39 Conservation management3 Nightcap National Park. The management of natural and cultural heritage values across the state, incorporating • conservation incentives, education and advice • regulation and enforcement • the nurture and rehabilitation of the natural and cultural heritage landscape, including protected areas and beyond • the establishment of appropriate reserves • the ecologically sustainable use of protected areas. 40 3Conservation management Conservation management is undertaken by NPWS and by many other organisations and communities. It is not only carried out on NPWS managed lands, but right across NSW. This section addresses conservation management in its broadest sense, and CHRIS GRIFFITHS includes activities through which NPWS is contributing to the achievement of NSW Biodiversity Strategy objectives. WORKING WITH ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES NPWS seeks to work with Aboriginal communities to achieve the protection of natural and cultural heritage through mechanisms which also deliver social and economic benefits. Through the Aboriginal Heritage Projects program several projects were undertaken in 1999-2000. These projects involved a number of stakeholders working together to achieve a positive outcome for Aboriginal heritage. In western NSW projects focused on the protection of Aboriginal burial sites near Griffith, Walgett and Buronga, including major works undertaken at Lake Part of the Mumbulla Creek Falls picnic area redeveloped in conjunction with Victoria. Projects undertaken in south-east NSW included the local Aboriginal community. rehabilitation works at Oakhill Aboriginal Reserve; rock art recording and conservation works near Tumut; and midden In 1998, following discussions with the Aboriginal community, rehabilitation at Hammerhead Point near Jervis Bay. and in keeping with their wishes, it was decided to redevelop the picnic and walking track facilities at Mumbulla Creek Falls. Several projects were completed in the greater metropolitan area A steering committee, which included NPWS staff and of NSW, including the Hands on Rock project (Blue Mountains/ representatives from local Aboriginal communities, was formed Wollemi region) carried out in partnership with the Morunga to oversee all planning and construction aspects of the project. Gialinga Aboriginal organisation of Mudgee and the Department Through the steering committee, and a series of community of Land and Water Conservation. This site is a large shelter on information days held during the planning phase, the Aboriginal the north-east face of a massive sandstone escarpment. There are community was fully involved in the project. Newsletters between 150 and 200 red hand stencils on the walls and the roof informing people of the progress of the project were produced of the shelter, as well as emu track motifs. Works carried out on and distributed to Aboriginal communities of the far south coast. this project included upgrading the walking track; upgrading the car park; installing picnic tables and barbeque facilities; and This is the first major project jointly managed by NPWS and the installing interpretative signage. local Aboriginal community, and it has provided a model for future joint management ventures. Project planning also Joint management involved members of the Bega Valley Shire Disabled Access of national parks Committee and local tourism organisations. The development of a high quality cultural tourism destination has provided an Mumbulla Creek Falls project in Biamanga opportunity to explain the Aboriginal cultural and spiritual National Park values of the site and surrounding landscape. The project provided local employment and opportunities for members of Mumbulla Mountain is sacred to the Yuin people of the Monaro the local Aboriginal community to be involved in all aspects of and far south coast of NSW. The area is the locale of important the project. Since its completion in November 1999 the project ceremonies that use a complex of sites on the mountain and the has received favourable comments from the local community, surrounding landscape. According to Yuin tradition, initiations park visitors and the Aboriginal Elders. and other sacred ceremonies have been performed at these sites since the beginning of time. In 1980, Mumbulla Mountain, Mutawintji National Park including the complex of sacred sites, was gazetted as Biamanga The handback of Mutawintji National Park to its Aboriginal Aboriginal Place. The Aboriginal Place, and other areas of owners in September 1998 represented a NSW first for Mumbulla State Forest, came under the management of NPWS Aboriginal ownership under the National Parks and Wildlife when Biamanga National Park was gazetted in 1997. The park Amendment (Aboriginal Ownership) Act 1996. The past year has been listed on Schedule 14 (Aboriginal Ownership), and saw full operation of the Mutawintji board of management negotiations for handback of the park will begin when the comprising a majority of Aboriginal owners. The key priorities traditional owners have been identified. 41 1999 2000 ANNUAL REPORT JEREMY LITTLE Mutawintji National Park: the past year saw the full operation of the board of management comprising a majority of Aboriginal owners. for the board were the employment of a joint management OUTSIDE THE RESERVE SYSTEM coordinator; and upgrading infrastructure to accommodate The conservation of natural and cultural heritage in NSW cannot expected increased use of Mutawintji National Park by be achieved within parks and public reserves alone. NPWS Aboriginal owners and Wiimpatja (Aboriginal people), NPWS recognises the importance of, and is committed to working with staff and park visitors. Another major priority was designing, the community to achieve conservation outside the public constructing and erecting viewing platforms to protect art sites reserve system. In particular, NPWS seeks to enhance and within the Historic Site. Nearly completed, much of this work improve the use of formal mechanisms outside the reserve involved inmates from the Broken Hill Correctional Centre as system to achieve conservation outcomes for land management. part of an ongoing cultural links program. These are essentially a set of voluntary programs for landholders to implement protection on their own or other land in FUTURE DIRECTIONS partnership with NPWS. These programs range from providing NPWS will increase its efforts in working with legally enforceable permanent or temporary protection to Aboriginal communities and organisations in relation providing conservation information and advice and a to joint management of protected areas and to deliver communication network between landholders and between Aboriginal heritage conservation outcomes across landholders and NPWS. the landscape. Voluntary conservation Performance targets 2000-03 agreements • Increased participation by Aboriginal people in The Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) program management committees and advisory bodies provides landholders with a means of permanently protecting the • Increase in the number of agreements in place conservation values of their land by entering into a negotiated with Aboriginal communities for the management agreement with the Minister for the Environment. These or use of protected areas agreements cover a range of land types such as declared • Increase in the number of Aboriginal people wilderness, sites of Aboriginal significance and habitat for employed by NPWS or in associated activities species listed as nationally endangered and/or of statewide significance. Landholders with VCAs receive assistance with on- ground works, including fencing, weed control and surveys, to help implement their agreements. 42 Conservation management Thirty-two VCAs were signed with property owners during 1999- 2000, bringing the total to 81, and these will be regularly monitored. Approximately 6,500 hectares are now protected by VCAs in NSW. In the Hunter Region, three conservation agreements were finalised for properties, including ‘Oakstead’ and ‘Wirra Wirra’. VCAs were also signed for ‘Khshartha’ at Crowther, ‘Phoenix Park’ at Tintenbar, ‘Vineyard Haven’ at New SAMANTHA HAMPTON / NPWS Italy and a property at Middle Pocket. Proposals for establishing VCAs at Wardell, Meerschaum Vale, Huonbrook and Wanganui are progressing. Negotiations took place for a VCA proposed in the Upper Moonan Brook area of Scone Shire. A VCA was made under the Conservation Management Network for Grassy Box Woodlands to protect Monteagle Cemetery, and five further VCAs for this network are under development. During the year, over 30 VCA sites received funds through the NSW Native Vegetation Management Fund for works associated with the protection and management of native vegetation. NPWS site officer Bill Allen and property owner John Suttor sign the first South-east NSW voluntary conservation order specifically protecting Aboriginal heritage. In the south-east corner of NSW the area of private land protected under VCAs has dramatically increased over the past Suttor VCA year, with major additions from dedicated private landholders in NPWS celebrated a unique achievement by finalising a VCA the area. Through their own initiative, a group of 30 which specifically seeks to protect Aboriginal heritage values. neighbouring landholders have joined with NPWS to protect The property contains the burial site of Windradyne who led his parts of their land in perpetuity. The properties have formed a warriors against the British invasion of Wiradjuri country in corridor