2012–13 Yearbook Department of Environment and Conservation R N V E M E O N G T E O H F T W A E I S L T A E R R N A U S T DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION 2012–13 YEARBOOK Foreword DEC’s final Yearbook is a companion volume to its final Annual Report that provides more detail about the diverse projects and programs undertaken by the former department. In addition, it has provided an ongoing record of data that is of public interest, from the number of specimens added to the WA Herbarium collection to the number of bushfires attended in each region. DEC was created in 2006 through the amalgamation of the former Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) and the former Department of Environment (DoE). On 1 July 2013, DEC was separated into the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) and the Department of Environment Regulation (DER). My thanks go to DEC’s staff for their commitment and professionalism, which will continue to underpin our management of the environment. I would also like to acknowledge the volunteers and various organisation that worked with DEC, their support was invaluable and I look forward to that continuing involvement. I am pleased to present the 2012–13 DEC Yearbook for the public record. Jim Sharp Acting Director General – Department of Parks and Wildlife (Acting Director General – Department of Environment and Conservation until 30 June 2013) ii Contents Acknowledgements i Foreword ii List of tables and figures viii PART ONE: OVERVIEW 1 In memoriam 3 DEC bids farewell to a tough and tireless leader 3 Tribute to a brave firefighter 5 DEC 2012–13 7 Organisational highlights 10 Future leaders recognised 10 Carbon-neutral school environmental champions 13 Long-standing DEC staffers retire 15 PART TWO: SERVICE AREAS 17 Nature Conservation 18 Building biodiversity knowledge 19 Biological inventory 19 Taxonomy and biotic collection management 22 Establishment of the terrestrial and marine conservation reserve system 23 Effective management of the conservation reserve system 23 Management planning for conservation reserves 23 Good Neighbour policy 24 Fire and biodiversity research projects 24 Recovery of threatened species and ecological communities, and management of other significant species and ecosystems 25 Recovery of threatened species and ecological communities 25 Wetland conservation 32 Management of marine fauna 34 Management of commercial activities involving fauna and flora 34 Regulation 35 Conserving landscapes and seascapes; integrating off- and on-reserve conservation and managing threatening processes 45 Biodiversity conservation legislation 45 Native Vegetation Framework 45 Regional nature conservation plans 45 Managing system-wide threats 45 Invasive species control 49 iii DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION 2012–13 YEARBOOK Phytophthora dieback management 54 Fire management on unallocated Crown land and unmanaged reserves 55 Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy 55 Great Western Woodlands 55 Net Conservation Benefits program 56 Assessment of land and resource use impacts on biodiversity conservation 56 Encouraging public understanding and support for biodiversity conservation and other DEC programs and activities 57 Public participation programs 57 Provision of private land biodiversity conservation support and advice 57 Animal ethics 60 Native Vegetation Conservation Branch 61 Applications to clear native vegetation: assessment and activity 62 Monitoring and compliance of native vegetation clearing 65 Vegetation conservation notices 65 Sustainable Forest Management 66 Implementation of approved forest management plans and government policies and programs 67 Forest Management Plan 2004–2013 67 Preparing the Forest Management Plan 2014–2023 67 Community forest inspection program 68 Inventory, assessment and modelling of natural resources 68 Maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity and other values 68 Health and vitality in natural landscapes 69 Integrated planning support 69 Management of soil disturbance in timber harvesting 69 Implementation of fauna habitat zones 69 Management system for approvals, monitoring and compliance 69 Forest monitoring 70 Forest auditing 70 Adaptive management 75 Provision for harvesting, regeneration and growth of forest products 75 Silviculture guidelines 75 Monitoring of areas subject to timber harvesting and associated treatments 75 Parks and Visitor Services 78 Planning for management 79 Acquisition and administration of protected areas 80 Reserve acquisition 80 Leasing activities 80 Apiary site management 80 Park presentation and resource protection 81 iv Capital works 81 Roads 81 Recreation planning and design 81 Visitor communication and management 82 Interpretive planning and design 82 Community liaison, consultation and advisory services 83 Guided interpretive programs 83 Aboriginal liaison, consultation and heritage 83 Planning and relationship building 84 Education and training 84 Business management 84 Park passes and fees 85 Commercial operations and events 85 Legislation and policy for parks and visitor services 87 Legislation 87 Policy 87 Recreation activities and trails 87 Bibbulmun Track 88 Mountain biking 88 Munda Biddi Trail 88 Motorised recreation 90 Community involvement 90 Volunteer awards and activities 91 Tourism and marketing 93 Rediscover Parks 93 Campground booking system 93 Social and visitor research 93 Visitor-use monitoring 94 Visitor survey program 95 Astronomy 96 Public outreach, education and information 96 Volunteers 96 Research activities 96 Support to the Conservation Commission and the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority 97 Other initiatives 97 Memoranda of Understanding 97 World and national heritage 98 Formal management arrangements with Aboriginal people 99 Regional activities 101 Goldfields Region 101 Kimberley Region 101 Midwest Region 102 v DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION 2012–13 YEARBOOK Pilbara Region 103 South Coast Region 104 South West Region 105 Swan Region 106 Regional parks 107 Warren Region 108 Wheatbelt Region 109 Environmental Regulation 110 Air quality program 111 Perth Air Quality Management Plan 111 Regional air quality investigations 113 Fixed ambient air quality monitoring network 113 Noise regulation 114 Industry Regulation 115 Approvals processing 115 Regulation of prescribed premises 115 National Pollutant Inventory 116 Controlled waste 116 Industry regulation compliance strategy 117 Environmental hazards management 118 Pollution emergency management 118 Regulation of contaminated sites 120 Training 120 Local government support and training 120 Technology enabled training and development 121 Regulatory training program 121 Indian Ocean Territories 122 Significant Issues 122 Southern Metropolitan Regional Council’s Canning Vale waste composting facility 122 Cockburn Cement Ltd lime and cement plant, Munster 122 Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change 123 Strategic Policy 124 Strategic assessment of the impacts of development in the Perth and Peel regions 124 Offsets 124 Legislative review and reform 125 Support for participation in Standing Council on Water and Environment 125 Addressing climate change 125 State climate change strategy 125 Policy support and leadership 126 Enabling state and local government adaptation 126 Indian Ocean Climate Initiative Stage 3 126 vi Electric vehicles trial 126 Low Emissions Energy Development Fund 128 Waste management 129 Legislation and regulations 129 Office of the Waste Authority 129 Delivery of programs on behalf of the Waste Authority 129 Fire Management Services 130 Bushfire season 2012–13 131 Prescribed burning 134 Operations, planning and interagency cooperation 139 Aerial bushfire suppression operations 139 Bushfire detection 140 Logistics support for bushfire response 140 Bushfire training and development 140 Prescribed fire planning and risk management 140 Bushfire preparedness on unallocated Crown land 141 Interagency bushfire management 141 Key efficiency indicators 141 Appendix: Prescribed burning summary data 142 vii DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION 2012–13 YEARBOOK List of tables and figures Table Page Service area Description 1 22 Nature Conservation Specimens held at the WA Herbarium Flora translocations undertaken as part of the 2 27 Nature Conservation implementation of recovery and interim recovery plans in 2012–13 Fauna translocations undertaken as part of the 3 29 Nature Conservation implementation of recovery and interim recovery plans in 2012–13 4 32 Nature Conservation Management plans for Ramsar wetlands in WA 5 36-41 Nature Conservation Fauna and flora licences issued 2012–13 Number of reported offences in 2011–12 and 6 42 Nature Conservation 2012–13 Offences under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and 7 43 Nature Conservation Regulations and the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 that occurred in 2012–13 Offences under the Conservation and Land Management 8 44 Nature Conservation Act 1984 and Regulations and Sandalwood Act 1929 that occurred in 2012–13 Native Vegetation Conservation Permit areas granted to clear under Section 51E of the 9 63 Branch Environmental Protection Act 1986 Native Vegetation Conservation Areas refused a permit to clear under Section 51E of 10 64 Branch the Environmental Protection Act 1986 Native Vegetation Conservation Timeframes for DEC decisions on clearing permit 11 65 Branch applications/decisions 12 71 Sustainable Forest Management List of coupes sampled 13 71 Sustainable Forest Management Summary of coupe demarcation