NPA BULLETIN

National Parks Association of the ACT Vol 26 No 2 June 1989

Into the fray in Coolangubra forest Why the Jerrabomberra are worth saving National Parks Association of the Australian Capital Territory June 1989 Incorporated Inaugurated 1960 Contents Aims and objects of the Association • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the Arrests in southeast forests 5 protection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural features Jerrabomberra Wetlands 8 in ihe Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the reservation ot specific areas. Resource assessment 1 2 • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation Giardia 1 3 areas. Alps • Stimulation ol interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment 1 8 of. such natural phenomena by organised field outings, Shots fired at Grassy Creek 1 9 meetings or any other means. National Estate listings 20 • Co-operation with organisations and persons having similar interests and objectives. Tim Moore talks 22 • Promotion ot, and education ror, nature conservation, ana the planning of land-use to achieve conservation.

Office bearers and Committee Committee news 4 President Parkwatch 1 4 Kevin Frawley, 4 Shiels PL, Curtin 2605 82 3080 (h) 68 8309 (w) Just briefly 1 6 Vice-President Vacant Secretary Julia Trainor, 2 Hill Corner, Yarralumla 2600 81 1195(h) 62 1514 (w) Treasurer Cover: Reg Alder and Shirley Lewis enter the Les Pyke 81 2982 conservationists' camp at Reedy Creek near Eden. Publicity Officer See story page 5. Glyn Lewis 95 2720 (hj Outings Convenor Steven Forst 51 6817 (h) Photographs and other contributions Other Committee members The photograph of fog over on page 5 of the Neville Esau 86 4176 (b) 49 4554 (w) March 1989 issue of the Bulletin was taken by Hedda Phihp Gatenby 54 3094(h) Morrison. The picture of Pigeon House by Babette Scougall Peter Roe 91 9535 (h) was taken from the Folly Point track, not the Monolith Valley Den Robin 81 4837 (h) track. Tim Walsh 851112 (h) 741465 (w) The Bulletin is always seeking black and white photo­ Immediate Past President graphs. Please label them with the name ol the subject, the Ross Carlton 86 3892 (h) name of the photographer and the date. Public Officer Contributions of articles {news, description or fiction) Charles Hill 95 8924 (h) and line drawings are also sought ior the Bulletin. Creative works will De given a high priority ior placement. Leiters to Subscription rates (1 July - 30 June) the editor should be brief (less than 500 words) Leave con­ Household members $20 Single members $15 tributions at the office or telephone the editor, Roger Green, Corporate members $10 Bulletin only $10 on (062) 470059. Concession: half above rates For new subscriptions joining between; Deadline for next issue: 25 July, 1989. 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate 1 April and 30 June - annual subscription Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Association opinion or objectives. Membership enquiries welcome Please phone Laraine Frawley at the NPA ollice. NPA Bulletin is produced by Green Words for the National The NPA of the ACT office is located in Kingsley Parks Associaton of the ACT. It is produced with the assis­ Street, Acton. Office hours are: tance of an ACT Community Development Fund grant. 10am to 2pm Mondays 9am to 2pm Tuesdays and Thursdays Printed oy riignlana Press, FyshwicK, ACT Telephone: (062) 571063 Address: GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601. ISSN 0727-8837 President's foreword Recent meetings have set out to continuous commitment of full ciation with 700 members. Contact revitalise two of the Association's committee work. the committee if you would like to important sub-committees: The Environment sub­ become involved. Namadgi and Environment. Both committee meeting identified some meetings were well attended. The current areas of focus: ACT plan­ original division of responsibilities ning issues (Murrumbidgee River of these sub-committees was corridor, Canberra Nature Park), For those with sights set higher, simply: (i) Namadgi National Park alpine parks (World Heritage con­ the annual general meeting is not and closely related matters; (ii) sideration, Kosciusko develop­ far away. At least four members of other environment matters. I have ment), southeast forests, coastal the current committee will not be interpreted the latter to be primarily development, Jervis Bay and the standing for re-election. Indicated conservation matters in the rest of national parks of the coastal ranges vacancies include: President, the ACT and the southeastern New (Morton, Deua and so on). See Secretary and two committee posi­ South Wales region. This does not Neville Esau's report on page 23. tions (the current incumbents preclude supporting conservation Because of the diversity of these being the Namadgi and activity elsewhere and we regularly matters, a start was made on form­ Environment sub-committee con­ do this, for example, in recent times ing working groups which could venors). In addition, the Vice- with issues such as the Victorian focus on each issue. It would be President's position has been alpine park and rainforest conserva­ ideal to have a nucleus of three or vacant for the last three years. tion in . Sub­ four people who became the committees provide an opportunity Association 'minders' for each for members to become involved in under the sub-committee umbrella. Association activities without the This should be possible in an asso-

Namadgi's history New The ACT Parks and Conservation establishing a 'national park for the members Service has given the Association national capital*. The following new members are the opportunity of having an input A working group from the welcomed to the Association. The into the permanent display being Namadgi Subcommittee is meeting two new members from Lyneham won their memberships as prizes in prepared for the new Namadgi visi­ frequently to compile the informa­ the NPA lucky dip at the Greener tor information centre at Riverview. tion, as we have to supply it to the Fair at Weston Park last March. The centre is expected to be fin­ parks and conservation service ished late in 1989. within the next few weeks. Virgilio Bettanin, Gilmore: Trevor NPA is providing information We have started by developing Bills, Rivett; Davis Family, about the history of public recogni­ a chronology of significant land­ Canberra; Coral and Murray Dow, tion of the natural values of the marks and are searching for photo­ Ainslie; L. Feeney, Lyneham; area leading up to its declaration as graphs, maps, slides and other Warwick and Marian Fulton, a national park in 1984 and the cur­ material which may be used to illus­ trate aspects of these events. Kambah; Guy Hodgson, Hackett; rent moves towards incorporating Dr Keith McLean and Dr Lesley Namadgi in the proposed Already we have realised that Cadzow, Cook; Elizabeth Martin, Australian alpine world heritage this project is the beginning of O'Connor; Warren Martin, nomination. something bigger and when we Oueanbeyan; Michael Morriss, This history emphasises the have met the present deadline we Narrabundah; Jane O'Donohue, importance of community action in hope to start a more comprehen­ ; F.A. Parkes, Pearce; Peter the protection of the country's sive history which one day might be published. Rayner, Lyneham; Anne Ritchard, remaining natural areas and we Griffith; Helen Smith, Mawson; hope will make the point to all who If you have any early photo­ Susan Sutherland, Jamison; E. view it that if people value national graphs tucked away or would like to Van der Straaten, Rivett; Karen parks, they have to continue to work with us on the project, please Wilson and Paul Kisley, Farrer; Pam fight for them. The Namadgi story, contact one of the working group Wintle, Tharwa. of course, parallels the history of members: Fiona Brand, Bob Story, our association which was formed Reg Alder or Den Robin. in the early 1960s with the aim of Den Robin Committee news Namadgi matters

Australian alps The Association's (heme for met on 27 April and resolved lo The Namadgi Subcommittee is Heritage Week in April was the meet regularly. This is an informal gathering material on the history of World Heritage nomination of the commiltee and offers an opportu­ the declaration of Namadgi National . Outings high­ nity for anyone to get involved in Park. The subcommittee is also lighted the natural heritage of the some way, whether writing a letter considering preparing a booklet on high country near Canberra and Dr or joining a small group to comment the national park's history Seethe Geolf Mosley spoke to the April on an environmental impact state­ article on page 3. general meeting about the case lor ment or a draft plan ol manage­ To complement the recently world heritage nomination (see ment The subcommittee covers a released Yerrabi track brochure, a page 18). broad held and members have joint NPA/ACT Parks and The President has written to the expressed interest in specialising Conservation Service production, Commonwealth and New South in a number of areas See the the Association is preparing a Wales governments, expressing report on page 23. second brochure on the natural the Association's support tor nomi­ history ol Boboyan Trig area. The nation of the alps for world heritage Tharwa Sands new brochure will provide more listing. The Association has Kevin Frawley and Tim Walsh have inlormation on the birds, plants and donated $100 to the Victorian NPA inspected the site of a proposed geology of the area and will be tar­ fund to campaign for the creation of expansion of Tharwa Sands' red- geted at track users who require a Victorian alpine national park. gravel quarry near the Ginninderra more detail than that provided in A Greener Fair was held in Falls tourist site. As reported in the the track brochure. Weston Park on 5 March and the last Bulletin, a letter has been sent At a recent meeting ol the sub­ NPA display - staffed by Kevin to the Yarrowlumla Shire Council committee Ian Garven from the Frawley, Neville Esau, Tim Walsh suggesting that the proposed parks and conservation service and Frank Clements - focused on extension seems to cross the answered member's questions on the world heritage nomination of boundary of the declared scenic issues relating to Namadgi National the Australian alps. A free lucky dip area under the local government Park. From this meeting it was brought in two new Association environment plan. resolved to rekindle an Association members who won a year's free project to undertake restoration membership in the draw. Nature appreciation work on the Orroral homestead course This project had been stalled for a Summer in the alps number of years. Other issues dis­ The Publicity and Education The Australian Conservation cussed at this meeting which are Subcommittee has prepared a pro­ Foundation is planning a festival at likely to be considered by Ihe sub­ posal for a nature appreciation Jindabyne on the Day committee in coming months course to be conducted by the long weekend in 1990 and the included the gazettal ol the Lower Centre for Continuing Education Association has agreed to assist, Cotter, Blue Gum Creek, and and the Australian National probably with day walks and similar Mount Tennant areas under appro­ University. An advertisement for a activities to promote appreciation of priate legislation, such as the course coordinator appears on the natural heritage of the alps. Nature Conservation Ordinance. page 17. Namadgi Subcommittee meet­ Victorian alps ings are held on the second Conservation Council Thursday every second month The President wrote to the The next meeting will be at 7.30pm Victorian Liberals urging them to environment policy on 10 August 1989 Any support the Alpine Park Bill in the The Committee is preparing a Association member is welcome to Victorian parliament. No doubt this response to the Conservation attend. For details of the venue letter tipped the balance as the Councils Policy statement on ACT contact the subcommittee con­ Liberals decided to support the Bill environment issues . This docu­ venor, Philip Gatenby, on 543094 (see page 18). ment will be used to lobby the mini­ ster responsible for the environment and other members Philip Gatenby Environment of the new ACT Assembly Subcommittee A report on the Environment Subcommittee appears on page The Environment Subcommittee Julia Trainor 23. Conservationists at the Reedy Creek camp form a circle of peace as a police helicopter flies overhead. Colour negative Fiona Brand, print Reg Alder. Below: Tantawangalo Creek. Photo Reg Alder. 'Send us more people'

Hundreds of conservation­ answer to a threatening intrusion. organise non-violent protests ists have been arrested, and The police helicopter has done its against the logging of areas which some gaoled, after protests patrol for the day. However, little were about to be declared national in the Coolangubra and did we know the outcome of that parks just before the last New flight. South Wales elections. Tantawangalo forests of The South-East Forest Alliance Incredibly one of these areas, southeastern New South (SEFA) camp is a quietly busy place the Tantawangalo Mountain, is to Wales. FIONA BRAND, who where a group of dedicated people continued next page wrote this account, SHIRLEY LEWIS and REG ALDER went to see what was going on.

The sound of a helicopter breaks the quietness of mid-morning at the Reedy Creek camp. 'Make the peace sign,' a voice declares and a hundred people dash into the open space surrounded by the information tent, the cook house and the fire shelter. People link hands in a circle, faces upturned, then at a signal crouch down and jump up with a joyous yell. Thus a non-violent positive action is the Some of the 120 tents pitched at Reedy Creek on the weekend before Anzac Day. Below: Planning the next day's action while the billy boils. All photos Reg Alder.

Send us more Over public holidays there is a an area which had been clear felled great influx ol interested people. and it was so shocking he wanted people' During the Anzac weekend over to stop this 'stupid action'. 200 people were in 120 tents and It is most rewarding to hear the continued from previous page three campervans. People who testimony of people who were not be logged even ihougn it is the wished lo join in protest action totally commuted conservationists catchment for Tantawangalo were instructed in non-violent but have become committed. Creek, a source ot water tor tne action tNvAj or peaceiui resistance I tie camp site is set in lovely Bega valley. (PR). One young man under bushland but the camping area has SEFA welcomes long-term or instruction said that he had just become very sodden after 16 days short-term campers so that they come to the camp to see what ail of rain or drizzle A cheerful volun can learn about what is happening the publicity was about but since teer cook and helpers working in he had been spotlighting the night in the forests, see the need for difficult conditions provide meals before and had seen greater glid­ protection of the old forests and for $2 a day to resident campers. ers, he knew he wanted to save Ihe wildlife, and expend some energy Most people at the camp are forests lor their sake. Another said in action to save the forests from young people - students on holi­ complete destruction. he had walked on the Saturday into days, people who work part-time, others who have taken annual leave and others there for the weekends only. Many local residents support the cause and we met one young man (married with two children) who had chained himsell to log ging equipment to delay its use and to attract publicity. He and live others had been arrested. It is no light matter to volunteer lor protest work, as arrest by police tor some people like nurses and teachers, can be the end of their careers. Yet despite this, brave people step for­ ward and prolesl against the log­ ging and woodchipping of areas which are on the interim list of the Register of the National Estate. physically, morally, financially. How First take a shower or a bath, left, There is a lighter side. It is obvi­ about it? then head for the music, above. ous that there is a great comrade­ You might as well dance the night ship amongst the forest alliance Postscript away for tomorrow you could be people. They are gentle people, And what was the outcome of that arrested. living a simple life style, with illegal flight by the police helicopter? The Below: Unsuspecting bushwalkers drugs and alcohol banned. They arrest of 42 people from the camp prepare for a Sunday morning still enjoy themselves, as was wit­ who went on a Sunday bush walk stroll. The members of this menac­ nessed at their response to a into a section of their native land - ing-looking group were charged dance at Rocky hall. the Coolangubra forest which has and brought out of the forest in The forest alliance needs more been put out of bounds to all but police vans. volunteers with home bases in the loggers. What would you do if Sydney and Canberra and at the that was a prospect in your area, forest. They need your support say Namadgi National Park? At first glance the management of Jerrabomberra Wetlands may not look like a great environmental issue. IAN FRASER explains why, on closer inspection, the wetlands are worth Latham's snipe. Drawings courtesy ot the conservationists' support. ACT Parks and Conservation Service.

Twenty-live years ago there was would have thought of the filling of can observe casually while avoid­ the best reason for even the most the distant palaeochannels lying ing the trustrated Stirling Mosses informed environmentalist or bird­ beyond the eastern end of the lake who hurtle their delivery trucks watcher not to have heard of Ihe between the Molonglo and along Dairy Flat Road - the impres­ Jerrabomberra Wetlands - they . sion is of a rather scruffy paddock aidn i exist, un Kelly's Farm cattle wniie most Canoerrans witn untidy eartn piles ana as me grazed, as they had for well over a remained oblivious to the formation highlight, perhaps, a group ot peli­ hundred years, across the east- of a new channel and marsh cans on a muddy island in a pond west ridges of the ancient channels system, one group of visitors was A closer look may not improve - the palaeochannels - ot the quick to avail themselves of the the impression either: the place is Molonglo as it meandered in its cur­ benefits. Australian waterbirds are infested with weeds grazed by rent bed across Ihe grassy plain of necessity opportunistic wander­ cattle; (he watercourses - of dubi­ between Mount Pleasant and Red ers and new feeding, breeding and ous quality due to the industrial Hill. Occasionally the plains Hooded refuge areas are soon discovered etfluent. heavy metal pollution and bul there was nothing to retain the and colonised by the sedentary rural runoff upstream - are willow- water species and added to the visiting choked, the earth piles are reminis­ Fifteen kilometres downstream, list of the nomads and migrants. cent of a dump: roads wind however, the dream ol a Chicago Since the filling of the lake no throughout and a network of pow- architect W3S about to come to frui­ less than 69 species of waterbirds erhnes dominates the skyline tion, 46 years after being commit­ (and over 100 other species) have Guile Irankly. you'd have lo be a ted to paper. As the valley changed been recorded in the area, many of pretty dedicated birdo to slop, if it into Lake Burley Griffin with the them breeding. To the casual were anywhere else. closing of Scrivener Dam, lew human observer - if indeed one continued page 10 JERRABOMBERRA WETLANDS

delineated by J.R. Goodrum May 1989, after ACT Parks and Conservation Service

• Visitor Centre site Cycle path

A Soil stockpiles Service road to powerlines ® Cormorant breeding site Gazetted alignments _ Area 1: Refuge - protection and habitat enhancement. JLVI Area 2: Limited access under controlled conditions. Area 3: Proposed withdrawal from lease. Bird viewing opportunities. Public access facilities to be developed. §fflH Access discouraged to protect bird viewing opportunities. 1111111 Recreation. Barbeques north of Molonglo Reach. Jerrabomberra birdlands continued from page 8

In those last five words is one ol herons. And along the lake edge The predators - foxes, cats and the keys lo the place. It isn't any­ the fingers of the palaeochannels dogs - are a serious problem that where else; it's right in the middle called 'Jerrabomberra can only be resolved by fencing all of a city of 270,000 people and Backwaters' in the ACT Parks and non-water frontages. Meanwhile thus provides a near-unique natural Conservation Service's draft man­ islands are valuable refuges. classroom and bird observatory agement plan - provide the most Rabbits and especially hares are within minutes ot a huge concen­ varied and valuable habitat of all. As problems for replanting programs. tration of people. well as open water and reed-beds Another major restriction is the they provide rich marshlands and proximity ot the airport - birds and wet grasslands which are refuge planes are incompatible. One may and food source for a variety of ibis, well observe that an airport built in a herons, egrets, large and small plo­ fog-bound Irost-hollow with an vers, and migratory waders includ­ emergency flight path over a hospi­ ing the uncommon Latham's snipe. tal could be moved to everyone's This snipe, along with various other benefit, but this is hardly likely to small waders, is the subject of appeal to the Treasury. Figures agreements on migratory birds Irom the dralt management plan between Australia and bolh Japan show that of 149 reported bird and China. An international stage! strikes from 1969 to 1987, only Unfortunately it's become a lour untonunaie ducks came trom pretty crowded stage over the the Jerrabomoerra Wetlands; Anotner key can oe seen by years, its conversion to cow pas­ nonetheless mere is a Dianket mor­ standing atop nearDy Mount ture has been so successtul that atorium on any works wnicn would Pleasant (a public reserve only the retention ot stock has become encourage bird numbers in the accessible via Duntroon) and get­ necessary, or at least convenient, wetlands. ting a view of the area. This key is to keep the grass to a manageable All in all this is a rather discou­ diversity. Across Dairy Flat Road are height. Against this is balanced the raging scenario for a would-be the deeper ponds of the Fyshwick perceived benefit in the cows reserve manager, even ignoring sewerage treatment works, rich in deterring the iaint-heaned irom the proposals whicn nave tailed, nutrients. Diving ducks and filter bird refuge areas but this is, to say such as a National Capital feeders (including less common the least, a little-used tool in Development Commission (NCDC) species such as pink-eared ducks, reserve management. plan lo run a bicycle track along the shovelers, white-eyed ducks, blue- The electricity lines that festoon powerline levee through the billed ducks, various grebes and the site (no less than five) are a refuge area - apparently one com­ even the famed freckled duck) find hazard to birds and no aesthetic missioner reasoned that since all their niche there. Just west of the benefit either. ACT Electricity and greenies ride bicycles this would road are the reed-beds of Kellys Water (ACTEW) did paint the latest win us over lo the power line. Well, Swamp sheltering swamp hens and addition - the massive 132-kilovolt we weren't bought that cheaply, other rails, reed warblers, grass- poles - green, but that was the limit but the powerline went in anyway. birds and cisticolas; the mudflats of of their environmental enthusiasm. Meantime, rumours of develop­ the swamp attract various migratory Several years after completion, the ment on the walertront at Kingston waders and probers such as ibis, as massive earth dumps that were to - the last proposal was well as somnolent pelicans. provide grass-covered flood- Disneyesque - still abound. Beyond Kellys Swamp the deeper protection mounds at the base of Despite all this, the ACT Parks permanent waters of the poles still adorn the Molonglo and Conservation Service remains Jerrabomberra Pool and /Dairy Flat Road corner. resolved to manage the wetlands Reach, support fish breeding areas Meantime, the poles are at risk from with the dual objectives of preserv­ and the fish predators - cormor­ a major flood, the dumps are erod­ ing its natural values and interpret­ ants, darters, pelicans, herons and ing away (albeit all too slowly), a ing them to the public. To that end egrets - as well as suriace-feeding high-quality access road must be a subcommittee of the ACT Parks ducks, platypus and water-rats. maintained through the bird refuge and Conservation Consultative Reed-free banks provide secure area and a potentially valuable Committee was convened to pro­ resting areas for ducks and others. refuge island in Molonglo Reach vide detailed input to a draft man­ In the trees along the streams - must be joined to the land by a agement plan. The subcommittee alas willows - nest and roost cor­ causeway, allowing predator drew its membership from the ACT morant species, darters and night access. Schools Authority, the Australian Eroding

National University Faculty of plan, nor... This is a ludicrous situa­ the west The western division of New South Science, Canberra Ornithologists tion and one on which NPA mem­ Wales, which encompasses 41 per Group, the Conservation Council of bers may care to voice an opinion cent of the state, is a vast area of Canberra and the South-East to the new government, either as low rainfall country vegetated with Region, the CSIRO Division of individuals or collectively, along spinifex, saltbush, mitchell grass, Wildlife and Ecology, the NCDC with the question of gazettal under acacia and eucalypt woodlands. and the tourist industry. At the end the Nature Conservation of 1988 a draft management plan Ordinance. Conservationists have long been concerned at the rate of was released. Public comment on Meanwhile, take the time, and a clearing for cropping or improve­ this plan has now closed but it may pair of binoculars, and visit the wet­ ment of native pastures. In May still be consulted at the NPA office lands. From the carpark on the 1988 the Western Lands or the Environment Centre. north side of Dairy Flat Road, cun­ Commission refused any further The most essential element of ningly sited on a nasty bend, follow clearing licences in the Murray- the wetlands' protection is gazettal the track to Kellys Swamp hide and Darling Geological Basin, that is, under the ACT across to Jerrabomberra Pool. Nature south of the Broken Hill railway, Across the road, visit the sewage Conservation Ordinance 1980. It is pending completion of a research not too late to press for that, quite ponds, after informing the ACTEW study. independently of the detail of the office on the site. Further north management plan. A crucial part of along the road go in past the soil Unfortunately this decision that detail is the declaration of dumps to view Molonglo Reach does not apply to the Forestry refuge areas with very restricted and the shallow Shoveler Pool. Commission which owns all the commercial timber in the western access along the western end of Don't compare the division. The Colong Foundation the wetlands around the backwa­ Jerrabomberra Wetlands with the has stated that immediate action ters. This is to protect Latham's or the flood- should be taken to stop the log­ snipe and to provide breeding and plains of . ging of river red gums on lessees' retreat areas for other species. Compare them rather to the subur­ properties. Boats will be kept out as well as ban or industrial sprawl such a cen­ land intruders. tral site would be in most cities. I The Western Lands think they are worth a bit of Commission has a policy of educa­ support. tion and persuasion in dealing with its 1700 lessees. The ultimate sanction of forfeiture of the lease has never been used and destock- Ian Fraser is joint co-ordinator of ing orders are rare. the Canberra and South-East Another major problem in part of Region Environment Centre. the Western Division is the spread of inedible native shrubs known locally as 'woody weeds'. Encroaching hopbush, turpentine, budda, purity bush and several Educational facilities are to be others form dense stands which kill Some further reading based in the first instance on an off all ground cover and ruin semi- ACT Parks and Conservation interpretation centre south of arid grazing lands. Jerrabomberra Pool, off Mundaring Service (1988), Draft Management The worst environmental prob­ Drive. (Dairy Fiat Road will become Plan for Jerrabomberra Wetlands. lem in the west of the state is salinity a cul-de-sac on completion of the NCDC (1984), Ecological . The dispersal of saline Eastern Parkway). A classroom will Resources of the ACT, (Technical groundwater is causing degrada­ be included in this interpretation Paper 42) pp 41-43. tion of large areas adjacent to the centre or built on Dairy Flat Road. David Pfanner (1988), 'A Murray River. It is clear that irrigation The only catch is that there are Management Plan for Jerra­ practices should change in order to no resources to produce and exe­ bomberra Wetlands', Bogong90). make more efficient use of water cute the final management plan; and treatment of irrigation waste Neville Rosengren (1988), Sites of nor are there resources for the water. Murrumbidgee corridor manage­ Significance in the ACT 2. Inner NCDC, pp 163-167. The Colong Bulletin ment plan, nor the Canberra, March 1989 management plan, nor the Doug Ross (1985), 'Jerrabomberra Canberra Nature Park management Wetlands', Bogong 5(6). Resource assessment: boon or burden In outlining a series of new princi­ Crucial to this issue is the pro­ machinery which will allow ples to apply in future conservation cess of selection of commissioners Australia, from a national viewpoint, and development decisions, the for each inquiry. It is important that to develop a data base on vital Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, in environmental values be ade­ land-use issues from which rational November 1988 announced the quately observed in the determina­ decisions may be taken, based on Government's intention lo estab­ tion of the appropriateness of the a knowledge of all relevant values lish a resource assessment com­ persons being considered to con­ both short and long term. mission. This will be an duct an inquiry. In the selection However, if this process is to con­ independent body to inquire into process the advice provided to the tribute to the resolution ot these major, complex land-use decisions relevant minister will clearly be very issues, it is essential that the com­ mission has credibility and that its referred to it by the Australian significant and it is important that machinery and processes are free government. this advice takes full account of the of serious flaws. Should unsound It is intended that the commis­ conservation and environmental conclusions be reached, the sioners for each inquiry will be credentials of possible appointees. authority which the commission appointed by the government on Above all, the commission has to could be expected to attain would the recommendation of the establish its credibility so that its make their rectification even more Australian Science and findings have high standing and difficult. Syd Technology Council and the are beyond challenge in the areas Industries Assistance Commission, of competency and objectivity. The ana that the commission will draw shadow of the Helsham inquiry into Comfort on tne resources ot government s torests is long indeed. departments and agencies and on A further concern lor environ­ other appropriate specialists mental and heritage groups is how Hearings will be public and oppor­ they are to provide the resources tunity will be provided for inter­ needed to prepare adequately the ested parties to give evidence submissions to be placed before before the commission. Transcripts IV any inquiry. Noting that it is the will be available and draft and final An international conierence intention for the commission to reports will be published. Any about politics and the environ­ consider only major and complex action or decisions flowing from an ment, called Ecopolitics IV, is lo land use issues, the identification inquiry will be matters for the gov­ be held at the University ol and developmenl of the conserva­ ernment. At the time of writing leg­ Adelaide from 21 to 24 tion values involved could be islation to establish the Resource September. Themes to be cov­ expected to be difficult and spe­ Assessment Commission was ered at the conference cialised - a formidable task requir­ expected to be introduced during include: ing substantial resources for the current parliamentary session. - a sustainable economy research, investigation, compila­ • technology, society and Ihe Confident that their standpoint tion and presentation. environment on major environmental issues Environmental and heritage • the politics of reform would be vindicated by rational, groups have grounds for concern • education unbiased investigation based on all that they may be less advanta­ • philosophy relevant values, conservationists geously placed in this regard than • aid, indigenous peoples and could be expected to welcome the the protagonists of other values the environment establishment of the commission such as resource development • urban environment as a mechanism by which these and short-term economic gains. It • arid lands processes could properly be car­ may be that the government • tourism and national parks ried through. However there are intends to make provision to concerns that inquiries may not • women and the environment. redress any imbalance which could adequately reflect environmental For information, contact the occur in this way. It is to be hoped viewpoints and if this were to be Graduate Centre for so, otherwise the value of the find­ the case the existence of a com­ Environmental Studies, the ings of an inquiry could be seri­ mission report, rather than assist University of Adelaide, GPO ously impaired. resolution ol the issues, would Box 498, Adelaide SA 5001. The establishment of the make advancement of Ihe conser­ Telephone (08) 228 5835. Resource Assessment vation stance even more difficult. Commission offers the prospect of Annual subscriptions fall due on the 1st July 1989 and may be paid at a general meeting, at the NPA office Kingsley Street Acton, or by post to GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601.

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PLEASE IGNORE THIS REMINDER IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID YOUR 1989/90 SUBSCRIPTION. 2 September-Saturday Walk (1/A) Note: Not for beginners. Contact leader by Friday. A long walk Square Rock Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 in the Tidbinbilla Range, including Tidbinbilla Peak, the Pim­ ple, Tidbinbilla Mountain and Mt Domain. An overall climb of Outings program Leader: Olive Buckman 48 8774 nearly 1200 metres. Will require an early start. 100 km drive. Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 9am. A pleasant 8km walk, on tracks, through a variety of scenery, to a fascinating rock forma­ 23 September-Saturday Walk (3/A/B) July to September 1989 tion with wide views. A climb of 270 metres. Approximately 5 hour trip including lunch and exploration. 80 km drive. Bullen Range / Murrumbidgee River Ref: Cotter 1:25 000 3 September-Sunday Walk (3/A) Leader: Syd Comfort 86 2578 Mt Ref: Cotter Dam 1:25 000 Meet at the corner of tie Cotter Road and Eucumbene Drive at Leader: Phyl Goddard 54 8279 8.30 am. A 15 km walk involving a 120 metre climb to the ridge then along the ridge to the trig station with good views of the Meet at the comer of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Rd at Paddy's and Murrumbidgee Rivers and surrounds. A 220 me­ 8.30 am. A 17 km walk from Blundell's Flat up Mt Coree. A 600 tre decent to the river and return over the range. A short car metre climb along fire trails for excellent views of Canberra and shuffle involved. 20 km drive. the . Bring warm clothing for a possibly bleak lunch hour at the summit. Returning along Pabrals Road Fire Trail. 80 km drive. 24 September-Sunday Walk (3/A/D/E) Mt Gudgenby Ref: ACT 1:100 000 9/10 September-Pack Walk (2/B/C) Leader: Neville Esau 86 4176 Folly Point Ref: CMW Budawangs Meet at the Gudgenby Bridge at 8.00 am. An 18 km walk with Leader: Les Pyke 81 2982 excellent views. A total climb of 700 metres. Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this walk in the northern Budawangs. Excellent views over the Clyde River 27 September-Wednesday Walk (2/A) Gorge. 300 km drive. Isaac Ridge Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Leader: Syd Comfort 86 2578 9 September-Saturday Walk (1/A/B) Meet at 87 Shackleton Circuit Mawson at 9.00 am. A 11km walk Blue Gum Creek Lookout Rock with extensive views of Canberra. The walk is mainly on tracks Ref: Corln Dam 1:25 000 and involves two 120 metre ascents.The walk takes in three sections of the Canberra Nature Park, Isaac Ridge, Wanniassa Leader: Lyle Mark 86 2801 Hills and Farrer Ridge. Day walks carry lunch, drinks and protective clothing. Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 9.00 am. A 9 km walk across Pack walks two or more days, carry all food and camping Brumby Flats from the Corin Dam Road to Lookout Rock at refer­ 30 September / 2 October-Canoe trip (2/A) requirements. CONTACT LEADER BY ence 784648, with views over Blue Gum Creek Gorge to Can­ Shoalhaven River Ref: Braidwood 1:100 000 WEDNESDAY. berra. 90 km drive. Leader: Chris Bellamy 49 7167 Car camps facilities often limited or non-existent. Vehicles Contact leader by Monday 25 September for details. A canoe taken to site can be used for camping. BOOK 16/17 September-Pack Walk (2/B) trip from the Warn Bridge near Braidwood to Oallen Ford, sub­ EARLY WITH LEADER. Murramarang NP Ref: Klaloa 1:25 000 ject to water levels. River grade 1, 2. Car based camping over­ Other activities include nature rambles, environmental and night. BYO canoe or rent one. Suit beginners, f 50 km drive. field guide studies and ski tours. Leader: Den Robin 81 4837 Contact leader by Wednesday for details. A gentle walk in the northern section of Murramarang National Park visiting Depot Points to note Walks gradings Beach, Pebbly Beach and Durras Mountain. Possibly the first New faces to lead, new places to go. Please help keep our out­ Distance grading (per day) swim of the seasonl Limited Numbers. 320 km drive. ings program alive by volunteering to lead a walk occasionally. 1 - up to 10 km Telephone the walks convenor, Steven Forst, on 516817 (h). 2-10 km to 15 km 16 September-Saturday Walk (3/A/B) All persons joining an outing of the National Parks Associa­ 3 -15 kmto 2 0 km Mt Tennant Ref: WUIIamsdale 1:25 000 tion of the ACT do so as volunteers in all respects and as such 4-above 20 km. Leader: Charles HIM 95 8924 accept sole responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred and the National Parks Association of the ACT, its office bearers Terrain grading Meet in Kett St next to the Kambah Village Shops at 8.15 am. A A - Road, firetrail, track 16 km walk on a pleasant earth access road to a fire spotting tow­ and appointed leaders are absolved from any liability in respect of any injury or damage suffered whilst engaged in any such B - Open forest er with excellent views. A total climb of 750 metres. Optional re­ C - Light scrub turn partly down the ridge through open forest. 70 km drive. outing. The Committee suggests a donation of FIVE cents per kilo­ D - Patches of thick scrub, regrowth E - Rock scrambling metre (to the nearest dollar) be offered to the driver by each 17 September-Sunday Walk (4/A/D/E) F - Exploratory. passenger accepting transport. Drive and walk distances quoted Tidbinbilla Range Ref: Tidbinbilla 1:25 000 The walks program contains additional information. If necessary, in the program are the approximate distances for return contact the leader. Leader: Philip Gatenby 54 3094 journeys. 1 July-Saturday Walk (3/D/E) 23 July-Sunday Walk (4/A/D) 12/13 August-Ski Camp (2/A) Cotter Gap/Mt Orroral Ref: Corln Dam 1:25 000 Rock Flats Ref: Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 Broken Dam Hut Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 Leader: Frank Clements 31 7005 Ref: Mt Selwyn Ski Touring Map Leader: Philip Gatenby 54 3094 Meet at Kambah Village Shops car park at 8.30. A longer walk Leader: Steven Forst 51 6817 H 56 2426 W Note: Not for beginners. Contact leader by Thursday for details half on fire trails and half through bush. The walk includes two Contact leader by Wednesday for details. A weekend ski tour of this walk in Namadgi National Park. The plan is to walk to Cot­ steep climbs of about 200 metres each. There are some patches camping in or at Broken Dam Hut (above the snowline hopeful­ ter Gap and then explore some of the rock outcrops arround Mt of rough bush to traverse. 80 km drive. ly). Good views from Tabletop Mountain.The route from Mt Orroral, Return via Nursery Creek. Total climb of about 800 me­ Selwyn and return is fairly easy and would be okay for those tres. A short car shuffle is intended. 100 km drive. 29/30 July-Ski Camp Weekend(2/B) who have never carried a full pack on skis before. Snowshoe Island Bend Ref: Kosciusko 1:50 000 users will also be considered. Numbers limited. Subject to can­ cellation due to weather or snow conditions. 400 km drive. 9 July-Sunday Walk (2/A/B) Leader: Garth Abercromble 81 4907 Googong Reservoir Ref: Captains Flat 1:25 000 Contact leader by Wednesday for details. Day tours from Guthe- 13 August-Sunday Walk (1/A/E) ga with an overnight car camp below the snowline at Island Leader: Peter Roe 91 9535 Mt Palerang Ref: Braidwood 1:100 000 Meet at Woolworths car park Oueanbeyan at 8.30 am. A 12km Bend. Exact details of trips will depend on snow and weather walk through London Bridge to Curleys Falls and into Compo conditions. Numbers limited. 450 km drive. Leader: Les Pyke 81 2982 Canyon walking on some fire trails then back to the cars via Lon­ Meet at Canberra Railway Station at 8.30 am. A 6km walk along a don Bridge. 50 km drive. 29/30 July-Weekend Walk (2/A/B) forest road and back over a prominent rocky ridge. Good views Southeast Forests over the and Braidwood area. 240 metre climb. 100 km drive. 13 July-Thursday Walk (3/A/B) Ref: Eden State Forest 1:125 000 Sawplt Creek Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Leader: Shirley Lewis 95 2720 19 August-Saturday Walk (4/C/F) Leader: Bob Story 81 2174 Contact leader by Wednesday for details. A walk in the Tantaw­ Range Ref: Colinton 1:25 000 Meet at Kambah Village Shopping Centre at 8.30 am. Please angalo Forest with a base camp at Reedy Creek to see the contact leader by 12 July. A 16 km return walk from the car park beautiful forests threatened with destruction. The program will Michelago 1:25 000 at Orroral Valley Tracking Station on fire trail and bridle track to­ depend upon the situation in the forest at the time. Numbers lim­ Leader; PhUip Gatenby 54 3094 wards Cotter Gap.BO km drive. ited NPA Members only. 550 km drive. Note: Not for beginners. Contact leader by Thursday. An ex­ ploratory walk in the Booth Range Area. Overall climb of 700 13 July-Thursday Sub-committee meeting 5 August-Saturday Ski (2/A) metres. May involve a car shuffle. 110 km drive. Walks program for October to December Three Mile Dam and Reeds Hill 20 August-Sunday Walk (2/C) Leader: Steven Forst 51 6817 H 562426 W Ref: Cabramurra 1:25 000 This meeting is to be held at Beverley Hammond's place, 21 Leader: Neville Esau 86 4176 Nursery Hill from Orroral Valley Hyndes Crescent Holder, from 7.30 pm. The contents of the Contact leader by Wednesday as numbers are limited and ve­ Ref: Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 next outings program will be discussed, along with any other nue may vary with weather and snow conditions. An easy day Leader: Graham Guttridge 31 4330H 45 1618W business. All welcome. ski tour of approximately 10 - 12 km. This outing should be suit­ Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 8.15 am. A 13 km walk mainly able for less experienced skiers but is not meant for beginners on tracks to Nursery Swamp then through about 2 km of bush 15/16 July-Ski Day (1/A) 350 km drive. up to the peak which has a very rewarding view. A climb of 350 Beginners Ski Day Ref Perisher Ski Touring Map metres and some bush bashing is involved. The return journey Leaders: Steven Forst/Nick Gascoigne 6 August-Sunday Walk (1/A) may be through medium density bush. 100 km drive. 51 6817 H 56 2426 W/51 5550 H Googong Reservoir / Hell Hole 26 August-Saturday Walk (2/A) Contact leaders early for details. This day trip is an easy intro­ Ref: Hoskinstown 1:25 000 duction to cross country skiing both for the beginner and for Leader: Peter Roe 91 9535 Shoalhaven Gorge Ref: ? those looking for an easy refresher at the beginning of the sea­ Meet at the Woolworths car park Oueanbeyan at 8.30 am. A 10 Leader: Steven Forst 56 2426 W 516817 H son. Beginners please contact the leaders early so that some km walk to Hell Hole on Bradleys Creek. Some good climbs to Meet just past the Dickson Traffic lights on Northbourne Ave at notes on snow survival can be sent out. Numbers limited. Sub­ panoramic views of Canberra and Oueanbeyan. 25 km drive. 8.30 am. A 12 km walk into the Shoalhaven Gorge near Talong. ject to postponement or cancellation depending on snow and Most of this walk involves climbing either up or down. Great weather conditions. 400 km drive. 8 August-Tuesday Walk (1/A/B) views and not a walk for those with a fear of heights. Total climb 680 metres. Lunch on the river 260 km drive. Honeysuckle Creek area 22 July-Saturday Ski Tour(2/A) Ref: Corln Dam 1:25 000 Kings Cross Road Ref: Cabramurra 1:25 000 27 August-Sunday Morning Walk (1/A) Leader: Shirley Lewis 95 2720 Leader: Dugald Munro 31 8776 Urlarra Crossing Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 9.30 am. A 10 km walk in the Leader: Beverley Hammond 88 6577 Phone leader for defails of this ski day. An easy 12km trip along Honeysuckle creek area on tracks and in open forest. Contact the Kings Cross Road from Mt Selwyn towards Cabramurra and leader for further details 100 km drive. Meet at the corner of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Rd at back. Very easy grades. Suitable for all except absolute begin­ 9.00 am. A 6 km morning walk along the river from Uriarra Cross­ ners. Numbers limited. 400 km drive ing. Bring morning tea and binoculars. 30 km drive. How giardia affects bushwalkers

Giardia is a microscopic parasite infection between the sexes rapidly with an increase in water that lives and feeds in the upper except for mothers. temperature. intestine. It produces enormous There has been a rise in infec­ Although water may be thought numbers of cysts which are shed in tion with the growth of childcare to be a source of contamination the faeces. The cysts are centres because of the increased testing is difficult because of the extremely infective and the dis­ mixing of preschool-age children. large volume of water required for ease giardiasis is most often con­ In one childcare centre which had the test. ACT Electricity and Water tracted by hand to mouth. Food an outbreak, it was found that a has been carrying out tests on the and water may become contami­ daily ritual was for the children to domestic water in the ACT but so nated under conditions of poor jointly mix with their hands the cut- far has not been able to find any hygiene and sanitary practices. up fruit for a fruit salad. It was said to source of disease in water. A The disease is a debilitating be 'a socially rewarding survey is to be carried out on the one causing diarrhoea, fatigue, experience'. stream waters of an alpine national dehydration, malabsorption of park. food, weight loss, cramps and To avoid giardia when abdominal pains. It is not life threa­ bushwalking: tening. What else could there be • Practice careful hygiene, bury all you might ask to make you feel faeces and wash well away from wretched? Giardia takes about four streams. days to make the victim unhappy • Boil all raw water. Even though and many doctors prefer to wait ten giardia may not be present, tests days before treating giardia as the have shown higher levels of faeces cause of the gastroenteritis and The giardia parasite contamination in some raw water diarrhoea. Extensive plotting of outbreaks than is permitted in domestic water. Giardiasis is difficult to diagnose has been carried out in South • Do not place complete reliance by clinical methods and the only Australia and it was found that the on water-purifying tablets. Instead certain method is by withdrawal of a incidence of infections was great­ add 12.5 cubic centimetres of a specimen from the intestine or est in the newer suburbs with a solution drawn from iodine crystals microscopic examination of a higher juvenile population and in dissolved in water to one litre of faeces sample. Few laboratories the rural areas. Adelaide is supplied drinking water. This has been are equipped for such examina­ with water from five sources and it shown to kill giardia cysts. Only a tions but techniques such as was found that there was no corre­ small portion of the iodine crystals immunofluorescence are being lation between water supply and dissolve and the original solution developed to make identification outbreak. In Mt Isa an Anti-Giardia may be regularly topped up. Use more certain. A negative finding in Association was formed because only as required on walks. a faeces examination may not be some people were concerned • Conduct an education campaign conclusive as the cysts are shed about the contamination of their on hygiene and the risks from giar­ intermittently and may not be in the water supply. Extensive tests dia infection. Realise that most sample. showed that this was not the case newspaper stories are good copy and interest in the society lapsed. Drugs used in the treatment of and that the disease has long been giardia are metronidazole (Flagyl), Changes in modern living - with us. It is nowhere near epi­ tinadazole (Fasigyn), foroxone and childcare centres, earlier grouping demic proportions. furazolodone. Repeated doses of the young, internationalisation of • Resist the pressure of vested may be necessary if the first is not food markets, freezing, recycling of interests to promote the sale of effective or if there is a re­ animal and human wastes and the beverages as being the only occurrence. consumer fad of uncooked foods - source of pure water to drink. Giardiasis is not a new disease have increased the possibility of • Remember that there may be and outbreaks occur regularly. infection. other sources of infection in raw Mostly it is a disease of the young Giardiasis is called backpackers and especially turbid water. and persons in contact with them. disease in North America and This article is based on papers The curve of infection falls off rap­ mountain streams there are known presented by speakers at the con­ idly after the ages of 4 to 5 as chil­ to be infected. Beavers are consid­ ference, Giardia - an emerging dren learn more about hygiene, ered to be a source of infection but issue in water management, held at but it rises among mothers with in Australia our wild animals are not the Australian National University young children. It is rare among the known to be carriers. The cysts sur­ on 21 April 1989. aged. There is little difference in vive best in cold waters and die off Reg Alder Parkwatch Parkwatch Parkwatch

Park proposal for Logging plan for Ben Black Range, Terrick Terrick, Jervis Bay Halls Gap forest Carlisle and Lerderderg State Parks. In submissions for the next The Jervis Bay Protection The NSW Forestry Commision has State budget, the Victorian Committee has written to Federal drawn up plans to construct roads Department of Conservation, and State ministers urging protec­ and log the Ben Halls Gap State Forests and Lands must press for tion for Jervis Bay. The committee Forest 60 kilometres southeast of adequate resources to provide thinks this should take the form of a Tamworth. Logging would destroy appropriate management for these marine reserve and national park for many plant communities and wild­ parks. The government deserves Jervis Bay. life habitats In 1986 the National praise for these fine additions to The National Parks Association Parks Association ol NSW pro­ our parks system, but proclamation of NSW first proposed a national posed that the State Forest be must be followed by financial park for Beecroft Peninsula over 14 converted to nature reserve. commitment. years ago. NSW Agriculture and The Ben Halls Gap is a beautiful Victorian National Parks Fisheries has prepared a marine and unique area of mature forest Association Newsletter reserve proposal, which is being on the Liverpool Range. It is rela­ March 1989 held up by the navy's plans for a tively small, less than 3000 hec­ munitions depot and other tares, and has not been logged. facilities. Ben Halls Gap forest: Suburbs threaten The Jervis Bay Protection • is al the junction of three moun­ oldest national park Committee has suggested the tain ranges - the Great Dividing An environment plan by entire Bay and associated waters Range, the Liverpool Range and Wollongong City Council would should be declared a marine the allow 1500 new houses in the reserve, zoned for different • is in the headwaters of three river catchments of Camp Creek and degrees of protection. Publicly- systems - the Peel River Gills Creek which flow into the owned land listed by the Heritage (Tamworth's water supply), the Hacking River. The Hacking River Commission, and private land Barnard River and the Hunter River catchment makes up about two- between Wowly Gully, Lake • has vegetation with unusually thirds of Royal National Park. Urban Wollumboola, Warrain Beach and large growth habits because of rich development in a small part of this Carama Inlet, should be declared basalt soil, the altitude and the catchment, at Helensburgh (1700 national park, except for areas of climate houses) and Otford (90 houses), aboriginal land claims. - has three major plant communi­ already pollutes the river. The NSW National Parks and ties including snow gum open The lllawarra branches of the Wildlife Service has shown interest forest, wet sclerophyll forest and NSW National Parks Association in the northern side of the bay, but remnant rainforest in gullies. and the Australian Conservation the committee feels this falls short There is a serious lack of land Foundation and other local groups of the protection required. reserved for nature conservation in are concerned about this planning The New Bush Telegraph the Tamworth district and the Ben decision and hope to reverse it. (Shoalhaven environment and Halls Gap Forest is of state signifi­ They also hope to restore the nat­ peace magazine) cance. The Forestry Commission ural qualities of Royal National Park manages over 100,000 hectares ot through bush regeneration and State Forest in the Nundle-Walcha The lllawarra Branch of the NSW water-quality controls. region so the Hunter Branch of the National Parks Association carried Newsletter, lllawarra Branch, the following motion: National Parks Association National Parks Association believes this one small area should It is the policy of NPA to protect March 1989 be left untouched. in a marine reserve and national park all remaining natural areas in Hunter Branch Newsletter, More wilderness the Jervis Bay environs, including National Parks Association of NSW declared in NSW February 1989 the waters of Lake Wollumboola Congratulations to the NSW gov­ and Jervis Bay, Beecroft Peninsula ernment on the declaration of the and the northern foreshore, the New Victorian parks Mann, Ettrema and Genoa wilder­ forests to the south and west, and require funding ness areas and on the acquisition natural ares which form links with Nine parks were proclaimed before of the 30,000-hectare Kunderang the national parks to the west. the last Victorian election - station, as an addition to the Newsletter, lllawarra Branch, Errinundra, Roger River and Apsley Wild Rivers National Park. National Parks Association of NSW Coopracambra National Parks and The Colong Bulletin March 1989 French Island, Mount Lawson, March 1989 Parkwatch Parkwatch Parkwatch Grazing for Brochure on The existing 2500-hectare Limpinwood Nature Reserve has Yarrangobilly walks World Heritage listing as one of the continues to lead The National subtropical and temperate rainfor­ the way in compromising national Parks and Wildlife Service has pro­ est parks of eastern Australia. park values for commercial advan­ duced a brochure on walks at the The addition of 200 hectares tage. As reported in the last issue Yarrangobilly Caves in Kosciusko includes almost the entire world's of the NPA Bulletin, the state has National Park. The walks take in population of 20 trees of the red created a new type of conservation spectacular scenery, historic fruited ebony, Diospyros mabacea. zone, the regional reserve, under remains and the naturally heated Ms National Parks and Wildlife Act. A thermal pool beside the draft management plan for one of Yarrangobilly River. The brochure, Volunteers in Ku- these regional reserves, covering which includes a map, is available ring-gai Chase Innamincka Station and Coongie from the Caves visitor centre and The NSW National Parks and Lakes near Cooper Creek, sug­ other visitor centres in the area. Wildlife Service has announced gests grazing should be the pri­ the development of a 'volunteers mary land use. Mining and tourism Cobberas-Tingaringy in parks' program for Ku-ring-gai would also take precedence over to be proclaimed Chase National Park. nature conservation. An initial group of volunteers will The Victorian Government has There is a strong case for take part in a pilot program of activi­ announced that it will proclaim the Coongie Paddock on Innamincka ties to be known as 'Chase Alive'. entire Cobberas-Tingaringy Station becoming a national park. It The program is designed to pro­ National Park. Parts of the park is a valuable in an arid envi­ vide a range of interesting educa­ have been unproclaimed for years, ronment, with more bird species tional activities for the thousands of than any other part of the arid zone. due to mining interest in the area. visitors to Ku-ring-gai. The volun­ A few years without cattle has Mining proposals have now been teers would be based at Kalkari allowed thick groves of coolibah dropped. Visitor Centre and be provided with trees to grow and the desert to The Victorian National Parks appropriate uniforms. bloom with wildflowers. Higher than Association is still concerned that a average rainfall has produced a tailings dam for mining outside the Economic benefits green sward which supports rapidly park may be located on a rare mon­ recovering animal populations. tane swamp. Unfortunately this of parks swamp was not included in the The NSW Minister for the A return to grazing would devas­ park. Environment, Tim Moore, has tate the Coongie wetlands and VNPA Newsletter released a study begun in 1987 wildlife which tourists drive miles May 1989 examining the economic contribu­ (often off-road) to see. The busi­ tion of national parks and rainfo­ ness plan for the reserve may seek rests in the Dorrigo and New profits from more roads, more tour­ Parks Act to be England areas. ist operators and even accommo­ amended The study concluded that dation. Mineral exploration will have The Victorian Government has • protecting rainforests makes a environmental safeguards but will introduced a Bill to amend the significant contribution to local and still be allowed. Because nego­ National Parks Act, in order to pro­ regional economies tiated leases have by-passed tect wilderness areas and ban South Australian environmental • recreation and tourist expendi­ mining in national parks (see assessment procedures, parts of ture attributable to rainforests is above), except for existing the reserve actually have less pro­ about $2.2 million a year contracts. • rainforest protection in that tection than other parts of the VNPA Newsletter state. region has created the equivalent May 1989 of 58 full time jobs. Conservationists believe mining Total Environment Centre and pastoral activities should be World Heritage Newsletter excluded from the Coongie wet­ addition in NSW February 1989 lands and their surrounds. The New South Wales government Xanthopus has moved to reserve an additional Newsletter of the Nature 200 hectares of rainforest as part of Conservation Society of South the World Heritage-listed Australia Limpinwood Nature Reserve near April 1989 Murwillumbah on the north coast. Just briefly

Since September Karin and Ian walks and climbs around Mount gulls. Woodgers Wood Ducks and Haynes have walked many hun­ Cook and its glaciers. the Sydney Seagulls perhaps? dreds of kilometres over greatly Oh, and by the way, between the Flinders Ranges and the Sle. Jjt contrasting mountainous regions. *T* *T* 'T* *f* The first episode ot seven weeks Tasmanian episodes Ian kept in walking the Flinders Ranges form by taking off for 16 days to In December 1985 I was asked necessitated very detailed plan­ walk in the to take over Just Briefly. 'What on ning. For instance, due to the arid between Mount Cobberas and the earth will I write about?' I thought. In nature of the area it was of vital Mawson's Hut-Valentine Falls area the absence of sufficient items importance to first research the which proved to be a great intro­ from members I took to reporting routes between permanent water- duction to Tasmania and New animal activities at Tidbinbilla holes. Once the trip began though, Zealand in respect to wetness. Nature Reserve and, dare I say it, the only real worry was coming received feed back to the effect

across a dry bore - in 43 degree T* that that was more interesting. I heat. Now that would increase never actually managed a spectac­ your understanding of how the News from Tidbinbilla Nature ular scoop of world-shattering pro­ explorers felt! Karin and Ian were Reserve. The winter sessions at portions for JB, indeed some greatly impressed by the gorges the bird-feeding area have begun. would say that the column tended and canyons of the Gammon They start at 2pm each day. toward tediousness and trivia. If Ranges which according to Ian are A spectacular sight recently was that were so, then the solution is at least the equal of those any­ a flock of the large yellow-tailed imminent as this is the last Just where else in Australia - the black cockatoos on the wing. Briefly in the name of Melliodora. changes in topography due to geo­ During one notable day they It's been fun but now it's time to logical changes are tascinaling. settled in the trees around the visi­ change from "melli" to another fla­ New Year's Day saw the wander­ tors centre - a rather nice sense of vour. Thanks to all those members ers taking off to tramp in Tasmania. public relations don't you think? who helped by contributing items. The southwest provided 32 days of Those of you who remember Please keep them coming and very tough climbing and mud- the little female wombat, affection­ make the new Just Briefly enter­ walking. However this inconven­ ately known as 'Pig', who so taining with lots of lively little leg­ ience was amply rewarded by mag­ delighted visitors to Tidbinbilla will ends. Best wishes. nificent views from Precipitous be saddened to hear that several Bluff and other peaks. months ago she became ill and A variety of contrasting terrain died. An autopsy found that the was experienced, from unbelieva­ cause of death was heart failure bly beautiful rainforests to beach and one theory is that it could have walks such as those along Prion been brought on by an intake of junk foods. Beach and Cox's Bight, with estu­ ary crossings by row boats. Also It is therefore timely to remind unforgettable was the Arthur visitors PLEASE DO NOT FEED // certainly hasn't been tedious. We Range culminating in the famous/ THE ANIMALS at Tidbinbilla wish Melliodora well in the future. If infamous Federation Peak. The recent record rains caused anyone would like to contribute After the South West the 8-day considerable damage to fences more melliferous words, or even walk on the overland track from and tracks at the nature reserve phrases tart or spicy, please con­ Lake St Clair lo Cradle Mountain and the staff has been kept busy tact the editor. was a relaxing one. repairing these. Then it was off the New Zealand with the (light from Hobart to ^ ^ j^. Plan for marsupials Christchurch providing views of The International Union for Fiordland and Mt Cook. An added Conservation of Nature and Natural bonus was the clear sky which There they were, in pouring Resources (lUCN) and World assured them of a wonderful view. rain, positioned across the football Wildlife Fund Australia, are prepar­ During the ten weeks spent in field - some strategically near the ing a conservation plan for New Zealand, Ian and Karin only goals - alert for the referee's Australian marsupials. managed to walk the tracks of whistle. The ANU home team and Any comments should be Fiordland as well as the Hollyford, visitors? No indeed, a dozen or so addressed to Michael Kennedy, Routeburn and Greenstone grey wood ducks interspersed with Australian Marsupial Action Plan, Tracks, finishing the trip with some about the same number of sea­ PO Box 302, Avalon NSW 2107. Tasmania's Outdoor education: least known would you like to do it? wilderness The National Parks Association is The person undertaking the The Tasmanian Conservation Trust seeking expressions of interest direction of the course should has urged the reservation of the from suitably qualified persons to have an academic background Meredith Range in the northwest develop and conduct a course appropriate to the subject matter. of Tasmania as a national park. The highlighting the role of national Teaching qualifications and/or coastal wilderness, north of the parks in nature conservation. This experience are highly desirable. A Pieman and Savage Rivers, is would be conducted through the demonstrated ability to communi­ threatened by mining and forestry Centre for Continuing Education, cate effectively is essential. operations. ANU, for its autumn program begin­ Persons conducting courses are The rugged peaks of the ning in March 1990, and would paid on an hourly basis, the current comprise a series of two-hourly lec­ rate being over $46 an hour. Meredith Range rise from rolling tures over a period of between six Personal expenses incurred, for plains and deep river valleys. It and 18 weeks. The course should example in the conduct of field out­ includes a dissected granite pla­ include one or two day-long field ings, are compensated. teau and limestone cliffs, tall euca­ outings. To meet centre require­ lypt forest, rainforest and button- For further information contact: ments it must have an academic or grass moors. Glyn Lewis 952720 theoretical component but should In 1982 bushfire charred part of Anne Robertson 889633 ah also be sufficiently practical to the area, possibly shifting the eco­ or the NPA office 571063 attract at least 12 to 15 participants. logical balance towards fire-tolerant no later than Friday 14 July 1989. plants. Abandoned mines have also left scars, and mineral explora­ tion licences still cover most of the World Rainforests Action Day region. Recently, most of the area On 24 April around the world a day on the Malaysian economy. was allocated for logging opera­ of action opposed the logging of In Canberra a gathering of about tions to supply the proposed tropical rainforest. This date was 30 people outside the Department Wesley Vale pulp mill. The lapsing chosen to highlight the plight of of Foreign Affairs and Trade also of the proposal offers only a tem­ the tribal Penan people of Sarawak marked the inauguration of the porary reprieve from other logging. who were brought to trial for block­ local Rainforest Action Group. in 1986 the Tasmanian National ading logging of their traditional Some bemused bureaucrats Parks and Wildlife Service recom­ lands. watched as a spokesperson mended reservation of part of the A number of protests took place donned a dinner suit and, with a area but without effect. A survey of in Australia. In Sydney the cast of ritual Japanese bow, took his wilderness by the Australian Les Miserabless demonstrated their chainsaw towards a tree trunk. Heritage Commission confirmed support by singing in Martin Place. The Rainforest Action Group the region's status as one of And the federal environment mini­ has called on the Australian gov­ Tasmania's major wilderness areas. ster, Senator Graham Richardson, ernment to ban imports of tropical The Trust has nominated the area announced the government would timber and to assist Malaysia and for National Estate listing. review Australia's policy on import­ other rainforest countries to estab­ The Tasmanian Conservationist ing rainforest timbers and the effect lish plantations as an alternative February/March 1989 a ban on such timbers would have source of export income. Haven for brumbies

'The Australian brumby has been footage of the slaughter was while she has no desire to see ani­ given a $300 000 sanctuary in the shown overseas last year.' mals suffering, she finds it hard to by a Swiss con­ Australian Financial Review, 13 condone spending large sums of servation group concerned about March 1989 money to protect introduced ani­ helicopter shooting of the horses. A member of the Canberra Field mals, particularly when they can be The Francis Weber Foundation Naturalists Association comments directly implicated in the degrada­ purchased a 500-square-kilometre that this item has reinforced her tion of the habitat of so many truly former cattle property near view that there is a lack of real endangered native species. Katherine after helicopter shooting understanding of environmental Newsletter, Field Naturalists of the wild horses sparked an inter­ issues outside Australia, and inside Association of Canberra national outcry when television Australia as well. She says that, April 1989 Geoff Mosley on the alps The April meeting ol the affect listing is the state of conser­ the party would not oppose the Bill Association was addressed by the vation of the area. The World but would 'seek assurances from noted conservationist and author, Heritage Convention requires the the Government regarding man­ Dr Geoff Mosley. For the large audi­ country containing a listed area to agement of the parks and security ence he elaborated on the propo­ maintain the site's integrity. The 1or the mountain cattlemen.' sal to have the alps of , integrity of the Australian alps is The Bill would allow grazing in News South Wales and the ACT compromised by tourist develop­ many areas and would even nominated for the UNESCO World ment and, in Victoria, logging, min­ extend some of the summer graz­ Heritage List (see NPA Bulletin, eral exploration and grazing. ing licences. The National Party March 1989). Last year an officer of the has pledged to oppose the legisla­ Dr Mosley explained the con­ International Union lor tion and defend the oppressed cept of world heritage, the conven Conservation of Nature and Natural cattlemen. tion thai establishes the list and the Resources (IUCN), which advises procedures for listing. So far there the World Heritage Committee on Scientists criticise are 315 properties on the World the value of nominated areas, said Heritage List, 88 of them for their that the Victorian alps were too alpine grazing natural qualities. Australia has eight degraded to be worthy of listing. Dr The Victorian National Parks sites listed, fewer than the USA, Mosley disputed this comment and Association recently reviewed 40 Canada, Britain or France. The said that world heritage listing years' research on the effects of World Heritage Committee, which would be a spur to protecting the grazing in the alps and found that it decides on nominations for listing, integrity of the alps. consistently revealed deterioration has asked for lists of potential world Dr Mosley said that a task force of moss beds, soil erosion, loss ol plant species and diversity, heritage sites from each country. in Victoria, headed by Dr John changes in vegetation structure Australia still has not submitted its Busby, was preparing a nomination and damage to soil structure. tentalive list; this may delay some for East Gippsland and the particular listings. Victorian alps. Roger Good, of the This was announced in The merits of the alps were NSW National Parks and Wildlife Melbourne when a number ot described in the last issue of the Service, was studying the World Australia's leading conservation Bulletin. The alps are the only areas Heritage values of Kosciusko groups endorsed the Victorian of Australia that show interesting National Park. The Commonwealth Government's efforts to phase out glacial and periglacial features. The Government was waiting for Ihe grazing licences in a number of sensitive alpine areas This follows alps are also the best area of states. a 1979 recommendation of the Australia to show a wide range of There was also discussion of Victorian Land Conservation gum trees, with 50 genera of euca­ the rerouting of the Victorian alpine Council to eliminate grazing Irom lypts ranging from high to low alti­ walking trail from Tom Groggin to five per cent of Victoria's publicly tude, wet to dry climate. Cowambat Flat and the manage­ owned alpine region by 1991. Of course the scenery of the ment of four-wheel-drives in that alps - the wildflowers on rolling area. Others expressed a fear that The VNPA, the National Trust, ridge tops, the snow gums clinging tourist development, with its mil­ the Wilderness Society and the to wind-blasted crags, the block lions of dollars of investment, Australian Conservation streams spilling down valleys, the would be harder to stop than graz­ Foundation together endorsed the proposal. rugged gorges filled with ash ing. However, so far the develop­ forests, the corroboree frog croak­ ers have not shown the The joint statement was ing by a sphagnum bog, and the cattlemen's talent for public endorsed by two biologists Dr birds and animals that live in these relations. Richard Williams from Monash habitats - are special attributes of University said that grazing was the Australian alps worthy of world ***** incompatible wilh nature conserva­ heritage listing. tion. Dr Malcolm Calder from the Alps Bill passes University of Melbourne said, 'Over Dr Mosley raised a couple of 50 years ol study and observation issues that caused some discus­ Victorian lower by botanists, ecologists, agricultu­ sion. One was the use of the name House ral scientists, soil scientists and alps' to describe an area that The Victorian Government, wilh hydrologists has shown irrefutably extends almost to the coasl in the support of the Liberal Party, that grazing by domestic stock has Victoria The name is popular and has passed a Bill to creale an alpine had adverse and long-term effects has come to apply to a region rather national park. The Liberal leader, on Victorian high-country than a strict topographical zone. Jeff Kennett, wrote to the environments.' Another problem that could Association in May advising that Shots fired at Grassy Creek

The Grassy Creek walk at Easter highlighted two management prob­ lems of Namadgi National Park: one, the rapid loss of our historical glimpses into a lifestyle that ended with world war two and two, the control of people in this remote corner of the park. As to the first problem, the huts and homesteads of the sheep and cattle farms in Grassy Creek and Sheep Station Creek are collapsing or have disappeared with only intro­ duced shade and fruit trees mark­ ing the sites. Decisions about the repairing of the old buildings will have to be rapid as many have col­ lapsed only over the past 10 years. Their presence is important as they are all part of the long history of human use and occupation of the high country. The historical section Babette Scougall on the banks of Grassy Creek in Namadgi National of the Kosciusko Huts Association Park at Easter. Slide Dianne Thompson, print Reg Aider. has interviewed past residents of Next morning we set off in rain Aboriginal owners. The reminis­ the old dwellings and are storing to climb Sentry Box Mountain and cences of the descendents of the the details of the lifestyle when the were forced to shelter at one stage European settlers certainly reflect valleys were closely settled. in a rock overhang. a love of the area. We later visitors The second management prob­ The grandeur of the view from enjoyed our walk, the scenery, the lem - control of visitors - was illus­ the mountain summit was fellowship round the campfire and trated violently to us when increased by rain clouds on distant the sense of history. Many thanks shooters fired their guns around peaks and dark colour in the val­ to Diane Thompson who carefully our lower Grassy Creek campsite leys. A lyrebird sang as we planned and led the outing. from 11.30am Friday until after explored the extensive granite Fiona Brand dark. A frightened mob of kanga­ platforms and found a stone roos which came near us only arrangement made by the reflected our own fear at being the Ngunawal people. Along the lodging place of a bullet. As there are no tracks on the One would think that everyone mountain we descended quickly Shoalhaven knows that shooting is not allowed before the low cloud moved in and I led a very successful Sunday walk in national parks but a sign is obvi­ we enjoyed the downward slope, from Warri Bridge, which is located ously needed at the entrances to walking past huge moss and on the Kings Highway between the park stating NO SHOOTING. A lichen-covered granite boulders Bungendore and Braidwood, resident ranger at the southern and under tall trees. The weather downstream along the Shoalhaven entrance would be a good cleared for our camp at the River on 12 February. About 30 deterrent. Lonesome Pine site with its old people turned up, including a Despite this alarming first day, chimney and stone dog's kennel. number of children. on Saturday we enjoyed the quiet On Monday the walking party of After a rather rough but short beauty of the upper Grassy Creek eight inspected the sites of two old walk the party reached the beautiful valley fringed by olive-barked black homesteads near a shearing shed sandy beach, the base for swim­ sally groves and with waterholes in the Naas valley, and Boboyan ming, talking together and shorter containing a small-leafed waterlily. homestead site with its orchard and walks down the Shoalhaven Gorge. Our camp that night was below dam on the creek. About the middle of the afternoon the Lone Pine homestead site and These open, grassy valleys with the sun had swung around to make near Sheep Station Creek. A lovely quietly moving streams have a this beach the focus for light and spot with a spectacular display of soothing charm and must have heat. A good day was had by all. stars after a grey day. been restful places for the Allan Mortlock National Estate listings

On 18 April the Australian Heritage tares northeast of Orbost, contain­ Commission entered 256 ing relatively undisturbed exam­ Aboriginal sites, buildings and nat­ ples of the tablelands and ural areas on the Register of the supporting significant plants and National Estate. The register, which rare animals such as the tiger quoll, now lists 8769 sites, is an inventory sooty owl and yellow-bellied glider. of places that have aesthetic, his­ Rodger River area, 58,000 hec­ toric, scientific or social significance tares north of Orbost, the largest or other special value for the contiguous wilderness in eastern present community and future gen­ Victoria, containing diverse plant erations. It is designed to inform communities from rainforest to decision-makers but places no snow gums. legal constraint on state or local Tasmania governments, or the owners of pri­ Norfolk Range, 90,000 hec­ vate property. The Commonwealth tares between Savage River town­ has some legal requirements to ship and the northern part of the protect these places. west coast of Tasmania Ihe latest list includes a good Savage Hiver area, 84,000 hec­ Trees in Glebe Park, Canberra. number of road bridges, rail bridges tares between Waratah and the ana sewer aqueducts arouna tne preceamg area Wells Station, homestead and countryside. Here is a list of some Douglas River area, 14,500 other buildings from the 1850s lo sites which may be of interest to hectares northwest of Bicheno on 1930s readers the east coast of Tasmania Beaufort Steel House, 25 ACT Northern Territory Cowper Street, Ainslie, built like an Royal Military College, Wildman River catchment, aircraft in 1947, mostly of steel Duntroon, a conservation area cov­ 314,800 hectares west of the West Horse Park homestead, sedge- ering the central part of the college Alligator River land and other buildings, Canberra Baptist Church and manse. Kingston Interim listings Former Ginninderra police sta­ Blythburn Cottage, kitchen The commission also gave tion, residence and stables, olf block and surrounds, southeast of notice of its intention to enter Barton Highway Booroomba homestead places in the Register of the Church of St Andrew and Orroral Valley homestead National Estate. Written objections former manse, Forrest, an adapta­ New South Wales lo these proposals should be tion of Gothic Revival architecture Dr George Mountain, about 65 made, by 19 July, to the director of for Presbyterian use hectares, east of Bega the commission, GPO Box 1567, Mugga Mugga homestead and Bredbo River rail bridge, 2601. outbuildings, Symonston of Bredbo ACT New South Wales Ingelara Creek rail bridge, north Site of a rare herb with yellow Dromore homestead, former of Bredbo button flowers, Rutidosis lepto- homestead, dairy and stables, Lansdowne bridge, on the rhynchoides, on Red Hill, about 4 northwest of Chakola, in Cooma- Bungonia Road over Mulwaree hectares on the western slopes Monaro Shire Ponds, Goulburn Sites of other rare plants, Site of Zieria species east of The suspension bridge over the QueanbeyanDrabastrum alpestre anNumerallad , 41 hectares River at the intersec­ Pomaderris pallida, near Paddys Former courthouse, police sta­ tion of Isabella and Collett Streets, River, total of 6 hectares south of tion and residence in Batemans Oueanbeyan Cotter Reserve Bay Parnwood Homestead and Glebe House trees, original and Chapel west of plantings from 1855 to 1906, surrounding areas of signihcance Victoria mainly English elms, around the to Aboriginal people, 8500 hec­ Red Rock Craters and Lakes, former Glebe House in Glebe Park. tares west of Ulladulla about 550 hectares northwest of ColacGlebe House was demolished in Martin Place, Sydney, and the 1954. buildings fronting it Coopracambra extension, All Saints Anglican Church, Spectacle Island explosives 28,000 hectares northeast of Cann Ainslie, built from the ruins of the complex in Sydney Harbour River Mortuary railway station at Three sites of rare Grevillea ias- Errinundra Plateau, 40,000 hec­ Rookwood in Sydney picula near Lake Burrinjuck and ACF conference tapes

Wee Jasper, total of about 13 ABC radio cassette tapes of the sustainable, just and non-violent hectares keynote addresses given at the Australian society. Yass, 45 hectares in central Australian Conservation Found­ We must realise that the post­ Yass ation 1988 national conference in war economic philosophies, Victoria Sydney have been acquired by whether capitalist or state socialist, Gabo Island, 154 hectares cov­ the Association. They may be bor­ have proven themselves unable ering the lighthouse and the rest of rowed from the library in the Civic to produce an ecological, socially the island office. The recordings are of just and democratic economy. Rodger River, 16,500 hectares speeches given by Petra Kelly, Both systems are variants of a northeast of Buchan extending the Judith Wright, Professor Charles social structure characterised by previous listing Birch, Dr David Bellamy and Robyn alienating factory and office work and both are grounded on Errinundra Plateau, 1600 hec­ Williams. destructive industrial growth. tares extending the previous listing The following is an excerpt from Queensland the address to the conference by We need to work together White Mountains area, 41,000 the West German green politician, towards an ecological economy hectares northeast of Hughenden, Petra Kelly. that does not regard industrial a large scenic area in natural condi­ growth as a guiding economic tion dominated by sandstone pla­ The title of this meeting, The value. teaux and gorges and containing Next 200 Years, is well chosen This goal requires the partial the rare Queensland wattle, Acacia because for at least 40,000 years dismantling and conversion of our uncifera. prior to the European invasion, this industrial system. We favour the Tasmania remote, large and beautiful conti­ dismantling of those branches of Temma coastal area, 5000 hec­ nent was in the custody of industry hazardous to life itself, tares of the northern west coast Aboriginal people, truly friends of above all the nuclear and defence extending from Arthur River to the earth. The European so-called industries. Sandy Cape settlement had a devastating In order to learn to sustain our Elsewhere impact upon the Australian envi­ life supporting planet rather than North Keeling Island, the whole ronment ... as the 1988 report of ravage it, we must realize that envi­ of the island and lagoon the Conservation Foundation ronment, economy, human rights demonstrates. and peace are inextricably linked. Intention to remove Taking stock of the cost of so- Our holistic ecological under­ from list called development and progress standing of the need to halt the is shocking. destruction of the planetary envi­ Parts of Gossan Hill (listed • over half of your native forests ronment must provide the impetus 1983), Bruce, ACT. are cleared including three- for radical social and economic quarters of your rainforests transformation throughout the Coolangubra and world. • one-third of your continent has Tantawangalo been degraded through erosion We together have the power to The larger part of the • there has been increased bring about a radical change and Coolangubra forest and the pollution that means transforming not only Tantawangalo Creek catchment • there has been increase of your the institutions through the power were entered on the interim list of desert area from 20 to 40 per cent of our vote and the power to the Register of the National Estate • Australia has lost more than 100 create green parties and the in December 1986. plant species and another 2000 power of our pressure, but also In April 1989 the commission species are at risk beginning to transform our own lives, changing our way of life and decided to proceed with entry of • 18 species of wildlife have been beginning to see that each and the areas in the register. This will made extinct every one of us can make a come into effect when public • one-third of rivers are polluted difference. notices are published detailing the or contaminated. exact boundaries. At the same time If no efficient and effective wild­ the commission decided in princi­ life management programs are Tapes can also be purchased ple to enter the Yowaka forest- devised, 270 Australian plants and from Quickcopy, PO Box 8213, Egan Peaks area in the interim list. animals will disappear in the next Sterling St, Perth 6000. Neighbouring areas are already 10 years. The 200-year anniver­ Telephone (09) 328 2266 listed or are being assessed. sary hopefully marks a turning or fax (09) 2278881. point in planning for an ecological, TWS guide to Moore talks Tasmania A recent interview in the Wilderness News: On the One of the most galling post-tour Wilderness Society newsletter. point of national parks, concern experiences a traveller can have is Wilderness News, with the New has been raised about four wheel to learn about fascinating places he South Wales Minister for the drive and horseriding access. Does or she could have visited had they Environment, Mr Tim Moore, your government intend to initiate been known before travelling into revealed some of that minister's strong conservation management the area. Obtaining good guide thoughts on national parks. plans? books beforehand is good prophy­ Moore: Each issue of access lactic treatment for avoiding this form of post-holiday depression; Wilderness News: Does will be looked at on its individual for visitors to Tasmania, I would pre­ your government intend to imple­ merits. One area which I'm familiar scribe this slim volume* from the ment the Wilderness Act? with, Barrington Tops, I understand Wilderness Society. Moore: Yes. We have made a that the plan of management will decision in cabinet for three declar­ close a number of environmentally Attractively presented and logi­ ations of wilderness areas, arising sensitive trails, but still leave some cally organised, the book does not out of the Wilderness Act refer­ areas open for access... It's my set out to be a comprehensive ences and processes, indeed, in desire to see those sorts of issues guide to the whole island but rather the case of an extension to the resolved at the local level. to highlight the wealth of natural Morton National park for the crea­ Wilderness News: The big­ experiences open to those not tion of the Ettrema Wilderness gest issue at present is the south­ intending to venture deeply into the wilds. It does this by providing area, cabinet authorised Mr east forests. How is the Greiner succinct details of a selection of Causley to refuse an Aboriginal government going to resolve this beauty spots in many parts of the land claim on the grounds that the issue? stale, all accessible by a conven­ land was required for essential Moore: The state government tional vehicle. The time needed to public purpose, namely the crea­ when in opposition announced its enjoy the places described varies tion of the Ettrema wilderness. I'm policy in 1986, Cabinet recently from a few minutes to a whole day meeting with two Victorian mini­ reaffirmed that. I well recognise the or longer. The choice of sites sters about a cross-border wilder­ rights of progress and peaceful reflects a close feeling for their nat­ ness declaration in southeast New assembly and the like, and there ural values by the contributors. South Wales involving the are those who will exercise it. Nungalta National Park in New People in the state government will The industrialisation around the South Wales and Coopracambra carry out the policy on which it was city of Burnie receives its full share National Park in Victoria. The elected and which it made abun­ of publicity and forces itself to the Queensland government has dantly clear on a large number of attention of visitors to the area by occasions before the election. agreed to co-operate on a single its tell-tale plumes of smoke and Wilderness News, April 1989 scars on the landscape, but at Fern plan of management for the Glade Reserve some five minutes Lamington and Border Ranges drive from the city is a delightful, National Parks on the New South ***** peaceful sanctuary along the Wales-Queensland border. We are myrtle and fern-lined banks of the looking at the question of World Park committees Emu River. This is the sort of infor­ Heritage listing for the alpine areas; mation in this booklet. And for each this is a joint Australian Capital dissolved entry there are details of the facili­ Territory, New South Wales and The New South Wales Minister for ties available and means of access. Victorian proposal. the Environment, Tim Moore, sur­ Wilderness News: Do you prised national park advocates There is also much useful infor­ agree that there is a need to pro­ when he dissolved all national-park mation on the human and natural tect wilderness outside national advisory committees and state rec­ history. The book is written in a parks? reation area trusts on 31 March. Mr concise and easy style completely Moore: Where it is appropriate Mooore said that this followed a free of the dreariness which com­ to do so, those areas will be pro­ review of the composition and pilers of guide books not infre­ quently manage to impute to the tected by addition to national parks appointments procedures for the most fascinating of sights. as is happening with the Bindery bodies. and Ettrema wilderness. I certainly The restructuring 'was aimed at Syd Comfort don't see the need to take abso­ providing a more representative 'Explore Tasmania's Wild Side, lutely every piece of conservation- and balanced advisory unit, with Everyone's guide to easy walks sensitive land in the stale into the the emphasis on local and nature reserves; published by ownership of the National Parks involvement.' the Wilderness Society, Hobart, and Wildlife Service. 1986, 88 pages. Grading The Environment walks Subcommittee The Outings Committee has dis­ cussed proposals and comments An important meeting of the Lewis, Glyn Lewis, Den Robin, from members and decided to Environment Subcommittee was Greg Hodgson. adopt a new distance and terrain held recently to restructure and • Eastern parks of the escarpment grading system for walks. This revitalise the work of the subcom­ (Morton, Budawang, Deua, method of grading applies to both mittee. It was very pleasing to wel­ Wadbilliga): Dianne Thompson. day and overnight walks. come a large number of new • ACT regional issues subcommittee members to the (Murrumbidgee, Canberra Nature Distance grading, per day: meeting. Park, and so on): Jacqueline Rees. 1 - up to 10 kilometres As well as considering a range • Australian National Parks 2-10 kilometres to 15 kilometres of environment issues the work of Council annual conference, elec­ 3-15 kilometres to 20 kilometres the subcommittee was restruc­ tion of delegates, action on confer­ 4 - above 20 kilometres. tured with new arrangements to ence motions: Kevin Frawley, Terrain grading spread the workload more effec­ Neville Esau. A - road, firetrail, track tively among the subcommittee As you can see from this list B - open forest members. Under these new some important issues need more C - light scrub arrangements various members or member support. All further volun­ groups of members will take D - patches of thick scrub, teers will be most welcome. responsibly for geographic areas of regrowth The subcommittee took a interest such as Kosciusko E - rock scrambling number of initiatives in relation to National Park, Morton National Park F - exploratory. the issues mentioned above and and Jervis Bay. In some cases two designations hopes to follow these with many may be made, although the higher Other members or groups will more in the coming months. gradings may be assured to cover broader issues, such as Regular updates of the sub­ include the lower. forests or wetlands, as these committee's work will be issued issues arise. through the Bulletin and at the Leaders are asked to still The issues discussed at the last Association's monthly meetings. include a description of their walk meeting and the members volun­ Minutes of the last meeting are which indicates special features of teering to monitor these issues available from the office. topography. Please make the included: The next meeting of the sub­ workload of the Outings Convenor • Alps issues (covering committee will be held at 7.30pm much lighter by using the following Kosciusko, Victorian alps, and alps on Thursday 13 July in the Cornick format: world heritage issues): Julia Common Room, Research School Date month day. Walk carcamp Trainor, Kevin Frawley, Phil of Physical Science, ANU. Any packwalk other. Grading. Pritchard, Bernadette O'Leary. member who would like to join the subcommittee is very welcome. Location of walk. Map reference. • Coast issues (including Jervis Please contact any of the members Leader's name. Telephone Bay): Den Robin, Karen Wilson, mentioned above for further details numbers. Jane O'Donohue, Tim Walsh, or discussions. Meeting place and time. Neville Esau, Jacqueline Rees. Approximate distance of walk. • Southeast forests: Shirley Neville Esau Comments on (terrain, notewor­ thy features, educational or rec­ reational characteristics, Sunship Earth ascents or descents in metres, A professor of environmental edu­ wild and weird and wonderful crea­ other comments. Return trip cation at Aurora University in north­ tures here on this small, self- distance for cars (this also ern Illinois, Steve Van Matre, will contained vessel of life - on our guides passengers accepting deliver a talk on an outdoor educa­ journey among the stars." lifts). tion program for high-school stu­ The talk, which is free, will be in Beverley Hammond dents, called Sunship Earth, in the dome at the Australian Canberra in August. He says: Academy of Science, Gordon 'We want to help people under­ Stree, Acton, on Thursday 3 stand the environmental crises we August, from 7.30 to 9.30pm. For face, but we also want to help them further information write to the enjoy the journey. For this is the Institute for Earth Education, c/- greatest trip of them all - as we Birrigai Outdoor Centre, RMB 142, travel together with all the other Tharwa ACT 2620. NPA Bulletin National Parks Association ol the ACT POSTAGE GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601 PAID Registered by Australia Post Publication number NBH0857 AUSTRALIA

1 General meetings

Held at 8pm, room 1, Grittin Centre. Bunda Street, Civic.

June - Thursday 15 Jeff Angel, from the Total Environment Centre in Sydney, will speak about the campaign to save the southern forests of New South Wales from woodchipping. July - Thursday 29 Will Osborne, a wildlife officer with ihe ACT Parks and Conservalion Service, will speak about alpine ecology and corroboree frogs.

August - Thursday 17 The annual general meeting, followed by Reg Alder's slides and stony of a 350-kilometre trek, promoted as 'not for the faint-hearted', from Lamayuru Monastery in Ladakh through the phantasmagoric Zanskar Ranges and over the Himalayan Range to Darcha in northern India.