Coming Together for Protected Areas

Magazine of National Parks Association of Queensland

Coming together for protected areas

FEATURING Wetlands under threat

ALSO - Our living outback - Quoll island network - Dingo dinners Issue 23 SUMMER 2018 1 Contents From the President �� 3 Park in focus...... 10 FROM THE PRESIDENT Coming together �� 4 Dingo dinners...... 12 Our living outback �� 6 The national park experience ...... 13 Wetlands under threat...... 8 Spotlight: Ranger of the Month ...... 14 What’s On...... 15

Editorial team Advertising enquiries Reece Pianta, Jeannie Rice and Marika Strand. Please email [email protected] or phone (07) 3367 0878. Graeme Bartrim Contributor guidelines President, National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ) Banner: NPAQ Library If you have an idea for a Protected article we Advertising policy would love to hear from you. We can help with Advertisements are required to align with reviewing, editing and images. Contributions relevant NPAQ policies. NPAQ reserves the Welcome to the Summer 2018 be showcased and that it would National parks were visited by are always welcome. Please email admin@ right to refuse any advertisement at any time. edition of Protected. be ensured that any development 58 million people last year. This npaq.org.au for a schedule of future editions. Advertisement in Protected does not imply As 2018 ends it is worthwhile to would have an undefined soft shows their existing popularity Contributors, please include contact details NPAQ’s endorsement of products or services. consider our work in 2018 and touch. We are also told that and it would be worthwhile to and brief personal summary. Articles can be how we might be more effective eco-tourism developments in understand both the benefits and submitted via email or hard copy. Digital photos Copyright and disclaimer in the coming year. Tasmania and New Zealand are a impacts of this level of visitation should be minimum 300dpi. win-win for the economy and the prior to encouraging more. NPAQ retains copyright of Protected. Articles The attention given a few months environment. We are keen to see We call on the government to Cover image may be quoted provided that appropriate ago to using the Sydney Opera the evidence of minimal impact/ acknowledgement occurs in the reproduction House as a billboard for a horse develop a plan to grow and Cover photo: Laura Rangers in Cape York and use of material. enhanced biodiversity outcomes manage our protected area estate (Kerry Trapnell via Our Living Outback) race with its implied message at these locations. supporting gambling is relevant for the long term. This plan should Left image: (NPAQ Library) Articles in Protected do not necessarily reflect Last month the state government give nature conservation priority NPAQ’s opinion or position. to us in our advocacy work for national parks. called for expressions of and within that context optimise interest to build eco-tourism visitation. For many a line was crossed developments at Thorsborne About NPAQ when a beloved public asset, This year NPAQ and over 20 Track, Cooloola Great Walk other conservation groups came the Opera House, was used for and Whitsunday Island Trail. Mission statement commercial gain. Although the together to call for national It is proposed that these park expansion and better The National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ) long-term impact of projecting developments will be partnered promotes the preservation, expansion and good images onto the sails of the management. We are hopeful and financially supported by that government funding and management of national parks in Queensland. Opera House is zero, the sense the government. Fast-tracked of outrage felt by many was resources will be focused on approvals and leases of up to 60 enhancing our protected area Council Staff palpable. years are being suggested. President Graeme Bartrim Business Development Officer Marika Strand estate. In the meantime we seek The justification for using the National parks were not a moratorium on Eco- tourism Vice President Jacqueline Rose’Meyer Communications Officer Reece Pianta Opera House for horse race proclaimed as a resource to be developments. Hon Treasurer Neil Williams Conservation Officer Laura Hahn marketing was that NSW must exploited. Hon Secretary Debra Marwedel Project & Office Administrator Jeannie Rice compete with other states for the We are campaigning and This piecemeal planning is petitioning to make this happen. Councillors David Ball tourist dollar. This is a familiar pretext used to justify all manner unacceptable whilst we await a Visit www.npaq.org.au to sign Susanne Cooper Contact details funded Protected Area Strategy Julie Hainsworth of proposals for national parks. the parliamentary petition against Office Unit 10/36 Finchley St, Milton Too often this pretext goes which is anticipated to address development in national parks Cameron Hudson Post PO Box 1040, Milton QLD 4064 unquestioned. our state’s biodiversity decline, and support our campaign. Kalam McTaggart Phone (07) 3367 0878 predicted greenhouse changes Darryl Rae Web www.npaq.org.au In Queensland the last state and visitation. Finally, I would like to thank our Email [email protected] budget allocated effectively collegiate and dedicated council no money to national park Our national parks are already very much, staff who are often ABN 60 206 792 095 acquisition. It is generally under threat. The present tragic doing a lot with very little and accepted that funding for existing fires that are causing enormous volunteers who make a great Want to get involved with NPAQ? park management is inadequate loss for residents and businesses contribution. remind us of this. In addition to NPAQ welcomes people from all walks of life and offers a variety of ways to be involved: and this also remained stagnant. Wishing you all a happy and At the same time the government the sadness and loss for people • Have fun in the bush – come • Step up – become a National • Connect with us – Facebook, there is a concern that the peaceful Christmas! along on a bush walk or Parks Conservation member Instagram and Twitter is adding further challenge other activity or a National Parks Protector to our parks by encouraging vegetation of Eungella National • Stay in touch – read regular Park may not recover from the • Donate – support our work and facilitating eco-tourism • Get your hands dirty – updates on our website severe fire. participate in on-ground • Volunteer on exciting projects • Share a bush adventure with developments in our national conservation efforts • Subscribe to Protected and children – download NPAQ’s parks. Of course, our parks should be • Join us – become a member Neck of the Woods via email Kids in National Parks guide Again, we are told that the State visited, and we do not object to must compete with other states this. Already our national parks for the tourist dollar, that our bring over $900 million a year in SUPPORT NPAQ AND HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE revenue to Queensland. BECOME A MEMBER, DONATE OR VOLUNTEER wonderful natural areas should www.npaq.org.au/get-involved www.facebook.com/NPAQld @nationalparksassocqld @NPA_Qld

2Connect and Protect 3 COMING TOGETHER FOR PROTECTED AREAS Graeme Bartrim NPAQ President Images: banner: Bette Devine. Left: NPAQ Image Library.

Queensland is a large have consequences. The price weeds and inappropriate fire most needs conserving. protections is assured. Apart as Environment Minister that biologically diverse state of land exploitation over the last regimes. Further, this kind of aspirational from being sound stewardship dramatically increased our that European settlement has two centuries, has not been fully target without a realistic pathway of our land, this can have protected area estate. dramatically altered. There is a logical relationship factored into our economy. between protecting land in its to achieve it is meaningless. We potential economic benefits. The graph below shows Tourist interest in natural Over 200 years the area of As we move from a production natural state and biodiversity will certainly not achieve this Queensland in comparison to other areas is growing, bringing in forest, shrubland and heathland to a service-based economy it is conservation. Of course, other target by 2020 – the date set states. It paints an unfortunate in Queensland has declined reasonable to ask: can we keep in the Convention on Biological approximately $952 million each picture. year and our government is from 80% to 30% of the state doing what we have been doing? Diversity. Apart from expansions in park (Bradshaw, 2012). ...our national enthusiastic to capitalize on this. How do we focus on the long Indeed, our projections show area, management of our national term and the quality of life for parks require better We can transition from a model 64% of Queensland is leased that at our current rate, we might of exploitation – with its focus parks requires better resourcing to crown land. future generations? resourcing to not even achieve this milestone maintain and enhance biodiversity on jobs and economic activity, values. 28% of Queensland is private Our state’s biodiversity has borne maintain and enhance this century. to one tempered with proper freehold land. the brunt of much of our activity. biodiversity values. Our further fear too is that as the management of our land so that Expansion and management are 33.27% of the state is presently The last State of the Environment government embraces private its values remain for the long the focus of the new alliance of occupied by some form of Report contains some sobering protected areas, that we will not term. conservation groups, which have endorsed a considered position tenure that allows commercial figures. From 2007 to 2015 a matters such as management, see new national parks and the Our state has made incremental extraction or exploitative use of further 61 fauna species became current protected area ratio of paper suggesting a way forward for connectivity, and edge effects all increases in our protected area the state. the land. extinct, endangered or vulnerable come into play. 70:30 in favour of national park estate, apart from the recent (threatened). 68 recognised land will be lost. The six key requests directed to It is not unreasonable that we The Queensland Government Cape York Joint Management reserve 17% of Queensland’s threats are contributing to Queensland’s present protected Areas. The Cape York expansion government in this paper are: this; key ones being vegetation has embraced a target of 17% land area for nature of its land area being protected areas, amounting to 8% of our resulted in $35.9 million being • Strengthen the law - Cardinal conservation. clearing and inappropriate fire devoted to managing an through formal conservation state, need to be increased, but Principle and grazing regimes. During the in a targeted way so that those additional 700,000 ha of new While there is no doubt that same period 275 plant species frameworks. We support this, • Grow and better manage our development has contributed to plant and animal communities dedications and has been hailed national parks became threatened - the key but our fear is that this 17% with least secure protection as a success. Prior to this, it the high standard of living that contributing processes again could end up being the land that • Grow private protected areas most of us enjoy, all actions are prioritised and a baseline was the Labor government of being clearing, the spread of nobody wants, not the land that strong network of national park Wayne Goss with Pat Comben • Support Indigenous land management • Restore land to Traditional Owners and create new protected areas • Fund our protected areas The state has an opportunity to incorporate the recommendations of the position paper into the next and subsequent budget rounds. We are also yet to see a revised Protected Area Strategy for the state. The timing is right to be bold and re-affirm the value we place on our natural areas. Our government can prepare and commit to a multi-year plan of acquisition and enhanced management with clearly articulated objectives.

Bradshaw, C.J.A, 2012 Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization, Journal of Plant Ecology, V 5, 1, pp. 109–120 4 5 OUR LIVING OUTBACK PEOPLE NEED NATURE AND NATURE NEEDS PEOPLE

Hannah Schuch Community Campaigner - Our Living Outback Banner: Windorah Sand Dune (Qld Museum) All other images in this article supplied by author.

A place of beauty and diversity, 88,000 Queenslanders live in the Having people to actively manage at scale. The Queensland weeds and wildfire. the Australian outback is one outback, working across a range the land is essential in the battle to Government must urgently Indigenous rangers are of the last great regions of of industries and living in diverse address these threats and sustain increase investment in this essential for caring for many of nature left on Earth. Outback communities. Both Indigenous and the health of outback landscapes. program to support landholders Queensland’s most ecologically Queensland boasts landscapes, non-Indigenous residents share a Despite its extraordinary ecological to care for their land, and to and culturally significant places. rich in natural and cultural strong bond with the land. significance, Queensland has ensure it is delivering what is Ranger programs provide heritage, covering nearly two long suffered from an under- needed for nature. a platform for Indigenous thirds of our state. For thousands of years, the health of nature in outback Queensland investment in conservation and land Indigenous land and sea organisations to expand business Stretching from the tropical depended on people carefully management with only 8.2% of its management opportunities, including engaging rainforests of Cape York to the managing the land - but that land area protected — the lowest Aboriginal and Torres Strait in the carbon economy through Gulf Country’s savanna plains delicate balance has become proportion of Australia’s states and Islander peoples’ connection to reduced emissions because of and the vast floodplains of the increasingly threatened as people territories. country has stretched for many fire management which limits Channel Country, our outback move away from our outback. thousands of years and has destructive wildfires. is as diverse as the people and Fortunately, there are three Once-thriving outback towns successful programs that provide forged much of the spirituality There is strong support for the wildlife who call it home. and cultural heritage, that growth of the Indigenous ranger experienced significant declines a strong foundation for protection Outback Queensland is home of our outback. However, they are underpins not only Indigenous program amongst Aboriginal and to an extraordinary range of over the second half of the 20th modern culture heritage but that Torres Strait Islander organisations century. With both colonisation suffering from under investment, National parks provide a habitat to cassowaries, a native plants and animals; from putting nature in the outback at risk. of Australian society. Since the and the community. threatened yet extremely significant bird for the health of and the continuous rapid Queensland’s rainforests. cassowaries and cuscus in 1980s, there has been a revival National parks the rainforests of Cape York, urbanisation of modern Australia, Nature refuges: supporting of Indigenous land management we have seen the removal of landholders to care for their land Queensland has more plant and that more land should be protected to bilbies and budgerigars in practices and increasing in national parks and reserves, with the desert lands of western people from the land, resulting Nature refuges are a form of recognition of native title, but animal species than any other in a lack of people on the ground Australian state. National parks are three quarters stating that 20% Queensland. private protected area. They are there are still fewer people or more of Queensland should be to manage and protect outback a voluntary agreement between actively caring for the outback incredibly important to protect our Our Living Outback is a new and landscapes. wildlife. protected. exciting campaign working to the state government and the than at any time in thousands of landholder, aimed at protecting high years. Queensland boasts some of If Queensland is to sustain nature secure much needed investment Wildfires have increased in in the outback, the Government in programs that support scale and intensity in parts of conservation values on private land. The Queensland Indigenous Australia’s most iconic outback national parks. This includes the must expand and better manage people and nature in outback Queensland’s desert regions and Nature refuge landholders can Land and Sea Ranger program our national parks. This will create Queensland. the tropical savannahs of the access modest funding for their provides funding and technical lagoons of Rinyirru National Park (Lakefield) on Cape York and new tourism and employment 72% of Australia’s native bird north. conservation commitments, such support to rangers in 17 opportunities for regional as fencing off sensitive areas from communities across Queensland. the deep gorges of Boodjamulla species live in Queensland, along Feral animals and noxious weeds National Park (Lawn Hill) in the communities and to help safeguard with 85% of its mammals, and stock, management of feral animals Rangers employed through the the state’s native wildlife. spread further, taking over from program care for land and sea state’s far north-west. just over half its native reptiles native plants and animals and and weeds, or to install water infrastructure. country using both Indigenous National parks provide a vital Our outback is one of the very few and frogs. damaging precious ecosystems. great natural places left on the planet. This program has huge potential knowledge and modern science. haven for native wildlife and are They conduct species surveys, highly valued by Queenslanders To keep it healthy and to maintain with more than 500 landholders its nature, its wildlife, its people, dedicating part or all of their land control introduced predators as a place to spend time in the such as feral cats, and set small, outdoors with family and friends. its economies we need to support for conservation, covering a total of controlled burns to reduce the programs like these - programs that more than 4 million hectares. risk of large, destructive wildfires. The state’s national parks are a support the people who live there, However, with the rapid growth of They also maintain tourism powerful drawcard for tourists looking after and managing its lands. from across Australia and the program the funding hasn’t kept facilities and cultural sites. The Our Living Outback campaign pace, and now there is not enough around the world. Domestic The Queensland Land and and international visitors to is an alliance of The Pew Charitable funding to provide support for Sea Ranger program is a true Trusts, Queensland Trust for Nature landholders to manage their lands Queensland’s national parks are success story. It’s delivering estimated to contribute more and Bush Heritage Australia. or to encourage new landholders to real environmental, social and enter the program. than AU $952 million to the state For more information on the economic benefits for Indigenous economy each year. campaign, or to sign a petition visit: The limited investment in recent communities, including years presents a threat to the meaningful employment, positive In 2017, Galaxy Research found www.outbackqueensland.org.au The Talaroo Nature Refuge is managed by Ewamian Traditional Owners. They are excited program’s future growth and ability health outcomes and improved that support for Queensland’s by the opportunities presented by the Nature Refuges program however are experiencing national parks remains very strong the under-investment first hand. to deliver conservation outcomes management of feral animals, with 84% of respondents indicating 6 7 WETLANDS: UNDER THREAT Images: Banner: Cassim Island at Toondah Harbour, a wetland at risk (Panthus Wikimedia Commons) Left: Mary River under threat from coal mine (Mattinbgn Wikimedia Sheena Gllman Commons) Birds Queensland. Protect the Bush Alliance. NPAQ Member. Right: Broadsound, also under coal mine threat is an important nesting site for Straw Necked Ibis (Cyron Ray Macey Wikimedia Commons)

Ramsar is not an acronym; it is capacity building and technology or temporary. Water within these The Ramsar Convention the destruction of any part a small town on the southern transfer. areas can be static or flowing; of a Ramsar site unless that edge of the Caspian Sea in Iran. The Ramsar convention fresh, brackish or saline and can encourages the destruction is in the urgent include inland rivers and coastal It is the westernmost city in encourages the designation of designation of sites national interest. sites containing representative, or marine water to a depth of six Moreton Bay is the site for the Mazandaran province with a metres at low tide. containing representative, population of 35,000 people. rare or unique wetlands, or rare or unique wetlands, Walker Corporation development An early Iranian civilization wetlands that are important for Contracting parties to the of Toondah Harbour. This flourished in the beginning conserving biological diversity. convention agree to: or wetlands that are is a precedent case of a of the first millennium BC in Once designated, these sites 1. Designate at least one site that important for conserving development application over Tabarestan (Māzandarān). It are added to the convention’s meets the Ramsar criteria for biological diversity. both marine park and the roost was overrun in about AD 720 list of wetlands of international inclusion in the list of wetlands sites of Cassim Island. by the Arab general Yezid ibn importance and become known of international importance. A coal mine application Mohallab and was the last part Cobourg Peninsula in the as Ramsar sites. 2. Promote the conservation and threatens the Great Sandy of Iran to be converted to Islām. Northern Territory. Straits and a further coal It was ceded to the Russian In designating a wetland as a wise use of wetlands. initial permits were provided over Australia currently has 65 mine proposal looms over the ten years ago. Empire by a treaty in 1723, but Ramsar site, countries agree 3. Include wetland conservation wetlands of international magnificent Broadsound. was restored to Iran under the to establish and oversee a within their national land-use We would also argue there have importance listed under the These significant sites meet Oajar dynasty. The northern management framework aimed planning. Ramsar convention, covering been considerable changes in section of the region consists at conserving the wetland and the criteria for listing to the the past decade including the 4. Establish nature reserves on approximately 8.1 million Ramsar convention and both of a lowland alongside the ensuring its wise use. wetlands and promote wetland hectares, an area greater up listing and continued decline Caspian and an upland along state and federal governments of several shorebird species; Under the Ramsar convention, training. than Scotland or Tasmania. must protect them against the northern slopes of the Elburz Queensland has 6 Ramsar Sites: 18 nationally listed threatened a wide variety of natural and 5. Consult with other any inimical activity, now and Mountains. Marshy backlands human-made habitat types species visit our shores each dominate the coastal plain, and contracting parties about the • Coral Sea reserves of into the future. Apart from year. Threatened Australian ranging from rivers to coral reefs implementation of the Ramsar Coringa, Herald and Lihou being significant for migratory extensive gravel fans fringe can be classified as wetlands. humpback dolphin frequents the mountains. The climate is convention. Reefs & Cays shorebirds, all provide safe shallow estuarine water in the Wetlands include swamps, marine environments for Dugong permanently subtropical and marshes, billabongs, lakes, salt Australia was one of the first • Bowling Green Bay Styx River mouth at Broadsound humid with very hot summers. countries to sign the Ramsar and turtle species; they are and the area has six species marshes, mudflats, mangroves, • Shoalwater and part of Coria deemed key biodiversity areas. The Convention on Wetlands of coral reefs, fens, peat bogs, convention, and in 1974 designated Bay of marine turtles including the world’s first wetland of Destroying part of a Ramsar site threatened loggerheads and International Importance holds or bodies of water - whether • Great Sandy Straits including the unique distinction of being natural or artificial, permanent international importance - the for a residential development or green turtles. Tin Can Bay and part of Tin a coal mine, is not in the ‘urgent the first modern treaty between Can inlet We should treat their habitats nations aimed at conserving national interest’. Approval of with reverence; we have unique natural resources. • Moreton Bay these developments sends the systems worthy of protection. completely wrong message to The signing of the convention • Currawinya Lakes Wyara That is why they are Ramsar and Numalla & supporting other countries where ongoing sites. We are calling for increased on wetlands took place in loss and degradation of habitat 1971 at this small Iranian town wetlands accountability for the protection is clearly responsible for large of some of the most magnificent of Ramsar. Since then, the Moreton Bay, Shoalwater Bay declines in migratory shorebirds. convention on wetlands has coastal areas in Queensland. and The Great Sandy Straits Australians are obliged at the been known as the Ramsar are three Ramsar sites under It is incongruent that convention. government has an active highest level to protect not threat of adverse development exploit; we must value nature for and all are significant coastal application for UNESCO World The Ramsar convention’s broad Heritage listing of the Great what it is, irreplaceable. aims are to halt the worldwide environments for critically endangered, endangered, and Sandy Straits and in asking the loss of wetlands and to federal environment department conserve, through wise use and vulnerable migratory waders and shore birds to insist on an Environment management, those that remain. Impact Assessment (EIS), we This requires international The Ramsar treaty prohibits were informed ‘there had been cooperation, policy making, no material changes’ since the

8 9 PARK IN F CUS Sundown National Park - conservation on neighbouring lands

Jailene Santana Conservation Program Manager All images in this article supplied by author.

Nestled along the border with to wildlife habitat enhancement. parts cleared and semi-cleared. iron bark, yellow box, red gum, New South Wales, Queensland’s Silver Hills is an approximately Bundanoon Nature Refuge sits pechey wattle, black cypress pine, Sundown National Park is a 1,200 ha property, forming a on basalt trap rock terrain and and xanthorrhoea, as well as many rocky gem about 300 kilometres wildlife corridor in the middle is located at the peak of the other native trees endemic to the southwest of Brisbane. Noted of approximately 14,000ha of watershed at an elevation of 700 region. The property hosts a large for its ridges and steep gorges, protected remnant vegetation metres above sea level, which variety of avian species, many of Sundown National Park can be and state forests. It is located allows for the flourishing of diverse which are found throughout Sundown reached by walking track and off- northeast of Texas, Qld. native wildlife. Bundanoon’s areas National Park. The property also has road vehicle. Approximately 90% of the of forest and scrub have a diverse some interesting evidence of early property is protected as either ecology and support many species settlement history from the 1800s. While the trap rock region from sundews to quolls and from around Sundown National Park category B or C vegetation which Peakvale is a privately-owned 1,164 prohibits any significant land swamp wallabies to orchids. is primarily known as sheep Bundanoon is a local Aboriginal ha former sheep grazing property. farming country, the region clearing. The greatest threat Peakvale is one of the two quoll to the habitat is the potential word meaning land of many hills provides suitable habitat for and valleys. island network properties closest a vast quantity of native flora for catastrophic fire. Due to the to Sundown National Park, being and fauna. In fact, a number of fuel loads, rugged terrain and Sierra is a former grazing property adjacent to the national park’s threatened species and ecological highly variable winds, a fire could adjacent to Sundown National northern boundary. Much of this communities are dependent on potentially cause great damage Park (on the western side of the property is made up of category B this part of Queensland’s small to the flora and fauna in the area. park near the Severn River) in remnant vegetation spread across portion of the new England This could seriously compromise trap rock country. It is, along with both undulating terrain as well as tableland bioregion. Some of the survival of local populations, Peakvale, one of the two closest rugged gorge country. There have the threatened fauna include the its existence value, the amount hope to make a positive impact including iconic animals such as quoll island network properties been regular sightings of spotted- squatter pigeon (Geophaps scripta of land protected for wildlife in on the existing populations of the spotted-tailed quolls. to Sundown National Park. Sierra tailed quolls on this property. scripta), classified as Vulnerable Queensland is comparatively region’s native fauna. Importantly, Bundanoon has traditionally is approximately 810 ha and is elevated with some steep hills and The quoll island network’s most under the Environment Protection small and fragmented. With this these landowners recognise their been a sheep grazing property recent work has included liaising and Biodiversity Conservation being the case, the existence of contribution to habitat protection and is today a nature refuge. The valleys running east-west, with the highest elevation around 760 with carnivorous marsupial expert, Dr Act 1999 (EPBC), as well as the protected, privately-owned land in a region more focused on property is made up of virgin Scott Burnett of the University of the regent honeyeater (Anthochaera able to form types of wildlife production than on protection. remnant dry forest with some metres. The property is host to a variety of native trees including Sunshine Coast. Dr Burnett met with phrygia) and the swift parrot corridors around national parks The quoll island member properties the quoll island network in mid-2018 (Lathamus discolor), both of is of utmost importance to the consist of the following properties: to discuss quoll habitat suitability, which are classified as Critically survival of many of Queensland’s Wilga Park Wildlife Corridor, Silver risks to the species’ survival and Endangered. threatened species. Hills, Bundanoon, Sierra and likelihood of studies and surveys on Amongst these threatened Northwest of Sundown National Peakvale. the properties. Dr Burnett recently species is the spotted-tailed quoll Park lies an area of privately- Wilga Park Wildlife Corridor is a paid a visit to the properties to (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus), owned land, called the quoll 7,124 ha contiguous wildlife corridor assess quoll habitat suitability and a carnivorous marsupial that is island network, that is being advise on the best locations to install classified as Endangered under owned by TJM Select Investments baited camera traps. All properities in managed for the needs of native Pty Ltd, consisting of three nature the EPBC Act and as Vulnerable wildlife. These properties are the quoll island network work hard to under Queensland’s Nature refuges and one conservation area. ensure the protection of quoll habitat privately-owned by individuals The properties are primarily focused Conservation Act 1992. who appreciate the value of and monitor surveillance footage on wildlife habitat conservation. A to confirm their location on these Considering the immense biodiversity and have recently part of the corridor was previously responsibility that we have come together to cooperate protected properties, resulting in a sheep farming and logging land. couple of confirmed sightings. as stewards of our planet, on the objective of protecting Preparations are currently underway its ecosystems and natural habitat suitable to species such to develop a native bush-tucker The quoll island network hopes to resources, the importance of as the spotted-tailed quoll. While plantation to both restore and be able to protect and host the many wildlife corridors continue to some of these properties are not produce from the land. Over 400,000 fantastic species of Queensland’s be a big theme in the subject of directly adjacent to the national trees have also been planted on trap rock country for years to come. wildlife habitat conservation. park (the northernmost property TJM’s wildlife corridor over the It is also hoped that the quoll island While national parks are a great is located about 50km northwest past year by C02 Australia, under network’s efforts contribute to example of how the public sector from the national park), the the federal government’s 20 Million the positive impact that Sundown values and protects nature for quoll island network members Trees Program, to further contribute National Park is making on the region. 10 11 WILDLIFE THE NATIONAL PARK FEATURE EXPERIENCE Dingo dinners: what’s on the menu for Personal reflection on why our parks must be valued Australia’s top predator?

Tim Doherty Deakin University Chris Dickman University of Sydney www.theconversation.com/dingo-dinners- Dale Nimmo Charles Sturt University whats-on-the-menu-for-australias-top- Euan Ritchie Deakin University predator-103846 Julia Bartrim Thomas Newsome University of Sydney Banner: Fraser Island Dingo finds a fish (Marc NPAQ Member Tarlock Wikimedia Commons) All images in this article supplied by author.

It’s a tiny pocket of woodland their ubiquitous squawking In fact one tourist, commenting on The dingo is Australia’s largest unable to distinguish between warmer months when they are squeezed to the west by the accompanied by occasional cries a popular review website, dismissed land-based predator, occurring predation and scavenging, and most active. However, very few Bruce Highway, to the south from a channel-billed cuckoo and the park as ‘laughable’ and across most of the mainland and hence tell us little about dingo studies have collected data on by Deception Bay Rd, and on the chirpy notes of a butcher bird. deplored its lack of photographic on many nearshore islands. impacts on livestock production. prey availability, partly because The park features grandfather opportunities. Dietary samples also do not of the sheer number of different its other flanks by residential Our new research, published developments. scribbly gums replete with But its low tourism status could be reveal instances of dingoes killing animals that dingoes eat. hollows, but it’s dominated by considered a bonus for the park’s in the journal Mammal Review, livestock without eating them. Threatened species younger, thinner trees, mostly wildlife. reveals the breadth and diversity At 156 hectares, Freshwater Regional variation Dingoes kill or eat at least 39 National Park may be tiny but it’s gums, casuarinas, and paperbarks. Queensland Parks and Wildlife of dingo diets across the These are surrounded by armies of continent. We found that what dingoes eat native species that are classed home to some 29 species of birds, Service says it has no plans as threatened or near-threatened represents core koala habitat small grass trees and a variety of to develop the park beyond its depends on where they live. For grasses and sedges. We compiled and analysed 73 sets instance, in arid central Australia, on the IUCN Red List. These and preserves a remnant of open currently cleared dirt walking of data, containing details of more birds, reptiles, rabbits, small include the northern quoll, golden sclerophyll woodland, a community Gazetted in 1973, Freshwater tracks. than 32,000 dingo droppings or mammals and insects form bandicoot and bridled nailtail which once grew widely in the National Park was formerly used And lower visitor numbers of stomach contents, to document major parts of dingo diets. In wallaby. region. as grazing land for cattle. the range of different species that course, offers respite to native contrast, these food groups are This tally is higher than the It’s also a great little getaway from The department states that little wildlife - although the park is used dingoes eat, and how their diets vary less important in temperate and between different environments. number of threatened species the modern world for Deception Bay is known of the Indigenous history by locals for bird watching or for a subtropical eastern Australia, in feral cat diets (based on a residents. of the area although the Gubbi quiet stroll. A wide-ranging diet where medium-sized and large previous study that used similar I ventured into the park, early on Gubbi people, (of the Sunshine And it must be said; its proximity to We found that dingoes eat at mammals such as kangaroos, methods), even though cats eat a Sunday morning, from Priest’s Coast, Moreton Bay and Burnett the Bruce Highway means even in least 229 vertebrate species. bandicoots and possums are more almost twice as many different Road, which runs along its eastern Mary Regions) once registered a the early hours of a Sunday morning This includes 62 small mammals important. species overall as dingoes (400 border. native title claim over Freshwater the roar of traffic can easily be (less than 500 grams in mass), 79 and 229, respectively). National Park, which has since The higher occurrence of medium- Cicadas were already buzzing heard. medium-sized and larger mammals, sized mammals in dingo diets Today’s threatened native passed. 10 species of hoofed mammals, though the grass was still wet Despite this, I enjoyed my walk in eastern Australia may be due species co-existed with dingoes underfoot on the open, sandy track. It’s a park unlikely to attract through the park. 50 birds and 26 reptiles. Dingoes to the lower extinction rates for a long time before European throngs of tourists, given its also eat insects, crustaceans, of native mammals there. In colonisation, which means they There was not a human soul in small size and lack of spectacular On my way out I encountered centipedes, fish and frogs. contrast, central Australia is a were able to withstand dingo sight. views or topography. The park is two beautiful Pacific black ducks The true number of species is likely global mammal extinction hotspot, predation without going extinct. Dragonflies floated above young basically a small, roughly square, ambling along the track ahead of me, with not a care in the world, to be much higher because dingo which probably accounts for the But now a combination of casuarinas and a peaceful dove flat pocket of land intersected diets have been poorly studied in low occurrence of medium-sized called relentlessly while lorikeets by Little Burpengary Creek at its undisturbed, except by me joining in small population sizes of on their morning stroll. many parts of Australia, such as mammals in dingo diets in arid and some threatened species and rocketed between the trees, northern corner. Cape York Peninsula. semi-arid areas. exacerbating factors such as Large (at least 7kg) and medium- Nonetheless, one medium-sized habitat loss, foxes and cats sized (0.5-6.9kg) mammals were the mammal was a major food item for means some threatened species most common components of dingo dingoes in arid areas: the European could be vulnerable to even diets, followed by small mammals, rabbit. In some areas, more low levels of dingo predation. rabbits, arthropods, reptiles, birds than 50% of dingo droppings or Predation by dingoes should and hoofed animals. stomachs contained the remains therefore be a key consideration of this invasive species. It is when attempting to conserve or A range of introduced pest species restore threatened species. also feature in dingo diets, including possible that native medium-sized deer, goats, rabbits, hares, black mammals previously constituted Dietary studies are one way we rats, house mice, foxes and cats. a major part of dingo diets in arid can understand how dingoes In recent decades, the occurrence Australia, but have since been interact with other species. Our of sambar deer in dingo diets has replaced by rabbits. study also highlights that we still increased as this invasive species Local prey availability plays a have much to learn about our has expanded its range. major role in determining what native top predator. In many parts dingoes eat. For instance, in the of Australia, the favourite foods of Dingoes also eat sheep and cattle, dingoes are still a mystery. although dietary samples are Tanami Desert, reptiles were most common in dingo diets during 12 13 WHAT’S For more details and activities, visit our website: RANGER OF www.npaq.org.au/events THE MONTH N Insights into the diverse backgrounds and day-to-day activities of Queensland’s park rangers NPAQ activities More details npaq.org.au/events Boyd Blackman Park Ranger - Great Sandy National Park q Mt Hobwee Circuit Banner: Lake McKenzie, K’Gari (Fraser Island) Recreation Area, Date: Saturday, 8 December 2018 Great Sandy National Park ©TEQ Meet: 7.45am, Binna Burra Carpark near the teahouse. Cost: $5 per person Boyd Blackman is a Park Ranger part of the island and can be in Great Sandy National Park. hard to access. I also love all the Leader: Frank Freeman: 07 3824 3954, 0427 655 514, [email protected] Boyd is a Butchulla man— freshwater lakes. Fraser Island is Notes: Beat the summer heat of Brisbane by taking a walk in the rainforest to the top of Mt Hobwee which, at 1164 metres, is the highest peak in the Butchulla people are the the world’s largest sand island and this section of lamington National Park. While there are limited views from the top, there are a couple of lookouts on the way and some of the flora Aboriginal Traditional Owners has incredible freshwater lakes, should be at its blooming best.The route follows the Border Track from Binna Burra for 5.5km before branching left for the circuitous climb to the top of K’gari (Fraser Island). Boyd like Lake Boomanjin, the largest of Mt Hobwee for lunch. Bring a light jacket as it is normally quite cool. Remnants of the old survey marker might still be seen although it is slowly holds an identified Indigenous perched lake in the world, and Lake disintegrating.After turning left on the way down, we’ll join the Border Track at the escarpment, turning right for the 8km trek back to Binna Burra and Ranger position and his passion Wabby, the island’s deepest lake. coffee. is for his culture. Boyd’s aim Bring: Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Insect repellent (leeches), 2+ litres water, raincoat, cardigan, torch, $5.00 NPAQ fee, sense of adventure. is to bring cultural awareness My other favourite spots are at and understanding into QPWS Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill Gorge) and to look after our natural where Lawn Hill Creek flows through a steep lush gorge that landscapes and sea country ' New Year Twilight Celebration in his dual role of Park Ranger cuts through the dry savannah and Traditional Custodian. Boyd landscape. Date: Sunday, 6 January 2018 strongly believes that ‘what is What is the best part about Meet: 3:30 pm at Teralba Park, opposite 87 Pullen Road, Everton Park good for the land must come working in a National Park? Cost:Pay $14 per person to NPAQ Office by cheque with the Activity Nomination Form or alternatively, you can pay by Direct Transfer to BSB: 124- first’. QPWS Boyd Blackman Park Ranger - Great The thing I like best about working 001 Account: 1201 8942 and - “Your surname Twilight” - as the reference on the bank deposit form. Sandy National Park (above). in a national park is being able Leader: Len & Laurelle Lowry: 0428 335 572, [email protected] How long have you worked in PHOTOS: BOYD BLACKMAN & QLD GOVERNMENT to show my fellow Park Rangers, national parks? first-hand, that having spiritual Notes: Based on the successful 2018 “Picnic in the Park” at Jindalee, we have decided to run this activity again, this time on the north side. Teralba Park. I’ve also been based at Park is a pleasant park with plenty of shade and facilities. Although it can be popular on weekends, there is plenty of space to spread out. It has toilets I was first given the opportunity Bribie Island National Park, and connection to land and country helps in being the ‘cultural and shelter sheds and is close to an easy level walk along Kedron Brook. If you do not wish to do the walk, you are most welcome to come along and to work as a Cultural Heritage around the Moreton Bay region. join the group staying at the park for a chat. We have a contingency plan if it decides to “rain on our party”. The program will follow the tried and tested Ranger about 27 years custodians’ of our protected areas. I have now moved back to work Working as a Park Ranger on K’gari format of a walk, nibbles and bubbly/juice and a hearty snack with dessert. Nominations close Thursday, 3rd January 2019. ago in Mount Isa. It was a at K’gari (Fraser Island), in the proud moment for me, as an allows me to keep in touch with my Bring: Folding chair, water bottle, sun screen, hat, walk shoes, walking pole and torch. Coastal and Islands region. This culture and connection to land and Aboriginal person, to be given is my traditional country. the trust of the Elders of the country. area. From there, I moved into What is your most memorable What is your top tip for visitors to a Park Ranger position with moment? parks for bushwalking? NPAQ events Office Queensland National Parks and My most memorable moment I always say, ‘Take only photos and Upcoming Members Meetings Christmas Closure Wildlife Service. My aim was was receiving an Excellence leave only footprints behind’, and to bring to the organisation The NPAQ Office Award from the Minister at of course, ‘take time and connect February members meeting will be on the 20th of February. Click here for more information. a better understanding of the time, MP Dr. Steven Miles. to the country!’ closes from the 19 Aboriginal cultural practices and My award was in the category, December 2018 What is your top tip for campers? May members meeting will be on the 15th of May. perspectives for the protection of Excellence in Leadership, in and reopens 7th of cultural sites, and to work as part recognition of my work towards My advice to visitors who are January 2019. of a dedicated team of QPWS ‘closing the gap’. considering camping in national Further details at www.npaq.org.au Rangers. parks is that ‘your backyard does Can you describe your favourite not end at your mailbox. All of Which parks have you worked in? national parks experience? Australia, including our national Sign the petition - stop national park sell off. Firstly, I worked in the north-west One of my favorite national park parks, is our backyard and it’s up to of the state at Boodjamulla (Lawn experiences is walking through all of us to look after our country’. Hill Gorge) National Park, and the lush rainforest on K’gari Help us get 10,000 signatures on the petition - make around the Mount Isa region. (Fraser Island). I especially NPAQ thanks Boyd for taking time to Then I moved to the south-east enjoy The Valley of Giants where answer our questions. We appreciate parliament debate the future of Qld national parks. and worked at K’gari (Fraser huge turpentine trees tower the work all QPWS rangers undertake in Island) in Great Sandy National above you—but this is a remote protecting Queensland’s national parks. Sign the petition: www.npaq.org.au/not-for-sale

14 15 Our National parks NOT FOR SALE

Help us get 10,000 signatures on the petition - make parliament debate the future of Qld national parks.

WWW.NPAQ.ORG.AU The Qld government is OFFICE ADDRESS Unit 10/36 Finchley Street, Milton QLD POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 1040, Milton QLD 4064 PHONE 07 3367 0878 EMAIL [email protected] seeking to privatise large www.facebook.com/NPAQld sections of our national parks. @nationalparksassocqld Find out how you can help: visit www.npaq.org.au/not-for-sale