2001 2002 Annual report

NSW national & Wildlife service Published by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service PO Box 1967, Hurstville 2220 Copyright © National Parks and Wildlife Service 2002 ISSN 0158-0965 Coordinator: Christine Sultana Editor: Catherine Munro Design and layout: Harley & Jones design Printed by: Agency Printing Front cover photos (from top left): Sturt National (G Robertson/NPWS); (J Winter/NPWS); Banksias, National Park Copies of this report are available from the National Parks Centre, (P Green/NPWS); Launch of Backyard Buddies program (NPWS); Pacific black duck 102 George St, The Rocks, , phone 1300 361 967; or (P Green); Beyers Cottage, Hill End Historic Site (G Ashley/NPWS). NPWS Mail Order, PO Box 1967, Hurstville 2220, phone: 9585 6533. Back cover photos (from left): Python tree, Gossia bidwillii (P Green); Repatriation of Aboriginal remains, La Perouse (C Bento/); This report can also be downloaded from the NPWS website: , (P Green/NPWS); Northern banjo frog (J Little). www.npws.nsw.gov.au Inside front cover: (G Robertson/NPWS). Annual report 2001-2002

NPWS mission G Robertson/NPWS

NSW national Parks & Wildlife service 2 Contents

Director-General’s foreword 6 3Conservation management 43 Working with Aboriginal communities 44 Overview Joint management of national parks 44 Mission statement 8 Aboriginal heritage 46 Role and functions 8 Outside the reserve system 47 Customers, partners and stakeholders 8 Voluntary conservation agreements 47 Organisational structure 8 Wildlife refuges 48 Legal basis 9 Biodiversity conservation programs 48 Organisational chart 10 Wildlife management 49 Lands managed for conservation 12 Ecologically sustainable management 50 Key result areas 14 Energy management 50 Waste management 51 1Conservation assessment 15 Sewage management 52 NSW Biodiversity strategy 16 Managing built assets 53 Regional assessments 17 Buildings and surrounds 53 assessment 20 Managing historic heritage sites 54 Vegetation and flora surveys and mapping 22 Roads and other access 55 and river system survey and research 23 Visitor facilities 56 Native fauna surveys and research 24 Managing site use in protected areas 57 Threat management research 27 Balancing site use and conservation 57 Cultural heritage research 29 Contributing to communities 58 Conservation research and assessment tools 31 Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area 58 Contributing to sustainable rural and 2Conservation planning 33 regional development 59 Biodiversity planning 34 Tourism 59 Establishment of parks and reserves 35 Weed and pest management programs 60 Declaration of Aboriginal places 37 Pest animal management 60 Plans of management 38 Weed management 65 Threatened species planning 39 Fire management 67 Cultural heritage planning 40 Prevention and mitigation activities 67 Marine park planning 41 Fire management training 68 Other conservation planning 41 Coordinated fire fighting 68 Reserve fire management plans 69 NSW Biodiversity Strategy – fire regimes 69 Wildfire statistics for parks and reserves 69 Ku-ring-gai tragedy update 70 3 2001 2002 Annual report

4Conservation facilitation 71 Improved efficiency and support for service delivery 94 Fostering commitment to natural and cultural heritage 72 Financial management 94 Acknowledging people’s contributions to conservation 72 Risk management 94 Educational programs 72 Insurance 95 NPWS library 75 Information management and technology 96 Publications review 75 Corporate governance 96 Visitor centres 75 Enhancing and managing resources for conservation 99 International liaison 76 Business planning 99 Media and promotion 77 Grants and sponsorships 99 Electronic service delivery 79 Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife 101 Increasing community involvement in conservation 79 Concessions management 101 Volunteer and community programs 79 Enhancing people's enjoyment of 6 Appendices 103 NSW parks 81 A. NPWS-managed lands at 30 June 2002 104 Visitor data system 81 B. Significant statutory bodies and committees 109 Recreation planning framework for C. Infringements and prosecutions 113 NSW national parks 81 D. Consultants engaged 114 Visitor and market research 81 E. Employee statistics 115 Working with our culturally diverse community 82 F. Performance statement: Director-General 118 Improving access and services for people with disabilities 82 G. Statement of Affairs and Freedom of Information 119 Supporting community conservation H. New NPWS publications 121 activities 82 I. Papers published by NPWS staff 123 Information services 82 J. Overseas visits by NPWS staff 125 Conservation partnerships 83 K. Approved recovery plans 126 Inter-agency and whole-of-government intitatives 85

7 Financial statements 127 5 Capacity building 89 Notes to and forming part of financial statements 136 Attracting, developing and Other financial information 152 retaining a skilled workforce 90 Performance management 90 Index of statutory requirements 157 Learning and organisational development 90 Management development 90 Contact information 157 Workforce diversity 91 Employment and industrial relations 92 Occupational health and safety 93 Working as a cohesive and informed team 93 4

Python tree, Gossia bidwillii. P Green 5 2001 2002 Annual report

The Hon. Bob Debus, MP Minister for the Environment Level 25 59-61 Goulburn Street Sydney NSW 2000

Dear Minister I have pleasure in presenting the thirty-fourth Annual Report for the National Parks and Wildlife Service for the year ended 30 June 2002, in accordance with the Annual Reports (Departments) Act 1985. Yours sincerely

Brian Gilligan Director-General 6 Director-General’s foreword

This report describes a year marked by substantial progress towards the achievement of our conservation objectives. It has been also a year in which we have focused particularly on developing and strengthening a learning culture within the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Our stakeholder base continues to expand, well beyond its traditional boundaries. While this increases the challenges we face in balancing the diversity of community views and expectations, the growing engagement of community interest in conservation matters is a valuable asset for the future. In the Far West, community partnership has been a feature in the Wilcannia/ White Cliffs area. Here, neighbours, local tourist interests, Central Darling Shire, the regional advisory committee and the Wilcannia Aboriginal community have come together to advise on the establishment of Peery National Park and its plan of management. This cooperative and constructive approach has given us valuable insights into community values and aspirations, providing a useful model for the future. Aboriginal culture is a key aspect of land and biodiversity management which the Service promotes and implements at every opportunity. In recognition of Aboriginal people’s close and enduring relationship with the land, we continue to develop co- management and partnership agreements across the state. One major highlight in 2001-02 was the registration of the Arakwal Indigenous Land Use Agreement and the creation of , co-managed by the NPWS and the Arakwal people. Other highlights were the endorsement of the Joint Management Agreement and arrangements with the Barkindji, Mutthi Mutthi, and Nyiampaa people, and the continuing success of the joint management of . The year has not been without its challenges. Both past and more recent decision- making and action have been exposed to significant public scrutiny throughout the year. At times, the effort devoted to reconciling and learning from past episodes has seemed to overshadow more recent achievements. This has particularly been the case in sensitive aspects of our operations, such as bushfire hazard reduction, feral animal control and risk management in the area of public safety. However, lessons learned have been quickly translated into action across the agency. Our new fire management procedures were developed and published in time for what proved to be a severe and testing fire season. The public recognition accorded to our firefighters and those from other agencies was well deserved. In the wake of the Christmas 2001 fires, we were concerned about the potential impact of feral deer on habitat recovery in . Extensive consultation with stakeholders, including neighbours was key to deciding to proceed with a sustained culling program. New approaches to managing wild horses were introduced in , after extensive consultation with the local community and interest groups. Also in the state’s south, calls for improved control of wild dogs have seen us working collaboratively with local landholders, all the time ensuring that our approach was underpinned by robust science and conservation principles. 7 2001 2002 Annual report

The challenges of managing change, and facilitating organisational growth and learning have been supported across the NPWS by a range of initiatives. Our ongoing change management program this year continued to focus on team building, with an emphasis on further strengthening middle managers’ skills and capacity to manage both sensitive issues and their staff teams. The implementation of the NPWS Linkages Strategy Groups is helping us to integrate new initiatives across our operations, to build our capacity to adapt, and to plan and deliver strategic outcomes. The NPWS risk management system was enhanced during the year to minimise unintended outcomes and to optimise the benefit of lessons learned from operational experience. One important risk management initiative was the use of Job Safety Analyses to study NPWS practices for a wide variety of established field tasks, in an extensive self help program supported by statewide training. The development of information management and knowledge systems plays a key role in improving coordination across the NPWS, the delivery of customer service, and the exchange of information with our partners. The introduction of the Intranet was one of the successful IT projects delivered during the year. The staff of the NPWS are remarkable in the extent of their commitment to the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage. It is their knowledge, skills, dedication and hard work which have produced the achievements of 2001-02, and which will continue to move us forward in the coming year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their ongoing enthusiasm and support.

Brian Gilligan Director-General 8 Overview

Mission statement Working with people and communities to protect and conserve natural and cultural heritage in the NSW landscape.

Role and functions The role of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is to lead the community in the development of a system of ecologically sustainable and integrated landscape management which conserves nature and cultural heritage and has as its centrepiece the public reserve system. The functions of the NPWS are: to ensure the conservation of protected native animals and throughout New South Wales to protect and manage Aboriginal sites, objects and places of special significance to Aboriginal people to promote community awareness, understanding and appreciation of the conservation of nature and our cultural heritage to investigate and acquire land for inclusion in a system of national parks and nature reserves to conserve a complete range of the natural environment of the state to manage historic places within the NPWS estate and to acquire historic places of significance to manage these areas and culturally significant features for enjoyment and conservation to identify, protect and manage wilderness throughout New South Wales.

Customers, partners and stakeholders The NPWS reacts with a large and diverse group of individuals and organisations throughout New South Wales. They include park visitors, educators, neighbours, rural landholders, industry, conservation groups, recreational use groups, Aboriginal communities, volunteers, the media, government departments, and other agencies such as local councils and tourism associations.

Organisational structure The NPWS is a highly decentralised organisation with 80 percent of its staff based in the field. The NPWS structure comprises four corporate directorates located at Hurstville and four field directorates which have their main centres in Grafton, Queanbeyan, Parramatta and Dubbo. The field directorates incorporate 19 regions, made up of more than 50 areas, with offices located in local towns. There are also a number of visitor information centres and works depots strategically located to meet the needs of the community and to manage protected areas. Field directorates are responsible for achieving the conservation of natural, historic and Aboriginal heritage at a local and regional level, not only with respect to park and reserve planning and management, but across their geographic area of operation. To do this field directorates develop partnerships with the community and other governments and agencies and provide leadership and direction through conservation programs in accordance with government initiatives and NPWS priorities. Corporate directorates coordinate the development and review of Service-wide priorities, policies, standards, systems and procedures; provide policy advice to the executive and the Minister for the Environment; advise and support field directorates on policy, technical, educational, communication, marketing and administrative matters; and provide legal advice. The NPWS organisational structure at 30 June 2002 is shown in the chart on page 10. 9 2001 2002 Annual report

NPWS directorates and regions

Northern Rivers

Alstonville

Northern Grafton Tablelands North Narrabri Coast Armidale Northern Plains Upper Darling Northern Far West Cobar Mid Port Macquarie North Coast Western Hunter Broken Hill Central Central Coast Central West Hunter Nelson Bay Range Blue Bathurst Mountains Gosford

Katoomba Sydney North Sydney Bobbin Head Griffith Royal NP Southern Sydney South South West South Slopes Coast Nowra Tumut

directorate

Jindabyne region Snowy regional office Mountains Far Merimbula South Coast

Legal basis The basis for the powers, duties and functions of the NPWS is the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, the Wilderness Act 1987 and the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act the Director-General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for the care, control and management of all areas reserved or dedicated as national parks, historic sites, nature reserves, Aboriginal areas and state game reserves. State recreation areas, karst conservation reserves and regional parks are also administered under the Act. The Director-General is also responsible under this Act and certain provisions of the Threatened Species Conservation Act for the protection of native fauna and flora and Aboriginal places and objects throughout New South Wales. Under the Wilderness Act the NPWS is responsible for the investigation and management of wilderness in New South Wales. In addition the Marine Parks Act 1997 established the Marine Parks Authority, which comprises the Director-General of the Premier’s Department (Chairperson), the Director-General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Director of Fisheries. The Authority reports to the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Fisheries, and undertakes functions imposed or conferred by the Marine Parks Act. The Authority is responsible for declaring and managing activities in marine parks for the purposes of conserving marine biological diversity, maintaining the function of marine ecosystems and permitting ecologically sustainable use.

continued page 12 10 Organisational chart Structure of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service as at 30 June 2002

MINISTER FOR THE Director-General Manager Strategic & Executive Services Unit ENVIRONMENT BRIAN GILLIGAN Dawn Easton

Director Central Director Northern Director Southern Director Western BOB CONROY JOHN O’GORMAN TONY FLEMING TERRY KORN

Manager Conservation Programs & Manager Conservation Programs & Manager Conservation Programs & Acting Manager Conservation Planning Division Planning Division Planning Division Programs & Planning Division Russell Couch Gary Davey Ian Pulsford Joshua Gilroy Units Units Units Units Conservation Assessment & Data Conservation Assessment & Data Conservation Assessment & Data Conservation Assessment & Conservation Planning Conservation Planning Conservation Planning Planning Threatened Species Threatened Species Threatened Species Threatened Species Community Programs Community Programs Community Programs Western Regional Assessments Reserve Conservation Kangaroo Management Manager Blue Mountains Region Manager Geoff Luscombe Robert Quirk Manager Far South Coast Region Manager Central West Region Areas Areas Tim Shepherd Nick Rigby Hawkesbury Areas Areas Kanangra Great Lakes Bombala Lachlan Mudgee Hunter Coast Central Macquarie Upper Mountains Upper Hunter Merimbula Manager Far West Region Unit Unit North Steve Millington Operations Coordination & Support Operations Coordination & Support Unit Operations Coordination & Support Areas Manager Central Coast Manager Region Broken Hill Hunter Range Region Greg Croft Acting Manager Resorts Division Lower Darling Tom Bagnat Areas Scott Dicker Tibooburra Areas Hastings Units Manager Northern Plains Region Gosford Macleay Concessions & Leasing Wayne Dornbusch Hunter Range Manning Health & Building Areas The Lakes Unit Municipal Services Coonabarabran Yango Operations Coordination & Support Planning & Environment Narrabri Unit Manager North Coast Region Manager South Coast Region Operations Coordination & Support Alan Jeffery Diane Garrood Manager Riverina Region Ross McDonnell Acting Manager Sydney Region Areas Areas Area Gary Dunnett Clarence North Highlands Griffith Areas Clarence South Nowra/Jervis Bay Cumberland North Coffs Coast Ulladulla Acting Manager Upper Darling Region Cumberland South Unit Paul Jennings Harbour North Unit Operations Coordination & Support Area Harbour South Operations Coordination & Support Manager South-West Slopes Region Cobar Unit Manager Region Steve Horsley Operations Coordination & Support Directorate Units Mark Johnston Areas Western Directorate Operations Manager Sydney North Region Areas Murrumbidgee Coordination & Support Chris McIntosh Queanbeyan Community Programs Areas Riverina-Highlands Lane Cove River Tweed Unit Lower Hawkesbury Unit Operations Coordination & Support Northern Beaches Operations Coordination & Support Manager Region Unit Manager Region Dave Darlington Operations Coordination & Support Bob Friederich Areas Manager Sydney South Region Areas Alpine Mike Patrick Armidale Areas Glen Innes East Upper Murray Glen Innes West Units Walcha Operations Coordination & Support Royal Unit Business Management Nattai Operations Coordination & Support Roads Unit Directorate Unit Directorate Units Operations Coordination & Support Northern Directorate Operations Southern Directorate Operations Directorate Units Coordination & Support Coordination & Support Central Directorate Operations Kosciuszko Plan of Management Coordination & Support Review 11 2001 2002 Annual report

Acting Director Education Director Policy and Science Director Corporate Services Director Legal Services and Community Programs MICHAEL WRIGHT ARTHUR DIAKOS VIVIENNE INGRAM DONNA RYGATE

Acting Director Cultural Heritage Manager Education & Community Manager Business Development Units Division Involvement Unit Division Legal Operations Jason Ardler Lynn Webber David Roman Policy & Law Units Units Manager Marketing & Cultural Heritage Policy & Business Analysis Information Division Programs Business Operations Andrew Mitchell Cultural Heritage Information New Business Projects Systems Units Cultural Heritage Research Library Manager Finance Division Central Aboriginal Heritage National Parks Centre Clarel Castagnet Northern Aboriginal Heritage Publications Units Southern Aboriginal Heritage Visitor & Tourism Marketing Administrative Services Corporate Finance Western Aboriginal Heritage Acting Manager Ministerial Management Accounting Liaison Unit Manager Biodiversity Research & System Support Naomi Walters Management Division Finance Service Centres Caroline Lemerle Manager Public Affairs Division Manager Information Management & Units Chris Perkins Biodiversity Research Group Technology Division Biodiversity Management Directorate Unit Muhammad Khan Pest Management Coordination Directorate Management Support Units Wildlife Management Coordination Information Systems Scientific Committee/BDAC Operations & Support Support User Support Records Management Acting Manager Strategic Policy Division Manager Workforce Services Division Ian Hunter Helen Anderson Units Units Conservation Economics Employee Relations & Conditions Policy Development Group Human Resource Information Systems Manager Geographic Information Occupational Health & Safety Systems Group Workforce Development Malcolm Stephens Workforce Planning Human Resources Service Centres Acting Manager Landscape Conservation Division Manager Asset Services Unit Helen Clemens Don McQueen Units Conservation Assessment & Priorities Conservation Management Conservation Planning Fire Management Manager Major Programs Group Mark Conlon Directorate Unit Directorate Management Support 12 Overview

The complete list of legislation administered by the NPWS is as follows: National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 National Parks and Wildlife (Adjustment of Areas) Act 2001 National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act 2001 (not yet proclaimed to commence) National Parks and Wildlife Amendment (Transfer of Special Areas) Act 2001 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Wilderness Act 1987 National Parks and Wildlife (Administration) Regulation 1995 National Parks and Wildlife (Fauna Protection) Regulation 2001 National Parks and Wildlife (Land Management) Regulation 1995

Legislative change During the year the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act 2001 was assented to, but not enacted. The Act updates and modernises the National Parks and Wildlife Act. There will now be a set of comprehensive objectives and principles to guide the management of the reserve system and the development of management plans. Penalties for a number of offences have been raised and a new offence of damaging reserves and land held by the Minister has been added. Changes have been made to s90 of the Act to improve the protection of Aboriginal objects and places. New provisions have been added to enable the adaptive re-use of historic and other buildings within the reserve system and the short term licensing of modified natural areas such as picnic sites and recreational grounds. A new Audit and Compliance Committee will report on NPWS compliance with its obligations under the National Parks and Wildlife Act and other legislation.

Lands managed for conservation Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act there are eight categories of land managed for conservation: national parks, nature reserves, historic sites, Aboriginal areas, wildlife management areas, karst conservation reserves, state recreation areas and regional parks. National parks are relatively large areas Corporate performance target of land set aside for their predominantly unspoiled natural landscape, flora and Increase in the resources allocated to protecting conservation values on NPWS managed lands and supporting conservation outside those areas fauna. They are permanently reserved for conservation and for public education and recreation and apart from Initial recurrent allocation per hectare of NPWS managed lands essential management are preserved in $40.00 their natural state.

$34.50 Nature reserves are areas of special $33.50 scientific interest containing wildlife or $31.50 natural features. Management practices $32.00 $29.80 $28.00 aim at maximising the value of the area for scientific investigation and $24.70 $25.00 educational purposes. $24.00 $21.70 Historic sites are areas of national importance that are preserved and include buildings, objects, monuments $15.80 or landscapes. $16.00 Aboriginal areas are places of $10.60 significance to Aboriginal people or sites containing relics of Aboriginal culture. $8.00 Wildlife management areas are areas set aside for propagating game species.

$0.00 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 13 2001 2002 Annual report

Karst conservation reserves are areas managed to protect significant surface and underground land formations in karst regions. State recreation areas are permanently reserved large regional parks for outdoor recreation. Regional parks are areas substantially modified since European occupation that offer open space and recreational opportunities for major regional population centres. National parks and historic sites are managed in such a way that their natural and cultural features are conserved while still allowing visitors to use and enjoy them. State recreation areas and regional parks are managed to maximise their recreational potential while preserving and protecting their natural features. Because nature reserves and Aboriginal sites are conserved for scientific and cultural values and are small in area, public access is often limited. At 30 June 2002 5,419,343 hectares were reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. This represents 6.76 per cent of the total land area of New South Wales.

Summary of land reserved at 30 June 2002

Category No. Area (ha) National parks 162 4,470,010 Nature reserves 363 798,033 Historic sites 13 2,635 Aboriginal areas 11 11,643 Karst conservation reserves 4 4,409 State recreation areas 22 127,544 Regional parks 9 5,069 Total area 5,419,343 A full list of lands managed for conservation and other NPWS lands appears at Appendix A.

Other protected areas Three other types of areas are identified for protection under the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act or Wilderness Act. Protected archaeological areas contain significant Aboriginal objects and are declared with the consent of the owner or occupier of the land on which they occur. They may be opened for public inspection with the owner’s consent and in accordance with the wishes of the Aboriginal community under conditions designed to protect the Aboriginal objects they contain. Conservation areas may cover privately or publicly owned land with the consent of the owner and in accord with the conservation agreement for the area, may protect natural or cultural features, wilderness or areas of special scientific interest. Conservation agreements are registered and run with the title of the land. Wilderness protection agreement areas under the Wilderness Act may cover land owned or controlled by a statutory authority or government department to protect and provide for management of wilderness outside the park and reserve system. 14 Overview

Key result areas Allocation of resources to key result areas In late 1999 the NPWS developed a new corporate plan for the period 2000-03. This plan is firmly based on the Service’s long and proud history in natural and cultural Conservation Facilitation heritage conservation in New South Wales, but incorporates some important changes 44% in both direction and emphases, primarily in adopting a holistic approach to Conservation Planning conservation which integrates natural, cultural and community values. This 11% approach to conservation is described as ‘landscape conservation’ and involves working to achieve conservation outcomes across all lands, not only those managed Conservation Assessment by the NPWS. 12% Achievement of landscape conservation is dependent on outcomes in four key areas: Conservation Management assessment, planning, management and facilitation. A fifth key result area, capacity 33% building, is an essential pre-requisite. These five key result areas provide the framework for the planning and programming of activities, for annual budget submissions to Treasury and for the evaluation of NPWS performance. Conservation assessment covers the gathering of knowledge and the development and application of tools and techniques for assessing and monitoring both natural and cultural heritage across the landscape and community conservation attitudes and values. Conservation planning covers the making of judgements about what to conserve Net cost of services in relation to capacity building is (priorities for conservation) and how best to do this, plus the development of subsumed under other key result areas. processes by which this is done. Conservation management covers the management of natural and cultural heritage values across the state, incorporating: conservation incentives, education and advice regulation and enforcement the nurture and rehabilitation of the natural and cultural heritage landscape, including protected areas and beyond the establishment of appropriate reserves the ecologically sustainable and culturally appropriate use of protected areas. Conservation facilitation covers the encouragement and support of community stewardship of the natural and cultural heritage across the landscape, and the sharing of appreciation and enjoyment of this heritage. Capacity building covers the development and retention of committed and skilled staff, and the development and implementation of policies, systems and procedures to ensure that the NPWS is an effective organisation focused on the achievement of conservation outcomes for New South Wales. 15 1

Eastern yellow robin. J Cooper The gathering of knowledge, and the development and application of tools and techniques for assessing and monitoring both natural and cultural heritage across the landscape and community conservation attitudes and values. 16 Conservation assessment

Conservation assessment is undertaken to increase understanding of the values and status of natural and cultural heritage resources in New South Wales. It enables informed decision-making by government authorities, landowners and managers, and the community across the state. The key objective of NPWS conservation assessment activities is to ensure that conservation planning and management is based on rigorous and systematic policy, science and assessment. The emphasis is on relevant, adaptive approaches to the management of natural and cultural resources, linking community and conservation values.

NSW Biodiversity Strategy Launched by the NSW Minister for the Environment in March 1999, the NSW Biodiversity Strategy commits all government agencies to biodiversity conservation across all the landscapes of this state. Conservation reserves are important refuges for biodiversity, but on their own they cannot conserve the state’s great variety of environments. Recognising this, the Biodiversity Strategy focuses not just on parks and reserves, but also on areas outside the reserve system. It promotes partnerships between government and local communities. The strategy has several key goals: improving our knowledge of the state’s biodiversity protecting native species and ecosystems identifying and tackling threats to biodiversity managing natural resources better, for ecologically sustainable development involving landowners and communities in biodiversity conservation. Corporate The NPWS is responsible for coordinating the implementation of this strategy and performance target provides secretariat support to the Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Group, an inter-agency committee that oversees the implementation of projects across NSW Biodiversity Strategy implemented to government. The group is comprised of: schedule Australian Museum Department of Education and Training NSW Biodiversity strategy – scheduled targets Department of Land and Water Conservation Department of Local Government 6 Department of Mineral Resources PlanningNSW 5 NSW Agriculture NSW Fisheries 4 Royal Botanic Gardens State Forests of NSW 3 Zoological Parks Board.

2 A copy of the NSW Biodiversity Strategy can be downloaded from the NPWS website at: www.npws.nsw.gov.au/wildlife/biodiversity.html. 1 Review of the NSW Biodiversity Strategy 0 Implementation of the NSW Biodiversity Strategy is monitored by the independent 1999 2000 2001 Biological Diversity Advisory Council (BDAC) which is required to review the strategy every three years with the assistance of the NPWS. in progress achieved The first review began in 2001-02 and a review framework is in place, supported by The NSW Biodiversity Strategy also has performance an inter-agency committee. The review will involve examining the priorities and targets without specified completion dates because structure of the strategy, identifying future directions for biodiversity conservation, these cannot be achieved within a year or other tight and identifying any changes that can be adopted to increase the strategy’s timeframe. Nine are in progress and four have effectiveness. As part of this process community views on the strategy and potential been achieved. improvements will be sought. The community will also be invited to comment on the draft revised strategy in 2002. 17 2001 2002 Annual report

Regional assessments

Statewide native vegetation coverage for New South Wales This project to prepare a small-scale native vegetation map for the state was recently completed. It was designed to fill gaps in vegetation mapping to provide a statewide overview which had not previously existed. Statewide native vegetation coverage will assist with such things as: reporting at the state level on reserves, State of the Environment and vegetation clearing the provision of a coarse level state context for NSW vegetation the identification of large gaps in information (both thematic and geographic) the NSW contribution to national resource inventory projects.

Framework for assessing conservation priorities in the Sydney Basin The purpose of this project was to develop a strategy and guidelines for establishing priorities for the assessment and conservation of biodiversity in the Sydney Basin bioregion. The strategy builds on the information and methodology from a number of sub-regional assessments, including the Lower North-East Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA). Strategies for modification or aug- mentation of the CRA and other methods were identified as required. M Cufer/NPWS The outcomes from the project included: better knowledge and information to support conservation planning and management decisions within the Sydney Basin bioregion greater understanding of how the principles of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system apply across the landscape within the Sydney Basin bioregion identification of issues and infor- mation gaps, enabling directions to be set for expanding the concept of integrated landscape management into the broader framework of planning policies, instruments of other government agencies, and the general community. This project has been completed and the final report will be published in 2002-03. Woodland in , part of the Sydney Basin bioregion. Nandewar bioregional assessment Of the 14 bioregions in New South Wales, Nandewar ranks fourth in terms of the amount of land clearance. The Nandewar bioregional assessment is the first project to examine the biodiversity of this region systematically. The assessment will be completed in three stages over five years. Stage one, the Nandewar Bioregion Scoping Project has been completed following two years of investigation. Stage two, a biodiversity survey program will continue for the next two years. The initial survey results have already increased the knowledge of biodiversity in the bioregion. Outcomes from the assessment will be used by community and government stakeholders to undertake informed land evaluations of different conservation options. 18 Conservation assessment

Scoping studies for bioregional assessments In late 2001 the final report was completed for a scoping study for a conservation assessment of the south-west slopes undertaken between May 2000 and February 2001. The study found that approximately two-thirds of the bioregion’s vegetation has not been mapped to a standard that is suitable for a comprehensive bioregional assessment and those that have been mapped are biased towards reserves and state forests. A pilot study investigating methods for mapping native vegetation on the slopes was undertaken as part of this scoping exercise. A scoping study of the Brigalow Belt South bioregion was also completed during the year. This project reviewed existing information and developed a framework and strategy plan in preparation for a bioregional conservation assessment of the Brigalow Belt South bioregion between 2002 and 2004.

Vegetation mapping of Wagga LGA The NPWS and the Wagga Wagga City Council are jointly undertaking a project to map the native vegetation across the Wagga Local Government Area. The NPWS is providing expertise as well as funding. Each organisation has invested $10,000 and staff time in the project, which is expected to take about four months. The project involves surveying 200 vegetation plots across the shire and using this information to produce models that map the shire’s existing and pre-clearance vegetation. The project will also produce management guidelines for relevant threatened species and communities, and detail significant vegetation communities and conservation areas.

Impact of grazing and burning in National Park A fauna underpass on the Pacific Highway near Coffs Research continued into the impact of historical grazing and burning on the forest Harbour. Tunnels such as these provide safe passage for understorey in Guy Fawkes River National Park. Preliminary results published in native animals under this otherwise dangerous barrier. Austral Ecology (Henderson & Keith 2002) indicate that species richness, The NPWS provided input during the year in the planning density and composition have been negatively affected by grazing domestic stock and monitoring of upgrades to the highway. and frequent burning. Experimental manipulations were conducted to examine options for rehabilitation.

D Lunney/NPWS Illawarra-Southern Highlands survey and mapping The NPWS continued its partnership with the Department of Land and Water Conservation to survey and map vegetation of the Illawarra-Southern Highlands Priority Management Area. Work during 2001-02 included the compilation of available vegetation site data and spatial data and the collection of new survey data in the Wingecarribee-Taralga and Warragamba catchment areas. The project involves extensive cooperation with landholders and local government and is due for completion by 2004.

CASE STUDY During 2001-02 the key activities in which the providing input into route selection studies NPWS was involved in the PHUP included: providing input into the progression of the NPWS Pacific Highway reviewing and providing formal comments on National Parks and Wildlife (Adjustment of upgrade assessment draft and final versions of Reviews of Areas) Act 2001 The NPWS continued to be actively involved in Environmental Factors, Environmental Impact liaising with Main Roads in conservation planning, assessment and Statements and Species Impact Statements the development of the Tugan Bypass monitoring for the Pacific Highway Upgrade reviewing environmental management plans providing comment on extensive fauna Program (PHUP) being undertaken by the Roads and/or environmental control plans underpass studies being undertaken by and Traffic Authority between Newcastle and the providing NPWS concurrence to Species the PHUP Queensland border. At the end of June this Impact Statements coordinating contributions made by the program comprised about 24 individual projects reviewing archaeological excavation reports PHUP towards various threatened species at various stages of construction. On average the and processing research and consent to recovery plans. NPWS provided input to eight PHUP projects per destroy permits month over the year. developing compensatory habitat packages which have resulted in land parcels being purchased by the PHUP for transfer to NPWS estate 19 2001 2002 Annual report

Integrated biodiversity conservation assessment program J Little

Framework for bioregional assessment A framework was finalised during the year to guide practitioners through the stages of bioregional or other regional conservation assessments, and to facilitate the establishment of meaningful conservation targets. The framework identifies the fundamental processes which form the basis of these assessments. It also indicates the current state of knowledge, any standards which exist and because the situations confronting those undertaking this work will differ, it discusses alternative paths to an assessment. The framework outlines some of the tools available to assist practitioners to make decisions on the best configuration for conservation areas, identifies data collection and management issues and addresses management and monitoring. The framework is targeted at those responsible for undertaking bioregional assessments or Ocellated gecko. contributing to processes such as regional vegetation management or environmental plans, and catchment management boards. A guide for practitioners was produced as a result of the project and is expected to be available by late 2002.

Statewide GIS conservation monitoring This project has developed a conservation monitoring system that can be used to chart the progress of conservation management across New South Wales. The collection and refinement of statewide geographic information system (GIS) layers has been completed. This information and its statistical analysis will enhance conservation assessment and management in New South Wales by enabling the identification of gaps in the reserve system, measuring reservation bias and identifying future conservation priorities. The project will also assist statewide and national monitoring mechanisms such as State of the Environment, State of the Parks, the National Reserve System Program, the State Reserve System Program and NPWS community conservation programs. One of the highlights of the project is the delineation of subregions across all bioregions in New South Wales. The key findings of the project have been summarised in the Guide to the State Project, which is now being used within NPWS regions to aid in identifying conservation priorities.

Ecosystem project

This project is delineating the state’s ecosystems using a range of biotic and abiotic M Coopey/NPWS features of the landscape. Once the delineation is complete it will be possible to identify and report on the status of conservation assessment and planning for each ecosystem. The most significant outcome will be a comprehensive synthesis of information gathered from within and outside the NPWS. This information will be contained in a linked database which will be widely accessible. The database will be particularly useful in cases where specific features of an ecosystem are of interest and will be an extremely useful tool for future conservation planning. This project is expected to be completed in December 2002.

Bioregional overviews A landholder and NPWS officer work together during the Darling Riverine bioregional survey, part of the The bioregional overviews project has compiled textual snapshots of the bioregional overviews project. characteristics and conservation significance of each bioregion in New South Wales. These snapshots will allow a wide audience to appreciate the conservation significance of these landscapes and to understand the future challenges for conservation and management of natural resources in this state. The final report will assist NPWS employees, local communities, land managers, conservation planners and all levels of government and industry. This project will be completed in July 2002.

Research into ecological restoration The NPWS initiated successful applications to the Australian Research Council, in collaboration with the Universities of Sydney and Western Sydney, to carry out two new research projects on ecological restoration. The projects aim to develop methods for evaluating the success of revegetation in restoring the diversity of native flora and insect fauna respectively. 20 Conservation assessment

Wilderness assessment In 2001 the NPWS adopted a standardised method of calculating and reporting on wilderness statistics. Statistics are now calculated using the NPWS digital mapping system. Wilderness is defined as a large natural area of land which together with its native plant and animal communities is in a relatively natural state and has not been substantially modified by non-indigenous human activity, or is capable of restoration. The Wilderness Act 1987 provides for the identification, declaration and management of wilderness and promotes public education about wilderness. The Act requires the Director-General of the NPWS to report on the status of areas identified as wilderness and on matters relating to wilderness areas. Information on past NPWS activities relating to wilderness in New South Wales is contained in previous NPWS annual reports.

Wilderness proposals Under the provisions of section 7 of the Wilderness Act any person, body or organisation may submit a written proposal that an area of land be identified or declared as wilderness. The NPWS can also assess an area for wilderness values independent of any proposal. The Director-General of the NPWS is required to provide advice to the Minister for the Environment in respect of any wilderness proposal within two years. A wilderness nomination has been received for Bebo State Forest, which crosses the border of the Brigalow Belt South and Nandewar bioregions in central-north New South Wales. The nomination was lodged by the Colong Foundation for Wilderness in late November 2001. The NPWS commenced this wilderness assessment early in 2002. No other wilderness nominations were received during the reporting year.

Wilderness identification and declaration Once an area is proposed as wilderness the NPWS investigates it to determine whether it is capable of supporting wilderness. In order to be wilderness capable, an area must be in a relatively natural state, be large enough for this natural state to be maintained, and provide opportunities for solitude and self-reliant recreation. Areas meeting all three criteria may be identified as wilderness by the Director- General. The NPWS then assesses whether the area is suitable to be managed as wilderness. During the suitability assessment phase the identified wilderness area is overlaid with social, tenure, recreational and management factors to determine what part if any should be declared as wilderness. Only declared wilderness (not identified wilderness) is required by law to be protected and managed as wilderness (Wilderness Act). The New England wilderness area was included in the Northern Wilderness Assessment Report publicly For each wilderness assessment the exhibited during the year. NPWS prepares a report which is released for public comment. The public response is considered before the government makes a decision on H Creamer/NPWS wilderness declaration. Any areas declared as wilderness must be managed in ways which retain their wilderness values. Wilderness can be declared over NPWS estate including national parks and nature reserves and other public lands where these are covered by wilderness protection agreements. Private land can only be declared wilderness where it is covered by a voluntary conservation agreement. 21 2001 2002 Annual report

The Wilderness Act allows the declaration of wilderness outside national parks, nature reserves and government lands only with the consent of the landholder and in the case of Crown leasehold, with the consent of the lessee also. Government policy dictates that there is no resumption of freehold or leasehold lands for wilderness purposes. Declaration of wilderness over government lands such as state forest can only proceed with the approval of the relevant Minister. As at 30 June 2002 1.5 million hectares of land have been declared as wilderness in New South Wales, constituting 29 per cent of the total NPWS estate and two per cent of the total land area of New South Wales. An additional 720,000 hectares (about 13 per cent of the NPWS estate) have been identified as wilderness but not declared. These areas are listed in Appendix A. Apart from NPWS-managed lands, no wilderness protection agreements presently exist over other public lands. One small area of freehold land in the Budawang wilderness is being managed as wilderness as part of a voluntary conservation J Winter/NPWS agreement.

Public exhibition and consultation Details of wilderness assessments are documented in Wilderness Assessment Reports. The NPWS publicly exhibits these reports before a wilderness declaration is made. The NPWS has a continuing commitment to wide-reaching public consultation regarding wilderness identification and assisting government with decisions on areas for wilderness declaration. The public consultation process and exhibition of identified wilderness areas is a comprehensive exercise. It includes: information mailouts to affected and adjoining landholders mailouts to regional and state interest groups and stakeholders advertising in local and metropolitan newspapers poster displays at NPWS regional offices, local councils, libraries and other community focal points meetings with key stakeholders and interest groups. This year two Wilderness Assessment Reports, the Northern and Southern Wilderness Assessment Reports have been publicly exhibited. The Northern Wilderness Assessment Report included 253,152 hectares identified as wilderness and options for wilderness declaration boundaries. The report was exhibited between 26 July and 20 September 2001. Over 42,000 submissions were received in response to the Northern Wilderness : the Yengo Wilderness Assessment Assessment Report. A Summary and Analysis of Submissions Report was prepared Report identified 134,900 hectares of wilderness, most of and recommendations for declaration were forwarded to the Minister in June 2002. it within the park. The report was placed on public The Southern Wilderness Assessment Report identified 200,484 hectares of exhibition in early 2002. wilderness and was placed on public exhibition from the beginning of March until the end of May 2001. A comprehensive consultation program was undertaken during the assessment and exhibition period. The success of this consultation program is reflected in the record number of submissions (over 20,000) and the positive feedback from a diverse range of community groups and individuals. A Summary and Analysis of Submissions Report was prepared and is due to be presented to the Minister in July 2002 to assist in deciding which areas of the identified wilderness will be declared under the Wilderness Act.

Wilderness assessments 2001-02 In 2001-02 wilderness assessments were completed for the Yengo wilderness and for additions to . The Murruin wilderness assessment also commenced. A preliminary assessment of the wilderness values of Yengo National Park was undertaken as part of the Lower North-East Comprehensive Regional Assessment. Substantial additional study was required to bring it to a standard equivalent to other Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) wilderness assessments. During the year approximately 193,000 hectares were assessed for wilderness values and 134,900 hectares were identified. Whilst this area is predominantly national park there are sections of Crown land and private land included within the identified boundary. The Yengo Wilderness Assessment Report was placed on public exhibition 22 Conservation assessment

in January and February 2002. A Summary and Analysis of Submissions Report is being prepared along with recommendations for declaration to be forwarded to the Minister. G Robertson/NPWS Murruin was also preliminarily assessed for wilderness values as part of the Lower North-East Comprehensive Regional Assessment. Substantial additional study has been initiated this year to bring it to a standard equivalent to other CRA wilderness assessments. The Mount Kaputar wilderness assessment was undertaken this year with 16,927 hectares being assessed for their wilderness values and 8,877 hectares being suitable for identification as wilderness. The draft Mount Kaputar Wilderness Assessment Report was completed and released for public exhibition in April 2002. A Summary and Analysis of Submissions Report will be prepared and presented to the Minister in 2002-03.

The speargrass Austrostipa nullanulla, found in restricted areas of the mallee region of New South Wales is subject to grazing pressure from domestic stock. Vegetation and flora surveys and mapping Vegetation surveys and mapping are vital for the management planning of parks and reserves, fire monitoring and management, weed control strategies and the effective management of threatened species. Vegetation surveys are also used for regional vegetation planning. Major surveys carried out during the year included: survey work to assess the conservation status of restricted plant species on which resulted in the listing under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 of several highly restricted endemic plant species from the island a survey of Barrington Tops National Park and adjacent reserves as a result of which up to 15 possible new or unnamed plant species have been discovered and the number of known rare species has increased from 15 to 35 extensive mapping of the vegetation communities within to assist in the preparation of the plan of management for the park flora surveys at Little Darkey Creek, an addition to Yengo National Park, and in Chambigne, Koukandowie and Sherwood nature reserves for input into their plans of management a survey of the vulnerable hemi-parasitic shrub Olax angulata which is restricted to and adjacent Crown lands undertaken in collaboration with the Minnie Water Country Women’s Association a vegetation survey for Ingalba which is a significant remnant of mugga ironbark and grey box woodland in an area of cleared agricultural land two monitoring surveys undertaken in the western area of New South Wales for the Flame Spider Flower (Grevillea kennedyana) a survey and population assessment of the threatened species bynoeana in the Morisset portion of Lake Macquarie State Recreation Area in conjunction with Lake Macquarie and Wyong councils aerial photo interpretation of forest areas in north-east New South Wales as part of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment process, resulting in the typing of large areas of forest as ‘rainforest’ CASE STUDY finalisation of the vegetation survey of the catchment in central Genetics of Elaeocarpus western New South Wales including prediction and mapping of pre-clearing and The genetics of three rainforest species in the current vegetation. This survey was undertaken in collaboration with the genus Elaeocarpus have been investigated in a Department of Land and Water Conservation. joint research project with the Southern Cross University Centre for Plant Conservation Austrostipa nullanulla and Diuris sp. surveys Genetics. Two of the species, Elaeocarpus Austrostipa nullanulla is a speargrass restricted to gypseous rises in the mallee williamianus and E. ‘Minyon’ are threatened region of New South Wales, and South . Approximately 200,000 and the knowledge gained on the genetic tussocks of A. nullanulla were identified. Exclosures have subsequently been compositions of their populations will assist in established to protect approximately 110,000 tussocks of A. nullanulla from their recovery. grazing pressure. The third species investigated, E. grandis is Surveys were undertaken for Austrostipa nullanulla and Diuris sp. ‘Oaklands’. more common. The research on this species During the survey for A. nullanulla a new species for New South Wales, aimed to provide an understanding of gene Zygophyllum compressum was found. A small survey for this species was flow in intact and fragmented populations for subsequently undertaken. guidance in the use of the species in rainforest regeneration and re-establishment projects. 23 2001 2002 Annual report

Diuris sp. ‘Oaklands’ was listed as endangered in New South Wales in 2001. Threats to the species include weeds, inappropriate management and total grazing pressure. About 1,500 plants were found in the four populations in November 2001.

Mitchell grasslands A research program involving burning trials commenced in Kirramingly Nature Reserve as part of a comprehensive study of Mitchell grasslands in the region. This study is being undertaken in collaboration with a University of New England PhD student, the Moree Plains Regional Vegetation Committee and local landholders. The objective of the study is to determine the conservation management requirements of Mitchell grasslands in relation to grazing, flooding, cultivation and fire. It involves the collection of management history of Mitchell grasslands, widespread field surveys and also the undertaking of grazing trials on private property. Of particular interest is the impact of fire on the Mitchell grasses themselves and on a threatened pea, Desmodium campylocaulon. The results of the work will be made widely available to the community and other

land managers through the Moree Plains Regional Vegetation Committee. It is G Croft/NPWS anticipated that the research will be of considerable benefit in decision-making about grassland management in the region.

Wetland and river system survey and research Among the most important life-support systems on earth, are areas with permanent or temporary shallow open water, such as marshes, swamps and mangroves. Australia has a great diversity of wetlands but since European settlement over half have been destroyed and the remainder are under threat. Wetlands are vital for sustaining life on earth by providing breeding grounds, habitats and refuges for many animals, and purifying water by trapping sediments. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance signed in the Iranian town of Ramsar in 1971 aims to halt the loss of wetlands and conserve what remains. Countries that are parties to the convention nominate wetlands to be listed as ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ (Ramsar sites). Countries are expected to manage their Ramsar sites to preserve their unique ecological characteristics. Australia has 57 Ramsar sites totalling more than 5 million hectares. There are nine Ramsar sites in NSW (74,400 hectares), seven of which are located wholly within NPWS-managed areas. These sites are Blue Lake in Kosciuszko National Park, Kooragang Nature Reserve, Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve, in Sturt National Park, National Park, Narran Lake Nature Reserve and Towra Point Nature Reserve. One site in the is partially managed by the NPWS and partially by private landholders, while the ninth site in the Gwydir Recognised as a Wetland of International Importance, wetlands is entirely on private land. Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve is a vital breeding The NPWS is involved in a number of significant long-term studies of wetlands and ground and refuge for a large number of native species. river systems. Some of these studies are detailed below.

Impact of changing water regimes on waterbirds in the

Macquarie Marshes P Green A project is under way to measure the impacts of changing water regimes on the reproductive success of waterbirds in the Macquarie Marshes using data collected over the past nine years which links flows to breeding events. It aims to provide an adaptive management framework for decision-making on environmental flows for the entire river system. Options exist to experiment with different flows in different parts of the Macquarie Marshes. The project is expected to be finalised by July 2002.

Patterns in the distribution and abundance of aquatic plants in riverine landscapes of the arid zone This research investigates the responses of aquatic plant communities to flooding patterns and water quality in a wide range of wetlands in the Paroo and Bulloo river catchments in north-west New South Wales. The work involves an assessment of the biodiversity of these wetland systems and will identify the influence of water regime The Pacific black duck is one of the many waterbirds and water quality on the distribution and abundance of plants in the region. which breed in the Macquarie Marshes. 24 Conservation assessment

River flows and wetland flooding in the Paroo and Warrego CASE STUDY river catchments Wetland research Although flooding patterns of the Paroo and Warrego rivers remain largely wins award unmodified development pressures exist, with little data on the likely ecological consequences of such development on downstream wetland areas. Using satellite Research is under way into the ecological imagery over a 12 year period this project aims to determine the extent of degradation of the Lowbidgee floodplain dependent wetlands on each river system. Relationships between wetland area, river wetlands. The project will contribute flows and rainfall are being developed as predictive models that may be used to significantly to our understanding of the assess likely impacts of future water resource management decisions. pressures on our river systems with opportunities for lessons learnt to be applied Also being studied is the dependency on such flows of waterbird populations and to other river systems around Australia. their dynamics in relation to wetland flooding over a four year period. This The importance of this research and the need information will help ensure that the ecological values of the two catchments can be for increased understanding of this issue was properly accounted for in water management planning. recently acknowledged when the National Trust awarded it the National Trust Heritage Award Mapping wetlands and developing a wetland 2002 under the category: Conservation Geographic Information System (GIS) for all wetlands in Built/Landscape Heritage. In giving the award New South Wales the National Trust said ‘The state of our rivers This project has produced the first statewide map of wetlands across New South is one of the most pressing ecological Wales, building on wetland mapping of the Murray-Darling Basin. Using satellite challenges facing Australians. This well imagery the mapping methodology developed for the Murray-Darling Basin was used considered research which traces the to map the coastal strip and the far north-west corner of the state. The data layer degradation of the Murrumbidgee River over mapped over 4.5 million hectares of wetlands across the state. Of these wetlands 96 many decades, provides an excellent focus for per cent are west of the , while the rest are in coastal public understanding of the issues, and the catchments. This information will contribute to more effective natural resource need for an holistic approach to land uses and management through the identification of important wetland habitats. conservation.’ Native fauna surveys and research

Narran Lake Nature Reserve In November 2001 a comprehensive fauna survey was conducted in the western

M Cooper/NPWS section of the Narran Lake Nature Reserve. The results from this survey were very encouraging. A total of 118 species were recorded during the survey including 14 native mammal species (nine of which were bats), 15 reptile species, five amphibians species and 77 bird species, of which 15 were waterbirds or waders. Among the significant findings were the identification of 12 previously unrecorded species including the white-striped mastiff bat, Bynoe’s gecko, a blind snake and the common brushtail possum. Six threatened species were recorded including three bats, the pink cockatoo and brown treecreeper. Two threatened species not previously recorded were the little pied bat and the yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat. Three species regarded as of conservation concern in western New South Wales NPWS officers set up pitfall traps during the fauna survey were also identified: the eastern long-necked tortoise, carpet python and in the Narran Lake Nature Reserve. Small marsupials and swamp wallaby. reptiles are trapped, identified and counted, then released. Little terns nesting site at Karagi Point This nesting site on the Central Coast had one of its most successful breeding seasons this year, with around 30 more chicks fledged than last year. Recovery efforts for the little terns at Karagi Point are a cooperative venture with Wyong Council and NPWS staff erecting and maintaining fencing, and volunteers from the Central Coast Group of Birding NSW monitoring sites, counting eggs and chicks and reporting any disturbances. The breeding season did not begin well, with over half the first clutches taken by predators (most likely silver gulls and Australian ravens). In some cases nests outside the fenced area were subject to disturbance by people and dogs. Fortunately some of the birds who lost their first clutches re- nested and with extended fencing to protect a larger area, disturbance to the second clutches was kept to a minimum. Overall at least 73 eggs hatched and 50 chicks fledged successfully. 25 2001 2002 Annual report

Heath frog monitoring project The heath frog (Litoria littlejohni) is a species with limited distribution in central P Green and southern New South Wales and is listed as vulnerable under Schedule 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. It occurs in riparian situations within heathy eucalypt woodland and heath/shrub eucalypt forest. A project to monitor the heath frog was established to inform the health and vitality indicator and the biodiversity indicator required by the reporting processes of the Southern Regional Forests Agreement. The project will also increase knowledge of the species’ abundance and distribution and over time develop an appreciation of its habitat requirements. An experienced herpetologist was contracted to undertake systematic surveys based on Comprehensive Regional Assessment methods of known and potential sites of heath frog occurrence. About 12 sites were surveyed. Individual frogs and tadpoles were counted, with standard frog hygiene methods in place as required by the NPWS protocol of hygiene. The threatened heath frog is the subject of a monitoring project which will increase knowledge of its distribution The species was detected at 11 sites. The number of known sites and estimates of and abundance and develop an appreciation of its habitat the number of individuals at each site increased significantly as a result of the requirements. survey. New sites were discovered in Jerrawangla National Park and Parma Creek Nature Reserve. The intense and extensive wildfires of December 2001 and January 2002 ravaged the heath frog sites surveyed in August 2001. A follow-up survey is planned for August 2002 to assess the endurance of heath frogs and other frog species at those sites in the face of the wildfires’ destructive force.

Glider surveys Surveys for glider species in and around Bouddi National Park were undertaken in May 2002. The surveys were conducted to determine the impact of fire on glider populations in the area. Four species of glider were targeted in the surveys: sugar gliders, greater gliders, and the threatened squirrel gliders and yellow-bellied gliders. Surveys were conducted using trapping and spotlighting methods. This was the first year for these surveys which will be conducted over a number of years. Local residents were invited to participate to enhance their understanding of and commitment to their local biodiversity. Information collected will assist with fire management planning for the area.

Sydney Harbour little penguin monitoring program NPWS Sydney Harbour is home to a small breeding colony of approximately 130 little penguins, listed in 1997 as an endangered population on Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. A recovery team consisting of key stakeholders was established to develop the Little Penguin Recovery Plan endorsed in October 2000. As part of the development of this plan and in order to define the magnitude and boundaries of the colony, an ongoing monitoring program was commenced by the NPWS in November 1998. The goals of the program are to: identify, tag and map all known burrows count birds in burrows to determine population size band birds for identification. The Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife has contributed over $30,000 from Monitoring the little penguin colony in Sydney Harbour the ‘Save the Little Penguin Appeal’ towards this monitoring program. Taronga Zoo will help safeguard this endangered population. has conducted numerous autopsies of little penguins for NPWS mortality database records. Local residents and volunteers from the local council, Taronga Zoo and bird watching clubs have also been encouraged to actively participate in the monitoring program via a series of beach counts of penguins. As well as this monitoring the NPWS and Charles Sturt University are undertaking more extensive research into the colony involving radio-tracking, diet surveys and genetic analysis. Radio-tracking is undertaken using volunteers from the NPWS, Taronga Zoo and universities. 26 Conservation assessment

The NPWS has also worked closely with Manly Council to identify and mitigate threats to the colony such as dogs and foxes, and to develop procedures to ensure the informed assessment of development applications and the provision of R Montague-Drake safeguards in conditions of consent. A combined community education package Penguin Aware was also developed. There is now a series of fact sheets publicly available and 50 trained volunteers presenting educational talks to the broader community.

Biodiversity impacts of artificial watering points in arid New South Wales A three year post-graduate research project into biodiversity around artificial watering points in Sturt National Park was completed during 2001. Results are being written up as a PhD thesis which is due to be finished by the end of 2002. This research will be continued with the assistance of national and international volunteers in order to accumulate long-term data on this topic. Not seen in north-west New South Wales since the 1970s, this long haired rat was an exciting find during the research project into biodiversity impacts of artificial Striped-faced dunnart watering points in Sturt National Park. The striped-faced dunnart is widely distributed in western New South Wales, yet typically occurs at low densities. Habitat requirements of the species were examined through pitfall trapping and radio-tracking at sites north of Broken Hill and north- CASE STUDY east of Bourke. Monitoring of the plains- Early results suggest that the species has significantly smaller home ranges than wanderer on the NSW expected when it occupies high-quality habitat such as ungrazed sites. This means Riverine Plain that dense, viable populations may be possible in areas managed sympathetically, The plains-wanderer is an endangered even with moderate predation by foxes and cats. Survey and habitat assessment will grassland bird whose population is believed to be expanded to the northern floodplains of New South Wales in the upcoming year. be less than 2,500 pairs in New South Wales. A recovery plan has been prepared for the Warrumbungle brush-tailed rock-wallabies species which will be exhibited in mid-2002. The endangered population of rock-wallabies in the Warrumbungle National Park One of the key actions of the recovery plan comprises only a half dozen remaining colonies. Past monitoring efforts based on involves long-term surveys of plains- counting wallaby droppings within transects have not provided detailed population wanderers to obtain information on the density estimates, so a novel genetic survey technique was initiated that will gradually of the species across a number of different establish colony sizes. habitat types and management regimes. Fresh droppings are analysed for their DNA content thus identifying the individuals This information is critical to determining the represented. This cumulative survey method was complemented by a direct population size of the species and whether the estimation of numbers through comparison with other sites of known colony size. density of birds is affected by factors such as proximity to irrigation developments, grazing Yellow-footed rock-wallaby intensity and underlying quality of plains- wanderer habitat. Aerial helicopter surveys conducted in late winter 2001 revealed a continued increase in the number of yellow-footed rock-wallabies observed at two ranges To obtain this vital information on the plains- within the Mutawintji National Park and Nature Reserve. wanderer bi-annual surveys in 10 standard monitoring grids are being undertaken across The combination of goat and fox control and favourable seasons has seen a dramatic the NSW Riverine Plain by the Wildlife increase from a total of 25 animals observed in 1995 to 143 in 2001. Extension Officer based at Greening Australia in and NPWS staff. Each grid is Atlas of NSW Wildlife monitored twice per survey period in June and Data from the Atlas of NSW Wildlife is used in conservation assessment and January, giving a total of 20 survey nights. planning. In 2001-02 licences for the supply of detailed data from the atlas were The first round of surveys was completed in granted to the following groups: June 2001 and birds were found on about environmental consultants – 16 new licences, 97 renewals 70 per cent of the grids. state government agencies – 2 new licences, 5 renewals local government agencies – 1 new licence, 20 renewals research students – 14 new licences, 1 renewal conservations groups and others – 5 new licences, 6 renewals. Full reports were provided to environmental consultants (769), local government (65), other government organisations (96), as well as TAFE and university students (37). The NPWS provided 176 species lists from the atlas for conservation purposes, general interest reasons and to meet requirements for land clearance applications. 27 2001 2002 Annual report

Approximately 43,765 records have been added to the atlas, bringing the total number of records for which the NPWS is custodian to 1,049,885. Another 1,573,362 records from external organisations, most of which were added this year, are also now held within the atlas database for internal use by NPWS staff. These organisations are: State Forests of NSW Australian Museum Birds Australia Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme CSIRO. A further 1,118,719 records from other external organisations are yet to be included. The Atlas of NSW Wildlife News is a newsletter for contributors and friends of the atlas. The NPWS released two such newsletters this financial year, the first in July 2001 and the second in February 2002. A new version of the Atlas of NSW Wildlife website is being fine-tuned to be launched early next year. The current atlas can be viewed at: http://wildlifeatlas.socialchange.net.au/about.html.

Wildlife research approvals NPWS approval is required for research involving or possibly affecting native wildlife. In 2001-02 the NPWS issued 107 certificates under section 95(2) of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and 1,064 scientific licences under sections 120, 131 and clause 20 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and Regulations. The Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC) which acts on behalf of and reports directly to the Director-General of the NPWS approves and monitors all animal research conducted by NPWS employees and contractors. Over the past year a range of measures has been taken to improve efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of ACEC operations. These included an expansion of the committee’s membership and introduction of fixed terms of office for members. A number of standard operating procedures were also developed and endorsed. The accreditation of the NPWS as a research establishment by the NSW Department of Agriculture under the Animal Research Act 1995 was renewed for the standard three-year period. During the reporting year the ACEC met on eight occasions and approved 29 new protocols.

Threat management research

Pest management

Foxes Experiments measuring the response of threatened species to fox control commenced as part of the Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the Red Fox.

These experiments target the rufous bettong, brush-tailed rock-wallaby, southern N Fenton/NPWS brown bandicoot, broad-toothed rat, Albert’s lyrebird, plains-wanderer, mallee fowl and Bellinger River emydura. Standardised monitoring of threatened species and fox populations are being incorporated into fox control programs at the priority sites identified in the plan. Where possible, priority sites for each species will be allocated to either fox control or no fox control to provide a critical test of the response of prey populations to control measures. On the Northern Tablelands a research project jointly funded by the Natural Heritage Trust and the NPWS commenced to determine whether fox baiting has an impact on the vulnerable spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) at the population level and whether the restrictions on the use of 1080 for fox control in quoll areas are necessary. Spotted-tailed quoll: field experiments suggest that quolls will reject poison baits aimed at foxes. 28 Conservation assessment

Field experiments were undertaken in national parks on the Northern Tablelands using commercially available Foxoff ® baits. The fate of quolls was monitored by radio-tracking their movements during the baiting programs. The results are promising in that they indicate that bait taken by quolls is negligible. This research may have major implications for fox control. For example, where quolls are present and Foxoff ® baits are used it may be possible to modify some of the restrictions in the best practice guidelines such as the requirements for a free- feeding period with non-poisoned baits, deep burial and daily monitoring of bait stations. Other baiting media such as fresh and dried meat baits will need to be tested before any wider extrapolations can be made.

Dingos The NPWS is also contributing to a University of NSW research project which is refining DNA techniques to determine the genetic purity of populations and to use these techniques to map the distribution of dingo populations in New South Wales.

Feral deer In 1999 the University of Western Sydney began a study of the ecology and environmental impact of feral deer in Royal National Park. This research was sponsored by the NPWS and other research partners to gain a better understanding of the impacts of feral deer on the biodiversity in the park and thus aid in managing the population more effectively. Initial results are that numbers of feral deer in the park have increased from 2,500 in 1999 to 2,900 in 2001. Data from the 1999-2000 fawning season indicate that the reproductive rate is high, with 75 per cent of mature females (hinds) giving birth and 50 per cent of fawns surviving their first year. Initial analysis of deer rumen contents indicates that on average 70 per cent of the diet consists of native vegetation with Acacia, Casuarina and Angophora species most favoured. The diet of some deer comprised only native vegetation. The analysis has identified 36 species of rare and threatened plants that are eaten. Analysis of the survey results indicates: significantly lower density and diversity of plant species in threatened plant communities occur at high deer density locations compared to low deer density locations sandstone heath patches have 30 per cent fewer plant understorey species at high deer density locations compared to low deer density locations sandstone woodland patches have 40 per cent fewer plant understorey species at high deer density locations compared to low deer density locations littoral rainforest patches in high deer density areas have 70 per cent fewer understorey plant species than patches in low deer density areas diet overlap with the swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) in the park is estimated to be 15-50 per cent. The NPWS is also sponsoring research by Macquarie University into fertility control of feral deer. The project commenced in late 2000 using contraceptive implants on a small captive population of feral deer taken from Royal National Park. While it is not expected that this current research will provide any fertility control solutions in the short-term, it will provide background information on the reproductive physiology of feral deer which will be useful in the development of this technique in the future.

Environmental weed research The NPWS is a major contributor to national programs seeking biological controls for a range of environmental weeds. Programs funded during 2001-02 included: bitou bush, lantana, Scotch broom, bridal creeper and serrated tussock. The successes of some of these programs are described in the section on pest management under Conservation Management. For example, the NPWS provided $60,000 during 2001-02 for the national research program on biological control of bitou bush. Four biological control agents have now been released under this program. One of them, the bitou seed fly, is now well established along the NSW coastline and populations of the fly have commonly reduced seed production by over 50 per cent. The latest introduction, the bitou leaf roller moth, has been released in Bongil Bongil, Botany Bay, Broadwater, Bundjalung, Crowdy 29 2001 2002 Annual report

Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Sea Acres and Yuraygir national parks. At high densities larvae of the moth are D Keith/NPWS capable of decimating plants and it is the most destructive agent found to date. It is too early to draw any conclusions from the release of the leaf roller moth, but Australian and South African scientists are confident of its potential to have a major impact on bitou bush in Australia.

Fire management research The NPWS was funded through the NSW Biodiversity Strategy to address Priority Action 43: Manage fire in accordance with ESD [ecologically sustainable development] principles. The aim of the project is to achieve better fire management by developing guidelines about appropriate fire regimes for the conservation of biodiversity within given ecosystems. The development of databases on the fire response and life history characteristics of flora and fauna University’s Professor Rob Whelan (right), species, combined with research into surveys the aftermath of fires in Royal National Park. the effects of infrequent fire, aided the development of these guidelines. This was a two year project but further funding has extended it until 2003. Documentation of the fire history of Guy Fawkes River as part of a PhD research program has demonstrated the worth of aerial photos and LandSat images as tools to obtain a more accurate history in remote areas where fire history has not been mapped. Research in collaboration with the University of Technology, Sydney has examined the role of fire cues in promoting germination in a range of native plant species. This work has clearly demonstrated the importance of two key elements that control the amount of germination that occurs after a fire. These elements are the amount of soil heating that occurs and the amount of smoke that reaches the soil. Both elements are important for the maintenance of plant biodiversity. Research in collaboration with the University of Western Sydney and the University of Wollongong has examined how the season in which fire occurs may affect the amount and timing of germination after fire. While for many species the season does not appear to matter, for a significant number including some threatened species, the time of year influences the magnitude of recovery after the fire. Implications of this for fire management are currently being explored.

CASE STUDY Cultural heritage research Aboriginal women’s The NPWS strategic cultural heritage research program was initiated in 1997 heritage and continues to carry out work designed to provide a strong foundation of Research on Aboriginal women’s heritage knowledge for cultural heritage conservation. The program has taken as its major begun in 2001 focuses on cultural landscapes. focus the need to provide models for assessing and conserving cultural heritage at It involves a program of cultural mapping alandscape level. being conducted in collaboration with In March 2002 a seminar Cultural Landscapes was held featuring papers on NPWS Aboriginal community members at Nowra and research in this field. It included a paper on the Service’s three year project on the Nambucca. heritage of the pastoral industry in New South Wales. This study, based on research Case studies in these two areas are intended to at Kunderang in the upper Macleay Valley and at Culgoa in north-west New South show the particular view that Aboriginal Wales looks in depth at the way Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people have a shared women have of the country in which they live. history of involvement in pastoralism. A discussion paper on the heritage of The research will highlight particular historical pastoralism, due for release later in 2002, argues the case for a landscape-scale view themes including women’s roles in raising of pastoral history, one which takes in droving trails and back-country stockyards children and nurturing families, their roles in in addition to the core infrastructure represented by homesteads and woolsheds. food gathering and preparation, and their importance as keepers of family and community history. 30 Conservation assessment

Also continuing from previous years is research on the significance of biodiversity to Aboriginal communities. Publication of the results of collaborative research on this topic with Aboriginal communities in the Coffs Harbour area is scheduled for later in 2002. A new study focusing on the impact of salination on Aboriginal cultural heritage in central western New South Wales was initiated in 2001. Other research undertaken during the reporting year included: cultural heritage surveys including helicopter-based mapping of potential shelters in , for input to plan of management and fire planning processes a detailed survey and assessment for cultural heritage values prior to toilet construction and for general planning at Illaroo camping area in Yuraygir National Park, in partnership with the local Aboriginal land council cultural heritage surveys across 14 new reserves in the northern part of the state to determine the cultural significance of these reserves and surrounding areas surveys and assessments of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal significance in and adjacent private lands to determine future management direction, local significance and the role the park plays in the social and economic aspects of the region a survey of the Table Top Nature Reserve to identify and assess the Aboriginal cultural significance of the reserve and adjacent private lands.

Totemism and the social context of plants and animals in NSW: the cultural significance of flora and fauna to Aboriginal people The NPWS and the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies at the Australian National University undertook this project as part of the NSW Biodiversity Strategy under Priority Action 135: Develop and implement a NSW biodiversity research strategy. This project specifically addresses the strategy’s aim of engaging with Aboriginal people and their knowledge. The first part of the project conducted in 2000-01 sought to assess Aboriginal perceptions of flora, fauna and landscape. Gaining an understanding of totemic values will allow agencies and communities to consider how such values might shape recovery planning and biodiversity research and management. The objective is to develop an understanding of the scale and nature of totemic values in New South Wales and to determine how these values can be recognised in land management. The second part, to be conducted in 2002-03 will focus on establishing detailed and practical linkages with biodiversity management action such as park planning, recovery planning and research.

Darling Riverine Plains cultural mapping project This project examined the perspective on country of the Gamilaroi people in the area. In consultation with the people their traditional and contemporary values were identified and documented, as well as any significant changes and Research on how Vietnamese-Australians perceive and impacts on these values. Important information was obtained through the project use national parks will be published by the NPWS later that can be used to make informed planning decisions about country and its in 2002. management.

Multiculturalism In 2001 the NPWS published A Multicultural Landscape: national parks and the Macedonian experience. This was the first book in a series examining the different ways that particular migrant groups perceive and use national parks. Research on multiculturalism continued with a study of the relationship of Sydney’s Vietnamese-Australian community to national parks being completed in June 2002. The study also examined the distinctive view of nature that Vietnamese people brought with them when they moved to Australia and the perception of conservation in Vietnamese culture. The outcomes of the project will be published later in 2002 in a book entitled Moving Landscapes: National Parks and the Vietnamese Experience. 31 2001 2002 Annual report

Conservation research and assessment tools

Biodiversity values The NPWS conducted research during the year benchmarking the biodiversity values of major vegetation communities of the NSW Murray-Darling Basin. This work will feed into the development of tools for assessing the biodiversity benefits of vegetation management and revegetation on private land and will underpin emerging market-based instruments for biodiversity conservation. The work is progressing in cooperation with the Australian National University, Greening Australia and the CSIRO.

Survey guidelines The NPWS was allocated funds through the NSW Biodiversity Strategy for a project to address Priority Action 130: Implementation of the Biodiversity Survey Program. The project develops, publishes and promotes guidelines to support the systematic acquisition and assessment of survey data through agreed survey methods, well-planned surveys and a standard reporting framework. A range of guidelines is being produced to suit the differing needs of stakeholder groups. The first of four planned guidelines, the Community Biodiversity Survey Manual (revised second edition) was launched. These guidelines are aimed at assisting community groups to conduct their own biodiversity field surveys. Workshops around New South Wales involving fauna and flora survey consultants, local government, and natural resource management agencies N Mason/NPWS helped develop two other sets of guidelines under the NSW Biodiversity Strategy. The Regional Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Guidelines can be used for regional planning needs. The Threatened Species Survey and Assessment Guidelines can be used for development-oriented assessment, including Environmental Impact Statements and Species Impact Statements. Both sets of guidelines will be completed in 2002.

A southern brown bandicoot about to be released after capture as part of a monitoring program for this threatened species in northern Sydney. 32 Conservation assessment

State of the Parks report The NSW State of the Parks reporting system is being developed by the NPWS to improve the quality and quantity of information available to people about natural and cultural heritage values, the pressures on those values, and the role our parks system is playing in the conservation of those values. The State of the Parks 2001 report launched by the Minister for the Environment, Bob Debus on 15 November 2001 represents the first stage in the development of this system. This inaugural report has three sections: an overview of the parks system and the legislative and policy framework of park management the desired outcomes of park management, setting the structure for future performance reporting some individual park profiles. The management outcomes articulated in this report provide the basis for the development of performance indicators which will be reported against in future reports. Appropriate performance indicators are currently being identified. Future reports will enable comparison over time of the conservation outcomes being achieved across NSW parks. For the public the reports will describe how well the NPWS is meeting its management objectives, and the NPWS will be able to use the reporting to guide and inform its management decisions. To view a copy of the State of the Parks 2001 report see the NPWS website at: www.npws.nsw.gov.au/about/state_of_parks/state_of_parks.html.

The State of the Parks 2001 report was published both as a book and as a CD-ROM. 33 2

Bunga Beach, Mimosa Rocks National Park. M Van Ewijk M Van The making of judgments about what to conserve and how best to do this, and the development of processes by which this is done. 34 Conservation planning

Conservation planning is undertaken by the NPWS in close consultation with the community and other land managers to ensure the conservation of natural and M Ooi/NPWS cultural heritage while also providing for people’s enjoyment of that heritage. The key objective of NPWS conservation planning activities is to improve the process for establishing conservation priorities for New South Wales to ensure: integration of natural, cultural and community values consultation and transparency responsiveness to threats and change. The activities addressed in this section include planning related activities through which the NPWS is contributing to the achievement of NSW Biodiversity Strategy objectives.

Biodiversity planning

Quantitative surveys of plant species are important in NSW coastal policy knowing which are threatened or rare. Principal Research Scientist Tony Auld (left) and NPWS officer Tricia Hogbin The NPWS is a member of the NSW Coastal Council which is responsible for conduct a survey for the fringe lily, Thysanotus virgatus. monitoring the implementation of the government’s NSW coastal policy, a whole- of-government approach to protecting and managing the coastal zone of New South Wales. The NPWS has primary responsibility for the implementation of 24 strategic actions within the policy. NPWS progress in meeting its responsibilities during 2001-02 will be reported in the council’s next annual report in late 2002. Council annual reports can be viewed at its website at www.coastalcouncil.nsw.gov.au. In June 2001 the Premier announced an $11.7 million coastal package to protect and provide a planning blueprint for the state’s coast. The package includes $8.6 million for a comprehensive coastal assessment (CCA) to be completed over three years. The assessment will involve the systematic study of the environmental, social and economic values of the coast and will determine those parts which are suitable for development and those which require protection. The NPWS will play a key role in CASE STUDY the assessment. Oolambeyan homestead Guidelines for biodiversity planning High value conservation land is no longer those ridge tops or scrubby hills. In the west The NPWS was allocated funds through the NSW Biodiversity Strategy to of the state it is under-represented habitats on address Priority Action 56: Local Biodiversity Action Plans. This project assists the plains, which generally means purchasing councils to use existing planning mechanisms such as local environmental plans pastoral stations. ‘Oolambeyan’ is one such to achieve biodiversity outcomes. The Biodiversity Planning Guide for NSW property. Local Government was launched on 20 June 2001. The guide has received two national awards for excellence in planning from the Planning Institute of Acquired by the NPWS in late 2001 Australia. Implementation of the guide is currently being trialed with several local ‘Oolambeyan’ was only lightly grazed in the councils across New South Wales, using funding allocated through the NSW past and retains much valuable remnant Biodiversity Strategy. Riverina grassland and woodland, plus a population of the endangered ground-dwelling During the year the NPWS in association with PlanningNSW and the Planning bird the plains-wanderer. And with the pastoral Institute of Australia presented a series of one day forums in each of five northern station comes all the station infrastructure, NSW regional centres under the theme ‘Better Biodiversity Planning’. Each forum including a homestead, quarters for jackaroos featured presentations from NPWS staff addressing topics related to Aboriginal and shearers, a woolshed, numerous sheds heritage, environmental planning, threatened species, and data updates. The forums and windmills. provided planners, consultants and ecologists with the latest information from the NPWS to assist in biodiversity planning. NPWS Guidelines for biodiversity planning on farms in central western New South Wales were prepared by the NPWS. These guidelines were developed with the help of a wide range of stakeholders including Catchment Management Boards and catchment managers, Landcare groups, local councils, Greening Australia and scientists in the CSIRO and universities.

Water reforms The government’s water reform program which commenced in 1995 took another major step with the passing of the Water Management Act 2000. Subsequently previous broad-scale planning efforts by water management committees were refocused to share water according to a set of priorities. New water-sharing plans outline how water will be shared over a ten year period between the Oolambeyan homestead. The acquisition of the pastoral environment, town water, stock and domestic needs, and extractive industries, station conserves a valuable remnant of Riverina in that order of priority. grassland and woodland. 35 2001 2002 Annual report

The NPWS participated in a number of committees to develop water-sharing plans for 37 regulated and unregulated rivers and groundwater sources. Input was also CASE STUDY provided into determining and implementing the Murray-Darling Basin cap levels WISE multimedia and of extraction on the Barwon-Darling rivers. bibliographic software for catchments Catchment Management Boards This unique software program is now available Established in 2000, Catchment Management Boards were formed to improve the on CD-ROM for the Barwon-Darling, Hacking, quality and sustainability of the state’s natural resources and environment. Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie-Bogan, Paroo and Membership is drawn from the local community, and state and local government. Warrego catchments. The WISE CD-ROM The NPWS is an active participant in these boards, ensuring that biodiversity and provides access to the most up-to-date Aboriginal cultural heritage protection are considered in the preparation of published information for each entire management plans. The list of boards in which the NPWS participated is found catchment. Further, it gives an overview of the at Appendix B. catchment, its rivers, wetlands, fauna and flora, national parks and towns in the form of maps, Native vegetation reforms videos and photographs. The NPWS continued to be represented on regional and statewide native vegetation These information systems, unique for each management and conservation committees, including the Native Vegetation catchment can also display an artist’s Advisory Council and its sub-committees and the Minister for Land and Water photographic exhibition, historical photo Conservation’s Community Reference Panel and related inter-agency committees. collections, an animation of river flows, and Issues being addressed by these committees include developing native vegetation interviews with Aboriginal people and conservation targets, the review of clearing exemptions, finalising the Native landholders along the river systems. For the Vegetation Conservation Strategy, incentives, offsets, integrated property first time, someone can access everything management planning, vegetation mapping and monitoring, and participation on ever published for the entire catchment, the board of the Nature Conservation Trust. covering all natural and cultural heritage issues. With powerful search routines, people In the 2001-02 year the drafting of a number of Regional Vegetation Management can find subjects of interest with the most up- Plans has progressed to final stages, with the NPWS contributing to their to-date information for any wetland, river or development through participation on regional committees and review of the plans. creek in the catchment. Publications can be listed and abstracts read to determine their relevance. There is also primary source Establishment of parks and reserves material under the three key issues identified During the year 32,410 hectares of new reserves and additions to existing as important for the entire catchment from the reserves were declared as part of the NSW reserve system, bringing the total analysis of publications. land area of New South Wales under reservation to 6.8 per cent. One new park with The WISE software has been updated and now a total of 185 hectares and four new nature reserves with a total of 2,703 hectares includes a mapping interface that will be used were proclaimed. for catchments currently being assessed. An active program of land purchases resulted in a variety of lands from around the The bibliographic and publication content of state being incorporated into the reserve system during the year. Of particular these databases will be available through the significance was the acquisition of several large parcels of land comprising high NPWS website later in 2002. conservation value ecosystems within the more poorly reserved bioregions of western New South Wales.

The boundaries of many of the state’s national parks and nature reserves are J Winter/NPWS convoluted, with many freehold lands still lying wholly contained within reserves. The activities currently undertaken in these inholdings and perimeter lands present a range of difficulties for the management of the adjacent reserves. To improve the management of existing parks and reserves the NPWS has an active program of consolidating parks and reserves through the acquisition of critical inholdings and perimeter lands. A longer-term effect of this program will be financial savings achieved by the removal or diminution of environmental degradation costs associated with the current management of those lands and the adjoining reserves. Moomba swamp, . During the year a total of 38 areas totalling 29,522 hectares were added to existing reserves throughout the state. Some of these new areas include: Melville Range Nature Reserve (27 kilometres west of Tamworth) This 837 hectare reserve forms part of the largest remaining natural remnant on the Melville Range representing the best opportunity to conserve biodiversity values on the range. The area comprises a variety of grassy woodlands and shrublands, and of particular significance are the narrow-leaved ironbark ( crebra) and white box (Eucalyptus albens) woodlands, which have not been recorded in existing conservation reserves. Fauna habitats are diverse and the vulnerable turquoise parrot (Neophema pulchella) has been recorded in the reserve. 36 Conservation planning

Koorawatha Nature Reserve (approximately two kilometres south-east of Koorawatha and 27 kilometres south-west of Cowra in the

H Clark/NPWS Bioregion) This 961 hectare property comprises plant communities dominated by mugga ironbark, black cypress, Dwyers red gum and bundy gum as well as small areas of grassy white box – grey box woodlands. There is a diversity and abundance of native grassland species and several species have not been recorded in other reserves. The plant communities present are important habitat for a number of endangered and threatened species that have been recorded on or near this land. Koorawatha Nature Reserve forms part of the NPWS Dananbilla Protected Area Network project that focuses on a landscape approach to ecosystem conservation within the highly fragmented and high conservation priority South West Slopes Bioregion. Jerilderie Nature Reserve (adjoining Jerilderie township on the western side) This 37 hectare reserve contains a diverse sample of Riverina grasslands (Enteropogon-Stipa community) which occurred extensively prior to settlement. It includes one endangered species Sclerolaena napiformis and two vulnerable species: Swainsona murrayana and Swainsona plagiotropis. The latter has only been found in the Jerilderie area. Educational values exist for this site as it is close to the town and primary school and is easily accessible to travellers on the . Torrington State Recreation Area addition (70 kilometres north of Glenn Innes) This 680 hectare addition has high conservation values with the presence of poorly conserved woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus caleyi ssp. ovendenii ironbark. Three additional rare and threatened plant species are known from the property including Macrozamia plurinervia, Phebalium rotundifolium and Hibbertia sp. B. The property also provides additional habitat for a number of endangered fauna species. A new addition to New England National Park protects an addition (20 kilometres south of Tenterfield) This 1,344 important remnant of Nothofagus moorei cool temperate hectare addition provides a valuable example of a range of tableland communities. rainforest. New England blackbutt forests are found on the high undulating areas, New England stringybark forest and woodland on steep slopes and at lower elevations on broad valley bottoms, woodlands of wattle-leaf peppermint and New England peppermint are interspersed with sedge swamp and wet heath. New England National Park extension (15 kilometres south-west of Dorrigo) This CASE STUDY 83 hectare addition to the World Heritage-listed New England National Park is one of the few areas on the Dorrigo Plateau where Nothofagus moorei cool temperate New nature reserve for rainforest remains on the plateau surface. It is contiguous with the park area along Narrabri area the top of the Bellinger Escarpment, and hence forms the upper end of a forested Surrounded by a sea of prime agricultural gradient extending upward from the Bellinger River. The Dorrigo area is the core land, the nature reserves of the Narrabri area area for this type of rainforest which reaches its optimal development on the afford valuable islands of remnant vegetation plateau surface. This forest type is poorly conserved on such sites. and habitat to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Bundjalung, Mimosa Rocks, Hat Head, Queens Lake and Myall Lakes national Recently the existing 11 nature reserves were parks Significant additions to these coastal parks have helped to enhance their boosted with the addition of two parcels of integrity and management by consolidating reserve boundaries as well as adding land to the NPWS estate near Mungindi in the important ecological communities to the state’s reserve system. state’s north. Guy Fawkes River, Washpool and Yengo national parks Substantial additions ‘Athlone’ (2,922 hectares) and ‘Thorndale’ were made to these parks across the ranges and tablelands. The inclusion of a (1,058 hectares) have historically been number of large inholdings and perimeter lands into these parks has enhanced managed as low intensity grazing properties in their wilderness values and assisted in their management as wilderness areas. an area between the MacIntyre and Boomi rivers. Recent vegetation mapping has Expanding the reserve network in western demonstrated these lands provide an important New South Wales vegetation corridor between the two rivers in The development of the reserve system in New South Wales to date has favoured an otherwise highly cleared area. environments in the eastern part of the state. On average 27 per cent of each of Significant vegetation communities on the new the east coast bioregions is reserved. In western New South Wales only three per reserve include areas of old growth Carbeen cent on average is reserved within each bioregion. The total area reserved in the (Eucalyptus tessellaris) and Mitchell high priority bioregions of the Riverina and Darling Riverine Plains is less than grassland. Carbeen open forest community is one per cent. listed as an endangered ecological community In an attempt to redress this imbalance and in line with the NSW government’s on the Darling Riverine Plains and Mitchell Action for the Environment Statement (2001) the NPWS has maintained its grasslands have been largely eliminated from program of land acquisition, specifically targeting western lands of high the region with the remaining stands highly conservation priority and focusing on those ecosystems under-represented or as modified by grazing. Woodlands dominated by yet unrepresented in the NSW reserve system as well as lands of high cultural coolibah, river red gum and belah occur along heritage significance. the floodplains and large intact areas of Queensland bluegrass are also present. 37 2001 2002 Annual report

Five areas totalling 106,390 hectares have been purchased this financial year and these areas will be formally added to the reserve system in the 2002-03 financial year. The land purchased in western New South Wales this year includes: ‘Mt Murchison’ and ‘Wilga’ (90 kilometres north-east of Wilcannia) – 80,361 hectares of land to protect substantial areas of the floodplain which are also significant to local Aboriginal people Mrs Laura Kelly with NPWS Anthropologist Jo Erskine at ‘Taringa’ (8 kilometres north of Coolatai) – 1,339 hectares of a floristically the declaration of Dippo Ceremonial Ground in Balranald rich area protecting the threatened semi-evergreen vine thicket vegetation as an Aboriginal Place. These declarations recognise the community. importance of conserving Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Acquisition of wilderness A Blair/NPWS Dunphy Wilderness Fund The Dunphy Wilderness Fund (DWF) was initially established in September 1996 in memory of Milo Dunphy and his father Myles, to purchase freehold and leasehold land to add to existing wilderness. The initial government funding commitment was $1 million each year for five years from 1996-97 until 2000-01. The Premier extended this commitment with an additional $5 million provided for the fund over three years from July 2001 until June 2004, with $2 million provided in the 2001-02 financial year. The fund has exceeded this commitment in two of the six years of its operation and the total spent to date on Dunphy Wilderness Fund acquisitions is approaching $7.72 million. The fund is overseen by the Dunphy Wilderness Fund Reference Group (DWFRG) which includes representatives from the NPWS, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, the Colong Foundation for Wilderness and the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. The DWFRG provides advice on acquisition criteria, reviews Total number of off-park the acquisition program and promotes the fund. Aboriginal Place declarations The DWFRG has developed a marketing strategy this year to raise awareness of the 16 14 Dunphy Wilderness Fund. The strategy aims to encourage donations from both 14 corporate and individual donors to continue the purchase of land to enhance wilderness areas in New South Wales. 12 Through the Dunphy Wilderness Fund the NPWS has acquired 42 properties and an 10 additional six properties are in the final stages of purchase. These acquisitions will 8 bring the total area purchased under the Dunphy Wilderness Fund over its six years 7 7 7 of operation to 49,983 hectares. Acquisitions for 2001-02 will form additions to the 6 Yengo, Washpool, Wollemi, Tuggalo, Cataract, Binghi and Timbarra wilderness areas. 4 Additional freehold and leasehold properties within identified wilderness have been purchased by the NPWS under other land acquisition programs including the 2 Occupational Permit Fund. 0 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02

Declaration of Aboriginal Places Off-park Aboriginal Place declarations (hectares) The 2001-02 Aboriginal Place program has resulted in the declaration of five new Aboriginal Places including Three Brothers Mountains (Port Macquarie), White Lady (’000 hectares) Rock (Tibooburra), Dippo Ceremonial Ground (Balranald), Hannibal Hamilton’s 16 14,820

Grave (Tumut) and Upper Kedumba Valley (Katoomba). The number of Aboriginal 14 Places declared throughout New South Wales has now reached 37. 12 Five Aboriginal Place nominations are currently in the finalisation stage including Chinaman’s Creek (near Tabulam), Dennewan Mission site (adjoining Culgoa 10 National Park), Farquar Park (Taree), Tabulam Burial site (Tabulam) and Dandaloo Mission site (near Dubbo). 8 The 2002-03 Aboriginal Place program will see the finalisation of these Aboriginal 6 Place nominations and the investigation of new Aboriginal Places with a particular 4 3,253 focus in the western region of New South Wales. 2,743 2

0 Sep 00 Jun 01 Jun 02 38 Conservation planning

Energy Australia/National Trust Award

P Green/NPWS In April 2002 the NPWS won the 2002 Energy Australia/National Trust Award in the Indigenous Heritage category for its work with landholders and the Aboriginal community on the Mt Drysdale Aboriginal Place declaration.

Plans of management The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 requires that a plan of management be prepared for each national park, nature reserve, historic site, karst conservation reserve, Aboriginal area, state recreation area and regional park. A plan of manage- ment is a legal document outlining how the area will be managed in the future. The procedures for exhibition Bald Rock National Park was the subject of one of nine plans of management adopted by the Minister for the and adoption of plans of management are laid down in the Act. Environment during the year. During the last year nine plans of management were adopted by the Minister for the Environment for the following 13 areas: Corporate Bald Rock National Park and Boonoo Boonoo National Park performance target Maryland National Park Brigalow Park Nature Reserve Increase in the number of plans of Tuckean Nature Reserve management placed on public exhibition Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Lion Island, Long Island and Spectacle Island (a plan of management may cover more than nature reserves one park/reserve) Botany Bay National Park 40 Uralba Nature Reserve 36 Cathedral Rock National Park. 35 33 31 In addition, amendments were adopted to the plans of management for Morton 30 National Park, Towra Point Nature Reserve and Murramarang National Park. 25 24 The National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council has specific responsibilities

20 18 under the National Parks and Wildlife Act to consider and advise the Minister for the Environment on plans of management and any representations received in 15 response to public exhibition of a plan. The advisory council considered and reported on 15 plans of management for 16 NPWS-managed areas during 2000-01. 10 9 5 5 Number of NPWS areas for which there is: 1 0 0 An adopted plan A plan exhibited or 0 of management finalised for exhibition* Jun 01 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 National parks 65 21 Plans exhibited awaiting adoption Historic sites 8 2 Plans adopted financial year to date Nature reserves 67 24 State recreation areas 10 6 Aboriginal areas 1 –

M Cufer/NPWS Regional parks – 2 Total (206) 151 55 *Includes 8 new plans to replace existing plans of management

Captain Cooks Landing Place in Botany Bay National Park. A plan of management for the park was adopted in 2002. 39 2001 2002 Annual report

Threatened species planning Corporate performance target Recovery plans Increase in the number of threatened species Over the last twelve months 18 recovery plans have been approved by the NSW recovery plans and threat abatement plans Minister for the Environment, bringing to 40 the total number of approved recovery placed on public exhibition plans at 30 June 2002. A total of 54 threatened species are covered by these 60 recovery plans. Recovery plans approved by the Minister for the Environment during 54 the year are listed at Appendix K. 55 48 50 46 In addition to these approved recovery plans, at 30 June 2002 15 draft plans were or 45 39 had been on public exhibition and 27 draft plans had been completed and were 40 37 awaiting exhibition. A further 140 recovery plans were in preparation. In total over 35 300 threatened species, populations and ecological communities are currently being 30 addressed in draft and approved recovery plans. 25 19 The NPWS is also progressing the implementation of recovery plans and is currently 20 undertaking or has successfully completed more than 700 recovery actions. Many of 15 9 the actions are being undertaken prior to the completion of the recovery plan and 10 8 are referred to as ‘pre-recovery plan’ actions. The range of actions being undertaken 5 3 0 includes community and landholder awareness, feral plant and animal control, site 0 protection (including fencing), habitat restoration, off-park conservation, Jun 01 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 monitoring, research and surveys. Plans exhibited awaiting adoption Threat abatement plans Plans adopted financial year to date Several weeds and vertebrate pests have been recognised as key threatening processes under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. These include predation of native fauna by foxes, feral cats and plague minnow (Gambusia holbrookii), competition and grazing by rabbits, and invasion of native plant communities by bitou bush.

Foxes The NPWS has completed a Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the Red Fox. J Bean/NPWS The plan was endorsed by the Minister for the Environment in December 2001 and is now being implemented across the state by the NPWS, State Forests of NSW and the Department of Land and Water Conservation. It is the first threat abatement plan to be completed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Implementation of the plan represents a fundamental change in the way fox control is undertaken for the conservation of native fauna in New South Wales. In particular, the plan indicates priorities for management across all land tenures by identifying which threatened species are at greatest risk of population impacts from fox predation and at which sites fox control for these species is most critical. Eighty-one priority sites for fox control have been identified across New South Pest Control Officer Kerry Holmes explains the value of Wales, providing recovery actions for 34 threatened species (11 mammals, 15 birds exclusion fencing in the recovery of threatened flora to a and 8 reptiles). Undertaking collaborative fox control programs across all land Discovery tour group. Custom-designed fencing keeps tenures at these sites is the central action of the plan. kangaroos, rabbits and goats out, allowing plants to In addition the plan identifies best practice guidelines for fox control which seek to re-establish themselves. maximise the effectiveness of control programs while minimising the impact of control methods on non-target species. Research actions to refine these practices are identified in the plan. Finally, the plan outlines monitoring programs to measure the response of threatened species to fox control. The main objective of these experiments is to test whether populations of threatened species targeted for fox control are limited by fox predation. Such monitoring programs are fundamental to improving the effectiveness of the management of threatened species.

Bitou bush The national and NSW bitou bush strategies were launched on 22 August 2001 by the Director-General Brian Gilligan and the Chair of the NSW Coastal Council, Professor Bruce Thom. 40 Conservation planning

The National Bitou Bush and Boneseed Strategic Plan identifies priorities and CASE STUDY provides direction at the national level and will also be used by the Commonwealth Plague minnow to determine priorities for applications seeking funding from the Natural Heritage Trust. The NSW Bitou Bush Strategy is closely linked to and expands on the The plague minnow (Gambusia holbrooki) is a national plan, for the management of bitou bush across all public and private lands small introduced fish common throughout in New South Wales. It was developed after exhaustive consultation with local NSW waters. Predation by plague minnow has councils, coastal weeds committees and community groups. been listed as a key threatening process under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. The key outcomes of the NSW strategy are: A draft threat abatement plan has been preventing the introduction and/or further spread of bitou bush prepared by the NPWS and was placed on minimising the adverse impacts of bitou bush on biodiversity public exhibition. expanding commitment to the management of bitou bush. The plan identifies key sites for those The NSW strategy recommends where resources should be directed to address the threatened frog species most likely to be most critical issues. The focus is on improving control techniques, refining and impacted by predation or competition from adopting integrated management strategies and coordinating actions at the state, plague minnow and research actions to reduce regional and local level. Priority is given to enhancing community involvement by the impacts on these species. The plan developing partnerships between stakeholders, with specific recognition of the provides a strategy to ameliorate the impacts important role of volunteers. of plague minnow by minimising their spread and where possible controlling populations at A high priority identified in the NSW Bitou Bush Strategy is the preparation of a key sites. threat abatement plan to identify and protect populations of threatened species most at risk from bitou bush invasion or competition. A draft threat abatement plan is nearing completion.

S Cohen/NPWS Fire management plans The NPWS is a member of a multi-agency group comprising State Forests of NSW, the Department of Land and Water Conservation and the Rural Fire Service. This group develops bushfire risk management plans across the state and provides a cooperative framework for fire management, reinforcing conservation objectives for fire management across the landscape. Planning work undertaken during the year included: The plague minnow threatens the survival of public exhibition and advisory committee consideration of Munmorah, threatened frog species such as the green and Yengo/Parr/Dharug and Popran fire plans golden bell frog. preparation of a preliminary draft of the fire plan preparation of a draft of the Blue Mountains fire plan.

Corporate Cultural heritage planning performance target Heritage students’ involvement in conservation Regional cultural heritage strategies developed management planning for New South Wales by June 2003 For the sixth year running the NPWS worked in partnership with the University of 19 plans scheduled for Sydney’s Master of Heritage Program, run through the Department of Architecture, development Planning and Allied Arts, to prepare Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) for 15 historic heritage places on NPWS estate. 14 13 The partnership provides an opportunity for the NPWS to have innovative CMPs 12 prepared and offers the students a chance to see historic heritage management on- 11 park while engaging and inspiring them with many beautiful and interesting places 10 and landscapes managed by the NPWS. It also provides the students with practical 9 learning and input from NPWS cultural heritage specialists and regional staff in the 8 application of heritage and conservation management concepts. 7 6 Projects completed in 2001-02 were Cable Station and La Perouse Headland at La 5 Perouse and Dripping Rock Homestead in . Projects 4 commenced for three precincts within Scheyville National Park. 3 2 1 Cultural heritage policies and guidelines 0 During 2001-02 the following cultural heritage policies and guidelines were Plans Draft plans Plans not completed developed commenced endorsed: Cultural Heritage Strategic Policy Cultural Heritage Information Policy Cultural Heritage Community Consultation Policy Schedule 14: Guidelines for the Assessment of Reserve Lands. 41 2001 2002 Annual report

During 2001-02 reviews commenced of the following policies and guidelines: Part 6 (s87 and s90) Permits Policy and Guidelines NPWS Cultural Heritage Conservation Policy Moveable Cultural Heritage Policy Return of Aboriginal Remains Policy Return of Moveable Cultural Heritage Items Policy Preparation of Conservation Management Plans Guidelines Heritage Asset Maintenance Program (HAMP) Guidelines Aboriginal Heritage Protection (AHP) Program Guidelines.

Marine park planning Marine park planning is undertaken by the Marine Parks Authority which comprises the Director-General of the Premier’s Department (Chairperson), the Director- General of the NPWS and the Director of NSW Fisheries. The authority ensures that the principal aim of conserving marine biodiversity and maintaining ecological processes can be met while also allowing for the sustainable use of the marine environment. NPWS Aboriginal Sites Officers, Badger Bates and The NPWS actively participated in and contributed to a number of activities during Christine Tester sieve for Aboriginal remains disturbed 2001-02. These included: during construction work at Wilcannia Hospital. Members of the local Aboriginal community help with the recovery. planning for Solitary Islands Marine Park, Jervis Bay Marine Park and Lord Howe Island Marine Park development and public release of a discussion paper outlining several zoning options for Lord Howe Island Marine Park development and public release of a consultation paper Developing a representative system of marine protected areas in NSW – an overview, which outlined a proposal to establish a marine park in the waters between Lennox Head

and Brunswick Heads S Douglass/Coffs Harbour Advocate bioregional assessments under way for the Hawkesbury Shelf, Batemans Shelf and Twofold Shelf bioregions. The NPWS also participated in the development of the Solitary Islands Marine Park zoning plan which was finalised and announced by the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Fisheries in April 2002. Formal gazettal of the plan as a regulation is expected to occur in August 2002. The zoning plan represents an important step forward in marine conservation in New South Wales, incorporating 12 At the announcement in April of a new zoning plan for the per cent of the marine park in sanctuary zone, compared to the less than one Solitary Islands Marine Park. From left: Environment percent when the park was established from the former marine reserve. Stakeholder Minister Bob Debus, Marine Park Manager Libby Sterling meetings, submissions regarding the draft and a revised draft zoning plan were used and Fisheries Minister Eddie Obeid. to develop the final zoning plan.

Other conservation planning

Snowy corporatisation The NPWS has been one of the many NSW agencies involved in the negotiations relating to the corporatisation of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme. These negotiations have led to the development of more than 40 agreements, of which the NPWS is principally involved in seven. These seven agreements include the Snowy Park Lease, Schedule of Existing Developments, Snowy Management Plan and Regulations, a Roads Maintenance Agreement, and deeds for major and minor former scheme sites. The Snowy Park Lease is a commercial lease that in association with the Schedule of Existing Developments details all of the scheme’s current assets and activities and provides tenure over those areas. The Snowy Management Plan (SMP) recognises that the current Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management does not adequately provide for the existence and operation of the scheme within the park. The SMP and Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management are related documents although the SMP deals exclusively with the operation of the hydro scheme in the park. A significant part of the management plan is an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which will be developed by Snowy Hydro Limited (SHL) and approved 42 Conservation planning

by the NPWS. This EMP will impose environmental obligations and responsibilities on SHL for its traditional activities. The SMP Regulation will be an amendment to the existing NPWS (Land Management) Regulation and will enforce the obligations of the SMP. The Roads Maintenance Agreement provides maintenance arrangements for those roads used by SHL within the park. The corporatisation project has also led to the identification and listing of up to 450 former scheme sites within the park. They are sites resulting from either construction or operation of the scheme which still require some form of rehabilitation. Of these, 36 have been designated ‘major’ sites requiring extensive rehabilitation. The NPWS is to manage these works and SHL has allocated $25 million ($5 million per year over five years) to the NPWS for the project. Major sites range from large to medium-sized spoil dumps and quarries, to former landfills. The primary issue associated with these sites is potential instability and lack of vegetation regrowth. The process for rehabilitation will be a risk-based approach with extensive planning being undertaken prior to implementation. The remaining sites fall into the ‘minor’ sites category. These also require rehabilitation, although to a lesser degree, with weeds being the main issue. A total of $7 million has been allocated from SHL to the NPWS for rehabilitation of these sites. NPWS staff will generally undertake minor site rehabilitation works within the normal operational context. For all sites SHL retains responsibility for any liability arising under the NSW Contaminated Land Management Act 1997, with the NSW government and the NPWS assuming all other liabilities. The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority was corporatised on 28 June 2002 and became Snowy Hydro Limited, jointly owned by the NSW, Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.

Environmental planning The NPWS continued its statutory responsibilities as a concurrence authority and approval body under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The NPWS has provided submissions and advice to PlanningNSW regarding PlanFirst and other environmental planning matters. The NPWS has also provided advice on environmental impact assessment for fisheries management strategies for NSW Fisheries and advice to other agencies as required. The NPWS plays an essential role in advising local government and other government agencies on natural and cultural heritage conservation and management through the strategic planning and development control processes and the provision and assessment of Species Impact Statements. Examples of the NPWS role include commenting on residential and tourist developments and proposed rezoning applications, presenting and chairing expert panels at public inquiries and providing submissions to commissions of inquiry into proposed developments. 43 3

Eastern grey kangaroos, . A Brown

The management of natural and cultural heritage values across the state, incorporating: conservation incentives, education and advice regulation and enforcement the nurture and rehabilitation of the natural and cultural heritage landscape, including protected areas and beyond the establishment of appropriate reserves the ecologically sustainable use of protected areas. 44 Conservation management

Conservation management is undertaken by the NPWS and by many other organisations and communities. It is done not only on NPWS managed lands, but right across New South Wales. This chapter is about conservation management in its N Graham/NPWS broadest sense and includes activities through which the NPWS is contributing to the achievement of NSW Biodiversity Strategy objectives.

Working with Aboriginal communities The NPWS works with Aboriginal communities to achieve the protection of natural and cultural heritage through mechanisms that also deliver social and economic benefits. In the north of the state, the NPWS continued to consult with the Bundjalung and Githabul communities in order to improve NPWS management of areas and ensure its sensitivity to cultural issues. Steering groups have been formed for (Wollumbin) and Bundjalung national parks which will focus on developing NPWS Fire Management Officer Martin O’Connell and co-management agreements for these two parks. This process is important in Arakwal Community elders Auntie Linda Vidler and promoting the cultural significance of parks and reserves in the area. Auntie Lorna Kelly discuss the fire management plan for As part of its program for improvements for the lower Snowy River corridor the Arakwal National Park. NPWS consulted with local Aboriginal communities. The lower Snowy River has hundreds of identified Aboriginal sites and is a significant Aboriginal landscape. A field inspection with Aboriginal community representatives looked at ways to interpret the area as a cultural landscape. Aboriginal representatives came from East Gippsland in Victoria, the South Coast and as far away as Melbourne. During the year the NPWS began a project funded by the Department of Land and Water Conservation into the effects of salinity on Aboriginal heritage in New South Wales. Further details of this initiative are provided in the chapter on Capacity Building. When completed the project’s results will be integrated into key land-use planning mechanisms. A detailed case study was completed during the year in the Wellington local government area in the central west of New South Wales.

Joint management of national parks

Arakwal Indigenous Land Use Agreement The National Native Title Tribunal registered the Arakwal Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) on 28 August 2001. The agreement is the result of seven years of consultations between the Arakwal People and the NSW government through the NPWS and the Department of Land and Water Conservation, a range of community groups and the Council. Arakwal National Park is the first national park to be created under the Commonwealth’s Native Title Act 1993 and was gazetted on 26 October 2001. A celebration was held at Cape Byron Headland Reserve Trust in October, attended by Arakwal Elders, the NSW Premier and the Minister for the Environment. Arakwal National Park will be jointly managed by the Arakwal People and the NPWS. The Arakwal National Park Management Committee has been established with three Arakwal people, three NPWS staff and a Byron Shire Councillor on it. Arakwal people have been involved in the development of fire, pest and communications plans for the park and have been employed in the positions of ranger, field officer and trainee field officers for the park. The possibility of developing other Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) in northern New South Wales is being investigated on a whole-of-government basis.

Kinchega National Park Located 120 kilometres east of Broken Hill, is critically important for Aboriginal culture and heritage, containing occupation sites and burials in excess of 13,000 years BP. In recent years the NPWS has tried to involve the local Aboriginal community in the management of Aboriginal sites and heritage in the Menindee area (in particular Kinchega National Park), however a number of elders have expressed concern about an ad-hoc relationship. 45 2001 2002 Annual report

Through the Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Council, a Menindee Aboriginal Elders Council involving Barkindji and Corporate performance target Ngyiampaa Elders was formed to negotiate an agreement Increase in the number of agreements in place with Aboriginal with the NPWS for the cooperative management of Kinchega communities for the management or use of protected areas National Park. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been established as a result of those negotiations. It Agreements in place formalises procedures in which those Menindee Aboriginal 22 elders who have traditional and/or contemporary ties to 20 20 Kinchega National Park can have meaningful involvement in 20 17 the management of the park. 18 16 15 15 15 In the MOU the NPWS agrees to consult with and assist the 13 Menindee Aboriginal Elders Council in the protection, 14 management and/or interpretation of Aboriginal cultural sites 12 within Kinchega National Park and the Menindee area. The 10 9 NPWS also agrees to consult with and assist the Menindee 8 Aboriginal Elders Council to participate in the general 6 management of Kinchega National Park. 4 2 Mungo National Park Joint Management Agreement 0 Mungo National Park is wholly contained within the Willandra Sep 00 Dec 00 Mar 01 Jun 01 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 Lakes Region World Heritage Area. Management of this area is directed by a comprehensive plan of management which was prepared after an extensive community consultation process to identify all the tribal groups who occupied traditional lands in the World Heritage Area. Three tribal groups, Barkindji, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngyiampaa are currently working effectively in the management of the World Heritage Area, having formed the Three Tribal Groups’ Elders Council. Rather than divide the World Heritage Area up on a tribal basis the Elders Council developed a concept of ‘shared heritage’ and agreed that management decisions inside the area’s boundary were the business of all three tribes. Mungo National Park is a Schedule 14 park, i.e. it is nominated for joint management under the Aboriginal Ownership Amendment Act 1996 No. 142, the care, control and management of which is vested in a board of management. The Aboriginal community has decided not to pursue full joint management for Mungo National Park as allowed for in the Act. The NPWS respects this decision but still wishes to encourage constructive input into the management of the park by the traditional owners.

To formalise this involvement and in lieu of full handback, in early 2000 the Members of the first Joint Management Advisory NPWS began discussions with the elders and other Aboriginal community members Committee for Mungo National Park, the majority of about options for co-management of whom are elders from the Barkindji, Mutthi Mutthi or Mungo National Park. These options Ngyiampaa tribes. included the establishment of an advisory committee comprising a majority of Three Tribal Groups’

Elders. This concept was the basis for S Millington/NPWS negotiations of the Joint Management Agreement (JMA). Consultation and involvement by stakeholders was always paramount in the preparation of the JMA. Several drafts were produced with a final copy being ratified by the Three Tribal Groups’ Elders Council on 24 March 2001, and implemented as a pilot from July 2001. This JMA encourages and provides the elders with extensive input into the management of the park. The JMA is evidence of the good faith of the parties to work together in the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation. Implementation will be reviewed after 18 months. 46 Conservation management

Negotiations for lease back arrangements Advisory committees/management trusts with Aboriginal representation Discussions about the return and lease back of lands under Part 4A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 80% 71% continued throughout the year for Biamanga and Gulaga 70% 63% national parks, Mt Grenfell Historic Site, Stockton Bight and Warrell Creek. 60% 54% During the year the Office of the Registrar, Aboriginal 50% 44% Land Rights Act 1983 registered a number of Aboriginal 37% owners for Biamanga and Gulaga national parks and Mt 40% 31% Grenfell Historic Site. This is a key step in negotiating the 28% 30% 23% return of lands to a local Aboriginal land council to hold on behalf of the Aboriginal owners and the lease back of those 20% lands to the NPWS. 10% For parks in the Far South Coast, including Biamanga and Gulaga national parks the NPWS continued to release the 0% Sep 00 Dec 00 Mar 01 Jun 01 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 newsletter Coastal Custodians, a specialist Aboriginal newsletter designed to increase awareness and participation of Aboriginal people in the NPWS estate. Total Aboriginal membership on advisory committees/management trusts At Warrell Creek discussions are continuing between the 35% NPWS and the Nambucca and Unkya local Aboriginal land 31% councils to develop an agreement to return claimed land 30% and establish part of the area as a nature reserve to be leased back to the NPWS. 25% 22% 21% At Stockton Bight discussions continued regarding the 20% implementation of the agreement between the NSW 15% government and the Worimi Aboriginal Land Council for the 15% creation of a new national park, a new state recreational 11% area and a regional park. Under the agreement following the 9% 8% 10% 7% negotiation of a lease the reserves will be owned by the Aboriginal community, leased back to the NPWS, and jointly 5% managed through a board of management established under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. 0% Sep 00 Dec 00 Mar 01 Jun 01 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 Other co-management arrangements During the year the NPWS established an advisory committee for Mount Warning National Park involving a number of Aboriginal groups who have an association with the park. It has been discussing the development of a memorandum of understanding for Aboriginal co- management of the park. An informal management agreement is in place with the local Aboriginal community for Nungguu Mirrall Aboriginal Area, located in the Nambucca Valley. In response to concerns raised by the community, the NPWS secured the removal of a derelict trig station on top of Picket Hill during the year.

Aboriginal heritage

Rock art program S Meredith/NPWS During 2001-02 a number of activities in the rock art program were completed. These included site conservation work: in Coonabarabran, Pilliga Nature Reserve, Gunderbooka, Wuttagoona, Iona, Mt Manara and Mutawintji National Park. Rock art conservation kits were also put together and issued to sites officers participating in the Far West projects at Glen Innes and Torrington State Recreation Area at engraving sites at America Bay and Mount Ku-ring-gai and a recording project at Watagans National Park. Reports were also completed and meetings held with community members in relation to the re-engraving project at La Perouse and preliminary work began on a joint project with the Australian Museum. Peter Williams (left) and NPWS Rock Art Conservator Dave Lambert remove mud wasp nests from Aboriginal rock art on ‘Iona’ station using the dry brush removal technique. 47 2001 2002 Annual report

Western NSW rock art audit CASE STUDY Discussions between the NPWS and the Ngyiampaa/Ngemba Elders and the community about the proposed Mt Grenfell hand back led to the development of an The Keeping Place audit program for the rock art. The elders chose rock art sites as high priorities for In May 2002 following a year-long process of conservation works due mainly to their representation, irreplaceability and their consultation jointly coordinated by the NPWS, cultural significance (spiritual and ceremonial). the Australian Museum and the NSW The auditors will relocate recorded art sites, record new sites, assess their condition, Aboriginal Land Council, the remains of 21 prioritise a conservation schedule, submit applications for site protection funding individuals were repatriated to the La Perouse and undertake works. This process will take many years and will be documented in Aboriginal community. The remains were a report after the completion of the first two years work. The report will not only previously held in the Australian Museum and contain technical details but will also be important to communities for cultural had been acquired over a period of 100 years. revival reasons. They were reburied on NPWS-managed lands in the Botany Bay area in a moving ceremony The first phase of field assessment was undertaken in November 2001 at a small attended by approximately 60-70 people from number of trial sites including some on ‘K-line’ and ‘Moonavale’ and in Mutawintji the La Perouse Aboriginal community and National Park. The project was expanded in early 2002 to incorporate the area other invited guests. between the Darling, Bogan and Lachlan rivers, most of which falls within the . It was considered that ‘Iona’ (comprising only one art site), ‘Wuttagoona’ In accordance with community wishes the (containing 27 sites) and ‘Mt Manara’ (with 58-60 sites), as well as Gundabooka NPWS facilitated the establishment of a National Park, and Mt Grenfell Historic Site were ‘Keeping Place’ on NPWS-managed lands in appropriate. Site condition and maintenance requirements of sites on different which the remains were reburied. tenures were compared. The La Perouse Aboriginal community plan to use the Keeping Place in the future for the Site inspections of ‘Iona’ and ‘Wuttagoona’ took place during March 2002. Other reburial of ancestral remains repatriated from activities during this period included site conservation works involving removal of other museums, both in Australia and mud wasp nests and overgrown vegetation and the repair of drip lines. Fairy martin overseas. Due to its special significance the nest remnants were removed from sites at Mt Grenfell, a conservation plan was La Perouse Aboriginal community have also prepared for two new sites and a goat-proof grid was installed at Mt Gundabooka. nominated the Keeping Place for Aboriginal These works were undertaken as training in conservation techniques for NPWS field Place Declaration, to be finalised shortly. officers and community members. The success of the project to date would not have been possible without the support and assistance of the landholders of the properties on which the sites are.

Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System C Bento/Australian Museum The new Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS), formerly known as the NSW Aboriginal Site Register was released in July 2001. This computer system was developed with extensive consultation with Aboriginal communities across the state and will better manage information on Aboriginal sites, heritage permits, the catalogue of heritage reports and Aboriginal Places. The system has the capacity to restrict access to sensitive information and ensure that all access to the system is appropriate.

Repatriation Program A moving ceremony marked the return of ancestral The NPWS has a large collection of Aboriginal ancestral (skeletal) remains remains to the La Perouse Aboriginal community. originating from New South Wales, as well as an uncatalogued collection of other Aboriginal cultural material including both objects and information. The NPWS has established a program to coordinate the strategic and culturally appropriate return of ancestral remains and other cultural material to Aboriginal communities in New South Wales. The Repatriation Program will be carried out in partnership with the Australian Museum and other Australian museums to facilitate repatriation of the NPWS collection and other cultural material to Aboriginal communities.

Outside the reserve system Total number of voluntary conservation agreements 2001-02 115 Voluntary Conservation Agreements 111 111 109 Since their inception Voluntary Conservation Agreements (VCAs) have become an 110 105 important tool of the Service’s Conservation Partners Program. These agreements 105 between landholders and the Minister for the Environment outline how the land will 100 be managed into the future. They help landholders protect the natural and cultural values of their properties. 95 Eighteen VCAs were signed in 2001-02. Over 8,885 hectares are now protected by 90 VCAs in New South Wales. Each agreement is registered on the land’s title to ensure 85

80 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 48 Conservation management

it is binding for successive owners. Typically the lands covered by VCAs have at least Corporate one of the following features: habitat for species listed as nationally endangered or performance target as threatened within New South Wales; declared wilderness; high quality remnant Increase in the area of land outside the reserve vegetation; or sites of Aboriginal significance. system formally managed for conservation During the year in-house training workshops were held at Gosford, Mudgee and outcomes Griffith to provide field staff with a better understanding of the process for negotiating VCAs. The VCA guidelines were also updated, reflecting changes and New VCAs each quarter (hectares) refinements in the negotiation process, with guides and templates to support the Ha training scheme. 800 749.8 700 Landholders with VCAs received assistance with on-ground works including fencing, weed control and surveys, to help implement their agreements. This included 600 496.7 financial assistance obtained by the NPWS through the Native Vegetation 500 Management Fund to help VCA landholders implement works identified in the plan 400 of management that would otherwise be financially prohibitive. 300 203.8 VCAs have been identified as a useful mechanism for conservation in a number of 200 different arenas. Within the NPWS, threatened species recovery plans, the Grassy 100 0 Box Woodlands Conservation Network Project and wilderness assessments have all 0 recognised the VCA program as a delivery tool for effective conservation outcomes Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 on private land. Five VCAs linked to these programs were finalised at 30 June 2002, with 12 additional sites at various stages of negotiation. The conservation role of VCAs has also been recognised in regional vegetation management plans, catchment blueprints and integrated property management plans. The Nature Conservation Trust uses VCAs as a tool for conserving land purchased through the trust fund.

Wildlife refuges CASE STUDY Wildlife refuges were first established under the Fauna Protection Act 1948 and Yallaroo VCA continued in the National Parks and Wildlife Act. They are the oldest off-park conservation scheme in New South Wales and involve a voluntary commitment of On 15 December 2002 the NPWS Director land by a landholder to protect and conserve native wildlife. Western formally presented to Ian and Sandy Mulcahy of ‘Yallaroo’, Gilgandra their The review of wildlife refuges continued in 2001-02 with the updating of landholder Voluntary Conservation Agreement signs in contacts and database records. All current wildlife refuges were mapped onto a GIS recognition of their efforts towards layer which enables a spatial representation across the landscape and desktop conservation. assessment of conservation values. As at 30 June 2002 wildlife refuge statistics were The Mulcahys have entered into a VCA over as follows: 94 hectares or 80 per cent of their property. Number of wildlife refuges confirmed 585 The VCA provided permanent protection for remnant ironbark/cypress pine woodland and Number of wildlife refuges under Section 22 Fauna Protection Act 26 forest, a remnant population of the regionally Number of wildlife refuges nearing completion 5 significant plant Phebalium nottii and other associated flora, fauna and habitat values. Number of wildlife refuges under active negotiation 6 The Yallaroo VCA is only the second in the Number of amended wildlife refuges 1 Northern Plains area and one of 10 in the western area that conserve a total of 760 Number of revoked wildlife refuges 0 hectares. Total area protected under wildlife refuges 1,719,139 ha Number and area by location: Central 63 refuges 26,180 ha

S Filmer/NPWS9 Northern 111 refuges 65,966 ha Southern 182 refuges 115,792 ha Western 229 refuges 1,511,201 ha

Biodiversity conservation programs

Conservation on private land The Woodland Ecology Group continues to work with agencies, farmers, catchment management boards, Greening Australia and other organisations to prepare guidelines for conservation on private land, including developing frameworks to assess biodiversity to underpin incentive schemes. NPWS Director Western Terry Korn (right) helps Ian and Sandy Mulcahy unveil their VCA sign after committing 80 per cent of their Northern Plains property to conservation. 49 2001 2002 Annual report

Controlling erosion in the Macquarie Marshes NPWS In 2002 the NPWS built five erosion control structures on an eroding channel in the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve. The channel, known locally as ‘The Breakaway’ began to severely erode after the 1990 flood. Not only was there severe soil erosion, but the channel was directing water along one route and therefore preventing water from spreading across the wetland. As a consequence The Breakaway was draining part of the South Marsh wetland. The causes of the formation of The Breakaway are not clear but local landholders believe it was a combination of two things: reduced river flow variability caused by river regulation and upstream structures such as roads and channel banks that Erosion control in the Macquarie Marshes aims to slow concentrate water flow into a small number of sites such as culverts. the water flow allowing the re-establishment of native The new structures are designed to allow water to pass through them even during vegetation. times of low flows. The objective is to slow the water velocity, not stop the flow. If successful, vegetation will establish on the banks and erosion will stop. S Nally/NPWS Grassy Box Woodlands Conservation Management Network The NPWS has continued to develop the Conservation Management Network to conserve fragmented ecosystems, with ecologists Dr Prober and Dr Thiele and the Natural Heritage Trust through the National Reserve System Program. The network has been trialed on the grassy box woodlands on the western slopes of New South Wales since 1998. The Grassy Box Woodlands Conservation Management Network aims to:

protect all of the most important remnants of grassy box woodlands A number of new voluntary conservation agreements in link the remnants and their owners into a single network dedicated to protecting the Lithgow area will provide protection for the Bathurst and managing this important ecosystem copper butterfly. provide long-term, targeted, flexible, effective and responsive support to owners and managers who are managing remnants for conservation outcomes. Activities over the last year have included negotiating protection of remnants, floristic surveys, field days, preparing plans of management, management actions such as weed control, thinning and ecological burns, interpretive signs and providing CASE STUDY management advice through site visits, a newsletter Woodland Wanderings and a web page. Regent honeyeater Habitat vital to the regent honeyeater is being Wildlife management protected in the Bundarra/Barraba areas of northern New South Wales. The NPWS has NSW Kangaroo Management Program 2002-06 received funding assistance from the Natural A strategic planning process with the Kangaroo Management Advisory Committee Heritage Trust, the Threatened Species Network was initiated in 1998 by the NPWS and developed into a full review of the NSW of the Worldwide Fund for Nature, and Birds Kangaroo Management Program 1998-2002. Through this committee landholders, Australia (Northern NSW Group) to fence animal welfare and conservation groups, the kangaroo industry and other remnant vegetation on private land. Only government agencies contribute to kangaroo management. patches of natural vegetation remain, predominantly in an agricultural landscape. The committee finalised and released for public exhibition a draft new Kangaroo Interest in the project from private landholders Management Program 2002-06 in July 2001. After submissions were analysed by the is steadily increasing and it is anticipated that NPWS and the committee the draft program was submitted to the Commonwealth by the end of 2002 approximately 30 for approval in November 2001. It was approved and covers the period 1 January kilometres of fencing will protect about 500 2002 to 31 December 2006. hectares of habitat. The goal of the new management program is to ‘maintain viable populations of kangaroos throughout their ranges in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development’. This goal is supported by six objectives:

management (licensing) of commercial kangaroo use B Shepherd/NPWS adaptive management monitoring kangaroo populations monitoring kangaroo industry compliance program audit and review in consultation with the community community awareness and participation.

Oiled fauna response procedures During the year procedural guidelines for the rescue and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife were produced. These guidelines and procedures will inform the response of NPWS officers during major oil spill recovery actions.

Regent honeyeater 50 Conservation management

Approvals for keeping native animals To ensure the care and protection of native animals the NPWS issues a number of

P Green/NPWS licences to allow keeping and trade of them and monitors adherence to licence conditions. The NPWS also issues licences to facilitate research on wildlife and for other miscellaneous purposes including wildlife rehabilitation, capture and relocation of reptiles and possums, taxidermy and pest bird control. In 2001-02 15,111 licenses were issued as per the table below.

Licences 2000-01 2001-02 Interstate import licences 1,219 1,051 Interstate export licences 437 550 Scientific research licences 927 935 The carpet python is a popular choice for reptile keepers. Reptile keeper 5,685 7,619 Amphibian keeper 619 715 Bird keeper 3,714 3,525 Bird dealer 109 110 Mammal keeper 45 51 Miscellaneous* 536 555 Total 13,291 15,111 * Miscellaneous licences include licences for bird trappers, pest control, wildlife rehabilitation, taxidermy, farming and egg carving and holding specimens of protected fauna.

Ecologically sustainable management of NPWS operations

Energy management

Government Energy Management Policy The NPWS is committed to achieving savings in the quantity and cost of energy consumed. To this end the NPWS has a number of sites that purchase electricity in the contestable market. In addition the NPWS leases office accommodation in Crown Property Portfolio sites where electricity is bought in the contestable market. The NPWS also buys a percentage of green power at a number of sites which reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Increased NPWS energy consumption has been reported over the past several years to the Ministry of Energy and Utilities under the Government Energy Management Policy (GEMP). This is partly attributable to the increase in park estate and the resultant increase in staff accommodation requirements and statutory responsibilities. Energy consumption is higher again this year due mainly to the extensive bushfires which raged throughout the state during 2001-02. Accountability and responsibility for energy management has improved with the nomination of an Energy Manager and Energy Coordinator and the adoption of an Energy Management Plan that sets goals and targets and lists strategies and actions. At the same time an Environmental Management System (EMS) is being implemented to ensure sound environmental performance across all NPWS operations, including energy management. Environmental initiatives implemented by the NPWS include generating electricity by hydro-electric power at Yarrangobilly Caves; a geothermal heating system at the Snowy Region Visitor Centre; two solar panel installations to supply water in and Yathong Nature Reserve; and the acquisition of dedicated LPG and hybrid motor vehicles. The NPWS was the first agency to receive approval for funding under the Government Energy Efficiency Investment Program (GEEIP) for initiatives at Hurstville, Queanbeyan and Gosford. A state-of-the-art energy efficient lighting system has been installed at the Gosford office of the NPWS which should lead to energy savings in the order of 47,000 kilowatt hours and some 46 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum. A comprehensive audit report of all NPWS energy accounts was received during the year which will provide a benchmark for future comparisons. 51 2001 2002 Annual report

Waste management

Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy The NPWS Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP) Plan 2002-03 is designed to enable the NPWS to meet the requirements of the WRAPP and report annually on actions within the organisation to reduce the generation of waste; resource recovery; and the use of recycled material.

Reducing the generation of waste (waste avoidance and minimisation) During 2001-02 the NPWS: recycled 11.9 tonnes out of 13 tonnes of waste white copy paper returned 760 out of 1,148 used toner cartridges to suppliers for refilling or re- manufacturing minimised paper use through increased use of email and by distributing staff circulars electronically encouraged staff to use double-sided copying whenever possible reduced print runs for some publications available on the NPWS website avoided 30.6 tonnes of paper and packaging waste being sent to landfill.

Resource recovery (waste re-use and recycling) During 2001-02 the NPWS continued a waste re-use or recycling program: at all its major offices for paper, plastic, glass, cans and toner cartridge waste at most of the heavily visited parks for plastic, glass, cans and organic waste at the Perisher resort area of Kosciuszko National Park for waste cooking oil in parks, where 285 tonnes of excavated material was re-used for construction of facilities such as walking tracks in parks, where 351 tonnes of vegetation material was re-used for mulch and compost.

The use of recycled material (purchase of recycled content materials) During 2001-02 the NPWS:

purchased 1,249 toner cartridges, of which 655 cartridges had recycled content P Kennedy/NPWS included recycled content as a requirement in paper and office machine contracts liaised with contract companies on the need for environmentally friendly products in association with the Department of Public Works and Services, began to establish Environmental and Waste Management Systems as a standard in construction projects purchased 93 per cent of its A3 and A4 paper with recycled content. Other initiatives during the year: The NPWS and Resource NSW worked together to implement waste recycling stations at major parks. The management of Minnamurra Rainforest in worked closely with Resource NSW in developing a new waste management strategy. The result was a purpose built system with new waste bins designed and built with the assistance of a local organisation which employs people with disabilities. The NPWS commissioned a Waste Management and Recycling Strategy for its eighteen areas in the north of the state. It is expected that this strategy will be the New purpose-built waste bins in the Minnamurra model for similar strategies in other areas of the state. Rainforest, Budderoo National Park encourage park The NPWS made use of excavated natural material obtained from earthmoving visitors to recycle. contractors. For example in the Sydney area 3,825 tonnes of sandstone material obtained at no cost from earthmoving contractors was used to maintain fire trails. As part of Kosciuszko National Park’s litter reduction campaign 13,000 used film canisters donated by photographic shops were distributed amongst lessees and visitors to the snowfields for use as portable and re-usable cigarette butt bins. The project was very successful and is being continued in 2002-03. 52 Conservation management

Sewage management Many sites inherited by the NPWS over the years carry with them legacies of old, M Cufer/NPWS malfunctioning sewerage systems. That is why the NPWS has been running a major sewerage upgrade program. Over the next three years funding for sewerage upgrade programs (excluding Perisher) will total $12 million. This adds to the $7 million spent in 2001-02. The NPWS has an ongoing commitment to its representation on the Wastewater Management Advisory Committee, a NSW government inter-agency committee chaired by the Department of Health.

Large projects

Sydney metropolitan parks Major sewerage upgrade works have been undertaken in several areas involving connection to the Sydney Water Corporation sewerage system. Sewer connections have been or will shortly be completed for the Quarantine Station, , the Bobbin Head area of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, and Lane Cove and national parks. Connecting the Sydney Harbour Islands including Goat, Rodd and Clark islands and Reef Beach to sewerage has been a major part of the program. This has involved micro-tunnelling under Sydney Harbour for the connection of the pipeline.

Quarantine Station Stormwater mitigation works will improve water quality in Following on from pumping station improvements completed in 1999 and 2000, work the Lane Cove River and raise recreational values within involving automatic remote telephone notification of electrical and pumping system the national park. faults has been carried out. The pumping station will have computerised remote access for monitoring and control.

Hill End Historic Site In addition to upgrade works in Hill End Historic Site improvements have been made to the monitoring system and a new operation and maintenance plan produced for the overall system. A new pumping station and rising main is planned for Glendora camping ground to enable sewage to be pumped from the campground to the main system.

Fort Denison Sewerage work will soon be completed at Fort Denison. It includes connection to the Sydney Water Corporation sewerage system, a new water supply pipeline and a new electrical cable.

Northern parks In the north of the state major upgrade work was undertaken at Myall Lakes National Park, Woody Head in , Diamond Head in , Point Plomer in Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve and at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre in . Total expenditure was $1.42 million in 2001-02.

Perisher sewerage The NPWS has been improving the performance of the Perisher Valley Sewage Treatment Plant over the past five years. The upgrade of the treatment plant will meet new and more stringent effluent standards and improve the capacity and operating reliability of the system. The project is due for completion by June 2003 at an estimated cost of $12 million. The plant is a centralised facility and the principal means of treating and disposing of sewage from residents and day visitors using the Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Blue Cow ski resorts. The upgrade was designed to use as much of the existing infrastructure as possible to minimise costs. Most of the works are near completion. The upgrade of sludge storage facilities and final augmentation of the plant’s capacity to match the additional beds in the Perisher Range resorts approved by the NSW government in 1999 is due for completion in 2002-03. The NPWS and the Department of Public Works and Services were prosecuted by the Environment Protection Authority in regard to a spill from the treatment plant during commissioning of a new catch/balance pond in June 2000. Both agencies pleaded guilty and on 19 April 2002, the Land and Environment Court imposed a penalty of $20,000. 53 2001 2002 Annual report

Snowy Mountains There is a continuing program in the Snowy Mountains area to replace pit toilets CASE STUDY with sealed pump-out units. This year new pump-out toilets were installed at Horse Dressing Camp and Whites River huts, both of which are located on a popular access track to Pavilion conservation the Jagungal Wilderness Area; Bullocks Hut on the ; and Geehi Dam. works Fox Valley stormwater mitigation works Restoration work on the historic dressing A range of environmental issues are of concern to the stormwater management pavilion at Nielsen Park began in May 2002 agencies within the Lane Cove River catchment, including , and is progressing smoothly. Works have a receiver of urban drainage. The park’s plan of management identifies the need to included the painstaking demolition of the support and be pro-actively involved in the facilitation of the development of total concrete slab. This work has been carried out catchment management strategies for the Lane Cove valley with adjacent land by hand to protect the existing fabric of the managers and the local community. This coordinated approach is aimed at improving structure and size of openings. The concrete is being returned to the NPWS for re-use on the water quality of the Lane Cove River. footways and roads. The major component of this project is the installation of three sediment basins This work builds on last year’s efforts when the along connected tributaries of the river with the aim of reducing sediment loads and dressing sheds were painted, a collapsing nutrients entering the river. It is also expected that the removal of sediments and retaining wall was re-built and specifications to nutrients, combined with bush regeneration works and a local stormwater education replace the concrete floor and re-open the program, will decrease weed infestation rates and improve the quality of water and beach tunnel were prepared. vegetation downstream of the project sites. Improved drainage and vegetative The dressing pavilion was designed by the stabilisation of creek-banks will also reduce creek bank erosion. Government Architect Evan Smith in the The visual amenity and recreational values of this section of the park will also be popular Inter-War Mediterranean style similar improved by this joint project involving the South Turramurra Environmental to other Sydney pavilions and was built in Protection Community Group (STEP), the Environmental Protection Agency, the 1932 at a cost of 4,000 pounds. Funding came NPWS and Ku-ring-gai Council. An open day was held on site in May 2002. from the Unemployment Relief Work scheme with labour by unemployed workers. From 1932 to 1975 the dressing pavilion was Managing our built assets the focal point for use of Shark Beach, with all entry via the pavilion tunnel. The entry cost The NPWS manages its built assets to ensure conservation of natural and cultural (which in 1940 was one penny) was used for heritage values and to facilitate the community’s enjoyment of those values, while work scheme repayment costs. Many park also ensuring the health and safety of visitors and staff. users still remember a time when they paid their money and were given a piece of Buildings and surrounds coloured wool to tie to their bathers. Dawsons Spring upgrade In 1975 the beach tunnel was closed and the Dawsons Spring, nestled in the subalpine environs of Mount Kaputar National Park significance of the pavilion largely lost. The has recently undergone an upgrade program. This camping, cabin and day-use site sheds have however remained a popular facility especially for more regular park users. has been a regular attraction for visitors to the park for many years. Unfortunately the shed has been closed several The Kaputar cabins received new timber decking which will not only improve safety times over the past year due to vandalism. but also provide year-round enjoyment. Car parking and storm water management The structure was built on a filled watercourse issues were also addressed around the cabin precinct. with no reinforcement in the thin concrete Just down the hill the Dawsons camping area received a major facelift. Fill was flooring. The area is subject to temporary transported to re-level the site and address run-off and erosion issues. Some flooding and over the years large cavities have minor re-design, bollards and an easy bitumen turn-around area greatly improved formed under the floor, cracking and buckling the concrete. its appearance. The wastewater system was upgraded to an Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS). It is anticipated that the AWTS will cater for increasing visitor numbers, more efficiently treat wastewater in a cooler environment and address the quality of discharge.

Greycliffe gardens R Newton/NPWS The facelift of the historic gardens of Greycliffe House which began last year continued. The gardens were a mixture of poorly maintained native and exotic species. As many of the present features and plantings date to the 1930s when Greycliffe was the Tresillian Home for Nursing Mothers and Babies, the NPWS is restoring the gardens to mirror that period in history while retaining some elements of earlier and later periods. Plans prepared by landscape architect Warwick Mayne-Wilson provoked a positive response when placed on public exhibition. The design re-instates the historic connection between this ‘Marine Gothic Villa’ and the harbour by removing or pruning some large trees and transplanting others, restoring Matron Kaibel’s formal Staff from the NPWS and the Historic Houses Trust help garden and re-instating an Italianate urn. give the gardens of Greycliffe House a facelift. 54 Conservation management

Interpretive signage explaining the history of Greycliffe House and Nielsen Park is being installed and intrusive overhead powerlines placed underground. The work is made possible through sponsorship by the Westfield Foundation.

Managing historic heritage sites On 5 June 2002 the NSW Heritage Council delegated certain of its approval functions to the NPWS. The delegations allow the NPWS to undertake the following Heritage Council functions: process applications for certain proposed works under the NSW Heritage Act determine all archaeological applications and permits under the NSW Heritage Act endorse conservation management plans in specified circumstances to enable works to be exempted from the need to obtain approval under the NSW Heritage Act. These delegations recognise the core conservation objectives of the NPWS as well as its conservation expertise and have been endorsed by the Heritage Council’s Aboriginal Heritage Committee. Information on decisions made under these delegations will be published in future annual reports. The NPWS also has delegation to issue Section 140 excavation permits under the NSW Heritage Act. In 2001-02 seven permits were issued under this delegation.

Heritage Assets Maintenance Program The Heritage Assets Maintenance Program (HAMP) provides funding for historic heritage maintenance and conservation at historic places on the parks and reserves system. Under HAMP $14.4 million has been allocated since 1996-97. The priorities for the allocation of HAMP funding include the heritage significance of the place or landscape, its ability to contribute to regional and rural economies and communities, and its potential use. Planning for historic places has increasingly focused on cultural landscapes with emphasis on an integrated management approach to historic, Aboriginal and natural heritage values. In 2001-02 funding of almost $2.1 million was allocated to 47 projects at 27 historic places as well as to Regional Cultural Heritage Management and development of the Historic Heritage Information System. The range of projects funded through HAMP in 2001-02 included: preparation of conservation management plans including for Hartley Historic Site; Kinchega Station Complex; Kunderang East Pastoral Station; Hydro- electric Scheme; cabin groups within Royal National Park; Bantry Bay Explosives Magazines Complex; Blue Mountains walking tracks; Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site; Glenrock Cultural Landscape; Mungo and Zanci station complexes; Middle Head Cottages; selected Kosciuszko Huts; and Bryant’s Butcher Shop, Athol and the General Store at Hill End Historic Site conservation works including at the Old Great North Road; Goat Island; Throsby Park Historic Site; Georges Head Casemates; Middle Head Forts; Nielsen Park Bathing Pavilion; Bantry Bay Explosives Magazines Complex; Blue Mountains walking tracks; Lake Innes Ruins; Kellys Cottage; Penders; selected Kosciuszko Huts; Mt Wood Homestead; and a wide range of buildings at Hill End Historic Site maintenance and repair works including at Hartley Historic Site; Hill End Historic Site; Trial Bay Gaol; Audley Post Office and Roto House.

Best practice in historic heritage management From 11-13 September 2001 the NPWS hosted a workshop on best practice in historic heritage management. The workshop followed on from the benchmarking and best practice in historic heritage report prepared by the NPWS for the Australia and New Zealand Environmental Conservation Council (ANZECC) and published in February 2001. Participants in the workshop included representatives of agencies responsible for national parks and protected area management from all Australian states, and representatives from the Australian Heritage Commission and the Department of Conservation, New Zealand. 55 2001 2002 Annual report

The workshop’s purpose was to discuss progress towards best practice in non- indigenous historic heritage management in national parks and protected areas in CASE STUDY Australia and New Zealand. Old Great North Road The workshop focused on seven areas of management: strategic management, The Old Great North Road in Dharug National identification and assessment, allocating resources, protection, conservation, Park was one of the great construction presentation and monitoring. achievements of the early NSW colony. Started in 1828 and completed four years later it Roads and other access employed hundreds of convicts and involved Work continued throughout the year on maintenance, repairs and upgrades of roads the building of buttressed retaining walls up to and other access throughout NPWS reserves. Some of this work included: 12 metres high. walking track repairs and upgrades in Dorrigo, New England, Popran, Watagans, Much of the road running through the park still Wyrrabalong and Yuraygir national parks and in Munmorah State Recreation Area remains and extensive works have been carried installation of railings at Jersey/Bluff lookout, steps and paving at Jersey cave, out on it including the completion of road railings on Thermal Pool track and river walk at the Yarrangobilly Caves precinct surface protection works and conservation of upgrades of roads, tracks and viewing platforms in Oxley Wild Rivers National stone and wooden culverts between Devines Park Hill and Finches Line. upgrade of Myrtle Scrub Road in Cottan-Bimbang National Park and access roads This nationally significant heritage site was in Watagans and Werrikimbe national parks declared a National Engineering Landmark by upgrade of the Mooraback day use and camping area, and its walking tracks the Institution of Engineers in October 2001. upgrade and maintenance of fire trails throughout Water and Bouddi To mark the occasion a plaque was unveiled national parks, and Cockle Bay nature reserves, Big Yango in by NSW Governor Marie Bashir. The Devines Yengo National Park, Mill Creek, and in Yuraygir, Flaggy Hill section of the road is a highlight for Creek and Nymboida national parks visitors to the area with extensive interpretative upgrade and maintenance of bridges, including Bailey Bridges on the Elliott Way, signs providing information about the and in Cunnawarra and Nymboi-Binderay national parks convict-built road. maintenance of roads and trails within Mount Royal, Wollemi, Yengo, Bindarri and Dunggir national parks, and at Caves Creek repair of damage from the extraordinary floods and storms in March 2001 in

several parks on the North Coast, including Dorrigo, Cunnawarra and Nymboi- S Davis/NPWS Binderay national parks rationalisation of beach access trails near Wilsons Headland in Yuraygir National Park with unnecessary trails closed and native vegetation restored, car turn- around points provided and signage improved.

Lake Arragan Restoration works at Lake Arragan were undertaken to rehabilitate an old sand mining road on the lake’s foreshore and control erosion. At the same time vehicle access and parking were formalised and visitor facilities improved.

Guthega Road upgrading The Guthega Road upgrading program began during the year. The road will be progressively upgraded starting from Guthega Village and working back towards the Link Road. This year saw the reconstruction of 670 metres of road. The work involved improvements to drainage, installation of guard rails and bitumen sealing of the road. NSW Governor Marie Bashir unveils a plaque to commemorate the declaration of the Old Great North Road in Dharug National Park as a National Engineering Landmark. One of the key recommendations from the inquiry into matters arising from the Coroner’s report on the Thredbo landslide disaster was that responsibility for the Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road should be transferred to the Roads and Traffic Authority. The NPWS has been involved in planning for the excision of the Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Road from Kosciuszko National Park. In the meantime a geotechnical risk reduction program for the Alpine Way was com- pleted during the year. This program commenced in 1997 and this year’s component cost $4.3 million. 56 Conservation management

Visitor facilities The NPWS continued to build, maintain and upgrade visitor facilities across the state. Work undertaken during the year included: installation of new facilities at Mungo Brush, Neranie, Shelly, Bungaree and Yagon camping areas, with additional systems being purchased for installation next year upgrade of facilities at the rear of the Maitland Bay Centre, Bouddi National Park, which is available for community use as a meeting location upgrade of the picnic and camping areas at and Gap Creek in Watagans National Park redesign of the Sandon camping area in Yuraygir National Park to improve visitor facilities extensive work carried out at Somersby Falls picnic area in National Park including installation of wheelchair access to the barbecue area, stabilisation of the creek bank, improvement of drainage, and levelling and returfing around the barbecue structure construction of visitor facilities at Ironbark Road trail entry to Popran National Park including an information shed, toilet, horse stile and signposting installation of sheltered gas barbecues at Shark Bay and Woody Head in Bundjalung National Park installation of solar lighting, an additional water tank and associated plumbing at ‘The Pines’ at Currango in Koscuiszko National Park completion of a new toilet block at the thermal pool, Yarrangobilly Caves installation of two toilets at Tin Mines picnic area in Woomargama National Park and replacement of pit toilet facilities at Ghost Gully, Bullock’s Hill and Old Camp continued improvements were made to the 25-kilometre coastal walking track near Thelma Head in Royal National Park major upgrades were completed to the Cliff Top Track at Blackheath and the National Pass at Katoomba in Blue Mountains National Park improved facilities including shelter sheds, toilets and barbeque facilities were constructed in Georges River National Park.

Apsley Falls visitor area facelift in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park has undergone a facelift. The falls have been a popular recreation area for the Walcha community for at least 100 years and the site was visited by John Oxley in 1818. The area also has great significance to the local Aboriginal community. The falls are considered to be Walcha’s premier tourist destination. The main features of the upgrade included: construction of a disabled access lookout platform construction of a disabled access track onto the main lookout re-fitting of the stairway and lower lookout platforms over one kilometre of improvements to safety railings along the gorge rim walk improvements to walking track surfaces (bitumen sealing, drainage features) facelift of the camping area including provision of a quality septic toilet system an upgrade of interpretation panels and all signage bitumen sealing of the road to the falls car park provision of gas barbecues and picnic shelters in the Lions picnic area rehabilitation and revegetation works. The upgrade has improved access to the falls while also addressing many erosion and safety issues and improving the environmental outcome by providing further protection to an array of threatened plant species and cultural heritage sites found around this spectacular gorge. Overall the upgrade of the falls has created a much improved visitor site which will assist in the growth of local tourism and therefore boost the local and regional economy. There has been very positive feedback on the facilities from the Walcha and wider community.

Arabanoo Lookout restoration Located within Sydney Harbour National Park at Balgowlah, the Arabanoo Lookout offers one of the most spectacular vistas in Sydney Harbour National Park. The refurbishment of this monument dedicated to Arabanoo, an Aboriginal kidnapped under the orders of Governor Phillip to help facilitate communication, was made possible by a Centenary of Federation Grant. 57 2001 2002 Annual report

The Arabanoo Steering Committee comprising community members and staff from the NPWS and Manly Council had many lengthy discussions to agree upon a final CASE STUDY design. Local schools showed their support for the project by writing their Summit walking tracks of interpretation of the Arabanoo Story. Kosciuszko National Park Local Artist Tim Jonman was commissioned to create a stunning pottery fresco along The popular summit area of Kosciuszko the back of the seating steps to depict the native flora and fauna of the area. National Park receives as many as 3,000 visitors on peak summer days. This high Collins Flat beautification and restoration project visitation combined with heavy rain and deep The aim of this project was to clearly identify this beautiful area as being included snowfalls has led to erosion problems on the in Sydney Harbour National Park. The project was managed by NPWS staff in summit area tracks. The NPWS is now in the conjunction with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and Conservation sixth year of a major program to reconstruct Volunteers Australia. Works undertaken interpreted the Aboriginal history of the the popular Main Range tracks. area, upgraded the walking track and started a long-term program of bush This year field staff tackled one of the most regeneration. challenging sections of the walk – the steep drop down from the north side of Kosciuszko Manly Scenic Walkway towards Muellers Pass. Originally a bridle The Manly Scenic Walkway is one of Sydney’s most popular tourist attractions. The track this section was badly eroded, with a walk from The Spit at Middle Harbour to Manly traverses several areas of Sydney series of parallel tracks almost 12 metres wide Harbour National Park including the rocky harbour shoreline of Grotto Point, Crater and three-quarters of a metre deep. Cove, Dobroyd Head and Reef Beach. Two crews of four each worked rotating shifts This year planning was undertaken for the upgrading of the walkway and a proposed improving drainage, revegetating braided boardwalk and outdoor classroom at Reef Beach, Dobroyd Head. The project tracks and reconstructing the main track. The included a detailed flora and fauna survey, a detailed indigenous survey of the Reef crews built nearly 300 stone steps down the Beach precinct, a weed management strategy for the urban interface and a walkway slope. With access limited to a narrow track, a condition and works report. helicopter was instrumental in supplying crews with materials such as rock for the steps, crushed rock for the track surface, soil to fill Completion of Browns Rock Track, Botany Bay National Park the deeply eroded sections and hay for In 2002 the Browns Rock Track in Botany Bay National Park was completed. This revegetation. track provides formal access to a popular fishing spot in the park. The track begins at the Cobblestone path at the Golf Club road and passes through Angophora Up to 60,000 people visit the summit area costata open woodland and a low coastal heath of Acacia sophora. Erosion control each year and many are intent on walking to infrastructure has been put in place to stabilise numerous informal tracks directly the top of mainland Australia’s highest uphill from Browns Rock. The erosion works included closing informal tracks by mountain, Mt Kosciuszko. Most of those installing dune and sediment fencing, coir rolls, brushmatting and planting. walking to Kosciuszko use the five kilometre steel mesh walkway. This year a new viewing platform was Managing site use in protected areas constructed at the Kosciuszko Lookout which is only two kilometres from the top of the Balancing site use and conservation Crackenback chairlift. The new steel mesh lookout will greatly assist in the protection of Different types of reserves provide a different mix of protection and use. Some areas the fragile alpine environment. At this location such as declared wilderness and nature reserves warrant higher levels of protection. trampling by visitors has caused loss of However, specific areas within national parks and other protected areas may be vegetation and erosion. The viewing platform able to accommodate a range of nature or heritage based recreation activities, overcomes the problems associated with large including horseriding and mountain biking, provided those activities are ecologically numbers of people milling in the area and sustainable, culturally appropriate and compatible with the legislative requirements will allow native vegetation to recolonise and conservation objectives for which the land was reserved. eroded areas. During the year the NPWS released policies on recreational horseriding and cycling which are available through the NPWS website.

Coastal cabins in Royal National Park – policy development and implementation Over two hundred privately owned cabins are dotted along the coast within the Royal National Park at Little Garie, South Era, Burning Palms and Bulgo. The communities that have developed in association with the cabins draw on a history Deyan Photography/NPWS extending back to the Depression of the 1930s and the original cabins were built prior to the land being incorporated into the park. The plan of management for Royal and Heathcote national parks and Garawarra State Recreation Area, adopted in February 2000, altered the previous NPWS policy of progressive removal of the cabins and specifies a range of issues that need to be addressed to allow the implementation of an environmentally and socially feasible program for the management of the cabins. Cycling on , Royal National Park: a new policy on recreational cycling will ensure that this popular pastime is pursued in ways that are compatible with conservation objectives. 58 Conservation management

The public review process for the draft conservation management plan for the cabins was completed during the year. The NPWS produced a draft heritage and safety maintenance code that has been distributed for comment to cabin community members. Several cabins were independently assessed to ascertain any building works required to ensure the safety of cabin users and other park visitors, and a geotechnical investigation of all cabin areas was conducted. Cabin licensees are required to have public liability insurance coverage and the NPWS is working to facilitate efforts by the cabin community to work though what is a difficult issue. Throughout the year the NPWS continued to consult with stakeholders via a number of avenues including through the Cabins Consultative Group. The NPWS facilitated discussions through the Conservation Management Plan working group which includes representation from the cabin communities, conservation groups and the local indigenous community; conducted a public meeting on the new licensing scheme which allowed more than 200 members of the cabin communities to have their input; and distributed detailed newsletters as a means of briefing cabin community members on the scheme, its implementation and intent. The various components of the new licensing scheme were developed including a draft licence, a process for issuing new licences to bona fide licence holders, and a process for selecting licensees for cabins not currently subject to a licence. A final valuation which specified licence fees was completed and the NPWS is working to L Lindsay/NPWS an established implementation timetable which will see new licences issued by the end of 2002.

Contributing to communities

Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Following the inscription of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA) on the World Heritage List in November 2000, the NPWS established a joint steering committee with the Reserve Trust. Since its formation in December 2000 the steering committee has initiated a number of projects and undertaken a range of community activities including briefings and presentations and displays installed at community events. Blue Mountains World Heritage: from left, NPWS Ranger John Giles, Frank Maloney from Environment Australia, Expressions of interest have been called for the design of a new World Heritage NPWS Hawkesbury Area Manager Sherrie-lee Evans Interpretive Centre at Bilpin in the Hawkesbury. This project has included active and Federal MP for Macquarie Kerry Bartlett survey the participation by Hawkesbury City Council and Hawkesbury Tourism. site for the planned World Heritage Interpretation Centre at Bilpin. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Interpretative Plan Project has commenced. A draft Interpretive Plan will be completed in July. It will include a summary of GBMWHA geography, World Heritage values and other key natural and cultural heritage values; visitor patterns and needs; key messages and themes; summary of existing interpretive media, programs, installations and products; identification of interpretive constraints, opportunities and options; an overall interpretive strategy; a recommended suite of interpretive programs and products; and design specifications. The project will include consultation with internal and external stakeholders. The World Heritage Integration Project also commenced recently. A consultant has been employed to identify opportunities for local communities to benefit from World Heritage listing, with specific emphasis on economic benefits and tourism oppor- tunities. An information kit will be developed for distribution to council economic development officers, economic development boards, tourism authorities and chambers of commerce among others. A comprehensive community consultation process is currently under way to inform the development of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Strategic Plan. The plan is due to be finalised in 2003. 59 2001 2002 Annual report

Contributing to sustainable rural and regional development Corporate performance target During 2001-02 the NPWS published the results of research Increase in the number of joint NPWS/community tourism, pest control into the economic value of the recreational use of ten and fire management programs protected areas in New South Wales. The research found that visitors place significant economic value on the recreational Tourism programs each quarter experiences obtained. 140 130 The NPWS in conjunction with the Sydney Urban Parks Education and Research Group conducted research during 120 the year on the economic and social values of public open 100 100 space. This research identified the savings made by 82 community service agencies in using open space to deliver 76 80 72 74 their programs, when compared with alternative venues. 60 60 52 Tourism In 2001-02 the NPWS introduced a number of changes 40 designed to better coordinate visitor and tourism activities on a statewide basis working with key stakeholders such as 20 Tourism NSW (TNSW), State and Regional Development, the 0 NSW Film and Television Office, tourism industry associations Sep 00 Dec 00 Mar 01 Jun 01 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 and operators, tertiary institutions and other government agencies. The NPWS worked with TNSW to finalise the Tourism Masterplan 2020 and 2002-03 Action Plan, and in the development of Nature in Tourism – A Vision for New South Wales 2002-05. This document focuses on key principles and opportunities for industry and government. It specifies the value of the nature-based experience to the tourism industry and demonstrates the key role national parks have to play within the economy. The NPWS is also working with TNSW and regional tourism organisations to develop regional tourism plans. Two completed during the year were the Snowy Mountains and New England 2001-04 tourism plans. During the year representatives of the NPWS attended state and regional tourism forums where they provided feedback on visitor levels and tourism opportunities within national parks to tourism industry providers including tour operators. The NPWS participated in several exhibitions across the state including the Caravan and Camping Show in Sydney; Supershow, Brisbane and Melbourne; and Sydney on Sale. Response from the public to the NPWS participating in these promotional activities has been positive with the NPWS distributing around 11,000 copies of the Guide to NSW National Parks at the Sydney Supershow alone. The NPWS has been actively supporting the 2002 Year of the . Key projects included improved interpretation at the Broken Hill Visitor Centre, Kinchega National Park, development of the Outback Trail concept and trialing of radio signs at Mungo National Park. Montague Island Tours won the Environmental Tourism Award in the 2001 NSW Tourism Awards. This tour product managed by the NPWS and its partners was also internationally recognised as an ecologically sustainable operation in the British Airways ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ awards in 2000. A policy framework for the licensing of commercial tour and recreation operators was advanced throughout 2001-02. The aim is a streamlined, statewide, consistent licensing system that ensures the quality of tourism product being delivered within national parks, assists the NPWS to meet its conservation and environmental education goals, and improves customer service levels to operators. The system will provide cooperative marketing opportunities and enhance the ability of the NPWS to work cooperatively with tourism operators in protected areas. The NPWS was also actively involved in a range of local tourism initiatives throughout New South Wales. For example, Dorrigo Rainforest Centre worked with the Dorrigo Tourism Development Group to prepare and release a new brochure promoting places to visit and stay in and around Dorrigo. This was followed up by the installation of an associated display in the park to support local businesses. 60 Conservation management

Weed and pest management programs Weeds and pest animals are a major threat to the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable agricultural production. Hence their management is a major priority for the NPWS. The following sections outline the progress in some key pest management programs undertaken during 2001-02. More detail on these and other pest management programs can be found on the NPWS website: www.npws.nsw.gov.au.

Pest animal management

NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into Feral Animals The NPWS prepared a detailed submission and gave evidence at three hearings of the NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into Feral Animals. The submission addressed nine pest species: foxes, wild dogs, rabbits, feral pigs, feral goats, feral cats, feral deer, feral horses and cane toads. For each of these species, the NPWS submission addressed their environmental impacts, the effectiveness of available control options, improvements to current control practices or alternative solutions, and the resources the NPWS allocates for their control. At the time of preparing this report the inquiry was still continuing.

Feral horses Feral horses are a significant problem in only a few reserves (Guy

L Wren/NPWS Fawkes River, Kosciuszko, Oxley Wild Rivers and Yuraygir national parks and in areas in and surrounding southern Blue Mountains and Kanangra-Boyd national parks and Yerranderie State Recreation Area). In these reserves horse populations have increased to levels where they are having a significant impact on the environment: accelerating erosion; trampling and grazing on native vegetation; disturbing ground nesting birds; fouling water holes; and contributing to the spread of weeds. Management strategies need to be developed to reduce horse numbers in these parks and prevent feral horses moving into or increasing in number in other reserves. Management strategies to reduce feral horse numbers in NPWS reserves are now being guided by the recommendations made by Associate Professor Tony English of the University of Sydney in his report to the Minister for the Environment. This report followed his 2000-01 review of NPWS procedures and practices for managing feral horses. Professor English’s report is on the NPWS website. Contracted horse rider Garry Caldwell works with one of 13 wild horses removed in a trial of wild horse In Kosciuszko National Park a steering committee was formed to assist with the management methods in the Snowy Mountains. development of a wild horse plan for the alpine area. A draft plan was prepared and placed on public exhibition during the year. The plan proposes three different capture and removal methods be trialed over the next two years. The methods being trialed include trapping, roping and mustering using local horse riders under contract. These methods have been used with reasonable success in Victorian alpine areas. Following the October 2000 aerial cull of approximately 600 horses in Guy Fawkes River National Park the RSPCA took legal action against the NPWS under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979. Although the RSPCA originally brought 12 charges against the NPWS only one amended charge was proceeded with. In court the NPWS pleaded guilty to the charge which related to between one and four horses. Although independent experts found the operation was carried out professionally and humanely and in accordance with strict protocols, the NPWS accepted there was evidence that one and possibly up to four horses suffered as a result, albeit unintentionally. In his judgement handed down on 3 July 2002, Deputy Chief Magistrate Henson accepted the NPWS plea. He found that no convictions should be recorded and that the charge be dismissed. The magistrate stated ‘It appears objectively clear that those employed in this task [the cull] undertook their roles in a professional and responsible manner’. He also said ‘It is clear to this court that the defendant and the Minister responsible both took their various responsibilities at the time seriously, and have reacted with commendable expedition and professionalism to address the issues thrown up as a result of this prosecution’. 61 2001 2002 Annual report

Foxes CASE STUDY Priority sites for fox control for the conservation of native fauna in New South Wales are identified in the NPWS Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the Red Fox Fox control in the suburbs (refer to the chapter on Conservation Planning). These sites have been identified In the northern suburbs of Sydney the NPWS, because they contain key populations of those threatened species that are most in partnership with 15 other agencies including likely to be impacted by fox predation. A total of 81 sites have been identified across local councils, is implementing a regional fox all land tenures, targeting 34 threatened species. Fox control and/or monitoring of control program. The program to assist with threatened species populations commenced at most of these sites in collaboration the recovery of wildlife is a result of with other agencies, community groups and private landholders. community concern about foxes and evidence Eleven priority sites have been identified within the Blue Mountains and Southern that they are a major threat to the survival of Highlands to protect remnant populations of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby. Fox native fauna. control at two of the sites, Kangaroo Valley and is already established. The approach involves high levels of In 2001-02 extensive surveys of rock-wallaby and fox activity at the remaining nine coordination between agencies, careful sites were undertaken as a preliminary step for long-term fox control and monitoring monitoring and strict baiting procedures. of the species throughout the region. Extensive surveys of 14 priority sites for the The regional program has been operating rufous bettong and four priority sites for the Albert’s lyrebird were completed as a successfully for over two years by involving first step towards targeted fox control and monitoring through the NPWS and State the community, using sound scientific Forests of NSW forest reserves in northern New South Wales. methodology and introducing a cooperative A total of 21 priority sites have been identified along the NSW coastline to protect management approach across areas involving the most important breeding sites of threatened shorebirds. Fox control contributed different organisations and landowners. to high fledging success at many of these sites in 2001-02. For example at South Ballina Beach the survival of pied oystercatcher fledglings has increased significantly following a cooperative control program involving the NPWS, Tweed-Lismore Rural Lands Protection Board, the Department of Land and Water Conservation and Southern Cross University. Last season was one of the most successful ever with 17 breeding pairs successfully fledging 14 pied oystercatchers. In western New South Wales the NPWS has obtained a special permit to undertake aerial baiting programs to protect endangered mallee fowl populations from fox predation in the Yathong, Nombinnie and Round Hill nature reserves. Aerial baiting of these reserves is complemented by extensive ground baiting on surrounding properties and state forests coordinated by the NPWS and the Hillston Rural Lands Protection Board. The program has increased survival rates of translocated mallee fowl. Aerial baiting of Yathong Nature Reserve has been so effective that the reserve is now virtually free of foxes. This has created an opportunity for the NPWS to restore the original fauna of the area by re-introducing many of the species that are now extinct in New South Wales but which still persist in small populations elsewhere. As the first step in this process a total of 85 brush-tailed bettongs (Bettongia penicillata) were collected from and and set free in Yathong Nature Reserve in October 2001. This diminutive member of the kangaroo family disappeared from New South Wales in the late nineteenth century following the introduction of rabbits and foxes. The translocated bettongs have been fitted with miniature radio transmitters to allow NPWS scientists to monitor their progress. In the first six months after release no animals were taken by foxes. Research is G Robertson/NPWS9 continuing to determine whether this small number of individuals can multiply rapidly enough to establish a viable population in the wild: the first free-ranging population of this species in New South Wales for more than 120 years. Other priority sites targeted for fox control in 2001-02 included sites for plains- wanderers, brolgas and other wading birds, southern brown bandicoots, broad- toothed rats, black-striped wallabies and the Bellinger River emydura. Apart from the threat abatement plan the NPWS continues to be involved in a number of important broad area collaborative fox control programs to reduce the impacts of foxes on both agricultural productivity and non-threatened fauna. For example the NPWS is working closely with NSW Agriculture and private landholders in a large-scale fox control program in and around Weddin Mountains National Park. The program involves Forbes Rural Lands Protection Board, State Forests of NSW and private landholders and is part of a broad-scale strategic fox control program called ‘Outfox the Fox’.

The black-striped wallaby is one of a number of threatened species to benefit from control of introduced predators such as foxes. 62 Conservation management

Similar programs have commenced recently in and around Goobang National Park CASE STUDY north of Parkes, State Recreation Area near Orange, Coolah Tops Wild dog project National Park east of Coolah, and Winburndale Nature Reserve east of Bathurst. Further north the NPWS is working closely with the Armidale Rural Lands The Cooperative Wild Dog and Fox Protection Board and the Southern New England Landcare Committee in a large- Management Plan for the Brindabella and Wee scale fox control program involving about 800 landholders in an area stretching from Jasper Valleys was launched in May 2002. The Nowendoc to Guyra. East of Kosciuszko National Park the NPWS is working with the plan was prepared by a working group Hume Rural Lands Protection Board and landholders to control foxes around Nest comprising representatives from the NPWS, Hill Nature Reserve and Woomargama National Park. State Forests of NSW, Yass Rural Lands Protection Board, private landholders, contract Wild dogs trappers and the South-East NSW and ACT Wild Dog Project. It crosses all land tenures Wild dogs including dingoes cause substantial losses to livestock and the NPWS and includes Brindabella and Kosciuszko recognises the need for control programs in areas where the attacks are caused by national parks, Bimberi, Burrinjuck, Wee dogs moving out of lands under its control. The dingo is however a native animal and Jasper and Black Andrew nature reserves, there is an expectation that they be conserved in New South Wales. Buccleuch State Forest and surrounding The NPWS therefore has the difficult task of balancing these two objectives: properties. preventing attacks on livestock from wild dogs moving out of its reserves whilst The management plan identifies where conserving dingoes in core areas of some national parks. An approach to balance problems with wild dogs are occurring and these objectives has been endorsed by government agencies, Rural Lands Protection where and how they should be controlled. It Boards and the NSW Pest Animal Council. This approach has been incorporated into also identifies the responsibilities of all land the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 through the Pest Control Order for Wild managers and the resources that each group Dogs. This order allows for the general destruction obligation for publicly managed will provide to implement the plan over the lands listed in Schedule 2 of the order to be satisfied through a wild dog management next three years. An integrated approach using plan with both control and conservation objectives, that has been approved by the buried 1080 baits at bait stations, Rural Lands Protection Board responsible for that area. Schedule 2 lists 254 reserves complemented by contract trappers to remove considered to contain high quality dingo habitat on contiguous NPWS and State ‘bait-shy’ animals, is the key to the success of Forests of NSW land, along with associated smaller areas of land managed by the this program. Already landholders claim that Sydney Catchment Authority, and unoccupied Crown land managed by the this program has reduced stock losses by Department of Land and Water Conservation (113 of these reserves are managed by more than 80 per cent and some graziers are the NPWS). A number of wild dog management plans have already been prepared. considering putting sheep back into areas previously considered unprofitable because of Extensive wild dog control programs are being undertaken in and around wild dog attacks. Kosciuszko National Park, especially in the Byadbo Wilderness Area in the south- east of the park. Monitoring of sand pads has indicated a significant reduction in wild dog activity over the course of the program. The program was developed in collaboration with the and Bombala Rural L Wren/NPWS Lands Protection Boards, Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, contractors and local landowners. An advisory panel has been established to look at ways of further improving its effectiveness. The panel includes the NPWS, NSW Farmers Association, NSW Department of Agriculture, local landholders and the Cooma and Yass Rural Lands Protection Boards. In far western New South Wales the NPWS is working closely with neighbours to control dingoes, wild dogs and foxes in Sturt National Park. This program involves approximately 340 kilometres of bait lines in a five to eight kilometre buffer zone along the southern and eastern boundaries of the park (the runs along the western and northern boundaries). Trapping and shooting are also used where Wild dog control programs have been extensive in the they are effective and watering points have been enclosed throughout the buffer Snowy Mountains region: NPWS field officer Terry zone and further into the park. In the last four years only one landholder has Pendergast (right) shows project officer Greg Mifsud reported any attacks on livestock, resulting in the destruction of two dogs. This is how to set a wild dog trap. evidence of the success of the program. A recent survey in Sturt National Park conducted by the University of NSW found that the number of wild dogs is very low, that the park has large areas with no wild dog activity and is not a significant source of wild dogs dispersing onto neighbouring lands. Many other programs were run in conjunction with Rural Lands Protection Boards and wild dog control associations: In a large cooperative program in and around the northern and western boundaries of Wollemi and Goulburn River national parks the NPWS is working closely with Hunter and Mudgee Rural Lands Protection Boards, Rylstone Wild Dog Control Association and community groups in Widden Valley, Baerami and Martindale. The program involves more than 200 bait stations and extends from Bulga near Singleton to Glen Davis near Rylstone. 63 2001 2002 Annual report

In the Glen Innes area the NPWS held a series of meetings during 2001 and 2002 involving neighbours, Rural Lands Protection Boards, State Forests of NSW and wild dog control associations to improve the effectiveness of control programs. The coordination of the programs and the greater involvement of landholders (more than 150 landholders are participating) has successfully reduced predation of livestock during 2002. In and around the Barrington Tops National Park and Crown Reserve the NPWS is working closely with the Mt Hungerford Wild Dog Association and landholders to control wild dogs. In this program the Hunter Rural Lands Protection Board has been contracted to undertake a baiting program within the park to complement programs on adjoining private properties. Additional field staff have been appointed by the NPWS to support this program which has significantly reduced stock losses on surrounding properties. In areas east and south of Walcha the NPWS is working with State Forests and five wild dog control associations in cooperative wild dog control programs in Oxley Wild Rivers, Mummel Gulf, Ben Halls Gap and Nowendoc national parks, Back River and Tomalla nature reserves and associated state forests. On the Mid-North Coast a cooperative baiting program was undertaken with Gloucester and Kempsey Rural Lands Protection Boards, State Forests and various wild dog control associations in areas in and surrounding New England, Biriwal Bulga, Cottam-Bimbang, Kumbatine and Willi Willi national parks and Fife’s Knob and Gads Sugarloaf nature reserves. East of Bathurst the NPWS combined with the Palmers Oakey Feral Dog and Fox Association, the Rural Lands Protection Board and State Forests to reduce stock losses in a cooperative program over 25,000 hectares in

and around the Winburndale Nature Reserve. NPWS In the Kanangra-Boyd, Gardens of Stone and Blue Mountains national parks the NPWS conducted a very extensive control program for wild dogs involving over 300 bait stations along fire trails. The program is supported by the Oberon Vertebrate Pest Group and has greatly reduced the number of wild dog attacks on neighbouring properties. On the Central Coast the NPWS is working closely with State Forests, Maitland Rural Lands Protection Board, Gosford City Council and local community action groups to control wild dogs in a large area covering Dharug and Yengo national parks, various state forests and surrounding lands. North Coast Region conducted a successful bait-station program with the Glen Innes Rural Lands Protection Board and the Wongwibinda Wild Dog Control Association to control wild dogs near Guy Fawkes River National Park.

Feral pigs Officers from the NPWS and the Molong Rural Lands Favourable seasons have resulted in a significant increase in feral pig populations in Protection Board work together to trap feral pigs in western New South Wales. Because of their increasing numbers and their potential difficult weather conditions in Mount Canobolas State Recreation Area near Orange. to transmit exotic diseases such as foot and mouth disease the NPWS has increased its efforts to control feral pigs. For example in the District last year the NPWS combined with the Northern Slopes Rural Lands Protection Board in a major culling program in and around the Planchonella Hill Nature Reserve. During the year P King/NPWS more than 350 pigs were removed from the reserve and surrounding properties. Further west the NPWS combined with the Brewarrina and Walgett Rural Lands Protection Board in a coordinated control program in and around the Narran Lake Nature Reserve where over 400 pigs were removed during the year. Undertaken across land tenures the program secured the desired conservation outcome of reducing the number of feral pigs on the reserve and also provided benefits to neighbouring farmers through improved lambing rates. Similar programs were undertaken in Kinchega National Park (140 pigs culled) and at Peery National Park (607 pigs culled). Further south in west of Hillston 284 pigs were removed in a combined trapping and aerial shooting program. The NPWS, Coonamble, Nyngan and Walgett Rural Lands Protection Boards, and the Macquarie Marshes Management Committee worked together to shoot pigs from helicopters on the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve and 15 private properties. A total of 3,764 pigs were shot including 1,210 on the nature reserve and 2,554 on private property. This was the most successful operation in the marshes for years because it was a large scale coordinated effort involving several agencies and encompassing multiple land tenures. These state-of-the-art pig traps became part of a cooperative feral pig control program around Kings Plain National Park on the Northern Tablelands. 64 Conservation management

On the Northern Tablelands feral pig populations in Cathedral Rock, Oxley Wild Rivers and Werrikimbe national parks have been kept at low levels by an integrated program combining aerial and ground shooting, poisoning and trapping. The NPWS worked closely with State Forests and Armidale Rural Lands Protection Board to expand this very successful pig control program to include new reserves (Nowendoc and Mummel Gulf national parks and Ngulin and Booroolong nature reserves) as well as a number of private properties and state forests. Further north in the Glen Innes area the NPWS has combined with the Northern New England Rural Lands Protection Board, several Landcare groups and more than 20 landholders to undertake a collaborative pig trapping and baiting program in and around Kings Plains National Park. Additional traps have been purchased with funding provided by Landcare. More than 200 feral pigs were destroyed in this program during the year. A similar cooperative program has been established in and around Single National Park just south of . In Kosciuszko National Park a cooperative trapping and aerial shooting program with park neighbours targets feral pigs in the Jagungal Wilderness Area and surrounding properties. A similar program to the west of Kosciuszko National Park culled pigs from areas in and around Bogandyera and Jingellic nature reserves. This is an excellent example of cooperation with most of the trapping being undertaken on private properties because the rugged terrain restricts access on the reserves. As part of the Alps Memorandum of Understanding the NPWS and the ACT Parks and Conservation Service have implemented a cooperative cross-border pig-baiting program. Baiting was conducted in Brindabella National Park and Bimberi and Scabby Range nature reserves that border Namadgi National Park in the ACT. Preliminary results suggest that the program has greatly reduced pig numbers and monitoring stations have been established to measure the long-term effectiveness of the program. Feral pigs often take cover in inaccessible areas. For example in the southern Blue Mountains area which includes wilderness areas such as Kanangra-Boyd and the proposed Murruin wilderness areas helicopters and horses are used to access very remote areas. In the last year more than 300 pigs have been destroyed and follow- up surveys indicate that pig numbers and the damage they cause have been significantly reduced.

Feral deer A survey by the University of Western Sydney indicated that there has been a significant increase in the distribution and C Shepard/NPWS abundance of feral deer in New South Wales in the period 1979-2001. Recent research indicates that the increased deer population in Royal National Park is having significant adverse impacts on native flora and fauna (see feral deer research under Conservation Assessment). A Deer Working Group was established by the NPWS and has been developing recommendations for deer management in the park since July 2000. The working group comprises representatives from the University of Sydney, Nature Conservation Council, National Parks Association, RSPCA, NSW Animal Welfare League, Council, Moss Vale Rural Lands Protection Board, Australian Deer The Deer Working Group with its extensive stakeholder Association as well as NPWS staff. Following extensive public representation was instrumental in the development of the consultation the Deer Management Plan for Royal National Deer Management Plan for Royal National Park. Park has been approved and a culling program is under way with the endorsement of animal welfare groups who are auditing the program. A copy of the plan is on the NPWS website. In many other areas the NPWS, Rural Lands Protection Boards, State Forests and NSW Agriculture staff are very concerned about the increase in the number of feral deer sightings, especially in coastal and tablelands areas. A similar approach to that above is being adopted in a number of these areas. 65 2001 2002 Annual report

Weed management CASE STUDY The rehabilitation of degraded or disturbed bushland is a priority management activity in many reserves and the NPWS has a large number of weed control Saving the Nielsen Park programs. A planned, integrated and systematic approach is required with a she-oak commitment to long-term maintenance. The strategy is to replace weeds with native The Nielsen Park she-oaks (Allocasuarina species in such a way that the process of natural regeneration and succession is portuensis) were only discovered in 1986 and sustainable and weeds are not simply replaced by other weeds. Weed species sadly, of the 10 original plants found, only one targeted vary according to the location of the reserve but important species include old plant remains. After its discovery the bitou bush, lantana, Cape ivy, Asparagus spp., cat’s claw creeper, Madeira vine, NPWS was quick to propagate seedlings and moth vine, balloon vine, mistflower, glory lily, Passiflora spp., privets, camphor establish plantings around the park. Over the laurel, wandering Jew, fishbone fern, mother-of-millions, turkey rhubarb, polygala, past several years the NPWS has: cotoneaster, honeysuckles, Easter cassia, ochna, olives, hawthorn, sweet briar, Formosa lily, umbrella tree and many other environmental weeds. • propagated more seedlings • established further translocation trials in During the year funding for bushland and rainforest restoration programs has been areas of similar habitat provided by the NPWS and from a number of other sources including the National • conducted genetic testing of the original Rainforest Conservation Program, corporate sponsorship, the NSW Biodiversity propagated plants to ensure no Strategy, NSW Environmental Trust Grants, World Heritage, the Natural Heritage hybridisation had occurred with other Trust and Green Corps. Community groups and volunteers also contributed closely related Allocasuarina species significantly to these programs. • enhanced the habitat of the western side of The following provides a summary of a few of these programs. Details of these and Mt Trefle by removing weeds for future other programs can be found on the NPWS website: www.npws.nsw.gov.au. re-introduction of the species. A significant commitment is now required to maintain these areas and keep the planting Bitou bush sites free from weeds such as asparagus fern Bitou bush has been listed as a Weed of National Significance and as a key and lantana. threatening process under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Due to the continuing intensive bush because it is a serious threat to all coastal ecosystems. It is a highly competitive regeneration efforts by NPWS staff, contractors environmental weed that reduces the abundance and diversity of native plant and volunteers large areas of weed infested communities. bush have returned to Allocasuarina portuensis Bitou bush control programs were undertaken in a large number of reserves during habitat. the year often with the support of volunteer groups. An excellent example of There are now 135 plants within the eastern community commitment to protecting conservation areas is on the Mid-North Coast suburbs of Sydney of which 120 are in Nielsen where the local branch of the National Parks Association recently celebrated 23 Park. While not completely safe yet this unique years of ‘Bitou Bush Bashing’. At Diamond Head (Crowdy Bay National Park) in 1979 she-oak is on its way back from the verge of this group started the first organised program targeting bitou bush. An unrelenting extinction. The unassuming plant has been program has continued over the years and with assistance from NPWS staff bitou prominent in the media, having appeared on bush has virtually been eradicated from the headland allowing important heathland the television programs Totally Wild and and grassland vegetation to proliferate. Gardening Australia, in the metropolitan Further north in the Grafton area, the NPWS is working to restore coastal vegetation newspapers and on national radio. with four groups (Angourie Point Dunecare, Iluka Landcare, Diggers Camp Dunecare Group and Ratepayers Association). This program is supported by grants from the CERRA World Heritage Fund, Coastcare and the NSW

Environmental Trust programs and through work by teams from Green Corps and P Ibbetson/NPWS Australian Conservation Volunteers. Many of the bitou bush programs are undertaken in conjunction with local councils. For example on the Far South Coast the NPWS has combined with the Eurobodalla Shire Council and local Landcare groups in a coordinated program in a number of areas between and Tuross Heads. These infestations are in the southern containment zone identified in the National Bitou Bush and Boneseed Strategic Plan. Commonwealth funding has been provided to support this program which aims to reduce the distribution and abundance of bitou bush within the containment zone and also to move the southern limits of this zone further north to Sussex Inlet. In the northern beaches area of Sydney the NPWS is working with Warringah, and Manly councils and local community groups in a project that aims to eliminate bitou bush completely from the area. A steering committee has been formed to coordinate this program which is supported by funding provided from the Natural Heritage Trust. In a number of reserves (Crowdy Bay, Hat Head, Yuraygir, Bundjalung, Seven Mile Beach and Eurobodalla national parks and Moonee Beach and Kattang nature reserves) helicopter application of glyphosate continues to give outstanding results Intensive efforts by NPWS staff, contractors and on bitou bush. This technique uses very low rates of glyphosate (80 per cent less volunteers have returned large areas of previously weed-infested bush in Nielsen Park to she-oak habitat. 66 Conservation management

than that required from ground application) applied during winter. This has resulted in better than 95 per cent control of bitou bush while populations of native species have been relatively unaffected. The NPWS has established three demonstration sites to promote and refine best management practices. The sites have been established in collaboration with local councils and community groups and are located at Munmorah State Recreation Area (Central Coast), Sea Acres Nature Reserve (Mid-North Coast) and Cudgen Nature Reserve (Far North Coast). The South Coast Bitou Bush Steering Committee has established additional demonstration sites on the South Coast.

Lantana Lantana occurs in most coastal and eastern escarpment parks from Narooma to the Queensland border and has been listed as a Weed of National Significance. The NPWS is a major contributor to the collaborative research program on biological control being undertaken by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and NSW Agriculture together with State Forests of NSW, the Department of Land and Water Conservation, local councils and catchment management boards. Emphasis is given to the release and monitoring of the stem-sucking insect Aconophora compressa and the leaf rust Prospodium tuberculatum. A. compressa has been released at more than 50 sites, 11 of which are in NPWS reserves (Blue Mountains, Bongil Bongil, Bundjalung, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Lane Cove, Myall Lakes and Oxley Wild Rivers national parks, Georges Creek, Limpinwood and Moonee Beach nature reserves and Lake Macquarie State Recreation Area). It has established at a number of these sites although a heatwave and floods at key nursery sites in early 2001 were a setback. At last report A. compressa was still present at a number of sites but further releases will be required. The leaf rust has been released in Lane Cove, Mount Warning, Toonumbar and Myall Lakes national parks. Scientists have high hopes for this agent because it attacks the common pink-flowered form of lantana and research indicates that it tolerates a range of climatic conditions. On Lion Island Nature Reserve at the entrance to lantana is the dominant weed across the island. Apart from competing with native plants the dense impenetrable lantana thickets have prevented burrowing and nesting activities of a colony of little penguins. The control program undertaken by the NPWS and the Lion Island Bushcare Group has recently been expanded by a grant from the NSW Environmental Trust. Because of the steepness of the terrain the control program has proceeded along contours with the slow, staged removal of lantana. The successful removal of lantana and regeneration of native vegetation has allowed penguins to recolonise the area.

Bridal creeper and other Asparagus spp. Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) and a number of closely related species

A Horton/NPWS – asparagus fern (A. africanus), ground asparagus (A. densiflorus) and climbing asparagus (A. plumosus) – are garden plants that have escaped to become major environmental weeds in all southern states. Bridal creeper has been listed as a Weed of National Significance by the Commonwealth government. The NPWS has contributed to the national research program that aims to identify and release biocontrol agents for the control of bridal creeper. Two agents have been released to date: a leaf-hopper insect and a rust fungus. Similarly the NPWS is targeting bridal creeper and asparagus fern in several reserves on the South Coast: Eurobodalla, Cudmirrah and Clyde River national parks and Narrawallee and Cullendulla Creek nature reserves. Bridal creeper control programs are also under way in Ben Boyd, Cattai, Cocoparra, Lane Cove, Sydney Harbour, Tomaree, Towarri and Wollemi national parks, The Rock Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) has been listed Nature Reserve and Wolli Creek Regional Park. In Yuraygir and Bundjalung national as a Weed of National Significance by the Commonwealth parks near Grafton ground asparagus is a priority species while in Booti Booti government. The NPWS has contributed to a national National Park near Forster, climbing asparagus is the main species being targeted. research program to find effective biocontrol agents to tackle this serious environmental problem. 67 2001 2002 Annual report

Scotch broom Corporate performance target Thirty-five species of plants, six threatened and 29 rare or threatened occur in the subalpine plateau of Barrington Tops Increase in the number of joint NPWS/community tourism, pest control National Park and Polblue Crown Reserve. Populations of and fire management programs these species are impacted by Scotch broom infestations. The ongoing broom containment program operated during the Joint pest management programs each quarter year with a key aim of protecting these species. 500 457 450 Fire management 400 370 350 The NPWS is responsible for the management of some of the 299 most rugged and remote bushfire prone country in the world. 300 276 223 219 The NPWS is both a ‘fire fighting authority’ and a ‘public 250 206 authority’ under the Rural Fires Act 1997. As a ‘fire fighting 200 authority’, the NPWS assists with the suppression and 144 150 prevention of bushfires within and beyond the boundaries of parks and reserves and conducts hazard reduction activities 100 across a variety of land tenures. As a ‘public authority’, the 50

Service has a number of duties including implementing the 0 relevant bush fire risk management plan to prevent the Sep 00 Dec 00 Mar 01 Jun 01 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 occurrence of bush fires and to minimise the danger of the spread of a bush fire on or from parks and reserves. This graph refers to joint pest management programs With its strong emphasis on developing staff skills the NPWS only. The NPWS is also carrying out other pest now has more than 900 trained firefighters and over 444 incident management management activities. In many instances pest trained staff with a full range of vehicles, plant, equipment and aircraft for fire management activities are seasonal and hence there is management operations, particularly in remote areas. a variation in the number of programs over the course of the year. Prevention and mitigation activities The variability of weather conditions over autumn and winter hindered numerous burning operations due to ground fuels being either too wet or too dry across the state. Despite this the NPWS was able to do 103 prescribed burns over 31,703 hectares of its managed lands during the year. In addition maintenance was undertaken on 4,826 kilometres of NPWS fire trails during the year. The NPWS also assisted the Rural Fire Service and State Forests of NSW in another 23 prescribed burns off-park on adjacent lands. Prescribed burning operations conducted by the NPWS are directed mainly at protecting neighbouring areas so as to protect life and property. This is done through the implementation of Asset Protection Zones along park and reserve boundaries where appropriate. Prescribed burns are also focused strategically through Strategic Wildfire Control Zones across parks in order to provide for fuel reduced areas that help to break up and minimise the spread of wildfires and allow for safer access for firefighters when controlling bush fires. Burning is also conducted to implement or maintain appropriate fire regimes on NPWS managed lands. This aids in maintaining biodiversity values within protected areas.

Total area burnt in prescribed burning operations on NPWS managed lands since July 1997

Fire year Total area treated (ha) Number of burns conducted L Wren/NPWS by NPWS staff 1997-1998 9,601 72 1998-1999 12,971 66 1999-2000 6,752 71 2000-2001 19,733 61 2001-2002 31,703 103 Total 80,760 373 In addition to prescribed burning the NPWS undertakes other hazard reduction activities including slashing, trittering, hand clearing using brush-cutting, bush regeneration programs, pile burning, chemical weed spraying, mowing and clearing Fuel reduction burn to protect the village of Eucumbene of fire breaks and radiation zones. Cove on the eastern boundary of Kosciuszko National As the 2001-02 year ended an extended dry period allowed the NPWS to Park. Favourable autumn weather allowed NPWS staff in the Snowy Mountains region to complete most of their complete more of its scheduled hazard reduction program than had been the case planned fuel reduction program. in recent years. 68 Conservation management

Preparedness The new NPWS Fire Management Manual was released on

M Cooper/NPWS 16 July 2001 and immediately implemented. With the conclusion of the 2001-02 fire season the manual has been reviewed to assess the effectiveness of its policies and procedures and will be amended as necessary. The NPWS has commenced the development of a standard for fire cover which aims to identify the core resources (equipment and personnel) necessary to provide adequate fire prevention and suppression across its managed lands. Initial assessment indicated that the NPWS already has adequate levels of personnel and light fire tankers. The Standards of Fire Cover process for suppression will be finalised over the 2002-03 financial year and reviewed regularly thereafter.

Fire management training The NPWS agreed as a member of the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) to align its fire training to meet the requirements of the Public Safety Training Package, a competency-based system incorporating curriculum-based classroom training coupled with on-ground practical experience progression. Development of a five-year implementation plan for all NPWS fire training to ensure that the NPWS meets its Prescribed burning to protect homes on properties obligations under the nationwide Public Safety Training adjoining the Pennant Hills additions to Lane Cove National Park. standards commenced. During the year the NPWS conducted fire management training programs for its staff in the following areas: basic fire fighter, crew leader, the Incident Control System, helibase management, aerial incendiary operator, Situation Officer, Resource Officer and Logistics Officer. Courses were also jointly conducted with the Rural Fire Service, State Forests of NSW, NSW Fire Brigades, the Bureau of Meteorology’s Severe Weather Section and Natural Resources and Environment (Victoria) in the following: prescribed burning, severe fire weather, Fire Ground Manager, Air Attack Supervisor and Air Observer.

Coordinated fire fighting The NPWS is committed to cooperative and coordinated firefighting. This involves close liaison with the NSW Fire Brigades, Rural Fire Service, State Forests of NSW and the Sydney Catchment Authority for better coordination of fire preparedness activities. The NPWS is a member on the NSW Bush Fire Coordinating Committee and is represented on 97 per cent of all district bushfire management committees across the State. The NPWS actively participates in the development, implementation and review of the State Bush Fire Plan and bushfire risk management plans and bushfire operational plans for local government areas. Memoranda of understanding are being developed between the NPWS and State Forests, NSW Fire Brigades and the Rural Fire Service. The NPWS also maintains a cross border cooperative fire fighting agreement with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Victoria) in order to provide rapid fire suppression M Cooper/NPWS across the NSW/Victorian border area of the Snowy Mountains. This arrangement is being replicated to include South Australia and Queensland border areas. The NPWS continued to be particularly proactive in promoting and supplying resources for the development of 138 bush fire risk management plans and plans of operations for bush fire management committees across New South Wales. All these plans have now been completed and signed off for adoption by the Bush Fire Coordinating Committee.

Firefighting is a coordinated effort between the NPWS, NSW Fire Brigades, Rural Fire Service, State Forests of NSW and the Sydney Catchment Authority. 69 2001 2002 Annual report

Reserve fire management plans Twenty-five year record of ‘on-park’ bushfires National parks and reserves are covered by relevant bush fire risk Year No. of Area burnt of % of NPWS estate management plans developed by each District Bush Fire Management ‘on-park’ NPWS estate burnt during Committee, under Section 52 of the Rural Fires Act. In addition to this, fires (ha) that fire year 516 parks and reserves require some degree of separate fire 1976-77 90 57,913 3.02 management planning. Of these, 237 reserves have been identified to 1977-78 138 143,567 6.91 date as requiring a detailed NPWS reserve fire management plan, with 1978-79 105 6,813 0.29 all 237 being formally adopted, on public exhibition, or in preparation. 1979-80 113 420,070 14.56 Each fire management plan will incorporate performance indicators that 1980-81 162 298,027 10.01 will enable the NPWS to monitor and report on its effectiveness in 1981-82 53 5,449 0.17 achieving the objects of the plans. 1982-83 181 135,863 4.19 1983-84 35 1,914 0.05 All fire plans are placed on public exhibition for three months for 1984-85 267 196,684 5.83 consideration and comment. Relevant interest groups and park 1985-86 139 38,364 1.12 neighbours are also consulted during the development of each reserve 1986-87 172 81,354 2.33 fire management plan. 1987-88 158 96,833 2.61 1988-89 122 46,761 1.22 NSW Biodiversity Strategy – fire regimes 1989-90 249 66,464 1.72 The NPWS was funded during the year through the NSW Biodiversity 1990-91 425 125,469 3.25 Strategy to address Priority Action 43: Manage fire in accordance 1991-92 396 66,409 1.68 with Ecologically Sustainable Development principles. The NPWS 1992-93 213 21,772 0.55 commenced a project to achieve better fire management by developing 1993-94 300 382,897 9.68 guidelines that identify appropriate fire regimes for the conservation of 1994-95 250 89,112 2.21 biodiversity within given ecosystems. The development of databases on 1995-96 189 15,192 0.35 the fire response and life history characteristics of flora and fauna 1996-97 194 12,670 0.27 species and original research into the effects of infrequent fire will aid 1997-98 466 236,152 4.73 the development of these guidelines. This project is scheduled for 1998-99 189 14,195 0.28 completion by the end of 2002. 1999-00 166 6,715 0.13 2000-01 396 217,980 4.15 Hazard reduction proposals 2001-02 356 595,388 11.04 The NPWS chaired the Interdepartmental Committee on Environmental Assessments for Hazard Reduction Proposals established to streamline the assessment process. Legislative changes reflecting the committee’s recommendations were subsequently incorporated into the Rural Fires and Environmental Assessment Amendment Act 2002. NPWS wildfire origin and control 1995-96 to 2001-02 Wildfire statistics for parks and reserves Detailed records of fire origins and causes have been kept centrally by the NPWS Originated on-park/ since the 1995-96 fire season. Of the 1,956 fires that have occurred on parks and moved off-park 9% reserves since 1 July 1995 91 per cent (1,777 ignitions) were contained within park Originated off-park/ and reserve boundaries. Only nine per cent of these fires (179 ignitions) have controlled on-park 22% escaped into neighbouring tenures. Originated on-park/ By contrast during this same period, of all the fires affecting NPWS parks and controlled on-park 69% reserves, 22 per cent (424 ignitions) originated from neighbouring lands.

2001-02 bushfire season In 2001-02 there were a total of 356 on-park fires of which 141 occurred during the critical period 23 December 2001 to 24 January 2002. Of the 356 fires occurring on NPWS parks and reserves 193 (54 per cent) started on-park and were controlled on- park, 55 (16 per cent) started on-park and moved off-park and 108 (30 per cent) started off-park and moved on-park. NPWS firefighters also attended 146 off-park fires on private property, vacant Crown land or State Forest lands. Bushfires of significance started in August 2001 when there were a notable number of fires on NPWS lands. Most were on North Coast parks and reserves although numerous fires were also lit around the Shoalhaven. Of these fires over three- quarters were believed to have been the work of arsonists. Most of the remaining fires were started from burn-offs on lands adjoining parks. September also saw heavy fire activity on NPWS estate. Of these fires around half were believed to be the work of arsonists and most of the remainder occurred when park neighbours conducting burn-offs were unable to contain their fires which escaped onto NPWS estate. 70 Conservation management

With the onset of drier and warmer weather across New South Wales the fire Wildfire cause 2001-02 situation on NPWS lands escalated. From October until mid-November fire activity (all fires responded to by NPWS fire crews) was continuous on the northern coast of New South Wales. In October most fires were from burn-offs on lands adjoining parks and reserves escaping their arson 60.7 suspected containment lines. On 3 December 2001 lightning associated with a severe storm caused a significant lightning 20.8 number of fires in NPWS parks and reserves.

burning off 12.7 On 21 December six new fires began suspiciously from unknown causes. These fires (neighbours) which later became known as the Martindale Complex in the Wollemi National Park motor vehicle 2 took significant NPWS firefighting resources to manage. On 24 December with (arson) already significant fire activity occurring across the state, New South Wales camping 0.8 experienced severe fire weather and a dry lightning storm in the early hours. This fires storm started eight serious fires on various tenures in very rugged and remote areas power 0.8 around Sydney. With the hot, dry and windy conditions on Christmas Eve, Christmas lines Day and Boxing Day several of the fires developed into major bushfires. The fire farming 0.2 suppression effort continued throughout January. equipment During this time over 1,300 NPWS staff were committed to the fire suppression miscellaneous 2.2 effort. NPWS staff filled the roles of firefighters, Incident Controllers, Air Attack Officers and Section 44 Bush Fire Emergency Controllers. Overall the NPWS had 74 051015 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 Incident Controllers and Deputies appointed during all 41 Section 44 Bushfire per cent Emergencies. In 2001-02 NPWS fire crews responded with other fire authorities to a total of 502 bushfires covering some 934,565 hectares (595,388 hectares on NPWS parks and reserves).

Recovery and rehabilitation The NPWS is committed to recovery and rehabilitation of all NPWS managed lands D Keith/NPWS on which fire occurs. Fires within parks and reserves are assessed for appropriate recovery and rehabilitation measures to be undertaken when all suppression activities have ceased. Where possible these measures are implemented and rehabilitation begun before the fire is declared fully extinguished. Some of the measures that the NPWS employs include wildlife rescue with the assistance of volunteer groups such as WIRES (Wildlife Information and Rescue Service); rehabilitation of temporary fire control lines (temporary bulldozer trails and hand-constructed trails and fire breaks); and tree surgery with the removal of dangerous tree limbs and trees from visitation areas. Rehabilitation has been undertaken in Blue Mountains, Wollemi, Royal, Morton, Grass trees are the focus of biodiversity monitoring and research in the wake of the bushfires in Royal Goobang, Deua and Nattai national parks. National Park. Ku-ring-gai tragedy update Four NPWS officers lost their lives and three were severely injured following a fire hazard reduction operation in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in June 2000. An inquest was held into the incident and the findings handed down in December 2001. The Coroner made seventeen recommendations many of which have been addressed and implemented as part of the NPWS review of fire management policy and procedures. A summary of the Coroner’s findings can be found on the NPWS website at the following address: www.npws.nsw.gov.au/about/coronial/summary_findings.html. A prosecution by WorkCover against the NPWS relating to the fire has commenced. 71 4

Aboriginal education officer Rod Mason with children from Public School. L Wren/NPWS The encouragement and support of community stewardship of the natural and cultural heritage across the landscape, and the sharing of appreciation and enjoyment of this heritage. 72 Conservation facilitation

Community support for and involvement in the conservation of natural and cultural heritage on NPWS managed lands and elsewhere across New South Wales is extensive and growing. This section addresses ways in which the NPWS is working with B Webster/NPWS community groups and individuals in their conservation activities, and highlights some of the achievements of this collaboration. Through this participation the NPWS is further contributing to the achievement of NSW Biodiversity Strategy objectives.

Fostering commitment to natural and cultural heritage

Acknowledging people’s contributions to conservation

National Trust Heritage Awards The NPWS won two awards and received two commendations at the National Minister for the Environment Bob Debus acknowledges the contribution of long-term volunteers at an awards Trust Heritage Awards in April 2002. Reflecting the Service’s diverse range of ceremony at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. activities, awards were won for Aboriginal heritage, natural heritage and historic heritage projects. In the Indigenous Cultural Heritage Category the NPWS won an award for the Mt Drysdale Aboriginal Place Nomination Report. The report was developed in close consultation with the local community and landholders and achieved the permanent protection of an important site in the Cobar area. The NPWS was also commended for the Aboriginal People and Biodiversity Project. The other award was won in the Conservation Landscape Heritage Category for work done by the NPWS on ecological degradation in the lower Murrumbidgee wetlands. CASE STUDY The NPWS was commended in the Adaptive Re-use Category for work done at NPWS hosts Willandra National Park Homestead, now being used as visitor accommodation. international forum Local government projects The World Protected Area Leadership Forum was held in May 2002 at the Quarantine The NPWS sponsored the urban wildlife conservation category of the Keep Australia Station hosted jointly by the NPWS and Parks Beautiful Council’s Metro Pride competition during 2001-02 to encourage and Australia. recognise the efforts and achievements of local communities in protecting and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat in urban environments. The NPWS also Delegates came from many countries, sponsored the ‘wildlife habitat and corridors’ category of the Tidy Towns including Canada, Russia, Thailand and competition. Madagascar, and among them were the heads of more than 25 leading protected area agencies. As well as discussing issues of One hundred years of conservation at Dorrigo National Park global importance, planning continued for the One hundred years of conservation at Dorrigo National Park were celebrated in Fifth World Parks Congress, to be held in September 2001. Celebrations included a dinner for staff, the advisory committee, Durban in 2003. former Trust members and volunteers (both past and present), and a public picnic day with a bush band and puppet show. The Minister and the NPWS were presented with an award from the IUCN, in recognition of The Minister for the Environment recognised long-term volunteers at Dorrigo our ‘outstanding contribution to the Rainforest Centre with awards. conservation of the world’s protected areas’. The NPWS organised pre-conference tours for Educational programs participants to the Solitary Islands Marine Park Over the past year a number of program initiatives have been undertaken to promote and Dorrigo, New England, Guy Fawkes River, education and community involvement in the conservation of natural and cultural Mungo and Mutawintji national parks. heritage. For example in the northern area of New South Wales the following activities took place: World Environment Day (5 June) was celebrated with wildlife displays and ranger B Webster/NPWS talks to school groups in Glen Innes, Walcha and Tamworth Tourism Planning students from Southern Cross University were introduced to park planning through ranger talks and an on-site inspection of Washpool and Gibraltar Range national parks the NPWS jointly ran training, planning and control programs for pest species with Landcare groups, wild dog associations and Rural Lands Protection Boards NAIDOC week was celebrated by NPWS staff running community activities across the state. In Glen Innes the community was able to enjoy traditional Aboriginal bush foods, dancing and artworks. In both Glen Innes and Armidale local Aboriginal people took guided walks to explain cultural features. Delegates to the World Protected Area Leadership Forum tour key national parks in northern New South Wales. 73 2001 2002 Annual report

Education resources on key biodiversity themes NPWS Work started during the year to produce education resources on key biodiversity themes. This project is funded through the NSW Biodiversity Strategy to address Priority Action 13: To incorporate biodiversity studies into educational curricula and will meet the significantly increased demand for educational support resources by teachers and students. Teachers’ resource kits are being developed on key biodiversity themes reflected in syllabuses at the primary and secondary school levels. The resources will provide enhanced delivery of biodiversity themes in schools and more effective delivery of key education messages about biodiversity. This should lead to greater literacy among students of key biodiversity issues and actions for biodiversity conservation which reflect enhanced knowledge and skills, as well as creating positive values and attitudes in the students.

Council for Environmental Education The NPWS is a member of the NSW Council for Environmental Education, representing the environment portfolio. The council, constituted under the Children take a dip in the Wilson River in Boatharbour Nature Reserve during a Discovery program tour. Protection of the Environment Administration Amendment (Environmental Education) Act 1998, advises the government on key issues, trends and research requirements relating to environmental education and coordinates the preparation of statewide environmental education plans. During 2001-02 the NPWS played a key role in the preparation of a three-year plan for environmental education in New South Wales by supporting the consultation process undertaken in Sydney and four regions of the state, and in the development of the plan. As a member of the National Environmental Education Network the NPWS has also supported national linkages to promote coordination and effective environmental education programs and initiatives.

Discovery program The National Parks Discovery program focuses on providing community education opportunities for the general public and interested groups using interpretation techniques to bring natural and cultural heritage themes alive. The program employs local people with appropriate backgrounds as Discovery Coordinators and Discovery Rangers to deliver education programs in national parks and other protected areas and through outreach activities in locations such as schools. Threatened Species Day in September 2001 was promoted through the Discovery program and the distribution of special threatened species mouse mats to school students doing the program. In 2001-02 71,646 people participated in the program through 2,346 educational walks, talks and tours conducted in 176 locations, with a very good to excellent rating from participants on their experience. Don’t feed the wild animals: children’s artwork from the northern Discovery school holiday program. Two corporate priority themes were delivered on threatened species and a pest management theme called ‘Feral Peril’. These themes provide a basis for delivering key messages on major areas of NPWS S Phillips/NPWS management. The threatened species theme used the bilby in the Easter school holiday program to raise community awareness and understanding of threatened species and threatening processes. ‘Feral Peril’ was devel- oped to foster understanding about the threats posed by feral animals to the conservation of native fauna and flora, and about the cooperative pest manage- ment activities undertaken by the NPWS. Theme kits provide Discovery Rangers with information and practical guidance in the development of their guided tours and the formulation of key messages and answers to frequently asked questions. 74 Conservation facilitation

The Aboriginal Discovery program aims to enhance community appreciation and CASE STUDY understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage and the importance of its protection in Discovery walks, talks the landscape. The program has continued to prove popular. In 2001-02 39 and tours continue to Aboriginal Discovery Rangers were employed to deliver 1,290 Aboriginal cultural grow heritage and other educational activities within the Discovery program. The Hunter Region Discovery program offers In 2001-02 revised policy and guidelines were developed for the Discovery program walks, talks and tours in national parks and updating current best practice, addressing requirements under new child protection reserves. Discovery aims to deliver quality legislation and strengthening risk management components of the policy. interpretation and education services which Eco Ranger, a Discovery for Schools program for Year 7-8 science students is partly foster community awareness, appreciation and sponsored by CSR through the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. The understanding of our natural and cultural program encourages students to discover and explore biodiversity using a hands-on heritage and the importance of its introductory biodiversity survey as the basis for the program. The Eco Ranger conservation. Hunter Region has developed program has been specifically designed to meet Key Learning Areas of the junior high new and exciting programs for Myall Lakes, school science syllabus and is presented in a number of modules that build knowledge Tomaree and Booti Booti national parks and and skills and encourage critical thinking. During 2001-02 the program completed its Glenrock State Recreation Area with plans for pilot phase. Equipment was purchased and staff training was undertaken with 23 staff tours operating out of Barrington Tops National completing the course in October. The initial program commenced in November 2001 Park and other reserves in the west of the and has since been delivered in five regions of the NPWS. region this reporting year. More than 735 people attended Discovery walks, talks and Research into school students and environmental understandings tours in the Hunter in 2001-02. Local Discovery Rangers have been recruited to The NPWS partnered a research project with the University of Technology, Sydney, conduct the tours. the Department of Education and Training, Environment Protection Authority, Department of Land and Water Conservation and the , exploring the socio-cultural influences on environmental understandings of NSW school students. The research was undertaken on a statewide basis and in the school

R Gibbs/NPWS range K-12. In 2002-03 the research findings will be shared with key internal and external stakeholders to help inform school education program and resource design and development.

Envirothon Envirothon is an environmental interpretation competition for Year 11 students in NSW public schools. The program is undertaken in partnership with the Department of Education and Training and prizes have been sponsored by Snowgum outdoor equipment company. More than 250 students from across the state competed in regional competitions and over 60 students and staff took part in the final in Sydney. The final of Envirothon 2001 was conducted in Sydney Harbour National Park in December 2001. The Premier Bob Carr at the official opening of the new winner was Hurlstone Agricultural High School, second was Lambton High School, Tomaree Head walking track. The track soon became a popular place for Discovery walks. and third was Penrith High School. This was a very successful and popular program with students, with quality presentations and orientation tours undertaken by NPWS staff highlighting the natural and cultural heritage values and management of the national park.

Industry education A project partly funded through the Natural Heritage Trust has been undertaken to develop education resources for rural landholders, promoting the importance of biodiversity conservation in property management planning. A kit which integrates D Costello/NPWS biodiversity themes in property management planning and a biodiversity module which provides baseline biodiversity survey methods to enable landholders to assess property biodiversity values were developed. This assessment can then provide an information base to help inform property management planning. The NPWS has supported Tourism Training Australia in the revision of current competency standards for tour guiding relating to cultural and environmental guides. The NPWS has also been involved in Eco Guide accreditation trials and will continue this support through representation on the Eco Guide Steering Committee for Ecotourism Training Australia.

NPWS Aboriginal Sites Officer Graham Moore expands the cultural awareness of primary school children at a course run during their vacation care program. 75 2001 2002 Annual report

Dorrigo interpretation project A capital works project to design and install new interpretation infrastructure in Dorrigo National Park was completed in June. This project was undertaken in S Hull/NPWS parallel with the refurbishment of the main display in the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. In a key visitor destination and World Heritage area the new interpretation signage around the national park reflects its natural, Aboriginal cultural and historical heritage values. It recognises the importance of sharing the stories of the history of land-use and significance to Aboriginal people and the broader local community. Building on the ANZECC Best Practice Project on Interpretation and Education the NPWS has begun the revision of policy and guidelines for interpretation. This review also draws on the practical experiences of the Dorrigo project and other key interpretation projects undertaken recently.

Willandra homestead interpretive display Willandra homestead in the west of the state has a new interpretive display. Built predominantly around the theme of the historical development of this famous pastoral property the display also incorporates other aspects of the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage. As well as a beautiful static display, an information booklet was produced for visitors to the site. A visitor examines the refurbished display in the NPWS library Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. The NPWS research library has enhanced its services to the general community and other libraries particularly those of other government agencies by the publication of its database on the Internet at www.npws.nsw.gov.au/science/library.htm. In combination with our participation in both state and national library networks this extends access to our collection across the world. Development of the library Intranet site now provides better information to staff about reference services, links to electronic journals, forms, bibliographies and the library database statewide. The library has a collection of 537 theses which provide a valuable record of research into locations and species of particular significance to the NPWS. A bibliography of the thesis collection was produced this year. Bibliographies of holdings in ecotourism and environmental education were also updated. The library continues to assign International Standard Book Numbers to NPWS publications in preparation and takes responsibility for the distribution of new publications to legal deposit libraries. Over 130 new titles were distributed this year.

Publications review A strategic review of the various publications (including electronic) produced by the NPWS was commissioned to determine their appropriateness for various target audiences. Major tasks in the review include identifying key audiences, determining any communication gaps and the most appropriate way to fill them, and identifying any publications to be discontinued or more appropriate communications media for particular audiences. The results of this review will be available later in 2002.

Visitor centres The National Parks Centre has been operating at 102 George Street, The Rocks since September 2000. It is the statewide information centre for the NPWS providing information on national parks and their activities, and answering queries about native plants and animals. It is the chief point of contact for the recently launched ‘Backyard Buddies’ program. It provides comprehensive customer services in relation to annual passes, including processing annual pass purchases made via the e-commerce facility on the NPWS website. It has a retail area selling a range of NPWS and other publications as well as a diverse selection of gift items. The centre also displays statutory material such as plans of management and threatened species listings. The National Parks Centre is open seven days a week and is easily accessible by public transport being within walking distance of station. 76 Conservation facilitation

Public contact at the National Parks Centre: primary indicators

D Nicholls Year Telephone Counter Mail Email 2001-2002 45,673 24,269 232 4,710 2000-2001 53,459 16,180 468 6,270 1999-2000 50,733 2,075 825 2,788 There was a reduction in the number of telephone, mail and email enquiries and an increase in counter enquiries compared to the previous year. This is attributed to the relocation of the centre from Hurstville to The Rocks, making it more accessible for face-to-face enquiries, and the increasing amount of NPWS information directly available to the public on the Internet.

Snowy Region Visitor Centre

More than 13,000 students, teachers and park visitors The Snowy Region Visitor Centre at Jindabyne celebrated five years of operation on participated in programs at the Kosciuszko Education Australia Day 2002. To mark the occasion a party with about 90 local people was held Centre during the year. at Wilfred’s Café at the visitor centre. Guests included Council mayor Bill Smits and Snowy River Shire Council general manager Ross McKinney, Member for Peter Webb, tourism industry representatives and NPWS staff. The mayor praised the NPWS for the operation of the centre stating that council was very pleased with the way the memorandum of understanding between the two organisations for the operation of the centre was working. The visitor centre’s next big milestone will be the one-millionth visitor through the doors which will occur later in 2002. Visitation to the centre has remained relatively steady at approximately 200,000 per year.

Kosciuszko Education Centre More than 13,000 students, teachers and park visitors participated in Kosciuszko Education Centre programs or visited the centre during the year. Programs offered included curriculum-based programs aimed at local infant and primary students, senior geography and biology students, as well as guided walks and activities aimed at people visiting the park during the school holidays. For the first time Snowy Mountains Region was able to provide activities featuring Aboriginal culture, and presented by Aboriginal staff, when an Aboriginal Education Officer was employed. It is planned to expand this Aboriginal interpretative program in the future.

Sydney Region tours From Cadman’s Cottage the NPWS offers a variety of tour programs to various locations within Sydney Harbour National Park, including tours to Fort Denison, Goat Island and the Quarantine Station. In the past year 58,000 visitors were provided with guided tours through reserves in Sydney Region. Other services available from Cadman’s Cottage include: free seven day information services on recreational and visitor opportunities in Region call centre, booking and financial services for major events (e.g. New Years Eve) site inspections information and booking services for harbour venues coordination and supply of staff for event and filming supervision NPWS staff presence at historic sites that would otherwise be left vacant or serviced by area management.

International liaison

The NPWS launches international programs In September 2001 an International Programs Unit was established within the NPWS. The unit is currently undertaking pilot projects that will guide the develop- ment of an export services program and provide opportunities for NPWS staff to participate in international conservation projects. The involvement of the NPWS in international projects demonstrates its role as a leader in conservation and provides an effective way for the NPWS to contribute to the global conservation effort. A learning and development framework for international projects has been estab- lished identifying the key outcomes for individual staff and the organisation. 77 2001 2002 Annual report

To date the NPWS has participated in several international projects. The two key projects for 2001-02 were a review of protected areas in the Lower Mekong Region CASE STUDY and providing assistance with the identification and development of a protected area Environmental awareness system in East Timor (see Case Study, right). The NPWS also coordinated a study in East Timor tour for the Strengthening Protected Areas Management (SPAM) group from Vietnam and is currently developing the Australian Wildlife and Conservation course In December 2001 the East Timor government for the University of New South Wales international summer school program. approached the NSW government to provide assistance to identify, establish and manage a In May 2002 the NPWS jointly hosted the Third World Protected Areas Leadership protected area system in East Timor. An NPWS Forum with Environment Australia and the World Conservation Union (IUCN). delegation travelled to East Timor to Heads of the world’s leading protected area agencies came together to share ideas investigate opportunities for creating a national and contribute to the development of the program for the Fifth World Parks park and to determine how the NPWS could Congress to be held in Durban in 2003. At the welcome dinner on Fort Denison the best provide assistance. IUCN gave an award to the NPWS in recognition of the significant contribution it has During the mission the NPWS delegation met made towards the global conservation effort. with various ministers of the East Timor government, government officials and local Vietnam and Cambodia communities, all of whom expressed a strong During 2001 the NPWS also participated in a two-year international project to commitment to protecting the natural and examine the contribution of protected areas such as national parks to economic cultural assets of their country. development in the Lower Mekong region. This project involved fieldwork and As an emerging nation East Timor has a participation in workshops in Vietnam and Cambodia. unique opportunity to develop in a way that ensures long-term sustainability. The East Visit from Bhutanese park wardens Timorese recognise that protection of the Two park wardens, Tenzin and Phuntshok visited Kosciuszko National Park for three environment and conservation of natural and weeks in January as part of a special relationship which has developed between the cultural heritage is fundamental to sustainable NSW government and the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan. Bhutan’s Agriculture Minister socio-economic development. has visited New South Wales to sign a memorandum of understanding between The NPWS in collaboration with its East Timor anumber of NSW government agencies including the NPWS, and the Royal counterparts is currently developing a Government of Bhutan. The agreement is aimed at developing closer working ties on framework to provide technical assistance to conservation and land management issues. establish a protected area system. The developing relationship has already seen two previous visits by Bhutanese park Implementation of this assistance program will wardens and a visit by the NPWS Snowy Mountains Regional manager to Bhutan. It continue throughout 2002-03. is hoped that this relationship may develop into a twin-park relationship between the Kosciuszko and Jigme Dorji national parks in the future. During their visit to Kosciuszko Tenzin and Phuntshok worked closely with park staff to gain an understanding of the many management issues there. While they were C Solomon/NPWS here they studied the management of alpine walking tracks, wilderness, fire, pest species, resorts, wildlife monitoring and forestry operations. To achieve this they enjoyed a walk in the alpine area, went on patrol in the Lower Snowy River area, observed wild horses on the Big Boggy, undertook fire fuel sampling and got a close look at mountain pygmy possums on the slopes of Mt Kosciuszko.

Nielsen Park hosts royalty In September 2001 the King of Tonga, His Majesty Taufa’ahau Tupou IV visited Nielsen Park to inspect the shark-proof enclosure that helps to make Shark Beach A NPWS delegation travelled to East Timor to assist its one of the most popular in Sydney. The King and his entourage which included his new leaders in their desire to conserve the natural and grand-daughter Princess Fanetupouvava’u and various ministers were briefed on cultural history of this emerging nation. Director shark enclosure construction. Western Terry Korn is at top right.

Media and promotions NPWS staff work with the media to help inform the community on the broad range

of activities undertaken by the Service. R Newton/NPWS There was a high degree of interest in many of the Service’s activities. In 2001-02, the average number of stories per month reported in the state’s press was 340. Regular campaigns by the NPWS to promote park visitation in school holiday time including Discovery tours were well-supported. Threatened Species Week provided an opportunity to not only highlight the plight of particular species, but disseminate easy and practical tips to help everyone do their bit to protect local habitat. Media attention to whale activity is always high and also provides an excellent opportunity to highlight key messages about exclusion zones. This is well received and supported by the media. NPWS Area Manager Robert Bird shows the King of Tonga the shark-proof netting at Nielsen Park in Sydney Harbour National Park. 78 Conservation facilitation

Media coverage during the Christmas – New Year bushfire crisis was intense and the CASE STUDY placement of public affairs officers in the State Operations Centre alongside other Lantana and Rabbit Proof agencies provided a good opportunity for inter-agency cooperation. It also meant Fence filmed on NPWS easy media access for the NPWS to answer questions and tell the stories of our estate specialist fire crews, fire management and hazard reduction principles and practice, and the history of fire activity in and around parks. New South Wales is increasingly being recognised as a film destination. The NPWS The subject that generated extraordinary public sentiment was the impact of the fire has been working cooperatively with the NSW on our parks and native flora and fauna, especially Australia’s oldest park – Royal Film and Television Office to provide suitable National Park. Media interest in bush regeneration continues and still provides locations for managers of film production opportunities for the NPWS to tell the stories of the resilience of our native wildlife. companies at state, national and international The NPWS is increasing its efforts to inform the community about cultural heritage levels. Filming and photography products – a key aspect of its responsibilities. supported include films, documentaries and advertising plus other promotional activities. Minister for the Environment launches Hunter postcard series During the year scenes from the award- The Minister for the Environment, The Hon Bob Debus MP launched a Hunter winning Australian feature films Lantana and Region parks postcard series in September 2001. The series features 15 postcards of Rabbit Proof Fence were filmed in Ku-ring-gai the area including Booti Booti, Myall Lakes, Tomaree and Barrington Tops national Chase National Park. A statewide coordinator parks and Glenrock State Recreation Area. The postcards which carry the theme within the NPWS assists the filming industry ‘Snowgums to Sand’ to reinforce the beauty and variety of the national parks of the and NPWS regional staff to better identify Hunter Region can be purchased from most local visitor information centres, private opportunities and manage film productions businesses and NPWS offices. and photographers. This exposure assists in increasing awareness of national parks and Southern Exposure TV series their environmental and cultural value. NPWS staff at Kosciuszko featured in a four part ‘reality television’ series titled A review of the filming and photography Southern Exposure which highlighted the challenges of managing a park as large policy, procedures and fees has been and diverse as Kosciuszko. The four half-hour episodes were screened on ABC undertaken with outcomes to be implemented television in winter 2002. in 2002-03. International Year of Mountains 2002 The International Year of Mountains 2002 and the values of mountains were promoted by the NPWS. This included involvement in a newspaper insert produced by the Liaison Committee, coordination of the Snowy Mountains Biodiversity Blitz, a series of articles about the values of mountains in local media, photographic displays and the production of bumper stickers.

Biodiversity Blitz The Snowy Mountains Biodiversity Blitz was a first for Australia. In January 2002 more than 70 scientists came together to record all the life found in a 27 square kilometre area of Australia’s high country over a 24 hour period. The event was designed to highlight the importance of mountains in sustaining a unique biota in a generally dry and low-lying Australian landscape. The area surveyed included a diversity of habitats and organisms from mountain galaxias found in streams on the side of Mt Kosciuszko to algae found in snowbanks to platypuses in the Thredbo River. A report on the species recorded in the blitz is due to be published in late 2002.

Regional promotions In the Northern Tablelands neighbours’ newsletters were produced for the region (‘Over the Fence’) and for the community of Torrington (‘Torrington News’). The R Dunstan/NPWS NPWS participated in three major regional shows with NPWS equipment, information and exhibits on display. A Discovery education trailer was also used to promote the NPWS during the Roads and Traffic Authority’s Big Bike Ride through Walcha. Other regional promotions included: production, launch and distribution of a brochure entitled Paddock Trees – who’ll miss them when they’re gone?, a joint initiative between the NPWS, the Department of Land and Water Conservation and Greening Australia to increase the level of awareness of the importance of paddock trees in the environment, with 15,000 copies distributed statewide production of a pamphlet on Currango Homestead in the Kosciuszko National Park with Friends of Currango Scientists sample aquatic organisms in Blue Lake in joining with other natural resource agencies in exhibiting at PRIMEX, one of the Kosciuszko National Park, during the Snowy Mountains state’s largest agricultural equipment exhibitions at Casino. Biodiversity Blitz. 79 2001 2002 Annual report

Electronic service delivery As part of the NSW government’s electronic service delivery initiatives, the NPWS has continued to expand and upgrade the services available through its website. B Wrigley/NPWS Improvements during the year include provision of: online access to the NPWS research library catalogue online access to all NPWS job vacancies through the jobs.nsw site including an online application facility online information on all park accommodation including cabins and camping areas. The website is being redesigned and restructured. Detailed design specifications were developed during 2001-02 for the technical architecture, information architecture and a fresh look and feel for the new site. This process has been based throughout on a program of user testing and consumer feedback. The new site will use content management software that provides for the Paddock Trees – who’ll miss them when they’re gone? was a joint initiative to increase awareness of the decentralised authoring of pages and an automated review and updating process. It importance of remnant vegetation in rural Australia. will also have more information on parks and reserves, and a number of features not available on the current site such as a search facility. The building of the new site began in June 2002. The site is expected to be launched at the end of 2002. Use of the website continues to increase. From January to June 2002, more than 1,500,000 pages were viewed. This represents an 82 per cent increase over the same period in the previous year. In 2001-02 there were over 300,000 visitors and over 800,000 visits to the site.

Increasing community involvement in conservation

Volunteer and community programs Volunteers are essential partners in achieving conservation. Throughout New South Wales numerous volunteers give many hours of work in conservation activities on and off-park. Some of these activities: Volunteers carried out the Angourie Dunecare Cane Toad Roundup again in 2001-02 and over 1,100 cane toads were captured. In the west of the state community volunteers participated in a survey of superb parrots to help the NPWS identify possible nesting areas. There were a total of 170 sightings from which five breeding sites were identified, extending the known northern breeding range of the parrot. Volunteers from local communities near the southern end of Yuraygir National Park and adjacent to Bongil Bongil National Park contributed to monitoring the breeding of little terns. The Clarence Valley Birdos, the Australian Water Study Group and other volunteers worked with the NPWS to carry out the annual Wader Bird Study in the Clarence River estuary. A total of ten study sites, six of which were only accessible by boat were targeted simultaneously at high tide to give total wader bird

population numbers. NPWS Planting of a fauna habitat corridor was undertaken on freehold land within the Dananbilla-Illunie Protected Area by the NPWS, Greening Australia, Landcare and community members. Planting programs at Blowering Foreshores continued with volunteer groups. A cooperative weed control program was carried out in areas around Lithgow and Rydal, known habitat of the Bathurst copper butterfly, with members of the local Green Corp team, Landcare, Bush Doctor, the NPWS, Conservation Volunteers Australia and other volunteers. The program was supported by Lithgow City Council and land owners in the area. The weed program will increase the chances of the butterfly emerging at these sites.

Port Stephens dolphin census The second annual community dolphin census was conducted in April 2002 with Volunteers get together for a celebration at Girrakool more than 109 dolphin sightings recorded by volunteers on the day. Over 120 Picnic Area, Brisbane Water National Park. individuals and families volunteered to be out in the port area to look for dolphins. The census collects a snapshot of dolphin behaviour in the port and surrounding rivers and coastline. 80 Conservation facilitation

Wetland rehabilitation in the Lower Hunter Corporate performance target The NPWS was assisted by a Greencorp team of 10 young Increase in the number of projects that incorporate community involvement people, engaged under the Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project, to improve migratory wading habitat No. of projects at the Stockton Sand-spit. After the works were completed 140 over 50 resident and over-wintering migratory waders were observed at the site, whereas previously very few birds had 118 been using the sand-spit. 120 112 106 99 95 Koorawatha Nature Reserve biodiversity survey 100 85 In October 2001 a biodiversity survey was undertaken in the 80 Koorawatha Nature Reserve, surrounding roadsides, 80 69 travelling stock reserves, Crown land and private land between Young and Cowra. Approximately 60 volunteers were recruited for the survey, with small teams led by the 60 NPWS, Environment Australia, CSIRO and LaTrobe University. A total of 141 vertebrate species were recorded 40 including the most westerly occurrence of the large-footed Myotis. Another seven species listed on the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 were 20 recorded. These were the superb parrot, turquoise parrot, diamond firetail, painted honeyeater, grey-crowned babbler, 0 grey falcon and squirrel glider. One undescribed moth Sep 00 Dec 00 Mar 01 Jun 01 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 species that has only ever been previously collected in a Perth suburb was also recorded.

Review of volunteer policy and guidelines Partnerships over the year The NPWS Policy and Guidelines for Volunteers was 50 developed and endorsed in 2001-02 following extensive 45 consultation with a range of key stakeholders. The policy

40 and guidelines will be piloted in the northern area of the NPWS during 2002-03. Further work will be done in 2002-03 35 to review local volunteer programs in regions and other 30 areas of the agency with a view to coordinating activities 25 across the state.

20 Aboriginal community program 15 This program was conducted in July 2001 to coincide with 10 NAIDOC Week. The statewide program encourages regions 5 to undertake local initiatives to enhance their working 0 relationships with Aboriginal communities. Work Aboriginal Green Work Dunecare, Local Other In the Snowy Mountains area a group of about 100 including experience heritage Corps release Landcare, Government eg WIRES Coastcare Aboriginal people, local residents and park staff gathered to hear ‘Welcome to Country’ and watch the Aboriginal flag Sep-01 Dec-01 Mar-02 Jun-02 being raised in Jindabyne, before sharing a barbecue lunch at Sawpit Creek. This was a significant event in the recognition of Aboriginal people’s connection to this area.

Volunteer programs over the year ‘Welcome to Country’ and the raising of the Aboriginal flag 250 231

in Jindabyne recognised the L Wren/NPWS important connection between 200 Aboriginal people and the Snowy Mountains. 154 150 141 124

100

50

0 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 81 2001 2002 Annual report

Enhancing people’s enjoyment of CASE STUDY NPWS parks Western Sydney Regional The NPWS uses a number of mechanisms to enhance people’s enjoyment of the park Park hosts equestrian system in New South Wales. events Western Sydney Regional Park has hosted Visitor data system several equestrian events over the last year. The NPWS is introducing a visitor data system (VDS) which is a database used to Competitors in a National Level Three-Day store and analyse visitor information. The database was developed from a version Event were able to use the course developed supplied by Parks and Wildlife South Australia, and modified for NPWS use. Pilot and used in the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Much sites were identified and during the year the VDS was installed for testing in nine of this course is contained within Western locations across the state. Sydney Regional Park and maintained by the NPWS. The NPWS is continuing negotiations The VDS is compatible with digital counters that provide date, time and direction of for a more permanent commercial arrangement travel. The VDS analyses this data to reveal total visitor numbers, daily use patterns for the International Equestrian Centre which and longer-term trends. This information will be used to monitor visitor impacts and will see even greater access to Western Sydney schedule maintenance and compliance activities. In the north of the state digital Regional Park for horseriding. counters have been purchased for 26 priority sites.

Recreation planning framework for NSW national parks A planning framework for recreational use and development on lands managed by the NPWS was developed and trialed and applied to all NPWS areas in the north of New South Wales during the year. Application of this framework is now occurring in the southern areas of New South Wales and it will then be applied to other areas. The framework involves establishing criteria for recreational use, management and development in parks and based on these criteria a zoning scheme is applied to all NPWS areas. The zoning scheme effectively determines what recreational use and development is appropriate in each zone. The planning framework aims to: achieve more efficient allocation of resources for visitor facility development; ensure the type of development is appropriate to the desired recreational setting; maximise visitor satisfaction; minimise potential conflict between visitors; better focus visitor use to where it is ecologically sustainable and culturally appropriate; and guide the plan of management process.

Visitor and market research

Visitor guide review An evaluation of the NPWS flagship publication the Guide to NSW National Parks was undertaken using qualitative research with six focus groups. The research was carried out to determine the appropriateness and usefulness of various aspects of the visitor guide. The guide was generally very well received but an issue with effective distribution was identified. There were a number of minor suggestions made for improvement of the content of the guide and most of these have been incorporated into the 2002 edition. Distribution issues and options are being investigated. One focus group comprised visitors with disabilities to investigate the particular needs of this type of visitor. Many of the suggestions from this focus group have also been incorporated into the 2002 edition. Other suggestions on improving on-park access were distributed to regional staff to improve their understanding of the needs of visitors with disabilities.

Visitor research studies The Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism was funded by the NPWS to undertake a number of studies during the year. These included: ‘Mungo National Park visitor survey 2001: visitor indicators for sustainable tourism in natural areas’ – University of Technology, Sydney ‘The economic impact of selected national parks in north-eastern New South Wales’ – Southern Cross University. NPWS Director Education and Community Programs Sally Barnes (left) with regional representatives in The NPWS was also involved in three key federally funded projects: Tenterfield at the release of a visitor study of northern Oxley Wild Rivers National Park Visitor Study (July 2001) NSW national parks. The study was produced by the ‘Crowdy Bay National Park visitor study July 2001’ – University of Queensland University of Technology Sydney for the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism. ‘Development of a standardised methodology for improving the management of visitors to natural areas’ – University of Queensland. 82 Conservation facilitation

In addition, with the support of the NPWS, the Sydney Urban Parks Education and Research Group (SUPER) carried out a study on Sydneysiders’ use of parks and gardens (January 2002, Centre for Visitor Studies, Environmetrics Pty Ltd). This study built on previous studies undertaken by SUPER in 1998. The key aims were to

Deyan Photography/NPWS ascertain community knowledge and awareness of parklands in Greater Sydney; ascertain usage constraints; determine what aspects make certain parks more attractive to particular user groups; and determine how parks impact on individuals’ quality of life.

Working with our culturally diverse community These are some of the achievements in this area during the year: A research program examining the culturally specific ways that different ethnic communities perceive and use national parks continued during the year. A report Moving Landscapes looking at national parks and the Vietnamese experience will be published later in 2002. In association with this program a set of guiding principles was developed for the NPWS on multiculturalism and national parks, to assist in the development of a NPWS Aboriginal Education Officer Rosemary Jarrett NPWS multicultural strategy. chats to a group of visitors to Royal National Park. To address concerns raised by non-English speaking fishers coming to the area, new signs were prepared and installed in the Royal National Park, warning of the possible dangers of rock fishing. A brochure on privacy and information held by the NPWS was produced which included contact information in six community languages.

Improving access and services for people with disabilities The NPWS is developing a Disability Action Plan. The main strategies in the plan will address the following issues: improving access including physical access to NPWS premises, national parks and reserves, and access to NPWS programs and services promoting positive community attitudes towards people with disabilities ensuring NPWS staff are trained and equipped to provide quality customer service to people with disabilities ensuring all NPWS communications are accessible to people with disabilities ensuring people with disabilities have all reasonable opportunities to gain employment with the NPWS and are treated equitably ensuring that the NPWS has a customer feedback process that people with disabilities can access improving NPWS participation in integrated regional tourism initiatives for people with disabilities. Corporate Achievements in improving access for people with disabilities to date have included: performance target improvements to physical access at a number of NPWS offices including ramps, lifts and accessible toilets Increase in the number of joint grant improvements to and hard surfacing of a number of walking tracks, improvements applications with community groups to car parks, and accessible toilets in parks and reserves improvements to the information for people with disabilities in the visitor guide No. of joint applications with community groups following a feedback workshop review of the accessibility of the NPWS website 25 24 installation of some trial ‘radio signs’ to provide park information via local radio 21 transmitters. 20 Supporting community conservation 15 14 activities 10 The NPWS provides practical guidance and support for community conservation 10 8 activities.

5 3 3 Information services 1 Saving our Species Program 0 Sep Dec Mar Jun The Saving our Species (SOS) Program provides guidance to NPWS staff undertaking local education and involvement projects for conserving threatened 2000-01 2001-02 species and abating threats. The program was further developed during 2002 to 83 2001 2002 Annual report

enhance delivery on the education and community involvement components of the threatened species recovery plan and threat abatement plan G Robertson/NPWS processes, and continue to encourage working partnerships. In the south of the state a CD-ROM Threatened Species of South-East New South Wales has been developed and distributed amongst the com- munity. It lists all threatened species, populations and ecological communi- ties found in local government areas, plus national parks and nature reserves, and has a profile of each species with photographs. Another CD-ROM Southern Brown Bandicoot: A Recovery Package has been developed bringing together a collection of resources about this bandicoot including a literature review, species identification, photographs, trapping information and environ- The ‘Saving our Species’ Program seeks to educate and mental assessment guidelines. involve local communities in the conservation of threatened species such as the shy albatross. Conservation partnerships

Conservation Partners Program

An overarching framework for NPWS conservation partnerships has been developed L Brodie/NPWS to enhance conservation facilitation involving private and public landholders with voluntary conservation commitments. These include voluntary conservation agreements (VCAs), wildlife refuges and land for wildlife schemes. The Conservation Partners Program provides an important basis for encouraging landholder involvement in conservation and facilitating assessment, planning and formal entry into voluntary conservation schemes. The program offers a range of information, technical extension services for conservation management, networking and support opportunities to conservation partners. In 2001-02 a new brand and signage design was developed in consultation with conservation partners to reflect the conservation partners program. A new area on the NPWS website now provides access for conservation partners and other interested members of the community to information about conservation management, technical notes and voluntary conservation options. A dedicated email ‘Scat-search’ during a conservation partnership training address facilitates direct communication with conservation partners: program in Wagga Wagga. Facilitators are trained to help [email protected]. The first newsletter of the Conservation landholders understand more about the biodiversity on Partners Program Bush Matters was published and distributed to all conservation their properties. partners, NPWS staff and key stakeholders. With financial support from the NSW Environmental Trust, the NPWS and CASE STUDY Conservation Volunteers Australia have joined forces to deliver a Joint Assistance Program to provide on-ground works assistance to VCA and wildlife refuge NPWS wins an award for landholders consistent with their plan of management. During 2001-02 a total of 23 guide projects were undertaken by volunteers managed by Conservation Volunteers A guide to help protect the state’s flora and Australia to assist landholders in weed control, revegetation, erosion control and fauna published by the NPWS was the overall fencing. winner of the Australian Awards for Planning Excellence from the Royal Australian Planning The NPWS provides statewide coordination and the framework for the Land for Institute (now known as the Planning Institute Wildlife Scheme in New South Wales. Regional delivery of Land for Wildlife is carried of Australia), and the winner in the out in partnership with non-government organisations, community groups and local Environment and Conservation category. councils who wish to conduct community programs encouraging nature conservation on private and public land. The Biodiversity Planning Guide for Local Government was designed to assist Under these partnerships the NPWS assists organisations by providing information councils to conserve biodiversity. Since the and supporting them in seeking funding. launch of the guide the NPWS has worked with the Local Government and Shires Associations to commence a pilot program to implement the guide. 84 Conservation facilitation

During 2001-02 third party agreements were signed with three groups to pilot Land for Wildlife in New South Wales: the Nature Conservation Working Group is to

P Norris/NPWS deliver the program in the Murray catchment in the south-west, the Upper Clarence Combined Landcare Group in the far north, and the Central Coast Environment Network in the Central Coast region.

Kosciuszko orphans Each year hundreds of native animals are killed on the roads of Kosciuszko National Park. This problem is greatest during winter when thousands of visitors head to the ski slopes at the same time as native animals are most active and results in the deaths of many kangaroos, wallabies and wombats. The NPWS has been working with the local wildlife carer group LAOKO (Looking After Our Kosciuszko Orphans) since the organisation was established. The NPWS provides assistance with office equipment such as a computer and this year also supported the organisation with a donation of $1,500.

Berowra Valley Regional Park Trust The Berowra Valley Regional Park Trust is a body formed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 to manage the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The trust has representation from Hornsby Council, the NPWS and the community. Works in the park are conducted under the supervision of the trust with support from the NPWS and Hornsby Council. This support is detailed in a management and funding agreement between the NPWS and the council. The NPWS provides $150,000 per year to assist in the running of the trust, plus in-kind support.

Lake Macquarie State Recreation Area community groups There are a number of community groups working around the Lake Macquarie State Recreation Area including Wangi Peninsula Landcare, Gwandalan Bushcare, Awaba Community volunteers from the Awaba Bay Bay Landcare, Conservation Volunteers Australia and Green Corps. These groups Landcare group tackle weeds in Lake Macquarie have carried out extensive weed control programs including the removal of lantana, State Recreation Area. bitou bush, crofton weed, morning glory and whiskey grass. Other work included tree planting and participation in Clean Up Australia activities.

Bush regeneration work at Pulbah Island Nature Reserve Bush regeneration days are held twice a year and volunteers are invited to visit beautiful Pulbah Island Nature Reserve in Lake Macquarie for weed removal activities. Up to 60 volunteers have attended such days and worked to remove extensive areas of lantana and bitou bush. The community has embraced the opportunity to participate in this important environmental activity. The NPWS is assisted by NSW Fisheries and by provision of a police launch by NSW Police.

Conservation of the rare orchid Genoplesium insignis The Gwandalan Bushcare group and Green Corps have worked in conjunction with the NPWS to undertake erosion controls, install promotional signs and conduct community education programs to assist in conserving Genoplesium insignis.

Community wetland conservation The local community and the NPWS in the Armidale area worked together to P Norris/NPWS upgrade the visitor facilities and interpretations at Dangars Lagoon Wildlife Refuge and Racecourse Lagoon Conservation Area on the outskirts of Uralla. The project brought together the NPWS, Harnham and Uralla/Rocky River Landcare Groups, Council and Armidale Rural Lands Protection Board. Assistance was also received from Conservation Volunteers Australia and BHP Biliton through its Revive Our Wetlands program. The aim of the project was to improve the lagoon environment and enhance visitors’ appreciation of the importance of wetlands in the New England. The works included the completion of walking tracks, gravelling of access roads, the planting of native tree and shrub species and the construction of picnic and display shelters at both wetlands.

Volunteer Linda Clayton from the Gwandalan Bushcare group sets up a vegetation monitoring plot as part of the joint effort to conserve the rare orchid Genoplesium insignis. 85 2001 2002 Annual report

Inter-agency and whole-of-government programs and initiatives The NPWS participated in and contributed to a number of inter-agency and whole- of-government programs and initiatives including: NSW Council for Environmental Education Coastal Council of NSW Roadside Environment Committee Green Corps project evaluation panel for Conservation Volunteers Australia Landcare Awards judging NSW Landcare Council NSW Environmental Trust technical panels for Environmental Education, Restoration and Rehabilitation Evaluation Group for the whole-of-government sustainability campaign It’s a Living Thing.

Bushcare Bushcare is a component of the Commonwealth government’s Natural Heritage Trust. The goal of Bushcare is to reverse the decline of the quality and extent of Australia’s native vegetation cover and biodiversity. The Bushcare program invests in a range of projects focused on protection of native vegetation. In 2001-02 Bushcare invested over $9 million in 268 projects in New South Wales. The NPWS has a key role in delivery of the Bushcare program within New South Wales, being responsible for its statewide coordination and for regional and urban Bushcare facilitators, and for jointly managing the program in conjunction with the Department of Land and Water Conservation. During 2001-02 the ten regional facilitators strengthened contacts at the regional level and assisted groups and organisations to develop projects to seek funding. Bushcare network members have been assisting the Commonwealth to develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation program to provide valuable information on the success of the program in New South Wales.

Urban Wildlife Project – Backyard Buddies NPWS The NPWS has been funded through the NSW Environmental Trust to research and develop a community education program to facilitate indi- vidual action and broad community involvement in protecting and enhanc- ing wildlife in urban areas of the state. The program aims to make people more aware of simple steps they can take in their own backyards and neighbourhoods to help protect and conserve their local native animals and plants. Program development has involved a comprehensive research project to establish current community under- standings in relation to conservation and wildlife in urban environments. This has informed the design and development of a new urban wildlife program to engage the broader community called Backyard Buddies.

School children learn how to protect and encourage wildlife in urban areas at the launch at Manly Village School of the Backyard Buddies program. 86 Conservation facilitation

The Backyard Buddies initiative was launched by the Minister for the Environment at Manly Village School in May 2002. As part of the Backyard Buddies program the NPWS has developed a public information service, the 1300 7BUDDY (1300 728 339) line to provide people with information about how to enjoy local wildlife and help care for and protect it. The NPWS also provides advice on how to manage more problematic wildlife interactions. A Backyard Buddies website was established to provide information about local wildlife and wildlife-friendly actions. The www.backyardbuddies.net.au provides a user-friendly entry into the NPWS website with the look and feel of the Backyard Buddies program. A panel of wildlife experts and key stakeholders have been brought together by the NPWS to provide advice on wildlife management issues, especially where there may be negative interactions between humans and wildlife. To assist urban communities to live in harmony with their backyard buddies the development of practical, humane actions people can take around their homes and neighbourhoods provide short term remedies and in the longer term greater understanding of wildlife behaviour. The panel is working though a series of common people and wildlife issues such as magpie interactions and living with possums, to identify the most effective strategies and policies to be promoted and implemented. The NPWS in partnership with interested local councils is developing a range of innovative backyard buddies programs for piloting in local areas. There are currently six pilot projects under way with Albury, Lithgow, Sutherland, Bankstown, Gosford, Wyong and North Sydney councils.

Wallumatta Nature Reserve bush regeneration Wallumatta Nature Reserve is an urban bushland remnant of approximately six hectares in Ryde, only 10 kilometres from the Sydney Central Business District. The reserve’s vegetation represents a transition zone between the wetter shale forests of the north shore of Sydney and the drier shale woodlands west of Parramatta. Wallumatta has been subjected to disturbance resulting from surrounding urban development and run-off and is heavily infested with weeds. In 2001-02 bush regeneration was undertaken by the NPWS, with Ryde Council contributing $5,000 towards the cost. This project built on existing volunteer bush regeneration activities being undertaken by the friends of the reserve.

Awaba Bay wetland project The NPWS is working with the Awaba Bay Landcare Group to regenerate the Awaba Bay wetland area. This partnership has led to the planting of over 2,000 trees in the area together with the removal of weeds including lantana, morning glory and crofton weed. The work is complemented by enhancement to walking tracks and the installation of viewing platforms and interpretation at the area.

Turtle Watch Committee A marine turtle monitoring program in Lake Macquarie and was established in May 2002. The Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lake Turtle Watch Committee has been established in conjunction with the NPWS, NSW Fisheries, the Native Animal Trust Fund, University of Newcastle, Lower Hunter Urban Landcare Network and the Society of Frogs and Reptiles. 87 2001 2002 Annual report

Monaro wild dog advisory panel A wild dog advisory panel involving senior representatives from NSW Farmers’ Association, the NPWS, local S McMahon/NPWS landholders, the Rural Lands Protection Board and NSW Agriculture was established during the year to work towards cooperative solutions to the wild dog problem across the Monaro and within Kosciuszko National Park. All panel members agree that the most important outcome is to work together to develop an integrated program of wild dog control that reduces stock losses to an acceptable level. The panel, facilitated by the NPWS, worked cooperatively through some very difficult issues and with advice from independent scientists reviewed available research into wild dog management and wild dog impacts on Meeting of the Monaro wild dog advisory panel in Cooma native fauna and domestic stock. in November 2001. The cooperative approach to dealing with pest problems has benefited all land managers The panel agreed on a program of research and management actions. They also involved in the process. developed a communications strategy to inform the wider community of the positive outcomes achieved through this cooperative approach.

A community voluntary conservation project for private lands The Eden Regional Forest Agreement allocated $2 million, part of which provided private landowners with incentives to protect remnants of the rare and threatened ecological communities and other priority natural features that still exist on private land within the Eden Forest Management Area. The balance of the funds are for the rehabilitation and expansion of degraded ecological communities to build connections both between those communities on private land, and to the Crown land reserve system. The NPWS together with the South East Catchment Management Board and the Department of Land and Water Conservation developed a voluntary biological diversity conservation strategy to implement the agreement’s commitment. A Local Management Team (LMT) was formed in June 2001 to implement the strategy through a Statement of Joint Management Intent. Organisations in partnership with the NPWS include the South East Catchment Management Board, the Department of Land and Water Conservation, Bega Valley Shire Council, the Department of Agriculture, Rural Lands Protection Board, Far South Coast and Towamba River Landcare Associations, the Bega Environment Network, and the SCMA Koala Recovery Team. In the past incentives have been offered to landholders by a number of organisations with a range of guidelines, priorities and approaches. The LMT is removing this CASE STUDY complexity by fostering a joint cooperative approach by all local organisations which targets efforts and funds to achieve biological diversity conservation on private land Mrs Beryl Strom OAM – complemented by a series of incentive programs linked to formal contracts and forty years continuous agreements. service As well as participating in the team by strategic funds investment the NPWS July 2001 marked 40 years of continuous has taken on the project management of key parts of the strategy including service by Mrs Beryl Strom OAM to the the marketing and development of voluntary conservation agreements as part of administration of Bouddi National Park. Mrs a suite of property protection options presented as a package to landholders. Strom who was awarded the Medal of the Order The NPWS is also producing accurate vegetation maps to refine conservation of Australia in 1991 is the current chair of the priorities and provide a brief to guide the decision-making processes of the Central Coast Hunter Range Region Advisory management team. Committee and has made a tremendous contribution to conservation on the Central Coast over the last 40 years. A Celebration of Volunteers Day held in November 2001 enabled the NPWS to acknowledge Mrs Strom’s contribution and that of all the dedicated volunteers on the Central Coast. 88 Conservation facilitation

National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council and advisory committees The National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council was supported by the NPWS in holding four full council meetings during 2001-02. Sub-committees covering research and policy, management planning, and reservation and conservation planning worked throughout the year having both office meetings and field trips. The council and the NPWS initiated a new joint forum to discuss key strategic issues beyond the council’s usual business. The forum further enhances the level of advice the NPWS Executive receives from the range of stakeholder groups represented on the council. The inaugural joint forum was held on 14 May 2002 and it was agreed to hold the forum twice a year. It is envisaged this will improve the invaluable partnership between NPWS management and stakeholder groups and help identify the best ways to achieve common goals. Advisory committees provide the NPWS with expert advice on technical and specialist matters and feedback on the views of the community, encourage community support and involvement in the conservation of nature and cultural heritage (including providing suggestions on improvements in the management of NPWS national parks and other reserves), and give valuable input to plans of management. The annual advisory committee conference was held in Dubbo in November 2001 with very positive results. A plan was initiated to rotate the annual conference throughout each of the four NPWS field directorates, with a different host centre each year. This initiative was a response to the advisory committees’ desire to ensure contact with regional and rural centres and staff across the state. The conference was planned by a steering committee of advisory committee members with the support of staff from the NPWS. Planning for the 2002 conference in Coffs Harbour is well under way. Recommendations from the 2001 conference are being considered and a report will be provided to committee members in advance of the 2002 conference. On the ground regional advisory committees have provided valuable assistance to the NPWS in community and stakeholder communication on important programs such as the plan to remove wild horses from the alpine areas of Kosciuszko National Park and the Brindabella/Wee Jasper cooperative wild dog program. 89 5 S Cohen/NPWS Ensuring that the NPWS is an effective organisation focused on achieving conservation outcomes by developing and retaining committed and skilled staff supported by policies, systems and procedures. 90 Capacity building

Attracting, developing and retaining a skilled workforce N Mason/NPWS Further progress was made this year in developing and implementing workforce management policies and programs. Significant achievements were made in the areas of workforce diversity, employment practice and occupational health and safety (OHS). The NPWS workforce planning capacity has been further enhanced by the use of staffing strategy methodologies. Using Aurion, the NPWS Human Resource Information System, two further modules in the areas of recruitment and training have been implemented. This allows better processing and management of recruitment and training data. Training of managers to use the Aurion system for staff management purposes commenced this reporting period. Further system A training day on fox baiting was held in Lane Cove enhancements are planned for the latter half of 2002 with the upgrade to Aurion National Park for staff of the NPWS and Lane Cove Version 9 and the implementation of the OHS module. Municipal Council. Performance management One of the challenges in designing and implementing individual and corporate performance management and reporting systems is aligning individual, team and organisational outcomes. With this in mind work commenced on a revised performance management system for all NPWS staff based on the premise that the process of achieving outcomes is important as well as their actual achievement. It is expected that the corporate values can be integrated into this revised approach. The performance reporting and management system is part of a broader strategic performance management framework supporting a whole-of-business approach to managing performance in the NPWS. Development of the system is in the CASE STUDY consultation phase with implementation expected to start in the second half of 2002. Statewide traineeships The NPWS endorsed a set of management competencies both for use as a manage- ment development framework and to support the revised performance management The NPWS Land and Conservation Field-based system for supervisors and managers. These competencies have been successfully Trainees Project is one example of a statewide mapped against the National Frontline Management Competencies. initiative for 2002. The NPWS has recruited 14 trainees who are Learning and organisational development based in parks across New South Wales. Ten This reporting year saw the re-launch of the Statewide Learning and Development of these positions are Aboriginal-identified. Calendar. The programs on the calendar range from technical training related to To support successful training outcomes OHS requirements to statewide capacity building initiatives targeted at particular individualised training plans have been staff classifications. developed and these minimise the trainees’ time away from their worksites. Major work has been undertaken on the review of fire training within the agency to ensure it aligns with the nationally endorsed Public Safety Training Package. The traineeships have been customised to This package was developed through the Public Safety Industry Training Advisory meet the requirements for employment within Body (ITAB). the NPWS. A partnership between the NPWS and the Southern Sydney Institute of TAFE has During the year a review was completed of the NPWS induction and orientation been developed to enable them to work processes, including a pilot of a revised corporate orientation program. A new together to map out the processes and corporate program and workplace-based induction program was endorsed for procedures that will need to be in place to implementation. ensure timely implementation of the project and to maximise successful outcomes for Management development the trainees. The 2001-04 Management Development Framework was endorsed during the year. This framework sets the scene for management development activities based on an analysis of management requirements for achieving the objectives in the corporate plan and the implementation of the NPWS competency standards.

J Penklis/TAFE NSW J Penklis/TAFE Implementation of the framework commenced with a survey to determine middle management development needs based on the following targeted competencies within the NPWS management competency standards: corporate and strategic planning management change and improvement leading and directing teams managing people, resources and organisational systems.

Trainees from the Land and Conservation Field-based Trainees project pose for a photo on completion of their field assessment. 91 2001 2002 Annual report

Five middle management development programs were delivered to some 148

participants. D Towers/NPWS Workshops for the senior management level were also initiated, designed to further expand strategic thinking and build on existing team development knowledge and experience. The NPWS also sponsored four staff to attend the Middle Management and Executive Public Sector Management Development courses.

Workforce diversity During 2001-02 the Workforce Diversity Framework was endorsed incorporating the following: Workforce Diversity Strategy 2002-06, with annual action plans Aboriginal Employment and Devel- opment Strategy 2002-06, with annual action plans Members of the NPWS Aboriginal Network gather at Lennox Head. Business Case for Managing Diversity Policies on Prevention and Resolution of Workplace Bullying and Harassment, Anti-Discrimination and Workforce Diversity, and Work and Family. As part of the communication strategy for the NPWS Workforce Diversity Framework a consultation postcard was developed and distributed to all NPWS staff. As an extension of this consultative process the first ‘Diversity Matters’ newsletter for staff was produced in June 2002. It is an informative newsletter on new policies and other news around diversity at the NPWS. The NPWS obtained $23,000 funding under the Temporary Employment Element of the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment and Development Program to employ a technical officer to work on Aboriginal Women’s Heritage in western New South Wales. Funding of $56,500 from the Aboriginal Employment in Practice program through the NSW Premier’s Department was obtained by the NPWS to go towards learning and development outcomes for 13 full time Aboriginal staff members, ranging from Field Officers to Managers. Each officer will have around $4,500 dedicated to their planned development, based on individual and business need. The NPWS Aboriginal Network continued to support Aboriginal staff in the NPWS and conducted the annual NPWS Aboriginal Network Meeting at Lennox Head in June. Outcomes included: a clear focus on the purpose and functions of the network an understanding of its responsibilities and accountabilities among members Aboriginal staff employed by NPWS a significant development component at the network meeting and as part of its (as percentage of total staff) ongoing strategy a process for moving forward and contributing to the support and development of 10.0% Aboriginal staff and the achievement of NPWS corporate goals. 7.5% Funding was also provided for Aboriginal employment and training activities such as 7.5% cultural camps and other professional development. 5.7% 4.9% Cultural awareness training 5.0% Cultural awareness training throughout the NPWS has been a focus over the last 12 months with two styles of programs being undertaken – a classroom workshop and 2.5% an experiential course – both with the objectives of improving employees’ knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, and using this to improve the way we do our business at the NPWS. 0.0% 1999 2000 2001 92 Capacity building

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) Fair Day 2002 With NPWS support, volunteer staff of the NPWS organised and ran a stall at SGLMG

S Brown/NPWS Fair Day on Sunday 17 February 2002. This first ever NPWS participation in Fair Day was considered to be an outstanding success from a community profile perspective, as a demonstration of commitment to workforce diversity and as an example of effective cross-directorate collaboration. An informal network of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees and supporters participates in a range of workplace, social and community activities. The group operates in a similar way to the NPWS Spokeswomen’s Network and Aboriginal Network. Its objectives include providing support to GLBT staff, advocating on relevant issues and creating a profile for GLBT staff within the agency.

Spokeswomen’s program Over 400 people visited the NPWS stall at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day in February 2002. The NPWS Spokeswomen’s program continued strongly throughout the year. Achievements included: NPWS Spokeswoman Conference in Sydney 9 May 2002 attended by representa- tives of all city and regional directorates printing and distribution of Spokeswoman strategic plan 2001-04 establishing email contact lists for all women in the NPWS advising on the review of the NPWS Work and Family Policy information day held in the south of the state in October 2001 preparation of Spokeswoman information for the Intranet and contributions to the NPWS staff newsletter involvement in NPWS induction programs regularly distributing information relevant to female staff in the NPWS organising presentation of superannuation seminars by State Super Financial Services two Workplace Violence Protection Workshops conducted in November 2001 with sixty women trained in theory and practice of self-defence preparation of a discussion paper on female field officer workplace issues.

Employment and industrial relations

Award negotiations The NPWS commenced award negotiations with the unions in February 2000. These negotiations have been in abeyance since November 2001.

Productivity savings In discussion with the unions several strategies have been identified as potential sources of savings as part of the public sector-wide memorandum of understanding which gives employees an additional six per cent in pay increases funded through the identification and implementation of workplace improvements. Some of these strategies have included a review of motor vehicle usage and mix including an overall rationalisation of vehicles; support for improved technologies, systems and structures for the processing of financial and HR transactions; and rationalisation of major plant and equipment assets with increased scope for shared resources across government agencies. The NPWS is continuing to pursue these strategies in addition to identifying further options for consideration.

Industrial disputes An unfair contract matter reported in last year’s report is still proceeding. At this stage the matter has been stood over until the Director of Public Prosecutions has considered the recommendations from the Independent Commission Against Corruption resulting from their public inquiry. The dispute notified to the Industrial Commission in 2000-01 in relation to a request for transfer was discontinued at the request of the union. Four disputes have been notified to the Industrial Commission during this reporting year. One dispute is an application for an award variation (under minimum wage provisions) in relation to Incident Condition entitlements. This matter is ongoing. Two disputes were in relation to claims of unfair dismissal. One matter was settled 93 2001 2002 Annual report

and the other was discontinued by the union. The fourth dispute involved return to work arrangements for an individual who had sustained a workplace injury. The Corporate matter was discontinued by the union. performance target Injuries per 100 employees are decreased by Occupational health and safety 5 per cent by June 2003 The review of the NPWS OHS Management System has been in progress for the past eighteen months and is nearing completion. The review aims to incorporate the new Staff injuries (per 100 staff) legislative requirements and best practice principles into one integrated system. 12 Most of the key elements have been finalised and implemented across the state. Further refinement of the NPWS Risk Management Strategic Plan has seen a 10 stronger integration of OHS into the risk management process. 8 The process of job safety analysis has also been incorporated into all hazardous work to ensure appropriate risk controls are implemented. 6 Training in OHS risk management continued at all levels from executive to supervisory staff. Practical workshops covering job safety analysis were conducted 4 across the state to ensure the process is effectively implemented. Other support elements that were implemented throughout the year include: 2 publication and distribution of the new NPWS OHS Policy revised incident reporting and investigation process, including improved 0 documentation Jul 00 Sept 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 10.06 8.26 8.98 9.20 8.40 new hazard reporting and documentation process (base) improved electronic access to OHS information via the WAN and Intranet, and the development and distribution of the OHS CD-ROM Injuries per 100 staff increased support to operations staff and managers by site visits of specialist OHS officers Target 5% reduction by June 2003 release of the NPWS Firearms Policy covering all aspects of the management and use of firearms including staff training. The NSW Premier’s Department conducted an audit of OHS management in the NPWS in December 2001. The results indicated that the NPWS had developed an effective system with potential for improvement once comprehensive implementation of the system was established. The development of an internal audit program is nearing completion for implementation in the next financial year. The audit process will augment the field operations inspections currently undertaken. Injury rates in the NPWS remained stable throughout the year. The NPWS Workplace Injury Management Program has undergone further changes to align with recent legislative changes. Early intervention to enable injured staff to return to meaningful work as soon as safely possible remains a key focus.

Working as a cohesive and informed team The NPWS continued its program aimed at renewing organisational culture. Over 230 middle managers participated in an interactive program which: explored ways to work effectively across teams; explored potential for developing leadership styles; reviewed operational plans to align them with corporate leadership strategies; and further explored leadership values.

CASE STUDY Northern and North Coast regional team building day J Freeman/NPWS Celebrating and reflecting on the achievements of the last financial year and looking forward to the coming year set the scene for the Regional Day held on 15 May 2002 for the staff in the northern region of the state. The day provided all staff with the opportunity to inject their thoughts and experiences into the development of a Regional Community Relations Strategy. 94 Capacity building

Improved efficiency and support for service delivery

Financial management Various initiatives were put in place during the year to consolidate the implementation of the NPWS corporate financial system (SAP) including: extending access to SAP to a wider range of field staff, particularly those in remote locations, to facilitate on-line enquiries and the production of budgetary reports training of an additional 730 staff in SAP to facilitate a more self reliant approach to budget monitoring and as a precursor to the introduction of other SAP modules the progressive implementation of the PO (Purchase Order) module to enable staff with appropriate delegation to place orders and monitor their commitments on-line. The introduction of the PO module will not only enable the agency to take advantage of the increased functionality of its software investment but also introduce other modules of SAP such as Plant Maintenance to plan and control asset management activities. These initiatives are also consistent with the thrust of the NPWS Budgetary and Financial Management Framework introduced in 2000-01 as they will enable the NPWS to more stringently control and monitor budgets and business activities. During the year the NPWS reviewed its corporate credit card management and procedures and introduced a number of initiatives including a direct debit facility with the ANZ Bank and Infospan Visa card software for efficient transmission of card statements and an improved monitoring system. Significant progress was also made on the revision of the NPWS accounting manual. The manual is due for issue in 2002-03.

Risk management Since publication of the NPWS Risk Management Strategic Plan last year initiatives have aimed at bedding down the risk management system across all functional areas and introducing some incremental enhancements to risk assessment, monitoring and priority setting processes. Meanwhile a number of immediate risk exposures have had to be managed in parallel. One such important project was concerned with managing the risk of treefall to the safety of campers following a tragic accident in Myall Lakes National Park. Other key developments have involved incorporating a consistent risk management approach into revisions of corporate policies and into practice. This has been undertaken in areas including bushfire management, firearms management, the OHS risk management system, the environmental management system and fraud and corruption prevention. Some of the initiatives and projects undertaken this year include:

J Winter/NPWS Risk and Reliability Associates conducted a review of the NPWS Strategic Risk Management Plan and recommended more applied consequence criteria to assist in the assessment process and an enhanced approach to the sorting of corporate risk management priorities. These enhancements were included in a second edition of the plan published in May. In the north of the state a risk management workshop to improve understanding and refine processes at field directorate, regional, area and park levels was conducted. A risk assessment study was also conducted in Bouddi National Park focusing on improvements to the coastal walk. Learning from these activities is being shared corporately and is reflected in the updated plan. The NPWS has assisted Parks Australia (Environment Australia) develop its risk management system and contributed to a risk management seminar conducted in in February. A risk assessment study in Bouddi National Park focused A sample study has been undertaken to assist in standardising and improving the on improvements to the coastal walk. physical security of NPWS depots and the vehicles and stores that they house. Local studies and consultation were also undertaken into hazardous sporting activities including roping, climbing and caving. These were designed to assist sporting clubs or associations develop voluntary codes of practice for park-based activities. 95 2001 2002 Annual report

Tree fall risk assessment in Myall Lakes National Park In response to concerns over visitor safety the NPWS conducted preliminary hazard assessments of campground locations where old melaleucas are present. A melaleuca specialist and a risk management consultancy undertook the assessment and development of a management plan over a nine-month period. As a preliminary measure areas that posed a high risk to campers were closed, however the NPWS opened additional camping opportunities in areas adjacent to the lakes’ edges. The NPWS then exhibited for public comment a revised camping strategy for Myall Lakes National Park. The strategy is designed to reduce the tree hazard to campers and other users of the park whilst still providing facilities to the lakes’ users and protecting the park’s conservation values.

Thredbo landslide A number of claims for compensation were received from those affected by the Thredbo landslide in 1997. Over the past year all but one of the victims’ relatives’ claims have been settled. The only remaining claim is being finalised quickly and is awaiting the provision of further information by the plaintiff. In addition to these claims there are two non-relative claims for personal injury. There are eleven commercial claims for compensation by lodges, mainly for economic loss allegedly sustained as a result of the landslide. These matters are proceeding in the Supreme Court. A hearing commenced in April 2002 to look at the question of liability for the land- slide, however the hearing was adjourned and will recommence on 2 September 2002.

Insurance NPWS insurance cover is obtained through the Treasury Managed Fund managed by GIO, apart from cover for leased motor vehicles which is with the Macquarie Bank.

Areas of risk and relevant insurance premiums 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 $’000 $’000 $’000 Workers compensation 2,136 1,869 2,730 Property 923 709 775 Motor vehicles – owned 429 341 322 Motor vehicles – leased 718 890 768 Motor vehicles – total 1,147 1,231 1,090 Public liability 1,409 1,822 2,251 Fire 10,850 11,371 11,747 Miscellaneous 21 24 24 Total 16,486 17,026 18,617

Workers’ compensation claims The Primary Pool has experienced a significant increase in claims lodged since January 2002. This increase has also been experienced by the NPWS. The provisional liability changes to the legislation have been identified as a probable cause for the increase. NPWS workers’ compensation claims rose 26 per cent on the previous year following a three per cent fall the previous year. Claims for all government agencies in the scheme rose 12 per cent following a small increase the previous year. Claim payments for the NPWS have actually declined 11 per cent on the previous year, indicating the increase in numbers is due to greater reporting of minor claims. Claim payments for all government agencies have risen 15 per cent which is consistent with their 12 per cent growth in numbers.

Number of workers’ compensation claims 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 NPWS 150 145 183 All govt agencies 13,125 13,179 14,815

Source: Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) report for quarter ending 30.6.2001. Figures provided are reassessed and amended by TMF as necessary. 96 Capacity building

Motor vehicle claims New public liability claims each quarter Motor vehicle claims fell 24 per cent on the previous year compared with a fall of only three per cent for claims for all government agencies in the scheme. This is an 11 excellent result given the increase in vehicle coverage required by the expanding 10 NPWS estate and reflects the Service’s continuing pursuit of best practice in both 9 vehicle training courses and operations. 8 Number of motor vehicle claims 7 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 6 NPWS 264 270 204 5 All govt agencies 6,031 6,160 5,951 4 Source: Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) report for quarter ending 30.6.2001. Figures provided are reassessed and amended by TMF as necessary. 3 2 1 Information management and technology 0 Sep 01 Dec 01 Mar 02 Jun 02 The NPWS Information Management and Technology Strategic Plan for 2000-03 was reviewed in July 2001 to ensure the plan remains effective and continues to meet the needs of the Service. A number of connectivity projects were undertaken during the year. These included an expansion of the Wide Area Network (WAN); an IT infrastructure replacement program to replace equipment and related telecommunications infrastructure on an ongoing basis; a new messaging system; security upgrade; and improvements to electronic access from remote sites. During the year the NPWS Intranet (PAWS) went live. Other projects undertaken during the year include a pilot run of the asset maintenance system; operation of the improved Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS); and continuing development of the Historic Heritage Information Management System (HHIMS). Corporate support systems implemented during the year included the records management system (TRIM) stage 1; on-line purchasing using SAP R/3 (majority of sites completed); and implementation of training and recruitment The NPWS Intranet has the potential to greatly improve modules of the Aurion HRMS and payroll system. internal communication and provision of information to staff in a large decentralised agency.

Corporate governance Animal Care and Ethics Committee During the year a number of changes were made to the conduct and composition of this committee to improve its transparency and efficiency. The activities of the committee are reported on in the chapter on Conservation Assessment.

Audit and compliance program NPWS has an audit and compliance program to verify that it is meeting its statutory obligations, and to monitor and assess organisational compliance and risk management so that the NPWS can be reasonably assured that it is operating effectively, efficiently and ethically. The management of the program is over- sighted by an Audit and Compliance Committee comprising the NPWS and independent members. 97 2001 2002 Annual report

The audit and compliance program incorporates two components: a financial and management audit covering financial practices and internal controls; general management practices and procedures; and R Menzies-Jackson/NPWS information management systems. It aims to ensure compliance with standards, policies and guidelines as established by central government agencies, to identify and address areas of risk and to monitor and assess the overall efficiency and effectiveness of specific programs and activities. a conservation compliance audit to ensure compliance by the NPWS and others with specific standards as established by various conservation instruments. This includes plans of management and licences, approvals and consents issued by the NPWS. In 2001-02 the following financial and management audits were conducted as part of the implementation of the approved audit plan: staff recruitment and selection Lane Cove Caravan Park tendering and contract management Lane Cove Caravan Park was the subject of a financial taxation compliance and management audit during the year. park use fees (focusing on Annual Passes) general cash receipting management of grants received from external organisations concessions and leasing. These audits were undertaken by the Internal Audit Bureau which was engaged to provide internal audit services for 2001-02. While the more traditional financial and management audit component has been subject to audit over many years, this is the first time the conservation compliance audit has been included in the program. As such there was no precedent on which to draw for developing and implementing a comprehensive audit program in the short term to address conservation compliance issues. As an initial step plans of management (POMs) were chosen as the focus of audit activity for this component. Specifically the primary objective has been the development of a self-audit tool which will allow management to monitor the implementation of POMs. In September 2001 a self audit proforma was endorsed by the Audit and Compliance Committee. A trial of the self-audit methodology was conducted in early 2002 for one plan of management in each of the 19 NPWS regions. Based on findings and comments from this trial the NPWS Audit and Compliance Committee endorsed the development and implementation of an annual program of POM self-audits commencing in 2002-03.

Professional and ethical conduct The NPWS publication Professional and ethical conduct: guidelines for staff which incorporates the NPWS code of conduct is provided to all new staff and is also on the NPWS website and Intranet for reference. A review of this document commenced during the year and is scheduled for completion in 2002-03. During the year six complaints about the NPWS or NPWS officers were lodged with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), three of which were referred by the NPWS. In all but one of these matters no evidence of corrupt or improper conduct was found. The remaining matter was not finalised at 30 June. A public inquiry into allegations made to the ICAC by a former NPWS officer regarding his employment and the termination of that employment was completed during the year. The commission found that the document on which the allegations had been based was fake and that the allegations were baseless. It recommended prosecution of the complainant be considered. The other ICAC matter outstanding at 30 June 2001 was finalised, with no evidence of corrupt or improper conduct being found. 98 Capacity building

Two complaints were lodged with the NSW Ombudsman, both of which were found to be without substance. The outcomes of investigations commenced but not finalised in 2001-02 were as follows: Coronial inquest into the incident at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in June 2000 which resulted in the death of four NPWS officers and the serious injury of three others: The Coroner handed down her findings on 14 December 2001 as to the cause of death and made 17 recommendations as a result of the inquest. The majority of these recommendations have been or are being implemented by the NPWS and other fire authorities. Workcover has commenced a prosecution of the NPWS over the fires. Aerial culling of feral horses in Guy Fawkes National Park: The RSPCA prosecution of the NPWS under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 continued throughout the year. It concluded on 3 July 2002 when the magistrate accepted the NPWS’ plea of guilty to one charge of cruelty but found, however, that no conviction should be recorded and that the charge should be dismissed. The magistrate concluded that the NPWS had acted in a ‘professional and responsible manner’. Death of bats during a research project conducted in Willi Willi Nature Reserve: No action against any NPWS officers or others under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, nor any disciplinary action was found to be warranted with respect to conduct at the research site. Recommendations for improvements to NPWS systems are being implemented. Death of penguins on Montague Island: an independent inquiry was commissioned by the NPWS and undertaken by Dr Peter Dann, Principal Research Scientist at Phillip Island Nature Park, assisted by the NSW Rural Fire Service. Dr Dann found that the NPWS planning procedures for the research project were thorough and that it was beneficial to continue to use fire for weed control on Montague Island, along with herbicide spraying to control kikuyu grass. He also found that the fire crew on site were highly trained and very experienced and that the equipment available was satisfactory. He made specific recommendations for future fire operations on the island, including use of night watches, attention to the time of day of ignition, use of specialised heat seeking equipment and the need for an island-wide fire plan. Unauthorised clearing in national parks by TransGrid: four prosecutions were brought against TransGrid by the Environment Protection Authority. TransGrid pleaded guilty to the charges and a penalty hearing is to be held. Rehabilitation work being undertaken is detailed on page 101.

Privacy and personal information protection NPWS The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 introduced a set of privacy standards and information protection principles that regulate the way NSW public sector agencies deal with personal information. The information protection principles became effective as of 1 July 2000 and enforceable from 1 July 2001. They cover the collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal information. As a public sector agency, the NPWS is bound by these information protection principles. Most actions identified within the 2000 Privacy Management Plan to address areas of non-compliance with the information protection principles of the Act have now been completed. The incorporation into forms and documents of information on the collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal information is now standard practice in the NPWS. Privacy information and procedures for accessing information or making a complaint about the handling of personal information were developed during the year and are now available on the NPWS website. During this reporting year no applications to access or make amendments to Personal details about volunteers is an example of the kind of information held by the NPWS which is personal information were received nor were there any complaints or requests for protected under the Privacy and Personal Information internal reviews under the privacy legislation. Protection Act. The Privacy Contact Officer is located at the Hurstville office and can be contacted on (02) 9585 6460, fax (02) 9585 6824, or email: [email protected]. 99 2001 2002 Annual report

Corporate performance reporting The corporate performance reporting system established last year was P Boot/NPWS further bedded down during 2001-02. Trend data over two years for most of the performance targets under Conser- vation Management, Conservation Planning and Conservation Facilitation has now been compiled and was included in the June 2002 report. Following a review of the corporate plan in early 2001, 11 new performance targets were incorporated under Conservation Planning and Capacity Building in 2001-02. Quarterly corporate performance reports for each of the 30 performance targets were provided to the Minister for the Environment. A copy of the June 2002 report was also provided to members of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council and regional advisory committees.

Four Aboriginal site identification and management courses were held for staff and representatives of Enhancing and managing resources Aboriginal groups during the year. Here participants are trained in site recording at the Curiosity Rocks Peninsula for conservation artefact scatter, Lake Jindabyne.

Business planning The NPWS continues to work towards enhancing and managing resources for conservation. During the year Guidelines for Business Planning were developed to assist staff undertake assessments of revenue enhancing opportunities. Legislation covering the NPWS, the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act 2001 was passed in 2002 and will provide opportunities for the NPWS to identify and move forward innovative business proposals focusing on the adaptive re-use of its existing buildings and heritage assets.

Grants and sponsorships External grants and sponsorships continue to play an important role in helping the NPWS to protect and conserve natural and cultural heritage in New South Wales. In 2001-02 the NPWS received $31.3 million in grants and contributions, comprising $17.4 million from the Commonwealth, $12.7 million from NSW and $1.1 million from other areas including $257,367 from the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. Grant programs under the Commonwealth government’s Natural Heritage Trust such as Endangered Species, Bushcare, World Heritage Management and National Reserve System continued. Grants from the Environmental Trust, various NSW government agencies, local councils and other organisations including the World Wide Fund for Nature were able to be successfully pursued as the objectives were similar to current NPWS initiatives and conservation principles. There were 104 new externally funded projects created this financial year totalling $5.3 million, of which 22 per cent were joint projects with the community. A review of externally funded projects undertaken in January 2001 identified a need for a policy to ensure consistency in the management of these projects. The Externally Funded Projects Policy and Procedures were endorsed by the Service’s Executive in October 2001. Threatened species research, cultural heritage and educational activities continued to be supported by sponsors and donors, primarily through the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. 100 Capacity building

Natural Heritage Trust grants A Natural Heritage Trust grant provided funding to encourage community awareness S Nally/NPWS and involvement in the Darling Riverine Plains Project. This project commenced in 1999 to provide a biodiversity conservation assessment of the 94,000 square kilometre Darling Riverine Plains bioregion stretching across New South Wales from Moree to Menindee and south to Narromine. The information and maps from this project will be used to guide decision-making on issues of significance to the Aboriginal community within regional management processes such as the development of regional vegetation management plans and catchment blueprints. The Darling Riverine Plains Biodiversity Assessment Community report was officially launched on 30 May 2002. Funding of $269,685 was received from the Natural Heritage Trust for projects involving the southern corroboree frog, Bathurst copper butterfly, regent honeyeater, grassy ecosystems and the Lord Howe Island phasmid Dryococelus australis. The Trust also provided funding of $110,000 for an award-winning project ‘Ecological degradation of the Lower Murrumbidgee wetlands’ which researched the degradation of the Murrumbidgee River and provided a focus for public understanding of the issues and the need for an holistic approach to land-uses and conservation. The main aim of the project was to determine what ecological changes had occurred to the floodplain as a result of water resource development from 1855-2000. Analysis was conducted at four levels: a search of historical The Natural Heritage Trust provided funding for Bathurst accounts of the floodplain, annual river flow data, wetland flooding using satellite copper butterfly conservation projects during the year. imagery and trends in waterbird numbers and diversity from aerial survey data. Here Lithgow café proprietor Jen Byatt displays her The project was managed by Dr Richard Kingsford and won the Energy Australia butterfly cakes, profits from which also aid the copper National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Award 2002 in the category butterfly program. NPWS threatened species officer Conservation Built/Landscape Heritage. Susannah Power is on the left. Salinity and its impacts on Aboriginal heritage Funding of $200,000 was received from the Department of Land and Water Conservation’s NSW Salinity Strategy for the first part of a four-year project on ‘Understanding and managing the impacts of salinity on Aboriginal heritage in New South Wales’. The project will combine oral history, archaeology, cultural mapping and participatory land assessment techniques. It will examine issues such as bush foods Lower Murrumbidgee River. The award-winning project and medicines, people’s contemporary use of rivers and land, and the fabric of ‘Ecological degradation of the Lower Murrumbidgee cultural sites. wetlands’ received $110,000 in funding from the Natural Heritage Trust. The project has two primary components. The first is a statewide overview of the issues raised by salinity and its management for

R Kingsford/NPWS Aboriginal heritage. The second component involves the conduct of two case studies involving in-depth research with Aboriginal people. The outcomes of both components will be used to guide the development of effective management strategies that can be applied across the state. As an example, project reports will outline how the research can be used to shape the actions of relevant land manage- ment bodies such as Catchment Management Boards. 101 2001 2002 Annual report

Research in the NSW wheat belt CASE STUDY Land and Water Australia agreed to provide funding of $210,000 over two years to explore the landscape level dynamics of native vegetation and dependent plants and Foundation helps frogs animals in the NSW wheat belt. Alternative vegetation management scenarios will be survive examined by integrating spatial modelling with information on the response of In the area of education the Foundation for different functional plant and animal groups to disturbance. The outcomes from this National Parks and Wildlife funded an project will contribute to assessing the value of such approaches across a range of awareness raising campaign to help Australia’s taxonomic groups. frogs survive. Achievements included a new hygiene protocol for the control of diseases in TransGrid contributes to revegetation frogs, a ‘Helping Frogs Survive’ poster and a TransGrid agreed to provide $60,000 over two years for the rehabilitation and cane toad identification brochure. revegetation of powerline easements between Tumut and Canberra. The project will

monitor the success of the initial stabilising works being carried out by TransGrid J Little and its contractors. Monitoring reports on the various sections of easement within NPWS reserves, state forests and the ACT will be required every six months. The outcomes from this project will be the revegetation of the easement to an ecologically sustainable native vegetation cover and a manual of rehabilitation and revegetation techniques and work practices for use by TransGrid staff and contractors in national parks.

Other grants The Stormwater Trust program provided $48,000 for a project with Friends of Yeramba Lagoon and Bankstown City Council to improve stormwater entering the Yeramba Lagoon at Picnic Point. The project includes an education program, the The northern banjo frog is set to benefit from the installation of gross pollutant traps and creek restoration to improve the quality of Foundation’s awareness campaign to help Australia’s frogs. the water entering the lagoon. The NPWS received funding from World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Origin Energy to implement some of the priority conservation recovery actions identified in the draft brush-tailed rock-wallaby recovery plan. Work undertaken has included aerial and ground surveys for brush-tailed rock-wallabies in and support for community ‘Friends of’ groups. The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric authority sponsored a mountain pygmy- possum recovery program and a corroboree frog captive breeding and recovery program. Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife The Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW) fosters the protection of Australia’s native plants, animals and cultural heritage through fundraising for environmental education and conservation projects. In 2001-02 the foundation funded a number of projects which were managed by the NPWS, and committed funds to more. These projects range from endangered species conservation to education. The FNPW continued its 10 years of support of the mountain pygmy-possum project through funding field surveys, bioclimatic modelling of habitat sites and public

awareness campaigns. NPWS Observation of the superb parrot north of the Lachlan River to identify new breeding sites of this vulnerable species in August 2001 was supported with FNPW funds, as were activities associated with the Wollemi pine, the Port Stephens dolphins, Cape Solander whale watch, the greenhood orchid and Manly’s little penguins. The Eco Ranger Program received funding. With the restoration and interpretation of Greycliffe House Gardens the FNPW also supported the conservation of the state’s cultural heritage. For further information on the foundation’s activities contact the FNPW office on (02) 9221 1949, email [email protected] or write to GPO Box 2666, Sydney 2001. Concessions management

The NPWS works to achieve a fair and market-based financial return from park A four-year project to understand and manage the impacts concessions. During the year revenue generated from property rentals and of salinity on Aboriginal heritage will combine oral concession operations exceeded $8 million, a substantial increase over the previous history, archaeology, cultural mapping and land financial year ($6 million). This increase reflected improved commercial assessment techniques. performance and a number of one-off revenue payments. 102 Capacity building

While the NPWS provides and maintains most visitor facilities, many are established NPWS and operated by the private sector through legally enforceable leases, licences and contracts. Such arrangements are referred to as concession management. Some of these facilities include ski resorts, restaurants, cafes, kiosks, caravan parks, camping grounds and marinas. Specialist business activity reviews were undertaken throughout the year. Business plans prepared for on-park business activities including campgrounds, homestead accommodation, visitor centres and kiosks were also assessed and updated. These reviews were undertaken to ensure that each activity is the most appropriate for its location, is environmentally responsible and sustainable, and is financially sound. An independent investigation into NPWS commercial lease operations was undertaken during the year. A number of measures were recommended and have been implemented to improve the administration and management of the NPWS lease portfolio. These measures aimed to improve the accountability of managers responsible for administering leases especially through improved compliance performance and early resolution of lease breaches. New lease and management contract arrangements were implemented in a number of areas across New South Wales, including the General Store, Hosies Store and Murray’s Cottage in Hill End, and Woody Head Camping Area in Bundjalung National Park. Negotiations to improve commercial returns on many of the NPWS alien tenure arrangements, Work continued during the year on expanding particularly telecommunications facilities, continued during the year. accommodation on the Perisher ski fields. Quarantine Station During the year the Environmental Impact Statement, Species Impact Assessment and the section 60 application under the Heritage Act 1977 for the North Head Quarantine Station lease proposal were publicly exhibited. A Commission of Inquiry under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 was undertaken to review the lease proposal. The findings of this inquiry were expected to be released in July 2002. Further progress with the leasing proposal is conditional on the Minister for Planning determining an approval or otherwise for the project.

Perisher ski fields Documentation relating to the expressions of interest to develop an additional 520 non-village beds on the Perisher ski fields was largely finalised during the reporting year, and lease documentation to support the leasing process was reviewed and refined. A major review of the bed allocation process was undertaken and will underpin the allocation of the additional beds. 103 6

Mount Kaputar National Park. J Little 104

Appendix A NPWS-managed lands at 30 June 2002

Aboriginal areas National parks Area (ha) Area (ha) Area (ha) Area (ha) Appletree 4 Abercrombie River 19,000 Dunggir 2,500 Mutawintji 68,912 Finchley 4 Arakwal 185 Eurobodalla 2,627 Myall Lakes 44,200 Howe 7 Bago Bluff 4,023 Fortis Creek 7,838 Nangar 9,196 Lennox Head <1 Bald Rock 8,883 Gardens of Stone 15,010 Nattai 48,944 Mooney Mooney 8 Bangadilly 2,141 Garigal 2,203 New England 71,299 Mount Ku-ring-gai <1 Barakee 3,230 Georges River 335 NSW Jervis Bay 4,211 Murramarang 60 Barool 11,214 Ghin-Doo-Ee 3,650 Nightcap 8,080 Nambucca 2 Barrington Tops 73,884 Gibraltar Range 25,346 Nowendoc 8,820 Nungumirar 122 Basket Swamp 2,820 Goobang 42,080 Nymboi-Binderay 16,870 Pindera Downs 11,433 Bellinger River 2,830 Goonengerry 440 Nymboida 31,566 Stonewoman 2 Benambra 1,399 Goulburn River 70,323 Oxley Wild Rivers 120,394 Total 11,643 Ben Boyd 10,260 Gourock 7,873 Peery 41,680 Ben Halls Gap 2,500 Gulaga 4,673 Popran 3,970 Biamanga 13,749 Gundabooka 43,592 Ramornie 3,160 Historic sites Bimberamala 4,396 Guy Fawkes River 72,946 Richmond Range 15,420 Bindarri 5,321 Hat Head 7,363 Royal 15,080 Area (ha) Biriwal Bulga 4,690 Heathcote 2,251 Scheyville 920 <1 Blue Mountains 264,848 Indwarra 940 Seven Mile Beach 898 Clybucca 459 Bongil Bongil 978 Jerrawangala 4,013 Single 2,559 Davidson Whaling Station 27 Boonoo Boonoo 4,377 Junuy Juluum 945 South East Forest 115,372 Hartley 13 Booti Booti 1,567 Kanangra-Boyd 68,661 Sturt 310,634 Hill End 134 Border Ranges 31,683 Kinchega 44,260 Sydney Harbour 393 Koonadan 22 Botany Bay 458 Kings Plains 6,919 Tallaganda 16,727 Maroota 33 Bouddi 1,216 Kooraban 11,643 Tapin Tops 10,976 1,357 Bournda 2,563 Koreelah 5,270 Tarlo River 8,074 Mutawintji 486 Brindabella 18,472 Kosciuszko 674,376 Thirlmere Lakes 630 Throsby Park 74 Brisbane Water 11,455 Kumbatine 13,029 Tomaree 2,318 Tweed Heads 8 Broadwater 4,204 Ku-ring-gai Chase 14,894 Tooloom 4,380 21 Budawang 23,787 Kwiambal 1,301 Toonumbar 14,991 Yuranighs Aboriginal Grave 2 Budderoo 7,120 Lane Cove 601 Towarri 4,787 Total 2,635 Bugong 1,022 Livingstone 1,919 Ulidarra 680 Bundjalung 20,116 Macquarie Pass 1,064 Wadbilliga 97,761 Bungawalbin 3,730 Mallanganee 1,144 Wallingat 6,557 Butterleaf 3,000 Mallee Cliffs 57,969 Warra 2,031 Capoompeta 3,900 Maria 2,335 Warrabah 3,471 Carrai 11,397 Marramarra 11,759 Warrumbungle 23,198 Cascade 3,620 Maryland 890 Washpool 60,068 Cathedral Rock 8,839 Mebbin 3,800 Watagans 7,751 Cattai 424 Meroo 3,641 Weddin Mountains 8,361 Chaelundi 10,125 Mimosa Rocks 5,779 Werakata 2,140 Clyde River 1,278 Minjary 1,462 Werrikimbe 31,488 Cocoparra 8,358 Monga 25,144 Willandra 19,386 Conimbla 7,590 Mooball 1,160 Willi Willi 29,025 Conjola 8,737 Morton 189,668 Woko 8,598 Coolah Tops 10,578 Mount Clunie 1,426 Wollemi 492,976 Coorabakh 1,840 Mount Imlay 4,822 Woomargama 23,577 Cottan-Bimbang 26,861 Mount Jerusalem 5,149 Wyrrabalong 621 Crowdy Bay 9,948 Mount Kaputar 36,817 Yabbra 8,890 Cudmirrah 2,326 Mount Nothofagus 2,180 Yanununbeyan 3,488 Culgoa 22,006 Mount Pikapene 2,630 Yengo 152,229 Cunnawarra 15,751 Mount Royal 6,920 Yoorigan 1,830 Deua 117,557 Mount Warning 2,379 Yuraygir 30,406 Dharug 14,850 Mummel Gulf 12,220 Total 4,470,010 Dooragan 1,042 Mungo 27,847 Dorrigo 11,872 Murramarang 11,977

All areas rounded to the nearest hectare 105 2001 2002 Annual report

Nature reserves Area (ha) Area (ha) Area (ha) Area (ha) Agnes Banks 107 Bungabbee 169 Fifes Knob 553 Kybeyan 432 Andrew Johnston Big Scrub 21 Bungawalbin 467 Fishermans Bend 160 Lake Innes 3,526 Arakoola 3,180 15 Five Islands 27 Lake Urana 302 Araluen 656 Burnt-Down Scrub 364 Flaggy Creek 72 Langtree 235 Avisford 2,437 Burnt School 285 Flagstaff Memorial 18 Limeburners Creek 9,224 Awabakal 228 Burra Creek 270 Freemantle 361 Limpinwood 2,647 Baalijin 1,211 Burrinjuck 3,248 Gads Sugarloaf 477 Linton 640 Back River 735 Byrnes Scrub 705 Gamilaroi 114 Lion Island 8 Badja Swamps 561 Cambewarra Range 1,088 Ganay 355 Little Broughton Island 36 Bagul Waajaarr 520 Camels Hump 545 Georges Creek 1,190 Little Llangothlin 258 Ballina 721 Camerons Gorge 1,318 Gibraltar 161 Little Pimlico Island 16 Bamarang 370 Captains Creek 2,290 Girralang 640 Long Island 73 Bandicoot Island 30 Careunga 469 Good Good 20 Loughnan 385 Banyabba 15,210 Castlereagh 490 Goonawarra 437 Macquarie 12 Barrengarry 21 Cecil Hoskins 47 Goonook 930 Macquarie Marshes 18,192 Barren Grounds 2,024 Cedar Brush 190 Goorooyarroo 266 Mann River 6,594 Barton 529 Chambigne 798 Gubbata 162 Manobalai 3,759 Bees Nest 584 Chapmans Peak 72 Gulguer 359 Marshalls Creek 112 Bell Bird Creek 53 Clarence Estuary 120 Guy Fawkes River 1,534 Melville Range 843 Belowla Island 4 Clarkes Hill 2,139 Hattons Bluff 18 Meringo 49 Berkeley 8 Cockle Bay 44 Hattons Corner 4 Mernot 320 Bermaguee 818 Cocopara 4,647 Hayters Hill 8 Merriangaah 5,669 Big Bush 640 Comerong Island 660 Hexham Swamp 900 Midkin 359 Billinudgel 737 Coocumbac Island 5 Hogarth Range 853 Mills Island 61 Bimberi 10,886 Cook Island 5 Hortons Creek 330 Moffats Swamp 151 Binjura 707 Coolbaggie 1,793 51 Monkerai 865 Binnaway 3,699 Coolongolook 198 Iluka 136 Monkeycot 1,612 Bird Island 7 Coolumbooka 1,529 Imbota 218 Montague Island 82 Black Andrew 1,559 Cooperabung Creek 325 Ingalba 4,012 Moonee Beach 336 Black Ash 89 Coornartha 1,184 Inner Pocket 236 Moon Island 1 Bluff River 1,793 Copperhannia 3,494 Ironbark 1,604 Moore Park 15 Boatharbour 24 Coramba 8 Ironmungy 713 Mororo Creek 80 Bobundara 204 Corrie Island 164 Jaaningga 975 Morrisons Lake 312 Bogandyera 8,752 Couchy Creek 218 Jagun 100 Mother Of Ducks Lagoon 97 Boginderra Hills 554 Courabyra 239 Jasper 355 Mount Clifford 306 Bolivia Hill 1,782 Coxcomb 73 Jerilderie 37 Mount Dowling 513 Bollanolla 650 Cudgen 671 Jerralong 341 Mount Hyland 2,519 Bondi Gulf 1,800 Cullendulla Creek 126 Jingellic 2,137 Mount Mackenzie 141 Boomi 156 Cumbebin Swamp 40 Joadja 832 Mount Neville 5,821 Boomi West 149 Cuumbeun 709 Jobs Mountain 702 Mount Nullum 99 Boonanghi 3,753 Dalrymple-Hay 11 John Gould 26 Mount Seaview 1,704 Boondelbah 9 Dananbilla 2,242 Julian Rocks <1 Mount Yarrowyck 170 Boorganna 390 Dangelong 1,966 Juugawaarri 2,149 Mucklewee Mountain 355 Booroolong 865 Dapper 999 Kajuligah 13,660 Mudjarn 591 Boronga 195 Darawank 575 Kangaroo River 126 Muldiva 10 Bournda 5,862 Davis Scrub 14 Karuah 2,742 Mulgoa 138 Bowraville 61 Deer Vale 181 Kattang 58 Mullengandra 150 Bretti 2,725 Demon 900 Kemendok 1,043 Mundoonen 1,359 Brigalow Park 202 Devils Glen 41 Khappinghat 3,514 Munghorn Gap 5,934 Brimbin 40 Dharawal 347 Khatambuhl 694 Munro Island 14 Broken Head 98 Downfall 496 Killabakh 2,644 Muogamarra 2,274 Broulee Island 43 Duval 240 Killarney 435 Mutawintji 6,688 Brundee Swamp 230 Eagles Claw 1 Kooragang 2,926 Muttonbird Island 8 Brunswick Heads 204 Egan Peaks 2,145 Koorawatha 961 Myalla 143 47 Ellerslie 1,278 Koorebang 465 Nadgee 20,671 Buddigower 327 120 Kororo 11 Narrandera 71 Bugan 1,530 Evans Crown 425 Koukandowie 1,283 Narran Lake 5,538 106 Appendix A

Nature reserves – cont Regional parks Area (ha) Area (ha) Area (ha) Area (ha) Narrawallee Creek 878 Stony Batter Creek 564 Wingen Maid 1,077 Berowra Valley 3,870 Nearie Lake 4,347 Stony Creek 80 Wingham Brush 8 Leacock 34 Nest Hill 759 Stormpetrel 8 Wogamia 277 Parramatta River 5 Newington 48 Stotts Island 142 Woggoon 6,565 <1 Ngadang 160 Strike-a-Light 407 Wollondilly River 862 Rouse Hill 43 Ngambaa 10,555 Susan Island 23 Wongarbon 99 Western Sydney 582 Ngulin 1,250 Tabbimoble Swamp 1,070 Woodford Island 374 William Howe 43 Nimmo 724 Tabletop 104 Woollamia 452 Wolli Creek 7 Nocoleche 74,000 Talawahl 3,150 Wooyung 87 Yellomundee 485 Nombinnie 70,000 Tallawudjah 1,247 Worimi 500 Total 5,070 North Obelisk 36 Tapitallee 95 Worrigee 232 North Rock 4 Tarawi 33,573 Wullwye 155 North Solitary Island 20 The Basin 2,318 Yahoo Island 47 Karst North-West Solitary Island 4 The Castles 2,720 Yanga 1,773 conservation Numeralla 435 The Charcoal Tank 86 Yanununbeyan 40 reserves Numinbah 858 The Glen 2,750 2,924 Oak Creek 404 The Rock 347 Yarravel 318 Area (ha) Pambalong 35 Tilligerry 120 Yathong 107,241 Abercrombie 1,434 Parma Creek 3,486 14,533 Yatteyattah 19 Borenore 136 Paupong 1,838 Tingira Heights 18 Yessabah 10 Jenolan 2,422 Pee Dee 441 Tollgate Islands 12 Yina 100 Wombeyan 417 Pelican Island 40 Tollingo 3,232 Total 798,033 Total 4,409 Pilliga 80,239 Tomalla 605 Pitt Town 46 Towibakh 62 Planchonella 717 Towra Point 386 State recreation Summary as at Pucawan 274 Triplarina 158 areas 30 June 2002 Pulbah Island 69 Tuckean 919 Pulletop 145 Tucki Tucki 4 Area (ha) No. Category Area (ha) Quanda 854 Tuggolo Creek 645 Arakoon 114 11 Aboriginal areas 11,643 Queanbeyan 2 Tweed Estuary 59 Bargo 5,660 13 Historic sites 2,635 Queens Lake 991 Tyagarah 800 Barnunj 164 4 Karst conservation reserves 4,409 Quidong 750 Ukerebagh 150 Bents Basin 48 162 National parks 4,470,010 Rawdon Creek 560 Ulandra 3,931 Bungonia 3,977 363 Nature reserves 798,033 Razorback 2,595 Undoo 19 Burragorang 17,642 9 Regional parks 5,070 Red Rocks 669 Uralba 288 Cape Byron 99 22 State recreation areas 127,544 Regatta Island 102 Valla 30 Colymea 1,674 Total area *5,419,344 Richmond River 256 Victoria Park 18 Corramy 856 Rileys Island 46 Wadjan 92 Dharawal 5,814 *Represents 6.76% of land area of NSW. Robertson 5 Wallabadah 1,132 Garawarra 900 Rodway 83 Wallamba 1,160 Georges River 1 Round Hill 13,630 Wallaroo 2,780 Glenrock 516 Running Creek 910 Wallis Island 473 1,504 Saltwater Swamp 215 Wallumatta 6 Lake Macquarie 667 Scabby Range 4,982 Wamberal Lagoon 132 Mount Canobolas 1,673 Scott 151 Wambina 54 Mullion Range 1,025 Sea Acres 76 Wambool 194 Munmorah 1,462 Seaham Swamp 11 Wanna Wanna 33 Nattai 3,383 Seal Rocks <1 Waragai Creek 186 Parr 38,121 Serpentine 723 Watsons Creek 1,260 Torrington 30,052 Severn River 4,290 Wee Jasper 631 Yerranderie 12,192 Sherwood 4,724 Weelah 38 Total 127,544 Skillion 691 Weetalibah 613 Snapper Island 13 Wiesners Swamp 103 Snows Gully 34 Willi Willi Caves 8 South-West Solitary Island 3 Wilson 27 Spectacle Island 36 Winburndale 10,048 Split Solitary Island 4 Windsor Downs 363

All areas rounded to the nearest hectare 107 2001 2002 Annual report

Declared wilderness in NSW Crown land occupied by the at 30 June 2002 NPWS under reserves or lease for Wilderness area NPWS reserve Total various management purposes at (containing declared wilderness) declared (ha)* 30 June 2002 Barrington Barrington Tops, Mt Royal NP 54,259 Locality Reserve Area (m2) Purpose Bimberi Kosciuszko NP, Bimberi and Armidale R 89685 1,256 Workshop Scabby Range NR 27,489 Armidale Sp.L.1989/4 2,753 Depot Bindery-Mann Nymboida, Gibraltar Range NP 44,235 Broken Hill R 230017 1,125 Residence Bogong Peaks Kosciuszko NP 27,307 Cobar R 92637 749 Staff Accommodation Brogo Wadbilliga NP 39,895 Eden (Wirriga Street) R 91136 1,145 Workshop Budawang Morton, Budawang NP, freehold (VCA) 75,839 Gol Gol R 91509 2,023 Workshop Burra Oulla Deua NP 17,776 Narooma R 95616 1,992 Workshop Byadbo Kosciuszko NP 78,018 Rylstone R 190042 2,491 Depot Ettrema Morton NP 66,739 Tibooburra R 96931 1,012 Workshop Genoa South East Forest NP 6,161 Tibooburra R 91376 2,023 Workshop Goobarragandra Kosciuszko NP 30,205 Tibooburra R 95882 1,799 Workshop/depot Grattai Mount Kaputar NP 4,180 Ulladulla R 180018 3,661 Workshop/office Grose Blue Mountains NP 37,788 Walcha R 98162 3,862 Workshop/depot Guy Fawkes Guy Fawkes River NP 49,909 Jangungal Kosciuszko NP 61,746 Kanangra-Boyd Blue Mountains, Kanangra-Boyd NP, Lands acquired under the provisions of Yerranderie SRA 114,416 the National Parks and Wildlife Act Kunderang (part) Oxley Wild Rivers NP 20,692 1974, and held for management Lost World Border Ranges NP, Limpinwood NR 8,849 purposes (not reserved) at Macleay Gorges Oxley Wild Rivers NP 59,289 30 June 2002 Mutawintji Mutawintji NP 47,896 Locality Area Purpose Nadgee Nadgee NR 19,349 Boambee 4725m2 Workshop/Depot Nandewar Mount Kaputar NP 13,182 Bombala 4900m2 Workshop/Depot Nattai Nattai NP 29,040 Bourke (Short St, Anson St and Tudor St ) 3036m2 Staff accommodation New England New England NP 54,359 Broken Hill 475m2 Regional office Pilot Kosciuszko NP 76,798 Bucketty 6731m2 Workshop Rusden Mount Kaputar NP 12,637 Bulga 35.8ha Office/Depot Warrazambil Border Ranges NP 7,228 Cobar (61 Bradley St) 563m2 Staff accommodation Werrikimbe Werrikimbe NP 27,123 Dorrigo 5210m2 Workshop/depot Willi Willi Willi Willi NP 23,307 Dungog 2104m2 Depot Woila Deua Deua NP 18,007 Ebor 1700m2 Workshop/Depot Wollemi Wollemi, Blue Mountains NP 359,984 Eden 4196m2 Workshop/Depot Yowrie Wadbilliga NP 16,027 Gloucester 7245m2 Depot Total (33 declared areas) 1,578,744 Griffith 1808m2 Workshop/depot *In 2001 the NPWS adopted a standardised method of calculating and reporting on Jindabyne (Munyang and Cobbon Sts Staff Accom/Visitor wilderness statistics, using the NPWS digital mapping system. The figures quoted here and Snowy River Ave) 1.0825ha centre cannot be compared with those before 2001, where data were derived from a variety of Khancoban (Gray St; 1, 5 and sources. Note that sizes in hectares are approximate values. 13 Douglas St; 1 and 3 Blackburn St; 8 Whitehead St; Scammel St; 19 Read St; and 24 Sheather St) 1.4056 ha Staff accommodation Menindee 2023m2 Staff accommodation Narooma 2665m2 Workshop/depot Nowra 646m2 Staff accommodation Nowra 7954m2 Workshop/depot Oakdale 4274m2 Depot Oberon 1701m2 Office Peak Hill 4023m2 Workshop/Depot Rylstone 2188m2 Depot Scone (Waverley St) 2023m2 Workshop/Depot Scone (Hayes St) 4529m2 Workshop/depot Talbingo (35, 44 and 55 Groves St and 21 Bowman St) 3540m2 Staff accommodation Tenterfield 2023m2 Depot Tibooburra (Sturt St) 1012m2 Staff accommodation Tibooburra 506m2 Office accommodation Tibooburra 506m2 Visitor centre Total area 46.52ha 108 Appendix A

Lands acquired Park/locality Area (ha) Park/locality Area (ha) Park/locality Area (ha) under the Coffs Hbr/Solitary Island 35 Marramarra NP 27 Towarri NP 574 provisions of the Coolah Tops NP 2,586 Maynggu Ganai 16 Towra Point NR 48 National Parks Crowdy Bay NP 271 Mimosa Rocks NP 23 Wadbilliga NP 761 and Wildlife Act Cudgen NR 52 Montague Island NR <1 Wambina NR 3 1974, pending Dangelong NR 464 Morton NP 1,217 Warrabah NP 510 reservation/ Deua NP 241 Mount Neville NR 754 Washpool NP 4,065 dedication, at Eurobodalla NP 265 Mulgoa NR 76 Watchimbark 1,264 30 June 2002 Fortis Creek NP 122 Myall Lakes NP <1 Willi Willi NP 845 Gandangara 7 Narran Lake NR 3,547 Wollemi NP 93 Park/locality Area (ha) Garawarra SRA 2 New England NP 805 Wolli Creek RP 2 Athlone 4,045 Georges River NP 2 Nombinnie NR 56,296 Woomargama NP 609 Barnunj SRA 0 Goulburn River NP 16 NSW Jervis Bay NP 22 Yaegl (Maclean) 313 Ben Boyd NP 14 Gundabooka NP 20,734 Nymboi-Binderay NP 388 Yanununbeyan NP 32 Berowra Valley RP 4 Guy Fawkes River NP 27,581 Nymboida NP 8,239 Yarringully (Bungawalbin) 285 Billinudgel NR 2 Hartley HS <1 Nymboida NP (Mann River) 446 Yengo NP 1,107 Blue Mountains NP 357 Hat Head NP(Smokey Cape) 33 Oolambeyan 21,980 Yuraygir NP 2,379 Boambee <1 Hayters Hill NR <1 Oxley Wild Rivers NP 10,529 Total 421,430 Bongil Bongil NP 348 Heathcote NP 3 Patches Beach 6 Boona 142 Hill End HS 4 Peery NP 130,829 Border Ranges NP 46 Illawarra Escarpment SRA 106 Prospect Lower Canal 55 Botany Bay NP <1 Kaaruu (Coonavitra) 29,164 Quanda NR 3,925 Lands vested in Bournda NP 13 Kemps Creek 129 Richmond Range NP 290 the Minister Brigalow Park NR 51 Kirramingly 1,297 Seven Mile Beach NP 52 administering the Brisbane Water NP 19 Kooragang NR 61 South Solitary Island NR 11 National Parks Broadwater NP 21 Koorawatha NR 98 Stockton Bight 111 and Wildlife Act Bundjalung NP 222 Kororo NR <1 Sturt NP 28,955 1974 by virtue Bungonia SRA 29 Kuma 181 Sydney Harbour NP <1 of Act 1996 Cataract 1,471 Kwiambal NP 2,085 Tamboroora 10 No 131 (Forestry Captains Creek NR 544 Kybeyan Crown Reserve 1,245 Taringa 1,339 Revocation and Chaelundi NP 3,146 Lake Innes 422 Thilta karra (Tilpilly) 24,225 National Park Claremont 202 Ledknapper 16,338 Tinderry NR 89 Reservation Act). Clybucca HS 8 Majors Creek Reserve 23 Tomaree NP 30 Total area About 452 hectares

South East Forest National Park. B Wrigley/NPWS 109 2001 2002 Appendix B Annual report Significant statutory bodies and committees

National Parks At 30 June 2002 the council consisted National Parks Central West Region and Wildlife of the following members: and Wildlife Dr Juliet Corish Advisory Council Mr Brian Gilligan Service Advisory Mr Sydney Craythorn The National Parks and Wildlife Director-General Committees Mr Borry Gartell Advisory Council was established National Parks and Wildlife Service National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Mrs Yvonne Hutton Mrs Jennifer Kenna under Section 22 of the National Parks Ms Margaret Combs Committees are constituted by the Mr Phillip Kingsley-Miller and Wildlife Act 1974. It has specific Hartley Historic Site Advisory Minister for the Environment to make Mr Kenneth Rogers functions under the Act with special Committee recommendations to the National responsibility for considering plans of Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council, Mr David Towney management for national parks, nature Ms Christine Ferguson the Director-General, or the Mrs Sue Wakefield reserves and historic sites before NSW Aboriginal Land Council appropriate regional manager on the Mr Graham Williams adoption of the plans. It is also Mr David Hodgkinson measures to improve the care, control Far South Coast required to consider any NSW Farmers’ Association and management of those national Region representations received in response parks, nature reserves, historic sites, Mrs Diana Hoffman to public exhibition of the plans. state recreation areas or regional parks Mr John Aveyard Far West Region Advisory Committee The council considers matters referred for which they are appointed. Mrs Maureen Baker to it by the Minister for the Dr Gul Izmir At 30 June 2002 there were 20 Cr Allan Brown Environment, the NPWS Director- Department of Land and Water advisory committees, with Mrs Elaine Garvey General or advisory committees, and Conservation membership as follows: Mrs Genevieve Reid Mrs Wendy Rose provides advice on various matters, Mr Roger Lembit Blue Mountains Mr Robert Ross including those relating to the care, Nature Conservation Council control and management of NPWS Region Mr David Shaw Dr Stephen Lord Mr Fergus Thomson areas. In addition to the Director- Mr Warwick Armstrong National Parks Association of NSW Mr Trevor Threlfo General, the council has up to 15 Mr Joseph Banffy Mr David Wauchope members who represent various Dr Michael Mahony Ms Luciana Bowen conservation, educational, scientific University of Newcastle Mr Roy Cameron Far West Region and natural resource management Dr Richard Major Mr Grahame Douglas Mr Robert Algate organisations with an interest in the Australian Museum Mrs Helen Drewe Mr Peter Beven management and use of NPWS- Mr Kevin Field Mrs Diana Hoffman managed areas and who are appointed Mr Ron Mathews Mrs Glenys Gilling Mr Richard Holland by the Minister. Four-Wheel Drive Association Mr Andy Macqueen Mrs Mavis Jackson Ms Jean Rice Ms Fiona Meller Mr Richard Kelly Australia International Council on Mr Bill Shields Mrs Dorothy Kiely Monuments and Sites Mr Michael Sweeney Mr Neil McGarry Mr John Tolhurst Ms Wendy Rose Mrs Francis McKinnon Mr Ian Tucker Far South Coast Region Advisory Mrs Suzanne O’Halloran Committee Central Coast Hunter Mr Roland Smith Mr Arthur Vann Professor Robert Whelan Range Region University of Wollongong Mr Daryl Bower Hartley Historic Site Ms Narelle Howard Dr Kent Williams Mrs Margaret Combs Mr Nicholas Jacomas Commonwealth Scientific and Mr Ross Fragar Mrs Dellas Johnstone Industrial Research Organisation Mrs Marian Kinnear Mr Robert Kelly Mr John Luchetti Mr Ian Woods Mr Ian Paul Mr Gerard Martin NSW Aboriginal Land Council Mrs Helen Sharrock Mr Bob Morris Mrs Beryl Strom Mr David Peters Dr Kenneth Zimmerman 110 Appendix B

Hunter Region Northern Rivers South Coast Region Sydney South Region Mr Leonard Anderson Region Mr William Barnetson Mrs Sheelah Boleyn Mrs Freeda Archibald Mr Jeremy Buultjens Ms Sally-Ann Gray Mr Timothy Carroll Mr David Brooker Mre Ken Cockburn Mr Mark Hurley Mrs Glenda Chalker Cr Helen Brown Ms Raylee Delaney Mrs Denise Lutui Ms Kerrie Christian Mr Michael Elfick Mr Phillip Falk Dr Kevin Mills Mr Phillip Costa Mrs Margaret Francis Mr Stephen Fletcher Mr Robert Pallin Ms Sharyn Cullis Mrs Linda Gill Ms Sandra Heilpern Mr David Phelps Mrs Dawn Emerson Mr Roderick Kidd Mr Douglas Jardine Miss Lynne Robinson Mr Mervyn Ryan Mr John LeMessurier Mrs Stephanie Lymburner Mr Robert Snedden Mr Philip Sansom Mr Bradley Lewis Mr Terrance Moody Mr David Tranter Mr Peter Stitt Mr George McKay Mr Hugh Nicholson Cr Joyce Wheatley Ms Miriam Verbeek Mr Geoffrey Moore Mr Alan Rich Mr Shayne Williams South-West Slopes Cr Kathryn Rodgers Mid North Coast Region Upper Darling Region Region Northern Tablelands Mr Robert Apps Mr Victor Bartley Ms Megan Benson Region Mrs Sue a’Beckett Mr Peter Bradley Mr Len Blacklow Mrs Patricia Ainsworth Mr Timothy Cathles Mr Philip Cameron Mr Frazer Gorley Sir Owen Croft Mr Adrian Davey Mr Michael Davis Mr Frank Harrison Mrs Barbara Graham Mr Paul Davies Mr Paul Gordon Ms Margaret Howard Mr John Griffiths Mr Russell Dunn Mr Wayne Leigh Dr Philip Holberton Dr Robin Gunning Mrs Margery Smith Mr Leslie Le Lievre Mr Max Ingram Ms Lynne Hosking Mr Peter Southwell Mr Colin McDonald Ms Isabelle Lee Dr Alan Jackson Mr William Wells Mr Cecil Miller Mrs Wendy McKeogh Mr Craig Klinger Mr Ken Wilson Clr Isabell Pretty Mr Stephen Read Mr Peter Metcalfe Cr Gene Vanzella Mr Craig Roberts Mr Clark Valler Dr Nick Reid Ms Marie Russell Sydney Region Mr Peter Wall Mrs Dianne Roberts Trusts Mr Allen Strudwick Mrs Beverley Batros North Coast Region Mr John Taylor Mr Gerry Beasley Trusts have been appointed under the Mr Graham Ashton Mr Peter Caldwell National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, Mr Geoffrey Bridger Riverina Region Ms Barbara de Rome charged with the care, control and Mr Robert Coutts Mrs Enid Atkinson Ms Brigid Dowsett management of the state recreation Mrs Barbara Fahey Mrs Debra Collins Ms Shirely Jenkins area or regional park for which each Ms Kay Jeffery Mr Ian Lockhart Ms Helen Lochlead has been appointed. The members of Dr Alan Llyod Cr Robert McMartin Mr Gary McIlwaine the two trusts established as at Mr Peter Morgan Mr Arthur Milthorpe Ms Pauline McLeod 30 June 2002 were as follows: Mrs Judith Mortlock Mr William Moller Mr Zenon Michniewicz Mr Bob Piper Mrs Lilian Parker Ms Christine O’Brien Berowra Valley Ms Debbie Repschlager Mr Neville Rose Regional Park Trust Sydney North Region Mr James Tedder Mr Micaheal Schultz Cr Matthew Benson Mrs Diane Campbell Mrs Della Walker Mr Roy Stacy Ms Carole Ford Mr Bruce Foott Mr John Sullivan Mr Graham Ireland Northern Plains Mrs Patricia Giles Mr Ian Thompson Mr Chris McIntosh Region Mrs Rosyln Gillies Cr Graham Orr Mr Robert Dick Snowy Mountains Mr Doug Macdonald Cr Susan White Mrs Meryl Dillon Region Mr Gary McBain Ms Stella Whittaker Ms Kay Durham Mr Ashley Blondel Ms Gabrielle O’Donnell Mrs Margaret Harris Dr Robert Creelman Cr Steven Pringle Cape Byron State Mrs Gillian Hogendyk Mr Kurt Cremer Mrs Jill Reardon Recreation Area Trust Mrs Jane Judd Mrs Gaynor Epstein Mr Robert Salt Mrs Yvonne Stewart Mr Geoffrey Mitchell Mr Peter Mitchell Mrs Diane Waring Mr Tony McCabe Ms Judy Peet Ms Ellen Mundy Mr Terry Wilson Mrs Lorna Kelly Mrs Joan Treweeke Mrs Noreen Pendergast Ms Bo Raphael Mr Ken Prendergast Ms Merran Morrison Ms Anne Reeves Ms Jan Barham Ms Dianne Thompson Mr Peter Parker Ms Janice Walker Mr Roger Buck Mr Geoffrey Waters Mr Mark Johnston Mr Paul Massey-Reed 111 2001 2002 Annual report

NPWS representation on significant statutory bodies and inter-departmental committees

Officer Position Body or committee Mr Brian Gilligan Director-General • Marine Parks Authority • Farming for the Future Board of Management • Koala and Endangered Species Trust • NSW Heritage Council • Resource and Conservation Assessment Council • IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Leaders Forum • Steel Industry Steering Committee • Natural Resources Service Centre Project Steering Committee

Ms Sally Barnes/Ms Donna Rygate Director, Education and Community Programs • NSW Council on Environmental Education • Board of the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife • Board of NSW Nature Conservation Trust

Mr Bob Conroy Director, Central • NSW Bushfire Coordinating Committee • Sydney Harbour Federation Trust • Australasian Fire Authorities Council

Dr Tony Fleming Director, Southern • Illawarra-South East Regional Coordination Management Group

Mr Terry Korn Director, Western • Western Lands Advisory Board • Regional Coordinators Management Group

Mr John O’Gorman Director, Northern • Lord Howe Island Board (Chairperson) • CERRA Steering Committee

Mr Michael Wright Director, Policy and Science • Native Vegetation Advisory Council • Salinity Senior Officers Group • Marine Parks Advisory Council • Natural Resources Deputies Taskforce • NSW Coastal Council

Mr John Allen Conservation Planning Officer, Northern Directorate • Northern Tablelands Regional Vegetation Committee

Mr Jason Ardler Manager, Cultural Heritage Division • NSW Heritage Council (Deputy member) • NSW State Heritage Register Committee (NSW Heritage Council) • Aboriginal Advisory Committee (NSW Heritage Council) • NSW State Reconciliation Committee • Senior Officers’ Working Party on the Future Management of Aboriginal Heritage in NSW

Dr Tony Auld Principal Research Scientist • NSW Scientific Committee • ANZECC Endangered Flora Network

Ms Linda Bell Conservation Planning Coordinator • Native Vegetation Advisory Council Strategy Sub-committee • Sustainable Agriculture Policy Review Group

Mr Stuart Blanch Project Officer, Water Reforms • Northern Rivers Water Management Committee • Upper North Coast Water Management Committee • Mid North Coast Water Management Committee

Ms Olivia Bush Environmental Planning Officer • Lower Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Vegetation Committee

Mr Matt Cameron Manager, Threatened Species Unit, Western Directorate • Walgett Regional Vegetation Committee

Mr Tom Celebrezze Senior Policy Officer • State Catchment Coordinating Committee Policy and Planning Subcommittee • Catchment Management Inter-agency Technical Reference Group

Mr Matthew Clarke Acting Pest Management Officer, North Coast Region • North Coast Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee

Mr Tom Bagnat Manager, Central Coast Hunter Range • Central Coast Catchment Management Board 112 Appendix B

NPWS representation on significant statutory bodies and inter-departmental committees – cont

Officer Position Body or committee Mr Mark Conlon Acting Manager, Major Programs Group • Western Regional Assessment Steering Committee • Southern Comprehensive Regional Assessment Working Group • Biological Diversity Advisory Council • Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Group

Mr Greg Croft Mid North Coast Regional Manager • Yarrahapinni Wetlands Trust (Ministerial appointment) • Mid North Coast Catchment Board

Mr Peter Croft Senior Ranger, Biodiversity • Inverell-Yallaroi Regional Vegetation Committee •Tenterfield Regional Vegetation Committee

Mr Liam Dagg Coordinator, Lower Hunter Estuary Rehab. Program • Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project Steering Committee

Mr Brendan Diacono Manager, Conservation Planning Unit • Lower North Coast Water Management Committee

Mr Wayne Dornbusch Northern Plains Regional Manager • Border Rivers Catchment Management Board

Mr Terry Evans Manager, Barrington Tops Area • Nundle Regional Vegetation Committee

Dr Mike Fleming Manager, Operational Support and Coordination Unit • Mid Lachlan Regional Vegetation Committee

Mr Bob Friederich Northern Tablelands Regional Manager • Gwydir Catchment Management Board • North West Heads of Government

Mr Robert Gibbs Manager, Hunter Coast Area • Hunter Regional Vegetation Committee

Mr Denis Gojak Historic Archaeologist • Archaeological Advisory Panel (NSW Heritage Council)

Ms Jo Gorman Manager, Lower Darling Area • Southern Mallee Regional Planing Committee

Mr Christian Hampson Aboriginal Heritage Officer (Southern) • Australian Alps Liaison Committee

Mr Bob Harden Senior Project Officer • Animal Research Review Panel

Mr Paul Houston Aboriginal Sites Registrar • National Indigenous Heritage Officers Network

Mr Alan Jeffery North Coast Regional Manager • Upper North Coast Catchment Management Board

Mr Bill Johnson Water Reform Specialist • Central West Catchment Management Board • Central West Unregulated River Management Committee • Central West Unregulated River Management Committee Inter-Agency Working Group • Gwydir River Management Committee • Gwydir River Management Committee Flows Sub-committee • Gwydir River Management Committee Planning Working Group • Gwydir Unregulated River Management Committee • Ramsar Management Group • Macquarie Marshes Environmental Flow Reference Group • Macquarie Marshes Ramsar Management Group • Macquarie-Cudgegong River Management Committee • Namoi Unregulated River Management Committee

Mr John Martindale Conservation Planning Officer, Northern Region • Manning Regional Vegetation Committee 113 2001 2002 Appendix C Annual report Infringements and prosecutions 2001-2002

Offence categories Prosecutions Infringements

National Parks & Wildlife Act 1974 P Green/NPWS Domestic/feral animals – 1 Fail to give details/false details 1 224 Breach licence conditions 4 6 Protected fauna 26 4 Protected fauna – marine mammal – – Protected native plant – – Relics – – Threatened species – fauna 11 – Threatened species – flora 8 –

National Parks & Wildlife (Land Management) Regulation 1995 Protection of animals 4 1 Camping – 12 Damage/destroy/deface part of park 1 5 Domestic animals in park 1 3 Fires – 10 Littering – 5 Offensive conduct 1 13 Other (chainsaw, risk safety) 1 4 Parking 6 391 Traffic/access 3 175 Damage vegetation in park 2 4 Weapons – 4

Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Littering 1 45 Total 70 907

Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay National Park. 114

Appendix D Consultants engaged 2001-2002

A consultant is an organisation or individual engaged for a defined period of time solely to provide an expert opinion or recommendations to the NPWS on a specific issue or task. Summary of consultancies costing $30,000 or more Consultant name Brief description of project Cost ($) Community Solutions Model grassy box woodlands 40,000 DLWC Soil Services Fire trail rehabilitation assessment – Warragamba and metropolitan catchments 43,782 Department of Public Works and Services Management of revised Perisher Range resorts masterplan 575,908 Economic Insights Pty Ltd Regional economic study of Solitary Islands Marine Park 37,464 GHD – Longmac Pty Ltd Geotechnical advice on Snowy Mountains region 49,294 IBM Australia Development of design specifications for new NPWS website 83,966 Ingrid Roepers Public Relations Professional fees associated with organisation review conference 36,727 Out in the Open Bonnievale masterplan 31,425 Risk and Reliability Associates Review of risk management 38,671 Storm Consulting Perisher Creek rehabilitation 99,783 University of Canberra Kosciuszko National Park significance and water quality monitoring of resorts areas 33,986 University of Sydney Review of procedures for culling feral populations 32,500 URS Australia Pty Ltd Perisher Range resorts environmental management system 75,417

Summary of consultancies costing less than $30,000 $ Finance and accounting/tax 5 27,205 Information technology 5 28,827 Legal 6 47,905 Management services 26 91,127 Environmental 233 900,831 Engineering 27 70,163 Organisational review 17 75,997 Training 45 166,450 The NPWS engaged 364 consultants to undertake projects costing less than $30,000 in 2001- 2002 at a total cost of $1,408,505. 115 2001 2002 Appendix E Annual report Employee statistics 2001-2002

Employees by category Numbers reported are the equivalent full-time (EFT) employees at the

relevant date. G Robertson/NPWS

Category (refer to notes below) 30/06/99 30/06/00 30/06/01 30/06/02 Senior Executive Service 9 9 9 10 Senior managers/Senior officers 34 40 39 43 Clerical officers/Clerks 454 476 527 550 Legal officers 5445 Technical staff 55 51 48 67 Rangers/Snr rangers/Trainee rangers 238 237 258 253 Assistant/Area/District managers 97 74 74 79 Pilots/crew 5677 Project officers/Research scientists 245 273 308 329 Librarians 2122 Interpretive assistants 2798 Law enforcement officers 3456 Field officers 443 465 532 552 Trades persons 10 11 13 13 Total 1,602 1,658 1,835 1,924 Notes: Senior Executive Service – excludes one unattached staff member as at 30 June 2002. Clerical Officers/Clerks – includes finance, human resources, media, policy officers and public relations, stores officers and café assistants. Technical staff – includes technical officers, survey draftspersons, engineers, architects, cartographers and departmental professional officers. Field officers – includes field officers, senior field officers, field supervisors, senior field supervisors and trainee field officers.

Sturt National Park. 116 Appendix E

Proportion of total staff by salary level 2001-2002 The table below was extracted from the EEO report submitted to ODEOPE as part of departmental reporting requirements. The numbers shown are permanent staff only based on headcount, not EFT.

Number

Level Total Respondents Men Women Aboriginal People from People whose People with People with staff people & racial, ethnic, language first a disability a disability Torres Strait ethno-religious spoken as a requiring Islanders minority child was work-related groups not English adjustment < $27,606 000000000 $27,606-$36,258 228 195 177 51 31 13 6 10 2 $36,259-$40,535 291 239 205 86 16 11 7 11 4 $40,536-$51,293 304 256 165 139 10 10 18 10 3 $51,294-$66,332 473 404 299 174 12 26 19 14 4 $66,333-$82,914 192 158 127 65 5 11 9 7 3 > $82,914 (non-SES) 41 35 32 912220 > $82,914 (SES) 11 10 8302000 Total 1,540 1,297 1,013 527 75 75 61 54 16 Note: Figures for EEO groups other than women have been adjusted to compensate for the effects of non-response to the EEO data collection. EEO statistics reported in years before 1998 may not be comparable due to a change in the method of estimating EEO group representation.

Proportion of total staff by employment basis 2000-2001 The table below was extracted from the EEO report submitted to ODEOPE as part of departmental reporting requirements. The numbers shown are based on headcount, not EFT.

Number

Employment basis Total Respondents Men Women Aboriginal People from People whose People with People with staff people & racial, ethnic, language first a disability a disability Torres Strait ethno-religious spoken as a requiring Islanders minority child was work-related groups not English adjustment Permanent full-time 1,426 1,208 998 428 74 71 56 50 16 Permanent part-time 118 92 12 106 12540 Temporary full-time 382 299 207 175 9 14 15 6 0 Temporary part-time 87 64 28 59 13300 Contract – SES 11 10 8302000 Contract – non SES 00000000 Training positions 17 14 14 391111 Retained staff 00000000 Casual 414 261 170 244 18 8 10 11 3 Total 2,455 1,948 1,437 1,018 112 101 90 72 20

Subtotals Permanent 1,544 1,300 1,010 534 75 73 61 54 16 Temporary 469 363 235 234 10 17 18 6 Contract 11 10 8 3 2 Full-time 1,808 1,507 1,205 603 83 85 71 56 16 Part-time 205 156 40 165 2584 Note: Figures for EEO groups other than women have been adjusted to compensate for the effects of non-response to the EEO data collection. EEO statistics reported in years before 1998 may not be comparable due to a change in the method of estimating EEO group representation. 117 2001 2002 Annual report

Employees by location at NPWS Executive 30 June 2002 The NPWS Executive management team at 30 June 2002 comprised: Location Number Proportion (%) Director-General Head Office 378 19.7 Central Directorate 425 22.1 Brian Gilligan BA, Dip Ed, MA (Biogeography) Northern Directorate 505 26.2 Director Central Southern Directorate 414 21.5 Western Directorate 202 10.5 Bob Conroy BA, Dip Env Studies, M Mgt Total 1 924 100.0 Director Corporate Services Arthur Diakos B Bus, FCPA Number of SES positions at Director Education and Community Programs 30 June 2002 Sally Barnes BA, Dip Ed, Grad Dip Inf Sc (until April 2002) Level 30/06/00 30/6/01 30/6/02 Donna Rygate BEc (Hons), M Plan (acting from April 2002) 6111 Director Legal Services 5000 4111Vivienne Ingram BA (Hons) LLB 3555Director Northern 2223 1000John O’Gorman BSc, BSc (Tech), M Mgt Total 9 9 10 Director Policy and Science The number of SES positions held by women at 30 June 2002 was two (the same Michael Wright BA, B Comm as in 2000-2001). Director Southern Tony Fleming BSc (Hons), PhD (Forestry)

Director Western Terry Korn BA (Biol Science), M Appl Sci, Dip Ag

Acting Director Cultural Heritage Jason Ardler BEc

Pilliga National Park. W Goldstein/NPWS 118

Appendix F Performance Statement

Director-General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service J Winter/NPWS

NAME: Brian Gilligan POSITION: Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife Service PERIOD: 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002

Results During the year Mr Gilligan provided strong leadership and sound management to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, building on the reform program of the past few years to achieve substantial progress in key areas. During this period there was a heavy diversion of resources to bushfire fighting over the summer season.

Key achievements over the reporting period included: • strategic acquisitions to enhance the NSW reserve system, particularly in the under-represented bioregions in the west of the state; • establishment of diverse and innovative joint management arrangements with Aboriginal communities; and • active collaboration with rural and regional communities to control feral animals, including wild dog programs and implementation of the Fox Threat Abatement Plan.

Other major issues dealt with by Mr Gilligan included: • continuing implementation of the government’s Biodiversity Strategy; • development of a strategic program to enhance the integration of cultural heritage values in NPWS policies and programs; • completion of Western Regional Assessment projects for the Brigalow Belt South bioregion to ensure finalisation by December 2002; • reviewing and overhauling NPWS fire management procedures; and • strengthening and refining corporate governance systems.

Bob Debus 30 June 2002

Fitzroy Falls, Morton National Park 119 2001 2002 Appendix G Annual report Statement of Affairs and Freedom of Information

Statement of Affairs Aboriginal Sites Register Under the Freedom of Information Act 1989, the NPWS prepares a Statement of The NPWS maintains information on known Aboriginal sites in New South Wales Affairs for the organisation which, as at 30 June 20002, includes the designated in a register, which details the type and location of sites, reports and slides. Some agencies of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (agency number 32), the information is available on a computer database. Access to the register is available National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council (agency number 1743), advisory to Aboriginal groups, researchers and interested members of the public although committees (agency number 1824) and the Director-General of the National Parks due to the sensitivity of some matters access may be restricted in some cases. The and Wildlife Service (agency number 2255). NPWS undertakes computer searches of the register for a fee but restrictions may apply. For more information contact the Aboriginal Sites Registrar, Cultural The National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act 2001 specifies activities which Heritage Division, Hurstville on (02) 9585 6444. may or may not take place within areas managed by the NPWS. These include protection of plants and animals, historic structures, relics and Aboriginal areas; Historic Places Register collection of scientific specimens; many activities undertaken by visitors in parks; the use of vehicles; prohibition of domestic animals; and impounding of cattle. The NPWS maintains information on known historic places on Service land in a register, which details the type and location of historic places, reports and other The NPWS is responsible for the issue and administration of the following archival material. Some information is available on a computer database. Access licences: to the register is available to researchers and interested members of the public. Licence Section of Act For more information contact the Database Coordinator, Cultural Heritage General licence (S 120) Division, Hurstville on (02) 9585 6444. Game licence (S 122) Trapper’s licence (S 123) Public registers Fauna dealer’s licence (S 124) The NPWS holds registers of conservation agreements and interim protection Skin dealer’s licence (S 125) orders, which are maintained by the Conservation Management Unit, and Import and export (from NSW) licences (S 126) wilderness protection agreements, which are maintained by the Conservation Licence to liberate animals (S 127) Assessment and Priorities Unit. The NPWS also has a register of critical habitat Aviary registration certificates (S 128) declared under the provisions of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, Licence to pick native plants for scientific or commercial purposes (S 131) which is maintained by the Biodiversity Management Unit. These units are located Licence to grow native plants for sale (S 132) at Hurstville and may be contacted on (02) 9585 6444. Occupier’s licence (S 121) Other documents The NPWS monitors developments likely to have adverse impacts on Aboriginal relics and places. The NPWS may issue permits for investigation of Aboriginal The Business Development Division of the NPWS maintains a list of Service sites, or consents allowing destruction of certain sites unless assessment of leases and other forms of tenure, which are registered with the Land Titles Office. significance of the sites justifies their permanent conservation. Leases and The unit can provide a reference number, which should be quoted at the licences may also be granted for erection or occupation of buildings for certain Land Titles Office in order to view a document. The unit may be contacted on purposes or to carry out trades and businesses within certain NPWS areas. (02) 9585 6444. Easements may be granted for the provision of public utilities through NPWS Inquiries regarding access to maps and plans of NPWS-managed areas should areas. The NPWS is also responsible for issuing threatened species licences be referred to the Conservation Management Unit. The Service’s photographic under section 91 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. and film library is available to the public and other agencies under certain conditions and inquiries should be directed to the Publications Unit, Hurstville Documents held by the NPWS on (02) 9585 6444. The NPWS holds documents in its Hurstville and regional and area offices. The listing of a document does not mean that it is available automatically for Publications inspection. Some documents may not be available unless a formal freedom of The NPWS produces a range of books, guides, teachers’ kits, information information application has been received. pamphlets and posters relating to national parks, historic sites and flora and fauna in New South Wales. NPWS publications may be obtained over the counter or by Files mail from the National Parks Centre at the Rocks or from many regional offices, Most NPWS documents are stored as files, including those relating to: area offices and visitor centres. Many items are also held by the NPWS Library at Hurstville. Recovery plans and threat abatement plans for threatened species are • administration – budget and financial matters, general correspondence, available for public inspection by contacting the Biodiversity Management Unit accommodation; on (02) 9585 6444. • function – issues relating to the management of each area, new area proposals, policies, interpretive and educational programs, wildlife management, licences, offences, preservation and protection of historical and Aboriginal areas; • staff matters – recruitment and training of staff and staff members’ personal files; and • NPWS policies – the Service’s policy documents. 120 Appendix G

Freedom Of Information Section H – Costs and fees of requests for The Freedom of Information Act 1989 provides members of the public with a completed applications legally enforceable right to access documents held by the National Parks and Assessed costs Fees received Wildlife Service, subject to certain exemptions which are specified in the Act. A All completed applications $14,555.25 $2,097.00 summary of the applications processed and completed during the period 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002 is set out below. Section I – Discounts allowed Discounts were allowed on 20 applications on public interest or other grounds. Section A – Number of new Freedom of Information (FOI) applications Section J – Days to process Personal Other Total Elapsed time Personal Other New applications 0 37 37 0-21 days 0 23 Applications brought forward 1 3 4 22-35 days 1 10 Total to be processed 1 40 41 over 35 days 0 1 Completed 1 34 35 Total 1 34 Transferred out 0 0 0 (Elapsed time may include the additional time taken to undertake third party Withdrawn 0 2 2 consultation, and internal/external review) Total processed 1 36 37 Unfinished (carried forward) 0 6 6 Section K – Processing time Section B – Results of FOI applications Personal Other Total Personal Other Total 0-10 hours 1 29 30 Granted in full 0 18 18 11-20 hours 0 2 2 Granted in part 1 14 15 21-100 hours 0 3 3 Refused 0 2 2 Total 1 34 35 Deferred 0 0 0 Completed 1 34 35 Section L – Reviews and appeals Number of internal reviews finalised 2 Section C – Ministerial certificates Number of Ombudsman reviews finalised 1 Number of appeals to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal 0 There were no Ministerial certificates issued during the period. The Ombudsman finalised an application in relation to internal working Section D – Formal consultations documents withheld from disclosure to the applicant. Through consultation and During the period there were 17 applications requiring consultations which led to negotiation all of the relevant documentation that had been exempted from approximately 134 formal consultations with third parties. released under clause 9, internal working documents, was released in full to the applicant.

Section E – Amendment of personal records Comparative Statistics 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 During the period there were no applications for amendment of personal records. Personal 3 1 0 Other 20 16 37 Section F – Notation of personal records Applications brought forward There were no applications for notation of personal records during the period. Personal 0 0 1 Other 3 1 4 Section G – FOI applications granted in part Decisions or refused Full access granted 13 10 19 Access to documents was refused for 2 applications (all non-personal Partial access granted 3 5 14 applications) on the following clauses in the FOI schedule: Access refused 4 3 2 Access deferred 1 0 0 • Clause 22 – failure to pay advance deposit within the time allowed Review of decision requested (1 application) Internal review 4 0 1 • Clause 25 – unreasonable diversion of agency’s resources (1 application) Referred to Ombudsman 0 1 1 Access was partially refused for 14 applications based on the following clause or Referred to Administrative Decisions combination of clauses in the FOI schedule : Tribunal (previously District Court) 2 0 0 • Clause 1 – Cabinet documents (2 applications) • Clause 4 – law enforcement and public safety (1 application) • Clause 5 – inter-governmental relations (1 application) • Clause 6 – personal affairs (10 applications) • Clause 7 – business affairs (6 applications) • Clause 9 – internal working documents (4 applications) • Clause 13 – confidential material (3 applications) • Clause 15 – financial/property interests (1 application) • Clause 16 – management of agency (1 application). 121 2001 2002 Appendix H Annual report New NPWS publications 2001-2002

Brochures Fact sheets Grey headed flying fox colonies New or revised park brochures were produced for Habitat Facts Barrington Tops National Park and adjacent reserves How can I get involved in conserving wildlife? Berkeley Nature Reserve Little tern (endangered species profile) Bongil Bongil National Park Myall Lakes National Park camping restrictions Bundjalung National Park Northern Aboriginal Heritage (five information sheets) Bungonia State Recreation Area Chaelundi National Park Teachers Kit worksheets Goobang National Park Aboriginal culture of south-east NSW The Great Lakes national parks: Myall Lakes, Booti Booti and Wallingat Animals and plants of the sandstone Hill End Historic Site Bush safety Illawarra Escarpment State Recreation Area Glossy black cockatoo Koala Rainforest wildlife Kwiambal and Kings Plains national parks Throsby Park Historic Site (also covers Stonewoman Aboriginal Area) Traditional Aboriginal use of plants Murramurrang National Park Mutawintji National Park Newsletters and magazines Nangar National Park Annual review – a summary of the year's achievements for park neighbours and Tapin Tops National Park the general community in the Northern Tablelands Torrington State Recreation Area Atlas of NSW Wildlife News (2 issues) Towra Point Nature Reserve Behind the Scenery newsletter (3 issues) for neighbours, advisory committee, Weddin Mountains National Park schools and other stakeholders in the Coonabarabran area Woko National Park Bio Bits (Issue no. 4) for landholders and stakeholders in the Darling Riverine Yuraygir National Park Plains Bioregion

Other park-related brochures From canvas to cabins (2 issues) newsletter for the Royal National Park cabin communities Bongil Bongil National Park: driving on the beach Bundanoon – Morton National Park Gondwana magazine (2 issues) Bynguano Range and Homestead Creek Adventure (self drive tour) Guy Fawkes National Park (2 issues) – newsletter for neighbours and stakeholders Kinchega and Menindee Self Drive Tour IM&T News (1 issue) to update NPWS staff on the work/projects being undertaken Kinchega National Park plant list by Information Management and Technology Division Mutawintji National Park bird list Issues papers for Ngambaa Nature Reserve, Clarence Estuary Nature Reserve, Valla and Jagun nature reserves, and Bellbowra Nature Reserve – for neighbours Mutawintji National Park history and stakeholders National parks and reserves around the Hunter Napawi – staff magazine (2 issues) National parks along the Oxley Highway, Walcha Northern Tablelands Region Achievements 2001-02 – a summary of the year’s National parks of the Waterfall Way, Armidale achievements for community stakeholders Southern Highlands Highlights (Morton and Budderoo national parks) NPWS Hunter Region Annual Review 2000-01 Visitor Guide: Northern Rivers Region national parks and reserves Over the Fence – a newsletter for park neighbours and the general community in Other brochures and maps the Northern Tablelands Discovery program guides – produced regionally for each school holiday period Torrington News (2 issues) for village residents and neighbours of Torrington Environmental Agencies Consortium State Recreation Area Keep Wildlife Wild – a brochure to discourage the feeding of native animals Willow Control News for neighbours and interest groups associated with the Goulburn River Willow Control Project Living with Magpies, Living with Kangaroos, Living with Bats, Living with Dingoes – a series of four brochures addressing seasonal wildlife issues in the Woodland Wanderings (2 issues) newsletter of the Grassy Box Woodlands North Coast Region Conservation Management Network Paddock Trees: Who will miss them when they are gone? – a brochure to Year in Review 2000-01 produced by Northern Plains Region encourage the retention of isolated trees and small patches of remnant vegetation. Part of a joint campaign between DLWC, Greening Australia and the NPWS. : draft Intergovernmental Agreement Privacy: you and the NPWS – a guide to protecting personal information held by the NPWS Spokeswomen’s Program Threatened plants of the Illawarra 122 Appendix H

Posters and postcards Draft Fire Management Plan for Botany Bay National Park Kurnell Peninsular Precinct. NPWS (2001) Hunter Region postcard series featuring 15 postcards on Booti Booti, Myall Lakes, Tomaree and Barrington Tops national parks and Glenrock State Recreation Area Draft Fire Management Plan for Dharawal Nature Reserve and State Recreation Area. NPWS (2001) National parks of New England Draft Fire Management Plan for Georges River National Park. NPWS (2001) Northern Aboriginal Heritage Unit Draft Fire Management Plan for Royal, Heathcote National Parks and Garawarra Paddock Trees: Who will miss them when they are gone? – a poster to encourage State Recreation Area, Vol 1 and Vol 2. NPWS (2001) the retention of isolated trees and small patches of remnant vegetation. Part of a joint campaign between the DLWC, Greening Australia and the NPWS, produced Five Islands Nature Reserve Issues/Discussion Paper. NPWS (2002) by NPWS Graham Brookes and Associates Pty Ltd, Ian Perkins Consulting Services, Mary Recovery planning for threatened species Dallas Consulting Archaeologists, Spackman and Mossop, Landscape Architects, Dana Mider, Historical Archaeologist (2002) Draft Conservation Management Plan Shared histories of the pastoral industry in NSW for Royal National Park Coastal Cabins Areas. Willow posters to promote willow control, raise community awareness of the Henderson, MK and Keith, DA (2002) Grazing and burning of the Wilderness Area impacts of willows in riparian systems in Guy Fawkes River National Park: impacts of past management and monitoring effects of management change. NPWS. Books, booklets and manuals Horneman, LN (2002) Oxley Wild Rivers National Park Visitor Study A Multicultural Landscape: national parks and the Macedonian experience (Wollomombi Gorge section). NPWS. (co-published with Pluto Press Australia) North Coast Region National Parks and Wildlife Service Fuel Management Report. Fire Management Manual (2001) A report to the Bush Fire Management Committees on what North Coast Region had done in the way of fire trail maintenance and hazard reduction in the last bush Guide to NSW National Parks (2001 edition) fire management period and what was proposed for the next period. Life in the Darling Riverine Plains: a landholder’s guide to native wildlife and their North Coast Region Pest Management Strategy. habitats (by Jo Smith, 2002) North Coast Region Regional Incident Response Procedures 2001-2002. Memorandum of Understanding between the NSW National Parks and Wildlife NPWS (2002) Service and National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Committees (2001) Pardoe, C and Martin, S (2001) Murrumbidgee Province Aboriginal Cultural NPWS Annual Report 2000-2001 Heritage Study. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Regional Studies. Report to the State of the Parks 2001 – initial report on development of reporting indicators for NPWS and Aboriginal communities of the region. NPWS, Sydney. national parks (also published as a CD) Peter Freeman Pty Ltd (2001) Former Kinchega Station Sites Kinchega National Threatened species of the Upper North Coast of New South Wales: fauna (2002) Park Conservation Management and Cultural Tourism Plan. Threatened species of the Upper North Coast of New South Wales: flora (2002) Peter Freeman Pty Ltd (2001) Visitor Interpretation Centre and Associated Facilities Kinchega National Park Feasibility Study. Threatened species: – a landholders guide – (Central West NSW) Rawdon Creek Nature Reserve Fauna Survey. NPWS (2002) Review of Environmental Factors for Garie Surf Lifesaving Club Building. Reports NPWS (2002) 1080 Ground Baiting Soft-jaw Trapping Wild Dog Management Program. Rufous Scrub Bird Monitoring Report. NPWS (2002) NPWS (2002) Vertebrate Fauna of Avisford Nature Reserve. NPWS (2002) Aerial Spraying of Bitou Bush at Diamond Beach, Khappinghat Nature Reserve. NPWS (2002) Vertebrate Fauna of Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve. NPWS (2002) Aerial Spraying of Bitou Bush at Dunbogan Beach, Crowdy Bay National Park. NPWS (2002) Multimedia Aerial Spraying of Bitou Bush at Point Plomer & Queens Head, Limeburners NPWS (2001) WISE Barwon-Darling Catchment Rivers and Wetlands CD-ROM. Nature Reserve. NPWS (2002) WISE Project Team. Berkeley Nature Reserve Issues/Discussion Paper. NPWS (2002) NPWS (2001) WISE Hacking Catchment Rivers and Wetlands CD-ROM. Christiansen, GR and Conner, NP (2002) The Economic Value of Recreational Use WISE Project Team. in Protected Areas – Collected Studies from New South Wales. NPWS, Sydney. NPWS (2001) WISE Namoi Catchment Rivers and Wetlands CD-ROM. Clancy GP (2001) The Fauna of Susan Island. A report prepared for the Susan and WISE Project Team. Elizabeth Islands Trust and NPWS by a fauna consultant. NPWS. See also Plans of Management (Conservation Planning chapter) and Cooperabung Creek Nature Reserve Fauna Survey. NPWS (2002) Recovery Plans (Appendix K) Deer Management Plan for Royal National Park and NPWS Reserves in the Sydney South Region. Published in conjunction with the Royal National Park Deer Working Group. NPWS (2002) Draft Fire Management Plan for Barrington Tops National Park and Nearby Reserves. NPWS (2002) 123 2001 2002 Appendix I Annual report Papers published by NPWS staff 2001-2002

Akcakaya, HR, Ferson, S, Burgman, MA, Keith, DA, Mace, GM and Gibbons, P and Lindenmayer, DB (2002) Tree hollows and wildlife Todd, CR (2000) Making consistent IUCN classifications under uncertainty. conservation in Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. Conservation Biology 14:1001-1013. Gibbons, P, Briggs, S and Shields, J (2001) How many credits is your Auld, TD (2001) The ecology of the Rutaceae in the Sydney region of property worth? Australian Landcare, December 2001:20-21. south-eastern Australia: poorly known ecology of a neglected family. Gibbons, P, Briggs, SV and Shields, JM (2002) Are economic instruments Cunninghamia 7:213-239. the saviour for biodiversity on private land? Pacific Conservation Biology Auld, TD and Denham, AJ (2001) Flora conservation issues at Kinchega 4:223-229. National Park, western NSW. Cunninghamia 7:27-41. Gibbons, P, Lindenmayer, DB, Barry, SC and Tanton, MT (2002) Auld, TD and Denham, AJ (2001) Predispersal seed predation in shrubs of Hollow selection by vertebrate fauna in forests of south-eastern Australia and Grevillea (Proteaceae) from south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of implications for forest management. Biological Conservation:103:1-12. Botany 49:17-21. Henderson MK and Keith DA (2002) Report on the grazing and burning Auld, TD and Denham, AJ (2001) The impact of seed predation by mammals project in the north-west section of Guy Fawkes River National Park. on post-fire seed accumulation in the endangered shrub Grevillea caleyi Unpublished report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service,Sydney. (Proteaceae). Biological Conservation, 97:377-385. Henderson, MK and Keith, DA (2002) Correlation of burning and grazing Auld, TD, Keith, DA and Bradstock, RA (2000) Patterns in longevity in soil indicators with the composition of the woody understorey flora of dells in a seedbanks in the Sydney region of south-eastern Australia. Australian temperate eucalypt forest. Austral Ecology 27:121-131. Journal of Botany 48:539-548. Keith, DA (2000) Sampling designs, field techniques and analytical methods for Ayers, D, Melville, G, Szigethy-Gyula, J, Read, D, Rees, R and systematic plant population surveys. Ecological Management and Atkinson, A (2001) Woody weeds and biodiversity in western New South Restoration 1:125-139. Wales. WEST 2000. Dubbo. Keith, DA (2002) A compilation map of native vegetation for New South Wales. Ayers, D, Melville, G, Bean, J, Beckers, D, Ellis, M, Mazzer, T and NSW Biodiversity Strategy. NSW government, Sydney. Freudenberger, D (2001) Woody weeds, biodiversity and landscape Keith, DA (2002) Population dynamics of an endangered heathland shrub, function in western New South Wales. WEST 2000. Dubbo. Epacris stuartii (Epacridaceae): recruitment, establishment and survival. Briggs, S, Freudenberger, D, Seddon, J, Drew, A, Doyle, S, Ryan, P, Austral Ecology 27:67-76. Reid, J, Taws, N and Ozolins, A (2002) Optimising Conservation of Keith, DA, Auld, TD, Ooi, MKJ and Mackenzie, BDE (2000) Sensitivity On-Farm Woodlands. Report to the Natural Heritage Trust, NSW National analyses of decision rules in World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List Parks and Wildlife Service and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Canberra. criteria using Australian plants. Biological Conservation 94:311-319. Brown, DM, Hines, HB, Ferrier, S and McKay, K (eds) (2001) Keith, DA, McCaw, WL and Whelan, RJ (2001) Fire regimes in Australian Establishment of a biological information base for regional conservation heathlands and their effects on plants and animals, in RA Bradstock, planning in north-east New South Wales. Phase 1, 1991-1995. NSW JE Williams and AM Gill (eds) Flammable Australia: the fire regimes and National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney. biodiversity of a continent, pp 199-237. CSIRO, Melbourne. Burgman, MA, Possingham, H, Lynch AJJ, Keith, DA, McCarthy, MA, Keith, DA, Tozer, MG and Hunter, S (2000) Evaluation of vegetation survey Hopper, SD, Drury, W, Passioura, J and DeVries, RJ (2001) and map data for the Priority 5 Mapping Area. NSW National Parks and A decision support protocol for setting plant conservation targets. Wildlife Service, Sydney. Conservation Biology 15:603-616. Keith, DA, Williams, JE, and Woinarski, JCW (2001) Biodiversity Sandro Condurso, S (2002) Surveying and Mapping in Australasia. conservation: principles and approaches for fire management, in RA Measure and Map 20:20-22. Bradstock, AM Gill and JE Williams (eds) Flammable Australia: the fire Dickman, CR and Lunney, D (eds) (2001) A Symposium on the Dingo. regimes and biodiversity of a continent, pp 401-425. CSIRO, Melbourne. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Sydney. Kingsford, RL, and Norman FI (2002) Australian waterbirds: products of the Dickman, CR and Lunney, D (2001) Last howl of the dingo: the legislative, continent's ecology. Emu 102:47-69. ecological and practical issues arising from the kill-or-conserve dilemma, Kingsford, RT (2001) Management of our inland rivers: a matter of choice. in CR Dickman and D Lunney (eds), A Symposium on the Dingo. Environmental Law News 44:9-12. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Sydney. Kingsford, RT (2001) Management of our inland rivers. Riprap, River and Dickman, CR, Lunney, D and Matthews, A (2001) Ecological attributes and Riparian Lands Management Newsletter 18:6-8. conservation of dasyurid marsupials in New South Wales, Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology 7:124-133. Kingsford, RT (2002) Inland Rivers and Floodplains. Fact Sheet 8. Land and Water Australia, Canberra. Dickman, CR, Whish, GL and Pressey, RL (2002) Mammals of particular conservation concern in the Western Division of New South Wales: Kingsford, RT, Jenkins, KM and Porter, JL (2002) Waterbirds and effects of distributions, habitats and threats. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service river regulation on the of the Darling River in arid Australia. Occasional Paper No. 22. Report to the Department of Land and Water Conservation, Buronga. Dorfman, E and Kingsford, RT (2001) Movements of in arid Kingsford, RT, Thomas, RF, and Curtin, AL (2001) Challenges for the Australia. Journal of Arid Environments 49:677-694. conservation of wetlands on the Paroo and Warrego Rivers. Pacific Conservation Biology 7:21-33. 124 Appendix I

Kodela, PG, Tindale, MD and Keith, DA (2001) Acacia stellaticeps Pressey, RL and Cowling, RM (2001) Systematic conservation planning for (: ), a new species from the , Western Australia, the Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Planning (STEP) project: a conceptual and to Tanami, . 13:483-486. methodological basis. Terrestrial Ecology Research Unit Report No. 32, University of Port Elizabeth. Lombard, AT, Johnson, CF, Cowling, RM and Pressey, RL (2001) Protecting plants from elephants: botanical reserve scenarios within the Addo Pressey, RL and Taffs, KH (2001) Sampling of land types by protected areas: Elephant National Park, South Africa. Biological Conservation 102:191-203. three measures of effectiveness applied to western New South Wales. Biological Conservation 101:105-117. Lunney, D (2001) The NSW ‘State of the Environment 2000’ report: a rallying call for zoologists. Australian Zoologist 31:529-532. Pressey, RL and Taffs, KH (2001) Scheduling conservation action in production landscapes: priority areas in western New South Wales defined by Lunney, D (2002) How the environment figured in the 2001 federal election. irreplaceability and vulnerability to vegetation loss. Biological Conservation Australian Zoologist 32:101-111. 100:355-376. Lunney, D (2002) Shaking the foundations: a response to Recher’s challenge to Pressey, RL, Whish, GL, Barrett, TW and Watts, ME (2002) Effectiveness the conservation movement. Australian Zoologist 32:130-138. of protected areas in north-eastern New South Wales: recent trends in six Lunney, D and Dickman, CR (2002) A zoological revolution: rethinking our measures. Biological Conservation 106:57-69. interactions with native fauna to increase the conservation options, in Prober, SM, Thiele KR and Higginson E (2001) The Grassy Box Woodlands D Lunney and CR Dickman (eds) A Zoological Revolution, pp 3-13. Conservation Management Network: Picking up the pieces in fragmented Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Mosman and the Australian Museum, woodlands. Ecological Management & Restoration 2:179-188. Sydney. Roshier DA, Robertson AI, Kingsford RT, and Green DG (2001) Lunney, D and Dickman, CR (2002) A zoological revolution: utilising wildlife Continental-scale interactions with temporary resources may explain the to conserve wildlife and landscapes, in D Lunney and CR Dickman (eds) paradox of large populations of desert waterbirds in Australia. A Zoological Revolution, pp 166-174. Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Landscape Ecology 16:547-556. Mosman and the Australian Museum, Sydney. Scott, JM, Murray, M, Wright, RG, Csuti, B, Morgan, P and Pressey, Lunney, D and Matthews, A (2001) The contribution of the community to RL (2001) Representation of natural vegetation in protected areas: capturing defining the distribution of a vulnerable species, the spotted-tailed quoll, the geographic range. Biodiversity and Conservation 10:1297-1301. Dasyurus maculatus. Wildlife Research 28:537-545. Shaughnessy, PD, Briggs, SV and Constable, R (2001) Observations on Lunney, D, Coburn, D, Matthews, A and Moon, C (2001) Community seals at Montague Island, New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 23:1-7. perceptions of koala populations and their management in Port Stephens and Coffs Harbour local government areas, New South Wales in K Lyons, Smith, J (2002) Life in the Darling Riverine Plains. NSW National Parks and A Melzer, F Carrick and D Lamb (eds) The Research and Management of Wildlife Service, Dubbo. Non-urban Koala Populations, pp 48-70. Koala Research Centre of Central Turbill, C, Doyle, S, and Briggs, S (2001) Habitat structure and condition of Queensland, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton. vegetation remnants within the Mid-Talbragar catchment: indicators of Lunney, D, Matthews, A and Grigg, J (2001) The diet of Antechinus agilis biodiversity. Report to TARGET project. NSW National Parks and Wildlife and A. swainsonii in unlogged and regenerating sites in Mumbulla State Service, Sydney and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra. Forest, south-eastern New South Wales. Wildlife Research 28:459-464. Lunney, D, O’Neill, L, Matthews, A and Sherwin, WB (2002) Modelling mammalian extinction and forecasting recovery: koalas at Iluka (NSW, Australia). Biological Conservation 106:101-113. Murphy, MJ (2002) Mollusc conservation and the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995: the Recovery Program for Mitchell’s Rainforest Snail Thersites mitchellae. Australian Zoologist 32(1):1-11. Murphy, MJ (2002) Critical habitat listing for the Australian Camaenid Land Snail Thersites mitchellae. Tentacle 10:13-14. Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Mollusc Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission, IUCN. Oliver, DL (2001) Activity budget of the Regent Honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia, in northern New South Wales. Australian Journal of Zoology 49:695-712. 125 2001 2002 Appendix J Annual report Overseas visits by NPWS staff 2001-2002

Dr David Keith, Principal Research Scientist, Vegetation Dynamics, attended the Mr Ray Jasper, Manager Fire Management Unit, Landscape Conservation final meetings of the Extinction Risk Working Group at the US National Center for Division, attended the ‘Bushfire 2001 Conference’ in New Zealand from 3-6 July Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) in Santa Barbara from 19-28 July 2001 and presented a paper on fire management practices and principles. 2001 and 9-19 February 2002. This international working group is carrying out a Ray also attended relevant workshops and lectures relating to current thinking on set of research projects to develop and evaluate methods for assessing species’ fire management practices and principles. Costs were met by the NPWS. extinction risks. After the July meeting Dr Keith travelled with other members of Dr Liz Sutherland, Ecologically Sustainable Management Coordinator, the working group to present preliminary findings of the research to the Society Conservation Planning Unit, Landscape Conservation Division, attended a for Conservation Biology’s annual conference in Hawaii (29 July-4 August 2001). meeting of the Working Group on National Parks and Protected Areas Costs of airfares and accommodation in Santa Barbara were met by NCEAS, while Management (NRM Ministerial Council) in New Zealand from 24-26 April 2002. the Service met the cost of accommodation in Hawaii. Costs were met by the NPWS. Dr Ross Bradstock, Principal Research Scientist, Bushfire Research, Mr Rob McKinnon, Area Manager, Bombala, Far South Coast Region and Biodiversity Research and Management Division, attended the ‘Bushfire 2001’ Mr Nicholas Conner, Manager Conservation Economics Unit, Strategic Policy conference in July 2001 at Christchurch, New Zealand to present papers on Division travelled to Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia in 2001 and 2002 as part of aspects of NPWS fire research. Costs were met by the NPWS. the Lower Mekong Protected Areas Review Project Team led by the International Dr Bob Pressey, Principal Research Scientist, Biodiversity Research and Center for Environmental Management (ICEM). Rob McKinnon travelled from Management Division, engaged in collaborative work on conservation planning for 1-25 September 2001 and 1-14 May 2002, Nicholas Conner travelled from the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, from 2-27 July 2001. Costs were met by 1-27 September 2001 and 18 October-8 November 2002. The team undertook a the University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Dr Pressey also attended the annual critical review of protected areas and their role in socio-economic development in meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology, Hawaii, from 31 July-8 August countries of the Lower Mekong River region. The costs of the project were shared 2001. Travel and accommodation were met by the Society for Conservation between ICEM and the NPWS. Biology and World Wildlife Fund, with meal allowance met by the NPWS. Mr Grant Brewer, Ranger Merimbula Area, Far South Coast Region, is Dr Pressey was also involved in meetings for consultancy to World Wildlife Fund, participating in an international exchange program with Mr Paul Hibberd, Forest Canada and USA, from 10-18 September 2001. Travel and accommodation costs Ranger New Forest National Park, England. Grant travelled to England on were met by WWF, with meal allowance met by the NPWS. Dr Pressey was also 13 March and will be located with the UK Forestry Commission for the duration involved in collaborative work on a case study in conservation planning for the of the program. Costs are being shared between Mr Brewer and the NPWS. World Wildlife Fund, China from 16-23 January 2002. Travel and accommodation costs were met by WWF, with meal allowance met by the NPWS. Ms Miriam Stacy, Conservation Architect, attended a Historic Heritage Workshop conducted by the New Zealand Department of Conservation in Dr Simon Ferrier, Principal GIS Research Officer, participated in an expert Wellington, New Zealand from 31 July to 2 August 2001. She presented a paper working group at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis ‘Regional Cultural Heritage Management Strategies: NSW National Parks and (NCEAS) in Santa Barbara (USA), from 27 May-5 June 2002. Costs were met Wildlife Service’. Costs were met by the NPWS. by NCEAS.

Mr Terry Korn, Director Western, Mr Allan Young, Manager Protected Area Policy, Ms Janelle Brooks, A/Area Manager, Ms Lisa Walker, Senior Ranger, Community and Neighbour Relations, Northern Rivers Region and Mr Carl Solomon, Manager International Programs, participated in phase 1 of the East Timor Project, travelling to East Timor in March 2002. Costs were met by the NPWS. Messrs Korn, Young and Solomon were also involved in scoping for the project’s phase 1, from 6-12 January 2002. Costs were met by the NPWS. D Hunter/NPWS Ms Carla Rogers, Project Officer, Far South Coast Region, undertook a ten week research trip to the United States and Canada awarded by the Winston Churchill Trust. Ms Rogers also presented at a conference in Salt Lake City in May 2002. The Winston Churchill Trust funded the ten week research trip, while the conference costs were met by the NPWS.

Mr Ray Fowke, Conservation Planning Officer, Conservation Programs and Planning Division, Central Directorate, attended the ‘Joint Australia – New Zealand Planning Congress’ in Wellington, New Zealand in April 2002 to accept two awards from the Royal Australian Planning Institute granted to the NPWS for excellence in planning. Costs were shared by the NPWS and Ray Fowke.

Southern corroboree frog. 126

Appendix K Approved recovery plans 2001-2002

East Lynne midge orchid (Genoplesium vernale) Long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes) Mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) Tallong midge orchid (Genoplesium plumosum) Lord Howe placostylus (Placostylus bivaricosus) Western pygmy possum (Cercartetus concinnus) Sandy inland mouse and Forrest’s mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis and Leggadina forresti) Silky mouse (Pseudomys apodemoides) Thick-billed grasswren (Amytornis textilis) Zieria multispecies plan Bertya sp. A Cobar-Coolabah Bolam’s mouse (Pseudomys bolami) Giant fern (Angiopteris evecta) Epacris hamiltonii Pterostylis sp 15 (Botany Bay) Kultarr (Antechinomys laniger) Tumut grevillea (Grevillea wilkinsonii) Leionema lachnaeoides 127 7

Yellow-bellied sheathtail-bat. J Little 128

Financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2002

Pursuant to section 45F of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, I state that: a. the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, the Financial Reporting Code for Budget Dependent Agencies, the applicable clauses of the Public Finance and Audit (General) Regulation 1995 and the Treasurer’s Directions; b. the statements exhibit a true and fair view of the financial position and transactions of the Service; and c. there are not any circumstances which would render any particulars included in the financial statements to be misleading or inaccurate.

Brian Gilligan Director-General 129 130 Financial statements

Statement of financial performance for the year ended 30 June 2002

Actual Budget Actual Details Note 2002 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 $’000 Expenses Operating expenses Employee related 2(a) 138,011 124,843 123,892 Other operating expenses 2(b) 93,560 84,860 88,978 Maintenance 16,984 25,073 15,244 Depreciation 2(c) 33,716 23,100 27,376 Grants and subsidies 2(d) 2,558 4,605 1,691 Other expenses 2(e) 10 _ 336 Total expenses 284,839 262,481 257,517

Less: Retained revenue Sale of goods and services 3(a) 36,435 30,100 30,651 Investment income 3(b) 953 423 486 Retained fees and fines 3(c) 2,441 1,900 1,954 Grants and contributions 3(d) 31,839 11,056 16,206 Other revenue 3(e) 22,326 3,253 22,616 Total retained revenue 93,994 46,732 71,913 Gain/(loss) on disposal of non-current assets 4 407 50 385 Net cost of services 25 190,438 215,699 185,219

Government contributions Recurrent appropriation 6(a) 177,522 181,655 168,733 Capital appropriation 6(b) 46,165 44,315 60,876 Asset sale proceeds transferred to the Crown Entity Acceptance by the Crown Entity of employee entitlements and other liabilities 8 13,442 13,089 12,155 Total government contributions 237,129 239,059 241,764 Surplus/(deficit) for the year 46,691 23,360 56,545

Non-owner transaction changes in equity Net increase/(decrease) in asset revaluation reserve 20 82,640 – (1,829) Total revenues, expenses and valuation Adjustment recognised directly in equity 82,640 – (1,829) Total changes in equity other than those resulting from transactions with owners as owners 20 129,331 23,360 54,716

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 131 2001 2002 Annual report

Statement of financial position as at 30 June 2002

Actual Budget Actual Details Note 2002 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 $’000 ASSETS Current assets Cash 11 25,126 10,594 8,561 Receivables 12 17,589 16,674 16,612 Inventories 13 1,058 1,127 1,127 Other financial assets 14 16 16 16 Other assets 16 570 683 683 Total current assets 44,359 29,094 26,999

Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 15 – Land and buildings 1,386,383 1,339,354 1,335,054 – Plant and equipment 28,197 29,119 25,819 – Infrastructure systems 541,815 504,709 491,044 Total property, plant and equipment 1,956,395 1,873,182 1,851,917

Other 16 103 129 129 Total non-current assets 1,956,498 1,873,311 1,852,046 Total assets 2,000,857 1,902,405 1,879,045

LIABILITIES Current liabilities Payables 17 3,620 5,331 5,331 Employee entitlements and other provisions 18 15,766 14,644 14,644 Total current liabilities 19,386 19,975 19,975

Non-current liabilities Interest bearing liabilities 19 2,456 700 700 Other 19 – 2 2 Total non-current liabilities 2,456 702 702 Total liabilities 21,842 20,677 20,677 Net assets 1,979,015 1,881,728 1,858,368

EQUITY 20 Reserves 314,795 232,155 232,155 Accumulated funds 1,664,220 1,649,573 1,626,213 Total equity 1,979,015 1,881,728 1,858,368

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 132 Financial statements

Statement of cashflows for the year ended 30 June 2002

Actual Budget Actual Details Note 2002 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 $’000 CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Payments Employee related (130,158) (115,431) (118,881) Grants and subsidies (2,558) (4,564) (1,691) Other (111,686) (109,974) (120,955) Total payments (244,402) (229,969) (241,527)

Receipts Sale of goods and services 37,401 30,100 30,637 Retained fees and fines 2,441 – 1,954 Interest received 569 361 486 Other 50,178 16,209 41,721 Total receipts 90,589 46,670 74,798

Cash flows from government Recurrent appropriation 177,522 181,655 168,733 Capital appropriation 46,165 44,315 60,876 Cash reimbursements from the Crown Entity 6,715 3,677 6,808 Net cash flows from government 230,402 229,647 236,417 NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 25 76,589 46,348 69,688

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from the sale of land and buildings, plant and equipment and infrastructure systems 624 550 671 Purchase of land and buildings, plant and equipment and infrastructure systems (62,402) (44,865) (66,775) NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (61,778) (44,315) (66,104)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from borrowings and advances 2,456 – 700 Repayments of borrowings and advances (702) – (2) NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 1,754 – 698

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH 16,154 2,033 4,282 Opening cash and cash equivalents 8,561 8,561 4,279 Cash transferred out as a result of administrative restructuring 411 – - CLOSING CASH AND EQUIVALENTS 11 25,126 10,594 8,561

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements. 133 2001 2002 Annual report

Summary of compliance with financial directives for the year ended 30 June 2002

2002 2001 Recurrent Expenditure/ Capital Expenditure/ Recurrent Expenditure/ Capital Expenditure/ Appropriation net claim on Appropriation net claim on Appropriation net claim on Appropriation net claim on Consolidated Consolidated Consolidated Consolidated Fund Fund Fund Fund $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

ORIGINAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION/EXPENDITURE Appropriation Act 181,162 180,701 44,315 44,315 165,135 164,387 58,063 49,641 181,162 180,701 44,315 44,315 165,135 164,387 58,063 49,641

OTHER APPROPRIATIONS/ EXPENDITURE Treasurer's Advance 765 765 1,850 1,850 4,436 4,231 13,285 11,135 Section 22 – Expenditure for certain works and services –– Transfers from another agency (section 25 of the Appropriation Act) 493 493 1,317 1,317 100 100 1,258 1,258 1,850 1,850 5,753 5,548 13,385 11,235

Total appropriations/expenditure/ net claim on Consolidated Fund (includes transfer payments) 182,420 181,959 46,165 46,165 170,888 169,935 71,448 60,876 Amount drawn down against appropriation 181,959 46,165 169,935 60,876 Liability to Consolidated Fund – – – –

The Summary of Compliance is based on the assumption that Consolidated Fund moneys are spent first (except where otherwise identified or prescribed). 134 Financial statements

Program statement – expenses and revenues for the year ended 30 June 2002

Program 1* Program 2* 2002 2001 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

AGENCY'S EXPENSES & REVENUES Operating expenses Employee related 20,859 18,725 18,413 16,529 Other operating expenses 11,712 11,138 10,337 9,831 Maintenance 501 450 443 397 Depreciation 607 493 536 435 Grants and subsidies 5 3 5 3 Other expenses – – – – Total expenses 33,684 30,809 29,734 27,195

Retained revenue Sale of goods and services 201 169 177 149 Investment income – – – – Retained fees and fines – – – – Grants and contributions 8,786 4,472 7,754 3,947 Other revenue 1,032 1,045 911 923 Total retained revenue 10,019 5,686 8,842 5,019 Gain /(loss) on sale of non-current assets NET COST OF SERVICES 23,665 25,123 20,892 22,176 Government contributions ** NET EXPENDITURE/(REVENUE) for the year 23,665 25,123 20,892 22,176

ADMINISTERED EXPENSES & REVENUES Administered expenses Transfer payments (Note 9) Administered revenues Transfer receipts (Note 9) Administered revenue less expenses – – – –

* The name and purpose of each program is summarised at Note 10 ** Appropriations are made on an agency basis and not to individual programs. Consequently, government contributions must be included in the "Not attributable" column. 135 2001 2002 Annual report

Program 3* Program 4* Not Attributable Total 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

42,102 37,795 56,637 50,843 138,011 123,892 34,701 33,002 36,809 35,007 93,559 88,978 4,462 4,005 11,578 10,392 16,984 15,244 9,478 7,696 23,095 18,752 33,716 27,376 738 488 1,810 1,197 2,558 1,691 10 336 – – 10 336 91,491 83,322 129,929 116,191 – – 284,838 257,517

2,143 1,803 33,914 28,530 36,435 30,651 928 473 25 13 953 486 1,823 1,459 618 495 2,441 1,954 11,159 5,680 4,140 2,107 31,839 16,206 12,978 13,147 7,405 7,501 22,326 22,616 29,031 22,562 46,102 38,646 – – 93,994 71,913 407 385 407 385 62,460 60,760 83,420 77,160 – – 190,437 185,219 237,129 241,764 237,129 241,764 62,460 60,760 83,420 77,160 (237,129) (241,764) (46,692) (56,545)

4,437 1,202 4,437 1,202

4,437 1,202 4,437 1,202 –– – – – – –– 136 Financial statements

Notes to and forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2002

Contents

Note 1 Summary of significant accounting policies 2 Expenses 3 Revenues 4 Gain/(loss) on disposal of non-current assets 5 Conditions on contributions 6 Appropriations 7 Individually significant items 8 Acceptance by the Crown Entity of employee entitlements and other liabilities 9Transfer payments 10 Programs/activities of the Service Assets 11 Current assets – cash 12 Current – receivables 13 Current assets – inventories 14 Current assets – other financial assets 15 Non-current assets – property, plant and equipment 16 Current/non-current – other Liabilities 17 Current liabilities – payables 18 Current liabilities – employee entitlements Equity 19 Non-current liabilities – interest bearing liabilities Other 20 Changes in equity 21 Increase/decrease in net assets from equity transfers 22 Commitments for expenditure 23 Contingent liabilities 24 Budget review 25 Reconciliation of net cash flows from operating activities to net cost of services 26 Non-cash financing and investing activities 27 Financial instruments 137 2001 2002 Annual report

1. Summary of significant accounting (d) Revenue recognition policies Revenue is recognised when the Service has control of the goods or right to receive, it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Service and the (a) Reporting entity amount of revenue can be measured reliably. Additional comments regarding the The National Parks and Wildlife Service, as a reporting entity, comprises all the accounting policies for the recognition of revenue are discussed below. operating activities and entities under the control of the Service. (i) Parliamentary appropriations and contributions from other bodies The entity also encompasses funds which, while containing assets that are restricted for specific uses by the grantor, donor or under the National Parks and Parliamentary appropriations are generally recognised as revenues when Wildlife Act 1974, are nevertheless controlled by the Service. the Service obtains control over the assets comprising the appropriations/contributions. Control over appropriations and All internal transactions have been eliminated in the process of preparing the contributions is normally obtained upon receipt of cash. financial statements. An exception to the above is when appropriations are unspent at year-end. The reporting entity is consolidated as part of the NSW Total State Sector and as In this case, the authority to spend the money lapses and generally the part of the NSW Public Sector Accounts. unspent amount must be repaid to the Consolidated Fund in the following (b) Basis of accounting financial year. As a result, unspent appropriations are accounted for as a liability rather than revenue. The Service’s financial statements are a general purpose financial report which has been prepared on an accrual basis and in accordance with: Any amount owing to the Consolidated Fund (except any liability in respect of transfer payments) is accounted for as a current liability. The • applicable Australian Accounting Standards (AAS); liability would be disclosed as part of ‘current liabilities – Other’. The • other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards amount would then be repaid and the liability would be extinguished in the Board (AASB); next financial year. • Urgent Issues Group (UIG) Consensus Views; (ii) Sale of goods and services • the requirements of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and Regulations; Revenue from the sale of goods and services comprises revenue from the and provision of products or services i.e. user charges. User charges are • Financial Reporting Directions published in the Financial Reporting Code for recognised as revenue when the Service obtains control of the assets that Budget Dependent General Government Sector Agencies or issued by the result from them. Treasurer under Section 9(2)(n) of the Act. Rent revenue is recognised in accordance with AAS17 ‘Accounting for Where there are inconsistencies between the above requirements, the legislative Leases’. provisions have prevailed. (iii) Investment income In the absence of a specific Accounting Standard, other authoritative pronouncements of the AASB or UIG Consensus View, the hierarchy of other Interest revenue is recognised as it accrues. pronouncements as outlined in AAS 6 ‘Accounting Policies’ is considered. (e) Employee entitlements Except for certain land and buildings, plant and equipment, and infrastructure systems which are recorded at valuation, the financial statements are prepared in (i) Wages and salaries, annual leave, sick leave and on-costs accordance with the historical cost convention. Liabilities for wages and salaries and annual leave are recognised and All amounts are rounded to the nearest one thousand dollars and are expressed in measured as the amount unpaid at the reporting date at current pay rates Australian currency in the statements. in respect of employees’ services up to that date. Unused non-vesting sick leave does not give rise to a liability as it is not (c) Administered activities considered probable that sick leave taken in the future will be greater than The Service administers, but does not control, certain activities on behalf of the the entitlements accrued in the future. Crown Entity. It is accountable for the transactions relating to those administered The outstanding amounts of payroll tax, workers compensation insurance activities but does not have the discretion, for example, to deploy the resources premiums and fringe benefits tax, which are consequential to employment, for the achievement of the Service’s own objectives. are recognised as liabilities and expenses where the employee entitlements Transactions and balances relating to the administered activities are not to which they relate have been recognised. recognised as the Service’s revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, but are disclosed in the accompanying schedules as ‘Administered revenues’ and ‘Administered expenses’. The Service has no ‘Administered assets’ or ‘Administered liabilities’. The accrual basis of accounting and all applicable accounting standards have been adopted for the reporting of the administered activities. 138 Financial statements

(ii) Long service leave and superannuation (i) Plant and equipment The Service’s liabilities for long service leave and superannuation are Plant and equipment costing $5,000 and above individually are capitalised. assumed by the Crown Entity. The Service accounts for the liability as Plant and equipment is comprised of aircraft, motor vehicles, furniture and fittings having been extinguished resulting in the amount assumed being shown and other plant and equipment. as part of the non-monetary revenue item described as ‘Acceptance by the Crown Entity of employee entitlements and other liabilities’. (j) Revaluation of physical non-current assets Long service leave is measured on a nominal basis. The nominal method Assets are valued in accordance with Treasury policy guidelines. Except where is based on the remuneration rates at year end for all employees with five they form an integral part of a network or facility (e.g. Service-wide radio network, or more years of service. It is considered that this measurement technique picnic areas), all assets in excess of $5,000 are capitalised. Items below $5,000 produces results not materially different from the estimate determined by are expensed. using the present value basis of measurement. Unless otherwise stated, infrastructure assets and property included in the asset The superannuation expense for the financial year is determined by using register for the first time and on subsequent revaluation are valued using the the formulae specified in the Treasurer’s Directions. The expense for written down replacement cost (WDRC) method. In determining WDRC it was certain superannuation schemes (i.e. Basic Benefit and First State Super) assumed that the asset would be replaced by the most appropriate modern is calculated as a percentage of the employees’ salary. For other replacement asset with the same functional use. Subsequent revaluations use the superannuation schemes (i.e. State Superannuation Scheme and State same principle. Authorities Superannuation Scheme), the expense is calculated as a Land, buildings, roads and other access, utilities and other infrastructure multiple of the employees’ superannuation contributions. classes of physical non-current assets are revalued every 5 years. As a result of (f) Insurance the size and nature of the Service’s assets this revaluation is conducted over a 5 year period. The Service’s insurance activities are conducted through the NSW Treasury Managed Fund Scheme of self insurance for government agencies. The Set out below is a table of asset categories, dates last valued and by whom: expense (premium) is determined by the Fund Manager based on past Asset category Date of By whom experience and industry benchmarks. valuation

(g) Accounting for the Goods and Land – dedicated 1 July 1999 State Valuation Office Services Tax (GST) Land – non dedicated 1 July 1999 State Valuation Office Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except: Buildings 1 July 2001 Australian Valuation Office • the amount of GST incurred as a purchaser that is not recoverable from The Other amenities & facilities 1 July 1999 Service engineers Australian Taxation Office is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of an Roads 1 July 1998 Service engineers (1) asset or as part of an item of expense Wharves 1 July 1998 Department of Public Works • receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST included. Utilities & infrastructure 1 July 2001 Service engineers (2) (h) Acquisition of assets Aircraft 1 July 2001 Bankstown Aviation Aircraft The cost method of accounting is used for the initial recording of all acquisitions Valuation Specialist of assets controlled by the Service. Cost is determined as the fair value of the Historical furniture & fittings 1 July 2001 Tony Palmer Pty Ltd assets given as consideration plus the costs incidental to the acquisition. Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration during the year are (1) Road valuations are based on region-specific standard costs derived by a Service engineer. These costings reflect the cost standards required to construct Service roads in specific initially recognised as assets and revenues at their fair value at the date of geographic areas. Region-specific standard costs, similarly derived, have also been used to acquisition. value walking tracks and car parks. Fair value means the amount for which an asset could be exchanged between a (2) The asset category ‘Utilities and other infrastructure’ comprises water supply, sewerage and knowledgeable, willing buyer and a knowledgeable, willing seller in an arm’s draining works, electricity reticulation and boundary fencing. In determining standard replacement costs for this class, the Service has the following basis of costing: length transaction. a) Cordell’s (General & industrial cost guide) b) Actual recent contract prices Purchased land is carried at cost prior to dedication. The difference between cost c) Costed from the manufacturers’ and an estimate of installation costs. and dedication value is expensed. d) Cost base in March 1997 and applied CPI over 5 years (16.1% – Bureau of Statistics) Land transferred from other agencies at no cost and awaiting gazettal is reported at fair value. Infrastructure assets and property previously under construction which were completed and brought to account during the year have been valued at cost. 139 2001 2002 Annual report

In accordance with Treasury policy, the Service has applied the AASB 1041 (n) Leased assets ‘Revaluation of non-current assets’ transitional provisions for the public sector Under certain leases granted by the Service the lessee will maintain or improve and has elected to continue to apply the existing revaluation basis, while the leased property which, at the expiry of the lease reverts to the ownership of Treasury’s policy on fair value is finalised. It is expected, however, that in most the Service. Alternatively, where land is leased, property may be built on the land instances the current valuation methodology will approximate fair value. by the lessee and at the expiry of the lease, ownership of the property transfers to Where assets are revalued upward or downward as a result of a revaluation of a the Service. class of non-current physical assets, the Service restates separately the gross Assets and improvements are brought to account by the Service upon expiry of amount and the related accumulated depreciation of that class of assets. the lease when actual ownership and control eventuate. Upon assumption of Otherwise, any balances of accumulated depreciation existing at the revaluation ownership the asset will be included in the Service’s asset register. Examples of date in respect of those assets are credited to the asset accounts to which they such prospective assets include commercial buildings and infrastructure such as relate. The net asset accounts are then increased or decreased by the revaluation marinas and ski lifts (excluding associated plant and machinery) built by lessees increments or decrements. on Service property. Operating lease payments are charged to the Statement of Financial Performance (k) Depreciation of non-current physical assets in the periods in which they are incurred. All non-current assets having a limited useful life are systematically depreciated over their expected useful life to the Service, in a manner that reflects the (o) Investments consumption of their service potential. The straight line method is used to Investments are valued at cost. Interest revenue is recognised as it accrues. depreciate non-current assets. Land is not depreciated on the basis that its service potential has not, in any (p) Receivables material sense been consumed during the reporting period. Receivables are recognised and carried at original invoice amount plus any Buildings and improvements – The construction type of Service buildings is used penalty interest less a provision for doubtful debts. An estimate for doubtful debts to determine the asset’s useful life (from which a depreciation rate is derived). For is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Bad debts are example, historic buildings in use are deemed to have useful lives of between 40 written off as incurred. The amount disclosed is GST inclusive. to 100 years; visitor centres and staff residences: 40 to 80 years, etc. (q) Inventories Roads and other access; utilities and other infrastructure – Except as indicated Generally the quantum of inventory held is small. The Service relies on end-of- below the following depreciation rates were adopted: year stock takes to identify shop stocks for reporting purposes. Inventories are • 2.5% for roads; car parks, fire trails and management tracks; walking tracks, measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost is calculated bridges, picnic areas, camping areas and lookouts using the weighted average cost. Shop stocks held for 12 months or more and • 5% for boat ramps and wharves; utilities and other infrastructure. considered to be unsaleable are regarded as obsolete and are expensed. Where bridges, boat ramps, wharves and utilities have been independently valued (r) Other financial assets an assessment of the useful life of each asset was done concurrently. ‘Other financial assets’ are generally recognised at cost, with the exception of The depreciation rate was derived accordingly. TCorp Hour-Glass Facilities and Managed Fund Investments, which are measured Plant and equipment – Depreciation rates applied vary from 10% to 25% per at the valuation provided by the Treasury Corporation. annum. (s) Other assets (l) Capital, maintenance and repairs Other assets are prepayments and are recognised on a cost basis. expenditure Details of labour, materials, contractor and other direct costs incurred on asset (t) Payables construction projects, irrespective of funds source, are maintained for subsequent These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the capitalisation into the Service’s asset register. Service and other amounts including interest. Interest is accrued over the period The costs of maintenance are charged as expenses as incurred, except where they it becomes due. The amount disclosed is GST inclusive. relate to the replacement of a significant component of an asset, in which case the costs are capitalised and depreciated. (u) Interest bearing liabilities All loans are valued at current capital value. These loans are restricted for specific (m) Assets not able to be reliably measured purposes. The repayment schedule and effective date from which borrowing cost The Service holds certain assets which have not been recognised in the will be determined is yet to be determined. Statement of Financial Position because the value of these assets cannot be measured reliably. 140 Financial statements

(v) Budgeted amounts (y) Restricted assets The budgeted amounts are drawn from the budgets as formulated at the beginning The Service has under its control a wide range of assets such as historic of the financial year and with any adjustments for the effects of additional buildings, dedicated land and specified sites which are subject to restrictions as appropriations, s21A, s24 and/or s26 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983. to their use by virtue of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. These restrictions include disposal of the asset or under certain circumstances The budgeted amounts in the Statement of Financial Performance and the exploitation for financial or economic gain. Additional restrictions may be brought Statement of Cash Flows are generally based on the amounts disclosed in the to bear by the Service’s stakeholders as well as other legislation governing the NSW Budget Papers (as adjusted above). However in the Statement of Financial use of historic sites and buildings. Position amounts vary from the Budget Papers, as the opening balances of the budgeted amounts are based on carried forward actual amounts i.e. per the The Service also conducts research projects on behalf of a wide range of donor audited financial statements (rather than carried forward estimates). bodies. These bodies provide funds that are restricted to use on projects specified by the donor body. Strict terms and conditions can apply to the use of these (w) Marine Parks Authority funds. Any unspent funds can be returned to the donor bodies. The Service administers jointly with NSW Fisheries certain assets on behalf of the Marine Parks Authority. These assets are the areas covered by the three (z) Equity transfers established marine parks at Jervis Bay, Solitary Islands and Lord Howe Island. The transfer of net assets between agencies as a result of an administrative restructure, transfer of programs/functions and parts thereof between NSW public Service capital equipment used for maintaining day-to-day operations of these sector agencies are designated as a contribution by owners by NSW Treasury three administered assets have been recognised and reported in accordance with Circular 01/11 and are recognised as an adjustment to ‘Accumulated Funds’. This the Service’s Asset Acquisition and Valuation Policy (Note 1 (h)). treatment is consistent with Urgent Issues Group Abstract UIG 38 ‘Contributions The operating cost incurred by the Service in administering these assets, which by owners made to wholly owned public sector entities’. are included in the Service’s Statement of Financial Performance, was $777,167 Transfers arising from an administrative restructure between government ($741,750 in 2000-01). departments are recognised at the amount at which the asset was recognised by (x) Parramatta Regional Park the transferor government department immediately prior to the restructure. In most instances this will approximate fair value. All other equity transfers are In accordance with the new Parramatta Park Trust Act 2001, Parramatta Regional recognised at fair value. Park is no longer a controlled entity of the National Parks and Wildlife Service as from 1 July 2001. The Service has transferred a number of assets and liabilities during the 2001-02 financial year to this new reporting entity. The net asset value of the transfer is $14,316,112. 141 2001 2002 Annual report

2. Expenses

(a) Employee related expenses comprise the following specific items:

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Salaries and wages* 113,619 101,234 Superannuation 9,066 8,576 Long service leave 3,750 3,193 Workers compensation insurance 2,731 1,865 Payroll tax and fringe benefit tax 8,749 8,951 Other 96 73 Total 138,011 123,892

* The salaries and wages item includes recreation leave expense. * Salaries and wages amounting to $1,204,303 ($1,789,000 in 2000-01) have been capitalised.

(b) Other operating expenses comprise the following specific items: Auditor’s remuneration (parent entity) – audit or review of the financial reports 173 155 Auditor’s remuneration (controlled entities) – 10 Bad and doubtful debts 48 16 Operating lease rental expense (minimum lease payments) 7,996 7,564 Insurance 15,942 15,376 Fees 31,881 26,706 Utilities and services 7,597 6,520 Information services 835 643 Stores and stationery 6,400 6,741 Cost of sales 1,685 1,930 Motor vehicles and aircraft 3,377 3,600 Motor vehicle and aircraft hire 9,544 11,085 Travel and subsistence 3,937 2,966 Minor asset purchases 3,708 5,645 Other 437 21 Total 93,560 88,978

(c) Depreciation expense: Buildings and improvements 6,350 5,301 Roads and other access 14,151 12,805 Utilities and other infrastructure 5,811 2,920 Plant and equipment 6,820 5,830 Furniture and fittings 584 520 Total 33,716 27,376

(d) Grants and subsidies comprise the following specific items: Budget sector 1,506 520 Local govt bodies 14 148 State recreation areas 364 275 Other 674 748 Total 2,558 1,691

(e) Other expenses: Marine parks – 269 Other 10 67 Total 10 336 142 Financial statements

3. Revenues

(a) Sale of goods and services 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Sale of goods: Annual and day entry 9,411 9,567 Lease and rental of premises 7,653 6,306 Camping fees 3,040 2,967 Sale of assets under $5,000 184 115 Sale of publications & stock 2,674 2,347 Sale of manufactured goods 1,042 1,257 24,004 22,559

Rendering of services: Miscellaneous fees 5,640 4,853 Minor user charges 960 368 Community service 2,439 2,501 Miscellaneous park service 3,392 370 12,431 8,092 Total 36,435 30,651

(b) Investment income Interest 953 486 Total 953 486

(c) Retained fees and fines Fees – licenses and permits 790 688 Fees – kangaroo and other royalties 1,269 1,005 Fines – parking, court and other 382 261 Total 2,441 1,954

(d) Grants and contributions Funding was provided by the Commonwealth and State governments together with private and corporate sponsorships as follows (Note 5): Commonwealth 18,544 3,297 State 12,918 12,239 Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife 115 14 Miscellaneous sources 262 656 Total 31,839 16,206

(e) Other revenue Contributed assets (Note 7) 2,228 5,519 Telephone rebate 1,594 562 Insurance recoveries 18,503 16,534 Miscellaneous 11 Total 22,326 22,616

(f) Revenue forgone The Service’s revenue does not include park use fees which the Service forgoes through concessions such as free and discounted park use permits provided to certain groups, including pensioners, volunteer firefighters, etc. 143 2001 2002 Annual report

4. Gain/(loss) on disposal of non-current assets 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Proceeds from disposal: Land and buildings 121 127 Plant and equipment 503 544 Infrastructure –– Written down value of assets disposed: Land and buildings 0 (37) Plant and equipment (204) (162) Infrastructure (13) (87) Net gain (loss) on sale 407 385

5. Conditions on contributions The Service received contributions of $31.5m during 2001-02 (2000-01 – $15.9m) for specific purposes, e.g. restoration works or scientific research projects. Usually the conditions imposed upon the Service stipulate that grants provided are required to be expended on the specific project for which the funds were provided. Usually any funds that are not used on the specific project must be refunded to the donor body. No externally imposed financial restrictions are operable in respect of the Service’s assets (except cash) as a result of such contributions. In the case of research grants assets of an intangible nature (e.g. intellectual property) may ensue. Due to the valuation difficulties and immateriality all costs incurred are expensed. The total amounts of contributions which were unexpended as at 30 June 2002 (including those received in prior years) were $21.7m ($11.5 m as at 30 June 2001).

6. Appropriations (a) Recurrent appropriations 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Total recurrent drawdowns from Treasury (per Summary of Compliance) 181,959 169,935 Less: liability to Consolidated Fund (per Summary of Compliance) – – Total 181,959 169,935

Comprising: Recurrent appropriations (per Statement of Financial Performance) 177,522 168,733 Transfer payments (Refer to note 9) 4,437 1,202 Total 181,959 169,935

(b) Capital appropriations Total capital drawdowns from Treasury (per Summary of Compliance) 46,165 60,876 Less: liability to Consolidated Fund (per Summary of Compliance) – – Total 46,165 60,876

Comprising: Capital appropriations (per Statement of Financial Performance) 46,165 60,876 Total 46,165 60,876

7. Individually significant items 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Contributed assets Budget dependent agencies 2,097 5,042 Other 131 477 Total 2,228 5,519

Contributed assets comprised the estimated fair value of land, buildings, roads & access utilities and other infrastructure transferred to the Service at no cost, and which did not arise from an ‘administrative restructure’. 144 Financial statements

8. Acceptance by the Crown Entity of employee entitlements and other liabilities The following liabilities and/or expenses have been assumed by the Crown Entity:

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Superannuation 9,066 8,286 Long service leave 3,814 3,356 Payroll tax on superannuation 562 513 Total 13,442 12,155

9. Transfer payments

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife 50 50 Lord Howe Island Board 1,184 1,152 Jenolan Caves Trust 875 – Parramatta Park Trust 2,328 – Total 4,437 1,202

Refer to note 1 (c).

10. Programs/activities of the Service

Program 1 – Program 29.1.1 – Conservation assessment Objective: To achieve the use of rigorous and systematic policy, science and assessment as the basis for conservation planning and management in NSW.

Program 2 – Program 29.1.2 – Conservation planning Objective: To improve the process for establishing conservation priorities for NSW to ensure integration of natural, cultural and community values, consultation and transparency and responsiveness to threats and to change.

Program 3 – Program 29.1.3 – Conservation management Objective: To work with Aboriginal communities to achieve the protection of the natural and cultural heritage. To enhance, and improve the use of formal mechanisms outside the reserve system to achieve conservation outcomes. To manage parks and reserves in a culturally sensitive and ecologically sustainable way. To contribute to the environmental, social and economic well being of local and regional communities.

Program 4 – Program 29.1.4 – Conservation facilitation Objective: To work with the community to foster understanding and appreciation of, and commitment to natural and cultural heritage. To increase community involvement in the management of natural and cultural heritage conservation in NSW. To enhance people’s enjoyment of the park system. To provide practical guidance and support for community conservation activities.

Program information The allocations disclosed in the ‘Program Statement – Expenses and Revenues’ are derived from staff surveys to attribute activities to programs. Where individual staff activities span more than one program sample surveys were carried out to determine the most appropriate break-up. Non-staff costs and revenues were attributed to programs partly on the basis of the staff survey results and partly by an analysis of the type of activity or program involved. Volunteers assist the Service in a wide range of activities including fire fighting; field and scientific research; guided tours; bush regeneration; weed control; and search and rescue. In accordance with Treasury advice, volunteer services have not been valued. An estimate of the cost of services received by the Service at no charge would prove unreliable as no detailed records are maintained on this type of assistance. Volunteer services are provided in furtherance of the four programs administered by the Service. The Service considers that cost apportionment across programs would not be practicable or cost justified. 145 2001 2002 Annual report

11. Current assets – cash For the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows cash includes cash at bank and cash on hand, short term investments and bank overdraft. Cash at the end of the financial year as shown in the Statement of Cash Flows is reconciled to the related items in the Statement of Financial Position as follows:

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Cash at bank 18,001 8,459 Cash on hand 113 102 Cash at T-Corp 7,012 – Closing cash and cash equivalents (as per Statement of Cash Flows) 25,126 8,561

The cash at T-Corp is a restricted asset. It was provided by the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Authority to assist with the remediation of major and minor sites formerly occupied by that organisation within the Kosciuszko National Park.

12. Current – receivables

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Current Sale of goods and services 2,574 3,328 Other debtors 15,688 13,534 Less: provision for doubtful debts (673) (250) Total 17,589 16,612

Debts written off during the year amounted to $47,662 ($16,140 in 2000-01).

13. Current assets – inventories

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Finished goods – shop stocks (at cost) 1,058 1,127 Total 1,058 1,127

14. Current assets – other financial assets

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Interest bearing deposits 16 16 Total 16 16 146 Financial statements

15. Non-current assets – property, plant and equipment

2002 2001 $’000 $’000

(a) Land At cost 48,485 30,540 At valuation 1,179,142 1,174,120 Total 1,227,627 1,204,660

(b) Buildings At cost 36,895 32,941 At valuation 242,917 206,766 279,812 239,707 Accumulated depreciation at cost 2,556 1,834 Accumulated depreciation at valuation 118,500 107,479 121,056 109,313 Total 158,756 130,394 Total Land and buildings 1,386,383 1,335,054 (c) Roads and other access At cost 101,145 86,998 At valuation 481,170 481,170 582,315 568,168 Accumulated depreciation at cost 4,595 2,460 Accumulated depreciation at valuation 129,065 117,486 133,660 119,946 Total 448,655 448,222 (d) Utilities and other infrastructure At cost 8,589 6,978 At valuation 136,369 75,492 144,958 82,470 Accumulated depreciation at cost 429 670 Accumulated depreciation at valuation 51,369 38,978 51,798 39,648 Total 93,160 42,822 Total Infrastructure systems 541,815 491,044 (e) Plant and equipment At cost 59,878 53,279 Accumulated depreciation at cost 36,356 30,903 Total 23,522 22,376 (f) Furniture and fittings At cost 7,594 5,795 Accumulated depreciation at cost 2,919 2,352 Total 4,675 3,443 Total plant and equipment 28,197 25,819 Total property, plant and equipment At net book value 1,956,395 1,851,917 147 2001 2002 Annual report

Reconciliations Reconciliations of the carrying amounts of each class of property, plant and equipment at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial years are set out below. 2002 Land and building Infrastructure systems Plant and equipment Total $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 Carrying amount at start of year 1,335,054 491,044 25,819 1,851,917 Additions 28,267 24,359 8,782 61,408 Disposals (13) (204) (217) Acquisitions through administrative restructures (3,115) (1,943) (106) (5,164) Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements 29,815 47,405 1,257 78,477 Depreciation expenses (6,350) (19,963) (7,403) (33,716) Other movements 2,712 926 52 3,690 Carrying amount at end of year 1,386,383 541,815 28,197 1,956,395

2001 Land and building Infrastructure systems Plant and equipment Total $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 Carrying amount at start of year 1,215,748 441,787 22,885 1,680,420 Additions 17,466 36,379 9,432 63,277 Disposals (118) (87) (160) (365) Acquisitions through administrative restructures 102,467 27,620 – 130,087 Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements (1,829) – – (1,829) Depreciation expenses (5,300) (15,726) (6,350) (27,376) Other movements 6,620 1,071 12 7,703 Carrying amount at end of year 1,335,054 491,044 25,819 1,851,917

The Service holds certain assets which are not included in the financial statements as they cannot be measured reliably: see Note 1(j). The Service continues to derive service potential and economic benefit from the following fully depreciated assets. 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Buildings 1,963 3,381 Infrastructure 6,139 4,624 Plant and equipment 15,390 13,796 Total 23,492 21,801

16. Current/non-current – other 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Current Prepayments 570 683 Total 570 683

Non-current Prepayments 103 129 Total 103 129

17. Current liabilities – payables 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Trade creditors 627 2,186 Sundry creditors 2,653 2,816 Security deposits 340 329 Total 3,620 5,331 148 Financial statements

18. Current liabilities – employee entitlements

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Recreation leave 12,370 10,930 Accrued salaries and wages 3,396 3,714 Total 15,766 14,644

19. Non-current liabilities – interest bearing liabilities

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Interest bearing advance 2,456 700 Interest free advance –2 Total 2,456 702

The Service has drawn down $2.446 million of a repayable advance to meet costs associated with the Perisher Resort Development. E.g. development of Masterplan and upgrade of the water supply system in the Perisher area. The repayable schedule of the above interest bearing repayable advances will be determined in the context of the Infrastructure Strategy, which will need to be approved by Cabinet. The Service has also drawn down $10,019 of a Crown advance as part of the Government Energy Efficiency Investment Program. The advance will be repaid in half yearly instalments of principal and interest over a period of four years, effective from when advance is fully drawn down. Whilst the Service does not have the powers to borrow funds (i.e. loans) under the Public Authorities (Financial Arrangements) Act 1987 (PAFA), approval was given by the NSW Treasurer for these advances.

20. Changes in equity

Accumulated funds Asset revaluation Total equity

2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 Balance at the beginning of the financial year 1,626,213 1,439,581 232,155 233,984 1,858,368 1,673,565 Changes in equity – transactions with owners as owner Increase/(decrease) in net assets from administrative restructuring (note 21) (8,682) 130,087 4,162 (4,520) 130,087

Total 1,617,531 1,569,668 236,317 233,984 1,853,848 1,803,652

Changes in equity – other than transactions with owners as owners Surplus/(deficit) for the year 46,689 56,545 – – 46,689 56,545 Increment/decrement on revaluation of: Land and buildings – – 29,815 (1,829) 29,815 (1,829) Infrastructure systems 47,405 – 47,405 – Plant and equipment – – 1,258 – 1,258 –

Total 46,689 56,545 78,478 (1,829) 125,167 54,716

Balance at the end of the financial year 1,664,220 1,626,213 314,795 232,155 1,979,015 1,858,368

The asset revaluation reserve is used to record increments and decrements on the revaluation of non-current assets. This accords with the Service’s policy on the ‘Revaluation of Physical Non-Current Assets’ as discussed in Note 1. 149 2001 2002 Annual report

21. Increase/decrease in net assets from equity transfers

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Increase/(decrease) in net assets from ‘administrative restructuring’ (8,682) 130,087 Total (8,682) 130,087

The 2002 transactions include assets and liabilities transferred to Parramatta Park Trust – Cash ($411,000), Debtors ($18,000), Land and buildings ($12,913,000), Plant and equipment ($106,000), Infrastructure ($1,943,000), Creditors $374,000, Loan $700,000 and Land transferred from the Sydney Catchment Authority $5,635,000. The 2001 transactions included land and infrastructure transferred from State Forests as part of the Southern Forests Comprehensive Regional Assessment Value at $102.1 million and Crown land $27.9 million.

22. Commitments for expenditure

(a) Capital commitments*

2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Aggregate capital expenditure contracted for at balance date and not provided for: Not later than one year 3,195 244 Later than 1 year but not later than 5 years 47 – Later than 5 years –– Total (including GST) 3,242 244

(b) Other expenditure commitments* Aggregate capital expenditure contracted for at balance date and not provided for: Not later than one year 2,248 1,356 Later than 1 year but not later than 5 years 345 – Later than 5 years –– Total (including GST) 2,593 1,356

(c) Operating lease commitments* Future non-cancellable operating leases not provided for and payable: Not later than one year 11,108 9,799 Later than 1 year but not later than 5 years 23,456 18,239 Later than 5 years 3,329 5,836 Total (including GST) 37,893 33,874

Operating leases are for office accommodation, plant and equipment and motor vehicles. * As a consequence of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) a contingent asset of $3,975,387 ($3,224,861 in 2000-01) is included in the commitments above. * Represents commitments contracted for at balance date but not recognised in the statements as liabilities. 150 Financial statements

23. Contingent liabilities There is a claim for compensation for land acquired under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991. The estimated cost to the Service if any will be determined by the Land and Environment Court in due course. Shoalhaven City Council has taken legal action that would require the Service to resume parts of the ‘Pacific City Estate’ near Jervis Bay. The land is zoned 8(b) proposed acquisition. The legal and consultant costs associated with the action is estimated at $500,000. The Service is engaged in a dispute with a contractor engaged on its behalf, who alleges he is owed approximately $800,000 in respect to the Perisher Sewage Treatment works. In July 1997 a landslide occurred at the Thredbo Alpine Resort within Kosciuszko National Park resulting in the loss of life and property. As a result of the Coroners’ Inquiry, which found the Service, along with others, to have been at fault in relation to the Thredbo landslide the government has been dealing with claims for compensation. In June 2000 a fire occurred in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park resulting in the loss of life. A Coronial Inquest has been undertaken into the events surrounding this incident. The Service will also certainly be prosecuted by the NSW Workcover Authority in relation to the deaths of four (4) officers and the serious injury to three (3). In addition all the injured have filed civil claims and there are also several shock claims by family members of the dead and injured. In December 2001-January 2002 fires occurred across a large proportion of the state. There have been threats of civil law suits against the Service by property holders who sustained property damage during the fires. Several have already been received to date. The Service has been advised that there will be a civil action for damages by the family of a man killed by a falling tree limb in Myall Lakes National Park. The Service has no basis for quantifying the future liability. Other than the above, the Service is not aware of any significant or material contingent liability in existence at 30 June 2002, or which has emerged subsequent to this date, which may materially impact on the financial position of the Service as shown in the Financial Statements.

24. Budget review

Net cost of services The actual Net cost of services was lower than budget by $25.2 million due to following factors: • actual expenses being over budget by $22.4 million due to the depreciation budget being not in line with past year trends ($10.6 million) and cost associated with the additional revenue. The published budgets do not include all supplementation, those received as Treasurer’s Advance are not included due to Treasury instructions. • Actual revenue being $47.6 million higher than budget. This was primarily due to increased income from external grants and sale of goods. Other revenue remained similar to previous year’s actual and not as per the amended published budget figures.

Assets and liabilities Net assets was higher by $97.6 million. The major variance was in non-current assets ($83.2 million). This was due to the revaluation of 4 asset classes – buildings, utilities, furniture and fittings and aircraft. The increase in cash was primarily due to the receipt of a large grant ($7.0 million) from the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electricity Authority.

Cashflows The main variance in operating activity relates to additional funding received from the sale of goods and external funding from business development activity. This funding also resulted in increases in payments. In investing activity the Service acquired land as part of the government’s conservation policy. In financing activities Treasurer’s loans for specific purposes of $2,456,019 were received which were not included in the original budget. The existing loan was transferred as part of the Parramatta Park Trust administrative restructure. 151 2001 2002 Annual report

25. Reconciliation of net cash flows from operating activities to net cost of services 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 Net cash flows from operating activities (76,589) (69,688) Recurrent and capital appropriations 223,687 229,609 Depreciation 33,716 27,376 Contributed assets (2,228) (5,519) (Gain)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment (407) (385) (Increase)/decrease in receivables (977) (9,254) (Increase)/decrease in prepayments 139 – (Increase)/decrease in inventories 69 230 (increase)/decrease in creditors (1,536) 319 Acceptance by Crown Entity of departmental liabilities 13,442 12,155 Increase/(decrease) in employee entitlements 1,122 376 Net cost of services 190,438 185,219

26. Non-cash financing and investing activities

Standby credit facility The Service has advance and loan approvals totalling $8,714,929 for specific purposes, e.g. the Perisher Resort Development and Government Energy Efficiency Investment Program. Currently the Service has drawn down $2,456,019 of these advances and loans leaving a standby credit facility of $6,258,910.

27. Financial instruments Financial instruments give rise to positions that are financial assets or liabilities (or equity instruments) of either the Service or its counter parties. These include cash at bank, investments, receivables and accounts payable. Classes of instruments are recorded at cost and are carried at net fair value.

(a) Cash Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances within the Treasury Banking System. Interest is earned on daily bank balances at the monthly average NSW Treasury Corporation (Tcorp) 11 am unofficial cash rate adjusted for a management fee to Treasury. The deposits at balance date were earning an interest rate of 3.73% (4.00% in 2000-01) whilst over the year the average interest rate was 3.52% (4.83% in 2000-01). The Service also holds funds with Tcorp in the Hour- Glass facility.

(b) Investments As at 30 June 2002 the Service held two fixed term interest-bearing deposits to the value of $15,500 with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, with a maturity of less than one year. Deposits at balance date were earning an average interest rate of 4.51% (4.73% in 2000-01) whilst over the year the average interest rate was 4.61% (4.59% for 2000-01).

(c) Receivables All trade debtors are recognised as amounts receivable at balance date. Collectability of trade debtors is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Debts which are known to be uncollectable are written off. A provision for doubtful debts is raised when some doubt as to collection exists. The credit risk is the carrying amount (net of any provision for doubtful debts). The carrying amount approximates net fair value. Sales are made on 30 day terms. Lease payments fall due 90 days after the issue of the invoice.

(d) Bank overdraft The Service does not have any bank overdraft facility.

(e) Trade creditors and accruals The liabilities are recognised for amounts due to be paid in the future for goods or services received, whether or not invoiced. Amounts owing to suppliers (which are unsecured) are settled in accordance with the policy set out in Treasurer’s Direction 219.01. If trade terms are not specified payment is made no later than the end of the month following the month in which an invoice or a statement is received. Treasurer’s Direction 219.01 allows the Minister to award interest for late payment. No interest payments were awarded during the year.

End of Audited Financial Statements 152

Other financial information

Grants to community organisations

Recipient Amount $ Program Nature and purpose of grant FAWNA (NSW) Incorporated 1,365 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Great Lakes Wildlife Rescue 1,363 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Hunter Koala Preservation Society 900 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Native Animal Network Association 10,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Native Animal Trust Fund 6,550 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna NSW Nature Conservation Trust 50,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Port Stephens Dolphin Watch 3,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Sydney Metro Wildlife Service 20,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Wildlife Aid and Rehabilitation 1,365 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Wildlife Carers Network 500 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Wildlife Information and Rescue Service 31,500 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist wildlife carers rescue, care for and (WIRES) rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned protected native fauna Adcocks Valley Landcare Group 2,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Big Scrub Landcare Group 2,800 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Bilambil Heights Bushcare Group 715 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Bonalbo/Upper Clarence Lions 2,500 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Brunswick Catchment Forest Landcare Group 3,190 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Byron Escarpment Landcare Inc 6,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Chilcotts Creek Landcare 3,355 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Chillingham Landcare Inc 990 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Couchy Creek Landcare 6,804 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Eden Valley Landcare Group 2,653 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Farrants Hilltop Bushcare 2,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Fingal Head Coastcare Inc 1,240 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Kyogle Landcare Group 6,379 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas 153 2001 2002 Annual report

Recipient Amount $ Program Nature and purpose of grant Lennox Head Landcare 1,434 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Lillifield Pty Ltd Landcare 2,100 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Middle Pocket/Yelgun Progress Assoc. Inc 3,240 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Mt Burrell Landcare Group 2,680 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Creek Progress Assoc. Landcare 7,045 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Skinners Creek Landcare Group 7,555 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Stokers Siding Streamcare 260 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Stoney Creek Landcare 2,578 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas The Channon Landcare Group 4,370 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Tuckombil Heights Estate Community Group 3,078 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Tuckombil Landcare Inc 20,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Tweed Landcare Inc 1,525 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Tweed/Brunswick Care 2,250 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Tyagarah Landcare Committee 2,570 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Upper Limpinwood Catchment Landcare 1,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Vistara Primary School Landcare Group 5,082 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Wilson Creek/Huonbrook Landcare 15,433 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Wollongbar Community Landcare Group 1,214 Protection of conservation assets A grant to assist community efforts in the improvement, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded natural areas Australian Alps Liaison Committee 120,000 Protection of conservation assets A grant to the committee to undertake cooperative works programs in the area Blue Gum Pathways 5,000 Protection of conservation assets A cash grant approved by the Minister to support the Gumtree Songline Walk which publicised the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife 50,000 Protection of conservation assets A cash grant approved by the Minister to support the operations of the foundation to enable them to continue their fund raising activities supporting NPWS conservation projects, and assist the NPWS promote natural and cultural values Garie Surf Life Saving Club Inc 1,500 Protection of conservation assets A grant made to the club for the purchase of equipment. to further encourage community involvement in conservation Shoalhaven Environmental Technology Expo 2,000 Protection of conservation assets A cash grant made to support the Expo, which will encourage community involvement in conservation Blue Mountains Wild Plant Rescue Service 909 Protection of conservation assets A cash grant to assist in the rescue of native flora 154 Other financial information

2001-02 major works Payment of accounts – performance indicators Project Cost to date Estimated $'000 completion Trade creditor accounts payable balances each quarter for the financial year Major new works 2001-02. Purchase Crown lease land – Quarter Current Less than Between Between More than North East Forests Agreement 1,107 2001-02 (ie within 30 days 30 and 60 60 and 90 90 days Conversion of vacant Crown lands 200 2004-05 due date) overdue days days overdue overdue overdue Kosciuszko roads and bridges 1,341 2004-05 $$$$$ Improvements to major metropolitan parks 480 2004-05 September 402,616 297,726 166,599 15,580 1,074 Sewerage upgrade program – Stage 2 2,493 2004-05 Lower Prospect Canal – recreation facilities 3,956 2003-04 December 835,437 427,618 13,376 137,472 3,214 Major works-in-progress March 1,195,200 900,145 30,414 4,522 10,109 Sewerage upgrade program – Stage 1 8,194 2002-03 June 6,273 13,768 0 0 0 Land acquisition – initial works 1,196 2002-03 New regional parks 2,454 2002-03 Regional parks 4,873 2001-02 In respect of trade creditor accounts paid on time the performance of NPWS in North East Forests Regional Forest Agreement 15,308 2001-02 each quarter of the 2001-02 financial year was as follows: Eden Forest Agreement 552 2002-03 Total accounts paid on time Total Thredbo/Alpine Way remediation 69,469 2001-02 amount paid Kosciuszko roadworks 42,628 2002-03 Quarter Target % Actual % $ $ Aboriginal ownership legislation 901 2001-02 September 85 89.33 34,797,036 38,951,839 Land acquisition – open spaces 15,530 2002-03 Forestry restructuring – December 85 78.59 21,309,703 27,115,963 purchase of permissive occupancies 3,695 2001-02 March 85 76.57 26,122,248 34,115,184 Fire management 9,766 2001-02 Pest species management 4,964 2001-02 June 85 84.24 47,509,366 56,397,946 Computerisation The main reasons for delay were: Information technology initiatives 4,187 2002-03 • minor purchase (usually under $10,000) not in contract where short payment Total 193,294 terms (7 or 14 day) were indicated on the invoice (but not prior to invoicing) and no payment discounts were involved • invoices issued (often in the case of computer equipment) prior to delivery or Employee liabilities installation Liabilities as at 30 June 2002 were: • unsatisfactory supply or some other complication, which tends to be more of a • Long service leave $20.5 million ($17.7 million at 30 June 2001) factor with the more significant and expensive purchases. • Recreation leave $12.4 million ($10.9* million at 30 June 2001) Initiatives implemented to improve payment performance: * In accordance with Australian Standard 30 – Accounting standards, the • increase in on-line purchase order entry and issue recreation leave liability figure for 2001 was amended to comply with this • increased use of corporate credit cards for local and minor purchases. standard and to include payroll tax on recreation leave liability. Late payment of accounts NPWS was not required to pay interest to creditors due to the late payment of accounts during the year.

Credit card certification In accordance with Treasurer’s Direction 205.01, it is certified that credit card usage by officers of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has been in accordance with the appropriate government policy, Premier’s Memoranda and Treasurer’s Directions. 155 2001 2002 Annual report

Major assets Roads and other access By virtue of its functions the NPWS asset base covers a wide range of fixed assets Apart from roads of various construction this category of assets includes access and other infrastructure which have been categorised as follows for accounting facilities such as fire trails, walking tracks, car parks and bridges which are purposes: NPWS responsibilities. Roads and other access with a replacement value of $3,000,000 or more are: Land • Alpine Way, Kosciuszko National Park Most of the land parcels in this category of assets are ‘dedicated land’ which • Elliot Way, Kosciuszko National Park includes national parks, nature reserves, historic sites and Aboriginal areas. A full list of dedicated and NPWS managed lands is included at Appendix A. • Fire trails, Yathong and Nombinee nature reserves • Geehi Walls Track, Kosciuszko National Park Buildings and improvements • Guthega Road, Kosciuszko National Park This category of assets includes all buildings and improvements in use or • Kiandra to Khancoban Road, Kosciuszko National Park temporarily out of use. Buildings number some 888 in total. Buildings with a • Mungo Brush Road, Myall Lakes National Park replacement value of $1,000,000 or more are: • Port Phillip Road, Kosciuszko National Park • Audley Office, Royal National Park •Tantangara Road, Kosciuszko National Park • Discovery Centre, Botany Bay National Park •Tweed Scenic Drive, Border Ranges National Park • Dorrigo Rainforest Centre •Walls Road, Mungo National Park. • Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre, Morton National Park Utilities and other infrastructure • Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour National Park • Gap Bluff Officers’ Mess, Sydney Harbour National Park Major assets in this category of assets include electricity reticulation, sewerage systems, levees and fences. Assets with a replacement value of $1,000,000 or • Goat Island amenities and ship repair building, Sydney Harbour National Park more include sewage treatment plants in Kosciuszko National Park and water • Greycliffe House, Sydney Harbour National Park supply systems in Sydney Harbour National Park. • Hartley Court House, Hartley Historic Site • Jenkins Centre, Lane Cove National Park • Laperouse Museum and Gallery, Botany Bay National Park • Long Tan residences, Scheyville National Park • Quarantine Station, accommodation units and conference centre, Sydney Harbour National Park • Sawpit Creek Office, Kosciuszko National Park • Snowy Mountains Visitor Centre, Jindabyne • Throsby Park Homestead, Throsby Park Historic Site •Western Regional Office, Broken Hill. This category of assets also includes a number of heritage buildings in various locations, such as: • Bare Island • Goat Island • Hartley Historic Site • Hill End Historic Site • Quarantine Station, Manly • Rodd Island • Barrenjoey, Port Stephens and Greencape lighthouses. In addition to buildings this asset category includes such ‘improvements’ as picnic areas, campsites and lookouts. Major picnic areas and campsites (with a replacement value of $750,000 or more) are located in Blue Mountains, Booti Booti, Botany Bay, Cattai, Ku-ring-gai Chase and Sydney Harbour national parks, as well as in Arakoon State Recreation Area, Parramatta Regional Park and Western Sydney Regional Park. 156 Other financial information

Motor vehicles Motor vehicles by location – 2001-02

Location Sedans Station 4WDs 0-2 tonne 2-5 tonne Trucks Bus/van Motor Total wagons truck truck 5 tonne + cycles 2000-01 Head Office 12 6 29 2 1 50 Central Directorate 12 12 167 3 40 27 1 23 285 Southern Directorate 22 8 161 6 15 22 27 261 Western Directorate 2 5 96 2 9 14 1 47 176 Northern Directorate 15 12 167 1 25 21 1 33 275 Total 63 43 620 14 89 84 3 131 1047

Aircraft The NPWS owns and operates three aircraft: •a twin-engine, turbo-prop Rockwell Aerocommander 690 •a single engine Cessna 206U • an Aerospatiale AS340 Squirrel helicopter.

Plant and equipment This category of assets consists of a variety of plant (such as graders, rollers, tractors and mowers) and a wide range of equipment. Examples include workshop equipment (such as welders, chainsaws, generators and gantries), radio systems, and fire fighting and search and rescue equipment as well as computer equipment, photocopiers and air-conditioning units. NPWS radio systems, computer installations and the Head Office PABX system are the most significant items of equipment.

Motorised plant by location – 2001-02 Location Tractors Graders Caravans Trailers Boats Other Total Head Office – – 2 – 1 1 4 Central Directorate 28 5 3 16 12 75 139 Southern Directorate 18 1 6 11 7 53 96 Western Directorate 25 6 1 14 1 12 59 Northern Directorate 40 3 2 24 15 78 162 Total 111 15 14 65 36 219 460

Stores and stationery expenditure Annual report 2001-02 1400 copies of this 2001-02 report were printed at an estimated cost of Month $ $9.51 per copy including GST. July 166,101 August 348,864 September 262,400 October 391,089 November 401,334 December 321,590 January 374,108 February 390,754 March 357,306 April 390,364 May 692,084 June 829,675 Total 4,925,669 157 2001 2002 Annual report

Index of statutory Contact information requirements

Access and contact information 160 NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Advisory committees 109, Appendix B General inquiries Aims and objectives 8 National Parks Centre Annual report costs 158 102 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney Approved recovery plans 126, Appendix K PO Box N429, Grosvenor Place, Sydney 1220 Auditor-General’s opinion 131 Phone: 1300 361 967 or (02) 9253 4600 Charter 8 Fax: (02) 9251 9192 Chief and senior executive officers 117, Appendix E Email: [email protected] Web site: www.npws.nsw.gov.au Consultants 114, Appendix D Partners and stakeholders 8 Head Office Customer service 75-78 43 Bridge Street Disability plan 56, 82 PO Box 1967 Environmental performance 50-53 Hurstville NSW 2220 Phone: (02) 9585 6444 Equal employment opportunity 91, 92, 116 Fax: (02) 9585 6555 Ethnic affairs policies and strategies 29-30, 72, 74, 91 Executive officer’s statement of performance 118, Appendix F Central Directorate Financial statements Level 1, 10 Valentine Avenue Audited 132 Parramatta NSW 2150 PO Box 95 Unaudited 154 Parramatta NSW 2124 Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife 101 Phone: (02) 9895 7420 Freedom of information 119, Appendix G Fax: (02) 9895 7414 Funds granted to non-government organisations 154 Human resources 90-92 Northern Directorate Level 4, 49 Victoria Street Industrial relations policies and practices 92 PO Box 97 Insurance 95 Grafton NSW 2460 Legal changes 9, 12 Phone: (02) 6641 1550 Letter of submission to Minister 5 Fax: (02) 6643 4730 Major assets 157 Southern Directorate Major capital works 156 6 Rutledge Street Membership of statutory bodies and significant committees 111, 112 PO Box 733 Monetary amount of leave entitlements 150, 156 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Nature and range of activities 8 Phone: (02) 6297 6144 Occupational health and safety 93 Fax: (02) 6299 6858 Organisation chart 10, 11 Western Directorate Overseas visits 125, Appendix J 48-52 Wingewarra Street Payment of accounts 156 PO Box 2111 Performance indicators throughout Dubbo NSW 2830 Personnel policies and practices 90 Phone: (02) 6883 5330 Privacy management plan 98 Fax: (02) 6884 8675 Publications 121, 122, Appendix H Research papers 123, 124, Appendix I Risk management 94, 95 Spokeswomen’s program 92 Statement of affairs 119, Appendix G Stores and stationery 158 Structure 8, 10 Threatened species 25, 26, 39 Wilderness 13, 21, 37, 107, Appendix A NSW national Parks & Wildlife service