, and one groups. This project has created local and joint management agreement for trainee completed Certificate III. The Aboriginal employment opportunities. Bunuba native title-determined lands. studies included cultural components

36 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 such as formal language lessons and • A school holiday program and • The Munurru campground on the informal training opportunities with community events were conducted Mitchell Plateau was redeveloped. senior Yawuru people. to focus on marine and terrestrial Midwest Region • Installation of Yawuru Conservation reserves within Yawuru conservation • The $7.7 million upgrade of Kalbarri Park signs continued. estate. National Park, largely funded under • Draft concept plans were developed • Several on-ground projects were the Royalties for Regions infrastructure for day-use sites in Miriuwung- undertaken under the Yawuru joint and roads initiative, was completed. management arrangements, including Gajerrong joint management parks. • The draft management plan for maintenance of site infrastructure, • The 250m Walking with Plants Kalbarri National Park was released development of walk trails, access boardwalk was completed in for public comment and an open day management, turtle monitoring, weed Mirima National Park. This included was held in Kalbarri for the community control and research and monitoring interpretive signs in the Miriuwung to discuss the plan with Parks and at Roebuck Bay. language with explanations of Wildlife staff. traditional uses of native plants and animals.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob, with Member for Moore Shane Love, Member for the Agricultural Region Martin Aldridge and Parks and Wildlife staff at Kalbarri National Park. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 37 Parks Management

• Under the Parks for People initiative, planning commenced to create opportunities for camping and recreation at the Karara group of six former pastoral properties, Coalseam Conservation Park and Big Lagoon campground in François Péron National Park. An Aboriginal heritage survey was conducted at Coalseam Conservation Park and an assessment of heritage values and infrastructure commenced at the Karara group of properties. • In the Shark Bay area, a new section of boardwalk was completed at Skipjack Point lookout in François Péron National Park and new stairs were installed at Monkey Mia. • Several projects were completed under the Caring for our Country- funded Shark Bay World Heritage Area Communication Strategy. These included the installation of interpretive and orientation signs and shelters at various sites in Monkey Mia Conservation Park, the proposed Edel Land National Park, and at Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve. • A community engagement strategy continued to be implemented for the Return to 1616‑Dirk Hartog Island National Park Ecological Restoration Project. Work under the strategy included a Dirk Hartog Island National Park open day, supporting community involvement in the beach clean-up funded by a Coastwest grant with the local Yadgalah Association, facilitating an island clean-up with four-wheel drive groups, presentations to the Malgana Native Title Working Group and the development of interpretive signs to promote the project at the marine park boat ramp and Dirk Hartog Island airstrip. • Regional staff supported the Return to 1616‑Dirk Hartog Island National Park Ecological Restoration Project through the planning and design of temporary Montgomery Reef. Photo – Fran Stanley/Parks and Wildlife accommodation for staff.

38 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Historic joint management agreement signed in Kimberley

November 2013 marked a historic moment for Parks and Wildlife, with the signing of Western Australia’s first joint management agreement with traditional owners for a marine park.

The Lalang-garram / Camden Sound Marine Park Joint Management Agreement was signed with the Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation in Derby, in conjunction with the release of the park’s management plan, the first to be created for a marine park under the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy.

The Lalang-garram / Camden Sound Marine Park lies about 300km north-east of Broome and will ultimately cover more 700,000ha. Humpback whale calving grounds in the Lalang-garram / Camden Sound The joint management of the marine Marine Park. Photo – Doug Coughran/Parks and Wildlife park by traditional owners and the State Government will ensure the quality and As well as protecting whales, the area park for cultural reasons that respect the condition of the marine environment is is also important for the conservation idea of saltwater, without meaning just enhanced, and its cultural significance to of flatback and green turtles, snubfin one place or one part of their traditional Aboriginal people is both recognised and and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, country. protected. dugong, saltwater crocodiles, several species of sawfish and a wide range of More information is available at the The agreement has paved the way for marine habitats. website: www.parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ Aboriginal training and employment park/lalang-garramcamden-sound opportunities, including support for The management arrangements also ranger programs and other initiatives recognise the value of the marine park for that will help protect the cultural and a range of recreational and commercial environmental values of country. uses.

The management plan encompasses Lalang-garram is a Worrorra word a range of strategies to conserve the meaning “the saltwater as a spiritual values of the area, including the southern place as well as a place of natural hemisphere’s biggest humpback whale abundance”. It evokes the ocean in its calving ground. most general sense. The Dambimangari chose this word to name the marine

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 39 Parks Management

• Operations continued to be refined • In Cape Range National Park, work Aboriginal Corporation under a formal to improve efficiency at the Pinnacles started on repairing the significant joint management agreement. The Desert Discovery Centre in Nambung damage caused by severe flooding in Murujuga Park Council met several National Park and the Monkey Mia April 2014. Assets damaged included times to progress park planning and dolphin experience in the Shark Bay the Milyering Discovery Centre, the management. ranger residence and researchers World Heritage area. • Signs for Murujuga National Park were unit, roads, campgrounds and other • Road edges and shoulders along created and installed. visitor facilities. Work crews from the Pinnacles Drive in Nambung National • Parks and Wildlife and the Shire of Park were substantially improved. Department’s Walpole District assisted in the clean-up and restoration works. Roebourne continued to oversee • Stage one of a road repair program improvements to recreational shacks was implemented on the sealed tourist • Under the Parks for People initiative, on the Dampier Archipelago. These drive in Lesueur National Park. planning and design commenced for included structural improvements the expansion of the campground at • In the Moora District, an increase to meet Australian standards and Osprey in Cape Range National Park. in visitor numbers, illegal camping waste water treatment system and unlicensed off-road vehicles, • Quad bike commercial tour operators improvements. particularly in the vicinity of the shack in Coral Bay on the Ningaloo coast • Two new transportable staff houses communities of Wedge and Grey, were independently audited to ensure were installed at Millstream Chichester required significant management in best practice operations. A series of National Park and a new park office coastal reserve areas. Staff attended new conditions were incorporated into was installed to replace the existing meetings with the Wedge and Grey new licences. office. community associations and other • Parks and Wildlife and the Shire of • The Naturebank proposal for key stakeholders to discuss a range of Exmouth undertook improvements to Millstream Chichester National Park management issues. Jurabi Coastal Park, and in particular progressed, with cultural heritage, • Work continued on a series of studies Wobiri Beach, with the installation access and hydrological surveys to identify the potential for Wedge of new shelters, fencing and road completed. and Grey to provide the public with surfacing. • The $1.82 million redevelopment recreation opportunities. • Parks and Wildlife and the Shire of of the Hamersley Gorge day-use • Alignment options were determined Exmouth undertook upgrades and area in Karijini National Park was for the proposed Mt Peron walk trail in improvements to the Tantabiddi boat completed. The work was funded Lesueur National Park. ramp and car park precinct with the through Royalties for Regions with Pilbara Region construction of a new toilet block and contributions from Parks and Wildlife additional car parks. and Rio Tinto, and included improved • The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage road access, new signage, and Area Recreation Master Plan • In November 2013, the new Whale construction of a shade shelter and workshop was held in Shark Management Plan was toilet. Further work on a new entry September 2013 to guide recreation released, replacing the previous station commenced. planning along the coast over the next plan and focussing on whale shark 10 years. interaction in WA, particularly the • In Karijini National Park, important activities of whale shark tour operators structural and safety improvements • Stage one of the Milyering Discovery in Ningaloo Marine Park. were made to Oxers Lookout walkway Centre improvements was completed, and lookout and Fortescue Falls trail with new displays installed and the • In Ningaloo Marine Park, 10 kayak and a new emergency radio was retail section improved. moorings were installed in Bundegi, installed at Fortescue Falls car park. • Interactive safe snorkelling videos Tantabiddi, Osprey and Maud • Work started on replacing the Joffre were developed for visitors to Milyering sanctuary zones to facilitate day- lookout in Karijini National Park with a Discovery Centre and were made use activities such as kayaking and new design developed in consultation available in 19 languages. snorkelling. with structural engineers and • Joint management of Murujuga • Staff participated in the annual stakeholders. Exmouth Whale Shark Festival in National Park on the Burrup Peninsula May 2014. continued with the Murujuga

40 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Kermit’s Pool in Karijini National Park. Photo – Veroni/Parks for People Photo Competition

Karijini National Park. Photo – Christina Pember/Parks for People Photo Competition

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 41 Parks Management

• The replacement of toilets at Dales • Staff continued to be actively involved Wildlife Annual Report for details: campground in Karijini National Park with the management and oversight www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/ commenced. of commercial tourism lease areas, annual-report-and-yearbook • A canyoning guide for Karijini National including measures to mitigate • Design work continued on the Park was revised, with input from bushfire risk to visitors at Sal Salis in Royalties for Regions-funded Outdoors WA. A licensed canyoning Cape Range National Park and Karijini redevelopment of The Gap-Natural tour operator is now providing tours Eco Retreat in Karijini National Park. Bridge precinct in Torndirrup National for Class 6 sections of Karijini gorges. • Capital asset maintenance was carried Park, which includes new viewing • Ngurrawaana Aboriginal rangers out across all parks and reserves, and structures, connecting pathways and completed a number of projects progress was made on capital works interpretation. in Millstream Chichester National projects in Cape Range, Millstream • Work continued on the Castle Rock Park, such as facility maintenance, Chichester and Karijini national parks. picnic area upgrade in Porongurup and closure and rehabilitation of the • Support for community involvement in National Park, including the Crossing Pool camp site under fee-for- the management of parks continued, development of an improved visitor service arrangements. with the placement of campground meeting area and interpretation node. • A visitor risk management workshop hosts and volunteers in key parks • As part of the State Government was held at Karijini Visitor Centre in such as Cape Range and Karijini. rock fishing safety initiative and in August 2013, involving a range of South Coast Region collaboration with Recfishwest, six stakeholders including commercial anchor points, two angel rings (life tour operators to promote an inclusive • The $40 million Fitzgerald River buoys) and additional signs were and collaborative approach to visitor National Park Improvement Project installed at Salmon Holes in Torndirrup risk management. was completed. See the Parks and National Park.

Construction work, Fitzgerald River National Park. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

42 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Fitzgerald River National Park upgrade opening. Photo – Kerry Johnson/Parks and Wildlife

• The annual Art in the Park event run • The staff housing refurbishment South West Region by the Friends of the Porongurup project at Cape Le Grand National • The upgrade of Falcon Road in Range was held in April 2014 at the Park was completed with the upgrade Wellington National Park continued, Castle Rock picnic area. of the assistant ranger’s house. with the widening and sealing of • Engagement with traditional owners • A hydrology and water supply study 1.3km and the widening of a further continued on a range of matters. In and a feature survey were undertaken 1.2km for sealing in 2014–15. Esperance, an Aboriginal work crew for the proposed Naturebank site • Through the Naturebank program, was contracted to assist with a seven- in Cape Le Grand National Park. Wharncliffe Mill Bush Retreat in week works maintenance program at Following a re-examination of the flora Bramley National Park near Margaret Cape Le Grand and Stokes national survey, consideration of the site was River was opened by the Minister for parks and Esperance Lakes. In discontinued due to environmental Environment on 16 January 2014. Albany, local area arrangements were constraints. • Under the Parks for People initiative, made to facilitate customary activities • Under the Parks for People initiative, planning for the development of a in local parks and reserves. planning started for the Lucky new campground at Potters Gorge in • Campground hosts continued Bay picnic area and campground Wellington National Park commenced, to assist staff at key parks in the redevelopment. This project will with animal surveys and conceptual region with positive results including provide additional camp sites and new planning undertaken. This project will improved visitor satisfaction. facilities including an ablution block provide about 50 camp sites, six toilet and barbeque shelters. • Visitor numbers continued to increase blocks and four barbeque shelters. in all major national parks during peak and off-peak periods.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 43 Parks Management

• Development of a new campground Bramley and Wellington national parks • Parks and Wildlife set up displays at Logue Brook Dam and an upgrade and Arklow State Forest near Collie. and organised activities at a range of the boat ramp access area The Margaret River Off Road Cycling of events to promote the Nearer to commenced, as part of the Parks Association completed a draft detailed Nature and Western Shield programs. for People initiative. This will provide area plan for the development of a These included professional learning around 110 camp sites, paths, six further 16km of trails close to Margaret events at the Bunbury Primary School toilet blocks and four barbecue River. Sustainability Day, and displays at shelters. • During the year, EcoEducation was the South West Science Spectacular, • Under the Parks for People initiative rebranded as Nearer to Nature South Eaton Foreshore Festival, Scitech the expansion of the Conto West in line with a similar change in Festival, Mandurah Stretch Festival campground in Leeuwin-Naturaliste the Perth Hills program. and at the Balingup Small Farm Field Day. National Park commenced. This • Nearer to Nature school programs project will provide 30 new camp continued to be delivered at Wellington • Fifty-one rock fishing anchors and sites, four toilet blocks and two Discovery Forest and Wharncliffe 35 abseiling anchors in Leeuwin- barbeque shelters. Planning for a new Mill near Margaret River. Sustainable Naturaliste and Wellington national campground at Boranup in Leeuwin- forestry and fire excursions were also parks were load tested. Eleven older Naturaliste National Park commenced. conducted at the Dwellingup Forest anchor types were replaced with new • Toilet blocks destroyed by arson and Heritage Centre and incursions were anchors at the Wellington Dam Quarry storm damage respectively at the conducted in schools. A total of 2,481 and Leeuwin-Naturaliste National John Boyle O’Reilly monument in students participated in 110 Nearer Park. A consultant geologist was Leschenault Peninsula Conservation to Nature South West excursions and engaged to conduct risk assessments Park and Hoffman Mill campground incursions. at Calgardup Cave and cliff sites at Huzzas, Hamelin Bay, Quarry Bay and in Dwellingup State Forest were • The Monitoring Marsupials program, Bob’s Hollow. replaced. which contributes to Western Shield • Several severe storms during the 2013 research, continued to be popular, • Tree pruning was undertaken at major winter caused extensive damage to with half of the available trapping recreation sites to minimise the risk to coastal infrastructure in Leeuwin- nights booked by schools. In addition visitors. Sites included Honeymoon Naturaliste National Park, including to several mardo, a chuditch trapped Pool, Potters Gorge, Chapman Pool, the stairways at Yallingup and the in the previous year was re-trapped Sues Bridge, Conto, Boranup and footbridge at Canal Rocks. Damaged and found to be healthy. Point Road campgrounds, Hoffman sections of the footbridge were rebuilt and Parks and Wildlife worked closely with the Yallingup Land Care District Committee to replace the stairs. • Working partnerships continued with the Mitsubishi 4WD Club at Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park and with the South West 4WD Club in Wellington National Park. Under the Department’s track adoption scheme, the South West 4WD Club worked with park rangers to repair erosion, collect rubbish, and rehabilitate damaged areas along Lennard Track in Wellington National Park. • In partnership with local clubs planning, design and construction John Forrest National Park. Photo – Tourism WA of mountain bike trails continued in

44 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 • Work commenced on rehabilitating large areas of Yellagonga Regional Park as part of an offset package for the Eglinton Estate project. • The water supplementation program continued at Thomsons Lake Nature Reserve in Beeliar Regional Park. The program is being undertaken in conjunction with the Water Corporation to maintain water levels and improve waterbird habitat. • Seventy-six cygnets were released from Thomsons Lake into Lake Kogolup in Beeliar Regional Park. • The Department accepted management responsibility from the Jarrah Trail in Crooked Brook Forest. Water Corporation for rehabilitation Photo – Leon Price/Parks and Wildlife works associated with the Gnangara branch sewer in Yellagonga Regional Mill, Leschenault Peninsula, Wellington • Parks and Wildlife continued to liaise Park. Discovery Forest, Wharncliffe Mill, with the Department of Planning and • Work was undertaken to manage the Lake Brockman Tourist Park and WA Planning Commission regarding impacts of coastal erosion at Cape Crooked Brook Forest. the establishment of the proposed Peron in Rockingham Lakes Regional Peel and Northern Leschenault Swan Region Park. regional parks. • The 2010–15 midge management • The $1.3 million redevelopment at • The path between Neil Hawkins partnership for Yellagonga Regional Martins Tank campground in Yalgorup Park and Picnic Cove recreation Park continued to be implemented National Park was completed areas in Yellagonga Regional Park in conjunction with the cities of and opened by the Minister for was upgraded to a sealed dual-use Joondalup and Wanneroo. Environment on 16 January 2014. standard. This completes sealing The redevelopment was largely of the entire western side of Lake • The removal of introduced animals funded through the Royalties for Joondalup. continued as part of conservation works in regional parks. Regions Conservation Parks Visitor • Post fire weed control works and Infrastructure and Roads Initiative, rehabilitation were undertaken • Weed control and revegetation and included the development of 18 at Farrington bushland in Beeliar projects were undertaken at North additional camp sites, new toilets, Regional Park and Dixon Road Lake, Lake Kogolup, Farrington a barbeque shelter, walk trails and precinct in Rockingham Lakes bushland, Thomsons Lake Nature interpretation signs. Regional Park. Reserve, the Spectacles wetlands and • In Lane Poole Reserve, redevelopment • Liaison continued with the Friends of Mount Brown in Beeliar Regional Park, of the Nanga Brook campground Woodman Point Recreation Camp Modong Nature Reserve, Anketell commenced. Funded under the Parks Inc. regarding a survey of heritage North Block and Anstey Keane in for People initiative, this project will structures in Woodman Point Regional Jandakot Regional Park. provide 29 camp sites for caravans Park and the preparation of a heritage • Parks and Wildlife commenced the and campervans, 12 tent camp sites, management plan. introduction of QR codes that link a sealed access road, three new • Work continued on the rehabilitation to educational videos as part of the toilets, paths and picnic tables. of land in Beeliar Regional Park and visitor interpretation experience. • Eight community advisory committees community-based conservation The possum translocation video at for regional parks convened on 32 programs associated with the Fiona Yalgorup National Park was the first occasions during 2013–14. Stanley Hospital and Health Precinct. video to be developed.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 45 Parks Management

• At the Pinjar off-road motorcycle area, work continued on improving signs, car parks and paths and the development of an advanced skills area started. • At the Metro Road off-road vehicle area, further interim trail works and demonstration trails were developed. • The region and the Recreational Trail Bike Riders’ Association signed a track adoption for Pinjar off-road motorcycle area and continued to do monthly maintenance and clean-up works. • A new water bore and tank were installed in Yanchep National Park to provide water for visitors, lessees and staff. • The retaining wall at the picnic area at Penguin Island was replaced. • The new 1.6km concrete path in Yanchep National Park. Photo – Gooitzen van der Meer/Parks and Wildlife Matilda Bay Reserve was completed. • Planning for new visitor product innovations at Yanchep National Park commenced, including adventure caving and the reintroduction of koalas for photography. • Yanchep National Park received a Gold Award in the Tourist Attractions category in the 2013 Perth Airport Western Australian Tourism Awards. • Maintenance work continued on the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail. • A total of 2,642 volunteers participated in activities in the Swan Region. • Parks and Wildlife continued to work closely with key regional stakeholder organisations including the Peel Development Commission, Alcoa of Australia, the cities of Wanneroo and Swan, the WA Planning Commission, Outdoors WA, the WA 4WD Association, TrackCare, the WA Mountain Bike Association, the Recreational Trail Bike Riders’ Yanchep National Park. Photo – Gooitzen van der Meer/Parks and Wildlife Association of WA, Canoeing WA and Motorcycling WA.

46 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 • Mountain biking continued to be a • Work commenced on the replacement • On 26 March 2014, the Valley of the major focus as part of the Western of the Jane Brook bridge and the Giants Tree Top Walk in Walpole- Australian Mountain Bike Strategy southern bridge on the Railway Nornalup National Park welcomed and upgrade work continued at the Heritage Trail in John Forrest National its three millionth visitor. The popular Langford Park mountain bike circuit. Park. tourist attraction opened on • The Swan Region continued to • Swan Region staff participated in the 6 August 1996. manage more than 250 recreational preparation of the draft management • The master plan for the Walpole town events including the inaugural Oxfam plan for Swan Coastal Plain South. jetty precinct was finalised. This is a TrailWalker at Mundaring, Hot Rods collaborative project with the Shire in the Park at Yanchep National Park Warren Region of Manjimup and will improve visitor and the Dwellingup 100 mountain bike • The official opening of the Walpole infrastructure associated with the events. Wilderness View boardwalk and lookout marine park and address safety and • A coastal risk assessment was at Mount Frankland marked the end user conflict issues. undertaken at Penguin Island. of the Walpole Wilderness Discovery • Planning and design continued for Geotechnical surveys were done to Centre project, which included the the upgrade of Madfish Bay Road in assess cave risks and arboricultural creation of the Swarbrick art loop and William Bay National Park. inspections assessed tree risks at a construction of an outdoor classroom at range of recreation sites. the Valley of the Giants.

Canning camp site shelter on the Bibbulmun Track. Photo – Bibbulmun Track Foundation

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 47 Parks Management

• Under the Parks for People initiative in D’Entrecasteaux National Park, a new two-cubicle toilet was installed at Banksia camp and work started on the expansion and upgrade of Black Point campground to provide additional camp sites, three new toilets and two new registration stations. • Under the Parks for People initiative, initial recreation master planning for the expansion and upgrade of Shannon campground started. This project will provide new camp sites for tents, camper trails, caravans and campervans, and other new facilities. • The Department and the Shire of Manjimup completed the development of the multi-use path between Manjimup town site and the King Jarrah recreation site. • Maintenance grading was completed on about 400km of recreation site access roads. • Trail maintenance work was carried out on the Bibbulmun Track and included Mount Frankland National Park. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife the oiling of timber infrastructure, and installation of and repairs to steps, small bridges, shelters and toilets. • The $1.6 million renewal of the • Long trail closures and diversions for Bannister Road bridge was mostly prescribed burns were implemented completed and small-scale bridges and managed by regional staff in liaison on Gregory and Sheddick roads were with the Recreation and Trails Unit. replaced. • Regional staff prepared and presented • The management of horse riding and more than 70 themed activities the provision of trails were reviewed in including school holiday programs conjunction with the Shire of Denmark. and specific school and conference • Collier Creek boardwalk on the presentations on request. Coalmine Heritage Trail in Walpole- • The Frankland District facilitated Nornalup National Park was replaced. camping and bushwalking activities for • The decking on the jetty at the mouth 33 school groups. of Walpole Inlet in Walpole-Nornalup Bibbulmun Track, Waugal marker. • The Nearer to Nature program Inlets Marine Park was replaced. Photo – Bibbulmun Track Foundation was delivered to more than 200 • Refurbishment of the Coalmine boat schoolchildren in Frankland District. ramp toilet in Walpole-Nornalup • Coastal stabilisation work was National Park was completed. undertaken at Hush Hush Beach car • A partnership and work-sharing park and along tracks in Walpole- approach to managing visitor risk Nornalup and D’Entrecasteaux national management was implemented at parks. Coalmine Beach Caravan Park.

48 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 • A project to protect an Aboriginal heritage site was completed in Dryandra Woodland with the assistance of local Noongars and elders. • The Lions Club of Narrogin funded and built an interpretive panel, which is part of a joint ongoing walk trail development linking the Narrogin town site with Dryandra Woodland. • The Great Southern District provided representation on a local tourism and development committee to progress a cultural walking trail on a nature reserve near Pingelly, in partnership with the community.

A bilby gets a pre-release health check. Photo – Parks and Wildlife • Work commenced on installing a cover for the historic well at Namelcatchem Nature Reserve in • Planning and design work continued • More than 20 facilitated site visits the Shire of Dowerin. The project for proposed new visitor infrastructure and presentations were made by the will enhance visitor experience and including a canoe launch area near Warren Region Aboriginal liaison officer provide a safe viewing platform and Nornalup and boardwalk at Rest Point to Aboriginal working groups and picnic facilities. in the Walpole-Nornalup National staff relating to capital works projects, • In Wongan Hills Nature Reserve, Park. Aboriginal site management and cultural activity opportunities. the Wongan Hills Bushcare Group • Parks and Wildlife staff conducted site continued to assist the Department interpretive tours of The Valley of the Wheatbelt Region with maintenance on the Mount Giants three times a day, seven days a Matilda walk trail. • Now in its 11th year, Barna Mia week throughout the year. nocturnal tours continued to provide a • The Department worked in • Parks and Wildlife commenced special wildlife encounter experience conjunction with the Wheatbelt planning for the Tree Top Walk to visitors to Dryandra Woodland. Way Tourism Committee and the Revitalisation Project, with new The site also provided an opportunity North Eastern Wheatbelt Regional commercial and visitor experience for visitors to learn more about the Organisation of Councils to complete opportunities being investigated. Department’s Western Shield program. the installation of ablution blocks in Billyacatting and Korrelocking nature • Coastal car park stabilisation work • Under the Parks for People initiative, reserves. A new walk trail was also continued to be undertaken at three work started on a new campground in constructed at Billyacatting. sites in Walpole-Nornalup National Dryandra Woodland that will provide Park. up to 30 camp sites, a new access • Recreation facilities were completed road, toilets and a barbeque shelter. at Lake Cronin Nature Reserve after a • More than 30 interpretive projects The proposed name is Koongk-a- collaborative effort by the Department were completed, including site maya, a Noongar word reflecting its and members of the Hyden-Kondinin interpretive and management signage, location on the side of a hill. communities. park notes, review of publications • The Toyota Land Cruiser Club of WA and electronic information, displays • The access road into Sandford continued to assist with volunteer for community events, a community Rocks Nature Reserve was gravelled, maintenance work in Dryandra information day and interpretation allowing for better access for all types Woodland. In addition, an historic of vehicles. planning. stockyard on the old Dwarda-Narrogin railway line at the Congelin town site was rebuilt.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 49 Wildlife Management Operational highlights

Sean Garretson releases a northern quoll on Dolphin Island. Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife

The Wildlife Management Service is Legislation, policy and plans Wildlife divided into the following areas: Biodiversity conservation legislation Management • development and implementation of legislation, key policies and strategic Preparatory work was undertaken ahead of the formal drafting of a proposed The conservation, protection and plans Biodiversity Conservation Act, including management of WA’s rich biodiversity • establishment and effective a regulatory impact statement and is strategically coordinated through management of the terrestrial and extensive consultation across State the Wildlife Management Service, marine conservation reserve system Government on the specifics to be which oversees a range of programs • management of system-wide covered within the proposed act and and activities. This service is built on threatening processes its interaction with other legislation and scientific and technical knowledge programs. accumulated over many decades, • maintenance of viable ecological communities and populations of which continues to develop and grow. Regional nature conservation plans Ongoing processes of biological survey, species, especially those that are specimen collection and classification threatened, while allowing the Each Parks and Wildlife region operates are complemented by developing and sustainable use of natural resources under a five-year nature conservation implementing recovery plans for species • acquisition of biodiversity knowledge regional plan. This collectively provides and ecological communities under to improve wildlife management the basis for improved integration and threat, identifying and acquiring land that coherence of departmental activities • improving information and data supports representative ecosystems, and functions aimed at conserving WA’s management managing areas for their conservation biodiversity at a regional scale. These values, managing broad-scale threats • promoting public and stakeholder plans provide guidance on priority areas to conservation, ensuring native plants awareness and understanding wildlife for biodiversity conservation. and animals are used sustainably, and conservation issues, and engaging continuing to promote public awareness and encouraging people to be involved of the value and vulnerability of WA’s in the conservation, management and natural assets. protection of wildlife.

50 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Predator proof enclosure at Lorna Glen. Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife

structural condition were monitored to Conservation and Land Management evaluate annual fire, feral cattle and weed Act 1984. management programs. Measurable improvements in the management of fire Work continued to progress changes regimes, pest animals and threatened in tenure from State forest to national mammals were demonstrated, with park as outlined in the Dryandra substantial reductions in cattle in high Woodland Management Plan 2011. conservation areas; half the amount The distribution of plants and animals of country burnt by late season fires of conservation significance on the and improvements in the number and Kimberley Science and Conservation banded iron formation (BIF) ranges distribution of threatened mammals on Strategy in the Yilgarn Craton continued to Mitchell Plateau. Mammals detected be identified through surveys of BIF The State Government’s Kimberley during annual monitoring included the and non-BIF habitat associated with Science and Conservation Strategy northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), development proposals. was released in June 2011, with an golden bandicoot (Isoodon auratus), implementation budget of $63 million golden backed tree rat (Mesembriomys More information about lands and over five years and a commitment to macrurus), brush-tailed rabbit rat waters managed by the Department ongoing funding for key initiatives. An (Conilurus penicillatus), scaly tailed is available in the 2013–14 Annual additional $18.5 million was committed in possum (Wyulda squamicaudata) Report: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about- 2013 to create the proposed Kimberley and monjon rock wallaby (Petrogale us/annual-report-and-yearbook National Park, marine and national parks burbidgei). at Horizontal Falls and to extend the More information on the Kimberley proposed North Kimberley Marine Park to Science and Conservation Strategy is the WA/NT border. The strategy provides available on the website: www.dpaw. the framework for the conservation of the wa.gov.au/management/kimberley- Kimberley’s spectacular natural values strategy and to create new opportunities for Aboriginal employment and nature-based Establishment of the tourism. terrestrial and marine

The landscape conservation initiative conservation reserve system component of the Kimberley Science The formal conservation reserve system and Conservation Strategy reported comprises national parks, nature on conservation resource condition, reserves, conservation parks, marine principally in the North Kimberley parks, marine nature reserves, marine bioregion. Rainforests, mammal management areas and miscellaneous assemblages and savanna vegetation conservation reserves referred to in the

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 51 Wildlife Management

Effective management of the Good Neighbour policy and Tablelands pastoral leases, and the implementation of the Ecofire fire conservation reserve system The implementation of the Department’s management program. Management planning Good Neighbour policy continued during 2013–14, including weed control, A three-year memorandum of During 2013–14, one final management introduced animal control programs and understanding with Carson River Station, plan was released and 15 were in fire management. an Aboriginal-held pastoral lease north of preparation. See page 12 for details. Drysdale River National Park, has been In the Kimberley Region, work continued A five-year periodic audit of the signed. with traditional owners, pastoral implementation of the Shoalwater lease holders and non-government Approximately 11km of cattle-proof Islands Marine Park Management Plan organisations to implement prescribed fence was constructed between Parks 2007-2017 and a 10-year audit of the burning, feral animal and weed and Wildlife-managed Giralia and Marilla implementation of the Swan Estuary management programs across property stations in the Exmouth District to help Marine Park and Adjacent Nature boundaries. keep cattle out of Giralia, which has been Reserves Management Plan 1999-2009 de-stocked. In conjunction with Carlton was completed by the Marine Parks and Grant funding was provided to the Hill Station, fencing was also completed Reserves Authority with assistance from Australian Wildlife Conservancy under in the Ord River Nature Reserve to the Department. the Kimberley Science and Conservation protect estuarine crocodile nesting Strategy for the management of the A list of approved management plans habitat from cattle intrusion. Artesian Range within the Charnley River is available on the website: www.dpaw. wa.gov.au/parks/management-plans/ approved-management-plans

Management action

The Department undertook a wide range of management actions in conservation reserves across the State to protect biodiversity, some of which included:

• intensive management work at Lorna Glen in conjunction with the Wiluna Martu ranger team, including patch prescribed burning, mammal reintroduction, predator control, tracks and firebreaks and general reserve management • continuation of the Tutanning Adaptive Management Project to maintain at least 90 per cent of the alpha and beta flora diversity of the kwongan by establishing an appropriate fire regime and controlling the encroachment of sheoak • restoration of Gastrolobium thickets in Dryandra Woodland.

Scientist Judy Dunlop with Pilbara olive python. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

52 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Golden bandicoot, Lorna Glen. Photo – Mark Blythman/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 53 Wildlife Management

Recovery and management At 30 June 2014, there were 415 extant (Cyphanthera odgersii subsp. of threatened species and threatened flora species listed, with 14 occidentalis), yellow mountain bell listed as presumed to be extinct, and (Darwinia collina), Stirling Range beard ecological communities, 2,999 taxa listed on the Department’s heath (Leucopogon gnaphalioides), significant species and priority flora list. Latrobea colophona and giant andersonia (Andersonia axilliflora). ecosystems Recovery actions were implemented Recovery of threatened species and for a suite of threatened flora. Highlights • Rabbit control was undertaken to ecological communities included: protect many threatened flora species including tangled wattle (Acacia • A total of 265 species of threatened The Threatened Species Scientific volubilis), sprawling spiky adenanthos and priority flora comprising 402 Committee’s recommendations from (Adenanthos pungens subsp. effusus), populations were surveyed or 2013 for changes to the State lists of matchstick banksia (Banksia cuneata), monitored and 21 new populations threatened native plants and animals Wagin banksia (Banksia oligantha), of threatened flora and 114 new under the WC Act were gazetted on stilted tinsel lily (Calectasia pignattiana), populations of priority flora were 17 September 2013. Boscabel conostylis (Conostylis located. Of note was the discovery setigera subsp. dasys), Cunderdin The Department continued to implement of new populations of the critically daviesia (Daviesia cunderdin) and endangered blue tinsel lily (Calectasia the Memorandum of Understanding Lake King eremophila (Eremophila cyanea), Eremophila glabra subsp. (MOU) with the Federal Department subteretifolia). Rabbit control included chlorella, milky emu bush (Eremophila of the Environment to better align the the fumigation of rabbit warrens and the lactea), Guichenotia seorsiflora threatened species lists under the Federal baiting of threatened flora habitat. Environment Protection and Biodiversity and salt myoporum (Myoporum • Weed control was undertaken for many Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) turbinatum). In addition, new threatened flora species including the with the State lists under the WC Act. populations of the column hakea Wagin banksia (Banksia oligantha), This MOU, and the prior joint project to (Hakea aculeata) were located. Ten elegant spider orchid (Caladenia prepare information sheets as the first priority flora were recommended for elegans), Fitzgerald eremophila stage in nominating changes to the list of downgrading in status following the (Eremophila denticulata subsp. threatened species under the EPBC Act, discovery of further populations. denticulata), Northampton midget has so far resulted in 128 changes to the • Volunteers from the Department and greenhood (Pterostylis sinuata) and list of nationally threatened species under the WA Native Orchid Study and Schoenia filifolia subsp. subulifolia. the EPBC Act. Conservation Group collaborated on the Adopt an Orchid project to survey • Recruitment burns were carried out Flora and monitor 24 threatened and priority on populations of Wongan cactus orchid species, with 107 populations (Daviesia euphorbioides) and Dasymalla Four species were added to the State list monitored and 11 new populations axillaris. Post fire monitoring was carried of extant threatened flora: Caladenia sp. discovered. out for five threatened flora species: Collie (E. Bennett s.n.), Commersonia Wundowlin wattle (Acacia sciophanes), • Phosphite applications were carried apella, Synaphea sp. Pinjarra Plain Tutanning boronia (Boronia capitata out to control Phytophthora dieback, (A.S. George 17182) and Synaphea subsp. capitata), stilted tinsel lily, targeting 19 threatened flora species sp. Serpentine (G.R. Brand 103). Drummond’s conostylis (Conostylis including 11 critically endangered taxa Acacia splendens was upgraded from drummondii) and Norseman pea in Stirling Range National Park and in endangered to critically endangered and (Daviesia microcarpa). Myriophyllum lapidicola was upgraded the Albany coastal area. • New translocation sites were from vulnerable to endangered. Three • Aerial canker monitoring continued for established for the critically endangered nomenclature changes were also Albany banksia (Banksia verticillata) Grevillea maxwellii and Daviesia endorsed. and Lambertia orbifolia populations, ovata in 2013–14 (Table 4). Infill as part of a larger south coast aerial A further 88 taxa were added to the planting at 14 translocation sites canker research project. Department’s priority flora list, and previously established for nine critically 36 taxa were deleted from the list • Fencing to protect plants from grazing endangered taxa was also undertaken. after more survey and taxonomic was constructed for several threatened Additionally, 49 established plant review demonstrated their adequate flora species, including the critically translocation sites containing 32 taxa conservation status. endangered western cyphanthera were monitored.

54 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Table 4: Flora translocations undertaken as part of the implementation of recovery and interim recovery plans in 2013–14

Species Activity Number of translocation sites

Grevillea maxwellii Established new translocation site 1

Daviesia ovata Established new translocation site 1

Acacia volubilis Infill planting 1

Darwinia whicherensis Infill planting 2

Daviesia cunderdin Infill planting 1

Daviesia euphorbioides Infill planting 1

Gastrolobium papilio Infill planting 2

Grevillea brachystylis subsp. australis Infill planting 1

Grevillea maccutcheonii Infill planting 2

Lambertia echinata subsp. occidentalis Infill planting 2

Petrophile latericola Infill planting 2

Threatened Flora Seed Centre

The Department’s Threatened Flora Seed Centre is an active member of the Australian Seed Bank Partnership, a national network of conservation seed banks working towards conserving Australia’s plant species and building and sharing knowledge to support restoration.

A total of 223 seed collections representing 147 species were banked at the seed centre during 2013–14. Eighty-five of the collections were from threatened flora, with 61 of these from critically endangered taxa. Fifteen collections (11 taxa) were made under the Millennium Seed Bank fieldwork fund and 12 collections under Central Wheatbelt Caring for our Country project funds. Almost one third of the collections banked were donated as a development offset, while Departmental flora conservation officers were responsible for making 44 collections. Three collections were made for translocations, and collections of five critically endangered species were withdrawn from the seed bank and germinated for use in Departmental Banksia menziesii. Photo – Mark Brundrett/Parks and Wildlife translocation projects.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 55 Wildlife Management

Assistance continued to be provided to • Significant progress continued during the Swan Region’s Banksia Woodland 2013–14 on the Dirk Hartog Island Restoration Project for processing and National Park ecological restoration germinating seed from a range of species project, funded through the Gorgon 246 for use in direct seeding and nursery Barrow Island Net Conservation propagation. Benefits (NCB) program. The NCB native animal species listed program’s objective is to deliver as threatened Native animals long-term conservation benefits to WA in areas with similar values to At 30 June 2014, there were 246 extant Barrow Island. The $11.54 million NCB threatened fauna species, 19 presumed funding for the Dirk Hartog Island to be extinct native animal species and National Park project is supporting 13 listed as otherwise specially protected the progressive removal of pest native animal species, with a further animals including goats, sheep and 197 species on the Department’s priority cats and invasive plant species before native animals list. commencing reintroductions of native Six native animals species were added animals in an ambitious and ground 13 to the WC Act list of specially protected breaking project to restore Dirk Hartog (threatened) fauna. Island to its former state. The May native animal species 2014 launch of the fit-for-purpose listed as protected One species, the western long-beaked vessel ‘Wirruwana’, the local Aboriginal echidna (Zaglossus bruijnii), was added name for Dirk Hartog National Park to the list as presumed extinct fauna as Island, was an important milestone it has been only collected once in WA, in for the project, enabling the transfer 1901, and has not been sighted alive in of vehicles, equipment and machinery this State. The whale shark (Rhincodon to the island. An aerial baiting typus) was added to Schedule 4 – program also during May resulted in otherwise specially protected fauna, to an estimated 80 per cent reduction provide an appropriate level of protection in the feral cat population, based on for this internationally significant migratory the proportion of marked feral cats species, which is managed in Ningaloo known to be alive before baiting. Since 197 Marine Park for tourism interaction. 2010, the Department has conducted native animal species on the The woylie (Bettongia penicillata) was nine aerial shooting campaigns on the Department’s priorty list upgraded from endangered to critically island with a total of 7,416 goats and endangered following further monitoring straggler sheep removed, including that demonstrated the ongoing decline in 184 goats removed during 2013–14 this species. Four nomenclature changes with Caring for our Country funds were also endorsed. and a further 39 removed with project funding. During 2013–14, 164,900 new records were added to the Threatened and • Another NCB funded project is Priority native animal database and/or developing a tool for prioritising and the Fauna Survey Returns system, with implementing biosecurity actions on 31,729 of those for threatened or priority Pilbara islands. This five-year project fauna species. A draft native animal is a collaboration with James Cook 10 translocation strategy has been prepared University (JCU), Townsville, and years of operation for Barna Mia to prioritise and guide future native animal commenced in 2012. A database nocturnal animal viewing translocations in WA. containing information on the biophysical attributes, biodiversity Recovery actions were implemented for values, levels of use, and threats many threatened native animal species continued to be compiled by Parks during the year. Highlights included: and Wildlife staff, while the model

56 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 to assist decision-making is being Reintroduced populations of bilbies • Offset funding from Pilbara resources developed by JCU researchers. (Macrotis lagotis), brushtail possums projects was used to progress the Information on more than 600 islands (Trichosurus vulpecular), mala implementation of recovery actions for along the Pilbara coast has been (Lagorchestes hirsutus), golden the bilby and northern quoll (Dasyurus incorporated into the database, and bandicoots (Isoodon auratus), hallucatus). These include establishing will be used to identify the most cost- boodies (Bettongia lesueur) and Shark a Pilbara-wide regional monitoring effective biosecurity actions for high Bay mice (Pseudomys fieldi) were program to enable mining lease priority islands. Once developed, the monitored, as was the effectiveness of monitoring programs to compare model can be used for other island feral cat control. Baiting for feral cats in population trends, and to examine groups or mainland areas to help 2013 was shown to be 60–70 per cent the impact of mining infrastructure on prioritise management actions. effective. The interactions of dingoes survivorship and population viability. and feral cats was studied as part of a • The Barna Mia Nocturnal Animal • Dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) PhD project, which showed that feral Sanctuary reached its tenth year recovery through the establishment cats adjust their use of the landscape of operation. Located in Dryandra of wild populations continued to in the presence of dingoes, to avoid Woodland near Narrogin, this facility progress. Numbers increased on an interacting with the larger predator. showcases several nocturnal native island at Jurien Bay and in the Peniup Native title (exclusive possession) was animals selected for protection under reserve in the south-west, while declared over Matuwa and adjacent the Department’s Western Shield breeding was recorded for the first Earaheedy (Karrara Karrara) properties wildlife recovery program. time in the Waychinicup National Park in 2014 and an Indigenous Protected sanctuary on the south coast. • The Operation Rangelands Area agreement was prepared to allow Restoration project continued at the Martu traditional owners and Parks Lorna Glen (Matuwa), as part of and Wildlife to continue managing an environmental offset funded by this rangeland property together for the Gorgon Joint Venture project. conservation and cultural purposes.

Close native animal encounter at Barna Mia Nocturnal Animal Sanctuary. Photo – Gary Tate

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 57 Wildlife Management

• The annual census of the critically animals translocated to Julimar a black-flanked rock wallaby ‘crèche’ endangered Gilbert’s potoroo State Forest north of Perth in 2013 in Pilgonaman Gorge (three young at (Potorous gilbertii) continued in persisted. foot playing together with one adult natural and established populations • A new predator-proof sanctuary in attendance). Black-flanked and on the south coast. Potoroo numbers for black-flanked rock wallabies yellow-footed rock wallabies have been remained stable in the wild populations (Petrogale lateralis lateralis) was observed using crèches before but this (Bald Island and Two Peoples Bay), constructed at Nangeen Hill Nature information has not been published. with breeding occurring and the Bald Reserve in the central Wheatbelt An image of a rock wallaby was Island population being self-sustaining. through a partnership between the captured very close to the Exmouth townsite (2.5km west), closer than any • Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) Department and WWF-Australia. previously known sighting. populations at Tutanning and Revegetation was also undertaken Dragon Rocks nature reserves in to improve the species’ habitat. In • With assistance from the Federal the Wheatbelt that were established August and September 2013, 26 Department of the Environment and through reintroductions in 1991 black-flanked rock wallabies were funding sponsorship from Atlas Iron, and 1995 respectively, persisted. translocated from Calvert Ranges Roy Hill, Buru Energy, Rio Tinto and the The numbat population east of (Kaalpi) to Durba Hills (16 to Pinpi Fortescue Metals Group, workshops Manjimup appeared to be healthy Gorge and 10 to Jilikuru Gorge) in the to review the status of the night and expanding, with a sighting in the Little Sandy Desert. When monitored parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis), bilby, Frankland District. The reintroduced in November 2013, 12 of the 15 northern quoll (Macrotis lagotis), Pilbara numbat population at Batalling, near animals fitted with VHF transmitters leaf-nosed bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia), Darkan, was supplemented by the were located alive and all five animals Pilbara olive python (Liasis olivaceus release of nine female numbats from fitted with satellite transmitters barroni) and mulgara (Dasycercus the breeding colony at Perth Zoo in were active. In collaboration with spp.) in the Pilbara were undertaken. December 2013. the Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa rangers, A key output from each workshop was work to control feral cats continued the clarification of research priorities • Monitoring at Faure Island in Shark to protect the black-flanked rock to inform the management of each Bay indicated that western barred wallaby and other threatened species species in the Pilbara. This information bandicoots (Perameles bougainville in the area. Camera traps deployed is being used to draft Pilbara research bougainville), banded hare-wallabies by the Department in Cape Range plans and guide the investment of (Lagostrophus fasciatus fasciatus) National Park in the Pilbara produced offset funds and corporate sponsorship and burrowing bettongs (Bettongia fascinating results, including images of contributions. lesueur lesueur) have each established self-sustaining populations on the island. All reintroduced populations of burrowing bettongs increased in population size. Twelve banded hare-wallabies were successfully translocated from the Peron Captive Breeding Centre in the Shark Bay World Heritage area to Wadderin Sanctuary in the eastern Wheatbelt in 2013. • Intensive management of woylies continued, with further animals translocated out of Perup Sanctuary near Manjimup to nearby Yendicup, and new genetic stock from Dryandra and the Kanyana Rehabilitation Centre (Tutanning stock) was introduced to Fence construction at Dirk Hartog Island National Park. Photo – Michael Johnston/ Perup sanctuary. Fenced or island Parks and Wildlife populations increased in size, and

58 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 • Western ground parrot (Pezoporus flaviventris) recovery efforts continued, with no further decline being detected in the Cape Arid National Park population on the south coast. Cat baiting trials continued in Cape Arid and Fitzgerald River national parks, with support from State NRM and the Federal Government’s Biodiversity Fund. Results to date are encouraging, with a significant decrease in cat activity recorded in the 2013 trials. There was substantial volunteer participation in the project, with more than 2,000 volunteer hours contributed in 2013. • The noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus) sub-population on Mt Gardner near Albany was surveyed, and the translocation of birds to the Angove site was monitored, with a territorial male detected. • The Department and BirdLife Australia continued to band Carnaby’s cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) Pseudantechinus roryi with pouch young, Pilbara. and encouraged people to report and Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife photograph banded birds. The fifth Great Cocky Count was held in April 2013, with 250 sites surveyed by • Carnaby’s cockatoo road warning • Funding was provided by the more than 250 volunteers, including signs were designed and erected Department and Alcoa Australia for a 48 sites surveyed outside the Swan at locations where road kills had UWA and Murdoch University research Region and not previously surveyed occurred to help raise public project looking at habitat use by during a Great Cocky Count. There awareness of cockatoos and prevent Baudin’s cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus were more than 450 cocky count or reduce vehicle strike. Continued baudinii) and forest red-tailed black sites in the south-west, including 174 liaison with Main Roads WA assisted cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus banksii confirmed roosts. with the identification of ‘black spots’ naso) on an Alcoa mining lease site • The Jandakot Banksia Woodland and future sign locations. south of Serpentine. The Department Restoration Project involved the • An Edith Cowan University Master also provided $10,000 to buy netting restoration of 22ha of banksia of Science research project that for orchards to contribute to a woodland through topsoil transfer investigated food availability for Department of Agriculture and Food and the planting of a further 6ha of Carnaby’s cockatoos was completed. WA research project funded by the Carnaby’s feeding habitat. Over the A University of Western Australia Royalties for Regions scheme looking next three years, the project proposes (UWA) PhD project continued to at the costs and benefits of using to provide about 40ha of Carnaby’s investigate roost site fidelity and netting for tree crop protection from habitat, control weeds across an resource use by Carnaby’s cockatoos these species. area of more than 800ha and fence on the Swan Coastal Plain, including off approximately 1000ha of feeding through the use of satellite tracking habitat. tags attached to 24 birds.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 59 Wildlife Management

• Western swamp tortoise - The Ningaloo turtle program -A pilot study was undertaken on (Pseudemydura umbrina) populations funded by Parks and Wildlife and Munda Station in the Pilbara, which at Ellen Brook Nature Reserve, Twin Woodside continued, with 44 aimed to determine the impact of Swamps Nature Reserve, Sheep volunteers contributing 3,186 hours cats and foxes on flatback turtle Swamp adjacent to Mogumber Nature in identifying nests by the track nests. Munda station supports Reserve and North-West Swamp count method along key Ningaloo one of the largest flatback turtle in Moore River Nature Reserve all coast beaches. An average nesting rookeries in WA. The pilot study was showed signs of recruitment, following season was recorded during successful in capturing evidence of annual monitoring and management of 2013–14, with 2,779 nests. Of these predation. the reserves. Fifty years of monitoring nests, 82 per cent were from green • Forty-eight sites were monitored and recovery efforts were celebrated turtles (Chelonia mydas), in 2013 across the distribution of in 2013 at an event attended by the 15 per cent from loggerheads and the threatened white-bellied and Environment Minister. three per cent from hawksbill turtles orange-bellied frogs (Geocrinia (Eretmochelys imbricata). Hawksbill • A Statewide strategic plan for the alba and Geocrinia vitellina) in the turtles have shown a significant conservation of marine turtles was south-west, with linear monitoring of increase in nesting abundance at developed. A number of projects population densities indicating that Ningaloo since 2004. on marine turtles were undertaken, larger populations at three sites were including: -The Dampier Archipelago supports relatively stable. Monitoring showed -A project focussing on the the largest hawksbill turtle rookery successful establishment of white- composition, distribution and in the Indo-Pacific and one of bellied frogs at the Witchcliffe Forest seasonality of marine turtle nesting the biggest in the world. Turtle site and all previous establishment in the Kimberley began in 2013 as monitoring on Rosemary Island, sites of the orange-bellied frog. Froglet part of the Kimberley Node of the which lies within the archipelago, breeding by Perth Zoo continued, with Western Australia Marine Science primarily focused on hawksbill 70 white-bellied frogs translocated to Institution (WAMSI). This project turtles and continued to add Forest Grove and 65 orange-bellied is led by Parks and Wildlife and is to knowledge of spatial trends, frogs translocated to three Adelaide being undertaken by a consortium turtle mortality and growth rates. Creek sites. of researchers and Aboriginal Rosemary Island has been a focus • A new wildlife management program groups. for hawksbill turtle tagging and for the management of the whale monitoring research since the mid- shark (Rhincodon typus) in Ningaloo -In the Kimberley, flatback turtle 1980s. The project is undertaken Marine Park was prepared to (Natator depressus) nest monitoring by Parks and Wildlife staff and guide the management of wildlife continued on Eighty Mile Beach volunteers. interactions with this species and in partnership with traditional ensure its ongoing conservation in owners, pastoralists and volunteers. -The West Pilbara Turtle State waters. Flatback turtle populations were Program, funded by Rio Tinto, also monitored at Cape Domett is a cooperatively managed, • A morphometric key for the hairy to determine population viability community-based program marron (Cherax tenuimanus) was in conjunction with Miriuwung- that monitors flatback turtles at developed, and the Cape to Cape Gajerrong and Balanggarra Wickham beaches. Volunteers from catchment groups and volunteers traditional owners. Karratha and Wickham monitored were trained to use it. Captive nesting, false crawl events, hatchling breeding of this species was -At Dirk Hartog Island National events and nest interference by successfully undertaken in 2013. Park, ongoing monitoring of nesting predators and humans. Volunteer loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) numbers continued to increase, continued, assisted by a remote reflecting the value of this program camera system. The extended to the local community. monitoring period showed that Dirk Hartog Island supports one of the world’s biggest nesting loggerhead turtle populations.

60 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Table 5: Native animal translocations undertaken as part of the implementation of recovery and interim recovery plans, and other conservation initiatives in 2013–14

Species (common name) Translocated from Translocated to

Tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii Karakamia Sanctuary Woodland Reserve (Whiteman Park) derbianus) Dryandra and Kanyana Wildlife Woylie (Bettongia penicillata) Perup Sanctuary Rehabilitation Centre Yendicup Forest Block Woylie (Bettongia penicillata) Perup Sanctuary Greater Kingston National Park

Woylie (Bettongia penicillata) Dryandra enclosure Julimar State Forest

Bush stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius) Perth Zoo and Caversham Wildlife Park Woodman Reserve (Whiteman Park)

Banded hare-wallaby (Lagostrophus Peron Captive Breeding Centre Wadderin Sanctuary and Faure Island fasciatus)

Black-flanked rock wallaby (Petrogale Mt Stirling Nature Reserve Sales Rock (Quairading) lateralis lateralis)

Black-flanked rock wallaby (Petrogale Nangeen and Mount Caroline nature Querekin Rocks lateralis lateralis) reserves

Pale field rat (Rattus tunneyi) Mornington Sanctuary Wongalara (NT)

Julimar Conservation Park and Perup Chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii) Flinders Ranges (SA) Nature Reserve

Black-flanked rock wallaby (Petrogale Kaalpi ( Calvert Range) Jilukurru (Durba Hills) lateralis lateralis)

Rakali (water rat) (Hydromys Mussel Pool (Whiteman Park) and Perth Zoo and other sources chrysogaster) Karakamia Sanctuary

Mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus) Peron Captive Breeding Centre Lorna Glen

François Peron National Park and other Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) Peron Captive Breeding Centre captive breeding centres

Turtles released at Exmouth. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 61 Wildlife Management

Threatened ecological communities • A total of 12,394 occurrences of • Environmental impact assessment PECs or TECs were added to the advice was provided for 90 projects, The Threatened Ecological Communities Department’s Threatened and Priority with the potential to affect TECs or Scientific Committee met twice Ecological Community database. PECs across WA. during the year and considered eight New occurrence information was • Site visits were made to 81 nominations for changes to the lists added or boundary mapping of threatened ecological communities occurrences of TECs and PECs revised for 17 TECs and 144 PECs, and data was collected about (TECs) and priority ecological assisting in resolving their status and communities (PECs). At 30 June 2014, habitat, composition, condition and providing improved information for threats leading to the development there were 66 extant TECs, three listed land use planning. This included 43 as ‘totally destroyed’, and 307 PECs or improvement of recommended occurrences of seven PECs in the recovery actions. listed by the Department. Pilbara Region, 335 occurrences • Eleven new quadrats were established across 41 banded iron formation The ‘Subtropical and temperate in vegetation on the Swan Coastal PECs in the Goldfields and Midwest coastal saltmarsh’ and the ‘Proteaceae Plain and data from a further eight regions, 11,361 occurrences of the dominated kwongkan shrublands of the quadrats were statistically analysed ‘South coast Proteaceae dominated south-east coastal floristic province of to verify the presence of TECs or kwongkan’ PEC and 221 occurrences Western Australia’ were listed under the PECs. In the Swan Region, work to of the ‘Subtropical and temperate Federal EPBC Act. These TECs cover map and control weeds, establish and coastal saltmarsh’ PEC (listed as TECs three State-listed TECs and 15 State- repair fences and gates, upgrade and under Federal legislation). listed PECs. establish signage, remove rubbish • The TEC database was upgraded Highlights of work done to protect and revegetate degraded areas was through the inclusion of functions to TECs and PECs are outlined below. undertaken in 45 reserves to benefit store monitoring data to assist with Some activities, such as weed control, 25 TECs and 12 PECs. In addition, future analyses of changes in TEC fencing, surveys and data analysis were 32 quadrats in claypan TECs were health. completed with funding assistance from resurveyed to investigate changes in the Federal Government’s Caring for our species composition over the previous Country program. 20 years and determine management needs. A field day attended by 30 people was held in Waroona to assist managers of claypan TECs. • At Lake Cooloongup and Walyungup near Rockingham, the Department’s Regional Parks Branch continued a project to control weeds including sharp rush (Juncus acutus), giant reed (Arundo donax) and cotton bush (Gomphocarpus fruticosus). This weed control, and major works targeting impacts from off-road vehicles at Port Kennedy Scientific Park, were undertaken to benefit the ‘Sedgelands in holocene dune swales’ TEC.

Spinifex-covered mesas. Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife

62 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 • In the Swan Region, the Department continued to chair the Lake Clifton Recovery Team, which brings together experts across agencies, local government, NRM groups and research institutions to develop and coordinate the management of the ecological integrity of Lake Clifton south of Mandurah, primarily to support the critically endangered thrombolitic community. The recovery team received results from ongoing studies of the biogeochemical processes which maintain the thrombolitic community, that indicate the community is actively growing, but threatened by changing salinity, freshwater hydrology and nutrient conditions within the Lake Clifton catchment. Studies on the geology and evolution, and mapping of critical habitat also continued for the Lake Clifton TEC. • In the South West Region, aerial application of phosphite was completed for 72ha of the Busselton Lake Bryde Recovery Catchment. Photo – Peter White/Parks and Wildlife ironstone TEC to help combat impacts of dieback disease caused by plant pathogens, and weed control was also undertaken in the TEC. Two kilometres of fencing were constructed to protect occurrences of claypan TECs from four-wheel drive damage and an ironstone TEC area from overgrazing. Twelve quadrats within the claypan TECs that were established in the early 1990s were relocated and resurveyed to determine compositional changes, threats, and management needs. • Monitoring of water levels and quality in the ‘Reedia swamps of the Warren Region’ TEC was continued to track hydrological change in the TEC, and quadrats were resurveyed to determine fire response.

Caladenia graniticola. Photo – Mark Brundrett/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 63 Wildlife Management

• In the South Coast Region, a bores in the catchment continued, • In the Pilbara Region, a broad scale fencing project commenced that with improved efficiency in collecting feral herbivore program to reduce will be critical for the growth and data through an upgraded telemetry the impact of donkeys, horses and reproductive success of components system. Improvements were made to camels on the fragile vegetation of of the montane thicket TEC. Aerial groundwater pumping below the lake the Fortescue Marsh PEC continued. phosphite was applied to this TEC floor. This complemented feral predator and to the montane mallee thicket • Also in the Wheatbelt Region, management and 400ha of successful PEC in Stirling Range National Park. monitoring and recovery actions weed management in the marsh. Rabbit baiting was implemented over to protect the Lake Bryde TEC • In the Kimberley Region, fencing was 25ha and Banksia oreophila was continued, including rabbit control completed around several organic planted in eight enclosures to help and monitoring of the effectiveness mound springs on Mt Elizabeth and restore the montane thicket TEC. New of reduced grazing. Results indicate Drysdale River stations, and work occurrences of six PECs were located that vegetation health has improved commenced on fencing a further and the boundaries of an additional substantially with rabbit control. Five mound spring on Gibb River Station. PEC were remapped. years of data were also analysed to More information on threatened determine linkages between hydrology • For the Lake Toolibin TEC in the flora, native animals and ecological and vegetation composition in the Wheatbelt Region, revegetation on communities is available on the website: land purchased by the Department TEC. www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants-and- (Miller’s Block) was completed to • In the Midwest Region, six animals/threatened-species-and- help improve catchment health, occurrences of the ‘Subtropical and communities including site preparation and temperate coastal saltmarsh’ PEC hand planting of 40,000 seedlings. were surveyed and their identity Monitoring of groundwater in 200 confirmed.

Collecting seeds of the critically endangered Banksia anatona in the Stirling Range. Lizard in Karijini National Park. Photo – Sarah Barrett/Parks and Wildlife Photo – Parks and Wildlife

64 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Endangered quoll discovered on Kimberley island

A new population While populations of northern quoll were Kimberley Science and Conservation known from 11 other Kimberley islands, Strategy, the Department will provide of the endangered Molema Island had not previously been unprecedented protection for the northern quoll surveyed because it was difficult to region’s unique plants and animals, as access. well as creating tourism and Aboriginal (Dasyurus hallucatus) employment opportunities. The survey team used a boat to access was discovered in late Molema Island and place surveillance The discovery builds on the work 2013 on a Kimberley cameras there and on several other done during the Kimberley Islands smaller islands nearby. A quoll’s diet can Biological Survey, which concluded in island in the Talbot include other small mammal species, so 2013. The survey by Parks and Wildlife more than 100 droppings were collected (and its predecessor) and Western Bay area, highlighting to be analysed and identify other species Australian Museum, in partnership with the importance of that may be on the islands. Balanggarra, Uunguu, Dambimangari, Mayala and Bardi-Jawi traditional owners continuing research Scientists from Parks and Wildlife, (coordinated by the Kimberley Land into Western Australia’s Dambimangari rangers and volunteers Council) on 24 of the largest northern from Monash University discovered the Kimberley islands discovered the agile biodiversity and its population. The survey was funded by Mt wallaby (Macropus agilis), red-cheeked conservation. Gibson Iron Ore offsets. dunnart (Sminthopsis virginiae) and The finding confirms the importance western chestnut mouse (Pseudomys The endangered marsupials were found of reserving the area as marine nanus) on Kimberley islands for the first on Molema Island in the proposed and terrestrial national parks, with time. Horizontal Falls National Park. the immense natural values of the The biological survey more than doubled internationally renowned Horizontal Falls Northern quoll populations have declined the number of vertebrate animal and still being discovered. Underpinned by plant species known to occur on most sharply across most of their former range the State Government’s $81.5 million in northern Australia and islands such islands. Two new populations of each as Molema can provide refuge against of the threatened northern quoll, golden mainland threats. bandicoot (Isoodon auratus) and golden-backed tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus), and at least three new reptile species, were discovered. Each island also had at least one unique species of land snail. The survey found that almost all of the 24 islands are free of introduced animals. Few weeds were recorded although the stinking passionflower vine (Passiflora foetida) was abundant.

A northern quoll. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 65 Wildlife Management

Restoration New recovery plans were approved Wetland conservation for the western ringtail possum Ramsar wetlands The Banksia Woodland Restoration (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) and the Project was initiated to restore natural white-bellied and orange-bellied frogs Twelve WA wetlands are listed under habitats in the Perth metropolitan region (Geocrinia alba and Geocrinia vitellina). the International Convention on as an offset for vegetation clearing at Recovery plans for the quokka (Setonix Wetlands (Ramsar Convention). The Jandakot Airport. This project aims to brachyurus), western swamp tortoise work of completing State and Federal re-establish native vegetation to provide (Pseudemydura umbrina), white shark government approvals for ecological habitat for the Carnaby’s cockatoo and (Carcharodon carcharias), Carnaby’s character descriptions (ECD) for all 12 grand spider orchid (Caladenia huegelii). cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) Ramsar sites continued (Table 6). During Topsoil was transferred to 5ha at and five species of the black-flanked rock the 2013–14 period, the ECDs for Toolibin Forrestdale Lake and 11ha along Anketell wallaby (Petrogale spp.) were adopted Lake and the Vasse-Wonnerup Ramsar Road in Jandakot Regional Park. In by the Federal Government under the sites were endorsed by the State and winter 2013, BirdLife Australia volunteers EPBC Act. The recovery plans for south Federal governments and provided to assisted in planting banksia seedlings coast birds and the western ringtail the Ramsar Convention Secretariat for and other native plants at the Anketell possum were submitted to the Federal uploading onto the convention’s website. Road site where an additional 10ha Government for adoption under the Eleven of WA’s 12 Ramsar sites now have was direct seeded in collaboration with EPBC Act. endorsed ECDs. A draft of the final ECD, Greening Australia WA. So far, more than Becher Point Wetlands, was completed. 110 species of native plants have become More information on recovery planning established in these areas. is available on the website: www. Ramsar information sheets are regularly dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants-and-animals/ revised. The Toolibin Lake sheet was Recovery planning threatened-species-and-communities endorsed during 2013–14. Five new threatened flora interim recovery plans (Androclava perlaria, Caladenia lodgeana, Daviesia dielsii, Grevillea murex and Kunzea acicularis), and six updated plans (Banksia anatona, Drakaea confluens, Gastrolobium papilio, Grevillea calliantha, Isopogon uncinatus and Lambertia echinata subsp. echinata), were approved.

Recovery plans were approved for two TECs: ‘Heath dominated by one or more of Regelia megacephala, Kunzea praestans and Allocasuarina campestris on ridges and slopes of the chert hills of the Coomberdale Floristic Region’ and ‘Callitris preissii (or Melaleuca lanceolata) forests and woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain’.

Carnaby’s cockatoo. Photo – Rick Dawson/Parks and Wildlife

66 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Table 6: Management plans for Ramsar wetlands in WA

Ramsar Ecological Ramsar site information character Management plan sheet description

2014 (in Ord River Floodplain 2008 Ord River and Parry Lagoons Management Plan 2012 progress)

Draft for Yawuru Park Council Review: Roebuck Bay Intertidal Reserve-Joint Draft Management Plan 2013; Roebuck Bay Roebuck Bay 2009 2009 Ramsar Site Management Plan (Roebuck Bay Working Group 2009)

Indicative Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park Management Plan 2011 Eighty Mile Beach 2009 2009 Eighty Mile Beach Ramsar Site Management Plan (in preparation)

Forrestdale and Thomsons Lake Nature Reserve Management Plan 2005 2009 2009 Thomsons lakes Forrestdale Lake Nature Reserve Management Plan 2005

Peel–Yalgorup System Ramsar Site Management Plan, Peel– Harvey Catchment Council 2009 Peel–Yalgorup System 2007 2007 Yalgorup National Park Management Plan 1995-2005 Lake McLarty Nature Reserve Management Plan 2008

Recovery Plan for Toolibin Lake, Toolibin Lake Recovery Team and Technical Advisory Group 1994 Toolibin Lake 2014 2006 Final Draft: Review 2013 Toolibin Lake Recovery Plan, Toolibin Lake Recovery Team and Technical Advisory Group 2013

Busselton Wetlands Conservation Strategy, WAPC 2005 2014 (in Vasse–Wonnerup System 2007 progress) Final in preparation, Swan Coastal Plain South Draft Management Plan 2013

Final in preparation, Esperance and Recherche Parks and Lake Warden System 2009 2009 Reserves Draft Management Plan 2012

2014 (in Becher Point Wetlands Draft 2014 Rockingham Lakes Regional Park Management Plan 2010 progress)

Final in preparation, Esperance and Recherche Parks and Lake Gore 2009 2009 Reserves Draft Management Plan 2012

Muir–Byenup System 2009 2009 Perup Management Plan 2012

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 67 Wildlife Management

Parks and Wildlife in collaboration The Department continued biannual The Department continued to work with with the Department of Water in monitoring of waterbirds across the Lake other States and the Federal Government Kununurra developed a report, A Warden and Lake Gore Ramsar sites at in developing a national wetlands Biophysical Foreshore Assessment Esperance and confirmed the success policy regarding the implementation of and Delineation of Wetland Boundaries of managing water levels to maintain international agreements. Toolkits for and their Buffers for Key Areas of Lake shorebird habitat. identifying, classifying and managing Kununurra, Ord River, which identified high ecological value aquatic ecosystems The Department continued to be the lead key wetlands within and adjacent to the were finalised and made publicly agency in coordinating proposals for the Lake Kununurra portion of the Lakes available. possible nomination of nine wetlands Argyle and Kununurra Ramsar site. for Ramsar listing. Candidate areas Following the inaugural Wetlands Climate Appropriate buffers to the wetlands were are Lake MacLeod, Lake Gregory, the Change Symposium in July 2010 and delineated as a guide to town planning Cape Range subterranean waterways, the 2011 climate change report card for for Kununurra. Lake Ballard, the Millstream pools, aquatic ecosystems, the Department continued to participate in projects The Vasse-Wonnerup Ramsar wetland east Hamelin Pool in the Shark Bay assessing the resilience of aquatic system at Busselton supports about World Heritage area, the Ellen Brook ecosystems across the south-west. 35,000 waterbirds each year. There is a swamps system, tributaries of the Lower Blackwood River (formerly Spearwood long history of mass fish deaths during Wetlands Coordinating Committee summer in the lowest reaches of the Creek) and Fortescue Marshes. The Department continued to chair and system. The frequency and severity of More information on internationally provide executive support to the State’s these incidents can be reduced by timely significant wetlands is available on Wetlands Coordinating Committee, openings of the Wonnerup Inlet sandbar the website: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ which is involved in implementing and Water Corporation floodgates management/wetlands the Wetlands Conservation Policy for on the Vasse estuary’s exit channels. Western Australia. The committee Careful management of seawater inflows continued to establish, undertake and and estuary water levels is needed to endorse a range of activities and projects prevent adverse impacts on adjoining relating to the strategic coordination and low-lying properties, waterbirds and implementation of State Government fringing vegetation. The Vasse Estuary management actions for wetlands in WA. Technical Working Group coordinates summer openings of the sandbar at the Wetlands mapping and evaluation wetland system mouth, water level and projects water quality monitoring, and floodgate During the year, the Department openings to release fish and manage maintained and added data to the water levels. This ongoing work began corporate and publically available in 1997. Long-term mitigation of poor wetlands mapping layer, the Geomorphic water quality in the estuary will be Wetlands Swan Coastal Plain dataset assisted by the implementation of the that covers an area of 364,960ha from Water Quality Improvement Plan for the Moore River in the north to Dunsborough Vasse and Wonnerup River systems. in the south and the base of the Darling Parks and Wildlife collaborated with the escarpment in the east. Statistics have Department of Water and NRM bodies been updated for wetland extent and on implementing the plan. values including management categories and wetland type. The mapping of The Department provided logistic wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain and technical support for research is one of the layers endorsed by the by Murdoch University’s Marine and Wetlands Coordinating Committee Freshwater Research Laboratory into the that includes mapping for Cervantes to submerged aquatic plant communities, Coolimba Coast, Cervantes to Eneabba, New Holland honey eater. nutrient status and ecological health of Photo – Matt Swan/Parks and Wildlife Cervantes South, Wheatbelt, Darkan to the Vasse and Wonnerup estuaries. Duranillin and Augusta to Walpole, while

68 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 other wetland mapping layers where is intended to assist people looking to endorsement of methodology is yet to manage or restore a wetland in WA. This occur include the Leeuwin-Naturaliste includes landowners, land managers, Ridge, Donnybrook to Nannup, Manjimup natural resource managers, community to Northcliffe, Cottesloe Coastal Plain members and employees of the public 12 and Margaret River East. and private sectors. WA wetlands listed as Ramsar sites The Department maintained mapping More information on wetland of the boundaries, classifications and management and mapping is available evaluations of wetlands in its Geomorphic on the website: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ Wetlands Swan Coastal Plain dataset. management/wetlands The Department received requests from stakeholders, including environmental consultants, landholders and State and local government agencies, to 35,000 modify wetland mapping in the dataset (management category, classification, waterbirds supported by Vasse- or boundary reviews). The Department Wonnerup Ramsar wetland system refined the process to modify this dataset, releasing a draft document, A methodology for the evaluation of specific wetland types on the Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia, for a trial 12-month period. 38 Parks and Wildlife published a guide whale and dolphin to managing and restoring wetlands in incident responses WA to provide practical, WA-specific information on wetland management Pacific heron or white-necked heron. and rehabilitation. The guide relates to Photo – Babs and Bert Wells/Parks planning, understanding, managing, and Wildlife monitoring and protecting wetlands and 10 humpback whales reported entangled

136 illegally kept WA reptiles siezed

A pelican. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 69 Wildlife Management

Parks and Wildlife continued to monitor There were 13 reported seal incidents licensed crocodile farms operating in WA, the biological responses of a selection involving five species: Australian sea one ceased farming operations in 2014, of Wheatbelt wetlands to threats such lion (Neophoca cinerea), New Zealand selling its entire farm stock to a Darwin- as salinisation and climate change for fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri), sub- based crocodile farm, and the other has the State Salinity Strategy, with the focus Antarctic fur seal (A. tropicalis), leopard significantly scaled back commercial on higher conservation value wetlands, seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) and southern farming operations. including those in recovery catchments. elephant seal (Mirounga leonine). The 1977–2012 report on depth, The new management plan for the salinity and pH trends of 103 wetlands In September 2013, a senior wildlife commercial harvesting of protected included in the South West Wetlands officer represented the Department at flora was approved by the Federal Monitoring Program, also conducted by an International Whaling Commission Government under the EPBC Act in the Department under the State Salinity Workshop in London on euthanasia July 2013 and is being implemented. Strategy, was completed. This report protocols for stranded cetaceans. Regulation highlighted wetlands where changes Management of commercial activities were of particular interest or concern. Flora and fauna licensing involving native animals and flora Water level and rainfall were continuously In 2013–14, there were 8,536 fauna monitored at nine high value wetlands, The Department ensured that wildlife- licences (other than damage, but including key sites for the threatened based activities occurring during the including non-commercial) issued during Australasian bittern, to assist in year were licensed and managed in the year (Table 7), a decrease of 2.4 per developing an improved understanding of accordance with the WC Act and cent from the previous year. The interest likely consequences of predicted climate associated regulations, and were in pet herpetofauna (reptiles and frogs) change, particularly rainfall decline, on investigated to ensure compliance with declined during the previous 12 months, wetlands of south-western Australia. legislation and the licences issued. with 2,487 people licensed for up to three Reports on some of these wetlands years to keep reptiles as pets, a decrease have been published, some of which are As part of a nationally approved of almost 45 per cent on the previous available on the website: kangaroo management plan, aerial www.dpaw. year. The number of avian fauna licences population surveys of kangaroos were wa.gov.au/management/wetlands/127- issued continued to decline with 2,836 undertaken in the Northern Zone mapping-and-monitoring/223- licences issued, a four per cent decrease between July and August 2013 and the surveying-monitoring-wetlands on the previous year. The total number South West Zone in October 2013. The Management of marine wildlife of flora licences and permits issued aerial surveys provided the basis for was 1,877, a decrease of 5.5 per cent During 2013–14, the Department setting commercial harvest quotas for from the previous year. The Department responded to 38 whale and dolphin 2014. issued 278 commercial purposes incidents. These involved 39 individual licences, 173 commercial producer Quotas and commercial harvests for animals from seven species: humpback licences and nurseryman licences, 1,219 2013 were: whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Gray’s scientific or other prescribed purposes beaked whale (Mesoplodon grayi), false • western grey kangaroo (Macropus licences and 180 permits to take killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), fuliginosus)—quota, maximum of Declared Rare Flora in 2013–14. sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), 106,000; harvest, 81,087 long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala Incidents of prohibited reptiles being melas), pantropical spotted dolphin • red kangaroo (M. rufus)—quota, brought into or kept illegally in WA (Stenella attenuata), and bottlenose maximum of 77,200; harvest, 36,862 continued to increase. During 2013–14, dolphin (Tursiops spp.). There were no • euro (M. robustus)—no commercial the majority of illegally kept reptiles mass strandings. harvest during 2013. were seized in the metropolitan area but increasing numbers were seized from The management plan for the Ten humpback whales were reported around the State including the south- commercial harvest and farming of entangled in fishing gear and marine west, Midwest and Pilbara. debris during 2013–14. One whale was crocodiles in Western Australia expired successfully disentangled, while the fate on 31 December 2013 and was not A total of 136 Western Australian reptiles of the others is unknown as distance renewed due to declining levels of were seized, including death adders from shore or unfavourable conditions interest from industry in harvesting wild (Acanthopis pyrrhus), black-headed prevented intervention. crocodile eggs and hatchlings. Of two pythons (Aspidites melanocephalus),

70 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 An elephant seal hauled up on Sorrento beach. Photo – Matt Swan/ Parks and Wildlife

Stimsons pythons (Antaresia stimsoni), the Kimberley and the Pilbara. Nine novaehollandiae), 357 licences for pygmy pythons (Antaresia perthensis), licences were issued to remove saltwater western grey kangaroos (an increase of childrens pythons (Antaresia childreni), crocodiles from the wild because they eight per cent in licence numbers and oblong turtles (Chelodina oblonga), posed a threat to the public and one a 13 per cent increase in the number ornate rock dragons (Ctenophorus licence was issued to remove and taken), 10 licences for red kangaroos, ornatus), south-west carpet pythons relocate a freshwater crocodile. Twenty- one licence for euros, one licence for (Morelia spilota imbricata), western blue four dangerous fauna licences were agile wallabies, 15 licences for little tongues (Tiliqua occipitalis), shingleback issued for aggressive magpies (Cracticus corellas (Cacatua sanguinea), 24 licences skinks (Tiliqua rugosa) and Pilbara tibicen), 10 for kangaroos, three for for western long-billed corellas (Cacatua rock monitors (Varanus pilbarensis Australian ravens (Corvus coronoides) tenuirostris), five licences for ringneck scincoides). Prohibited species seized and three for kookaburras (Dacelo parrots (Barnardius zonarius), five included Murray River turtles (Emydura novaeguineae). A number of dangerous licences for galahs (Eolophus roseicapilla) macquarii), northern carpet pythons (M. fauna licences were issued to mitigate the and three licences for Australian ravens. s. spilota) from Darwin, central bearded risk of aircraft strike at Perth, Jandakot Twenty licences were also issued to dragons (Pogona vitticeps), eastern blue and regional airports. These licences scare, trap and relocate or destroy tongue skinks (Tiliqua scincoides), and an applied to a range of mostly bird species waterfowl causing damage. In total, 92 exotic red-eared slider turtle (Trechemys but also included red kangaroos and damage licences were issued for birds, scripta elegans). western grey kangaroos. an increase of 18 per cent from 2012–13. Damage and dangerous fauna licences A total of 461 licences were issued for More information is available on the The Department received reports of the control of animals causing damage, website: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants- problem crocodiles in several parts of including 11 licences for emus (Dromaius and-animals/licences-and-permits

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 71 Wildlife officers and regional staff to the rescue

From seizing dozens of incidents including activities metropolitan area, drawing large crowds such as smuggling and illegal taking of for several days before leaving the area. lizards destined for wildlife. Senior operations officers, Swan Coastal District staff and Nature Protection the international The team was also responsible for Branch wildlife officers maintained providing advice to the public about living black market to around-the-clock on-site management with wildlife, such as snakes; swooping for three days and nights. The seal magpies; ducks, ducklings and cygnets relocating ospreys departed the beach on the fourth day on roads; seals on beaches; and and moved south. and kangaroos, to migratory whales off the WA coast. disentangling whales In October 2013, two Japanese men In addition, wildlife officers released were intercepted at Perth International and protecting an animals into the wild, including Airport attempting to smuggle 28 rehabilitated black cockatoos into Perth shingleback lizards, one dragon and elephant seal hauled bushland and storm-swept shearwaters one skink to Japan. The reptiles were at the Abrolhos Islands. up on a Perth beach, worth more than $130,000 on the wildlife officers had a They asked for public assistance in black market. Australian Customs and investigating incidents where ducks Border Protection Service officers busy year in 2013–14. and kangaroos were shot with arrows, worked with Parks and Wildlife officers and long-necked turtles trapped and to investigate and charge the men Wildlife officers from the Department’s drowned in illegal nets set and left in involved, demonstrating the two agencies’ Nature Protection Branch based in Perth lakes and rivers. commitment to preventing the illegal Kensington, as well as regionally located import and export of Australia’s wildlife. officers, responded to hundreds of During February 2014, a sub-adult male incidents involving sick, injured, and elephant seal weighing about two tonnes During 2013–14, 38 whale and dolphin orphaned wildlife and investigated hauled up on Sorrento Beach in the Perth incidents required a response by wildlife

Wildlife officers disentangle a whale off the Geraldton coast. Photo – Garth Grimsley/Parks and Wildlife

72 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 officers. One whale that was entangled Table 7: Fauna licences issued in 2013–14 in marine debris was successfully disentangled. Fauna licences No. issued Collection (Reg 17) 598 Vital to the work of the Department’s Bird/bat banding (Reg 23) 143 wildlife officers was the support provided by senior regional staff and volunteers on Education and public the Wildcare Helpline, a 24 hour-a-day, To take marine interaction (Reg 15) 217 seven day-a-week Departmental service. To take other (Reg 15) 203 The helpline provides a service for the To hold (Reg 16) 127 public who find sick, injured or orphaned Avian fauna native wildlife and are seeking advice on Trap (Reg 11) 2 where to find care for the animal. Species trapped commercially: Number In 2013–14, the Wildcare Helpline Twenty-eight parrot (Barnardius zonarius) 82 18 received more than 9,000 calls, Red-capped parrot (Purpurceicephalus spurious) referring almost 7,000 of these calls to Western rosella (Platycercus icterotis) 18 rehabilitators, licensed carers, reptile Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) 5 removers, wildlife officers and vets. Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea) 12 Almost half the calls related to birds, a Keep and breed in captivity (Reg 12) 2,836 quarter to mammals and the remainder Keep in captivity (Reg 12A) 84 related to snakes and other reptiles, Deal (Reg 13) 28 amphibians, and general enquiries. Breed for commercial purposes (Reg 14) 0

Herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) Keeping 2,487 Dealing 27 Farming 1 Taking 8 Removing 519

Emus Processing (emu eggshells) (Reg 7) 3 Dealing (Reg 8) 0 Dealing (emu eggshells) (Reg 13) 3 Farming (Reg 14) 8 Crocodiles Processing (Reg 7) 0 Skin dealing (Reg 10) 0 Farming (Reg 14) 1

Kangaroos Take for sale (Reg 6) 440 Processing (Reg 7) 16 Deal in carcasses (Reg 8) 17 Skin dealing (Reg 10) 6

Export interstate Skins of fauna (or other dead fauna) 52 Fauna (live) 204 Herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) 47

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 73 Wildlife Management

Fauna licences (continued) No. issued Export overseas Skins of fauna (or other dead fauna) from WA 14 Emu eggs or products (personal items) from WA 0 Fauna (avian) from WA (live) 2 Imports interstate Skins of fauna (or other dead fauna) into WA 3 Australian fauna (live) 282 Live exotic birds and other animals 128 Herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) 30 Total fauna licences 8,536

Total number of each species Damage licences No. issued authorised to be taken

Avian fauna

2 destroy 20 Australian raven (Corvus coronoides) 1 trap/euthanase 3

Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) 1 scare only

Baudin’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) 1 scare only

Carnaby’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) 1 scare only

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) 11 destroy 475

4 destroy 2,100 Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) 1 scare only

10 destroy 5,300 Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea) 5 scare only

23 destroy 16,530 Long-billed corella (central west) (Cacatua butleri) 1 scare only

Long-billed corella (Lake Muir) (Cacatua pastinator) 1 scare only

Long-billed corella (eastern states species) (Cacatua 2 destroy 125 tenuirostris) 1 scare only

Red-capped parrot (Purpureicephalus spurious) 1 destroy 20

Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) 1 scare only

Twenty-eight parrot (Barnardius zonarius) 5 destroy 210

74 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Total number of each species Damage licences (continued) No. issued authorised to be taken

Waterfowl

Australian shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) 1 scare only

Magpie goose (Anseranas semipalmata) 1 destroy 100

7 destroy 350 Maned duck (Chenonetta jubata) 4 scare only 3 trap & relocate 260

1 destroy 50 Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa) 1 scare only 1 trap & relocate 12

Purple swamp hen 1 trap & relocate 4

Mammals

Agile wallaby (Macropus agilis) 1 destroy 100

Euro (Macropus robustus) 1 destroy 25

Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) 10 destroy 490

Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) 357 destroy 16,923

Dangerous fauna licences No. issued Authorisation

1 destroy Australasian shoveler (Anas rhynchotis) 1 scare only

1 destroy Australian hobby (Falco longipennis) 1 scare only 2 destroy Australian kestrel (Falco cenchroides) 1 scare only

22 destroy Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) 1 scare only 1 trap and relocate

3 destroy Australian magpie lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) 1 scare only

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 75 Wildlife Management

Dangerous fauna licences (continued) No. issued Authorisation 1 destroy Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) 1 scare only 2 destroy Australian raven (Corvus coronoides) 1 scare only 1 destroy Australian shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) 1 scare only 2 destroy Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) 1 scare only 2 destroy Banded lapwing (Banded plover) (Vanellus tricolor) 1 scare only 1 destroy Barn owl (Tyto alba) 1 scare only

Baudin’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) 1 scare only

Black kite (Milvus migrans) 2 destroy

1 destroy Black-shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris) 1 scare only 1 destroy Black swan (Cygnus atratus) 1 scare only 1 destroy Brown falcon (Falco berigora) 1 scare only

Carnaby’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) 1 scare only

1 destroy Collared sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus) 1 scare only 1 destroy Crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) 1 scare only

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) 1 Trap and relocate

3 destroy Estuarine (saltwater) crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) 6 trap & relocate 1 destroy Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) 1 scare only

Freshwater (Johnstons) crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) 1 Trap & relocate

2 destroy Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) 1 scare only

76 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Dangerous fauna licences (continued) No. issued Authorisation

1 destroy Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) 1 scare only 1 destroy Great egret (Ardea alba) 1 scare only 1 destroy Grey teal (Anas gracilis) 1 scare only 2 destroy Laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) 1 scare only 1 destroy Little black cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) 1 scare only 3 destroy Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea) 1 scare only 1 destroy Little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) 1 scare only 1 destroy Long-billed corella (western) (Cacatua pastinator) 1 scare only

Long-billed corella (eastern states species) (Cacatua 1 destroy tenuirostris) 1 scare only 1 destroy Maned duck (Chenonetta jubata) 1 scare only 1 destroy Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1 scare only 1 destroy Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa) 1 scare only

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) 1 scare only

Pied butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis) 1 destroy

1 destroy Pink-eared duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) 1 scare only 1 destroy Purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) 1 scare only

Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) 2 destroy

Red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii) 1 scare only

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 77 Wildlife Management

Dangerous fauna licences (continued) No. issued Authorisation

Richard’s pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) 1 scare only

1 destroy Square-tailed kite (Lophoictinia isura) 1 scare only 2 destroy Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) 1 scare only 1 destroy Swamp harrier (Circus approximans) 1 scare only Tree martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) 1 scare only 1 destroy Twenty-eight parrot (Barnardius zonarius) 1 scare only 1 destroy Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) 1 scare only Welcome swallow (Hirundo neoxena) 1 scare only

Western brush wallaby (Macropus irma) 1 destroy

Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) 10 destroy 3 destroy Whistling kite (Haliastur sphenurus) 1 scare only 1 destroy White-faced heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) 1 scare only Willie wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) 1 scare only 1 destroy Yellow-billed spoonbill (Platalea flavipes) 1 scare only

78 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Wildlife interaction licences Offences though there was a decline in the number of herpetofauna licences issued during At 30 June 2014, 100 whale watching The Department provided guidance to 2013–14 compared to the previous year. boat tour operators were licensed in members of the public visiting Parks and However, the number of investigations WA. While these tours were primarily Wildlife-managed land regarding the legal regarding the unlawful taking, possession focused on humpback whales, southern requirements of parks and conservation and keeping of reptiles continued to rise. right whales were also part of whale legislation. During 2013–14, 521 caution watching activity in the lower south- notices were issued for minor offences. The Department’s management of the west, particularly at Albany, Augusta The number of infringement notices sandalwood industry and the detection and Esperance. Pygmy blue whales issued during the year decreased to of illegal or unsustainably harvested (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) 591. Written reports were prepared for sandalwood from the wild continued were also regularly encountered adjacent 120 offences under the WC Act and its throughout 2013–14. This included a joint to Cape Naturaliste. Regulations, and the CALM Act and its operation between WA Police and Parks Regulations. and Wildlife to target sandalwood thieves, Parks and Wildlife issued one which resulted in the seizure in beach-based and 79 boat-based dolphin Action in 50 matters under both statutes November 2013 of approximately 200 interaction licences, three in-water was completed, with prosecution tonnes of sandalwood, plus plant and dolphin interaction licences and two pending in 70 others. equipment together worth an estimated boat-based dugong (Dugong dugon) The unlawful taking of black cockatoos $2 million. interaction licences. Thirty-three boat- from the wild remained a serious based Australian sea lion and New concern, with several reports of alleged Zealand fur seal interaction licences were illegal shooting being investigated. The issued. Three wildlife interaction licences keeping of pet herpetofauna (reptiles and were also issued to film marine wildlife for amphibians) remained a popular activity, documentaries.

A perentie, Barrow Island. Photo – Fran Stanley/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 79 Wildlife Management

Table 8: Number of reported offences in 2012–13 and 2013–14 2012–13 reported offences 2013–14 reported offences

Finalised figures At 30 June 2014 Total offences reported 1,341 1,232 Court convictions 72 26 Court dismissals 0 0 Infringement notices 624 591 Letters of warning 25 15 Caution notices 581 521 No further action 16 1 Pending 8 70 Withdrawn 15 8 Restitution Total court fines $41,525 $18,300 Total court costs $12,862.25 $1,565.40 Infringement penalties $42,665 $ 43,130

2012–13 figures have been finalised since the 2012–13 Yerabook was published

Anigozanthos humilis. Photo – Mark Brundrett/Parks and Wildlife

80 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 3 2 2 5 13 35 60 Pending

1 1 No action further 2 4 31 70 11 20 138 notice Caution 4 1 4 3 1 13 warning Letter of 3 8 5 Withdrawn Dismissed 786.35 506.45 Costs $ 1,292.80 1,300 17,550 16,250 Fines $ 8 1 13 22 Convictions 3 6 5 13 70 37 37 49 22 242 offences Reported Wildlife and Conservation Act Regulations and 1950 Totals Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 Illegal taking or possession of protected fauna or selling importation, Illegal taking for sale fauna of Illegal taking protected of flora Illegal taking rare of declared flora Illegal selling protected of flora Offences against wildlife officers Failing comply to with licence conditions Regulations Conservation Wildlife Offences relating the to possession, acquisition, control and disposal fauna of Amphibian Regulations and Reptile Conservation Wildlife Offences relating reptiles to amphibians and Charge Table 9:Table Offences under the

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 81 5 4 1 10 Pending action No furtherNo 2 3 378 383 notice Caution 2 1 1 warning Letter of 1 4 586 591 notice Infringement Withdrawn 272.60 272.60 Costs $ 350 200 800 42,530 Fines $ 43,880 1 3 4 Convictions and Regulations and 1 2 2 1 12 972 990 offences Reported Conservation and Land Management Act Sandalwood 1984 Regulations and the and Act that 1929 occurred in 2013–14 Offences against officers Offences relating marine to parks and reserves Offences relating disease to risk areas Offences relating activities to on State forest, nature reserves and national parks Sandalwood Act 1929 Illegal taking sandalwood Total Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 possession or taking Illegal produce forest of Charge Table 10: OffencesTable under the

82 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Managing system-wide Fitzgerald River national parks and, In the Exmouth District, an integrated threats more recently, Two Peoples Bay and feral animal control strategy was Mount Manypeaks nature reserves and developed and implemented in the Invasive species control Waychinicup National Park. The trial aims Ningaloo Coast World Heritage area to test the effectiveness of Eradicat® (NCWHA) by an appointed feral animal Western Shield in the south-west high rainfall zone, in control officer. The program looked at During 2013–14, the Western Shield the habitats of a suite of threatened the diversification and implementation wildlife recovery program continued and priority native animals including the of fox control methods and funded feral to implement broadscale fox and critically endangered western ground predator control activities on pastoral feral cat baiting for native animal parrot (Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris) country adjacent to the NCWHA. conservation. About 3.9 million hectares and Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii). The Great Southern District assisted the of conservation reserves and State forest Previous use of the bait has largely been Science and Conservation Division in a were baited, using more than in arid areas and on smaller scales. research project that sought to determine one million baits (about 665,000 fox an effective control regime for feral cats baits and 335,000 feral cat baits). Feral cats and native animal species within the Dryandra Woodland. Corporate sponsorship was provided to were monitored as part of this adaptive management project that will help refine the program by ongoing sponsors Alcoa More information on Western Shield World Alumina, BHP Billiton Worsley methods for long-term operational use of is available on the website: www. Alumina and Tronox. the bait. dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/pests-

Further refinement of the fox baiting The Western Shield program provided diseases/westernshield training in native animal management and program occurred this year using a the safe and effective use of 1080 baits prioritisation process that considered the to Parks and Wildlife staff and volunteers. known threatened animal species in each Departmental staff continued to monitor area that would benefit from fox baiting. native animals across Western Shield A major internal review of the program sites and work has began on establishing was in its final stages in 2013­–14, with predator monitoring at some sites. the review intended to provide direction and improve the focus, integration and cost effectiveness of native animal conservation outcomes delivered by the program.

Research continued on improving bait delivery for feral cat control and further progress was made towards the registration of the Eradicat® feral cat bait for operational use in WA. This included work in Fortescue Marsh, where Parks and Wildlife staff are implementing the Fortescue Marsh Baiting Plan for Fortescue Metals Group. This project is delivering a feral cat control program to the high value conservation area and completed the second year of operation in 2013.

In the South Coast Region, a cat baiting trial (South Coast Integrated Recovery Project) entered its fourth and fifth Chuditch. Photo – Babs and Bert Wells/Parks and Wildlife year in areas including Cape Arid and

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 83 Wildlife Management

State Cane Toad Initiative feasibility and success of training top • During 2013–14, the Department order predators not to eat toads. continued to receive reports of Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are a cane toad sightings via the Wildcare declared pest under the Biosecurity • Databases of sightings and the Helpline. The Department has a rapid and Agriculture Management Act 2007. distribution of cane toads continued to response strategy to positively identify Under the Cane Toad Strategy for be maintained, with the Department’s and destroy cane toads found in the Western Australia, the Department has cane toad webpage updated south-west. the lead responsibility for cane toad regularly. More information on cane toad management, with an emphasis on • Newsletters were produced twice a management is available on the website: education, communication, quarantine year and regular contributions were and biodiversity. made to the Department’s social www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/ media pages. pests-diseases The Department reviewed the strategy to ensure actions focussed on preventing • Cane toad and biodiversity information Introduced pest animal management the establishment of new satellite sessions were presented to schools Parks and Wildlife collaborated with the populations and mitigating the impact of and community groups using the Department of Agriculture and Food WA the pest animal on native wildlife. Cane Toad Education Manual. (DAFWA) and Recognised Biosecurity • In collaboration with The University of Key activities during 2013–14 included: Groups (RBGs) to implement coordinated Western Australia’s SPICE secondary broadscale feral donkey, camel, horse, • Inventory surveys were conducted in science teachers’ enrichment cattle and pig control programs. advance of the cane toad program, the cane toad app was Fencing of priority biodiversity areas was frontline in the Kimberley Region. Six updated to include south-west native undertaken in the Kimberley and Pilbara biodiversity surveys were completed frogs. The app is available as a free to reduce the impact through exclusion of in conservation reserves and two download from the iTunes store these feral pest animals. areas proposed for joint management and helps people tell the difference with traditional owners. The surveys between cane toads and native frogs. Cattle mustering programs were undertaken in Millstream Chichester involved Aboriginal ranger groups, • Cane toad information brochures, National Park in the Pilbara Region, and Bush Ranger cadet units, primary signs, and posters were developed in King Leopold Ranges Conservation school students, volunteers, the and distributed. Park, Ord River Regeneration Reserve, Western Australian Museum, and • Media events were organised to raise Carson River Station and Purnululu Parks and Wildlife scientists. awareness about hitchhiker toad risks National Park in the Kimberley. Aerial • A new cane toad detector dog was and cane toad identification. culling was also undertaken on the purchased and a quarantine strategy was developed for its use on high priority freight. • A draft biosecurity plan was prepared for the Kimberley Islands to identify islands at high risk of cane toad invasion and strategies to mitigate this impact. • More than 20 live cane toad drop-off points were maintained throughout the east Kimberley at various locations including tourist operations at El Questro Station, Home Valley, Parry’s Farm and Purnululu National Park. • Assistance was provided to cane toad-related research projects Karijini escarpment. including the teacher toad and taste Photo – Parks and Wildlife aversion projects that investigated the

84 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Mitchell Plateau, and on Theda and of feral goats in collaboration with the out feral pig poisoning operations using Doongan stations within the Kimberley Department of Defence and landholders 1080 baits in Lesueur National Park, Science and Conservation Strategy helped to reduce their impact on the Badgingarra National Park and Coomallo conservation corridor. Ningaloo Coast World Heritage area. Nature Reserve and liaised with adjacent Aerial shooting of feral goats was also landowners to ensure coordinated The Department continued to support carried out in national parks and nature management and to increase the wild dog control efforts by RBGs and the reserves in the Midwest Region. effectiveness of control measures. The pastoral industry across the rangelands. Great Southern District completed a The Midwest Region assisted with Throughout the year, the Department major project associated with reducing bait manufacture and distribution continued to take part in cooperative the impacts of rabbits on threatened on former pastoral leases managed management of feral pigs across the plants. The threat of grazing and habitat by the Department. The Goldfields South West and Midwest. Feral pig and Wheatbelt regions continued to control activities included monitoring, destruction by rabbits continued to be contract a licensed pest controller to trapping and poisoning. Significant managed, with rabbits controlled at 28 undertake wild dog management on input and support was provided to sites. A new assessment and monitoring unallocated Crown land and Parks Feral Pig Action Group control activities program was introduced and a new and Wildlife managed land adjacent to throughout these regions. The South database was developed to manage pastoral leases and farmland. The South West Region undertook monitoring and more than 50 rabbit and stock exclusion Coast Region continued to provide trapping of feral pigs at 30 sites covering fences at threatened flora sites in the support through resource contribution 20,000ha. The Midwest Region carried district. to the Declared Species Groups in Ravensthorpe and Esperance to assist with wild dog control programs. The Wheatlbelt Region provided support to the Eastern Wheatbelt Declared Species Group and the Northern Wheatbelt Biosecurity Group in conjunction with DAFWA.

An aerial census of feral goats was carried out in Cape Range National Park and the Bundera coastal protection Cane toad. Photo – Rick Dawson/Parks and Wildlife area. Subsequent ground shooting

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 85 Wildlife Management

Nuisance birds During 2013–14, work continued on aims to maximise the efficiency and a species-based prioritisation project effectiveness of weed control efforts The Department collaborated with that aims to prioritise weed species through a consideration of priority the Department of Agriculture and for control in each of the Department’s weed species, biodiversity and other Food WA (DAFWA) and the WA Local nine regions. The project enables values at risk from these weeds and an Government Association to prepare an weeds to be assessed based on their assessment of available resources, so Introduced Rainbow Lorikeet and Corella invasiveness, impacts, potential and appropriate management actions can be Response Strategy in recognition of the current distribution and feasibility applied by each region. different management responsibilities, of control. The results from these requirements and resources of State assessments will also potentially help The main environmental weeds and local governments. The response other land managers. targeted for management by Parks strategy sought to develop a coordinated and Wildlife in 2013–14 included silver approach to managing these problem Of the weed species assessed, 14 wattle (Acacia dealbata), ruby dock birds in the metropolitan area. As the species have been identified as a high (Acetosa vesicaria), bridal creeper strategy had not yet been adopted in priority for control as eradication is (Asparagus asparagoides), tagasaste 2013–14, the management of rainbow achievable, and another 164 species (Chamaecytisus palmensis), rubber vine lorikeets and corellas in the metropolitan identified as a priority for management (Cryptostegia grandiflora), rough tree area continued to be undertaken by due to their high environmental impact fern (Cyathea cooperi), Paterson’s curse individual local governments. and rapid invasiveness. As it is not (Echium plantagineum), African lovegrass possible to control all infestations of (Eragrostis curvula), Geraldton carnation Management of environmental weeds these species, priorities for management weed (Euphorbia terracina), hesperantha A new weed management policy for will be assessed through the (Hesperantha falcata), Victorian tea-tree lands and waters managed by the Department’s proposed asset-based (Leptospermum laevigatum), African Department, was finalised in April 2014. prioritisation process. This process boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), cape

Wheel cactus. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

86 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 tulip (Moraea flaccida), date palm communities. In spring 2013, field work (Phoenix dactylifera), blackberry (Rubus was completed as part of a project sp.), harlequin flower (Sparaxis bulbifera), to revisit 20-year-old floristic plots Tamarix sp., verbesina (Verbesina in seasonal clay-based wetlands to encelioides), Watsonia sp., Bathurst investigate change over time, including 14 the impacts of weed invasion. The burr (Xanthium spinosum) and arum lily weed species identified as high results of a six-year study addressing (Zantedeschia aethiopica). priorty for control the recovery of native plant communities Together with Mount Gibson Mining, across the Swan Coastal Plain following Parks and Wildlife funded a research control of Geraldton carnation weed project on stinking passionflower were published in several formats (Passiflora foetida), which was including scientific literature and undertaken by CSIRO. Several sites management notes. Implementation of in the Kimberley and at Millstream weed management and restoration plans Chichester National Park in the Pilbara continued at 22 priority sites across 164 were monitored for invasion dynamics the region. Weed management notes weed species identified as priorty into natural populations. The results on FloraBase continued to be updated for management to date suggest that that an initial ‘lag and work commenced on producing phase’ of invasions is transitioning management notes for the region’s alert into a period of rapid expansion. The weeds. management implications of these As a part of the Banksia Woodland results are diverse and include impacts Restoration Project, serious weeds were to native wildlife, tourism, mine site mapped across 14 regionally significant 14 rehabilitation and agroforestry. bushlands (a total of 900ha) and significant bushland sites in weed management action plans were Swan Region mapped for serious weeds A paper titled A Conceptual Model developed for 20 bushland areas, with to Describe the Decline of European implementation starting in winter 2013. Blackberry (Rubus anglocandicans), Eight species of serious environmental A Weed of National Significance in weeds were managed over 500ha of Australia was published in the Plant urban bushland. Disease Journal and described the outcome of a PhD project that The Goldfields Region worked closely investigated the cause of blackberry with the Goldfields-Nullarbor Regional 11 decline in the south-west of WA. This Biosecurity Association, Rangelands formal descriptions published project was a collaboration between NRM and DAFWA, and formed a cactus of new Phytophthora species Murdoch University, CSIRO and Parks working group to target the eradication discovered in WA and Wildlife. of weeds of national significance (WoNS) species of cactus within the Great Restoration commenced of previously Western Woodlands and Goldfields infested sites along the Warren and Region. The working group held a Donnelly Rivers where blackberry had cactus forum in Leonora in 2013 that declined. This work is being undertaken was attended by representatives from by the Warren Catchments Council, in the WoNS committee and a cactus 4 conjunction with Parks and Wildlife and bio-control specialist from South footbaths installed on CSIRO, with funds from the Federal Africa. Parks and Wildlife continued to Ellis Brook Valley walk trails Biodiversity Fund. engage with local governments and to prevent the spread of the community regarding the control of Phytophthora dieback Parks and Wildlife’s Swan Region cactus species, major infestations of continued research into environmental which are outside lands managed by the weeds invading native plant Department.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 87 Wildlife Management

Across the Kimberley, Parks and Wildlife species (including several undescribed before and after application, including nature conservation officers and the species) were identified in association floristic quadrats, plant tissue and soil Miriuwung-Gajerrong, Yawuru, Bunuba, with dying native flora. The VHS phosphorous analysis, phytotoxicity Wunggur, Balanggarra and Uunguu continued to work in partnership with the measurements, native animal surveys Aboriginal land management groups Centre for Phytophthora Science and and fungal community assessments. implemented weed control programs Management at Murdoch University to • Seed was collected from 39 for a range of species including mission DNA-sequence recent and historical WA populations of 17 threatened plant grass (Pennisetum polystachion), hyptis isolates from the VHS culture collection. species at risk from Phytophthora (Hyptis suaveolens), prickly acacia At 30 June 2014, the total tested was dieback. 900. This ongoing program has identified (Acacia nilotica), passion vine (Passiflora • Monitoring continued in Cape Arid foetida), bellyache bush (Jatropha 13 Phytophthora taxa that are also National Park at a site where Parks gossypifolia), grader grass (Themeda known from overseas, and at least 18 and Wildlife successfully eradicated an previously undescribed Phytophthora quadrivalvis), parkinsonia (Parkinsonia infestation of Phytophthora dieback, species, as well as several unique WA aculeata), taro (Colocasia esculenta), with assistance from the State NRM isolates that are Phytophthora hybrids. calotrope (Calotropis procera), Gamba program. The formal descriptions of 11 of the new grass (Andropogon gayanus) and gallons • Monitoring continued in Fitzgerald Phytophthora species discovered in WA curse (Cenchrus biflorus). Parks and River National Park where natural ecosystems have been published. Wildlife continued to use CyberTracker Phytophthora dieback infestations had software on hand-held devices for The Department continued to work previously been contained. mapping and recording weed data with in partnership with key stakeholders • Significant planning for other on- great success. on Project Dieback: Action and ground works occurred at a number Opportunities for Protecting Biodiversity of sites, including Fitzgerald River During 2013–14, the Department’s Assets, funded by State NRM and National Park. South Coast Region continued work administered by South Coast Natural Myrtle rust in partnership with the Friends of Resource Management Inc (SCNRM). the Porongurup Range to control In conjunction with Project Dieback, the Myrtle rust (also known as eucalyptus and guava rust) is a fungus of South environmental weeds in and around Department carried out the following American origin that arrived in New South Porongurup National Park. The long- activities: running project targeted species such Wales in 2010 and has since rapidly as blackberry, red valerian (Centranthus • Four footbaths were installed around spread along the eastern seaboard. It affects plants species from the ruber), dolichus pea (Dipogon lignosus) Ellis Brook Valley walk trails in Myrtaceae family. WA continues to be and introduced acacias. Banyowla Regional Park through a partnership between the Department, free of myrtle rust. More information on control of invasive SCNRM, the City of Gosnells, Holcim The Department continued to work plant species is available on the website: (Australia), the Dieback Working with other key agencies including the Group and the Friends of Ellis Brook www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/ Forest Products Commission, WA Local pests-diseases Valley. The footbaths, along with Government Association and DAFWA other infrastructure, represent a best to develop a State preparedness plan. Plant disease management practice approach to managing the The Department carried out awareness- risks posed by recreational users of The Department renewed its focus on raising initiatives for staff, including what the bushland. plant disease management through to do if they suspect an incursion of the 2013–14. • Aerial application of phosphite disease. Some activities included: continued in vegetation in • presenting at meetings of district staff The Vegetation Health Service (VHS) communities highly susceptible to processed more than 1,609 diagnostic Phytophthora dieback disease to • developing a short self-drive samples collected by the Department’s protect threatened flora and ecological Powerpoint presentation disease interpreters, private contractors communities, including treating a total • providing emergency myrtle rust and land managers from across the of 203ha across the Stirling Ranges, hygiene kits to the Kimberley, State’s south-west. In addition to Gull Rock and Millbrook. Science- Midwest, Swan, South Coast and Phytophthora dieback, isolates of 11 based monitoring was carried out Warren regions.

88 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Altered hydrology and salinity of Nottingham in the United Kingdom to provide new, important insights into generated a new planning process the patterns of water use and growth During 2013–14, Parks and Wildlife through which priority human values, in wetland plants. The 2013–14 year continued its collaboration with the Future elicited from stakeholders, are used focussed on completing project write- Farm Industries Cooperative Research to determine asset and management ups and preparing work for publication. Centre (CRC) to develop new planning action priorities. This project is providing Hydrological modelling work conducted and decision tools that are being applied in a collaborative project with The through the natural diversity recovery valuable technical input for recovery University of Western Australia continued catchment program. catchment planning. and has important implications for During the year, projects with the The Department’s work through the managing wetland biological assets, CRC and the Horizon Digital Economy Biodiversity and Water Program of the particularly in semi-arid agricultural Research Institute at The University Future Farm Industries CRC continued systems of southern Australia.

Anketell Rd planting. Photo – Mark Brundrett/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 89 Wildlife Management

Key activities for 2013–14 included:

• At Buntine-Marchagee in the northern Wheatbelt, work on private land to protect biological assets continued. A flora survey of the riparian areas in the catchment was completed. Together with other data, this information will be used to review and re-rank the biological elements in the catchment for management purposes. During the year, revegetation work focused on the Hodgsons’ fresh-brackish wetland complex. Revegetation for water Mullet Lake. Photo – Jennifer Higbid/Parks and Wildlife management consisted of oil mallee, saltbush and mixed native species, with about 75,000 seedlings planted 8km of fencing was also constructed geophysics data to build a base model and explore data for aquifer structures. over 40ha. Survival and growth of to protect native vegetation from seedlings has been good to date. grazing by agricultural livestock. • At Toolibin Lake in the Wheatbelt, Ecophysiological research continued, improvements to the groundwater • In the Drummond catchment in partly funded by the Future Farm pumping system on the floor of the northern Wheatbelt, work was Industries CRC. Vegetation health the lake continued. Forty thousand completed on gaining a better was assessed across the reserve, native seedlings were planted on understanding of the environmental to monitor the impact of surface former agricultural land purchased controls on reproduction and water management works. Annual by the Department at Millers recruitment of robin redbreast bush TEC monitoring was completed Block, upslope of Toolibin Lake, to (Melaleuca lateritia), an important plant in November 2013, with stable manage surface water flows and component of the claypan threatened populations of the lake bed plant connect conservation reserves. This ecological community. Weed invasion Muehlenbeckia in East Lake Bryde project was co-funded through the into the south-west claypan continued and Lake Bryde and improving health South West Catchments Council’s to be of concern. of the population in Lakeland Nature Eco-Bridge project. Monitoring of • At Lake Bryde in the Wheatbelt, Reserve. catchment hydrology and biodiversity significant progress was made into • In the Lake Warden catchment near continued. A Phytophthora dieback developing a draft recovery plan. The Esperance, the effective management hygiene management plan was catchment has a diverse range of of the Lake Wheatfield gravity developed. The recovery planning stakeholders, who are represented by pipeline saw a continuation of the process continued, as well as an a stakeholder group that is regularly previous improvements in waterbird update of the terms of reference. consulted as part of the planning numbers and riparian vegetation. The Hydrologists undertook a surface process. A Parks and Wildlife advisory management focus is now on the water review of the catchment, and group addressed technical aspects of increasing salinity in Lake Warden rationalisation of the groundwater bore the plan. Recovery actions during the and how to address potential nutrient monitoring network and development past year included 160,000 seedlings issues. An analysis of values in the of a decision-making model with The planted on 80ha of public and private wetland system was completed University of Western Australia was land, and 10km of fencing removed as part of initial planning with well advanced. to allow native animals free access stakeholders. More information on salinity management through the reserve and adjoining • Monitoring of groundwater and work conducted in Parks and Wildlife areas of native vegetation. All planting research into hydrological impacts collaborative projects under the Future in the catchment was completed in of plantation removal continued on Farm Industries CRC can be found on partnership with the Department’s Baumea peat wetlands. CSIRO re- the website: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ Remote Regions program. More than analysed 2008 aerial electromagnetic management/salinity

90 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Native tree crops/revegetation driven revegetation to support both under the CALM Act and species regional industries and improved land protected under the WC Act. The native tree crops program aims to and biodiversity conservation. A more promote and encourage the planting efficient mallee harvester will enable This included advice on the Gorgon Gas of trees and other plants to rehabilitate biomass energy to compete in a development (additional construction land and conserve biodiversity. The main wider range of markets and deliver an laydown and operations support area), focus is on biodiversity conservation increased stumpage payment to farmers. the Koodaideri and North Star Iron Ore through broadscale revegetation projects, the Kintyre Uranium project, that generates hydrological benefits Work over the past few years in mallee the Marda Gold project, the Ularring at landscape scales. This, in turn, breeding, again in collaboration with Haematite project, and the Boonanarring contributes to the conservation of the CRC, completed the selection of Mineral Sands mine as well as more than adjoining or downstream biological a biomass line and establishment of 2,000 land-use development proposals, assets, particularly wetlands. foundation seed orchards. town planning schemes and native Commercially viable revegetation vegetation clearing permits across the integrated with agriculture is essential to Assessment of land and resource use State. drive the scale of revegetation required. impacts on biodiversity conservation Mallee eucalypts have also been shown During 2013–14, the Department The Department assisted decision- to provide habitat for a range of native continued its significant role in providing makers considering new developments species, including some small mammals. advice to proponents and decision- and land-use decisions in the Helena and Aurora Range area north of As the operation of Future Farm making authorities on a range of major Koolyanobbing, including providing Industries CRC drew to a close, much resource and other development advice and technical information to effort focussed on the completion of proposals affecting Parks and Wildlife- reports. managed lands and waters and other support assessments. The Goldfields areas of conservation value. The aim Region hosted visits to the area by the Of particular note, the prototype was to guide the effective management EPA and the Minister for Environment, biomass harvester, originally developed of development projects and activities to accompanied by the Minister for Mines with assistance from a number of maintain or improve nature conservation and Petroleum and senior departmental partners including Parks and Wildlife outcomes for lands and waters managed staff. and the State’s Low Energy Emissions Development fund, is widely recognised as an important step in industry development. The commercial developer, Biosystems Engineering, attracted private investment and is in a good position to build a fully commercial prototype, with strong international interest in the harvester.

Parks and Wildlife, with support from the CRC, conducted harvesting and supply trials using available forestry equipment to fully describe the actual costs of the supply chain. Even without a fit-for- purpose harvester, it became clear that the industry was close to profitability in combined heat and power markets, including a modest stumpage payment to farmers. As the advantages of biomass energy generation for regional industries using combined heat and power become more widely understood, there will be Boodie warrens. Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife important opportunities for commercially-

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 91 Wildlife Management

Parks and Wildlife also provided support Building biodiversity Through a partnership with the in implementing the responsibilities knowledge Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network of the Minister for Environment, the (TERN), 25 AusPlots Rangeland sites Conservation Commission and the Biological inventory were established and sampled in the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority Terrestrial inventory Coolgardie bioregion. Several of these in considering and providing advice sites were associated with the Great under sections 24 and 24A of the Substantial progress was made towards Western Woodlands Supersite at Mining Act 1978 and section 15A of completion of the Kimberley islands and Credo. A total of 160 sandplain heath the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Pilbara bioregion biological surveys. plots and 11 sites at five locations were Resources Act 1967, on access to lands Two chapters on the Pilbara bioregion, sampled along the South Western and waters managed under the CALM historical birds and stygofauna, were Australian Transitional Transect, which Act. The Department provided advice published (Supplement 78, Records of extends from Mt Roe in the Warren and recommendations on whether, and the Western Australian Museum) while bioregion to Wanjarrie Nature Reserve under what conditions, access (mining all 12 chapters of the Kimberley island in the Murchison. Many plant species of tenements and ‘entry onto land’) to areas survey were published (Supplement scientific and conservation interest were of CALM Act-managed lands and waters 81, Records of the Western Australian recorded and a large volume of soil and should be granted. Museum). Through the Kimberley vegetation data was collected, analysed Science and Conservation Strategy, and provided to the TERN Aekos facility Parks and Wildlife also fulfilled additional funds were secured to sample and the National Soils Archive. various responsibilities for advice and two further island and adjacent mainland decision-making under the provisions sites. Collaboration with the Birriliburu of State Agreement Acts for resource native title holders continued, with development projects affecting land another inventory survey at Katjarra managed by the Department. (Carnarvon Range) within the Birriliburu Indigenous Protected Area. In addition to establishing 20 permanent native animal and plant survey sites, three AusPlots were also installed. Funding for this program was provided by TERN and Central Desert Native Title Services. Numerous new records, many range extensions and several potentially novel plant species were recorded and noteworthy animal records were confirmed.

With support from the Fortescue Metals Group and BHP Billiton Iron Ore, the Fortescue Marsh floristic and vegetation survey commenced. Fifty-five permanent native plant plots were established on the marsh and subsequent sampling documented many new records for this nationally important wetland, with at least one new to science.

The Department continued to undertake biodiversity surveys ahead of the cane toad frontline. Six surveys were completed in conjunction with Bunuba, Wilinggin and Balanggarra traditional The expansive plains of the Fortescue Marsh. Photo – Sarah Comer/Parks and Wildlife owners.

92 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Targeted biological surveys of the communities were undertaken or Naturebank development sites in coordinated by the Department. Details Millstream Chichester National Park are provided in the threatened species and New Island Bay in Cape Le and ecological communities recovery Grand National Park were completed. section of this publication. Vegetation mapping for the Great A biodiversity audit was progressed Western Woodlands and along the to update A Biodiversity Audit of Indian Ocean Drive corridor between Western Australia’s 53 Biogeographical Lancelin and Jurien Bay was captured, Subregions in 2002, and document standardised and made publicly available WA’s biodiversity through a detailed for community use through collaborations bioregional analysis. The audit intends to with South Coast NRM, the Great give a snapshot in time of the condition Western Woodlands working group and of biodiversity assets, the pressures the WA Local Government Association. they are subject to, management 100 year forest. Targeted priority flora surveys in the effectiveness and future management Photo – Parks and Wildlife Mount Manning area were conducted by requirements for ecosystems across the Goldfields Region in conjunction with the 53 Interim Biogeographic Cliffs Natural Resources. More than 150 Regionalisation for Australia subregions Plain (Geomorphic Wetlands Swan threatened and priority flora report forms of WA. Data collection and analysis Coastal Plain dataset) at 14 sites over the were submitted at the end of the project, were undertaken for threatened and 364,960ha of the dataset. with about 100 voucher specimens priority plants and animals, threatened and priority ecological communities and submitted to the WA Herbarium. The final year of stream biodiversity internationally and nationally significant monitoring for the Forest Management The final two outputs from the wetlands. Plan 2004–13 was undertaken in Understanding Mulga project were spring 2013. This program monitored 51 delivered: an electronic key to mulga and Work continued on developing a jarrah and karri forest stream sites over a series of training workshops. consistent approach to reporting nine years and analysed condition in Fourty-four environmental consultants vegetation statistics across the State. relation to forest management (harvesting and government botanists attended the Statewide statistics are available from and fire). The results were summarised in four training workshops. The project was several different vegetation mapping the management plan’s final audit. a collaboration involving BHP Billiton Iron products, including the Regional Forest Ore, Rio Tinto Iron Ore and the Fortescue Agreement mapping, the Statewide Marine inventory Metals Group. Beard-Hopkins mapping, and detailed mapping on the Swan Coastal Plain. The Department continued to focus on Several wetlands were surveyed Additional detailed mapping of the Swan the development and implementation throughout the Goldfields Region. These Coastal Plain was undertaken to provide of the Western Australian Marine were combined with bird surveys and better integration of these mapping Monitoring Program (WAMMP). This egg collection from banded stilts at Lake products, and enable the production of a program aims to assess the efficiency Ballard after a rare breeding event. The compiled set of vegetation statistics using and effectiveness of the Department’s surveys targeted six wetlands in the the most accurate and up-to-date data marine management programs to Kalgoorlie area and seven wetlands on available. promote ongoing improvement through the Lorna Glen and Earaheedy former active adaptive management. WAMMP pastoral leases. The Mount Forrest spring The Department continued to take the is determining the status and trends in within the proposed Ida Valley-Mount lead in the coordination of biotic and the condition of key biodiversity assets, Forrest Conservation Park, north-west of abiotic data for wetlands, including human pressures on these assets, and Menzies, was also surveyed. The surveys the mapping of wetland type, extent the management response, particularly and distribution in the landscape using will provide baseline data including water for WA’s marine parks and reserves and the geomorphic wetland classification chemistry and invertebrate assemblages. threatened or priority marine animals. system. During the year, the Department Systematic monitoring of coral, seagrass, Surveys of threatened and priority assessed the accuracy of the wetlands invertebrate, mangrove and fish flora, native animals and ecological mapping layer for the Swan Coastal communities was undertaken in 2013–14.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 93 Wildlife Management

In late 2013, WAMMP reported new parks in the Kimberley. The Kimberley Additional work commenced through a and historical time-series information Marine Research Program, led by Wheatstone project offset that focusses across nine marine parks in WA, while the Department, commenced activity on the identification and improved developing assessment and reporting for 24 of the 25 integrated science management of critical habitat for frameworks for two new marine parks projects, supported by an $18 million humpback whales, dugong and inshore (Lalang-garram / Camden Sound co-investment by WAMSI partners. The dolphins. Projects in the Pilbara are and Eighty Mile Beach). New internet- research will document new information assisted by a review of historic datasets accessible software was developed in on habitats and biodiversity across the and the commencement of new projects 2013–14 to support reporting on the Kimberley, including information on to: i) establish new long-term monitoring individual status of a range of ecological ecological processes, human use and reference sites, ii) further understand and social values to fulfil the Marine Parks values, with final findings planned for distribution, patterns and key processes and Reserves Authority’s audit reporting publication in 2017. of major marine communities and requirements. large marine animals, and iii) determine Collaborations with the Australian Institute patterns and trends in human use in Research under marine park of Marine Science, CSIRO, universities the vicinity of the proposed Dampier management plans continued. A and the Department of Fisheries resulted Archipelago Marine Park and Regnard study of the interaction of fishing and in large scale assessments of coral cover Marine Management Area, all of which climate change on reef fish populations along the WA coast, which quantified are supported under offsets from the emphasised the importance of habitat shifts in coral composition, as well as Pluto project. structure for maintaining diversity of bleaching and mortality due to warmer fish assemblages and contributed to water in recent years. Collaborative research continued with the continuing investigations into the spatial Pilbara Marine Conservation Partnership, In the Pilbara, the Department’s marine and temporal distribution of juvenile fish. a CSIRO and University of Western science program initiated projects Australia project, with offset funding from The Western Australian Marine Science to provide benchmark information Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Institution (WAMSI) is a collaboration of on the state of the region’s marine Benefits. This research also links with State, Federal, industry and academic ecosystems. The North West Shelf another Wheatstone offset, which organisations working together to provide Marine Turtle Conservation Program (a started in 2013 and aims to improve independent marine research. Following Chevron Gorgon offset) aims to increase understanding of west Pilbara marine the completion of WAMSI’s inaugural protection of the North West Shelf systems and the potential for recovery research program across Ningaloo flatback turtle population. Preliminary following natural and human-induced Marine Park, the State Government work commenced on this program, disturbance. Field surveys, contemporary committed a further $12 million for which involves surveys, monitoring and molecular techniques and oceanographic research to inform and support the research as well as the establishment modelling were used to examine planning and creation of new marine of information and education programs. the condition of bio-physical assets.

Montgomery Reef. Photo – Fran Stanley/Parks and Wildlife

94 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 The insight gained through this and Table 11: Specimens held at the WA Herbarium related research will aid the design and Number of Taxonomic group Increase since June 2013 management of existing and proposed specimens marine parks and reserves, enhance (June 2014) Number Percentage environmental management of current Myxomycetes 912 15 1.67 and future industrial developments, and assist fisheries and marine animal Fungi 24,099 578 2.46 management. Lichens 17,914 1,424 8.64

In the south-west, research on spatial Algae 23,436 73 0.31 and temporal patterns in the distribution Liverwort and hornworts 2,095 109 5.49 of benthic invertebrate fauna of the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Mosses 6,912 192 2.86 Park concluded, with remaining work Ferns and fern allies 3,716 31 0.84 focused on data analysis and publication. Gymnosperms 2,055 16 0.78 The project revealed a diverse faunal assemblage, while additional surveys Flowering plants 669,990 5,640 0.85 identified 49 algal species in the same Total number 751,129 8,078 1.09 marine park. This baseline data for invertebrates and algae can now be used to measure change through ongoing During the year, 909 specimens were WA Herbarium specimen database monitoring and reporting. loaned to other institutions and 362 Records of all specimens incorporated specimens were received on loan from Other research on the structure of in the WA Herbarium are entered into other herbaria. The WA Herbarium mangrove communities in Shark the WA Herbarium specimen database, forwarded 2,801 and received 1,804 WAHerb. During the year 8,078 specimen Bay Marine Park and intertidal reef exchange specimens from other records were added to WAHerb, communities in Marmion and Shoalwater Australian and international herbaria. Islands marine parks was prepared for including 709 priority flora and 116 threatened flora. The total collection of publication. More than 100 invertebrate The reference herbarium of vascular priority and threatened flora comprised species, which predominantly plants, which had 14,643 specimens 46,663 specimens. comprised molluscs and echinoderms, representing 11,683 taxa, was used by were identified on intertidal reefs of 1,088 visitors during the year. metropolitan marine parks, as well as more than 110 species of algae. These studies are being used to establish suitable indicator species and a baseline assessment of reef condition for ongoing monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

Taxonomy and biotic collection management

A total of 8,078 specimens were added to the WA Herbarium collection, which stood at 751,129 specimens, an increase of 1.09 per cent during the year. At 30 June 2014, the collection at the WA Herbarium comprised the following specimens from all major groups of Keiran McNamara Conservation Science Centre. plants, algae, mosses, lichens and fungi Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife ( Table 11).

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 95 Wildlife Management

Flora data for WA The Department was also a partner critical habitat for critically endangered in research in the Kimberley with the flora. An adaptive management project At 30 June 2014, WA’s vascular plants Biodiversity Fund, Charles Darwin in Quarram Nature Reserve in the (flowering plants, ferns, cycads and University and The Australian National Warren Region aims to protect and conifers) comprised 13,632 recognised University investigating the impacts of promote the structure and ecological species, subspecies and varieties fire regimes on breeding success of integrity of a native grassland priority (12,392 native and 1,240 introduced to the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae). ecological community (PEC) through the State). This was a net increase of 93 Gouldian finches have been observed the introduction of experimental fire. It taxa recognised as occurring in the State. to abandon breeding sites which are is believed the existing infrequent fire During 2013–14, 106 new names were burnt too often, or burnt hot, in the year regime has promoted the encroachment formally published. following a fire. This joint project looked of shrubs into the PEC by allowing them The census of WA plants maintained by at whether declines were related to additional time to mature and store large the WA Herbarium as the authoritative reduced availability of sorghum seed or a amounts of seed in the soil, and then reference for all plants of the State reduction in seed quality due to impacts rapidly out compete grasses. The joint contained 23,389 names, representing of fires on soil nutrient status. A burning project by Frankland District, Warren 15,878 currently recognised species, experiment was established in Gouldian Region and Science and Conservation subspecies and varieties of vascular finch breeding habitat near Wyndham to Division staff established two monitoring and non-vascular plants (algae, mosses, test some of these hypotheses. plots in the PEC; the first area to be liverworts, lichens and fungi). Of these, exposed to fire on a two to three-year Research conducted as part of the 14,604 were native and 1,247 alien. rotation, and the second to be exposed Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation to a ‘normal’ six to eight-year rotation. Herbarium volunteers Strategy for the Great Western Fences were erected around half of the Woodlands improved understanding An extensive volunteer program at plots, to exclude native herbivore grazing of how gimlet (Eucalyptus salubris) the WA Herbarium sees volunteers and determine the impact of post fire woodlands respond to fire over long provide important skills and help in grazing by herbivores in grasslands. periods of time. Floristic diversity is high many curation activities. During the year, Since commencement of the project, two in recently burnt and in long-unburnt volunteers contributed 7,441 hours to the prescribed burns were undertaken, the woodlands, but lower in intermediate- Herbarium, equivalent to almost four full- most recent in June 2014. The plots are aged woodlands due to high levels of time staff. This contribution is gratefully monitored annually during the flowering competition from trees and shrubs. acknowledged. period, recording flora species and an Woodlands of intermediate age tend to estimate of abundance. Fire and biodiversity research projects be the most flammable because of the quantity and arrangement of fuel. Visual More information on fire and the Parks and Wildlife partnered with the fuel assessment methods provide an environment is available on website: Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) effective and rapid way of quantifying www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/ and The University of Tasmania to changes in fuel condition over time. fire/fire-and-the-environment research the impact of cats on mammals in savanna habitats. Recent work within In 2013, the Department’s Central Information and data cat-proof exclosures at AWC’s Wongalara Wheatbelt District received State NRM management Station in Arnhem Land, Northern funds for the development of ecological NatureMap access to high-quality Territory, experimentally confirmed that fire management guidelines to protect biodiversity data, including the reconciled cats can cause local extinctions of small and recover critically endangered flora publically available vegetation map. In mammals, in this case the savanna and their associated habitat of the 2013–14 there was a renewed focus rodent Rattus villiosissimus. This research Wongan Hills. Together with a broader on historical regional surveys, starting highlighted for the first time the role of project, Fast track critically endangered with the Carnarvon Basin. Occurrence feral cats in mammal declines and/or flora recovery by implementing key records now total 3.2 million, an increase extinctions in the tropics. recovery actions and establishing new wild populations, suitable fire regimes of 38,702. User registrations for access will be defined across the Wongan Hills to NatureMap increased by 13 per cent area to maintain diversity of species and to 1,725, with industry accounting for the vegetation communities, with a focus biggest number. on protecting both populations and

96 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Redevelopment of the Fauna File sensing products using ground-based managers and the Aboriginal community) database, used to manage native animal measurements in the Great Western through shared knowledge and best survey and monitoring data, continued. Woodlands and other supersites. practice. It focusses on landscape- The upgraded system will make scale activities that connect across Considerable progress was made information easier to access and improve management boundaries providing with the Goldfields Land and Sea analysis and reporting capacity. coordinated responses to biodiversity Council in the Kalgoorlie area where threats, including coordinated fire Encouraging public the Department is providing casual management, and mitigating the spread understanding and support employment opportunities for Aboriginal of invasive weeds and feral animals for biodiversity conservation rangers during bushfire mitigation through coordinated mapping, data operations and work on the development management and targeted on-ground The Credo Field Study Centre and of the Credo campground. control. Supersite near Kalgoorlie were opened in October 2013. The focus of the research The Pilbara Region continued to work In the Kimberley, approximately 40 fee- facility and Supersite will be an ‘OzFlux’ in partnership with Rangelands NRM for-service contracts for feral animal, climate station at Credo station that will and Greening Australia to undertake weed control and fire programs programs monitor the energy, water and carbon landscape-scale benefit activities for the were undertaken under the Kimberley balance of mature eucalypt woodland. Pilbara Corridors project. This five-year Science and Conservation Strategy with The Supersite will also link with the project is funded through the Federal five different native title groups. This ‘AusCover’ initiative of the Terrestrial Government’s Biodiversity Fund. The involved about 100 traditional owners Ecosystem Research Network (led in WA project works in collaboration with people and rangers. by Curtin University), that will develop in the Fortescue River catchment of the calibrated and value-added remote- Pilbara region (pastoral and mining land

Technical officer Julia Lees surveying a rocky breakaway. Ring-tailed dragon. Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife Photo – Fran Stanley/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 97 Wildlife Management

Provision of private land for biodiversity governments to raise awareness of the A voluntary management agreement conservation support and advice values of roadside vegetation for the Waterbird Conservation Group to assist in conservation management Roadside conservation • improved public access to RCC’s conservation value mapping data of Folly and Maramanup pools near Parks and Wildlife’s administration of through the Shared Land Information Baldivis was finalised and funding was the Roadside Conservation Committee Platform and the website provided to purchase volunteer insurance (RCC) continued, with funding support to conduct restoration activities, a weed from Main Roads WA. The RCC seeks • prepared several publications on a spray unit and the chemical herbicide to facilitate best practice management of range of topics relating to roadside to control weed infestations including remnant vegetation in transport corridors vegetation management kikuyu, couch, lotus, allium and wild fig. through raising awareness, liaison and • continued to respond to enquiries cooperation. The RCC met four times and concerns from local governments Two draft voluntary management during 2013–14. and individuals regarding roadside agreements were prepared in 2013–14 conservation matters. for the management of a large seasonally During the year the RCC: inundated wetland on a property on More information about roadside the Gingin Brook, which is habitat • delivered training workshops on conservation and the RCC is available for the Priority 4 native freshwater best practice roadside vegetation on the website: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ mussel, Westralunio carteri, and a management for senior staff and work management/off-reserve-conservation/ 13ha seasonally inundated wetland crews of the shires of Wyalkatchem, roadside-conservation in the Shire of Capel. The latter is Trayning, Nungarin, Cunderdin and Healthy Wetland Habitats listed under the Directory of Important Quairading, and similar training for Wetlands of Australia for supporting a the Natural Resource Management Healthy Wetland Habitats is a voluntary roosting, refuge site for populations of officers from an additional 10 shires off-reserve conservation program migratory shorebirds listed under Federal • conducted roadside vegetation that provides technical and financial Government migratory bird agreements. surveys in the shires of Kalamunda, assistance to private land managers for Since the program started in 2006–07, Cranbrook, and Moora, including the management of wetlands of high 90 expressions of interest have been training volunteers in survey and conservation value on the Swan Coastal received and 23 agreements signed. mapping techniques Plain, funded through a Main Roads WA environmental offset. Management action • in conjunction with Parks and planning and funding of up to $10,000 Wildlife’s GIS section, used the results are offered to eligible landholders. of roadside vegetation surveys to develop roadside conservation value maps, and presented these maps with an accompanying report to the shires of Boyup Brook and Moora • undertook surveys of nine roads nominated by the public as Flora Roads • contributed significantly to a group addressing the decline of a large number of trees in rail corridor vegetation • undertook a range of activities to raise awareness of roadside conservation and engage with stakeholders, including presenting a display at the WA Local Government Association’s Roads and Transport Forum Ducklings. Photo – Matt Swan/Parks and Wildlife and distributing material to local

98 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Under these agreements landholders Technical support continued for have collectively committed to managers of the threatened communities revegetation works on 45ha of wetland, of clay-based wetlands, with an annual weeding on 139ha of wetland and the workshop and field day at Bandicoot installation of 4.8km of fencing to protect Brook Reserve, Waroona. In spring wetlands from stock. 2013, work to gain an understanding of change over time in clay-based wetlands More information about Healthy Wetland on the Swan Coastal Plain and address Habitats is available on the website: management implications was completed www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/off- through relocating and rescoring 32 reserve-conservation floristic plots established in the early 1990s. Urban Nature Training and technical support for The Urban Nature program provides bushland management included technical advice and on-ground support six workshops and field days, 15 to land managers working to protect, presentations, four newsletter articles, manage and restore biodiversity in the two reports, an abstract and two Swan Region and beyond. scientific publications. Nine lunchtime Working with more than 76 stakeholders seminars to promote and extend from community groups, private research and management projects from landholders, local government, State across the Swan Region were delivered agencies and universities, Urban Nature to departmental staff and community conducted 105 on-ground activities bushland managers as part of a to facilitate best-practice bushland continuing series. About 1,900 copies of management and provided technical the quarterly newsletter Bushland News Thelymitra apiculata. were distributed to support community advice on 196 occasions. Much of the Photo – Mark Brundrett/Parks and work involved adaptive management involvement in bushland conservation Wildlife and research trials, and liaison with land and management. managers to implement the results of the trials in 20 high-priority sites.

Work continued on a collaborative study by Urban Nature and the Centre of Excellence for Climate Change and Woodland and Forest Health. The study examines how the plants and animals of long unburnt tuart woodland respond to fire. Field work was completed in spring 2013. The results of this study are informing the development of long-term fire management guidelines including post fire management. Work commenced on the restoration of plant communities on Penguin Island and, working with the Lowlands Conservation Committee, on the development of interim management guidelines for the Lowlands Bush Forever site. Weed management trials to facilitate the recovery of native wild rose across its range on public and private lands Daviesia divaricata. Photo – Mark Brundrett/Parks and Wildlife continued.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 99 Wildlife Management

Parks and Wildlife is coordinating the organised eight displays at agricultural Since 2013, the majority of covenants Perth Banksia Woodland Community shows or similar, and gave 25 talks at prepared and registered by the Restoration Grants to support community workshops, seminars, schools or other Department’s covenant program efforts to restore and manage banksia groups. have been as a result of a subdivision woodland. A total of $300,000 was condition. The south-west of WA has awarded to 20 community conservation LFW staff continued to work with local been a large focus of the covenants projects, which will take place over a government authorities, catchment being put forward and continues to be a 28-month period ending in councils, friends groups and other key focus in regional development with September 2016. Half the funding organisations in their areas, including regards to conservation covenants. supports projects that will create new the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Regional Carnaby’s cockatoo habitat through Biosecurity Group, which provides More information about the Nature the revegetation of degraded areas a landscape-scale community co- Conservation Covenant program is and the remainder will assist groups to ordinated approach to pest management. available on the website: www.dpaw. protect high conservation value banksia wa.gov.au/management/off-reserve- More information about LFW is available woodland from the threats of weed conservation/nature-conservation- on the Parks and Wildlife website: invasion, feral animals and dieback. covenant-program www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/ More information about the Urban Nature landforwildlife Animal ethics program and a list of grant recipients are Nature Conservation Covenants The Animal Welfare Act 2002 prohibits available on the website: www.dpaw. the use of animals for scientific purposes wa.gov.au/management/off-reserve- The Nature Conservation Covenant without a licence issued under the conservation/urban-nature program assists private landowners with provisions of the Act. The Department the conservation of bushland of high Land for Wildlife holds a licence to use animals for nature conservation value by placing a scientific purposes and, as such, staff in The Land for Wildlife (LFW) program is protective covenant on the land’s title, the Department are required to comply a non-binding voluntary management and by providing management advice with licence conditions and abide by agreement between the Department and and assistance through incentives and a the Australian Code of Practice for the private land managers. During 2013–14, stewardship program. Care and Use of Animals for Scientific 59 new properties were registered with At 30 June 2014, 177 covenants were Purposes, 7th Edition, 2004. Under the LFW and at June 2014 the total area cumulatively established over 232 code, the Department has established an of LFW sites totalled 331,902ha. Parks titles and 20,084ha of land, which Animal Ethics Committee and all projects and Wildlife staff visited 89 properties, support several threatened species and undertaken by staff to use animals for of which 60 were new properties, ecological communities. A further 36 scientific purposes are assessed by the and 29 were formally revisited for were in negotiation. committee. stewardship matters. During these visits, staff recorded 59 occurrences of rare or threatened native animals, flora or ecological communities. Thirty-seven landholders resigned from LFW during the year, mainly because of property sales, leaving 2,041 properties registered.

LFW supported seven funding applications by landholders, through provision of voluntary management agreements, GIS maps, project development and letters of support.

One Wildlife Note and four editions of Western Wildlife were produced. LFW staff contributed 33 articles to Land for Wildlife field day near Wickepin. Alex George helps LFW members identify plants. Photo – by Avril Baxter print media, gave one radio interview,

100 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 The Department’s Animal Ethics renewals for existing projects, annual Committee also assesses projects on reports and unexpected adverse event behalf of the Centre for Whale Research, reports. Active projects covered the the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, following broad areas of research (in the Western Australian Museum and order of number of projects): native the Federal Department of Agriculture. animal monitoring, general research, It has memoranda of understanding translocations, surveys, education, feral with the following institutions for jointly animal control research and marine managed projects: The University of research. Western Australia, Murdoch University, In 2014, the Department’s Animal Ethics Edith Cowan University, The University of Committee was subject to a formal Queensland and James Cook University. external review of operations to assess The Animal Ethics Committee assessed compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and approved more than 300 items in and code of practice. The review panel Zebra finch, Karijini National Park. 2013–14, consisting of new applications, found strong indications of an effective Photo – Matt Swan/Parks and Wildlife amendments to existing projects, project and compliant animal ethics system.

Thorny devil. Photo – Judy Dunlop/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 101 Forest Management Operational highlights

Karri regrowth, Pemberton. Photo – Michael Pez/Parks and Wildlife.

Implementation of approved jarrah and karri first and second grade Forest forest management plans sawlogs was found to be within the level prescribed in the Forest Management and government policies and Management Plan 2014–2023. programs Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 The Forest Management Service Forest Management Plan 2004–2013 ensures the provision of economic, The Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 social and cultural benefits from State The Forest Management Plan 2004–2013 came into effect on 1 January 2014. The forest and timber reserves, while continued to be implemented until plan was prepared by the Conservation conserving biodiversity, maintaining 31 December 2014. Disturbance activities Commission through the agency of the soil and water values, and sustaining continued to be monitored to ensure Department and was released by the health, vitality and productive capacity they were carried out in accordance Minister for Environment on of the forest for current and future with the requirements of the plan. Land 6 December 2013. generations. category changes proposed in the Forest Management Plan 2004–2013 Key milestones in the development of the Consistent with the statutory purpose were incorporated into the Forest plan included: of State forest and timber reserves Management Plan 2014–2023. Spatial as defined in the Conservation and • the release of the Environmental and measurement datasets required Land Management Act 1984, forest Protection Authority’s (EPA) report and to sustainably manage State forest management is provided for on an recommendations on the proposed and timber reserves continued to be ecologically sustainable basis. This Forest Management Plan 2014–2023, maintained. includes implementing government in July 2014 policies, and providing for the Final reporting on key performance • responding to the appeals on the EPA harvesting, regeneration and growth of indicator 5, relating to the actual removals report forest products in accordance with the of forest products during the Forest • publishing supplementary information current forest management plan. Management Plan 2004–2013, compared to support the environmental with the sustained yield provided for in impact assessment process, the plan, was completed. The removal of including the independent expert

102 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 100 year forest. Photo – Michael Pez/Parks and Wildlife

panel review of sustained yield, the Members of the voluntary conservation • continual interpretation of digital Department’s response to the panel’s movement, representatives from local images of State forest acquired recommendations and maps showing government and staff from the Forest between 2009 and 2013, to map the refined network of fauna habitat Products Commission (FPC), Parks forest characteristics and stratify areas zones across the Swan, South West and Wildlife and the Conservation for wood inventory Commission inspected areas of Challar and Warren regions • continual updating of the jarrah forest block in the Warren Region in • completing a final Decision regulatory (Eucalyptus marginata) inventory May 2014. impact statement on the plan, which with measurement of a selection of was approved by the Department of Inventory, assessment inventory plots Finance’s Regulatory Gatekeeping and modelling of natural • undertaking vegetation mapping Unit. resources to inform silvicultural decisions, More information on forest management old-growth forest assessments, and the Forest Management Plan A wide range of technical services Phytophthora dieback disease related to the inventory, assessment 2014–2023 is available on the website: impact predictions and the protection and modelling of natural resources was www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/ of poorly represented vegetation provided within Parks and Wildlife and to forests/managing-our-forests/161-a- complexes the FPC, Conservation Commission and plan-for-managing-our-state-s-south- external clients. Major areas of activity • undertaking field measurements west-forests. included: to monitor the log removals and Community forest inspection program silvicultural standards associated • gathering and analysing wood with timber harvest operations, and Community forest inspections provide inventory data to assist the FPC, Parks maintain current and accurate data community representatives with the and Wildlife and the Conservation opportunity to inspect aspects of the Commission in planning, managing harvest of native forest trees from areas and monitoring timber production in of State forest first-hand, and to learn State forest and timber reserves more about relevant management systems and processes.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 103 Forest Management

• providing specialist services to Maintenance and The Department’s Regional and Fire Parks and Wildlife divisions, the enhancement of biodiversity Management Services Division delivered FPC, other government agencies, other sustainable forest management natural resource management and other values outcomes, and the Science and groups and external clients (services Measures undertaken to sustain Conservation Division undertook included aerial photography, photo- or enhance biodiversity and other research to inform management of interpretation, photogrammetry, forest values included the provision of biodiversity, ecosystem health and vitality, vegetation and disease mapping information about Phytophthora dieback and soil and water values. surveys, and database design and and maps of its occurrence, to enable Health and vitality in natural development) operations to be undertaken with the landscapes • deploying and integrating modelling lowest risk of spreading the disease. software and developing natural Other Forest Management Service Mapping the presence of symptoms resource models to support the Forest responsibilities included implementing an of the plant disease caused by Management Plan 2014–2023 approvals, monitoring and compliance Phytophthora dieback was carried out during the year to determine its • upgrading and developing forest management system for disturbance occurrence. Hygiene requirements were resource management systems to operations on State forests and timber specified for activities likely to result in the support the Forest Management Plan reserves, and setting standards for movement of soil (and potentially, as a 2014–2023. the management of a range of values. consequence, Phytophthora dieback) on lands managed by Parks and Wildlife. An area of 26,420ha was mapped to assist the planning of road works and timber harvesting operations undertaken by the FPC. This included 16,630ha previously mapped that were re-checked. Mapping and hygiene planning were undertaken on a further 710ha for the Department’s purposes, and 260ha for external parties.

Integrated planning support

The maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity and other values across landscapes requires a high level of integrated planning within Parks and Wildlife. This outcome was supported through:

• planning support to Regional and Fire Management Services Division to guide the selection and management of public firewood and licensed flora harvesting areas • monitoring and collating information about areas burnt by bushfire and prescribed fires across the forest, to support fire planning and reporting • assisting Regional and Fire Management Services Division to evaluate the biodiversity assets at risk from disturbance when assessing Digging a sample for dieback research. Photo – Michael Pez/Parks and Wildlife proposals for roads, utility corridors and other infrastructure.

104 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Management of soil disturbance in Where non-compliance in timber Nine FORESTCHECK sites in the timber harvesting harvesting operations is identified, Donnelly District were sampled in the proponent may be issued with an spring 2013 to complete the annual The Forest Management Plan 2004–2013 incident report (IR) for minor issues, a monitoring cycle. During autumn 2014, provided for increased protection works improvement notice (WIN) if the monitoring was also undertaken at seven of soils during timber harvesting by non-compliance can be rectified by new sites established in the eastern part introducing soil damage risk periods further field works, or a management of the Blackwood District, and at one based on a trafficability index and letter (ML) if it cannot. In 2013–14, staff existing and two new sites in the Perth prescribing measures to be applied in issued seven WINs and five MLs. No IRs Hills District. each risk period to protect soil during were issued. Of the WINs issued, two Further progress was made with analysis timber harvesting. The soil protection related to productive capacity issues, of data from the 2002–12 monitoring measures in the 2003–2014 plan two related to disease management, two period and with preparation of associated have been carried over into the Forest related to biodiversity and one related to scientific manuscripts. A comparison of Management Plan 2014–2023. The basic raw materials. Of the MLs issued, the first (2001–06) and second (2007–12) Department continued to manage an two related to productive capacity, one rounds of monitoring will be undertaken approvals process for access during related to biodiversity, one related to as well as an analysis of the effects of moist soil conditions. Authorisation of informal reserves and one related to timber harvesting on forest attributes access to 13 forest coupes for potential ecosystem health and vitality. Of the and biodiversity using the combined data harvesting areas during winter and spring WINs and MLs issued in 2013–14, one from the two rounds of monitoring. was granted based on consideration of WIN and one ML were closed and 10 the risk associated with soil attributes. remained open. Of the previously issued Ongoing monitoring of gum-leaf Access was not granted to areas with an WINs that remained open, two were skeletonizer (Uraba lugens) in the inherently high risk of soil disturbance. closed. Of the previously issued MLs that southern jarrah forest indicated that the remained open, none were closed. insect population has returned to a level Implementation of fauna habitat zones much below that associated with the Forest monitoring and research The Forest Management Plan 2004–2013 2010 outbreak that caused extensive introduced fauna habitat zones in State The FORESTCHECK program continued defoliation. The areas affected during the forest and timber reserves. The network to monitor the effects of timber harvesting 2010 outbreak are recovering well, with was refined for the 2014–2023 plan. In on biodiversity. The program samples tree crowns starting to show signs of line with the 2004–2013 plan, from July macrofungi, cryptogams, vascular plants, regeneration. to December 2013 the design, analysis, invertebrates, terrestrial vertebrates, birds, survey and liaison work was undertaken forest structure and coarse woody debris. for fauna habitat zones adjacent to proposed disturbance activities, and the location of four fauna habitat zones was finalised. The zones cover a gross area of more than 882ha of State forest.

Management system for approvals, monitoring and compliance

All operations in State forest require consideration and approval. Department staff monitored the compliance of operations with the conditions of approval and environmental management standards. The planning checklist for disuturbance activities used for this purpose was reviewed and updated to account for additional requirements of the Forest Management Plan 2014–2023. A woylie. Photo – John Palmer

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 105 Forest Management

Findings from a study of human-caused Monitoring of native forest harvesting bushfire ignitions (deliberate, accidental Timber harvesting operations in State or of unknown cause) in the Swan, South forest and timber reserves in the area of West and Warren regions were reported the Forest Management Plan 2004–2013 in a paper published in the International continued to be approved and monitored Journal of Wildland Fire. in accordance with guidance documents A paper describing contemporary use that specify a range of requirements, of prescribed fire to manage bushfire including silvicultural practices, protection risk and ecological values in south-west of soil and water values and demarcation forests was published in a feature issue of informal reserves not available for of Frontiers in Ecology and Environment timber harvesting. Field monitoring of featuring an international perspective on these operations was undertaken by Silvereye. Photo – Michael Pez/Parks and Wildlife prescribed fire in land management. regional Parks and Wildlife staff. Coupe management and environmental Biogeographic patterns in streams and protection rivers of the south-west forests were analysed using data collected over seven The FPC conducts harvesting operations years of monitoring undertaken to report on Department-managed land where on key performance indicator 20 of the compliance is required with a range Forest Management Plan 2004–2013. of environmental standards. This This analysis has provided a sound basis audit assessed a sample of these for understanding stream biodiversity environmental management and responses to management activities, protection elements in selected active An example of dieback-affected flora on natural disturbance events and the coupes and one dormant coupe in jarrah the south coast. impacts of a drying climate. forest. Photo – Mark Spice/Parks and Wildlife

Forest auditing Table 12: List of coupes sampled Coupe Region Status Species A range of forest management activities Palmer South West Completed Jarrah were audited for 2013–14. These audits examined the processes for monitoring Kingia South West Dormant Jarrah native forest timber harvesting operations Hadfield South West Complete Jarrah in the Swan, South West and Warren Ashendon Swan Complete Jarrah regions for compliance with requirements Gregory South West Dormant Jarrah of the Forest Management Plan 2004–2013. Edward South West Complete Jarrah Munro South West Complete Jarrah

Cascades, Pemberton. Photo – Michael Pez/Parks and Wildlife

106 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Planning checklists Table 13: Summary of coupe demarcation Planning checklists must be completed by Stream zone Other reserves Total the FPC and approved by the Department Length 8,547 3,502 12,049 before timber harvesting can begin. All assessed (m) coupes sampled had correctly completed Length correctly 8,547 3,502 12,049 planning checklists for each relevant marked (m) harvesting operation. Each section of Percentage correct 100 100 100 the checklist had been addressed and approval signatures were in place. Table 14: Summary of incidents Coupe demarcation Stream zone Other reserves Total Management boundaries, including the Length coupe, and informal reserves such as 8,547 3,502 12,049 assessed (m) river, stream, areas of old-growth forest Number of minor and travel route and diverse ecotype 1 0 1 zones, must be identified and demarcated incidents Length of minor before approved timber harvesting 5 0 5 operations commence. The management incidents (m) Number of major boundaries of seven coupes were 0 0 0 assessed and all required boundaries Incidents were correctly demarcated. Length of major 0 0 0 incidents (m) Protecting water and informal reserves Percentage of edge 99.9 100 99.9 Informal reserve boundaries, including protected intact river and stream zones, should be protected during all phases of the The stream zones and reserve boundaries harvesting operation. Areas were sampled in the field and had of seven coupes were sampled for been retained as specified. compliance. No incidents were recorded Habitat retention in six coupes. One minor incident totalling five metres was recorded in one coupe. To ensure the availability of suitable refuge This incident involved machine activity hollows for native animals after timber crossing into a reserve boundary. No harvesting, habitat trees and ground logs major incident was recorded for any of the are retained. The requirements for habitat sampled coupes. trees and ground logs were

Stream zones were demarcated at or • five primary habitat trees per hectare above the prescribed width requirement. (trees that have a moderate to high probability of bearing hollows) Phased harvesting • six to eight secondary habitat trees In all second-order catchments in the per hectare (trees that have a lower intermediate and low rainfall zones of probability of bearing hollows at the multiple-use jarrah forest subject to time of tree marking, but provide for the harvesting, at least 30 per cent of each sustained availability of hollows through second-order catchment should have time. These trees also contribute the a retained basal area of greater than 15 structural diversity in the coupe) square metres per hectare for a period of at least 15 years after harvesting of the • one ground log per hectare (logs with remainder of the catchment. Relevant a diameter greater than 10cm and a areas are identified and demarcated in the length greater than 3m). 100 year forest. Photo – Michael field and are not available for harvesting. Pez/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 107 Forest Management

Table 15: Habitat retention Standing habitat No. of coupes Area No. of primary No. of Average no. of Average no. Average number of assessed for sampled habitat trees secondary primary habitat of secondary all habitat trees / ha habitat trees (ha) in samples habitat trees trees / ha habitat trees in samples / ha 7 40 327 265 8.2 6.6 14.8

Ground habitat No. of coupes assessed Area sampled (ha) Number of habitat Average number of habitat logs in samples logs per hectare 7 40 53 1.3

In the seven coupes sampled, the average number of primary and secondary habitat trees was above the required retention rate. All coupes had at least the required retention rate for both primary and secondary habitat trees. For ground habitat requirements, six coupes achieved the required retention rate and one coupe recorded below this rate.

Protecting crop trees

Marked crop trees are required to be protected from damage during harvesting operations.

Damage was defined as:

• exposure of more than 100 square centimetres of cambium • felling, breaking or uprooting of a crop tree • removal of more than 30 per cent of the crown. As well as avoiding physical damage, all debris created by a harvesting operation should be removed from the base of crop trees.

100 year forest. Photo – Michael Pez/Parks and Wildlife

108 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Table 16: Crop tree assessment No. of coupes No. of crop No. of crop trees No. of crop trees Compliance assessed trees assessed undamaged damaged 7 719 700 19 96%

Table 17: Crop tree tops disposed and not disposed No. of crop trees No. of crop tree tops No. of crop tree Compliance assessed disposed tops disposed 719 674 45 94%

All of the seven coupes assessed were Of the seven coupes assessed, four below the allowable five per cent limit for achieved the compliance level of 95 per crop tree damage. The highest level of cent. The highest level of completed tops damage recorded was four per cent and disposal was 98 per cent and the lowest the lowest two per cent. level 89 per cent.

As well as avoiding physical damage, all Protecting soil debris created by a harvesting operation When log extraction is completed in any should be removed from the base of crop feller’s block, and prior to machinery trees. This task is commonly known as leaving, spreader banks must be ‘tops disposal’ and is designed to protect constructed across all extraction tracks crop trees from fire damage. All woody and disturbed firebreaks with exposed material greater than 75mm in diameter soil to minimise the risk of soil erosion. must be removed at least 1m from the The minimum size and angle of banks bole of the crop tree. is set and the prescribed spacing is dependent on the slope and soil type.

Table 18: Erosion control

No. of coupes Length of snig track Length of Length of track Compliance assessed assessed track meeting not meeting (m) specification specification (m) (m) 7 7,4 82 7,4 82 0 100%

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 109 Forest Management

Rehabilitating landings Provision for harvesting, There is an annual program in place regeneration and growth of to rehabilitate log landings. At the forest products completion of harvesting, landings are Silvicultural guidance ripped and scarified and then seeded and fertilised when conditions are Revised jarrah, karri and wandoo right. Preparation work for landing silvicultural guidelines were developed rehabilitation, ripping and scarifying was to reflect the requirements of the Forest undertaken in most completed coupes Management Plan 2014–2023. Copies sampled, except where products still of the guidelines are available on request remained on the landings. at www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/management/ Protecting threatened flora forests/managing-our-forests/167- silviculture. Before any activity is undertaken on Department-managed land resulting in A suite of supporting documentation was the removal of native flora, field searches developed and published through the first are required to determine whether half of 2014, including five procedures threatened flora is present. Records relating to jarrah and karri silvicultural and of field searches for the presence of jarrah and karri field guides. threatened flora populations were Monitoring procedures to assess available for all coupes assessed. protection levels for growing stock and Protecting threatened native animals habitat trees, and for the assessment of tree marking, continued to be improved Areas planned for harvesting were following feedback from field operational assessed in a desktop study against a staff. matrix that determined the probability of habitats of threatened native animals Training of relevant personnel continued occurring, which was incorporated in the application of silvicultural practices into the Fauna Distribution Information and the implementation of monitoring System. procedures.

Adaptive management Monitoring of areas subject to timber harvesting and associated treatments The Wungong Catchment Environment and Water Management Project adaptive Monitoring was undertaken in management trial, conducted in the areas subject to commercial timber 12,845ha Wungong Catchment near harvesting, silvicultural treatments and Jarrahdale and overseen by the Water forest disturbance activities under the Corporation, concluded in 2013–2014. direction of the FPC. In the 12 months Parks and Wildlife liaised with the Water to December 2013, 8,120ha of native Corporation to finalise a closure plan, 100 year forest. forest were harvested with silvicultural Photo – Michael Pez/Parks and Wildlife which identified outstanding work and a objectives outlined in Table 19. timeline for this work to be carried out. Data-sharing arrangements between the Water Corporation and the Department ensures the information from the trial can contribute to future research projects or trials of this type.

110 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Table 19: Silvicultural objectives Forest type Silvicultural objective Area cutover (ha) Jarrah Release of regeneration (gap) 250 Establishment of regeneration 2,560 (shelterwood) Promote growth on retained trees 1,270 (thinning) Single tree selection (retention in 1,420 Phytophthora dieback areas) Selective 380 Subtotal 5,880 Karri Establish jarrah/karri regeneration 0

Establish regeneration (clearfall karri) 290 Establish regeneration (partial karri 0 clearfall) Promote growth on retained trees 560 Thelymitra magnifica. (thinning) Photo – Mark Brundrett/Parks and Wildlife Subtotal 850 Wandoo Establishment of regeneration 0 Promote growth on retained trees 0 (thinning) Subtotal 0 Other Other (mining and clearing for utilities) 1,390 forest type Total 8,120

Jarrah silvicultural objectives for 1,300ha harvested in 2013–14 or previous years were achieved by follow-up treatment during the year. Karri regeneration was completed on Rhizanthella gardneri. 460ha harvested in either 2013–14 or previous years. Photo – Mark Brundrett/Parks and Wildlife

Beedelup Falls. Photo – Michael Pez/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 111 Forest Management

Boranup State Forest. Photo – Tourism WA

Big Brook, Pemberton. Photo – Michael Pez/Parks and Wildlife

112 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Table 20: Trends in the area of native forest harvested Jarrah forest Jarrah/wandoo Karri forest forest Clearfelled or cut to seed Thinned trees (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) 1976–77 32,320 1,170 2,610 - 1977–78 26,020 740 4,450 - 1978–79 25,540 530 2,710 - 1979–80 25,150 860 2,110 60 1980–81 22,930 1,440 2,080 180 1981–82 24,680 610 2,180 320 1982–83 23,740 330 990 190 1983–84 21,540 580 1,490 260 1984–85 20,010 1,440 2,360 500 1985–86 22,640 650 1,590 340 1986 19,340 1,150 1,090 490 1987 17,18 0 1,380 1,310 700 1988 23,400 490 1,180 840 1989 15,130 200 1,510 910 1990 12,960 100 1,560 340 1991 10,910 - 1,920 230 1992 13,990 30 1,540 310 1993 14,250 40 1,630 80 1994 14,050 50 1,440 - 1995 17,8 3 0 30 2,410 - 1996 22,320 50 1,300 60 1997 18,240 60 1,870 60 1998 19,250 60 1,970 320 1999 14,200 50 1,890 360 2000 20,570 10 1,310 70 2001 15,760 - 1,380 120 2002 13,260 30 700 350 2003 8,520 - 720 485 2004 8,860 - 330 920 2005 6,220 30 460 1,070 2006 8,440 300 400 1,130 2007 8,120 60 560 1,000 2008 7, 28 0 0 390 660 2009 8,990 10 740 920 2010 4,520 0 400 1,220 2011 *6,120 30 740 850 2012 6,760 0 370 650 2013 5,880 0 290 560

Total includes small areas of other forest types cleared for mining or landings

*The figure given in the 2011–12 Yearbook (7,500ha) was incorrect as it included clearing for mining

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 113 Fire Management Operational highlights

Photo – Leigh Sage/Parks and Wildlife

Fire Management

Bushfire season 2013–14 Parks and Wildlife staff attended and monitored 607 bushfires throughout the The 2013–14 bushfire season was State in 2013–14, which burnt about marked by the devastating bushfire 2,209,619ha. For regional details about in Parkerville that saw the loss of 44 the number of fires attended and area homes. While the Department of Parks burnt, see Table 21. and Wildlife was not the controlling agency of the bushfire, the Department About 23 per cent of all bushfires provided substantial assistance to attended by Parks and Wildlife staff were local government authorities and the caused by lightning, below the 10-year Department of Fire and Emergency average of about 24 per cent. About Services (DFES). 37 per cent of Department-attended fires were deliberately lit or arson-caused, Significant support was also provided at below the 10-year average of about a bushfire in Jandakot that threatened 43 per cent. One per cent of bushfires residential areas. Other fires of note were the result of escapes from Parks occurred at Karijini National Park and and Wildlife prescribed burns. For more Barrow Island Nature Reserve, both of details about the causes of fires attended which threatened key infrastructure. by the Department, see Table 22.

One of the Department’s five pre-formed Filling out daily calculations sheet. incident management teams was Photo – Parks and Wildlife deployed in full to a bushfire in 2013–14.

114 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Prescribed burning in the Pilbara. Photo – Richie Boykett/Department of Parks and Wildlife

Table 21: Bushfires in 2011–12 to 2013–14

Number of bushfires Area burnt (ha) Category 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 State forest - native hardwood 138 120 104 11,775 1,457 426 - softwood plantation 73 90 78 511 510 196 National parks 109 136 121 496,789 238,467 1,5 37,710 Nature reserves 44 52 58 551,135 1,004,689 92,389 Other Department reserves 64 69 57 225,046 672,768 247,181 Other Crown lands 53 37 45 1,181,168 992,114 164,429 Private property 114 138 113 150,469 531,870 25,056 Unallocated Crown land 30 34 31 2,374,609 2,035,519 142,232 Total 625 676 607 4,991,503 5,477,394 2,209,619

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 115 Fire Management

Table 22: Bushfires causes in 2011–12 to 2013–14 Number of bushfires Per cent Cause 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 Deliberately/illegally lit 228 248 223 36 37 37 Escapes - Department burns 10 2 5 2 0 1 Escapes - non Department burning 34 24 23 5 4 4 Accidental - timber industry 10 6 6 2 1 1 Accidental - other industries 26 44 26 4 6 4 Accidental - recreationists 39 58 97 6 9 16 Lightning 193 193 141 31 28 23 Unknown 55 77 61 9 11 10 Other causes 30 24 25 5 4 4 Total 625 676 607 100 100 100

Heavy machinery used for bushfire suppression. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

116 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 9 12 87 26 35 34 39 123 242 307 208 399 607 Total 2,168 8,153 5,823 17,118 47,774 14,643 35,430 507,8 31 1,587,49 0 2,209,619 2,192,501

3 2 3 2 4 2 7 4 3 1 9 3 14 18 24 31 572 1,157 4,829 67,192 21,165 47, 29 9 142,214 142,232 Crown land Crown Unallocated 4 2 11 17 41 19 38 83 30 216 106 707 386 113 9,947 1,668 12,715 24,348 Private Private 25,056 property 0 2 4 1 4 3 6 8 2 9 18 24 21 45 552 556 1,083 lands Other 95,812 46,641 20,329 Crown Crown 163,873 164,429 1 2 9 5 2 4 1 12 13 19 21 37 31 22 92 36 26 57 457 5,518 Other 42,025 247,089 199,054 247,181 reserves Department 5 3 1 8 1 7 9 7 17 17 28 23 35 58 132 138 287 7,6 4 3 2,869 3,283 63,191 92,102 15,088 Nature 92,389 reserves 5 5 1 3 6 13 24 21 20 71 48 50 527 121 3,535 parks 13,015 14,303 14,835 3 07,6 0 8 National 1,198,697 1,522,875 1,537,710 1 2 0 5 0 0 72 78 78 195 196 196 softwood plantation State forest 1 0 1 0 14 62 46 44 43 103 320 426 104 426 State State forest native native hardwood Area (ha) * Area (ha) * Area (ha) * Area (ha) * Area (ha) * Area (ha) * Area (ha) * Area (ha) * Area (ha) * Number ** Number Number ** Number Number ** Number Number ** Number ** Number ** Number Number ** Number Number ** Number Number ** Number Number **Number Number **Number Area (ha) * Area (ha) * Number **Number Area * (ha) * Area (ha) burnt bushfires by in the tenure type (slight descrepencies in totals may appear due rounding) to ** Number of bushfires originating in the tenure type Region Subtotal South West Wheatbelt Warren South-west forest regions forest South-west Swan (all Grand total regions) Other regions Kimberley Pilbara Goldfields South Coast South Midwest Subtotal Table 23:Table Area and number of bushfires attended and monitored Parks by and Wildlife for all regions 2013–14

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 117 Prescribed burning protects Bungle Bungle rock art

Significant Aboriginal Traditional owners, Aboriginal rangers In the south-western part of the State, from the local Djaru and Kija language including Perth, the Department art sites on the Bungle groups and Parks and Wildlife staff focussed on small-scale strategic Bungle Range in the conducted vegetation clearing and burning in winter on land on the urban ground burning along a 1km section of fringes to provide additional protection to Kimberley became rock art, funded by Parks and Wildlife properties located on the urban interface. and a Commonwealth Caring for our This complemented the Department’s better protected from Country grant. usual broader scale burns carried out in the risk of bushfires autumn and spring to assist in reducing The burning helped protect the rock the impact of large-scale bushfires. following a special face from radiant heat generated by high intensity bushfires. In WA, prescribed burning involves prescribed burning many players as part of a shared program in Purnululu Fires caused by lightning strikes are responsibility. Parks and Wildlife is common in Purnululu National Park. responsible for prescribed burning on National Park in early Ground burning near rock art sites in land that it manages. The Department 2014. Purnululu is part of an ongoing program works effectively alongside and consults that also includes broadscale aerial with the community, the Department burning in the park. of Fire and Emergency Services, local A report prepared for Parks and Wildlife governments and landholders. in 2013 identified fire as a significant Prescribed burning is the primary tool threat to rock art in the park, which available to the Department to control the To find out more about the Department’s resulted in the burning program to help build-up of flammable fuel to mitigate the fire management and prescribed burning protect the ancient art and the park’s severity of bushfires. This helps to protect activities visit www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ World Heritage values. lives and property, maintain biodiversity, management/fire. and is also used for silvicultural and research purposes.

Rangers prepare to ground burn near ancient rock art in the Bungle Bungle Range. Photo – Bill Dempsey/Parks and Wildlife

118 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Prescribed burning In 2013–14, the Department achieved Figure 3 shows the achievement of 78,234ha of prescribed burning in the prescribed burning in the south-west The Department has legislative south-west forest regions, including forest regions from 2002–03 to 2013–14. responsibility for bushfire preparedness about 8,184ha burnt for pine plantation The relatively low level of burning for on Parks and Wildlife-managed lands protection. Eighty-two per cent of the several years during this period reflects (generally parks, reserves and State planned fire activities was undertaken the impacts of reduced rainfall and forest) and unallocated Crown land in the spring and early summer period unfavourable burning conditions that and unmanaged reserves outside (September to December 2013), 17 per prevailed in those years. The combination metropolitan and town site areas. cent in autumn (April to June 2014), one of unfavourable weather conditions, dry Bushfire preparedness activities include per cent in winter (July and August 2013) fuels over an extended summer and the preparation and implementation of an and zero per cent in summer (January to autumn, and the introduction of new and annual prescribed burning program by March 2014). enhanced requirements in prescribed the Department on these lands. burn planning and risk management The Department also completed about contributed to a reduction of the area Prescribed burning on Parks and Wildlife- 3.4 million hectares of prescribed burning able to be prescribed burnt in 2013–14. managed lands throughout the State is in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, undertaken for three primary purposes: Wheatbelt and South Coast regions. The average area of burning achieved by to reduce the occurrence and impacts Many of these burns were open-edged the Department in the south-west forest of large, intense bushfires; to protect and wind-driven with aerial ignition. regions over the past 10 years has been and conserve community assets and These burns provide the habitat diversity about 150,882ha per annum. biodiversity values; and to regenerate necessary to conserve biodiversity and protect forest ecosystems and establish protective buffers to limit following harvesting operations or other the spread of bushfires. The burns disturbances. In many cases these were carried out on Parks and Wildlife- outcomes are achieved together within a managed lands as well as on unallocated prescribed burn. Crown lands and unmanaged reserves in The indicative burn target for 2013–14 these regions. in the south-west forest regions was 200,000ha. To meet this objective, the Figure 3: Prescribed burning in the south-west forest regions, Department’s burn planning process 2002–03 to 2013–14 identified areas in excess of 200,000ha as available for prescribed burning in 250,000 the south-west forest regions for the 200,000 2013–14 burning seasons. The surplus burn area provides the flexibility to safely 150,000 take advantage of favourable burning conditions as, and if, they occur in 100,000

different parts of the south-west. Area burnt (ha) 50,000

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2010-12 2012-13 2013-14 Year

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 119 Fire Management

Figure 4 shows the number of years since fire last occurred in the south- west forest regions vegetation/fuel that was prescribed burnt in 2013–14. Approximately 55 per cent of the area burnt had not been burnt for at least 10 years and 60 per cent of burns contained some fuel that had not been burnt for 10 years or more.

In 2013–14, the combined total area Lesmurdie controlled burn. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife of prescribed burning undertaken throughout the State was 3,470,284ha.

The application of prescribed fire Figure 4: Years since fire last occurred in the south-west forest regions that was by Parks and Wildlife has increased prescribed burnt in 2013–14 markedly since July 2003, when the Department became responsible for 230,000 18 Area of burns bushfire risk prevention and bushfire 25,000 preparedness over large areas of 11 unallocated Crown land and unmanaged 20,000 reserves. Significant progress has been made in the Pilbara, Kimberley and 5000 Goldfields regions in applying prescribed 17 1000

fire across the landscape to achieve Area burnt (ha) biodiversity conservation outcomes 7 9 5000 4 8 3 and to minimise the potential extent of 5 15 5 6 4 2 damaging bushfires. Figure 5 shows the 0

9–11 area prescribed burnt in all Parks and 0–2 3–5 6–8 12–14 15–17 18–20 21–23 24–26 27–29 30–32 33–35 36-38 Unknown Wildlife regions since 1978–79. Years since last fire (Number on bar refers to number of burns)

Figure 5: Prescribed burning in all regions from 1978–79 to 2013–14

9,000,000

8,000,000

7,000,000

6,000,000

5,000,000

4,000,000 Area burnt (ha) 3,000,000

2,000,000

1,000,000 1978/79 1979/80 1980/81 1981/82 1982/83 1983/84 1984/85 1985/86 1986/87 1987/88 1988/89 1989/90 1990/91 1991/92 1992/93 1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 Year

120 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14

Table 24: Number and area (ha) of prescribed burns conducted by Parks and Wildlife in local government areas in 2013–14

Local Government Authority Number Area (ha) City of Albany 4 469 City of Armadale 3 1,295 Shire of Ashburton 7 3,356 Shire of Augusta-Margaret River 1 226 Shire of Beverley 1 104 Shire of Boddington 1 16 Shire of Boyup Brook 3 5,652 Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes 8 5,350 City of Busselton 4 799 Shire of Carnamah 1 65 Shire of Chapman Valley 1 15 Shire of Collie 8 7,317 Shire of Coolgardie 2 70 Shire of Dandaragan 1 94 Shire of Denmark 6 11,773 Shire of Derby-West Kimberley 3 742,420 Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup 4 681 Shire of Esperance 6 217 Shire of Exmouth 2 58,129 Shire of Gingin 7 2,392 City of Gosnells 1 3 City of Greater Geraldton 1 496 Shire of Halls Creek 1 509,281 Shire of Harvey 3 2,658 Shire of Kalamunda 8 2,248 Shire of Kellerberrin 1 62 Shire of Manjimup 25 13,653 Shire of Mundaring 8 795 Shire of Murray 2 581 Shire of Nannup 5 2,398 Shire of Northam 1 136 Shire of Northampton 1 1,227 Shire of Perenjori 1 1 Shire of Pingelly 1 103 Shire of Ravensthorpe 3 176 Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale 5 2,311 City of Swan 5 1,545 Shire of Toodyay 5 3,131 Shire of Wandering 1 29 City of Wanneroo 12 4,712 Shire of Waroona 4 1,701 Shire of Westonia 1 29 Shire of Williams 2 6,556 Shire of Wiluna 2 18,962 Shire of Wongan-Ballidu 1 6 Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley 9 2,056,524 Shire of Yilgarn 2 295 Shire of York 1 226 Grand total 3,470,284

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 121 Fire Management

Table 25: Area (ha) and number of prescribed burns for all Parks and Wildlife regions 2011–12 to 2013–14

South-west forest regions 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 Swan Area (ha) 26,358 9,978 21,225 Number 54 46 52 South West Area (ha) 23,211 5,918 21,975 Number 45 22 22 Warren Area (ha) 53,596 7,572 35,034 Number 24 19 37 South-west forest regions subtotal Area (ha) 103,165 23,468 78,234 Number 123 87 111

Other regions 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 Kimberley Area (ha) 7,0 9 9,829 5,030,846 3,308,225 Number 23 7 12 Pilbara Area (ha) 95,148 8,017 61,485 Number 14 8 7 Midwest Area (ha) 199 - 1,897 Number 3 - 6 Goldfields Area (ha) 414,050 968,206 19,032 Number 7 3 4 Wheatbelt Area (ha) 2,510 10,568 549 Number 17 9 7 South Coast Area (ha) 31,598 6,247 862 Number 27 10 13 Other regions subtotal Area (ha) 7,643,334 6,023,884 3,392,050 Number 91 37 49

Grand total (all regions) Area (ha) 7,746,499 6,047,352 3,470,284 Number 214 124 160

Lesmurdie prescribed burn. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife

122 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Table 26: Area (ha) of prescribed burns on each tenure type 2013–14 2013–14 State forest 34,133 National parks 1,073,512 Nature reserves 11,028 Conservation parks 270,366 Softwood plantation 8,184 Unallocated Crown land 1,083,902 Other Crown land, other Parks and Wildlife reserves and private property 989,159 Total Area (ha) 3,470,284

Parks and Wildlife officer Sam Hurd undertaking bushfire suppression. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 123 Fire Management

Operations, planning and A new annual mandatory pre-season The Department continued to engage interagency cooperation training package was developed and and collaborate with the Office of introduced across the Department in Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) in Aerial bushfire suppression operations September 2013. This followed on from the constant pursuit of improvement. the work previously completed to comply An assurance program conducted by Parks and Wildlife contracted eight with the WorkSafe improvement notices OBRM to scrutinise the Department’s fixed-wing water bombers from arising from the events of the Black Cat burn planning processes again occurred November 2013 to April 2014. The aircraft Creek bushfire in October 2012. A total throughout the year in a number of provided rapid aerial suppression of 960 Parks and Wildlife, Department regions. OBRM has acknowledged the capability in the South Coast, Midwest, of Environment Regulation and FPC significant reforms and the adoption Wheatbelt and south-west forest regions, personnel participated and met training of the international risk management including the Perth outer-metropolitan requirements in operational and non- standard made by the Department, with area, giving significant assistance to operational areas including the use of the assurance program shifting from the ground crews in the initial attack on two-way radios, storage of fire blankets initial scrutiny of new procedures to a bushfires. Fixed-wing water bombers and burnover drills. business-as-usual arrangement. were used on numerous bushfires that threatened residential areas across the The aviation operations section provided Bushfire preparedness on unallocated south-west. These aircraft attended training to 118 Parks and Wildlife aerial Crown land 178 bushfires and dropped 1,297 loads. operations personnel. More than 250 Since 1 July 2003, the Department has More details can be found in the 2013–14 water bomber reloaders across 40 had responsibility for the coordination Annual Report, which is available on the operational bases were also trained, with and on-ground management of website: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about- the majority of these participants from bushfire risk prevention and bushfire us/annual-report-and-yearbook. volunteer bushfire brigades and local preparedness works on 89 million State Emergency Service units. Bushfire detection hectares of unallocated Crown land and More details can be found in the 2013–14 unmanaged reserves outside the Perth Parks and Wildlife provided an effective Annual Report, which is available on the metropolitan area and town sites. bushfire detection system in the most website: www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about- bushfire prone areas of the south-west Work undertaken by Parks and Wildlife in us/annual-report-and-yearbook. forest regions through fixed lookout 2013–14 included the construction and towers and a fleet of 10 ‘spotter’ aircraft. Prescribed fire planning and risk maintenance of firebreaks, modification Spotter aircraft flew 4,291 hours for aerial management of vegetation in strategic buffers, open- surveillance and 334 hours in support edge prescribed burning and large-scale of aerial suppression operations during During 2013–14, further work was aerial ignition. the year. More details can be found in undertaken to fully satisfy the the 2013–14 Annual Report, which is recommendations relating to risk In the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields management and prescribed burn regions, the Department continued to available on the website: www.dpaw. planning arising from the Special make good progress in engaging and wa.gov.au/about-us/annual-report-and- Inquiry into the November 2011 building partnerships with stakeholders, yearbook. Margaret River Bushfire by Mr Mick including Aboriginal communities and Bushfire training and development Keelty AO. A web-based application neighbouring pastoralists. The use of for preparing and approving prescribed planned fire for developing landscape- The Fire Management Services Branch fire plans in accordance with ISO scale, mosaic patterns of burnt and development and education section 31000, the international standard for unburnt patches continued to yield conducted 15 formal fire management risk management, was finalised and benefits for mitigating large bushfires, training courses involving 177 fully adopted statewide. This new protecting biodiversity and cultural participants. Course participants were tool provides rigour, consistency and values, and achieving designated nature predominantly from Parks and Wildlife, transparency to burn planning and conservation outcomes. including campground host volunteers, approvals and incorporates learnings but also included personnel from the from the initial implementation of ISO Forest Products Commission (FPC), 31000 in the previous year. DFES and local governments.

124 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Interagency bushfire management Table 27: Prescribed burning efficiency in the south-west forest regions

During 2013–14, significant Parks and Region 10 year rolling Actual Difference % average (ha) 2013–14 (ha) Wildlife fire management resources were dedicated to improving interagency Swan 41,209 21,225 -19,984 -48% bushfire management arrangements South West 47,0 57 21,975 -25,082 -53% through the Interagency Bushfire Warren 62,617 35,034 -27,583 -44% Management Committee (IBMC) and associated sub-committees. Details Total 150,882 78,234 -72,648 -48% about the sub-committees servicing the The bushfire suppression efficiency IBMC are included in the 2013–14 Annual indicator is represented by the Report, which is available on the website: percentage of all forest bushfires, www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/annual- burning under 95 percentile weather report-and-yearbook. conditions, which are effectively Outside the IBMC, Parks and Wildlife attacked and contained by Parks and initiated and participated in substantial Wildlife suppression forces. To be interagency liaison with DFES, local considered efficient, these fires must government and other government not exceed 5ha in size for priority 1 departments on fire management related and priority 2 areas. These priority matters. areas include high values (community, biodiversity conservation, recreation Key efficiency indicators and landscape, and primary production) that may be vulnerable to bushfires The prescribed burning efficiency or inappropriate fire regimes. The indicator is the discrepancy between the Department aims to exceed the area of prescribed burning completed percentage standard of successful in each of the three south-west forest attacks on 95 per cent of all forest regions and the 10-year rolling average fires. The 95 percentile weather of the burning completed in that region. conditions are days when the forest It provides a more contemporised bushfire danger is below ‘very high,’ indication of burning activity, recognising Bushfire suppression. as calculated using the Department’s that the fire management industry is too Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife forest bushfire behaviour tables (1998). dynamic for comparison against long- term averages to be reasonable. The data for 2013–14 shows that each of the Table 28: Bushfire suppression efficiency in the south-west forest regions Department’s forest regions prescribed Region Priority 1 and 2 areas (%) burnt about 50 per cent of the mean area they have burnt over the last decade. Standard 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 Swan 95 97 92 100 South West 95 92 96 98 Warren 95 98 97 96 Department average (1 year) 98 Department average (5 years) 92

Only includes records where Parks and Wildlife was the first attack agency

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 125 Marine operations Operational highlights

Photo – Rebecca Brooks/Parks for People Photo Competition

Marine The Department has 47 staff members registered as current and active divers. operations An additional 27 divers from a range of organisations across Australia The Department continued to implement were registered on the dive program its operational functions throughout system and participated in collaborative the State’s marine parks and reserves programs during the year. Some of these system, including boating and diving organisations included the Australian activities. Institute of Marine Science, CSIRO, The Significant achievements included University of Tasmania, The University the finalisation of the corporate policy of Western Australia, James Cook statement for diving, revision of the University, Australian National University, diving code of practice, roll out of the Murdoch University, Pacific Marine Department’s new online dive program Group, BMT Oceanica and the Office of management software system Fieldteq the Environmental Protection Authority. and the employment of a dedicated dive A range of diving programs were officer to manage diving programs and conducted in most marine parks across training across the State. the State, from the Rowley Shoals in the north to Walpole and Nornalup Inlets in the south. This included activities such as monitoring, research, mooring and infrastructure maintenance, and ongoing diver training.

Lalang-garram / Camden Sound Marine Park. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

126 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 Lalang-garram / Camden Sound Marine Park. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

Lalang-garram / Camden Sound Marine Park. Photo – Parks and Wildlife

Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 127 Waychinicup stream. Photo – Peter Nicholas/Parks and Wildlife

128 Department of Parks and Wildlife Yearbook 2013–14 This page left blank intentionally 20140586 12-14-80