Nature

Journal of National Parks Association of NSW | Volume 60, No. 4 | Summer 2016 Nature New South Wales is published quarterly, Welcome to Summer 2016 with news and features on nature conservation and national parks, by NPA Publications Pty Ltd Welcome to the Summer edition of Nature ABN 860 639 359 46 NSW. As you read this we’re rushing towards Lvl 3, 52-58 William Street Woolloomooloo 2011 the end of the year, hoping for a break, PO Box 312, Darlinghurst NSW 1300 and enjoying the onset of summer. Phone: 02 9299 0000 On the conservation front, it’s not been a positive Email: [email protected] year. We’re fighting the same battles we fought Website: www.npansw.org.au (and won) 20 years ago. We’re fighting against new ISSN: 2200-4580 Samantha Newton laws that will undermine the protection of native Editor: Samantha Newton Vice President, plants and animals; we’re fighting to stop pollution Designer: Kiran Charles National Parks of our waters and clearing of native vegetation; Deadline for Editorial and Advertising Association of NSW we’re still fighting for protection of old-growth Published Deadlines forests and public lands. But there are positives. Summer – December 16 October The conversations are still happening. There Autumn – March 16 January is strong dialogue between disparate social Winter – June 16 April Spring – September 16 July groups, and there is greater appreciation of the value of nature across a much Opinions expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policies or broader cross-section of society. views of the National Parks Association of NSW. A friend asked me the other day, “what’s the Copyright © 2016 NPA Publications Pty Ltd point?”. I’m not sure whether she was referring NPA Staff to being at work that day, or life in general, but CEO: Kevin Evans, Finance & Fundraising it was easy to answer. It was a beautiful sunny, Officer: Diane Latta, Communications spring day. I’d had my morning coffee and I & Publications Manager: Kiran Charles, was feeling positive about life, so I rattled off Operations Manager: Fae Barton, Activities a few positive thoughts, starting with coffee, Coordinator: Matt McClelland, Senior and including sunshine, birds, butterflies and Ecologist: Dr Oisín Sweeney Citizen Science Officers: Margot Law, Geetha trees along the way. It gave her a smile. Ortac, Bushwalking Project Officer: Helen It’s important that we support each other with Smith, Illawarra to Shoalhaven Partnership positive messages. Not trite, happy face, thumbs Facilitator: David Rush. up displays; but reminders of why we keep going. NPA Executive Committee Why we get up in the morning, lead bushwalks, President: Anne Reeves, Senior Vice write submissions, talk to government, and President: Ian Donovan, Vice President: network. We love nature, and we’re passionate Samantha Newton, Hon Treasurer: Ted Woodley, about changing the world to make it better, to Hon Secretary: Ian Donovan Members: Grahame Douglas, Brian Everingham, Sam protect the nature we love; for ourselves, for our Garrett-Jones, Naomi Hamilton-Hakim future generations, and for its intrinsic value. This edition of Nature NSW discusses some aspects of how we value nature. It also heralds the start of our 60th Anniversary year. As you is a non-profit community organisation that seeks to read the articles, and enjoy a summer break, protect, connect and restore think about how you would like to join us in the integrity and diversity celebrating our 60th, and celebrating nature. of natural systems in NSW and beyond through national We welcome your suggestions and feedback. parks, marine sanctuaries We hope you’ll join the celebrations. and other means. Happy reading! And all the best for a happy 2017!

NPA’s administration has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

Cover photo: Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus Photo: Sam Matthews Creature Feature page 18

Environment ISO 14001

Certification applies to Offset Alpine Printing Contents

Ecosystem Accounting...... 4 Helping make an informed decision on the future of logging

What is Nature Worth? Priceless!...... 6

Rock Solid...... 8 New South Wales geologic features

A Plan to Protect Kosciuszko's Water Catchments...... 10

Implementing an Environmental-economic Accounting Framework 8 to Support Environmental Policy-making:...... 12 A work-in-progress

Will the Survive?...... 14

Australia's National Rewilding Forum 2016...... 16 What happened and where to next?

Creature Feature...... 18 The Plains-wonderer

Featured Dive...... 20 Broughton Island 16

Vale Heather Roy...... 21

Walk of the Month...... 22

Featured Walk...... 23 Wentworth Falls loop

Featured National Park...... 24 Blue Mountains National Park

Bushwalking Conservation...... 26 Paddy Pallin and Tom Moppett 20

NPA is Celebrating 60!...... 28

NPA's Hunter Valley Roots...... 29

NPA News...... 30

23 Ecosystem accounting helping make an informed decision on the future of logging

Dr Oisín Sweeney Senior Ecologist, National Parks Association of NSW

A case study on the Victorian So what did they find? Central Highlands 1. Ecosystem services Back in June, scientists and economists from the Australian In 2014 two ecosystem services— National University produced a provisioning of crops and fodder ground-breaking piece of work. and water provision—dwarfed other They published a set of experimental services being worth approximately ‘ecosystem accounts’ for the Central $120 million and $100 million Highlands region of . NPA respectively. Culture and recreation Senior Ecologist, Dr Oisín Sweeney, were worth approximately $45 explains the relevance of this approach. million, timber provisioning (the value of timber minus haulage What are ecosystem accounts Logged Forest, Victorian Cental Highands and harvest costs) $25 million and and why are they useful? carbon sequestration $20 million. In essence, ecosystem accounts 2. GDP attempt to put a value on elements Why the Victorian Central But when GDP was considered of an ecosystem that are typically Highlands? things got really interesting: water overlooked in decision making. The Central Highlands are a very and agriculture were again the most The thinking is that by developing special part of the state of Victoria. valuable at $2,319 and $2,477 per accounts, decision makers can Their forested catchments supply water hectare (ha) respectively. Tourism make more informed land-use to Melbourne's four million people was worth $354/ha (a conservative decisions by having a full suite of and are home to the tallest flowering estimate because the entire study area information. Currently, decisions on plants in the world, the Mountain Ash was used in the calculation, whereas in land use are made with only partial (Eucalyptus regnans). In an undisturbed reality tourism is likely to be focussed information—a situation that would state, these are the most carbon-dense in a smaller area than the total). never be countenanced in most forests on earth storing up to 1,867 Timber was worth just $29/ha. But business decisions! In this instance the tonnes of carbon per hectare1 but the logging also had a major negative researchers looked at three elements: Unleashing the potential of our forests forests are logged under a Regional impact on carbon sequestration 1. Ecosystem services including Forest Agreement (RFA), due to expire and carbon stocks: logging reduced water supply, carbon storage, in 2017. There is a major new national sequestration by 3.13 tonnes of carbon timber provision, provisioning park being proposed for the region: per hectare year between 1990 and for crops and fodder production The Great Forest National Park is 2015 - equivalent to $37.87 per hectare Executive summary Our plan and culture and recreation; based largely around the urgent need per year at a carbon price of $12.10 per The National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) is proposing a shift We’re not proposing that all of these forests become National 2. The contribution to GDP to protect the critically endangered tonne3. Furthermore, logging reduced in focus of public state forest management so that forests deliver Parks, but we must complete the forest reserve network that was by industries including Leadbeater’s Possum (Gymnobelideus the carbon stocks of forests by 143 benefits to the entire community. We want to make NSW a world promised through the RFAs. We also urgently need to protect agriculture, water supply, leadbeateri), but is also needed to avoid tonnes/ha. At $12.10 per tonne this leader in nature-based tourism, recreation and outdoor education, threatened forest species and connect up the landscape. This tourism and logging; and, collapse of the entire ecosystem due lost carbon is worth $1,730/ha - or to logging and fire. Under business while also protecting our wildlife and making sure regional is really important to protect the wildlife that people come to 3. Metrics relevant to biodiversity 60 times the value of the timber. communities thrive in a time of change. We can achieve this by Australia to see and help nature adapt to climate change. including populations of arboreal as usual collapse will occur by 20652. So the double impact of logging Currently, under the RFA, timber is using public native forests—two million hectares of precious public marsupials, the number of on carbon sequestration and With smart planning, the remaining forests can be used alongside the only product afforded any value. land—in a better, more inclusive way. threatened species, forest age- storage means that logging costs the National Parks network for an expansion of nature-based and These ecosystem accounts change that! class and number of tree hollows. much more than it makes. Why do we need change? adventure tourism. So we’re proposing that these forests become Regional Parks protected under Category V of the International Native forest logging is an industry in decline and it’s becoming Union for the Conservation of Nature reserve categories. This increasingly less important to both wood supply and job provision. ensures that sustainability is a key management ethos, yet Industry sources will tell you the future’s in plantations: they’re allows flexibility in regards activities in forests—including dog cheaper to plant, maintain and harvest and produce better walking opportunities near urban areas, higher impact sports and 4 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES pulp wood. Almost all timber used in construction these days recreation and ecologically sensitive infrastructure. Importantly, is plantation. And, unlike native forest logging, plantations are it allows for traditional management practices to be employed in profitable. Environmentally, logging is a key threat to many species forest recovery and for Aboriginal people to benefit economically and ecosystems. It reduces carbon stores of forests and jeopardises from forest products should they choose to. water supplies to the eastern seaboard. Initial government investment would be needed to upgrade So the tail end of the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) is the infrastructure and provide the certainty for the private sector time to act to protect nature and regional communities. We want to take advantage of the fresh opportunities. It’s important that the NSW government to end native forest logging and use this vast small businesses are encouraged, because this would kickstart swathe of public land for public good. employment in regional areas and drive the visitor economy. One way to help this to happen would be for government to provide What’s the alternative? low-cost loans to those that want to create new businesses based Our forests can be used as the setting for world-class nature-based on nature based tourism or recreation in forests. This model of tourism and recreation so NSW can fully maximise its natural private sector delivery on public land is used successfully in New advantages of a beautiful climate, majestic landscapes and unique Zealand and Europe. forests. This would increase the opportunities for small business creation and provide long-term, rewarding jobs for local people Forest Management in areas that are crying out for jobs and job diversification. This NPA proposes the development of a Visitor Activity and Land includes jobs in forest rehabilitation for foresters, forest-based jobs Management Actions (VALMA) tool to ensure forests are managed for Indigenous owners and jobs for the broader community in well under the new framework. VALMA would include a means to tourism, service and support industries. make sure activities and visitor infrastructure are put in the right We see a future where outdoor education for our kids is focussed places in the landscape so that natural and cultural values can be on forest eco-hubs that would also serve as focal points for tourist protected while maintaining high quality experiences. A monitoring infrastructure and recreation. We want to make sure the kids of framework would also be built in so that visitor impacts can be NSW get regular opportunities to get away from screens to visit predicted and assessed, and management to reduce impacts targeted forests, learn new skills and become fit and healthy. at the right place. VALMA should be developed in consultation with user groups, experts in protected area management, non- We know how important nature and exercise are for mental and governmental organisations and local communities. physical health. In an era of increasing health care costs, using our forests to increase outdoor activity for citizens offers huge Our plan for public forests will be launched in February 2017. If you would like a copy please email Oisín: [email protected] opportunities for decreasing costs while improving health.

Help us unleash the potential of our forests Your donation today could help make our plan a reality and put an end to industrial logging in our native forests once and for all.

www.npansw.org.au/appeal find out more growth had more species and the Baird government—which will higher numbers of animals; soon make decisions on logging—a • Logging on rotations less mechanism to more honestly appraise than 120 years will result in whether logging is a good idea, and no recruitment of hollow- to move beyond the industry spin of bearing trees due to the time ‘world’s best practice’ and inflated needed for hollows to form; jobs figures. Public forests belong • The key threatening process to to everyone, and the government arboreal mammals was the loss has a duty to make sure they’re of hollow-bearing trees and lack managed in the public interest. of recruitment of older trees. Having a full suite of information One concern that people have with can only help in this regard. environmental accounts is that they References Endangered Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby fear nature will be given a price tag, and that the price of conserving 1. Keith, H., Mackey, B. G. & Lindenmayer, D. B. Re-evaluation 3. Biodiversity nature will inevitably be higher than development. In this case the authors of forest biomass carbon stocks • The key findings relevant and lessons from the world's most didn’t attempt to place a monetary to biodiversity were: carbon-dense forests. Proceedings value on wildlife, yet their findings • Since 2000, the number of of the National Academy of Sciences on biodiversity are still stark. threatened species had risen 106, 11635-11640, doi:10.1073/ What are the implications for NSW? from 28 to 38, with the pnas.0901970106 (2009). Governments at both a state and number of critically endangered 2. Burns, E. L. et al. Ecosystem federal level are loathe to face up to the species rising from 0 to 5; assessment of mountain ash forest realities, economic and environmental, • The proportion of forests in in the Central Highlands of Victoria, of native forest logging. Part of this south-eastern Australia. Austral older age classes had declined is inertia—it’s easier not to change Ecology 40, 386-399, doi:10.1111/ and logging reduced the number something that’s been occurring for a aec.12200 (2015). of hollow-bearing trees by 70% long time. But partly it’s because the 3. Clean Energy Regulator. Emissions (compared to 42% loss from fire); economic value of forests has only ever Reduction Fund, auction • Populations of arboreal been measured as the value of timber results April 2016, (2016).

Unleashing the potential of our forests

Executive summary Our plan The HelpNational Parks NPA Association unleash of NSW (NPA) the is potentialproposing a shift ofWe’re our not proposing forests that all of these forests become National in focusWe of are public proposing state forest a management shift in focus so that of forestspublic deliver state forestParks, management but we must so complete that forests the forest deliver reserve network that was benefits to the entire community. We want to make NSW a world promised through the RFAs. We also urgently need to protect benefits to the entire community. We want to make NSW a world leader in nature-based leader in nature-based tourism, recreation and outdoor education, threatened forest species and connect up the landscape. This tourism, recreation and outdoor education, while also protecting our wildlife and making sure while also protecting our wildlife and making sure regional is really important to protect the wildlife that people come to regional communities thrive in a time of change. We can achieve this by using public native communities thrive in a time of change. We can achieve this by Australia to see and help nature adapt to climate change. using forests—twopublic native forests—two million hectares million hectares of precious of precious public public land—in a better, more inclusive way. land—in a better, more inclusive way. With smart planning, the remaining forests can be used alongside Help make our plan a reality and put an end to industrialthe National logging Parks in networkour magnificent for an expansion forests. of nature-based and Why do we need change? adventure tourism. So we’re proposing that these forests become Regional Parks protected under Category V of the International NativeFor forest more logging information is an industry or in to decline donate and visit: it’s becoming Union for the Conservation of Nature reserve categories. This increasinglywww.npansw.org.au/appeal less important to both wood supply and job provision. ensures that sustainability is a key management ethos, yet Industry sources will tell you the future’s in plantations: they’re allows flexibility in regards activities in forests—including dog cheaper to plant, maintain and harvest and produce better walking opportunities near urban areas, higher impact sports and pulp wood. Almost all timber used in construction these days Summer 2016 5 recreation and ecologically sensitive infrastructure. Importantly, is plantation. And, unlike native forest logging, plantations are it allows for traditional management practices to be employed in profitable. Environmentally, logging is a key threat to many species forest recovery and for Aboriginal people to benefit economically and ecosystems. It reduces carbon stores of forests and jeopardises from forest products should they choose to. water supplies to the eastern seaboard. Initial government investment would be needed to upgrade So the tail end of the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) is the infrastructure and provide the certainty for the private sector time to act to protect nature and regional communities. We want to take advantage of the fresh opportunities. It’s important that the NSW government to end native forest logging and use this vast small businesses are encouraged, because this would kickstart swathe of public land for public good. employment in regional areas and drive the visitor economy. One way to help this to happen would be for government to provide What’s the alternative? low-cost loans to those that want to create new businesses based Our forests can be used as the setting for world-class nature-based on nature based tourism or recreation in forests. This model of tourism and recreation so NSW can fully maximise its natural private sector delivery on public land is used successfully in New advantages of a beautiful climate, majestic landscapes and unique Zealand and Europe. forests. This would increase the opportunities for small business creation and provide long-term, rewarding jobs for local people Forest Management in areas that are crying out for jobs and job diversification. This NPA proposes the development of a Visitor Activity and Land includes jobs in forest rehabilitation for foresters, forest-based jobs Management Actions (VALMA) tool to ensure forests are managed for Indigenous owners and jobs for the broader community in well under the new framework. VALMA would include a means to tourism, service and support industries. make sure activities and visitor infrastructure are put in the right We see a future where outdoor education for our kids is focussed places in the landscape so that natural and cultural values can be on forest eco-hubs that would also serve as focal points for tourist protected while maintaining high quality experiences. A monitoring infrastructure and recreation. We want to make sure the kids of framework would also be built in so that visitor impacts can be NSW get regular opportunities to get away from screens to visit predicted and assessed, and management to reduce impacts targeted forests, learn new skills and become fit and healthy. at the right place. VALMA should be developed in consultation with user groups, experts in protected area management, non- We know how important nature and exercise are for mental and governmental organisations and local communities. physical health. In an era of increasing health care costs, using our forests to increase outdoor activity for citizens offers huge Our plan for public forests will be launched in February 2017. If you would like a copy please email Oisín: [email protected] opportunities for decreasing costs while improving health.

Help us unleash the potential of our forests Your donation today could help make our plan a reality and put an end to industrial logging in our native forests once and for all.

www.npansw.org.au/appeal find out more What is nature worth? Priceless!

John Turnbull Anne Dickson Past President, National Parks Sustainability facilitator and consultant Association of NSW and sessional lecturer in sustainability

As I sat on the rocky ledge just south of Jibbon Head in the , I couldn’t find the words. In front of me – a pod of dolphins, migrating humpback whales, and just to my right, an Australian fur seal feeding in the shallows. Behind me – an echidna, black cockatoos, finches and early spring wildflowers. And the value of all this? Nothing short of priceless.

n today’s society, we seem to need O'Neill et al remind us that as well as We experience direct use, non- to put a price tag on everything. living from the world, we also live in consumptive values continuously. I Of course, some things can be the world and with the world. Places, Looking up to a beautiful sunset, valued in monetary terms – anything processes and things matter for us, feeling a warm breeze on our faces, which has a market, which is bought for good or bad. Schwarz describes going for a walk, paddling down a and sold. Even then, the price paid ten basic human values including stream, taking comfort from a sense may not be a true reflection of the benevolence, tradition and universalism of place, enjoying natural beauty, value or cost – hence the need for – appreciation and protection of people experiencing the health and well- carbon pricing, for example. and nature. Kellert describes a typology being benefits and appreciating of ten nature-related values, such as all fall into this category. "Not everything that aesthetic, utilitarian and spiritual values. Our everyday experience of the world, counts can be counted, Brown’s framework describes thirteen our cultural or spiritual connections and not everything that nature values, of which “economic” is with nature, its symbolism as part can be counted counts." one. Others include recreation, learning, of our way of life, and our sense of - Albert Einstein (attributed) biodiversity and intrinsic value. discovery, learning in nature, and For simplicity, we will group values scientific research are all part of this Value is a complex concept which of nature into four categories; value category too. All of these clearly has been grappled with for millennia. • Direct use, non-consumptive have value to us personally and to “Value” often implies monetary, yet – humans experiencing nature society generally as an integral part of “values” are something different – they without taking anything our everyday existence. Yet how they are our deeply-held beliefs of what • Direct use, consumptive – count for me is difficult to articulate, is good or important in life. And taking “resources” from nature cannot be counted and is impossible the values of nature are diverse and to place a monetary value on. • Indirect use – humans benefiting multi-dimensional. Much has been Our human existence also depends from nature indirectly and written on this subject, and we refer entirely on direct use, consumptive readers to the work of Shalom Schwarz, • Non-use – the value of nature values. Nature has provided our food, Stephen Kellert, Gregory Brown and independent of humans air, materials and fresh water for as O'Neill, Holland and Light (2008).

6 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES long as we’ve existed. The consumption value of these resources is easier to quantify, as the extracted resources can be measured by weight, or volume. And where resource markets are in place, a monetary value is simply assigned. However, this monetary value is constrained. It may cover the cost of extraction and represent a willingness to pay, but it often fails to include many of the costs involved. The price of coal for example generally covers the cost of mining and transport but fails to include the cost of climate change from the subsequent greenhouse gas emissions. Resource prices also undervalue the inescapable issue of sustainability of resource usage - on a finite planet, we can’t keep extracting at a growing rate. Indirect use values are where we start to find things which many people don’t think of. Nature provides the ecosystems on which we depend; it is our source of oxygen, nutrient cycling and other “ecosystem services”. It sustains life as we know it – and Wattamolla lagoon, Royal National Park whilst we may put a figure on some of the services, survival of humans land care group to help clean up the As I completed my walk through and all the other species on earth local creek, placing the flourishing of the Royal, I thought about the value are once again beyond a price. our local environment above other calls to me. Yes, I paid something to come Finally, non-use values focus on on our time. We also appraise these here, I bought a coffee and I used the intrinsic value of nature. Nature values when we speak of our dismay some equipment. These can all be existed before we did – so clearly at the destruction of trees for roads or valued in monetary terms – but the has value in itself, independent of the cruelty to marine life from shark dollar figure they amount to cannot humans. The right of an animal or nets. Additionally, we also make be compared to the richness and plant species to not become extinct; use of more formal concepts such as complexity of what is there, and the the preservation of living things biodiversity or ecosystem integrity value of an experience like that. because we inherently know it’s to assess these values. Indeed, our ethical to do so indicate the intrinsic ways of assessing natural values are as value of nature. When we express our plural and multidimensional as the References concern for nature in and of itself values themselves. Our evaluations O'Neill, J., Holland, A. and Light, A. we are extending the boundaries of of nature are both guided by and 2008, Environmental Values, Rutledge, moral consideration beyond humans. expressed in our feelings, our actions, Oxon. We are conveying deeply held beliefs our words and our formal assessment Brown and Reed (2000). "Validation regarding what it is for natural methods. This rich complexity cannot of a Forest Values Typology for Use in things to flourish. Intrinsic values are be distilled to a single dimension, National Forest Planning." Forest Science unquantifiable and clearly priceless. whether it be money or anything 46(2): 240-247 Assessing natural values is something else. To do so risks dramatically Kellert, S. R. 1996. The value of life: we constantly do. This might happen undervaluing something which is biological diversity and human society. when a sunset gives us pleasure or a essentially priceless. Putting a value on Island, Washington, D.C., USA wilderness gives us a sense of awe. It nature is something which we may do Schwartz, S. H. (1994). "Are There also happens in our everyday actions where we need to, but we must never Universal Aspects in the Structure and when for instance we choose the more pretend that this figure is anything Contents of Human Values?" Journal of scenic route to get to our destination short of a small fraction of the true, Social Issues 50(4): 19-45 placing beauty ahead of travel time multi-dimensional value of nature. efficiency, or when we join the local

Summer 2016 7 NewRock South Wales GeologicSolid Features

Carly Chabal Intern, National Parks Association of NSW

very year, millions of visitors flock to sites like Half Dome, the E Grand Canyon, and Kilimanjaro, pull out their cameras, find the perfect lighting, adjust the focus, and— you guessed it—take a selfie. Jokes aside, all of these locations are home to unique plants and wildlife, but they wouldn’t be nearly as amazing without the spectacular landscape. There’s something mesmerising about natural geologic wonders in a world that is becoming increasingly filled with concrete. One of the things that make Australia so lovely is its dramatic landscape. From the white sandy beaches of the Gold Coast to the towering Uluru, Australia is a geologic wonder. Here in New South Wales, we have access to an expansive environment, the wild Sandstone cliffs, Royal National Park Blue Mountains, towering coastal cliffs, one of only four glacial lakes in mainland Australia, and the of those things that has always been and tourism. Environmentally, highest peak on the main continent. and always will be, so it’s harder for geodiversity is the backbone of When we think of environmental us to appreciate it. In the short age of ecosystems. Each habitat has its own conservation, we think about humans, we haven’t seen any major combination of rocks, minerals, protecting threatened and endangered geologic events happen, but that landforms, soil, rivers, and erosional species, restoring habitats, and doesn’t mean all geology is static. patterns that allow the surrounding flora, fauna, and biota survive1. switching to clean energy sources. Why should we protect Geology is often an overlooked aspect For us, geology provides water of conservation because it is, quite some rocks? storage and filtration, soil to farm, and energy to fuel our lives. literally, in the background when we From an economic standpoint, look at nature. Geology is seen as one geology provides resources for mining

8 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Geology of New South Wales

CC BY-SA 3.0

Hydrology Mountains The boundaries of New South Wales encompass the The Blue Mountains are one of New South Wales’ most southeastern section of the Great Artesian Basin, one of the scenic destinations. From the outstanding Three Sisters world’s largest aquifers. This aquifer spreads below 12% formation to the greenish-blue haze of the eucalyptus, the of NSW’s land area and lies in permeable Mesozoic Era Blue Mountains are a picture-perfect landscape worthy of sandstones3. The basin recharges through exposed sandstone a postcard home to grandma. However, geologically, the in the high elevation of the eastern mountains and drains Blue Mountains aren’t even mountains at all. Their elevation through natural springs in the south. The Great Artesian comes from a period of uplift 170 million years ago that Basin is Australia’s most valuable hydrologic resource, raised a sandstone and shale deposit into a high plateau5. The and most rural Australians rely on it for agricultural deep valleys and gorges are a result of erosion from rivers and personal use2. Mining and drilling companies cutting downward through the rock. Shale is even easier are beginning to affect the aquifer through pollution to erode than sandstone, so once those layers wear away, and removing water faster than the recharge rate2. the surrounding sandstone breaks away in large chunks leaving behind vertical cliffs5. This combination of uplift and erosion has created an illusion of a vast mountain range.

Conclusion The conservation of biodiversity and geodiversity needs to go hand-in-hand. At the end of the day, most people will never be inspired to save some rocks and soil in the same way they would be for a koala. Geology is taken for granted, but these structures are beginning to feel the impact of human activity as well. Hopefully, we can begin to shift the conversation toward geological preservation and Caves bring to light the immense importance of these features. Some of Australia’s most impressive geology can’t be seen unless you’re looking for it…underground! New References South Wales is home to over 2,000 cave systems and 100 karst environments4. The cave systems in NSW such as 1. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/geodiversity/ the Abercrombie and span thousands of 2. http://www.gabpg.org.au/great-artesian-basin square kilometres below the surface. You may think of cave 3. http://www.geomaps.com.au/scripts/artesianbasin.php systems to be a great spot for some weekend spelunking, 4. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/ but cave systems provide unique habitats for species of geodiversity/10104nswkarstcaveguide.pdf bat, fungi, and insects, as well as information on climate 5. http://www.geomaps.com.au/scripts/bluemountainsoverview.php change impact in the area4. Karst environments are sensitive to erosion because of their limestone composition, so they are easily affected by climate change.

Summer 2016 9 A Plan to Protect Kosciuszko's Water Catchments

Graeme L. Worboys Adjunct Fellow, Fenner School of Society and Environment, Australian National University

arge numbers of the Wild Horse, a farm-animal escapee, are severely L impacting the water catchment wetlands of the , including right across . In 2014, 35% of the Alps wetlands had been damaged. These high mountain wetlands are the very heart of the headwater catchment sources for our mightiest rivers, the Murray, Murrumbidgee and the Snowy and regrettably they are also a preferred grazing area for these heavy stock animals. Numbers of Wild Horses have grown from about 2,000 to more than 6,000 in just 11 years and they are causing great damage to the catchments. The NSW Government, in response to these threats has launched, in May 2016, a draft Wild Horse Wild Horses grazing on , Kosciuszko National Park Management Plan for consultation … a plan, amongst other things, millions of people downstream, all forecasts of future climate by our to protect the water catchments. the way to Adelaide. Some 30% of scientists have been on-track to date, Such a draft plan has been the Murray Darling Basin’s water with their models predicting hotter contentious. It was always going comes from the Australian Alps and drier conditions for South Eastern to be when dealing with so many catchments that include Kosciuszko. Australia and at least a 10% decrease in Wild Horses in the park and this is This water is of national economic precipitation and an absence of snow in completely understandable. A special significance and benefits town water the Australian Alps. Scientists forecast bond exists between many people supplies, agriculture, irrigation and this will mean less average winter and and horses and many others like some industries. Any threat to the spring precipitation and more summer seeing Wild Horses in the mountains. catchments and water delivery is rain. Less overall precipitation means Many other people however are a potential threat to downstream less water run-off and no snow means quite shocked and horrified by the users and their social and economic there will be no spring snow-melt water number of horses present, the piles of welfare. The decisions implemented flush from our mountain river systems. horse dung and the scale of impacts by the final Wild Horse plan are, Importantly, for the draft Wild to the park’s streams and wetlands. consequently, of national importance. Horse plan and its proposed actions, They prefer seeing Australia’s alpine Reliable water in our dry continent water inflows to the Murray Darling animals, wild flowers and undisturbed is precious. We live in a dry country Basin from the mountains are already scenery. Strong and divided views with hot summers and far too below their long term and 10 year about this introduced animal prevail. common droughts. Climate change is averages. Less water flowing from Stepping away from the welfare and making these conditions worse with Kosciuszko National Park caused by presence of Wild Horses, there is temperatures hotter than ever before climate change will impact users and another issue of significance that the and stretches of days with maximums any other perturbations to catchment draft plan must also reconcile. The above 35 Degrees Celsius breaking delivery will make matters worse. The sustained delivery of high quality water all-time records. Long standing volatile politics of water allocation from Kosciuszko’s catchments services

10 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES A stream running through Kosciuszko National Park

in the Basin has to deal with these millions of dollars in soil conservation suggested any decision making on Wild climate change consequences, so and restoration works in Kosciuszko Horse numbers below 600, and their any degrading of water delivery to fix these impacts. This ongoing impacts, is based on continual scientific from Kosciuszko’s catchments that and summer-only work has been assessment of water catchment compounds this problem would undertaken by (now) generations condition and trend in condition, Wild be politically contentious. of conservation managers and the Horse number surveys and any impacts This bigger picture is a situation that cold, fragile high mountains have caused by “attribute” horses, with this the NSW Government deals with in slowly been healing. Regrettably and information being publicly available. the draft Wild Horse plan. It confirms frustratingly, new erosion impacts are The NSW Government should be the impacts of Wild Horses to the being caused by Wild Horses rapidly congratulated. This 2016 draft Wild catchments by presenting evidenced restocking the mountains. The Snowy Horse plan rises above sectoral self- based science and identifies the need Hydro Scheme dams in particular are interest and statesmanlike, it responds to reduce Wild Horse numbers in vulnerable to any un-natural sediment carefully and strategically to matters Kosciuszko to 600. But this seemingly rich streams in their catchments, raised by the local community; the sensible solution is not straight forward particularly in severe storm events. wider community; the national matter for there has been strong The draft Wild Horse Plan public economy and facilitates protection opposition by a pro-Wild Horse lobby. consultation process run by the of Australian alpine and sub-alpine This lobby has run a highly public National Parks and Wildlife Service species found nowhere else on Earth. anti-Wild Horse control campaign did identify that many people The plan now needs to be finalised, focusing on the welfare of the Wild appreciated the presence of the Wild resourced and accompanied by timely Horse and identifying a Horses in Kosciuszko National action to restore damage caused by running heritage. There has also been Park and that they were of heritage Wild Horses. Most importantly, the strong denial that Wild Horses have importance. The draft plan has plan invests in the delivery of quality any form of impact and a view that been respectful of these views and water from the catchments at a time of the Wild Horses should be left alone. identified that a remnant or “attribute” climate change and forecast reductions History however has shown this “no population of up to 600 Wild Horses in precipitation. The plan provides impact view” is not correct. In 1938, be present. Because of the Wild Horse a better future for one of Australia’s the New South Wales Government potential for damage, this should be greatest national parks, the National declared Kosciuszko’s catchments as considered a maximum number for Heritage Listed Kosciuszko National “an area of erosion hazard” due to 114 the interim. A lower number such as Park, and it is an investment for the years of impacts caused by grazing 200 may actually be needed to achieve next generation of Australians who from stock animals including cattle, protection of the water catchments and have the right to see an unsullied horses, wild horses and sheep. Since protection of new erosion restoration landscape. Kosciuszko’s natural water 1957, the Government has invested work that needs to be undertaken. It is catchments are far too precious to lose.

Summer 2016 11 Implementing an environmental-economic accounting framework to support environmental policy-making: a work-in-progress

Mladen Kovac Nicholas Conner Chief Economist, Office of Environment and Heritage Principal Conservation Economist, Office of Environment and Heritage

Introduction to SEEA Along with nearly all other countries, Australia produces a set of national economic accounts – the System of National Accounts (SNA). The SNA provides information on economic activities in Australia, for income, expenditure, output, net worth and international transactions by households, businesses and governments. Importantly, the SNA shows not only how economic activity changes over time, but also how changes in one sector flow through, and affect other sectors in the economy. This information is routinely used by government policy makers to inform policy decisions, often supported by economic modelling showing trade-offs between different sectors of the economy Island Cruiser boat Lord Howe Island Photo: National Treasures under different policy options. While it has long been recognised expands the SNA to recognise environmental economic accounts), that stocks of natural resources and the interdependence between the they differ in how quickly they ecosystems provide flows of ecosystem economy and the environment. deliver benefits to policy makers. services (such as providing food and The SEEA has been adopted by The technical approach systematically water, regulating and controlling the the Australian Bureau of Statistics creates a suite of agreed environmental effects of floods, storms and tides, (ABS), and many jurisdictions are accounts which can be tracked over maintaining nutrients and biodiversity, considering how to implement SEEA time. The accounts selected are and providing recreational, spiritual into their governance processes. determined by: technical capabilities and cultural benefits that depend (not all ecosystem services can be on the environment), until recently Implementing SEEA adequately measured or quantified); most environmental assets and In NSW, the Office of Environment the ease with which accounts can ecosystem services have not been and Heritage (OEH) is leading the be tracked; and policy needs. A explicitly shown in the SNA because implementation of SEEA. This is not significant amount of time and they are not traded in conventional without its challenges, both technical resources is needed to create a full suite buyer-seller type markets. and policy in nature. Broadly, there of accounts. The European Union In 2012, the United Nations are two options for implementing framework of environmental accounts Statistics Division released the SEEA: a technically-driven approach, is an example of this approach. Central Framework of the System or a policy-driven approach. While The policy approach identifies critical of Environmental and Economic both approaches produce the same environmental policy questions and Accounting (SEEA), which end outcome (i.e. an integrated set of develops accounts that can be used

12 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Results from the pilot are encouraging. With nearly 40 million annual visits to parks demonstrating the high value of parks to the NSW community, researchers have estimated how the recreational value of the NSW parks estate relates to the ‘pulling power’ of different types of built assets, and to the natural characteristics of different parks. The results of this pilot work are being prepared for peer-review publication and will contribute to improved strategic management of the NSW park estate. Monetisation and SEEA Monetisation is not strictly necessary for policy makers if the trade-offs between environmental outcomes and other government objectives (e.g. infrastructure development, employment) are clearly evident. SEEA can demonstrate these trade-offs without the need for monetisation. However, recognising that a lack of robust monetary values often disadvantages the environment relative to other sectors when resource allocation decisions are being made, SEEA provides the economic framework for monetisation that is understood and used by government treasury departments. While beyond the scope of this in the NSW Outback. Photo: National Treasures article, an important consideration when ‘valuing nature’ is that to answer these questions, subject • Do different types of physical estimating a ‘total economic to technical capability and cost assets (e.g. walking tracks, value’ is often less useful to policy constraints. In this way, accounts accommodation) contribute to makers than estimating the change provide immediate value to policy the recreational benefits provided in economic value (marginal makers. A full set of relevant by parks? And if so, how many economic value) associated with accounts can be developed over visitors are attracted because implementation of policy initiatives. time, as more policy questions are of specific types of assets? SEEA has the flexibility to cope addressed. An additional benefit of with both types of monetisation. • What value does the the policy approach is that the value NSW community place Conclusion of implementing SEEA is immediately on different characteristics evident, resulting in increased While still in its pilot phase, SEEA of parks (e.g. physical demand and support for a full SEEA; is demonstrating great potential assets, aboriginal cultural the SEEA is seen to have practical to answer critical environmental heritage, natural beauty)? application, rather than remaining policy questions, even in those cases an esoteric accounting concept. • What is the monetary value of where monetisation is not currently NSW OEH is piloting the recreational ecosystem services possible. Given the results so far, policy approach to implementing of individual parks in NSW? OEH will continue to work through SEEA by seeking to answer the What is the value across different SEEA implementation issues and following types of questions with regions or across NSW? apply them to other policy questions respect to national parks: of relevance to the environment.

Summer 2016 13 Will the Darling River Survive? Terry Korn President, Australian Floodplain Association

The health of the Darling Darling Basin Plan has an escape that section 6.14 can turn off parts section for governments unwilling to of Chapter 10 that deal with water River system is at a implement decisions which impact on requirements of priority environmental tipping point. Can the the reliability of water supply to the assets and ecosystem functions, system survive the next irrigation industry. The interpretation planning for environmental watering round of negotiations of this section of the Basin Plan by and enabling environmental watering MDBA and States is “the elephant between connected systems. This over how it should be in the room” and has the potential view holds that the section can also managed? Terry Korn, to undo not only the gains brought turn off parts of Chapters 7 and 8 president of the Australian about by the Plan, but threatens many that enable environmental flows along Floodplain Association environmental gains achieved for the and between rivers, piggybacking of Basin’s rivers during the last 25 years. environmental flows, and changes to discusses a major issue The section of the Basin Plan river operations where they are needed of concern which could interpreted as doing this is for effective environmental watering. seriously impact on section 6.14. It states that; It is also the position of the Murray- recovery of water for the Nothing in the Basin Plan requires Darling Basin Authority that the Basin a change in the reliability of water Plan can be fully implemented based environment, floodplain allocations of a kind that would on current water sharing and river graziers, Aboriginal culture trigger Subdivision B of Division operation arrangements; i.e., requiring and small communities 4 of Part 2 of the [Water] Act. no changes to existing arrangements. downstream of Bourke. It is my understanding that the This means Water Resource Plans MDBA’s view, and the view of at least (WRPs), which are being revised at he Australian government has some of the states, is that this section present, need not include new rules if committed almost $15 billion overrides or turns off any part of the those rules affect reliability of supply. T to the largest rural restructure Basin Plan whose requirements, in Basin States can include rules in WRPs program in Australia and expects being met, may change the reliability or Water Sharing Plans (WSPs) which to effect significant changes to of water allocations. This includes may reduce reliability but these are water management in the Murray- environmental management provisions not required under the Basin Plan. Darling Basin without affecting essential to achieving the outcomes These plans must be approved by the reliability of water supply to of the Basin Plan, which depend the Murray Darling Basin Authority the irrigation industry. This is an on the protection of environmental and ultimately the Minister. But admirable but unreal aspiration. water throughout the Basin. the likelihood of such rules being Few people are aware that the Murray Of particular concern is the view approved if they were perceived to

14 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES favour the environment rather than the irrigation industry is highly improbable. The legal validity of the interpretation and application of section 6.14 by the MDBA and States must be challenged as it has the potential to seriously undermine the original intent of the Basin Plan. We can relate the application of section 6.14 to the management of the Barwon/Darling River system. Barwon/Darling Water Sharing Plan In October 2012 the Barwon Darling Water Sharing Plan commenced with amended rules, but without those rules having been adequately discussed with the community, especially those communities downstream of the major irrigation areas such as Bourke. The Basin Plan was approved in Will the Darling River Survive? November 2012 which meant the Barwon/ Darling WSP was deemed an interim plan to be revised by 2019 and subject to the conditions set by the Basin Plan. What were some of these changes made at such a late stage which significantly changed water management in that section of the river system? Aerial photo of the Darling River near Menindee Photo: Tim J Keegan The new rules permitted use of larger pumps for extraction of low flows. The mechanism proposed to protect low flows, Daily Extraction Limits, was excluded from the WSP. These two changes combined reduce the critically important low flows in the Darling system, thus exposing downstream users to less water, longer dry periods, increased salinity and increased likelihood of algal blooms. This interpretation of section 6.14 of the Basin Plan combined with MDBA’s view that no changes are required to existing water sharing arrangements, has serious consequences for communities and the environment. The Barwon-Darling WSP is a clear example of the consequences of this. The last minute changes to the Barwon- Darling WSP mean that there is now no effective protection of low flows, including environmental water, downstream stock and domestic supplies and downstream community water supply. These changes are now entrenched in a plan that, in MDBA’s view, does not need to be changed to meet the requirements of the Basin Plan. Community well-being is strongly influenced by the health of the river. Ask Dried up river bed on the Darling River Photo: Jeremy Buckingham the Wilcannia community about this!

Summer 2016 15 Australia's National Rewilding Forum 2016 what happened and where to next?

Dr Oisín Sweeney Senior Ecologist, National Parks Association of NSW

On Threatened Species Day (7th September) 2016, NPA, with the support of Taronga Conservation Society and Conservation Volunteers Australia, hosted a National Rewilding Forum at Taronga Zoo.

The forum aimed to Participants at Australia's National Rewilding Forum bring together academics, practitioners, government Why a rewilding forum? So what happened? and non-government to We identified the need for this A full summary of the forum discuss the relevance of gathering after devoting the Autumn outputs is available on our website, 2016 issue of Nature NSW to rewilding. but here’s a brief summary of some rewilding to Australia. The response to the articles from of the key issues that arose: An inspirational keynote members, as well as debate in the scientific literature, highlighted the Ecosystem function address was given by fact that there was no consensus on The restoration of ecological processes Frans Schepers, managing what rewilding is or what we should be and ecosystem function including director of Rewilding aiming for in the Australian context. interactions between species and trophic So the forum, expertly facilitated by levels was repeatedly identified as a Europe, and Minister for former NPA president John Turnbull, key goal of rewilding. Participants felt the Environment, Mark set out to resolve this by asking what that rewilding should seek to return is and is not rewilding, what are the control to nature (but not result in Speakman, gave an excellent goals of rewilding and what do we entirely hands-off management), reduce opening introduction urging need to do to progress rewilding. Of human management requirements and change the management emphasis course, it’s impossible to get everyone participants to help answer from holding what we have in light along that you would like, but we of the fact we’re in a time of rapid some of the outstanding had 45 participants representing 27 change. There are some instances organisations—including many of questions around rewilding. where restoring ecosystem function Australia’s large non-government Thanks Minister, your could be relatively easily achieved in conservation organisations and the Australia, for example by restoring gentle prompt helped zoo industry. The forum was therefore flooding regimes leading to wetland kickstart the day! a great first step in starting the recovery or removing logging to permit national conversation on rewilding. forest aging and hollow formation.

16 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Predators million over five years on fenced Community and people Keystone predators were identified as enclosures), and they can’t be a One of the most interesting outcomes a critical success factor in enhancing solution in the wider landscape. The of the forum was the emphasis placed ecosystem function. Several groups forum took the approach that fences on community. In fact, more goals urged the use of native (or, in the case are a necessary step in rewilding as were identified relevant to community of the dingo, long-established) predators we look for solutions in the broader than ecology! Rewilding Europe’s to exert top-down control of invasive landscape. In this regard, the ‘rewilding approach, where community benefits mesopredators and enable coexistence of scale’ used by Rewilding Europe is are ‘built in’ to rewilding programs native Critical Weight Range mammals a useful tool: fenced enclosures are via promotion of nature-based (CWR - mammals between 35 and on a continuum of rewilding. businesses is one potential model, and 5,500g that are vulnerable to extinction) Ecological surrogates and Australia has the potential advantage and introduced mesopredators assisted colonisation of Aboriginal ecological expertise (foxes and cats). This is particularly to apply to rewilding programs. An interesting taken in light of evidence Although not discussed at length, obvious relevance of community is that perverse outcomes - a decline this forum cautiously supported the to the issue of predators: restoring in CWR mammals - are accruing in use of surrogates but highlighted they native apex predators was identified the Lower Glenelg National Park in should be native species. However, the as a key goal of rewilding, yet this is Victoria after a decade of fox baiting problem of finding native ecological likely to be (at least initially) vigorously (M. Bachmann unpublished data). solutions to regulate populations of opposed by sections of the community. Evidence suggests that dingoes (Canis introduced herbivorous megafauna such Community engagement will therefore dingo) can regulate populations of foxes as camels and buffalo was also raised be very important to explain the and cats, but dingoes are persecuted as an obstacle to successfully restoring importance of predation in ecological in Australia, including in protected ecosystem function: there is no native systems, to overcome fear of predators areas, due to fears about livestock terrestrial species capable of regulating and to develop an understanding and predation—which in some cases are populations of such large animals. acceptance of predators. This is the case unfounded1. This persecution is further Assisted colonisation is the deliberate in both terrestrial and marine systems. justified by dingo hybridisation with translocation of threatened species to Where to next with rewilding? domestic dogs: the resulting ‘wild dogs’ achieve conservation outcomes. The It’s clear that although there is a lot are deemed worthless because they introduction of Tasmanian Devils to going on already that fits the definition are no longer ‘pure’ dingo—regardless Maria Island is an Australian example, of rewilding it’s not happening under of their ecological function. As Evan as would be the introduction of devils a shared vision or with a clear set of Quartermain of Humane Society to mainland Australia. The fact that goals or principles. We would like to International pointed out in the Spring devil reintroductions were repeatedly begin the development of a vision or 2016 edition of Nature NSW, this suggested implies support for assisted statement that contains key action differentiation may be misguided. colonisation of native species. But areas relevant to rewilding—much assisted colonisation of non-native as has been achieved in Europe. That animals has also been proposed as document could then be ratified at a global conservation tool2 and the a future rewilding conference. How Australian Rhino Project is currently that will progress has not yet been seeking to bring black and white rhinos decided, but we hope that those who to Australia to assist conservation participated in the forum will continue efforts for those species. These examples to be involved constructively. Watch were not discussed in the forum. this space to see how we get on! Timeframe References There was a high degree of agreement Fences 1. Allen, L. R. Wild dog control impacts that rewilding does not involve de- on calf wastage in extensive beef Fences are a polarising approach to extinction, and does not seek to conservation. On the one hand they cattle enterprises. Animal Production reproduce a past, idealised, ecosystem. Science 54, 214-220, doi:http://dx.doi. clearly work as populations of CWR Rather rewilding should encompass org/10.1071/AN12356 (2014). mammals in fenced enclosures can contemporary patterns, including boom. But on the other hand they are 2. Bradshaw, C. J. A., Isagi, Y., Kaneko, widespread human settlement, and S., Bowman, D. M. J. S. & Brook, B. W. very expensive to erect and maintain, the ‘new nature’ whereby human Conservation Value of Non-Native Banteng thereby hoovering up large amounts activities influence the abundance in Northern Australia. Conservation of limited conservation funding (the and distribution of species. Biology 20, 1306-1311, doi:10.1111/ NSW government is spending $41 j.1523-1739.2006.00428.x (2006).

Summer 2016 17 The Plains-wanderer Creature Feature Kevin Evans Chief Executive Officer, National Parks Association of NSW

ith a name like the Plains- these regions are among the most Mortality wanderer you would imagine depleted ecosystems in south- It is not known how long Plains- W that this unique Australian eastern Australia, and contain a wanderers survive in the wild, bird would be abundant across the disproportionately large number but they can live for at least eight grasslands of our wide brown land. of threatened plant species. Plains- years in captivity. Habitat loss, Unfortunately in the past decade wanderers are permanent residents in overgrazing, cultivation, dense Plains-wanderer numbers are reported their favoured patches of sparse native pasture growth and fires displace to have dropped by up to 90 per grassland. The species' stronghold large numbers of Plains wanderers. cent due to habitat loss, with only in NSW is the NSW 250-1,000 thought to still live in the specifically around Hay, , Conservation Actions wild. This status lifts the Wanderer and the . The Plains-wanderer is listed as up the rankings in Australia’s ever Diet an endangered species in the Iconic growing list of endangered birds and Species category of the NSW due to its evolutionary distinctness Plains-wanderers forage during Governments Save our Species ranks it the 13th most globally the day for a wide variety of seeds Strategy. Species listed here are threatened bird. There's no other and insects. In all seasons, insects considered important socially, bird like it. So can it be saved? comprise about 40 per cent of the culturally and economically, and Plains-wanderers are ground-dwelling diet, except in spring when their the community expects them to be birds that live in the grasslands of contribution is slightly higher. effectively managed and protected. Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Breeding Despite this, and even though the South Australia. The Plains-wanderer NSW population has been monitored has experienced significant recent Plains-wanderers’ nests are shallow, since 2001, has declined by 93%, and declines due to widespread cultivation grass-lined scrapes in the sparse key threats are well understood, no of lowland native grasslands and grasslands where they forage. In the NSW Save Our Species conservation overgrazing during extended drought. southern part of their range they strategy has been made public as we This sharp decline means it is in lay first clutches mainly between go to press. A National Recovery urgent need of practical conservation August and early November, and Plan (June, 2016) is however, a fully assistance to avoid extinction. then second clutches in January funded conservation strategy with The lowland native grasslands in or later if summer rains fall. over $4.385m budgeted over 5 years.

18 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Recently, the Plains-wanderer had been bred in New Biodiversity captivity as part of a partnership between the NSW Conservation Bill and Office of Environment (OEH) and the Taronga the Plains Wanderer Conservation Society Australia. This key objective The new laws will use a of the national recovery plan is an important first native vegetation regulatory step in securing an insurance population. map to map the state into It would seem that Plains-wanderer also respond category 1 (already cleared, positively to strategic grazing, which provides an no regulation applies) and opportunity to partner with farmers and private category 2 (regulation applies). landholders. By working with farmers to graze grassland However, native grasslands strategically, and developing a captive insurance are notoriously hard to map population and adding to the protected reserve system, accurately. We are concerned there is every chance these initiatives could be effective. that a failure to accurately If we're going to have a viable wild population, we map native grasslands will also need to look after its habitat on private land and result in grassland being improve landscape connectivity. However, a return incorrectly categorised and to broad scale land clearing as a consequence of the cleared. There are no provisions proposed biodiversity law reforms, is a huge cause for in the new bills to permit Plains-wanderer, Patrick K, concern and could undermine conservation efforts. CC BY 2.0. anyone other than landholders from challenging map References accuracy. Dr Oisin Sweeney, http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ Senior Ecologist, NPA. recovery-plans/plains-wanderer-2016 The Oolambeyan National http://birdlife.org.au/documents/OTHPUB-NativeGrasslands.pdf Park, near , http://environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/f2f2ed7a- was gazetted in 2001 8811-498d-87cf-d112ef20e5cf/files/factsheet-threatened- to partly help secure species-strategy-action-plan-20-birds-2020.pdf populations of the bird. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/savingourspecies/iconic.htm

Summer 2016 19 Broughton Island Featured Dive Category: Boat dive Access: Dive boat operators in Nelsons Bay Depth: Various, to 20 m Special equipment: SMB, nitrox and camera Rating: Moderate highly recommended

John Turnbull Past President, National Parks Association of NSW

he Port Stephens / Great Lakes several sharks are normally seen trailing Marine Park covers an area of fishing gear, typically hooks and trace T 98,000 hectares. Around one line. We know that there are often also third of the way up the park from the hooks lodged internally, and these can south, and about 20 km from Nelsons lead to a painful death. One dive at Bay, is Broughton Island – one of the North Rock is enough to realise that best places you can go to see critically there is much more that we must do endangered Grey Nurse Sharks (GNS). to protect these wonderful animals. Broughton is a largish island around After a surface interval, and if the 4 km long, surrounded by small islets conditions are right, you can visit like Inner Rock, North Rock, Cod Looking Glass – a narrow underwater Rock and Looking Glass Isle. The canyon with dramatic lighting and Hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata island is protected by a combination wonderful sessile life. It’s sometimes full Photo: John Turnbull of sanctuary and habitat protection of fish, but can also be quite empty other zones. Underwater, the habitat ranges than the odd stray sweep and drummer. from urchin barrens to boulder fields, In any case, the beautiful blue light sponge gardens and kelp beds. and colourful sponges and ascidians There are a range of dive sites around make this a must-see if the conditions the island, but my two favourites (and are suitable. Be warned though – two of the most popular) are the GNS the surge can be quite powerful at North Rock, and Looking Glass. through this open-ended canyon. North Rock is an aggregation site for In terms of safety, the usual GNS and you can see 20-30 individuals precautions should be taken when diving on one dive. They don’t seem to be by boat in remote locations – always particularly bothered by the presence of carry an SMB and whistle, ascend slowly Grey nurse shark Carcharias taurus divers, and the dive operators do a good at the end of the dive and be sure to Photo: John Turnbull job of briefing divers to keep to the rock include a safety stop. I recommend a walls in order to avoid disturbing these nitrox mix, around 35%, to increase magnificent animals. If you’re keen on bottom time and give your body a buffer a close encounter, keep low and still, to the stresses of a double boat dive. control your breathing and avoid the use During our most recent trip to of video lights – with these precautions Broughton, we were treated to much you can watch the GNS cruise past more than two dives – the trip out and almost within touching distance. The back included encounters with migrating drama of the encounter is enhanced humpback whales (in our case, a mother by the odd curious Blue Groper and and calf breaching and tail-slapping) huge schools of Bullseyes which form and dolphins keen to ride the boat’s Blue glow looking glass, Broughton Island a ceiling above the cruising sharks. wake. A truly amazing experience. Photo: John Turnbull Unfortunately, despite the protection,

20 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Vale Heather Roy 1922-2016

eather epitomised the spirit of and developed a core of conservation NPA “to protect the natural policies. A strong bushwalker and H environment and to enjoy independent yet gentle person and the bush” through her activities always inclusive, Heather was a great as participant and leader of walks, mentor and quiet leader, always treks, as a key member of the constructive in seeking how to assist Branch organizing the annual in achieving better outcomes. Lecture Series, evening events, In later years, largely confined ferry trips, instigating educational to her home by declining health, work, regular participation in State surrounded by a diversity of art Heather Roy and Paul Barnes, Council, and most recently as a key and possessions that reflected her Nature Reserve member of the Parks Management wide-ranging interests, she wrote Committee for whom she chaired “I was glancing up at the her final meeting in March 2011. lovely red sun set over Ku-ring- The many tributes coming in include gai Chase on the other side former NPA Presidents, and advocates of Pittwater, between reading for the wellbeing of our national paragraphs of my book and park system, especially her beloved taking sips of sherry when Kosciuszko, as well as those with above the hilltop and below the whom she shared her love of the high pink clouds a straight orange and wild country as a leader of walks pink line lengthened – a jet and treks in Australia and overseas, emitting a stream of vapour. particularly Nepal and Kashmir, show On the darkening water a sail how much she was admired and loved boat with a light on top of its mast Glimpses of her early life In drifted by and disappeared behind Pittwater, living in the family built trees and a big launch with its first stone home “Ashlar” at Clareville, lights aglow caught it up. As I were shared with those who were write all has darkened until there able to attend a final celebratory is only a pale blue and apricot farewell with the family, following sky above the dark hills and a her death on 30 August, 2016. crescent moon shines through During World War II she served the trees higher in the sky. with the Land Army, married and Now a little boat in complete on the death of her farmer husband darkness chugs the other way and returned to Clareville with her young a dark sail boat appears making children. Joining the National slow progress towards the shore. Parks Association just eight years Not a leaf stirs in the trees after its establishment, she found a around my house and soon if I am new ‘family’ to share her passion for lucky I should see a possum or nature. Following her retirement as a phalanger silhouetted against a physical education teacher Heather the sky as he sits on a branch became actively involved with NPA’s washing his face in readiness Park Management Committee. for his nights activities” Many will remember the era of the Thank you Heather – we “three amigos” as she, together with celebrate the life you shared Paul Barnes and Alan Catford, led with us. We shall miss you. the deliberations and field trips as a basis for so many robust submissions on NPWS Park Management Plans

Summer 2016 21 Matt’s Walk of the Month

The Walk of the Month is a joint introductory. Guided by one of NPA’s found at www.npansw.org.au. Go initiative with Wildwalks.com aimed volunteer leaders, these walks enable to the website for more information at introducing folk to the joys of participants to ‘try bushwalking’ or and to register for any of these walks. bushwalking. Open to everyone - simply revisit an old favourite. We You can also consult the website members and non-members alike have only listed one walk per month or printed activities program for - each month we choose a walk that due to spatial restrictions but the full details of the 1,000 plus guided walks can be considered both iconic and Walk of the Month program can be offered each year to members.

Wheely Big Bushwalk, Narrabeen Lagoon – Saturday 3rd December Length: 9km Duration: 3hrs People with Disability. Enjoy the bird life, water views and mostly flat track. You The 'Wheely Big Bushwalk' is an event can walk at your own pace or in a group. on Sat 3rd December encouraging There will be a sausage sizzle and there people who use a wheelchair to get into are also a few potential cafe stops. bushwalking. We will enjoy a lap around the Narrabeen Lagoon. Please join us to Where to meet: Start and finish at Middle help celebrate bushwalking, the Creek carpark. environment and the International Day of Bookings essential.

Blue Gum Walk – Saturday 21st January Length: 4.2 km Duration: 2hrs a water dragon, or get going early and listen for the Lyrebirds. This is an enjoyable circuit walk that Where to meet: At the end of Rosemead allows you to explore this rare pocket of Rd, Hornsby near Lockinvar Place. If Sydney Blue Gum forest. You will follow you catch the train you can walk about a signposted track across a few creeks 1km along the Great North Walk, down and alongside Waitara Creek, with a few the steep hill, to the start of this walk. cascades. There are many small sandstone caves and a great diversity in Getting Back to the start of the walk: plant life along the way. Sit quietly on the This is a circuit walk and will finish back bank of Waitara Creek and you may see where we start.

Sphinx, Warrimoo & Bobbin Head – Saturday 25th February

Length: 9.6 km Duration: 4-5hrs Where to meet: We will meet at the Sphinx Memorial Car park at 10am. You This great walk starts at the Sphinx can find it near the National Park entry Memorial and loops around via Cowan Gate at the end of Bobbin Head Road, Creek, exploring diverse environments as Turramurra.After driving or walking past it changes altitude. There is an optional the toll booth, turn right a short distance side trip to the Empire Marina and cafe later and head to the end of that road for a recharge before the climb back up (this road is not on all maps) to the Sphinx. This walk provides some great water views of the Cowan Creek Getting Back to the start of the walk: and the interesting rock formations along This is a circuit walk so it will finish at the its shores. same point.

Bookings for all WOMs are essential. book online: www.wildwalks.com/wom

22 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Wentworth Falls Loop Featured Walk

Wentworth Falls Loop Wentworth Falls Station Loop Length: 9.5 km Duration: 5 hrs 30 min

rom time to time you come across a walk that just has everything, a walk F that sets a new expectation. This is one of those walks. It is about 10 kilometers, but feels longer with the large number of stairs, waterfalls, and stunning views. Starting from Wentworth Falls Train Station

you make your way across to Wilson Park to 5 hrs 30 mins Hard track 4 pick up the start of the Charles Darwin Track. 9.5 km Circuit 1030m The track leads you down along the pleasant The Wentworth Falls Station Loop takes in most of the upper tracks around Wentworth Falls. There are Jamison Creek to Weeping Rock, our first real many scenic views near the cliffs, with a few highlights away from the cliffs such as Lillians Glen waterfall for the day. Soon the views start to and the Conservation Hut. This walk takes some open with stunning vistas across the Jamison time, so be sure to bring a packed lunch or buy something delicious from the scenic Conservation Valley and along the escarpment. Continue past Hut restaurant. the lovely Queen's Cascades as the stepping 914m stones lead along the top of Wentworth Falls and the spectacular valley views. 665m Blue Mountains National Park Now the fun really begins. We start to head Maps, text & images are copyright wildwalks.com | Thanks to OSM, NASA and others for data used to generate some map layers. down the Grand Stairway that has been cut into the side of the cliff, providing more uninterrupted views. The stairway is reported to be the tallest outdoor staircase in Australia (and that feels right) and was built in the early 1900s by hand (and dynamite). This stairway, and the rest of the National Pass, was built by a team nicknamed 'the Irish Brigade' for the cost of £430. NPWS has recently done a fantastic job restoring the stairs whilst maintaining the heritage. Now you get to walk through the middle of Wentworth Falls and then follow the fenced track along the cliff wall, with cliff above and below. The views across the valley to Mt Solitary take your breath away. At the far end of this section of escarpment you then head up the ‘Valley of the Waters’, past more fern trees and waterfalls, including the base of Empress Falls. At the top of this part of the valley you can take the side trip up to Conservation Hut for lunch or a coffee. To get back to the station, follow ‘Nature Track’ through delightful Lillian's Glen and past the well named Edinburgh Castle Rock. It is then just a series of trails and local roads back the train station. A great day out. The walk crosses creeks that are impassable after heavy or prolonged rain, check the forecast and change plans as needed. Track notes available from http://wild.tl/wfsl

Summer 2016 23 Featured National Park Blue Mountains National Park

Brian Everingham President Southern Sydney Branch, National Parks Association of NSW

don’t think there are many members was so close we could scares force our Blue Gum Forest (A Macqueen Back of the NPA who are not regular way thro it ….” (V Ross, ibid, p55) from the Brink: Blue Gum Forest and I visitors to the Blue Mountains. It While the Blue Mountains National the Grose Wilderness, 1997) but the sits there, in our imagination, in our Park only came into existence in 1959 big expansion came when extensive historical consciousness, looming when 62,000 hectares were dedicated, additions were made to the park during over the entire Sydney basin. the concept of a Greater Blue Mountains the 1970s and 1980s, “including some National Park was developed as long areas within the Warragamba catchment History of the Park ago as the 1920s when Myles Dunphy which are still jointly managed with The Blue Mountains was perhaps first floated the idea. Mind you, one the Sydney Catchment Authority. not the barrier that our old history can’t but suspect that the idea may have Myles Dunphy’s vision of a Greater books claimed. Convict explorers, been born even earlier, perhaps on his Blue Mountains National Park was “bushrangers”, escapees from the early second trip to the Kowmung in October substantially realised, and in 2000 was colony, often travelled much further 1914, or maybe in 1915 when he and formally recognised with the listing than official accounts acknowledged George Matheson walked more than of the Greater Blue Mountains World and often did so with the company of 200km in 16 days and when Myles Heritage Area“. The national park is Aboriginal people and often in close became fascinated in the explorations now over 247,000 hectares. (http:// association with them: John Wilson, of Francis Barrallier (P Meredith Myles www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/ for example, who roamed far and and Milo, 1999, p 60). Out of that trip parks/pomfinalbluemountains.pdf p5) wide, took the name Bunboee and came yet another journal and more ideas explored well into the hinterland! (G to protect the wild country he loved. Geology of the Park Karskens The Colony: A History of But even prior to Myles Dunphy’s Some 470-330 million years ago, Early Sydney, 2009, p288) Or my attempts to create a Greater Blue during the Silurian and Devonian own ancestor, Matthew Everingham, Mountains National Park there were Periods, marine sediments settled who, it is alleged, took a party from attempts to protect the scenic rim via to form the oldest rocks in the Blue the Hawkesbury through along the “Sights Reserves” close by the Upper Mountains. They have since been ridge to Mount Tomah. (V Ross The Blue Mountains townships such as faulted, folded, intruded and lightly Everingham Letterbook, 1985) There Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath. metamorphosed and, indeed, there are are many an NPA member who would That campaign was very much part also now carbonate formations (Jenolan readily recognise his account below: of the boom in mountain tourism Caves) and even volcanic rocks such “we found ourselves in a barren nasty at about the time of Federation. as the Bindook Porphyry Complex brush which continued nearly ten miles; The concept to protect the area in a in the southern part of the Blue after the ground grew a deal better, reserve was given a major push again Mountains or the basalt caps on the but much worse to travel, for the brush during the campaign to protect the top of Mount Banks, Mount Hay and

24 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES Mount Bell. See http://www.geomaps.com.au/scripts/ bluemountainsoverview.php. The long geological story since that time has created the spectacular escarpment we have since come to love. Naturally the best way to get the entire story of the geology of the park is to visit the lookouts, go for walks, get out and observe. It is a magical world and we, the walkers in NPA, know it well. We know the pagodas, the shallow sandstone caves, the canyons and the cliffs and we find comfort there. Biodiversity of the Park “At least 40 distinct vegetation communities have been recognised in the park, ranging from the windswept heaths on the high sandstone plateau of the upper Blue Mountains (above approximately 600 m), to rainforests in sheltered gullies and on richer soils, to open eucalypt woodlands in the drier areas at lower altitudes.”(Plan of Management, op cit, p 8). It is especially important for the diversity of its eucalyptus species. Indeed, over 100 species are said to be found within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Caroline Atkinson, Allan Cunningham, Joseph Maiden, Henry Deane and William Woolls who was a Reverend Doctor, school master and botanist and who collected from Richmond to Mount Tomah in 1861, are but just a few who have enjoyed the floristic beauty of this park. Indeed, it is estimated that over 1,000 species of flowering plants have been recorded in or near the park and within that diversity and across the large expanse that is the Greater Blue Mountains you can expect a similar diversity of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Who knows what diversity there is in the delightful world of the invertebrate communities. Blue Mountains National Park See http://www.thebotanistsway.com.au/history- landscapes-botany/greater-blue-mountains-heritage-area/ Our Playground But perhaps, for NPA members, it is as a place within which to walk. Greg Powell’s Bushwalking Through History – The Blue Mountains, 1989, John and Lyn Daly’s Take a Walk in Blue Mountains National Park are but just a few of the books on walking here and of course NPA’s own two volume collection of walks covers the area extensively. There are also many reports generated over the years by walks leaders, diary entries by walkers and the many, many log books that record the history of activities within this space. Indeed, so dominant is it in our psyche that I end by noting “nowhere was the building of tracks and the selection of sights as concerted as it was in the Blue Mountains … Once perceived as an ‘interminable barrier’ to westward pastoral expansion, by the turn of the century the Blue Mountains had been transformed into arguably Australia’s premier tourist resort” (M Harper The Ways of the Bushwalker: On Foot in Australia, 2007, p45). We love it. It is a spiritual home to many. NPA bushwalkers in the Blue Mountains National Park Photo: Brian Everingham It may be loved to death. But it is ours.

Summer 2016 25 Bushwalking Conservation Paddy Pallin and Tom Moppett

Janine Kitson Member of the National Parks Association of NSW

Paddy Pallin and Tom Moppett: the National Parks and Wildlife Act. part of the Bushwalking This conservation-minded pre-WW2 Conservation Movement generation battled with the 1950s-60s values that blindly embraced ‘economic Paddy Pallin and Tom Moppett’s growth’ regardless of its environmental lives emerged from the challenges costs. Tasmania was a focus point with of the Depression and World War the demands for cheap hydroelectricity 2. Their generation experienced based on dam building. This led profound hardship, sacrifice and to the first national environmental dislocation. They bonded as young campaign to save Lake Pedder. Post ushwalkers have historically men during the early 1930s as the war society blindly put their faith in been strong advocates for the Bushwalking Conservation Movement engineering and technological solutions B protection of the environment. took off. Bushwalking proved a that justified human dominance They are part of the cultural popular outdoor sport for both men over Nature whilst ignoring the heritage of bushwalking—known and women during the inter-war years warning bells from ecologists that as the Bushwalking Conservation with the establishment of a plethora of humans were utterly dependent on a Movement—where bushwalkers bushwalking clubs. This strengthened resilient and healthy environment. formed clubs, organisations and during the Great Depression when The Korean War created a boom networks to advocate for national it was popular as an inexpensive for wool—and Australia’s economy parks and wilderness protection. This recreational sport. Its first major was riding on the sheep's back. The close knit fraternity shared their love battle was to save the Blue Gum post war Soldier Settlement Schemes of bushwalking through writing, Forest in the Grose Valley in the Blue promised a utopian dream to open mapping and photographing their Mountains. It continued as a force in land for small farmers. With the bushwalking adventures. They wrote campaigning for the Blue Mountains powerful new machinery that emerged a plethora of bushwalking poetry National Park (established in 1959) from the technology of War - such as and formed enduring friendships and the World Heritage listing of the the ‘military tank like’ bulldozer— during their many years of camping Blue Mountains (2000). More recently Australia entered the era of land and bushwalking together. bushwalkers are campaigning to clearing on a scale that the ring-barkers Bushwalking clubs not only protect the outstanding natural values of the 1920s could not imagine. The supported the recreational sport of the Gardens of Stone, near Lithgow. car made suburbanisation with its of bushwalking but advocated for Australia and the world rapidly quarter acre block of land possible— environmental protection and put changed after WW2. The car became and much of urban Sydney bushland forward proposals for new national the dominant form of transport with was transformed into housing. parks. This advocacy was realised fewer bushwalkers using the train Paddy Pallin, due the popularity and with the formation of the National as the main vehicle of transport to longevity of his successful bushwalking Parks Association of NSW (NPA) their favourite bushwalking spots. shops, that continue to operate to in 1957. One of its most significant Australia’s population increased this day, has become somewhat of a and glowing achievements was the with mass immigration. Television bushwalking celebrity. Tom Moppett, establishment of the 1967 National and its accompanying advertising is lesser well known, but it was his Parks and Wildlife Act (NPWA). This reshaped Australian society into a meticulous policy and submission legislation was evidence that NSW consumerist and affluent society. writing that was invaluable for the valued its national parks and was The bushwalking fraternity regathered post WW2 environment movement. prepared to invest in creating a separate and remobilised after WW2 to Both Paddy Pallin and Tom Moppett government department to protect it complete the work started in the belonged to the generation who with a dedicated modern, professional, 1920s: to ensure that their vision predate the NPWS Act and were scientifically trained service. for a national park system became a amongst the leaders who ensured its reality. This was achieved in 1967 with

26 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES gazettal. Both men were active and bushwalking clubs—the Sydney Bush 1968, Paddy’s son Robert married founding members of the National Walkers Club (established in 1927). Nancy Moppett, the daughter of Tom Parks Association of NSW that was In 1929 Paddy married his Welsh Moppett. Robert Pallin followed his the driving force in creating the fiancé, May Bell Morris and they father’s conservation commitments NPWS Act in 1967. They wanted a purchased land at 93 Bent Street, and has been a tireless worker for professional service to guard, protect BushwalkingLindfield to build their home. conservation—particularly Conservation for his role and promote these natural assets— and However, shortly after this, Paddy as Treasurer and past President of the so fromBushwalking the 1950s onwards worked found himselfConservation unemployed. The Great Nature Conservation Council of NSW. to having the NPWS proclaimed. Depression had a devastating impact The significance of their achievement on bymanyJanine Australians butKitson for Paddy cannot beby underestimated.Janine Kitson Pallin it unleashed an opportunity to combine his love of bushwalking with self employment. With the support of May, he opened a small shop where he could design, produce and sell quality light-weight bushwalking equipment. With his close involvement with the Sydney Bush Walkers he had a ready market for bushwalking equipment. Despite his dislike for the name ‘Paddy’, his friends persuaded him to call his new business ‘Paddy Tom Moppett Pallin’ and the name continues to The peace of solitude, the challenge Saturday Saturday 20 August, 2016 10.00am this day. In 1933 Paddy wrote and of wind and snow, are aspects of Saturday 20 August, 2016 10.00am published the book Bushwalking “wilderness experience”, the very Paddy Pallin and Camping which became a much essence of national park usage. - In the bush, the problems of loved publication with a 14th edition Tom Moppett (1912-2000) Paddylife are no Pallin longer complex - Paddypublished. PallinTom Together Moppett with Marie Thomas (Tom) White Moppett 1900Paddy- Pallin1991 (1900-1991) Byles, another legendary bushwalker, tirelesslyTom promoted Moppett the post WW2 PhotoFrank taken byAustin Marg Turton, (Paddy) 1979 Pallin is well mountain1912 climber,-2000 feminist and bushwalking conservation movement. 1900-1991Courtesy of Nancy Pallin remembered as one of Sydney’s most Photo takenconservationist, by Marg Turton, 1979 they created a new His1912 diligence-2000 and meticulous Courtesy of Nancy Pallin popular bushwalkers. Not only was bushwalking club—the Bush Club— attention to detail proved invaluable he infectious with his enthusiasm for to support European refugees. in pushing the reform agenda to promoting the joys of bushwalking; Despite the time consuming task create NSW’s professional state wide his innovative and quality light of running his business, Paddy was wildlife service—the National Parks weight camping gear created a very generous in his time and support for and Wildlife Service in 1967. successful business at a time when such Sydney’s many bushwalking clubs and Tom Moppett was the disciplined and businesses did not exist. No longer did their conservation agendas. He allowed tireless worker for the environment. bushwalkers have to make their own his shop, after close of business, to He worked closely with Allen Strom, equipment – they could now buy it be used as a venue for bushwalking Chief Guardian of Fauna, as the from a reputable bushwalking identity. talks and meetings. Paddy became Deputy Chair of the Fauna Protection For many bushwalkers, Paddy Pallin a founding President of the National Panel (1965-1966), as well as being a became their bushwalking mentor. Parks Association of NSW. committed and tireless volunteer on the Paddy Pallin was born in Hartlepool, In 1936 Paddy was instrumental in National Parks Association Executive UK. He grew up with a love of establishing the Bushwalkers Search Committee. Other important work tramping the English countryside and and Rescue Squad that became famous involved being a Trustee of Brisbane was actively involved in the fledgling for rescuing lost bushwalkers in the Water National Park and as a member Boy Scout movement. He led hikes Blue Mountains. The 1960s created of the Sim Committee that finally across the English countryside and an entirely new market for backpacking ended rutile sandmining along the even further afield to Denmark. In and accessible, cheap overseas coast of NSW. It was his thorough 1926 he accompanied a group of travel, and the business expanded and detailed committee work, that impoverished young London men— with more stores opening around involved reading, researching, writing known as the ‘Dreadnought Boys’— the country. In 1985 a bushland and editing scientific reports, articles, on assisted passage to Australia that reserve, near his home at Lindfield, policy positions and submissions, gave them work on the land. Soon was named the ‘Paddy Pallin’ Park. that proved so valuable for the newly after arrival in Australia, Paddy Paddy Pallin had three children; formed National Parks Association joined one of the newly formed Jennifer, Catherine and Robert. In of NSW (NPA). He was also

Summer 2016 27 involved in working with renowned joining the UK Lancaster crew flying 61 married Paddy Pallin’s son Robert. photographer, Henry Gold, in producing bombing missions over enemy territory. One initiative that Tom Moppett the campaign brochure to save the He returned to Australia in 1945 and was fondly remembered for was his Colong Caves from limestone mining. was finally discharged in 1946. While determination each year, to design, In 1933 Tom met Jean Trimble on a Tom was absent during the war, Jean create and print NPA Christmas cards. skiing trip at The Chalet in Kosciusko bought a house in Roseville, where they He designed well over 23 cards and National Park. Jean was an outstanding lived until the 1970s, after which they some say he was responsible for printing skier and was the first woman to ski moved to the Blue Mountains. When 20,000 NPA Christmas cards from from Kiandra to Kosciusko in 1936. She the war was over he returned to his 1959 to 1967. In October 1967 Tom also was an active bushwalker and it was commitment to the environment and Moppett was conferred NPA Honorary Jean who first introduced Tom to the with Paddy became a foundation member Life Membership in recognition of Sydney Bush Walkers Club. Together, of the NPA in 1957 that was the driving his many years of valuable service. they made lifelong friendships with force in the establishment of NPW Act. Nancy followed her father’s conservation other bushwalkers on their many epic Tom and Jean’s two daughters Kate and commitments becoming chair of Ku-ring- skiing and bushwalking trips together. Nancy remember their school holidays as gai Bat Conservation Society and the Blue Not long after they married in 1940, a time when their father would take the Gum High Forest Group which achieved Tom joined the RAAF and put his life family on drives to remote NSW locations an additions to Dalrymple Hay Nature on hold, serving in the airforce, first in order to research and make proposals Reserve and Browns Forest in 2007. training in Canada and then in 1942 for new national parks. In 1968 Nancy

is Celebrating In 2017, NPA will be Celebrations Team, C/O the NPA Office, meeting are celebrating our 60th birthday! PO Box 312, Darlinghurst NSW 130. currently60! being We can’t wait to celebrate worked out. This milestone year will provide a with you in 2017! There will be great opportunity to acknowledge a focus on and enjoy the outcomes of NPA’s Anniversary State Council continuing our achievements to date, as well as the meeting to be held in past record of people who helped make these happen. Newcastle. achievement At the October State Council meeting, into the future. NPA's first logo NPA's next State Council meeting Naomi Hamilton-Hakim and Anne will be held in Newcastle on Saturday Reeves outlined some of the activities 4 March 2017. This marks the 60th already being planned, such as: anniversary of the inaugural State • Celebrating and experiencing Council in April 1957, which met the 60 Best Bushwalks in NSW Special Offer! upstairs above the then Paddy Pallin Become a monthly partner • Photographic displays, online and camping shop in Castlereagh Street, today and receive our Survey live, celebrating the places we love Sydney. Attended by representatives Techniques for Citizen • Social media celebrations from Sydney ("Central Region") and Scientists Manual FREE Newcastle ("Hunter-Manning Region"), Key to these celebrations is the (values at $100) participation of NPA branches and the meeting elected the fledgling we’re looking forward to hearing organisation's first Statewide officers, After the inital $20 payment about the celebratory activities including Paddy Pallin as foundation your monthly membership is being planned state-wide. President. The main business related tax deductible. to putting wheels into motion, and If you would like to submit your ideas To take up this offer please to help celebrate NPA’s 60th birthday, included approval of NPA's first logo, contact Fae: 9299 0000 or whether as an individual, a volunteer or which was designed by conservation a branch member, please send your ideas pioneer and architect Myles Dunphy. [email protected] to [email protected] and/or the 60th Details for the March State Council

28 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES NPA's Hunter Valley Roots

Ian Donovan Vice President National Parks Association of NSW and President Hunter Branch

ovember just passed marks the 60th birthday of the Hunter N Branch. Although referred to now as a ‘branch’ it is perhaps more accurately described as a ‘root’, its formation being inseparably intertwined with that of NPA itself. The Hunter-Manning National Parks Association began at a public meeting at Newcastle City Hall on 6th November 1956. Inspired by movements in Queensland, Victoria and abroad, the new body sought to promote national parks within the Hunter, Manning, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens districts. It took over the work begun in 1954 by the Northern Parks and the formation, purpose and structure References Playground Movement (NPPM) to of a state-wide association: Caloola Club (1956). Letter to Northern oppose logging, hydro-electric and • It should be one of individuals, Parks and Playgrounds Movement, 23 July tourist proposals at Barrington Tops. rather than a federation 1956. Paul Barnes Papers. One of the influential movers was Rod of organisations. Hunter Manning National Parks Earp, also a member of the Barrington • It should be organised on a Association (1956). A review of the Club, and a keen enthusiast of skiing at regional basis, each region national parks system of New South electing representatives Wales: including notes on national Barrington Tops. Rod made a detailed parks abroad. Papers of Roderick Earp, to a State Council. study of national park systems in the University of Newcastle Archives A5694(i). United States and Queensland, and • The State Council would deal with policy and contact with Hunter-Manning National Parks was particularly influenced by the Association. (1956). Minutes of Inaugural 1870s writings of Cornelius Hedges, a Government at the State level. Conference of Councils and Citizens Montana lawyer who advocated that • Regional associations would deal called by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle at the area we know today as Yellowstone with public support and interest, City Hall 6th November, 1956. Newcastle National Park ‘should be preserved field activities and education. Region Library: LS B021-001 (Box 1). for all the people for always’. By that time, arrangements to hold Moppett, Tom (1956). ‘Conservation A conference in Newcastle in early the formation meeting for Hunter- Report, 7/11/1956’, The Sydney 1956 on Barrington Tops led to a Manning NPA were already in Bushwalker 265: 18-19, Dec 1956. chance meeting between Rod Earp and place. Nevertheless, its proposed Moppett, Tom; Strom, Allen (1956). Tom Moppett, who was standing in constitution envisaged affiliation Establishment of a National Parks for Allan Strom from Sydney’s Caloola with a future statewide body. This Association. Report to the Council Club. Rod and Tom were previously sentiment was amplified in Rod and Officers of The Caloola Club. 5th acquainted through skiing circles. It Earp’s statement reported in the press November 1956. Paul Barnes Papers. soon emerged that similar ideas were on 7th November 1956 that ‘there ‘National parks body formed’, Newcastle under contemplation in both Sydney was no place for parochialism in the Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 7 Nov 1956, page 2. and Newcastle. This led to contact National Parks Movement. It must between the Caloola Club and NPPM, be conducted on a State-wide basis’. Northern Parks and Playgrounds Movement (1956). Letter to Caloola Club, followed by an important meeting at The Hunter-Manning Region was 21 August 1956. Paul Barnes papers. The Newcastle Club on 20 October represented on the State Council 1956. Attended by Joe Richley, Rod from its inauguration. Rod Earp was Richley, Joe (c.1970). Brief History elected a foundation Vice-President, National Parks in the Hunter and Earp, Geoff Sutton, Allan Strom and Gloucester Regions: Rod Earp’s and served as President during the Tom Moppett, the meeting reached Achievements. Manuscript, Newcastle broad agreement on principles for formative years from 1958 to 1965. Region Library, Local Studies Collection.

Summer 2016 29 • Dance Hall Café, Audley NPA News • Dendy Theatre NPA Executive Committee 2016-17 • Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside President: Anne Reeves • Forestry Tools Senior Vice President: Ian Donovan • Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens Vice President: Samantha Newton • Garden Ware Hon Treasurer: Ted Woodley • Gloria Branson Hon Secretary: Ian Donovan • Go Green at Home Committee members: Grahame Douglas, Brian • Jenolan Caves Reserves Trust Everingham, Sam Garrett-Jones, Naomi Hamilton-Hakim • Milton Country Cottages State Council thanked outgoing members John Turnbull, • Mogo Zoo, Batemans Bay Graeme Wiffen and Tom Fink for their contributions to • Norwood Base Camp Café, Blackheath the organisation through State Council and the Executive Committee. • Omlet Products • Paragon Café • Potoroo Palace Native Animal Sanctuary, Merimbula • Powerhouse Museum Scenic World, Blue Mountains • Prime Creative Sydney Wildflower Nursery, Heathcote • Smart Planter, Engadine • Sydney Observatory • Taronga Zoo • The Peak in Thredbo • Thirlmere Trainworks • Trek & Travel Annual Dinner • The Potting Shed The Annual Dinner was a great success, with guests • Tumbleweed enjoying a lovely meal and celebration of NPA. We enjoyed • Vintage House Wine and Spirits, Five Dock a speech from Dr Mehreen Faruqi, member of the Greens • Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel in the NSW Legislative Council, the presentation of the The full list of prize winners is available at: Annual Volunteer Awards, and the draw of the Annual Raffle. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to catch up www.npansw.org.au/raffle with old friends, make new friends and celebrate the achievements of our staff and volunteers. NPA thanks all the individuals and organisations who NPA Auditor Wanted donated prizes for the raffle. At its last meeting State Council expressed deep • Abercrombie Caves, Oberon appreciation to Chris Sonter for his 13 years of service as • Australian National Maritime Museum NPA’s Auditor. • Blue Mountains Explorer Bus We are now seeking a replacement Auditor and would welcome all expressions of interest. • Buena Vista Farm, Gerringong The task is to audit NPA’s accounts and involves 1-3 days • Bundeena Kayaks work following the end of each financial year (August/ • Southern Cross Cruises September). • Carrington Hotel, Katoomba If this is of interest to you or you know someone who may • Crystal Creek Meadows – ‘devoted to romance and be suitable please contact Kevin Evans (CEO; kevine@ nature’s beauty’ npansw.org.au, 9299-0000) or Ted Woodley (Treasurer; • CSIRO Publishing [email protected], 0419 663 539).

30 NATURE NEW SOUTH WALES NPA State Council and Annual General Meeting We are going to harness this community momentum On 8th October, NPA’s State Council held its Annual to start a new monthly volunteer bushcare group for Meeting. The Annual General Meeting was held on the Middleton Grange residents at Cessna Reserve – which same day. is a beautiful remnant for the rare and endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland ecosystem. The Annual Report was presented and a new Executive Committee elected. Tree planting days create a sense of community pride and ownership of public parks and it was wonderful to Annual Report: http://bit.ly/NPAannualreport2016 see so many families helping out. Over the years these new plants will provide valuable understorey habitat and resources for local wildlife – like birds and insects. There are also plenty of opportunities for you to support the Cumberland Plain Woodland and its pollinators in your own backyard! Whether it be by planting native flowers, reducing your pesticide use or building a bee hotel with your kids. If you are interested in finding out more about the new ‘Bringing Back the Buzz’ project or joining a new bushcare group please get in contact with Margot Law (margotl@ NPA Volunteer Awards 2016 npansw.org.au or 02 9299 0000). NPA congratulates the following award recipients: • Excellence in Conservation Award: Janine Kitson • State Conservation Awards: Ann Brown (Illawarra Branch), Rachel Fitzhardinge (Park Management Committee) • Bushwalking Leadership Awards: Shirley Hillier, Leslie Anne Reddacliff • Branch Awards: Helen Wilson (Illawarra branch), Valerie Patterson (Macarthur Branch), Ian Hodson Great Food at Healthy Prices ( Branch) • Organisational Support Award: Michael Holt 1000s of affordable products Everything from eco bamboo clothing to skin care, organic food to fire lighters 100s of bulk lines Buy in bulk - save money and packaging Costa, Cockatoos and Community Bushcare! The day was part of NPA’s new project ‘Bringing Back Carbon Offset the Buzz to the Cumberland Plain Woodland’, which is Discounted in partnership with Liverpool Council and is supported Delivery across by the NSW Environmental Trust. The purpose of the Australia project is to start new bushcare groups in South Western Sydney to help restore this precious ecosystem and its www.kombuwholefoods.com.au insect pollinators.

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