Statement of Management Intent

Crawney Pass National Park Community Conservation Area Zone 1 1. Introduction

This statement outlines the main values, issues, management directions and priorities of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for managing Crawney Pass (Community Conservation Area Zone 1) National Park. This statement, together with relevant NPWS policies, will guide the management of the park until a plan of management has been prepared in accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act). The NPWS Managing Parks Prior to Plan of Management Policy states that parks and reserves without a plan of management are to be managed in a manner consistent with the intent of the NPW Act and the ‘precautionary principle’ (see Principle 15).

2. Management principles

Zone 1 community conservation areas are reserved as national parks under the NPW Act to protect and conserve areas containing outstanding or representative ecosystems, natural or cultural features or landscapes or phenomena that provide opportunities for public appreciation, inspiration and sustainable visitor or tourist use and enjoyment. Under the NPW Act (section 30E), Zone 1 community conservation areas are managed to: • conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem functions, protect geological and geomorphological features and natural phenomena and maintain natural landscapes • conserve places, objects, features and landscapes of cultural value • protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations • promote public appreciation and understanding of the park’s natural and cultural values • provide for sustainable visitor or tourist use and enjoyment that is compatible with conservation of natural and cultural values • provide for sustainable use (including adaptive reuse) of any buildings or structures or modified natural areas having regard to conservation of natural and cultural values • provide for appropriate research and monitoring.

The primary purpose of Zone 1 community conservation areas is to conserve nature and cultural heritage. In doing so, opportunities are provided for appropriate and sustainable recreation.

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3. Context

Reservation details: Crawney Pass National Park was reserved on 1 December 2005. Size: 249 hectares.

Crawney Pass National Park is located on the northern rim of the Hunter Valley, 22 kilometres south-west of Nundle, 70 kilometres south of Tamworth and 70 kilometres north-east of Scone. The park falls mostly within the NSW North Coast Bioregion with about one-fifth located within the Bioregion. It lies within the administrative areas of Wanaruah and Nungaroo local Aboriginal land councils, Hunter Local Land Services, North West Local Land Services, Tamworth Regional Council and Upper Hunter Shire Council.

The park includes a road that is vested in the Minister under Part 11 of the NPW Act to ensure continued access to neighbouring land. This road does not form part of the reserved area of the park but its management is guided by this statement and subject to the NPW Act. Prior to reservation as national park, most of the park was Crown land and subject to grazing. A 61-hectare addition (‘Brindabella’) was acquired in September 2013; it was previously used for cattle grazing. This land is not yet formally reserved as part of the park and is currently managed under Part 11 of the NPW Act.

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The park takes its name from Crawney Pass which crosses the between the headwaters of the Peel and Isis rivers. Partially cleared private lands surround the park to the north and south. The Crawney and Coolcumba travelling stock reserves are worthy of investigation for addition to the park. They adjoin the park’s western boundary and are well-vegetated with tributaries feeding into the Isis and Wombramurra creeks. Vegetation in the park is classified into six communities. The most common canopy species include rough-barked apple (Angophora floribunda), silver top stringybark (Eucalyptus laevopinea), ribbon gum (E. viminalis), forest oak (Allocasuarina torulosa) and Bendemeer white gum (E. elliptica). Prevailing understorey species include Geranium solanderi, large tussock grass (Poa labillardierei), bidgee-widgee (Acaena novae), kidney weed (Dichondra repens), tree violet (Melicytus dentatus) and sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) in sheltered aspects. The park forms part of the Gomeroi People Native Title Claim (NC2011/006).

4. Values

• The park encompasses steep and terraced topography with scenic values typical of the Liverpool Range. It protects the headwaters of the Isis and Peel rivers. The park is part of a regional corridor providing habitat connectivity along the Liverpool Range and is also part of the broader Great Eastern Ranges conservation corridor. • The park protects six threatened fauna species and two plant species of conservation significance. Of significance is the population of Booroolong frog (Litoria booroolongensis) which has experienced massive population decline and is now highly restricted within . • Other threatened species records include glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), eastern false pipistrelle (Falsistrellus tasmaniensis), powerful owl (Ninox strenua), scarlet robin (Petroica boodang), diamond firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) and spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus). • Significant species that are predicted to occur in the park include koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis), greater glider (Petauroides volans), bush-stone curlew (Burhinus grallarius), grey-crowned babbler (eastern subspecies) (Pomatostomus temporalis temporalis), squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis), eastern horseshoe-bat (Rhinolophus megaphyllus) and white-lipped snake (Drysdalia coronoides). • No threatened plant species have been recorded within the park. There are records of two species of conservation significance. These are poorly known and suspected to be rare or threatened: Bendemeer white gum (at the southern limit of its range) and Isotropis foliosa (which has limited known populations). • The population of the Nundle cycad (Macrozamia concinna) is considered regionally significant as it is at the northern extent of the species’ known range. Although not fully described or listed as rare or threatened, the newly described species Hibbertia pilifera is found within the lower elevations of the park and may be of conservation significance. • No Aboriginal sites are recorded within the park. However, it is likely that scattered sources of water and the traversable topography made the area a useful trading route. Many Aboriginal camps existed on surrounding lands until the 1860s and there are several Aboriginal sites located within 20 kilometres of the park. • Crawney Pass was described by , who was sent by the explorer John Oxley to inspect the on behalf of the Australian Agricultural Company and recommended the district for settlement. Between 1848 and 1852 Crawney Pass was part of the main thoroughfare linking Maitland and Nundle. • Crawney Pass National Park does not attract large numbers of visitors. No visitor facilities are provided and current use is typically low-impact, self-reliant, nature-based recreation

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such as bushwalking and birdwatching. The Bicentennial National Trail follows Crawney Road as it passes through the park and is part of the ‘Nundle detour’ that extends from Aberdeen to New Country Swamp. It is an alternative to the preferred route east of the park, which is currently closed. The use of Crawney Pass is expected to decline when the preferred route is reopened for use.

5. Issues

• Surveys in 2013 of known populations of the Booroolong frog revealed no sightings. The park should be resurveyed in 2014. Population decline may be due to the disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). Frog populations are also preyed on by foxes. Booroolong frog populations are known from creeks surrounding the park. • Weed species recorded in the park include blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.), Patterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) and Bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum). • Pest animals recorded in the park include feral dogs (Canis lupus sspp.), European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), feral pigs (Sus scrofa), feral deer (Cervidae family and goats (Capra hircus). Domestic cattle (Bos spp.) occasionally stray into the park. • Regulatory signs are needed where management trails meet the park boundary to regulate unauthorised vehicle access and illegal activities such as hunting and wood gathering.

6. Key management directions

• Fire is managed in accordance with the Crawney Pass National Park and Wallabadah Nature Reserve Fire Management Strategy. • Pest management programs will be implemented in accordance with the NPWS Regional Pest Management Strategy: Central Coast . • Where possible, frog populations will be monitored with relevant authorities. Hygiene protocols will be implemented to minimise the spread of the chytrid fungus. • The Nungaroo and Wanaruah local Aboriginal land councils will be consulted and involved in the management of the park. Further research into the Aboriginal cultural values of the park will be encouraged. • NPWS will cooperate with local councils to install interpretive and safety signs, and information about minimal impact use, at the pass where Crawney Road intersects the spine of the Liverpool Range. • A fencing strategy will be developed in consultation with neighbours and Local Land Services to protect the park from straying stock. Subject to available resourcing, assistance may be provided to neighbours to install stock-proof park boundary fencing in accordance with the NPWS Boundary Fencing Policy. • NPWS will consider acquiring the travelling stock reserves west of the park for addition to the park, in order to improve catchment protection. • All management activities will be preceded by the preparation of an environmental assessment or heritage assessment where this is a requirement of NPWS policy or legislation. • Environmental repair and threat management programs, such as erosion mitigation measures, pest management, and activities arising from threatened species requirements may be implemented in accordance with NPWS policies and procedures.

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• Non-intrusive works may be undertaken where necessary to protect cultural heritage items from further deterioration, to ensure the safety of visitors, to protect wildlife or to prevent damage to park assets. • A plan of management will be prepared to set out the ongoing management objectives for the park. The plan of management is a statutory document under the NPW Act which will be available for public comment. NPWS will also encourage the community to contribute to the ongoing conservation of the park by promoting and raising public awareness of its special values.

For additional information or enquiries about any aspect of this park or this statement, contact the NPWS Scone Office on (02) 6540 2300 or 137 Kelly Street, Scone NSW 2337.

Disclaimer: This is a statement of intent to Published by: guide the management of the park prior to the development of a plan of management. Office of Environment and Heritage Any statements made in this publication are 59 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000 made in good faith and do not render the PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232 Office of Environment and Heritage liable for Phone: (02) 9995 5000 any loss or damage. Provisions in the final plan of management may vary from those ISBN 978 1 74359 545 9 identified in this document as a result of new OEH 2014/0233 information and community consultation. The June 2014 maps in this statement are intended to show the park’s location and basic features only, and are not suitable for use when navigating to or exploring within parks.

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