kangaroos or any other visible species that will Blood Sport Bill Under either be caught in the crossfire or will be the Fire target of hunters that can't find anything else For anyone concerned about uses of public to aim their guns or crossbows at. land, animal cruelty, exclusive powers being The Bill creates the Game Council of NSW handed to one self-interest group or even which is comprised of a majority of hunters in professional pest management, the NSW charge of issuing licences, exemption from Game Bill is one of the most alarming pieces licences, writing the rules, monitoring, house and swamp was to be of legislation that has come before the NSW inspecting all hunting and recommending slashed to give bushfire Parliament in many years. public lands to be given over for hunting. protection to the house! The Bill allows any public land, including It endorses animal cruelty by stating that Ecological buffers to Crown and council owned land, to be declared any methods, instruments or animals can be hanging swamps and any exclusively available to sporting shooters, pig used by hunters to stalk, corner, capture and other sensitive vegetation doggers and other hunters without prior notice. kill “game”. There is no offence for cruelty to communities need to be The Pilliga scrubland in the Central West is an animal under the Act and no opportunity to intact and at least 60 m to be top of the list for declaration according to the monitor, regulate or even rescue injured effective. Minister for Agriculture's office, defeating any animals from hunting grounds. Council officers prepared chance for that to become national park. The Bill reintroduces “duck” (waterfowl) an excellent report to the Although the Carr government has excluded hunting and allows no opportunity for rescues Council recommending that existing national parks from use by hunters at or independent monitoring of such activity. this development be refused this point, the Coalition has declared that they It undermines and weakens other Acts, because of the unacceptable would open them up if they gained office in such as the Rural Lands Protection Act, the impact on the hanging March 2003. Forestry Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to swamp and its buffer. The The Bill has been sold on the grounds of Animals Act and the National Parks and applicant withdrew the pest control and regulation of hunters. Both Wildlife Act by removing licensing, control, application. are a lie. Pest control should be managed, monitoring or prosecution powers from those Well done Council, and systematically and professional. Sporting agencies and putting them into the hands of also to the residents who shooters and hunters are not interested in hunters. raised a range of other valid controlling pests, rather they have a long The Bill has been deferred until April 9 — points. history of introducing, dispersing and when it will return to the Lower House before After the Fires increasing pest species across the state, such as travelling its way through to the Upper House. Just six weeks after the pigs, deer and foxes so they have a continuous The only thing that will defeat it is an bushfires, the bush was supply of game animals to target. As for enormous public backlash against it. So bursting with new life. native animals, some indigenous quail and please get pen to paper, fax, email, hassle and Blackened trunks clothed in waterfowl are listed as targets for hunters in argue against it using any of the above fresh green epicormic the Bill, and most people would be aware that information. There is time yet but it needs to foliage, masses of new there will be more than a few native wallabies, be done NOW. Write urgently to Bob Carr growth sprouting from underground lignotubers, insight into how environment groups can leafy new waratah stems already a metre Working for the impact upon law-making processes, and tall, tiny banksia seedlings... Environment in State also a perspective on some of our state's Walking in burnt heathland near unique politicians. Wentworth Falls, everywhere I looked Parliament The meeting will be held at the amongst the blackened stems and Guest speaker at our April general Conservation Hut, Wentworth Falls, on branches were all kinds of woody seed meeting will be Rachel Walmsley, Friday 26 April, starting at 7.30 pm. capsules, opened up and releasing a Environment Liaison Officer for the peak Visitors are very welcome. multitude of seeds — banksias, environment groups at NSW Parliament. isopogons, petrophiles, hakeas, allo- Rachel will talk about her job as ELO, Good News for Blue casuarinas. I shook a branch of a mallee and tell us about the varied work done by Mtns eucalypt and tiny seeds rained onto the the groups and some of the legislation Last year Council received an applic- ground below. A real smorgasbord for which they have worked on amending ation for a subdivision at the end of seed-eating birds, so it was not surprising over the last year. This ranges from Grand Canyon Road in Medlow Bath, to find Crimson Rosellas and Red- minor amendments on small bills, to adjacent to the National Park. The land browed Finches abundant in the burnt massive overhauls of legislation, contains a pristine hanging swamp on a area, with a few Beautiful Firetail here emergency press conferences, steep slope which runs down to and there. (Blue Mountains Bird submissions to parliamentary inquiries, Katoomba Creek. Observers newsletter, February 2002) involvement in the state budget process The Society lodged a detailed New Management (and of course gossiping in the corridors objection on a number of environmental of Macquarie Street). grounds. Our main objections centred Committee Rachel will also share some around the protection of the hanging Over 40 members braved the anecdotes about some of the crazy things swamp. The house was to be located elements on Good Friday to vote at the that go on up at parliament house, and close to the edge of the swamp, and AGM and see Ian Brown’s superb slides some of the amusing and eccentric would not have left an adequate of the mountainous World Heritage area characters they get to work with! Her ecological buffer to protect it. And then of southern New Zealand, and of Cape presentation will give members an this small strip of bushland between the York. Hut News, No. 177, April 2002 — Page 1. “Hut News”, the newsletter of accommodation in the nearby towns of and establish partnerships. The draft Blue Mountains Conservation Society Kandos or Rylstone. A Saturday Blueprints will focus time, money, skills Inc. evening meal has been arranged for and knowledge over the next 5-10 years P.O. Box 29, Wentworth Falls, 2782 volunteers (at an expected cost of $20). to improve land condition and river Phone47571872 Fax47571753 Email: [email protected] This dinner is a great opportunity to health, conserve the diversity of our Web page: http//www.pnc.com.au/ socialise and is always a great hit. native animal and plant communities ~bmcs To register or for more information, including aquatic habitats, and enhance President: Robin Mosman contact the National Regent Honeyeater the community's awareness and capacity 4757.1354 Recovery Coordinator, David Geering to participate in catchment management. (e-mail) [email protected] (fax) on (freecall) 1800 521056 or email: Catchment health can only be 4757.4503 [email protected] achieved by involving the whole First Vice President: Heather Hull Please register ASAP if you require community and everyone is encouraged 4739.1493 accommodation and to be assured of a to become aware of the contents of the (e-mail) [email protected] place at the dinner. draft Blueprints and make a written Second Vice President: Tony Towers See you there! Carol Probets. submission to the Minister. Alison (phone/fax Kniha, Dept. Land and Water 4757.1321 Join Mountain Watch Conservation. (e-mail) [email protected] Do you live at Glenbrook, Treasurer: Bart Beech Hazelbrook, Blackheath or in the Welcome to New 4739.9947 Megalong ? Do you want to help look (e-mail) [email protected] after your local bushland? All you need Members Correspondence Secretary: Joy is some time to walk around your area Fiona Campbell, Emu Plains McDonald and access to an email, or a library Kevin and Robyn Stapleton, Leura (phone) 4757.2725 (fax) 4757.2729 Catherine Wallace, Katoomba (e-mail) [email protected] computer. We are looking for residents Rick Tanaka, Katoomba Membership Secretary: Elizabeth van in these towns in particular to join the Stuart Linley, Hunters Hill Reyswoud network of members in Mountain Watch. (phone) 4757.2694 (mobile) We would also welcome members Foxes Introduced to 0418.206.899 living in other towns to strengthen this (e-mail) [email protected] network which is keeping watch over Tasmania Meetings Secretary: (VACANT) developments in the Mountains. We It has been over nine months since Meetings Convenor: Jim Wallace Tasmanians started to suspect that the 4784.3305 check development applications to see if worst imaginable biodiversity disaster (e-mail) [email protected] there are any developments in areas had occurred — the introduction of Education: Jenny Hill where they shouldn't be. We also check European red foxes to the state. In this 4782.1303 to see if developments are being (e-mail) [email protected] designed to protect the special features time the apparent scale of this waking Plant Nursery Manager: David Coleby of the area, like creeks, rocky outcrops nightmare has grown from one or two (phone/fax individual animals to a population of as 4784.1395 or swamps. many of sixty in a number of distinct Land Use: Lyndal Sullivan Mountain Watchers are gaining northern Tasmanian locations. Most 4782.1635 specialised knowledge of their part of the unbelievable of all was the revelation (e-mail) mountains. This knowledge will be [email protected] invaluable when the new Local that a small group of individuals had Bushcare: Clive Heywood-Barker Environment Plan is open for public deliberately introduced foxes to the state. 4782.9209 comment again soon. It is through the It is thought that up to 19 fox cubs were (e-mail) [email protected] introduced to at least three distinct LEP that areas of environmental locations over a two year period. sensitivity can be protected by its The big loser from an established fox Five Day Activity zoning. population would be Tasmania’s Local knowledge can be very useful biodiversity, with terrestrial mammals 2002 to Council officers when they are trying weighing up to 5.5 kg, ground nesting Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 August to assess the suitability of developments birds, amphibians and small reptiles most (4 nights camping out) ‘Wolgan/Newnes and if given at this time, can effect the at risk. There are 77 species in Tasmania Plateau in Golden Wattle Time’. Visit conditions put on the development. that meet these criteria. The decline of Gooch’s Crater, Mt Horne, Deep Pass (2 Join Mountain Watch if you are keen the Eastern barred bandicoot, Eastern nights), ‘River Cave’, Noble Canyon, to protect our mountains from any more quoll and New Holland mouse on Glow Worm Tunnel, Newnes. bad development. Lyndal Sullivan 4782 mainland Australia is attributed at least Join for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. Vehicle 1635 or Claire Wilson 4759 1319. in part to fox predation and/or supported. No carrying heavy packs Draft Catchment competition. more than 1 km. Warm-up activities Though slow to react to the scale of available. Please register your interest Blueprints the potential disaster, the Tasmanian early with Don Morison 4782.3993. Draft Warragamba and Hawkesbury Government recently announced Capertee Valley Tree Lower Nepean Blueprints have been dedicated funding and a number of fox placed on public exhibition until 30 taskforce positions. Planting April. Together the Blueprints cover the Unfortunately, we still do not know if Since 1994, the Capertee Valley whole of the Hawkesbury Nepean the fox problem can be contained. It Regent Honeyeater Recovery Group and catchment. may be that foxes have already dispersed its many volunteer supporters have The draft Blueprints provide a in sufficient numbers to make it all but planted over 37,000 trees and shrubs at strategic framework for natural resource impossible to totally eradicate them. various strategic sites throughout the management and investment for the next January 2002 saw credible fox sightings valley. In April 2002, another 3500 trees ten years through setting targets and at Somerset in the north-west, Kempton and shrubs will be planted on a property priorities. The Blueprints will provide in the southern midlands and on the near Glen Davis, with the aid of Natural real benefits by: bringing together, in Tasman Peninsula in the south-east. Heritage Trust funding. one place all the actions that are Only time will tell if these are isolated Why not join us on the weekend of necessary to improve the catchment; animals or the heralds of a major decline 13-14 April. On the spot training will be draw together all the state policies that in Tasmania’s biodiversity. (Source: provided. Accommodation options influence catchment management and Article by Craig Woodfield, Tasmanian range from camping at Glen Davis or on reflect them at a catchment level; help Conservation Trust, in “The Web”, The a local property to staying in one of the set priorities for natural resource Threatened Species Network newsletter) cottages available throughout the valley management investment, bring about a (usually around $20 per night), or you more coordinated and concentrated effort Barren Grounds Nature may prefer to arrange hotel or motel that focuses on priorities; and support Reserve

Hut News, No. 177, April 2002 — Page 2. total wind energy capacity in NSW has Wind Power on Our been estimated at well over 1,000 MW. Doorstep If this resource was fully exploited, wind On my way home from the Rydal energy could supply over 2,200 GWh of Show, I drove into the small hamlet of electricity, reducing NSW carbon Hampton on the Oberon Road. I looked dioxide emissions by 2,200 million up to see two giant wind power turbines tonnes per annum. churning out GREEN POWER — here Wind energy costs are directly related in the Blue Mountains (well almost). It to available wind speeds. For this was just great to experience. We reason, reliable wind assessment is managed to arrive just as an International required to predict generation costs. delegation from China, Soloman Islands, However, a typical figure in NSW would Planet Arc were inspecting them. These be in the range of 8 to 12 cents/kWh Political Football Number One 660 kilowatt 'Vesta' wind turbines are generated. Costs of establishing wind When Labor Minister Richard made in Denmark, and designed in 1997 farms in NSW are approximately $1.8 Amery abolished the Hawkesbury- ($2.3 million each), but already the new million per megawatt of output. These Nepean Catchment Management version in the market place is 2,200 costs are expected to fall as more wind Trust in 2001, the non-Labor kWatts. On my reckoning these two farms are built. majority in the NSW Upper House towers supply the equivalent of 466 Blayney wind farm has 15 wind carried a censure motion against households with power for a year. It was turbines, each with a capacity of 660 kW. him. Greens MLC Ian Cohen an inspiring sight. It was commissioned in October 2000, referred various terms of reference Farmers in high wind areas can now and will produce enough electricity to a Standing Committee (also with a consider wind farming if they are lucky annually to power 3,500 homes. non-Labor majority). enough to have land in a windy area that Crookwell Wind Farm was the first grid- In its March 2002 report, the is close to a road and not far from the connected wind farm in Australia when Committee recommended electricity grid. Great for decentralis- installed by Pacific Power in 1998. It reinstatement of the Trust. It also ation. The only problem seems to be consists of eight 600kW turbines giving made a number of other raising the capital. Maybe a government a total capacity of 4.8MW. recommendations which the Carr loan scheme could be set up to help Hampton Wind Park is the newest Government could adopt without farmers with viable land to get started. I wind farm in NSW. It supplies eating humble pie. These include can recommend a visit to any of the electricity to Integral Energy's Green re-establishing community following sites. Power customers. Kooragang Island’s representation, establishing a I was told in 1986 in a university (Newcastle) single 600kW wind turbine volunteer network and appointing a lecture that alternative power would has been operated by Energy Australia River Manager to co-ordinate never replace coal powered power since its installation in 1997. government agencies. stations for this was the only system able It is fascinating to ponder this fact: if The report takes some space to to produce the huge amounts of power you double the wind speed you increase justify these recommendations. required for modern society to function the available power by a factor of eight. Overall, it provides a reasonable well. More than 90% of Australia's Thus, a turbine operating at a site with an balance between looking to the energy currently comes from coal-fired average wind speed of 12 mph will future and caning a former minister power stations, with less than 10% generate about 29% more electricity than who had presented the appropriate coming from clean renewable sources. one at an 11 mph site. target to green oriented politicians An interesting fact I discovered — Wind Energy in the Future. and activists. the wind blowing across south western According to the U.S. Department of Not So Fast WA could supply 45 times Australia's Energy, the world's winds could The new train timetable from 21 energy needs! theoretically supply the equivalent of April ushers in slower train trips over What is wind energy? Wind energy 5,800 quadrillion BTUs (quads) of most of greater Sydney than have is created by energy from the sun that energy each year — more than 15 times been experienced for a number of reaches the lower atmosphere. Differ- current world energy demand. (A quad years. Reasons include increased ences in atmospheric temperatures and is equal to about 172 million barrels of patronage since 1996 and a desire the earth's rotation cause air to move, oil or 45 million tons of coal.) The for improved on-time running. generating the wind. Depending on potential of wind to improve the quality Nonetheless, advocates for climatic conditions and surface of life in the world's developing environmentally friendly transport topography, wind varies significantly in countries, where more than two billion have a right to be disappointed. intensity over a day, a season, or a year. people live with no electricity or The Blue Mountains Commuters We can harness the wind's energy prospect of utility service in the and Transport Users’ Association through ‘wind farms’ of modern wind foreseeable future, is vast. and ‘Action for Public Transport’ are turbines that generate electricity. A What is the "energy payback time" among the groups criticising the new successful wind farm needs a site that for a wind turbine? A wind turbine timetable. With all the federal and has strong and steady wind throughout typically takes only a few months (3-8, state funding that has been put into the year — usually more than 6.5 metres depending on the average wind speed at maintaining and improving car trip per second (23 km/h) on average. its site) to "pay back" the energy needed times, both governments need to A Growing Industry. Wind energy for its fabrication, installation, operation make a commitment to fast and safe is one of the and retirement. What’s more, the rail travel. fastest-growing machines at Hampton can pump out their Political Football Number Two e n e r g y 660Kwatts for 98% of the year (non The ‘Population of Australia’ technologies in the stop). They require very little debate is turning into an world. At the end maintenance. unproductive slanging match: of 2000 the total Now consider this — if you combine “Sydney is too crowded” (Bob Carr); installed capacity the wind power contribution together “More migrants would help the of global wind with wave power from the ocean (being economy” (Simon Crean and energy exceeded constructed now at Wollongong), solar Victoria’s Steve Bracks). However, 18,000 MW, com- electric power, geothermal power from pared to under underground, and many other alternative Membership Enquiries 2,000 MW ten clean energies we really do start to see a Contact Elizabeth van Reyswoud years ago. paradigm shift in how we create our Phone/Fax: 4759.2508 (a.h.) Wind energy energy the "clean, green way". Mike Email: [email protected] in NSW. The Purtell. (More information: Sustainable Post: PO Box 29,Wentworth Falls 2782 Hut News, No. 177, April 2002 — Page 3. Very Easy Walks DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Apl 20 (Sat) Management Meeting, 9 am, Mid Mtns Community Centre, Program Lawson. The new program of Very Easy Apl 26 (Fri) General Meeting at The Hut, 7.30 pm. (See page 1). Walks got off to a good start with seven QUOLL CLUB (Activities for 12 and under - contact Jessica 4788.1200). walkers. The first walk was a walking BUSHCARE (Tools provided — bring morning tea and gloves.) tour of Blackheath Gardens and Parks on Apl 13 (Sat) Valley of the Waters Bushcare Group. (9 am, 2nd Saturday of Thursday 28 March. These weekly every month) Contact Karen on 4757.1929 for the meeting place. walks each Thursday, meeting at BUSHWALKS: 10.30am with lunch at noon, will be a Monday Leisure Walks: Usually half day walk unless noted, leisurely pace. series of 10 walks from Woodford to Mt Apl 08 Baltzers Lookout and Hanging Rock. Meet Blackheath Neighbourhood York. Centre 9am.  Bill 4759.1692 Please join in our very slow pace Apl 15 Forgotten Walk No2. Meet Faulconbridge, 50 metres into Georges Cres. walks if you are an older walker, parent 9am.  Alan 4739.2767. or grandparent with an infant, family Apl 22 Echo Bluff and Empire Pass. Meet Lawson Bowling Club carpark 9am. groups or recovering from illness. Call  Jock 4758.6346 Bill Graham (4759.1692) for a program. Apl 29 Mystery Walk. Meet Medlow Bath Station, opposite Hydro 9am. Interpretive  June 4787.7312. May 06 Lockleys Pylon. Meet Leura carpark, cnr GWH 9am.  Ron Bushwalks 4757.1526. The next series of Thursday inter- Bring lunch for longish walk, may the weather be kind! pretive bushwalks will start on May 2. May 13 National Pass to Conservation Hut. Meet Wentworth Falls Station 9am. Contact Christine Davies 4787.7246 for  Kees 4759.1958. more information. Below is a May 20 Bus Trip to Hill End and Sofala. To avoid disappointment, must be description of two recent walks. booked and paid with Kees 4759.1958 as limited numbers available. Bird Walk with Carol Probets Lake Wallace, near Wallarawang, is Weekend Bushwalks: Bushwalkers are requested to phone the contact before 8 pm sometimes cold and windswept, but we the day before the walk. The walk may be cancelled if fewer than 4 walkers register. chose a particularly nice day and the lake or if other circumstances make conditions unsafe. was calm. Apl 13 (Sat) Kedumba Pass. Meet Wentworth Falls Rail carpark 9am. (NB time) There were THOUSANDS of birds  Kees 4759.1958. Hard day walk. Bring extra water/lunch. — on the lake, floating, swimming, Apl 20 (Sat) Megalong to Cox’s River on Six Foot Track. Meet Blackheath diving, wading, on the banks, sheltering Station commuter carpark 9am.  Bill 4758.8545. Medium day in the reeds, circling over the lake (a walk. Bring lunch. Little Eagle), in the surrounding trees Apl 27 (Sat) Mount Solitary. Meet Katoomba Station, Gearins Hotel side, 9am. and grass. Carol identified 34 different  Warwick 4757.1354. Long and hard with climb both ends. bird species. Bring extra water/lunch. We wondered about an insect on the May 04 (Sat) Gray’s Lookout, Bluegum Swamp. Meet Springwood Rail carpark bank, crawling towards the reeds. It had northside 9am.  Elizabeth 4754.4966. Easy/medium. Bring a long slender body and wings still lunch. unopened. Then we discovered many May 12 (Sun) Ikara Head. Meet Mt Vic Station 9.30am.  Judy 4787.1191. more clinging to the reeds — newly Easy/medium, good views. Bring lunch. emerged dragonflies. Walks are generally Easy to Medium Grade, unless otherwise noted. Easy: Mostly good We went to the trout farm at Marran- surfaces, but some rough or steep sections. Suited to people of average fitness. Medium: garoo for lunch, in a beautiful setting, Includes rough or steep sections, some of which may require clambering over natural beneath the arches of the stone railway obstacles. Suited to people of better than average fitness, but discuss with the contact if in viaduct built around 1870. We brought doubt. Hard: We occasionally arrange a walk considered most suited to experienced and plates of food to share, and barbecued fresh trout which were delicious. collection. building and as it is not yet finished we Fungi Walk with David Burrell were able to see the process of Along the gentle walk through the Leisure Walkers Bus construction. rainforest at Mount Wilson there was lots Trip From here we journeyed on to of excitement as we discovered all sorts, Ferntree Gully, near Rylstone Rylstone where after some discussion colours and shapes of fungi. David told The day dawned fine and bright, but with the cooks we arranged to have our us about fungi, an ancient group of plants by 8 o'clock it had clouded over, the rain hot lunches at 2pm. So off we went up which feed on and break down organic was pouring down and a thick white fog the Bylong road to find Ferntree Gully. matter. What we see is the fruiting body; or atmospheric mist with which we are This was a marvellous place for a walk. the fungi themselves are slender threads all so familiar had shrouded the whole of The chasm winds through the rock within the organic matter. the Upper Blue Mountains. So it was not formations, filled with the myriad variety The first waterfall was stunningly surprising there were only six intrepid of temperate rain forest plants, including beautiful. The filtered sunlight touched bushwalkers. ancient eucalypts and thick fig roots like the water droplets, turning them into We fitted comfortably into Anna organ pipes on the cliff faces. The rocky shining emeralds of water cascading Marie's van and set off hopefully for the cliffs were covered with rock lily plants, downwards through the green moss. west. By the time we had passed native orchids that we would love to see We had lunch in the garden of Sefton Lithgow the rain had cleared and it in flower. We calculated that we will Cottage, a real banquet. Through seemed to be an ideal day for walking. need to come back in September or David’s microscope we were able to look From the area of Pearsons Lookout, October when they should be in bloom. at the diverse shapes and textures of the near Capertee, we were able to look at a We took the Gully Track and returned fungi we had collected, to see the white fine panorama of the landform of the via the Lookout track. From Flat Rock and golden threads of the fungi itself, Blue Mountains. In this same area we Lookout we were able to see the whole and some of the microscopic creatures visited Ploughman’s Lavender farm, had of the gully we had just walked through. who inhabit this miniature world. While a cuppa and bought some different The Globe in Rylstone, built in 1884, we were lunching a kookaburra varieties of Lavender plants. We were proved to be a great place for our lunch demonstrated its expertise on fungi, all interested in “The Last Straw” Dance and a drink, and we enjoyed a quick look selecting and eating part of our Hall at this same farm. It is a straw bail around the old town.

This issue of Hut News has been printed on 100% Recycled Paper Hut News, No. 177, April 2002 — Page 4.