Local Environment Plan 1997 definition of “constrained land”. This LEP 1997 is now on public exhibition. definition would include land which has This not only affects existing built up any one of the following features: *a slope areas, but will protect the natural steeper than 20%, *contains significant environment for maybe the next 20 years. flora and fauna communities + its It is very important that large numbers protective buffer, *a watercourse/drainage of residents support the improvements line or a buffers of a watercourse, *a high to environmental management proposed bushfire threat. This could be applied to Amendment 25 to LEP91 and voice their concerns about any prevent development or at least restrict Support the amendment! inadequacies. what is allowable on such constrained Meeting at Lawson, Tuesday, The Conservation Society’s Land Use land. 2 December 1997 at 7.30 pm. Committee propose to strongly support the
the location, extent and allowable BE THERE (See enclosed flyer) activities of the Employment Zone (e.g. following: will probably be made at Ministerial level. Œ the Environmental Protection and EP/ “offensive establishment”) Ž the absence of any Schedule identifying There is much to be done before 1 July Acquisition Area zones throughout the 1998, but it would appear that a viable documents because they will protect: sensitive vegetation units (as is in LEP 1991). We believe that all sensitive nomination can be prepared. The *steep slopes, *significant flora and fauna, nomination is far from completed — but, *watercourses/drainage lines, and prohibit vegetation communities in LEP 91 should be included and added to. we have just seen the first glimmer of light development in areas of *high bushfire for some time. threat, or *inadequate sewer services. These issues and concerns will be
the provision of buffers around areas of discussed at the public forum being Living Near the Bush natural ecological significance contained in organised by BMCS on Thursday 11 Many people who live in the Blue EP and REC-EP zones. December at 7.30 at the Mid Mountains Mountains don’t know what impact they Ž the application of split zonings to Community Centre, Lawson. We urge are having on the bushland which they private land to enable the application of EP you to attend and also to write your own love. Wouldn’t it be lovely if there was a  village and tourist zones as concepts in letter to Council about the above issues book available to all residents telling them order to concentrate commercial develop- (and more). The BMCS submission will all about it? This has been a long thought ment around existing services and public carry much more weight if members just of project with many people — and now it transport nodes. write about a couple of issues of concern. is about to happen! Our concerns are: The closing date for submissions to For the past twelve months, Blue Œ lack of protection of land which is too Council is 31 December. If you want any Mountains Conservation Society and sensitive to be developed but might not help don’t hesitate to call any members of others have been preparing “A Voluntary have been identified as such at this stage. the Landuse Committee, Don (59.2471), Code of Practice for Living Near the We want Council to cover this by adding a Linda (82.1291), or Lyndal (82.1635). Bush”. And now we have got funding from the Federal Government’s Natural International World Heritage Committee Heritage Trust to pay someone to finish the Grounds for Optimism would take a further eighteen months. job. The nomination of the Blue Mountains Also announced in early 1997 was the Members are invited to apply, in the as a World Heritage area has been an issue formation of a Reference Committee, manner described in the advertisement, for for the best part of ten years. which comprises well known the position advertised on page 2. Supporters of the nomination see environmentalist Geoff Mosley, environmental and economic benefits representatives from community “Hut News” , the newsletter of the flowing from the activity. Additional environment groups, including the Blue funding would be expected to result in Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc. Mountains Conservation Society, NSW P.O. Box 29, Wentworth Falls, 2782. improved planning and management of the Minerals Council, tourism groups, Phone 4757 1872 Fax 4757 1753 area. Environmentally damaging activity Aboriginal interests and local President: Marion Hawley (On leave) could be kept out, using Commonwealth Government. Vice ] Linda Thomas 4782-1291 legislation which exists to prevent State At the latest meeting of the Refer- Presidents } Imre Gahl 4784-3286 Governments allowing undesirable and/or ence Committee, State and Federal Secretary/Treasurer: Les Coyne 4757-3327 incompatible activities in a World Heritage representatives announced that joint Bushcare: Norm Harris 4784-1554 Area. Additional tourists could be funding was now available for the Education: Jessica Yuille 4757-2783 expected to boost the local economy. preparation of the nomination, that a Entertainment:David Coleby 4784.-1395 Nomination detractors see this additional consultant was to be engaged to prepare Land Use: Don Morison 4759-2471 traffic as having possible “over-use” the nomination document, and that the Macro Projects Officer (Vacant) implications, including more pressure for terms of reference for the consultancy Membership: Ross Coster 4759-1247 eco-tourism developments inside National would be circulated without delay. Nursery: David Coleby 4784-1395 Parks. Publicity: Marie McInnes 4782-7110 Commitment to 1 July 1998 submission Bushwalks Co-ordinator Earlier this year, State and Federal date was reiterated. Still to be Environment Ministers Pam Allan and Peter Crawshay-Williams 4757 4363 determined is the area to be covered by Hawkesbury/Nepean Catchment Rep. Robert Hill reaffirmed their respective the nomination — The Greater Blue Rosemary Lathouris 4757-2511 government’s commitment to the prepar- Mountains area, as initially proposed by Bushfire Rep: Hugh Paterson 4751-2303 ation of a nomination, with a target com- Geoff Mosley and the Colong Editor: Christine Davies 4787-7246 pletion date for the nomination of June Foundation, or an enlarged area — or (Fax) 4787-7777 1998. Evaluation of the nomination by the something in between. The decision Deadline for next issue is Dec.12

Hut News , No. 125, December 1997 — Page 1. Land use Membership Enquiries: The Society ashore. is keen to have new members who are The main diet of sperm whales is squid. Calming the Debate concerned about the welfare of the Blue For some reason squid congregate around Although the next Mountains natural environment. Contact pieces of plastic floating in the ocean. Council election is not until membership secretary, Ross Coster: Work Within the school of squid that this whale September 1999, recent (047)59.1247, Home 59.1837 FAX ate was a heart-shaped balloon. Days later debates about Mountains 59.1095, or write to P.O. Box 29, the young whale was weak and the pain in developments have been Wentworth Falls 2782. his stomach was so severe that he no longer rather savage. No doubt wanted food. Food eaten since could not this is partly because the get past the balloon which was stuck exhibition of the proposed Uphold Native Title between his large and small intestines. The planning instrument, Local Aboriginal people have legitimate balloon couldn’t be evacuated from his Environment Plan 97, closes at the end of Native Title rights at common law. The body - the digested food was poisoning December. I recently had a conversation Federal Government’s Native Title him. with Blue Mountains Alliance founder and Amendment Bill ignores the principles of Attempts to rescue the whale and to Katoomba Real Estate Agent, Bob Yates. coexistence as upheld by the High Court. move him to deeper water failed. He broke Bob expressed concern that LEP 97 in its It also poses a serious threat to free of the harness and swam into the maze exhibited form is ‘so confusing as to Australia’s environment! of pilings under an amusement pier where prevent a large number of property owners Native Title can be a tool for the waves dashed him into the pilings time from understanding what they would or conservation because it is the coexisting and time again. would not be allowed to do with their property rights of Aboriginal people on A necropsy was carried out to find out properties’. pastoral leases that hold the land in trust what could have been wrong internally to Another complaint I have heard lately is for all Australians. Under coexistence cause him to beach in the first place, and that some people in the Mountains are Aboriginal people, local governments, the balloon was found. It was still intact ‘always against things and never for things’ pastoralists, miners and other stakeholders except for the silver colouring and it even although the complainants have not made negotiate their own (local or regional) had a purple ribbon attached. clear what ‘things’ they are talking about. agreements about land use. Negotiated Plastic is a huge problem in our ocean. From my discussions with many agreements can protect everybody’s rights Dolphins, whales, seals, sea turtles, BMCS members, I can say this — there is and the environment. countless sea birds, fish and other marine a clear commitment from Blue Mountains Land under pastoral lease covers 42% life continually suffer and die from plastic conservationists to keep the Planning of Australia. Under the proposed law State through either ingestion or entanglement. debate focussed on the issues. This is also governments will be able to upgrade With the impending Olympics we could true of BMCC Council staff and pastoral leases and extend lease activities. see huge numbers of balloons released at councillors such as Berriman, Clarke, A 1995 report by C.S.I.R.O.shows that the Opening and Closing Ceremonies — or Gaul, Hamilton and Henson who have put national clearing rates on freehold land are will we be able to look back on them as the great effort into ensuring that Council and twice as high as on leasehold land. Leases Environmentally Friendly Games? community group representatives enable governments to apply specific And what happens to the balloons which understand and respect each other’s views management requirements. Removing float into our National Park??? It is all litter on Planning matters. There is a Government controls and upgrading and we don’t need them. widespread desire for the final form of pastoral leases will have severe Welcome to New Members LEP 97 to be in plain English — capable consequences for the environment. of straightforward interpretation by both Ben Scheuler, Glenbrook Unsustainable land use will be Kate Shanahan, Faulconbridge lawyers and ordinary mortals. facilitated including broad-scale land BMCS often receives requests to Jennie Whyte, Mount Victoria clearing, intensive irrigated agriculture, Kathy Hale & Murray Wilson, Katoomba oppose developments, which it has to turn native-forest logging, and down because there are no sound unregulated tourism on some environmental objections. of Australia’s most PART-TIME POSITION VACANT I urge members to attend our Public vulnerable and degraded ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT OFFICER/ Meeting about LEP 97 at Lawson on 11 JOURNALIST ecosystems. Needed to prepare text and select graphics December. I believe at that meeting and What you can do. beyond, BMCS will prove we are FOR for Community Environmental Education Booklet Write to the Prime Minister. EMPLOYER: responsible and environmentally Tell him that the amendments sustainable developments and only Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc. to the Native Title Act must TIME-SCALE: AGAINST developments that are confirm Aboriginal rights to To commence February 1998. 16 weeks x 15 hrs/week irredeemably dangerous to the Native Title. Upgrading with extension possible. environment. pastoral leases puts ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: Closed Doors — Far and Near Australia’s fragile environ- • Excellent communication and word processing (Word Accusations of lack of openness in ment at too great a risk. 97) skills; Council decision-making are not confined
Sign the Australian to our own region. Byron Shire, on the far • Broad understanding of environmental issues; Citizens’ Statement for Demonstrable research and reporting skills; North Coast, has environmental disputes to Native Title. Contact: • rival the Blue Mountains, including its Australians for Native Title • Excellent team participant; own McDonalds and Club Med sagas. and Reconciliation (02) 9810 • Able to work alone and meet deadlines. Not long ago, the Shire’s Council 3922. DESIRABLE: appointed some community representatives to a committee to Helium Balloons • Knowledge of local environment and degrading recommend a new General Manager. The During this year’s processes; committee recommended Robert Tickner, Blackheath Rhododendron • Completion or good progress in a relevant course; a former Federal Minister and one-time Festival several balloons • Experience interacting with community groups and manager of the Nature Conservation given out by the agencies; Council’s Environment Centre in Sydney. Commonwealth Bank were • Computer graphic skills. Byron Council then held a meeting behind seen floating towards the For Information Package, ring 02 4759 247 closed doors, overturning the committee’s National Park. between 6 am and 10 pm and leave your postal address, proposal and appointing a career public Where do balloons go or send a SAE to the address below: servant to the job. Why do some when they are released? The APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO: councillors even bother pretending that ORRCA Newsletter, Autumn Don Morison, B.M.C.S. they care about community opinion? 1993, tells the story of a P O Box 29, Wentworth Falls 2782 —Don Morison. young sperm whale washed To reach Wentworth Falls Post Office by 8 January 1998 Hut News , No. 125, December 1997 — Page 2. The Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment between Penrith and Richmond lie large scribble when its turn around? Our story continues... (Part 3) deposits of gravel which were laid down in These are some of the things we all After the flooding of the coastal the lowest part of the basin before the river discovered on our walk at North Lawson, estuaries, 10,000 years ago, the present was able to find its way to the sea through thanks to the shared knowledge of six catchment of the Hawkesbury-Nepean the lower Hawkesbury gorges. Pebbles adults and seven kids. system stretched over a large area to the which were left behind as the ridge forced During the tea break we thought up north, west and south of Sydney but did the river eastwards are to be found even some more activities for 1998, such as not include the land east of Prospect Hill. today on Lapstone Hill, named for the collecting creek bugs and orienteering. If Instead its headwaters begin on the shape of these ancient stones. you, as a kid, teenager or adult, would like elevated cliffs overlooking the coast at The whole of this interesting catchment to be involved please call Jessica on Bulli where the Cateract River begins. of the Hawkesbury-Nepean System 4757.2783. (P.S. Don’t forget — there Then comes the Cordeaux River flowing fortunately includes a number of National will be kids’ activities at the Christmas from Mt Kembla and the Avon, all of these Parks which cause less pollution than Picnic on Saturday 13 December.) joining the Nepean which begins near people and industry. However, we must Robertson. The Wingecarribee, a tributary constantly remind ourselves that any Blue Mountains Christmas of the Wollondilly rises near Fitzroy Falls waste, any litter, as well as erosion from At this time of year our bushland is while the headwaters of the Wollondilly building and weeds from gardens will providing a blaze of colour, an array of itself are near Goulburn. At its junction eventually reach into some part of this perfumes, and a smorgasbord of food for with the Cox’s River, the two rivers important river system. If this pollution is native butterflies, birds, insects and small become the Warragamba. not strictly controlled and minimised the native creatures — and it is humming with The Cox’s River begins its journey to river will be spoiled for future life and movement! the north-west of Lithgow, collecting generations.. Give yourself and our native creatures tributaries from the Hartley Valley and the —M.J. Brister . a Christmas/New Year present this year — Hampton Ridge before being joined by the plant a native garden and bring the Jenolan and Kowmung Rivers. The Kids’ Club bushland to your home. Wollondilly and Cox’s Rivers both supply Did you know flannel flowers have (Our native plant nursery is open for the water to the Warragamba Dam, making green-tipped petals, that the sword grass sales on Tuesday mornings, 9 am to 12 the purity of their catchments important for butterfly only lays its eggs on sword grass noon. Enquiries to David Coleby, this purpose. The ridge on which the Blue (Gahnia), or that the scribbly gum grub 4784.1395.) Mountain towns are built thus drains into always makes a loop at the end of its the Cox’s River to the south and the Grose to the north. The whole of this catchment feeds the Nepean River, the Colo and Bush Walk Macdonald Rivers being tributaries of the All about me the earth speaks, a leaf falls and I listen; Hawkesbury. Their catchments reach An insect sings and I watch its wings caught by the sun, glisten. across the Wollemi National Park almost Here in the bush my senses know new meaning. to Rylstone, then it swings eastward The trees cast their shade and I feel it; through Howes Valley and south-east to I touch the cool earth with my feet; reach the Hawkesbury River at Broken A bird calls, and for a moment I know its freedom. Bay. Myf Young. In the centre of this elongated basin,

plenty though there will be ever mounting wild crags of Mount Banks is worth a In the Bush costs in pumping it up as the water table dozen trips to Sydney! Our final reference to Bunyip’s last drops. Authorative sources inform me that —The Bunyip. billabong, the Canning Stock route. Alice vast reserves lie under the city and even if Springs was the start and finish of the epic it were exhausted a second large basin is journey. A spare day was available so the under the Palm Valley area. Costs of major part of it was spent at the Desert course would be the problem. Park located a few miles out of that town. And now to the mountain billabong. The money spent is mind boggling but the Who would wish to leave it at the moment! results are well worth it. Of course it is The sights, sounds and smells of the local helped by the back-drop of the Macdonnell bush are a delight. The Koel, to me, has a Ranges whose foothills are incorporated by haunting cadence in its call, conjuring up the perimeter. images of the tropical islands to the north. Unobtrusive paths lead the visit from I heard the first call of the season on 27 one display site to another. Animals, October, and strange to say the first call of reptiles and birds are houses in areas the Channell Bill Cuckoo was heard on duplicating their natural habitat which may that self-same day. be seen by the public behind one-way And now day after day we hear the glass. So well planned are the animal persistent trill of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo. settings that it is amusing to see birds from Despite the vagaries of rainfall and the outside striving to enter for the food temperature, the heaths have lavish and company they provide. displays of massed colour. Fortress Ridge, A large nocturnal cage enables one to Lockyers, Flat Top, the second half of view very rare animals and those we would Bruces Walk, are all well worth a visit. never see in normal travel. Among the But for the best of them I nominate the tastefully designed buildings is a theatrette areas passed as you approach Mount Banks with a huge screen on to which educational parking area. material is projected on set times daily. There is a haze of blue from the $1.8 million has been spent on making Dampiera, of mauve from the Mirbelia, the park and already work is proceeding to dense patches of white from the enlarge it further. I felt it is the most Conospermum, the magenta of the worthwhile place to visit in Alice Springs. Comosperma, stabs of yellow from the Incidentally for those who, like me, Isopogons, and of course the Boronia, wonder at the profligate use of water at the .... I could go on and on. To see all this Alice Springs, rest assured that there is variety in such a compact mass among the

Hut News , No. 125, December 1997 — Page 3. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY DECEMBER 1997 NOTE: If you are coming to the Family Picnic on Saturday 13 December, please phone by 3 December so that we can cater — details below. (Latecomers are welcome, but you will have to BYO) 01 (Mon) Leisure Walk — Darwin’s Walk to Rocket Point. Meet 8.30 am, Park on corner GW Highway and Falls Road, Contact Kees Putting 47 59 1958. 07 (Sun) Bushwalk — The Jungle. A lovely walk among cool rainforest and creeks of the Grose Valley, with a slow ascent in the afternoon shade. (Steps down and up, otherwise medium grade). Meet at Blackheath Station Commuter Carpark at 10 am. Contact June Baxter 47 877 312. 08 (Mon) Leisure Walkers’ BBQ Christmas Party at Quota Picnic Area, Megalong Valley. Meet 9.30 am at Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre. There will be a short walk in Coachwood Glen before lunch. BBQ will be from 12 noon. Contact Kees Putting 47 59 1958. 11 (Thu) Local Environment Plan 1997, Meeting at 7.30 pm, Mid Mountains Community Centre. (See Page 1) 13 (Sat) Family Picnic Day at the Megalong Valley Recreation Area (with Blue Mountains Bushcare Network). Starts at 12 noon. RSVP Norm Harris 4784-1554 or Christine Davies 47 877 246. 13 (Sat) Christmas Weed Sale, 8 am to 12 noon. (See article below.) 15 (Mon) Nature Track Bushcare Group, 9-12. Meet at The Hut at 9 am. Contact Jessica Yuille 4757.2783. 15 (Mon) Leisure Walk —Clifftop Walk, Gordon Falls to Leura Cascades. Meet 8.30 am, Gordon Falls Reserve. Contact Kees Putting 47 59 1958. 18 (Thu) Committee Meeting. Mid Mountains Community Centre, 7 pm. JANUARY 1998 12 (Mon) Leisure Walk —Water Nymph’s Dell. Meet 8.30 am, Wentworth Falls Station, Stockyard Carpark (nearest Highway). Contact Kees Putting 47 59 1958. 17 (Sat) Mystery Walk. Meet Mount Victoria Station at 9.30 am. Bring spare shoes. Contact Olive Noble 47 87.8342 19 (Mon) Nature Track Bushcare Group, 9-12. Meet at The Hut at 9 am. Contact Jessica Yuille 4757.2783. 19 (Mon) Leisure Walk — Overcliff/Undercliff. Meet 8.30 am Conservation Hut, Wentworth Falls. Contact Jan Cutler. 22 (Thu) Committee Meeting. Mid Mountains Community Centre, 7 pm. 30 (Fri) General Meeting at The Hut. 7.30 pm.

close to each other and appear to show nothing attitude to global warming (in the Saving the Bush From Us friendship and preference for one another. lead up to December’s Climate Summit in Good Health in Bushland Ecosystems Young eucalypts at different stages of Kyota) is generating a crisis. For the next few issues I will be talking growth must be evident in this layer. This People who care can make a real to you about ways we can act prevent- is healthy bush. Unhealthy bush is invaded difference to this and other environmental atively to keep the bushland near our at this layer by weed species which campaigns by joining ACF. It costs: homes in good health. I will talk about dominate, change the soil, absorb the household $59, concession $34, individual soil, water, air, plants and animals. water, and shade out the local plants. They $49, family (two adults and one earthkid) Firstly, in this and the next issue, I reproduce fast by many processes and $66, (includes six issues of the excellent think we need some ideas about what invade. Again, you can make an Habitat magazine). Earthkids $10 (includes constitutes ‘good health’ in ecosystems. assessment of the degree of dominance and Bilby Bulletin) . Write to ACF, 340 Gore Most of us recognise degraded bush yet it invasion. When you do this you can then Street, Fitzroy Vic 3065. is only when we bring the reasons for it start thinking about ways to control or into our consciousness that we become eradicate the invader and restore good Christmas Weed Sale effective in keeping what we love. A little health to the middle storey. This is your There will be another sale bit of practice and quiet observation second assessment. this year of Christmas trees, on teaches us about the signs of bushland in Ground Covers: This is the most Saturday 13 December, 8 am fine mettle. So, as you go walking in the fascinating and diverse layer. The earth to 12 noon, in the Jewels bush cast your eyes over the area around covers itself with clump grasses, leaf litter, carpark, Katoomba . you and mentally check off the following: bark, orchids and small herbs so protecting Members of Bushcare Top Storey: Look at the top storey the soil from the hot sun and heavy rain groups and CORE will again join forces to plants which are usually eucalyptus and and holding the light soils and keeping weed out small radiata pines from reserves check the canopy. If there is a lot of die- water and coolness or warmth according to and roadsides in the Mountains and give back, bare twiggy sticks around the drip the season. A damaged layer means them away for a donation. line and overall then the protective canopy erosion of the soil and polluted waters as This has been a worthwhile activity over layer is not very well. If the young twigs the clay nutrients and organic matter run the last five years in removing this weed as are well-leafed and green or red, then the away. Inappropriate burning also destroys well as providing information to the canopy is well. Check also for too much some of the soil’s seed bank as well as community. Darwin’s Walk is one example mistletoe and invasion of non-local species germinating others. Heavy grazing does of a bushland area suffering from the such as pines and honeysuckle. If there are the same thing so that the balance of the invasion of Pinus Radiata, which grows more than about 30% invasive canopy next generation of plant germination is quickly to dominate and displace local plants or sick eucalyptus the bush is upset. A healthy ground cover recycles native plants and alters wildlife habitats. unhealthy. This is your first assessment. nutrients quickly to the roots. It is also You can assist in this event by ‘buying’ Middle Storey: Is there a fair covering wonderfully pleasing to your eye. This is a Christmas tree, or joining in with the of plants about 1-4 metres tall — height your third assessment. cutting on Friday afternoon/evening, 12 depends on the ecosystem? These keep the December. You can also help by letting us — Ro Morrow. know where they are in your local street or rain and sun from damaging the soil. Next Issue: Health in animals, soil and These usually represent a range of older water and edges. reserve (but only those less than 3m). plants such as older wattles, grevillea and Anyone with a ute or trailer able to collect teatree. And threaded through these are Global Warming ——— Join ACF a load would also be a great help. Please their youngsters coming up and ready to The Australian Conservation Found- ring Ruth or Lyndal on 82 1635 if you replace them. Scragginess in the middle ation is seeking donations and new want more information, or if you wish to storey is not much of a problem and acts as members to assist with the Global Warming join in the Christmas Weeding event. a visual attraction. Plants also grow quite Campaign. The Federal Government’s do-

This issue of Hut News has been printed on 100% Recycled Paper Hut News , No. 125, December 1997 — Page 4.