Nature New South Wales

Journal of National Parks Association of NSW | Volume 60, No. 3 | Spring 2016 Nature New South Wales is published quarterly, Welcome to Spring 2016 with news and features on nature conservation and national parks, by NPA Publications Pty Ltd In recent months the NPA network have ABN 860 639 359 46 been busy working on our citizen science, Lvl 3, 52-58 William Street Woolloomooloo 2011 advocacy and bushwalking programs. We PO Box 312, Darlinghurst NSW 1300 hope you enjoy finding out more about Phone: 02 9299 0000 these in this edition of Nature NSW. Email: [email protected] Land clearing is the leading cause of wildlife Website: www.npansw.org.au extinction in Australia. Without urgent action, ISSN: 2200-4580 Kevin Evans many of our unique species of wildlife – including Editors: Samantha Newton, John Turnbull Chief Executive koalas and quolls – could be lost in our lifetime. [email protected] Officer, National Sadly, at a time when we need strong, effective Designer: Kiran Charles Parks Association conservation laws that will stop the wave of [email protected] of NSW extinctions, political leadership on this issue has Deadline for Editorial and Advertising been lacking. Premier Baird's new Biodiversity Published Deadlines Summer – December 16 October Conservation Act is, in our opinion, not the Autumn – March 16 January solution to this crisis, in fact it deliberately Winter – June 16 April undermines both biodiversity and conservation. Spring – September 16 July NPA has called on the Government to Opinions expressed by the authors are their own abandon its deeply flawed reforms and consult and do not necessarily represent the policies or the community to develop a comprehensive views of the National Parks Association of NSW. approach to nature conservation. Copyright © 2016 NPA Publications Pty Ltd With printing and postage costs continuing to NPA Staff increase, we are exploring more efficient ways to CEO: Kevin Evans, Finance & Fundraising provide quality, up-to-date publications to our Officer: Diane Latta, Communications members. This will see our publication gradually & Publications Manager: Kiran Charles, distributed electronically to the majority of our Operations Manager: Fae Barton, Activities Coordinator: Matt McClelland, Senior members. To help us prepare we are requesting Ecologist: Dr Oisín Sweeney Citizen that members who have an email address but Science Officers: Margot Law, Geetha haven’t provided it to us, to contact the office. Ortac, Bushwalking Project Officer: Helen Plans are well underway for NPA’s Annual Smith, Illawarra to Shoalhaven Partnership Dinner on Saturday October 8, so don’t forget to Facilitator: David Rush. save the date. This year the Hon Mehreen Faruqi, NPA Executive Committee the Greens Environment Spokesperson will be our President: John Turnbull Senior Vice guest speaker. Raffle tickets are now available from President: Graeme Wiffen Vice President: Anne Reeves Hon Secretary: Samantha Newton the office with great prizes to be won this year. Members: Tom Fink, Sam Garrett-Jones, Naomi Call Fae on 02 9299 0000 to order your tickets. Hamilton-Hakim and Ted Woodley. We had a great response to our recent President's fundraising with these funds helping to support our forest advocacy. Thank you to everyone who is a non-profit community organisation that seeks to donated, every dollar makes a difference enabling protect, connect and restore us to develop a new vision for our native forests. the integrity and diversity of natural systems in NSW Best wishes, and beyond through national Kevin parks, marine sanctuaries and other means.

NPA’s administration has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

Cover photo: Nudibranch (Hypselodoris bennetti) - mating pair. Also known as Sea Slug. Found in Eastern Australia, especially around Sydney. Photo taken at Nelson Bay. Photo Copyright: © Gary Bell/ Environment ISO 14001 OceanwideImages.com

Creature Feature page 16 Certification applies to Offset Alpine Printing Contents

Understorey...... 4 The campaigns to save the south east forests

Naturally Accessible...... 7

Dingoes and wild dogs: are we just splitting hairs?...... 8

Flooding wilderness, wild rivers and world heritage...... 10

Where are we now on the Queensland-style reforms?...... 12 4 The Biodiversity Conservation and Local Land Service Amendment Bills

WildCount...... 14 Monitoring wildlife trends in NSW National Parks

Creature Feature...... 16 The Nudibranch

Featured Dive...... 18 Fish Rock

Rock Platforms...... 19 Walking on the Edge 14 Bringing the buzz back to the Cumberland Plain Woodland...... 20

An evening with the dragons...... 21

Bushfire management for private land...... 22

Shoalhaven’s Plan to become a premier walking tourism destination...24

Mt Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment...... 26 Can walkers and bikers work together?

Featured National Park...... 28 Bournda National Park 18

What might Allen Strom say about today’s guardianship of wildlife?....30

Walk of the Month...... 32

Book review...... 33 Southern Cross Safari

NPA News...... 34

28 Understorey The campaigns to save the south east forests

An interview with David Gallan Producer of Understory and President of National Parks Association of NSW, Far South Coast Branch

A moving eulogy for one of tarted in the 1970s, the south was sacred to the Yuin, David the far south coast’s early east forest campaigns involved purposely didn't show the Aboriginal S thousands of members of special places in the National Parks campaigners was the final the community and spanned so as not to intrude on them. catalyst for the production over two decades, resulting in The producer’s 65 acre property on the formation of the 115,000 ha the far south coast served as the setting of a poignant documentary South East Forests National Park. for much of Understorey’s wildlife on the battle to save the Understory serves as a testament scenes, including rare footage of a male area’s spectacular forests to the tenacity and commitment of lyrebird on its nest. Motion detection the countless individuals, families cameras, which involved several weeks from logging. Through and groups involved. Through at a time to deploy, were employed a blend of archival and archival footage and interviews, striking wildlife footage, the film succeeds in weaving masterfully the fascinating stories Understorey, produced by of the activists involved to portray David Gallan, tells the the true breadth and complexity of stories of the many people the campaign, and the beauty and value of the forests they fought for. who fought to protect these Woven into the story is the cultural incredible forests. It is a significance of the forests to the celebration of a great win, traditional owners of the land, the Yuin nation who played an integral but also a sombre reminder role in the campaign. Their fight for of what we still stand to lose cultural recognition around Biamanga if the remaining forests fall and Gulaga National Parks in particular, is a story in its own right. A lyrebird bathing Photo: David Gallan in the battle that lies ahead. Knowing that the entire mountain

4 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES for larger species, whilst smaller birds required deft camerawork. The result is a visual feast - powerful owls, sooty owls, lyrebirds, sugar gliders, yellow-bellied gliders all set against a backdrop of verdant forest. “We are privileged to have ample opportunity to observe and record wildlife on the 20 hectares of forest on our property. We have a Voluntary Conservation Agreement on our title to help manage the land for endangered species.” Compelling archival footage is contributed by Peter Constable, and colour stills by fellow campaigner Kym Taysom complete the dramatic visuals. The film artfully achieves a fine middle ground between getting Historic photo of protesters in the NSW Far South Coast Photo: David Gallan the message across about the destruction of logging and appealing to a broad audience from fellow level. At the end of the day you have year after year. When the RFAs activists to the general public. to arrive at some sort of bipartisan were developed twenty years ago, “I am pleased with people’s reaction agreement around important issues things were very different. to the film. I didn't try to make a like climate change. It's the only way “Climate change has really moved definitive history but I tried to honour you are going to reach a profound into people’s consciousness since then, the people that committed their lives pathway to deal with it. I don't think the commodity prices for things like and spent over a decade, some a couple we would have been well served by woodchips have changed drastically of decades or more, some still going, putting the boot into loggers.” and employment has fallen. It just to do something for everyone. For Fast forward twenty years and seems so obvious that preserving a the environment,” says David Gallan, 400,000 ha of the south east forests forest is such a straight forward way Producer of Understorey and President are still under threat from logging of dealing with some of the challenges of NPA’s Far South Coast branch. at an even more alarming scale. of climate change. Now is a very good “We went to great lengths to train In an attempt to save the remaining time to reassess the value of the RFAs people in peaceful resistance. We forests, NPA’s Far South Coast branch and what continuing logging at this needed to behave in a manner that is urging the government to create a industrial scale means for our forests.” would encourage people to view our Great Southern Forest (GSF), a large- “In forests across the state, like the aims favourably. We couldn't afford to scale integrated landscape to connect Pilliga, saw loggers are finding it harder upset the general public. I don't think and protect all native forests in south and harder to find resources, which people were breaking their necks to go east New South Wales. The GSF is a shows that they were mismanaged.” out and blockade but it came to a point new approach to forest management "In the south east, thirty years on where it was necessary to gain national that involves ending native forest we can see that the regrowth was attention and to change policy.” logging, planning a transition away not as it was promised. Species like “That's why we called it Understorey from the wood chipping sector, the very slow growing Eucalyptus – a play on words – to try and convey and using carbon funding to create longifolia (Woollybutt), the main that the campaign didn’t always regional jobs in tourism, wildlife source of food for koalas in the fit with the stereotype that you protection and forest management. area, have hardly grown back.” saw on the metropolitan news.” With the controversial Regional “We are losing species like iron The film has met with widespread Forest Agreements (RFAs) due to bark that are really important acclaim. The only mild criticism is that expire soon, the branch is viewing for nectar feeders like gliders and the film is too kind to the loggers. this as a once-in-a-generation possums. The forests are becoming But as David says: “That's fair opportunity to transition away more of a monoculture. We just enough and that's their perspective. from logging to a more sustainable don't have the biodiversity that we But I think that reconciliation is a future for the area’s forests. used to and that is critical for a beautiful thing, whether it’s at a family “Threatened species are no less healthy forest. Simply rolling over level or a cultural level or a national threatened. We are adding numbers the RFAs carte blanche is not on.” level, but also at a conservation to the Threatened Species List “The Great Southern Forest is

Spring 2016 5 a chance to unify land-use and to work in the forests weren’t entitled More information overcome the fragmentation which to pass comment on them. Understorey opened in Merimbula has had such a big impact on our “Hang on – those people are earlier in the year, followed by a biodiversity and threatened species.” making money out of the public successful screening at the Narooma David points out that the failing asset and we’re more than entitled. Cinema. car industry was backed up for many We all own the forests.” years by the government until they “There is a quote at the beginning There will be screenings in the acknowledged that cars could be of the film from a grazier who bought Shoalhaven and Illawarra in September produced more cheaply overseas. He land to save the trees from being logged and other screenings around NSW later would like to see the native forestry which really encapsulates the essence in the year. For more information visit NPA's facebook page: www.facebook. industry face the same reality. of Understorey: “We are responsible for com/npansw/events “Someone argued the other day that our own property, to farm it, but we forests have been wonderfully managed are also responsible for the forests that NPA’s Great Southern Forest for 100 years. But 100 years ago, one we all own that are beyond it that are campaign can be found at www. tree took a team of two axemen, a being wood-chipped. How do you value greatsouthernforest.org.au bullock driver and a labourer to manage. your forest, the forest we all own?” “Never again after the South East It took them a couple of days to cut and This land was eventually sold back to Forests campaign could anyone say a week to transport out. Today, it takes the National Parks and Wildlife Service that an environmental protection issue one man and a machine and they can and now forms an important part of was not absolutely mainstream to the go through hectares in a single day.” the South East Forests National Park. Australian psyche” Professor AJ Brown In the mid eighties David “It is community action like encountered pushback from some this that really inspired the who believed that people who didn't film,” enthuses David.

6 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Naturally Accessible Helen Smith Naturally Accessible Project Officer, National Parks Association of NSW

PA is thrilled to introduce a new project called ‘Naturally N Accessible’ that we’re kicking off this year. It’s about improving access to natural places through better information, and we think this will help our members continue bushwalking for many years to come. We’ve created an amazing bushwalking community through the NPA. We retain around 3,000 members a year and run walks almost every day of the year. Some people leave the NPA because they feel they’re no longer Team photo of Naturally Accessible with National Parks and Wildlife Service at the Kamay able to go bushwalking, for health National Park. Left to right: Sasa (NPWS), Matt (NPA) and Helen (NPA). Photo: Sasa Dolinsek. or other reasons. We think we can help people find walks that suit them regardless of their age and stage of life. Let’s take Frank as an example. Frank They will fund a year of work for us Traditionally, accessibility issues have had a stroke last year which left him to research barriers and explore the been solved with infrastructure. That weakened on one side of his body. Now idea of accessibility via information. means going in and concreting over all he uses a crutch to get around. He still We need volunteers that we can natural barriers has and creating smooth, loves getting out bushwalking with interview for the first stage of the short tracks. Of course, the advantage the family but needs to rest frequently project. We’d love to chat to anyone of these tracks is that anyone can do along the track. Therefore, a walk with who is interested in this research to help them, but the disadvantages are that regular seating is important for him. us identify how best to use information these tracks are expensive and slow to So a solution suitable for Frank is a set solutions to help people get out into develop, and substantial infrastructure of track notes with information about natural places. Getting out into nature interferes with the user's connection. the frequency and type of seating has enormous social, emotional and Consequently, in NSW, the types of facilities available along the track. This health benefits for everyone, so if accessible walks that we have on offer information could be presented as icons you know anyone that is interested (i.e Grade 1) are all extremely short, along a map in the track notes, with in helping, please get in touch! taking users only a few minutes to more detailed notes at the end. Now NPA aims to be a leader in accessibility complete. We don’t think that this if we collate all this information in an to help our members to bushwalk is a fulfilling way to access natural online format, Frank could then search for longer and to share this with the places, and we believe we can do for tracks that have seating facilities wider community. Information-based better for our NPA members. no further than, say, 500m apart. solutions fit in with the ethics of NPA: We’re turning this around with This concept could then be applied by reducing heavy infrastructure and an information-based solution that for communicating other barriers as increasing the use of high-quality addresses the needs of a range of well including gates, fences, gradient, information, we help people and people. For instance, people with surface, etc. Our hope is that this kind have fewer impacts on natural places. heart conditions may need flatter of information can cater for a broad We want to be the driving force of walks and others may need regular range of needs in the community, social change, where the act of going seating. We do this by providing from bushwalkers with medical for a simple walk in a national park information on barriers and facilities, conditions right through to families is possible for anyone in Australia integrated with online bushwalking with young children and prams. and all visitors have meaningful and tools like Wildwalks. Information- Our project has support from the fulfilling experiences in nature. based solutions are an alternative to Liveable Communities Grant scheme going in and concreting everything, via the NSW Family and Community More information and sit well with the NPA's ethic of Services (FACS) and is also backed website: www.naturallyaccessible.org minimal impact bushwalking. by NSW Parks and Wildlife Service. Email: [email protected]

Spring 2016 7 Dingoes and wild dogs: are we just splitting hairs?

Evan Quartermain, Senior Program Manager, Humane Society International

The autumn rewilding edition of Nature NSW featured a variety of perspectives highlighting the ecological importance of dingoes along with the continued pressures and persecution the species faces. Complex issues surrounding dingo conservation, such as hybridisation, have been simplified for generations to the point where it is difficult for new research to alter the management status quo, Dingo Canis dingo and it was refreshing to see them discussed in detail. domestic dogs, differentiating them equally as important to conserve any of the views expressed are from dingoes and attributing them as apex predators in Australian those that have led Humane little or no value. Hybridisation is ecosystems, and the difficulty in Society International (HSI) frequently used as grounds for ongoing distinguishing hybrids from pure M control of “wild dogs” under the dingoes (Elledge et al. 2009) means to campaign for dingo protection over the past decade, most recently auspices of dingo conservation, despite all “wild dog” controls are essentially through the submission of Environment there being no evidence that it has led indiscriminate. Conservation efforts Protection and Biodiversity Conservation to a predominance of dog genes in should instead focus on understanding Act 1999 (EPBC Act) nominations dingo populations (Stephens, 2011). and managing the role of modern for Canis dingo as a Conservation A growing body of evidence suggests dingoes in different regions and Dependent species and the cascading that hybrids not only look like dingoes, habitats throughout Australia. but share important aspects of social effects of the loss or removal of Control for stock predation dingoes from Australian landscapes behaviour such as pack formation, Indiscriminate control, particularly as a Key Threatening Process (KTP). home ranges, reproductive cycles and feeding habits. There is also in the most common method, baiting, Hybrids and dingoes: hair little agreement between genetics is intended to reduce stock predation splitting and morphology when assessing and is increasing throughout Australia, dingo purity, so arguments regarding for example as occurred through Since domestic dogs were introduced hybridisation do little but divert the the Northern Territory’s recent to Australia, dingoes have been subject debate from ecological function to review of wild dog management on to hybridisation with them. The term superficial semantics. Since hybrids pastoral lands. This review resulted in “wild dog” is widely used in legislation share the same ecological role streamlined regulations and reduced and management documentation dingoes they should be considered administrative requirements, making it to group hybrid dingoes and feral

8 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES HSI’s Key Threatening Process nomination: focusing on the bigger picture Dingoes have been shown to play a positive conservation role by suppressing a number of introduced pest species including rabbits, goats, pigs and deer. But perhaps of greatest ecological benefit is their control of feral cats and foxes. The Action Plan for Australian Mammals states that across threatened and near threatened taxa, the most significant threat contributing to the decline of Australian terrestrial mammal Dingo hybrid at Cleland Wildlife Park, South Australia Photo: Peripitus: / Creative Commons fauna is predation by feral cats, and predation by either feral cats or foxes far easier for dingoes to be baited across effectively negated. While this listing is identified as a major threat for the 45% of the Northern Territory was applauded as the first of its kind, several dozen species listed under under pastoral lease. The supposed it is undermined by any degree of the EPBC Act. Dingoes are known necessity of relaxed baiting rules and hybridisation resulting in management to suppress populations of these increased baiting efforts nationwide as an ‘established pest animal’ introduced species, and in areas where brings into question the effectiveness under the Catchment and Land dingoes are baited, numbers of smaller of such methods. If the vast sums of Protection Act 1994. Landowners predators tend to increase along with public money expended over several are required to take steps to control their predatory impact on prey. decades have resulted in an apparent hybrids, seeing ‘protected’ dingoes A healthy dingo presence is beneficial need for even more to be spent, surely controlled across the landscape. for threatened species conservation, things aren’t working and it’s time to and this ecological role was the focus look into alternative management? HSI’s conservation dependent of HSI’s KTP nomination, which Research also suggests that dingo nomination if successful would lead to greater scrutiny on current “wild dog” control efforts may actually be An alternative dingo conservation management practices. Despite the counterproductive when it comes perspective accommodating inevitable weight of science supporting our to stock predation, with intact hybridisation is needed and, nominations growing every year, dingo packs exhibiting behavioural seeking to avoid the issues with the meaningful dingo conservation boundaries that limit such predation. Victorian listing, HSI’s EPBC species measures will take bold Government When packs are fractured through nomination included hybrids in the action. Here’s hoping 2016 is the baiting, loss of social cohesion leads to definition of dingoes. A lack of data year, as management practices have more opportunistic feeding patterns. and a need to consider nationwide so far led to nothing but a loss of Additionally, the reduced ability of conservation status unfortunately biodiversity and time is running dingo packs to hunt large prey such meant there was insufficient evidence out for our threatened species. as kangaroos sees greater herbivore to argue dingoes were threatened, and pasture competition with stock - a Conservation Dependent nomination ceasing “wild dog” control efforts may was submitted. However the current References be the most economically sensible system may fail dingoes completely, Elledge, A. E., Allen, L. R., Carlsson, B., management option for pastoralists. as there is an EPBC Act requirement Wilton, A. N., and Leung, L. K. (2008) Victorian ‘vulnerable’ listing that a conservation program must An evaluation of genetic analyses, skull be in place for a species to be listed morphology and visual appearance for The view that pure and hybrid as Conservation Dependent. As this assessing dingo purity: implications for dingoes should be treated differently isn’t the case for dingoes at present, dingo conservation. Wildlife Research and the fact that in reality they can’t HSI outlined the need for a plan 35, 812–820. be hampers potential conservation to be developed alongside further Stephens, D. (2011) The molecular gains from threatened species assessment. We also identified several ecology of Australian wild dogs: listings—such as their Vulnerable dingo populations under threat within hybridisation, gene flow and genetic status under Victoria’s Flora and the nomination to ensure a variety of structure at multiple geographic Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG conservation options were on the table. scales. (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Act)—to the point where they are University of Western Australia.

Spring 2016 9 Flooding wilderness, wild rivers and world heritage

Keith Muir, Director Colong Foundation for Wilderness

wo weeks before the Federal election with Warragamba T Dam threatening to spill due to severe storms, the Baird government committed to raising the dam wall to prevent potential flood impacts on marginally held seats in western Sydney. Perhaps for the same reason, NSW Labor reversed its ‘don’t raise the dam’ position and supported the proposal. However, no new information was released to justify this decision. The economic case and environmental impact statement for such a major project are years away, so Lower Kowmung Photo: Dave Noble it seems to be another case of decision now, judgement later for NSW. lands, wilderness and wild rivers. Schedule One area further up the Coxs This is not a new proposal. A similar Lower reaches of protected wild River, interfering with Katoomba to scheme was defeated in 1995 following rivers, including the Kowmung, Coxs Kanangra walks, spoiling and placing a strong campaign by the Kowmung and Nattai Rivers, will be flooded. off-limits favoured campsites. Committee led by Andrew Cox, after Temporary inundation caused by The Camden White Gum forests the Greiner-Fahey Government had the proposal will scar wilderness in the Kedumba Valley, listed as committed to raising the wall in 1993. areas, kill river bank vegetation and vulnerable under Commonwealth The subsequent Carr Government deposit sediment. The affected parts environment laws, will also then approved construction of a large of the southern Blue Mountains be lost when flooded. spillway beside the dam, completed in National Parks, arguably the most The Blue Mountains Conservation 2002, to protect it from major floods. protected parks in Australia, may Society is opposed to the development. In December 2012 the have to be revoked, as they will be Vice President Tara Cameron said: NSW Government accepted a degraded if this scheme proceeds. "We are very concerned that between recommendation from Infrastructure Temporary impoundment of Badgerys Creek airport and raising NSW in its 20 year State Infrastructure floodwater will result in the ‘bath- the Warragamba dam wall, the world Strategy, to ‘review all major flood ring effect’–visual scarring of the heritage values of the Blue Mountains mitigation options available, including landscape when natural areas are will be deemed at risk by UNESCO. raising the Warragamba Dam wall, temporarily inundated. The NSW Australia has an international to significantly reduce the potential Government would like us to believe obligation to protect these areas not economic and social impact of that the drowned World Heritage Area destroy them. This is an environmental flooding in the Hawkesbury Nepean will not be degraded, but once native disaster" (BM Gazette, 20 June, 2016). Valley’. This report was overseen by vegetation is inundated and smothered Chief Executive Officer, and former in sediment, it becomes replaced by an Developer Benefits Sydney Water head, Paul Broad, eroding mess of bare earth and weeds. Former National Parks Association and ex-Premier and chairperson of Views from McMahons Lookout, CEO Andrew Cox, now with 4Nature, Infrastructure NSW, Nick Greiner. To Splendour Rock, Burragorang Lookout believes that the proposal may put more them the dam was unfinished business. and many others in the Blue Breaks people at risk of flooding, not less. Raising Warragamba Dam’s wall will be ghastly. Lake Burragorang "We're worried that by raising the dam will inundate over 3,000 hectares of will have a much expanded ‘bath- and providing some level of protection World Heritage listed National Park ring’ and may also gain an enlarged it will actually trigger development

10 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES You’re invited to the Gardens of Stone celebration! Register today for the Gardens of Stone: In Focus Photographic Exhibition & Celebration Weekend of 17 - 18 September 2016 Opens Saturday 10am, closes Sunday 2pm | The New Law Building, University of Sydney FREE Award ceremony and refreshments from Saturday 2pm More information and registration: www.colongwilderness.org.au

Potential urban expansion on flood prone land Source: Molino Stewart, 2012, Hawkesbury-Nepean Flood Damages Assessment - In 2015, Blue Mountains conservation Final Report for Infrastructure NSW, Molino Stewart Pty Ltd, Parramatta. groups took professional and non- professional photographers into the on the flood plain," Mr Cox said. coming down the Grose, Colo and rugged landscapes of the Gardens of Western Sydney Leadership Council Macdonald rivers are not mitigated Stone, including Newnes Plateau. An chairman, Christopher Brown, has by the proposed dam wall raising. area of internationally and nationally already flagged developing flood prone significant natural assets, from stunning land as a potential funding source Solutions rock formations to endangered swamps, for the dam wall extension. "I think The best way to reduce the impacts of the Gardens of Stone region is a place there's the capacity to use a value- flooding on people is to relocate low- worth saving. As you know, mining capture funding method to reduce lying homes and avoid further building activities in the area continue to degrade the impact on taxpayers," he said. in flood prone areas. Floodplains are its creeks and rivers and contribute to the "Maybe via a levy on land release for floods and the proposed higher collapse of cliff faces. that was previously considered dam wall does not alter that fact. The Gardens of Stone Alliance has flood-prone so we might be able Given Sydney Water’s new capacity campaigned for years to have the to do it at a cheaper rate than to access water from the lower levels area protected for conservation. The what the Government's talking of Warragamba Dam, and the water Gardens of Stone: In Focus photographic about." He suggested the wall security provided by the desalination exhibition is part of this campaign to extension could potentially be made plant, a less damaging solution would share the breathtaking beauty of this higher than 14 metres if such a be to reduce the dam’s full storage level place and grow support for the region’s levy was charged (Sarah Gerathy, by a third and allow that proportion protection. to be used for flood storage. The ABC News, 17 Jun 2016). The photographers returned with dam’s hydroelectric plant could be Removing planning restrictions hundreds of exquisite images that refurbished and then operate to lower to develop flood prone areas will be capture the spectacular scenery of the stored water to desired levels highly profitable for some, but will the Gardens of Stone. This September, following a flood, while generating endanger lives. In fact much of the 160 of the most striking photographs electricity for the national grid. North West Growth Centre around will come to Sydney in the "Gardens of Efficient use of existing dam capacity, Riverstone is significantly affected Stone: In Focus" Photographic Exhibition, along with better flood planning by flood prone land. Residential curated by Anthony Bond OAM, one of and emergency response will protect areas are nevertheless planned within the greats of the Australian art scene, lives and save the World Heritage the maximum possible flood zone and presented by the ABC's Julie area from an unnecessary $700 despite the acknowledgement that McCrossin. the enlarged dam will not prevent the million dollar dam project and its negative impacts of extreme floods. contingent real estate development A series of talks and workshops about Flooding associated with the boom on the floodplain. landscape photography and conservation Upper Nepean which recently will be held during the exhibition. inundated Picton, as well as floods

Spring 2016 11 Queensland-style land management proposed for NSW The Biodiversity Conservation and Local Land Service Amendment Bills

Dr Oisín Sweeney Senior Ecologist, National Parks Association of NSW

An update on the process afforded barely any more protection Submissions to the draft legislation than Category 1 land. It’s worth closed on Tuesday 28th June. It’s noting that the Independent Review not clear as to when or where the Panel recommended a third category government will choose to publish to be included on the maps: off limits. the submissions, so we can’t yet put This category has not been included, a figure on how many were received. which has led to accusations that the But what we can be certain about government has not in fact accepted is that the vast majority will be in all of the Panel’s recommendations opposition: the Nature Conservation as they said they would. Council hand-delivered to the Office Land clearing, Queensland-style Photo: The Wilderness Society 2. Queensland-style self- of Environment and Heritage 4,000 assessable code-based submissions against the legislation, gathered from the various forums that The worst bits clearing the Stand Up For Nature (SUFN) So what’s so bad about the draft The codes are without doubt the alliance organised and attended. legislation? Well there are a few key most alarming piece of the entire Having attended so many community areas that cause extreme concern and legislation—because they permit events, SUFN is convinced that these some that simply don’t make sense: broad-scale land clearing and the laws are not supported by the vast clearing of endangered ecological majority of farmers, nor those in urban 1. Queensland-style mapping communities (EECs) on Category areas. Our information is that the The proposal to map land into 2 land. The ‘equity’ code allows reforms were driven by a small part of ‘unregulated’ (Category 1) and a landholder with lots of native the NSW Farmers Association who ‘regulated’ (Category 2) which then vegetation to clear between 100 and do not represent the broader farming dictates what can take place is a 500ha every three years (depending on community in NSW. The day before recipe for disaster. This was one of farm size and location) to a minimum submissions closed NSW Farmers took the key changes in Queensland, of 10% vegetation cover. Even though the extraordinary step of withdrawing and we know that clearing of ‘high this clearing is certifiable by Local their support for the draft legislation. value regrowth’ on unregulated land Land Services (LLS), LLS have no legal Why? Because the proposed laws don’t accounted for 67% of the huge spike means to refuse an application. The go far enough in allowing unfettered of land clearing that ensued. In NSW, farm efficiency codes are also a major farm management. Their move is a post-1990 regrowth is proposed to concern as these permit clearing of major blow for The Nationals who have be categorised as unregulated and ‘islands’ and ‘peninsulas’ of vegetation; long campaigned to get rid of the Native the lesson from Queensland is that this is a problem because many Vegetation Act for this small group of much of this will be lost—yet in woodland EECs are now only found vocal landholders: now, despite their best coastal NSW 26 year-old regrowth in small fragments, meaning that they efforts to almost-entirely deregulate land can resemble a pretty decent forest! could be entirely lost or substantially management they have been abandoned Furthermore, because code-based reduced under the new laws. This by those they purport to represent. clearing applies on Category 2 land it’s in turn has major implications for

12 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES connectivity in the landscape. and the ambitious, popular Great But the codes go even further: Eastern Ranges Initiative. The Category 2 land that is cleared laws potentially clash with the under codes is to be remapped Commonwealth EPBC Act, because Category 1. This means that the some of the EECs vulnerable to potential for rorting is huge: for clearing (and species that will example, clearing could occur near be affected by it) are protected the coast under codes, and down under the EPBC Act. Climate the track a rezoning could make change is not considered in the the cleared land extremely valuable. new legislation despite the Abbott- A look at the different types of Turnbull government having spent code-based clearing (and allowable $1.2 billion to purchase emissions activities) in Queensland and reductions in the land sector via NSW shows striking similarities! avoided clearing. The increase in clearing in Queensland has already 3. An over-reliance on dramatically undermined these It is almost impossible to recreate a habitat with offsetting efforts, and increased clearing in similar ecological value once vegetation has been cleared The core message in the new NSW as a result of these proposals laws is that nothing is off limits to will further contribute to a huge clearing because it can be offset. waste of taxpayer money. Finally, Unfortunately this ignores some the NSW State of Environment ecological realities such as the Report (2015) identified the difficulty in recreating nature, the Native Vegetation Act as a key lack of fungibility of nature and piece of legislation in protecting time lags between the loss of habitat soils and facilitating sustainable and its replacement maturing land management, yet the sufficiently to provide similar government proposes to repeal it. habitat. There are also confounding These examples of contradictory technical and definitional issues: policy are incredibly concerning for example, protecting (setting because they are a clear example that aside) intact habitat as an offset for the different layers of government clearing still results in a net loss almost completely ignore each other! of vegetation, and the new laws It’s difficult to see how, without a permit the ‘offsetting of offsets’—a substantial overhaul of environment long-held fear by opponents of legislation at the Commonwealth offsetting and confirmation that level, we can achieve long-term Land clearing is a key threat to Koala populations in NSW and Queensland offsetting in the new legislation environmental protection when state is little more than an accounting governments act in contradiction trick to permit development. to the national interest. Finally, there are no ‘red flag’ areas Where to next? that are off limits to development due to their conservation At the time of writing there had status or irreplaceability. been no indication from government as to its response to submissions. 4. Contradictions with Environment groups, including existing policies NPA, are calling for its withdrawal The new laws are awash with policy and redrafting—this time with inconsistencies. They will accelerate meaningful consultation and a Key Threatening Processes such goal to protect the environment as the loss of hollow-bearing trees, and facilitate responsible farming. clearing of native vegetation and The SUFN alliance will continue removal of dead wood and trees. its campaign to persuade moderate They also undermine efforts by MPs to argue for better protections multiple Local Land Services to for nature and to increase public increase connectivity and native awareness of the legislation. Research has demonstrated a host of benefits You can find out more at to farms including erosion control and shade vegetation on farms by promoting for stock. the planting of paddock trees, standupfornature.org.au

Spring 2016 13 WildCount Monitoring wildlife trends in NSW National Parks

Dr Oisín Sweeney Senior Ecologist, National Parks Association of NSW

WildCount is the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s (NPWS) large-scale wildlife monitoring program. In May NPA Senior Ecologist, Dr Oisín Sweeney, joined NPWS Biodiversity Officer Phil Craven for a week of WildCount to learn more.

here was a hard frost right along recognising this problem and taking is not fine-scale enough to detect Kangaroo Valley as Phil and I active steps to rectify it. Given NPWS wildlife changes on a park by park T drove from Tomerong to the manages over seven million hectares basis, but will allow NPWS to detect Southern Highlands early on the of land, and government funding is changes in occupancy in the landscape morning of the 30th May. A perfect declining (despite the huge economic for more common species. For rare day for a walk in the bush! As it turned importance of National Parks to the and threatened species such as the out we were to be lucky all week as NSW economy), the use of motion- spotted-tail quoll WildCount is more we somehow escaped the rain - and sensitive cameras to detect wildlife useful for generating opportunistic finished up before the big east coast low is logical. This is the approach that records and as a trigger to undertake hit the following weekend. In fact the WildCount has taken since 2012 more thorough investigations where following Sunday Stonequarry Creek, when the project was piloted. required, as the number of records a tributary of the Bargo River that is insufficient for robust analysis. runs through Picton, burst its banks So the first item of business for Phil and devastated the town where we had was to make sure I could successfully stayed just a few nights previously. navigate to and pinpoint the previous There were many treats in store for me camera locations so that we could as we hiked through Bargo River State deploy ours as close as possible. Phil’s Conservation Area (SCA), Burragorang detective skills are well developed at SCA, Yengo National Park and spotting the signs of previous teams Wollemi National Park. First though, – such as pruned vegetation to ensure some background on WildCount. a clear field of view for the camera. Once the camera location had been The motivation behind Swamp Wallaby Photo: WildCount identified, we strapped our camera to WildCount a tree at 1.5m and anchored a bait ball Project design WildCount was developed as a (of oats and peanut butter, a mix that response to the realisation by NPWS WildCount is halfway through its no wild animal seems able to resist that over 70% of native animal species planned 10 year run. The high-level regardless of species) two metres away, were described as ‘data deficient’. aim of WildCount is to detect changes and lightly pruned any vegetation This meant that NPWS’s ability to in as many animal populations as that could have set off the camera. effectively manage species within possible over the life of the project. Then it’s just a matter of waiting for the National Parks network was The WildCount team puts out 800 two weeks before retrieving them. cameras every year for two weeks - compromised, as was the ability So what are they finding? of NPWS to respond in a timely four cameras in each of 200 1x1km fashion to population changes if sample sites randomly placed across There’s a great sense of anticipation required. Considering the dramatic 146 National Parks throughout when collecting the cameras and changes in wildlife populations eastern NSW - designed to sample a downloading the images! Phil and in other parts of Australia such as variety of habitats as well as rainfall I put cameras out in Bargo and Kakadu, NPWS deserves credit for and altitudinal gradients. This design Burragorang and retrieved from Yengo

14 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES WildCount Monitoring wildlife trends in NSW National Parks

Koala Photo: WildCount Spotted-tail quoll Photo: WildCount Red foxes Photo: WildCount

and Wollemi. By far the most common volunteers are and what rules will quail-thrush. All of this data goes to species from our cameras was the need to be applied to the data to the NSW Atlas of Living Australia swamp wallaby, and in fact this is true ensure a high standard. NPWS so it’s available for others to use. for the entire WildCount program have agreed to tell us more about Highlights of WildCount so far with swampies accounting for this in a future edition of Nature. Trees and plants were a major >80% of the 260-280,000 images Who’s Living on my Land? generated each year! Besides swamp highlight for me—and I was lucky in wallabies, brush-tailed possums, Nature readers will be familiar with this regard as Phil was able to teach me wombats and lyrebirds are the most one of NPA’s major citizen science lots of species I wasn’t familiar with. commonly detected species alongside projects, Who’s Living on my Land? Being in areas like Bargo River and (of course) foxes. But rare and (WLOML), which is run by Margot Burragorang that were long unlogged threatened species like black-striped Law. WLOML and WildCount use or had never been logged was a real wallaby, brush-tailed rock wallaby, the same methodology, but WLOML treat! Burragorang contained some spotted-tail quoll, long-nosed potoroo, does not revisit sites on an annual of the biggest turpentines I have ever rufous bettong, koala and even grey- basis so the data cannot be used in the seen, plus lots of spectacular smooth- crowned babblers have also been same way as WildCount’s. In contrast barked apples—as well as some great picked up, often on multiple occasions. to WildCount’s public land focus, looking quoll habitat. In Bargo River, Now that a robust data set is being WLOML supplies private landholders where our week began, we visited gathered NPWS can analyse not only with motion cameras so they can a magnificent rainforest gully with population trends, but also potentially investigate what native and invasive large coachwoods, saw some prime the influence of environmental factors species are present on their properties. examples of my favourite eucalypt such as rainfall, altitude and fire regime WLOML complements NPAs efforts in (Grey Gum, E. punctata) and some on populations of native species. the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative and great glider habitat. Yellow bloodwoods In the near future, there is likely is a great way for private landholders recovering from fire and woody pears to be an opportunity for citizen to become involved in conservation were highlights in Yengo, alongside scientists to become involved with and pest management. Up to now, an unbelievable lyrebird display. And WildCount. NPWS are planning WLOML has generated over 100,000 the biggest tree of the week was in a to use volunteers to help identify images and has picked up some small valley in Wollemi National Park. species in the thousands of images fantastic species like koala, spotted- A true giant, it must comfortably pre- they generate. Currently, verification tail quoll, brush-tailed phascogale, date Europeans. I haven’t yet managed is underway to check how accurate northern brown bandicoot and spotted to work out what it was though…

Spring 2016 15 The Nudibranch Creature Feature John Turnbull President, National Parks Association of NSW

lown, Marigold, Splendid, Dancer, order Nudibranchia. They all have avoid digesting them, and move Dragon… nudibranchs have some external gills; that is what nudibranch them onto the animal’s back where C of the most colourful names, means – “naked gills”. Their gills they continue to provide protection and bodies, in the animal kingdom. are arranged either along the sides to their new host. So the bright Their peculiarities are more than skin of the body or in a cluster on top colours are a warning – “I’m toxic”! deep too, as they have a number of towards the rear, which look like Nudibranchs are hermaphrodites quite intriguing survival strategies. waving fern fronds. Think of them – they have both male and female Nudibranchs are a family of as lungs turned inside-out. Many reproductive organs in the one body. Opisthobranchia (sea slugs) within the nudibranchs can retract their delicate For genetic diversity, however, they phylum Mollusca (molluscs). They are branchia and rhinophores when they don’t want to self-fertilize, so they still therefore cousins to chitons, limpets, feel threatened. Nudibranchs have a have to find a mate. This is a good abalone, whelks, scallops, oysters… pair of rudimentary eyes and a pair of strategy for a sparsely-distributed even cuttlefish and octopus. And for rhinophores that look like tentacles, animal, because when you do find those terrestrials out there, yes they are which are chemical receptors. another individual of the same related to land snails and slugs too. You’d think that a slow-moving, species, you have 100% chance they All molluscs have bodies of the small, shell-less animal would not will be the right sex! Nudibranch same basic pattern, believe it or not. want to be noticed. So why are reproductive organs are on the forward They have a muscular foot and a nudibranchs often brightly-coloured? right side of the body, so a mating separate visceral mass containing all It’s a warning to potential predators. pair lines up in the characteristic the messy bits. The visceral mass is Nudibranchs have highly sophisticated head-to-tail position (see front cover contained in a sheet of skin called digestive systems, and most of the photo) and each animal provides the mantle. A calcareous (calcium things they eat are either toxic or sperm to the other. Fertilisation carbonate) shell is often present, venomous, such as sponges, soft then takes place internally, and although in the case of nudibranchs corals and hydroids. The nudibranch’s the animals lay a spiral egg mass. it is discarded after the larval stage. digestive system can identify and Some species, like blue dragons, There are several families under the separate the toxins and stinging cells, stay around to protect their eggs.

16 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES There are over 300 species of nudibranch in Australia. The most commonly-found families are: Family Description Photo

Named after the Greek sea nymph, Doris, they are often drably coloured and feed Dorididae primarily on sponges. Most common in NSW are the marigolds and variable dorids.

Brightly coloured, often tropical, they feed on sponges and other invertebrates and sequester the toxins in their own bodies for protection. Most common in NSW Chromodorididae are the sweet ceratosoma, splendid, Tasmanian, Bennett’s and black-margined chromodorids.

Best known are the blue and purple dragons. The blue dragon feeds on soft corals and sequesters photosynthetic algae Facelinidae and down its back, where the algae continue to produce food for the animal – a symbiotic Flabellinidae relationship similar to that found in hard corals.

There are another 30 or so nudibranch families, so if you’d like to know more it’s worth getting a book or two, or visiting one of several dedicated nudibranch web sites. For some divers, finding a rare species of nudibranch is a highlight, and of course Other Nubibranch some scientists dedicate their lives to studying these complex, unique animals. Families From the tropics to Antarctica, the surface of the sea to the ocean floor, there are nudibranchs to be found. Colourful in name and nature, a lifetime studying nudibranchs just doesn’t seem to be enough!

Spring 2016 17 Fish Rock Featured Dive Category: Boat dive Access: By boat from South West Rocks Depth: 24 m Special equipment: Powerful dive light for the Rating: Moderate to advanced tunnel

John Turnbull President, National Parks Association of NSW

ish Rock is a small islet two pretty ordinary (used) air. kilometres east of Smoky My favourite part of the dive, F Cape. It doesn’t look however, is as you approach like much on the surface, but the exit, which is a massive underwater is a different story cathedral-like opening which altogether. This is one of the top glows blue with ambient light. ten dive sites in Australia, and is Critically endangered grey nurse considered by many to be one of sharks are often circling in this the best cave dives you can do. natural amphitheatre, alongside A wide diversity of marine schools of fish, making a life lives around Fish Rock, beautiful and rare natural scene. but the real attraction is the Fish Rock is an aggregation A Curious blue groper tunnel or cave which passes site for grey nurse sharks and Photo: John Turnbull underwater from one side of has been declared critical the islet to the other. The dive habitat. As such, some forms of starts by descending to the cave fishing are restricted within 200 entrance, which is low down on m of the islet. Unfortunately, the southern side of the island this is inadequate to ensure in around 23 m of water. As you protection of these magnificent enter the cave, which is only just animals, as they range up and big enough to swim through, down the coast and are often don’t touch the bottom as a observed at Fish Rock with big wobbegong lives there! fishing gear lodged in their You then ascend a chimney, mouths, or trailing behind taking care to control your them. More needs to be done if Grey nurse at cave entrance Photo: John Turnbull buoyancy and not ascend we are serious about preserving too quickly. Of course your our east coast population. visibility is restricted to your A double dive here can involve torch light at this stage, so an exploration of the shark take a bright light and a spare. gutters on dive 2. This is worth You then move horizontally, it, as you can hover on the edge between rock slabs where of a gutter and watch the grey lobsters and black cod are often nurse sharks circling below. Of seen. At one point along the course, grey nurse sharks are not 125 m tunnel you can rise to a dangerous so you can enjoy the small bubble cave, where you scene with a frisson of fear, but may choose to remove your no real concerns for your safety. regulator and breathe some Diver next to Sponge algae wall Photo: John Turnbull

18 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Rock Platforms Walking on the Edge

John Turnbull President, National Parks Association of NSW

As far as rocks go, you have to love sandstone. Our beautiful sandstone bedrock in NSW gives us our majestic historic buildings, our stunning red-yellow cliffs and our sandy beaches. At the interface where land meets sea, it also gives us a fascinating and sometimes dangerous formation – the rock platform. Photo: John Turnbull

ock platforms are formed when overhangs. You can easily spend a bring your camera – I regularly take my waves erode the base of cliffs couple of hours exploring a single rock DSLR with me to get macro shots of R over time. This leads to notch platform. Avoid turning over rocks as molluscs, wide angles of the platform caves which may eventually collapse, this can disturb the marine life, but if and telephoto shots of seabirds. I also leaving behind a flat section at the base you’re careful you can lift the occasional take a water resistant compact camera of the cliff. Wave energy then passes rock to see underneath so long as you which is great to put in rock pools over the platform, leading to gradual replace it exactly as you found it. Be for underwater close-ups of critters. erosion from above. This gives rock careful where you tread, staying on There are too many rock platforms platforms their characteristic surface sand and bare rock wherever possible. in NSW to list them all here; in complexity, which provides a home Always check weather forecasts before Sydney alone there are interesting rock for a wide diversity of marine life. doing a rock platform walk, as big seas platforms at North Narrabeen, Long Rock platforms are a tough place to and high winds can be dangerous. Reef, Bluefish Point, Shark Point and live. As tides rise and fall twice each Time your walk for low tide, and as Shelly Beach (Cronulla). NPA runs day, organisms are in turn exposed to a rough guide don’t proceed with the walks to some of these platforms, the baking sun and submerged under walk if seas are over 2 metres high or check the activities program for details. water. Wave action threatens to rip 10 seconds period, or winds over 20 Several of Sydney’s Aquatic Reserves plants and animals from the rock, and knots. Each rock platform is different, protect invertebrates in the intertidal predatory pressure comes from above, so when you arrive check the local area; of course always check the signs. in the form of birds, as well as below, conditions in any case. If there is any Outside of Sydney, if you are near a from fish and invertebrates. Yet there form of swell passing over the platform, Marine Park, check out the literature, are many organisms that manage to live stay back and always stay facing the for example there are several rock in the rocky intertidal zone, including water so you can see what’s coming. platforms highlighted in Batemans barnacles, anemones, crabs, sea urchins, A few particular items of equipment and Solitary Islands Marine Parks. sea stars, chitons, sea hares, sea snails, will make a difference to your rock Depending on the time of year, colonial worms, sea squirts and algae. platform walk. Bring a guidebook keep an eye out for whales, dolphins It’s best to explore rock platforms as or identification sheets so you can and seals too – on a recent walk in a slow nature walk. Go too fast and appreciate the animals you find. Bring the Royal National Park we saw all you’ll miss most of the marine life, sun and wind protection of course, and three. The land-sea interface might be as animals are typically small and wear shoes that can get wet – I prefer “on the edge” for us humans, but it’s secreted in crevices, pools and shady non-leather soft-soled sandals. And yes, abundant with other forms of life.

Spring 2016 19 Bringing the buzz back to the Cumberland Plain Woodland

Margot Law Citizen Science Officer

and clearing for agriculture and urban expansion in Western L Sydney has reduced the Cumberland Plain Woodland to less than 10% of its original distribution (Tozer, 2003). The Cumberland Plain Woodland is a critically endangered vegetation community that grows on the shale soils of Western Sydney with a grassy to herbaceous understorey and a canopy dominated by one or more of the following tree species: Grey Box (Eucalyptus moluccana), Forest Red Gum (E. tereticornis), Narrow-leaved

Ironbark (E. crebra), Thin-leaved Female blue banded bee Stringybark (E. eugenioides) and Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata). This ecologically significant Environmental Trust Restoration regeneration effort and improved community is represented mostly by and Rehabilitation grant. We have habitat. Hopefully the results will small patches, plus a few large stands teamed up with The University of be un-BEE-lievably fantastic! of Cumberland Plain Woodland Sydney and three councils from (e.g. Kemps Creek Nature Reserve) South Western Sydney – Camden, References surrounded by Sydney’s suburban Campbelltown and Liverpool – to Lomov, B., Keith, D. A. & Hochuli, sprawl. Many of these fragments have restore the floral diversity of six patches D. F. 2010. Pollination and plant been disturbed by grazing, logging, of Cumberland Plain Woodland reproductive success in restored urban increased nutrient loads from fertilisers, adjacent to new housing developments. landscapes dominated by a pervasive dumping and urban expansion. We are working with Councils to exotic pollinator. Landscape and Urban Considerable effort is being directed start up new bushcare groups at each Planning, 96, 232-239. to restoring these remnant patches of the sites to encourage residents Tozer, M. 2003. The native vegetation of Cumberland Plain Woodland in new housing developments of the Cumberland Plain, western to their former glory; but insect to protect their local woodland. Sydney: systematic classification and pollinators are rarely considered in Concurrently, ‘Bringing Back the field identification of communities. restoration plans even though they Buzz’ will be running an education Cunninghamia, 8, 1-75. provide a crucial service to ensure program at school and community the reproductive success of an ‘working bees’ to encourage pollinator ecosystem (Lomov et al., 2010). friendly behaviour in suburban The National Parks Association backyards in South West Sydney. will be “Bringing the Buzz Back to We’ll be surveying insect This project has been assisted by the the Cumberland Plain Woodland” pollinators throughout our project New South Wales Government through with our new project funded by the to see how they respond to our bush its Environmental Trust.

20 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Geetha Ortac Citizen Science Officer

n Evening with the Dragons, held at the Australian Museum A on 24 June 2016, marked the successful completion of the first phase of NPA’s ‘Dragons of Sydney Harbour’ citizen science project. This project highlighted the role of Eastern Water Dragons (Intellagama lesueurii) in the environment and the threats (e.g. littering, habitat loss) to their survival at a series of events. Over the past six months, 145 students and community members assisted us with the Water Dragons survey and restored one hectare of bushland at Bradleys Head in Mosman. The evening’s event provided an Participants and NPA staff at An Evening With The Dragons event held at the Australian Museum opportunity for NPA, past partners and participants to come together in one space and share their inspiring students from Centennial Park had throughout this project. Greater stories. The stories highlighted the progressed further to pursue animal Sydney Local Land Services (provided project’s ability to engage students or biology related courses following support through funding from the and the community leading to their participation in this project. This Australian Government’s National significant learning outcomes that is a truly remarkable outcome that Landcare Programme), Macquarie increased awareness about urban shows the project’s ability to create University, Taronga Zoo Sydney, and wildlife, and impacts from human positive changes in youth experiencing Conservation Volunteers Australia. activities such as littering. behavioural and mental health issues. During the evening, three past The evening ended on a high note as participants gave a short presentation guests left the venue with a positive If you are affiliated with about their experience with the buzz and enthusiasm to be part of the a high school or a youth Dragons project. One of the next phase of the Dragons project. group based in NSW and presentations was by David Lomas, NPA will be launching the second interested to participate in principal of Centennial Park School. phase in the coming months. We the upcoming project, please This school assists students with will continue to engage high school enquire with Geetha Ortac mental health issues to help build students and increase participation of (Citizen Science Officer) at their self-confidence along with members from other youth groups. [email protected]. other essential life skills. David We wish to thank our 2015 partners shared the story of how some of the for their support and contributions

Spring 2016 21 Bushfire Management for Private Land

Grahame Douglas Academic Course Advisor, Post-graduate Bushfire Protection Program, Western Sydney University

ushfires can have a devastating Duty of Land Owners and holder to undertake hazard reduction effect on public and private assets, Occupiers works in accordance with the BFEAC. including infrastructure, houses Some areas are not subject to such a B Land owners (and occupiers) have and the environment. Recent major Code, including rainforests, wetlands a duty to ensure that they prevent events such as those impacting on the and riparian areas. These may be fires spreading on or from their Warrumbungles and Winmalee in subject to greater environmental property, however, such a duty needs NSW bring with them political as well assessment processes, in recognition of to be practical and in line with the as financial and environmental costs. their special place in the community. risks associated with bushfire events. Those experiencing loss can readily However, for the BFEAC to work This includes private and public land point the blame at others, however, we effectively there needs to be an asset at holders. Where a private land owner all have a role to play in ensuring our risk. It is for this reason, that a Bush fails to exercise this duty of care, then communities are safer, and our cultural Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate in NSW, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and environmental assets are protected. should not be used to clear land for may issue a notice to the land holder Most conservationists understand future housing development or the like. to remove a hazard, however, a notice that our natural areas have a degree of Development for housing, subdivision cannot be issued for the purposes of resilience when it comes to bushfire or other classes of development should, removing feed (or shelter) for stock, events. Biodiversity thresholds and are, subject to other environmental nor for affecting threatened species have been designed to assist in land assessment processes based on risk, or other high conservation values. management, by recognising minimum and recognition of the value of our In other words, some form of (and maximum) fire frequencies, fire environmental and cultural assets. environmental assessment is needed intensities and fire seasonality for when exercising the duty of care by many ecological communities. Some Planning for Bush Fire a land owner, or by agencies seeking areas exhibit greater resilience in the Protection to ensure community safety. face of frequent and intense fires, Developments for housing, residential whereas others are more susceptible Bush Fire Environmental and rural residential subdivisions or to just a single disturbance. Assessment Code (BFEAC) for special fire protection purposes Fauna may be able to flee a fire, but need to meet certain requirements In NSW, the BFEAC allows may have trouble gaining access to when locating in bushfire prone areas. both public authorities and private habitat, food resources or become These bushfire protection measures land holders to gain a simplified prey to other species (including feral include suitable access, water supplies, environmental assessment, which species) in the face of major fire events. landscaping, construction and asset covers most environmental situations. Fires may create habitat or destroy protection zones (or setbacks). This BFEAC is used to guide the habitat. Bushfires are complex both Asset protection zones, in conjunction approval process to obtain a (free) Bush in time and space, so it is often hard with suitable construction techniques, Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate, to develop strategies which can gain are crucial. These measures are which lasts 12 months, and allows the consensus from different perspectives. determined by considering the likely

22 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES 1:50 year design bushfire conditions, which arise from the type of vegetation (and its fuel), the weather and the slope under the vegetation. It is often mis-interpreted that these provisions allow for vegetation clearance, however, the intent is the opposite, with housing being ‘set back’ from the retained bushland. However, decision makers such as Councils or the Department of Planning have to implement this intent, as they are the decision makers of what vegetation can and cannot be cleared. Recent Changes and the 10/50 Right In the light of the devastating Rural farmland near Coolah Tops National Park bushfires at Winmalee in October 2013 which saw more than 200 homes lost from bushfire, the NSW bushfire prone areas (distances of accredited bushfire planning and Government amended the Rural Fires up to 100 metres from bushland). design (BPAD) practitioners to assess Act to introduce provisions which The right does not apply to National proposed developments. These people granted a right to private land holders Parks estate, nor does it now apply to are highly qualified and available to to clear any vegetation up to 10 metres many categories of land, including provide independent assessment advice from a building, and clear any shrubs koala habitat, SEPP 14, SEPP 26, on the maintenance of protection or grass (non trees) for a distance wetlands of various types, and measures for both existing and new of up to 50 metres from a building. critically endangered species or developments, in accordance with The right also allowed neighbours critical habitat, and not within 100 the BFEAC. Land owners may have to approach each other to clear on metres of a coastal foreshore. The to pay for the service, but better adjoining properties where such right is not an approval as such, but an independent process than a vegetation was perceived as threatening is a defence to a prosecution under self assessment system by the land houses. This right was borrowed NSW environmental laws, and allows owner. This can operate in a similar from Victoria which introduced both for a land owner to self assess their way to complying development. a 10/50 and 10/30 right with the own clearance. Such exclusions are It is time for the NSW Government bush fire management overlay and necessary and in the public interest. to rethink the 10/50 provisions, and put in place a simple and bushfire prone areas respectively after Future directions the Black Saturday fires of 2009. effective regulatory regime which When first introduced in NSW, it This article has attempted to recognises the need for managing applied to all vegetation (including provide a summary of the underlying bushfire risk, and our precious rainforests, wetlands and riparian principles for private land holders natural and cultural assets. areas) without any need for an in managing bushfire risk to assets approval, undermining the BFEAC and of value (economic, cultural and References bushfire hazard reduction certificates. environmental), but the detail is AusLII website: http://portsea.austlii.edu. It was claimed this was necessary to usually more complex. These cannot au/cgi-pit/maketoc.py?skel=/home/www/ allow people to protect there homes, be covered in the short space available. pit/xml/nsw/act/nswA1997-65_skel. however, it applied to land outside of The NSW Government has already xml&date= (for NSW Rural Fires Act 1997 the mapped bush fire prone areas (350 developed a free approval process using as amended) metres from bushland), and allowed the bushfire environmental assessment CFA website: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ for wholesale clearance of harbour code and bush fire hazard reduction plan-prepare/vegetation-management/ foreshore areas, SEPP 14 Wetlands, certificates. A greater problem exists in NSW Rural Fire Service (2006). Planning SEPP 26 Littoral Rainforests and relation to people failing to maintain for Bush Fire Protection, 2006. placed pressure on Councils and other there bushfire protection measures, NSW Rural Fire Service (2006) Bush Fire public land managers to also clear such as asset protection zones. New Environmental Assessment Code for New vegetation under the 10/50 provisions. purchasers usually are unaware of South Wales. The NSW Government has since the approval conditions relating to NSW Rural Fires Service (2015) 10/50 pulled back some of the worst features maintenance or the risks they confront. Vegetation Clearance Code of Practice for and the right now applies only to In NSW, the RFS has recognised New South Wales.

Spring 2016 23 Shoalhaven’s Plan to become a premier walking tourism destination Barry Tomkinson Convenor, Milton National Parks Association of NSW Electorate

A plan to develop the Shoalhaven into one of the world’s premier walking tourism destinations has gained widespread support at both a local and State Government level. The Concept Proposal has been developed by the Shoalhaven Bushwalking Advisory Group (SBAC), which includes major bushwalking groups in the area such as The Shoalhaven has a long and beautiful coastline. Milton NPA and Shoalhaven Bushwalkers.

he proposal outlines an 14 significant lakes and estuaries, walk from the mouth of the beautiful opportunity to develop a shares two big river subsystems and Narrawallee Inlet near Mollymook, T sustainable walking tourism includes the magnificent Jervis Bay! all the way down south to Durras industry in the Shoalhaven, promoting SBAC have worked with both the Lake, the Shoalhaven southern the beautiful natural environment Shoalhaven City Council (SCC) and boundary. It traverses thirty beaches as an iconic year-round national the NSW National Parks and Wildlife of all shapes and sizes, numerous and international walks destination. Service (NPWS) to develop a vision headlands and rock platforms, Roy Morgan market research has to make the area the “go-to” walking seven lake inlets, some delightful recently highlighted the current destination for both tourists and locals. tracts of forest and heathland and boom in hiking and bushwalking Their aim is to develop and further only a negligible amount of road “as a wonderful opportunity extend the existing network of signed walking. Many tracks are already for savvy tourism operators and walking tracks into a widespread there, nearby accommodation destination marketers”1. network covering the coast, hinterland options are available for different The SBAC vision is based upon the and mountains. These would include markets and road access is good. Shoalhaven being able to leverage its both multi-day and one day walks, Some further investment will be unique natural environment, extending supported by interpretive information needed, including improved track from its unspoilt coastline through to and wide spread walks information on maintenance and signage. Updated its lakes, bushland, escarpment and the web, at information centres and information on the web and in hard mountain ranges. The area contains through commercial guiding services. copy will also be crucial, as will over thirty bushland reserves, national The proposal is based on using targeted marketing and promotion, parks and nature reserves. It has existing infrastructure wherever along with incentives for local 165 kilometres of coastline which possible, starting as a first step with businesses to provide support services. features 109 beaches, spectacular the Southern Shoalhaven Coast Walk. Tourism is a key and growing headlands and rock platforms, This is a superb 55 kilometre, 4-day component of the Shoalhaven’s

24 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Shoalhaven’s Plan to become a premier walking tourism destination

Section from Bawley Point to Kiola

economy, but it has a relatively short development can rapidly tarnish a someone to do an infrastructure peak summer-based activities season. previously well regarded destination. assessment of the track, which Walking tourism has the potential to The SBAC Concept Proposal is underway at the moment. extend the peak season and to smooth has enjoyed wide coverage and The NSW Minister for the the influx of visitors over the entire discussions have been held with Environment, Mark Speakman, year, boosting local businesses and jobs many parties. It has gained a broad has also indicated that NPWS by both increasing activity and also base of support from a range of key will be exploring the concept lengthening seasonal business cycles. players, including local SCC Mayor further with SCC to assess the Above all perhaps, will be the Jo Gash and many of her Councillors, requirements for full implementation need for Government agencies to State MPs Shelley Hancock and of the proposal. “This process will develop and implement robust Gareth Ward and Federal MP Anne identify costs and opportunities, policies to protect the unique Sudmalis. The proposed track for the and inform the potential for future natural environment of the area. The Southern Shoalhaven Coast Walk funding applications, such as the Shoalhaven promotes an “unspoilt” goes through lands owned by both Regional Growth – Environmental brand but as we have recently seen SCC and NPWS and both have and Tourism Fund”, he wrote. at the Great Barrier Reef, this can expressed support for the concept. Hopefully, this work will feed be highly susceptible to damage by The Walking Tourism concept into a joint bid with NPWS for the consequences of badly planned was recently formally presented by NSW Infrastructure funding. development elsewhere in the area. invitation to the full Shoalhaven The international walking tourism Tourism Advisory Group, following References industry is particularly dependant which a consultant has been engaged for its promotion upon the network by SCC Tourism Manager, Coralie (1) Angela Smith, Roy Morgan Research. of social media and personal contacts Bell, to develop the ‘product concept’ of its participants, and one bad and Council has also engaged

Spring 2016 25 Mt Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment Can walkers and bikers work together?

Helen Wilson Illawarra Branch Member, National Parks Association of NSW

he Illawarra Escarpment is Wollongong's biologically rich T green backdrop. While it appears as a continuous forested land form, there are in fact a variety of owners: mining companies, infrastructure organisations, private landholders, Wollongong City Council (WCC) and NPWS. There are many challenges in managing it. The most recent issue to arise has been Mt Keira. It is the escarpment feature closest to the city, a few minutes drive from the CBD, and by general consent an underappreciated asset. Though the views are magnificent, there is little else to attract visitors: no educational facility, no cafe and no recreational opportunities other than limited walking tracks. Over the NPA Illawarra Branch members on a bushwalk in Mt Keira years there have been calls for more development such as a gondola. The tourism body Destination Wollongong declared Mt Keira a The city has been losing its traditional and most people take no notice of 'blank canvas' in late 2015 and put mining and manufacturing base the difference between the summit out a proposal for what it called an for many years and it's generally park and the surrounding Illawarra 'adventure playground'1. This included agreed that tourism is undeveloped. Escarpment State Conservation a tree-top walk, zipline, gondola and Despite the region's diverse geography Area (IESCA) maintained by mountain bike trails. The proposal and many attractions, visitors NPWS. This includes Destination caused a local storm, with roars of don't tend to stay, even overnight. Wollongong, some of whose proposed both enthusiasm and horror. NPA Wanting to exploit the potential for developments were in the IESCA. was among the voices sounding alarm exciting outdoor activities so close Among the groups that shared this about overdevelopment. Mt Keira to the city is understandable. vision of greater opportunity on WCC is a unique site, with an unusual Mt Keira is also unusual with and NPWS land were local mountain variety of vegetation representative regard to its governance. Like other bikers. They represent a growing of many of the escarpment's different lookouts with cafes and picnic sport that ideally needs the kind of plant communities, from Illawarra facilities along the escarpment, the terrain the escarpment offers: long subtropical rainforest in the sheltered summit park is owned and operated drops, steep slopes and sharp bends. gullies to tall sclerophyll forest on by WCC. Unlike the facilities at NPWS's Sustainable Mountain Biking the exposed areas. Furthermore it is Bulli Tops and Sublime Point, the Strategy (2011) assumes that the sport 2 geologically unstable, with a major council-owned area on Mt Keira is will be catered for in national parks . slip a decade ago causing the road and relatively large, nine hectares. The While current NPWS policy allows some walking tracks to be closed. bushland has been run as an annex mountain bikes only on service trails On the other side were those wanting to the Wollongong Botanic Garden. on the escarpment, many cyclists use to boost Wollongong's tourism sector. But there are no border markers walking tracks illegally. The erosion

26 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES seemingly caused by this and many informal bike tracks is a source of constant dismay to conservationists. The mountain bikers formed an organisation, the Illawarra Mountain Biking Alliance (IMBA), and set about involving themselves in the planning of Mt Keira. They are a large, well-connected group with media skills. WCC set up a Mountain Bike Working Group, which began the process of constraints mapping. The council also decided to develop a Plan of Management for Mt Keira Summit Park. This process began with the engagement of a consultant, TRC Tourism, to manage a community consultation process and develop a vision statement. NPA and many others participated in the process and were interested to learn of comparable situations such as Mt Wellington in Hobart. This has both walking and bike trails and is managed by a community trust3. The draft vision statement was equivocal on whether mountain bikes would be allowed off road in the summit park, and this was seized on for criticism by all sides. WCC organised community kiosks at the summit park to discuss the statement. A community rally was held to coincide with one of these with the slogan 'Tread lightly on Mt Keira'. Many NPA members attended along with a number of mountain bikers. Fortunately a potential confrontation between bushwalkers and bikers dissolved into many conversations with subsequent discussion on Facebook. NPA subsequently held a productive meeting with IMBA. Both groups have an interest in maintaining Meeting of NPA Illawarra Branch members, Mt Keira the escarpment's vegetation and the 'wilderness' experience it provides, in seeing a system of well designed and maintained tracks, and in lobbying for permission to use private land. Crucially also we have a shared interest in gaining access to water catchment land west of the escarpment rim. The final version of the vision statement was adopted by WCC on June 25, with a clarification to allow 'connecting trails to permissible mountain biking opportunities in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area'4. This puts the ball mostly into NPWS's court. The local office weren't forthcoming during this process. They need to finalise the IESCA Draft Plan of Management (also 2011)5 with a decision on allowing mountain bikes on routes other than management trails. But there's also a financial challenge. Who will fund the development of sustainable mountain bike trails when so many escarpment walking tracks are undeveloped or neglected?

References 1. http://www.visitwollongong.com.au/uploads/1541/mt-keira- adventure-playground-2016-update.pdf 2. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/ cycling/110649SustMountainBikingStrategy.pdf 3. http://www.wellingtonpark.org.au/assets/Wellington_Park_ Management_Plan_Amending_Plan_2015.pdf 4. http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/meetings/ BusinessPapers/Mt%20Keira%20Vision%20and%20Stakeholder%20 Engagement%20Report.pdf 5. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/planmanagement/ Track up to the peak of Mt Wellington in Hobart draft/110573IllawarraDraft.pdf

Spring 2016 27 Featured National Park Bournda National Park

Brian Everingham President Southern Sydney Branch, National Parks Association of NSW

n March 2016 the State Council are truly spectacular. In addition to prior to reservation and that has had of NPA met in the delightful Bournda the other reserves include some impact on the floristics of the I coastal town of Merimbula in the Mimosa Rocks National Park to the reserve – for example, tree ferns have heartland of our Far South Coast north of Bournda and Ben Boyd been largely removed and in places Branch. On the Sunday, as is usual National Park, Nadgee Nature Reserve dense stands of Allocasuarina have for State Council gatherings, we and Croajingalong National Park in replaced eucalypts - but generally enjoyed a field trip with local Branch Victoria to the south. In addition there the area is responding well to members. The site we enjoyed on this are the wonderful forest parks in the effective management by the Parks occasion was Bournda – a national hinterland that were the centre of so and Wildlife Division and visitors park, north of the town of Merimbula much political activity over so many can enjoy the diverse vegetation and extending through to Tathra. If years. The resulting mix of national of the park including areas of tall you have not been there, go and see park estate is something which local moist forest, open forest, rainforest, it. You will not be disappointed. environmentalists can rightly be proud. wetland, scrub and heath. There are some infestations of introduced Size and Gazettal Landscape plants. These include patches of Bitou Bournda National Park was Given there is a long coastal walk Bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera), once a State Recreation Area but through the park, one of the first Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis), it was converted to national park features of note is surely the cliffs, Paterson’s Curse (Echium sp.), Sea status in 1992 and it also abuts a the dissected rhyolite cliffs along the Spurge (Euphorbia paralias), Tree of larger area called Bournda Nature Kangarutha coast, rocky bays, deep Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Fleabane Reserve. That was established in clefts and narrow beaches, expansive (Conyza sp.), South African Lovegrass 1972 and is 6,088 ha in size. The beaches and coastal lagoons. Enjoy (Eragrostis curvula), Paspalum national park is 2,590 hectares. the geology, enjoy the landscape and dilatatum, Kikuyu (Pennisetum enjoy the wildness, even when near Linkages clandestinum) and Blackberry (Rubus camping grounds, such as the one on fruticosus). Hopefully the Regional If you have never been down to the southern edge of Wallagoot Lake. Pest Management Strategies and the Far South Coast you are in for Vegetation budget allocations will suffice to ensure a treat. A large proportion of the effective management but for the most coastline of the region is protected Much of the forest of the park and part this park is in good condition. by conservation reserves and these reserve was logged and regularly burnt

28 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Animals The birds are most visible to the casual daytime visitor. Indeed over 200 species have been spotted in or near the park. These include woodland and heath birds such as Striated Calamanthus (Calamanthus fuliginosus), Emu Wren (Stipiturus malachurus), Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis) and White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacatus). The ground nesting coastal birds (such as Little Tern, Pied Oystercatcher and Red Capped Dotterels) are subject to disturbance by recreational use of the waterways and foreshore at the eastern end of Wallagoot Lake and that is an issue as this part of the lake is actually not within the park. Who knows how current proposals to modify the biodiversity laws in this state might impact on Recovery Plans in the future. Native mammals recorded include the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), Red Necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus), Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps), Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecular), Feather-tailed Glider (Acropates pygmaeus), Pigmy Possum (Cercatetus nanus), Ring Tailed Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), native rats (Rattus spp.) and Wombat (Wombatus ursinus). As most of these animals are nocturnal it might require some spotlighting and patience to find them but it would be rewarding. It won’t take much effort at all to see Bournda National Park Photo: Brian Everingham the Lace Monitor, Varanus varius. Recreational Opportunities Bournda is easy to get to. There is regular vehicle access via Sapphire Coast Drive and local access roads to Tura Beach, the southern and northern shores of Wallagoot Lake and several sites along the Kangarutha coastline. There is also extensive camping at Hobart Beach campground and there is a coastal walking track along the entire eastern seaboard. In addition, in association with adjacent lands to the north at Tathra, there is a loop mountain bike track in association with the Tathra Mountain Bike Club for the Tathra Enduro Event. Swimming, fishing and boating activities are also available and Wallagoot Lake receives heavy use for sailing and boating, centred on a boat club located on the northern shore. Some of that lake is not within the national park. Conclusion Bournda is a special place and well worth a visit. If you are not from the area, take extra time to also visit the neighbouring parks. You will truly enjoy this part of our national park system and Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Photo: Brian Everingham the hinterland within which they are situated.

Spring 2016 29 What might Allen Strom say about today’s guardianship of wildlife?

Janine Kitson Member of the National Parks Association of NSW

“ The wilderness we have today has to last forever. Without adequate wilderness, our fauna cannot survive ” - Allen Strom Land Annual, October 18, 1961, page 38

llan Fox’s biography “Chief Guardian: The Life and Times A of Allen Strom” has finally been published online as a kindle book available from www.amazon.com. It is an important narrative particularly as Kosciusko National Park the NSW Government is attempting to unwind many critical wildlife protections that ‘Stommie’ and his were Sir Ted Hallstrom koala only known nesting place for the cohorts took decades to achieve. philanthropist and Ellis Troughton endangered Gould’s Petrol. It became In the two decades after WW2 world authority on marsupials known as the John Gould Faunal (1948-1967) Allen Axel Strom pursued from the Australian Museum. Reserve. Also in 1954 Allen Strom extraordinarily enlightened legislative When the Fauna Protection Act was & Allan Fox submitted a proposal reforms that were made possible with gazetted 1948, there were few national for a reserve at Nadgee on behalf of the 1948 NSW Fauna Protection Act parks and these existed by separate Acts the Caloola Club. This was gazetted and its Fauna Protection Panel. Allen of Parliament – including The National as Nadgee Faunal Reserve – Faunal Strom (1915-1997) was a foundation Park (Royal), Kosciusko State Park, Reserve No 6 – in 1957 and was one member on this Panel and when its Ku-ring-gai and Bouddi. of Allen Strom’s proudest conservation chair Frank Griffith died in 1958, The 1948 Fauna Protection Act achievements as it was one of NSW’s Allen Strom became the Panel’s Chair allowed for the dedication of any last remaining pristine coastal areas. and NSW’s Chief Guardian of Fauna Crown Lands as Faunal Reserves By the time the Fauna Protection – a role that he fulfilled until the for the purposes of the protection Panel was absorbed into the National Fauna Protection Act was extinguished and care of fauna, the propagation Parks and Wildlife Service in with the introduction of the National of fauna and the promotion of the 1968, the Fauna Protection Act had Parks and Wildlife Service Act 1967 study of fauna, provided that the approved 52 faunal reserves [later The Fauna Protection Panel (FPP) Minister for Lands concurred. known as Nature Reserves] and had included representatives from the This was a new and innovative 113 proposals awaiting decision. heads of key Government Departments concept that was the beginning of Another legislated task of the Fauna including Lands, Agriculture, Tourism, an ecological understanding about Protection Panel was to promote the Conservation, Forestry, Education, how species are utterly dependent formation of wildlife conservation as well as three nominees to represent upon habitat for survival. societies. This saw the proliferation ‘nature conservationists’. Allen Strom In 1954 Faunal Reserve No. 1 - of environmental groups across NSW was nominated by the Wild Life Cabbage Tree Island – was gazetted. in the 1950s-1960s that came under Preservation Society of Australia and It was based on the recommendations a variety of names such as flora and the Sydney Bush Walkers Club. Other of Newcastle ornithologist, Athol fauna societies, wildlife conservation nominees for ‘nature conservation’ D’Ombrain who had found the societies, natural history societies and

30 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES field naturalist societies. By 1967 fifty such groups had been formed. It was this Government agency - the Fauna Protection Panel - that brought all these groups together by holding a conference in 1955 that was the genesis of today’s Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC). The Fauna Protection Panel not only convened the conference, it provided an independent Chairman, kept the minutes, and organised the venue at the Workers Educational Association of NSW. It was at this conference that an executive was elected who Janine Kitson speaking at a Allen Strom WEA course then would follow up the conference decisions. This NCC Executive Committee maintained a close association with the Fauna Protection and in the following year (1956) at to the Minister for Lands, and later, Panel until it was revoked by the a conference of this Council, details in giving evidence before the Inter- National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1967. of a submission to the Minister for Departmental Committee of Enquiry. Allen Strom, along with the Lands, were drawn up. The Minister I continued to help the Nature National Parks Association and other was asked to bring down a National Conservation Council and remained conservation groups worked hard to Parks Act providing a National on the Executive of the National build the political climate for public Parks Authority and a National Parks Association for some time, support for the 1967 National Parks Parks Service with the necessary whilst occupying the position of Chief and Wildlife Act and the National structure to manage, preserve, and Guardian of Fauna. Parks and Wildlife Service. In Allan expand the national parks system of [Allan Fox Manuscript, page 103-104] Fox’s biography, Allen Strom writes: NSW. The national parks were to Many believed that Allen Strom It is not surprising then, that after be given as much security of tenure should have become the first Director World War II, bodies such as the as that enjoyed by faunal reserves. of the NPWS because of the pivotal National Parks and Primitive Areas The following year (1957), the role he had played in building the Council, the Wildlife Preservation National Parks Association was public support for a state wide Society of Australia, the NSW founded and took over the campaign service for national parks. However Federation of Bushwalking Clubs for a National Parks Act, succeeding Allen Strom lost patience with those and the Parks and Playgrounds in getting the Government to establish politicians and bureaucrats who Movement of NSW, began to petition as Interdepartmental Committee refused to become ecologically aware the Government to take the national to inquire into the Association’s and understand how humans were parks administration out of the recommendations, and to report utterly dependent upon Nature. On Department of Lands’, ‘Parks and thereon. A subsequent follow-up 28 February 1968, Allen Strom was Miscellaneous Branch’ (where it was submission in 1959, drew attention directed by the Public Service Board to associated with racecourses, cemeteries to the illogical and uncoordinated take immediate leave before returning and show grounds) and establish a administration of the Fauna Protection to the NSW Department of Education full time National Parks Service (as Act, the Wildflower and Native – this time as their Conservation had happened in the USA in 1916). Plants Protection Act, and existing Adviser where he established its It was not however, until 1955, that parks and reserves. These three Environmental Education Centres. a very specific and detailed statement administrations were all concerned Allen Strom (1915-1997) firmly was prepared in a printed form by the with the one resource of wildlife and believed that to protect species of nature conservation movement, and naturalness, calling for a National fauna, you’ve got to do it through widely distributed. It was the Caloola Parks and Wildlife Authority. preservation of habitat. This is Club, through its Journal ‘Yarrawonda’ Up until 1957, I had been involved something now under a dark that produced the material, whilst help with the Caloola Club, the Federation cloud as the NSW Government in publicising the details, was given by of Bushwalking Clubs, Nature puts forward a new biodiversity the Federation of Bushwalking Clubs Conservation Council of NSW and conservation bill that threatens to and other bodies and individuals. In the formation and operation of the undermine this basic principle. the same year the Nature Conservation National Parks Association of NSW, Council of NSW began its operations, their submissions and their deputations

Spring 2016 31 Matt’s Walk of the Month

The Walk of the Month is a joint introductory. Guided by one of NPA’s found at www.npansw.org.au. Go initiative with Wildwalks.com aimed volunteer leaders, these walks enable to the website for more information at introducing folk to the joys of participants to ‘try bushwalking’ or and to register for any of these walks. bushwalking. Open to everyone - simply revisit an old favourite. We You can also consult the website members and non-members alike have only listed one walk per month or printed activities program for - each month we choose a walk that due to spatial restrictions but the full details of the 1,000 plus guided walks can be considered both iconic and Walk of the Month program can be offered each year to members.

Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach – Saturday 24th September Length: 6.8km Duration: 3-4hrs section of the harbour, including the Start the school holidays with an fortifications at Bradley's Head and adventure, all welcome, suitable for kids Chowder Bay. around 10+. Parent or guardian Where to meet: We will meet outside the supervision essential. This walk explores ferry wharf at the lower end of Taronga a great section of Sydney Harbour. The Zoo, at the end of Athol Wharf Rd. walk starts at the Taronga Zoo ferry Getting Back to the start of the walk: wharf with views of the Opera House After the walk you can catch a bus and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The home, but if you want to get back to the spectacular views continue as you start it is about 45 min walk via the explore bushland and the bays along the streets. Bookings essential. way. The walk also explores a historic

Pokemon walk (North Head) – Tuesday 4th October School holiday scenic stroll around sense of adventure For Pokemon Go North Head. Open to all, including addicts, there are also some pretty Pokemon hunters! good Pokemon to find and capture! We'll start by doing a 0.7km loop This walk is also suitable for kids and around the Fairfax track. Afterwards, people in wheelchairs. we'll head further inland, following a few Where to meet: 10am at the Bella Vista gravel/rocky firetrails to the North Fort Cafe, 203/33 N Head Scenic Dr, Manly Barracks. NSW 2095. Bring snacks and lunch. There are a plethora of tracks across We'll stop for a coffee along the way. North Head, so we'll be exploring Bookings essential. without a set agenda. Come with a

Spit Bridge to Manly – Saturday 26th November

Length: 9.1 km Duration: 4hrs There are also a few places to get a bite to eat along the way. The Spit to Manly walk is a classic bushwalk on Sydney’s Northern Where to meet: We will meet at the end Beaches. The walk follows a well- of Battle Bvd, Seaforth. This is the north maintained track and provides beautiful west corner of the Spit Bridge. views over Middle Harbour. This walk is Getting Back to the start of the walk: great for those looking for exercise or just The walk ends at Manly. You can walk a stroll along the shoreline of Sydney back to the start via the roads. There are Harbour. If you have time, the side trips also buses, taxis and ferrys from Manly. down to Grotto Point and up to Arabanoo We plan to finish the walk by 4pm. Lookout are definitely worth the effort. Bookings essential.

Bookings for all WOMs are essential. book online: www.wildwalks.com/wom

32 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Book Review

This is a modern odyssey, and allows fellow-travellers, especially an excellent yarn. It's also a solid backpackers, to comment on. I read, but I found myself putting found the view of Australia from a my novel aside to complete it. In young traveller's eyes enlightening a gumnut shell, this is the account on several occasions. Again, of a meandering solo journey transport managers could well take around Australia, based on visiting note – especially those in Tasmania National Parks and reserves, apparently! Yet another thread staying in hostels or pubs and concerns the nature and vagaries using public transport as much as of hostel accommodation, a topic possible. most of us don't get a chance to explore, and gently astute It is a book with many parallel observations on his temporary threads, one of which is the travelling companions abound. author’s scrutiny with a very If your interest isn't particularly professional eye as to how parks in wildlife you would benefit from are managed, especially with reading the book for this aspect regard to track maintenance and alone. Otherwise wildlife is indeed interpretation. Gall has excellent SOUTHERN CROSS a theme in its own right – though as credentials for such observations, an inveterate lister myself I couldn't SAFARI; AROUND having worked in such major parks possibly condone the counting of AUSTRALIA BY BUS & TRAIN as Kosciuszko and Sturt, and dead mammals on my trip list! having managed one of the world's Author: Bruce Gall. great parks in Kakadu. Further, The book isn't illustrated but, Publisher: Redgum Publishing he has headed the park services in a neat twist, the photos are of the ACT and Queensland. He provided on a complementary Price: $35 is a serious walker indeed and web site, grouped as per the his observations on signage, book's chapters – just search for track design and maintenance southerncrosssafari. around the country are sometimes The book is whimsical, lively, complimentary, sometimes astute, with flashes of philosophy acerbic and always informed and and humour – he's obviously a constructive. I hope park managers natural informal interviewer and the country over study the book. note-taker. I really think this book However, these asides often break could become a minor classic – the flow of narrative and could but do yourself a favour and don't perhaps have been assigned to an wait for the movie! appendix, though this is purely a personal opinion. Ian Fraser is a Canberra naturalist, broadcaster, natural history Another thread concerns the blogger and author, whose most strengths – more often weaknesses recent book is Australian Bird – of the nation's train and bus Names; a complete guide. systems to enable a traveller to get around the country and its reserves, a thread he often

Spring 2016 33 NPA News

NPA 2016 Annual Dinner NPA turns 60 in 2017: 8th of October Celebrate with us! The York Conference Centre We are looking forward to celebrating our 60th Level 1, 99 York St, Sydney anniversary in 2017 and we are currently in the planning stages of a variety of activities. Our aim is Join National Parks Association of NSW at our 2016 to rekindle community understanding of what NPA is Annual Dinner. Come along and enjoy a three course all about and to celebrate our rich history and future meal whilst celebrating the achievements of NPA, plans with our members, branches, supporters, its members and supporters. volunteers, staff, bushwalkers and partners. This year our guest speaker will be the Hon. Dr We aim for the celebrations to roll throughout 2017 Mehreen Faruqi, NSW Greens MP. across all areas of the state, so whether you’re keen to help us celebrate as an individual, a small group, a To register: branch or any other gathering, we would love to hear Visit: www.npansw.org.au or contact us directly: from you. If you are keen on organising a celebration in your (02) 9299 0000 or [email protected] local area, potential celebratory ideas include: • Local member reunions NPA Annual General Meeting • Bushwalks themed around popular walks or protected areas in NPA’s history 8th of October • Short videos capturing why local members The York Conference Centre Level 2, 99 York support NPA, published on social media St, Sydney • Screening of nature films • Guest speakers at local events NPA’s AGM will be held before the Annual Dinner. If you would like to attend please contact the NPA Office on • Exhibits of local photos (02) 9299 0000 or [email protected]. We’re looking forward to an action packed schedule in 2017, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

National Parks Association of NSW 2016 Raffle Drawn at the NPA Annual Dinner on 8th October 2016

Tickets: $5 each, $10 for 3 or $50 for a book of 15 Each book of tickets sold enters you in the draw to win an iPad mini! 1st 2nd 3rd valued at Two nights $500 Gift $2,700 mid-week voucher One week holiday from holiday in a for two at Forestry luxury three Crystal Creek Tools. bedroom Meadows apartment in Kangaroo (sleeps 8) at Valley. The Peak in Thredbo*. www.thepeakthredbo.com.au www.crystalcreekmeadows.com.au www.forestrytools.com.au Plus dozens more exciting prizes! Purchase your tickets today Proceeds from our raffle will support conservation campaigns. Every ticket sale makes a difference bit.ly/NPAraffle2016

34 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Congratulations Janine Kitson Sydney Marine Park Janine was recently awarded Life Membership of the Campaign NSW Teachers Federation for her outstanding record It appears the community will be waiting until the of activism and teaching. “Janine Kitson is a byword in end of the year for the NSW Cabinet to make Federation for her huge range of activism and activity, any decision on the management options for the whether it be Gonski, environmental causes, the ABC, Hawkesbury Marine Shelf bioregion. reviewing books for the Education journal or raising money for Stewart House.” Through the work of NPA, NCC, AMCS and others, www.nswtf.org.au/tfac16 Sydney City Council passed a formal motion in June Janine has recently been pursuing aspects of supporting a Sydney Marine Park. Southern Sydney conservation history, including through a series of Branch of NPA is currently seeking support by Local WEA Lectures in conjunction with NPA. See the Government in Southern Sydney. article about Allen Strom in this edition of Nature We can have marine conservation and socio- NSW, and the upcoming WEA course about Rachel economic improvements through all our natural Carson and Marie Byles. resources being better managed. If any readers would like to offer help in raising profile in local WEA Course – Rachel Carson & Marie Byles – government, NSW government or local businesses Two Exceptional Women Who Loved Nature in support of a Sydney Marine Park, contact our marine education facilitator, Gary Schoer at Saturday 15 October, 2016, 10am-12pm, [email protected] or our NPA President, Cost $35 John Turnbull at US writer, Rachel Carson’s (1907-1964) book Silent We will be able to supply you with a template for Spring is claimed to have heralded the modern getting a motion passed by your local council environment movement. Australia’s Marie Byles supporting a Sydney Marine Park, or briefing notes (1900-1979) is recognised as NSW’s first practicing for approaching local coastal businesses for explicit woman solicitor as well as a leading woman support. bushwalker, mountain climber and conservationist. This comparative study of these two women conservationists – an American and Australian – will reveal much about the history of the modern National Park expansion environment movement. grinds to a halt in NSW Tutor: Janine Kitson. Bookings essential New figures released by the NSW Office of For booking any of these two events please Environment and Heritage (OEH) shows the contact WEA, SYDNEY . Ph: (02) 9264 2781 | E: info@ expansion of the National Park estate has almost weasydney.nsw.edu.au | www.weasydney.com.au ground to a halt since the Coalition came to power in 2011. According to the NSW Report on Native Vegetation 2013-14 the average annual rate of Allen Strom Biography now National Park additions under the Coalition to 2013- available online 14 is 9,753ha—a 95% reduction on the previous six-year average of 173,965ha. Allan Fox’s biography of Allen Strom, Chief Guardian: The Life and Times of Allen Strom is now available The NSW government recently returned a $3.4bn for Kindle on www.amazon.com. Allen Strom surplus, yet there was no investment in new (1915-1997) was a leading conservationist and protected areas. That’s despite the knowledge that environmental educator in Australia. This is an National Parks play a key role in regional economies inspiring biography of a person who grew from by driving tourism. In 2015, 25 million nature-based humble beginnings to become the Chief Guardian visitors spent $16.8 billion in NSW. These are big of New South Wales. Allen Strom also founded numbers. National Parks are repaying the investment environmental education centres in NSW and in spades. made significant contributions to environmental management in the state. A must read for anyone interested in nature conservation.

Spring 2016 35 Showing at the Huskisson Pictures 09/09 and Gala Cinemas 18/09. For details visit: www.facebook.com/NPANSW/events