REPORT NATIONAL PARKS AUTHORITY 30Rh JUNE, 1969
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1970-71 VICTORIA REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AUTHORITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30rH JUNE, 1969 Ordered by the Legislative Assembly to be printed, 28th April, 1971. By AuthoTtiy: C. H. RIXON, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE. No. 39.-3857/71.-PR.!CB 40 cents. ~. ·' •• ·.I NATIONAL PARKS AUTHORITY, 1 Treasury-place, Melbourne, Vie. 3002. THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th JUNE, 1969 To the Honorable Sir Henry Bolte, K.C.M.G., M.L.A., Premier of Victoria, Melbourne, 3002. SIR, In accordance with the requirements of Section 15 of the National Parks Act 1958 (No. 6326), the Authority has the honour to submit to you for presentation to Parliament, its Thirteenth Annual Report covering its activities for the year ended 30th June, 1969. THE AUTHORITY. The membership of the National Parks Authority during the year under review was as follows:- Chairman : The Honorable J. W. Manson, M.L.A., Minister of State Development. Deputy Chairman : J. H. Aldred, I.S.O., F.R.I.P.A. Members: A. J. Holt, Secretary for Lands ; A. 0. P. Lawrence, B.Sc. (Adel.), Dip.For. (Oxon.), Dip.For. (Canberra), Chairman, Forests Commission of Victoria ; R. G. Downes, M.Agr.Sc., F.A.I.A.S., Chairman, Soil Conservation Authority ; A. Dunbavin Butcher, M.Sc., Director of Fisheries and Wildlife ; Dewar W. Goode, representing organizations concerned with the protection of native fauna and flora ; G. M. Pizzey, representing persons having a special interest in national parks ; E. H. R. Burt, representing the Victorian Ski Association ; G. E. Hindle, to 28th January, 1969 and thereafter T. B. Wilson representing the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau ; L. H. Smith, M.Sc., D.Phil. (Oxon.), F.R.A.C.I., Director of National Parks. MEETINGS. During the year the Authority held eleven meetings in the Conference Room of the Premier's Department in the New State Public Offices. The following special-purpose sub-committees of the Authority also met during the year : Fire Protection, Proposed Parks, Park Classification, Sites and Buildings as well as the Joint Committees for Mount Buffalo Development, Fern Tree Gully Development and Tidal River Development (Wilson's Promontory). STAFF. In October, 1968, an additional administrative (Class E) officer was appointed to the Authority's staff. 4 VISITS OF INSPECTION. The Authority's inspections covered the following national parks : Wilson's Promontory, Hattah Lakes, Wyperfeld, Mount Buffalo, Glenaladale and the Lakes (Spermwhale Head). Visits were also paid to Sandy Point and Wychitella to inspect areas proposed as possible sites for national parks. All other national parks were visited by the Director or Technical Staff. WORKS PROGRAMMES. Committees of Management, following the usual practice, prepared Works Programmes for their respective parks as a basis for discussion with the Authority. From these consultations the final operations budgets for the year ended 30th June, 1969 were prepared. FIRE PROTECTION. The Fire Protection Committee met on five occasions during the year to continue its planning of works designed to reduce the frequency and severity of wildfires in national parks. A comparatively small area of 446 acres of national park land was damaged by fire during the year under review. This was caused by five small fires between December, 1968 and February, 1969 at Mount Richmond (40 acres), Fern Tree Gully (5 acres), Mount Buffalo (0·5 acres), Wyperfeld (400 acres) and Little Desert (0 ·1 acre). The fires at Mount Richmond and Fern Tree Gully were apparently deliberately lit and those at Wyperfeld and Little Desert were caused by lightning strikes. LEGISLATION. In October, 1968, legislation was passed to increase the area of Kinglake National Park from 14,079 acres to 14,093 acres, 38 perches and that of Mount Eccles National Park from 84 acres, 20 perches to 974 acres, 20 perches. Further legislation in December, 1968 increased the area of Mount Richmond National Park from 1,534 acres to 2,037 acres and established the Little Desert National Park of 2,870 acres, bringing the number of national parks in Victoria to twenty-one, having a total area of 374,930 acres. LEASES AND PERMITS. Tidal River Cafe. On the completion of major alterations and extensions to the Tidal River Cafe, which were referred to in the prevfous Annual Report, tenders were invited by public advertisement, following which the Authority granted Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Miller a lease from August, 1968 to 30th September, 1971 to operate the cafe. Tidal River Store. After public tenders had been called, the Tidal River Store was again leased to Mr. K. F. Blunden for a three-year period ending the 30th September, 1971. PROPOSED NATIONAL PARKS. l. Wilkin Area. For some years past the Authority has been investigating the possibility of having a national park created in the Wilkin area, near Casterton. It appears now that an area of some 3,300 acres is likely to be available for reservation in this district. It is anticipated that the proposed national park will include the Mill Swamp, which is noted for its waterbirds. 2. Brisbane Ranges. The proposal that a national park should be created in the Brisbane Ranges area was made many years ago and, at first, it seemed that it would be relatively easy to prepare a plan for submission to Parliament. However, as investigations proceeded, it became apparent that there were some complex land tenure problems to be resolved and this has greatly retarded progress. The Lands Department has recently examined this aspect in detail and it now seems likely that some 2,813 acres of land in four close, but not contiguous, areas would be available for reservation as a national park. It might be possible to add to this basic area as "land-tenure" problems are overcome, at some time in the future. The Authority is now pursuing the matter in the hope of finding an early solution. 5 3. Cathedral Range. The Authority's investigations into the possibility of establishing a national park in the Cathedral Range area between Taggerty and Buxton have made satisfactory progress during the year under review. A comprehensive report on the proposal is now being prepared for consideration by the Authority. 4. Little Desert. As previously mentioned, legislation of the lOth December, 1968 dedicated the Little Desert National Park of 2,870 acres. This includes the former Kiata Lowan Sanctuary Reserve of 537 acres. It is hoped that, at some time in the future, the park may be further enlarged. 5. Werribee Gorge. The proposal for a national park based on the Werribee Gorge was outlined in the 1966-67 Annual Report. The area of 573 acres, approximately three miles upstream from Bacchus Marsh, has been permanently reserved under the Land Act since 1907, to preserve geological, volcanic, and glacial features. The problem of access is under investigation and will need to be resolved before the proposal can move forward. 6. Cape Everard. As mentioned in last year's report, Cape Everard on the East Gippsland coast between Marlo and Wingan Inlet was examined by the Authority as a site for a national park and a proposal submitted to the Government for consideration. COMMITTEES OF MANAGEMENT. The membership of the Committees of Management for the various national parks is set out in Appendix 1. THE NATIONAL PARKS. At the close of the year there were twenty-one national parks in Victoria, located as shown in Figure l. A brief statement on each of the parks follows. 1. WYPERFELD NATIONAL PARK. Committee of Management. There was no change in the membership during the year. Visitor Statistics. During the year, the part-time Ranger recorded 8,600 visitors-over 2,000 more than for the previous year. Park Activities. Roads and Tracks. The sealing of the road between the park entrance and the tourist area, a distance of 5! miles, was completed by the Country Roads Board. Conservation. In March, 1969, Carey Grammar School pupils engaged in a park project involving painting, tree planting and fencing of a number of areas including some reserved for the regeneration of native pines. Fire Protection. As stated under the heading of " Fire Protection " in this report, an area of 400 acres was burned at Wyperfeld. The fire, which occurred in December, 1968 near the tourist area, was caused by a lightning strike. Due to the prompt action of a group of boy scouts, who happened to be camping in the park at the time, the fire was contained and was subsequently extinguished by officers of the Forests Commission and local Country Fire Authority brigades. Flora and Fauna. Two botanists, Mr. A. C. Beauglehole and Mr. E. Finck, who made a further plant survey of the park in October, 1968 discovered 127 species of plants, which had not previously been recorded for the park. With relief from last year's drought, bird and animal populations are regaining their former numbers. 6 Vice-Regal Visit. In March, 1969, His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe, and Lady Delacombe, honoured the park with a visit. The Karkarooc and Dimboola Shire Councils combined to add to the pleasure of the occasion by providing a delightful barbecue lunch and afternoon tea for his Excellency and Lady Delacombe and a considerable number of local citizens. Condition of the Park. During the year 15·90 inches of rain were recorded in the Tourist Area, compared with 12·06 inches of the previous year. Rain fell during every month of the year and, as a result, the park is in excellent condition, with all water storages at a satisfactory level. 2. KINGLAKE NATIONAL PARK. Committee of Management. The Authority regretfully reports the deaths of Cr.