'The best view on the planet' Exotic plants invasion NPA BULLETIN Volume 30 number 1 March 1993

CONTENTS Letters 4 'The best view on the planet' 8 Exotic plants invasion 11 Aboriginal or European? 12 Travellers' Tales (part III) 14 Parkwatch 17 Cover Legal protection for Namadgi 20 Photo: Fiona McDonald Brand Mount Morgan (see story on page 19)

National Parks Association (ACT) Subscription rates (1 July to 30 June; Incorporated Household members $20 Single members $15 Inaugurated 1960 Corporate members $10 Bulletin only $10 Concession: half above rates For new subscriptions joining between: Aims and objects of the Association 1 January and 31 March—half specified rate • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the*pro- 1 April and 30 June—annual subscription tection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural features in the Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the Membership enquiries welcome reservation of specific areas. Please phone Laraine Frawley at the NPA office. • Interest m the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation is located in Maclaurin Cres, areas. The NPA (ACT) office Chifley. Office hours are: • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment 10am to 2pm Mondays of, such natural phenomena by organised field outings, 9am to 2pm Tuesdays and Thursdavs meetings or any other means. Telephone: (06) 282 5813 • Co-operation with organisations and persons having simi­ Address: PO Box 40 Chifley ACT 2606. lar interests and objectives. • Promotion ol", and education for, nature conservation, and Contribute to your Bulletin the planning of land-use to achieve conservation. Contributions of articles (news, description or fiction), black-and-white photographs and line drawings ar& Office-bearers and committee keenly sought for the Bulletin. Please label photc^ President Beverley Hammond 288 6577(h) graphs with the name of the subject, the name of the Vice-President Dianne Thompson 288 6084(h); photographer and the date. Leave contributions at the 244 7549(w) office or phone the editor, Roger Green, on (06) 247 0059. The editorial fax is (06) 249 7373. Immediate Past President Les Pyke 281 2982(h) Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Secretary Len Haskew 281 4268(h) Association opinion or objectives. Treasurer Mike Smith 286 2984(hj; 248 3624(w) Deadline for June issue: 1 May, 1993. Subcommittee conveners NPA Bulletin is produced by Green Words for the Environment Tim Walsh 285 1112(h); 274 1465(w) National Parks Association (ACT) Incorporated. It is Outings Michael Kelly 241 2330(h) produced with the assistance of an ACT Heritage grant. Namadgi Syd Comfort 286 2578(h) Printed on recycled paper bv Union Offset Co Ptv Ltd. Other committee members Fyshwick, ACT. Neville Esau 286 4176(hj; 249 9500(w) ISSN 0727-8837 Clive Hurlstone 288 7592(h); 246 5516(w) Doreen Wilson 288 5215(h) Graham Guttridge 231 4330(h) President's foreword NPA has The National Parks Association office is moving! moved It is with some regret that the committee, with the endorsement From Monday 1 February of members at NPA's November 1993, the NPA office will meeting, has decided to move to be situated in the old alternative accommodation. We have had an office with minimal baby health clinic, costs in the old university build­ Maclaurin Crescent, ings since 1984. Prior to this time, Chifley. all business was conducted from members' homes and our library Our new postal address is: was held in a mobile cupboard in our meeting room at the Griffin PO Box 40 Centre. The opening of the office |woincided with the appointment of The president in Austria Chifley, ACT, 2606. ^ ^n office secretary, made possible Photo by Judith Webster by grants from the Community Telephone number is Development Fund. There will be room for a table and (06) 282 5813. The community groups in the chair in the old waiting room for area, many concerned with envi­ the use of members and others Our office hours will ronmental issues, formed an asso­ who request access to some of our remain the same: ciation for the Redevelopment of materials for study purposes. Childers and Kingsley Streets Unfortunately, we do anticipate Mondays 10 am to 2 pm, CROCKS) which NPA joined. a small rise in membership fees to In 1992 the area became cover the rent. Tuesdays and Thursdays Territory property and is zoned as The NPA committee invites all 9am to 2pm. a community facility. A ROCKS members to join us for an official management committee meets opening ceremony on 21 April at monthly and has recently been 5.30pm in the new NPA office, active in developing plans for rede­ Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley. veloping the site. We hope to main­ Please note our new postal address tain our association with this and telephone number in your committee and to be part of the address books. future project. Beverley Hammond In the meantime, squatters in {•the Childers Street hall and the "^room adjacent to our own office have caused some concern. A maintenance issue continues as Guidelines for ageing services and deteriorating buildings have been further dam­ aged by vandals. Archival mate­ contributors rial stored in our office is at risk, Here are some suggestions for con­ • non-technical articles-on although our archives group is tributions to the Bulletin: research into relevant botany, zoology and wildlife proposing to seek storage for some • reports on activities of the management of this at the National Library. If Association (submissions to gov­ you have called at the office ernments, walks, special events) • reviews of books on any of the recently you must have been above topics aware of the cramped conditions • newsy articles about parks, plan­ • short poems and need for additional space. ning or conservation in the ACT and south-eastern New South • black and white photographs So we are moving. Wales illustrating any of the above Our new office, in the former • short reports on travels to (well-lit colour prints are usually baby health clinic at Chifley, is acceptable). brighter, larger, more accessible, national parks or other natural Anyone thinking of contributing to in pleasant surroundings and areas in other parts of Australia NPA Bulletin is welcome to discuss lighter at night. The preschool is or overseas, highlighting man­ ideas with the editor, Roger Green, behind us, so it will be busy at agement issues that could be of telephone (06) 247 0059. times, but there is parking on the relevance to parks near street and in a small parking area. Canberra Willows have their place Dear Sir, I am writing in response to two items on willows published in the two previous issues of the NPA Bulletin. Fiona MacDonald Brand asked the question, 'Should they [the willows! stay or should they go?' (September 1992); Timothy Crosbie Walsh stated that 'from a conservation point, the willow must go!' (December 1992). So, how? And when? As well as, why? Do we introduce a disease to kill them, and risk its getting out of control? Do we leave the dead wil­ lows standing or drag them down? Once the willows are removed, what stops the banks from eroding away? Do we plant native trees to replace them? Do we wait until the root systems of these replace­ ment trees are mature before the willows are removed? Indeed, will they grow with the willows still in place? I've asked questions all over the place and no-one seems to have the answers. Yet conserva­ tionists say that willows must go—an easy instant answer and one that sounds a little like an environmental version of 'ethnic cleansing* to me. Will it stop with willows? Why not include the pop­ lars and the cypresses too, indeed Rowley's Hut—one site of the willow controversy. everything the pioneers planted in Photo by Reg Alder their landscapes to make them­ replaced much of our native vege­ selves feel comfortable in what drought crop. Governments tation along watercourses, but it must have been, to them, an alien encouraged landholders to plant! is equally true that they have and often hostile land? There them to stabilise banks. The easy- must be a more thoughtful replaced the native trees as homes to-grow willow was valued at £1, answer, one sensitive to all the for birds and animals. Where will while a mile of new fencing was a issues. the birds nest once all the willows mere £30. have gone? It has been suggested Attitudes, of course, change with It is true that in some places the to me that, because native trees time, but we don't have to be willow growth has become so thick take so long to grow, it would be extreme. Some of those willows that it is stopping the flow of the preferable to pull out the willows now have historical value. In any water. These trees will have to be and replace them with quick- case, why does the environment removed, and soon. It will be inter­ growing native understorey always have to win at the expense esting to see how it's done and plants. This, apparently, would of cultural heritage? In an area how much damage is caused to stop the banks from eroding. But grazed for generations but now a surrounding areas. We've already where are the safe nesting places? national park, surely both natural seen what damage moving rocks And does not replacing overseas and cultural values are integral to from one spot to another can do! exotics with Australian natives the whole, and both should be con­ When Timothy said, 'the willows that are just as exotic to the area served. Remove all willows and must go', in my mind's eye I saw in question sound a bit screwy to you've altered significantly that armies of tractors and bulldozers you? landscape. Why devalue it in this down every valley in Namadgi Until fairly recent times, willow way? Little historical research has tearing out the offending willows. trees have been regarded by farm­ been done in Namadgi. Very old And at what cost! ing people as valuable—for shade, trees, especially those that make It is also true that willows have for aesthetic reasons and as a up a complete cultural landscape, should remain unless they are an already been identified. They and especially the Kosciusko immediate problem. Historians should be dealt with. I think it's National Park, one should be pre­ and archaeologists have a right to also time to call in the experts to pared for rain at all times. Some research complete landscapes. identify the willows that are his­ years ago Pat and I went on a Later generations have a right to torically significant and to assess great summer walk led by Ian see cultural landscapes as a whole the condition of the creek/river Haynes—Hannels Spur to just as much as they have the downstream from each. And take Charlottes Pass. The first day right to experience wilderness. it from there. was hot and we wore shorts and Descendants of the pioneering Babette Barber Scougall light shirts. Part of the second day families also have rights. Just was in white-out blizzard condi­ because their inheritance was Be even more tions, and we wore thermals, wool­ taken from them when the area len shirt, pullover, longjohns, was selected for the site of the prepared parkas, overpants, gloves and any­ thing else we could find. national capital, doesn't mean Dear Sir, that every trace of their ancestors' In the December issue there was Eric Pickering endeavours has to be obliterated. an excellent article by Olive Too much of their built history Buckman Be prepared—walkers' Is Wonboyn has already been removed. responsibilities. I would like to add Anyway, which species of willow a couple of points. wilderness? are we talking about when we say People go bushwalking by them­ Dear Sir, 'all must go*? The two most selves (not a recommended prac­ In an article entitled Wilderness common in Namadgi are the tice, but it is still a free country), assessments in the last issue of the white willow (Salix alba) and the or in groups of two or more. For Bulletin, a statement was made weeping willow (Salix babylon- the safety conscious, the minimum that Wonboyn Beach (in the north­ ica). The white willow was intro­ number is four, especially if the ern end of Nadgee Nature duced in the 1880s and has walk involves venturing into Reserve) was considered-to be 'the spread rapidly. The weeping rough or remote terrain. There are only large beach in NSW which willow, on the other hand, was at least two reasons for this. can be managed as wilderness'. introduced very early in European (1) If someone has an accident The truth is the beach is within settlement and hasn't spread and is disabled, one person can easy reach of everyone who visits much at all. Perhaps the two spe­ stay with the injured party and Wonboyn, which is a mere 3km cies should be treated as two sep­ the other two go for help. The four from the beach. Cabins and camp arate problems. Indeed, is the should agree on the locaton of the sites are available there, and it j weeping willow a problem at all? injured party and carefully note it has been popular with fisherfolk It seems to me that the real prob­ on a map. The two going for help and family groups for years. A lem is that we've removed the can talk to one another, discuss well-used dirt road leads direct to cattle that used to keep willows at navigation and the location of the Greenglade at the southern end of least partly under control by regu­ car(s) and where to get help. A the beach—my little Corolla had lar cropping and neglected to person on their own can easily no difficulty negotiating it, even introduce other controls. become disoriented and even after rain. There's also a sand Of course, not all willows are frightened if inexperienced. track running the full length of caught up in the river systems. (2) The injured party may be the beach. Boating parties also Some grow in total isolation and able to walk with assistance. The have access. You call this wilder­ are not spreading, for example, other three can take turns in ness? Even if the park service . next to a waterhole/swamp behind assisting—two people supporting erected a barrier across the road Rowley's hut in the Orroral the injured party and the third at the boundary of the Nadgee valley. navigating and finding the best reserve, the walk to the beach To clear Namadgi of all willows route through the bush. I remem­ would only be about 1km. Nadgee must mean we are doing it to pro­ ber one occasion where a person reserve contains some wonderful beaches with true wilderness tect the Murrumbidgee, into who sprained an ankle on Mt potential, but Wonboyn Beach is which Namadgi watercourses Lincoln was carried most of the way to the Smokers Trail carpark not one of them, at least not with­ flow. But it is obvious that it's not 1 out closing the township of really Namadgi trees that create on a make-shift seat. Wonboyn. Is this what is being In regard to clothing I believe it the Murrumbidgee willow prob­ suggested? lem. In fact, the present state of is important to carry a waterproof the Murrumbidgee's banks would parka on all walks. (Perhaps I Over the years NPA of the ACT make a farce of the inevitable dev­ have this view because I do a lot of has earned a reputation for being astation that will be the result of pack walking). Weather forecasts a serious, responsible group, not ripping out all of Namadgi's are not always reliable. In areas given to exaggerated or mislead­ willows. like the Budawangs, the coast, the ing statements. With statements Brindabellas, the Blue Mountains, I believe the willow-caused in fact most of our walking areas, blockages in Namadgi have continued on next page Is Wonboyn wilderness? continued such as the one quoted above, how­ Bulletin. Anyone wishing to have Canberra rockclimbers for 30 ever, our organisation's credibility an input to Association submis­ years or more. As a result, many of is at risk. sions is welcome to attend subcom­ these outcrops have received Who wrote the article, anyway, mittee meetings (see back page for names, especially those that adorn and why was no name attached? details). the Orroral Ridge. Names such as I'm assuming the statement repre­ Of course, the Bulletin also wel­ The Cloisters, The Belfry', sents one member's wishful think­ comes expressions of members' Legoland, Trojan Wall, Sentinel ing but, the way it was presented, opinion, the more vigorous the Rock, Roman Walls, The it reads like an official statement. better. Battlements, Thunder Bluff, In my opinion, authorship of all Phantom Buttress, Silhouette items in the Bulletin should be Respect original Slabs and White Horse Rocks, to shown. name a few, span a period of local Babette Scougall names exploration and interest from the Dear Sir, early 1960s to the late 1980s. Such Note from the Editor: names certainly pre-date labels^^ Unsigned items in the Bulletin are I have often noticed in Canberra bushwalking literature and bulle­ such as The Spinnaker. I believe^^ usually short notices or reports these names should be respected tins a confusion or ignorance over written by members of the edito­ by the new generation of bush­ the appropriate name to give to rial team at Green Words. Articles walkers. Those that are interested by members or statements of opin­ the various granite outcrops in the in pursuing this may wish to have ion are usually signed. ACT that are increasingly becom­ a good look through the rockclimb- The part of the article in ques­ ing popular bushwalking destina­ ing guide, ACT Granite, published tion was'a summary of a submis­ tions, especially those in the in 1989, which has some excellent sion made by the Association and, Orroral region. It may be of inter­ maps as well as advice on how to I think, accurately presents the est to know that most of the gran­ reach these areas. views put in that submission. The ite outcrops that dot the ACT article was written by Anne landscape have been visited, Adam Blizzard Henderson Forsythe who subedits the appreciated and climbed by

NPA submission to Jervis Bay paper

In November 1992, research offi­ plan should be prepared and Replanting of degraded areas cer Anne Taylor submitted a implemented. should be done with local spe­ response on behalf of the NPA to Links with adjacent natural cies only. the discussion paper Jervis Bay areas through the system of Bombardment of areas identified Our Heritage Our Future, a identified habitat corridors as having natural and cultural regional environment plan for the should be maintained. significance is unsustainable and area around Jervis Bay. In this should be stopped immediately. response, the NPA stated its sup­ Proposals for urban expansion port for much of what is presented should be based on adequate The Department of Defence in the discussion paper, while sug­ community consultation, includ­ rationale for the relocation of gesting alterations and additions ing with state and national com­ the armaments depot to Jervis and urging the government to munity organisartons. Bay has been shown to be seri­ move swiftly to implement the The principles of ecologically ously flawed. An alternative site plan. sustainable development must must be found. be considered when determining The bay should be declared a The following points are only the optimum population for the nuclear free zone. some of the many suggested by area. Tourism must also be con­ Consideration should be given the NPA paper. sidered in this context. to the recommendations of the • All areas of land identified in Urban run-off should be mini­ Ecologically Sustainable the study area as 'natural areas mised, and land disposal options Development Committee on of intrinsic value' should be for sewage should be investigated. Tourism when developing a reserved as part of Stage 3 tourism strategy for Jervis Bay. Jervis Bay National Park. Commercial fishing licences within the bay should be termi­ Tourism facilities should be low- • The waters of the bay should be nated as they come up for key and sympathetic to the declared an aquatic reserve. renewal, as the area is an impor­ environment. • A total catchment management tant fish nursery. IN COMMITTEE

Environment subcommittee tackles ideas Barnett Cocks' statement that a and an extra $8 million for the accordance with internationally 'committee is a cul-de-sac down control of weeds and feral accepted classifications and which ideas are lured and then animals standards. quietly strangled' can definitely • an extra $4.45 million over the Other matters dealt with in the not be used to describe the work of next four years to boost the Save Prime Minister's statement the Environment Subcommittee! the Bush program include state of the environment The daunting array of topics this reporting, the Murray-Darling happy band of warriors for conser­ • the establishment of a compre­ Basin and country towns' water vation tackles continues to hensive system of protected supply, the healthy cities pro­ astound. areas. gram, marine and coastal protec­ This will involve a survey of all Matters considered recently tion, research into climate change major ecosystems. The include the Lower Molonglo Water and the greenhouse effect, energy Commonwealth Government will Quality Control Centre and its efficiency, government support for provide $16.85 million over the effect on the Pink-tailed Legless conservation organisations, tropi­ next four years: Lizard, the Jervis Bay Regional cal forests and proposed World Plan discussion paper, the north • to continue and expand existing Heritage nominations for atson study, the effect of the Commonwealth and state pro­ Australian fossil sites. national trail on national parks, grams for the development and The subcommittee will be liais­ the future of Tuggeranong implementation of a bio-regional ing with the Namadgi subcommit­ Homestead, Aboriginal involve­ approach to the identification of tee in monitoring the ment in national parks (especially protected areas implementation of these commit­ in south-eastern Australia), the • to complete the National ments as they affect the ACT and effect of tourism on the environ­ Wilderness Inventory by 1993 in specific ACT matters such as ment, the Austel National and to ensure its maintenance the ACT Government's recently Telecom Code, coastal protection as one of several key indicators released discussion paper on rural and ecologically sustainable in the development of the leases. Copies of the full state­ development. reserve system ment by Mr Keating can be Amongst the government reports obtained by telephoning 274 1221 • to promote and encourage state or (008) 803772. to be considered in 1993 are The and territory co-operation in Australian Environment and surveying and protecting pub­ Call me on 2741465(w) or Tourism Report by the Senate licly owned old growth forests 285 1112(h) if you'd like to partici­ Standing Committee on and wilderness by 1995. Such pate in the subcommittee's activi­ Environment, Recreation and the forests on private land should be ties. We meet monthly. Arts, A Draft Policy for reserved by 1998. In the Timothy Walsh Commonwealth Responsibilities in interim, the Commonwealth the Coastal Zone (DASET), the Government will alert states National Strategy for ESD, and and territories to the commit­ he NSW Legislative Council's ment to avoid activities that report on Coastal Planning and may significantly affect areas of Management Processes. old growth forest and wilderness The Prime Minister's likely to be of high conservation Environment Statement on value 21 December 1992 has exciting implications for nature conserva­ • to assist agencies in identifying tion and will be studied closely by rivers in near pristine condition the subcommittee. Some of the and to encourage protection and main features of particular inter­ proper management of their est to the NPA include: total catchments, following up on past work by the Australian • the government's decision to Heritage Commission and some ratify the International states Convention on Biological Diversity following consultation • to provide incentives for state with the states and territories and territory co-operation in progressively developing a com­ • the allocation of $2.25 million to prehensive system of protected develop and implement consis­ areas, to be completed no later tent world heritage manage­ than 2000 ment systems • to develop and apply nationally • an extra $2.9 million to the consistent principles for the Climbing at Namadgi Endangered Species Program management of reserves in Photo by Roger Green WALKS 'The best view on the planet' Yalwal to Quiera via Ettrema the four cars managed to get from nearby grazing leases). The Gorge through three or four potential weather had improved and we January 23 to 26 bogs. They were parked beside the took advantage of this and the Maps: fire trail (would they be there pebbly creek-bed to spread out Yalwal, Touga 1:25000, Moss when we returned four days and dry our tents, flys and wet Vale 1:100000, Nowra Forestry later?). clothes. This was a very satisfying Commission Map Our epic trip commenced at time—the trip had started and the 9.30am Saturday; we wore parkas weather had improved—what This was a joint NPA/Canberra as protection from the wet under­ more could we wish for. Bushwalking Club walk. The par­ growth. Before long we were fol­ After lunch we climbed the 300- ticipants were Jenny Atton, Kevin lowing a rainforest creek which metre Fletchers Spur to the base Gill, David Hall, Keith Johns, was to take us through the cliff- of an un-named plateau about Sonia Lenz, Kevin McCue, Brian line 250 metres above Danjera two-square kilometres in size, and Palm, Pat and Eric Pickering Creek. We pushed our way though surrounded by cliffs. By now it (leaders), Den and Geoff Robin, lush, thick, rainforest vegetation was quite hot and humid—very^ Helen Semler, Mike Smith and with slippery fallen logs and debilitating—my shirt was sop­ Denis Wright. Of the 14, seven lawyer vine searching for an old ping wet. Brian had found an easy had joint NPA/CBC membership overgrown and barely distinguish­ pass through the cliff-line to the and six had NPA membership. able timber trail. The trail is not top of the plateau. Most of the We left Canberra in cloudy marked on the map but we knew party took the opportunity of weather on Friday afternoon with it was there and that it contoured using this pass to gain some really a not too promising weather fore­ for several kilometres around the superb views of Misson Point, cast for our four-day walk. Two base of the cliffs. I stopped briefly Yalwal to the north and the cars departed at 4pm to set up the to study the map and our next Danjera valley to the south. It first part of a lengthy car shuffle. move, when Brian pointed out looked really rugged. We rejoined Passengers were deposited at the that we were in fact standing on the rest of the party resting in the Touga road turn-off beyond the trail! shade. Nerriga on the Braidwood-Nowra We followed the trail and rested The day's climbing was over but road. The two drivers drove to briefly in one of a number of open, the day was not finished. It Quiera Clearing, parked one car shady, forest glades with some seemed to take an inordinate there and then returned to the majestic, mature turpentine trees. amount of time to sidle around the Touga turn-off, just in time to We noted a number of turpentine base of this island mountain to meet the other three cars, which stumps which had been sawn and Morley saddle, the low-point of had left Canberra at 5pm. By this harvested sometime in the past. I the ridge separating Danjera and time (7.30pm), gentle rain had would guess that the harvesting Bundundah Creeks. According to started. The intrepid 14 piled into had taken place in the 1960-70 my forestry map, this ridge is alsoi the four cars and drove for era. Further on there were tall the border between vacant and another hour or so beyond cabbage tree palms and fan palms reserved Crown land through Sassafras, turning north along the growing. The vegetation on our which we had been walking and Yarramunmun firetrail.W e made overgrown track was up to ten Morton National Park. After a camp along a deserted side track, feet tall and included young trees brief rest we followed an old bridle some beside the road and others and a great deal of prostanthera. trail which took us down the mis­ 200 metres further on, near a cliff- named Atkinson Spur to a beauti­ top overlooking Danjera Creek. It We followed the trail north for ful campsite. The correct name is rained steadily all night. One two kilometres to the base of Atkins Spur after Jenny Atkins. camp-site was virtually flooded. Misson Point, the end-point of a Pat and I talked about our options narrow, cliff-surrounded penin­ Our campsite was on what used during the night—basically cancel sula, the western-most extension to be Jenny Atkins' selection just the walk, continue as planned, or of the Yalwal Plateau. Some of us south of the junction of modify. climbed a 20 metre boulder up the Bundundah and Selection creeks. hill towards Misson Point which It is fronted by a beautiful pool Saturday morning was much the gave good views of Danjera Dam about the size of two Olympic same weather-wise, still overcast and our route. An open spur took pools laid end to end. James and some drizzle. Much to my sur­ us swiftly down 250 metres to an Henry Sturgiss in The Man from prise the party was in good spirits early lunch near the junction of the Misty Mountains spins an and keen to continue. We break­ Danjera and Hell Hole Creeks. It amusing tale about Jenny and fasted, packed our wet tents and was a really beautiful spot with how she protected her two daugh­ flys and drove the remaining grassy banks of emerald green, ters from the Yalwal Don Juans. seven kilometres to the walk start mown short presumably by kanga­ We swam in the large pool where (grid reference 604-268). En-route roos (or less romantically by cows Jenny is reputed to have caught WALKS

fish by stunning them with sticks tres, pushed through the scrub of dynamite. The bridle trail we briefly and came onto a cliff-ledge had used is almost certainly the overlooking Cinch Creek and one which the Atkins would have Ettrema Gorge. The view is truly used on their fairly frequent visits breath-taking, one of the best on to Yalwal some eight kilometres the planet. The cliff-line runs to away. Yalwal was a gold mining the north and south in a sheer town between 1870 and 1939 drop of 70-80 metres, before devel­ when it was destroyed by bush­ oping into steep spurs, secondary fires and never rebuilt. Peak activ­ cliffs and gullies which end even­ ity was in the 1880-1900 era after tually in Ettrema Gorge some 400 which it declined. Most of the site metres below. Below us Cinch of the old town is now beneath Creek, with the spectacular Danjera Dam which was opened in Perryman Falls, cascaded and 1972 to serve Nowra. The area is tumbled down to Ettrema Creek. now used for recreational pur­ To the north, rising from the poses and some limited cattle Ettrema Creek-bed is a spectacu­ grazing. lar, steep, rocky knoll which pro­ Sunday morning we were up and vides a spur leading to the mighty 'away early to avoid climbing in Possibility Point. We had lunch on the heat of the day. We made good the cliff-top to give everyone time time up the 300 metre Twelve to take in the beauty of this place. Apostles Spur, a spur with glades A small group took a side trip to of shady trees in some places and Possibility Point about a kilometre dense thickets of burrawangs in away. The point juts out into others. It has some healthy look­ Ettrema Gorge and at its extrem­ ing stinging nettles too! Once ity is only a couple of metres wide. again the weather was very warm It is a great viewing platform. To and humid. Standing on a huge the north you can see the steep- boulder at the top of the spur we sided gorge for seven or more kilo­ 1 had excellent views of the spectac­ metres, and to the south as far as ular Bundundah Creek Valley Hamlet's Crown some five kilome­ across to Morley Saddle and yes­ tres away. An approaching storm terday's route. The Twelve hastened our return. It was brief Apostles are free-standing mono­ but authoritative. The group wait­ liths—pieces of broken cliff-line— ing at Dog Leg Creek reported standing in dense patches of ferns. that the rain had approached This is a really beautiful place. them horizontally and then swept Two hundred metres further on upwards over the cliff-tops! we found Packhorse Pass. As the Possibility Point was named by 'name implies, it is a ramp which Paddy Pallin before his epic cross­ provides easy access over the last ing of Ettrema Gorge in 1952. He IV-- 20 metres of climb to the plateau had regarded the point as a possi­ (Colleys Plateau). It is quite likely ble route into the gorge. He had that in the early days the route also named Cinch Creek because from Yalwal to Nerriga and hence he thought it would be an easy Goulburn, Taralga and Quean­ alternative route. When he actu­ beyan was via Jenny Atkins' selec­ ally arrived there he was disap­ tion and Packhorse Pass and then pointed with both option s—both south across the Ettrema Plateau. seemed impossible without climb­ We donned our scrub pants as ing gear. His party had then ven­ protection against the prickly tured north near our lunch spot. hakea and took a north-west bear­ One of the party, Paul Howard, ing to an old trail. This provided a found an amazing route through welcome relief from scrub. We all the cliff-line shown on the map as admired the avenue of white- flow­ Paul's Pass. This is the route we ering melaleuca trees and the red took. It starts near Dog Leg Creek bottlebrush flowers (callistemon). and involves traversing a ledge, in On the track were occasional patches of Christmas bells (bland- fordid) and flannel flowers (actino- Kevin Gill climbing waterfall, tus). We followed this track in a Myall Creek. westerly direction for two kilome­ Photo by Eric Pickering. WALKS

'The best view on the planet' continued Save Royal one place very narrow and then before completing the finaltw o dropping into a crack. Here a kilometres to our campsite just National Park huge chunk of cliff-face has moved short of Myall Creek. There is a danger that the deci­ about half a metre away from the I have walked or rather climbed sion to protect the lands around rest of the cliff. Earth and leaves Myall Creek many times and each have built up in this gap to form a Helensburgh in the Hacking River time it is an experience to be catchment will be deferred, leav­ ramp. Once inside the crack it is a savoured. We all enjoyed the chal­ simple matter of walking down ing the area open to large scale lenges of Myall—walking the development of up to 4000 houses the steep ramp, literally inside ledge around the top of the first and some factories. This would the cliff, and scrambling over a waterfall, climbing the cascades, degrade the Royal National Park few boulders to the base of the swimming in the large pool with cliff. the 25 metre waterfall, climbing and contribute to the loss of spe­ the three-metre wall at the final cies such as the sooty owl and the We scrambled down the steep yellow-bellied glider. spur below the cliff to Cinch waterfall, walking the 30-metre Creek, negotiating one or two log bridge into a side creek, crawl­ Please write a submission to muddy rock slides on our bottoms. ing through a cave and finally Wollongong City Council, using At Cinch Creek we enjoyed a well- climbing two chimneys to the pla­ some or all of the following points. earned swim in a beautiful swim­ teau. We arrived at Quiera • The Royal National Park needs { ming hole with a waterfall at one Clearing at 2pm where my car protection from water pollution end. By 7pm we were setting up had been placed four days earlier. caused by urban expansion. camp near the Ettrema- It took almost three hours to unscramble the car shuffle. • Rainforest should not be cleared Tullyangela Creek junction. for pollution ponds which do not The next day was a pleasant We met at the Loaded Dog at work. relaxed 12 kilometre walk Taralga to say our farewells. The • Wildlife corridors should be pre­ upstream along Ettrema Creek party was in good spirits: the first served to ensure the survival of admiring the scenery, the rugged two days had been fairly hard, the cliff-line, swimming and diving in third day relaxing and the final large native mammals. the beautiful pools. The weather day, challenging but short. We • The urban expansion plans rely was kind, mainly overcast but had walked about 40 kilometres. upon an experimental pollution warm enough for swimming. Everyone had experienced chal­ control technology which is of Brian had gone ahead to do a side- lenge, a wilderness experience, doubtful effectiveness. trip up Jones Creek. We met him enjoyment and companionship. • The detrimental effects of at the junction in the shadow of What a pity we separate just domestic animals on native wild­ Thomsons Cliff (named after Pat's when we are getting to know one life may be increased by urban grandfather): Brian had been up and other. expansion. to the waterfall above the aban­ doned mine. We boiled the billy Eric and Pat Pickering • The number of native animals killed on roads within the park would be increased if the local i population is increased. • Aboriginal sites of significance in the area should be protected and preserved. • Environmental planning priori­ ties for the Hacking River catch­ ment should be such as to ensure the protection of Australia's oldest national park. The title of your submission should be: Submission in support of Draft Environmental Plan No. 91/16—Helensburgh Area. Address the submission to: Mr Rod Oxley General Manager/Town Clerk Wollongong City Council Locked Bag 8821 South Coast Mail Centre NSW 2121 David Hall and Pat Pickering descending into crack. Wollongong City Council Photo by Di Thompson. Reference: T340/6/1 Exotic plants invasion Canberrans are all aware of the spread of cotoneaster, briars, St John's wort, Cootamundra wattle, blackberries and other weeds in our local area. Members who attended the November NPA meeting were aghast to hear about the environmental devastation being caused by introduced plants throughout our continent. Dr Stella Humphries, an ecolo- gist with CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, graphically illustrated the national pattern of exotic plant invasions in Australian ecosystems. A research team of Dr Humphries and Dr Richard Groves of CSIRO with Dr David Mitchell of the Murray-Darling Athel pine changing the course of the Finke River in central Australia. Freshwater Research Centre gath­ Photo by Stella Humphries. ered details on the threat to our native fauna and flora in a wide numbers. Queensland. It smothers trees up range of ecosystems including (In his Statement on the to 15 metres high and is destroy­ inland and coastal wetlands, Environment, the Prime Minister ing 0.6 hectares of forest per year. rivers, lakes, mudflats, rainforest, promised additional funding of Other plants seen as a problem grasslands and seashores. $5 million over three years for in southern Australia are the work on the control of Mimosa bridal creeper Myrsiphyllum Rubber vine (Cryptostegia gran- pigra including mechanical and asparagoides, bitou bush, lantana, diflora) introduced as an orna­ chemical control and further broom, blackberry—and off the mental plant from Madagascar in research into biological control. He Tasmanian coast the kelp the 1870s, smothers trees and Undaria pinnatifida. other vegetation. This vigorous also announced that a National Eradication programs raise climbing plant has spread in Weeds Strategy is being many issues: Queensland throughout the river developed.) systems of southern Cape York Two semi-aquatic grasses from • we need legislative controls on and along the coast towards the Caribbean Hymenachne the import of ornamental plants .Bundaberg in an area of amplexicaulis and Echinochloa with comprehensive screening '350 000km2. As yet no progress polystachia are seen as potential and quarantine processes has been made with biological con­ threats. These have been pro­ • conflict between conservation trol although a rust is soon to be moted as pasture plants in the and agricultural and pastoral released. Herbicide control is tropics, but researchers express values must be resolved uneconomic because of vast areas concern that they will choke wet­ • plant nurseries must be per­ and difficult terrain, and cutting land systems and destroy bird suaded to stop selling poten­ back is hampered by extensive habitats—as has happened with tially problem species root systems which reshoot. an established grass Brachiaria • early intervention in weed out­ Mimosa pigra is causing devas­ mutica. breaks is essential tation over some 800km2 and is The watercourses of central • clearing of small areas may be posing major management prob­ Australia, such as the Finke wasteful of funds if reinvasion is lems for Kakadu National Park. It River, are threatened by Tamarix likely to occur is fast-growing and produces aphylla. Introduced as a shade • removal by herbicide treatment many seeds which float across tree, it is now seen to be changing may leave bare ground suscepti­ floodplains and in rivers of tropi­ river flow and sedimentation ble to new weed infestations— cal coastal areas. This woody, regimes, salinising the soil, dis­ revegetation programs must be prickly plant grows in dense placing native vegetation and in place stands six metres tall. Long-term interfering with the animal com­ • herbicide application is expen­ biological controls are being munities that depend on it. sive for private landholders. sought with some success being The tropical vine from India, Dr Humphries stressed the need achieved by the stem boring Thunbergia grandiflora, has for a national, co-ordinated attack larvae of the moth Neurostrota escaped from gardens and threat­ on the weed problem. guniella in reducing seed ens lowland rainforests in Beverley Hammond Aboriginal or European? Last year Joan Goodrum, one of were employed in digging them our members with an interest in out. Their methods were said to archaeology, brought to notice have been to remove loose rocks some unexplained piles of stones from around larger rocks to make between and on larger rocks on it easier to dig out the burrows. the spur leading down to Bogong These would be piled in heaps, creek from the Yankee Hat car­ s Another method was to encircle park. Similar piles in other areas the rock with a cord net. The net have been attributed to be would be held down by rocks Aboriginal route markers. It'is placed on the top of the larger perhaps no coincidence that these rock. Wire netting tubes, large stones lead towards Namadgi enough to just accommodate a where lines of stones were identi­ rabbit were also formed and fied in the mid-'70s as being cere­ placed at the entrances of bur­ monial and of Aboriginal origin. rows. By various methods the The Gudgenby valley may be rabbi ts wou Id be forced from | likened to a focal point where their burrows and caught in the Aboriginals gathered on their wire netting. Evidence of these way for their annual Bogong methods can still be seen. Wire moth feasts, ceremonial or trad­ netting was also used to perma­ ing occasions. The area is particu­ nently encircle a large boulder to larly suitable as a gathering prevent new burrowing and to place because of the fiat valley capture encircled rabbits. floor, desirable camping with food Evidence of this activity can be availability and from all points seen in adjoining areas. comparatively easy access Over the past couple of years, because of breaks in the ranges axe-grinding grooves have been surrounding the site. From the located on Middle creek at the valley both Namadgi and Sentry The phantasmagoric image of a boundary of the old scrub lease Box mountains, both with ceremo­ deeply weathered granite boulder and freehold lease boundary and nial sites, can be seen. There are located on the ridge below the at the top of the cascades as the also the Yankee Hat, Rendezvous Yankee Hat car park. creek drops to the Gudgenby creek and Nursery Swamp rock Photo by Reg Alder. plain. Other groups have also shelter art sites as well as evi­ been located between the junction dence of a number of sites of tools of Middle creek to the Gudgenby and toolmaking activities. metres apart to larger piled stones river and the Gudgenby home­ Elizabeth McKeahnie, born in as the group approaches stead. As these are near the( 1844, distinctly remembered as a Gudgenby river. There is a bend water, it may be said that they young girl seeing 500 'blacks' in the line of stones and investiga­ have been formed by natural camped near her home at tion of a 1900 era parish map of means, but since they are of the Gudgenby. property boundaries shows that it classical, sharp-ended, elliptical does not follow a boundary line. The cairns of rocks located vary shape, there can be little doubt as from a single rock placed on a Also in the area are a number of to their origin, mainly because of prominent larger rock to arrange­ weathered granite boulders which the requirement of the large ments laid out fiat on a compara­ distinctly resemble human heads, number of Aborigines in the area tively level surface of a large one in particular is like a skull to form and hone up their axes. boulder to piles of stones between with huge sunken eye sockets. During late 1992, the Heritage adjacent rocks or laid out flat on Two others are easily recognisable unit of the Parks and the ground in rectangular patterns as heads. The line of stones previ­ Conservation Service contracted around a large boulder. One group ously described leads to an easy two archaeologists to report on located by Fiona Brand, is of a rec­ river crossing and to one of the the possible Aboriginal relation­ tangular shape of a size that would heads. There are also a number of ships to these stone arrange­ cover a body and as Aboriginals rock outcrops which without much ments. Association members gave were known to bury their dead in imagination can be likened to a them some assistance with infor­ this fashion it could be a burial number of animal creatures. If mation and accompanying them site. these have any mythological sig­ in locating stone arrangements. nificance it will never be known. Their report is awaited with There is also a line of stones In the 1920s, the Gudgenby interest. some 90 metres in length made up LInless an individual can be of single stones some three to four property was overrun with rabbits and two gangs of ten men each April 6 Tuesday Meeting April 24/25 Canoe Trip Outings program Outings Sub-committee Clyde River Ref: Batemans Bay & 7.30 pm 1 Fltzmaurice St. Kaleen Tel: 2412330 (h) Ulladulla 1:100000 Meeting to plan the outings program for July to September. Phone Leaden Chris Bellamy Tel: 2497167 (h) • April to June 1993 Mick Kelly (any time after receipt of your Bulletin will make my Phone leader by the previous Wednesday for details. Paddle from job easier) if unable to attend but willing to offer a walk, car camp, Broomah on easy white water to Shallow Crossing and then on flat ski trip etc. water to Nelligen. Route may vary with tide and water levels. Suit­ able for fit beginners. (300Kms $60 per car) April 17 Saturday Walk 1/A The Pinnacle Ref: Canberra UBD Map April 29 Thursday Heritage Week Walk 1/A F18 Square Rock Ref: ACT 1:100000 Leaden Phyl Goddard Tel: 2548279(h) Corin Dam 1:25000 Meet at entrance on Springvale Drive Weetangera north of the De Leaden Olive Buckman Tel: 2488774(h) Salis St intersection at 2pm. Easy walk (swampy in places) of Meet at the Square Rock Trail car park located on the right hand about 2 hrs with beautiful views and some original red stringy side of the Corin Dam Rd (Smokers Gap on the l:25000)about lKm bark woodlands. Bring afternoon tea and binoculars. West of the Corin Forest Ski Facility at 9.30 am. A pleasant walk (plus historical commentary) on tracks through a variety of scenery April 18 Sunday Walk 2/C/D to a fascinating rock formation with extensive views. An inside out- Yankee Hat (North Peak) Ref: Rendezvous Ck aide rock scramble is optional. Total climb 270 metres ideal for be­ Yaouk 1:25000 ginners and families. (80 kms $16 per car) Leaden Jack Smart Tel: 2492191 (w)2488171 (h> Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 8 am. Commencing at Boboyan May 2 Sunday Walk VA/C Pines car park climb to top via saddle for commanding views of sur­ Googong Reservoir Ref: Captains Flat rounding peaks. Steep descent on return. Expect some heavy re­ 1:25000 growth and rocky areas including boulders. (100 kms $20 per car). Leaden Mike Smith Tel: 2862984 (h)2483624 (w) Meet at Canberra Railway Station at 8 am. A walk from the car­ Outings guide * April 17/18 Pack Walk 1/A/B park at the Southern end of Googong Reservoir past London Mt. Talaterang Bef: CMW Budawangs Bridge, old homestead, Curly falls and then across the Queanbeyan Day walks carry lunch, drinka and protective clothing. Leaden Steven Forst Tel: 2748426 (w)2516817 (h) River to Compo Canyon. Return to cars by similar route. Old foot­ Pack walks two or more days, carry all food and camping Contact leader by the Wednesday for details. After a long drive an wear for crossing river advocated. (50 kms $10 per car) requirements. CONTACT LEADER BY easy packwalk of 2.5 hrs over flat terrain to a campsite at the top of WEDNESDAY. Nyanga Falls, (no sleepwalkers please). Then a solid daywalk up May 2 Sunday Heritage Week Walk (Joint NPA/KHA) 2/A Car camps facilities often limited or non-existent. Mt. Talaterang and back. Some scrub. (500 Km $100 per car) Botanists,Brumbies & Brindabella Skiers Ref: ACT Vehicles taken to site can be used for 1:100000 camping. BOOK EARLY WITH LEADER. April 21 NPA New Office Warming Leaden Matthew Higgins Tel: 2477285 (h) Other activities include nature rambles, environmental and New NPA Office Chifley Essential to book early with leader as numbers are limited. Visit field guide studies and ski tours. Leaden Beverley Hammond Tel: 2886577(h) the Mt. Franklin Ski Lodge and associated ski runs, Canberra ski Come along to the new NPA office in Maclaurin Crescent Chifley Club Member Bert Bennett will talk on history of the Chalet. Visit from 5.30 pm for inspection and lots of chat. Please bring a plate of brumby yards before going on to Pryors Hut where, Professor Lind­ Walks gradings savouries. Wjne & juice provided. say Pryor will talk on the history of the Alphine Botanic Garden. (130 Kms $26 per car) Distance grading (per day) April 24 Saturday Walk 2/A/C 1 - up to 10 km Alpine Track Extension Ref: WHIlamsdale May 1/2 Pack Walk 3/A/B 2 - 10 km to 15 km 1:25000 MeryJa State Forest Ref: Bundanoon 3 - 15 km to 20 km Leaden Syd Comfort Tel: 2862578 (h) Leaden Len Haskew Tel: 2814268(h) 4- above 20 km. Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 8.30 am. Follow extension of Al­ Contact leader by Wednesday for details. A pleasant walk mainly Terrain grading pine Track from Booroomba Rocks to Namadgi Visitors Centre, on trails through forest to a colonial farming site. A side trip with­ over newly surveyed track. Car shuffle required. (50 Kms $10 per A - Road, firetrail, track out packs along the old Meryla Rd that was constructed in 1896 car) (suitable for beginners) (350kma $70 per car) B - Open forest C - Light scrub 25 April Sunday Walk 2/A/B May 8 Saturday Walk 1/A D - Patches of thick scrub, regrowth Orroral Valley Ramble Ref: Rendezvous Ck Mt Rogers Ref: Canberra St Map E - Rock scrambling 1:25000 Leaden Gary Schneider Tel: 2549801(h) F - Exploratory. Leaden Steven Forst Tel: 274S426(w) 2516817(h) Meet at Charnwood Shops car park at 2 pm. A local walk on trail The walks program contains additional information. If Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.16 am. A wander up along the on Mt Rogers for fine views of surrounding and distant country­ Orroral River and valley visiting the Orroral Homestead the re­ side. About 8 kms. necessary, contact the leader. mains of the tracking station before wandering back down the oth­ er side of the river. Depending upon party an attempt may be made on the pinnacle sticking out into the valley. (100 Kms $20 per car) May 9 Sunday Walk 21AIDIE trolls 11011 kmi 520 pw car) Cigerline Gorge Rel: Wllllnmsdale May 23 Sunday Wnlk 4I&'C 1:25000 Nans Creek Ref: Ynouk 1:25000 June 12113114 Pack Walk 2iAIB Leader: Syd Comfort Tel: 2862578 (hi Lender: Frank Clements Tel: 2317005 lh) Quilties Mtn CMW Budawange Meet at Kambah village Shops at 8 30 am A walk dobout 12 Kms hlrrl nt Kambah village shops at 8.30 am Pleasant walk (erccpt Lcnder: Steven Font Tel:2738426 (~12516817(hr along the Murrumbldgee lrom near Smith Rd through gorge to An- lor 2Kms alongcreek) fire trails wllh no stwp climbs from Boboynn An easy to medium walk in the virinlly of Quilties Mtn.A 2.5 day gle Croesing. Car shuffle required (10Kms 58 per car) plne forest to Naae Ck and return 1100 Kma $20 per ear) wnlk with vlslts Lo Styles Pnsx, the Dora Ground and Round Mtn. 1300b$60 per car) May 819 Weekend nt Thredbo Mny 22123 Pack Walk 21AICID Thredbo (in comfort1 Sentry Box Mountain 6 Sentry Box Rock June 19 Saturday Leader: Phll Bubb Tel:2758029 (w)2486769 (hl Ref: YAOUK 1:25000 Namadgi work party In order to establish number6 for this stay in lodge accommodation Leader: Mick Kelly Tel: 2756119(w)2412330ihl Leadericontact: Syd Comfort Tel: 2862578 st Thredbo please contact leader EARLY. Optional day walks to Contact leader by Wednesday Tor details. Walk along Nna~Creek Tentittlve date lor work party Actual work type to bc final~ed Dead Horse Gap and on the Main Range. Leave Canhema on Fri- inspect Boboyan Homestead1ruitlsl and Lone Pine(ruins1. Camp on wlth ranger Namadgi day evening. 1400 Kms 580 per car) Sheep Station Creek, climh Sentry Box early on Sunday (without pack1 for a m~danernwn return to cars 1140 kms $78 per earl June 20 Sunday Walk 2ICID May 819 Pack Walk 21NB Explorntory Walk Ref: Corin Dam Mt. Clear Ref: ACT 1:100000 May 30Sunday Wnlk UB 1:25000 Leader: Marty French Tel: 2642477 (~125835'28(h) Brandy Flat Hut Ref: Michelago 1:25000 Leader: Miek Kelly Tel: 2412330 1h) 2756119 (w) Phone leader by the Wednesday for details A walk from the hlt Leader: Marty French Tel: 2583528 (h)2756119 (w) hlmt at Kamhah Villngc Shop3 at 8.30 am. Exploratory wnlk in the Clear camping ground via Long Flsl to Mt Clear and on to Horse Meet at Kamhah Village shops at 8 30 am. Walk lorn Glendale area to the SE and S ol thc Honeysuckle Trecking Station Site. Gully Hut far return along the Naas Valley fire trail. Cwd views of along fire trail to Brandy Flat tlul and onwards to Boboyan Rd. Climh ofahou; 400m involved. Return via the OrraraliHoneysuckle the Naas River valley and surrounding countryside. Total climb Fine wews ofboth the Bdly and Booths Ranges, total distance Ck. lire trail to vehicles. 170 kms $14 per car1 about 600m (140Kms 528 per car) ahuut 12 Km3. Cnr shume required. 1 9OKms $18 per ear) June 24 Thursday Walk UA May 12 Wednesday Wnlk llAIC May 29130 Pack Wnlk 2IAICID Molonglo Gorge Ref: ACT 1:100000 Bmrwmba Rocks ACT: 1:1100000 BurrungubuggeiBrassy Gap Ref: Khancaban. Lender: Olive Buckmnn Tel: 2488774 (h) Leader: Olive Buckman Tel: 2488774 (h) Eucurnbene. Mt Meet at the first BBQ (picnic areal on the right trivers~de)on Mors- Contact leader for meeting place and time. A pleasant 9 kms walk Kosclusko. Berridale head Dr. after the main gate to Dunlrwn Military College at 10 on fire trails and tracks Lo view ol Canberra, then to high paint for 1:50000 am. H 6 knreturn walk on tracks with some rocks and a short 360" views. Climh 300 metres (65 kms $13 per earl Lroder: Di Thompson Tel: 2447550(~)2886081(h) cllmb. 130 ICms $6 per car) Contact leader by Wednesday for details. Walk north along the Mny 15 Saturday Bush Dance Burrungubugge River Valley. Brassy Cap 8 Gungahlin River. Visit 26 dune Saturday Walk 2iAiB Ynrralumls Wmlshed huts and ruins and take in peat mountain scenery and sparkling Long Point ReT: Caoura 1:25000 Lender: Beverley Harnrnond Tel: 28865771h) streams. 1500 kms 5100 per car + park entrance fee) Leader: Steven Forst Tel: 2748426 (w) 2516817 (h) Commencing st 8 pm, jmn with other outdoor and walkinggroups Meet just past the Dicksan tramc lights on Northbourne Ave at in a bush dance to raise funds lor the Wilderness Society, music dune 6 Sunday Walk 21AICID 8.15 am A walk down Long Point lo the Shoalhaven River near provided by Wwlies Home Band. A light supper will be served. Mt Coree Ref: Corln Dnm Tallong. A long walk down with excellent news ol the river for Tickets avnilable from the Wilderness Society ~n Garema Place Civ. 1:25000 lunch on a sandy beach hefore the long haul bnck out. (250 Kms IC. $10 and $6 concessions. Leader: Len Haskew Tel: 2814268 (hl $50 per earJTallong. A long walk down with excellent views of the Meet corner Eucumbene Drtve and Colter Rood at 8 am. Walk From river for lunch on s sandy beach before the long haul back out. (250 May 16 Sunday Walk 2lCID Blundells Flat via fire trails and scrub to the summit ol Mt Coree. Kms $SO per car) Glnlnl Falls Ref: Tldblnbllla Return vm Two Sticks Rd and fire trails. 1120 kme $24 per car) 1:25000 Leader: Mike Smith Tel: 2483624(w) 2862985(h) June 516 Pack Walk 2m Meet ot corner of Eucumbene Drwe and Colter Road at 8 am. Walk Kybesn Rnnge Ref: Puen Buen from Mt Franklin to the 180 m htgh lalls and return. A demanding Points to note and constant 550m descentisscent through fnllen timber 1120kms New fares to lend, new places to go. Pleose help keep our outings $24 per car) Contact leader by the ~ednesda~for detail$. Cars are parked at program alwe by volunteering to lend s walk occasionally. MR 285744 (Yowrie). walk through n mixture of forest. own easuri- All permns joining on outing of the National Psrks Association May 15/16 Pack 21AIcm no and rocky tops along the top df the Kybenn Range belbre camp- of the ACT do so as volunteers in all respect3 and as such accept Rock Flats Ref: Rendezvous Ck mgon the upper Tuross River The following day the route goes sole responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred and the 1:2m through open casuarina heath to Kydre Peak helore returning to National Parks Associntion of the ACT, its omee bearers and Leader: Jack Smart Tel: 2492191(w) 2488171(h) cars along lire trail t 320 Kms $64 per csrl appointed lenders are absolved from any liability in respect ol any injury or damage aufired whilst engaged in any such outing Meet at Ksmbsh Village Shops at 8 em. From Nursery Swamp mr June 9 Wednesday Walk UA The committee suggests a donation of TWENTY cents per park in Omoral Valley mainly by track ncross to Rendezvous Creek Hospltal Creek Waterfall Ref: YAOUK 1:25000 kilometre DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS in the camping high on the creek around MR 726530. Next morning walk Lender: Beverley Hemmond Tel: 2886577(h) car, including the driver. 110 the neerest dollsr) be orered to the up to Rack Flats (with day packs1 return via same route to cars. 190 Meet at Kambah Village Shop I130 am. Walk on trails from Roboy- drwer by each pns8enpr aerepting transport. Drive and walk kms $1R per car1 an pines lo Hospital creek and return across open paddocks and diatnnes quoted in the program are approximate distances for return journeys located to state categorically that reach? Discussing these probabil­ should not be moved for any pur­ he or she placed that pile of stones ities with others, there is the natu­ pose since they are part of either just so, there will always be a ral inclination to favour that they our Aboriginal or European heri­ doubt as to their origin and the would be dispersed rather than tage and if not they are part of the reasons for their location. Would collected. Nets would only need a natural landscape, protected by rabbiters gather and place stones few random stones to hold them the Land (Planning and in a neat heap or just throw them secure around the periphery of the Environment) Act and the out of the way, leave them in boulder. Namadgi Management Plan narrow crevices between adjoining Who laid these stones and why against any disturbance. rocks to provide further problems will always be a matter of conjec­ Reg Alder or lay them out flat on a larger ture and remain an enigma. One rock with some beyond easy thing is certain, however: they Aboriginal involvement in NPs I The last meeting of the obligations towards Aboriginal natural and cultural features, I^Australian National Parks and Torres Strait Islander peoples especially where the features are ""Council in October 1992 consid­ and acknowledges the importance art, ceremonial, occupational or ered the issue of Aboriginal own­ of land to the maintenance of other significant Aboriginal ership and management of Aboriginal culture and traditions. sites. national parks. It recognises the value of • Aboriginal people should be As with the other major ANPC Aboriginal understanding of natu­ encouraged to take a role in the ral ecosystems and processes. agenda issues, our environment research, monitoring and protec­ subcommittee was called upon to The Association also believes tion of native species, particu­ advise on our Association's atti­ that land, including national larly those that are rare or tude. Members were not inclined parks, should be cared for in an endangered. to support a rather restrictive ecologically sustainable manner. • There shold be ongoing consulta­ motion going before the council, NPA (ACT) is familiar with the tion with Aboriginal people but could do no more than models of Uluru and Kakadu in endorse a general statement of the Northern Territory where about the identification, declara­ principle in the absence of a policy Aboriginal-owned land has been tion and management of land for of our own. leased back by the traditional nature conservation purposes. This prompted the subcommit­ owners for management as • Aboriginal people living a tradi­ tee to start developing an NPA national parks, and moves in tional lifestyle have a right to (ACT) policy for its own area of other states to establish similar hunt, fish and gather food for interest, that is, parks and arrangements. subsistence or cultural purposes. reserves in the ACT and south- However, our prime interest is Where these activities take place iBeastern region. in the issue as it affects the parks in national parks or other desig­ ™ A working group was formed, and reserves of south-eastern nated conservation areas, they consisting of Jenny Atten, Neville Australia, in particular those in should be made explicit in appro­ Esau, Tim Walsh, Di Thompson, the ACT. priate plans of management. Joan Goodrum, Fiona Brand, NPA (ACT) supports the follow­ As well as helping us in participa­ Jane O'Donoghue, Graham ing principles: tion in national forums, a policy Guttridge, Anne Taylor and Den along these lines should prove • The purpose of national parks is Robin, representing the environ­ useful when the Association is the conservation in perpetuity of ment and Namadgi sub­ asked for advice from the ACT their natural and cultural committees. Government or surrounding park values. We have come up with the fol­ management authorities. In pre­ • The importance of land in lowing draft policy statement and paring submissions, it will be Aboriginal culture should be rec­ now put it to the wider member­ useful to have a set of guidelines to ognised and similarly, the sig­ ship for comment. ensure consistency. nificance of Aboriginal cultural Aboriginal involvement in It will also help us if we ever heritage to some national parks. national parks and reserves— have to deal with a saga of the policy statement • Aboriginal participation in man­ nature of the Yankee Hat car park The National Parks Association agement of national parks again! of the ACT has been considering should be encouraged in a way If you have any comments, please the question of Aboriginal involve­ which is consistent with the contact Den Robin on 281 4837 (h) ment in the ownership and man­ preservation of the natural or get in touch with a member of agement of national parks. attributes of the park. the NPA General Committee. We The Association considers that • Aboriginal people should be would value your comment. non-indigenous Australians have involved in the interpretation of Travellers' Tales part III England/Denmark mixture of single and two storey miles to Lattimer. It was a peace­ houses with unhedged open gar­ ful walk by this gentle river away 22 July to 1 September dens, located close to a man-made from the noise of motorway and On our return to the south of lake (Grafham Water reservoir). railways. We stopped for a pub England, John and I had different This small lake boasts a sailing lunch at the Bedford Arms at itineraries. John flew back to club and has a bicycle path run­ Chenies. It was a hot afternoon Australia, taking advantage of his ning around the foreshore. All and later when we crossed the round-the-world ticket to stop this, together with the openness of river, we passed an artist at her over in Canada and Kuai and also the countryside, now pale gold easel painting a group of placid to enjoy a few warm brown and white weeks in Cairns. I cows who stood spent about a month either languidly in visiting friends and the stream or the relations who showed riverside pasture. me around and went With a quick click I out of their way to too captured the* arrange some walking scene; my medium excursions. being photography and my caption for A few highlights of that shot. 'A historic or walking dreamy pastoral interest included a afternoon in the visit to a cousin in fullness of summer'. Cornwall who lives in a delightful old farm­ In that same gen­ house, parts of which eral area, a walking are 600 years old! On friend from way arrival it was like back had devised being transported an energetic pro­ back in time to see gram for me during this lovely old building " *^ my brief stay with with its cobbled fore­ * ^VS?' ber. We climbed court where fowl and Mt- Coombe Hill and geese scratch around. from there I looked During the restora­ down on well tion and renovation of defined and compli­ this old farmhouse, cated pattern of a my cousin and his wife cross and circles^ made some interesting which had flattened •a. discoveries. One of a wheat crop. Every Thatched cottage in Sussex, UK these was the original year in Europe these Photo by Judith Webster. open hearth and an mysterious 'corn cir­ ancient cloam oven, cles' appear over- hidden behind a newer, Victorian They cause much with ripening wheat, seemed rem­ speculationnight. ! Are they caused by fireplace; another was that they iniscent of Lake Burley Griffin— had squatters (perhaps 'hangers UFOs making visitations; by an blue and sparkling on a summer's atmospheric phenomenon, or by on' might be a more accurate day with blonde-bleached grass! description) in the loft—bats. local larrikins? Like the Loch In Sussex my aunt's enthusiasm These are a protected species in Ness Monster, while the puzzle for her local countryside over-rode Britain so once a year a local remains so does the interest. her arthritic problem and we 'Batman' pays the farmhouse a enjoyed a short pleasant stroll visit to check on the welfare of the Leaving Britain, I spent about along an English country lane bats. five days in Denmark visiting a where there were pretty thatched friend. I wasn't able to fit in much A visit to another cousin, this cottages and views across the har­ walking, apart from the regular time in a small village in vest-ripe Downs under a warm tourist beat, but took time off to Cambridgeshire, surprisingly re­ blue sky. sit on a park bench (in minded me of Canberra. Perhaps I Another walk I enjoyed was in Copenhagen) under a large tree was beginning to feel some pangs Buckinghamshire commencing at scribbling my journal. I was dis­ of homesickness! Their house is in Chorley Wood Common and fol­ turbed by a loud drilling sound in an attractive new estate with a lowing the River Chess about five the tree above and looked up to see a noisy and industrious woodpecker! The next stage of my journey was an overnight train trip to Salzburg in Austria where I ren­ dezvoused with Beverley Hammond, our current NPA president- Austria 2 to 19 September Beverley and I spent the first few days looking around some of Salzburg's historic buildings; the early baroque cathedral, conse­ crated in 1628, and the Hohenburg Fortress. We did a conducted tour around the latter—the interior of the Fortress, as it appears today, • dates primarily from the construc­ tion carried out under Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach (1495 to Painted scenes on house in Mittenwald, Germany- 1519), and his coat of arms with Photo by Beverley Hammond. the turnip are found all over the place. was a massive wall of ice which walks around Leutasch we had A visit to another historic build­ we climbed over by way of a stair­ brought with us, and a local walk­ ing was incidental to attending a case and later we went through a ing guide/map package, we concert of music by Mozart and tunnel in the ice. explored the area. Dvorak—it was given in a large From Salzburg we travelled by A couple of our walks took all room known as the marble Hall in train and bus to the Leutasch day. For one of these we gained the Mirabell Palace. Mozart him­ valley in the Tyrol. The village is a height quickly by taking a chair self had performed, with his father string of hamlets and we found lift and then wended our way and sister, in that room. good accommodation in one of down well marked tracks through In addition to the historical and these, Aue. The Austrian Tyrol the woods back to the valley. We cultural wonders, Beverley and I has a picture-book prettiness. The followed a path that skirted the ventured out of Salzburg on our mountains rise abruptly from the ponds and small lake of a trout own excursion by train, taxi, cable floors of the long, flat valleys and farm and noted there was a res­ car and foot to see a natural give an impression of being much taurant associated with the trout wonder—a famous Ice Cave. At the higher than they actually are. The farm. Later in the week we start of the cave tour, I tentatively sides of the mountains are clad in returned to try out the fare and • asked the young, German- beech and fir forest but the tops are sat outside by the peaceful ponds speaking guide if he was able to bare and craggy. Pale, chalky blue on a cool breezy evening, savour­ give a few comments in English. streams rush along the alleys ing fresh grilled trout garnished Certainly, he said, and asked us to between tall pines and lush green with almonds. stay at the front of the large group meadows where the tinkle of cow The most strenuous walk we did for our special translation of his bells falls gently on the ear. Villages took about eight hours and guide patter. He then distributed of chalet-type houses adorned with involved a long climb up the lamps to about every tenth person colourful window boxes cluster Puittal valley. As soon as we beginning with me. These were around little chapels with quaint emerged from the forest onto an miners' lamps with a naked flame. onion-shaped spires. He instructed us to hold our lamps alpine meadow, we had great to one side so that we would not A vast network of well- views of rugged mountains. On burn the ^backside' (his English maintained tracks offers plenty of that particular walk we saw three bore an American influence here walking. Along these tracks the gemse (chamois) and heard the as he used a more colourful Austrians stride out briskly in short, sharp, whistle-like call of expression!) of the person in front their smart walking attire of knee marmots. and, he hastened to point out, he breeches worn with long socks One day we travelled a short was directly in front of me!! (often red) and sturdy boots, a red distance by bus over the border and white checked shirt and into Germany to visit Mittenwald, The caves were very interesting; jaunty hat. Many carry a walking a town famous for the decorative there were beautiful ice forma­ stick decorated with badges of scenes painted on many of its tions and grottos which he walking achievements. enhanced by lighting them with Armed with some information on bright magnesium strips and there continued on page 16 Travellers' Tales part III continued buildings. This town was an side place to stay and set off by tion [o doing some walks on our important trading centre for a bus for Seeboden. Due to our ina­ own, we joined in a guided one we time during the 1400s and 1500s. bility to speak German, the bus saw advertised. This enabled us In the 1600s it enjoyed a revival driver misunderstood or forgot us, to get to the high country much when a local violin maker brought and we ov€;rshot the town and quicker because transport was a new industry and fame to the alighted at the end of the route, in pooled to drive to the Millstatter town. The violin-making tradition Millstat. We liked what we saw hut to commence the walk. continued for several hundred and were not unhappy with this Beverley and I had spent three years and there is an interesting mistake! hours plodding up a steep track to violin museum in Mittenwald. This area of Austria is known as that same hut the previous day! We had bought a railway pass Carinthia. Millstat has a very7 old Unfortunately, the hills were and decided to travel to a com­ church which used to be part of a shrouded with low cloud so we pletely different part of the coun­ monastery complex. A series of didn't get the hoped-for view! The try for the next part of our concerts was being given in the hills around Millstat were not as holiday. We picked out a spot on church and we went to one of high or rugged as in the Tyrol.{ the map where there were several these and also to a folk concert in The names of all the peaks ended lakes and set off by rail to Spittal. the Congress Hall. with ...nock. This is the local Here we sought advice from some­ word for dumpling and describes The town was situated right on their characteristic appearance. one in the railway information the lake, with opportunities for office to recommend a small lake­ swimming and ferry trips. In addi­ Judith Webster

Establishing the Association's archives

A few months ago," I was this, archivist Sheila Kruse has archives be accessed? We hope to approached by the secretary of a completed a detailed listing of the see progress in these matters in voluntary organisation in which I documents she has been able to our February meeting. was involved some years ago, locate. Towards the end of last A further matter is of concern at asking if I held any documents or year, a group of interested mem­ this stage. Are there any docu­ material from that period as it bers met to address the many ments that should be included in was needed in connection with the issues involved in forming an the archives but are now held by association's approaching 25th archival collection. individuals? Perhaps some mem­ anniversary. As might be A primary task of the group is to bers still hold Association papers^^ expected, I could provide very draft an archival policy for sub­ on which they have been working^^ little and my memory wasn't much mission to the Association's at some stage but not returned to help either. The request for infor­ General Committee. This policy file. Although our records are mation was prompted by the situa­ should state the purposes which good, they are not complete and tion that practically all earlier the archives serve both within the any member who can locate rele­ vant documents which are held records of the organisation— Association and in the wider com­ privately would be doing the minutes, newsletters, correspon­ munity. The document should Association a great service by dence—had been lost in the establish the framework within bringing the papers to the office or changeover of office-bearers which the archives program oper­ talking to Sheila Kruse about during the years. Such a situation ates, set out the authority and them (phone her on 248 6104). represents a loss both to that responsibilities of those involved, organisation and to the and communicate to all members Syd Comfort community. of the Association a clear under­ Fortunately, the National Parks standing of their archives. Association has a quite extensive There are many practical ques­ collection of documents relating to tions to answer, such as: where the Association's activities since and how to store documents; what its formation. However, up till rules should apply to retention of now, these holdings have not been varying types of documents; brought together in an archival should back-up copies of key docu­ form. As a first step in achieving ments be held; how can the PARKWATCH Australians are 'greener' A recent national poll commis­ Resource Security Peter Woof after a visit to the sioned by the federal government Deua wilderness area 40 kilome­ and conducted by Australian Bill trounced tres west of Moruya in November National Opinion Poll has found A draft Resource Security Bill last year. He discovered trees that, while unemployment clearly which would have been disastrous being bulldozed and removed overshadows the environment as a for NSW native forests has been within the Dampier State Forest. current issue, Australians believe unanimously rejected by state par­ Deua is now threatened by logging that the environment is the most liament. The draft legislation was on its eastern and western sides. important long-term issue. The part of the Natural Resources The Wilderness Society has sent extensive attitude research analy­ Package rejected in toto by a spe­ details of the logging activity to sis involved 2700 face-to-face cial legislative committee. Mr Hartcher [NSW Environment interviews Australia-wide and 33 The committee, in its report to Minister], demanding that he group discussions held in urban parliament, referred to various order the Forestry Commission to and provincial centres, inadequacies of the package, stand by the agreement not to log ANOP found that the commu- including promotion of species in nominated widerness areas. Mr tl Riity has become markedly extinction, lack of accountability Hartcher said he is making 'greener* in the last five years and, and public participation, and a enquiries. while the fervour has dissipated, likely increase in confrontation Wildernews, Vol. 4, No. 1 concern about the environment is once it was implemented. genuine and deep-seated. It con­ Wilderness Society campaigner, Rainforest imports cluded that the environment now Tom McLoughlin, said: 'This is a occupies 'a permanent place on the great victory for the NSW move­ may fuel genocide national agenda'. ment as a whole and highlights Logging of the traditional rainfor­ how powerful and effective we can est homelands of indigenous peo­ Conservation News, November ples in Borneo may be in 1992, Volume 24, No. 4 be as a united voice.' Wildernews, Vol. 4, No. 1 contravention of international Thousands write in: law. Wilderness Society Armidale Yarrowlumla Shire spokesperson, Marty Branagan, *Save wilderness' said the Kayan and Dayak peoples The people of NSW have shown plans recreation particularly are at great risk of the Fahey government just how corridors genocide from the activities of much they want to protect wilder­ Plans are being developed for a Chinese and Japanese logging ness after the National Parks and network of trails or corridors companies, the Malaysian govern­ Wildlife Service was inundated throughout the shire which will ment regime and the world's rain­ with submissions late last year. eventually link in with the forest consumers. At least 20 000 submissions national network of recreational Mr Branagan said logging activ­ ifc>oured in over a four-month trails, for example, the national ity which forces people off their ^ 'period from private, public and equestrian trail and the Hume land may be in contravention of community groups and individu­ and Hovell walking track. The both the Nuremburg Principle and als, with the vast majority urging plan is worthy of support for its the United Nations Declaration of the government to place ten wild­ potential to protect remnant vege­ Human Rights, both of which erness areas around NSW into tation and to provide corridors Australia has signed. Our federal national parks for permanent which will have multiple benefits government has the power, as yet protection. for both recreation and nature unused, to act if it feels these laws Wilderness Society campaigner, conservation. are being contravened, for exam­ ple, by banning rainforest timber Tom McLoughlin, said those call­ Broadcast (the bi-monthly news­ imports from Sarawak. ing for protection outnumbered letter of Greening Australia) ' Wildernews, Vol. 4, No. 1 pro-development submissions by December 92/January 93 four to one. The areas nominated were Deua, FC jumps the queue ACT Rural Lessees Goodradigbee, Nadgee, Kanangra- on protection Treeplanting Project Boyd, Mann, Lost World, Binghi, At least one wilderness area The ACT Community Guy Fawkes, Oxley and Washpool. recently nominated for protection Treeplanting Fund has made The Fahey cabinet has not under the Wilderness Act is being funds available through Greening announced when it will make a logged by the Forestry Australia for tree projects by ACT final decision on the declarations, Commission in violation of a gov­ leaseholders. There has been a lot but it is expected to be early this ernment agreement. of interest from leaseholders in year. The eyewitness account came Wildernews, Vol. 4, No. 1 from Wilderness Society member continued on page 18 cent lookout is on the Western Support for new Treeplanting Rim, a few hundred metres from continued the Visitor Centre. The falls are parks on Georges and seen from here in their full Woronora Rivers this project and so far there are beauty. A new proposal to link bushland nine definite participants. NPA (NSW) Berrima Branch along the Georges and Woronora The projects will include direct Newsletter, December 1992 Rivers with Heathcote National seeding and planting tubestock for Park has been supported by the a range of different purposes Parkland additions Member for Sutherland, Chris including: re-establishment of Downy. trees where dieback is becoming a for south coast The proposal seeks to extend severe problem, windbreaks, The Department of Planning has the exisitng Georges River drying out wet ground, and bird purchased two south coast proper­ National Park through the Mil] habitats where blackberries have ties for eventual addition to and Barden Creek system at West been removed as part of a noxious Mimosa Rocks and Bournda Menai to meet the Heathcote weeds control program. National Parks. The lands are National Park. It also includes a (the bi-monthly news­ located between Bermagui and Broadcast proposed Woronora River Valley letter of Greening Australia) Merimbula. National Park. December 92/January 93 The major property, Hidden Valley, is 105 hectares adjoining National Parks Journal,, December 1992, Vol. 36, No. 6 ' Crown lands go west the northern boundary of Mimosa The Colong Foundation has been Rocks National Park. During holi­ Embarrassing advised that the government is day periods Mimosa Rocks about to dispose of environmen­ National Park is heavily overused. forestry poll tally sensitive Crown Leases. The The acquisition will allow park The NSW Forestry Commission moratorium on conversion to free­ visitors a choice of beaches, and recently commissioned an opinion hold of Crown Lease blocks cov­ will assist in conserving the high poll of visitors to Barrington Tops. ered by native vegetation, natural values of the park. The results proved interesting, countering many of the propa­ including those which form parts The second property, Portion 94 ganda claims of the timber of proposed national park, nature Wallagoot Lake Road, is a 32 hec­ industry. reserve or wilderness areas, is set tare area adjoining Bournda to collapse. The agreement for the National Park and overlooking Logging does not increase the lifting of the moratorium between Wallagoot Lake, the lake entrance risk of damage from the green­ the key government authorities, house effect—56 percent disa­ and long stretches of the Bournda the National Parks and Wildlife greed, 34 percent agreed. Service and the Department of National Park beaches. Funding for the $1 700 000 purchases came Government incentives should Conservation and Land be provided for the establishment from the Coastal Lands of private hardwood plantations Management, is in draft. Acquisition Scheme, consuming as a substitute for 'old growth' The Colong Bulletin, November most of the scheme's annual allo­ 1992 forests—70 percent agreed, 20 cation of $2 000 000. percent disagreed. | National Parks Journal, Forests which have not been Early settlement in December 1992, Vol. 36, No. 6 previously logged should remain Kiandra unlogged, even if it means loss of Using information given by New alliance to jobs—51 percent agreed, 38 per­ Graeme Warboys of the ANPWS, a cent disagreed. group of Kosciusko Huts protect environment Association members recently and heritage People who would lose their jobs if logging 'old growth' forests were rediscovered what may well be evi­ An alliance has been formed stopped would have to be compen­ dence of the very earliest site in between north coast environmen­ sated—56 percent agreed, 31 per­ Kiandra, relatively undisturbed. talists and Koori people of the cent disagreed. Negotiations are taking place with Bundjalung Nation. The Unlogged native hardwood the ANU Department of Bundjalung Nation is the tradi­ forests have an intrinsic spiritual Archaeology which may volunteer tional territory of the Koori people value which is destroyed by log­ to do a site recording map. of the far north coast. ging—49 percent agreed, 37 per­ Kosciusko Huts Association A major focus for the cent disagreed. Newsletter, No. 79, Summer 1992 Bundjalung Alliance is the NSW Source: Truyard PL in Wingham Opening of the Jersey Government's Natural Resources EIS 1992, quoted in Total Package, which proposes to amend Environment Centre Newsletter, Lookout the Heritage Act to remove all pro­ Vol. 11, No. 4, November 1992 On Saturday, 28 November at tection for environmental heritage Fitzroy Falls, the Premier opened and Aboriginal cultural heritage. Jersey Lookout, recently com­ National Parks Journal, pleted by the NPWS. This magnifi­ December 1992, Vol. 36, No. 6 Cultural resource management Namadgi 1993 us and let us know your availabil­ Not long after I started working at generously assisted, the real prob­ ity in March and/or April. As we Namadgi in August 1992, I real­ lem is always how to make those will need the assistance of our ised that the potential projects in dollars stretch to meet the gang and machinery, I am reluc­ cultural resource management requirements for conservation of tant to set a specific date due to were endless! old buildings. With the use of vol­ the possibility of the fire season I am presently developing the unteers and the 'labour of love', we still happening. framework for a Cultural can often work miracles on a tight Another job to be undertaken is Resource Management Strategy budget! stabilising the pise ruin at for the park which will set the pri­ A good example is the Orroral 'Tennent'; as time wears on, this orities and direction for future cul­ woolshed project which will be one becomes more urgent. I am tural resource management. I under way shortly. We have again hoping to arrange a workparty for ope to get all interested people called on the expertise of Pip this in March pending the fire involved in the planning, to share Giovanelli to advise and assist season and progress at the ideas and experience when it with stabilisation work, but to do woolshed. If you are interested in comes to the programming and as much as we can with the lim­ assisting at 'Tennent', please let implementation of conservation ited funding, we will need your us know your availablility in March and/or April and we can work in the park. help. arrange the most suitable date Because the basic stabilisation Pip has produced a schedule of later. and protection of the many signifi­ works which includes: levelling cant historic sites demands a huge and stumping the frame and floor, Namadgi has many wonderful commitment of funding and repairing yards, drainage, walling, historic and Aboriginal sites, and I labour, it can only realistically be roofing and generally cleaning up look forward to working with the members of the National Parks achieved in Namadgi with exten­ the site. Association in actively conserving sive assistance from volunteers. Before any of these works are the heritage of the area and plan­ Organisations such as the started, it will be necessary to ning for the future management of National Parks Association and relocate the relics from the home­ our cultural resources. Kosciusko Huts Association not stead that are presently housed in You can contact me on only provide interested volunteers the woolshed. Anyone interested (06) 237 5222 and hard labour, but often have in being part of a workparty to expertise and experience in con­ assist with the sorting out and servation work. relocation of the treasures, please Margot Sharp J While there are a variety of ave­ contact Len Haskew on 281 4268. Senior Ranger nues for obtaining funding for pro­ All those who would like to help Namadgi National Park jects and we have recently been with the real work, please contact Mount Morgan In the northern area of the areas brings you to the foot of the This is a spectacular place to be Kosciusko National Park' stands mountain and a good camp site. and so it was for the Ngunnawal the southern-most mountain of the An hour's climb from here gets people who have constructed at Brindabella Range, Mount you to the summit of this very least three stone arrangements of Morgan. The Goodradigbee River, beautiful mountain. Its extensive lines of small rocks across the flat as Murray Creek, rises there and top is covered with spectacular rock slabs. All are placed in a flows on down the Brindabella boulders and rocky areas, twisted north-south direction. Valley to end eventually in snowgums and other alpine Site reports, diagrams and pho­ Burrnjuck Dam. How do you get to vegetation. tographs have been placed with the mountain? Walking access is Views to Halfmoon Peak, the NSW National Parks and via Oldfields homestead and the Tantangara Dam, Bimberi and Wildlife Service so that these sites Lone Pine firetrail, or the Yaouk Murray mountains, the Scabby can be studied and protected. Valley end of the fire trail, but this Range and Yaouk Valley are seen Fiona MacDonald Brand involves a steep climb to the in a 360 degree sweep with Mount saddle. Upon reaching the saddle, Jagungal and Tabletop Mountain a walk across tree-enclosed grassy in the far distance. Legal protection for Namadgi From recent articles in the NPA The important issue is not what need to be through legislation Bulletin there appears to be con- form of legisl3tion is used but amendment. cern among some NPA members rather the quality of that protec- Members may have had more over what may be perceived as a tion it provides and whether that reasons for concern had the whole lack of statutory protection for protection can be easily removed. decision-making process been Namadgi National Park. In recent It should he kept in mind that through the use of an Instrument issues of the NPA Bulletin, arti- irrespective of what form of legis- of Delegation as a number of cles by Catherine Tighe (March lation is used, what governments Commonwealth Acts now use, as 1992) and Alastair Morrison (June have given, they can just as easily an alternative for administrative 1992) have commented on this take away notwithstanding convenience. The use of an ordi- matter. This article proposes to whether it be an ordinance or an nance meant that decisions were examine whether these concerns Act of Parliament. Recent excises subject to scrutiny, had to be are justified. from national parks in Tasmania tabled and hence had an opportu- The legislative vehicle from and Western Australia provide an nity for the Parliament to which Namadgi derives is the excellent example of this. disallow. Nature Consrruntion Ordinarrcr Namadgi National Park formally As indicated earlier, the ordi( 1980 which was initiated by the came into existence on 3 October nance has a number of schedules Commonwealth Parliament. At 1984, when a notice was published which list protected wildlife, that time of its introduction, the in the A~rstralicrr~Gazette. This plants and animals that are not Commonwealth had jurisdiction gazettal, number S 394, declared wildlife and hence not protected for all local matters in the ACT that pursuant to section 51 of the As an example, a canary or guinea including of course land ordinance, certain public lands pig, for the purpose of the ordi- management. had been designated as a reserve nance is not wildlife. A galah or In her article, Tighe expressed a area called Namadgi National budgerigar is, but is exempt from view that 'the park is in fact a Park. The original ordinance did protection and a gang-gang cocka- reserve, as the ordinance makes not, however. define what a too is a restricted animal ipro- no provision for parks. It lacks reserve area was. The interpreta- tected). When the minister wished protection under the ordinance as tion (section 41 simply states that to add to the list, he or she simplk all or part of the Park can he a reserved area means an area amended the schedule by gazettal revoked or used for other purposes declared under section 51 to be a to give effect to any change. This at any time. There is a need to reserved area. Section 51 does not was done by revoking the old strengthen the legislation but this clarify this, although reason would schedule and proclaiming a new has not been resolved yet'. What indicate that the description given one. Tighe wrote was correct but the to the land use in the title would When the ordinance was ori5- significance or otherwise of the dictate this purpose. The ACT nally drafted, there was no provi- protection provided at that time Legislative Assembly Ins since sion to allow any declaration was arguable. Just because there tidied up the definitional anomaly made under section 51 to b was no discrete Act of Parliament in this area. revoked. The only way this coul d involved, it did not necessarily The iVatiire Cmser-untion have been achieved was through mean that Namadgi lacked statu- Ordirmnce was an omnibus provi- repeal of the whole ordinance and tory protection. sion covering a wide range of this action would have had wide In my view, the selection of an nature conservation areas. The ramifications affecting more than ordinance for this purpose was an ordinance included provisions cov- Namadgi. It would have meant appropriate piece of legislation to ering the protection of wildlife, that statutory protection of all use in the nature conservation area plants and reserved areas includ- protected birds, animals, fish and such as that adopted in the Nature ing wilderness areas. The various plants in the ACT would have Cunsen.ation Ordmance. An ordi- wildlife and plants protected or been removed if the ordinance was nance has the advantage over an not protected are covered in sched- revoked. Act because it can be varied by ules attached to the ord:mance. In this regard, Namadgi enjoyed :azettnl after any variation has 'The selection of an ordinance for a good deal of statutory protec- 2ecn tabled in the Parliament. this purpose was therefore, in my tion. It was part of a general ordi- rhis provides a maximum of flesi- view, a logical one. Where the nance covering a range of ~ilityin areas where regular varia- Minister wished to add to the list important conservation matters :ion may be required and those he or she could simply revoke the where the status of the park could iariations need to be implemented earlier schedule and replace it only be altered by repealing the ~uickly.A variation to an Act of with another. In other words ordinance as a whole. This anom- ?arliament can, however, nnly be amendment was simple. If an Act aly, however. created another made by legislative amendment of Parliament was involved, any problem. While it was difficult to shich is often time consuming. variation to the original Act would repeal the ordinance (to abolish that exclusively dealt with matters The other important transitional relating to the administration of arrangement contained in section the ACT was handed over to the 42 of the Act, no. 118 of 1991, cov­ ACT Legislative Assembly. The ered the administrative arrange­ Nature Conservation Ordinance ment between the passing of the 1980 was one of those pieces of leg­ Land (Environment and Planning) islation. At the same time, the Act 1991 until the date the ordinance's status was changed to Territory Plan was approved. The that of an Act. section stated that a declaration In a special gazette, no 74 of under section 51 of the 1980 ordi­ 1991, the Minister for nance (such as Namadgi) remained Environment, Land and Planning in force until the Territory Plan in the ACT, Bill Wood, revoked the commenced. declaration no S394, declaring Once the Territory Plan com­ Namadgi National Park. On the mences, the Land (Environment same day, in Gazette no 75 of 1991, and Planning) Act 1991 will pro­ another declaration under section vide the statutory protection for 51 of the 1980 ordinance was Namadgi. The Act has a range of made redefining the boundaries of protection including mechanisms Namadgi National Park. This dec­ for variations to the plan. These laration extended the existing include, in section 19, avenues of park boundaries to now include a public consultation on the varia­ the park) there was no flexibility number of parcels of land mainly tion process. to allow a government to extend in the Tennent and Booth areas. In my view, Namadgi National the park's original boundaries if it But this was in the past; there Park has always had an adequate so wished. This meant that the are important changes about to statutory basis. The fact that it park could not be extended under happen in the legislative protec­ was called a reserved area did not the existing legislative tion of Namadgi. It is now about to provide it with any lesser protec­ framework. be brought under the protection of tion than it would have had if In 1986, the Nature Con­ the Territory Plan as defined in there had been a land use of servation Ordinance was amended Land (Planning and Envi­ national park in the 1980 ordi­ to include, among a number of ronment) Act 1991. This Act will nance. The use of an ordinance did things, the incorporation of a plan bring together all land manage­ not reduce this protection. of management for the reserved ment in the territory through the It is a fact of life that as much as area known as Namadgi National management of the Territory Plan. members might wish for it, there Park. On 15 January 1992, in Gazette will never be a Namadgi National In 1987 the ordinance was again no s3 of 1992, the ACT Park Act and it is arguable that amended varying section 51. Government notified the introduc­ even if there were, that it would Section 3 in the amendment ordi­ tion of the Land (Planning and provide any better protection than nance amended section 51 of the Environment) Act 1991 (no 100 of that proposed under the Territory B.980 ordinance to read, 'The 1991). In the same gazette the Plan and the new legislation. Minister may, by notice published transitional arrangements were People will always be concerned in a gazette revoke a declaration notified in the Land (Planning that what governments have given under sub-section 1'. and Environment) (Consequential with the stroke of a pen they can The effect of this amendment is provisions) Act 1991 (no 118 of withdraw through a similar pro­ obvious. If the Minister wished to 1991). cess. This notion ignores the real­ revoke the 1984 declaration, he or The consequential amendment ity that governments and she would simply place a notice in Act affected Namadgi in two ways. politicians are always accountable the Gazette revoking the previous It firstly amended the definition of to the electorate for their actions. declaration. This amendment may a 'reserved area' in the 1980 ordi­ The future legislative protection have led to a conclusion that nance to read: appears to offer more than ade­ Namadgi National Park could be 'Reserved area' means an area of quate protection through sound abolished at the whim of some public land reserved under the public consultation and notifica­ minister. While it is open for plan as a wilderness area, national tion provisions which should sat­ people to read into any legislative park or nature reserve. isfy most members. Members change what they want, it is Under the definition, 'plan' had should take into account that the apparent given subsequent the same meaning as the Territory consultation avenues available are changes to the park boundaries Plan. The effect of the definitional sufficient to provide a significant that this amending authority was change meant that Namadgi was input into anything that might for the purpose of amending park finally a national park, in more affect the boundaries or the land boundaries. than name. The land use category use in Namadgi. The Land With the advent of self- of national park was also now rec­ government, a range of legislation ognised by statute in the ACT. continued on page 22 Legal protection continued (Planning and Environment) Act Recent publications 1991 appears to provide that level Cultural Heritage of the The papers are presented for of protection. Australian Alps easy reading and are recom­ Before concluding I would like to In September 1988 the Australian mended to all with an interest in comment on a point raised by Mr Alps National Parks Liaison culture and to those who may Morrison in his article in the June Committee in association with the have doubts about the importance 1992 NPA Bulletin. He commented Australian Academy of Science of preserving the remains of ear­ that Namadgi was a priceless asset hosted the First Fenner lier cultures in our national parks. but it is under the control of the Conference on the Environment. Reg Alder ACT Legislative assembly and not The subject of the conference was the national government. There are The scientific significance of the A History of the Blue sound reasons why this is so; This has now Australian Alps. Labyrinth, Blue Mountains namely, the Commonwealth has no been followed by a symposium on National Park Constitutional authority for the cultural heritage of the Author: Bruce Cameron national parks except where they Australian Alps which was held at Published: Springwood Instant have legislative authority to do so. Jindabyne during October 1991. Press. Springwood, 1992 j National parks in states or self- The symposium was convened by governing territories are not one of John Feint of the Heritage Unit of Price: $12 including postage those areas. the ACT Parks and Conservation 162 pages, text, photographs, dia­ grams, maps Notwithstanding the Con­ Service on behalf of the stitutional arguments, a stronger Australian Alps Liaison The Blue Mountains National case can be made that protection Committee. Park is an area not frequently vis­ ited or walked in by Canberra provided by the ACT Legislative The proceedings of this 1991 Assembly would be better than people, but as it was one of the symposium, edited by Babette birthing places of bushwalking as anything provided by the Scougall of the NPA, have been Commonwealth Parliament. At a recreational activity, knowledge published and copies are available of this park is always valuable. least local members have a vested from the Botanical Bookshop of interest in improving the local envi­ the Australian National Botanical The book, A History of the Blue is an extremely well ronment and are directly accounta­ Gardens and from the bookshops Labyrinth, researched book about the area ble to the electorate in this area. of the ACT Parks and between Glenbrook and This can only serve Namadgi Conservation Service for $20. National Park better because it is Wentworth Falls, stretching along Papers were presented by 24 our only national park and there­ the rim of the Kedumba Valley to participants to cover the broad fore an important local flagship. the backwaters of Warragamba headings of overview of the cultu­ Dam and down along the Nepean Gary Thompson ral heritage of the Alps, River to the mouth of Glenbrook Aboriginal cultural heritage, Gorge. European settlement and science, mining and forestry and water The book details 22 000 years o^ resources and recreation. Aboriginal occupation of the area, early and late European activities ACT Alive The papers as presented have (including destruction of been expanded to make a book of Canberra Aboriginal sites) and the more 357 pages, which no doubt will be recent phase of bushwalking and Festival 1993 a continuous source of reference for camping. years to come. It presents a bal­ 15 March anced overview of the role that Bruce Cameron, who has lived both Aboriginal and European cul­ and walked in this area since boy­ Monday 10am-5pm tures played in the development of hood, is quoted as saying, 'I'm (holiday) those parts of the Australian Alps trying to give people an apprecia­ which have now been preserved as tion of the area so they don't con­ NPA will have a tent on the tinue to ruin and destroy it.' lawns outside Old national parks in Victoria, NSW and the ACT. In the course of this The book may be purchased for Parliament House. There $12 including postage. Cheques will be a display of photos, occupation, whatever changes were made to the environment cannot made payable to Bruce Cameron information, new member­ can be sent to: ships taken. be redressed and it is a commit­ ment for the present and future B. Cameron We are looking for members generations to preserve what relics 'High Tops' to staff the stand. If you can remain, to the degree that they can PO Box 98 help, or if you want more be, before they decay and disap­ Glenbrook, NSW 2773 information, please call pear as all mortal objects do before Doreen Wilson on 288 5215. the forces of nature. Fiona MacDonald Brand ANBG training program leads Bits and pieces the way NPA constitution For sale The Herbarium at the Australian changes Walking boots: Zamberlan National Botanic Gardens has Under the new Associations Trail Lite (suede/cordura) introduced the first internship Incorporation Act 1991 we are Size 9-9.5 scheme of its kind to be under­ taken in Australia. required to amend the NPA Little used—half new price $70 Eight tertiary students and grad­ constitution to comply with this ono Kevin Frawley 271 2820 (w) uates are presently gaining valu­ Act. The registrar of 282 2973 (h) able work experience and on-the- Incorporated Associations pro­ job training as participants in the vided model rules, and the con­ New members Gardens' Botanical Internship stitution of the National Parks Robert Abell Hawker Program which continues until the Association (ACT) has been end of February 1993. Les Dunn Barton redrafted to incorporate neces­ In return for contributing work sary changes to bring it in line David and on a number of Herbarium pro­ with requirements. Gloria Finn Tuggeranong jects, interns are receiving specific The committee will discuss intensive training in field, herbar­ Chris Francis Hawker relevant changes at its meeting ium and botanical techniques. To on 4 March 1993. These will be Jodie Green and date, topics have included field col­ brought to the March general Robert McArthur Dickson lection techniques, plant identifi­ cation and the use of biological meeting and placed before David Heggie Curtin databases. members in a special resolu­ John Langmore Canberra tion. The changes are procedu­ The internships are part of a ral only and do not change the Miss B. Lawton Yarralumla growing number of volunteer pro­ aims or meaning of clauses in Gillian Redmond Farrer grams at the gardens where staff have been involved in the past the constitution. Anne Schubert Kambah year in the training of the first Copies of the proposed revised Mr WB Atkinson Fraser members of the Friends' Voluntary constitution can be obtained Walter Burgstaller Flynn Guides Service and a range of from the NPA office in Chifley. other unpaid programs. Interested members are urged Gerald Dodgson Latham to read these before the March Pauline Galvin Waramanga general meeting. Helen and Jim Gibson Conserving 1993 Environment and family Curtin biodiversity—threats Fair and Saving Jim and Robyn Stokes and solutions Energy Expo and family Curtin The NSW National Parks and Margaret Unger Garran Wildlife Service will be holding a Sunday 28 March, 1 lam to conference in Sydney on this topic 4pm, Commonwealth Park, Beth and Ian Wallace and Maryanne Traill Hawker from 29 June to 2 July, 1993. The Canberra conference is directed at finding Martin Wardrop Cook The Environment Fair is an solutions to the crisis we face with occasion for environment the current decline of biodiversity. groups, businesses supplying The aim is to define a framework Obituary for action, ranging from practical environmental products or ser­ Members who knew Harriet vices and others to join together management in the field to plan­ Michell were saddened to hear of ning and legislative requirements to promote and celebrate the her death following a car acci­ needed to sustain biodiversity into environment. There are lots of dent on the Brown Mountain the 21st century. The proceedings interesting stalls, lots of people, road on New Year's Eve. of the conference will be published lots of entertainment and it is She had been an NPA member as a book. For more information, lots of fun. Phone Michael or for over 20 years, and was partic­ contact Lynda Wild, Conference Chris at the Environment ularly active in the 1970s, joining Coordinator, National Parks and Centre on (06) 248 0885 or in the exploration of Namadgi Wildlife Service, PO Box 1967, (06) 247 3064 for more and the Budawangs. Hurstville, NSW 2220, telephone information. (02) 585 6417. Calendar

APRIL Thursday 1 Committee meeting, 7.3U pm, 21 Hyndes Cr, Holder Beverley Hammond, 2S8 6577(h). Tuesday 6 Outings sub-committee, 7.30 pm, 1 Fitzmaurice St, Kaleen. Mick Kelly, 241 2330(h). Thursday 8 Namadgi sub-committee, 7 30 pm, 87 Shackleton Circuit, Mawson. Syd Comfort, 286 2578(h) Thursday 22 Environment sub-committee, 7.45 pm, 43 Fitchett St, Garran Tim Walsh, 274 1465[w)

MAY Saturday 1 Deadline for June NPA Bulletin Thursday 6 Committee meeting, 7.30 pm, 21 Hyndes Cr, Holder Beverley Hammond, 288 6577(h). Thursday 13 Namadgi sub-committee, 7.30 pm, 87 Shackleton Circuit, Mawson. Syd Comfort, 286 2578(h). Thursday 27 Environment sub-committee, 7.45 pm, 43 Fitchett St, Garran. Tim Walsh, 274 1465(w).

JUNE Thursday 3 Committee meeting, 7.30 pm, 21 Hyndes Cr, Holder. Beverley Hammond, 288 6577(h). Thursday 10 Namadgi sub-committee, 7.30 pm, 87 Shackleton Circuit, Mawson. Syd Comfort, 286 2578(h). Thursday 27 Environment sub-committee, 7.45 pm, 43 Fitchett St, Garran. Tim Walsh, 274 1465(w).

NPA Bulletin National Parks Association of the ACT POSTAGE PO Box 40 Chifley ACT 2606 SURFACE PAID Registered Publication No NBH0857 MAIL AUSTRALIA

General meetings

Held at 8pm, Room I, Griffin Centre , Bunda Street. Civic.

Thursday 15 April: NSW Forestry Commission Tom Aldred, District Forester, Queanbeyan, will discuss present issues pertaining to Forestry Commission activi­ ties in NSW. Thursday 20 May: Maps and mapping A representative from the Australian Surveying and Land Information Group will give a presentation on 'Technology and the map-maker's art'. Thursday 17 June: Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme An expedition officer from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme will discuss the philosophy behind the awards and how the organisation fosters environmental awareness in participants.