FEDERAL ELECTION MARCH 2013 NO 252 PROSPECTING IN PARKS PROTECTING NATIVE VEGETATION CLIMATE CHANGE AND BUSHWALKING ALPS LAND SWAP LARGE OLD TREES VICTORIA’S LIGHTSTATIONS CHILDREN AND NATURE Features...

LEFT: Centre pivot irrigation often results in the loss of paddock trees and other vegetation. Read how the State Government is planning to make it easier for landowners and others to clear native vegetation.

BELOW: Discover the delightful new children’s book Lyrebird – a true story, by Jackie Kerin, illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe. You can buy copies from VNPA at a page special member discount. Ideal gift!

12 KELSALL YASMIN PHOTO:

‘Heavens to Betsy!’ The bird examined her from head to toe A curious young bird blocked her way. with his black button eyes. Edith examined Edith stood as still as a statue. ‘You’re the bird. A lyrebird. And bold as brass. ‘Aren’t no ordinary chook,’ she murmured. you supposed to be a shy bird?’ He began to scratch for grubs beside the path. Edith was puzzled. ‘Whatever happened to your tail?’ She took out her notebook and pencil.

FEBRUARY Lyrebird! (a young male — a plain-tail!)

page 342 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 By the time she’d fi nished her sketch, he’d vanished. 5 Be part of nature

PRESIDENT Russell Costello DIRECTOR Matt Ruchel CONTENTS Level 3, 60 Leicester Street 4 From the President Carlton, VIC 3053 ABN 34 217 717 593 4 From the Editor Telephone: (03) 9347 5188 Facsimile: (03) 9347 5199 5 Parks, the best investment E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.vnpa.org.au 6-7 Engaging with the Earth-Story

VNPA’S VISION 8 The federal election: what about the We share a vision of Victoria as a place with a diverse, secure and healthy natural environment cared for and appreciated by all. environment? EDITORIAL COMMITTEE 10 Prospecting: time for some real changes Ann Strunks, Matt Ruchel, Philip Ingamells, Michael Howes. 12 Net Gain? Net loss! New habitat clearing ADVERTISING rules on the cards Ann Strunks, [email protected] GETTING INVOLVED IN VNPA 14 Divers discover diversity: the Great Victorian Everyone can help in the conservation of Victoria’s wild and Fish Count 2012 beautiful places. You can: • make a donation 15 Bastion Point – we’re not going to take it! • become a regular giver or member 16 Less snow, more fire • volunteer. You’ll be welcome in the office, on a campaign or in a park • leave a bequest to VNPA in your will. 17 The future of bushwalking PUBLISHING POLICY All advertisements should be compatible with VNPA policies. 18 Parks open to development Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by 20 The fall of the giants the VNPA Inc. of the advertised product or service. The VNPA reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time. 22 That White Pages listing – the VNPA in Park Watch may be quoted without permission provided that the 1990s acknowledgement is made. The opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the VNPA Inc. 24 Protecting Grampians-Gariwerd

GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS 26 What’s stopping you? You’re always welcome to contact the editor to discuss ideas for articles. Phone the VNPA or email [email protected]. Articles may be 28 In Parks – a new lease of light submitted by email, on disk or as hard copy. Include your contact details and brief biographical information. Photos, maps and drawings are 30 What on earth …? needed too. Digital photos should be 300dpi and around 8cm by 12cm. 31 Vale Ann Stokie and Arthur Thies COPY DEADLINE for June 2013 Park Watch is 29 April 2013. DESIGN Mary Ferlin/Damon Carr 32 Checking out the Chathams PRINTING Adams Print 34 The story of Lyrebird! FRONT AND BACK COVERS Children enjoy time in natural surroundings at 35 Book reviews Edwards Point near St Leonards (front cover) and Sheoak Falls near Lorne (back) with Geelong-based 36 Muddy Boots and Sandy Hands group Muddy Boots and Sandy Hands. See page 36. Photos courtesy Danielle Bain. 37 Family pet kills endangered bird Park Watch ISSN 1324-4361 38 In memory of Jenny Barnett; BWAG notes

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 3 • opportunities to help support our is to be a secretive land swap in the Alpine conservation work and Victoria’s NP. The full story is on page 18. natural environment. Similarly, in February all planning There will also be an option to combine schemes were amended to exempt DSE membership with regular giving, of from the requirement to obtain a planning which all but a $40 membership service permit to clear native vegetation on the fee will be tax-deductible. The new Crown land it manages. annual fee structure, effective from May I urge you to write to Environment PHOTO COURTESY RUSSELL COSTELLO COURTESY PHOTO 2013, is as follows: Minister Ryan Smith or your local MPs Concession: $40 • about this, and about the Victorian • Individual: $65 Government’s apparent intention to dilute From the • Household/family: $90 native vegetation clearing controls – see • Giving Naturally – Conservation President Partner and Member: $20 per month article on page 12. minimum, plus $40 membership fee. We ended 2012 with the enjoyable STOP PRESS We will contact relevant organisations annual picnic at Lysterfield Park and As this Park Watch was going to print, about new fees for Associate Members started 2013 with the defeat of the State Premier Ted Baillieu announced his and Subscribers. Government’s court appeal to overturn resignation and was replaced by Denis the ban on cattle grazing in the Alpine On a brighter note, I joined some 26 Napthine as Premier. National Park. All good. VNPA members in the Alpine NP on Under the Baillieu leadership we have But it hasn’t been an easy year for the the last weekend of February removing willows from the Falls Creek bogs. seen significant backward steps on the VNPA. We are finding – like many not- environment and conservation. The key for-profit organisations – that grants for It was hard work but lots of fun, and question is whether a new leadership will specific projects have practically dried up. the good news is that many areas that bring a new approach. Your Council has regrettably had to take were thick with willows a few years ago Premier Napthine has pledged to continue action to wind back some programs and now have only scattered regrowth or the Baillieu agenda. As an MP and seek new sources of revenue. seedlings. Minister he has not been a great supporter We are placing particular emphasis on My thanks to Parks Victoria staff for of conservation issues, but perhaps their capable organisation, and to our regular giving program, and welcome leadership will bring new insights. your participation, because it helps us to Phil Ingamells and all our dedicated plan with a more reliable revenue base. volunteers for their hard work. The VNPA calls on the new Premier to clarify his approach to the environment The Victorian Government is still We have also reviewed VNPA and conservation. • PW membership fees. There have been no presenting us with conservation changes in fees for at least seven years, challenges. We recently learnt that there Russell Costello, VNPA President so we are implementing modest rises of around 11-20%, depending on the category. VNPA membership is still good value for money; members receive: From the Editor • our quarterly full-colour magazine Welcome to the firstPark Watch for 2013. I hope you Park Watch find plenty to interest and inspire you. • our Nature’s Voice E- Newsletter and campaign alerts Thanks to all our contributors, and in particular to • access to one of Australia’s largest three volunteers who have made a big contribution bushwalking and nature-based activity to this edition. programs Michael and Evelyn Feller have each written articles on • invitations to tree planting and habitat important subjects and have brought wide experience restoration days, plus special events to the task. Evelyn is also helping in the VNPA office. • insurance coverage while participating in authorised VNPA events Writer and editor Warwick Sprawson has • access to our citizen science programs contributed two articles and helped with editing NatureWatch and Reef Watch and layout. His questions and ideas have kept me on • discounts at leading gear and my toes, and his interest and enthusiasm are much bushwalking stores appreciated. • PW • capacity to vote at AGMs and/or join Michael Howes the Council or one of its Committees FERLIN MARY PHOTO:

4 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 Hattah-Kulkyne National Park.

In 2010, governments at the 10th meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Japan adopted 20 landmark Aichi Targets, including Target 11 which calls for at least 17% of the world’s terrestrial areas and 10% of marine areas to be conserved by 2020.

These ambitious targets will require dramatic efforts by all countries. This will mean adding an area of at least 6 million square kilometres on land, roughly twice the size of India, and 8 million square kilometres on sea – an area greater than the size of Australia!

To this end, IUCN will convene its sixth World Parks Congress in Parks, the best investment November 2014 in Sydney, Australia.

PHOTO: PAUL SINCLAIR PAUL PHOTO: The ten-yearly World Parks Congresses is where the world gets together to THIS IS AN EDITED VERSION OF A SPEECH BY chart the future for protected areas – JULIA MARTON-LEFÈVRE, DIRECTOR GENERAL but also way beyond their boundaries! OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE What we hope to achieve in 2014 is CONSERVATION OF NATURE, GIVEN AT A to place solutions on the table that CONFERENCE IN BUDAPEST IN NOVEMBER 2012. will compel action in the decade that follows. Issues and challenges include: PHOTO: VILLERET/ LAURENT PHOTO: VITA DOLCE • only half of key nature sites Imagine a new drug that could keep It is a truly remarkable global estate (Important Bird Areas and Alliance you more active and fit. A new drug that remains a fundamental strategy to for Zero Extinction sites) are today that reduces the risk of cancer, heart conserve biodiversity and ecosystem formally protected disease and diabetes … A drug that services, with multiple benefits to • every 10th natural World Heritage also improves learning and mental people. Site (18 out of a total number of 188) well-being … And – delivers clean is listed as being ‘In Danger’ water and fresh air. Today, the world’s protected areas: • only a quarter of the world’s • provide drinking water to one-third protected areas are adequately This new discovery would surely win managed a Nobel Prize, but it’s not a drug at all of the world’s 100 largest cities only 1.6% of the global oceans enjoy – it’s simply nature! – a park, a forest, a • store the same amount of carbon as • any form of protection beach … tropical forests solutions that are inspired responses • help prevent disasters like floods and • Protected areas are the nature-based to the challenges that the world faces avalanches, saving billions of dollars solutions for our health, food and inspiring people to take action, enhance food security by boosting • water security, disaster risk reduction, • change behaviour and influence fisheries and preserving crop plants’ poverty alleviation and climate change others. challenges. wild relatives • improve people’s health by providing I believe that this would be one of Protected areas have been a sources of medicines and clean air the best investments we can make cornerstone of IUCN’s work since its as a global community, to honour welcome millions of visitors every foundation in 1948, and that of our • our ancestors and inspire future year, thus contributing to the fastest- World Commission on Protected Areas generations, and to provide hope for – the world’s premier body of protected growing global ecotourism market our one and only, beautiful and fragile, area experts and professionals. • contribute to building peace and protected planet. • PW promoting cooperation among Read the full speech at www.iucn.org From a handful of national parks at the nations. turn of the 20th century, today we have The National Parks Australia Council, over 160,000 protected areas, covering But as I’m sure you have already which includes the VNPA, is a member 12.7% of the world’s land surface. guessed, we cannot rest on our laurels. of IUCN.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 5 King Parrot (male).

Engaging with the Earth- Story PHOTO COURTESY PETER GRIFFIOEN PETER COURTESY PHOTO

PROFESSOR MIKE CLARKE OF THE SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES AT LA TROBE UNIVERSITY SPOKE AT THE NOVEMBER LAUNCH OF ‘NATURE IN THE DARK’, A PRESENTATION AT FEDERATION SQUARE OF ARTISTS’ RESPONSES TO IMAGES OF NOCTURNAL ANIMALS TAKEN BY THE VNPA’S NATUREWATCH WILDLIFE MONITORING PROGRAM. THIS IS AN EDITED VERSION OF HIS TALK.

I am a Professor of Zoology - a scientist and interesting than numbers and None of these professions can do it alone, who has had the privilege of studying graphs. particularly not scientists. wildlife for over 30 years in various parts of Australia and the world. That is why I am delighted to be part of That has becoming bleedingly obvious, this launch of Nature in the Dark. if we look at the struggle scientists have One of my particular research interests in getting people engaged in issues like is studying the way in which animal I am used to identifying animals climate change or the fate of the Murray- communities recover after bushfires. captured by the camera when they Darling Basin. come to inspect baits. So I was I became particularly interested in intrigued to see how various artists Presenting cold hard scientific evidence, no this topic when one of my long-term would use the images produced by matter how objectively gathered, has only study sites at Wilsons Promontory was camera traps: images that for me are limited power to change hearts and minds. burnt in the 2005 fire, and I lost all of tools of the trade, and that as scientists my individual-marked population of we use to understand how wildlife Graph 2 presents some of my own data showing the extent of bushfires Crescent Honeyeaters that I had been responds to bushfire. and prescribed burning in the Murray studying for seven years. And so began I am intrigued to see how those same Mallee over the last 35 years. In red is the another study, monitoring the recovery images can be used by artists to convey proposed level of burning in the next four of the bird community following the fire. additional truths and perspectives. years if the Bushfire Royal Commission’s Like all good scientists I could show the recommendations are adhered to – that is, While I am a scientist, I firmly believe results in a graph that might cause many burning, on average, 5% of Victoria’s public that there are complementary ways of people to fall asleep. So instead I will try land each year. seeing and knowing. to convey the wonder of the recovery in This has the potential to be catastrophic for a series of slides of a creek bed taken at A scientist, a poet, an artist, a musician some threatened Mallee fauna. intervals following the fire (see photos or a philosopher could each be looking on next page). at the same incredible creature, like the However, dispassionate delivery of cold male King Parrot above, from different hard scientific evidence of a looming And unlike your response to my but complementary perspectives. environmental catastrophe is clearly beautiful Graph 1 (see next page), inadequate on its own. many of you might now gasp at the The very best art, science, writing, poetry, wonderful transformation that appears and philosophy is based on meticulous Why? Well, modern societies, particularly before your eyes. observation of the way the world is. in the West, are increasingly disengaged from the ‘Earth-Story’, as environmental Herein lies a challenge for scientists Given the state of our world and the philosopher Freya Matthews puts it. wanting to communicate important challenges we face, we need the inspiration findings to the general public – pictures of artists, writers, poets and scientists to We don’t recognise the actors in the story. We and stories are so much more accessible stimulate people to act for change. don’t understand the language being spoken.

6 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 Graph 1 – Species recovery in lowland forest after fire Graph 2 – Area burnt in the Mallee 30 Burning 5% 30000 per year 25 25000

20 20000

15 15000 Average burning per year 10 over previous 35 years

Species Richness 10000 (1.7% per annum) 5 5000 Average Average area burnt per year (ha)

0 0 Pre burn Summer Spring Summer Spring Summer Spring Summer Spring 06 06 07 07 08 08 09 09 72-77 77-80 80-85 85-88 88-89 89-91 91-92 92-95 95-98 98-00 00-02 02-04 04-05 05-07 2011 2012 2013 2014

ABOVE: The graph shows ABOVE RIGHT: This RIGHT: Recovery after that even after four graph shows that the fire in eucalypt forest years, not all species had area in the Mallee (top to bottom): returned to the burnt burnt under the • May 2005, one month area. The first bar shows ‘5% of public land’ after fire; species in the area annual target greatly before the fire; the green exceeds the average • June 2005, two months; section of the last bar area burnt over the • January 2006, nine months; shows newly recorded past 40 years. • January 2011, five years species. nine months.

We are less engaged with the natural So if art installations in Federation world than our parents’ or our Square or elsewhere can lead grandparents’ generations. viewers to:

We don’t have first-hand appreciation • step into the dark of the natural setting of the story. We • consider or ponder what affects the naively cocoon ourselves in temperature- world that these actors occupy controlled homes, oblivious to the seasons • engage with, understand and value or long-term changes. this little scene in part of the Earth- Story… We are ignorant of most of the actors in the story – so ignorant we don’t even …that will be a very good thing. notice how rapidly the cast is diminishing Being a child of the 1960s I will finish or being dominated by pest and weed with the prophetic words of one its species. poets and songwriters, Joni Mitchell, Scientists don’t help matters here by using which she penned while staring out dreadful terms like biodiversity. How can of the window of a hotel room in the average person be expected to feel any Hawaii: emotional connections with a bunch of “Don’t it always seem to go, you don’t actors collectively labelled ‘biodiversity’? know what you’ve got till it’s gone; I’ve never met a ‘biodiversity’ but I have They paved paradise and put up a held a bilby, I have played with baby parking lot”. gorillas, I have marvelled at the exquisite beauty of a blue wren in my hand. We must know what we’ve got before it’s gone. That is my job as a scientist. If I am to engage in the Earth-Story and care about my responsibility in the And we must use every medium and chapters that relate to my life and those of means at our disposal to reconnect my descendants, I need to: people to the story – not instead of scientific evidence, butalongside it, • connect with the story offering different perspectives on the • understand the story’s natural setting, same story. PW its rhythms and seasons • • care about the fate of some of the For ‘Nature in the Dark’, see characters in the story www.centreforcreativearts.org.au/

• care how the story ends. nitd-launch MICHAEL CLARKE PHOTOS:

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 7 Alpine National Park.

The federal election: what about the environment? VNPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MATT RUCHEL CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES FROM ALL PARTIES, WITH FULLY COSTED PACKAGES FOR KEY ISSUES. PHOTO: PAUL SINCLAIR PAUL PHOTO:

The starter’s gun for the federal election Since the Coalition came to office in • native vegetation rules watered down has been fired, and eight months of Victoria we have seen a steady chipping to make vegetation clearing easier. election campaigning are under way. away at previous environment and conservation initiatives, taking us Over the past 60 years the VNPA has Fixed dates for elections are nothing new. slowly but inexorably backwards. These seen many governments come and go. Victoria has had fixed election dates for were not election commitments; they But more than ever it is our view that some time. But this does not necessarily have been instigated once the Coalition conservation and protection of our help make parties come up with better was in power. natural heritage should be core issues policy, particularly on the environment. for all political parties. Below are some examples: Most of the parties, including the Greens, Along Australia’s east coast we have have now moved to presenting policy as • policy announced to allow witnessed attacks on the integrity of the ‘principles’, without any real detail. This (potentially large-scale) private national parks estate, with parks being can be very problematic, as many dubious development in the hearts of our opened up for hunting in NSW and decisions can be justified once a party is national parks mining allowed in some protected areas in power. in Queensland. • red gum parks opened for firewood As people who care about the collection and ‘scientific logging’ The Federal Coalition has started environment and the survival or to release some of its approaches to health of our natural areas, we need • more national parks to be opened up environmental issues. Its view on to be particularly vigilant about for damaging mineral prospecting policy commitments relating to the and fossicking the carbon tax is well known, but in environment. addition it has committed to building • key environmental staff axed from more dams and establishing a 15,000 The lessons from the last Victorian the public service strong ‘Green Army’ (probably similar election are a case in point. The Liberal- • western Victorian forests opened to to the old GreenCorps established National Party Coalition in Victoria did logging under the Howard government). not release a formal environment policy; with the exception of a couple of clear • open-cut gold mining supported in On a more concerning note, the (though flawed) commitments to return the important Wombat State Forest Federal Coalition has committed to cattle grazing to the Alpine National Park “... streamline environmental approval • destructive Bastion Point breakwater process for all users …” and establish under the guise of a scientific trial, and an development in Mallacoota approved offer of free firewood, the environment a “…one-stop shop environmental was largely a policy-free area for the • critically important Green Wedges approvals process covering both Coalition. carved up for urban sprawl Commonwealth and State legislation”.

8 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 The Gillard government has also tried this, but has now backed away from the proposed ‘reforms’, following a concerted campaign from environment groups including the VNPA.

In this context, ‘streamlining’ is of course code for watering down, cutting corners, and ignoring science and good consultation processes. The environment and our natural heritage deserve much better than this from our governments.

Alpine cattle grazing is a great test case illustrating the need for policy clarity from political parties. The Baillieu Coalition announced that “a Coalition Government will restore Victoria’s rich alpine history by reinstating strategic cattle grazing in the Victorian high country” almost 11 months before the November 2010 election, in the middle of the summer holidays.

After a strong campaign from the Mount Eccles National VNPA and much community outrage, Park in western Victoria. the trial was finally blocked by federal State budget and staff cuts Environment Minister Tony Burke threaten the protection under national environmental laws. of our parks. Federal involvement in park According to the Weekly Times, the protection is vital. mountain cattlemen are counting on RUCHEL MATT PHOTO: the Coalition to win this year’s federal election and allow the Victorian and fully costed packages for key areas, and list these areas as Matters of Government to run the trial. This would including: National Environmental Significance require the Federal Coalition, if elected, – in other words, making national 1. Supporting the integrity of our to pass a new regulation to remove parks truly national. national parks and other protected the ban on cattle grazing in the Alpine areas to protect them from logging, 4. Providing $500 million over five National Park. mining, hunting and inappropriate years for strategic national park Federal opposition environment commercial developments. acquisitions across Australia. spokesman Greg Hunt said in the Weekly Times (21 January) in relation to Alpine 2. A firm commitment to rule out 5. Focusing future national park and cattle grazing that “if elected, we would opening up the Alpine National other protected area acquisitions on consider any proposal on its merits”. Park and other Australian Alps critical habitats including climate While a lack of firm commitment could national parks to cattle grazing. change connections and climate refuge sites. be interpreted as a positive, this is hardly 3. Reforming the national policy, and to large extent is avoiding the environmental laws (Environment 6. Developing national conservation issue. Protection and Biodiversity land management standards that Australia has a great natural heritage. As Conservation Act 1999) to improve ensure national parks retain the one of the world’s most naturally diverse the security of our national parks, values that led to their gazettal. • PW places, its natural environment deserves and demands a strong, clear policy from Take action all levels of government. Contact Greg Hunt, federal member for Flinders and Shadow Minister for The VNPA and our sister organisations Environment, and ask him about the Coalition’s policy on cattle grazing in the in other states are calling for all parties Alpine National Park. Email [email protected], phone (03) 5979 3188 at the next federal election to have or write c/o PO Box 274, Hastings, Vic. 3915. comprehensive environmental policies

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 9 Prospecting: PHIL INGAMELLS PHOTO: time for some real changes

PHIL INGAMELLS, VNPA PARK there has been no definitive history No other Australian state allows PROTECTION PROJECT, WARNS of the impact that event had, and prospecting in national parks, nor does ABOUT THE THREAT OF MORE continues to have, on the natural the federal government in parks under PROSPECTING DAMAGE IN PARKS. environment. its control.

Prospectors and fossickers have had a Now, vowing allegiance to the old And the activity is poorly regulated very good run in Victoria. For a long Eureka oath (‘We swear by the here, so that it is unclear what time now they have operated in a largely Southern Cross to stand truly by each prospecting or fossicking actually unregulated environment, digging holes, other and fight to defend our rights and means. In NSW, for example, there is sluicing creek banks and panning for liberties’), the Prospectors and Miners a daily limit on the amount of soil one that elusive little nugget in creeks and Association of Victoria (PMAV) are person can disturb, but there is no limit streams over much of the state. lobbying for access to more national in Victoria. And though prospectors parks in the state. in Victoria can’t use ‘motorised They even get access to some national equipment’, they can use ‘simple sluices’ parks – the Central Victorian parks Indeed they’ve been so successful – devices that pump water at high where remnants of box-ironbark forests that they have convinced the Baillieu/ pressure to erode streamsides – and are still struggling to recover after the Napthine Government to let them in there is no definition of what the word extraordinary days of the Gold Rush. to some (or all) of the Alpine, Yarra ‘simple’ means here. In Victoria, a keen The ravages of the last half of the 19th Ranges, Baw Baw, Croajingolong, sluicer and gold-panner can cause a fair century saw most of the once great box Errinundra, Lake Eildon, Lind and bit of havoc in 24 hours, and a lot of and ironbark woodlands felled, the Mitchell River national parks, as well as damage during a week in the bush. region’s topsoil scarified and spent, and the Lerderderg State Park. its waterways gouged and silted beyond Perhaps partly because of the vagueness recognition. The Government has set up a Victorian of the regulations, prospecting is not Environmental Assessment Council seriously supervised in Victoria, and Some 100 years after that event, the (VEAC) investigation into Additional the impacts aren’t monitored. Indeed goldfields are still on the long road to Prospecting Areas in Parks, asking even in those Central Victorian box- recovery. And while there have been the once-independent VEAC team to ironbark parks where the management endless publications on the cultural advise where (not whether) prospecting plans specifically outline the need for history of the Gold Rush and the should take place in those nominated monitoring, nothing, as far as we are changes it brought to our lives here, parks. aware, is done.

10 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 Left: Environmentalist Doug Ralph checks a prospector’s workings in the drought-affected riverbed of Fryers Creek, Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park.

The VNPA is very concerned about the current VEAC investigation, which is charged with deciding exactly where in the list of parks prospecting will be In late 2010, a Coalition media release allowed. While it is very good that the “ job has been handed to such an august promised that an independent VEAC body as VEAC, their terms of reference investigation would “Examine the condition are appalling. By disallowing VEAC from recommending no prospecting in and management alternatives for freshwater- the parks, the government has made it dependent ecosystems, such as rivers, impossible for VEAC to adhere to its governing legislation to: wetlands, estuaries and groundwater.” “carry out investigations that are requested We are still waiting! by the Minister on matters relating to the protection and ecologically sustainable management of the environment and natural resources of public land.” made by the current government. In late By eroding the banks of creeks and Time for a hard look ” 2010, a Coalition media release promised streams, prospectors (or gold panners) The VNPA is calling for the activity of that a VEAC investigation would: silt up creeks, and also cause turbidity. prospecting to be reviewed, wherever That can affect the abundance of “Examine the condition and management it occurs, across Victoria. That review freshwater invertebrates (insects etc.) alternatives for freshwater-dependent should look at the impacts of prospecting and also plant life, which in turn ecosystems, such as rivers, wetlands, and fossicking, at levels of compliance, affects native fish and other freshwater estuaries and groundwater.” and whether enforcement of regulations is animals. effective (or, indeed, whether enforcement The same media release promised that a And if streamside disturbance occurs is happening at all). Coalition Government was committed on an old mine site, it can result in to: And this is best achieved by an heavy metals and other pollutants entering waterways. alteration to the terms of reference of “… maintaining the independence the current VEAC investigation of the Victorian Environmental Spiny Crayfish are possibly all Assessment Council (VEAC) as an Such a review should result in threatened by the disturbance effective independent adviser to the State associated with prospecting, as these recommendations for a new regulatory Government on issues of land management large animals are slow-growing and framework for prospecting, designed and natural resources.” require undisturbed habitat. Most river to avoid the impacts of the activity on systems have unique endemic crayfish Victoria’s rivers, streams and natural We are still waiting! species. And the removal of snags drainage lines. And until such a (which are important for many aquatic review has been completed, and new An investigation of rivers and streams was species) is also a problem associated regulations are in place, there should last attempted by the Land Conservation with prospecting and panning. be no extension of the area available for Council in 1991, but at that time the list of prospecting. ‘Representative Rivers’ it came up with was Digging for metals located by metal not given a very high level of protection. detectors can disturb the site of We believe it is also high time for threatened species such as orchids a new assessment of the condition As Victoria’s rivers continue to decline and also spread pathogens, especially of rivers and streams in Victoria, for a number of reasons, and as we now Phytophthora. leading to the identification of rivers, know a bit more about them, it is surely streams and associated wetlands and time to have another look at this issue There is a multitude of Aboriginal drainage systems that would make up systematically across the state. heritage sites along Victoria’s rivers a representative system of rivers and and steams, and the artifacts associated streams deserving of protection. In What damage does with these sites are easily disturbed, or other words, we need to make sure we prospecting do? completely removed, by prospecting are adequately protecting each type of practices. river system in the state. Not all prospectors behave irresponsibly, but many do. And those who are Prospectors have definitely had a very The VNPA has been calling for this for ‘responsible’ nevertheless still erode good run, for a very long time, in some some time now and, remarkably, it is streambanks and dig holes around the of Victoria’s finest natural areas. It’s one of the few environmental promises place even if they then fill them in. time for a change. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 11 Net gain? Net loss!

New habitat clearing rules on the cards

VNPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MATT RUCHEL AND Right: Blue Devils in native grassland near Melton. VOLUNTEER YASMIN KELSALL EXPLAIN WHY THE FUTURE Far right: Surviving vegetation in Melbourne’s Urban Growth Area. FOR NATIVE VEGETATION IN VICTORIA IS PRECARIOUS. We need to protect native vegetation wherever possible.

In many parts of the state, old around 4000 ha per year – about 1200 releasing a consultation paper outlining paddock trees, roadside vegetation ha of woody vegetation and over 3000 its proposed reforms last September. and odd patches of remnant bush ha of native grassland per annum. are all that’s left to remind us of the Focusing on native vegetation regulation original Victoria. In fact in 2008, DSE’s First (permitted clearing regulations) on Approximation Report showed that private land only, it lists two key focus Yet now the State Government is the state was going backwards by 4090 areas for review: proposing to water down the rules Habitat Hectares per year, mainly the objective for the permitted clearing governing vegetation clearing to make due to large losses on private land. • regulations clearing easier. Habitat Hectares (a measure of quality and extent) converted to a hectare • the efficiency and effectiveness of Along with the establishment of equivalent means a loss in native the permitted clearing regulations in national parks and other conservation vegetation extent of some 10,000 to achieving this objective. reserves, the control of native 14,000 ha per year! vegetation clearing is one of the few This has set the scope for the review, and actions statistically known to help Numerous independent reports to the resultant policy focuses on cutting protect, and assist in the recovery of, government have reinforced the need ‘green tape’ and narrowing the policy’s threatened species. to retain remnant native vegetation – scope. yet successive Victorian governments And as Victoria is the most cleared state can’t seem to get the system to work. For example, the objective it is now only in Australia, retaining native vegetation concerned with the ‘biodiversity value’ on private land is particularly critical. Now they appear to have thrown their of native vegetation, rather than the huge hands in the air and given up. range of values that native vegetation has, The Framework such as erosion and salinity control, and In Victoria, such clearing is largely Net Gain or net loss? aesthetic and cultural values. controlled through regulations in the The concept of ‘Net Gain’ was introduced Planning and Environment Act and by the Kennett Government in Victoria’s The proposed new objective is: no net the Native Vegetation Management first Biodiversity Strategy. It adopted loss in the contribution made by native Framework (DNRE 2002 - the the current goal that there should be “a vegetation to Victoria’s biodiversity. ‘Framework’). reversal, across the entire landscape, of the long-term decline in the extent and But starting with a policy objective of Victoria initially led the country in quality of native vegetation, leading to a ‘no net loss’, when all the trends point introducing these controls in the late net gain”. The first target was ‘no net loss to us going backwards, is aiming to fail. 1980s, and they have been built on by by the year 2001’. The original goal of ‘net gain’ should be both major political parties. retained, giving a clear objective consistent That government also initiated with that of the existing overarching By the mid-1990s the annual clearing Victorian native vegetation policy Native Vegetation Framework. rate of woody vegetation had dropped reform, published early in 2000 just to about 1500 hectares per year, after it lost office. These concepts were The proposed new regulations are a compared to 9407 per year in 1987- further developed and adopted in the considerable watering down of the 1990 and 10,756 per year in 1972-1987. Framework, adopted as statutory policy old. They also propose to remove the in July 2003. three-step approach – avoid (clearing), However, estimates of clearing between minimise, and offset. Now the policy for 1998 and 2005, with better tracking The Baillieu/Napthine Government is the bulk of applications appears to have of impacts on native grasslands, were currently reviewing the Framework, one step only: offset.

12 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 Farmland near Avoca, Victoria, showing single paddock tree and other remnant vegetation. How safe is our native vegetation? PHOTO COURTESY JOHN SAMPSON COURTESY PHOTO

should be able to produce its second ‘approximation report’ to show whether we’ve been achieving a ‘net gain’ across the State or are still going backwards.

We also know that the government aims to finalise its new native vegetation policy this year, probably without the new ‘approximation report’.

So why are we seeing a fundamental policy being determined without essential baseline information?

It’s clear that the review has not been PHOTOS: YASMIN KELSALL YASMIN PHOTOS: based on ecological principles or science. It has been premised largely in response Offsetting to environmental condition, including to business reports that aim to achieve Offsets involve activities required to be measures for native vegetation, leaving ‘streamlining’ of policy implementation undertaken to compensate for damage it to rely largely on ‘expert opinion’ for processes. its conclusions. or loss to an area of habitat or native The Baillieu/Napthine Government is vegetation. The Report also raises important points walking away from the intent and vision In Victoria, an offset usually involves about the stresses that Victoria’s native for native vegetation policy in Victoria purchasing an area of native vegetation vegetation has been under since 2007, that were put in place by the Kennett and then actively managing it to including the sustained drought which Government. It is ignoring science improve its quality (e.g. by controlling took a toll particularly on the health of and creating a policy that will ensure a weeds and pest animals) for 10 years, foothill vegetation. continuing ‘net loss’ in the extent and quality of native vegetation. after which it is to be maintained at this The VCMC determined that largely state, or better, in perpetuity. intact landscapes (see map) were This will mean that the state’s vegetation So under the new policy we will see probably in good to excellent condition will be less resilient in the face of climate more offsetting occur, and therefore (and likely to remain so), but that change, and that our landscapes, and the more clearing. This is hardly a policy fragmented landscapes were in poor to plants, animals and people that live within for native vegetation conservation! moderate condition, and assumed to be them, are destined to even more stress in declining. the future. The proposed changes also mean that landholders will only have to pay a Declining extent We need stronger rules and stronger new fee to be allowed to clear. Information The experts also say that the extent legislation to protect the bush, not weaker. and likely charges will be based on of native vegetation is most likely to computer models, and the current be declining on private land and in Plant your foot and take action! requirement for an on-site assessment fragmented landscapes. “Much of the Contact your local councillors and State by a botanist will be removed for all but vegetation loss experienced is incremental MPs and ask them to protect the bush and the largest and most significant clearing (as opposed to broad-scale clearance) strengthen native vegetation rules. • PW proposals. and will have occurred through ‘allowed actions’ such as clearing associated with The VNPA’s submission and The recently released Catchment bushfire protection”, the report says. more details are available at Condition Report (Victorian Catchment http://vnpa.org.au/page/nature- Management Commission 2012) When we have a new ‘native vegetation conservation/take-action/watering- highlights the huge data gaps in relation quality’ dataset later this year, DSE down-protection-for-native-vegetation

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 13 Divers discover diversity The Great Victorian Fish Count 2012

SINCE THE FIRST ANNUAL COUNT IN 2005 THE GREAT VICTORIAN FISH COUNT HAS ALWAYS BEEN POPULAR WITH DIVERS AND SNORKELLERS, BUT THE 2012 COUNT WAS THE BEST YET, SAYS WENDY ROBERTS.

During the count, over 350 divers and snorkellers surveyed reef fish at 26 sites along Victoria’s coast from Portland to Cape Conran.

Running from 24 November to 9 December, the count was conducted at 12 sites in Port Phillip, three in Westernport, four along the Surf Coast, six in the south-west and one at Cape Conran in the east. A Fish Count diver shows the slate on which she has The aim of the event is to obtain a recorded the species seen. snapshot of the diversity and abundance BOWMAN JANE PHOTO: of fish species at different reef sites. The reefs vary from quiet and sheltered • Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary It also builds the capacity of participants seagrass areas within the bays to in East Gippsland also shone, to monitor and record the types and open-ocean kelp forests, and the data with seven Eastern Blue Gropers abundances of temperate reef fish in collected indicates the habitats in which (a protected species), 77 Maori what has become the largest marine the fish are found. Wrasse and 28 Bastard Trumpeter citizen science project in Victoria. Some of the highlights of the 2012 fish • The south-west reported healthy Reef fish are a dominant component of count were as follows. numbers of Long-snouted reef ecosystems in both their biomass Boarfish, Seadragons in the Within Port Phillip’s marine and their ecological functioning, • marine sanctuaries and the sanctuaries and elsewhere, we noted and so can be useful indicators of Southern Blue Devil fish at two of good-sized Dusky Morwongs, large environmental change. the sites surveyed. congregations of Port Jackson Sharks Fish surveyed range from roaming and schools of Zebra Fish, plus Reef Watch would like to thank its predators like the Saddled Wrasse and healthy reefs and lots of other species amazing partners and supporters, Banded Morwong to planktivores such not included in the count, such as including Museum Victoria, Parks as the Sea Sweep and herbivores like the Stingarees, Eagle Rays and Large Victoria, numerous dive clubs and Scalyfin and Herring Cale. Smooth Rays. businesses, Friends and marine Divers also record the environmental • Pope’s Eye, the oldest section of Port care groups, school groups and conditions at their selected reefs, Phillip Heads Marine National Park, University dive clubs. Without your including habitat structures, algal cover, was once again a standout with 41 help and participation, the Fish depth, swell, visibility and temperature. Scalyfin and 75 Blue-throat Wrasse fish. Count wouldn’t get in the water!

14 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 PHOTO: KIM WRIGHT, MARINE CARE WRIGHT, KIM PHOTO: RICKETTS POINT MARINE SANCTUARY PHOTO: JANE BOWMAN JANE PHOTO:

The Ocean Divers group who surveyed the waters around Flinders Pier. Zebra Fish and Flathead at Ricketts Point.

We’d also like to acknowledge the new Ricketts Point, Marine Care Jawbone went to subsidising the cost of running the groups that joined the Fish Count this MS, Friends of Barwon Bluff, Ocean event. Donations came from Melbourne Aquarium, Dive Victoria, Daktari Surf and year: Friends of Port Phillip Heads Divers, Harbour Dive, Diveline, and Dive, Academy of Scuba, All About Scuba, MNP, Friends of the Merri MS, and Melbourne University Underwater IMAX Melbourne, Polperro Dolphins and Dive and Dive. Club. Thank you! John Gaskell. • PW And we acknowledge those who’ve Finally, we greatly appreciate the Wendy Roberts, who is based at the never missed a Fish Count since wonderful donations made to our Museum of Victoria, is the VNPA’s Reef counts began in 2005: Marine Care GVFC raffle, the proceeds of which Watch coordinator.

TAKE ACTION! Find and send this e-postcard at We’re not going www.savebastionpt.vnpa.org.au to take it!

Far from throwing in the towel, the Save Bastion Point campaign is entering a new phase, with the fight to stop this destructive development stronger than ever.

The 80s Twisted Sister song ‘We’re not going to take it’ sums up the campaign’s defiance of Victorian Environment Minister Ryan Smith’s decision to approve the East Gippsland Shire’s Option 3b under the Coastal Management Act. This was the final planning approval hurdle that Shire Councillors, Gippsland East state paves the way for a giant 130 metre member Tim Bull and new Premier breakwater and a road on the beach. Denis Napthine stating that: This environmentally destructive development can still be stopped. The Mallacoota local Julie Parker has put ‘As a beach lover I'm calling on VNPA is standing shoulder to shoulder together an ingenious YouTube clip you to reverse the decision to pave with the locals and all Victorians and with this song as the theme. this paradise! Please listen to the Australians who love Bastion Point. • PW community now and move forward We are asking all Bastion Point with a lower impact and more MORE INFO at www.savebastionpoint.org supporters and friends to email this environmentally friendly option for Simon Branigan, VNPA Marine and e-postcard to the local Mayor and boating at Bastion Point.’ Coastal campaign

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 15 Enjoying the alpine landscape. Expanses of ‘wild’ snow like this will become less common in future. Less snow, more fire

A RECENT REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE IS GRIM, BUT IT'S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM, SAYS WARWICK SPRAWSON. PHOTO: MARY FERLIN MARY PHOTO:

In December 2012 Victorian coping limit for most ecosystems. As 4°C. This would lead to a marked decline in Commissioner for Environmental temperatures rise, so will environmental winter rainfall in southern Australia and a near Sustainability Professor Kate Auty released vulnerabilities and exposure to hazards.” complete loss of snow cover in alpine regions. a ‘Climate Change Foundation Paper’. Rainfall is likely to decrease, although it’s Marine ecosystems will also be affected through The Commissioner is an independent expected that the intensity of the highest ocean warming, acidification and sea level rises. statutory office reporting on Victoria’s 1% of rainfall events will increase. In In 2010 the sea surface temperatures in the environment. other words, we’ll have more of the Australian region were the highest on record; extreme rain events we experienced in since 1925 the surface temperature off the The report, which aims to give an February and March 2011. southeast coast has risen 2°C. independent view of some of the impacts of climate change in Victoria, is available Bushfires and storms will also increase, An increase of just 1°C in ocean temperature for download at www.ces.vic.gov.au. It further impacting on Victoria’s natural may require some marine species to migrate makes for sobering reading. ecosystems and primary production hundreds of kilometres south. Species unable industries. to migrate will face increased competition CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology from new arrivals. analysis shows that: The indications are that climate change is affecting biodiversity faster than The report notes that there is also an economic • each decade since the 1950s has been expected. Some species are already cost to climate change: 2011 was the most warmer than the previous one moving to higher elevations in alpine expensive natural disaster year on record, with Australian annual average daily • regions; others are moving southward $380 billion of economic losses worldwide. maximum temperatures have increased to cooler climates. Migratory birds are by 0.75°C, average daily mean arriving earlier and departing later, It’s not all doom and gloom. The report temperatures by 0.9°C, and average mating is occurring earlier and coral stresses the wonderful diversity of plant and overnight minimum temperatures by bleaching is accelerating. animal species in Victoria, and the important more than 1.1°C since 1910. role that monitoring programs such as the A warming of 1° to 1.5°C will put VNPA’s Reef Watch and NatureWatch play More frightening are the projections: natural ecosystems at risk and in gathering data for effective and informed • Australian average temperatures to rise increase the likelihood of species management. by 1.0 to 5.0°C by 2070, when compared extinction. A rise of over 2°C will with the climate of recent decades accelerate this rate of extinction. It also says that community-based land • an increase in the number of droughts management and restoration organisations in southern Australia, although with a The report notes that“A compounding can help build the resilience of natural likely increase in intense rainfall events. factor in Victoria is that the high level ecosystems through improving land health of habitat fragmentation will limit the and biodiversity conservation, and increasing CSIRO’s work indicates a southward migration opportunities of the less- the area and connectivity of natural habitat movement of the Temperate and Grassland mobile species. Species inhabiting high- – all with an associated increase in carbon climate and the movement of Desert altitude or southerly habitats will have capture. climate into the northwest of the state. limited scope to migrate.” Further recommendations will be made in The report states that“the projected CSIRO has also examined the threat the Commissioner’s State of the Environment warming for 2030 represents the upper of a global mean temperature rise of Report later this year. • PW

16 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 e fire The future of bushwalking

FUTURE EXTREME WEATHER MAY DETER SOME BUSHWALKERS, BWAG walkers on a BUT BWAG ISN’T PUT OFF, AND IT beach. VNPA walk leaders check local HAS PLANS IN PLACE. WARWICK conditions thoroughly SPRAWSON REPORTS. before taking walks. PHOTO: RUSSELL BOWEY PHOTO:

Bushwalking Victoria’s submission to variable. This could be the last from bushfires and floods in recent years a Senate inquiry into extreme generation to experience true alpine has led to many trips being relocated or weather and climate change has conditions in Australia,” Russell said. cancelled,” he said. expressed concern about the effects of global warming on walking in the The Bushwalking Victoria submission “Popular areas like the Prom, the bush. says climate change will have “very Grampians, the Alpine NP and many serious outcomes for walker numbers, of the smaller parks around Melbourne The group’s submission says high with flow-on impacts on community have been closed for extended periods. daytime temperatures and increased prosperity, health and wellbeing”. severity and frequency of storms and “Regrowth in some of these areas has bushfires will deter future hikers. In addition, the submission raises been challenging our navigation and concerns that the attraction of The extreme weather will also mean route finding skills. walkers are likely to be hampered by bushwalking may decline as global fallen trees and track erosion. warming makes ecosystems more “It’s always important to contact rangers fragile, and reduces plant and animal to get the latest on local conditions. Bushwalking Victoria represents over diversity. In some areas bushwalking 70 of the state’s bushwalking clubs. may be restricted altogether “to “Some water sources have become less protect rising numbers of species reliable for longer periods, so the best Russell Bowey, Convenor of the endangered by growing desertification option, even for weekend trips, can be to VNPA’s Bushwalking and Activities of their habitat”. carry all your water from home. Group (BWAG), agrees that the biggest issue facing bushwalkers is an Bushwalking Victoria urges the Senate “We make sure that our walkers have increase in severe weather conditions. to mitigate greenhouse gas pollution appropriate levels of fitness for the and to regard the impacts of climate particular walk or activity they’re doing, “Damage from fires and floods can change on bushwalking as a matter of and that they have adequate rests and put people off visiting parks,” he said. national concern. water. “Dedicated walkers won’t be easily “Bushwalking contributes very “However, sometimes the safest option deterred, but the general public considerably to community health, wouldn’t be as attracted to damaged both physically and mentally, and to is to move or cancel a walk,” Russell landscapes as they are to healthy the local economies in the areas in concluded. forests and waterways. which it takes place. A decline in that “Walking trips are to be enjoyed, not activity will have noticeable effects in endured!” “Parks authorities will have their the wider population,” the submission resources diverted to replacing concluded. A glance at the current BWAG Program infrastructure like tracks and bridges, shows that the VNPA is still offering a rather than focusing on conservation Russell said that BWAG leader efforts. training includes planning for extreme wide variety of great walks and other weather events – or more specifically, activities. Certainly precautions and “Alpine areas are the most susceptible planning to avoid them. planning are needed, as they always to climate change, with the snow have been, but we’ll still be walking for a season getting shorter and more “The increased threat of and damage long time yet! • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 17 Parks open to development PHOTO PHIL INGAMELLS PHOTO

PHIL INGAMELLS SAYS THAT THE RECENT SECRETIVE ALPINE NATIONAL PARK LAND SWAP IS AN OMINOUS PORTENT OF HOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT COULD OPEN OUR NATIONAL PARKS TO TOURISM DEVELOPMENTS.

A Baillieu/Napthine Government a restaurant/café, interpretive centre and Mismanagement of the site could decision to take land away from the amenities supporting green season and reverse the careful work that Parks Alpine National Park points to a winter cross-country user groups”. Victoria, the scientific community and heightened risk of future proposed a substantial band of volunteers have That is a substantial building in anyone’s developments in parks. engaged in, over the last decade or so, to terms, but the strategy also flags (with contain Orange Hawkweed. In late February, Environment Minister no location mentioned) a high-altitude Ryan Smith rose from his seat in training facility that “would include The trade-off – the 12 ha of land that the parliament and announced that the gym/sports hall, swimming pool, plunge resort has offered to the park – is not a government would excise 9.6 hectares pool/spa, treatment rooms and a multi- very good deal. It’s a small area adjacent from the Alpine National Park and use facility, supporting uses such as a to the park, already theoretically hand that land to the Falls Creek Alpine community hall, cinema, function space managed for its conservation values Resort. In exchange, nearly 12 hectares and conferencing.” by the resort. No species will feel safer of resort land will be added to the park. That’s huge, and if all those facilities because of the slight boundary change, That might sound like a fairly reasonable (or even some of them) turn up on the and its addition to the park will scarcely deal, given that the land taken from the purloined park land, they will be highly be noticed. park is very weedy and dissected by a visible across Rocky Valley Dam from road and tracks, and the addition to the many otherwise natural areas in the But the land gained by the resort is park is largely intact native shrubland park (see photo). potentially of considerable value, and and wetland. the management regime of that land will And there is another issue. The alter completely. But in the minister’s media release, purloined land is not just any old weedy we are told that this arrangement will patch; it’s a carefully managed and Falls Creek should solve its own enable Falls Creek to increase summer monitored quarantine site for Orange problems occupancy by developing facilities for a Hawkweed, one of the most pernicious Falls Creek Alpine Resort has not always proposed high- altitude training ‘mecca’. weeds in Victoria. been a good neighbour to the national To find out what that might mean, we Any earthwork or construction that park it is embedded in. Faced with a have to go to an earlier document, the takes place there would have to be lack of summer visitors to the resort, the 2012 Alpine Resorts Strategic Plan. It rigorously planned and supervised so Falls Creek managers have been quick to proposes a lakeside facility “offering a that construction vehicles and personnel blame a lack of facilities in the park. But training area and associated storage for did not carry Hawkweed seed or plant they have been slow to admit, let alone water sports equipment, complemented by material beyond the site boundary. deal with, their own planning problems.

18 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 Left: A view from the Alpine National Park looking over Rocky Valley Dam. The land being taken from the park, and due to be developed by the Falls Creek Alpine Resort, is on the far side of the dam just to the right of this photograph, and clearly visible from many places in the park.

Falls Creek in summer has the ambience, Bizarrely, the bill failed even to mention It seems they weren’t asked this time, pretty much, of a construction site that it was national park land, referring indeed we can’t find anyone except the adjacent to a supermarket carpark. Its to it by its much older designation as Falls Creek Alpine Resort management buildings, designed for the snow season, State Electricity Commission land. who was invited to the table. are very introverted. After a strong campaign by the VNPA, You don’t need to make a decision in And walking around the village in that proposed land transfer was secret if it’s a good one. summer, trying to find a habitable coffee eventually reversed in 2001 by the The way this excision was made shop or a newspaper, is an exhausting Bracks Government. and ultimately disappointing experience. is ominous indeed in relation to We are still a long way from the sort the government’s promise to open The resort is also a poor park neighbour, of transparency good national park our national parks to tourism with maintenance sheds, vehicles and an management requires. The Minister developments. old cargo container chucked holus-bolus has at his disposal an experienced and behind the main resort complex, but in We believe DSE is developing very reputable body called the National ‘protocols’ for those developments. full view of the national park. And many Parks Advisory Council which has, of the park’s weed invasions (including under its governing legislation, the We don’t actually know that, though. Orange Hawkweed) can be traced back job of advising on any excision from a The process is happening behind very to plantings and/or lax control efforts at national park. closed doors. PW the resort. • Minister not open to advice It is indeed odd, given this record, that the only avenue of consultation for this land transfer was the Falls Creek resort itself. There was no public consultation (we still don’t know what is actually proposed for the site!), and as far as we can see, even Parks Victoria wasn’t kept in the loop.

The Environment Minister’s announcement cites the ‘Falls Creek Biodiversity Management System’ as saying that the land to be added to the park is suitable habitat for the critically endangered Alpine Water Skink. But, frankly, no one seriously concerned about threatened species would go to a PHIL INGAMELLS PHOTO ski resort for that sort of advice.

Minister Ryan Smith knows he has Willow busters help the alps again threatened species managers and The photo above shows VNPA We were very pleased that Parks advisers within his own department, volunteers seeking out and treating Victoria could allow the effort to go and that these, and others in the willows in February in the Rocky Knobs ahead this year, even though a series scientific community, are the people area of the Alpine National Park. In the of fires had stretched its capacity to who should be advising him. foreground are the remains of shrubs manage other programs. killed in the 2003 fires. But it seems he didn’t want any opinion Volunteer support for programs like that would question the value of the After those fires, thousands of invasive this means that weed management land he was handing to Parks Victoria. Grey Sallow Willow seedlings sprouted budgets can go a lot further than in fire-affected areas of the Bogong they might otherwise. Admittedly, the process is not as bad High Plains. VNPA willow weeders as the last attempted excision of land have been helping Parks Victoria deal However, it’s important that funding from the park. In 1997, a much larger with the invasion since 2006. for such programs is continued slice of land (including the current bit, until the willows are finally brought This February, 26 hard-working but extending to the northern slopes under control. of Mount McKay) was included in a volunteers made a considerable impact bill presented to Parliament by Kennett over two days of near perfect weather. Well done team! • PW government minister Marie Tehan.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 19 LARGE OLD TREES ARE BECOMING SCARCER WORLDWIDE, REPORTS MICHAEL FELLER. The fall giantsof the PHOTO: MICHAEL FELLER PHOTO: Mountain Ash forest near Toolangi; clearfelled area in foreground.

Large old trees have enormous tallest flowering plants, are Mountain Ash The large old trees of most forest types, ecological value. They are among (Eucalyptus regnans), reaching up to 100m and the old-growth forests in which the biggest organisms on our planet, in Tasmania’s Arve Valley. they usually occur, have been declining store great quantities of carbon for throughout the world. This is likely to long periods of time, influence the Trees used to be taller, however. A have serious consequences for many other soil, hydrology, and plant species Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga( menziesii) organisms, and for biodiversity. present, and produce abundant crops felled in south-western British of flowers, fruits, leaves, and seeds that Columbia in 1902 was 127m tall; a These trees, whether in forests, agricultural many animals require. Coast Redwood cut down in California lands or urban areas (witness Knox City in 1886 was 129m tall; and a Mountain Council’s removal of large eucalypts), are They can also contain cavities which Ash cut down at the Watts River near dying and disappearing, often directly are homes or shelters for up to 30% of Healesville in 1872 reached 132m. at the hand of man through logging all vertebrate species present. and forest clearing, or indirectly from Height is only one measure of size. side effects of human activities, through Their important roles continue well The total volume of wood, bark forest fires, drought, high temperatures, after death, when they become standing and branches is another. This is competition with invasive plants, air dead trees or fallen logs on the ground. approximated using the formula: Total pollution, disease, and insect attack. points = trunk circumference + height The former continue to provide cavities + ¼(average crown spread). Young trees may not grow into old trees and are favoured resting sites for because of overgrazing or browsing by many birds. The latter offer runways The formula, developed in the US, native or domestic animals, competition and resting spots for many animals, has been applied to trees from many with invasive plants, or altered adverse fire including passages beneath snow in cold countries. Using it, the largest Australian regimes. climates, as well as important habitat trees are still Mountain Ash in Tasmania for certain plant species, particularly (up to 1118 points), but Messmate In south-eastern Australia, extensive areas mosses, liverworts, and lichens. (Eucalyptus obliqua) in Tasmania (1087 of grazing lands are projected to support points), and Red Tingle (E. jacksonii) only about 1% of the historical densities What is a ‘large’ tree? in Western Australia, Blue Gum (E. of large old trees within 50–100 years, It may be a tall one. Worldwide there globulus) in Tasmania, and Alpine Ash and in Victoria a large body of research are only 22 species that grow over 80 (E. delegatensis subsp. tasmaniensis) in has recently highlighted the increasingly metres tall, and these trees are native Tasmania (925 -996 points) can also be critical state of big old trees in Mountain to only three areas – the west coast of very large. Ash forests in the Central Highlands. North America, Borneo, and Australia. These are predicted to decline by around The world’s current largest trees are still 90%, from 5.1 such trees per hectare in The tallest trees now standing are the in California, the largest being the giant 1997 to 0.6 trees/ha by 2070. Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) of Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), California, currently reaching up to 116m. scoring up to 1321 points, followed by Mortality of large old trees in these forests The tallest Australian trees, and the world’s the Coast Redwood, up to 1290 points. was over 14% between 1997 and 2011,

20 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 but was greater during the driest period A reduction in the abundance of that future fires will burn more young (2006-2009), suggesting that a warmer multi-aged ash forests from estimated forests, preventing the development of and drier climate could increase historical levels of around 30% to large old trees with cavities – unlike past mortality even more. Following the less than 7%. Multi-aged forests are fires such as those of 1939. 2009 fires, 79% of such trees died and important because they usually support 57-100% of the trees were destroyed on the highest diversity of arboreal Enhanced soil erosion and reduced burnt areas. marsupials, and are key habitat for streamflow also accompany Mountain some bird species. Ash logging. Modelling suggested that there will be a severe shortage of such trees by A reduction in vegetatively resprouting A reassessment of the true (extremely 2039 that will continue until at least plants, such as tree-ferns. Plants high) costs of continued Mountain Ash 2067. Only about 1.1% of Mountain regenerating from seed after fire logging is urgently required if these Ash forest is currently unburnt and may also be killed by salvage logging forests are to be allowed to maintain their unlogged. operations. Wind-dispersed plants, biodiversity and their value to our society. or those with deep rhizomes, such This continuing loss of large old as bracken fern, can increase in Big trees are tragically going the same way Mountain Ash trees is largely the result abundance. Colonisation by invasive as big animals, such as elephants, tigers of current forest management, which species is often facilitated. The net and whales. involves clearfelling of unburnt forest effect is to change the plant community and salvage logging of burnt forest composition compared to that which There is no time to lose. • PW outside protected areas. These logging would follow a natural fire disturbance. activities result in the following adverse Article author Michael Feller (below) is ecological effects: A reduction in landscape heterogeneity, an Australian forest ecologist, currently as young even-aged stands become an Associate Professor Emeritus in the A significant reduction in large trees more common and older and multi-age Department of Forest and Conservation with cavities, which reduces critical stands become less common. Sciences at the University of British nesting and sheltering sites required Columbia, Canada. He has studied nutrient by animals such as Victoria’s faunal A shift in the historical fire regime. This and water flows in forests, including emblem, Leadbeater’s Possum. occurs because younger forests result his beloved Mountain Ash forests in the Mountain Ash trees need at least 120 in more frequent and more severe fires Maroondah catchment, and forest fire years before cavities start developing. than old forests. In turn, this means ecology.

Evelyn Feller and Bernie Mace with massive Mountain Ash tree near The author with giant Sequoia Toolangi, named the Kalatha Giant. tree in California, USA. References Dudley, N. 1992. Forests in trouble: A review of the status of temperate forests worldwide. Worldwide Fund for Nature. Gland, Switzerland. Lindenmayer, D.B., P.J. Burton, and J.F. Franklin. 2008. Salvage logging and its ecological consequences. Island Press, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Lindenmayer, D.B., W.F. Laurance, and J.F. Franklin. 2012. Global decline in large old trees. Science 338: 1305-1306. Lindenmayer, D.B., W. Blanchard, L. McBurney, D. Blair, S. Banks, G.E. Likens, J.F. Franklin, W.F. Laurance, J.A.R. Stein, and P. Gibbons. 2012. Interacting factors driving a major loss of large trees with cavities in a forest ecosystem. PLOS ONE 7(10):1-12. Mace, B. 2012. Save Mt. St. Leonard Community Campaign. www.myenvironment.net.au Australia’s largest examples for different tree species, www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au PHOTO: MICHAEL FELLER PHOTO: EVELYN FELLER

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 21 Yarra Ranges National Park, declared in 1995, protects some beautiful forest, but much of it is in inaccessible closed catchments, and large areas of important forest were left outside the park.

That White Pages listing The VNPA in the 1990s PHOTO COURTESY DAVID TATNALL DAVID COURTESY PHOTO

IN HIS FOURTH ARTICLE ON THE HISTORY OF THE VNPA, ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORIAN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DON GARDEN REVIEWS A PERIOD WHEN PRIVATISATION, COMMERCIALISATION AND OUTSOURCING WENT MAD.

In mid-1995 the VNPA started Clash of ideologies On top of this, as a strong advocate of receiving phone calls from people At the centre of the Kennett fiascos small government it significantly reduced wanting to book accommodation at was ideology. government functions, some by closure, Wilsons Promontory National Park. some by outsourcing and some by The VNPA believed (as it still privatisation. On checking, staff found that the does) that the prime purpose of VNPA had been listed in the White In the first two years of the Kennett protected areas was the preservation Pages telephone directory as the service government, national parks and of ecosystems and natural heritage, number for the park – and was also environmental concerns did not fare too although they should of course be listed in the government section as a badly. The government came to power government department. open for popular appreciation. The with a policy that emphasised national Association was opposed to activities parks and a promise to strengthen the They must have wondered if this were that would damage the ecosystems and NPS. not some convoluted ironic comment degrade the parks, particularly forms on the Kennett government’s obsession of commercial exploitation. Under Mark Birrell as Minister for with privatisation, commercialisation Conservation and Environment, matters and outsourcing. Was it the ultimate in An independent Land Conservation continued fairly smoothly, although there commercial outsourcing? Council (LCC) and a generally effective were no significant declarations of new National Parks Service (NPS) had protected areas. The explanation is not clear but appears been key elements in achieving and to be much more prosaic – probably a protecting these goals since the 1960s. Throughout the 1990s there was simple mistake by someone at Telstra, ongoing niggling about logging and which eventually agreed to pay $1500 The Kennett government (1992-99) woodchipping in Victoria’s unprotected compensation to the VNPA. was in some respects ideologically forests, mining in state parks and cattle a polar opposite. Like its Coalition grazing in the Alpine National Park. Nevertheless, it was a symbolic time for There was a frustrating lack of progress in such a strange thing to happen. 1995 predecessors (except for the Hamer having national parks established in four saw a plummet in VNPA relations with period) it was not always enthusiastic important ecological areas: marine and the Kennett government, largely over about national parks and protecting coastal, box-ironbark, the Barmah red its policies towards national parks and nature. gum forests, and indigenous grasslands. other protected areas. It saw parks as primarily ‘for the The government appeared determined people’ rather than for nature Yarra Ranges National Park to undermine or destroy many of protection, and to this end was more The first and only major new national the achievements of recent years likely to downplay protection in park was Yarra Ranges, announced and to send Victoria’s environmental favour of commercial and recreational in mid-1995, which caused much protection back to the 1950s and 1960s. exploitation. disappointment in the VNPA and other

22 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 VNPA members and supporters form the words ‘Hands Off!’ at Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory NP, in December 1996.

groups that described it as ‘appalling’. Much smaller than had been hoped for, 85% of it was existing protected closed catchments around Melbourne’s reservoirs. It did not protect most of the Mountain Ash forests to Melbourne’s east but left them accessible for the timber industry.

The park also created administrative challenges, as responsibility for much

of its management would be shared by VNPA PHOTO: the NPS and Melbourne Water. is that it has been relatively stable Road; a large seal-watching centre at Suddenly in the middle of the decade, and quarantined from the perpetual the Nobbies on Phillip Island; major especially after the government re-shuffling that happens with facilities in the Grampians; a new road was returned at the 1996 elections, government departments. in Wyperfeld; and the Albert Park Grand sweeping changes gathered pace and Prix. the environmental movement was One weakness, however, is the absence caught up in the Kennett whirlwind. In of a direct line of accountability to the But what attracted most concern and 1997 VNPA Director Doug Humann minister. protest was the revival of a desire to was moved to ask ‘What is happening develop major resort facilities at Wilsons in the State of Victoria?’ Equally dramatic was the announcement that the LCC would cease to exist in Promontory. When the government The government seemed to want to June 1997, replaced by the Environment announced plans for a 150-bed lodge brush aside all existing institutions and Conservation Council, which would at Tidal River, the VNPA was central in values, and start again. Doug did not continue the LCC’s work but in a rather organising an alliance of over 100 groups know who or what was behind this diminished way. named ‘Hands Off our Parks’ (HOOP). rush for change, and was concerned Much of its focus was on ‘Hands off the that no community consultation had A case could be made that the LCC Prom’ and a petition of 45,000 signatures taken place. had completed much of its initial was collected. evaluation of Victorian public land The VNPA found itself increasingly and that a new body was appropriate. Most dramatic was a gathering at Tidal being redirected from seeking new However, its sudden abolition without River in December 1996, when 2000 goals to defending old ones. consultation made environmentalists people stood on the beach to spell out recoil with suspicion, especially as LCC ‘Hands Off!’ The government eventually Environmentally the rush for change recommendations were pending on was concentrated in two areas – allowed the lodge scheme to lapse, box-ironbark forests and marine parks, though partly because it was not viable bureaucratic administration, and and might now be lost. commercialisation/privatisation to and partly for fear of electoral backlash promote tourism. Commercial development rather than for conservation reasons. Parks Victoria set up Most heartache came from the Other tourism development schemes government’s desire to promote tourist remained on the drawing board, At the end of 1996 Marie Tehan, developments in national parks and the new Minister for Conservation including new tracks to the southern part other protected areas. The threat of of the Prom, and the construction of large and Land Management, caused degradation and the loss of principle shockwaves when she suddenly tourist facilities. The fear of degradation that would allow commercial interests and the threat of commercialisation were announced the abolition of the to profit from public assets caused a constant distractions for the VNPA, NPS and the establishment of Parks crisis in relations with the government. Victoria, a statutory body created out HOOP and other environmental groups. of an amalgamation of a number of Skiing, or the further development of authorities. The VNPA watched the ski facilities, was central to many of Such issues stirred the community and transition carefully and offered advice the debates. A proposal to develop a brought a significant increase in VNPA where possible. new field at Mt Stirling was postponed membership. They formed part of the after much protest. However, a dreadful community discontent that saw the In the long run, while not what the precedent was set when an area of 285 Kennett government rejected at the 1999 VNPA would have advocated and ha was excised from the Alpine NP to election. excessively ‘corporate’ in its early expand the Falls Creek resort. years, Parks Victoria turned out to That is the lesson for all governments that be a reasonably successful if badly Other alarming proposals were for fail to protect our environment and our underfunded body. The main benefit developments along the Great Ocean parks. • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 23 PHOTO COURTESY THELMA MCCANN THELMA COURTESY PHOTO

Protecting Grampians- Gariwerd PHOTO: EVELYN FELLER EVELYN PHOTO: PHOTO: EVELYN FELLER EVELYN PHOTO:

AS PART OF THE VNPA’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, VNPA VOLUNTEER EVELYN FELLER LOOKS BACK AT THE LONG CAMPAIGN FOR A GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK.

Grampians-Gariwerd has been a state forest reserve was a de facto Desert campaign resulted in 1971 in the special place for Indigenous people for national park anyway, and that the formation of the Land Conservation thousands of years, and 19th century Forests Commission was better staffed Council (LCC), meaning that future European explorers, settlers and and funded than a park would be. land-use decisions could only be finalised naturalists soon came to appreciate its after a comprehensive review of an area’s remarkable scenery and rich flora and In 1952, Victorians frustrated at the resources. fauna. Yet it only gained national park lack of a government agency to manage status in 1984. Why was this? national parks formed the VNPA to lobby The LCC review of the Grampians area for new parks with adequate funding. began in 1978, generating an energetic An early appeal for a Grampians campaign by park supporters and National Park came in a 1912 Argus While groups such as the Stawell and opponents. Locally, Ian McCann of the editorial in response to a deliberately Ararat Field Naturalists – supported by Stawell Field Naturalists (and author of lit fire in the Victoria Valley north of the Melbourne Field Naturalists – had the VNPA ‘In Flower’ books) was tireless Dunkeld. The editor urged protection been lobbying for a Grampians park in his efforts to see the national park for the area before the opportunity was for many years, their efforts met strong come into existence. lost. “These things are often neglected opposition from groups who raised or overlooked during the infancy of a concerns about the potential loss of For its part, the VNPA formed a country: and then there comes a time, sawmill jobs in Stawell and feared foxes, subcommittee to produce submissions after the land has been alienated, when rabbits and other vermin would overrun and critique LCC reports. Members a lost opportunity is lamented.” the area. One of the VNPA’s first included Geoff Durham, Malcolm and activities was to counter this opposition Jane Calder, Janet Coveney and Dick In 1937, Ararat Shire president through local media. Johnson. Councillor Alex McDonald endorsed a national park to further encourage Apart from championing a Grampians The VNPA’s 1979 submission to the LCC tourism and protect the area’s unique national park, the VNPA was involved made clear that the key impediment to flora and fauna. But he faced counter in other campaigns to protect the a national park was determining which arguments, including that the existing Little Desert and the Alps. The Little agency would control the area. The

24 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 Top right: At the official dedication of Grampians National Park, 1 July 1984. L-R: Don Saunders, Director of National Parks; Hon. Rod Mackenzie, state Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands; park proponent Ian McCann of the Stawell Field Naturalists; John Miller, first Ranger in Charge; unknown. Left and bottom right: Exploring Grampians-Gariwerd’s rocky landscapes.

submission described the overlapping NPS. However, the VNPA was dismayed jurisdictions between the Forests by the recommendation to continue 20,000 years of Commission and other agencies as logging in over 40% of the Grampians. human history resulting in ‘confusion and apathy’. (Logging finally ended in 1994.) Campgrounds such as Zumsteins and Indigenous people have been Halls Gap had deteriorated, with limited Cain Labor government policy in the living in the Grampians area, known to them as Gariwerd, visitor facilities and few opportunities early 1980s supported the creation for more than 20,000 years. The for park interpretation. of a park, and Grampians National Park, covering 160,000 hectares and Grampians contain about 80% The submission also described the measuring 95km north-south and 55km of all known Aboriginal rock art adverse effects of grazing and lack of east-west, was declared on 1 July 1984. sites in Victoria. Motifs painted in numerous caves include supervision of stock. It concluded that Supporters celebrated the declaration depictions of humans, human conservation could best be achieved hands, animal tracks and birds. by an adequately staffed and funded with a champagne and Vegemite National Parks Service (NPS). breakfast in Halls Gap. The VNPA also Brambuk, the National Park organised a ‘Grampians Gathering’ and Cultural Centre near Halls The Grampians Fringe Advisory with activities and official speeches. Gap, continues to keep alive the Association, a group of farmers whose Local concerns about the new park culture of the Djab Wurrung and properties bordered the proposed park, were gradually alleviated through Jardwadjali, the traditional peoples opposed the park, claiming that only involving the public in the development of Gariwerd and the region. very fit walkers would be able to reach of management plans and ensuring many areas because road access would be staff were available to discuss any restricted. Concerned as well that 1080 concerns. would not be used in the park to kill vermin, they organised public meetings Improvements such as upgraded to rally opposition to the proposal. walking tracks and camping areas, a Visitor Centre and visitor guides also Local sawmillers, the forest industry followed, and the Brambuk Centre and the Forests Commission also near Halls Gap is now owned and run opposed a park, concerned about the by Aboriginal communities of south- potential loss of 67 sawmilling jobs in western Victoria. Stawell. But a Conservation Council of Victoria report pointed out that in 1978 Today Grampians-Gariwerd is one of the tourism produced double the revenue most popular national parks in Victoria, receiving over 1.5 million visitor days per SIETSMA MARGO COURTESY PHOTO of sawmilling. FOGG members monitoring year. A 1994 economic analysis showed rare plants. In addition to writing submissions, the that the economic benefit of tourism to VNPA subcommittee met local naturalist the area was over $100 million per year, Friends indeed – the Friends groups and media to highlight the generating 1270 jobs. of Grampians Gariwerd economic benefits of a park, and attended th a forum organised by the local ALP. In this 60 anniversary year of the In 1984 the VNPA helped form the VNPA, members and supporters Friends of Grampians Gariwerd Members of the VNPA wrote letters are strongly encouraged to visit the (FOGG), the first president being to educate the public and explain the Grampians and reacquaint themselves Halls Gap resident Val Hastings, an LCC process, and the VNPA undertook with the wonders of the park. Join the active worker for the establishment market research on local concerns. To Friends of Grampians-Gariwerd (see of the national park. counter opposition, the Association below) in one of their many activities to With a membership of about 80, the took a low-key and non-controversial help ensure the Grampians remains a group’s activities include flora and approach. really great national park! • PW fauna monitoring, weeding, and working to help locals and visitors Other campaign initiatives included Love of mountaineering, walking to enjoy, understand and appreciate commissioning Jane Calder to write a and kayaking led Evelyn to a long the park. Members have served on book, The Grampians – a noble range, involvement with river conservation, the park Advisory Committee, and documenting the magnificent cultural park and wilderness protection and established the accessible Red Gum and natural heritage of the area. community environmental issues in Walk in the Victoria Valley. both Australia and Canada. Now retired The LCC’s final recommendations were from a teaching career, she lives with Go to a great improvement on its initial ones, husband Michael near Healesville friendsofgrampiansgariwerd.org.au with a much larger area dedicated to a and is a volunteer with VNPA and for more information. national park, and management by the Healesville Environment Watch Inc.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 25 What’s stopping you? PHOTO: PROJECT HINDMARSH PROJECT PHOTO: We all love nature and sustainability, but how do we communicate our concerns to others?

VNPA MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER STEPHEN LAKE IS A MELBOURNE INVESTOR WHO HAS BEEN BUSHWALKING, ROCK CLIMBING AND SKI TOURING FOR OVER 40 YEARS. HE HAS A LONG-STANDING INTEREST IN CONSERVATION AND PRESENTS A CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF THE FUTURE.

For decades, conservation groups have global warming is going to affect their term: will I have a job next week, be given governments and other entities children. More people know of the able to pay the mortgage, and be able desired actions. Protect an area by importance of water, soil, air and seas, to afford a car? In such an economic making it a national park. Change the and wonder about food availability in climate where your income is in rules regarding logging. Provide more a world of nine billion people in a few jeopardy today, it’s hard to think about funding for research and staff. Include a decades. something 20-40 years hence. species on an endangered list. Dubious practices such as ‘fracking’ This is compounded by consumerism There may be scientific studies, are being questioned in mainstream in developed and, increasingly, public meetings, Royal Commissions, publications. Conservation articles developing countries. Smartphones, newspaper articles, petitions, letters, and regularly appear on the front and mobile web access, tablets, huge TV assurances extracted. finance pages of newspapers. More value screens and a lot of other technology is is being placed on green areas and wild on many people’s must-have list, often Even with numerous setbacks, broken discarded as the next model comes out. promises, and government actions places for spiritual refreshment. unsupported by evidence, this has largely There’s more awareness that non- These supposed must-have items place worked. renewable resources are limited. More budgets already in difficulty under further stress. Work-time increases The new people realise that a non-sustainable standard of living can’t be reconciled to pay for these goods and services, Now the landscape has changed. Despite with the constraints of a finite planet leaving people too tired to engage strong competition from economic and ecological limits. with issues that may have otherwise concerns and other immediate matters, concerned them. conservation has gradually seeped into Sub-prime, short-term the collective consciousness. Technology allows work to intrude and consumerism into what was formerly non-work Mum and Dad Australia and Sub-prime and the GFC have drawn time, especially for those handling International are increasingly aware that horizons to the immediate and short- information. Activities that are quite

26 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 often ephemeral like texts, emails, It’s cold: put on a sweater and use draft blogs, social web sites and others stoppers. Turn off lights if the room interrupt, diverting our attention, is not in use. Save petrol by driving time, energy and money from really steadily or not at all. Limit packaging. important issues. Lack of confidence in Use solar and wind power to dry the political process is not assisting. clothes. (It’s called a clothes line.) What can I do? These types of actions save money, Helplessness may prevail. What can and if done all the time will change I do? Nothing. It’s too big an issue. the attitudes of those around you, Someone else can do it. It doesn’t affect disposing more people to conservation me. Other things are more important. I views. Surveys will then pick up the care, I really do, but later. Not today. new attitudes, and our legislators will eventually follow. The media will see But there is something that can be the trend, and give more and more done, and if done properly will over sympathetic coverage. time have a powerful effect. It’s this. This is a long-term strategy. It was done Without unduly pushing an issue, at with seat belts, skin cancer, AIDS (now every opportunity very gently promote sadly increasing as complacency sets conservation values. People who in), alcohol and other issues. It can be know you as a reasonable person as a done with conservation. It can be done. neighbour, at work, at the tennis club, UP CLEAN AUSTRALIA COURTESY PHOTO Actions can be at a number of levels: or on the school council will most Inspiring: Ian Kiernan started Clean Up Australia in individual, family, street, suburb, probably not dismiss your conservation 1989 – now 35 million people are involved. council or shire, state or territory, views if they’re moderate and factual. national and international. One Another place is online forums person can start something, and it can It would be interesting to see how unrelated to conservation. I’m spread. Ian Kiernan started Clean Up history judges those growing richer involved in several. Someone started Australia in 1989 with just him; now while many become poorer. Harshly, I a discussion about Queensland, it’s international, 35 million people in think. 80 countries. which morphed into the Great Barrier Conservation and economics Reef. I posted advice about acidity, turbidity, sea temperature and the Volunteering The link must be made between major economic impact if the reef goes. Volunteering is another way of being conservation and economics. Too Another thread discussed flooding, involved, local or further afield. many of our decisions are based solely so I raised the impact of alpine cattle Clean Up Australia happens in many on short-term economics, without grazing on the quality, quantity and suburbs, as do tree plantings. consideration of long-term impacts or timing of water. conservation aspects. You can head to more distant places By no means am I expert at these or to plant trees, like Project Hindmarsh Land for houses seems to be needed, so the government extends the indeed any conservation topics, but I where over two million trees and metropolitan boundary, putting farms know enough to comment accurately in shrubs have been planted. Grow and rare grasslands under bitumen lay terms. West is up to a million. Tree planting days and weekends are fun, with and bricks. Lack of political certainty To repeat, information must be a very real sense of camaraderie is denying us viable wind turbine and accurate and moderate. Often it’s best and achievement. Ages range from solar power industries. Coal continues to write and put it aside for 24 hours, toddlers to over 80. Wow! to be used. Rapacious commercial a practice I followed when writing this practises destroy environments, article. Children limiting the future. As well as purely ecological reasons, Low-key actions My email tag line is ‘Conservation is our actions are for younger people. good economics’, and I’ve had that for You can lead by example. Major issues Today’s children will bear the brunt of over ten years. Without sustainable are often characterised by drama: boats problems that legislators and others living, biodiversity, a few centimetres harassing whalers in the Southern foist on them in the misguided pursuit of nutrients in soil, potable water, clean Ocean, a squatter 30 metres up a tree in of questionable short-term goals that air, and seas with sustainable fishing, a logging coupe, fences pushed down place burdens on the future, often our future is greatly compromised. by an angry mob. But less dramatic based on a grossly flawed ideology that actions happen daily. benefits few at the expense of many. So what’s stopping you? • PW

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 27 Point Hicks light station and Captain Cook memorial cairn (first European IN sighting of eastern Australia, 1770). PARKS

A new lease of light GEOFF DURHAM REINTRODUCES US TO CROAJINGOLONG NATIONAL PARK AND OFFERS A VALUABLE GUIDE TO VISITING AND STAYING AT VICTORIA’S LIGHTHOUSES, MANY OF WHICH ARE IN PARKS.

Getting away from it all visitor area. Canoes can be hired at the the granite-slab top of Mt Everard for In November last year I renewed my Lighthouse. There is no drinking water. spectacular 360º views. acquaintance with Croajingolong In my opinion, Croajingolong’s Thurra It is 2.2 km from the Lighthouse National Park when staying River, Mueller Inlet and Wingan Inlet Reserve gate to the lightstation. The two nights at the Point Hicks have the best accessible ‘get-away-from- road is open to cyclists and walkers. Lightstation. it-all’ campgrounds of all Victoria’s At the lightstation we stayed in one From Cann River it is a 40 km drive parks. of two units in the timber (not stone) on a bitumen and then gravel road Assistant Lighthouse Keepers’ house. through State Forest and the National Walks long and short There is also a bungalow for two (with Park to the spectacularly located The 100 km Wilderness Coast Walk exterior facilities). You supply your own Thurra campground on the coast, between Sydenham Inlet and Wonboyn bedding and food. The hire fee includes and a further 4 km to the lighthouse. passes through Point Hicks. There are access to the lighthouse. Along the way we drove through also some excellent shorter walks with The Lighthouse Keeper’s house is forest and, on a ridge, a heathland of beautiful beaches and colourful granite occupied by the manager, who also colourful wildflowers. headlands. manages the Thurra and Mueller Thurra campground has a day visitor From the Thurra campground the 4 campgrounds. area and 48 secluded sites, some of km return Dunes Walk passes through History and heritage them next to the Thurra River and banksia and heathland to massive bare some with fireplaces. It is a little dunes above the Thurra River, and from Captain James Cook named Point confusing; a sign says ‘gas fires only’, the lighthouse there is a short walk to Hicks after Lieutenant Zachary Hicks but wood can be purchased at the a lookout above 1937 metal wreckage of the Endeavour, who first sighted lighthouse. There are pit toilets and from the Siros. the Australian mainland on 20 April the only water is out of the river. The 1770. In 1843 it was named Cape nightly fee for a site is $18.00. A good one hour circuit walk is along Everard by Captain Fitzroy of the Beach Track to West Beach, with shell Beagle, but renamed Point Hicks on the From near the Thurra campground middens from the Krautungulung of creation of the 2,750 ha Captain James there is now a good, though narrow, the Kurnai tribe, then along the coast Cook National Park in 1970 on the gravel road a few kilometres to the trail to the remains of the lightstation bicentenary of the first sighting. This Mueller Inlet campground, but jetty and back along Sledge Track. park became part of Croajingolong when we called, campsites were National Park on its declaration in 1979 flooded because of the height of the And from a car park 6 km north of to commemorate the centenary of the inlet entrance bar. There are eight Thurra campground at the end of Mt declaration of Australia’s first national campsites, toilets and a small day Everard Track it is 1.5 km return to park, Royal National Park near Sydney.

28 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 PHOTOS: GEOFF DURHAM PHOTOS: Point Hicks Beach. Whale watching from verandah of the Assistant Lighthouse Keeper’s house, Point Hicks. The lighthouse was opened 1890. It is and their use for tourism helps ensure Point Hicks. I asked one of them for 39.7 m high of concrete construction. their preservation. her impressions: ‘A sweep of pristine In the 19th and 20th centuries before beach with not a footprint to be seen is Off the point is Point Hicks Marine satellite navigation, countless lives what I will remember – a seal close to the National Park. Whales and dolphins were saved by Victoria’s lighthouses. rocks at the base of the lighthouse and a are frequently sighted. lyrebird near the bridge at the edge of the They are of great historical campground.’ significance and most are located on We were accompanied on our pristine coastlines. Solidly built, they November stay by much-travelled A visit to Croajingolong is always nevertheless require maintenance, friends making their first visit to rewarding. • PW

Lightstation accommodation AIREYS INLET – Split Point Lighthouse required. Bookings essential: in Victoria Reserve. Privately managed. phone 13 1963. Website: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au From west to east the main Victorian Accommodation in privately owned Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottage. lighthouses offering tours and POINT HICKS – Point Hicks Lighthouse Three bedrooms; sleeps six. accommodation are: Reserve. Privately managed, not part of Adjoining two-bedroom sleeps four. Croajingolong NP. Accommodation in CAPE NELSON – Lighthouse Reserve. Bookings 0405 554 036. Privately managed, not part of Cape two Assistant Keeper’s cottages for Nelson State Park. Accommodation Lighthouse tours daily on the hour: 2–7 nights. Each cottage can sleep up in two fully self-contained Keepers’ adult $12.00, child $7.00. Bookings: to 10 people. Also a bungalow suitable Cottages. Bookings essential: phone 1800 174 045 or email for a couple. phone 5523 5119, email [email protected] Bookings essential: [email protected] Lighthouse Stables and Tea Rooms – phone 5156 0432, email Website: Cafe 5289 6830 [email protected] www.capenelsonlighthouse.com.au Website: CAPE SCHANCK – Lighthouse Lighthouse tours daily at 11.00 am www.gippslandlakesescapes.com.au Reserve. Privately managed, not and 2.00 pm or by appointment; Lighthouse tours: $20.00 per family adult $15.00, child $10.00. part of Mornington Peninsula NP. on Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon at 1.00pm; Accommodation in two assistant Easter daily. The Cafe Isabelle in the former keepers’ cottages which can each sleep stables serves lunch and morning up to nine people. Also an inspector’s GABO ISLAND – Gabo Island and afternoon teas daily. cottage suitable for a couple. Lighthouse Reserve. Managed by Parks CAPE OTWAY – in Great Otway NP. Bookings essential: phone Victoria but not part of Croajingolong Privately managed. 5988 6184 or 1300 885 259, NP. Accommodation available in one B&B accommodation in two double email [email protected] of the Assistant Keepers’ cottages. studios, also Head Keeper’s house Website: www.austpacinns.com.au Bookings essential: phone 5161 9500. and Manager’s House that will Lighthouse tours: adult $16.50, Access (subject to weather): accommodate up to 16 people. child $10.50. Mallacoota Boat Charters - $600.00 Bookings essential. Phone 5237 9240, return (max. six), phone 0437 221 694, email: [email protected] WILSONS PROMONTORY – in Wilsons or Merimbula Air Services, Website: www.lightstation.com Promontory NP and managed by phone (02) 6495 1074. Self-guided tour of precinct including Parks Victoria. Lighthouse tours: adult $13.00, lighthouse: adult $18.50, child $7.50, Accommodation in three cottages; child $7.90, family $28.20. Bookings family $46.50. Café. lighthouse tour included. Hike permit essential, phone 5156 0432.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 29 What on earth…? MOST PEOPLE NEVER GET TO SEE A MALLEEFOWL IN THEIR WHOLE LIVES. YET IN RECENT MONTHS THERE HAVE BEEN SIGHTINGS OF QUITE LARGE NUMBERS OF THE BIRDS ALONG SOME MALLEE ROADSIDES. PHOTO COURTESY COLLEEN BARNES AND TIFFANY INGLIS, TRUST FOR NATURE TRUST INGLIS, BARNESTIFFANY AND COLLEEN COURTESY PHOTO

Is this photo for real, or some sort of “Each year our volunteers visit over hoax? Have Photoshoppers been at 1200 known Malleefowl mounds in work? parks and reserves across the Victorian Mallee and Wimmera, and record No, it’s a real photo, taken recently by whether or not the mounds are being Colleen Barnes, who works at the Trust used as active breeding sites. for Nature’s property at Ned’s Corner in far north-west Victoria, and published We also collect data on the trends of in the Weekly Times of 13 February. potential competitors and predators,

especially foxes, and collect hundreds JOE BENSHEMESH PHOTO: It shows about 20 Malleefowl along of fox scats (droppings) each year, a roadside near Patchewollock, giving Parks Victoria a measure of in the smaller reserves such as apparently feeding on canola seeds that the presence and diet of foxes in the Wandown, Wathe and Bronzewing fell from a passing truck during the reserves. harvest. flora and fauna reserves, which are What this data shows is that: also where the highest Malleefowl But you thought Malleefowl were breeding densities occur. This is a endangered? Well, they are, though the • after long-term declines during long-term trend and seems to be photo is certainly encouraging evidence the 10-year drought, Malleefowl simply because these areas are prime breeding activity has rebounded over of a successful breeding season. But it Malleefowl country. also shows how important it is to find the past three seasons out the whole story before jumping to • despite a generally dry winter, the Despite these encouraging signs conclusions. 2012-13 breeding season has been [and the remarkable concentration one of the most successful yet seen, of Malleefowl in Colleen’s photo], Ross Macfarlane, Secretary of the and certainly the highest since the we do not believe there is room for Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group mid 1990s complacency about the long-term Inc, sent the following notes about the future for Malleefowl. work and findings of the Group, with • localities where the greatest amount particular reference to the photo: of fox scat is collected tend to be They are threatened by land clearing,

30 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 Bottom left and right: Malleefowl expert Dr Joe Benshemesh is happy that local communities are active in protecting and promoting Malleefowl, with warning signs and the Big Malleefowl at Patchewollock.

habitat loss and fragmentation, exacerbated by inappropriate fire regimes and the impact of climate change.” We’d still like to know how the birds ‘discovered’ the canola seed, whether (and how) they communicated the discovery to other birds, and how far they travelled to reach this roadside. Malleefowl expert Dr Joe Benshemesh may answer these and other questions in an article on Malleefowl in a future Park Watch. For more information about the Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group see www.malleefowlvictoria.org.au • PW JOE BENSHEMESH PHOTO:

Vale Ann Stokie But while Ann’s Vale physical strength Beverley We are saddened to pass on a waned, her mind, report from Ross Macfarlane and her spirit, Broadbent that Ann, the much loved and never did. Her 1929-2013 esteemed past Secretary and passing is a huge Life Member of the Victorian loss to the Group, We also extend our Malleefowl Recovery Group, as it is to her sympathies to the family passed away on 17 February this husband Peter and and friends of Beverley year. his family. Broadbent, who died on 12 February. Ann had been unwell for some A celebration of Ann’s life was held time and had been receiving on 23 February at Cobbin Farm, A VNPA member since medical treatment since Grovedale. The VNPA extends 1985, Beverley was an December, but she was not able sincere sympathy to Peter and active fundraiser for the to recover her strength, and died family, and other members of the Association in the 1990s. peacefully with her family present. Group. • PW • PW

Vale Arthur Thies A Celebration of his life was held appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed 1918-2013 in the Old Observatory Building to express it …” at the Royal Botanic Gardens We are also saddened to record on 25 February. The words in We extend our sincere sympathy the passing of long-time VNPA the accompanying program are to Arthur’s wife Wally and their member and bushwalk leader memorable: “That man is a success who family, and hope to publish a detailed Arthur Wolfgang Thies, aged 94, on has lived well … who has never lacked obituary in a later Park Watch. • PW 20 February. German-born and an engineer by profession, Arthur developed a keen interest in and wide knowledge of Victorian mosses. He reorganised the Herbarium’s moss collection and had a moss species named after him. But it is as an outstanding bushwalking leader that he will long

be remembered in VNPA circles. LEON COSTERMANS BY PHOTO

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 31 Checking out the Chathams WATERCOLOUR BY ROB YOUL ROB BY WATERCOLOUR

Waitangi West Station LANDCARE LEGEND AND VNPA MEMBER ROB YOUL, A REGULAR VISITOR AT VNPA Road, Chatham Island. GROW WEST AND HINDMARSH PLANTINGS, VISITED NZ’S CHATHAM ISLANDS LAST YEAR. HE REPORTS IN WORDS AND PICTURES.

A 60-year-old prop-driven Convair ago, the only above-sea-level part of the initial Polynesian colonisation— 580 flies between the Chatham Islands the Chatham Rise, a large, slightly perhaps around 1500 AD. These people and ‘New Zealand’—as the 600-700 submerged tectonic plate system east of called themselves Moriori, and their islanders refer to the mainland. Of the South Island. islands Rekohu. ten islands, only Chatham and Pitt are now inhabited, respectively covering The basement geology resembles older Unable to grow kumera and other 900 and 62 square km. South Island strata, with volcanic staples, the settlers relied on hunting, activity, limestone and sand deposition, gathering and fishing, and their culture Chatham Island is rolling, with peat bogs, erosion and soil and peat formation and language subsequently diverged grassy bracken-covered moors and small since the Pliocene producing today’s from those of mainland tribes. The prominent volcanic hills, and along the landscapes. population reached maybe 2000. coasts numerous lagoons (Te Whanga covers 180 sq. km), beaches and dunes, A windy maritime climate guarantees After chief Nunuku banned warfare, with cliffs mostly in the south. an 800-900 mm annual rainfall. Moriori settled disputes by negotiation, The economy depends on livestock or man-to-man, yielding when blood More rugged Pitt Island, one-third production and fishing for crayfish, flowed. reserved and with just 40 residents, blue cod and black abalone, which includes dissected tableland and cliffy abound. Its meatworks closed, all stock Captain William Broughton’s 1791 shoreline. go live to Timaru or Napier, a three- Vancouver expedition, which included day voyage, which obviously reduces HMS Chatham, first sighted and The highest point, a plateau on condition. Tourism grows slowly. claimed Rekohu and commemorated Chatham, reaches 299 metres. Other First Lord of the Admiralty John Pitt, islands – offshore islets, skerries, A moving history reefs and rock stacks, all restricted to second Earl of Chatham. Sealers and scientists – cover four sq km. The human story is moving. Maori whalers arrived, operating there until canoes apparently sailed from the north around 1860 and introducing diseases The islands emerged four million years and south islands to the Chathams after that killed a fifth of the Moriori.

32 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 PHOTOS: YOUL ROB PHOTOS: South-east Island near Glory Bay, Pitt Island. Statue of last full-blood Moriori Tommy Solomon, Chatham Island.

A greater tragedy happened in late The most common endemic tree, Besides human predation, rats, mice, 1835. Two Maori tribes displaced reaching 20 metres in pockets, is the possums, hedgehogs, cats and dogs have from Taranaki learned in Wellington daisy Olearia traversiorum, Akeake, consumed innumerable indigenous about the Chathams community from whose predecessor’s seed, like daisies animals and their food supplies. Feral a whaler, gathered 900 armed men, generally, was readily wind-transported. cattle, sheep (including Pitt’s wild commandeered two ships, sailed Iconic wildflowers are Chathams forget- Saxon merinos), goats, pigs, horses and south-east, landed and massacred me-not and sow thistle. possums have also helped fragment 300 Moriori, cannibalising the dead the complex indigenous vegetation and enslaving survivors. The Moriori Zoologically, no frogs occur (two cover. They’re now controlled in most adhered to Nunuku’s law. Australian species arrived recently) conservation reserves. and just one skink. Several endemic Afterwards, the Maori overlords land bird species clearly evolved from Visiting Pitt—the essential Chathams forbade Moriori to marry Moriori, mainland counterparts: the Chathams experience—I went by fast fishing boat, or to have children with each other. pigeon (Parea) is similar to but bigger a 50-minute voyage. Light aircraft also Remaining as slaves, many died than the Kereru. I saw Chathams make the 20 km trip. despairingly until NZ law brought tomtits, fantails, warblers, tuis and Pitt Island native Bernie Mallinson and some emancipation in the 1860s. oystercatchers and Forbes parakeets on husband Brent, of Flowerpot Bay Lodge, Pitt. Endemic snipe inhabit offshore drove our group around their beautiful Some women had children by their islands. Maori masters; a number eventually homeland, kept us informed and served married Maori or European men; Thanks to the Kiwi talent for rescuing tender local lamb, field mushrooms, others were taken away, never to return. species from the brink: paua-burgers, coleslaw, blue-cod mornay and potatoes. Ranguru or Chathams petrel, The last person whose mother tongue • formerly perilously confined to was Moriori died in the 1900s, and My highlights were the Preece Reserve Rangatira Island, are now re- and the marvellous coast. Returning the last full-blood Moriori, prominent established on Pitt and Chatham home we caught blue cod, sometimes farmer Tommy Solomon, in 1933—his two at once, as Buller’s Mollymawks grandson, Maui Solomon, is CEO • fifteen Taiko pairs (another petrel swam and wheeled around us. PW of Hokotehi Moriori Trust, with its deemed extinct but rediscovered in • 1978) breed on Chatham beautiful, atmospheric marae (cultural See: Miskelly, Colin (ed) Chatham and community centre). In the 2006 NZ • in 1980, only five black robins Islands: Heritage and conservation. census, 945 indicated Moriori ancestry. (a Petroica—Australasian robin) (DOC/Canterbury University Press: remained, with just one reproductive Christchurch), 2008. Flora and fauna pair; today 200 inhabit pest-free Since the Pliocene uplift and exposure, Rangatira and Mangere Islands. the indigenous vegetation and Chatham Islands terrestrial fauna have evolved from Extinctions and exotics y Part of NZ—own time-zone, what drifted, flew, blew or swam there The broad picture remains sad. 45 minutes ahead from neighbouring land masses. No Chatham extinctions since 1800 include y Some 800 km (150 minutes) podocarps, beeches, kowhai, moas, a rail, bellbird, fernbird and penguin. east of Christchurch kiwis or cabbage-trees made it, but Fossil records indicate greater diversity y Department of Conservation NZ flax and nikau palm arrived and loss during the Polynesian era. The reserves 7130 ha; private adapted, as did lancewood, ribbonwood introduced Weka, now rare in NZ, is reserves 3000 ha and matipo. common on Chatham and a game-bird.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 33 The story of Lyrebird!

JACKIE KERIN (PICTURED) IS THE AUTHOR OF THE NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEWED ON THE OPPOSITE PAGE. SHE KINDLY AGREED TO TELL THE STORY BEHIND THE BOOK FOR PARK WATCH. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER WORK AT WWW.JACKIEKERIN.COM.AU

PICTURES COURTESY JACKIE KERIN

I work as a storyteller. Now that’s a stills a room like a true story. With totally accurate but succeed in conjuring word that is used to mean a lot of this thought and my desire to awaken a bird with personality. Peter has also things, but I use it to refer to the curiosity in young minds, I began work hidden sixteen other species of birds tradition of oral storytelling. on Lyrebird! in the illustrations, as well as creating a reference chart for the back of the book. I spend much of the year visiting And of course, all the time, I was Exploring Lyrebird! A true story may well schools, kindergartens, festivals and immersing myself in images and footage be the first ‘twitching’ experience for museums telling stories, and I’m always of the most spectacularly beautiful and some children. on the hunt for new tales. wondrous animal! When eighty years ago Ambrose Pratt In 2008, I stumbled on a small book As I peeled away the layers I realised the wrote The Lore of Lyrebird, he made an titled The Lore of the Lyrebird by story provided a large frame for evoking ‘Appeal’ on the last page. He believed Ambrose Pratt, published in 1933. the past. The language and manners of that the lyrebird was threatened with In this slender volume, the author a bygone era were important, as were extinction and urged children to take described a touching relationship a charming industry (cut flower and responsibility and band together to between an elderly woman (a flower foliage farms were once common on protect the its environment and to regard farmer) and a young lyrebird who went the mountain) and the environmental killing, trapping or egg stealing ‘as a on to become one of the first of his kind impact of roads and introduced species. horrid crime’. to be filmed and recorded in display. Above all, there was a way of using He said that “… the human generation My storyteller’s antennae quivered the story to celebrate something about that is passing … deserves much blame” with recognition of a story that needed lyrebirds and some of the other bird and that it “… would, if possible, atone.” dusting off and bringing back into the species of Mt Dandenong. light. Set on the slope of Mt Dandenong, Thankfully, the lyrebird is no longer Mr Pratt revealed that he first broke The tale of Lyrebird James, Edith a threatened species, although it is the news of Mrs Edith Wilkinson and Wilkinson and Mr Pratt came together vulnerable to cats and foxes (and cars). her avian companion (she called him neat as a jigsaw puzzle. I resisted all That said, I find myself responding to the ‘James’) in The Age of 13 February 1932. suggestions to fiddle with the facts idea behind Mr Pratt’s Appeal – the idea and turn Edith into a child (the theory that young people do have a voice and I soon made a trip to the State Library being that children like to read about can exert pressure for change. of Victoria and trawled through the children) and there is not a hint of newspaper archives. There was no anthropomorphism. Unpolluted by the idea of economic turning back. With The Lore of the growth at any cost, or the need to flatter Lyrebird and now the newspaper article, When a child asks: “Is this a true story?” power, children often possess a clarity of A Miracle of the Dandenongs, I began the answer is “Yes”. vision that is worth heeding. But if we shaping the story. want our young to have opinions about Having completed the text, the search for the environment, and the language and From the moment I began the an illustrator began. All paths led to Peter confidence to speak up, we must clear work, I was entranced by the beauty Gouldthorpe. Peter is multitalented by away the obstacles to knowledge and feed and subtle possibility of the tale. I any measure – an illustrator, landscape their curiosity. absorbed Ambrose and Edith’s wonder artist, mural painter – but what I find and passion for the birds and their most remarkable about his work is his So now my book is out there, and I hope environment. ability to paint truthfully but with such it will enrich young imaginations and warmth. inspire people to engage more fully with I have a vast repertoire of traditional our unique and spectacularly beautiful folk stories that I tell, but nothing His paintings of Lyrebird James are environment and wildlife. • PW

34 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 Lyrebird! A true story BOOK By Jackie Kerin Illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe. Museum Victoria, 2012. 32 pages. RRP $16.95. REVIEWS VNPA special member offer: $12.50 plus $3.00 postage.

This delightful children’s book is a his human friend Edith is based on introduces the history and landscape of winner on many levels. an article in The Age in February 1932 the Dandenongs, and Victorian rural called ‘A Miracle of the Dandenongs’. life in the 1930s. It has strong natural history and conservation messages, and highlights James was the first lyrebird whose song Lyrebird! would be an excellent present admirable aspects of Australia’s was broadcast on the radio, and one of for any child, and I hope it will be heritage. And it is beautifully illustrated the first to be filmed and photographed widely used in primary schools to with evocative pictures that draw the while displaying. introduce and promote Australia’s reader in and reward careful study with natural heritage and our responsibility hidden details. The story of James helps explain why to protect it. • PW the lyrebird has become such an The story of James the lyrebird and iconic species in Victoria, and nicely Michael Howes

After the Future – Australia's Flannery documents the backward for just $12 million per year and the new extinction crisis slide of governments’ commitment. For restoration of many threatened species. instance, in 2006 the federal government By Tim Flannery “excused itself from the obligation to He thinks there should be legislation Quarterly Essay, issue 48, Dec. 2012. draft plans for species listed as vulnerable for zero tolerance to extinctions, and to extinction”. State governments get a a Biodiversity Authority, independent Australian governments are failing roasting for a denigration of science and of government, well-funded, with a in one of their most fundamental for being influenced by small pressure clear mandate to invest in programs to obligations to future generations: the groups. prevent extinctions. conservation of our natural heritage, While the essay seems to jump around says Tim Flannery. So what’s to be done, and can we afford it? In the Kimberley, avoiding the extinction and is depressing, it is very thought- He writes of Australia’s abject failure to of 45 mammal, bird and reptile species is provoking. We can still save these protect our endangered species, with estimated to be just $40 million per year. species and in today’s terms it is NOT more and more facing extinction and Pocket change for the mining industry. much money. “next to nothing effective… being done What does it mean for VNPA, and for to halt their slide into oblivion”. Flannery writes of northern Australia and the need to bring back indigenous me as a lover of our Australian species? Should we be changing our focus to It should be of enormous concern that 15 fire regimes and deal with invasives. species and building our campaigns frogs, 16 reptiles, 44 birds, 35 mammals He is on the board of the Australian around them? PW and 531 plants are on Australia’s national Wildlife Conservancy, and writes of their • endangered species lists. management of three million hectares Karen Alexander

Mateship being inseminated. And his family Harry decides to teach teenager Michael with Birds of kookaburras: Mum, Dad, Club-toe what he wishes he’d known before he and Tiny. married his now departed wife. But By Carrie Tiffany Betty’s not pleased when she discovers Pan Macmillan 2012. The kookaburras are Harry’s daily soap what’s been going on. Paperback, opera written up in an old milk ledger This is Tiffany’s second novel after the RRP $19.99. where he records the details. engaging Everyman’s Rules for Scientific It’s vivid, full of ‘Art starts with noticing things,’ says Carrie Living. detail and you can Tiffany, and she is certainly an acute The title is taken from the 1922 book observer, not only of characters but of nature feel the atmosphere by Alec Chisholm (1890-1977), which and life on a farm and in small towns. of country Australia in the 1950s – the also has vivid stories of curious bird dust, the slowness of daily life, and Harry’s a dairy farmer, lonely, and so is happenings and their intriguing the connections to the soil, plants and relationships with humans, and which animals. his neighbour, hard-working single mum Betty with two kids. She’s pleased when has just been republished by Scribe (RRP $24.95). PW Especially the animals, including Harry’s her son Michael develops a friendship • cows, a ewe about to be killed, heifers with Harry. Karen Alexander

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 35 Muddy Boots and Sandy Hands PHOTOS COURTESY DANIELLE BAIN COURTESY PHOTOS

We know that many kids today have children and families with nature and the For more information, visit little or no contact with nature. outdoors. www.mbsh.org.au We also know that the more time They plan and run free activities in natural Of course, some of the children spend in nature, the happier, areas that are purposefully informal but quite VNPA’s own bushwalks healthier and smarter they will be. social. and other activities, such Set up by Danielle Bain and other Children are encouraged to engage in as those led by David Elias, passionate parents in the Geelong area, unstructured nature play, with activities are suitable for children and ‘Muddy Boots and Sandy Hands’ is an ranging from identifying marine life in families. Check your BWAG initiative that aims to combat ‘Nature rockpools to walking at the You Yangs – which Program or monthly emails Deficit Disorder’ by reconnecting is their next activity, on Saturday 13 April. for coming events. • PW

Fungi of the Wombat Forest Fungi and Macedon Ranges of the Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges The Central Highlands of Victoria are recognised as a ‘hot spot’ for fungi. In celebration of this fungal diversity, Wombat Forestcare has produced a fold-out ‘quick guide’ to 108 of the more commonly encountered fungi of Photographic the Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges. Competition

The guide will be launched on Thursday 18 April Wombat Forestcare is also 2013 with an interactive seminar on the diversity hosting a photographic and conservation of fungi by ecologist Alison exhibition to showcase the Pouliot. Entry is by gold coin donation (bookings forest’s amazing biodiversity. essential – email [email protected]) The exhibition will be and refreshments will be provided. launched from 6-8pm on Friday 26 April. Alison is also contributing an article on fungi, with some of her outstanding photographs, to Further details at June Park Watch. www.wombatforestcare.org.au

Wombat Forestcare Community caring for Nature

36 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 Family pet kills endangered bird

THIS STORY COMES FROM BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA. THE VNPA HAS MADE A SUBMISSION TO PARKS VICTORIA CALLING FOR NO DOGS TO BE ALLOWED ON THE SURF BEACHES WITHIN MORNINGTON PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK. CURRENT COMPROMISE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DOGS WITHIN THE PARK ARE

CLEARLY NOT WORKING. GLENN EHMKE PHOTOS:

Hooded Plover sign on beach; (inset) remains of plover chick Late last year an off-leash Labrador killed by dog. maimed and killed a four-week-old Hooded Plover chick on a Mornington Peninsula beach in full view of a boy whose family had been closely monitoring the birds over the past two “It’s terribly sad that this precious little be leashed in the adjacent Mornington months. bird was wantonly killed by someone’s Peninsula National Park. pet dog,” she said. Local Portsea residents were devastated Dog access to the national park is being by the loss of this chick, which was only “I don’t blame the Labrador, they’re bred reviewed. It has the second-highest days away from being old enough to fly. to chase and retrieve birds. But I’m really density of Hooded Plovers in Australia upset about the owner, who ignored our and is invaluable to the species’ survival. “If it had just survived another week signs asking people to keep their dogs But it also has the poorest chick survival it would have been the first chick in on the leash and by the water’s edge for record of any area in Victoria. the state to successfully ‘fledge’ this just a few more days … until the chick season and would add to the incredibly was fully fledged.” Dogs are officially not permitted off- low population of Hooded Plovers leash in the park at any time, but Parks in Australia”, explained Dr Grainne “Dogs kill chicks on our beaches all Victoria and BirdLife Australia have Maguire, manager of the Beach-nesting too frequently, unfortunately,” said Dr. records indicating that over 78% of dogs Birds program at BirdLife Australia. Maguire. are seen off-leash in the park.

“One chick may not sound like much, “We don’t always see it as graphically Dr Maguire says that this cannot but to this endangered species it can as this, but there’s no doubt it happens. continue. “We cannot improve things mean the difference between survival It’s not the dogs’ fault – they’re just if dog owners continue to deny these and extinction.” following their natural instincts. But birds a place to safely raise their chicks. owners need to be responsible. Every effort has been made to improve This incident should not have happened, leashing compliance, but to no avail,” she because there was ample signage to “It doesn’t matter how well trained a dog said. indicate the presence of a flightless is, chasing things is in their blood and it’s endangered chick on the beach. up to owners do the responsible thing.” The question remains: how many more chicks need to die before the impact of And most locals, including local At a beach where locals and Friends of off-leash dogs is taken seriously?• PW environmental activist and VNPA the Hooded Plover had joined together member Kate Baillieu, had been keenly to help these birds, it was a sad but For more information about watching it grow and keeping their timely example of the impacts of off- Hooded Plovers, contact the distance. leash dogs on the breeding success of Friends of the Hooded Plover at this endangered species. [email protected], The plover family had spent 30 days or see www.myhoodie.com.au incubating their nest and four weeks All the efforts put into helping improve protecting their chick on the busy chick survival have proved futile in the This article first appeared in the bayside beach, thanks to the help of local face of persistent non-compliance with Southern Peninsula News, 13 December volunteers like Kate. the law and the signs requiring dogs to 2012. Acknowledgements to Keith Platt.

PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 37 In memory of Jenny ‘Biodiversity Barnett across the Borders’ conference, Friday VNPA staff member Jenny Barnett and her husband 7 June 2013 John died at Steeles Creek in the Black Saturday fires, You are warmly invited to this just over four years ago. PHOTO: CARRIE DEUTSCH PHOTO: one-day conference, the fifth to In September last year Thriving greenhoods in Carrie Deutsch’s garden. be held. we received the following With the theme ‘Enhancing email from Carrie Deutsch, former team In any case, they have done well (see ecosystem management and leader of the Victoria Naturally Alliance. attached photo). restoration’, the conference aims to communicate new ecological In 2008, and again just before she died, that I put a note with a photo on research to people interested in extraordinary conservationist Jenny gave Facebook, and got a lot of responses, environmental management. me a handful of greenhood orchid bulbs. one being I should send it to the bushfires recovery people for their The conference will be held at I wrote on the memorial VNPA website newsletter. the Mt. Helen campus of the that I would tend to her orchids with care University of Ballarat. There is in her memory. And you quoted this in a It is lovely to have her memory no registration fee for attending. Park Watch article about Jenny. blooming so stunningly in our garden. For more information It is quite a bit of effort, as they require contact Dr S.K. Florentine, some care (she provided two pages of Best regards, [email protected]. instructions of course). Carrie A full program will be available soon.

Committed people wanted! Boneseeding at Are you a keen walker passionate about BWAG introducing people to our natural and aRthuRs seat human heritage? Do you love helping saturday 6 april Excursions people discover new places? The annual boneseed pull at Cook If so, would you like to take up a Sat. 20 April: Coach excursion to St spur, Arthurs Seat State Park, is Maryborough with walks in and rewarding role as a volunteer VNPA on again. around the historic town. Walk, Talk and Gawk (WT&G) Leader Leader: Glenn King. or Facilitator? We’re making good progress in controlling boneseed and other Cost: $40.00. Find out what’s involved at a special weeds in the bushland here. Please Sat. 18 May: Coach trip to two-hour Information Session at come and help! Macedon with walk at Gisborne, 6.30pm on Thursday 4 April. Bring gardening gloves, lunch, visit to an organic farm, then walks Meet in the car park behind the water and nibbles and join the and mushrooming in Macedon’s Junction Oval, St Kilda – happy weeders! pine forests. Leader: Irina De Melway map 2P B2. Loche. Cost: $40.00. For details phone Marg Hattersley For more information, contact on 9578 2554 or email Sat. 15 June: Excursion to Taradale Julie Hunt on 9568 7515 or email [email protected] with walks in and around the [email protected] historic township, including the magnificent bluestone railway viaduct built in 1862. BWAG Trivia Night a winner Leaders: Sue Parkhill and Ruth Congratulations to the Bushwalking and Activities Group, especially Sue Catterall, Stirling. Cost: $40.00. for organising the Trivia Night on 21 February. Bookings and enquiries: It went very well – about 30 people attended, and everyone went home with Larysa Kucan 9347 3733, something as lots of prizes had been donated! Jan Lacey 9329 8187. The event raised an impressive $895, for which the VNPA is most grateful.

38 PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 This ‘field guide for walkers’ is available from CSIRO, RRP $29.95.

Guided walks on the BIBBuLMuN TRACK (WA)

A new Calendar of Events is available from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. See www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au or phone (08) 9481 0551.

Since 1990, Willis Walkabouts have been offering overseas experiences like no other company. Trekking deep into the Ecotours and walking in wilderness and getting off the beaten track, we guarantee you a the High Country, East holiday away from the crowds. Gippsland and beyond Scandinavia, Patagonia, Vanuatu and Southern Africa; Willis offers Are you curious about the natural a variety of unique trips to suit all world? If so, how about immersing levels of fitness and adventure. yourself in nature and letting us share If you want a ‘one of a kind’ our love and knowledge of the overseas holiday, then have a look environment with you. overseas at our website and see what we EXPEDITIONS have to offer. Let us arrange the accommodation, YOU WON’T REGRET IT. the driving, the walks and talks. Even your meals appear like magic. Enjoy Willis Walkabouts, leading people the companionship of like-minded towards new horizons in small nature lovers and return home groups with unforgettable scenery and memories that last forever! refreshed, informed and invigorated.

For full details of the 2013 program visit the website or contact Jenny

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PARK WATCH • MARCH 2013 NO 252 39