Conondale Range Conservation PO Box 150 KENILWORTH 4574 Newsletter April 2019 Issue one Yabba National Park The Yabba Falls Scenic Reserve was gazetted in the 1920s, predating all national parks in the Conondales region. A year or two back, Imbil-based geographer Ian Stehbens made a very detailed submission for a national ark around Yabba Falls, Kingaham Falls and the gorges associated with each. Ian sought support from NPAQ who were impressed not just with the country involved but with the background work he had put in. He sought wider support, from the Royal Geographical Society who spent a weekend exploring there last August, and he sought support from us, Conondale Range Conservation, from Hinterland Bush Links and from SCEC, the Sunshine Coast Environment Council. Looking at other state forests surrounding Ian’s proposal it was plain that many would have been on the verge of transitioning into national parks had Campbell Newman not axed the SEQFA. Both Conondale NP to the south and Wrattens NP to the north had several small outliers already converted to NP under the SEQFA. And given that the government had a commitment to a substantial increase in national parks, it was plain that the area around Yabba Falls provided an enormous opportunity. NPAQ had Tyler Hood research and write up a lengthier proposal and conducted a number of flora and fauna surveys of the area in conjunction with Birds Queensland and others. As well as providing connectivity between NP outliers, the proposed Yabba NP would provide a north-south link between the bulk of Wrattens NP to the north and that of Conondale NP to the south. The generally east- west alignment of the proposed addition extends NP towards the Bunya Mountains to the west. It mostly entails conversion of a number of state forests or parts of state forests into national parks although it excludes all areas where plantation licences apply. It includes only one privately owned freehold property which would need to be purchased although it does include some freehold land owned by the State of Queensland. It lies at the corner of Gympie Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Council and Somerset Regional Council. We envisage the name Yabba National Park for this proposal, rather than incorporating it into the name of either Conondale or Wrattens NPs. Already there has been confusion about having Conondale NP reach to points far distant from the township of Conondale, and Wrattens does not provide a name link to any town or locality. The name Yabba relates to Yabba Falls and Yabba Creek, and is a rich link to indigenous history. Eco Tourism opportunities In recent years we have seen a massive expansion in the numbers of visitors to the Conondale National Park, the Mary Valley generally, and Kenilworth more specifically. The inclusion of the area of this proposal, and particularly Yabba Falls, would not only spread this impact but would provide new experiences as well as supporting the local economy. There is opportunity for eco-tourism enterprises in areas either adjoining or in close proximity to the proposed Park. Honouring commitments of the SEQFA Some two decades ago, we celebrated what we understood was an agreement (the SEQFA) between the government, the timber industry and the conservation movement. There was a considerable amount of money put up by the state government by way of industry adjustment, and all parties agreed. That Queensland could reach a Forest Agreement which was applauded by both major conservation interests as well as the Queensland Timber Board was no mean feat. The comprehensive regional assessment which underpinned it recognised the increasing reliance of industry on the plantation-based softwood industry. The output of the massive plantation plantings of both native hoop pine and exotic pine were being welcomed by the construction industry which meant a reduction in the demand for hardwood timber sourced from native forests. Just as this government reinstated the Vegetation Management Act we hoped it would also return to honour commitments given in the SEQFA. This proposal would go a long way towards that. We strongly endorse this proposal and commend Ian Stehbens for his initial, incredibly-detailed and well- researched proposal for National Park recognition of Yabba and Kingaham falls and gorges. We are very grateful for the vision and involvement of Hinterland Bush Links for seeing the “bigger picture” in promoting connectivity and the support and assistance offered by the Sunshine Coast Environment Council. We congratulate NPAQ for so enthusiastically throwing their considerable experience and expertise behind this proposal and advancing it to this point. Conondale Range Conservation Issue One Page 1 brought the day back to life, two decades later, for the current minister. Twenty years is a long time in politics. One things that’s really stood out to me as we talk up the Yabba National Park proposal is the Farewell Wyn Boon way the South east Queensland Forest After a long Agreement has seemed to have floated off into association with the mists of time. the Conondales, It’s true that it was almost twenty years ago, but as Ranger and you’d think that an agreement that a Courier Senior Ranger, Mail editorial of 17 September 1999 labelled as Wyn Boon is an “Impressive Compromise on Forests”, might poised to take up stand the passage of time better than it has. a position with The editor praised the deal saying that “the WA Parks and Beattie government has successfully secured a Wildlife Service forestry agreement between the disparate at Cape Arid NP interests of the timber industry and conservation (300,000 ha) with groups. In an unprecedented move, key the Ranger base and house 125 km east of conservation bodies, unions and timber industry Esperance. groups have all backed the agreement which He’s very excited about the move, noting that involved all sides making concessions”. “there is a huge list of 1,100 flora species The $80 million deal would have seen a 25 year recorded with associated diversity of fauna. Fire phasing out of logging in Crown native forests in management is a big management item with wild favour of plantations. fires a frequent problem - mainly through lightning Courier Mail senior writer Matthew Franklin strike from December to April. Other than that, it echoed that praise, memorably writing that will see fauna surveys, working visits to the some “sometimes in politics people forget that you of the 300 offshore islands forming the can achieve great outcomes without leaving Recherche Archipelago and hopefully on days off blood on the floor.” some navel gazing awaiting the appearance of The Agreement held until the short-lived southern right and hump back whales in the government of Campbell Newman took the axe waters of Yokingup Bay.” to it. Perhaps a consequence of the savage Wyn came to the Conondales during the mid 90's pruning of the state’s public service that was with expansion of Conondale NP (NP 477 and also a hallmark of the same government meant 1100) from 2000 ha to 7,000 ha. He arrived in that memories of the Agreement went out the December 1993 fresh from 9 months on door with them. Stradbroke Island and prior that Atherton It doesn’t seem like twenty years ago that Greg Tablelands. Based initially at Kondalilla NP, he Wood hatched the unbelievably ambitious later took over the reins from the late Eric notion of hiring a train from Queensland Rail to Glassop as Senior Ranger for the Kenilworth and take 600 forest supporters to a rally in King Blackall Range areas as the Conondale NP George Square held opportunistically while the expanded further to some 35,500ha . state Labor party held its annual conference in He reflects that he “feels very privileged to have the Crest Hotel high above. been part of the transition to NP management A few weeks back, the very day after we’d met and part of the team involved therein. As per any Queensland’s Environment Minister Leeanne such position - it is the sum effort of all people Enoch to discuss the Yabba NP proposal, over involved - QPWS staff, Forestry, HQP, QFES and refreshments in the Masonic temple in Brisbane other government agencies, yourselves - the following the memorial service for John Sinclair, CRC team and other conservation bodies - I met her again. Hinterland Bushlinks, SCEC and then the general On the latter occasion, I just happened to be public, neighbours and tourists that make the talking with Greg Wood and it seemed like too whole experience valuable and worth having a go good a moment of serendipity not to bring to the for.” minister’s attention, the passion of Sunshine Conondale Range Conservation would like to Coast forest supporters that would see a train thank Wyn , not only for the work that has gone full of paying greenies heading for the smoke to with his various positions, but for his dedication, vote with their feet. With no prompting his friendliness and approachability. whatsoever, Greg rose to the challenge and We wish him all the best in his new role. Page 2 Conondale Range Conservation Issue One Parcels included in the Yabba NP proposal Parts of Imbil SF1 (excluding plantation lease areas) Yabba Falls Scenic Reserve Parts of Imbil SF2 (excluding plantation lease areas) Diaper SF Yabba SF Squirrel Creek SF Elgin Vale SF (excluding plantation lease areas) Mt Stanley Forest Reserve State-owned freehold land (part of) Outliers of Wrattens National Park Kingaham Camping reserve Outliers of Conondale National park Jimna SF (excluding plantation lease areas) One small privately –owned freehold parcel State-owned Electrical reserve (part) Meeting with Minister about Yabba NP Mid-March saw the Queensland Cabinet descend on the Sunshine Coast for its “Governing from the Regions” initiative and it seemed like a great chance to meet Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch to talk about the Yabba National Park proposal and to put local faces to some of those involved.