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 . 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 Byron Shire 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 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 . 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 . 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 Cobar Peneplain. 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, Yathong Nature Reserve 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 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, emu 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 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 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, Fort Denison, the Bobbin Head area of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, and Lane Cove and Georges River 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 area to replace pit toilets CASE STUDY with sealed pump-out units. This year new pump-out toilets were installed at Horse Nielsen Park 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 Thredbo River; 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 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; Gara River Hydro- electric Scheme; cabin groups within ; 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 Brisbane Water and Bouddi To mark the occasion a plaque was unveiled national parks, Wamberal Lagoon and Cockle Bay nature reserves, Big Yango in by NSW Governor Marie Bashir. The Devines , 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 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 Alpine Way 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, , which is available for community use as a meeting location upgrade of the picnic and camping areas at Bangalow 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 Brisbane Water 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 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 Apsley Falls 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 Lady Carrington Drive, 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 Jenolan Caves 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 Outback. 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 Wolgan River 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 Western Australia and South Australia 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 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 Cooma 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 . 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 dingo fence 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 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 Warialda 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 . 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 Inverell. 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, Sutherland Shire 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 Sandon River 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 Batemans Bay 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, Pittwater 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 Broken Bay 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 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.