Septemberl992
Saving Mulligan's Flat The un-Welcome Dam NPA BULLETIN Volume 29 number 3 September 1992
CONTENTS Mulligan's Flat submission 4 Orroral work party pictures 8 The un-Welcome Dam 10 Jervis Bay convocation 12 Exotics in national parks 15 ACT tracking stations 18 Cover NPA in New Zealand 20 Photo: Rodney Falconer America by campervan 22 Central Mulligans Flat looking south to Canberra City.
National Parks Association (ACT) Subscription rates (1 July - 30 June) Incorporated Household members $20 Single members $15 Inaugurated 1960 Corporate members $10 Bulletin only $10 Concession: half above rates For new subscriptions joining between: Aims and objects of the Association • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate protection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural features 1 April and 30 June - annual subscription in the Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the Membership enquiries welcome reservation of specific areas. Please phone Laraine Frawley at the NPA office. • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation areas. The NPA (ACT) office is located in Kingsley Street, • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment Acton. Office hours are: of, such natural phenomena by organised field outings, 10am to 2pm Mondays meetings or any other means. 9am to 2pm Tuesdays and Thursdays • Co-operation with organisations and persons having similar interests and objectives. Telephone: (06) 257 1063 • Promotion of, and education for, nature conservation, and Address: GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601. the planning of land-use to achieve conservation. Contribute to your Bulletin Office-bearers and Committee Contributions of articles (news, description or fictionL President Beverley Hammond 288 6577(h) black-and-white photographs and line drawings an Vice-President Dianne Thompson 288 6084(h); keenly sought for the Bulletin. Please label photo graphs with the name the subject, the name the 244 7558fw); 244 7934(fax w). of of photographer and the date. Leave contributions at the Immediate office or phone the editor, Roger Green, on Past President Les Pyke 281 2982(h) (06) 247 0059. The editorial fax is (06) 249 7373. Secretary Len Haskew 281 4268(h) Treasurer Mike Smith 286 2984(h); 248 3624(w) Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Association opinion or objectives. Subcommittee conveners Deadline for December issue: 1 November 1992. Environment Outings Michael Kelly 241 2330 (h); 275 6119(w) NPA Bulletin is produced by Green Words for the Namadgi National Parks Association (ACT) Incorporated. It is produced with the assistance of an ACT Heritage grant. Other Committee members Neville Esau 286 4176(h); 249 9243(w) Printed on recycled paper bv Union Offset Co Pty Ltd, Syd Comfort 2S6 2578(h) Fyshwick, ACT. Clive Hurlstone 288 7592(h); 246 5516(w) Doreen Wilson 288 5215(h); 201 7000(w) ISSN 0727-8837 Tim Walsh 274 1465 Len Crossfield 241 2897(h); 263 3536(w) Graham Guttridge 231 4330(h); 207 3471(w> President's foreword It was a lovely sunny day on open forest and native grasslands May—you may have seen the Monday 27 July when the with its rich flora and fauna. The follow-up visit reported in the Mulligan's Flat Nature Reserve Minister responded that the envi Canberra Times. At a meeting Proposal was presented to the ronmental significance of the area with Conservation Council Groups Minister for the Environment, Bill deserved recognition. He reported in June, senior officers of the ACT Wood. Jacqui Rees, Chair of the that the decision had already been Parks and Conservation Service Conservation Council, represented taken to re-route the Gungahlin acknowledged that the carpark the six groups which contributed Plan ring road which would have was wrongly sited and formed. An to the submission. She spoke of the cut the area in two. The assurance was given that in future importance of the preservation of Government will compare boun more rigid work approval proce this area of remnant woodland, daries recommended in our sub dures would be used in accordance mission with the with the Plan of Management for revised, enlarged Namadgi National Park. The area for a Nature stones and logs have already been Reserve, already removed although not yet replaced. under consideration The carpark will be less conspicu by planners. ously relocated and a comprehen Members of our sive survey of the Aboriginal Association were heritage of the old Gudgenby prop very concerned erty will be undertaken. about the new car As we approach the Annual park built in General Meeting I would like to Namadgi for access thank members of all our commit to the Yankee Hat tees for their contribution to NPA Painting site. We in the last year. Thank you to made a submission those who worked on submissions, to the Minister, Bill who laboured at work parties at Wood, regarding the Orroral and in the Budawangs, siting and size of the who led outings or increased our carpark, th6 use of knowledge of heritage features in stones and logs for Namadgi. This Bulletin is a tribute its border, the envi to our editor and to many contrib ronmental destruc uting writers and photographers. tion caused in A special thank you to Laraine removing those Frawley for her cheerful work in stones and the sig the office. nificance of the area to Aboriginal heri Beverley Hammond tage. I alerted member groups of the Conservation Our active President crossing the Nattai River Council at its quar Photo by Fiona MacDonald Brand. terly meeting in
A useful guide The ACT Land (Planning and has produced a 50-page guide to related information such as a Environment) Act which came into this Act and a number of asso summary of the Heritage Objects effect in April this year is an ciated pamphlets addressing par Act. important and complex piece of ticular issues. The guide is available from legislation. In addition to planning The guide contains a glossary of Shopfronts without charge. and lease administration, the Act terms, an outline of the Act and a Department of the Environment Land covers many environmental and summary of its main provisions in and Planning: The Guide to the Australian heritage matters and the adminis the areas of planning, environ Capital Territory's Land fPlanning and tration of public land including mental assessment, heritage, land Environment) Act 1991. (1992). national parks and nature leasing, public land administra Syd Comfort reserves. The Department of the tion and approvals and orders. It Environment, Land and Planning also provides some other useful Mulligan's Flat submission I Very few natural lowland areas grasslands in south-eastern remain in the ACT: one of the last Australia. is Mulligan's Flat. Mulligan's Flat Before European settlement, lies to the north of Canberra City, habitats similar to that at amongst the new suburbs of Mulligan's Flat covered a large Gungahlin. area of the region which now com I The area around Gungahlin has prises the northern part of the always been set aside for housing, ACT and the surrounding area of and as a result, grazing in the NSW. To an extent which varies area has been very limited. The from site to site, the native habi lack of interference from intro tat in almost all of these areas has duced animals has left Mulligan's been degraded through clearing, Flat an oasis for native species. heavy grazing and more recently, On July 27, seven conservation through urban development groups—the Conservation Council Bear's Ear (Cymbonotus Mulligan's Flat represents an of the South-East Region and lawsonianus)—an understorey oasis of relatively undisturbed Canberra, the Society for Growing species. native forest, woodland and Australian Plants, Canberra Photo by Rodney Falconer. grassland. Ornithologists Group, the NPA, Current draft development plans Canberra Archeological Society, of expert assessment. are understood to include the the ACT Herpetological Asso Despite a recent declaration by clearing of a large part of the eco logically rich and flatter southern ciation and the Field Naturalists the ACT Government, which has portion of the wooded area of Association of the ACT— resulted in a highly commendable Mulligan's Flat in the establish presented a submission on 52 per cent of the total land area Mulligan's Flat to the Minister for ment of Gungahlin. The organisa of the ACT now being reserved as the Environment, Bill Wood. This tions jointly making this National Park or Nature is an extract from that submission are unanimously and submission. Reserves, several important habi strongly opposed to the concept tat types (including those cur that this flatter southern portion rently in a good state of should be lost to development. The crucial objective of this sub preservation at Mulligan's Flat) mission is to obtain the ACT are either unrepresented or The vegetation at Mulligan's Flat embraces communities of Government's agreement to the poorly represented in these open forest, woodland and grass preservation of a large, continuous reserves. There are no extensive and regularly shaped area of land. The open forest communities^ national parks or nature reserves are confined largely to the nortW Mulligan's Flat, Gungahlin, as a in the surrounding area of NSW nature reserve: ern hilltop areas and include — in which sample the ecosystems sim addition to Scribbly Gum, Brittle * including not only the north ilar to those at Mulligan's Flat. Gum, Red Stringybark, Blakely's ern, hilly and forested areas The remnant of native wood Red Gum and Yellow Box — a • but also and more importantly, land, open forest and native stand of Bundy, a eucalypt which the flatter and deeper soiled grassland at Mulligan's Flat in is uncommon in the ACT. The southern portions. Gungahlin contains outstanding understorey includes both regen ecological and conservation This submission requests the erating eucalypts and woody values. Some of the species and ACT Government to depart, in shrubs and grasses. communities present are rare, this instance, from previous urban endangered or environmentally The grassland located in the planning practice in the ACT — moist gullies and on higher slopes sensitive. Mulligan's Flat is one of where essentially only the hilly varies considerably in species and the largest and best preserved areas have been preserved — in condition, dependent upon the remnants of such habitat types in because of the very special nature pressures of past grazing. There the ACT and the surrounding of the Mulligan's Flat site as a are extensive grassland areas area of NSW. It also contains complete ecosystem where there has been little sites of cultural and geological degradation. This submission recommends significance. that the valuable ecological Mulligan's Flat is regarded by The woodland areas which have resources at Mulligan's Flat be some scientists as having major resulted from past forest clearing, fires and grazing include most of protected by appropriate manage regional or even national signifi the tree and shrub species men ment practices and that the effec cance when considered in the con tioned above. tiveness of the erection of a text of the poor conservation vermin proof fence be the subject status of lowland temperate The current vegetation mix on View of part of Mulligan's Flat looking south-east to Mount Majura. Photo by Rodney Falconer.
hills and flat lands, together with ornithologists as one of the best by the NCDC in 1988, due to the the abundant water resources, in the whole region for wood high state of preservation of supports a varied population of land birds. important native botanical and birds, mammals and reptiles in a • at least 14 species of reptiles zoological species, and its diver , ^sustainable community— one of which were recorded by wildlife sity — including as it does open j^fce very few such communities in biologists in a very brief forest, native grassland and wood l^ne region — including: survey. These include an land communities within one area. * populations of at least 17 mam uncommon black form of the mals, including the Red-necked Shingleback lizard, and The Gungahlin quartz ridge is and Swamp Wallabies, uncom another uncommon skink an outstanding example of quartz intrusion along a geological fault mon in the ACT and not found which currently has no English line. The ridge which traverses near urban areas; name. These reptiles are asso ciated with regenerating wood the Mulligan's Flat area in a • more than 120 native bird spe land and/or native grassland. roughly north-easterly to south cies — including some rare and westerly direction, was classified endangered species such as the • a rich variety of frog species as a site of significance by the Regent Honeyeater and with some in high populations. NCDC in 1988. Painted Button-quail, and Amongst the eight species Sites with considerable archaeo some uncommon and declining recorded in a brief survey are logical and heritage interest at species such as the Hooded the Whistling Tree Frog, which Mulligan's Flat include a portion Robin, Diamond Firetail, has declined in the ACT in of the 19th century Murrum- Brown Treecreeper and recent years but is still bateman to Bungendore Road Speckled Warbler. The last common at Mulligan's Flat, Reserve which traverses the flat four species are breeding resi and the Spotted Burrowing ter southern portion of the area dents and are considered sensi Frog which is confined to areas from west to east. Parts of the tive to human disturbance. The of unimproved pasture. road are well preserved, and the populations would be threat The Mulligan's Flat area was road reserve is lined throughout ened by urban development. much of its route with mature The site as a whole is rated by classified as a Site of Significance gum trees which are prime habitat itats, a large, continuous and - Providing an external buffer, for native fauna. Other sites of his regular area be preserved, such as a 10 metre wide torical interest include the location including the area of Themeda mown area or road, to reduce of the first Gungahlin school, and grassland to the north-west of any perceived firehazar d several rural dwellings and out the existing Gundaroo Road, from a conservation reserve buildings. Remnants of early set the western, northern and east in close proximity to urban tlement could be used in an histor ern ridges and, importantly, dwellings; ical display on the site. the flat wooded area immedi - Investigate the possibility of ately to the north of the large providing further external dam. buffers in the form of special Recommendations use areas, such as a golf It is recommended that: Strong measures need to be course, playing fields, school • The ACT Government maintain taken to protect native animals and birds within the Nature sites or other manners by its progressive and far sighted which the urban/reserve policy for protection of ACT Reserve by assessing the effec tiveness of a vermin-proof fence interface can be made more habitats las a natural extension remote; of its recent protection of around the perimeter of the reserved area, along with - Re-route the planned ring additional alpine and wet road which (on the basis of forests in the southern and removal and control of pest animals. current draft plans) would western ACT) by reservation of serve to cut the area in twot a large, continuous and regular Early action be taken with cur and degrade its ecological ™ shaped area at Mulligan's Flat, rent and potential residents of integrity. sampling three important habi Gungahlin to foster the setting tat types; and habitat types up of a Park Care Group to Mr Wood has acknowledged that whose conservation status in assist the ACT Administration accepting this submission will cost the ACT and the surrounding with the restoration of the the government a lot of money, but area of NSW can only be reserve, and to advise on the that this cost is balanced by the described as grounds for seri preservation of its outstanding importance of Mulligan's Flat. ous concern. natural values. He intends to fixth e boundaries • The Mulligan's Flat area be The following changes be con of the Mulligan's Flat nature conserved in its entirety, as a sidered to the draft plans for reserve—about six square kilome Nature Reserve, under the Gungahlin: tres of land—by the end of August. Land (Planning & Environ - Re-defining the boundaries Mr Wood has said that he 'would ment) Act 1992, reflecting the to include the South-East take a generous view of those need to conserve the natural Flat, the southern and cen boundaries'. environment, and to provide tral portions of Mulligan's opportunities within the area Flat proper and the Themeda For copies of the submission— for approved types of recrea paddock; The natural and cultural signifi tion, education and research. - Providing an internal buffer, cance of Mulligan's Flat, • Given the range of plant and such as a fox and cat proof Gungahlin, ACT. A nature reserve animal species within the fence, at a cost of approxi proposal—ring the Conservatit^B mately $300 000, subject to region, and the diversity of hab Council on 247 7808. ~ expert assessment;
Rare black form of the Shingleback (Tachydosaurus rugosus) photographed in south eastern area of Mulligan's Flat near dam. The legal side of planning Mr John Mant who is Head, authorising the government to ing, has jurisdiction over both Government Group, Phillip Fox, make changes to lease conditions. matters of merit and enforcement. Solicitors is also a townplanner. The Act also gave greater power He is of the opinion that the NSW Now living in Sydney, he worked to the legislature which has arrangement has worked well and for some years in Canberra and authority to approve a plan pre would form the model for new has wide -experience in land and pared by the Planning Authority. Queensland legislation. environmental law. In May he This statutory authority also has The extent of the rights of third addressed a public meeting con the quite considerable power of parties to appeal planning deci vened by the National being able to initiate changes to sions was a controversial issue Environmental Law Association the plan. during the period of public consul and the Australian Institute of Thus the 1991 Act changes the tation preceding the 1991 Act. It Administrative Law on the subject power relationships between the is an issue on which Mr Mant also 'The New ACT Planning and various players involved in the expressed firm views. He claims Environment Legislation'. plan with the government, legisla that the existence of third party In opening, Mr Mant drew a met ture and Planning Authority appeal rights sets very real limits aphor between the ACT Land increasing power at the expense of to the discretion exercised by offi '(Planning and Environment) Act the courts. cials in areas where they are and a smorgasbord meal. The Act, The 1991 Act provides two juris empowered with discretion. Why, like a hungry diner returning to dictions for appeals and enforce he asks, empower people with dis the table, picked up item after item ment: the Administrative Appeals cretion when the discretionary so that it finally provided legisla Tribunal for appeals on merit and decision may be appealed to the tion covering a wide spectrum: the Supreme Court for injunctions Administrative Appeals Tribunal? planning, lease administration, and supervisory issues. Mr Mant The effect, he claims, will be to environmental assessments, heri commented that the establish reduce the area for discretion tage, control of public land and the ment of this arrangement may because there is a strong demand machinery for approvals and have been influenced by a reaction for certainty in planning deci appeals related to these areas. against the pivotal position occu sions. This has happened in From this array of legislative pied by the courts in the previous Victoria where, rather than risk detail Mr Mant distilled three regime, highlighted by some par the uncertainty of discretionary issues which he considered signifi ticularly controversial' cases decisions being overturned on cant from a legal viewpoint. resulting in claims that the appeal, the' emphasis has shifted Supreme Court was the de facto to seeking changes to the plan The Act gives the plan for the (which usually involves rezoning). ACT a statutory status it did not planning authority. Be that as it may, he considers that the intro A similar trend can be expected in have before. Previously this status the ACT. resided in the conditions set out in duction of the two jurisdictions opens the way for delaying deci each lease of land; the sum of these Mr Mant's opinion of the new sions by issues being in both juris |was effectively the statutory plan. Act is 'more complicated than it dictions or being passed from one " In this situation lease conditions need be but not as disastrous as to the other. He strongly favours were changed through the courts, many claim'. Nevertheless it has the NSW system in which a single which meant that the judiciary had the potential for those wishing to court, the Land and Environment power to change the plan. The delay the processes to do so. Court with Supreme Court stand 1991 Act changed this situation by Syd Comfort
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Lifting the lid on the kitchen block at Orroral Homestead. Photo by Graham Gnttridge. Kitchen work party June 1992
Reg Alder and Len Haskew. Photo by Syd Comfort. Volunteers prepare for a hard day's labour on the kitchen block at Orroral. Photo by Syd Comfort. Project on women's bushwalking Women have been very active in that women were involved in, such Clubs where they mingled with bushwalking and outdoor recrea as the Melbourne Women Walkers both professional and amateur sci tion in Australia. To date, how Club and the Hobart Walking entists and exchanged scientific ever, the National Museum's Club. knowledge. collections in this area mainly con The project aims to find out If you have suggestions or infor sist of equipment used by men. what motivated these adventurous mation that could be useful to this Because of this bias, a new project and energetic women. What were project, please contact Ruth Lane has been initiated which aims to the particular problems they faced on (06) 242 2117 or toll free on build collections to explore and in taking up these traditionally (008) 02 6132 or write to the interpret the issues that surround male-dominated pursuits? Did National Museum of Australia, women's bushwalking and outdoor they find they had to adapt equip GPO Box 1901, Canberra ACT recreation. ment designed for men to suit 2601. Two consultants have been hired their own needs? The kind of Ruth Lane to help in this task: Sarah Waight, items that will help us to address National Museum who is working in Tasmania, and these questions could ^Sue Hodges, who is covering include diaries, photo Gippsland and the Australian graphs, clothing, equip Alps. We are focusing on the ment, camera gear, field period from the 1920s to the 1950s guides, maps and as there are women who were sketches. active in bushwalking and recrea We also intend to tion at that time still alive. An explore the long history important part of the consultants' of connections between work will be locating such women bushwalking and out and carrying out oral history inter door recreation and the views with them. conservation lobby. The consultants have already Another important link been successful in finding net is that between outdoor works of women bushwalkers who recreation and nature Cooking breakfast at Kiera River, Victoria, knew one another and are adver study. For example, 1933. tising the project through local many women partici Photo by Richard Courtney, courtesy Centre newspapers. They are also contact pated in bushwalks with for Gippsland Studies. ing some of the important clubs the Field Naturalists Speak up for wilderness Ten wilderness assessments in erness, which makes up about 35 free of signage and markers NSW are being reviewed, and per cent of wilderness in NSW, is • minimal impact bushwalking could be at risk if supporters of included in national parks, and it will be encouraged wilderness do not send their sub is possible the NSW government • motor vehicle trails closed, missions to the review. will take this opportunity to down except for essential The ten assessments are Deua grade management of all areas management (near Moruya), Lost World outside national parks. • scientific research permitted by (Lismore), Mann/Bindery (Glen If you have experience of any of written consent Innes), Binghi (Torrington), these wilderness areas, send a • Aboriginal sites managed in Nadgee (Eden), Kanangra-Boyd submission to accordance with the Burra (Oberon), Goodradigbee (Tumut), Mr Gillooly Charter Guy Fawkes River (Dorrigo), Director of the NPWS • control of introduced plants and Macleay Gorges (Armidale) and PO Box 1967 animals where necessary Washpool (Glen Innes). Hurstville NSW 2220. • prescribed burning permitted Onetime NSW Minister for the It is important that you include where necessary. Environment, Tim Moore, has a reference to the existing NPWS Closing dates for submissions: asked 'everyone who cares about wilderness code which must be Deua, Lost World and Mann/ this issue to take the time to applied to all wilderness areas. Bindery—closed 4 September study the nominations and send The code lays out behaviour for Guy Fawkes River, Macleay in their comments', particularly wilderness areas, including: Gorges, Washpool—18 September as many anti-wilderness groups • no private motor vehicle use or have already made submissions. animal transport Binghi and Nadgee—2 October Currently only half of this wild • wilderness will be maintained Kanangra-Boyd and Goodradig bee—30 October The un-Welcome Dam
It seems no one wants the pro posed Welcome Reef Dam. Even officials of the Water Board charged with planning for the dam are hard-pressed to come up with a rationale or any enthu siasm for it. Managing Director of the Water Board, Mr Robert Wilson, told a public briefing held by the Tallaganda Shire Council at Braidwood on 23 May that the Board was 'not anxious' to build the dam, but, because of political imperatives 'must plan for it'. The dam, which would hold five times the volume of water in Sydney Harbour, would cover grazing land and natural areas north north-east of Braidwood. It could augment the Sydney water supply by the year 2005. Grazier Barry McDowall, a fifth generation landholder in the Braidwood Welcome Reef Dam has been on district, describes the districts history to May Leatch. the drawing board for 30 years— Photo by Den Robin. long before concepts of ecologically term target was a reduction of at land but may find it uneconomic sustainable development and least 15 per cent by 2011. as they lose the lower, more fer before the advent of modern tech Mr Dodds said that in 1960 tile tracts. Restrictions on the use nology enhancing conservation Sydney and the surrounding of fertilisers in the 'buffer zone' and recycling. region, with a population of 2.3 (the extent of which has yet to be Sydney currently wastes huge million people, consumed an aver defined) could make some proper quantities of water. If this waste age of 996 megalitres of water a ties untenable. can be stopped, Water Board pro day. The Water Board is looking at jections indicate existing supplies pumping water from Welcome are enough to meet the demand of In 1990, 3.7 million people con Reef Dam to the Wollondilly River | a city of twice its current sumed 1845 megalitres a day. which feeds into Warragamba population. In the year 2001 the Water Board expects the population of Dam and the Sydney Water The pertinent question now is Sydney to be 4.2 million, consum Supply System. It might be used whether governments have the ing 2210 megalitres of water a to supplement supplies to areas courage and capacity to stop day, Mr Dodds said. such as Yass, Canberra, Goulburn Sydney's excessive water and Braidwood. consumption. Landholders in the Shoalhaven- Braidwood districts are express A serious concern expressed at The Welcome Reef Dam propo ing grave doubts about the the meeting was about the quality sal, therefore, is something of a proposal. of the water from the Welcome test case on water conservation for Reef Dam. Covering former graz the whole of Australia. As one speaker pointed out, farmers and graziers—who live ing land, it will be laden with Water Board planner, Mr Alan with the vicissitudes of the phosphates and almost certainly Dodds, expressed the view that Australian climate—know about will lead to algal growth in the the dam was a 'last resort'. He conserving water. They should not dam and to the risk of contami said the priority of the Water have to give up their properties to nating the Sydney system. Board was to debunk the fallacy provide water for city folk hun Reduced flow in the Shoalhaven that 'water would always be avail dreds of kilometres away used to River could lead to salinity, silta- able' and to implement measures wasting it with the turn of a tap. tion and pollution downstream, for water conservation. The Water Should the dam go ahead, fami possibly even affecting the coastal Board had a demand management oyster and fishingindustries . program which aimed to achieve a lies with as many as fivegenera 5 per cent reduction in water con tions of continuity in the Tallanganda Shire Council has sumption by 1994/95. The long Braidwood area could lose their expressed concern that it could land. Others may not lose all their lose between 16 per cent and 20 said. Tor instance, household users have long been under The details charged, while commercial users • Welcome Reef Dam will dam the Shoalhaven River near the deep have been overcharged/ ening of the river gorge at Mogo. *While undercharging households • It will flood the Upper Shoalhaven and Mongarlowe Rivers sounds nice, it makes no sense. It • Its configuration is determined by the 606 metre contour and simply encourages the squander of resembles an ivy leaf with the central lobe crossing the Kings water which damages us environ 1 Highway west of Braidwood. The Warri Bridge would be about a mentally and economically . metre under water. Interestingly, there was no case put at the meeting (attended by • The dam would hold 2.7 million megalitres (approximately five about 400 people) in favour of the times the volume of Sydney Harbour) and cover an area of 16 000 dam. Local Member of State hectares. Parliament, Mr Peter Cochran, • As well as augmenting Sydney supplies by 2005, the Water Board gave a guarantee that if the people envisages it could provide additional supply to Braidwood, in his electorate were opposed to Canberra, Goulburn and Yass. the dam, he would move a Private • Already the Water Board has purchased 34 properties (covering a Members' Bill against its A total area of 12 000 hectares) in Tallaganda and Mulwaree Shires. construction. • Some significant pioneer homesteads dating back to the early and At the time of the NPA Bulletin mid-nineteenth century (for example, Arnprior, Oronook and going to press, residents' groups in Larbert) would be submerged. Other historic and Aboriginal sites the Braidwood district, including would be lost. the graziers association, were can vassing their members' opinions • The Water Board is proposing a "buffer zone* around the dam to with a view to formulating a public protect water quality. The boundary of the zone has yet to be stance. Shoalhaven City Council determined, but if it follows a contour, it could consume considera has agreed to hold a public meet ble amounts of additional land because the topography is flattish. ing on Saturday 19 September to • Artificial wetlands may be constructed by the Water Board to inform its residents about the pro filter nutrients to maintain water quality. posal. Conservation groups in Sydney, Nowra, Braidwood and • At this stage the Water Board says that preliminary surveys of the ACT have formed a coalition to the proposed storage area have indicated no rare species would be oppose the dam proposal and are threatened. gathering information. • Land use and further studies are 'programmed', This is a critical stage. We must • Managing Director of the Water Board, Robert Wilson, has said a be watchful or otherwise a plan decision on the construction of the dam cannot be made 'until the which has lain dormant for 30 turn of the century*. years might just turn into an expensive and socially and envi ^ ronmentally damaging dam which, ^)er cent of rateable land in the syphoned off to the government, with sense, we can all live without. shire as statutory authorities such this profit should"have been used Den Robin as the Water Board do not pay for necessary works like upgrad rates. In this situation the shire ing sewage treatment, replacing would, in fact, be subsidising leaky pipes, controlling and fixing Sydney residents. up pollution, and the recycling of May Leatch, from the sewage effluent rather than dump Shoalhaven Branch of' the ing it into the rivers and oceans. New members Australian Conservation Foun May has also found that the $80 William Baker Ainslie dation (who prepared the leaflet environmental levy paid by Jacqut Cole Cook on the Welcome Reef Dam propo Sydney households netted the Mary Jenkins Campbell sal inserted in NPA's March Board $98 million. It seems the Bulletin) made some interesting government is collecting money Elisabeth Lewis Pearce points about the economics of the from the people of Sydney, putting Peter and Patricia McNicol proposal. it into the Water Board and then Curtin Her research has shown that the syphoning it out the other end as Mr and Mrs K Mallett Water Board—which has a monop a so-called 'profit'. When the oly on water and sewerage supply Water Board cries poor mouth, the Charnwood in all major metropolitan areas of charges and special levies go up Margaret Rumble Hughes again. NSW—in 1990-91 made a profit of Lyn and Tony Thew $198 million and paid the NSW 'The water pricing policy of the Hawker Government $101.7 million. Water Board is greatly distorted She claims that instead of being due to political interference', May Jervis Bay convocation A meeting of representatives from the Park to other natural areas. nities available to protect: critical conservation groups campaigning As well as this, the Park is heathlands; wetlands; woodland for the protection of Jervis Bay under considerable pressure from and forest communities; migratory met in Nowra on Saturdav 25 July urban encroachment—40 cats bird habitats; cultural heritage 1992. (both domestic and feral) and 100 sites; aquatic environments; link The purpose of the meeting was dogs have been caught in a trap age of peninsulas through a to bring the plethora of conserva ping program over the last 18 system of natural corridors; and tion organisations up to date with months! The program also cap the integration of management to recent developments in the Jervis tured 31 foxes. High visitor num achieve these. Bay national park campaign and bers—around 800 000 per year—is Graeme stated that the NSW to consider future campaign an added burden on what is a very NPWS officially supports the con strategies. small Park. cept of a national park for the The various groups are now NSW area of the Jervis Bay region aligned under an umbrella title, Environment plan and will be working to present the idea to government and the means 'Jervis Bay Convocation'. The Jervis Bay Region by which it might be achieved. ^ The following topics were Environment and Planning presented: Committee was reconstituted under the new NSW State NPA proposal Wildlife corridors Minister for Local Government The Milton branch of the NSW Kevin Mills has prepared, at the and Planning following the local NPA produced in August 1991 the behest of the local department of government elections on 15 most comprehensive and detailed Planning, a document which sets September 1991 (see NPA Bulletin proposal for a National Park at out the minimum requirements December 1991 p. 8 for details of Jervis Bay yet compiled. A copy of for land to be reserved around the previous committee). this proposal is available in the Jervis Bay to ensure that both Sue Hanley, a member of the NPA office. Bherwerre i Jervis Bay National committee, gave some details of The meeting used this proposal Park Stage 1) and Beecroft the new planning document, as a basis for our discussion about Peninsulas remain linked by corri 'Jervis Bay our Heritage our future campaign strategies. dors of natural vegetation. Future', produced by the commit tee and due to be released for a You can help Park viability two-month public consultation It is essential to the success of our Martin Fortescue, a ranger at phase at the end of August 1992. campaign for the preservation of Jervis Bay Nature Reserve for The document uses Kevin Mills' the remaining natural areas of seven years and now a ranger for wildlife corridors suggestions with Jervis Bay as a national park that the National Park area under some modifications as a basis for a as many people as possible write ANPVVS, spoke about the viability proposed system of 'green belts' individual letters in response tog of the present Jervis Bay National through the area. the regional planning document Park (see NPA Bulletin December The document apparently gives 'Jervis Bay our Heritage our 1991 for map.'. detail about the area and makes a Future'. The Park is on a peninsula series of policy suggestions. It does It is on the basis of this docu which is connected to the sur not make any decisions but rather ment and the public response to it rounding land area by a narrow develops 'points of discussion' for that the NSW Government and neck of land. There has already the community. It would seem the Shoalhaven City Council will been considerable disturbance in that while the document may help make future planning decisions this neck and the remaining strip to focus some of the debate about affecting Jervis Bay. The pro- of natural vegetation is as narrow management and planning of the development lobby will be both as 400 metres at one point and is area, real decisions about its long- vocal and vehement in their cut by roads and tracks. Martin term future are still a considera response to the document, so it is suggested that the terrestrial area ble way off. vital that the conservationists' of the Park is not viable in terms viewpoint is expressed both of biodiversity and quoted exam A vision for Jervis equally and coherently. ples of extinctions over the last 50 Bay Members wishing to write let years. These include: koalas, goan- ters could contact Den Robin on Graeme Worboys, the Regional nas, dingos, ground parrots, little 281 4837 or Anne Taylor on 258 Manager NSW National Parks penguins (mainland) and the 9668 for details of some specific southern brown bandicoot. These and Wildlife Service South East points which may be included in species have been unable to re Region, detailed the international, your letters. establish due to the narrow corri national and regional significance dor of natural vegetation joining of the Jervis Bay region and Anne Taylor talked about the existing opportu 27 Se^fewr Sunday Walk (2/ before - but have you seen the old hut sites? This ramble around Ihe perimeter BrimflVa Range Ramble Ref: ACT 1:100, of this former pastoral property will visit 5 or 6 sites. 140 km drive ($28 per Leaden David Frost Ph. 2480972 h car). Outings program Meet at the comer of Eucumbene Drive and Ihe Cotter Road at 8.30 am. A moderate walk mainly on tracks in Ihe tall natural forest above the Colter just 17 October Saturday walk (1/A/B) off the Brindabella road with some good views in places. Short car shuffle. 80 GungahUn Rer: ACT 1:100,000 July to September 1992 km drive ($16 per car). Leaden Helen Cook Ph. 2931798 h Meet at the Gem Museum car park at Ginninderra Village 9 am. Drive and 26/27 September Pack Walk (2/A/B) walk around a number of historically significant sites in the Gungahlin re Mt Talaterang Ref: CMW Budaw gion. This was one of the earliest settled regions in the district. You can finish angs Sketch Map the day with cakes and tea at the Village if you wish. Leaden Steven Forst Ph 2516817 h 2748426 w 17/18 October Weekend car camp (3/4/A) Contact leader by Wednesday. A long drive but a very easy 2 and a half hour Wog Wog, Corang Arch and Peak Ref: Corang 1:25,000 packwalk into a base camp at the lop of Nyang Falls. Prom the base camp we Leaden Olive Buckman Ph. 2488774 h do a solid day walk up Mt Talaterang including climbing and scrub with mag Contact leader by Wednesday. Leave Canberra Saturday afternoon to camp nificent views on ihe way or an easier walk to the base of the falls depending (or sleep in cars) at Wog Wog between Braidwood and Nerriga. Sunday, ear on the party. Returning to the base camp for an early afternoon tea before the ly on the track to Corang Arch (lunch) and return via Corang Peak (excellent walk out. 500 km drive ($100 per car). views of Pigeon House, Castle, etc). Approx. 20 km. Bring drinking water for camp site. Good 'introduction' to the Budawangs. 300 km drive ($60 per car). 29 September Tuesday Mid-week walk (1/A) Molonglo and Murrumbidgee Rivers Ref: ACT: 1:100,000 20 October Tuesday mid-week walk (2/A) Leaden Olive Buckman Ph 2488774 h Brandy Flat and Beyond Ref: ACT 1:100,000 Meet at Murrumbidgee lookout (sign) off Stockdill Drive, Holt 930 am. A Leaden Olive Buckman Ph. 2488774 h pleasant riverside walk of about 6 km down lo Molonglo River, across and Meet Kambah Village shops at 9.30 am. A pleasant 10 km walk on fire trails along the Murrumbidgee to East Uriarra and return. (If bridge underwater, re from Glendale Crossing, with lunch at Brandy Flat hut, where water and fire turn lo cars and walk up Lower Molonglo Gorge). place are available for billy tea. Continue on tracks lo Old Boboyan road. To tal climb 430 m. Short car shuffle. 90 km drive ($18 per car). 3/4/5 October Long Weekend Walk (2/A/B) QuUlies Mountain and surrounds Rer: CMW 24 October Saturday walk (2/A) Budawangs Marrambldgee River Ref: ACT 1:100,000 Outings guide Leaden Steven Forst Ph 2516817 h Leaden David Henry Ph. 2543974 Day walks carry lunch, drinks and protective clothing. 2748426 w Meet at the entrance (but outside) of the Belconnen Golf Club at 8.30 am. A Pack walks two or more days, carry all food and camping Contact leader by Wednesday. A moderate walk up and over Quilties Moun short car shuffle is required. We start at Shepherds Lookout and proceed to tain. Views to the coast. Visit Aboriginal Bora grounds, historic cattle pass. the meeting of two rivers, the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee. Walk along the requirements. CONTACT LEADER BY Styles Creek. 300 km drive ($60 per car). river with many opportunity for paddling or Ihe early season swim. Exit at WEDNESDAY. Ginninderra Falls. S3 donation to owners of that properly towards the mainte Car camps facilities often limited or non-existent. 7 October Wednesday Walk (1/A) nance of this beautiful creek and its surrounds. 20 km drive ($4 per car). Vehicles taken to site can be used for Gibraltar Peak Ref: Tidbinbilla 1:25,000 24/25 October Pack Walk (2/A/D) camping. BOOK EARLY WITH LEADER. Leaden Ken Johnson Ph 2485979 h Pond Creek, Coronet Peak Ref: Rendezvous Cr Other activities include nature rambles, environmental and Meet at corner Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road at 8.30 am. A 10 km walk, 1:25,000 field guide studies and ski tours. 400 m climb, steep grades, some forest walking along tracks, water required, Leaden Gary Thompson Ph.2447558 w good views. 65 km drive ($13 per car). 2886084h Contact leader by Wednesday. Walk from Orroral lo Cotter Gap and Pond Walks gradings 10 October Satnrday work party (1/A) Creek. Visit Cotter Hut in Ihe afternoon, and Coronet Peak Sunday morning. Distance grading (per day) Yankee Hat PalnUngs Rer: ACT 1:100,000 Total climb 800 m. 100 km drive ($20 per car). 1 — up to 10 km Leaden Reg Alder Ph 2542240 h Meet Kambah Village shops 8.30 am. Propose to cut briars down adjacent to 25 October Sunday walk (1/D) 2 - 10 km to 15 km track from car park to rock shelter. Bring secateurs/prune saw/tomahawk/ Ginini Falls Ref: Corin 1:25,000 3 - 15 km to 20 km length of cord or rope/gloves. 100 km drive ($20 per car). Leaden Lyle Mark Ph. 2862801 h 4 - above 20 km. Not for beginners. Meet Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road at 7.30 am. 8 km 11 October Sunday social walk from Mt Franklin to Falls and return. A demanding 550 m climb. Worth Terrain grading The President's BBQ Rer: ACT 1:100,000 it for the experienced walkers who wish lo see this 180 m set of falls and cas A - Road, firetrail, track Leader: Beverley Hammond Ph. 2886577 h cades. 120 km drive ($24 per car). • B - Open forest The return of: THE PRESIDENTS BBQ'. Follow the NPA signs to Vanity C - Light scrub Crossing picnic spot in Uriarra Pine Forest. Bring chairs and all the comforts 31 October Saturday walk (I/A) of home. Settle in for the day, starting any lime after midday. Only minor ex Black Mtn Nature Ramble ReH Canberra Street D - Patches of thick scrub, regrowth ercise permitted. Map E - Rock scrambling Leaden George Chippendale Ph. 2812454 h F - Exploratory. 14 October Wednesday walk Meet at the Belconnen Way entrance to Black Mountain Reserve (several The walks program contains additional information. If Gndgenby Ref: Yaouk, Rendez hundred meters east of Caswell Drive) at 9.30 am. A morning ramble to see necessary, contact the leader. vous Cr 1:25,000 the birds and flowers. Suitable for those aged 4 to SO. Bring your morning Leader: Matthew Higgins Ph. 2477285 h tea, your camera, and/or binoculars. Finishes at midday. Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.30 am. So you've walk around Gudgenby 31 Oct/1 Nov Weekend canoe (rip based camping. BYO canoe or hire. Suit fil beginners. 300 km drive ($60 per Mongarlowe River Ref: Natmap 4/15 November Pack walk (2/A/E) car). Braidwood 8827 Shoalhaven River Lookouts Rel*: Caoura 1:25,000 Leaden Chris Bellamy Ph. 2497167h Leader: Mike Smith Ph. 2483624 w 2 December Wednesday walk (1/A/B) Coniact leader preferably by Wednesday before because of transportation and 2862984 h Ginini Flats Ref: Corin 1:25,000 portage arrangements. Easy 2 day trip on a sparkling unspoilt river known Contact leader by Wednesday for details. Starting at Long Point lookout and Leaden Ken Johnson Ph. 2485979 h only to platypus, past old gold mines. Shoot some easy rapids. See it before descend 600m lo a campsite next lo the Shoalhaven River in the vicinity of Meet al Cm. Eucumbene Drive and Coller Road at 8.30 am. The 9 km walk ihe Sydney Water Board drowns it wilh the Welcome Reef Dam. Camping McCallums Selection. Follow river downsiream to spur leading up to Badger starts at Ml Franklin Road and Ml Ginini car park, down ihe ski run lo Ginini from canoes en route. BYO canoe or hire. Suil fil beginners. 250 km drive ys Lookout. Several river crossings involved. 250 km drive ($50 per car). Flats. NW to Ginini Creek and ihe slart of a small waterfall 60 m back along lS50 per car). the flats, join the 4 wheel drive track and walk to the Arboretum. Return along ihe same irack to the car park. 110 km drive ($22 per car). 1 November Sunday walk (1/A/C) 18 November Wednesday walk (1/A) Googong Reservoir Ref: Captains Flat Square Rock ' Ref: ACT 1:100,000 5 December Saturday walk (1/A) 1:25,000 Leader: Olive Buckman Ph. 2488774 h Lake Ginninderra Ref: ACT 1:100,000 Leaden Mike Smith Ph. 2862984 h Meet Kambah Village shops at 9.30 am. A pleasant walk on (racks through a Leaden Gary Schneider Ph. 2549801 h Meet al Canberra Railway Station al 8.30 am. A walk from carpark at the variety of scenery lo a fascinating rock formation wilh wide views. An 'inside Meet al 2 pm al Emu Bank wooden bridge between College/Sail Reslauranl. southern end of Googong Reservoir past London Bridge, old homestead, Cur- outside' rock scramble through and back is optional. Tolal climb 270 melres. Easy walk around the Lake Ginninderra - approx. 2 hours. Return distance ley falls and ihen across the Queanbeyan River to Compo Canyon. Return to Ideal for beginners and families. 80 km drive ($16 per car). approx. 7 km. cars by similar route. Old footwear for crossing river would be advisable. 50 km drive ($10 per car). 5/6 December Pack walk (2/A/B/C) 21 November Saturday walk (2/A/B) Ml Murray and Bimberi Ref: Rendezvous Cr 4 November Wednesday walk (2/B/C) Big Hole/Marble Arch Ref: Kain 1:25,000 1:25,000 Emu Flat Ref: Corin 1:25,000 Leader: Mike Smith 2483624 w 2862984 h Leaden Chris Leslie Ph. 2516123 h Leader. Ken Johnson Ph. 2485979 h Meet Canberra Railway station at S am. A walk mainly on tracks pasl the 'Big Conlact leader before Thursday. We will be joining members of the Canberra Meet al Kambah shopping centre Primmer Cl. at 8.30 am. An 11 km walk, un Hole' to Ihe 'Marble Arch' in Ihe Deua National Park. Wading across ihe Bushwalking Club for this trip. Approach via Oldfields hut as this is the dulating ridge, with views of Orroral River from Rocky areas (used by ANU Shoalhaven River is required and il could be slippery in wel weather at the shortest and easiest way lo climb ACTs highest point at Ml Bimberi, and the rock climbers). We pass the Eyrie, the Elephant and Legoland. Walk starts Arch. 180 km drive ($36 per car). sister peak of Mt Murray. It is intended to sleep at the summit of Murray wilh ;ind ends al the site of the old Honeysuckle Creek Colliinalion lower. Water a quici, low impact camp. Check with leader about sloves. 400 km drive required. 100 km drive ($20 per car). 22 November Sunday Social ($80-$100percar). 87 Shackleton Circ, Mawson Ref: Canberra Slreet 7 November Saturday walk (2/B/C/D) Map 13 December Sunday Peppercorn Creek and Falls Ref: Peppercorn Leaders: Barbara and Syd Com Tort Ph. 2862578 h Xmas Party Ref: Rendezvous Cr 1:25,000 Barbara and Syd invite you to join ihcm for afiemoon tea and a stroll in their 1:25,000 Leaden Chris Leslie Ph. 2516123 h garden. Leaden Beverley Hammond Ph. 2886577 h Phone leader before Thursday for details of transport. This is a combined Meel at ihe OrroraJ Valley picnic ground al 3 pm for ihe annual NPA Chrisi- walk with the Canberra Bushwalking Club. A 12 km walk in the northern 22 November Sunday geological excursion (2/A) mas gel togclhcr. Members and friends welcome. Bring a picnic tea. Kosciusko Nalional Park along the largely open banks of a pleasant alpine Geological trip Ref: ACT 1:100,000 creek wilh several nice falls and cascades. There may be an optional rough Leader: Mac Die kins, Monica Yeung Ph. 2805439 w 23, 24, 25, 26 January 1993 Pack Walk scramble lo Ihe base of the largest falls. 150 km drive (S30-S35 per car). 2487638 h Ettrema Gorge Ref: Touga 1:25,000 Meet P.30 am al ihe carpark al ihe entrance lo ihe University of Canberra, Leaders: Eric and Pat Pickering Ph. 2862128h 8 November Sunday cycle Cnr College and Kirinari Sts, Bruce. The day will cover around 7 slops lo Australia day falls on Ihe Tuesday. This could be a collaborative walk wilh Lake Burley Griffin Ref: ACT street map view and examine geological features in ihe region, from close lo the War ihe Canberra Bushwalkers. Details arc not finalised and are subject lo change. Uaden Gary Schneider Ph. 2549801 h Memorial, Woolshed Creek, lunch at Pine Island, and others. This means we However, its a spectacular area - lots of swimming and rock scrambling. Not Meel 10 am near Acton Ferry Terminal Local bike ride mainly on cycleways will drive between each site and walk where necessary We will endeavour IO for beginners Phone leaders al leasl a week beforehand for details. along Lake Burlev Griffin, to Mt Pleasant, RMC Duntroon and Jcnabombcna ]imil ihe number of cars to S because of parking resinclions al some sites. Car Wetlands. numbers will be rationalised at ihe meeting point. 100 km drive (S20 per car).
14 November Saturday walk (2/A/D) Bullten Range ' Ref: Cotter 1:25,000 29 November Sunday walk (1/A/B) 1-eaden Syd Comfort Ph. 2862578 h Ml Domain Ref: Meet comer Cucumbers Drive and Colter Road at S.30 am. In Bullcen Nature Leader: Judith Webster Ph. 2414646 h Points to note Reserve from Paddy's River, over Bullcen Range lo Murrumbidgee Good Meel Kambah Village shops u am. This is a short walk bul has a steady climb New faces to lead, now places to go. Please help keep our outings views Irom range and along river. Partly on trails but also a stilt climb. 35 km of about Mil m without respite. However, ihe pace will be moderate. Fire trail program alive by volunteering Lo load a walk occasionally drive (S7 per car). initially and then open foresl. 80 km drive (Sib per car). All persons joining an outing of the National Parks Association of the ACT do FO as volunteers in all respects and as such accept solo responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred and the 15 November Sunday walk (2/A/B/D) 28/29 November Canoe trip National Parks Association of the ACT, its office bearers and Rendezvous Creek, Nurserv Swamp Ref: Rendezvous Cr Shoalhaven River Ref: Natmap appointed leaders are absolved from any liahility in respect of any 1:25,000 Braidwood 8827 injury or damage suffered whilst engaged in any such outing leaden Mick Kelly Ph. 2412330 h Leader: Chris Bellamy Ph. 2497167 h The committee suggests a donation of TWENTY cents per Meel al Kambah Village shops S am. Circular 15 km walk up from Orroral Conlact leader preferably b\ Wednesday before because of transportation and kilometre DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS in the Valley {Nursery Swnrnp car park), across lo. and down. Rendezvous Creek. portage arrangement. Classic two day paddle lo Oallen Ford from Lirhen, car, including the driver, ito the nearest dollar! be offered to the Climb saddle helween spoi heights 1351 and 1337 to southern end of Nurserv below Warn bridge, past sandy beaches, old gold mines and some gorges Swamp Follow Nursery Creek upstream tocomplele walk. (2 climbs 200 m This area is at risk, should Ihe Sydney Water Board build Ihe Welcome Reef driver by each passenger accepting transport. Drive and walk .ind 'DD in). SO km drive Jervis Bay National Park, incompatibility of such activities consultation much activity is going into estab with the area. The fact that visi Formalised administrative lishing an appropriate manage tors to Jervis Bay National Park arrangements need to be devel ment regime over the area so far soon will be paying for the privi oped between ANPWS and other secured. lege means that more than ever authorities with interests in the The Australian National Parks before, people are entitled to a park (for example, Department of and Wildlife Service, responsible high quality national park experi Defence, the Aboriginal people, for the portion declared in April, is ence without the intrusion of mili Fisheries Department) and with now drafting the management tary vehicles, machinery or outside authorities that have an plan. It is considering 60 submis personnel. impact on the neighbourhood (for sions, about half from community example, NSW National Parks groups and half from individuals. Wildlife protection and Wildlife Service, Shoalhaven City Council). The plan is expected to be a Spotlighting of the Little Penguins weighty and comprehensive docu from the colony on Bowen Island ment reflecting the complexity of should be banned and access to Law enforcement and the issues in the area. A draft is the rookeries restricted. education due for release for public comment Another questionable activity is in the last quarter of this year. Staff resources should be sufficient the 'dolphin watching* launch After comments are taken into to provide an adequate ranger cruises now being operated from account and the plan completed, it presence at all times to facilitate Huskisson which follow pods of will be tabled in the Autumn ses monitoring of activities and when dolphins around the Bay. sion of Federal Parliament. This necessary, law enforcement. This means it is likely to come into Bird feeding at Green Patch is should be supported by appropri effect by the second quarter of supported. It presents a marvel ate interpretation, through the vis 1993. lous opportunity for visitors to be itor centre and in adequate educated about the value of these signage and literature. NPA's Jervis Bay Working species and of Australian wildlife Group has had several meetings A representative Advisory generally. Committee should be established this year with officers of ANPWS Commercial fishing in territorial and has been satisfied that the to enhance public support for the waters should be phased out. park and to promote understand Service is considering, in a sympa Fishermen should not be allowed thetic way, all the major issues. ing about the management initia to take penguin-prey species and tives within the wider community. Therefore, in our submission we fishing should be restricted in the chose to address only the issues of penguin feeding area. major concern. Briefly, the points Need for an • Recreational fishing should be we made covered: monitored with restrictions intro integrated Jervis Bay duced if necessary. Educational National Park Visitors information should be developed As a final point, we urged ANPWS Already nearly one million people to explain to visitors the fragility in all its activities not to lose sight visit the area each year, most of the marine resource. of the larger goal of a marine during summer holidays. The Service should develop indicators Commercial activities national park protecting the integ to determine the carrying capacity rity of the natural values of the of the park and then implement and future whole Jervis Bay area and to move strategies for reducing visitor developments wherever possible towards achiev ing this goal. pressure. This stage of the park is not large No new tracks should be devel enough to cope with further com Den Robin oped. The proposal for the estab mercial development and particu lishment of a new information larly not any more permanent centre at the Jervis Bay Village is accommodation. Other commercial acceptable. activities, such as guided tours, diving classes and 'eco-tourism' Defence activities developments should meet the No defence exercises of any sort Guidelines for Concessions as set should take place within the out by CONCOM. national park or adjoining waters. Heritage values for Jervis Bay Guest speaker at the July meeting are open to public viewing in the Jervis Bay. The area has value for was Mr Graeme Worboys, South library of the Conservation research into pre-history, with the east Regional Manager, NSW Council of the South-East Region dating of sea level and climatic NPWS. in Canberra. Fiona commented at changes, and, due to extensive evi Graeme said that he would like this point that submissions are dence of middens and cave shel to speak mainly about the heritage still needed for the wilderness ters, changes also in Aboriginal values of Jervis Bay because the areas. diets over the last 20,000 years. issue of land-planning for the area On view at the meeting, in would be coming up soon, and pro handy kit form, was literature The slides posals for national parks will need regarding the South-East Maps projected onto a screen, strong support. Firstly, however, Regional National Parks. This aided by aerial photographs taken he commented briefly upon vari folder contains separate brochures from a helicopter, conveyed graph ous other aspects of the NSW for each of the Parks, with maps, ically the layout of the area. NPWS, and gave an outline of its information on facilities, etc., and It also conveyed a lack of plan staffing structure. He went on to costs $10. ning foresight in the mere 40 mention that the new NSW metres left for a wildlife, or habi Minister for the Environment is Jervis Bay tat corridor, between a primary Mr Chris Hartcher. About two years ago, the NSW school and a high school, both A copy of Corporate Plan was on Department of Planning convened recently built. A little to the north, display. This is a booklet available a Regional Planning committee to it was pointed out, was a golf to the public, and contains infor deal with Jervis Bay. In addition course where possible extensions mation regarding N.S.W. National to the Commonwealth & State may occur. We learned that there Parks, such as walking tracks, Governments, membership on the are threatened species in the methods of expenditure, etc. committee included the EPA, heath communities where large Graeme said that at present the Lands Department, CLM, NPWS, water tanks have been located. Service is concentrating on threat Department of Fisheries, ACF, Another cause for concern was the ened species. A survey by Mike Jervis Bay Protection Committee, view of the new sewerage plant, Saxon, assisted by the ANU, has the Mayor and Council, business built next to wetland which leads into a wildlife corridor. now established that the long- and private owners. footed potoroo survives in an addi Land tenure of Jervis Bay is A scientific study undertaken by tional five sites in NSW. By agree complicated. It includes some free Dr Kevin Mills recognised the ment with the Forestry need for wildlife corridors to link Commission of NSW, logging has hold and some crown land. Existing conserved lands include state forest and Morton National been stopped, and there is a 909c Park. They should also exist to the probability of potoroos existing in the 6190 ha Jervis Bay National Park, and the Gurumbi and Beecroft Peninsula so as to avoid seven locations. Another impor creating isolated 'islands' o tant step taken is the decision to Abraham's Bosom Nature Reserves. The total wetlands rec reserves, but this is made mor have an equivalent survey carried difficult by the complicated land out on koala populations. ognised as SEPP 14 wetlands amount to 1522 ha, and SEPP 26 tenure. When asked about the current rainforest, 25 ha. (SEPP - State To the north of Beecroft situation regarding south-east Environment Planning Policy.) Peninsula, there were magnificent forests, Graeme replied that in Jervis Bay is unique in its aerial views of the Bay offshore October 1990, six reserves were diverse landscapes of ocean from Abraham's Bosom Nature set aside for National Parks, but beaches, lakes, estuaries, Reserve. The coastline here pre these have not yet been estab marshes, tree-clad slopes and sented a dramatic view of rugged lished. We were told that there is heathlands. cliffs. Next to state forest in this an inventory of wildlife being car There is a wide range of vegeta vicinity, is a large tract of freehold ried out in co-operation with the tion which includes rain forest, land, some of which goes right to Forestry Department, in prepara wet sclerophyll and dry sclero the shoreline. This land could be tion for the taking over of these sub-divided into farms or other areas. phyll forests, casuarina stands, and mangroves—an essential part development. Whereas there is no further log of the eco-systems for marine life. The clear waters of Jervis Bay ging in the proposed national park The area is home to many species are attributed to the fact that the and reserve areas, there is still of terrestrial fauna and birdlife, catchment areas of streams in the some logging in the south-east and is an important destination vicinity are small in area and run forests. for about twenty migratory bird through relatively undisturbed Documents relating to proposed species. areas. Development here could wilderness areas for the south The iron-impregnated siltstone have the undesirable effect of run eastern part of NSW, together of the headlands is only one fea off into the streams, and thus into with submissions, pro- and anti-, ture of the important geology of the Bav. In addition to Aboriginal • 40 species which are rare, or of Foundation and the National Heritage sites, special values of special interest. Parks Association of NSW propose the Jervis Bay area are the sea- • Many 'closed forest' species Jervis Bay as a National Park and grass beds, the littoral rainforest which are at the southern limit eighteen months ago, the ACT areas, the wetland and saltmarsh for Australia. National Parks Association put in communities. The latter two are of • Rare and endangered heath a submission of 31 pages for Jervis international importance because species. Bay. of their use by migratory birds. • Among seabirds, 3 species of Graeme commented that the In its comprehensive report for shearwater, sea-eagles, Department of Planning is sympa the ANPWS, the ACT Parks and penguins. thetic to listening to submissions, Conservation Service and the • A little-tern site. but it will take a considerable NSW NPWS, Jervis Bay - • Tiger quolls, yellow-bellied and groundswell of support from indi Conservation Strategy, the squirrel gliders. viduals as well as from groups for .University of New England Centre • Eastern bristle birds. any of the above proposals to succeed. for Coastal Management states The existing reserves are hope that seventeen of the twenty- lessly inadequate for conserving After answering several ques seven migratory birds at Jervis species in the long term.' - Dr tions from members, Graeme Bay are listed on the Migratory Kevin Mills, 1991. received a vote of thanks from Les ^Bird Agreement with China and A good example of the popularity Pyke, which was heartily endorsed Rlapan. of camping at Jervis Bay is the by everyone present. Other significant conclusions massive figure of 800,000 visitors Val Honey reached in this report are that per year for Greenpatch. Jervis Bay has: The Australian Conservation
Exotics in n ational park S
Willows are familiar, beautiful flood depths and destruction. trees in all seasons, planted in Out in the countryside of the Australia by the European set ACT, willows have replaced the tlers along with other deciduous native flora along many streams trees to remind the homesick of and, especially in autumn, make a their homelands. The weeping great show. In Namadgi National willow—Salicacae salix babylon- Park they are found along the ica—is a native tree of Central Gudgenby, Orroral, Cotter and Asia and its beauty is extolled in other streams wherever many Asian poems like the follow Europeans settled and farmed. ing written by Zhu Shuzhen, a The question arises, should they kwoman poet of the 13th century: be removed and replaced with ™ Beyond the pavilion, the native trees or left as a reminder drooping willows with thou of farming settlement and activi sands of threads ties in the area? Replacement Intend to fasten young spring, would have to be carefully done as Which, having stayed for a the stream banks cannot be left while, still is leaving bare whilst one species goes and Nevertheless, the willow- another becomes established. catkins floating before the Information received from both the wind ACT and NSW conservation ser vices is that willows in the right Follow spring to spy whither place do a wonderful job at bank it goes. strengthening and now have In Australia willows were become part of the Australian planted along creeks and rivers scene. However, they are not the once the native casuarinas, tea- Willows on the Naas River near native trees that originally held tree, river gums or eucalypts had Naas Homestead. the banks and form a different been removed. They grew rela Photo by Fiona MacDonald Brand habitat to the original species. tively easily from cuttings in the moist soil of the river banks and choking the streams and causing Should they stay or should they in time the roots held the banks more frequent flooding. This has go? ... What do you think? when the floods came. However, occurred in the Molonglo River Fiona MacDonald Brand they also sent roots into the soil of near Oaks Estate and willow trees the stream beds thus sometimes have been removed to lessen the REPORTS Significance of Namadgi The Australian Alps National and fauna check lists and lists of catchments subjected to logging Park comprises the alpine classified, registered and signifi and grazing. national parks of Victoria, NSW cant sites and plants. The value of the report rests and the ACT and has been raised The text of the report with its both on its relevance to the world as an area deserving of world heri accompanying tables presents, heritage listing proposal and on its tage status. A preliminary to pro under the one cover, a comprehen consolidation of much important gressing this concept further is sive and readable account of the data on Namadgi. the systematic identification of the important attributes of Namadgi. I understand that it is not features of significance in the The concluding chapter related intended to offer the report for sale parks. NSW and Victoria have these to the requirements for but that it is available for refer published reports directed world heritage listing. In respect ence at the Namadgi Visitors towards this end and The Review of cultural significance, the report Centre and the Parks and of the Significance of the Natural finds that World Heritage Listing Conservation Head Office. There and Cultural Features of Namadgi criterion (iii) which required cultu is a copy in the NPA library. National Park provides this ser ral properties to 'bear a unique or vice for the ACT. at least exceptional testimony to a R. Boden (Fauna by I. FraBer): Review nj^^k This review is based on a critical civilisation which has disap the Significance of the Natural anc^^J peared' is relevant to Namadgi's Cultural Features of Namadgi National examination of available docu Park [1991;. mented information supplemented extensive evidence of Aboriginal by discussion with specialists in occupation. particular disciplines. The study In relation to natural heritage, Namadgi rock art did not involve any additional the report finds that Namadgi has At the May general meeting of the fieldwork. The report was commis claims to world significance in Association, the guest speaker, sioned by the Parks and relation to all four criteria for nat Helen Cook, put on display a Conservation Branch and pre ural heritage but that these report on Aboriginal Rock Art claims are stronger as part of the pared by Robert Boden with Ian Sites in Namadgi. This report Fraser responsible for the fauna larger Australian Alps than alone. commissioned by the ACT section. This flows from Namadgi's posi Heritage Unit and the Parks and The report sets out the natural tion at the northern end of the Alps, determining that some spe Conservation Service, provides a features of Namadgi under the detailed and exhaustive record of three headings of Geology and cies are at the northern extremity of their natural range. Two plant the six rock art sites in the Geomorphology, Flora and Yankee Hat, Nursery Swamp, Vegetation, and Fauna. Cultural communities are identified as having special value: Ginini Flats Rendezvous Creek area. The features are assembled under the author, Kelvin Officer, speaking headings of Aboriginal occupation sphagnum bog community and the swamp in the 'hanging1 Nursery at the opening of the Yankee Hat and use of resources, European track was very guarded in attrib--^ settlement and use of resources, Valley. Attention is also drawn to uting meaning or interpretation to and heritage values of Namadgi. the significance of Upper Cotter ^B components of the paintings. But The text is supplemented by a Valley above Bendora which, comprehensive bibliography and a because of its relatively undis in preparing this record of the number of appendices. Almost half turbed condition, suggests it as a paintings, as well as showing the report is devoted to these scientific reference area for com meticulous attention to detail, he appendices which include flora parison with other mountain has presented the results in a sympathetic and attractive manner. As ACT residents we have been well served by the ACT Administration in commissioning, and Kelvin Officer in preparing, this comprehensive record of these important sites. Only a limited number of copies of this report has been prepared. It may be referred to at the Heritage Unit office in Tuggeranong.
Officer, K: Namadgi Pictures; the Aboriginal Rack Art Sites within the Namadgi National Park (2 vols) 119891 Syd Comfort NAMADGI
A question of value What is of value in the natural environment? Everything you would say, as all is part of the web of life; everything animate or inan imate is interwoven and a unity. What is the value of changes and additions made to the natural environment by human activity? This is the difficult question. Some people see value in old buildings only if they are still pleasing to the eye. Others see value in old build- gs because of their design, the use of old building techniques or their usefulness as a shelter. What then is the value of the much older stone tool worksites, axe sharpen ing grooves, stone and ochre quar ries, rock art sites, stone arrangements, carved trees which tell of the culture which once encompassed all Australia? What is valuable as an asset is an interesting question. In recent months this question has arisen regarding all human-made sites in Namadgi National Park. The list of assets in the park only includes the buildings to be maintained, that is the toilet blocks, buildings for storage, information centres but not homesteads, huts and Aboriginal places. These last eate ries are only 'site listed' with no nderstood essential element of maintenance being involved. This would seem to be a danger Circumscribed by over 190 large boulders, the Yankee Hat Rock Shelter ous situation as has been wit car park visually was most obtrusive and had been built over a site of nessed of late when a building and possible Aboriginal significance. rock sites were removed because Photo by Reg Alder. they were not considered to be an asset and are only recorded on an impermanent computer database. Weeding party All things in Namadgi (except feral plants and animals) are of The current outings program into the restoration of Orroral value—are an asset—as they show includes a working party in Homestead but our responsibilities future generations what the natu Namadgi during which we plan to for the natural components of ral landscape/environment was deal with weed plants in a section Namadgi must not be overlooked, like and with their culture, what of the park. Eradication of weeds hence the work party. changes the Aboriginal people is a continuing requirement in all The Namadgi Sub Committee made, how the European settlers our reserves, one that has consid needs your support to keep abreast farmed and built in the 19th and erable support in the Landcare of our commitment to our national 20th centuries and finally how this plan, but one that is expensive for park. All members are welcome to area was set aside to keep all the park authorities to undertake. attend our monthly meetings, these valuable examples intact. Over the past months the associ details of which are set out in the Calendar. Fiona MacDonald Brand ation has put a great deal of effort Honeysuckle Creek and Orroral Valley Tracking Stations The issue of the impending demoli 1970s as NASA was able to con reusable items, from office furni tion of the Honeysuckle Creek and solidate its activities at the ture to the communication dishes, Orroral Valley Tracking Stations Tidbinbilla Deep Space were salvaged. The dish and some in Namadgi National Park came Communications Centre. Both equipment from Honeysuckle again onto the public agenda in stations were closed in the early Creek were transferred to June when Senator Margaret Reid 1980s. By 1985 they had been Tidbinbilla Tracking Station, pursued the issue in the supple handed to the (former) while the Orroral Valley dish and mentary public hearing of the Department of Territories which some equipment went to the Inquiry by the Joint Committee on administered the ACT. The University of Tasmania in Hobart. the National Capital into Nature Commonwealth provided no funds The diesel generators are now Conservation and Environmental for their maintenance. used by ACT TAFE in mechanics' Management. The Canberra Times courses. subsequently ran a front page arti The buildings cle and editorial critical of the The Tracking Stations were pur Management and ^ demolition referring to 'gross pose-built structures, located in a neglect' and 'narrow-minded evaluation after 1985 remote area to minimise electrical The focus of early attention to the vision' on the part of those respon interference from urban develop buildings from 1985 was not so sible for the decline of the build ment. The operations buildings much on historic value but on ings. Apparently, neither Senator are the main features at both Reid nor the Canberra Times were sites. Orroral Valley Tracking finding a new use for them. On the aware of, or made the effort to find Station is a single-storey, steel surface the buildings seemed to be out (in the case of the latter), the column and beam construction a significant asset. consideration that had been given building of 1540 square metres The Tracking Stations became to the future of the buildings over with brick walls and banks of win the responsibility of the a number of years and the reasons dows. Honeysuckle Creek Department of Territories at the for their decline. NPA (ACT) had Tracking Station is a two-storey, time the Plan of Management for been closely involved in this pro reinforced concrete column and Namadgi National Park was being cess and made a quite detailed beam construction building of prepared. Den Robin, who was submission to the ACT Legislative 1522 square metres with brick then the NPA representative on Assembly Standing Committee on and metal cladding and banks of the former Namadgi Consultative Conservation, Heritage and windows. In themselves, the Committee, arranged for an NPA Environment when it examined buildings have no special architec inspection of the buildings. This the matter in 1990. Following care tural merit. was very useful because it allowed ful consideration of the issue, that those who went to make a better submission concluded that the The buildings were self- assessment of the practicality buildings should be demolished. oM contained with regard to services. proposed alternative uses. ™ While differences of opinion might To the surprise of many, they In 1985, the (former) National be expected on this issue, it seems were not connected to the ACT appropriate at this point to outline power grid and 60 hz diesel gener Capital Development Commission in the NPA Bulletin some of the ators provided the power require investigated the feasibility of mod features of the buildings, the eval ments compatible with American ifying the buildings for other uses uation of heritage value and possi electrical equipment (.110 v). The and provided indicative costs. A ble future uses, and the actions power installation was quite field studies centre was considered taken by the Parks and large, with backup generators and for Honeysuckle Creek. Costs for Conservation Service following fuel storage tanks. Water was conversion at the time, including acquisition of the buildings. pumped from local streams and power connection, were estimated sewerage disposed of through at $2-3 million. Orroral Valley was mini-treatment plants. The cost of considered for a conference centre History such service provision, incidental with conversion costs of $1.4-2 probably to NASA, would have million. The NCDC concluded that The tracking stations were built in represented a major expense to it would probably be more cost the 1960s as part of the US any less well-funded user. effective to build new purpose- National Aeronautical and Space built buildings than refurbish the Administration (NASA) space Before and after the decommis old ones. The assessment did not exploration programs including sioning of the buildings, virtually include the environmental the Apollo program to put a 'man all the features and facilities that impacts of the powerline on the moon' and the Jupiter and linked the buildings to the his construction. Saturn space probes. The need for toric space program were The Namadgi Management Plan the stations declined in the late removed. However most of the (1986) did not specifically list the the Commonwealth maintained a environmental impact of the tracking stations in its section on full-time security guard on-site at removal was prepared on behalf of historic sites (S. 8.3.3) but did considerable cost. Such expense the ACT Department of refer to the Orroral Valley overall. may have been warranted in the Environment Land and Planning. The Stations were considered in short term if another use for This was advertised in the press the context of field studies (pp. 49- either of the buildings had become with call for public comment. 51). With regard to Honeysuckle apparent. Given finite budgets, Among other things, the Creek, the Plan concluded that if the costs would have had to be Preliminary Assessment no feasible, cost effective or opera drawn from other programs or addressed the removal of hazard tionally sound use could be found, activities of the Parks and ous materials and cultural heri then the site would be cleared of Conservation Service. tage considerations. It the main buildings. Various com In 1990, the ACT Government recommended the integration of munity groups and others consid agreed that the Legislative information on the Orroral and ered the use of the buildings (e.g. Assembly Standing Committee on Honeysuckle Creek Tracking for holiday adventure camps, tour Conservation, Heritage and Station installations into the dis ist developments, retreats for cor Environment should hold an play at Tidbinbilla Deep Space porate executives and politicians) inquiry into the future of the Communication facility which was but concluded that the cost of tracking stations. This was an already on a well-established tour modifications was too high. opportunity both for the statement ist route. Honeysuckle Creek was even of historic values and an explora The total cost of site documenta inspected by a prominent media tion of the re-use of the buildings tion, demolition and restoration magnate (with not inconsiderable which were now not only suffering has been estimated at $200 000 of investments in Kosciusko vandalism, but showing the effects which the Commonwealth is to National Park) for use in associa of lack of regular maintenance contribute $100 000. While atten tion with Sky-Channel. The ques (inoperable sewerage disposal tion has been drawn to this sum tion of the appropriateness of system and disintegration of the in the recent publicity, no mention some uses within the national plumbing). has been made of what cost would park setting appeared to be over have been involved in ongoing sta looked at times. In 1985, a Parks By this time NPA (ACT) had bilisation, maintenance, and and Conservation Service given considerable thought to the security. (This would have prob employee was placed at questions of re-use and heritage ably approximated $200 000 Honeysuckle Creek as caretaker, value and made a submission to annually). but running a large diesel genera this Inquiry in June 1990. It tor for small power requirements stated: was very expensive. Noting the following factors: Heritage aspects (a) the need to take action on the As noted above, most of the early During 1988, the Parks and buildings interest in the buildings was on Conservation Service sought finding another use. The historic expressions of interest from gov (b) the inherent limitations of the significance of the buildings them ernment agencies in using the buildings, their deteriorated selves has always been a difficult buildings. There was no response, state and the cost of issue because virtually every fea but ACT TAFE expressed interest conversion ture that associated them with in some of the equipment which (c) the lack of support for the pro the space program was removed has since been transferred to their posed uses either before or after NASA with use (as noted above). Public drew from the sites. (Most of this (d) the primacy of the nature con expressions of interest in the equipment, as noted above, has servation objective in Namadgi buildings were not called for, been put to good use). To a visitor and though as noted above, groups and without prior knowledge of the individuals investigated uses in (e) that heritage requirements former uses of the buildings only a response to the Management Plan may be met without retaining few clues remain. It is a matter of and other publicity. the buildings individual judgement as to the Vandalism of the buildings the Association concludes that the balance of significance between began to occur as their abandoned buildings should be demolished. the gutted buildings themselves presence became public knowledge The Standing Committee recom and the activities they were asso during 1986. While they were part mended that the tracking stations ciated with. of regular ranger patrols, their be removed following recording of The Preliminary Assessment remoteness but easy access made the sites by the (then) ACT considered the question of cultural security extremely difficult. They Heritage Committee but that the and historical significance, noting could only have been secured by 'footprint* of the structures be left that in terms of the Burra permanent ranger presence or by intact. In August 1991 the ACT Charter, the Tracking Station the employment of a commercial Government accepted the thrust of sites have varying degrees of his security agency. Before the Standing Committee's recom toric, scientific and aesthetic Honeysuckle Creek was trans mendations and in December 1991 ferred to the ACT Administration, a Preliminary Assessment of the continued over page... NPA and ex-NPA meet up in NZ For me one of the great joys of returned to Queensland, and then, travel is in meeting up with old some 4-5 years ago, took a holiday friends and making new ones. in New Zealand where she got On my second visit to New hooked. She worked for the Zealand over two months early Department of Conservation for a this year, I accomplished this to year in the office, and for the last the full, staying with seven three or four years has been a friends —some known up to 32 Seasonal Ranger on various and 46 years—and also visiting tracks. Along the way she has Stewart and Auckland Islands, taken climbing and abseiling 'hopefully more anon in the courses and climbed many of the Bulletin). famous peaks in South Island Among the old friends were two while finding untapped I had met through NPA and have capabilities. remained in contact with—Sylvia My timing in the south was just Outridge and Bob Stoothoff. right as she was on a five months' Sylvia was a very active duty on the Greenstone track (15 Sylvla Outridge In the member from 1983 to 1986. She days on, 5 off). At the end of March Budawangs. readily admits that she found her we had a great reunion as I Photo by Olive Buckman. niche in life through her first stepped off the bus at the Divide, backpack with NPA. This was to complete with her requests of a larly carries 50 lbs and over, Mt Clear (led by Reg Alder) and cask of wine and various food including tools and sometimes a she was then very new to the items. These soon vanished into chain saw, as truck maintenance game and a little unsure. At one her HUGE rucksack, so large that is all part of the job and may point Frank Clements remarked when I went to pick up my fairly involve fallen trees of up to a on the weight of her pack, then loaded day pack, I discovered it metre in circumference. (I was to walked off carrying same and had been put in hers! I soon took it see them). leaving his lighter one for her—a out, and off we went. With tongues wagging and in small act that led a long way. Her duties as a Ranger cover a glorious sunshine we climbed up After her vears in Canberra she multitude of things and she regu- and down, with a diversion to Key
...continued from last page community group in the ACT has tively retained if the building nominated the sites for the shells were converted to another value. The historic value was con Register of the National Estate use which involved substantial sidered most significant in that (as any citizen or group is entitled refit—when it was the association the sites had 'influenced an his to do) and they do not appear on of the buildings rather than their toric event'—the landing of men on the list of places to be considered intrinsic architectural merits! the moon. However the guidelines for the ACT Heritage Places which was the object of describe sites where the associa Register. conservation. tion with the event, or the setting, survives intact as having greater Three other aspects are also Despite the recent publicity, it significance than those which are worthy of mention. The first is the would appear that little has much changed. The Preliminary persistence of the view that a use changed in the circumstances or Assessment noted that the most would eventually be found for the potential of the tracking stations recognisable elements of the sta buildings—despite the investiga that would justify any change to tions, in particular the dishes, tion over five years which was the NPA conclusions expressed to were no longer on-site. It also unsuccessful and the lack of recog the 1990 Legislative Assembly noted that the sites were joined to nition on the part of some propo Inquiry and which were the prod Tidbinbilla in the historic events, sals that the sites were in a uct of careful and informed delib so opening the potential to inter national park. The second is the eration developed over a number pret their place in the space pro failure to attempt to realistically of years. Any justifiable alterna gram through the currently assess the costs involved in cer tive view developed within the operational facility at Tidbinbilla. tain suggestions (such as the sug Association which fully addressed gestion to simply maintain the aspects such as costs should have Though the heritage aspects of buildings until a use materialised been presented to the ACT the question about the future of in the future) and to consider Government and its managing the Stations began to be raised where funds might come from out agencies in the normal form of a more in recent times, it is curious of already hard-pressed budgets. lobbying submission. that in the seven years since their The third is the question of how acquisition by the ACT Kevin Frawley heritage aspects would be effec Administration, no individual or Summit for a magnificent view of highest in the Arthur's Pass the heavily snow-capped length of National Park, dominating the the Ailsa Range (up to 6,600 m) skyline. Below were the wide river and so down to Lake Howden. beds of the Waimakariri River run This was as beautiful as I remem ning east to west and being joined bered it when doing the by the Bealey River from Arthur's Routeburn track years ago. We Pass to the north in the middle of had lunch in the staff quarters of our vista—very memorable. We the Freedom walkers hut and con dropped off westward via a vast tinued through the magnificent scree which never seemed to end, beech forest to Lake Mackenzie back into the beech forests, past a hut. We spent two nights in staff number of clear tarns and slowly quarters using the day between to contoured back through masses of clean the hut, for Sylvia's five tussock grass, reeds, ferns and up month tour of duty finished the and down creek beds, coming down following week. from Mt Bruce to make base seven On again, back into sunshine, hours after starting out. we continued down the delightful The day finished with a memora |valley. The Greenstone River was ble sunset on the drive back. On a roaring, rushing, glacial sight, Bob, Judy and Kiri Stoothoff at our right the fluted peaks of the while everywhere was very boggy their home in Christchurch. ranges were jet black against a and on all sides creeks were tricky Photo by Olive Buckman. vivid red sky and those across the to cross due to snow melt and valley to our left glowed in various heavy rain. In many places the number of our outings—especially shades of pink, with deep shadows track crosses HUGE stone screes backpacking—until the snow and the snow itself glittering like often up to half a kilometre long called him south. Bob and Judy rosy icing and a glance upwards to the left plus son Adam, cats and delight Judy kindly took me on two showed the rugged rocky moun ful 'Kiri', a Doberman that stole afternoons to different parts of tain top from which this had my heart, live in a fascinating interesting, beautiful Banks fallen, almost directly overhead. A late 18th Century house a few kil Peninsula—a fascinating ex- lot of the track was through the ometres from the city and have volcanic area. Like Sylvia, Bob beech forest, a joy, with autumnal now added a 50-acre farm to their wishes to be remembered to all colours both above and at our feet, interests and in readiness for those he knew and walked with and the track was often right on Bob's retirement. and again reiterates an invitation the edge of the river bank. Our For the weekend during my he put in the Bulletin when he left tongues hardly stopped. The next stay, Bob and I drove the beauti here. This was/is to take any NPA week Sylvia was heading for a ful and interesting two-hour run member visiting Christchurch on a climbing holiday in Tasmania and to the Southern Alps in the walk, climb or backpack, depend .hoped to find seasonal work either Arthur's Pass area. Everywhere ing on his workload.' Perhaps any Jthere or perhaps in the ACT, or was a joy—under low, early snow. members, especially those he back in New Zealand. Our last On the Saturday afternoon we did knew, wishing to take up this offer night was at her base, the two short walks before settling for could contact me on 248 8774. Greenstone Hut, and on my fourth the night in the 'Stoothoff Bach'. day, after farewells and thank On the Sunday under clear, blue Olive Buckman yous I walked out for a launch trip skies and in glorious sunshine we across Lake Wakatipo and coach joined the Avon Tramping Club to to Queenstown. climb Mt Bruce—1639 metres. This was in a range where most Sylvia asked to be remembered peaks had a steep sloping side, to all those NPA members she finishing in curves along their knew and she will, I am sure, con ridges then falling steeply via tinue to speak warmly of her . scree slopes into a basin on the greatly changed life, which she other side. Our start was through loves, and her time with us that beech forest then sloping areas of NB If there is a red led her into it. new pine plantations and finally dot on your mailing My second reunion took place the long, long haul up a steep, label this is your last two days later in Christchurch grassy slope, round the snow with Bob and Judy Stoothoff. Bob, capped curves with steep drops to Bulletin and you a friend and colleague of Jack our left to make the top. Views need to renew your Smart, had been a member of were out of this world almost the subscription. NPA for some months back in whole way round, range upon 1987 when visiting the ANU. snow-covered range with Mt Always a keen walker, climber Rolleston, at 2,271 metres the and skier, he took part in a TRIPS America by campervan
We left Canberra on a very cold morning on Friday 26 July 1991 and after a 13-hour flight from Sydney arrived in Los Angeles at 10.30am still on Friday 26 July, having crossed both the equator and the International Date Line. On the next day we flew from LA to JFK Airport, New York, where it took over 30 minutes from land ing until we reached the terminal because of the number of arrivals, including Concorde on the next runway. We had one day in New York which we spent sightseeing: Empire State Building, Colombus Square, Central Park, Harlem, Times Square, The Bowery, Wall Street, before crossing to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and returning to Battery Point. We spent 29 July to 9 August on Barbara braves the weather at Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park. a bus tour visiting first Boston Photo by Syd Comfort. with a re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party and then across the floor of the Minolta Tower over retains many fine old town build Canadian border at Armstrong looking the floodlit falls. We were ings, and then on to Mount and on to Quebec for two nights. up by dawn the next morning to Vernon and George Washington Here we walked through the old catch the early morning light on House which is beautifully pre walled part of the city with 17th the spray from the falls then we served and retains much of the century houses and churches made our way back across the original furniture. The last day of before making our way to the border into the USA and through our tour was very wet and we Promenade of the Governors and farmlands to Lancaster for the drove directly to Philadelphia the Plains of Abraham. From night. At our next stop, an Amish where in between downpours we Quebec we drove to Montreal and settlement at Intercourse, we visited the Independence Hall and then Ottawa where we toured looked over a traditional farm saw the Liberty Bell. From herel Parliament House and in the eve ning enjoyed an impressive Son et house before going into the town. we made our way to JFK Airport Lumiere. On our way to Toronto It was rather incongruous to see where most of our fellow travel we cruised through part of the Amish men driving their buggies lers left for the UK, and then on to Thousand Islands National Park drawn by beautiful high-stepping New York. The next morning, in which is a very beautiful area horses while their wives shopped glorious sunshine, we took the indeed. On the next day we drove in the local supermarket. subway to downtown New York. along the shores of Lake Ontario, Washington DC was our next Highlights of the day included crossed the Welland Canal which stop and we arrived there in time walking through Central Park, links Lakes Ontario and Eerie, for a picnic lunch in the Mall with looking at the New York skyline and then on to Niagara Falls. Capitol Hill at one end and the through the Rodin sculptures on These were a definite highlight of Lincoln Memorial at the other. We the roof garden of the this part of the trip because of the had time for brief visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and immensity of the falls and the Smithsonian Air and Space a ride on the Statten Island ferry. close approach to the waters pro Museum, the Sculpture Garden From New York we flew to San vided by the walking paths. and the National History Museum Francisco where we had the oblig During the afternoon we donned before boarding our bus for the atory ride on the cable car and bright blue hooded raincoats and hotel. A bus tour the following declared Fisherman's Wharf boarded the Maid of the Mist morning took in Capitol Hill, the vastly over-rated. However the which took us along the waters to House of Representatives, the Automobile Association lAAA) just below the Horseshoe Falls— Arlington National Cemetery and was first class and on the basis of very dramatic and rather wet. the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. our NRMA membership, set us up That evening we dined on the 26th After lunch we drove to with maps, guide books and Alexandria in Virginia which plenty of good advice. TRIPS
It was in San Francisco that we fire area in this park is spectacu of the city and used public trans had trouble getting stamps. First lar. Set amongst forest giants, it port which was very efficient and of all the main Post Office had has seating for 200 people cut out cheap—about $3 Australian for a moved and the next post office in a of huge redwood logs together day ticket which we used on bus, store only had stamps from a with lighting, amplification and Sky Train and ferry. machine for which we had no projection facilities. That evening We now travelled east and made change and neither did the post we listened to a park ranger's bear our way through Sevona, office. Our third try produced stories and afterwards joined the Revelstoke, Glacier National Park, stamps but they could not give line for hot chocolate served by the Golden, Yoho National Park and change for a $20 bill, so we had to camp hosts (own mug please). We along the Icefield Parkway to part with some of our small bills crossed into Oregon with a lot of Jasper National Park. The Icefield which seem to be as scarce as low cloud and mist on the coast Parkway has magnificent scenery hen's teeth. but no actual rain. However water along its entire length with snow Thursday 15 August actually was very scarce in this part of the capped mountains reflected in the saw us on our way with the cam- country and showers on camp blue and green lakes. We walked pervan which we had hired for the sites were restricted to two hours to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier next three and a half months, daily. We by-passed Portland and which over the years has receded made our way to the Columbia lthough we didn't get far that day a considerable distance. It was on River which reputedly has the s we were delayed collecting the this part of the highway that we « best wind surfing conditions in the had our one and only sighting of a vehicle and then had to negotiate world—there were wind surfers peak-hour traffic out of San grizzly bear. We spent five nights everywhere. We saw Mount Hood, Francisco. in Jasper National Park before at 11 239 feet, the highest point in moving on to Banff National Park We headed north along the coast Oregon, and Mount Adams, 12 276 where we had a bathe in the ther driving through the magnificent feet, across the border in mal pool at 40°C. redwoods which form the Avenue Washington State, both snow of the Giants and on to Humbolt capped. Our next stop was for two nights State Park. We made a short just out of Calgary where again detour to Ferndale, a small town Next we had our first distant we used public transport to reach noted for its beautiful wooden view of Mount St Helens and then the city. I was very impressed Victorian houses, some of which paid a visit to the National with the Devonian Gardens which have since been destroyed in an Volcanic Monument Visitor comprise two acres of landscaped earthquake which occurred earlier Centre which was most informa gardens and pools on the third this year and was seen on TV in tive and very well presented. The floor of a building all completely Australia. At Redwood National next day we were able to drive enclosed. Park we encountered our first right to the mountain and exam From Calgary we drove to wildlife, a herd of elk. The camp ine the devastation on foot. A Waterton Lakes National Park in straight line runs down the moun very cold and windy conditions. tain with, on the left, pine trees There we had an enjoyable boat still growing and on the right, trip along the length of the lake grey ash and the remains of the and crossed the 49th Parallel forest with huge stripped trees which is marked on the shore and thrown about like matchsticks. boasts a Customs House and entry There are signs of regeneration point to the USA. with some wild flowers growing We crossed the border back into through the devastation. the USA by road and then had a Still travelling north we spent magnificent drive along the 'Going two nights at the coastal resort of to the Sun' road over Logan Pass Dungeness and then crossed on and on to West Glacier. We the car ferry to Vancouver Island. stopped at the National Bison Our main aim here was to see the Range at Moise for nearly two Butchart Gardens which were hours where we saw long horned quite magnificent despite some sheep, elk, pronghorn deer and a rain. We spent a very interesting herd of about 1,000 bison. We also day in Victoria where we visited visited the Madison Buffalo Jump the outstanding Royal British where the Indians herded buffalo Columbian Museum and the har and drove them over the top of the bour where there was a gathering cliff to kill large numbers. of all types of wooden boats. We then boarded another ferry, this Barbara Comfort time to Vancouver, where we Look out for the second instalment The Sentinel, Yosemite National ' spent the Labour Day holiday. We of this article in the December Park; booked into a commercial recrea issue of NPA Bulletin. Photo by Syd Comfort tional vehicle Park a few miles out Calendar SEPTEMBER Thursday 3 Committee meeting, 7.30 pm, 21 Hyndes Cr, Holder. Beverley Hammond, 288 6577(h). Thursday 10 Namadgi sub-committee, 7 30 pm, 87 Shackleton Circuit, Mawson. Syd Comfort, 286 2578(w).
Thursday 24 Environment sub-committee,contact President for venue.
OCTOBER Thursday 1 Committee meeting, 7.30 pm, 21 Hyndes Cr, Holder. Beverley Hammond, 288 6577(h). Thursday 8 Namadgi subcommittee. Wed 14 Outings sub-committee, 7.30 pm, 14 Maranboy Street, Fisher. Di Thompson 288 6084(h) 244 7572(w) Thursday 29 Environment sub-committee.
NOVEMBER Sunday 1 Deadline lor December NPA Bulletin
Thursday 5 Committee meeting, 7.30 pm, 21 Hyndes Cr, Holder. Beverley Hammond, 288 6577(h). Thursday Namadgi sub-committcc
i nursQHv -u Ltivirurunem sub-cornmiuee
DECEMBER Thursday 3 Committee meeting, 7.3U pm, 21 Hyndes Cres, Holder, Beverley Hammond, 288 6577(h). 1hursday lu Namadgi subcommittee
NPA Bulletin National Parks Association of the ACT POSTAGE GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601 SURFACE PAID Registered Publication No. NBH0857 MAIL AUSTRALIA
General meetings Held at 8pm, room 1, Griffin Centre, Bunda Street, Civic.
Thursday 17 September: Threatened Species Legislation Senator -John Coulter, Leader of the Australian Democrats, or a member of his staff, will discuss the influence of the Threatened Species Legislation introduced by the Democrats on subsequent government legislation. Thursday 22 October: Greening Australia Val Wiseman, Manager of Greening Australia for the ACT and South East NSW, will give an illustrated address on programs. The organisation is dedicated to helping Australians conserve and establish trees and other vegetation. Thursday 19 November: Exotic Plants Invasions Dr Stella Humphries, an ecologist with CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, co-authored a report on exotic plant invasions in Australian ecosystems. She will present the national pattern of these invasions and the threat environ mental weeds pose to conservation She will discuss some of the reasons for their spread and indicate management options.
December No meeting.
Sunday 13 December, 3 pm: NPA Christmas Party Orroral Picnic Area