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No. 280| October 2020 bulletin NSW Bushfire NSW Bushfire Inquiry Inquiry • 1 Kosciuszko under attack by Keith Muir from multiple fronts • 2 AN any positives come out of last summer’s calamitous Message from the bushfires? The NSW Bushfire Chair • 2 Inquiry report’s 466 pages Cand 76 recommendations offer hope Howl of the wild – that some bushfire problems can get better – except action on climate The importance change. That wasn’t the inquiry’s job, of dingoes to but they did their best. They examined the evidence and made it clear that wilderness • 3 climate change was a key factor and that’s why fires are getting worse. Whatever happened to Citing extreme weather on top of Tim Cadman? • 4 widespread drought, the report tacitly rejects the simplistic and eco-phobic mantra of “no fuel, no fire”. But like Economic Research many shuffling zombie ideas this one Validates Tourist Boom will never die, no matter how many times it gets a scientific stake through for Lithgow • 5 the heart. The inquiry was of course focused ‘Nature Needs Half’ on the human angle, but how does it Above: Looking into Blue Gum forest fire damage from Lockleys Pylon. needs both science and stack up on environment and natural Photo by Harry Burkitt values, which are inseparable from fire? ecological ethics • 5 Importantly, it didn’t come up with believes NPWS fire expertise and ecological risks of more fire into focus. anything stupid, like indiscriminate bushland knowledge is critical, and Species loss and structural changes It’s too late for Juukan burning with hectare targets. The that NPWS must continue managing to vegetation communities are on Gorge…but Warragamba report logically recommends focusing the ecology of fire in conservation the cards. Analysis for the inquiry close to assets and communities with reserves. NPWS has been very good looked at the biodiversity impacts: 114 Dam is on the burning and other mitigation methods, at putting remote fires out quickly. threatened ecological communities horizon • 6 based on risk and evidence. However A shortage of expert remote area were impacted; more than half of both the Minister for Emergency fire fighters was one reason that plant species endemic to NSW, and Defend the ABC – for Services and the Deputy Premier have some of the massive fires got away in more than half of the plants listed said the government will “go further” the first place, and the government as threatened, may decline because Wilderness’ sake • 6 than the recommendations. The risk wisely announced a boost of 80 fire of the 2019-2020 fires alone. NPWS is that populist, politically-driven fighters for NPWS before the inquiry estimates that 293 threatened animal Nadgee Wilderness • 7 responses will be both damaging and came down. This is not enough, and species were affected. Professor useless, wasting dollars and effort the inquiry lost an opportunity to Dickman roughly estimates that 800 that must go into fire protection that recommend more. million vertebrate native animals were mention. In addition, the findings on actually works. The report spends a lot of words on killed in NSW. The report comes to managing roadside vegetation and fire The report straddles an backburning. It can be argued that the damning conclusion that baseline trails could come with environmental uncomfortable fence on whether while many backburns worked, too ecological information is inadequate, risks if not followed sensitively. grazing and logging forests makes many failed and accelerated the fires. and recommends: “That Government Overall, the NSW Bushfire Inquiry them less flammable. Despite evidence Several led to tragedy. It’s possible invest in long-term ecosystem and has done a good job on a huge task, to the contrary, it didn’t dismiss these the total area burnt could have been land management monitoring”. without enough time. It could never out of hand but deferred to more reduced. Tighter controls and more The report is sometimes coy. While analyse or resolve everything. The research. Any such research needs to research are good measures but, as recommending that heavy machinery onus is now on the government to be properly done and not politicised. with all the recommendations, the should be much better supervised apply the same rational, evidence- The inquiry implicitly recognised devil will be in the detail of how they during fire operations, the unnecessary based approach to further changes and the importance of NPWS in the multi- are acted on. bulldozer damage that occurred in research, while ensuring there is no agency fire fighting effort. Colong The vast scorched area brought the the South East Forests did not rate a backsliding on the recommendations. 2 colong bulletin October 2020 #280 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Kosciuszko under attack Thanks to our members and donors for supporting our end of financial year appeal. You may well be surprised to know, as I was, that you gave us a Colong record for the amount of from multiple fronts income received in June! It would be gratifying to receive such support at any time. By Wilson Harris friend of Kosciuszko National economic strengths of the It cannot however be an accident that the support came at a Park, Barilaro and the NSW region. Through fast-track time when the COVID-19 pandemic had destroyed consumer OSCIUSZKO is Government plan to turn planning, government-led confidence and inflicted recession on the Australian economy. perhaps one of the parts of the Kosciuszko region, studies and development, To the contrary, it suggests that our well-informed donors most threatened including main towns like infrastructure investment, are taking an ethical stand. And we are proud of that. and vulnerable Jindabyne, into a tourist and business concierge, we There are moments when we could all be forgiven Knational parks in . mecca for all seasons. will ensure that our region for feeling disheartened. When, in the face of ever more In the past few years, it has The Snowy Mountains SAP is resilient and well-placed to catastrophic climate change-related weather events, or proof faced unrelenting attack from has five key goals or vision grow.” that species extinction is running at 1,000 times the pre-human thousands of feral horses, the statements earmarked for While some of these rate, a certain number of people in public office – I choose at massively destructive Snowy further development in the aspirations will largely focus random from some very recent examples -- support subsidies 2.0 scheme, and given its region: on developing business and for coal-fired power stations, hold national park services sensitive alpine ecosystems, „ Adventure + Ecotourism culture within townships responsible for record bush fire events, or seek to roll back faces, perhaps more than „ Sport + Education outside the national park, even the modest, existing sanctuary zones in marine parks. most parts of the country, the „ Sustainability + Wellness there are a number of However, we should not allow noisy and self-interested inevitable threats of climate „ Design + Culture recommendations that pose political attacks on conservation to obscure the deeper change. „ Infrastructure + a huge risk to Kosciuszko understanding that runs in our community. On top of all of this, the Connections National Park (KNP) itself. It is more than a little encouraging to see the observations park now faces another “The Snowy Mountains The creation of a ‘precinct’ made a few weeks ago in the Interim Report of the significant threat to itsSpecial Activation Precinct will see implementation of Independent Review of the EPBC Act conducted by the well- integrity – the Snowy will bring together planning new fast-tracked planning known business and public figure Professor Graeme Samuel. Mountains Special Activation and investment to stimulate laws and regulations, which This Statutory Review does not equivocate: Precinct (SAP) announced economic development and will water down (already “The overwhelming message received by the Review is in late 2019 by NSW Deputy create jobs in line with the that Australians care deeply about Premier, John Barilaro. No competitive advantages and continued on p. 3 our iconic places and unique environment. Protecting and conserving them for the benefit of current and future Below: Looking up to Mount Twynam from , in August 2020. Photo by Harry Burkitt generations is important for the nation. The evidence received by the Review is compelling. Australia’s natural environment and iconic places are in an overall state of decline and are under increasing threat. The pressures on the environment are significant—including land-use change, habitat loss and degradation, and feral animal and invasive plant species. The impact of climate change on the environment is building, and will exacerbate pressures, contributing to further decline. Given its current state, the environment is not sufficiently resilient to withstand these threats. The current environmental trajectory is unsustainable.” The restoration of degraded lands is critical to reverse the decline of our environment, but nothing is more important than the protection and conservation of the landscapes we have that are still intact. This is the most effective way to protect our native species and to sequester the carbon that must be taken out of the atmosphere if we are to reach zero emissions by 2050. The Colong Foundation makes an ethical commitment to our supporters to steadfastly pursue that goal! Bob Debus Chair, Colong Foundation For Wilderness THE COLONG FOUNDATION FOR WILDERNESS LTD PO BOX K335 HAYMARKET NSW 1240 TELEPHONE: (02) 9261 2400 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.colongwilderness.org.au PATRON: The Hon. Bob Carr, BA (Hons), Hon. LittD. • DIRECTORS: Chair: The Hon. Bob Debus AM; Vice-Chair: Dr. Haydn Washington B.A., M.Sc., PhD; Hon. Secretary: Alix Goodwin; Hon. Treaurer: Robert Barri Pallin; Directors: Janine Kitson BA, Dip Ed, M Ed, Dip TEFL, MA, M Ed (Hons); Emma Spencer; Dr. Kylie Cairns PhD; Sierra Classen BA (Hons); Joel Daniel Robinson. HON. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Alan Dixon CAMPAIGN MANAGER: Harry Burkitt HON. PHOTOGRAPHER: Henry Gold, O.A.M. • HON. FIRE OFFICER: Ian Brown, O.A.M., BSc. • HON. BULLETIN DESIGN & TYPESETTING: Jenni Gormley The Colong Bulletin • Editor: Bruce Diekman ISSN 1325-3336 (print), 2207-6697 (online) • Printed by SpotPress, Marrickville 3 colong bulletin October 2020 #280 Howl of the wild – The importance of dingoes to wilderness

By Dr Kylie Cairns as well as shifts in vegetation have the opposite effect on communities and even soil livestock production. While it THE FIRST TIME I came quality. might seem counterintuitive, face to face with a wild dingo Despite their ecological research has shown that was in the Blue Mountains importance, dingoes are the dingo control can increase National Park. I was camping only native species afforded stock losses. For example, at Euroka with my husband, few, if any, protections in poison baiting dismantles son and daughter and we Australia, including in our dingo pack structures and were headed back from an National Parks and wilderness disturbs the territorial enjoyable day walk. Through areas. This is largely because behaviour of dingoes, the trees, we spotted a flash of of the real or perceived resulting in the movement colour, as a gorgeous golden impacts they have on livestock of new dingoes into an area dingo ran from the campsite in agricultural areas. If we and consequently increased clearing into the forest. The recognise the dingo as a native impacts on livestock. Baiting dingo revisited the area species in our law, we will also shifts the age structure of several times over the next have to protect it like a native the population towards young few days. It caused quite a stir species. dingoes who are less likely to amongst the other campers Burragorang Valley dingo pup. Photo by Brad Purcell Protecting dingoes does not, be experts at hunting, forcing who – I later found out – had however, mean that livestock them to target livestock (who thought it was a red fox. majority of these animals are on the top of the food chain will be left defenseless. Like are generally easier prey). Misidentification of dingoes pure dingoes or dingoes with a like wolves, bears and lions. North America and Europe has Poison baiting is also selecting is quite common, although small amount of dog ancestry. Globally, diminishing predator done with wolves, Australia for larger dingoes, which the difficulties often lie in Research over the last decade populations have been can learn to co-exist with its might eventually lead to determining whether the shows that less than 1% of associated with ecosystem native predators. Graziers can greater impacts on larger stock animal is a native dingo or an all wild canines in Australia instability and native species use non-lethal protections typically avoided by dingoes, invasive feral dog. are feral dogs or hybrids with decline. In Australia, the such as electric fencing or such as cattle. There is a pervasive view in less than 50% dingo ancestry. dingo is an apex predator that livestock guardian animals Moving forward, there Australia that if it isn’t tan with Despite these findings, in benefits small animals and like llamas, alpacas, donkeys needs to be a better balance white socks, then it must be a National Parks and wilderness plant communities. It does and dogs to reduce the need to between conserving dingoes in feral dog. But this assumption is areas we kill these animals as so by regulating mammalian cull dingoes. The government National Parks and wilderness false. Dingoes come in a range feral pests. This is particularly herbivores such as kangaroos can also provide subsidies to areas, while minimising the of shapes, sizes and colours, concerning not only because and feral goats, and by reducing any farmers who experience risks to livestock. As a new from tan to white to black and dingoes are a native species the impacts of introduced livestock losses due to dingo board member with the Colong even brindle or sable. and these areas are designed smaller invasive predators predation and, in cases where Foundation for Wilderness, it Another incorrect to protect such animals, but such as red foxes and feral cats. non-lethal control doesn’t is my hope that we can lead assumption is that the ‘wild because dingoes also play a When we indiscriminately work, more selective control the way towards educating dogs’ targeted by widespread fundamental ecological role as remove dingoes from programs can be used to target the public (and ourselves) that baiting, trapping and shooting Australia’s only native canine Australian environments, specific problem animals (i.e. to preserve Australia’s natural are non-native feral dogs. In and as an ‘apex’ predator. research has shown that this using professional shooters resources, and importantly reality, DNA testing carried Healthy functioning can lead to overpopulation of instead of poison baiting). its wilderness areas, we must out by scientists such as ecosystems need apex native herbivores, increased We must also recognise also preserve dingoes as a key myself, indicates that the predators, or animals that sit numbers of invasive species, that killing dingoes can part of healthy ecosystems. 

Kosciuszko Under adventure-based eco-tourism. This proposal clearly states snow-sports, have long been use and enjoyment” must Attack Examples of ‘adventure eco- that for many of the proposed a major part of KNP, it is the remain at the forefront of continued from p. 2 tourism’ outlined in this activities to occur, additional natural values and unique ongoing decision-making that proposal’s ‘vision statement’ transport and infrastructure alpine landscape found in such will impact these precious weak) environmental laws or are “bungy jumping deep will need to be developed. a limited part of this dry, hot areas. ‘green tape’. It would be highly into the Thredbo Valley, New sealed roads or dirt roads continent that Kosciuszko is The current NSW inappropriate to sideline the paragliding, hang gliding, or for 4WD’s or motorbikes, or protected for. government has been hell- environmental assessments sky diving”. It also suggests popular options at tourist We must not allow our bent on commercialising our required by state planning “sea plane, helicopter and spots such as new chairlifts, national parks to become national parks, nearly always protocols and the EPBC Act scenic flights over the rooftop funicular or motorised gliders playgrounds for any and every to the detriment of the natural due to KNP’s National Heritage of Australia”, to facilitate the should not be considered, activity. The primary purpose world. While getting people status. For such an ecologically aforementioned activities as as these activities are of national parks, “to identify, to these areas, and engaging sensitive and biodiverse area, well as stand-alone tourist inappropriate for the area and protect and conserve areas with nature often results in tighter planning procedures ventures. These are highly park. containing outstanding or positive experiences, existing are needed rather than inappropriate for KNP and Ultimately, this plan shows representative ecosystems, and legislation and regulations watered-down ones. will have hugely negative a total disregard for the reality natural or cultural features, provide more than enough KNP’s Plan of Management impacts upon the park, and of the binding KNP Plan of landscapes or phenomena scope for appropriate activities must be given primacy in ruin the natural peace, quiet Management and why the area that provide opportunities and do not need to be usurped decision-making processes and serenity that many visitors was reserved in the first place. for public appreciation, by dodgy precinct plans.  for expansion of sports and seek. While recreation, particularly inspiration, sustainable visitor 4 colong bulletin October 2020 #280 Economic Research Validates ‘Nature Needs Tourist Boom for Lithgow Half’ needs both LITHGOW CAN BE the essential. Destination Pagoda nature-based tourism, next ‘most popular’ tourist and the economic research including visits to the Wolgan science and destination town in NSW, on the plan must be play a Valley, Newnes Plateau and argues a report commissioned major role in the post-COVID Capertee Valley. Already one of by the Gardens of Stone recovery for the Lithgow the most popular nature-based Alliance [1]. region. Lithgow is running out attractions in Lithgow is the ecological ethics The report validates of time to diversify its economy Glow Worm Tunnel. These are the findings of the 2019 and add additional pillars to all located within the Gardens Haydn Washington, then you would only take Destination Pagoda visitor plan it that are not connected to of Stone Stage Two Reserve actions for human well-being. as a game changer for Lithgow. mining. Implementation of Proposal. Yet it is a rare visitor MOST OF US go about This might explain why society It provides data and analysis on Destination Pagoda will not who can access Lithgow’s our lives without giving a has allowed things to get so how a State Conservation Area only bring economic relief to internationally outstanding thought to a possible world bad that we are in both an can transform Lithgow into a a region that faces existential geological rock formations where half of the life on extinction and climate crisis. thriving tourist attraction. crisis as its main industry or ‘pagodas’ surrounding Earth will be extinct. Yet that So what is nature Lithgow is the town that rapidly wanes, it will also make the Glow Worm Tunnel. could be before the year 2100 conservation about? Henry can service tourists visiting the region more vibrant and Accessible roads, including (Wilson 2003). We are in the David Thoreau and John the superb 39,000 ha Gardens exciting for its residents. a circuit road to connect the throes of a huge extinction Muir argued it was for nature of Stone landscape, currently The Gardens of Stone Glow Worm Tunnel and the event. However, even herself, that nature had a right located in publically owned Alliance will officially launch pagodas, signage, lookouts, conservationists can deny to exist and thrive. Gifford State Forests and public the independent economic picnic areas, toilets, and this prognosis, as I found out Pinchot in the US Forest reserves, on the western edge report on the Gardens of Stone walking tracks are all needed. a few years back at an NCC Service disagreed, he argued of the Blue Mountains. Stage 2 Reserve Proposal in The added protection of a State conference, when a delegate for ‘wise use’ of resources, and The report predicts that a September as a Zoom webinar. Conservation Area will help refused to believe this was called this ‘conservation’. The new and iconic Gardens of All are welcome to participate ensure that increased tourism possible. Yet the recent IPBES ‘wise use’ of course was just for Stone State Conservation Area in this exciting virtual event. levels are managed sustainably. (2019) report concludes at humanity, not the rest of life. will attract 60,000 new visitors The newly formed ‘For Nature’ A State Conservation Area least a million species are at Muir argued for ‘preservation’ in the first year. That number parliamentary group will be will also provide the quality risk of extinction right now. where we protected wilderness could increase to 166,000 joining in with MPs featuring and quantity of nature-based The reason is the continued and wild places for themselves within a decade. A Gardens as guest speakers. experiences that encourage expansion of the human (Kopnina and Washington of Stone SCA can contribute The report, by research visitors to stay overnight in enterprise – more people, more 2020). Muir’s idea won out in approximately $25.3 million consultant Dr Jo Mackellar, Lithgow, thus adding further consumption, more clearing of the battle for what ‘national in indirect expenditure and assesses the profile andeconomic benefits though ecosystems, overharvesting, parks’ were about. However, a further $15.9 million to the expenditure of potential accommodation, dining and greater mining and pollution today there are worrying local economy, while creating visitors to a new Gardens of retail. With lookouts, walking (Washington 2020). signs that human supremacy an additional 258 full time Stone State Conservation Area tracks, signage, it would create To play devil’s advocate, I is again seeking to take over jobs in Lithgow. Given the that who bring ‘new’ tourist tourist itineraries for a two or will ask: ‘Why does it matter?’. ‘conservation’. There are economic crisis that COVID-19 dollars into Lithgow and the three day visit – there would be Indeed, some years ago I quite a lot of scientists and pandemic is inflicting,region. so much to see and do. asked primary school students academics who argue for a diversifying economies and For many years, Lithgow Tourist numbers have this, and they said worriedly: ‘new conservation’ approach making new opportunities is City Council has promoted increased to the Blue Mountains ‘Because it is just wrong!’. (Kopnina et al 2018) where by 76% over the last 10 years. Indeed it is, but saying it is conservation is just for the Towns such as Katoomba and wrong is a statement of ethics, benefit of people (not for Leura are already overcrowded. indeed of ecological ethics. We nonhuman nature). The whole Tourists want to discover have to ask an ethical question meaning of conservation runs new iconic places to visit and – does the rest of life we share the risk of losing its origins of Lithgow’s Gardens of Stone has this planet with have moral protecting nature for herself. the power to attract and reap standing, and a right to exist So while I am a scientist, the rewards. Lithgow City is for itself? Now I have spent I want to talk also about already well serviced to provide a lot of my life fighting for worldview and ethics. accommodation, dining and wilderness and wild places that Ecocentrism as a worldview shopping for visitors, and it I love, so my answer is ‘Yes!’ is focused on a nature- is only two hours drive from and yours is probably (given centred system of values, Sydney. Relatively high income you read the Colong Bulletin) and accepts that humanity Sydneysiders who enjoy also – ‘Of course it does!’. But is part of nature, and must walking, touring and sight- don’t think for a moment that treat it with responsibility seeing in nature, can’t help but most in society agree with this. and respect. Ecocentrism boost the local economy on We live in an anthropocentric upholds the intrinsic value in their visits. world of ‘human supremacy’, nature. It takes a much wider Lithgow’s Gardens of Stone a neoliberal world where the view of the world than does is long overdue to be our next market is God, and where anthropocentrism, which sees ‘must-see’ tourist destination! the majority of people (and the human species as more governments) seem to think valuable than all other species LEFT: The Gardens of Stone pagoda that ethics applies only to landscape. Photo: Henry Gold people. If you believed that, continued on p. 5 5 colong bulletin October 2020 #280 Whatever happened to Tim Cadman? Creator of Red List calls for forest protection (IN 1991 TIM Cadman, If you have downloaded or used Silkpod habitat, and created a Our governments, of all natural values? To undertake now Dr Tim Cadman, was the ‘Fires Near Me’ app of the landslide into Baalijin Nature political colours, support extractive management for commissioned to write the NSW Rural Fire Service, you Reserve. SFM, and recognise the 1992 a few poles that can easily be original Wilderess Red Index will see that that the Bellinger The Kalang headwater Statement of Forest Principles, sourced elsewhere, at no cost for NSW, a comprehensive Valley is an island of green forests are on steep highly which is part of Agenda 21, to jobs or the economy, is a bit and objective data base on amidst a sea of bushfires, and erodible soils, prone to such negotiated at the Rio Earth like grinding up the Taj Mahal these areas, their resources that the Kalang headwaters events. As a consequence of Summit. SFM recognises that to make marble benchtops. and history. I bumped into are at the very epicentre of this proposed onslaught, a the environment also has All of us who live in him again on Facebook – this that island. The reason why proposal for a Headwaters economic value. The Upper Bellingen shire, love our is his story … Keith Muir) our shire is so verdant, and Nature Reserve was prepared, Kalang and Middle Bellinger forests, and we love our My name is Tim Cadman, so free of fire and drought, is encompassing the headwaters, River catchments are still community. We live in a very and I have been a ratepayer in because our water catchments and the Middle Bellinger and filled with ancient, old-growth special place. We want to keep Bellingen shire since 1997. I are largely being managed for catchments. forests, and sub-tropical it that way by managing our am a research fellow at Griffith protection purposes. The proposal was submitted lowland rainforests. Such high natural resources responsibly, University in forest governance, In early 2019, the Forestry to Bellingen Shire Council, conservation value forests for water quality and quantity, sustainable development, and Corporation of NSW and formally supported in provide and regulate water habitat and recreation, and climate change. I work in announced its intention to a motion passed in October quality and quantity. Young keep forestry where it belongs, countries and places as diverse conduct operations across the last year. In November 2019, forests do not make water, they in sustainable, tree plantations, as the Amazon, Nepal, Papua Kalang catchment, listing in an unannounced process, take water. The headwater outside high conservation value New Guinea, and India helping compartments to be logged the Environmental Protection forests of the Kalang River forests. Over one hundred years local communities, Indigenous in Oakes, Roses Creek, and Agency withdrew forestry’s are an important source of ago the NSW Lands Protection people, governments, non- Scotchman State Forests. The license to log, but being put what are called 'ecosystem Board set the Kalang forests governmental organisations, community was so alarmed, under the spotlight, capitulated services', or 'natural capital', aside, recognising their extreme and all stakeholders to create that they erected a camp on to FCNSW, by stating that and are worth far more than potential for erosion. All that plans for the sustainable the proposed log-landing forests would be made available the individual trees or timber stands between shire residents management of their forests. deck on Horseshoe Road, and under a new licence. The within them, which can easily and the soils of the Kalang are Part of my role as an academic initiated a series of vigil posts status of that licence, and the be sourced elsewhere. In the its forests. We want to keep is to also provide what is called on the entrances to the forest. conditions placed upon FCNSW Upper Kalang in particular, them there, and maximise their 'service to the community.' In addition, they worked with are unknown, and in January Bellingen Shire has one of benefits, instead of minimising This is a voluntary allocation local ecologists to undertake this year, the community the largest and healthiest their value, and compromising of my time, constituting flora and fauna surveys, finding reopened camp, and started the populations of koalas left on our future. To that end, we call approximately ten per cent of threatened and vulnerable road vigils again. the eastern seaboard, and on the Berejiklian Government, my workload, and included in species, including the Silky Sustainable development since the fires affected Port and Environment Minister my approved activities. Milkpod, Scrub Turpentine, recognises that the economy, Macquarie populations so Kean to do the right thing, Last year, I was formally Long-nosed Potoroo, Greater ecology, and society are drastically, it is possibly now and protect the Kalang from requested by my local Glider, Glossy Black Cockatoo, inter-dependent, and you the largest in NSW. logging, now, and for future community to provide help and Koala. Forestry claimed to can't have one without the Imagine the economic generations. and advice regarding the have found few such species, other. Sustainable forest potential that lies at the heart For further information management of the forests of and commenced preparatory management, or SFM, of this shire, if these forests contact timothymarkcadman@ the Upper Kalang headwaters. work that impacted Milky acknowledges the same. were managed for their gmail.com 

Nature needs half for ecocentric conservation, the health of nature (Kopnina ecological ethics approach. We release Intergovernmental Science-Policy continued from p. 4 conservation as if the rest of and Washington 2020). should protect at least half of Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem life matters (because it does!). However, as an environmental nature because we uphold the Services, see: https://www.ipbes.net/ (Washington et al 2017). Prof E. O. Wilson, the scientist who writes a lot about right of nature to exist. In a news/Media-Release-Global-Assessment. Ecocentrism is the broadest of world’s greatest biodiversity ecological ethics, I would point way, ecocentric conservation Kopnina, H. and Washington, H. (2019) worldviews, and goes beyond expert, states that if we want out that the science will often is coming back to basics for Conservation: Integrating social and zoocentrism (seeing value to keep 85% of life on Earth not convince people. It should wilderness conservationists. ecological justice. New York: Springer. in animals) on account of then we must protect half but it won’t, not when a lot We protect the wild because it Kopnina, H., et al (2018) ‘The ‘future explicitly including plants and of our ecosystems (https:// of anthropocentric scientists has a right to exist, we uphold of conservation’ debate: Defending geodiversity. It goes beyond www.half-earthproject.org/ argue that conservation is the key Law of many First ecocentrism and the Nature Needs Half biocentrism (ethics that sees ). This is the premise of the ‘just for people’. Similarly, Nations peoples – protect life. movement’. Biological Conservation 217: inherent value to all living Nature Needs Half movement many scientists promote Because we feel a sense of 140-148. things) by including the non- (https://natureneedshalf.org/ ‘ecosystem services’ or Nature’s wonder, because we love life. Washington, H. (2020) What can I do living aspect of geodiversity. ) that Colong has adopted Contributions to People (NCP) Of course people can deny to Help Heal the Environmental Crisis?. Closely associated is ecological as a vision. The science of without any thought about ethics as well as science, but London: Routledge. ethics, an ethics that argues that this is irrefutable. To achieve what should be People’s we improve our chances by Washington, H., Taylor, B., Kopnina, all of nature (living and non- this vision means adopting Contributions to Nature (such talking about both. H., Cryer, P. and Piccolo J. (2017) living) has value and rights. I ecocentric conservation, as respect and reciprocity, ‘Why ecocentrism is the key pathway to work with a group of academics conserving nature for herself. Kopnina and Washington REFERENCES sustainability’ The Ecological Citizen, 1: around the world promoting There are good scientific2020). I don’t believe we IPBES (2019) ‘Nature’s Dangerous 35-41. ecocentrism, ecological ethics reasons for doing this, as have any chance of achieving Decline ‘Unprecedented’ Species Wilson, E.O. (2003) The Future of Life, and ecojustice. We argue human society depends on Nature Needs Half without an Extinction Rates ‘Accelerating’’, press New York: Vintage Books. 6 colong bulletin February 2020 #278 Defend the ABC – for wilderness’ sake

By Janine Kitson interest journalism about environmental laws are weak emergency broadcasts that afford to lose! Continued alleged Australia war crimes or failing. saved Australian lives during pressure must be put on our THE ABC, OUR national in Afghanistan. As well there Instead of providing the the unprecedented Black politicians. When the ABC is broadcaster, is under attack, have been inappropriate ABC with the funding it needs Summer bushfires, andunder attack – so too is our and by association, so is political appointments to the to report on the Australian continue to do so during the environment. our democracy, society and ABC Board, including Dr environment, the Federal COVID-19 pandemic. The ABC needs our help. environment. Vanessa Guthrie, director of Government has announced: Why is the Government, The $84 million budget cuts The attacks against our ABC Santos Limited, and former „ $400 million to attract the Institute of Public Affairs, must be reversed in October are many. The ABC is being chair of the Minerals Council international film andand News Corp so hostile to 2020 when the Federal Budget weakened maliciously and of Australia. television production to the ABC? Without a strong, is announced. systematically at a time when Yet it is the ongoing Australia well-funded and independent it is urgently needed to inform defunding of the ABC „ $500 million for the ABC, fake news will dominate [1] https://percapita.org.au/our_work/ and educate the public on the that has been the Federal Australian War Memorial and undermine, not only its-our-abc/ major environmental crises of Government’s most powerful „ $50 million to support Australia’s democracy, but [2] http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/ our time: climate emergency weapon. Since 2013, ABC commercial media in regional action on climate change and abc-five-year-plan-2020-2025/ and biodiversity extinction. funding has been reduced areas, and biodiversity protection, all at a [3] https://www.abcfriends.org.au/the_ The Colong Foundation for by almost 30% in real terms, „ $270 billion to increase time when we are in the midst real_facts?utm_campaign=fact_check_ Wilderness knows the ABC stretching it beyond breaking Australia’s military budget. of the sixth mass extinction. member&utm_medium=email&utm_ well. Bob Debus, Colong’s point. A recent independent Yet it was the ABC’s This is not a battle we can source=abcfriends Chair once worked as an ABC report by Per Capita[1] found broadcaster. In 1970, before that by 2022, total funding holding the NSW Government lost by the ABC will be over It’s too late for portfolios of Attorney-General, $783 million. These cuts have Minister for the Environment, had a severe and demonstrable and Minister for the Arts, impact on the ABC’s programs Juukan Gorge… and representing the Blue and services, including the Mountains and Macquarie axing of the flagship 7.45 am but Warragamba electorates, Bob Debus was radio news bulletin, reductions Executive Producer of the ABC’s to the number of original Dam is on the Department of Radio Talks and episodes of Australian Story Documentaries, initiating the and Foreign Correspondent, horizon still-running, popular Radio and cuts to the ABC Life brand National program, Background and news. Recently we saw the Briefing. The Federal Government’s destruction of a 46,000 The ABC has been an claims that there have been year old cave in Western essential source of news and “no cuts” and that the ABC is information about many “well-funded” are blatantly Australia’s Juukan Gorge. of Colong’s environmental dishonest[3]. The budget The next test for the campaigns, including threats figures do not include the Federal Government will to the Blue Mountains World inflation adjusted transmission Heritage Area, removing feral costs that the ABC must be in the Blue Mountains, horses in Kosciusko National pay to broadcast. Further, where the plan to raise Park and Lithgow’s Gardens of the Government denies its Warragamba Dam’s wall Stone. legislative obligation to ensure Yet in June 2020, the ABC the ABC is a well-funded and will obliterate hundreds experienced yet another round independent statutory body, of ancient sites, among of budget cuts. This time with with a mandate to service all them rock art which has the expectation that it would Australians. lose up to 250 staff both in The ABC Charter[4] requires not even been properly metropolitan and regional the ABC to deliver outstanding surveyed. Above is one areas. This is on top of over and relevant Australian of these sites, a scar 1,000 job losses since 2014. content through information, It’s too late for Juukan Gorge… Disappointingly, a education, analysis, news and tree in the Burragorang considerable number of investigative journalism. This Valley that would be Federal Parliamentarians includes ABC news, current flooded by the raising of but Warragamba Dam is on the horizon belong to the Institute of affairs and documentaries Public Affairs, a group who about the natural environment. the Warragamba Dam vexatiously attack the ABC Television programs wall. Kazan Brown (left) and call for its privatisation. such as Four Corners, Q&A, Regretfully, despite calls for Gardening Australia, and and Taylor Clarke (right) Liberal Party MPs to rescind Landline, and radio programs are two Gundungurra their conference motion to like Background Briefing, Big Traditional Custodians privatise the ABC, none have Ideas, The Science Show, and stepped up to defend the ABC. Bush Telegraph, often contain who are fighting to save Press freedom is also under lifelines of information their sites. Photo by attack with an ABC journalist about the natural world, Jaime Plaza. facing a secret trial for public particularly at a time when our 7 colong bulletin October 2020 #280 FEATURED WILDERNESS Nadgee

By Keith Muir

NESTLED BETWEEN A forested backdrop of granite hills and the coast, the dramatic 25,979 hectare Nadgee is the best protected coastal wilderness in NSW. The area straddles the Victorian- NSW border and is underlain by sedimentary sandstone, conglomerate, asiltstone and shale that dip towards the ocean – to the north these have been folded to form low cliffs of quartzite and slate. It was nominated for protection by the Colong Foundation in 1989. Nadgee’s renowned large, coastal sand masses extend south from as far as Mallacoota, and from there they continue almost to Wilson’s Promontory, interrupted only by headlands like Rame Head and Point Hicks. The Cape Howe dune mass and another behind Wonbyn Beach are two of a handful along the NSW coast undisturbed by mineral sand predominant overstorey of , delayed declaration of this through which they have mining or urban sprawl. comprising Silvertop Ash and the upper catchments of the part of the wilderness until evolved, in order to secure The 19,387 hectare NSW White Stringybark, although Nadgee River, and Dowell, 1998, when the catchment their full complement of native section includes all of the Red Bloodwood, Southern David and Harrison Creeks. was finally reserved byplants and animals. Should Merrica and Nadgee River Mahogany and Saw Banksia The area’s fauna is diverse Environment Minister Pam such a major wildfire occur catchments and the catchments are also present in some and corresponds to various Allan. It formed part of the again soon, then it might cause of Dowell, Harrison and Royds places. These forests graduate plant associations, with 47 Carr Government’s 1995 extinctions of local wildlife and Creeks. The local relief ranges into Banksia woodland mammal species, 215 bird wilderness policy of seven loss of plants that have not yet from sea level to 543m on the nearer the coast. In low-lying species, 21 reptile species new areas and nine additions set seed. Too frequent fires also granite top of Mount Nadgee. areas extensive heathlands and 15 amphibian species so to existing wilderness areas. cause a decline in ecosystem Several intermittent creeks predominate, and a primary far recorded. Mammals of Across the border in , productivity as nutrients drain into the pristine coastal dune scrub is found along most particular interest in Nadgee Croajingolong National Park are lost. Controlled burning wetlands of Lake Barracoota, of the coastline. Although include endangered species was gazetted in 1979 and a can be used to minimize Lake Wau Wauka and Nadgee savagely grazed in some areas such as the Long-nosed 7,100 Cape Howe Wilderness the chances that a wildfire Inlet. in the past, much of the potoroo, Eastern Pygmy Area was proclaimed in 1992. will again burn the entire Nadgee was until recently resultant coarse grass is slowly Possum, Tiger Quoll, Koala, The fires in January this wilderness, but it would be an considered part of the being replaced by the original Platypus and White-footed year burnt with varying error to apply fuel reduction transition zone between cold plant communities. Riparian Dunnart. It is considered intensity over the western techniques in a monotonous and warm temperate coastal forest grows along many of the likely that the very rare Long- third of the wilderness to the and unimaginative way. The and estuarine environments, streams, with the overstoreys footed Potoroo also occurs in coast, but were not as severe as use of fire must reflect and but climate change has brought comprising Mountain Grey the area. those in 1972 and 1933. These enhance the natural diversity warmer winters. Sub-tidally Gum, Yellow Stringybark Reservation of the nature earlier fires destroyed most of of Nadgee (Recher, H., 1975). there are still fairly rich beds of and River Peppermint. Four reserve and wilderness logs on the ground and shrub Not only must cool, winter algae, abalone, and cunjevoi. types of rainforest have occurred in stages, beginning and heathland, temporarily fires be used, but history tells Over 800 plant species been identified in the area, with Nadgee Faunal Reserve devastating populations of us that the needed occasional have been recorded from the occurring in sheltered gullies in 1957, proposed by Allen ground marsupials and small hot fires are unavoidable. So area, and over forty different throughout the wilderness. Strom and Allen Fox of the native birds. far we seem to be getting it vegetation associations Warm temperate rainforest Caloola Club. Addition of the Infrequent wildfire need not right, but scientific monitoring identified. Six plant species is found in several protected catchment was be an ecological disaster. Fire and research must continue found in Nadgee are considered river gullies containing promised by the Minister for is a threat to human life and to guide and inform reserve rare or endangered. communities of Sandpaper Conservation, Jack Beale, property, but to preserve the management. Nadgee’s largest vegetation Fig and Pinkwood. Mixed and and Minister for Lands, Tom natural heritage of gems like community is lowland cool temperate rainforest is Lewis in 1970. Opposition to Nadgee, reserve management Image: Nadgee River. Photo by sclerophyll forest, with the located in the southwest corner reservation by logging interests must duplicate the conditions Henry Gold THE COLONG FOUNDATION

SUPPORT THE COLONG FOUNDATION! To: The Treasurer, Colong Foundation for WildernessPO Ltd., BOX K335 HAYMARKET NSW 1240 The enclosed remittance or advice covers the item(s) indicated by a tick. (One cheque payable to the Colong Foundation is sufficient to cover subscription and donation.)  Membership application for individuals or households ($30) to 31 December 2020 (NB Membership application covers Bulletin subscription)  Colong Bulletin Subscription ($15) to 31 December 2020 (non members only)  Membership renewal to 31 December 2020 ($30)  Life Membership ($550)

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ADDRESS ...... SENDER: THE COLONG FOUNDATION FOR WILDERNESS ...... P/CODE ...... DATE...... PO BOX K335 HAYMARKET NSW 1240 PHONE ...... EMAIL:...... SIGNED ...... AMOUNT ...... Payment by credit card.Mastercard  Visa Expiry date ______Card # ______Payment by EFT.Account: The Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. Bank: Westpac Mortdale, BSB: 032 268 Account number: 26 0221 Please include your full name to help identify your payment. So we can mail you an official tax deductible receipt, and for our accounting purposes, please also inform us when you have made a colong payment by emailing your name, address and donation details to [email protected] MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONWhy not join or invite a friend to join?  Yes, I wish to become a member of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. I subscribe to the Foundation’s aim of preserving Australia’s wilderness remnants. I accept the liability provided in the Colong Foundation’s Articles of Association to guarantee $20 should it be needed in the event of the winding up of the Foundation. Signed ...... bulletin  A BEQUEST ABOUT THE COLONG FOUNDATION The Colong Foundation, the successor to Myles Dunphy’s National Parks and Primitive Please remember us Areas Council, is Australia’s longest-serving community advocate for wilderness. Its in your Will. proposal for a Wilderness Actwas accepted in 1987. To supplement this legislation, our Red Index, audits NSW wilderness areas, identifies threats and formulates site specific protection The Law Society of NSW remedies. There are now 2,100,000 ha of protected wilderness in NSW. However, many recommends the following beautiful and environmentally highly significant wilderness areas are not protected, such as

Bulletin back page, 02/20 page, back Bulletin wording… “I bequeath the the Pilliga and Goonoo on the north west slopes, the Deua Valley on the South Coast and the Tabletop and Main Range in the Snowy Mountains. sum of $… to the Colong The Colong Foundation for Wilderness has had a long and successful history. From its Foundation for Wilderness Ltd.foundation in 1968 until 1975 it was the fighting force that prevented limestone mining and for its general purposes and the destruction of native forest for pine plantations in the southern Blue Mountains. The Foundation not only played a leading role in realising Myles Dunphy’s plan for a Greater declare that the receipt of the Blue Mountains National Park, it pushed for its World Heritage listing, as well as the treasurer for the time being reservation of a Border Ranges National Park and Kakadu National Park. It has initiated successful campaigns for the protection of over a million hectares of wilderness in NSW. of the Colong Foundation The realisation of Myles Dunply’s vision of a comprehensive system of national parks with for Wilderness Ltd. shall be protected wilderness areas remains the primary objective of the Colong Foundation. complete discharge to my Now, more than ever, the Foundation needs your support. Well financed and powerful rural interests, miners, loggers, resort developers, as well as four wheel drive enthusiasts, horse executors in respect of riders and others, have greatly increased the threats facing Australia’s wild places. any sum paid to the Only with your help, through continued membership and donations, can the Colong Foundation for Foundation continue its campaigns for the preservation of the natural environment and effective nature-based national park management, and by concentrating on Wilderness Ltd.” wilderness, these rare areas can be kept safe from development and misuse.