Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 2017
We are all custodians of the Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks, which are central to Far West Coast Aboriginal communities. Our culture is strong and our people are proud - looking after, and sharing Country. We welcome visitors. We ask them to appreciate the sensitivity of this land and to respect our culture. We want our Country to remain beautiful, unique and healthy for future generations to enjoy. Far West Coast Aboriginal people
Yellabinna parks Warna Manda parks • Boondina Conservation Park • Acraman Creek Conservation Park • Pureba Conservation Park • Chadinga Conservation Park • Yellabinna Regional Reserve • Fowlers Bay Conservation Park • Yellabinna Wilderness Protection Area • Laura Bay Conservation Park • Yumbarra Conservation Park • Point Bell Conservation Park • Wahgunyah Conservation Park • Wittelbee Conservation Park Your views are important
This draft plan has been developed by the Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management Board. The plan covers five parks in the Yellabinna region – the Yellabinna parks. It also covers seven coastal parks between Head of the Bight and Streaky Bay - the Warna Manda parks. Warna Manda means ‘coastal land’ in the languages of Far West Coast Aboriginal people.
Once finalised, the plan will guide the management of these parks. It will also help Far West Coast Aboriginal people to maintain their community health and wellbeing by supporting their connection to Country. Country is land, sea, sky, rivers, sites, seasons, plants and animals; and a place of heritage, belonging and spirituality.
The Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 2017 is now released for public comment. Members of the community are encouraged to express their views on the draft plan by making a written submission.
Each submission will be considered in the development of the final plan. Once developed, the final plan will be submitted to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation for adoption under section 38 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and section 31 of the Wilderness Protection Act 1992.
I encourage you to make a submission on this draft plan. Guidance on making a submission can be found on page 25.
John Schutz Director of National Parks and Wildlife
Cultural Sensitivity Warning Aboriginal people are warned that this publication may contain images of deceased persons.
1 Developing this plan
Far West Coast Aboriginal people are members of the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation and include Kokatha, Mirning, Wirangu, Oak Valley and Yalata peoples as well as the descendants of Edward Roberts Senior. They have taken care of the Far West Coast of South Australia for eons.
This draft plan has been developed by the Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management Board – a partnership between Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation and representatives of the South Australian Government.
The co-management board manages the Yumbarra Conservation Park and provides advice on the management of the other parks. The Yellabinna network of parks includes: Boondina Conservation Park, Pureba Conservation Park, Yellabinna Regional Reserve, Yellabinna Wilderness Protection Area, and Yumbarra Conservation Park (Figure 1, p.17).
The Warna Manda (Coastal land) network of parks includes: Acraman Creek Conservation Park, Chadinga Conservation Park, Fowlers Bay Conservation Park, Laura Bay Conservation Park, Point Bell Conservation Park, Wahgunyah Conservation Park and Wittelbee Conservation Park (Figure 2, p.18).
“This is a two-way learning process. It is only by working together that we can manage these parks for the benefit of all.” Leonard Miller Senior, Deputy Chair, Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management Board
The Far West Coast Healthy Country Plan guides the management of Country and reflects the aspirations of Far West Coast Aboriginal people for their Country and communities. It was developed by the Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management Board and the Nullarbor Parks Advisory Committee, on behalf of the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation, through a series of on-country workshops with Far West Coast Aboriginal people. The Far West Coast Healthy Country Plan underpins the management of the parks and has been used to develop this plan.
The Far West Language Centre provided guidance on the use of Far West Coast languages in this plan.
Contents
Directions for management ...... 3
Yellabinna parks - significance and purpose...... 5
Warna Manda parks - significance and purpose...... 7
What are the challenges and opportunities?...... 9
Management themes and priorities...... 10
Invitation to contribute ...... 25
References ...... 26
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 2 Directions for management
The continuous connection of Far West Coast Aboriginal people to their Country was acknowledged in 2013 when their native title was formally recognised under the Native Title Act 1993. As a result, Far West Coast Aboriginal people have a central role in setting directions for the management of the Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks.
The Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management Board has been established to set strategic directions and oversee management of these parks. The formation of the board recognises Far West Coast Aboriginal people as the original custodians of the land and acknowledges the importance of their traditional knowledge and customs in managing the cultural and natural values of the parks. The parks will be managed using traditional knowledge, scientific knowledge and contemporary park management techniques.
The Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management Board is currently a board for the Yumbarra Conservation Park and provides advice on all the other Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks.
The Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks are all managed in accordance with South Australian laws for the conservation of their natural and cultural values. As such, directions for the management of all these parks are broadly consistent. Some sites within the parks have a particular focus due to their special values that need protection. Some threats, such as pest animals, require management at a large scale extending beyond individual park boundaries.
The implementation of this plan will be monitored and evaluated to understand management effectiveness. Regular review of the plan’s implementation, combined with adaptation of the strategies, will be used to ensure that the objectives in this plan are achieved.
The Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks will remain subject to the native title rights and interests that exists in relation to the land. The plan will be implemented in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Native Title Act 1993, as well as other relevant legislation.
Significant sites according to Aboriginal tradition, and sites that are important to Aboriginal archaeology, anthropology and history, are protected in South Australia under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988. All Aboriginal cultural sites, registered and unregistered, are protected under this Act and any significant works within the parks require cultural clearances.
3 The Natural Resources Management Act 2004 requires plans to be developed for the landscape scale management of natural resources. These plans promote community Managing the Far West involvement and guide many of the land management activities Coast parks together has that occur within the parks. The Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management Board will work with neighbouring a long history communities and stakeholders to implement the priorities When the parks in the Far West Coast area were and strategies identified in this parks management plan and proclaimed, Far West Coast Aboriginal people were the relevant regional natural resources management plans. not allowed to hunt, gather, perform ceremonies and Acraman Creek, Boondina, Chadinga, Fowlers Bay, Laura take care of Country as we had been doing for tens of Bay, Pureba, Point Bell, Wahgunyah, Wittelbee and Yumbarra thousands of years. This affected our people’s and our Conservation Parks are all proclaimed under the National Parks Country’s health and wellbeing. and Wildlife Act 1972. Conservation parks are highly protected In the 1980s we formed the Aboriginal Consultative and managed for the conservation of their natural and cultural Committee to help the government understand that we values. They also provide for appropriate education, use and needed to be able to continue our cultural practices in enjoyment by people. By virtue of their proclamation, some of the parks in order for them to be healthy. At that time the these parks are available for approved exploration and production parks were being managed from Port Lincoln, which is a of minerals and energy resources. Areas that are available for approved activities are shown in detail in Figure 1, p.17 and in long way away. We talked to the manager there about Figure 3, p.19, Figure 7, p.23 and Figure 8, p.24. conservation activities including protecting the plants and animals and the need for local rangers to actively manage The Yellabinna Wilderness Protection Area is proclaimed under the parks. This led to changes to allow Aboriginal people the Wilderness Protection Act 1992. Wilderness protection areas to practice cultural activities in the parks and enabled us are afforded the highest level of protection in South Australia. to care for our Country. As such, they are not available for the exploration or production of minerals and energy resources and are managed to retain Far West Coast Aboriginal people have continued to their remote and natural qualities. The South Australian Code provide advice on the management of the parks and of Management for Wilderness Protection Areas and Zones our knowledge and skills in caring for Country are now (DEH 2004) provides specific direction for the management of recognised through the co-management of these parks. wilderness protection areas. Management of the Yellabinna Wanda Miller, Member, Wilderness Protection Area aims to maintain the remote, natural experiences for park visitors to enjoy. Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management Board The Yellabinna Regional Reserve is proclaimed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Regional reserves are managed for the protection of natural values, whilst allowing for the utilisation of mineral and energy resources and grazing. This plan, along with the objectives of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, will provide direction for the management of the regional reserve at a high level. However, the use of mineral and energy resources is primarily guided by other management frameworks and legislation including the Mining Act 1971 and the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000.
Once adopted, the Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Management Plan will be the first plan for the Warna Manda parks and will replace the Yellabinna Reserves Management Plan 2013. It will meet the requirements for the development of management plans under Section 38 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and Section 31 of the Wilderness Protection Act 1992.
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 4 Yellabinna parks - significance and purpose
The Yellabinna parks are the Boondina Conservation rock holes, salt lakes, plants and animals form a complex and Park (12 554 ha), Pureba Conservation Park (226 404 ha), interconnected cultural landscape. This landscape, and the cultural Yellabinna Regional Reserve (2 000 896 ha), Yellabinna sites within it, help to sustain a living connection to Country for Wilderness Protection Area (500 704 ha), and Yumbarra Far West Coast Aboriginal people. Conservation Park (324 352 ha) (Figure 1, p.17). The Yellabinna Wilderness Protection Area contains one of the Together, they form a large and interconnected area in which largest and most intact natural areas in South Australia. It is natural ecological processes can flourish. The Yellabinna parks particularly important for the conservation of natural vegetation consist of large areas of red quartzitic sand dunes with mallee, communities and also contains culturally significant sites such mulga and associated spinifex. The dunes are interspersed with as Mount Finke. Its remoteness and naturalness provides the salt lakes and rocky outcrops with rock holes that have sustained opportunity for self-reliant visitors to be immersed in this life in this landscape for eons. unique landscape.
These parks protect over 3 million hectares of mallee woodland – The Yellabinna Regional Reserve was created to facilitate the largest intact area of mallee woodland in the world. They link conservation while also enabling the use of mineral and energy the woodlands of the Eyre Peninsula to the Great Victoria Desert, resources under strict conditions to ensure environmental the Nullarbor Plain, the Maralinga Tjarutja lands and Mamungari sustainability. There are ongoing mineral exploration activities Conservation Park. These large and interconnected protected throughout the reserve. Iluka’s Jacinth-Ambrosia heavy mineral areas are critical for biodiversity conservation and may contribute sands mine has been carefully developed within the Yellabinna to the resilience of species to the effects of climate change. Regional Reserve and within an Aboriginal site. This mine contributes to the local economy and provides significant The Yellabinna parks are part of the traditional lands of the employment opportunities for people in the region. In particular, Far West Coast Aboriginal people. The health of Far West Coast the mine provides the opportunity for Far West Coast Aboriginal Aboriginal people and that of the land is inseparable. people to work on Country. The parks provide for their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. A series of songlines connect sites throughout the area and have significance to other Aboriginal groups beyond the region. The features of the Yellabinna parks such as the 5 What are we looking after? • A landscape and sites such as Mount Finke, Googs Lake and • Animals of conservation significance which are listed under rock holes that are of profound cultural significance, enabling the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Far West Coast Aboriginal people to continue their culture. 1999 and the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, including sandhill dunnart, (Sminthopsis psammophila) and malleefowl • Bush medicines, bush tucker such as quandong and bush (Leipoa ocellata). banana, and bush meat such as bush turkey, marlu (red kangaroo), wardu (wombat), galda (sleepy lizard), • Iconic species such as the Major Mitchell cockatoo (Cacatua goanna and garliya (emu). leadbeateri), scarlet-chested parrot (Neophema splendida) and thorny devil (Moloch horridus). • A harsh, rugged, semi-arid, fragile and remote landscape of dunes, red sandhills, salt lakes, rock holes, granite outcrops and • A number of plant species listed under the Environment Mount Finke, a quartzite inselberg rising from the dune fields. Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, including desert • South Australia’s largest and most intact protected area greenhood (Pterostylis xerophila), yellow Swainson-pea landscape, including the world’s largest area of mallee woodland. (Swainsona pyrophila), granite mudwort (Limosella granitica), • Culturally significant animals such as dingo (Canis lupus dingo), Ooldea guinea-flower (Hibertia crispula), and the Mount Finke waldya (wedge-tailed eagle) (Aquila audax) and Australian grevillea (Grevillea treueriana), which is endemic to Mount Finke. bustard (Ardeotis australis). • Gabi (water) sites that have cultural significance and • Twenty-seven plant species and seventeen animal species that are ecologically important in the semi-arid environment. are listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Some of these include rock holes and lakes. Conservation Act 1999. The parks have one of the most diverse • Remote and natural destinations such as Mount Finke, Googs reptile fauna for an arid or semi-arid region in the world, with Lake and Yumbarra Rock Hole. Googs Track offers a unique 80 species recorded. four-wheel drive and camping opportunity through Yumbarra Conservation Park, Yellabinna Regional Reserve and Yellabinna Wilderness Protection Area.
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 6 Warna Manda parks - significance and purpose
The Warna Manda parks are situated between the Yalata The Warna Manda parks help to conserve fragile coastal Indigenous Protected Area and Streaky Bay (Figure 2 p.18). vegetation communities, many of which have been cleared in They include: Acraman Creek Conservation Park (3,952 surrounding areas. These parks complement two nearby marine ha), Chadinga Conservation Park (11,854 ha), Fowlers Bay parks - Far West Coast Marine Park and Nuyts Archipelago Marine Conservation Park (9,731 ha), Laura Bay Conservation Park Park. The Warna Manda parks contain a variety of coastal habitats (282 ha), Point Bell Conservation Park (546 ha), Wahgunyah including beaches, mangroves, salt marshes, samphire flats, low Conservation Park (48,320 ha) and Wittelbee Conservation Park rocky headlands and sand dunes. Some of these habitats provide (170 ha) (Figures 3 to 8, p.19 to 24). feeding grounds for shorebirds and a nursery for marine life.
While relatively small, these parks are very important to Far These parks have basic infrastructure providing access to a West Coast Aboriginal people. There are significant cultural sites coastline with spectacular views and secluded beaches. Many throughout the parks, including burial sites, ancient campsites of these parks are popular for fishing, camping and observing and middens. Far West Coast Aboriginal people still spend time wildlife. Fowlers Bay Conservation Park is an excellent vantage on Country: looking after cultural sites, camping, fishing, cooking point for viewing southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) and passing on their cultural traditions and knowledge. and Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea).
7 What are we looking after? • Coastal features and sites, such as burial sites, that are of • Animals which are listed under the Environment Protection and profound significance, and enable Far West Coast Aboriginal Biodiversity Act 1999 and/or the National Parks and Wildlife Act people to continue their culture. 1972, including fairy tern (Sternula nereis), hooded plover (Thinornis rubricollis), far eastern curlew (Numenius • Bush medicines, bush tucker such as pigface and bush tomato, madagascariuensis), curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), and bush meat such as bush turkey, marlu (red kangaroo), great knot (Calidris tenuirostris), white-bellied sea eagle wardu (wombat), galda (sleepy lizard), goanna and (Haliaeetus leucogaster), osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and the garliya (emu). Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea). • Coastal food including periwinkles, scallops, razor fish, crabs, • Plants including rare and threatened species listed under mussels, limpets, oysters, abalone and mudi (fish). the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation • A harsh, rugged, semi-arid, fragile and remote landscape Act 1999 and/or the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: of dunes, wetlands, salt lakes, beaches and rocky reefs. Microlepidium alatum, bead samphire (Tecticornia flabelliformis) and inland green-comb spider-orchid (Caladenia tensa). • Vegetation communities including mangroves, samphire, coastal heath and successional coastal communities that • Gabi (water) sites including soaks and lakes that are are not widely represented in the reserve system. ecologically important, and culturally significant to Far West Coast Aboriginal people. • A Wetland of National Importance within Acraman Creek Conservation Park. • Sites of geological and historical significance including Chinaman’s Hat and the whaling station ruins at Fowlers Bay. • Animals which are culturally significant such as: Major Mitchell cockatoo (Cacatua leadbeateri), wardu (southern hairy nosed- • Opportunities for people to enjoy spectacular views, remote wombat) (Lasiorhinus latifrons) and short-beaked echidna camping, fishing and wildlife viewing. (Tachyglossus aculeatus).
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 8 Far West Aboriginal people and DEWNR staff at the Healthy Country Planning Workshop
What are the challenges and opportunities?
Key challenges and opportunities in the protection and management of the Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks are:
• Increasing the understanding of, and respect for, the cultures • Providing opportunities for visitors to learn about the unique of the Far West Coast Aboriginal people and their role in the landscapes, features, animals, plants and Far West Coast management of the parks. Aboriginal people’s culture so they gain a greater appreciation of the parks. • Incorporating traditional knowledge into the management of the parks and assisting Far West Coast Aboriginal people with • Managing fire in a large and mostly inaccessible area to protect the use and transfer of traditional knowledge through the life, property, cultural sites and rare or threatened species such maintenance of cultural sites. as sandhill dunnart.
• Ensuring that hunting of bush meat and gathering of coastal • Ensuring that approved mineral and energy resources exploration food, bush medicine and bush tucker by Far West Coast and extraction including existing activities, have a minimal impact Aboriginal people is enabled in a sustainable way. on the parks’ cultural, environmental and tourism values.
• Minimising the impact of feral animals including cats, foxes • Providing scope for commercial tourism businesses to develop and wild dogs on native fauna, and the impact of camels on new nature-based and cultural experiences while maintaining rock-holes and native vegetation. the remote and natural characteristics of the parks.
• Minimising the impact of pest plants, particularly buffel grass, • Facilitating opportunities for Far West Coast Aboriginal people on flora, fauna and cultural sites across a vast landscape. to work on-country.
• Providing visitors with access to an outstanding park experience while protecting cultural sites and fragile habitats.
9 Management themes and priorities
This section of the plan addresses the most important issues for the parks, focusing on four key themes.
Theme 1: Maintaining Healthy Country
Yellabinna parks Due to their remote location, size and lack of modification, the The Alinytjara Wilurara Fire Management Strategy (Department Yellabinna parks have remained in a healthy condition. To maintain of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) 2014) the health of these parks a combination of Aboriginal traditional directs the management of fire within these parks and the knowledge and contemporary park management techniques need to surrounding landscape. be used. Local communities will also need to be involved. Water is a critical but scarce element of the Yellabinna ecosystem. Fire is a natural part of the Yellabinna ecosystem and is required to The survival of people and wildlife in the arid landscape has relied on maintain the health of the parks. The seeds of some species, such the presence of healthy soaks and rock holes. To maintain a healthy as yellow Swainson-pea, only germinate after fire. condition, rock holes need to be cleaned and protected according to cultural traditions. Feral animals, particularly camels, contaminate these Uncontrolled bushfires can threaten cultural sites and can water sources. It is important to control pest species to prevent the affect infrastucture within the parks and on neighbouring degradation of such water sources. properties. Prescribed burns have been used to protect the habitat of threatened species, such as the sandhill dunnart and malleefowl. Prescribed burns are also used to prevent large uncontrolled bushfires from burning into neighbouring properties.
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 10 Pest plants and animals pose a threat to cultural sites, and native habitat protection measures. These include reducing new track flora and fauna. The vast area that the parks cover makes managing development which affects native vegetation and can allow pests to such pests difficult. Some pests, such as buffel grass, are actively enter, or by managing feral predators around sensitive sites such as managed according to the South Australian Buffel Grass Strategic rock holes. Plan 2012-2017 (Biosecurity 2012) and Alinytjara Wilurara Buffel Over eighty percent of the Yellabinna parks is available for the Grass Operational Strategy (Tschirner et al. 2012). Others, such as the exploration and development of mineral and energy resources. All Italian white snail (Theba pisana), are managed as part of the cultural of the Yellabinna Regional Reserve, Pureba Conservation Park and maintenance of rock holes. Boondina Conservation Park are available for approved mineral and There are a number of rare or threatened plants and animals which energy resources activities and most of Yumbarra Conservation exist in the Yellabinna parks. These species require special attention Park (Figure 1, p.17). No mineral and energy resources activities are to prevent further decline or extinction. Recovery plans for malleefowl permitted in the Yellbinna Wilderness Protection Area. The mining of (Benshemesh 2007), sandhill dunnart (Churchill 2001), desert heavy mineral sands at Iluka’s Jacinth-Ambrosia mine in the Yellabinna greenhood (Duncan 2010) and yellow Swainson-pea (Tonkinson & Regional Reserve commenced in 2009 and is regulated through the Robertson 2010) have been developed to guide the recovery of these Mining Act 1971. species. Other rare or threatened species will be managed through
Warna Manda parks The Warna Manda parks conserve the most significant areas of Shorebirds usually nest above the high tide mark, and are native vegetation along that stretch of coastline and are considered vulnerable to disturbance from vehicles on the beach. Drivers are to be a good representation of the pre-pastoralism vegetation. encouraged to drive below the high tide mark on beaches and Some of the natural ecological processes such as fire and seed to take care not to disturb shorebirds. This will help to ensure the dispersal have been irreversibly changed by alterations to land use sustainability of their breeding populations. surrounding these parks. However, the Warna Manda parks are The coastal habitat of the Warna Manda parks also supports generally healthy as their remote location limits their use. breeding colonies of the nationally vulnerable Australian sea lion, Healthy Country not only has a high degree of naturalness, it is a species which is recorded as declining on the IUCN red list. also understood, appreciated, enjoyed, and is a central part of The recovery plan (Commonwealth Government 2013) for this the culture of the Far West Coast Aboriginal people. Maintaining species outlines management actions to improve the species public access to these parks while protecting sensitive areas, such chances of survival. as middens, is a priority. Three plant species within the Warna Manda parks - Microlepidium Once established, pest plants and animals have the potential to alatum, bead samphire and the inland green-comb spider-orchid alter natural ecosystems and damage cultural sites. Pest plant - are listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity species including buffel grass, African boxthorn (Lycium Conservation Act 1999 and the National Parks and Wildlife Act ferocissimum) and beach daisy (Anthotheca populifolia) 1972. These species, along with other native plant species, will are found within, or in close proximity, to some of the parks but be managed through reducing the threats such as grazing and are not widespread. These species are a priority for management. trampling by camels, competition with weeds and being damaged The management of pest animals, particularly cats and foxes, through vehicle track proliferation. is also a priority. The exploration and development of mineral and energy The varied coastal habitats of the Warna Manda parks are resources is allowed in sections of Acraman Creek Conservation important for the survival of several species of migratory shorebirds Park (Figure 3, p.19), Fowlers Bay Conservation Park (Figure 7, that spend the Australian summer feeding in the parks. These p.23) and Wahgunyah Conservation Park (Figure 8, p.24). These include great knot, curlew sandpiper and far eastern curlew activities are not allowed in the other Warna Manda parks. which are all listed as critically threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and are also listed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.
Due to the migratory nature of these species a variety of threats are present throughout their range. However, the parks protect the valuable feeding grounds of these species.
11 Objective and strategies
Protect and conserve the Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks’ natural environmental values and its rich Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultural heritage. • Continue to encourage and recognise the contribution of neighbours, partners and volunteers.
• Develop and implement pest predator management programmes at priority rock holes and shorebird nesting sites to help protect native animal populations and promote threatened species recovery.
• Monitor and destroy buffel grass outbreaks as guided by the South Australian Buffel Grass Strategic Plan (Biosecurity 2012) and the Alinytjara Wilurara Buffel Grass Operational Strategy (Tschirner et al. 2012).
• Monitor camel congregations and manage them around sensitive sites through collaboration with regional stakeholders.
• Continue to work with the Country Fire Service and neighbouring landholders to undertake prescribed burning.
• As appropriate, authorise resource exploration and development activities and work with mining and petroleum companies to ensure that the impact of any future resource development activities on the natural and cultural values of the parks is minimised.
• Encourage research that will support the management of the parks in collaboration with Far West Coast Aboriginal people.
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 12 Theme 2: Keeping culture strong
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been the The role of the Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management custodians of the land and sea of this continent for many tens of Board is to manage the Yumbarra Conservation Park and provide thousands of years. Their connection to Country demonstrates advice on the management of other parks. It also aims to build the link between people and Country. Country must be carefully the capacity of both partners to manage the parks and to cared for and healthy to continue supporting people’s health and progress opportunities for greater involvement of Far West Coast wellbeing. The Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks are a part of Aboriginal people. the Far West Coast Aboriginal people’s traditional lands. Far West Coast Aboriginal people were living on and caring for Country, Far West Coast Aboriginal people are able to continue to hunt, until being forced off the land. They were often placed in missions fish and gather traditional foods and medicines, camp and have where using Aboriginal languages and practising culture was fires for cooking and ceremonial purposes, have gatherings and discouraged or forbidden. Despite this, Far West Coast Aboriginal conduct burials in the parks. Far West Coast Aboriginal people people have maintained their connection to Country and continue collect bush medicines and bush tucker from the parks such as to practice their traditions to keep their culture alive. pigface and bush tomatoes. They have specific rights in relation to the parks which enable them to collect coastal food such as “This land is our school, church, pharmacy, limpets and hunt bush meat such as wardu (wombat). supermarket, butcher and cemeteries” Sue Haseldine, Member, Yumbarra Conservation Park Eating traditional foods and using traditional medicines are Co-management Board important for the physical health of the Far West Coast Aboriginal Traditional knowledge is passed on from in the form of stories people and for their spiritual, social and mental wellbeing. The that tell of how spirit ancestors created places, plants and animals. acts of hunting and gathering, preparing, sharing and using Each group maintains a story, or part of it, about how these natural resources allows for the transfer of knowledge and keeps events took place. These stories and associated songlines are the Aboriginal culture strong. Aboriginal people live in two worlds, basis for knowledge about caring for Country. They are passed in both Aboriginal culture and mainstream Australian culture. on from generation to generation. Through these stories and Maintaining their traditional cultures and languages through traditional practices, obligations and responsibilities for care of the activities in the parks is particularly important. environment, plants, animals, cultural sites and people are passed The use of modern technology for hunting and gathering instead on. Relationships between all of these things are interconnected of only traditional practices has potential to place pressures on and deeply spiritual. these resources. For example, wardu (wombat) is a popular bush ”By reconnecting people to their land in a way that meat and is hunted in the area, however not everyone has the benefits them, culture becomes strong again” knowledge about the right time and methods to hunt them. Leonard Miller Senior, Deputy Chair, Yumbarra Conservation Park This could result in wardu (wombat) being overharvested. Far Co-management Board West Coast Aboriginal people are encouraged to minimise their impact on the parks by keeping to designated vehicle tracks For the Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks to be healthy, and using traditional methods for hunting and gathering Far West Coast Aboriginal people need to be on Country, wherever feasible. carrying out their traditional practices and the management of the parks using both traditional and contemporary land management knowledge.
13 Objective and strategies
Protect and care for cultural sites and enhance Far West Coast Aboriginal people’s connection to Country. • Enable Far West Coast Aboriginal people to use the parks to maintain their culture, take care of Country and transfer knowledge.
• In partnership with the Far West Coast Aboriginal people, develop a traditional hunting and gathering protocol and establish a process for monitoring species taken to ensure sustainability.
• Incorporate traditional knowledge and skills of the Far West Coast Aboriginal people into research, monitoring and management activities whilst ensuring intellectual property rights are respected.
• Protect the cultural and ecological values of important cultural sites.
• Facilitate opportunities for Far West Coast Aboriginal people to work on Country including employment and enterprise development.
Conserving wombats Aboriginal people have been hunting wombats for thousands of years. We always look after the wombats and other bush foods because we want to be able to get them again the year after and the year after that.
Wombat hunting is seasonal. It begins in spring. By the end of September when it starts to warm up and all the flowers come out, the galda (sleepy lizard) wakes up and wombats grow fat. The hunting season slows down by the end of March but will pick up again the next September.
To look after the wombats we go to a different area each time we go out hunting. We keep an eye out for tyre tracks; they tell us that someone else has been there.
Wombats are also important to the spiritual life of the Far West Coast people. The wombat is cut up following the proper way – it has been done this way for thousands of years. Wombats and the places where they live have always been and always will be respected by Aboriginal people.
From Wardugu Wirn - Hunting for wombat. © Gladys Miller 2005
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 14 Theme 3: Respecting and enjoying Country
The Yellabinna parks comprise one of the largest untouched, Fishing, camping, four wheel driving and surfing are enjoyed by remote and natural areas in Australia. Travelling through this area tourists. There are opportunities to expand the range of visitor on Googs Track gives people access to a truly unique four-wheel experiences. Short walks could enable visitors to enjoy a more drive experience which is regarded as one of Australia’s most iconic immersive experience in the parks and visit specific features such outback journeys. as rock formations and lakes that do not have vehicle track access. Interpreting the ancient Aboriginal and post-colonisation heritage The Warna Manda parks consist of exposed headlands and sheltered sites could provide visitors with an understanding of the parks bays stretching from near Streaky Bay to the Yalata Indigenous from a different perspective. These sites will need to be carefully Protected Area. Their proximity to towns make the parks popular with developed with interpretive signs through a visitor experience locals, yet they retain a remote and undeveloped character which is an strategy that involves Far West Coast Aboriginal people and the important part of their appeal. local community. This could also form the basis for cultural tourism in The Far West Coast Aboriginal people recognise that the Yellabinna the parks where visitors can learn about the local Aboriginal cultures and Warna Manda parks are a part of South Australia’s identity, through interpretive material or cultural tours with Far West Coast have special meaning to many people, and contain places that play Aboriginal people. an important role in the lives of people from local communities such The parks will continue to provide access to visitor sites and points as Ceduna, Fowlers Bay and Smoky Bay. Part of the appeal of living of interest via a network of authorised vehicle tracks. There is in these towns is the accessibility of the parks and the recreational basic information for visitors, however some improvements to the opportunities they provide. Locals enjoy four wheel driving and information provided is needed to communicate to visitors how they camping in the Yellabinna parks. The Warna Manda parks provide a can prevent any disturbance to cultural sites, vegetation, fragile soils or range of coastal recreational activities including four wheel driving, other park features. Further promotion of the special environmental camping, fishing, and surfing, and many people have favourite spots. values of these parks, their significance to Far West Coast Aboriginal Within the Yellabinna parks camping is confined to designated areas people and the role of the Yumbarra Conservation Park Co- at Googs Lake and around Mount Finke. These are defined in Figure management Board is needed. 1. Within the Warna Manda parks camping is confined to designated “We need to look after these places, for all Australians, camping areas. These are defined in Figures 3 - 8, p.19 - 24. The we don’t want to stop people enjoying this beautiful place campsites have been developed to provide campers with the best but we do want them to respect the Country and respect spots for views or access to popular sites while protecting the our culture.” sensitive environment. Wanda Miller, Member, Yumbarra Conservation Park Co-management Board
Objectives and strategies Ensure that the range of experiences that can be enjoyed in the parks is maintained and expanded.
Help visitors to develop greater appreciation, understanding and respect for the deep relationship between the Far West Coast Aboriginal people and their Country.
• Develop a visitor experience strategy for the Yellabinna and Warna Manda parks that:
-- Identifies the location of signage that welcomes visitors to the Country of the Far West Coast Aboriginal people. -- Identifies sites that require improved information or interpretation for visitors. -- Identifies opportunities for investment in tourism enterprises. -- Sets out strategies for the improvement of vehicle access to sites that have been degraded over time.
• In consultation with the broader community and Far West Coast Aboriginal people, continue to define and maintain visitor access and camping areas, including suitable amenities and beach access for vehicles where required.
• Encourage the establishment of tourism enterprises that are culturally appropriate, environmentally sustainable and create new opportunities for unique tourism experiences.
• Update park visitor information to promote respect for, and understanding of, the Far West Coast Aboriginal people’s aspirations and culture.
15 Theme 4: Yellabinna Wilderness Protection Area Visitor Management Strategy
Due to its remoteness, visitation to the Yellabinna Wilderness The Yellabinna Wilderness Protection Area will be managed Protection Area is very low and is currently compatible with the according to the South Australian Code of Management for objective of maintaining remote and natural quality. Wilderness Protection Areas and Zones (DEH 2004) which guides the management of wilderness protection areas and requires a visitor management strategy to be included in any management plan.
Objectives and strategies Maintain the wilderness qualities of the Yellabinna Wilderness Protection Area while also maintaining opportunities for four-wheel driving and camping. • Make information available to visitors and the local community to encourage awareness of wilderness values, adoption of minimal impact practices and awareness of appropriate activities.
• Approve commercial tourism proposals that are consistent with the Wilderness Protection Regulations (2006), the principles contained in the South Australian Code of Management for Wilderness Protection Areas and Zones (DEH 2004) and the requirements of the Minimum Impact Code for wilderness use in South Australia (DEH 2006).
• Periodically assess the impact of visitor activities on wilderness values within the Wilderness Protection Area with a particular focus on Mount Finke.
• Implement strategies that are consistent with the South Australian Code of Management for Wilderness Protection Areas and Zones (DEH 2004) to address any emerging impacts arising from visitor activities.
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 16 ! ! !
!
Ooldea TRANS
AUSTRALIAN Watson RA ILWAY
Tarcoola
NULLARBOR Mt Finke REGIONAL
RESERVE K C A YELLABINNA R T WILDERNESS PROTECTION AREA
LAKE GAIRDNER S
G
O NATIONAL PARK
O YELLABINNA G EYRE REGIONAL RESERVE Yalata ! Goog's Lake YALATA INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AREA BOONDINA YUMBARRA CONSERVATION PARK CONSERVATION PARK
EYRE Penong Koonibba Y HIGHWA PUREBA Fowlers Bay CONSERVATION PARK Ceduna
EY R E Smoky Bay FL Wirrulla IND ERS H IG H W GAWLER RANGES H A NATIONAL PARK IG Y
H
GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT W
A
Y Poochera STREAK OAD Y B AY R Streaky Bay
LEGEND Figure 1 Campground Yellabinna parks Sealed Road Unsealed Road (Generally 4WD) Yellabinna parks
Other protected areas Areas that allow for approved mineral and/or energy resources activities
0 km 20 40 60
17 Goog's Lake YALATA INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AREA
YUMBARRA BOONDINA CONSERVATION PARK YELLABINNA CONSERVATION E Y REGIONAL WAHGUNYAH R E PARK CONSERVATION RESERVE PARK
HIGHWAY
Koonibba PUREBA CONSERVATION PARK Penong EYRE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT H MARINE NATIONAL PARK IG Fowlers Bay HW CHADINGA AY CONSERVATION FOWLERS BAY PARK NUYTS REEF CONSERVATION CONSERVATION PARK PARK Ceduna EYRE
POINT BELL WITTELBEE H CONSERVATION CONSERVATION WY PARK PARK
EY F R L E IN LAURA BAY D E R CONSERVATION S PARK
HI GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT Smoky Bay GHW AY NUYTS ARCHIPELAGO WILDERNESS PROTECTION AREA ACRAMAN CREEK CONSERVATION PARK 18 18 Plan Management Draft Parks Manda Warna and Yellabinna
Figure 2
Warna Manda parks LEGEND
Sealed Road Unsealed Road (generally 4WD) Warna Manda parks
Other protected areas
0km 20 40 Smoky Bay
Sm oky Bay
D
A
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R FL IND ERS E Y R E P E N I N S U L A
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W
O R B HIG HW AY
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Flagstaff Landing
Point Lindsay
S T R E A K Y B AY
Point De Mole
Figure 3 LEGEND
Acraman Creek Campground Conservation Park Day visitor site Sealed road Unsealed road (generally 4WD) Acraman Creek Conservation Park Areas that allow for approved mineral and energy resources activities
0km 1 2 3 4
19 S
C
H
W
A
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D Z E C R E F S L H IN
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L E R B S A Y WITTELBEE EYRE PENINSUL A
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H I G D D H A A W O O R A Y R L EL W BO DE Wittelbee CR Point ES B AY
DESCRES BAY ROAD
Y
A
B
DOG FENCE ROAD
A
R
U
A Laura Bay L
LAURA BAY CONSERVATION PARK
SMOKY BAY Cape D'Estrees
GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT
Figure 4 LEGEND
Laura Bay and Wittelbee Camp site; Campgound Conservation Parks Sealed road Unsealed road Walking trail Park boundary
0 km 1 2 3
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 20 P
O P
e I N n
o T
n
g
B E L L
RO AD
Point Bell Hut
Point Bell Well
POINT BELL CONSERVATION PARK
Point Bell GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT
Figure 5
Point Bell LEGEND Conservation Park Camp site Unsealed road (generally 4WD) Park Boundary
0 km 0.5 1 1.5
21 E
U
R
I
A
W
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L
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Y D HIGHWA D EYRE ROA Nundroo
Bookabie
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AD Penong Cedu RO na R O
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Clare Bay UM T M IN Eyre Bluff E
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COHEN BOUNDARY RD
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I R CHADINGA CONSERVATION PARK
Lake CHADINGA Macdonnell HILL
R
O
A D
Cactus Beach Port GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT Le Hunte
Point Sinclair
Figure 6 LEGEND
Chadinga Conservation Park Sealed road Unsealed road (generally 4WD) Management track (no public access) Park boundary
0 km 5 10
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 22 YALATA INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AREA Yalata Hill
g n o en P C oor abie
AD RO
D A O R C O O R A B IE
ATA WOOK Y FOWLERS BAY A B CONSERVATION PARK
R O A D
S
R
E
L
W
O
F
FOWLERS BAY
Fowlers Bay Port Eyre
SCOTT BAY
Scott Point
Mexican Hat
Point Fowler Cape Nuyts GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT
Figure 7 LEGEND Fowlers Bay Campground Conservation Park Bush camp site Unsealed road (generally 4WD) Fowlers Bay Conservation Park Other protected areas Areas that allow for approved mineral and energy resources activities
0 km 2.5 5
23 Ya lata FL IND YELLABINNA RR ERS
YALATA INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AREA H IG H W AY
F L IN D E R management S track
YALATA INDIGENOUS D Access road og PROTECTION F to conservation park en AREA ce B H ea TOWER ROAD IG ch H W C A H Y IN TA AD W O A R N WAHGUNYAH TA PI IP R CP O N A LA P L e D A n o N n O'Cock g C Sandhills H IN TU COORABIE LD RID ROAD A DL Wonginya ES R Sandhills O C NER RO A O R AD D
Tchalingaby Sandhills C HIN TULDA W ROAD O O KA TA D A
O
R RO AD
G R E AT A U S T R A L I A N B I G H T
H C A E B
A IM T E E H C Cape Adieu Cheetima Beach
Figure 8 LEGEND Wahgunyah Campsite Sealed road Conservation Park Unsealed road (generally 4WD within park) Management track (no public access) Wahgunyah Conservation Park Areas that allow for approved mineral and energy resources activities
0 km 5 10 15
Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Draft Management Plan 24 Invitation to contribute
This draft management plan is released for public consultation over a three month period to facilitate community input into the development of the Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Management Plan. You are invited to contribute by making a submission.
To ensure that your submission is effective: • Make your submission concise and clear.
• Reference any specific comments to a page or section within the draft plan.
• Identify aspects of the draft plan that you support, or do not support. Explain your reasons for disagreeing with the content of the draft plan and suggest alternatives.
• Highlight any information that may be inaccurate and provide a reference to assist with further editing.
Each submission will be carefully reviewed. A final Yellabinna and Warna Manda Parks Management Plan will then be prepared and forwarded to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation for consideration together with a detailed analysis of submissions received.
The Minister may adopt the plan with or without alteration. Once adopted, a notice will be published in the Government Gazette.
The plan and an analysis of the public submissions will be available at www.environment.sa.gov.au/park-management.
Please note that your submission will become part of the public record and will be available to anyone who requests a copy unless you specifically request otherwise.
Submissions close 27 January 2018
Written submissions: Saras Kumar Policy and Planning Officer, Far West Coast Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources GPO Box 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001 E-mail submissions: [email protected]
Online submissions: www.yoursay.sa.gov.au/decisions
25 References
Alinytjara Wilurara Natural Resources Management (AW NRM) Board (2011) Alinytjara Wilurara Regional NRM Plan. NRM Board, Adelaide. Australian Museum (2017) Glossary of Indigenous Australia terms, viewed 10 July 2017,
Photography Cover, page 7 courtesy of Tammy Cox. Page 1, 3, 5, 10, 13 courtesy of Paul Gregory. Page 9, 14 courtesy of Robbie Sleep. Page 12, courtesy of Stuart Cowell. Page 25 courtesy of Saras Kumar. Page 26, courtesy of Brett Backhouse.
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