PROMOTION OF CONSERVATION

Key outcome Community awareness of the natural environment and Aboriginal and historic heritage of , and their conservation both within and outside the park and reserve system is increased. 3

49 PROMOTION OF CONSERVATION

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE YEAR

• more than 60,000 Discovery program participants • publication of A free flowing river: the ecology of the Paroo River, a 320-page book on the last unregulated river system in the Murray-Darling Basin • successful piloting of Aboriginal Discovery program in the Blue Mountains, Nowra and southern districts • distribution of over 800,000 free copies of the Guide to NSW National Parks

RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE Two priority conservation themes were deliv- ered by the Discovery program. The COMMUNITY Threatened Species theme highlighting the The National Parks and Wildlife Service plight of the bilby in the 1999 Easter holiday works with a broad range of people and com- program, helped raise community awareness munities to protect and conserve the State’s and understanding of threatened species and Water — naturally part natural and cultural heritage. Over the past threatening processes. of life year, a number of initiatives have strength- was the theme developed to raise com- ened community relationships, developing munity awareness and understanding about meaningful environmental education opportu- water and its importance in the conservation nities, and building partnerships in nature and of our natural and cultural heritage. cultural heritage conservation. The NPWS is The 1998–99 Discovery program achievements also committed to improving customer service included: delivery and developing strategies to identify • 60,453 participants; and respond to the needs, expectations and • an increase in participation from urban concerns of customers. communities; Community education • an increase in first-time involvement in the program; and The National Parks Discovery program focuses • a ‘very good’ to ‘excellent’ rating from on providing community education opportuni- participants. ties for the general public and interested The NPWS has been actively involved in groups, using interpretation techniques to environmental education. During 1998–99, bring natural and cultural heritage themes the Service worked with other government alive. Discovery employs local people with and non-government agencies to support the appropriate backgrounds as coordinators and Australian Association of Environmental rangers to deliver education programs in Education (AAEE) hosting of an internation- national parks and other protected areas, and al environmental education conference in through outreach activities in locations such Sydney. as schools. The NPWS also presented major submissions The Aboriginal Discovery program was suc- on the government green paper on environ- cessfully piloted in the Blue Mountains, mental education, A New Approach to Nowra and southern Sydney districts with the Environmental Education in New South Wales, support of the Foundation for National Parks and the federal government discussion paper and Wildlife. Up to 1300 people participated on environmental education, Today Shapes in a wide range of Aboriginal cultural heritage Tomorrow — Environmental Education for a walks, talks and tours. Twenty-one trained Sustainable Future. Aboriginal Discovery rangers were employed to deliver Aboriginal cultural heritage (and other) activities within the program. This School education opportunity enabled further development of A number of syllabuses were reviewed as part skills and experience in tour guiding. of the NSW Board of Studies syllabus revision 50 Number of people attending Discovery activities from 1995-96 to 1998-99

campfires/BBQs

spotlights/nightwalks

special interest

adventure activities

four-wheel drive

overnight camps

bush walk (full day)

bush walk (half day) bush walk (under 2 hrs) 1998 - 99 1997 - 98 talks/slide shows 1996 - 97 1995 - 96 bus trips

school tours

other

non-educational

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

consultation process. Advice was provided on Environmental Education Unit and Field incorporating natural and cultural heritage Studies Centres of the Department of conservation and ecological sustainability Education and Training has seen the develop- themes in earth and environmental science, ment of Envirothon 99, a statewide environ- science, biology, agriculture, geography, mental interpretation competition for year 11 music, drama and art syllabuses. The NPWS students. This program will be piloted from also presented a submission to the NSW July in regional areas, with the final of the Department of Education and Training in competition held in a selected national park their review of the years K–12 Environmental in Sydney during September. Education Curriculum Statement. Through the NPWS Discovery program, a Work continued in partnership with the number of primary and secondary schools par- Department of Education and Training in the ticipated in on-park and outreach activities finalisation of a support document for the based on natural and cultural heritage conser- years 7–10 Personal Development, Health vation themes as part of their school studies. and Physical Education syllabus. This support These activities are tailored to teacher and document provides teacher resources for inte- student requirements, consistent with syllabus grating environmental education and building and curriculum objectives. positive values and attitudes for the protec- Vocational education and training tion and conservation of ’s heritage. The NPWS has supported the establishment A new partnership initiative with the of the Primary Industry Training Advisory 51 PROMOTION 0F CONSERVATION

These programs aim to coordinate consistent, clear and accurate communication in areas considered high priority by the NPWS. Plans were developed and implemented for the Southern Region Wilderness Assessments, Sydney Water Strategic Plan of Management (a joint management initiative), State of the Parks, and Tour Operators Licensing Review.

Community consultation A diverse range of individuals and groups in the community have an interest in NPWS activities, and community consultation remains an important cornerstone of commu- nity involvement in decision-making. The NPWS regularly undertakes formal communi- NPWS ty consultation processes, actively listening to stakeholders and groups about issues of inter- Cultural heritage ... Aboriginal Discovery ranger Janelle Randall Court est and concern and seeking opportunities for takes a Discovery group through Blue Mountains National Park. dealing with them together. The Visions for the New Millennium review Body (PITAB) Rural Vocational Education process invited more than 500 key individuals and Training Working Group, comprising gov- and stakeholders in the community to join ernment agency and primary industry repre- NPWS in exploring the way forward in the sentatives. This group has been formed to conservation of nature, Aboriginal heritage assist primary producers manage change and historic heritage into the new millenni- through their effective participation in educa- um. This involved a series of regional work- tion and training programs. shops in the lead-up to a major symposium During 1998–99, funding was secured from the held in July 1998. Rural Industries Research and Development The State of the Parks program has com- Council to progress the work of the group. menced with a key component of the program The NPWS will continue to work as a focused on consultation with the National member of the group to coordinate and inte- Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council, district grate the delivery of nature and cultural advisory committees and other key heritage conservation education and training stakeholders. programs. NPWS commitment to the NSW Action NPWS also worked with the C.B. Alexander Plan for Women in Agriculture and Resource Agriculture College Tocal on the steering Management includes a review of women’s committee for its new Diploma in Landcare representation on NPWS district advisory and Natural Resources — part of NSW committees. Agriculture’s Home Study Program. A range of nature and cultural heritage conservation The NPWS has continued its facilitation and ecological sustainability themes have been skills training program to enhance staff skills built into the course framework, including across the Service in communication, consul- environmental legislation and policies, tation and working with groups. Aboriginal heritage, fire management, pest management, wildlife management, Neighbour relations threatened species and biodiversity. This new Neighbours of national parks include private diploma course will be finalised over the next landholders and leaseholders; federal, state year. and local government agencies with land management responsibilities; the defence Communication programs forces; and authorities that manage water, rail, A number of communication programs were road, gas and electricity in both rural and developed and implemented over the year. urban areas. Through effective communica- 52 tion, consultation, and cooperative manage- special event encouraging the celebration of ment, natural and cultural values can be pro- Aboriginal culture and heritage. This year, tected and conserved. Neighbours of protect- the NPWS undertook a statewide program of ed areas are important to the NPWS because activities focused on building stronger rela- our activities affect each other. In many cases tionships with Aboriginal communities. opportunities for working with neighbour NAIDOC activities were wide ranging, communities extend beyond the boundary including seminars on Aboriginal site man- fence. agement and protection, community meetings During 1998–99, the NPWS worked with to review archaeological excavations, tradi- neighbours through: tional and contemporary dance festivals, cul- • neighbour and community involvement in tural days, school visits, corrective services the development of plans of management, field excursions, visits to local national parks particularly decision-making in planning by Aboriginal communities, recognition and the management of new areas; appreciation ceremonies, demonstrations of • local neighbour surveys, and neighbour traditional art and craft, and Aboriginal community workshops, to explore issues of Discovery program walks, talks and tours. interest and concern in the management of In other initiatives, the NPWS produced a specific protected areas, seeking opportuni new information brochure on Aboriginal her- ties for cooperative action; itage management, outlining the role of the • neighbour newsletters providing current NPWS in protecting and conserving information about local initiatives, Aboriginal cultural heritage. • cooperative work with neighbours, issues of local interest, and inviting feedback from Volunteering programs neighbours on various issues or suggestions to improve working relationships; Volunteering is a major part of community • participation in a number of regional field involvement in nature and cultural heritage days, festivals and shows to provide access conservation. Volunteering provides neigh- by neighbours and the broader community bours and other interested groups and individ- to information about nature and cultural uals with opportunities to work with the heritage conservation; NPWS, fosters the formation of networks • continued work with local bushfire among similarly interested citizens, and brigades, with emphasis on the importance enhances appreciation, understanding and of consultation in the development of fire support in the community for conservation, management plans for protected areas. The and the challenges presented in management. NPWS continued working with the Rural Fire Service, encouraging neighbours to prevent bushfires, prepare for bushfires and develop strategies to protect life and property; • continued work with neighbours and other relevant agencies in cooperative pest management activities for wild dogs, feral pigs, feral goats and weeds; • ongoing cooperative management programs with rural lands protection boards, State Forests of NSW, Department of Land and Water Conservation, local councils, and electricity and water authorities in fire management, pest management, and natural and cultural heritage protection and conservation.

Aboriginal community programs CREAMER/NPWS HARRY

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Neighbour relations … the NPWS maintains a strong profile at the Islander Day of Celebration (NAIDOC) is a Armidale wool expo each May. 53 PROMOTION 0F CONSERVATION

150 rural and urban students from across the State have participated in the program to date. The Wildlife Watch program continued to grow in western New South Wales, following its successful pilot last year. Wildlife Watch aims to raise awareness of illegal wildlife activities such as bird smuggling, the threats they pose to the survival of native species, particularly parrots and reptiles, and the regulatory role of the NPWS in wildlife management. The pro- gram sought community support from school- children and parents in the western area of the State in reporting suspicious activities to the Service. Evaluation indicates increased interest in the program and an increase in the number of public reports to assist investigations. HARRY CREAMER/NPWS HARRY TOURISM More than 300 representatives of local communities serve on district advisory committees and park trusts. Here members of the Armidale District Advisory The NPWS maintains links at corporate and Committee, Alan Jackson (left) and chair Sir Owen Croft (right), talk with local levels with a range of tourism authori- District Manager Bob Leggatt and Director-General Brian Gilligan. ties. The Service’s Guide to NSW National Parks — aimed at existing and potential park visitors — is distributed at many tourism out- The NPWS worked with Premier’s lets in addition to NPWS distribution points. Department, as part of a whole-of-government initiative, to develop a strategy with non-gov- The NPWS is represented on a number of ernment organisations for supporting and local district and regional tourism associations facilitating voluntary effort in New South and provides displays and information to local Wales. This work culminated in the release of tourist information centres across the State. a policy on volunteering by the government The Service is also an active participant in in March. the government’s Access Centre Program which has established public information The NPWS also actively contributed to the facilities in eight country locations. work of Volunteering Australia in establishing national competency standards for the man- In the Glen Innes district, the NPWS has agement of volunteers, and the development conducted familiarisation tours of regional of a Diploma in Volunteer Management by parks and reserves for local tourism officers to the NSW School of Volunteering. Six NPWS broaden their knowledge and understanding staff are participating in the inaugural part- of NPWS areas and activities. time course by distance learning. The old Trial Bay Gaol in Arakoon State This year, more than 2000 volunteers actively Recreation Area won the heritage and cultur- contributed to the work of the NPWS. al tourism category of the Volunteer activities included bush regenera- Tourism Awards, while East Kunderang tion, flora and fauna surveys, threatened Homestead in Oxley Wild Rivers National species management, assisting at NPWS visi- Park was a finalist in the annual regional tor centres and membership of local advisory tourism awards and won first place in the committees. These important efforts con- unique accommodation category. tribute to the management of parks and other protected areas. Other tourism awards won by the NPWS include: The NPWS also continued its Campus Conservation Volunteer Program for tertiary • Blackheath Heritage Centre — the Blue students in partnership with the Australian Mountains Tourism Authority, General Trust for Conservation Volunteers. More than Tourism Services Award; 54 • Blue Mountains Discovery Program — The NPWS has continued its participation in winner of the environmental tourism a joint working group with State Forests of section of the State Tourism Awards for NSW for the ongoing development and man- Excellence; agement of a white water rafting strategy for • NPWS Nowra District Information Nymboi-Bindary National Park and adjacent Education and Tourism Manager Pat Hall state forests. — the Illawarra Southern Highlands Regional Tourism Award for contribution INFORMATION SERVICES to tourism by an individual; and • Bungonia State Recreation Area — The NPWS provides a range of information winner for the third consecutive year of the resources to the community and its stakehold- significant regional attraction category in ers through visitor centres, and district, the 1998 Capital Country Awards for regional and zone offices located throughout Excellence in Tourism. New South Wales. The Service has a large and diverse customer base that includes local, The NPWS liaises regularly with local com- interstate and international park visitors, mercial tour operators and continues to be neighbours, landholders, licence applicants, involved in the Katoomba TAFE Commercial students and researchers, other government Tour Operators Training Course. Armidale agencies and other conservation and environ- District also runs regular workshops for tour mental agencies. An array of services are operators and others in the local tourism offered to these customers and a continuing industry and Eden District conducted a work- focus is to improve communication and con- shop for tour operators, in conjunction with sultation to better respond to customer needs. Saphire Coast Tourism, to promote nature- based tourism opportunities in the South East Information and visitor centres Forest National Park. Visitor centres provide a wide range of ser- In April the NPWS continued its policy of vices to park visitors and a boost to regional attending the annual Four-Wheel Drive, tourism. Products include face-to-face infor- Camping and Caravan Show in Sydney. The mation as well as a range of print information, NPWS stall enabled staff to answer numerous such as free park brochures, visitor guides, questions about national parks and discuss animal fact sheets, other educational resource issues relating to camping and the use of materials and general information booklets recreational vehicles with many of the 80,000 about the work of the NPWS. They also sell visitors to the show. publications, such as guide books, teachers’ kits and posters, and a variety of other prod- RECREATIONAL GROUPS ucts, including annual passes for entry into national parks. The NPWS continues to participate in regu- The National Parks and Wildlife Information lar meetings with various recreational, user Centre, located at Hurstville, is the Service’s and interest groups including the Recreational statewide public information service. The 4WD Clubs Association of NSW and ACT, centre provides a range of products and ser- local and peak horse-riding groups, adventure vices to the community including: activity groups, local fishing groups, tourist operators and conservation groups, concern- • distribution of free information publica- ing the use of NPWS-managed areas for a tions, such as the Guide to NSW National range of recreational activities. Parks, the twice-yearly National Parks and Wildlife News and park brochures; A horse-riding management plan is being pre- • an information and advice service on pared for /Parr State conservation, wildlife, and natural and Recreation Area in conjunction with user cultural heritage issues; groups including the Endurance Riders • a contact point for education programs, Association. such as Discovery; The NPWS continues to support the Garie, • a display point for environmental impact Era and Burning Palms Surf Life Saving Clubs statements and fauna impact statements located within the boundaries of the Royal produced by the NPWS and other National Park. government departments; and 55 PROMOTION 0F CONSERVATION JUDY DENBY

Winner of a prestigious regional tourism award, NPWS Nowra District Information Education and Tourism Manager Pat Hall, in the district’s new education van.

• a direct and mail order retail outlet for Publications products and publications. The NPWS produces a diverse range of publi- The centre handles local, interstate and inter- cations tailored to the varying needs of specif- national inquiries relating to the NPWS and ic audiences. These aim to promote conserva- conservation issues. Over-the-counter tion and to keep the public and stakeholders inquiries in 1998–99 increased by more than informed about the areas and programs man- 24 percent to 2098 compared to the previous aged by the Service. NPWS publications year, with telephone inquiries up four percent range from free brochures about individual to 90,907. Since the launch of the NPWS parks and reserves, to scientific reports, and web site in 1997–98, inquiries received via the commercial products such as guidebooks and Internet have shown a progressive increase postcards. The NPWS also collaborates in and are currently averaging over 150 a month. joint publishing arrangements with other gov- Mail inquiries were down by 46 percent to ernment agencies and commercial publishers 964, largely due to the increase in Internet to increase public understanding of conserva- inquiries. In all, inquiries were up by four per- tion and the work of the Service. cent over the previous year. The 12-page newspaper National Parks and In 1997–98, a 1300 number — 1300 36 1967 Wildlife News explains and publicises the work — for the Information Centre was introduced of the NPWS across the State and the to give rural customers access to statewide Service’s role in conservation. It also aims to information services for the cost of a local raise community awareness about conserva- call. This facility has proven a success, with tion issues. The 1998 winter edition focused calls averaging over 450 a month during on the future role of national parks in the 1998–99. State while the summer edition featured the 56 handback of to its copies used for promotional purposes. traditional Aboriginal owners. More than In February, in the small hamlet of Wanaaring 100,000 copies of each issue were distributed in western NSW, Environment Minister Pam via NPWS offices and visitor centres, through Allan launched A free flowing river: the ecology letterbox drops to national park neighbours in of the Paroo River. The 320-page book, pub- the Sydney region, and through direct mail- lished by the Service and edited by NPWS ings to local councils, other government and wetland scientist Richard Kingsford, high- non-government agencies and all schools in lights the need to protect the Paroo, the last New South Wales. substantially unregulated river system in the A new edition of the Guide to NSW National Murray-Darling Basin. The wetlands are of Parks was produced in December. This Guide national and international significance and provides brief descriptions of over 140 nation- are home to large numbers of waterbirds al parks and reserves as well as contact details including the endangered freckled duck. The and a list of facilities available at each park. book arose from a 1997 conference that Over 680,000 copies of the Guide were dis- brought together a wide range of interested tributed through the 13 December issue of the groups and individuals to consider the threats Sun-Herald as part of a strategy to increases posed to the Paroo from large-scale irrigation public awareness of opportunities available in proposals. national parks. A revised and enlarged issue of A large-format full-colour map, Best Bush, was the Guide was produced and distributed in published in April providing the first com- June following the transfer of some 380,000 plete listing of all public bushland areas in hectares of forest lands to the NPWS through New South Wales. It includes all parks and the historic North East Forest Agreement. reserves managed by the NPWS as well as all A large-format Great National Parks of NSW state forests and state parks — more than calendar for 1999, the first calendar produced 1200 areas in all — and was produced in con- by the NPWS, was launched by the Premier junction with State Forests, the Department at Government House in October. Over 1000 of Land and Water Conservation, and copies of the calendar were sold and other Tourism NSW. The map also includes a JOEL WINTER/NPWS

Last unmodified river system in the Murray-Darling Basin … King Charlie waterhole on the Paroo River in the State’s north-west. The Paroo is the subject of an important new book published by the NPWS. 57 PROMOTION 0F CONSERVATION

numerous advertisements, leaflets and smaller displays for conferences and field days. During the year, the NPWS photographic library provided images for Service displays, publications and slide shows, as well as to a range of outside organisations for reproduc- tion in magazines, books, posters and CD- ROMs. Library services The NPWS library makes a valuable contri- bution to research in the areas of protected area management and conservation. In 1998–99 the library continued to focus on

HARRY CREAMER/NPWS HARRY providing bibliographic services for staff and the community that contribute to conserva- tion of the State’s natural and cultural her- itage. These services cover all aspects of NPWS statutory responsibilities and activi- ties. Increasingly the library is using the Internet to provide these services including on-line access to several journal indexes. Web Media relations … Armidale NPWS planning officer Andy Collins access to the full-text version of three major being interviewed by local journalist Lew Danieli. Australian journal subscriptions is now avail- able to staff, and inter-library communication comprehensive breakdown of recreational networks have also been enhanced though use opportunities available in over 300 different of the Internet, resulting in increased levels of parks, reserves and forests. cooperation and resource sharing. A Living with Fire booklet was published in During the year an Environmental Education November 1998 and 10,000 copies were dis- Bibliography, compiled from the library data- tributed statewide. Focusing on fire ecology, base, was produced and distributed in hard planning, preparedness and suppression opera- copy and electronic version through the tions, the booklet was a joint publication NPWS internal network. Library Journals and between NPWS, State Forests, the Indexes 1999, a list of all journals and indexes Department of Land and Water Conservation held in the library was also produced. Use of and the NSW Rural Fire Service. library resources rose significantly during the year — direct loans to staff were up 27 per- The editorial and graphic design areas of the cent, and interlibrary loans up 21 percent. NPWS continued to undertake consultancy Some 250 members of the public used the work and services during the year for internal library — 71 percent being university or and external clients on a range of publications TAFE students. and interpretive projects. Due to unfavourable currency fluctuations, Among the brochures, displays and signs journal subscriptions took up more than 66 produced during 1998–99 were a brochure percent of this year’s library budget, reflecting highlighting and describing the great 19th- the significance of current research literature century lighthouses now managed by the in the total collection. Book purchases were NPWS; Going Bush, a brochure promoting oriented to threatened species and biodiversi- responsible camping in national parks; dis- ty issues. plays for Fire Awareness Week in November and the Four-Wheel-Drive, Camping and Important additions to the collection during Caravan Show in April; a brochure and poster the year included a donation of books on promoting the Service’s responsibilities in archaeology from the NPWS Cultural Aboriginal cultural heritage management; Heritage Services Division, and a valuable banners, signs and displays for the Visions for a collection of books on Aboriginal and New Millennium seminars and workshops; plus European history donated by Warren Bluff. 58 MEDIA AND PROMOTIONS more than 90 positive metropolitan news paper stories. The NPWS promotes conservation issues and the role of the Service in the conservation of More than 660 news releases were prepared nature, Aboriginal heritage and historic her- and released by the NPWS during the year. itage to local, national and international media. PARK FACILITIES AND The Service’s media unit has continued to SERVICES respond to NPWS priorities in the provision of information to the various forms of media. Specific achievements in park facilities and During 1998–99 the NPWS was involved in a services include: number of significant announcements • the completion of new walking tracks in including: Moonee Beach and Guy Fawkes River Nature Reserves, and New England, • the announcement in July 1998 of the Cathedral Rocks and Guy Fawkes River protection of more than 40,000 hectares of National Parks; bushland and open space as NPWS reserve, • an upgrade of walking tracks in Mann in the form of eight new parks and 18 River Nature Reserve and Kings Plains, additions to established parks; Gibraltar Range, Richmond Range and • the unveiling of the draft strategy of Washpool National Parks, and hardening protection of headland sites in Sydney of Chaelundi Falls Track in Guy Fawkes Harbour National Park in a lead-up to the River National Park to provide improved 2000 Olympics; and safer visitor access to Chaelundi Falls; • the adoption of the Wollemi pine recovery • the major upgrade of Palm Valley and plan (the first plan of its kind to be Border Loop Walking Tracks and completed in NSW under the Threatened Lophostemon Falls Lookout, as well as a Species Conservation Act); new composting toilet and 12-panel • the announcement of the State’s third information display in Border Ranges marine park at Lord Howe Island; National Park; • the announcement in November 1998 of • the upgrade of the Murray Scrub Walking 85 new national parks and reserves in the north-east of NSW; • the declaration of the 361,000-hectare Wollemi Wilderness Area. Various media strategies were developed to promote key conservation issues. A detailed media strategy was put into place in conjunction with NPWS scientists, the NSW Scientific Committee and other government agencies, to announce a dingo symposium in May following concerns raised about the conservation status of the dingo in NSW. The symposium attracted widespread media coverage. Media training continues to be a priority. Since 1996 more than 96 staff have been trained in media interview techniques. The assessment of positive newspaper coverage revealed that in October 1998, the KENNEDY/NPWS PATRICK NPWS was mentioned in 205 newspaper articles — 152 times in a positive manner, 29 Elusive mouse … last September more than 200 in a neutral manner and 24 in a negative volunteers helped NPWS ranger Tony Dowd and natural fashion. heritage officer Debbie Andrew — seen here with a New Holland mouse — in the largest biodiversity During 1998–99 NPWS was involved in survey ever carried out in . 59 PROMOTION 0F CONSERVATION LIZ WREN/NPWS

Rebuilding … following the Thredbo landslide, extensive reconstruction work was carried out on the Alpine Way above Thredbo village. Stage 2 was completed in June.

Track providing a 5.5-kilometre circuit park locations to reduce the environmental through the world-heritage-listed Murray impacts and costs associated with the Scrub in Toonumbar National Park; provision of firewood; • the major upgrade of Cambridge Plateau • construction of a permanent, year-round, Scenic Drive through Richmond Range environmentally friendly composting toilet National Park improving opportunities for at Charlotte Pass utilising solar power, with visitor access to the park; funding for the project provided from • construction of a landing pontoon at park-use fees and a grant from the Coocumbac Island Nature Reserve at a cost Commonwealth; of $10,000; • upgrade of 14 kilometres of Long Plain • a $50,000 upgrade of facilities in Dooragan Road in at a cost National Park including sealing of walking of $47,000, as well as upgrades of the road tracks, interpretation signs and a viewing to Wares Yard and the access road into platform; Eucumbene Dam; • the realignment of the walking track and • completion of stage 2 of the Alpine Way upgrade of access road in Kattang Nature reconstruction, involving embankment Reserve at a cost of $10,000; reconstruction, sub-surface drainage, road • new directional signs in Crowdy Bay and realignment and construction of formalised Hat Head National Parks and Sea Acres car parking areas, at a cost of $15 million. and Limeburners Creek Nature Reserves at The road reopened on 11 June; a cost of $30,000; • completion of a $20,000 upgrade of camp- • the upgrade of Wollomombi and Dangar ing areas at Bakers Flat, Deua River and Gorges visitor areas and opening of a new Dry Creek in ; visitor area at Youdales Hut in Oxley Wild • two new prefabricated bridges installed on Rivers National Park; the main road through Wadbilliga National • establishment of a new camping and day- Park at a cost of $72,000; use area at the Junction in Nymboi- • improvements in Eurobodalla National Bindary National Park and provision of Park including new two-wheel drive access free gas barbecues at a number of strategic to 1080 Beach ($30,000), sealing of access 60 road to Corunna Lake Picnic Area • improvements to road access to Mount ($50,000), and sealing of access roads and Royal and Wollemi National Parks at a car parks, new barbecues, picnic shelter cost of $160,000 and upgrading and reseal- and tables at South Head ($125,000); ing of the Mungo Brush Road in Myall • upgrade of Perisher Sewerage system in Lakes National Park costing $260,000; Kosciuszko National Park with expenditure • replacement of the hanging bridges on the during the year of $2 million; Williams River in Barrington Tops • improvements to access, provision of National Park at a cost of $220,000; disabled access and new park furniture in • reopening of the Fern Bower Walking Track section of the Federal Pass in Blue Comerong Island Nature Reserve; Mountains National Park after a $150,000 • upgrade of camping grounds at Long Gully works program to improve steps and in and significant drainage; upgrade of walking tracks, toilets and • construction of a new lookout in Bouddi signage at the Carrington Falls day-use area National Park above Rocky Point, in ; dedicated to the contribution to nature • construction of a district workshop at Eden conservation by Allen Strom; at a cost of $400,000, primarily to service • construction of a district workshop at new national parks in the south-east of the Queanbeyan; and State; • major improvement works in the West • the completion of walking tracks and a Head area of Ku-ring-gai Chase National viewing platform, interpretative panels and Park including track upgrading, landscap- camping facilities in South East Forest ing, signage and upgrade of West Head National Park; Lookout at a total cost of $75,000.

61