DOCSLIB.ORG

Report to Parliament No. 9 for 2010 Sustainable Management of National Parks and Protected Areas

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Report to Parliament No. 9 for 2010 Sustainable Management of National Parks and Protected Areas Background to the Queensland of Auditor-General Auditor-General of Queensland For 150 years, the Auditor-General has audited Queensland public sector organisations, and assisted them to enhance their efficiency and work practices. As the external auditor for the Queensland Parliament, the Auditor-General, supported by the Queensland Audit Office (QAO), undertakes an independent statutory role and takes pride in helping public sector entities maintain high standards 2010 9 for No. Parliament to Report of governance. QAO is now one of the largest audit offices in Australia, and this strong base of experience enables QAO to ensure its vision of providing excellence in Report to Parliament No. 9 for 2010 enhancing public sector accountability now and into the future. Sustainable management of national More information on QAO is available on our website at www.qao.qld.gov.au parks and protected areas A Performance Management Systems audit ISSN 1834-1128 Cover photo by: William Long – Longshots Photography Cover RTP No. 9.indd 1 20/09/2010 4:18:11 PM Auditor-General of Queensland Report to Parliament No. 9 for 2010 Sustainable management of national parks and protected areas A Performance Management Systems audit © The State of Queensland. Queensland Audit Office (2010) Copyright protects this publication except for purposes permitted by the Copyright Act. Reproduction by whatever means is prohibited without the prior written permission of the Auditor-General of Queensland. Reference to this document is permitted only with appropriate acknowledgement. Queensland Audit Office Level 14, 53 Albert Street, Brisbane Qld 4000 GPO Box 1139, Brisbane Qld 4001 Phone 07 3149 6000 Fax 07 3149 6011 Email [email protected] Web www.qao.qld.gov.au ISSN 1834-1136 Publications are available at www.qao.qld.gov.au or by phone on 07 3149 6000. Auditor-General of Queensland October 2010 The Honourable R J Mickel MP Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Parliament House BRISBANE QLD 4000 Dear Mr Speaker This report is prepared under Part 3 Division 3 of the Auditor-General Act 2009, and is titled Sustainable management of national parks and protected areas. It is number nine in the series of Auditor-General Reports to Parliament for 2010. In accordance with s.67 of the Act, would you please arrange for the report to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly. Yours sincerely Glenn Poole Auditor-General Level 14, 53 Albert St, Brisbane Qld 4000 Phone: 07 3149 6000 Email: [email protected] GPO Box 1139, Brisbane Qld 4001 Fax: 07 3149 6011 Web: www.qao.qld.gov.au Contents 1 | Executive summary...........................................................................................1 1.1 Audit overview .................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Audit conclusion.................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Key findings ........................................................................................................................ 2 1.4 Recommendations.............................................................................................................. 5 1.5 Departmental response ...................................................................................................... 6 2 | Audit outline ......................................................................................................9 2.1 Background ......................................................................................................................10 2.2 Departmental overview..................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Audit objective .................................................................................................................. 12 2.4 Audit scope....................................................................................................................... 12 2.5 Audit procedures............................................................................................................... 13 2.6 PMS audit approach ......................................................................................................... 14 3 | Planning for sustainability ...............................................................................15 3.1 Why plan?......................................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Planning for specific protected areas................................................................................ 17 3.3 Planning for specific conservation priorities...................................................................... 21 3.4 Planning for the protected areas estate............................................................................ 23 3.5 Corporate planning ........................................................................................................... 25 3.6 Setting clear and measurable objectives .......................................................................... 27 3.7 Recommendations............................................................................................................ 28 4 | Monitoring, evaluation and reporting...............................................................29 4.1 Has the target been met? ................................................................................................. 30 4.2 Monitoring......................................................................................................................... 31 4.3 Evaluation......................................................................................................................... 34 4.4 Performance reporting ...................................................................................................... 36 4.5 Recommendations............................................................................................................ 38 5 | Appendices .....................................................................................................39 5.1 Acronyms.......................................................................................................................... 39 5.2 Glossary ........................................................................................................................... 39 5.3 References ....................................................................................................................... 42 6 | Auditor-General Reports to Parliament ...........................................................43 6.1 Tabled in 2010..................................................................................................................43 1 | Executive summary 1.1 Audit overview Ecosystems, landscapes, streams, rivers, and native flora and fauna within protected areas are seen as the foundation of conservation efforts to maintain Queensland’s cultural and natural heritage. National parks are protected areas that provide valuable ecological services, recreational opportunities and are a source of inspiration and cultural identity. Protected areas have been experiencing increasing pressures over the past three decades. These pressures include a greater number of visitors, a significant expansion of the protected area estate and heightened community expectations about the environment. The year 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. A United Nations report, released to coincide with this declaration, found that the five principal pressures directly driving biodiversity loss (habitat change, overexploitation, pollution, invasive alien species and climate change) are either constant or increasing in intensity.1 The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) is responsible for managing protected areas within Queensland, mainly through its Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services division. Its role includes planning for the protected area estate, undertaking conservation activities, and monitoring and reporting on its achievements as prescribed by the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (the Act). To prepare for the challenges affecting the environment, and manage changing community expectations and increasing environmental pressures on the protected area estate, the department requires comprehensive, robust and integrated systems to ensure conservation of nature outcomes have been achieved efficiently and effectively. The objective of this audit was to determine whether the department has adequate systems in place to ensure conservation of the state’s natural and cultural heritage is managed efficiently and effectively. 1.2 Audit conclusion Overall, I found that the department has systems in place to conserve the state’s natural and cultural heritage and manage protected areas, although the systems are not applied consistently across the regions. I also identified improvement opportunities to ensure the sustainable management of national parks and protected areas. The department delivers numerous services and activities that aim to minimise disturbance in protected areas as well as provide the necessary park and visitor infrastructure to meet conservation and community needs. These activities are carried out by dedicated officers. 1 United Nations, Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-3) (May 2010). Published by the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity and the United Nations Environment Program. Auditor-General
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Eastern Australia Mulga Shrublands
    Conservation Management Zones of Australia Eastern Australia Mulga Shrublands Prepared by the Department of the Environment Acknowledgements This project and its associated products are the result of collaboration between the Department of the Environment’s Biodiversity Conservation Division and the Environmental Resources Information Network (ERIN). Invaluable input, advice and support were provided by staff and leading researchers from across the Department of Environment (DotE), Department of Agriculture (DoA), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the academic community. We would particularly like to thank staff within the Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division, Parks Australia and the Environment Assessment and Compliance Division of DotE; Nyree Stenekes and Robert Kancans (DoA), Sue McIntyre (CSIRO), Richard Hobbs (University of Western Australia), Michael Hutchinson (ANU); David Lindenmayer and Emma Burns (ANU); and Gilly Llewellyn, Martin Taylor and other staff from the World Wildlife Fund for their generosity and advice. Special thanks to CSIRO researchers Kristen Williams and Simon Ferrier whose modelling of biodiversity patterns underpinned identification of the Conservation Management Zones of Australia. Image Credits Front Cover: Paroo-Darling National Park – Peter Taylor, Parks Australia Page 4: Mulga on John Egan Pioneer Track – Dragi Markovic Page 10: Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius) – Brian Furby Page 14: Paper daisies, Paroo-Darling National Park – J. Doyle/OEH Page 15: Lake Wyara – Adam Creed, © The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection) Page 18: Cassia flowers, Paroo-Darling National Park – J. Doyle/OEH Page 19: Bridled Nail-tail Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata) – Dave Watts Page 21: Australian Painted Snipes (Rostratula australis) – Graeme Chapman Page 22: Wild hop, Paroo-Darling National Park – J.
    [Show full text]
  • 4X4 Routes National Parks Fishing in the Outback
    4x4 Routes National Parks Fishing in the Outback 2008 EDITION BIRDSVILLE – BEDOURIE – BIG RED AND BEYOND… Adventure Diamantina! Call now for a copy of the new ‘Visitors Guide’, ‘Remote Desert Travel’ and ‘Bird Watching Guide’. Birdsville • Bedourie • Betoota Four Wheel Drive Challenges Splendour of the Outback Sophisticated Services Cross the Simpson Desert Wildflower Splendour Restaurants Hotels, Motels Explore Diamantina National Park Therapeutic hot artesian spa Cafés Caravan Parks, Cabins Travel to Poepels Corner Abundant wildlife Coffee shops Bush camping Test your skill on Big Red Land of the rugged beauty Art galleries Fuel & Auto services Diamantina Visitors Centres call 1300 794 257 Wirrarri Visitors Centre Bedourie Visitors Centre Birdsville Qld Bedourie Qld E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.diamantina.qld.gov.au 2 www.outbackholidays.infowww.outbackholidays.info Check out Queensland’s backyard Want to get off the beaten track and experience some of Queensland's relatively undiscovered Outback? There are plenty of opportunities to go bush taking Contents forgotten roads meandering through spectacular Outback scenery and hidden bush towns where there are many colourful characters to meet. PAGE Station Stays 4 We've put together a collection of some of the best four-wheel driving tracks in Queensland's Outback. They'll take you through some amazing country – from Fishing 4 rugged jump-ups to peaceful billabongs, and from the channel country to desert Dinosaurs & Fossils 5 dunes. Great Outback Pubs 6 Feel the lure of discovering a whole new world of Outback adventure – where Opal & Gem Fossicking 6 there's time for you to toss in a line, spin a yarn or share a cup of billy tea with new friends beside a peaceful billabong.
    [Show full text]
  • 17 Croft & Leiper
    ASSESSMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISM BASED ON WILD KANGAROOS By David B Croft and Neil Leiper WILDLIFE TOURISM RESEARCH REPORT SERIES: NO. 17 RESEARCH REPORT SERIES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The primary aim of CRC Tourism’s research report series is technology transfer. The reports are targeted toward both industry and government users and tourism Objectives researchers. The content of this technical report series primarily focuses on applications, but may also advance research methodology and tourism theory. The report series titles relate to CRC Tourism’s research program areas. All research The first objective of this study was to identify various places in reports are peer reviewed by at least two external reviewers. For further information Australia where tourists can have direct experiences of macropods in on the report series, access the CRC website, [www.crctourism.com.au]. a natural habitat, and to assess the likely quality of such an experience. This was achieved by formal inquiry from wildlife Wildlife Tourism Report Series, Editor: Dr Karen Higginbottom researchers and managers with an interest in the kangaroo family, and This series presents research findings from projects within the Wildlife Tourism through analysis of the distribution and biology of species. This part Subprogram of the CRC. The Subprogram aims to provide strategic knowledge to of the study identified 16 important sites in New South Wales, facilitate the sustainable development of wildlife tourism in Australia. Queensland and Victoria for assessment of the feasibility of kangaroo- based tourism. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data The second objective was to review this set of sites for developing Croft, David B.
    [Show full text]
  • National Parks and Sand Mining
    Paul Stephen Sattler OAM M.Nat.Res.; B.App.Sc.(Rur.Tech.) Paul has a lifetime of professional experience in nature conservation. He was the principal architect in doubling Queensland’s National Park estate in the 1990s whilst working with the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service (QNPWS). Paul initiated and guided the comprehensive description of Queensland’s bioregional ecosystems and the assessment of their status, a vital planning tool for conservation and natural resource management. He was directly involved in the development of a range of State and national conservation policies and has a particular interest in rangeland conservation and sustainable management. After leaving the QNPWS, Paul formed his own specialised eco-consultancy business and was principal author of the National Land and Water Resources Audit’s terrestrial biodiversity assessment of Australia, the first detailed assessment of biodiversity at a range of scales nationally. He grew up in a beekeeping family and learnt a practical appreciation of nature and is now once again, an apiarist. Having completed a degree in Applied Science (Rural Technology) in 1971 at the University of Queensland, Gatton College, he went on to gain a Masters degree in Natural Resources at the University of New England, Armidale. Paul has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to biodiversity conservation. Dedication To my daughters, Seola Anne and Melita Louise. Cover photos Front: Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park in North-West Queensland – an old landscape of timeless residual rocks, sites of incredible beauty, fossil record and Aboriginal history (DEHP photo.). Back: Albinia National Park in central Queensland with its rolling Blue grass downs.
    [Show full text]
  • October-November 2017
    Magazine of National Parks Association of Queensland Paradise Adrift Commercial developments in national parks PLUS Scientists urge rethink on Australia’s Marine Park Plans ALSO FEATURED Daintree National Park Barron Gorge NP lower section Issue 17 October-November 2017 Bridled Nailtail Wallaby 1 Contents From the President ������������������������� 3 Barron Gorge National Park lower FROM THE PRESIDENT Paradise adrift ������������������������������� 4 section, via Speewah ������������������� 10 Bridled Nailtail Wallaby ������������������ 12 Sceintists urge rethink on Australia’s Marine Park plans �������������������������� 6 The National Park Experience �������� 13 Daintree National Park �������������������� 8 Spotlight: Ranger of the Month ������ 14 What’s On / Vale �������������������������� 15 Editorial team Advertising enquiries Jeannie Rice and Marika Strand� Please email admin@npaq�org�au or phone (07) 3367 0878� Graeme Bartrim Contributor guidelines Advertising policy President, National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ) NPAQ invites contributions to Protected Advertisements are required to align with articles� Please email admin@npaq�org�au for a relevant NPAQ policies� NPAQ reserves the The National Parks Association schedule of future editions� right to refuse any advertisement at any time� Advertisement in Protected does not imply of Queensland has an impressive Contributors, please include contact details NPAQ’s endorsement of products or services� history and has achieved much for its and brief personal summary� Articles
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the Administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992
    Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (reporting period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015) Prepared by: Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. © State of Queensland, 2015. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence. Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3170 5470. This publication can be made available in an alternative format (e.g. large print or audiotape) on request for people with vision impairment; phone +61 7 3170 5470 or email <[email protected]>. October 2015 Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Nature Conservation Act 1992 —departmental administrative responsibilities ............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Approved Conservation Advice for Hakea Maonochieana
    This Conservation Advice was approved by the Minister / Delegate of the Minister on: 16/12/2008 Approved Conservation Advice (s266B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) Approved Conservation Advice for Hakea maconochieana This Conservation Advice has been developed based on the best available information at the time this Conservation Advice was approved; this includes existing plans, records or management prescriptions for this species. Description Hakea maconochieana, Family Proteaceae, is an erect or spreading shrub, 0.5–1.5 m tall and non-sprouting. Leaves are patchily covered in silky hairs, flat, thick, narrower across underside, 7–13.5 cm long, 1.5–2.7 cm wide, 0.4–0.8 mm deep, finely ribbed. The apex is narrowly acute with a more or less blunt point. Veins are prominent, 3–5 on the upper side including marginal veins, two or three on the underside. Inflorescences are 3–3.5 cm long with about 100 red flowers. Fruits are stalked, scarcely woody, 1.4–1.7 cm long, 0.6–0.7 cm wide, slightly curved at the apex with a small point, borne in groups of 2–8 on an elongated axis. Flowering occurs in April (Barker et al., 1999). This species was previously known by the following names: Hakea sp. Mariala Scientific Reserve (C.Sandercoe 507); Hakea sp. (C.Sandercoe 507, Mariala Scientific Reserve); Hakea sp. 1 (Mariala Scientific Reserve); and Hakea sp. (Ambathala Range, C.Sandercoe 507) (CHAH, 2005). Conservation Status Hakea maconochieana is listed as vulnerable. This species is eligible for listing as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act) as, prior to the commencement of the EPBC Act, it was listed as vulnerable under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth) under the name Hakea sp.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Key Initiatives in the Conservation and Management of Queensland’S Rangelands
    Some Key Initiatives in the Conservation and Management of Queensland’s Rangelands Paul S. Sattler OAM [email protected] Keywords: rangelands, conservation, national parks, duty of care As we review the future of brigalow was reserved, with many types not pro- Queens land’s rangelands, tected (Sattler & Webster, 1984). The requirement it is useful to highlight by the Lands Department for properties to leave some key initia tives that 10% uncleared also had been long overlooked. have shaped their conser- Graziers in the mid-1960s were active in va tion and management, establishing western branches of the Wildlife par ticularly those by The Preservation Society of Queensland in response Royal Society of Queens- to the extent of clearing. Southwood National land (RSQ). Indeed, we are indebted to Sir James Park, one of the few brigalow parks, was estab- Ramsay, Governor of Queensland and RSQ lished in 1970 as a result of agitation by a local Patron, for his historical remarks in opening The landholder who said at the time: “I wish we Brigalow Belt of Australia Symposium in 1982 could keep some of this country just the way it (Ramsay, 1984). was when I came here, so that my children can One hundred years earlier, in 1884 when the see it …” (Webb, 1984). RSQ was formed, the Society’s first President, Sir James, in opening the symposium, offered A. C. Gregory (the explorer and Surveyor his insight that “not all the problems associated General), in a debate on the Land Bill of 1884, with clearing large tracts of brigalow have been argued against the opening up of the briga- solved and not all of the side effects have yet to be low country.
    [Show full text]
  • Central West Queensland National Parks Journey Guide
    Queensland National Parks Central West Queensland National Parks Contents Welcome to Central West Queensland national parks Parks at a glance (facilities and activities) ..................................2 Welcome .....................................................................................3 Be adventurous! Map of Central West Queensland ................................................4 Journey Choose your escape ....................................................................5 off the beaten track over dusty Savour roads or desert dunes into Experience the Outback ..............................................................6 sunlit plains extended, wildflowers Queensland’s dry, but far from lifeless, heart. Discover a land of boom and bust ...............................................8 blossoming after rain and the freedom of sleeping out under a blanket of A Idalia National Park ...................................................................10 never-ending stars. Welford National Park ...............................................................12 Follow Lochern National Park ...............................................................14 the footsteps of superbly adapted arid-zone creatures and long-departed Forest Den National Park ...........................................................15 dinosaurs. Traverse ancient Aboriginal Bladensburg National Park ........................................................16 trading routes and the tracks of hardy explorers and resilient stockmen. Combo Waterhole Conservation
    [Show full text]
  • 2017-18 Report on the Administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992
    Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (reporting period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018) Prepared by: Department of Environment and Science and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries © State of Queensland, 2018. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence. Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en Disclaimer This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3170 5470. This publication can be made available in an alternative format (e.g. large print or audiotape) on request for people with vision impairment; phone +61 7 3170 5470 or email <[email protected]>. October 2018 ii Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Nature Conservation Act 1992—departmental administrative responsibilities ............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 9 September 2013 Mr Trevor Ruthenberg MP Chair Health And
    Queensland Government Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing 9 September 2013 Mr Trevor Ruthenberg MP Chair Health and Community Services Committee Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 Email: [email protected] Dear Mr Ruthenberg Thank you for the opportunity for the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing to present at the recent public briefing on the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2013 (NCOLA Bill). As part of this briefing there were five questions taken on notice, with a response required from the department by 9 September 2013. I am pleased to provide the following responses to each of these questions to assist the Health and Community Services Committee in its inquiry into the NCOLA Bill. Question #1 The Committee requested information on the average cost of litigation paid per year by the State Government as a result of personal injuries sustained in national parks. The Committee further queried whether the savings from not being sued would go back into infrastructure, upkeep and management of tracks such as the Great Walk in Spring brook or Purlingbrook Falls. Department Response Advice from the department's In-house Legal team confirms it is not possible to provide a realistic average yearly figure for litigation because a large payment amount for a single claim in any one year will skew the statistics. What is expended yearly depends on claims made, claims settled and claims decided in the courts. A difference also exists between the investigation and legal costs that the State incurs and the payout amounts for successful claims.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Extinction (October-November 2016)
    Magazine of National Parks Association of Queensland understanding extinction a great loss: bramble cay melomys beyond the brink of recovery: extinction welford national park wave rock eremophila tetraptera the national park experience Issue 11 October - November 2016 Connect and Protect1 Mission Statement Contents The National Parks Association promotes From the President 3 the preservation, expansion, good management and presentation of National A great loss:bramble cay melomys 4 Parks in Queensland. Beyond the brink: extinction 6 Welford National Park 8 Get Involved in NPAQ: Wave Rock 10 NPAQ welcomes people from all walks of life and offers a variety of ways to be involved: Eremophila tetraptera 12 • Have fun in the bush – come along on a The National Park Experience 13 bushwalk or other activity • Get your hands dirty – participate in on- Spotlight: Ranger of the month 14 ground conservation efforts What’s On 15 • Join us – become a member • Step up – become a National Parks Conservation member Council • Be a National Parks Protector – join our President Michelle Prior regular giving program Vice Presidents Tony O’Brien • Donate – support the work of NPAQ Athol Lester • Participate in exciting projects – volunteer Hon Secretary Debra Marwedel • Subscribe – receive Protected and Asst Hon Secretary Yvonne Parsons Neck of the Woods in your inbox Hon Treasurer Graham Riddell • Connect – like us on Facebook or share Councillors David Ball a photo on Instagram Julie Hainsworth • Stay in touch – read regular updates on Daniel Kelly our website Denis McMullen • Share a bush adventure with children Richard Proudfoot – download NPAQ’s Kids in National Alexsis Wilson Parks Staff Guidelines for Contributors Conservation Principal: Kirsty Leckie NPAQ invites contributions to Protected Business Development Officer: articles.
    [Show full text]