NATURE CONSERVATIONRESERVES IN THE

WESTERNAUSTRALIA

v Deparknmt of Conservation and Land Management NATUnE Coxsr,RVATroN REsr,nvr,s

IN THE KnTTnERLEY \ T,sTpRNAUSTRALIA

by Andrew A. Burbidge N.L. McKenzie and Kevin F.Kenneally

t99r

Departmentof Conservationand Land Management,Western Australia fu*'"L Mi.'^f^- 0' PnEp,qcp

I his publication is the submissionby the Department of Conservation and Land Managernent to the Kimberley Region Planning Study. The submissionwas compiled from information available early in 198?. Considerable biogeographicalresearch has been conducted in the Kimberlev since the earlv 1970s.This report is basedon tlrat research.However, future studieswill doubtles highl€hr additional nature conservation requirernents.Our recommendations,although basedon a comparatively good data base, should not be consideredthe final word on a reservesystem that representsall of the region'sbiota and landscapes. Some additional information has alreadybemme available.Two areasdeserve special mention: 1. Munja l,agoon (16022'S, 124056'E) is one ofthe few largepermanent fresh water swamps in the North Kimberley. It providessuitable habitat for north-west Kimberley populationsof the Comb-crestedJacana ard numerousother wetland birds through the dry season, Z. A proposednature reservenear Derby, at 17020'S, IZ30 Z4'E, comprisinga small, sub-coastalarea of black+oil plain and relict Pleistocenesand dunes, was overlooked in the submission. Decisionsabout previousconservation recommendations have been taken by the Govemment since CALM'S submissionwas written, e.g.conceming rWalcott Inlet. However, this report has not been amended. In this document we have not addressedthe conservationof MANGROVE and RANFOREST communrrres. These two vegetation tl?es are of significant importance to nature conservation. Both are dominated by speciesthat do not occur in any other habitat type in the State and their dense vegetations create microclimates on which a great number ofother speciesare totafly dependent, Both communities occur in relatively small patchesscattered over great areas;this featuremakes it particularly difficult to protect them via reservation.

Considering the great importance of these communities and their susceptibility to disturbances,nothing should be done to destroyany patch ofeither community without proper environmental impact assessment. The EPA commented on mangrovesas follows: "Mangrove communities are a feature of the nonhern Westem Australian coast, both as extensive low closed-foreston tidal flats and as narrow fringes on rocky shores. Becauseof their great biological and physical imponance which has only recently been widely recognised,the Authority considersthat margrove communities should be retained and protectedwherever practicable. Mangroveshelp stabilisethe coastline by colonising newly createdprograding shorelines. Becauseof their extensive and specialisedroor sysrem, mangroves slow water movement sufficiently to cause some sediment to fall out of suspension. This attribute has allowed the mangtove communities to become a very rich food source to marine fauna. Commercial exploitation of fish and crustaceadependent on this source takes place throughout much of northem Australia." "The Authority therefore RECOMMENDS that any proposed developments which would affect a significant area of mangroveson the Westem Austratian coast be referred to the Authority for assessmentas to its biological or physical imponance in that location before action is taken which could lead to their destruction." Recornmendations: We recommendthat the Environmental Protection Authority ensurethat all proposals that affect either mangroveor rainforestcommunities are referredfor environmental impact assessment.rffe recommendthat Munja Lagoon and the proposednature reservenear Derby be declaredClass A reservesfor the conservationof flora and fauna and vestedin the National Parksand Nature Conservation Authoritv. A ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

"Conservation I his report is basedon Reservesin Westem Australia, Repon ofthe Conservation Through ReservesCommittee on System 7 to the Environmental Protection Authority 1977" and we acknowledge our debt to the authorsof that docurnent. At the time the System7 report was producedthe Conservation Through ReservesCommittee comprised: 'Western Mr J.F, Morgan (Chairman), SruueycrGeneraL for Australia Dr B.E, Balme, Reado in Geologl , Uniuersitl of Westem Australia Professor R.T. Appleyard, Professorof EconomicHisnry , Uniuersitl of Watem Ausnalia

The report waswritten mainly by the Technical Sub-committeewhich comprised:

R.T. Appleyard, M.A., Ph.D. F.A.S.S.A., Profesorof EconomicHistory, Uniuersiryo/ Westem Australia (Convenor) A.A, Burbidge, B.Sc.(Hons), Ph.D., SeniorRes earchOfficu, Wildlife ResearchBranch, Departtnentof FishtnesanA \x/ildJtfe A.S. George, B,A., WesternAus tralnn HerWum, Depmtmentof Agncultu;re ,'J.H. Lord, B.Sc., F.G.S., M,Aus.l.M.M,, Directtn,Geolngical Suruel Branch, Mines Deportment B.J. White, B.Sc. (For), ForessDepurment Mr L. Goodridge, Secretary

* Mr Lord was representedat most meetings of the Subcommittee by Mr E. Biggs, a Ceologist of the Geological Survey Branch, Mines Department.

The sectionsof the CTRC Report on dre South-westKimberley were contributed by N.L. McKenzLe.

\7e also thank our colleagueswho have contributed information to this publication: P-F.Beny, A. Chapman, C.C. Done, P.J.Fuller, S.A. Halse,P. Kimber,J.A.K. Lane,and R.E.Johnstone. The assistanceof Ms Jill Pryde with word processingis gratefully acknowledged. The maps were prepared by CALMT Mapping Branch and we are particularly grateful to John Forster, Steve Rowlands, Mark Laming, Annette Turpin and Annette Jones. We also thank Wendy Searleand Allan Burbidgefor their accurateproofreading. The assistanceof Carolyn Thomson, Louise Burch, Stacey Strickland, Sandra Mitchell and Margaret Wilke of CALM's Public Affairs Branch is gratefully acknowledged. CoxrENrs

rcxt page map no, map page

INTRODUCTION lx

INDEXMAPS r-4 x-xtlt

1 OCEANIC ISLANDS

1.1 Adele Island 1 2.3 Xl-XU l.Z BrowseIsland z z x1 1.3 RowleyShoals z z xl

2 SOUTH.WESTKIMBERLEY )

11 BroomeTownsite Vine Thickets 7 5 6 1') DampierPeniruula 7 o 8 EdgarRange I) 7 lb 1,1 L.'f LacepedeIslands Nature Reserve 19 L-) xi-xii L-) Oscarand Napier Ranges,/- t9 8 z0 7.6 RoebuckBav L) 9 )4

3 EASTKMBERLEY Z'I

3.1 BungleBungle National Park 29 10 z8 3.7 Mirima National Park 33 11 32 3.3 LakeArgyle & Carr BoydRange 35 tz 36 3.4 Ord River NatureReserve & FalseMoutls of the Ord 37 IJ 38 3.5 PacksaddleSwamps 4l L1 40 3.6 ParrysLagoons Nature Reserve y' 4l lf 42 3.7 PelicanIsland Nature Reserve 43 z xi 3.8 Point SpringNature Reserve 45 16 41

4 NORTI{ KTMBERLEY 47

4.1 Admiralty Gulf Islands 48 4 xlll 4.2 BonaparteArchipelago 51 3-4 Xll-Xlll 4.3 BuccaneerArchipelago 55 3 xii 4.4 CapeLondonderry 59 t7 4.5 DrvsdaleRiver National Park 61 18 A1

vrl text page map no map page

4.6 HunterRiver 65 z0 76 4.7 KingfisherIslands 67 3 xii 4.8 King Leopold.Ranges 68 8 z0 4.9 Mitchell Plateau 69 19,20 ?0,76 4.10 MontgomeryIslands and Reef 75 3 xii 4.11 PrinceRegent.Nature Reserve 75 z0 10 4.12 RustRange 81 zl 80 4.13 Sir GrahamMoore Islands 82 4 xiii 4.14 \Ualcott Inlet 83 zz 84

GREAT SANDY DESERT 89

5.1 Mandora 9I 74 90 5.2 Mclarty Hills 94 14 90 5.3 SoutheskTablelands 96 23 88

TANAMIDESERT

6.1 GardinerRange 99 23 88 6.2 GregoryLake 100 L) 88 6.3 Wolfe Creek 101 23 88

ADDITIONALAREAS THAT 103 REQUIRE INVESTIGATION

7.l Burt Range- Mt Zimmerman 103 z5 103 7.Z CapeBougainville Peninsula 103 L) 103 7.3 CheddaCliffs, Napier Range 103 L) 103 7.4 CockbumRange 1U) L) 103 7.5 Islandsin Talbot Bay 105 3 xi 7.6 JosephBonaparte Gulf CoastalLand 105 L) 103 7.7 King Leopoldand Durack Ranges lu) L) 103 7.8 LawfordRange 107 L) 103 7.9 NingbingRange 107 L) 103 7.10 North KimberleyCoast, east of CapeLondonderry 107 25 103 7.11 Pentecostand Durack River Gorges 107 L) 103 7.12 PhillipsRange 109 L) 103 7.13 St GeorgeRanges 109 7.14 \?estCambridge Gulf 109 7.15 YampiPeninsula 109

APPENDIX

Comoarisonbetween EPA and CALM recommendatioru 111

REFERENCES I l.)

vIl INrnoDUCTroN

Y Ln 7972, shorrly after it was establishedby Act of Parliament, the Environmental Prorecrion Authority (EPA) establishedthe Conservation Through ReservesC,ommittee (CTRC) to recommend a system of nature consewation reservesfor Western Australia. "systems" CTRC divided the State into 12 (Map 1) and its first report in 19?4 made recommendationsfor reservesin 10 of tiese. System7, the Kimberley, wasthe subjectof a separatereport, releasedin 1977. The EPA, after considering public submissionson the recommendationsfor reservesin System 7, made recommendationsto State Cabinet, which were published in 1980. Although Cabinet endorsedall tle EPA recommendationsin principle, it decidedthat implementation of each recommendationwas to be on the basisof separateCabinet decisions. Very few of the recommendationshave been further consideredby Cabinet, mainly becauseof delayswhile various enquirieswere completed, and the failure of all relevant Govemment departmentsto agree. In 1986 the Govemment set up a Kimberley Land Use Study, later called the Kimberley Region Plarning Snrdy (IG.PS) to be carried out by the State Planning Commission and the Department of Regional Development and the North-West, "to The aim of the study is prepare a long range planning strategy for the Kimberley Region having particular regard to economic, social and environmental issuesand to devise such mecharisms as are necessaryto effect the implementation of that strategy." "to The primary objective relating to natural resourcesis identify areas ard items of natural, culmral, historical or archaeological significance and to specify those strategieswhich will provide for the malmenance, conservation and where appropriate the development of the Region's natural atuibutes and resources" (KRPS198?). The Department of Conservation and Land Managementdecided that it would make a major submissionto the KRPS, especiallywith respect to the need to declare additional national parls, nature reservesand conservationparks in the Kimberley. It was felt that d-rebest way to do this would be to revise and update tne Lt-f(L Jvstem / r(eDoft. Becausethe KRPS is examining all the land in the four Kimberley Shires,its boundary is different from the CTRC study, extending into parts of the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts(Map 1). In this report we have included existing and proposedreserves in those ponions of the desensrelevant to the presentstudy. Some of these were describedby CTRC in their 1974 report under System 12; some have been remmmended following biological surveyscarried out since. The Kimberley of Westem Australia has a flora and fauna largelydistinct from that of the rest of the State, but closely related to that of the northern parts of the Nonhem Territory and Queensland. Nevertheless, the Kimberley differs from other parts of northem Australia in many respects,and national parks elsewhere, such as Kakadu, do not remove the need for a proper, representativeconservation resewe system in the Kimberley. A detailed description of the region can be found in CTRC ( 19i 7). Most of the Kimberley is Crown land, although much of it is leasedfor pastoral purposes. The KRPS provides an opponunity, not available in most other pans of the State, to proclaim a truly representative seriesof nature conservationreserves in keepingwith the Vorld, National and State ConservationSffategies.

tx ri.

CONSERVATIONTHROUGH RESERVESSYSTEMS INDEX

SCALE

50 0 100 200 300 km

PORTHEDLAND

0

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GERALOTON

ESPERANCE LEGENO

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MAP 4

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The broad continental shelf off the Kimberley fishing. A seriesof conservationreserves are needed coast is dotted wi*r reefs,banks, shoalsand coral- that representthe biological diversity of the ftagile, fringed near-shore islands.\Uhere the ocean floor rich madne ecosystemsfound on and around these is between about 100-200 metres deep, several isolatedoceanic islandsand shoals. submergedbanls reach to within 30 m of the surface (well within the range of coral growth) and are reported to be coral banks. There are also several lllllllllllllll1.1ADELE IslnNn emergent reefs, and some have sand cays:Browse Island, Cartier Island, Ashmore Reef (with three Location: Adele sandcays), Hibemia Reef and, closerinshore, Adele Island is situated about 100 km Island. north-nonh-eastof CapeLeveque at about 15031'S, 123009,8. A secondseries of emergentannular reefsrises ftom Map: 2,3. the Scott Reef/Rowley Shoals platform, between the 300 and 700 m contours.These are, ftom norttr- Current Status: Meda locations 10 and 13. west to south-east,Seringapatam Reei the two Scott Freehold land owned by the Commonwealth of Reefs and the three atolls of the Rowley Shoals Australia. (lmperieuse, Clerke and Mermaid Reefs). Geomorphology: Sand cay on limestone and coral Unvegetated, supratidal sand cays are present on reef. Extensive coral reefs sunound *re island; the Imperieuse, Clerke and South Scott Reef, with structure is an unusual near.shoreplatform reef of intertidal sandcays on other reefs(Berry and Marsh great scientific interest. 1986). Vegetation and Flora, A grassland of Spinfex Someofthe islandsand surroundingreefs are within Iangifolius on white sandy soils and Sporobolus Westem Australia, while othen areCommonwealth virginicuson saline loamy soils. Nine plant species Territory. The CTRC Report discussedboth classes havebeen recorded (Anon. i972). of land but we have restricted our report to State Fauna: Seabird colonies are the most important Iand. Since the CTRC Report was published,the wildlife feature. Speciesthat breed there include Commonweal*L Govemment has declared the the LesserFrigate-bird (Fregaa ctriel)(2500 pairs Ashmore Reef and its islandsto be a national nature in June 1972, 5700 pairs in luly 1981), Brou'n reserve. Other areasol.ned by the Commonwealth Booby (Sala bucoguter) ( 1500 - 2000 pairs in June and not discussed here are Cartier Island, 19'12,75A0pairs in July 1981)and MaskedBooby SeringapatamReef and Scott Reef. (Suladnrqlana) (100 pairsin June 1972,320 pairs Oceanic islands irnportant places are for the nesting in July 1981) (Anon. 19J2, Burbidgeet al. 1987). of seabirdsand turtles. The surroundingcoral reefs The PolynesianRat (Ranm exu.laru)occurs on the are rich in marine organismsand arc of considerable island, presumably having been introduced by scientific and conservation value. They are Indonesianfishermen. becomingwell known and are now being visited Nothing is known of the marine fauna of the by an increasingnumber of pcople wishing to view platform reef, but it is certain to be rich in species coral reef communities and/or conduct recreational and of exceptional conservationvalue. Recreational use or potential: None. unidentified Sida. The grassesErcgrosns sp. ard Key Features: The seabird colonies and the CencLrrusbrounii arealso common. Disturbed areas surrounding reef. have been colonised by l|omoea, Salsolakoli and "That Sida(Burbidge et al. 1978). CTRC Recommendation: the EPA ask the State Govemment to explore with the Fauna; No seabirdsnow breed on Browse Island, Commonwealth Govemment means of retuming but it is one of the most important turtle nesting Adele Island to State control. Should this eventuate, sitesin Australia. A survey by the Department of (Smith the island be declared a Class B Reservefor the Fisheriesand Wildlife in lune 1972 and Conservation of Flora and Fauna vested in the Johnstone1978) revealedthousands of turtle nests W.A. \fildlife Authority. Leasesbe issuedto protect in the narrow strip of beach above high-water mark. (Cheknlarrydrs) the lighthouse, radio beacon and automatic weather The Green Turtle certainly breeds station." thereald other speciesmay alsouse it. "The EPA Recommendation; EPA recommends Recreational ljse and Potential: None. that: Key Features:The tunle rookeries. "The 1. dre State Govemment explore with the CTRC Recommendation: Committee Comrnonwealth Govemment meansof retuming recommendsthat ReserveNo. 2269?(Browse Island) Adele Islald to Stateconuol; be changed from Minerals (Phosphatic Rock) to 2. should such a transfereventuate, Adele Island Conservation of Fauna and Flora and that it be should be declareda ClassB Reservefor the declaredClass B and vested in the W.A. Wildlife Conservation ofFlora and Fauna and vestedin Authority. The reserveshould be extended to low *re \7.A. \Tildlife Authority; water mark in order to ensure the protection of turtles." protect lighthouse,radio 3. leasesbe issuedto the "The beacon and automatic weather station prior to EPA Recommendation: EPA recommends reservationof the island." that: Our Recommendation: !?e endorse the EPA 1. the boundaryofReserve 22697 be extendedto recommendations, except that we see no reason low water mark; why this important island should not be a ClassA Z. the classificationand purposeofReserve 22697 reserve. The reserve should be vested in the be amendedto a ClassB Reservefor the National Parls and Nature C-onservationAuthoriry. C,onservationof Flora and Fauna and the Reserve We recommend that the surounding reef be declared be vestedin the W.A. Wildlife Authority." a ClassA marinenature reserve. Our Recommendation: We endorse the EPA recommendation, except that the reserve should r.z clearly be Class A. We recomnend that the lllllllllllllll BnowsgIsr-Rxo surroundingreefbe declareda ClassA marinenature reserve. Location; Browse Island is situated in the Timor Seaabout 350 km north of Derbyat 14007rS,1230 33'E. Map; 2. iltLilililililt1.3RowLEvSuoRr-s Area: About 13 ha. Location: The threeseparate atolls, Mermaid Reef Current Status: ReserveNo. 27697 for Minerals (17007'S, 1190 20'E), Clerke Reef (170 10'S, 1190 (PhosphaticRock), not vested. 20'E)and ImperieuseReef (170 35'S, 1180 56'E) GeomorphologyrA sandand lirnestonecay situated lie about300 km (165 nauticalmiles) west of on a limestone and coral reef. The island once Broome. held large depositsof guano but these have been Map: Z. mined out, resulting in a disturbedsurface. Area: Eachatoll coversan areaof around80 to 90 Vegetation and Flora: Behind the beachesis a kmZ.Dimensions of the atollsare Mermaid: 14.5 x sparsevegetation consisting mainly of the creeper ?.6km, Clerke and Imperieuse: 17.8 x 9.5km. IDonroeaDes-caproe and a few scatteredbushes of Current Status: Imperieuseand ClerkeReefs are ScaevoLtsericea. On undisturbed coral sand the under Starecontrol and are vacantCrown land. most common species are Abutilan inAicwn and at MermaidReef is under Commonwealth iurisJiction. The taking of corals, molluscsand some fish has Recreational Use and p6lgnrial: The Rowley Shoals been prohibited under tlre FisheriesAct. offer spectacular diving conditions in a pristine Geomorphology: Regardedas the most perfect environment. They have an unusual abundance examplesof shelf atolls in Australian waters. Each of extremely large reef fish and sea snaLesdo not consistsof a perimeterof coral reef (through which occur. These attributes are attracting increasing pass between one and three narrow passages) numbers of visiton both from Ausnalia and oveneas, enclosinga central lagoon with prolific growth of using both charter and private vessels. patch reefs. Small islandsoccur on Imperieuse Key Features: Exceptional water clarity and proliftc and ClerkeReefs - Cunninghamand BedwellIslands and spectacularunderwater life, including large reef respectively.There is no permanentland above fish, The most accessible of the shelf-edge atolls high tide mark on MermaidReef. All tfuee atolls for tourists (rnainly from Broome). Fewerproblems dropoff extremelysteeply to about500 m. with Indonesian fisherrnen than other shelf-edge Vegetation and Flora: The caysare not vegetated. atolls. One speciesof seagrasshas been recorded. CTRC Recommendation: None. Fauna: The marinefauna is typical of clearoceanic waters and contains a high proportion of taxa not EPA Recommendation: None. found on the adjacent mainland. The \Testem 'We Australian Museumhas recorded a verywide variety Our Recommendationr recommend that Clerke of marine organisms:184 speciesof coralsin 52 and IrnperieuseReefs be declared Class A marine genera(Vemon 1986),273 speciesof molluscs national parks vested in the National Parks and (\(/ells and Slack-Smith 1986), 90 speciesof Nature C.onservation Au*rority. A management echinoderms(Manh 1986)and 485 species of {ishes plan is neededto control the activities of visiting (Allen and Russell1986). vessels. One speciesof seabird- the Red-tailedTropic-bird We also recommend that the State approach the - nestson BedwellIsland. Migratingbirds, especially Commonwealthwith a view to Mermaid Reef being waders,rest on the sandcavs. declared a marine national park under Commonwealth legislation.

Red-footedBooblrcsting on Adek IsLanl. I)mestone cl{fs anrl boab trees are tlpical ol the Oscor and Napier Ranges. Souru-\yESTKMSERLEY

'T., I he PhanerozoicSouth-west Kimberley is the sandplainsdrained by incised watercoursesand, to north-western comer of the Canning Basin, most a lesserextent, light alluvial soils, as well as small of which is occupied by the reddish sand dunes areasoffour different coastal environments; samphke and swalesof the Great Sandy Desert. Compared and grasslandson supratidalmudflats, estuarine low with the rest of the Canning Basin, the South- forestsof paperbarks,coasal sand dunes and vine west Kirnberley district is well-watered, receiving thickets. However,as currently outlined, it includes an annual averagerainfall of 400 to 800 rnm during neither tidal mudflats nor mangrovesbecause the a predictable rainy season(McKenzie 1981c). reservedoes not extend to low water mark. Well-watered tropical sandplain environments do The other three conservation reserves (Tunnel not occur elsewherein Westem Australia. Their Creek,Windjana Gorgeand Geikie GorgeNational peculiar array of vegetation, known collectively as Parks)have a total areaof only 5 361 hectaresand "pindan", is unique to the South-west Kimberley, are restrictedto small, scenicareas ofthe limestone although most of the component species are Oscar and Napier Rangeson the inland northem widespreadacross tropical Australia. edgeof the district. It is the dominance,continuity, and variety of these To improve the coverageof South-west Kimberley sandyplains that distinguishthe Dampier Peninsula environments by conservation reserves, a large fron other well-watered areas of the South-west (807 000 ha) nature reserve has already been Kimberley. Sand surfacesof the central South- proposedin the viciniry of the Edgar Ranges,on westKirnberley are dissected by majorriver systems the dry, southem, inland margin of the district arrd include substantialareas of a variety of heavy (McKenzie 1981b). Dry country versions of alluvial soil surfaces.They are also interrupted by communities on heavy alluvial soil surfacesand limestone and sedimentaryranges each mantled in river frontage surfacesare included in the proposed and surroundedby areasof their derived soils. The Edgar RangesNature Reserve (McKenzie 1981b, Dar.npierPeninsula is basically a continuous, but p. 68), but only as relatively small areas. heterogeneous,sandplain. Coastal environments Unfornrnately, it is not possibleto proposereserves and, rarely, rock outcropsprovide only minor relief to represent the well.watered versions of except in the Mount Jowlaengaarea. communitiesgrowing on these surfaces(gilgai soils, There are few offshore islands; the Lacepedes black soils, etc) even though they are widespread comprisethe only significant group. in central and northem areas of the South-west Kimberley (Crowe, Apart frorn the LacepedeIslands, there are only Towner and Gibson 1978); desirable pasture, four conscrvation reserves in the South-west ascattle they are entirely included within pastoralleases. Kimberley - each of these representsone or two relatively restricted environments rather than the A different situation exists for the other rnain widespread surface rypes of the district. The categoryof South-west Kimberley surface. sandplains Coulornb Point Nanrre Reserve (28 300 ha) on and dunefields.Because communities of thesesandy the DarnpierPeninzula comes closest to reprcsenring surfacesare less suitable for cattle grazing, large "typical the rather than the special" by including tracts along the drier southem edge of the district extensive areas of well-watered communities on remain as vacant Croun land and are reoresented +

PROPOSED BROOME VINE THICKETS LOCALITYMAP NATURERESERVE

SCALE s I 1K.

% ,,"ro""o,^r," ^"""*"

o

d

GANTHEAUME

-'.- AtRpoRT --..- r1 =--=-=S

BBOOME TOWNSITE t"l

MAP 5 in the proposed Edgar Rarges Nature Reserve. seasonalfood resourcesfor Aborigines. Although the well-watered versions of sandplain Fauna: Not studied. communities in central and northem areasof the Recreational Use and Potential: Being in close South-west Kimberley are all held by pastoral proximity to a major tourist centre, the Broome stations, some areas still occur as vacant Crowrl Vine Thickets have considerable potential for land on the Dampier Peninsula. In fact, some of educational use. If developed with nature trails the most luxuriant forms of pindan occur in the and other interpretativefeatures they could become vacant Crown land on the northem end of the a major tourist attraction. Peninsula. Beard (1979) did not map thesepindan areas,expressed as open-forests of Erira$patsmininm, Key Features: Southemmostrainforest vegetation on the northem end of the Peninsula. in the Kimberley, immediately adjacent to major tourist centre. This pattem of land tenure also makes additional reserveson the Dampier Peninsula essential for CTRC Recommendation: None. the conservation of adequate areas of other EPA Recommendationr None. communities typical of the South-west Kimberley. Our Recornmendation: The Broome Botanical Exarnplesinclude coastalcommunities such ss vine Society has campaignedfor some yearsto preserve thickets, grassedmudflats and mangrovcs. these vine thickets. Submissionshave been made Recommendation: We recommend that the to Govemment but no final decision has yet been Department of C.onservationand l-and Management taken. We recommend that the Broome Vine identify possible aress of the Fitzroy River basin Thickets be declared a ClassA conservation park that could be reserved to protect representative vested in the National Parks and Nature areasof the communities that occur there and that ConservationAu*rority. these areasbe examinedfor their biological values. Preferably,any reserveshould be contiguouswith the proposed Devonian Reef National Park (see IIIIIIIIII]IIII2.2DAMPIERPENINSULA Napier and Oscar Ranges,Area 2.5).

The Dampier Peninsulais one of the highestrainfall ilil|ilI|l|t2.1 BROOMETOWNSTTE areasin the district. This is reflected in the greater proportion of sub-humidtropical speciesin its flora VINETurcrErs and fauna, and in the generally more subdued topographyof the sandysurfaces that dominate its Location: Inland from Cable Beach, extending landscape (McKenzie and Kenneally 1983). south to Gantheaume Point, Broome. Generally wetter conditions during the Holocene Map: 5. are thought to have erodedthe dunefields,leaving extensivered sandplainsand, especiallyin northem Area: About 206 ha. parts of the Peninsula,allowed organification and land. Current Status: Vacant Crown a degree of soil development. The Peninsula Geomorphology: Coastal dunesand sandplains. containsmany areasof historic importance relating Vegetation and Flora: In the shelter of the dunes to natural history collections. Broome,in particr.rlar, ard wcsr of Cubinge Road lhere is a major vine has been the focusfor many of thesestudies. thicket. It is adjacent to the district's finest stands Location: BetweenBroome and Cape Leveque. (TermiMlia of Gubinge ferdinmdian{r).The vine Map: 6. thicket represents the southemmost stand of Area: rainforest vegetation in the Kimberley. Representativespecies include the treesTenninalirr CoulombPoint Narure Reserve:28 J00 ha petioktris,T . fudinanliarw, Pry*tniasericea, G),rcrmpus ProposedLeveque Nature Reserve:1 010 ha americanru, the shrubs Paueta brownii, Grewia ProposedBorda Nature Reserve:15 800 ha breuiflora, Mallonrs rcsophilus, and the climbers ProposedCygnet Bay Nature Reserve:12 300 ha Caesolpint majtn, lacEtemontia pmiculam atd Proposed CapparisLaiantJw. Dampierland National Park: 112 800 ha ( including Coulomb Nature Reserve) The vine thickets contain a high proportion of plants with edible fruits, making *rem important ProposedJowlaenga Nature Reserve:35 040 ha )f

LOCALTTYMAP n THEDAMPIER PENINSULA f. oo*i SCALE (r...-] Q 19 29 39Km t; \i ',1:',:,";**::'"ffi"{.rxz", \".","-j 20927 LombadinaMrssron /ll // Abansnat ^Ltl - FeservF S ,cygnet Bay

ProposedBorda ProoosedCvonot Bav NatureReserve N iN;^ NatureR'€-serve DeepWater rY INNN Point INDIAN t aJS\SN Special I L€ase I OCEAN Pen(te, - bav ,-? eA,hg rsJ_ _

-o trara" oLu..r"o" Beagle Bay c

A 1834

I

!couNTRY IDOWNS I l L___ MOUNTJOWLAENGA ; I Propossd Jowla6nga I tr I _ r__ _J WATERBANK [- --r , KTLTO I L) ROEBUCKPLAINS f--J

LEGEND

$ exrlng ltarureneserve NNI eroposeorarure Reserves l-:-l Proposectlationat earl

MAP 6 Current Status: Most is held as pastoral leases. grey sandplainsof southem areas;yellowish-grey Three small areas in the northem parts of the sandy plains of nonhern areas; watercourses irnd Peninsula are vacant Crown land proposed asnature seasonalfresh water swamps. resewes; the rest is pastoral lease,is reservedfor There are a number of permanent ftesh water springs "Use (Reserve the and Benefit of Aborigines" Nos in the westem portion of the Peninsula. These (Point 1834, 20927, 22675) or is nature reserve are located at Wonganut, Beagle Bay and Coulomb Nature Reserve, ReserveNo. A29983, Waterbank. for the Conservation of Flora and Fauna). Vegetation and Flora; The sandy soil plains that Geomorphology: The Dampier Peninsula is dorninate the landscape of the Peninsula support a (sandstone underlain by Jurassicmarine sediments repetitive mosaic of woodland vegetations, although "pindan" and mudstone). Occasional outcrops of Early wo trends in this vegetation can be Cretaceoussandstone occur in the Camot Peak, distinguished(McKenzie & Kenneally 1983). Cygnet Bay and Mount areas. Cainozoic Jowlaenga One is a gradual change from Acacia-dominated rocks are restricted to relatively small exposures: low open woodlands in the south rc Ercolypws' calcretein coastalsituations on Waterbank Station dominated open forestsin the nonh. It corresponds and PackerIsland; laterites on uplandsin the Mount to rainfall and rainfall-caused soil trends. From Jowlaengaarea (Gibson 1983). Beagle Bay southwards, the vegetation is a low Most of the Dampier Peninsula is mantled by open-woodland dominated by EucalyputsDapMTto, reddish-grey Quatemary sandplainsof rnixed alluvial E. pobcarDa,E. semsa,E. tectificn,E. dnmpieriand, and grade yellowish- aeolian origin, which into E. Tlgophllln with Er'ltlvophleum chbrostachys, grey sandplains towards the northem end of the Glrocorpus americmv.rsand Lysiphlllum atmingh{Lmii Peninsula where rainfall is higher. Areas of red also common. The understoreyconsists of several aeolial sand as weak dunes occur throughout the species of Acaclr which reach canopy height and Peninsula and are understood to be remnants of include A. nmila, A. eriopoda and A. monticola. previous the era of aridity and homologous with Shrub species commonly found in the pindan the Quatemary dunes of the Great Sandy Desen. include Acacrlahobs eficeo, Dohchmuhorw heteroplrJUa, Beachesand beach dunes of quartzoseshelly sand Gardeninpyrifonnis, Grevilba r{rrrcm, G . heliospeltrw, and saline mudflats, either supratidal or tidal Hal,,zaarborescens , Pemlnsigma pubescetr , Pltmchonia (including mangroves), also occur coastally. A careya and.Termhwlia curescens. The grass layer is seasonally active coastat drainage system and mainly Chrysopogon Dallia$, Cymbopogon unbiguus, scatteredseasonal fresh water swampsare present, Heteropogonconttrars and Sorglum stipoideum. The poorly although developed. In easr-westsection, vegetationof Wonganut sandyplains surfacesonly the Dampier Peninsula is gently convex. Sheet becomesdistinguishable from the Yeeda surfacesat flooding is the most widespreadpattem of drainage the lowest levels in the landscape. On the C-oulomb becausefew abrupt risesintemrpt the gentle gradients Point Nature Reserve,for instance, Wonganut plains of the plains country that forms the broad spine of suppon a low open woodland of Acacra wmida wirh. the Peninsula. The southem half of the Peninsula occasionalpatches of Melnbtrcanervosa, Gyocmpus peripheral has a systemof creeksand small rivers, americurts and small pockets of vine thicket best developed near the coast in the Coulomb Point elements (Cmarium usnalintum and Pouteria Nature Resewe, at Roebuck Bay and eastof Dampier suicea). A mixed grassland of Cymbopogon and flll l. Eragrosasis present. The northern end of the Peninsula is too small Proceeding north from Broome a gradual change and narrow for development of substantial in the vegetationbecomes noticeable after the first watercourses gradients although steeper are 30 kilometres. The tree layer of the Yeedasurface encountered on its eastern and western aspects. begins to increase in height and density. Eica\pats Broad sub-coastaldrainage valleys, with seasonally mini.ra appears among E. dampieri, E. paprwv swampyareas, occur behind most of the largerbays (broad-leaved form), Amcia eriopodaand A. wmtdo. - especiallyBeagle Bay and PenderBay. Other componena of the shrub and ground layers The surfacesimportant on the Dampier Peninsula do not change appreciably. A patch of Eurtt\pnu are: coastal saline mudflats; beachesand beach dunes jeruenii and E. seosaoccurs on the Cape Leveque with somederived limestoneoutcrops; Permian and road 51 km north of Broome; the soil consistsof Mesozoic outcrop country of south.eastem areas red sand becoming clayey with depth. Associated and the northem coastline; widespreadreddish- vegetation includ es Acoria eriopda, A. hippwoiles, A. platycarpa,A. atmida, Braclqchitondfuusifolit+s, C-oastaldunes and beachessupport the grassCenchnrs Erythrophlewnchlorosachls and Grevilbarefrata. biflorus, while the shrubs Crotaknia cwrninghtmii, The other is a trend from sandplains,with un- Euphorbiacofilanii md Finbnsrylr sence,are common coordinateddrainage, found high in the landscape on tlre fore-dunes. Isolated clumps of Pmtarns to the more alluvial sandplainswith co-ordinated. spirolisvar. culenrs (to 3 m) occur in the interdunal *rough-going drainagefound in more coastalareas. swales and sometimes in the strand community This trend is mostnoticeable nonh of PenderBay, behind beaches.The leeward side of the dunes is wherethe higher surfacessuppon Er.ao$pats miniam characterisedby dense shrub thickets of Aurcil (to open.forestwith E . DaDwna,E. tzctifica,E. darrlDieri unplicepsand Cromknb amnin$urnii 2.5 m, 20- and an understoreyof Acatia wmida, Brorlrycbmn ?07oand patchesof the grassesCymh,pogon ambigura diuersifolius, Gardznia pyriformis, LlsiplryLlum (to 1.5 m, 607o) and $p;nfg1longifoli$. cunninfinmii,Persoonia fabun atrd,Planchrnia cneya. Riverine communities are best developed in the On the mediumlevel contours,and on patchesof Coulomb Point Nature Reserve and comprise softer,more sandysoils, woodlands of Euutlypats Melaleura ororioides low closed forests in estuarine dlmDieri ard, E. tectifico replace the E. miniam situations, and fringing woodlands of Etrca\pats althoughscattered shrubs and low trees (mainly cmnldulercis, Slzygrum euta\pniles nd Mehleuca Acacia wmila and A. eriopoda)over bunch grasses virilifbra over Putlanus spiralis var. convexls and arethe ubiquitousunder-strata 'Water throughout. An area P. daruinensisalong fresh water creeks. just south of Deep Point, which, at the rVhere coastaldunes truncate drainagelines, fresh time of the 1978 survey,had not been bumt for water swampsoccur. They support a low woodland years, many erried an openscrub of Acatiamutjmla of Inphastematgru'L fums with a fringe of Melaleuca (to 7 m, 607o)with an understoreyof Distichostemon uiri&flma andM. orotinilz.s. rVhen water is present, hispiAulus, Callnix exstipulamnd Mytel)n pfu.klaiAes following summer rain, the surfaceof these sub- (0.5to 2 m, 30%). The lower,more coastal surfaces coastalswamps is often coveredwith a denseblmm support a woodland of Eumlypats pol:1corpa, of kmrw or.EtinocnaLs.As the water level recedes, E . papwru ar.d,Melalerca vvidiJlnra ov er Pandanus the damp areassupport numerous ephemeral species spiralis, Acacia pelliw, Grevitlea pyrolniLolisar:.d 'fhe such as Byblisliniflua, Droseraindica, D. Deioktrts, Planrhnnincmeya. fem PhryTma miooplqlhnn, Goodenia sepalosaand Ollenlntlia galioifus. The and the herbs [hoserapetioWs arrd a speciesof grasses Arisdda lqgrometriu, DigiwirL bicomk, Xyris,are frequentbut localised.Occasional areas Echinochloomlnru ar:d Pseudoraphisspinescens are dark,cracking clay alsopresent. of are common, asare *re sedgesClpena biliu , C. Dllklvlhs Sub-coastalvine thickets and closedvine forests and Fimbr"rsrylrsccespiroso. The climbers Promsfinagus occur immediatelybehind coastaldune systems. roremosLts,Capttaris ksiandw artd Gymnandvra nitila Theseinclude a varietyof plantswith Indo-Malesian occur amongstthe lt phostemon. affinities and are best developedtowards the Small semi-permanentlakes and seasonalswamps northernend of the Peninsula.The principalupper on Yeeda surfacesa-re generally further inland and storeytree speciesof the closedvine forest (to support a fringing low woodland of Mehleuca 15 m) includeMehlerca cajubuti, M. dealbam,M. ocorioi.desand either M. oiililloro or M. nervosa, viriliflma, Termivlin Detjoktris,Cassine melunocarpa, often with Er.rcallpfr^ DaDuntaand Panlanus spiralis, Celdsphilipptnerub , Dinslyu fmea vat. knnilis, Fic's over numerousgrasses. virens, Mimusopselengi , Pitmspnrummolrrccanum and Areas of permanent fresh water are rare on the Pouter[asericea. The understoreycomprises shrub Peninsula,and where they occur they support large species such as DodnnaenDlarJDffia, Exocar|os grovesof Melnbum mjuputi andM. viridiflma. They I{fiifolius, Plltnrbagozqlani&, Sutmlumlanceohtum, are the only placeson the Peninsulawhere aquatics Fh.rcggeavirosa, Pudanrs spiralis and Croton such asthe Blue Waterlily (Nymplrceauiokrcea) and tomentellus.Vine species including Adenia the fringed waterlilies Nymphordes indrca and hzterophylln,Abrus precamrtus,CaesalpintL maior, N. beaglensisoccur. The latter is endemic to the Glmrwttlwa nitila, Ja.qtnmatio Datiaiaa, Pusifloru BeagleBay area. Mmsdeniaonerasceru and Tirwspuo smilrcnw foetida, At one locality near Camot Bay a freshwater spring arecommon climbers extending into the canopies "Fern known as Island" supportsa ctosedstand of of the trees. The semi-parasiteCrusyria filrlormis Melnlzrcamjuputi over a denseground cover of the formsdense tangled patches in the canopiesof the fem Cyclosonaintanrpnrs. The climbing Maidenhair Mebleucosnecies. Fem fo4msdense, trailing columns into dre canopy.

10 Mangrovesare widespread in coastalareas. In seaward stipoideum.Termitemounds are very common. and/or creek-fringing situations, Cunpnstemon Melligo Sandstoneexposures around Cygnet Bay, schultpi(up to 12 m, 40% dense) and Aegiceru near Deep Water Point and Karrakatta Bay, suppon corniculnam (to 5 m, scattered)were recordedin a tlpical Nordr Kimberley sandstoneelement which the standsat Packerislsnd, \Tillie Creekand on, includes Acacia montimla, Cmarhun ausualioru.m, the CoulombPoint Nature Reserve. Exocar|os latifolius, Cochbs1ermwn f'raseri, Fints Avicennio.mo:rina u:.d, RhizoDhtna srJlosa (to 14 m, opposimvan indtcora, F . plrryyrda, C'revillel wicllninii, 60-1007.)always form the centralzone of the stands Pouteriasericea, Tempbnnb hookeri and Trcrclrymene wirit Auicennb mcLrina(to 5 m, 40.807o) and/or gltu ifoli{t(l to Z m, 20'40%). The hummock grass CeriopsmgaL (to 3.5 m, 80-1007o)forming the Trio&a fungns (0.5 m, 307o) is very common. The landward zone, depending on substrate scramblers Abrus precawius, Flagelklria indica, characteristics.The hemiparasiteAmy ema tholtssiun Pusifkna foetida, Sorcostemmoustale, Tinospcna is commonon Atricernitnrarha; the lichen Roma.tna smilacinaand Mukia nnderosDatntvarc also present. eckloniiis frequentlyfound on the branchesof Ceriops The 311 speciesof plant (including 283 flowering agal. Lesscommon species in the landwardzone plants) (Kenneally 1983) recordedon the Peninsula include Aegralitis utrutlata, Excoecoriaagallncha, include both Torresian (sub-humidKimberley) and Bruguiera emrismta and Osbornia octodonm. desert species,many of which are either near the Shrublandson zupra.tidal mudflatsare dominated southem or at the northem limits of their known by samphires Holosncit halocnemoi.dessubsp. rangesin Western Ausffalia. In this context the halnoremoiles. and H. hakrnemoideszubsp. tenlis Torresian speciesPorretfa brownii, Mimusops elen$, and/or the grass Sporobolmt,irgrnicr.rs and the Dbspyos fmea var. humih and Gyocarpw Mvrica{ws halophl.tes pcralacanum Sesuqrium and Neobassi.a and the arid zone species Cdanounpus cotinifolh,s astrocnrDa(0.25 m,40.70o/o). Othersub-shrubs, such and Gyrostemon tpD\eri are relevant. The flora of x Hemidnoa diandra,Muellerolimnn salicomiaceum the Dampier Peninsula has a much greater and Smeda arbusculoides, grass and the Xcrochbo proportion of Torresian species than that of the imberbismay occur on the landward perimeter of proposedEdgar Ranges Nature Reserve. Ofpanicular the mudflat. biogeographical siglificance in this context are the The landward edge of the mudflat is frequently semi-deciduous vine thicket to vine forest delimitedby a fringingstand, up to 10 m wide,of communities. These outlying communities belong paperbarktrees (Melolarca acacioifus) to 7 m high to the continuum of monsoon forest that stretches or, on sandyridges, strand shrubszuch as Hibisoa acrossthe humid north of Ausualia. They are pmlwifurmis, Thespesiapopulneoides nd Abutilan depauperatein Indo-Malesian species,even when inlicwn. compared with their North-west Kimberley BroomeSandstone is exposedalong the coastas counterpafts. mud-stoneand red, eroding claystone. In theJames The Point Coulomb Nature Reserve does not PricePoint areait supponsa wind-prunedthicket representthe diversity of the Dampier Peninzula; of Amria wmida in which Gyrocarpusamericamn it includes sandplainswith coordinated drainage and Ficusopposim are alsocommon. that support the shrubland and open woodland "pindan" Extensiveoutcrops of Melligo Sandstoneoccur in versions of typical of near coastal areas the Mt Jowlaenga,/DampierHill areain the south- at the southern end of the Peninsula. \vy'hilethe eastemsector of the Peninsula.The vegetationof fringing vegetations found along creeks are also Dampier Hill is a low woodland to low open- well represented, outcrop surfaces, coastal woodlandof Eucalypatspapuana ar:d E. confotiflcra, communities, fresh water swampsand vine forests over a high shrubland comprising Acacia arehardly representedat all. sngmanpblla,A. holosericen,A. monticola,Amkrya Followingbiological surveys between 19?7 arid 1981 hemiglauca, Calyfix exstipulom, Pterocoulon (McKenzie and Kenneally 1983), three nature glmlulnsum and Triumfetm affin. denialom. The reserveswere proposed that would represent the understoreyis a tussockgrassland of Cymbopogon vegetationsof the northem half of the Peninsula. unbiguus.Outcrops of BroomeSandstone in this Together, the three proposed reserves include areawere not sampled.Surrounding the hills is a extensive areas of vine-forest, coastal dune white clay drainagearea which supportsan open- vegeations, fresh water swamps, limestone and woodland o( ErcoJypatstectifica, with scattered sandstoneoutcrop vegetations, samphire and Ribbon LysiplqlJumatnninfiarnii over a grasslandof Sorgfium Grassplairu, mangrove communities and open forest

11 versions of pindan. They are situated in a large severalRfragada spp., are endemic to the Peninsula area of vacant Crown land between the Beagle (Alan Solem, pers.comrn.). Bay Aboriginal Reserve (No. 1834) and the Frequent buming and the presenceof wild cattle Aboriginal Reserve to the east and south of Cape and donkeys are causing widespread darnage Leveque (No. 20927). Lombadina Mission is located throughout the Peninsula. Feral cats are also on the north-west portion of this vacant Crown common. land and cattle from the settlement grazethroughout Much of the faunistic richness of the Peninsula is the area. found in the coastal and near-coastal environments In the context of conservation of South-west so poorly representedin the Point Coulomb Nature Kimberley environments, the ideal reserveon the Reserve. In addition many of the Peninsula's nonh end of the Peninzula would occupy the entire Torresian speciesonly occur in the more luxuriant area of vacant Crown land. However, to avoid and species-richcommunities in the far north of prejudicing the pastoralpursuits of the Lombadina the Peninsula. Examplesinclude the Rose-crowned communitv. three smaller areaswere selected to Fruit-Pigeon, Creen Tree-Snake and Northem exclude tracks, bores and the major part of the Blossorn-bat. pasture yet, at the same time, to represent the Recreational Use and Potentiah The whole biological richness of the nonhem end of the Peninsulais networked with tracks, and frequently Peninsulaas far aspossible. visited by tourists.The coastalscenery is attractive Fauna: The fauna is also mainly Tonesian in its and there is good fishlng from the sandy beaches affinities, with a small proportion of desertspecies. and in the mangrove creeks. The Aboriginal More than 33 speciesof native mammalshave been communities are establishi4g a tourist resort at Cape recorded on the Peninsula since Europeansettlement Levequewith guided t6urs of the area. The large (McKervie 1983a),but many speciesare now extinct tourist induslry centred on Broome is growing there including the Golden Bandicoot (Isoodon rapidly, and more intensive tourist-use of the drratus), Golden-backed Tree-rat (Mesembriotttys Peninsulais expected. (Betnngia mamms) and Boodie bsueur). Persisting Key Features: The Acacia-dominatedwoodlands "pindan". mammalsinclude the Nonhem Nail-tailed Vallaby known as A visibly rich bird fauna. (Onychngalz.a (Macrons mguifua), Dalgyte lcgoas), Tropical sandy beachesand other coastalfeatures (Pkmi1ale Northem Planigale mrculaus) as well as that are readily accessible. the common Sandy Wallaby (Monopus asrlis). A "The CTRC Recommendation: Point Coulomb rich bat fauna has been recorded including Pteroplrs Nature Reserve originated as part of a proposed scaprlatus,T aphoTorsfloviventtis, Mormoptmts kvirc, reserve in Dampier Land recommended in the Pipisfiellusueserclis and Nycrophih^ bifox. National Parks and Nature ReserveRepon, 1962 Birds are plentiful and over 214 specieshave been (Australian Academy of Science i962, 1965). This recorded (Johnstone1983). Thls richnessis mainly recommendationwas for an area south and eastof due to the diversity ofhabitats, especiallytt-rose on the present reservetotalling some 125 000 ha, to or near the coast. Some species,including, the preservean area of pindan and its characteristic Broad-billed and Brown-tailed Flvcatchers.Rose- fauna. The report also recommendedthat an area crowned Fruit-Pigeon, Little Bronze-Cuckoo,Red- to the north of Point Coulomb, then occupied by mllared Lorikeet and Olive-backed Oriole, are at Camot Station, be added to the proposedreserve the extreme south-westem edge of their ranges. if it becamevacant. This is the areanow reserved Sixty-nine speciesof reptile have been recorded and the area originally proposed is now part of '!?aterbank (Storr & Johnstone 1983) of which three are Station. endemic (the snake Vermicella minimc and two It appearsthat the existing Point Coulomb Nature lizards, Isism aDoda and L. separanln). A rich Reservecontains only a small area of pindan and amphibian fauna (nine species)is alsoknown. correspondinglysmall populationsof both the Nail- Colless (1983) collected 440 insect speciesduring tail l?allaby and Dalgye (Butler 1971). The Dalgite a 13-dayvisit in April 1977.Considering how poorly is known to occur on parts of Waterbank Station the insect fauna of the Kimberlev is known, it is to the eastof the reservebut this type of country is not surprising that many of these species are highly susceptible to damage by cattle. The consideredrare in collections and are new records Committee believesthat it is important to protect for rWestemAustralia. Severalspecies ofcamaenid an adequatearea of pindan. It also seesa need to land snails, including QuisnachiaLepmgramiru nd protect adequateareas of other featurestypical of t2 Dampier Land such as coastal sand dunes, purposeof recreation, Should the pearl culture mangroves,Mehbuca thickes, and swarnps.It sees Ieaseover the nothern portion of the point two possibleways of achieving this : be no longer required, that area should be added 1. resuming part of \(aterbank Station to enlarge to the recreation reserve; the existingreserve; or 3. the areasof vacant Crown land delineated in Fig. 7.3(0 be declaredClass A Reservesfor the 2. finding vacant land elsewherewhich would conservation of Flora and Fauna and vested in servethe purpose. the W.A. I0fildlife Authority. A suitable access The Committee favours the latter altemative and into Deep Water Point should be excluded at believes that resumption of part of a pastoral lease the time of resewation; should be recommendedonly asa last resorr. 4. the areashown in Fig. 7.3(iil be set asideas a The Committee endorses the status, purpose and Class B Resewe for the purpose of Conservarion vesting of the Point Coulomb Nature Reserve. It of Flora and Fauna and NUaterand vested in recommends that, after compilation of the data the W.A. Wildlife Authority. This reserve collected during the biological surveys coordinated should include the areaformerly occupiedby by the Depatment of Fisheries and lVildhfe in Ardjorie Station subjectto the agreementof conjunction with the W.A. Museurn, the V.A. the Pastoral Appraismem Board." Herbarium and C.S.I.R.O. Division of Entomology on: Our Recommendation: We endorse the EPA recommendationsexcept that the reservesshould (i) the Point C-oulombNature Reserve; be Class A and t}re former Ardjorie station should (ii) the vacant Crown land betweenAboriginal be added to the proposed Edgar Range Reserve ReserveNos. i834 and 2092?; nd whether or not the Pastoral Appraisement Board (iii) the vacant Crown land betweenRoebuck agrees;it is an essential addition to the region's Plains and Thangoo Stations on the north conservallonreserve system. and west and Dampier Downs and Ardjorie The three proposed reserves on the northern end Stations on the east; of the Pensinsularepresent its diversity of mesic the EPA decide whether the Point Coulomb Reserve pindan and coastal communities. These areas are should be extendedor whether the other two areas the richest in speciesand include a greaterproportion should be reserved. If the vacant Crown land in of Tonesian elements than areas further south on south-eastDampier Land is reserved,then the area the Peninsula. formerly occupied by Ardjorie Station should be C-oulombPoint Nature Reserveis clearlv mo small included wi*rin the proposed reserve, sub.ject to to represent the sandplain environments that agreement by the Pastoral Appraisement Board". dominate the Peninsula. The proposed Borda, "Point Leveque EPA Recommendation: C-oulombNature and Cygtet Bay Nature Reservesrepresent an extreme form Reserve is Class A Reserve 29983 for the of these environments; thev are alsosmall Conservation ofFlora and Faunaand vestedin the areas.The original Ausralian Academy ofScience (1962) \7.A. \Uildlife Authority. lVhile the reserve recommendation wasfor a larger area now originated to preserve an area of pindan and its occupied by the nonhern half of characteristic fauna, the area appears to contain Waterbank Station. Should the Govemment acquire \Taterbank only a small area of pindan and associatedfauna. Station we recommend that the area shoum Map To alleviate this lack of representation,the CTRC on 6 be addedto C,oulomb Point Nature Reserve suggestedwo further areasfor evaluation. Reports and the larger reservebe declared a national park in recoglition have been received following biological surveysof of the major usageof its coastal environments. The park should be named the both areas, and the EPA recommendations take "Dampierland account of them, National Park". This new national park would also protect a greater 1. The EPA endorsesthe present classification, number of the ephemeral lakes and fresh water purposeand vesting of Reserve29983 - Point springs (e.g Wonganur Spring) on the Peninsula, Coulomb Nature Reserve. increasethe representation of the Peninzula'scoastal The EPA recommendsthat: and riverine environments,and oflow-level pindan 2. the areaof Deep Water Point not witlin the on th,rough-drained soils. existing pearl culture leaseand as shown in Fig. A smallgr area to the east of the proposed national 7.3(i) be set asideas a ClassB Reservefor the park represents pindan in areas of uncoordinated 13 High\ djssectedmid country tlpical of the Edgar Ranges.

Dampier Penin:tia: coasuJ dunes and clttm1saf sde\u pine (Pandanus spiralis) in interdunal swales.

L4 il.

drainage high in the landscapeof the Peninsula. open-shrublandsof Acacia retiuenia,A hilliartr, A. It may also become available (see Map 6). Ve ancistrocarDa,A. sipuligera and A. monticola over recommend that this area be declared a Class A tussock grassesand spinifex. Occasional emergent nature reserve vested in the National Parks and bloodwoods such as Erlcalyptus zJgollryl.Ia occnr. Nature Conservation Authority. Ve recommend Patches of Erca$pnn odanmcarpa(Stun's Creek that it be named JowlaengaNature Reserve. Mallee) arld Jnckonriasp. form open scrubs in places near the scarpof the ranges. Torresian speciesare common in these formations (e.g, ELvetia saligrw, lllllllllllllll2.3EDGARRANGESAnEa Llsiphyllwn cunninghamii, Actrcia hobsericea and, Dolirhandrme heterophylla). Sandplains of the Yeeda Land System are an importalt component of the The area includes parts of the Edgar Ranges, an South-westKimberley, occupying about 25% its interesting topographicfeature drained by Geegully of land surface. The pindan vegetation they support Creek, a tributary of the Fitzroy River. The Ranges varies acrossthe district. Sandplainsin the Edgar have great historical interest to naturalists,since it Ranges area, and similarly dry inland sandplains was the site of collections rnade by J.P. Rogersin elsewherein the district, the early 1900sand tle Swedish Mojberg Expedition support a vegetation distinct from their bener-wateredequivalents in 1910-1913(Soderburg 1918). on the Dampier Peninsulaand near Derby. Location: About 120 km souti.east of Broome. Isolatedfig trees(Ficus plaqpodn) cling to the sheer Map: 7. sandstonecliffs. The most impoftant occurrence Area: 807 000 ha. of a plant in d-rishabitat is a solitary colony of a Current Status: Vacant Crown land. new variety of the Screw Pine (Pandanusspiralis Geomorphology: The Edgar Rangesarea includes var. flnmvrc) at l-oguesSpring. Similar sedimentary three relatively dry inland environments of the rangesoccur as isolated outcrops elsewherein the South-west Kimberley, as well as a comparatively South-west Kimberley, and occupy approximately well-watered version of a landscapebelonging to 4o/oof it:sland surface. They suppon a variety of - the Great Sandy Desen (McKenzie 1981b). The fairly sparseplant formations open woodlands of River Rangescomprise a picturesquescarp, with outlying Gums, Eucalypar hevifolia and E. confertiflrna fringe mesas and buttes, formed by the headwatersof the \rater-courses,and hummock grasslands with scatteredAcach thickets dominate gravel soils Geegully Creek eroding the plateau of Jurassic sandstone and mudstone strata underlying *re Great and screeslopes. Sandy Desert. The caprockis a resistantsandstone The sedimentarysurfaces of the EdgarRanges zupport which affords some protection to the softer siltstones a variety offairly sparsevegetations. Gravel surfaces beneath.The differencein height betweenthe two and scree slopes of the ranges support :rn open- plains is about 150 m (Speck et al. 1964). The hummock grassland of spinifex with emergent rangescontain gorges,caves and permanent water Erca\pttu brevifuIia,E. paDwno, Acoril manticoh, and support a variety of vegetation and animals. A. lnUjma, and Solanzmfurudehnlei. Fringing wood- Heavier alluvial soils occur asoutwash plains beneath lands of Ericolypruscamallubnsk, E. confotillma and the scarp. Quatemary sandscover both the plateau E. semsaover Acacia species and spinifex line water- and the erosionplain beneaththe scarp,as extensive coursesand narrow valleysrunning into the scarp. tracts of sandplain and dunefields. Dunesand swaleplains typical ofthe north-westem Vegetation and Flora: Sandplains dominate the margin of the Great Sandy Desert are extensive westem and north-westem section of the Edgar south of the Ranges. They support shrub and Rangesarea and extend further inland, as a wide grasslandcommunities with occasional low trees: band adjacent to *re rim of the scarp,to latitude Garfuninpyifcnmis nd Eumtypatsrygopfulla. Shrub 180 45' south (McKenzie and Kenneally 1983). and grassspecies on the swaleplains are a stunted They support dry-country versions of the pindan anddepauperate selection of plantsfrom the pindan vegetation endemic to the district - low woodlands community (e.g. Acorb hoWericmand Greoillea to low open-woodlandsstructurally conrolled by reftacm),with a greaterpercentage of desertspecies species of Eurafupnc rygollrylla, Amcia uiopoda, suchx Acacinuwdreps, A,. otrcistrrcorfu,Newustelia Grevilbarefracm,G. crrbklumiiover rnixedhummock clnlnnidu and Plecnachneschinzii. Although and tussockgrasslands. Nearer the Rangesare high dunefieldssuch as these dominate the landscaneof

15 _____J

- I f l\ - |-l .-l' -l- J L----- 5 la g I /; iE = | :*lcc I < | ld- Y l- -_J : ol YI uJl SroI uJ t zo _l ul E = E E IIJ (L

a l o ul o o E LIJ IIJ I! o E I,IJf @ o.ozk o tr o.

5 6 a RE fi ^iE zd* on_

= W e

MAP 7

16 the entire noth-westem sectorofthe Great Sandy Lorikeets, Rufous-throatedHoneyeater and Pictorella Desert, small patches of eroded dunes are not Finch. Geomorphological changes make the inftequent in sandplain areasof central and southem presenceof such speciesfunher sou*r into the desen parts of the South-westKimberley. Available data unlikely, even in the wet season. A larger suggeststhat, as a biological unit, this surfacegrades component of arid zone birds has been recorded, in a nonh-south axis from Kimberley to desert including the Princess Parrot, rVhite-ftonted affinities. Honeyeater, Desert Varbler (Gerygonefi.sco mngi, Shrubs of the dunes include Cyanostegil clmwcalyx, Spinifex Bird and Black Honeyeater. A race of Cassb sp., Calynix sp., Acacia drepanocarpa and the Plumed Pigeon (Geoplraps plumifera mungr) is A. uiopoda. The Edgar Ranges area includes a few endemic to the Edgar Ranges; many are desert of the alluvial sand, earth, clay and loam surfaces specieson the north-westem limits of their ranges. associated with the drainage valleys of the Fitzroy Ston and Smith (1981) recordedfive speciesof and Lennard Rivers. These occur in the headwaters amphibiansand 40 speciesof reptiles in the Edgar of Geegully Creek, on the now abandoned Ardjorie Ranges area. Again, the fauna is a mixture of Station section of the Edgar Ranges area. Fringing Kimberley and desert species;the presenceof the formations of River Gums (Eucalypatsunnoldulensk dragon lizard DipofiDhora pinlan and the skink and E. microthem) along Geegully Creek act as Ctenoats inomaats as well as their arid zone biogeographic corridors corurecting the much more cor.rnterpartsD. w neckei andC. vuntilrsrespectively, mesic communities of the North Kimberley to the highlights this biogeographical characteristic of the relatively arid and outlying scarpof tle EdgarRanges. Edgar Rangesarea's fauna. Becausethe area is in The 213 speciesof plants recorded in the Edgar relatively dry country, it is richer in desen rather Ranges area (Kenneally 1981) include a mixture than Kimberley birds and reptiles. (sub-humid of Torresian Kimberley) and desert The insect collection from the Edgar Rangesarea species; many are near either the southem or (Common 1981) contains 949 species(8 Orders); northem limits of their known rangesin Vestem the additional 31 speciescollected at LoguesSpring Australia. Of particular interest in this context almost certainly occur at pools elsewhere in the are the Torresian Drosera petinllvis and Biblis liniflma ranges. A wet season collection would vastly and the desen species Cyancsrgra cyurocolyx utd increase the list. Ian Common concentrated on Pitlrodia chmisepolo. the Order Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), Fauna: The fauna of the Edgar Rangesarea is a mllecting 514 species.Considering how poorly the mixture of Torresian (sub-humid Kimberley) and Kimberley insect fauna is known (nearly 50 per desert species. Twenty-four speciesof mammal cent ofthe micro-Lepidopteracollected in the Figar have been recorded (Youngson, Henry & McKenzie Rangesarea are undescribed), it is not surprising 1981). A taxonomically unique population of the that rnany ofthese recordshave extended the known Rock \Tallaby (Petrogale hteralis) occurs in the rangeof species. Range. Populations (Macrotis of the Dalgyte h.goas), Recreational Use and Potential: No current use Sandy Inland Mou se (P seulanys hermonrubr.ngerurs ), kno*'n. Unlikely to have major usein the forseeable Forrest'sMouse (PyulonLls and Leser Hairy- fonr-sti) future becausethe areais accessibleonly via pastoral footed Dunnan (Smindropsisyor,mgsoni) are imponant Ieasetracks, many of which are sandy. The exposed for conservation and biogeographicreasons. The strata of the scarp are colourfirl, and the abrupt Edgar Ranges is "type locality" area the of rock walls of the incisedvalleys are spectacular. S. loungsoni. "pindan", Key Features: Arid Dalgytesand Rock- One hundred and twenty-one speciesof birds have wallabies,northem edgeof Great Sandy Desen. been recorded (Johnstone,Smith & Fuller 1981), CTRC Recommendation: See including three of special significance to above under ( conservation - Princess Parrot, Peregrine Falcon Dampier Peninsula,Ar ea 7.2). and Major Mitchell's Cockatoo. Resident EPA Recommendation: Seeabove under Dampier populations of the last two were recorded in the Peninsula.(Areal.Z). area during the 1976 zurvey. Recorded in 1910, Our Recommendation: See aboveunder Dampier the rare and nomadic PrincessParrot is probably Peninsula.(Area2.2). only an intermittent visitor. Among the Torresian speciesrecorded were the Red-collaredand Varied

I7 ii*':t rai*i,

lasset Frigate-btrd.and chicl

Broun Boobies nesting ' LacepedeIslands .

18 IIIIIIII1IIIIII2.4 LACEPEDE ISLANDS Recreational IJse and Potential: The islands are visited by fishermen and naturalists and by tourists viewing Kimberley features. There is no potential Location; The LacepedeIslands lie some20 km for interuive use by people becauseof the desolate off the coast,150 krn north of Broome. nature of the islandsand the lack of fresh water. Map:2, J. Key Features: The seabird colonies and tunle Area: \Vest Island: 106.6ha, Middle Island: rookeries. 53.6ha, East Island:about 32 ha, SandyIsland: "The CTRC Recommendation: Committee 6.1 na. Recommendsthat ReserveNo. 7279 mmprising Current Status: \Vest and Middle Islandscomprise the West and Middle Islands of the LacepedeIslands ClassC ReserveNo. 7279 for t]r.eConservation of be reclassifiedto Class B. Should East Island become Flora and Fauna,vested in the National Parksand availablefor reservation,it should be addedto the Nature Conservation Authority. East Island is leased reserve. The reserve should be extended to low to the Commonwealth of Australia for a lighthouse water mark in order to ensure the Drotection of site. Sandy Island is vacant Crown land. turdes." "The Geomorphology: Sand cayson lirnestone and coral EPA Recommendation; EPA recommends reef. that: Vegetation and Flora: The Islands are sparsely 1. the boundaryof Reserve?279 be extendedto (S1irufexlnngifolits), vegetated with Beach Spinifex Iow water mark; AmzrlmnnlspalliAiflonts , Cleome vismsaxtd Cmavalia 2. the classificationofReserve 72?9 be amended rosea.A lagoon at the northem end of West Island to ClassB; is ftinged with Halosorira ind)ca stsbsp, julrea, Neobassieastrocnrpat Seszrrizm portuluasmtm and 3. should EastIsland becomeavailable for Sprobolus virginias. A few shrubs of the White reservation,it be addedto Reserve72?9." Mangrove (Avicennia mar a) have been recorded Our Recommendation: We endorse the EPA growing in the lagoon. remmmendations except that the status of the Fauna: The main conservationvalue of the islalds reserveshould be Clas A. Sandv Island should be is the significant seabird nesting colonies. The addedto the Nature Reserve. main speciesand the number of pairs counted in July 1981 are Brown Booby (Sulaleucoguter)l7 670 pairs and LesserFrigate-bird (Fregaa ofiel) 2700 lllllllllllllll2.sOSCARANDNAPTER pairs (Burbidge et at. 1987). Other speciesinclude RexcEs Australian Pelican (Pelecam.acorupicillarus) about 70 pairs(P.J. Fuller andJ.A.K. Lane pers.comm.), Australian Academy of Science (1962, 1965) gave Common Noddy (Anor.asmlidm) and Fairy Tem mnsiderable attention to this area. It expressed "include (Stema nereis). The LacepedeIslands colonies of the opinion that becausethe ranges some Brown Booby are t}re largestin of the most beautiful and striking scenery to be the world and d-re 'Westem LesserFrigatebird colonies are the largest in the found in Australia", it was desirablethat Indian Ocean. parts be set aside as a national park (Australian The Black Rat (Rnmrsramx) waspresent, somedmes Academyof Science1965, p. 208). It alsoexpressed in plague numbers, on West, Middle and Sandy the opinion that selectedgorges and rangesin the Islands. Rats inhibit or prevent breeding by the area be set aside as Class A reservesand that an smaller species of seabirds and, in 1986, the expert committee be askedto survey the area and Depanment of Conservation and L,andManagement recommendpans for public recreation, Aboriginal (CALM) commencedan eradication campaign. and archaeologicalsites, fauna and flora and for geologicalpurposes. The islands possessmajor tunle nesting rookeries. Large numbers of Green Turtles (Cheloniamydas) Location: Geikie Gorge National Park is 15 km nest there and CALM is currently tagging nesting nonh-east of Fitzroy Crossing;Windjana Gorge is turtles to elucidatemigration pattems. 130 km east of Derby; Tunnel Creek is i65 km east Derby; Two speciesof lizards, the gecko Gehyrapwtcmm of Brooking Gorge is about 16 km west ^f E:,--^,, r--^--:^^ and the dragon Gemmnnphrnagrlberri are known er urr u rts. from lVest and Middle Islands,respectively. The OscarRange extends from about140 km east-

19 +

PROPOSEDNAPIER & OSCARRANGES AND KINGLEOPOLD RANGES NATIONALPARKS

HART I L-

NAPIERDOWNS -1 --- t----lool -\ -al'ol -r-r_\S L*_ KIMBERLEY DOWNS

DOWNS j tt.-\ \ \ flf"

b;^\"'\\ \ ""*A:h* BRooKtNG \ ' "'\ :,^;i\(rL{{NEUN SPRTNGS \. ) f.' 1a^ N\

--5orh-

MAP B za south-eastof Derby to north-west of Fitzroy Crosing. a large natural tunnel erorJedthrough the limestone The Napier Rarge extends from about 25 km east by the stream itself. Apart from its tourist appeal, of Derby 90 km to the east-south-east. tlis unusual physiographicfeature is of interest to Map: 8. geomorphologisrsand geologisrs. Area: Geikie Gorge National Park: 3 136 ha; Brmking Gorge is regardedby some people as being 'VTindjana Gorge National Park 2 134 ha; Tunnel even more beautiful than Geikie Gorge. A long Creek National Park 91 ha. narrow limestone gorgewhich has been eroded by Brooking Creek, it contains permanent pools Current Status: Since the publication of the of fresh water. National Parks Repon, Geikie Gorge, Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek have been declared Vegetation and Flora: The forest fringing the national parks and are now vested in the National river in Geikie Gorge is dominated by two species Parksand Nature Conservation Authority. of cadjeput,Melalerc.abrcalendra and M. argentea, There are also River Gums (Eucofupnacmwlklnvis), Geikie Gorge is Class A Reserve No. 28401. FreshwaterMangr oves (Barringtoniacrcuwtgula) figs \Tindjana Gorge National Park is ClassA Reserve , (Fiats roremosa,F. cryronulamand F. htsptda)and No. 31107. Tunnel Creek National Park is Class screw pines (Panlaru.s). The Tropical Reed C ReserveNo. 26890. (PLvagniteskmkd forms densestands on the banls, Brooking Gorge lies within Brooking Springs while Native Passionfilit (P assiJlrra f (Etid scrambles Station. over treesand shrubs. The Oscar Range lies within the pastoral leasesof In Windjana Gorge, River Gums (Eucalypna Brooking Springs, Fairfield and Leopold Downs. camaldulmsis)and cadjeputs (Mehleuca bucadmdra) The Range pastoral Napier lies within the leases fringe the alluvial banks of the Lennard River, of Napier Downs, Kimberley Dorvnsand Fairfield. together with Fiers curnuha, F . hispiAa,F . racemosa Geomorphology: The Napier and Oscar Ranges and Nauclea o"ieualis. \Xl&rite Cedar (MeLa are the limestone remnants of a Devonian barrier azednrtrch),Boabs (Adaruonra gregorii), Gyroccafis reef. They are two of a seriesof low, elongate omericuttts and Amlay hemipiarca occur on the ridges that rise abruptly from grassyalluvial plains slopesof the Gorge. to the north of the Fitzroy River. The rangesare Pools in Brooking Gorge are bordered by a derue composedof a central west-nonh-west trending ridge growth of Fica racan ow, Nurclea orimtnlis,Mekilarcn of Precambrianschist and gneissthat is flanked to bucadendra,Pandanus ar4nticw and odrer trees. the north and south by narrow belts of Devonian Faunar Geikie Gorge harbours a large population Iimestone. The topography, particularly in the of FreshwaterCrocodiles (Crocodllm johrstoni) as limestone belts, is rugged,with canyons,karst features well as Leichardt's Sawfish (Prisaopsisleiclturdti) and impressive cliffs rising above the plains. The and C-.oach-whipStingray (Himannna amak), species numeroussprings in the limestone terrain are lined normally marine. Barramundi (lzres calcifera)are with PanAarutsand vines and covered with water also found there. The Short-eared Rock-wallaby lilies; they are peacefirl enclavesin an otherwise (Penogalebrochyotis) and Orange Horseshoe Bat harsh environment. Caves are abundant and (Rhinonicterismnulreus) are notable mammals. contain Aboriginal paintings. A wide variety of water birds have been recorded Geikie Gorge is formed where the Fitzroy River at Geikie Gorge, including the Darrer, Great Egret cuts through the limestoneat junction the between and Little Pied Connorant. Two speciesnot often the Oscar and Ranges. Geikie Pennanent deep found so far from the sea are the White-breasted water occurs in the Gorge. Sea-Eagle and Brahminny Kite. In the thick Windjana Corge is a picturesquenarrow canyon, vegetation fringing the gorge, the rare and cut through the limestone of the Napier Range by endangeredPurple-crowned Fairy-wren breeds, and the Lennard River. As describedin the National the ClarnorousReed-Varbler, Brush Cuckoo and ParksReport, the gorge is about 5 km long, walled RestlessFlycatcher occur, while along the cliffs by venical cliffs ofweathered limestone from 30 to the Great Bower-Birdard SandstoneShrike.Thrush 100 m high. Though the Lennard River runs are found. through the Corge only in wet weather, it contains Windjana Gorge is also rich in fauna, including pools surroundedby treesand shrubberyduring the Sandy\?allaby (Marropru agLs),Yellow-lipped Bat dry season. (Epcesicusdoufuui) and Freshwater Crocodile Tunnel Creek flows through the Napier Range, in (Crocodylt+sjohnsmni). Water birds include Great 2T Egret, Black.fronted Dotterel, Darter, Little Pied and animals, the main figure being an impressive Cormorant, Vhite-faced Heron, Black Bittem and \Tandjina. It is also the site of an Aboriginal Rufous Night-Heron. The Peregrine Falcon and uprising led by the Bunaba tribesman Pigeon the Sandstone Shrike-Thrush are found on the (Jundumuna). Pigeon's first victim, Constable cliffs. Other birds include the Barking Owl and Richardson, was murdered in October 1894 at Blue-winged Kookaburra. The pools contain four Lillimilura Police Station, just 215 metres east of speciesof ftesh water ffsh - an undescribed Rainbow the Gorge. The remains of the police station still Fish (Nematocennissp.), Bony Bream (Nemaalos stand. Shonly after this, Pigeon killed the stockmen erebi, Spangled Perch (TeraDonunicolor) and an Burke and Gibbs at the entrance to the Gorge. Archer Fish (Toxotes undescribed sp.). Like Geikie Gorge, NUindjana Gorge, and other Tunnel Creek contains five speciesof bats: the sites in these limestone ranges, Tunnel Creek is Ghost Bat (Macrderma gigas), Bent-wing Bat on a route usedincreasingly by tourists. Its unusual (Miniopenis schreikrsii),Little Bat (Epesicuipumilis formation and historical associations with the cuninrs), Orange Horseshoe Bat (Rhinoniaois Aboriginal Pigeon (who hid from his pursuersin unantfus) and Yellow-lipped Bat (E1testr:.lsdtuek6i) . the tunnel), have attracted many visitors. The The creek contains four species of fish: an immediate problem at Tunnel Creek is to protect "improvements" undescribedRainbow Fish (Nemaocentrrusp.), the it from and ftom damageby visitors. Bony Bream (Nemaaloserebi), Spangled Perch For instance, provision of lights to illuminate the (T eroSnnwrcnbr) and Fork-tailed Catlch (Neosrlurus tunnel would disturbthe coloniesofbats; the Ghost glencoeruis). Bat requiresa totally dark diumal refuge. Birds recorded in Brooking Gorge include the Black As Brooking Gorge is accessibleby a good track Duck, RestlessFlycatcher, Bar-shoulderedDove, and close to Geikie Gorge, the number of visitors PeacefulDove and Great Bower-bird. may be expectedto increasegreatly in the future. There have been no detailed examinations of the At present,tourists only visit it occasionally.The fauna of the Oscar or Napier Rangesas a whole. lesseeof Brooking Springs Station doesnot generally However, the rare Rock Rlngtail (Pseutn&elus dohh) allow tourists and is understandablyapprehensive is known to occur in the Napier Range. Some about the effectsthat increasingnumbers of visitors measureof the biological importance of the ranges will have on his lease. Brooking Gorge is fenced, carr be gauged from the fact that they support a but cattle are allowed to enter when other zurface large number of endemic land snails and cave- watersdry up. dwelling invenebrates. Twenty.one species of Public accessto the Oscar Range is currently limited camaenid land snails are endemic to the ranges to a road which cuts across the eastem part of the (Solem 1979,1981, 1984, 1985). Thesebelong to range between Leopold Downs and Fitzroy Crossing. the genera Ampltrhogala, Vesnaborhia, Rhogalo, Effons to create a reserve for recreational purposes Kimbu aga, Kendrickia, Moul&niga and Quistrachia. could be counter to the principal aims of consewing There is also one speciesof pupillid land snail springsand cave paintings,unless the areareceived endemic to the ran ges(Gfliotrrrchtla mpiama). adequatemanagemenL Recreational Use and Potential: Geikie Gorge is The main conservationrequirements for the Oscar without doubt an important tourisr attraction in Range are the preservationof the springsarrd the the region. As it is close to Fiaroy Crossing and Aboriginal paintings. This may be best achieved the main highway through the Kimberley, Geikie by designation of small reservesaround springs, Gorge National Park has becomea popular tourist with fencing to limit access by stock, and by resort. More than 13 000 peopleentered it between constmction of barriersto control accessto caves. April 19?4and October 1975and there were27 000 Springs in the Oscar Range are important water visiton during the 1986dry season.Rangen conduct resourcesfor the pastoralindustry. Provisionwould boat tours through the Park, and the fees charged need to be made so that water be provided, preferably contribute to the cost of maintaining the service. via bores,to the plains below. However, the range The rapidly increasingnumber oftourists will create country itselfhas low grazingpotential and is difficult managementproblems in the fi:ture, to muster cattle from. The range also provides a Windjana Gorge is popular with tourists because refirgefor vermin such asdonkeys. of its attractive scenery, and its Aboriginal and Key Features; A Devonian barrier reef known historical interesl The large cavenear the eastem world.wide, with spectacularscenery, rare wildlife, enuance is decorated by numerous paintings of men caves,sub-fossil deposits and increasingtourist use. zz "V/hile CTRC Recommendation: CTRC believes Station. C,oncem was expressed that reservation in principle that a larger area of the Napier and as a National Park would deny the local population OscarRanges should be set asideas National Park, the use of the Gorge for recreational purposes and it alsorecognises the difficulty of obtaining suitable would restrict the availabilitv of water for stock land for such a purpose. Unlike the North purposes. In addition, the Gorge has a limited Kimberley,there areno largetracts of vacantCrown capacityto accommodatevisitors. Land in the region, and any proposalfor a major The Authority mnsiders that while Brooking Gorge park in the areawould involve the acquisition of is aesthetically amactive and has considerablescenic landheld underpastoral lease. grandeur, the limited capacity for accommodating The Committee endorsesthe status,purpose and large numbers of visitors without costly management vesting of the Geikie Gorge National Park. It mitigates against its becoming a successfulNational recommendsthat in view of the expected large Park at this time. numberof future visitorsto the Gorge,the National The EPA recommends ParksAuthority: that no action be taken to reserve Brooking Gorge at this time. However, (0 reconsiderthe boundariesofthe existingPark; should the public be denied reasonable access to (ii) considerwhbther the existingcampsite and the Gorge or if signs of significant deterioration of facilidesare in the mostdesirable site. the Gorge become apparent, the question of The Committee endorsesthe status,purpose and reservation of Brooking Gorge be reconsidered by vestingof the \TindjanaGorge National Park. *re Authority, The Committee endorsesthe status,purpose and OSCARRANGE vestingof the Tunnel CreekNational Park. The EPA recommendsthat the W.A. Museum,in The C,ommitteerecommends that negotiationsbe conjunction with the Australiar Speleological undertaken with the lesseeof Brooking Springs Federation, make a survev of caves in the Oscar Station, with a view to declaring Brooking Gorge Range and repon to the EPA on their consideration as a Class B Reservefor the purposeof National and anthropological value, with a view to Park,and vestingit in the National ParksAuthority. reservation." C-onceming the Oscar Range, the Comrnittee recommendsthat: Our Recommendation: Our recommendations are based on the view that the existing small reserves a. The \?4. Museumbe requestedto makea survey in the Napier and Oscar Ranges are inadequate. of caveswith the objective of proposinga They are not representative of the ranges, merely conservationprogramme for important sites; including small scenic localities, which are under b. A surveybe madeof springswith the objectives considerable, and increasing, recreational preszure. of: To create a system of conservation reserves (a) designatingsmall reserves, and representing the sEuctures, surfaces, biological (b) reconcilingconservationrequirementsanddiversity and rnajor tourist attractions associated pastoralusage." with the ranges and adjacent alluvial plains to the EPA Recommendation: nonh and south we recommend: "The EPA endorsesthe status,purpose and vesting 1. That Brooking Gorge and environs (Map 8) be of Geikie GorgeNational Park. It recommends declared a Class A reserve for a conservauon that the National Park Authority review the park and it be vested in the Nationat Parls and adequacyof the existing Park boundary. Nature Conservation Authority. "The EPA endorsesthe status,purpose and vesting 2. That the reserve recommended bv the Vestem ofReserve31107 (Windjana Gorge National Park). Australian Sub-Committee of the Australian "The EPA endorsesthe status,purpose and vesting Academv of SciencesCommittee on National of Tunnel Creek National Park. Puks (1962,p. 92) (Map 8) be declareda ClassA BROOKINGGORGE national park vested in the National Parks and Nanrre Corxervation Authority. The park should This gorgelies within Brooking SpringsStation. be narnedthe Devonian Reef National Park. During the visit by EPA the to Brooking Gorge, 3. That the Department of Conservation and Land representationswere made regarding the imponance Management considers extending Windjana of the Gorge to the local community and to the Gorge and Geikie Gorge National Parksto make )f

PROPOSEDROEBUCK BAY MARINEPARK

SCALE 5o510km

BOEBUCK BAY

RACE COURSE

MAP 9

1L them more representativeof their disuicts and susceptibleto disturbance. The birds also roost in of the rangesas a whole. In particular, the mangroves and on the mudflats behind the considerationshould be given to connecting mangrovesunder someconditions. Park proposed Windjana Gorge National with the The combined area of Roebuck Bay and Eighty Devonian ReefNational Park and to connecting Mile Beach is the seventh most significant place proposed Brooking the Gorge C-onsewation Park for wader concentrations in the world. Roebuck wi*r Geikie Gorge National Park. Bay contains a much greater density of birds than Eighty Mile Beach; over 170 000 birds have been counted there on a single occasion. ililililililill2.6 ROEBUCKBAYAnpe The bats of the mangrove community include an undescribed form goulfii. Location: Immediately east and south-east of of Chalinoloblrs The bat Broome. community that forages in these mangrove stands is of coruiderableinterest to ecologists(McKenzie Mapr 9. and Rolfe 1986). Area: Not known. Recreational IJse and Potential: The area is Current Status: Vacant Crown land and unreserved becoming a major attraction, being close to Broome tidal flats. Includes a small part of Roebuck Plains and having pleasant coastal scenery. Amateur and Station. a small amount of professionalfishing takes place. Geomorphology: The coast consistsof sandplains The abundant bird life is bemming known and low dunes underlain by weakly to moderately intemationally and is starting to attract overseas, cemented alluvial conglomerate. Between the aswell asAustralian, bird watchers.In conjunction Fall Point westem edge and there are steep sandy with the other facilities and attractions of the (2 - slopesor cliffs 5 m) adjacent to the beach. Broome area, there is considerablepotential for Elsewhere,muddy tidal flats occur along the shore developing the area as an imponant intemational and at low tide are dry for several hundred metres attraction. below high water mark. The tidal Crab Creek flows The Royal Australasian Omithologists Union has into the areajust south of Fall Point. constructed and is stafffng a Bird Observatory in Vegetation and Flora: In the nothem part of the the Roebuck Bay area. The Bird Observatorywill proposed reserve, the foredune zone is vegetated attract increasingnumbers of bird watchersto the with Sptnfer longtfolius and Cmavolia roseaclose to area, and will provide a basefrom which to conduct the beach, and with Plectrachnepungeru on the researchinto bird movements, feeding and life cycles. dune crests. On the sandplainsbehind is a tlpical Key pindan vegetation with low trees, tall shrubs 146a.2 Featuresr The tidal flats and the migramry eriopodcis the dominant species) and tall grassland. wading birds. The high tide roosting areas. Some plant specieswith rainforest affinity are found CTRC Recommendation: None, (Aeicenr,ia here. South of Fall Point, mangroves EPA Recommendation: None. morina, Rhizo|funa srJlov, CefioDsagal nd Bruguiera Our Recommendation: Australia has signedthree exarisaw) grow on the mudflats. Tidal portions of intemational treaties that protect migratory wading Crab Creek are vegetatedwith mangroves,and the birds and their habitat. Resewation of the Roebuck Saltwater Couch (Sporobolus uirginicus) grows on Bay areawould be a major step forward in meeting the floodplain of the creek. Australia'sobligations under these ueaties.Because Fauna: The intertidal flats and beachesare the both land and water is involved, the best form of landfall and Geding grounds of vast numbers of reservation would be a marine park, that would migratory wading birds that arrive in Australia from allow zoning for recreationaluse of suitable areas. their breeding grounds in the arctic parts of east 'We Asia in August.Septemberand leave in March and recommend that a Class A marine park be April. Over 850 000 wadersuse Roebuck Bay and declared in the Roebuck Bay area, with the Eighty Mile Beachat rnigration time; largenumbers boundaries shown on the map. The reserve should spend the summer there and about 10 000 non- be vested on the National Parks and Nature breeding birds use the area during the sourhem ConservationAuthority. winter. At high tide, the wading birds concentrate at roosting areas on the beach around Fall Point and, to a lesser extent, Bush and Sandy Points. These areasare particularly important and are most 25 .t

l',.

A hrm.gornlWarrrllha prrirrrnrgscrc /urrml on mnnl o/ the sanrlstonecl// laces throughcnttthc KrnberLel .

26 E,qsr KilraepRLEY

E for this discussion,the East Kimberleyinc)udes Formations, Hart Spring and Point Spring the Bonapafte Gulf Basin, the Ord Basin, the eastem Sandstones)and limestones(Ningbing Limestone). side of the Halls Creek Mobile Zone and the These outcrop as structural platearx, rocky mesas, nonhern part of the Victoria River Basin. hills and cuestasrising to 300 m altitude. The two Phanerozoicbasins (Bonaparteand Ord) 2. The Ord Plains Province was formed where the are topographically and geologically distinct from Ord River flows through a sequence of l-ower the Precambrianrock typesof the North Kimberley Cambrian volcanics (Arrtrim Plateaux Volcanics), District. However, this is not true of the Halls Middle Cambrian limestones (Headlev and Creek Mobile Zone and of the Victoria River Basin; Linnekar Limestones) and shales (Panton we included these two areasin the East Kimberley Formation), and Devonian sandstone (Elder becausethey fall within the drainagebasin of the sandstone).The province comprises extensive Ord River, the boundariesof whlch mrrespond to low-lying plains ard hilly tracts covered by the Ordland Physiographic Division outlined by residualand alluvial soils. lVhere associatedwith "black Beard (1979). Strictly then, the southem part of calcareousrocks, these are mainly soils"; the Parrys Lagoons Nature Reserve intrudes into where derivedfrom the Elder sandstone,the soils the eastemedge of the North Kimberley (Kimberley are sandv:soils of the volcanics include lithosols Foothills Sub-Province). on uplands and juvenile cracking clayson outwash We have not consideredthe south-westemextersion plains.The volcanicshave mostly been dissected of the Hall Botanical District (see Beard 1979) in to form mesasand buttes; limestonesand shales this account becauseit falls outside Ordland, there form low cuestas;sandstones form cuestasand a are no existing reserve recommendations in the structural bench surrounding a structural pleateau areaand there arefew biogeographicdata available. (the Bungle Bunglemassif). Altitudes rangefrom Four distinct physiographicprovinces are included 80 m in the north to 500 m on ridge cress in in the Ordland Division (Paterson 1970, Stewart the south; the lowest parts of the plains were etal.I970. Beard1979 ): drowned by Lake Argyle. 1. The Cambridge Gulf Lowlands comprise low- 3. The Sturt Plateau Province occurs along the lying erosional and alluvial plains that extend southem margin of Ordland. It is a gently inland from the tidal mudflats of the norhem undulating, elevated, erosion plain, drained inland coastline. These plains are mainly sandy, but by Sturt and \Uolfe Creeks, and separatedfrom include extensive areas of brown and grey the dissectedvalley of the Ord River by steep alluvium (known asblack soil), and do not exceed breakaways.Much of the plateau is covered by 100 m in altitude. Interspersedacross the plains cracking clay plains developed over Anuim are remnants of Proterozoicsandstones (Pentecost. PlateauVolcanics, though largeareas are capped Cockbum and Hensman Sandstones,Pincombe wi*r thick laterire, which has partly been dissected Formation, and Vyndham Shale), Palaeozoic to form mesas,and is mainly coveredby extensive sandstones (Cockatoo and Skewthorpe desertsandolains.

z7 *

_zt8 d. rd h rI eE t> <6 Ro P

sx'(..\ L- I !sr I s o z I o I = YltJlul o El>L EI triulu z at, . i I

MAP1O

28 4. The Lamboo Hills Province is an area of very Map: 10. rugged topography, comprised of a variety of Area: Reserve39897, National Parkl.208 7/3 ha, Precambrian rock types that belong to the Halls Reserve39898, Conservation Reserve : 110 602 ha. Creek Mobile Zone: Current Status: During construction of the Ord Most of this Province is occupied by the Bow River Irrigation Scheme, large areas of the Ord Basin Hills, an areaof low, rounded, boulder-strewnhills upstream from Lake Argyle were withdrawn from and ridges consisting mainly of Bow River granite pastoral lease and reserved for the purpose of with intrusions of dolerite, porphyry and other rocks stabilising and regenerating vegetation on lands of the Lamboo mmplex. The soil cover is poor. degradedby previous pastoral practices. The resewe To the north is an area of rugged sandstone,siltstone was created following concem that the estimated and shale ranges,bounded by steep scarps,known 22 000 000 tonnes of sediment being washed off as the Carr Boyd Ranges. Relief within the Ranges the Ord River catchment each vear, from over- is up to 450 m. Loamy, duplex and sandysoils are gazed pastoral leases,would occlude Lake Argyle. present. The Ord River RegenerationReserve (No. 28538) is Class C, and is not vested. Management to To the east, between the Bow River Hills and the achieve the stated purpose of reservation is in the Ord Basin, are the rugged, inaccessible sandstone, hands of the Department of Agriculture. dolomite and siltstone terrains of the Osmond Range, and the Albert-Edward Range; the latter is Following media promotion of the spectacular characterised by nonherly trending cuestas and Bungle Bungle massif during 1982 and 1983, the hogbacls, and includes near-vertical scarps up to Environmental Protection Authority set up a 125 m high, deep gorgesand trellised drainage. working group to investigate and report on the status, vesting and purpose of Bungle Bungle and The Halls Creek ridges separatethe Albert-Edward adloining land. Following consideration of the Range from the Bow River Hills; its Archean sub- working goup's recommendations by State Cabinet, grey wacke, shale, siltstone and basalt rocks have the nonh-westem portion of the Ord River little soil cover, are tightly folded and have a rough, Regeneration Reserve was proclaimed partly a hilly relief of up to 100 rn. Drainage is trellised Reserve for Conservation and partly a National and the steep slopesof the intervening ridges are Park. Both were Class C and vested in the National deeply incised. Parls and Nature Conseration Authority. Cabinet The East Kimberley Disuict receives an arxrual proposed that the National Park be upgraded to (in averagerainfall of between 500 mm the south) ClassA once its long-term boundarieswere decided, and 800 mm (ln the nonh) during a predictable Geomorphology: The description below is drawn rainy seasonthat lasts from late November to early from the working group's ffnal repon to the April. The rest of the year is virtually a drought, Environmental Protection Authority (Bungle Bungle during which fresh water is retained only in Working Group 1986). landscapes associatedwith the more ancient rock- types, as pgols along the major river systems,and The Bungle Bungle massif is a structural plateau of in man-made situations (such as dams on pastoral the Devonian Elder Sandstone,whose massive beds properties, and wetlands associated with Lake in places tower nearly 300 metres above the Argyle). sunounding sandplain. The plateau is deeply incised The East Kimberley includes parts of the Halls and features numerous canyons with sheer sides, Creek and Wyndham-East Kimberley Shires. There and arrays of dramatic silicified towers, on which are a number of existing and proposed conservation orange and black bands are superimposed along reservesin the district. the horizontal bedding planes. Substrates include exposed rock to sandy lithosols on the uplands and cuestas,with sandy to ftiable calcareoussoils on ilililililililt3.1 BUNCLSBUNCT-E the lower footslopes. NRrroNel Pem Auo The bulk of the National Park, to the north, east CoNsERvATroNRESERVE and south of the massif, is occupied by a sm.rctural bench of extensive undulating sandplain, of deep Location: About 120 km south of Kununurra and red and yellow sandsand earths, derived from the 120 km north-east of Halls Creek. underlying Elder Sandstone. Rough stony hilts of

L9 Broad pebblJ stream beds derir.tedt'rom cotgJomeraus drain the Bwtgle BungJt massi[.

l0 Jif.

Antrim PlateauVolcanics (mainly basalts),mantled with scattered trees, including Eurolpfl^ @rminoli5 with lithosols, and associatedoutwash plains of Nutwood (Tmrunalr ercstdm) arrdActqia famesiora. cracking clays, occur to the west and north of the Srearn valleys associatedwidr rangesfeature narrow Bungle Bungle massif. riparian woodland s of Taminalia plaryphllh., or open To the south-westof the massifare complex fold" forests of Cadjeput (Melaleuca leucolendra). mountains and ridgesof Archean sedimentaryand Permanent swamps and streams in the Osmond metamorphic rocls with sparsegravelly lithosols. Range include patches of dense riparian forest To the north arrd nonh-west of the massif are comprising Syxlgrwn d.ngo2horciles,Fians coronulam, Proterozoic strata, including shale, siltstone, Nurclpa orienalk afi, Cctrallia brorhiam, over a lush sandstone, conglomerate and dolomite rocks, as understorey of the fern Clclosorus interruDa$ a d strike-ridges and cuestas with inaccessible terrain Taro (Colocasrlaesafuna).'fhe riverine habitats of and intense drainagepattems; soils comprisestony this range include a rare ffee, Eundin ellerlana. lithosols between rock sheets,boulders and outcrops, Gorges in the Bungle Bungle rnassif feature the duplex soils on mid and lower slopes and some new species Grevilba psiktntho, the first recorded areasof dark clay loamsin major valley bottoms. occurrence in Westem Australia of the fem Taenitis pinnaa, the moss Uleobryum the vine Relatively small areas of Headley Limestone, as Duuuitlnum, Stephaninjaponica, the shrub Comespmna seanl m, cuestasand strike ridges,occur mainly to the south t.'e tree bpmspermwn lon$fol.iumand an undescribed of the massif. Soils range liom hard crystalline Liuisroni.apalm. lirnestone pavements to stony calcareouslithosols and loams. The sand and earth plains of the structural bench surrounding the massif suppon shrublands of Acacio The main surfaces of the eastem and southem annida and Greuillea wickhamii, with extensive low margins of the Park belong to the erosional plain open-woodlandso( Euco\pws collinamd E. breviflora of the Hardman Basin, which lies along both sides and grassunderstoreys of spinifex and \Tiregrass of the Ord River. The Cambrian rock-typesconsist (Erirclne sp.). of altemating layers of hard crystalline limestone and soft shale;four distinct geomorphicunits occur: Black soil plains support grasslandsdominated by Mitchell Grass(Asnebla spp.) or Feathertop(Arudda 1. cuestas,cuesta baclslopes and low risesmantled spp.) with scattered Bauhinia (Llsi|hylLum in stablecalcareous earths: auninfumii) and Coolibah ( Eurall ra$ miclothzca). 2. black soil plains, transitional to heavy cracking The introduced Kapok Bush, Buffel Crass and claysof river flood plains; Birdwood Grasshave largely dominated loam and 3. interfluve upper and lower slopeswith grey- clay surfacesof the interfluves. Major waterccurses brown calcareousdesert loams and clays,often such as the Ord River support fringing woodlands with a thin surface crust; and of River Gum. Coolibah, Nutwood (Terminalia 4. unconsolidatedmicaceous sands, silts and orostratn)and Cadjeput. The levees support Iow loamsassociated with the Ord River floodplains. open-woodlands of Lysiplqllum, Ghost Gum (Ercab|ats FDwwL) and tlickea of Acaciafamesirnw Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation of the area over mixed perennial grasses. has been describedby Forbesand Kenneally ( 1986). fauna is largely restricted The massifand the Proterozoicuplands to the west Fauna: Knowledgeof the list is being drawn up. and north support low, open woodland. On the to birds and a comprehersive plateaux this conprises Ercalypus clifnnnna md Recreational Use and Potential: Though the E. collina,with associatedtall shrubssuch as Greullea existenceof the Bungle Bungle massifwas known wickhamii, Acocia asadenia and A. enopodaover a locally, it wasonly recently discoveredby the wider spinifex understorey. Cambrian volcanic and public and tourism interestsafter widespreadmedia Archean metamorphic and sedimentary ranges mverage in late 1982 and early 1983, initiated by "Vonden support low open-woodlands of species such as the of Vestern Australia" television series. Eurnbpats brevifolia, E. tectificand E. dtclvomophloitt Despite relatively little official promotion of the over spinifex. I-ower slopessupport Er.icalyprus spp., area,it has alreadygenerated interest to the extent Termimlia spp. and Acacia spp. over Ribbon Crass that most tourists to the East Kimberley region (Chry soPogonfallnx). want to include it on their itinerary. This degree Limestone surfacessupport spinifex and low grass of interestmav be attributed to severalfactors. Most

l1 il,

MIRIMANATIONAL PARK

l0 2Km

I i lt rl rl I I

I I aKellys Knob rl

I I

MAP11

)L imponantly, it is a feature that is cenainly unusual, in the National Parks and Nature Conservation spectacularand highly distinctive. However, the Authority. exotic name, the relative remotenessand spectacular The dominant fean:reof the park "discovered" Geomorphology: manner in which the s-reawas first is a ruggedgtoup of sandstonehills, which rise in by the television camerasand zubsequentnewspaper places to almost 100 m above the surrounding reports may also have conbibuted to the level of alluvial red and yellow sandplainsof the Ord River. interest. The hills and enclosedvalleys are part of dre Kelly's Access to the area by vehicle is difficult, particularly Knob and Abrey Sandstonemembers and are of if tle visitor's intention is to reach the areaswhich Devonianage. have been featured extensively in media mverage Vegetation and Flora: The valley floors are and have come to be regarded as the characteristic dominatedby Woollybutt (Eucallpnisminiaa) ar.d Bungle Bungle landscape. The rough pre-existing Iong-ftuited Bloodwmd (Eucalfpnr pobcnDa)over tracks which reach to within a few kilometres of shrubssuch as Cajanra retinlaas, Planchoniacoreya, the massif were constructed for mineral exploration Greoilleahelbsperma,C . refroca and Poumiasericeo. purposes and were not intended to withstand The rock walls supponthe Boab(Adamnia gegoii) continued use or to serve any lasting purposes. and the figs Fic.s hucotrichaand F. platypoda,and Accordingly, their routes were not surveyed to Turkey Bush (Cabmx exstiDulara).Undescribed identifi' the most appropriate alignment with respect speciesof Linderniaand Plaqvce are known from to easeof accessor long term stability. Beyond fissuresin the gorgewalls. Both appearto be the mining tracks, touriss ard tour operators endemicto the area. In the sandyareas subject to intending to reach the desiredfeatures have travened seasonalflooding rhe {ern PlatlTonwmir,oplryl}am fragile eroding lands and forced an accessacross is common, along with Haemodonnnparvifknnn country for a number of kilometres. andnumerous ephemeral species such as SryMium, Key Features: One of the few large impact craters Uniatknia, Byblisand Drosera. on the Eafth's surface (the Piccaninny structure), The park supportsa mosaic of upland tall grass remote inland occurrence of riverine rainforest savannahand woodland;in particularthehtrnlypas (OsmondRanges), spectacular scenery, cross-section dirhromophloiasub-atliance in valleys and Triodb of typical Ord Basin environments (none of which pr.mgeru,with low openeucalypt overstorey on the are included in conservation reserveselsewhere) hills. and sitesof Aboriginal impotance. Eucalyptsfound in the areainclude Variable-barked CTRC Recommendation: None. Bloodwood(E. dkhranoDltnid, Darwin Stringybark EPA Recommendation: At its meeting on 16 May (E. tetrodonta),Long-fruited Bloodwood 1985 the EPA consideredand fully endorsedthe (E. DoLJcarDa),and Kalumburu White Gum report and recommendationsof the Bungle Bungle (E. herberaaru).There is an impressive,almost Nforking Group (published in 1986). pure stand of Voollybutt (E. mininn) growing on Our Recommendation: lVe recommend that the red sandin the north-west comer of the park. National Park be upgraded to Class A and that the Other tree speciesinclude the Boab (Adansonia conservationreserve be addedto the Nationat Park cr€cortt),Wild Mango (Burharwtin obo'!)om),En\) as soon ascircumsrances permit. Apple (Ou,,eniauemicosa) and severalspecies of TermircJb,including T. htipes.Wattles, such as Acocia nmida and A. plzcncarpo,are common, as lllllllllllllll3.2MtRttvtR NATIoNnt- is the attractiveshrub Kimberley Heather (Caf mx Pnm exstiDuhm).A geographicallyrestricted plant, Echinochloamocrandra, has been recorded nearby Location: Immediately adjacent to Kununurra. and it is likely that it occurswithin the park,along Currently, officially known as Hidden Valley Lily Creek. National Park,but a namechange is proposed. Fauna: No fauna surveyshave been carriedout. Map: 11. Known residentspecies include the Shon-eared (Petogsle Arear 1 817ha. Rock.wallaby hl.lyotis) and the Echidna (Tdqdossus acdtana). The park supponsa diverse A Reserve vested Current Status: Class 3?883, rangeof amphibian,reptilian and avianfauna.

33 Highly dissectzd,satdstone is a dominant feauue of Mirima NationoJ Patk.

Water birds, including Pied.G eese, corgregate on P otns lagoons soxth of Wydhllm.

34 Recreational Use and Potential: The park is a vacant Crown land existsbeween Reserve31165 popular destination for townspeople, being well and the low water marks, but seasonal inundation within walking distance of most houses in restricts its potential use for other than water Kununurra. Local commercial tour operators and protecdon purposes, In the vicinity of the dam visiting coachestake groupsofmore than 100 tourists and downstream to the trigation area, particularly into the park each day during the dry season.Msitcir on the east side of the Ord River, the requirements numbers decline markedly in the wet. of management suggest that the Water Authority Key Features: Striking sceneryof sandstoneranges, should be involved in all land-use activities, cliffs and valleys. The area is often referred to as a including tourism. "mini Bungle Bungle" becauseof similarities in Geomorphology: The Carr Boyd Ranges consist rock formations. of rugged ridges, hogbacls, cuestas and structural CTRC Recommenrlation: Not included in CTRC'S plateaux of quartz sandstone,siltstone and shale 19?7 report, but recommendedin a supplementary (Paterson 1970). These stuctures are separated report to the EPA. and dissected by narrow valleys and gullies, "The frequently steep-sidedand rocky, which severely EPA Reeommendation: EPA recommends restrict accessother than by foot. Small areasof that: basalt,granite and dolerite also occur. Drainage is 1. the areadelineated in Fig. ?.18 be set apart as a structurally controlled. Fluvial plains of grey (or ClassA Resewefor National Park, in vested black) soil with heavy texture, and of red to yellow Parks Authority; the National eanhs with coarsetexture, occur in association with 2. prior to this reservation,the Public Works the deeply alluviated drainage valleys of the Ord Department, in consultation with the EPA, select and D:nham Rivers. Gradients of the fine-textured an inconspicuous site for a water tank, and this plains are very gentle except where cut by stream site be reservedfor Public Works; channels;the coarse-texturedfluvial plains have a 3. the National Parls Authority consult with the more irregular topography. The islands in Lake traditional owners of Hidden Valley during the Argyle are outcrops of sandstone and/or siltstone. preparation of a maragement plan." Vegetation and Flora: The Carr Boyd Ranges Our Recommendation: The National Park was suppoft an open woodland of Eur.alypus miniam declared in 1982. We endorsethe class,purpose and E. tenodnnm or E. dichromophloraover annual and vesting of the reserve.Because of its small size Sorgham on deeper soils or Pbctrachne on more it does not wanant the status of national park and stony areaswith skeletalsoils. it should be designateda conservationpark. Fauna: The biology of the vacant Crown land west and north-west of Lake Argyle, comprising the Carr Boyd and other ranges that form the northem parts ilililIilililil3.3LnTEAncyLEAND of the Lamboo Hills Province, has not been studied. A survey of areas now inundated or isolated as CennBoyoRRNcE islands in Lake Argyle was undenaken by the Westem Australian Museum prior to the completion Location: Fifty kilometres south of Kununurra. of dre main dam. Mammals recordedincluded the Map:12. Euro (Macropm robusnrs),Short.eared Rock \fallaby Area: About i25 000 ha. (Penogale braclqotis), an Antechinus (Antechirus bilami), Ingram's Planigale (Planigabingrami), the Current Status: The \U.A. Water Authority, as Dusky Horseshoe Bat. (Hiryosidr,os gilberd), and the the dominant authority in all phasesof the Ord Orange Horseshoe Bat (Rhinoni cterc utrant ^) Irrigation Scheme,exens influence over all activity (Kitchener 19?8). relating to the Lake. Potential erosion problems, mainly associatedwith stockuse of the occasionally Later, studiesby PeterGowland for the Agriculture inundated black soil plains, have led to the vesting Depanment of Westem Australia showedthat the "Govemment of Reserve31165, of 182 885 ha, for Lake Argyle wetland system, like the Ord River Requirements" on the east and south sidesof the Irrigation Area, fi-rnctions mainly as a dry season Lake, in the Minister for Water Resources.Some refuge to which vast numbers of birds (especially

35 il.

PROPOSEDLAKE ARGYLE AND CARRBOYD RANGE NATIONALPARK

SCALE 0 5 10 15 20 Km

LEGEND

f .--l ProposedNationa park

------_

IVANHOE t// ( rl \ A Pt.3t 165

i'- "--.-

.RIVER

,/

A Pr.31165 Govt. Bequnenents F'l:; ------il ,^--'-, LISSADELL I I ( i?_

MAP 12

36 waterbirds) flock for its concentrated and convenient ranges,has the aftributes of a national park. The food source. Eurasian Coot, Black Duck, Grey gtandeur of the ranges,rising steeply from a large Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Hardhead and Black-winged body of navigable water, gives them an obvious Stilt are some of the birds that favour the Lake recreational value, particulady within a few rather than the Irrigation Area. The RAOU kilometres of the water'sedge. Remote Wetlands Expedition of 1986 reported 59 Key Features: Spectacular scenery, man-made species of waterbirds totalling 181 400 individuals wetland with abundant wetland fauna. islands in at Lake Argyle. Common speciesincluded Hardhead Lake Argyle. (51 400), Eurasian Coot (50 800), Grey Teal "The CTRC Recommendation: Committee (17 200), Vandering \{/histling-Duck (11 000) and recommends that the islands in Lake Argyle and Magpie Goose (10500). Two speciesgszetted as "Rare" the Carr Boyd Ranges to the west and north-west under the Vildlife Conservation Act were of Lake Argyle be declared a Class C Reservefor noted: Radjah Shelduck (657) and Comb-crested the purpose of National Park, and vested in the lacana (296) . National ParksAuthority of W.A. Freshwater Crocodiles (Crocdyhs johnstoni) are ClassC resewation asNational Park is recommended abundant in the lake. Saltwater crocodilesare also until time and further work clarify the mineral present (C. Done, pers.comm.). potential of the area." The "The islandscreated by the damminghave biological EPA Recommendation: EPA recommends importance as parts of a fragrnented ecosystemthat that: should not be overlooked. The ability of existing 1. the areashown in Fig. ?.10, including the Carr plants and animals to survive isolation and their Boyd Rangesand the islandsin Lake Argyle, be capacity to adapt to a changed habitat are aspects declareda ClassC Reservefor National Park that should be studied over a long period of time. and vestedin the National ParksAuthority; The Short-eared Rock-wallaby and the Northem Nail-tailed Wallaby are both known to have been 2. the reserveshould extend to high water mark." "Operation left on islandsfollowing Noah" which Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the EPA aimed to remove animals from areasdestined for recommendation. inundation. This situation would be expensiveto create experimentally and ecologistsshould take advantageof it. Some form of reservation is desirable ilIilIilililIil3.4oRDRrvrnNnrunE for this purposealthough it may not be possibleto use the reserveimmediately. RrsERvsANo Fnr-sr Recreational IJse and Potential: The decision to MourHs OpTHE Ono press ahead with the Ord Scheme signified the end of isolation for the lower Ord Valley. Planning, Locationr The Ord River Nature Reserveis situated construction and operation of the schemehas meant on the tidal portionof the Ord River 25 kilometres rnore people and better access. Tourism has north-eastof Wlndham. It extendsnonhward along inevitably followed and has beett rncreirsrngyear the East Arm of CambridgeGulf. CALM has by year. The need to protect significant features requestedthat the reservebe extendedfurrher for the benefit of both local residentsand visitors northwardsto includethe extensivetidal waterwavs. has therefore become a matter of urgency. The and enormousmangrove swamps and mudflats, "False W.A. Vater Authority has been active and known asthe Mouthsof the Ord". responsible in rhis field, and in the provision of Map: 13. facilities to attract and handle the increasing tourist Area: 23 945hectares is reservedat present. pressure. Pre-eminent among the attractions is Current the vast Lake Argyle itself. The islandscreated by Status: The Ord RiverNature Reserve is the damming have obvious recreational potential ReseweNo. 3196'l[or the Conservationof Flora and someare in use already. and Fauna,Class C, vestedin the W.A. \)ilildlife Authority. The mangleat the falsemouths of the The vacant Crown land west and nofth-west of Ord and Adolphus Island are vacant Crown Lake Argyle, comprising the Can Boyd and other land.

31 +

o(d

CAMBBIDGE ta\ss

CARLTONHILL

PROPOSEDORD RIVER NATURERESERVE

SCALE 20 km

ot, LEGEND VililT) PfoposedNature Reserves \Y ry1 >'2v^

v A 31636 Conservation of Fauna MAP13

38 Geomorphology: The reserve comprisescoastal population of Mozaic-tailed Rat (Melomys) from and estuarine deltaic plains of highty saline clays the East Kimberley and a rich bat fauna including incised by dendritic tidal creeks. It includes an Black Flying Fox (Pteropusalecto), Yellow-bellied "coastal area of erosional plain" - deep sandysoils Sheathtail Bat (TaDhozorlsflanriuentris), Common supporting woodland over tall grass - with several Sheathtail Bat (T. georgianru),Northem Mastiff outcrops of Hart Spring Sandstoneas abrupt hills. Bat (Cluterephnnjobensis), Common Bent-wing Bat Mount Connection is one such outcrop (Plum and (Minio|tefls scfueiber sii), Hoary Bat (Chalinolobus Perry 1971, Plum and Veevers 1971, Stewart et al. rogersi),Little Broad-nosedBat (Scorreperugreyi), 19?0, Beard 1979). The false mouths of the Ord PipisnelLusoesffdlis, arrd Amhem Land Long-eared is the most extensive mudflat and tidal waterway Bat (Nycophilru arnhemeruis)(McKenzie and Rolfe complex in Westem Australia. 1986). Vegetation and Flora: Mangrovesline the estuary Recreational Use and Potential: It is readilv of the Ord River and the drainage creeks that incise accessibleby boat from Wyndham, but has little the mudflats. They also cover mudflats where they recreational value except for naturalists and are regularly inundated by the tides. Speciesof fisherpeople. mangrove include Cunptostemnn schultTii,Bruguiera Key Featuresr Rare and scientifically important parviflora, Excoecaria agalbdw, RhiTophma srlb sa, birds, extensivem:rngrove communities, Salwater Xllncmpus u.rsnaktsiats, Aegicera corniculnum, Crocodiles. Partsare scenicallyattractive. Aegialitisu'tnuhm, Ceriopsmgal and Sonneratia olba. "The Less frequently inundated areas of the mudflat CTRC Recommendation: Committee support low shrublands of samphire and low endorsesthe status, purpose and vesting of this grasslandsof Saltwater Couch (SporobohsvirginiLus), reserve." "The The scree-slopesof Mount Connection support a EPA Recommendation: EPA endorsesthe low open-woodland of eucalypts over spinifex status,purpose and vesting of Reserve31967." hummock grassland. Our Recommendation: We recommend that Fauna: The reserve,which was declaredprimarily Resewe 31967 be upgraded to Class A and that to protect the Saltwater Cromdile (Croco$Ius the area from low water mark to 40 m above high porosus),resulted from a recommendation by Dr water mark adjacent to the reserve and at the false H.R. Bustard who was commissioned by the mouths of the Ord be added to the reserve (Map Department of Fisheries and Fauna to report on 13). This is becausethe current reserveis far rco the statusof crocodiles in Westem Australia (Bustard small to achieve its conservation objective of 1969). Dr Bustard felt that this areawas ideal for representing the estuarine and marine environments a crocodile reservebecause it contained excellent of the Cambridge Gulf Lowlands Physiographic habitat and still held a number of crocodileswhich Province. At present,some areas below high water would repopulate the area if rigidly protected. mark adjacent to the Ord River Nature Reserve Recent surveys of Saltwater Crocodile numbers appearto be included in Carlton Hill Station, even (Messel et aI. 1987) show that the Ord has an though pastoral leasesnormally terniinate 40 m increasing crocodile population and is the major above high water mark. To enact this breeding river in Cambridge Gulf. However, the recommendationd-re boundary of Carlton Hill will reservedoes not include signiftcant areasof breeding need to be readjustedto the usual legal boundary habitat. of 40 m abovehigh water mark. The mammals and birds of the urangroveswere We also remmmend that the lower reachesof the sampled during a four-day visit in 1983. They Ord, the watersadlacent to the existing reserve support the only known Westem Australian and the waters adjacent to the false mouths be population of Black Butcherbird, as well as a declared a Class A marine nature reserve, Steos population of flycatchers that is morphologically should be tai

39 rf

- z 3 z o

--r7 gE zl" I

J9"I

\---- \l / -y' HH

MAP14

40 llllllilllllllll3.5PRCTSROOLE SWAMPS Fantail-warbler, Comb-crestedJacana (a declared rare species in W.A.), Great Egret, Horsfield's The persistenceof the PacksaddleSwamps area of Bushlark, Eastem Swamphen, Magpie Goose, Lake Kununurra depends on structures associated RestlessFlycatcher and Jabiru. with the Ord Inigation Scheme; the swampswere Prodigious numbers of Freshwater Crocodiles occur formed when the Kununurra Diversion Dam was in the swamps, along with the \Uater Rat, Black built across the Ord River so water levels in Lake Flying Fox, Broln Flying Fox, Amhem Land long. Kunununa could be held constant throughout the eared Bat and Hoary Bat. year. The system is occasionally drained for Recreational Use and Potential: National Highway maintenance for about two weeks at a time, One crossesthe Ord River along *re top of the Location: On the westem side of Lake Kununurra, Divenion Dam and provides an unmatched vantage immediately upstreamof the Kununurra Diversion point from which to view these picturesque sw:rmps Dam, five kilometres west of Kununurra. and their spectacular bird life. The swamps have Map: 14. become a major tourist attraction. The area is also Area; 860 ha. a readily accessibleshrdy resource. Current Status: Vacant Crown land; it has been Key Features: Spectacular scenery, wetlands, proposed as a reserve for irrigation, drainage and wildlife. nature conservation, to be vested jointly in the CTRC Recommendation: Notdiscussed. W.A. N7ater Authority and the National Parks EPA Recommendation r Not considered. and Narure ConservarionAuthority. Our Recommendation: We recommend that the Geomorphology: Inundated and exposed fluvial proposedreserve for irrigation, drainageand nature (cracking (Plum plains of black clay) and red soils conservation be created. Joint vesting in the W.A. and Perrv1971). Vater Authority and the National Parls and Nature Four wetland areas, continuous with Lake Conservation Authority is considered neces$ry Kununurra. are included. as well as sevenkilomeues because the former are responsible for controlling of the edge of Lake Kununurra. the water levels throughout the wetland system, Vegetation and Flora: The Lake Kununurra part of the Ord Inigation Scheme. waterway is fringed with a forest o( Melalzura bumdnndra, EuraLypats mio otlvco, E. cunaWiensis, Sa,bmin fonnosa, Nauclea orienats and Lnphostemon ililililililill3.6 PRnRys LncooNs gratAiflm:. In the shallows along tlre waterway, and throughout the swamps,are standsofbullrushes NATURERESERvS (Typhn dnmingensis)and Eleocharisspp. The aquatic vegetation of the swampsincludes Nymphoidrs indta, Location: About 25 km south-eastof \Vyndham. Nymphaea gigantea, Najas graminee, HJdriLIn Map: 15. uerticilltm, Pommngemn tricarh:la;ars,Mybphylltnn Area: 18 742ha. $ernlLosum,Va\ixwria spirolisand Clnra spp. (S.A. Current Status: It is mostlycontained within Class Halse, pers.comm.). C ReservesNos. 1058 (1024 ha, \fater and the Dry areas of red soil support an open low woodland C.onservationof Fauna,vested in the Minister for of LysiphylJwncwtninfrwnii , Ercalypaapruirwsa and Water Resources), 1059 (2 000ha, Vater and the E. tectificaover perennial and annual grasses. Conservationof Fauna,vested in the Minister for Ercalypusmiootheca occurs on leveebanks. Vater Resources),31636 (lZ 589ha, Consewation Fauna: The swampsare rich in bird life. More of Fauna,vested in the National Parksand Nature tl-ran12 000 birdswere recorded in the Kununurra C.onservationAuthority) and 10866 (Z l79ha, wetlands in September/October1978. Mike ProtectionofFlora andFauna, vested in the National Osbome,Peter Gowland and Ron Johnstone have, Parksand Nature ConservationAuthoritv). at varioustimes, made lists of the rich bird fauna Geomorphology:These reserves include a number found in the Paclsaddleareas of the swamp.Typical of wetlands (Parry Creek, ParrysLagooru, Police birdsinclude the GlossyIbis, Finch, Star Crimson Hole, JogalongBillabong, Palm Spring, \ifild Goose Finch, ClamorousReed-warbler, Golden-headed Creek and GooseHill Creek) and representrhe

4r PROPOSED PARRYSLAGOONS LOCALITY NATURERESERVE MAP

SCALE 5

LEGENO

% e,opos.d N^tur. aes.rue

MAP15 non-marine ecosystemsof *Le Cambridge Gulf Pictorella,Double.barred, Crimson and l,ongtailed. lowland Physiographic Province. Most of the land Mammals include the Nonhem Nail-tailed riUallaby, surface comprises nearly flat Quatemary alluvial Sandy \Tallaby and the Long-Haired Rat (Rarus plains with extensive areasof black soil (cracking villosissrmus),which is known from only one other (Paterson clay) 1970). The water table is at or locality in Western Australia. Parry Creek, near "Type near the surface during the dry season; the plains \Uyndham, is the Localiry" of Woodwards are flooded during the wet season. Drainage lines Rock-rat (Zlzom1swodwctrdii), a speciesrestricted are poorly defined, widely spacedand sometimes to sandstone boulder country. end in fresh water swamps;an example is provided The reservesare at present being damagedby cattle by Parry Creek which drains into Parrys Lagoons. and this should be controlled. Structural plateaux, ridges and deep V-shaped valleys Recreational IJse and Potential: The area is easily of Upper Pentecost Sandstone dominate the accessibleas the Great Northem Highway runs southem section of the (Plum area and Veevers along the westem boundary and the old Wyndham- 1971). These surfacesare rockv, and mantled with Kununurra Road runs through the area. shallow skeletal soils. Small basalt outcrops occur Key Features: Outstanding for irs bird life. as hills (e.g. Pivot Hill) near the westem edge of "The the area. CTRC Recommendation: Committee endorsesthe status,purlnse and vestingof Reserves Vegetation and Flora: The seasonal wetlands Nos.1058, 1059, 30866 and 31636." support a number of aquatic species such as EPA Recommendation: "The Nymphrca $gantea nd some stands of Pl'tragnites EPA endorses the lccrkt arLd,Seshmis cnruwbtna. Trees fringing the statuspurpose and vesting of Reserves1058, 1059, wetlands include EucaLypatspapuaru, E. mt:rolrcca, 31636and 30866." E. mmoldulensis, Melnbrca sp., Adansoniagegoi| Our Recommendation: Negotiations betweenthe Excrxcaria paruifolit and, especially around Palm Department of Corxervation and Land Management, Spring, areas of Panlarus spiralts. The grassland the W.A. lVater Authority and the Department of around the seasonal wetland includes c:ne srass Agriculture have been held with the aim of (Sorghr,rm ausvaliense). The sandstone country mnsolidating and rationalising the boundaries of supports open woodlands including Eumlypns the ParrysLagoons Nature Reserve. Ve recommend tet'rodonta and E. dichromophloiaover spinifex and that a single reserveas sho*n on Map 15 be declared tussockgrasses. a Class A nature reserve vested in the National Fauna: The lagoons and billabongs attract Parks and Nature C-onservation Authoritv. thousands of water birds, especially during t]re dry seasonwhen fiesh water in the region becomes scarce. S.A. Halse (pers.comm.) reported 2? 000 lllllllllllllll3.7PEr-rCRN ISlaNn water birds in May 1986, of which 18 400 were NATunsREspRvE ducks. During that survey 54 speciesof waterbird were recordedon thesewetlands. Common species Location: Pelican Island lies about 110 km north- included the Magpie Goose, Straw.necked Ibis, eastof \Tyndham in JosephBonaparte Gulf. Sacred Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Black Duck, Wandering Map: 2. Vhistling Duck, Ausralian \Thistling Duck, Brolga, Jabiru, Australian Pelican, Little Curlew and Area: About 8 ha. Oriental Pratincole. The comparatively rare Radjah Geomorphology: A low sand cay with some rocky Sheldu& can also be seenthere. The Parrp Lagmns areas. probably are the rnost important site in Australia Current Status: ClassC Reserve29541 for Wildlife for \Uood Sandpipers and, in years when local Sanctuary, vested in the National Parks and Nature rainfall is good, the lagoons and associatedseasonal C-onservation Authority. wetlands are one of the major breeding areasfor Vegetation and Flora: Low vegetation, mainly waterbirdsin the Kimberlev. Saltwater C-ouch (Sporoboh.aoirgrnrd/s ). The Red-backedButton-Quail occursin grasslands Fauna: As the name suggests,the island's main around Parrys Lagoon. Finches are numerous rn feature is that it is a breeding place for the Australian the area, species recorded including the Zebra,

43 if

POINTSPRING NATURE RESERVE

SCALE ?...... , ?

EI*l i I

-c/ Q.a oP/ oo - - /"' a rlu, I\ -

tt i:\. 8.'ao / ,) r/ I I I \)

-\ :'d,. m

\ KUNUNURRA

MAP16

44 Pelican (Pelecanuscutspicitlans). Pelicans breed Geomorphology: Point Spring is a permanenr on only ffve other offshoreislands in V,A., although spring at the base of the Veaber Range, a low drey occasionallybreed on islandsin major rivers sandstone range rising from black soil plains. The and in estuariesin the South \Vest of the State. reserve includes small areas of both the range and Turtlesalso nest on PelicanIsland. the plains. The spring feeds a small lake a shorr RecreationalIJse and Potential:None. distancefrom the hills. Key Features:The pelicanbreeding colony. Vegetation and Flora: Around the spring there is CTRC Recommendation: "The Committee a small patch of remnalt rainforest. Tree species recommendsthat ReserveNo. 29241(Pelican Island, recorded include Canoriwn austalianum, CaralJia brorhiaa, Ewdia elleryuw, Ficla racemom, JosephBonaparte Gul0 be upgradedto a ClassB F. virers Reserve." ardTermindia soicocarpa. Patches of closed canopy rainforest are so rare in the lowland environments EPA Recommenrlation: "The EPA endorsesthe of the EastKimberley that a variety of speciesdepend purpose and vesting of Reserve 29241 but on Point Spring for their persistence in the district. recommendsthat t}re classificationbe amendedto Grasslandssurround the lake, while there are open t-lass D. savannah woodlalds elsewhere. Our Recommendation:We recommendthat the Fauna: A Flying Fox colony inhabits the rainforest purposeof the reservebe amendedto Conservation patch along with populations of typical rainforest of Flora and Fauna and that it be upgradedto birds such as the Green-backed Gerygone. The ClassA. lake provides a resting and feeding place for waterbirds, including brolgas, storks, egrets and lllllllllllllllll:.e PorNrSpnrxc nerons. Recreational Use and Potential: Becauseof its NRruRsRsssnvp proximity to Kununurra the nanue reserve is visited by people during the dry season. Wet seasonaccess Location: 40 km north-north-east of Kununurra, is impossible becauseof the adjacent black soil Map:16, plains. Area: 303 ha. Key Features: The spring and associatedrainforest patch and wetland. Current Status: Class A ReserveNo, 34585 for the Consewation of Flora and Fauna, vested in CTRC Recornrnendation: None, the National Parks and Nature C-onservation EPA Recommendation: None. Authority. The reserve has prevent been fenced to Our Recornmendation: Ve endorse the status, damageby cattle ftom pastoral the sunounding lease. purpose and vesting of the Point Spring Nature Reserve.

BI&zu,,aterlilll (Nymphoides violacea).

45 The Boab(Adansonia gregorii) ts a gort)- stenrmedtree commot throughout much of tfu Kimberlel. Duing thedry seasonit is lznfless but afutrnedu,ith largefntits connidng ediblepulp arl seeds. The leavesan'l. lkxtLers appedr in th.ewet season.

46 Ir. 4 NonrnKnraepRLEY

The geology of the North Kimberley has been resulted in the drowning of valleys, the formation describedby Thom (1975), so only an outline is of an indented shoreline and many offshoreislands presentedhere. The Kimberley Plateau Province with a coastal configuration strongly controlled by occupies the major part of the district and has a the jointing in the King Leopold and Warton broad, uplifted, dissectedpeneplain developed across Sandstones. The islandsare thought to have last the flat-lying sedimentary and volcanic rocks of been part of the mainland as recently as 8 000 to the Kimberley Basin. The plateau has an altitude 10 000 yearsago. A few islands,such asBoongaree, of 400 to 500 metres above sea level. Undulating have possiblyhad a much more recem separauon. sandstonebenches maly kilometres long, bounded Thus, the stratigraphyof the islandsis the sameas by cliffs up to ?5 metreshigh, are mmmon fearures that of the adjacent North Kimberley mainland, of the plateau landscape. although even the largest islands usually include The plateau is flanked to the south-west by the no more than two or three of the Precambrian King Leopold Moblle Zone and to the east by the rock types found on the mainland. The Halls Creek Mobile Zone. Together, these zones geomorphologyof the North Kimberley, and all its are referred to as the Halls Creek Province and, adjacent islands, is controlled by sandstone or though intensely folded and faulted, have a more volcanic strata. In broad terms t}te rVarton, King subdued topography of igneous and metamorphic Leopold and Pentecost Sandstonesare expressed rocks. Open textured drainage and low, rounded as resistant,cliff-forming quartz sandstones,giving boulderyhills are characteristic. The metamorphic rise to a rugged, dissected terrain with joint- rocks form sharpstrike ridges,while smoothwhale- controlled gorges and drainage. The Carson back hills separatedby narrow sandyflats aretypical Volcanics are expressedas rounded, usually soil of the granite areas. l,ocal maximum altitudes ranse covered,undulating country with gentle gradients from J00 to 600 metres,but reliefseldom exceeds and dendritic drainage. Han Dolerite occurs as 200 metres. dark grey to black bouldery outcrops, and is generally Included in the Kimberley Basin,but lying between found in valleys. the Kimberley Plateau and the low country of the Shallow Cenozoic depositsof sandysoils, alluvium mobile zones,there is a topographicallyintermediate or (rarely) black soils, incompletely mantle the zone with a complex pattem broken of cuestas, sandstonesand volcanics. Awav from the coast. hog-backsand minor escarpments. This zone has and on uplands near the coast and on the islands a relief of 200 to metres. 400 where dissectionis incomplete,the sandstonestrata The Precambrianrocks of the Kimberley Basin and of the Kimberley Plateau are thinly mantled with its mobile zones were laid down between 1 900 Cenozoic soils of light, sandy texture. Superficial and 1 650 million years ago, although the mobile Teniary deposits of laterite and bauxite cap the zoneshave since undergone continual [oca[ renewals. Precambriansrrata in some areas(e.g. Miichell Following rejuvenation of the drainage sysremin Plateau). the late Tertiary or earlyPleistocene, the Kimberley Quatemary depositsalso occur, though mainly in Plateau Province underwent a period of active coastal situations and along the coursesof major dissection. Larer, a Quatemary rise in sea level river systemssuch as the Drysdale, King Edward

41 and Carson Rivers. Quaternary soils are present Institut, Montesquieuand Kingsmill Islands on the coast as beach sands and grey mud. CassiniIsland Shorelinesare uzually rocky, although small, sandy Osbom Islands beachesare present between someheadlands. Along Low Rocks sheltered shoresa narrow srip of littoral mud occun, and in shelteredbays there are often extensivelittoral For a general description seeBurbidge and McKenzie mudflats traversed bv incised tidal creels. Shallow (1978a). rocky shoals and coral reefs are found around many of the islands. 4.1.T INSTITUT,MONTESQUIEU AND The North Kimberley has a rich flora and fauna KINGSMILLISLANDS that includes many tropical species,with affinities to the Northem Territory and that Queensland, Location: These are groupsof small islarrdslying do not occur elsewherein W.A. It also includes a to tlre north of CapeVoltaire, about4 10 km nonh- number of endemic speciesand is the only district eastof Derby. in \(/estem Australia where there have been no documented extinctions of native species during Map: 4. the period of European settlement. The oppomrnity Current Status: VacantCrown land, to protect these intact ecosystemsis of intemational Geomorphology: Fenelon and Corneille are the siglificance and should not be lost. Their proper largest. They consistof laterite plateauxbreaking managementhas some urgency - there is evidence away to steep dolerite slopeswith sandy spits on that certain native mammal specieshave recently partsof the shoreline. disappearedfrom south-easternparts of the district Vegetation and Flora: On Fenelon the beach is (Harry Martin, pers.comm.). fringedby a densestand of Spiniferlongfoha, which The Nonh Kimberley islands are panicularly mergesinto woodland. A few suand specieszuch important nature conservation areas. They possess x Thespesiapopulrwoides, Abutilon indiann, Mtrcww populations of a variety of plants and animals diabolicas$sp. kcmvnhi ar:dSes,w nn Fratrcnstnnn unaffected by European man or his introduced have been recorded. Several trees of Gwuga animals. Some islandsfurther south in W.A. now flmihnna and the creepers Abrus precatorts, contain the only populations of mammals once Menemb and Ipomoeawfu. grow directly ti7hile, ryinaa widespread on the mainland. fortunately, behindthe beach(Beard eral. 1984). this is not the present situation in the Kimberley, The plateauis reachedby climbing a screeslope similar massive extinctions can not be ruled out coveredin laterite rubble. Scatteredtrees such as on the adjacent mainland in the future. Island Euralypms naophila, E, E. polycarg. populations of animals can be managed much more Dapurna, Burlmnnil obouoa, Dolichmdrone heteroplrylh, readily than mainland ones,because of their isolation Gyocrupus unuirulus and the shrubs Acoch ftom the many human-introduced disturbers that stigmanfuylla,Cadnln cnD@oi es, Carissalanceobta, are found on large landmasses. DstichostemonligiAtun. F icusopposim, Snychnos Islands are also important breeding sites for marine lurida and Triuntfenaflumigoa arecommon on rhe speciessuch as seabirds and tunles. Kimberley slopesand plateau. In the more open areasderue islands provide important habitat for large Saltwater stands of the bunch gmssesCenchrus elymoilns, Crocodiles displaced ftom breeding habitat in nearby Erirclrne ciliaa, Hetercpogoncorltorn$ and the rlven. hummock gxs Plzctrochnesp. are encountered. There are only two major conservation reserves in Amongstthe grasses,Cassydra flilormis and C.dpparis the North Kimberley, though a number of others spinosaform irnpenetrablethickets. have recommended. been The rim of the plateau supports Alyrra spicata, Brachlchionsp., Celns DhilipDr'nensis, Fiors virersvar. daslcmDa,Flagenar;a inlim, Mimwopseleng, kntnia IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII4.1ADMIMLTY GL]LF ISLANDS serireaand Ttmaea ptbescerc. Four distinct groups of islands can be recognised in The basalt slopebelow the plateau rim is covered Admiraltv Gulf: in a denseoatch of vine forest.

48 Eucolyptus nesophila forms an open forest on the 4.1.3OSBORN ISLANDS perimeter of the vine thicket. Location; The Osbom Islands lie in the south- Fauna: No information available. eastem part of Admiralty Gulf. There are five Recreational LJse and Potential: No current use, main islands:Middle Osbom, South-lfest Osbom, Little potential; although picturesque, they are Carlia, Borda and SteepHead. The group provides remote and there is no surface warer. a great variety of geology, flora and fauna, and is Key Features: Insufficient information. in many waysa microcosmof the region. CTRC Recommendation: None. Map: 4. EPA Recommendation: None. Area: Seeunder geomorphology. Our Recommendation: We recommend that the Current Status: Vacant Crown land. Depamnent of Conservation and I-€nd Managernent Geomorphology: Middle Osbom Island (Z 300 ha) carry out a biological survey of the Institut, consistsof weathered Carson Volcanic rocks. UnliLe Montesquieu and Kingsmill Islands,and report on many basalticareas it is steepand in placesrugged, their nature conservation value. Until a decision and the major peakresembles a volcanic plug. The is made on their future, the Department of Land undulating slopesare well-mantled with red volcanic Administration should refer all proposalsfor their soils.Kidney Island (approx. 230 ha) has a similar leasingor alienationro the EPA. georogy. South-lfest Osborn ( I 370 ha) consists of wo 4.1.2CASSINI ISLAND central plateaux formed by Warton Sandstone, with Location: At 13057'S, 125038'E; approximately sheer cliffs falling to basalt scree-slopesof Carson 30 km nonh of Cape Voltaire. Volcanics. Depositsof alluvial soils occur on more gentle slopesnear the coast.Carlia Island (480 ha) Map: 4. is somewhat similar, but the plateau is less Area: About 350 ha. conspicuous.The plateauxinclude shallow pockets Current Status: Vacant Crown land. of skeletal soils, while basic soils have developed Geomorphology: The island consistsmostly of a in basalt areaswith deeper alluvial depositsoccuning laterite plateau about 12 - 15 m high, breaking in valleys. A small estuarinesalt marsh occurson away to cliffs undercut with shallow caveswhere the western coast of South-\fest Osbom. Steep they descend directly to the sea, or with narrow Head Island (approx 290 ha) has a similar structure fringing beachesin shelteredareas. to South-West Osbom, but has smaller basaltic areas Vegetation and Flora: The plateau vegetation is below the cliffs. mostly a Triodra hummock grasslandwith emergent Borda Island (600 ha) contrasts sharply with the Acacia shrubs. There is a small area o{ Eurafupws remainderof the group, as it is composedof rugged woodland at the eastem end of the plateau and King Leopold Sandstoneswith deep,wide fissures. remnant rainforest speciesoccur along the cliffs In places, there are extensive sandy flats at the (W.H. Butler pers.comm.). baseofthe sandstonecliffs. Fauna: Cassini is an impoftant nesting rookery Vegetation and Flom: for green tunles. Ospreys and sea-eaglesnest on Middle Osbom Island: The dominant vegetation the islandand there is a small populationof Omnge- is a low open-woodland of Eucalypnrswith a grass footed Scrub -fowl (Me gapdius r einwcn dt), and shrub understorey. Steep slopessupport open Recreational Use and Potential: None. There is and closed-shrublands of Cutarium ausnaliarwm, no surfacewater. Burharcnia obouam arld Mimusops elengi, Low shrublands of Cochlospennnn and Braclrychinn Key Features: The turtle nesting rookeries. frawri occur on lesssteeply sloping areas. Small areasof Recommendation: CTRC None. an open-shrubland including Acacia stignwtoplrytla, EPA Recommendation: None. Tremaupera, Greeitaa mimosoiles, Celns pfultpperuis Our Recommendation: That Cassini Island be and Ptaomlgnb fiimera are scattered in the declared a Class A reservefor the conservationof shrubla-ndsof steepand gradualslope area. Sorghum flora arrd fauna, vested in the National Parks and sp. and Heeropogoncontoftls occur under these Nature Conservation Authority. shrublards.

49 Littoral areashave narrow zonesof mangroves with SteepHead Island: Steep Head Island has not been closed-shrublands of Thespesia popuLneoifus ard examinedin detail. It hasa structureand vegetation extensive flats of Sporobolm virginiats and Sp;nrfex similarto that of South-WestOsbom, and supports bngifolius. Boab (Adansonia gregmii) occurs in the a majorrainforest stand. zupra-littoral. Fauna: The fauna of Middle Osbom includes South-1Vest Osbom Island: Scattered low open. Woodward'sRock.nt (ZJzomJswoduardril and the shrublands, mostly in crevices, dominate the dingo (Canis familiaris dingo). The skink dissected sandstone on top of the mesx. Pouterio CrlDableDhansnlegaticns has been recordedon sericea is the most common shrub, with Ficus only two islands- this and South.WestOsbom. DIatJDda, Exocrtrposlnifohus, Cutarium anstrahannm On South-WestOsbom, Voodward's Rock.Rat and,Gr eville.a r efrotn. (Zjzomyswodwardii) is the only mammal,but the Sandstonescree slopes, at the foot of the sandstone island has an impoftanr bird fauna, especiallythat cliffs of the mesas and adjacent areas of steeply associatedwith the rainforest.Birds recorded include sloping volcanic soils, suppon tall vine thickets of the Rose.crownedPigeon (Pdlinopus regura), Tones Albizia lzbbeck, Aidin rotemow, Acoria hemignosa Strait Pigeon (Dwtla spikrrhd, Green Winged with Tinosponr smilacina and other lianes. Pigeon(Cluhophys indrca), Scrub Fowl (MegoDdius At lower levels, the volcanic soil slopesand ateas reinwoLrdt),Rainbow Pita (Pittn iris), Peregrine of alluvium are characterized by Adansonia gregrii Falcon (Fabo peregrinus)and Spangled Drongo and extensive areasof Themedo.usualis and Sorgfium. (Dimms harteans). Acacia dunnii, Ziylphus quadrilDarktris and Hakea The fauna of Carlia includes the Golden-backed m(E'rocarpd also occur on the lower slopes as Tree-Rat (Maanbriomysmamnw) and the dingo. componentsof scatteredlow open shrublands. The island was named after the skinks CarD.a Borda Island: Vegetation cover, mainly spinifex jolnrarei znd C. riaundw. Little Rock-wallabies Plnctrachne ar:d Triodia, is spane on the exposed (Peradmcns concinna) and \Toodward's Rock-rats sandstones. Ficus pbqpoda, G11rocarbusamericu'tus (ZlzamJswoodwmdii) are commonon BordaIsland. and Ca\trix erctipu.laaoccur in crevices. Deep wide RecreationalUse and Potential: No currentuse. fiszures support a low open-shrubland of Acacia There is somepotential for human use when the reanervisand Pbcnaclule. Mitchell Plateaubauxite deposits are exploited. A limited area of vine thi&et, with Tinosporaand Key Features: The group is n m:rny ways a a few large trees of Albizialebbeck occurs at the foot microcosmofthe regionas the four major geological of a high sandstone cliff. Vet areas near this cliff surfacesof the nonh-westKimberley are found here, support low open forests of Mehburn viridiflrna, as well as an array of beaches,mangrove bays and Extensive littoral areas of Plecnaclne and Spn;/ex rocky shores. Of particular imponance is the longifolius, with occasional Pandanus, occur on a rainforeston South-WestOsbom, the largestand coastalsandplain in the nonh-west portion of the mostdiverse rainforest on an islandin W.A., and island. therefore the only large patch protected from degradationby feralanimals. Carlia Island: The sandstone areas are sparsely "The vegetatedexcept in crevices,where Fiats, Pouteria CTRC Recommendation: C-ommittee sericeq Awlaya vaiifolia and Ouenia q)emicosa recommends...thatthe OsbomIslands, comprising frequently occur. Middle, South-West,Carlia, Kidney, Borda and Both basic soils developedover volcanic rocks and SteepHead Islandsbe declareda ClassB reserve alluvial soils in vafleyssupport low open woodlands for the conservationof flora and fauna and vested with a ground cover of grasses.There are no areas in the \U.A. Wildlife Authority." of fringing vine thicket, although a low forest was EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommends recorded at the baseof a volcanic screeslope behind that the OsbomIslands be declareda ClassB Reserve a beach on the westem coast. for the Conservationof Flora and Faunaand vested Extensive low closed forests mangroves,including in the W.A. Vildlife Authority." of 'We Cerbps Wal and Aubennia rnarina occur on the Our Recornmendation: endorsethe EPA central eastemcoast (Burbidgeet al. 1978). recommendation,except that the reserveshould be Class A. The National Parks and Nature

50 ConservationAuthority has replacedthe W.A. 4.2.I AUGUSTUSGROUP Wildlife Authority. Location:The grouplies 240km nonh-north-east of Derby. AugustusIsland is LO\? ROCKS seawardof Kuri Bay. 4.1.4 Further offshore are the Helvood Islands, Byam Location: bw Rocks are situatedat 14004'S, 1250 Manin Island,Champagny Island and severalsmaller 52'E in the nonhem part of Admiralty Gulf. islands. Map: {. Map: 3. 'Vegetation' Current Status: Low Rocks comprise Class C Arca: Seeindividual areas under below, ReserveNo. 33837 for the Conservation of Fauna Current Status: Reserve23079 for the use and and Flora, vested in the \?.A. National Parksand benefitof Aborigines. Nature Conservation Authority. Geomorphology:The islandsin this grouprepresent Geomorphology: A small outcrop of King Leopold a variety of coastal,aquatic and upland surface. Sandstoneswith little soil. They have an area of types developedon Warton Sandstonestrata, a 4 ha. dominant componentof the adjacentmainland. Vegetation: Scatteredgrass. The islandscomprise massive scree slopes and rocky Fauna: Low Rocks are impotant as a breeding uplandswith abruptstructural plateaux incised by site for tlre Pied Cormorant (Phtrllcrocorax uarirs\, narrow,joint-controlled valleys. Soils are mainly Bridled Tem (Stenw maethems)and CrestedTem skeletal. (Swrr.bugii). Vegetationand Flora: AugustusIsland (1? 952 Recreational IJse and Potential: No current use. ha) supponsa variety of vegetationformations. Visits should be permitted only under strict Densestands of mangrovesbelonging to a number (e.g. conditions to prevent disturbance of the seabird of species Rhizo|horasrybsa, Sonneratia oJba, breedingcolonies. Aa)icerniamarino) occur in the inlets. Most of the island is coveredwith mosaic Key Features: The seabirdcolonies. a of hummock grassland, shrubland and low open woodland, CTRC Recommendation: "The Committee Spinifex(Plecnochne) is the dominantgrass. The recommends...that I-ow Rocks, in Admiraltv Gulf, treesinclude Encatypats miniam, Tmninalia caneyens, be declared a ClassB Reservefor the C-onservation Owenb uemicosa, Acacio species and Boabs of Flora and Fauna and vestedin the W.A. \Uildlife (Adansoniagregoni), screw pines (Pandanus)and Authority." cycads(Cycas fusaltira) occur in someareas. EPA Recommendation: "The EPA endorsesthe The island is criss-crossedby shallow valleysin purposeand vesting of Reserve - 33832 Low Rocks which alluvial soils suppon an open forest of - but recommends that t}le classification be amended Euralypw speciesand Erythrophlamcl tJorostrrchys. to Class8." A large fresh water creek runs southwardthrough Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the purpose the centreof the islandand, in its lower reaches, and vesting, but recommendthat the classification supportsa fringingformation of massivecadjeputs be upgradedto ClassA. (Meltleucaleucadendra, M. virdflora), screwpines (Panl"aus) and densegrass. Many swampplants alsogrow along this creek. Cliffs and steepscrees ililil1ilil1ilil14.2 BONAPARTE areoften faced with rainforestpatches. AncHrpElaco The Helwmd groupincludes two fairly largeislands anda numberof smallerones. The largestis Darcy Island(4 800 ha) which is north-eastof Heywood The BonaparteArchipelago includesmany inshore Island (760 ha) and is coveredby a low open. islands lying between Camden Sound and Cape forest of Eucalypns (mostly E. miniara) with a Voltaire. It can be divided into three groups: variable,and often dense,shrub layer of Acacia Augustus, Prince Regent and Bigge. For general spp.(including A . delibrata), GrevilleaandDdawa descriptionssee Burbidge and McKenzie ( 19?8). overhummock grasslands. Like Augustus, the island is criss-crossedwith shallowvalleys in which the

)1 density of these species is greater. At the mouth that are representedon these islands include Gehyra of a deeper gully is an area of rnassivecadieputs xenopus,Ctnnoats knbidgei all'd,Leista ualkeri. (Melalerco sp.), and in another, good stands of Recreational IJse or Potential: None. the cycad Cycasbasdrica and Native Walnut (Ouenia Key Features: The Augustus group is particularly uemicosa)occur. Most of the coast consistsof rugged important because of the presence of the Golden unvegetated sandstone cliffs fringed by a narrow Bandicoot. The group also protects areas typical band of mangroves. In sheltered bays and inlets, of the adjacent mainland that have not been affected the mangroves form low closed forests. Attractive by the presenceof feral animals. sandy beaches, with Spini/ex longifolius grasslands "The above the high tide line, occur in severalinlets. CTRC Recommendation: Committee recommendsthat the EPA bring to the notice of Heyrvood Island itself is much smaller and, although the Aboriginal Lands Trust the conservation value generally similar, has extensive olrn scrub of Acarrle of islands in the Augustus group, at the mouth of spp. the Prince Regent River and in St George Basin. (1 Champagny 330 ha) is covered mainly with an Should they at any time be no longer required as plectocarpa open scrub dominated by Acacia and A. Aboriginal Resewes,they should be set aside as a,mi4aover lower shrubssuch as Sanalr.rmknreolanun Nature Reserves." and a dense ground cover of grasses.There is also EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommends hummock grasslanddominated by Plecrachne.This that ...should the islands of the Augustus group no island has a lower profile than Augustus or *re longer be required as Aboriginal Reserve, they be Helwood Islands. Sandy beaches,with areas of set aside for the purpose of Conservation of Flora Spinifer grassland above the high tide line, are arrdFauna," prominent along the coast, and areasof mangroves occur in shelteredsituations. Our Recornmendation: We recommend that the Department of Coruervation and bnd Management On Byam Martin (760 ha) the dominant vegetation negotiate with local Aboriginal communities and is a tall shrubland of Acada wicaa nd A. Dlecufltrfu the Aboriginal Lands Trust with the view to working over hummock grassland. Creeks are lined with out arrsngements for dre management of the Putfunrs or Mebleum uiridilbra with T mnhalia sp. Augustus group of islands for nature conservation and Boabs (Adotnonn gregadi)away from the water. and the protection of Aboriginal heritage values. The creeperIpomo en pes-cafiae is common. Fauna: Augustus Island has a rich mammal fauna. 4.2.2PRINCE REGENT GROUP It includes the Little Rock-wallabv (Peradmcas concinnc), Sugar Glider (Petntnts her.,iceps),Golden Location: This groupcontains islands adjacent to Bandicoot (lsoodonat,lr.rn,rs), Little Nonhern Native- the Prince Regent Nature Reserve: St Andrew Cat, (Duywus halluxaats),a speciesof Antechinus and St PatrickIslands in St GeorgeBasin, Uwins (Pseudnntechinusningbing), two speciesof Rock-rats Islandat the mouth of the Basin,Bat Islandoff (ZJzomJs argunrs and Z. wudwctrdii), three species Cape Brewster,the Coronation Islands in York of bats and the dingo, The Golden Bandicoot is Sound and BoongareeIsland in Prince Frederick an endangered speciesthat has declined drastically Harbour. They are about 2?0 km nonh-north- on the mainland. The only other island population eastof Derby. is found on Banow Island, and is considered to Maps: 3 and4. represent another subspecies. Area: Seeunder Geomorphology. The Aruechinusis also known from Heywood Island Current Status: St Andrew,St Patrickand Uwins and \Toodwardt Rock-rat occurs on both Heywmd Islandsare pan of Reserve23079 for the Use and and Darcy Islands. A rock-wallaby (species Benefit of Aborigines. The Coronation Islands, unknown) is also found on the latter island. Bat and BoongareeIslands are vacant Crown land. A large number of birds and reptiles are known Geomorphology:St Andrew (1 ha), St Patrick ftom the islands in the Augustus group. Notable 400 (440ha) and Bat (30 ha) Islandseach consist of a birds include the Aare Kingfisher, PheasantC-oucal, central plateau of ri7anon Sandstone,with steep Brown-tailed Flycatcher and Spangled Drongo. cliffs falling awayto the underlyingCarson Volcanic Populatiors of reptiles with restricteddistributions slopes. Bat Island (about 5 ha) is a small,steep

52 )1,

sided island. Uwins Island (3 300 ha) consistsof miniamand other eucalypts,with shrubsof Acacb, heavily jointed Warton Sandstone,with skeletal CoJynix,Ddorvtea and,Greuilba. Areas of deeper soils. Most of its shoreline is rocky and there are soil containan open-scrubof Acacrla.The doleritic severalmuddy bays. slopes support grasslandswith occasional Kapok (Cochlospermum The Coronations are a group of low basaltic islands Bush fraseri). There are extensive to the north of the Prince Regent Nature Reserve. areasof mangroves. On the no(hem side of the Coronation Island (3 830 ha) is very irregular in island a streamin a steepsandstone valley provides outline and is mostly composedof gentle slopes habitat for densebanks of fems. and rounded hills of volcanic soils, with occasional Fauna:Mammals of St Andrew Islandinclude the rocky outcrops. There are many sandy beaches only known Kimberley island population of the and rockV basaltic headlands with steep cliffs and Brindled Bandicoot (Isoodonmooaaus) and birds screesropes. include the Rose-crownedPigeon (Ptihnoys regirw BoongareeIsland (4 880 ha) lies near the coast in e@ingii),which is restricted to rainforest patches. Prince Frederick Harbour. It consists mainly of St Patrick island has not been examined by King Leopold Sandstone,although a large dome of biologists. Hart Dolerite that occurs in the central part divides Northem Quolls (Das1wrchallrcoms) are plentiful the sandstonesinto two discrete areas. on lJwins Islandand the Golden-backedTree-rat (Mesembnomys Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation of St Patrick namms) also occurs there, The and St Ardrew Islandsis generally similar to parts first Europeanto visit Bat Islandwas P.P. King in of the adjacent Prince Regent River Nature Reserve 1820(King 1827). He namedthe islandafter visiting (Miles, Kenneally and George 19?5). Small areas a cave containing numerousbats. The island was of rainforest occur on steep, moist basaltic soils investigatedby scientistsfiom the Depanment of and on screesbelow the sardstone cliffs, but much Fisheriesand Wildlife in 1973and the caveproved . of the slopes is covered with open.woodlandsof to be a refugefor two speciesof bats the Little Bat (Eptesicns Ercalypus mininm and'l etmirulia ferdinar-diano. Dumiliscawinus) and the Common Sheath-tailedBat (T alhn Tousgmr giarus). Some of the plants collected by the botanist Allan Cunningham who visited Bat Island with P.P.King The faunaof CoronationIsland is lessdivene than in 1820 were subsequentlydescribed as new species on sandstoneislands and the only mammalsknown and the island is an importanr qpe locality. are the Common Rock-rat (74zomlsargunrs) and the Black Flying Fox (Pteropusalecno). Z. argmus The vegetation of Uwins Island is similar to that occurshere asan unusualform which may warrant found on Wanon Sandstones of the adjacent taxonomic distinction. The beachesare an mainland in the Prince Regent River Nature Reserve importantturtle nestingsite. (Miles, Kenneally and George 19?5). k is mainly BoongareeIsland has a rich fauna. The a woodland with Eucalypatsfemtginea, E. miniam most andE. perfoliaa predominating. Shrubs of Acacia important occurrenceis the Scaly-tailedPossum (Vyulla snpulosa and A. Iunnifusa are common, and the sEtnnicntdoto). Other mammalsinclude gtound cover consisa principally ofhummock grasses the Little Rock Wallaby (Perafuncasconcintw), (Dasywlc and Cenchnrs elymoides. The gullies support fan Nonhem Quoll hnllucaas),Tunney's Rat (Ratus palms (Liuisona sp.), screw pines (Pandanru), wrnqi), Woodward's Rock-rat (ZJzomJs Ssnmlwn and Cluyemtm. Some of the inlets are wodwordii) and tluee speciesof bat including the lined with mangrove stands in which Rhizophora little-known Lesser Warty-nosed HorseshoeBat appearsto predominate. (Hipposrderossrcnods). Reptiles include the Superb Dagon (Diponphorasupuba) and the large gecko The main vegetation of Coronation Island is a Ps euAnlvatfu rcr1lus mu oticus. mixed Eucajypruslow-woodland with a ground mver of tussock grasses. Patches of low woodland RecreationalUse or Potential: No current use. containing Terminuli'a,Acnin, Pmdarus, Ilakea and Coronation Island has somepotential for tourism, other genera are also found. There are a few areas since it possessessandy beachesand has a of mangrovesand extensivesandy beaches. comparativelysmooth and attractive terrain. Vegetation on the sandstone areas of Boongaree Key Featuresl UnliLe the Augustusgroup, the Island is mainly an open-woodland of Eucalyprus islandsof the Prince Regentgroup also include

).) ecosystemson Hart Dolerite and Carson Volcanic Area: Seeufider geomorphology. surfaces. The islands complement the adjacent Current Status: VacantCrown land. Prince Regent Nature Reserve and should be Geomorphology;This groupconsists of three large considered part of it. The presence of Isoodon islandsand somesmaller ones. The largestis Bigge maL'roLtntson St Andrew Island and V/yuLla Island, itself with an area of about 17 190 ha. sEtamiculaa onBrr,ngaree Island is of considerable Katersand \TollastonIslands, which lie near the importance to the long-term suwival of these species. mainland in MontagueSound, are also fai y large CTRC Recommendation: The Comminee believes and geomorphologicallysimilar to Bigge. They that data on selected islands are sufficient to warrant consistmainly of heavily dissectedKing Leopold their immediate resewation. It does not wish to Sandstone,expressed as exceedingly rugged screes, see all islands in this remote area reservedbut is cliffs and undulating rock-pile country, with areas aware that future researchmay show that additional ofdoleriteand sandy soil. Thereare several smaller islandsshould be conserved. islandsfunher offshore,including the volcanicMaret "The Committee recommends:...that Bat Island, and MontalivetIslands, some of which arecapped the Coronation Islands and BoongareeIsland be with laterite. addedto ReserveNo.27164. the Prince Regent '\iTildlife Vegetationand Flora: Most of BiggeIsland consists (see River Sanctuary also Area 7.5) ...that ofopen,dissected sandstone with deepgullies, and the EPA bring to the notice of the Aboriginal occasionalbroad valleys. They supponlow open- Lands Trust the conservation value of islands in woodlands and tall open.shrublandsof Acacfo., the Augustus group, at the mouth of the Prince Pandanrs,Ouenia, Eumlyptusspp. Ficus,Srrychnos Regent River and in St George Basin. Should and, Gcndzniawith scattered hummock grasses they at any time be no longer required asAboriginal (Plectrachne). Other shrubs include Hibiscra, Reserves, thev should be set aside as Nature Sana*An,CoJynix al:td Canthr'um. Occasional creeks Resewes." arefringed with cadjeputs(Melaleuca brcodcrfua) "The EPA Recommendation: EPA recommends and screwpines (Pandanr.a),as well as the fem that, Aoostichwnspeciosum. 1. the attention of the Aboriginal LandsTrust be A wide central vale with basaltic soil contains a drawn to the conservationvalue of islandsin ... woodland of Euutlypalaspecies (including E. St George Basin; miniom),Asrcio ar:dTerminalia.Behind sandy shores 2. Bat Island, the Coronation Islands,Boongaree there is a hummock grasslandof Spinr/exbngifolius Island and the other islandswithin Prince with scatteredshrubs o( Morfndaatrifolia arrd Sc.alo/r;. Frederick Harbour be addedto Resene77164 - sencea.Muddy shoresare fringed with mangroves, Prince Regent River Wildlife Sanctuary." especial ly Avicennin and RhiTophoru. Our Recommendation: KatersIsland has extensiveareas of bare rock and areasof little grasslands. 1. That CALM commence negotiations with local soil with hummock Fisures Aboriginal communities and the Aboriginal and cracksin the rocks supportFicus sp, and many small trees Lands Trust with the view to working out and shrubssuch x Erqatntnia,Gardenia and Snychnos. arrangementsfor the joint managementof the All open.shrublands o( Acacia retincruis A. islandsat the mouth of the Prince RegentRiver and rybcarpawith occasionalEucallpnrs and Erlthrophbum and in St George Basin for nature conservation occur in larger fissures.A deep valley in pan and the protection of Aboriginal heritage values, the north-west of the islandhas a narrow strip of vine thicket in which Tinos1ya 2. Bat Island, the Coronation Islands,Boongaree and Arisrolochi.aoccur. There are some fringing Island and the other islands Prince within sandyareas with Spinifexlongifolius, Beach Moming FrederickHarbour - be addedto Resewe 27 764 Glory (Ifumoea pes-mprae)and a few mangrove Prince Regent Narure Reserve. formations. \Uollastonis a steepisland 4.2.3BIGGE GROUP with rock tenaces.The main vegetationis a hummockgrassland. Gyenps Location: 330 km west-north-westof Wltrdham. mwicanus, Alsania and Ficusare commonffees ln Map: 4, joint fracturesin the sandstone.One deep valley containsa densethicket of Acacrlasp. an d Coer,alfinia

54 major with the creeper Ftogelbria indica and, in and the Dingo. The Golden-backed Tree-rat seepageareas, the fems Lygodrum miuoplryLlw't ar.d (Mesembriomyswrnnts) is found on Vollaston Stenochlttenapalusnis. Sandy flats by the sea are Island. covered with SporoboLusoirgnXus. All islandsin the grouphave rich bird and reptile East Montalivet Island, situated at the entrarce of faunas.Populations of the \7hite-lined Honeyeater Montague Sound, is dominated by a laterite plateau (Meltphagaalbilineam), a beardeddragon (Pogona supporting a hummock grasslandof Plecror.l:rrrz.wirl:. mioolepilom) and the Blind Snake (Ty1hlina some scattered shrubs of Acncla sp. The breakaway polygrunmbo)have been found on Bigge;the first and screeslopes of the plateau zupport densethickets alsooccurs on Vollaston. In lVestemAustralia, of the same speciesas occur further down-slope thesespecies are restricted to the high rainfall para although Flagelknia infica and Abrus precatcnitu are of the North Kimberley.Three species of froghave more common in this habitat. been found during dry-seasonsurveys on Bigge The surrounding slopes of volcanic soil and rock Island,reflecting their sizeand representationin outcrops are characterised by the low open- mainlandsituations. shrublands of Brarlrychimn, with scattered shrubs RecreationalUse and Potential: No currentuse. of Mimusops ebngi, Diosplros niterc, Ai.diaracemov, No potential for tourist developmentbecause of Tmnindio sp. atl.dBurlaru a ohvam. An extensive their ruggedzurfaces and remoteness.Potential for sandy littoral area dominated by Spinifexlongifolius wildemessactivities and nature studv. arrd Salsola kali occurs on the south side of t}re Key Features:These islands represent a varietyof island. King LeopoldSandstone zurfaces and their associated South Maret Island, which lies 18 km seawardof plant and animal communities, King Leopold BiggeIsland, resemblesEast Montalivet. Sandstoneis the dominant surfaceof the north- Most of the island is a laterite capped plateau west Kimberley. Biggeis one of the two largest supporting a low open-shrubland to an open Kimberley islands and the other, Augustus,is hurnmock grasslandof spinifex. Acacia reth,crttis, reservedfor the useand benefit of Aborigines. The Ercalypus sp., GreviLbn pyamidalis and Diospyos islandshave a very rich flora and fauna. niteru are the common shrubs and trees. A medium CTRC Recommendation: "The Committee denseor open grassunderstorey o( Plecuorhneand recommends... that Bigge,Katers and \Tollaston Hetnopogcn contrtrnrsoccurs on the more weathered Islands,the Maret Islands.and the Montalivet laterite. Open areas of laterite support Cdnrm Islandsbe declareda Class B Reservefor the angustifoliwn,Cldaba caDryoites and Gomplnezrasp. ConsewationofFlora andFauna and vested in the The steep scree slopes over volcanic rocks are W.A. r0UildlifeAuthority." generally covered by thickets of low shrubssuch as EPA Recommendation:"The EPA recommends Pouwia seicea and Ardia with Flogellariaindco and that: .,.Bigge,Katers, Wollaston, the Maret and Abrus precatrtrius. Panlanus tees occur in deeper the Montalivet Islandsbe declareda ClassB Reserve valleys. for the Conservationof Flora and Faunaand vested Littoral vegetation is limited to narrow zonesof in the \7.A. Wildlife Authoritv." Spmifexlongr/ollrs on the westem and eastern shores. Our Recommendation:1Ve endorsethe EPA Fauna: The most important fauna speciesof this recommendation,except that the reserveshould group are the Warabi (Perrogaleburbrdge,), which is be Class A. The National Parls and Nature abundant on Biggeand Katers,and the Scaly-tailed ConservationAuthority has replacedthe \7.A. Possum (Wylrda srynnicmdam) which occurs on \Uildlife Authority. Bigge. Both species are nofth-west Kimberley endemics and the islands are most important to their long.term conservation. A small rock-wallaby, lllllilllllllll4.3 BUccANEER speciesunknown, also occurson Wollaston. Bigge is rich in mammals,also having populationsof the ARcHrpEr-Rco Echidna (Tachyglossus a.uleatus), Northem Quoll (Drr.yms hollucaats),Woolwardt Rock-rat (Zylomys Locationr At the northem end of King Sound, wo dw ar di), Del icate Mouse (Ps eulnmy s dzltmtulus) nonh of Derby.

55 Hidfun Island in tle Bu.caneer Anchipelagoillusnates tfu ntgged sandstol shrnelhz and sandl embalments which arc t:Jpicalfeotwes of the Kimberlel coast.

Abcne the Mitchell Riuer F dJs, thz sunow,:d,ingcountry is characterisedfu rugged, higl,Jl dissectedsandstortc .

56 Mapr 3. low open forestof EuralypatscutfertiJkna, E . miniato Area: Not surveyed. Islands range from a few and Burlwronia obovao, over a closed heath of hectares to about 7 400 ha. Calytrix exstipulaa, Acacia sdgmatophylla, A. nmslrcensarrd A. amila. Grevilleayyartidalis Current Status: Most islands are vacant Crown and Acaria hippnoiles are occasional. Under the land. Sunday Island is a reservefor the use and treesand shrubsis a closedhummock grasslandof Aborigines, benefit of and Swan Island is Reserve Plemachne.Eucalypats haclryudra occursin fiszures no. for 34257 the conservation of flora and fauna, of the ruggedoutcropping sandstone. vested in the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authoritv. Koolan and Cockatoo Screeslopes of sandstone,having skeletalcoarse Islands are developed as iron-ore mines, with sandysoils, typically supporta low open shrubland of Buchanania associatedresidential and port facilities, though ore obovaa and Calynix exstiylam with someGr py is no longer mined on Cockatoo Island and the euillea uni.dalis,over scattered Pbcnoclme Ficusplatypodn facilities are being developedas a tourist resoft. sp. is resuicted to screeslopes and cliff faceswhere it growsout of fissures. Geomorphology; The numerous islands conform Dry creek valleys are marked by fine alluvial soil to the strike of the geological structures of the arnongstrocky sandstone.They supporta low open Yampi Peninsula, and were formed when the woodland of predominantly Eucatypns coastline was flooded just prior to the Holocene. Nbcnfu, Burhatwrb oboq)amarld Panwb sedced.The ffees The islands are characterised by rugged Proterozoic Canarinm oustralianum, Terminolia sp. and sandstone topography, with abrupt structural Braclrychinnsp. are alsopresent and, though much plateaux and strike ridges,incised by narrow, joint lesscommon, identifo the creek vafley habitat by controlled valleys and surrounded by steep scree beingmore or lessrestricted to valleysand gorges. slopes. Abrupt coastal cliffs and promontories Under the trees there is a shrubland of overlook the narrow tidal charurels that seoarate predominantlyAmctr stigmataoplryUa. arrdT emplemnia the islandsfrom eachother and from the mainland. hookeri and less commonly Acacia ntmidn, (Gellatly Geological surfaces and Sofoulis 1973) Dsachostemonhrpi&ths andCrevinea wicUwnii, over exposed on the islands include King Leopold closedhummock grasslandof Plecnachnesp. Very (Hidden, Sandstone Sunday,Lachlan, Long, Pasco, common in patchesare Cassydrasp. and Flagellaria King Hall, Sir Frederick,Cafferelli), ElgeeSiltstone indim. (Gibbings, Koolan), PentecostSandstone (lwine, A low open forest of Tmninalu sp., Brchanania Bathunt) , Yampi Member including hematitic quafiz olnvam,Pandmus sp. ertdGrevllea yyunidals occur sandstone (Koolan, Cockatoo), Han Dolerite on the moist alluvialand often colluvialsoils of a (Lachlan), and \(otjulum Porphyry (Conilurus). gorge. Often, the soil is relatively deep These surfacesare partially mantled by shallow (approximately5 cm),having much organic matter skeletalto clayeysoils. and a thin leaf litter. Also presentis Fiats ofposim The marine environment is diverse, with rocky and in a moist fresh water seepagearea tall island shores, coral reefs, algal reef flats and shallow individuals of Eucalypatslygophylld and Oouenrasp. sandy banks with extensive seagrassbeds. Sandy arefound. Under the treesis a low open shrubland beaches are sparseand confined to small sheltered of Acatin nnndo, A. multisiliqn, and Bndelb sp., bays,though tidal mudflats border most embay'rnents. and less commonly Templemnbhmkoi, Catytrix Tidal channels contain coarse-grained sands that exsifdaa nd Atylosiasp, and, in moist shadyspots, (e.g. often form cross.beddedtidal megaripples Gonocnrfitssp, In shallowsoil over sandstone,a Sundav Island). Small areasof alluvium are found closed hummock grasslando( Plectrothneocams (e.g. on a few islands Gibbings) where beachdunes under the treesand shrubs,but in deepersoil a have truncated outwash valleys. An intra-tidal closedgrassland of Cymbopogonsp. occurs. lagoon, cut off from the sea by a sand-bar,occurs Dry shelly beach sand of the coastaldunes often on Macleav Island. supportsa closed grasslandof Spini/exbngifohus, Vegetation and Flora: Each of the geological with the creeper Ipomoea Des-cagaecommon surfaceszupports a different plant community. The amongstit. In lower adjacent areasflooded only characteristicvegetation of the islandsis found in by high springtides, moist shellybeach sand zupports shaflow sandysoils over sandstone. It consistsof a a low woodlandof Lwrmitzeraracemasa ard TftesDesnr

57 )f

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58 populneoifu.s.Avicernio narirw is also present and carried out in June 1982 but the rezults have not the creeperSesut,iwn Dutuktclstnun forms the only been published. Following completion of the survey ground cover. the Department and Fisheries and Wildlife made Shelteredbays and tidal creekssuppon the mangrove the following recommendations to the EPA and speciesOsbonrh octodona, RhiTophoru sqhv., Cerinps to the Department of Lands and Surveys: WaL, Cam\tnstemonschultzii, Aq)icemia mar ra and, 1. That the following islands, to low water mark, Sornentia albo and, at the seawardedge of the be declared Class A reservesfor the conservation mangroves,Lumni Qera r^cemosd. of flora and fauna and be vested in the Westem Fauna: Nineteen speciesof native mammalsare Australian \Uildlife Authority: Hidden, Long, known from the archipelago. Of particular Irvine, Conilurus, Gibbings, Chambers, biogeographic and conservation interest are Pascoe,Flora, Kathleen and the group ftom King populationsof the Little Rock-wallaby(Perofuncas Hall to Cafferelli. concinna),Golden-backed Tree-rat (Masembriomys 2. That the following islandsbe declaredClass B (Melonls mrcrurus),Grassland Melomys bwnni),'Warty- reservesfor the conservation of flora and fauna, Ghost Bat (Maoderma gigas)and Lesser be vested in the Westem Australian \Tildlife nosedHoneshoe Bat (HiDosilrl,os stenoas).Ninety- Authoriry and extended to the low tide line: six speciesof birdshave been recordedincluding Admiral, Powerful, Bruin, Sir Frederick, Lachlan. the Mangrove Kingfisher (Halqan chloris) and The Department noted that reservation of the islands (Microeca "1" Brown-tailed Flycatcher tormenti). in will protect populations of 14 of the 16 Twenty-five speciesof reptiles are known from the speciesof mammalsand 21 of the 26 species of islands. reptilesknown from the archipelago (excluding Dugongs(Dugong dugon) and turtles are abundant Koolan and Cockatoo Islands). In addition, 81 of in surroundingseas, especially on seagrassbeds and tlre 96 speciesof birds were recordedon these islands, reefs. The Depanment also recommendedthat a biological RecreationalUse and Potential: Some islands, survey be made of the islands in Talbot Bay before whidr havepicturesque beaches, are visited by people their status is changed. ftom Koolan and Cockatoo Islandsand from One The Aboriginal Lands Trust, on behalf of the Bardi Arm Point. Someof the islandshave high cultural people, also applied for some of the islands to be valuesfor the localAboriginal people. declared reserves for the Use and Benefit of Key Features: The Archipelago protectsan affay Aborigines. of flora and fauna characteristic of the adjacent Negotiatioru have been conducted between the mainland. Islandcommunities are lessvulnerable Department of Conservation and I-and Management to damageby exoticspecies and canbe moreeasily and the Bardi people at One Arm Point with a protectedfrom too frequentfires. The archipelago view to agreeingon control and management. These also has cultural value to the Aboriginal people negotiations are continuing. and has somerecreational porcntial. r07e "The recommend that the Department of CTRC Recommendation: Committee C-onservation and Land Management continue justify considers that data are insufficient to negotiations wit-h the local Aboriginal people with recommendingthe creation of specific reservesat the aim of having the whole of the Buccaneer present. It recommendsthat *re Environmental Archipelago and surrounding waters declared a ProtectionAuthority commissiona biologicalsuwey, marine park, zoned for multiple use according to a to enablea firm decisionto be reached." management plan developed by the two "The EPA Recommendation: EPA recommends organisations. that the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westem Australian Museum and Western Australian Herbarium make a biological suwey of "",',' 4.4CAPE LONoONoEnRy the BuccaneerArchipelago with a view to I recommendingto the EPA the creation of specific Ansn reserves." Location: The northemmost ooint of Westem Our Recommendation:The biologicalsurvey was Australia.

59 Map:17. Cappanssp., and Malnisiascmderu. Areas of deep grassland Area: The land component has an area of about sand on the coast carry a hummock of Longifotius Triodia ?0 862 ha. Spinifex ar\d sp., sometimeswitl scatteredshrubs of Greq)ilbaviscidula. G. refracm Current Status: Vacant Crown land. znd Phfllanhusbcrrmats, Geomorphology: Cape londondeny lies at the Mangrovesoccur as both narrow and broad stands apex of a broad peninsula whose coast is indented on tidal silt flatsand includeLLmnuTeru rrrcemosa, with deep bays. The estuaryof the DrysdaleRiver Bruguieraextristam and Scyphiphoralrydrophyhea, lies at the south-west comer of the area, and a the last beingknown in this Stateonly from this number of small rivers, flowing only in the wet area. The estuarvof the DrvsdaleRiver is lined season,rise on the plateau which forms the core of with extensivestands of mangroves.The coastal the peninsula. watersadjacent include extensiveshallows with The coastline is extremely varied and colourful. seagTasses. Lateritic and sandstonecliffs up to approximately Fauna: The fauna of the areahas not been studied 50 m high are interspersedwith low rocky shores, in detail, but the Spangled Drongo (Dicnms sandy tracts and alluvial tidal flats. Two small brortenns)is known to occur in small vine thickets rivers enter the seaover 50 m cliffs, in an inlet on on the east coast. Other birds recorded include the east coast, and must be an impressivesight in the Brolga (Gns rubicmfu), labint (Xenorhynchus the wet season. asiancm) and Great Bower-bird (Chlnmydzra The plateau consistsof a core of Carpentarian Ca$on nrrchnlis). The seagrassbanks are important habitat Volcanics, flanked on the eastby Warton Sandstone for dugongs (Dugong dugon). and on the west by King Leopold Sandstoneand Recreational Use and Potentiall No known use Tertiary laterite. The undissected uplands, at present. The reservationof land extremities is superficially mantled by sandy plains, are traditional becauseof the romantic appeal that they topographically quite different from the strongly hold for most people. As examples,Cape Leeuwin dissected surfaces of existing and proposed and Wilsons Promontory in Australia and Lands conservation reservesfirrther south in the district. End and John O'Groats in England may be cited. Extensive saldy soils cover the north-west of the Key Features:The northemmost point of the State area,and depositsof sandand silt occur Quatemary lateritic surfacesand rainforest patches. Undissected in small pockets along the coast. sandstoneuplands, superficially mantled by sandy Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation of the plateau plains. "The is mostly low open-forest and low woodland with CTRC Recommendation; Committee areas of tall shrubland. Eucalypts are the considersdie area wonhy of National Park status, predominant (E. trees, especially Messmate on the basis of its geographicalposition, and its (E. tetrodtnur), E. Iatifolb, W oollybutt miniam) and varied scenery,geology, flora and fauna. Although severalbloodwoods. Other trees include speciesof currently almost inaccessibleexcept from the sea Termiralia, Brchanania, Melaleuca, Grevillea, or by helicopter, it has potential for recreation in Persoonia,Brachlchiton, Owenia, XanthostBmonand the future. CTRC has already recommended (Livisanw Panlanus. Fan Palms lcniphylla)occur in conservation reservesat West Cape Howe (Area the south-west of the area. Lateritic and some 2.9) and West Point on Dirk Hartog Island (Area sandstonesoils, especially in tall shrubland,support 9.1) the southem and westem extremities of the a mixture of shrubs such as Grevillea antninglwmii, State. The area is at present vacant Crown land Acaaia ?retitltrc)is, Cusia oligoclafuLand Ficus species, and coversabout ?0 862 ha." while after fires shortlived perennialsappear, e.g. "The Recommendation Committee recommends Scaevolaovalifolio, Trorhymene hemicarpa, Slrr:modia that the area as shown in Fig. 7.8 be declared a \dtrifolia and Triumfetm sp. ClassA Reservefor the purposeof National Park Rocky areas,especially near the eastcoast, support and vested in the National Parks Authority of W.A. vine thickes which contain a wide rangeofspecies The reserveshould extend to low water mark ro such as Poutenleseric ea, Gyoccapt+somericuus, Fic'lc ersure preservation ofmangroves and should include virens, Bridelio tomentasaj Celns phiLpperuis,Cassine the adjacent islands. It should also include the mekuncrrpa arrd lianes including FlagelltvA tndica, islandsof mangrovesin the estuaryof the Drysdale

60 River, down to low water mark." forest and low woodland (Kabay, George and "The EPA Recommendation: EPA recommends Kenneally1977). Fringingformations occur along that: the major rivers and creeksand pocketsof vine 1. the area shown in Fig. ?.8 including the adjacent thicket and vine forest occur along the Carson islands,be declareda ClassA Reservefor Escarpmentand in somegorges. There are small National Park and vestedin the National Parks areasof open-shrublandand closed-grassland. Authoritv: The woodlandsand forestsare mostly dorninated 2. *ris reserveinclude the islandsof mangrovesin by Ercalypns. On sandstoneEucallpats miniam, the estuary of the Drysdale River; E. tetrodonm, E. Iatifolia and, E. Ieurophloia predominateand on bssalt E. tectificaand E. 3. the boundary be extendedto low water mark." foelschmnaare the common species. Associated Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the EPA with these are speciesof Gardznia,Owenia, recommendations.The National Parksand Nature Erlthrophleum,Cal\iffis, Acocitl and Braclrychimn. Conservation Authority has replacedthe National Many shrubs,grasses and herbs make up the Parks Authority. We also recommend that the understorey,more denselv in sandor loamthan in waters contiguous with the national park, including rockyareas. Most plantsare typical of the region, the seagrassbanks, be declared a Class A Marine but some speciesof special interest include National Park. uncommon plants such x Hornalaca\x uicaeus, Mytella phefulinides,Cokrrsia esatlena, Bunfux ceifu and Pili ostigna moJabaricum. IIIIIIIIIIIIIII4.5DRYSDALERIVER Fringing formations along rivers ard creeks are NATIoNRI- PanT dominated by cad;eputs,especially Melalerca Ieurodenho,M. mgenteaand M. vindrflord. Other Location: The Park lies astride the Drysdaleand trees include Sesbanra,Firrr, Naurlea,Syzygrum, Carson Rivers about 150 km west of Wlindham T ermitwliaand Panlanus. and 100 km south of Kalumburu. The vine thickets and forestsare mostly p,oorerin For a description seeKabay and Burbidge ( 1977). speciesthan thoseof the Mitchell Plateauand lower Map: 18. PrinceRegent River, but area valuablesample of Area: 435 906 ha. rainforestwhich occursonly in small areasof the Kimberley. An important Current Status: The DrysdaleRiver National Park occurrenceis in Worriga Gorge,where over 12 tree is Class B ReserveNo. 32853 for the purposeof speciesare found and robust lianes occur. National Park and is vested in the National Parks The epiphytic orchid, Dendrobium parts andNarure ConservationAurhoriry. offineis common in wetter of the Drysdalevine thickets. Geomorphology: The reserveembraces a cross- The Drysdaleand CarsonRivers permanent section of the country and includes sandstones, contain pools,while some basalts and siltstones of the Late Precambrian smallerstreams are perennial. In and around the water are many Kimberley and Bastion Groups together with soils aquatic and swampplants. About derived from them. Scenicafly it varies from 30 aquaticshave been recordedfor the Park, including extensive, rather monotonous open-woodlandsto rare or unusual species such as Nymphoides the broad waters of the DrysdaleRiver, attractive minima, B\m echinospermo,Myrioplqllum dicocanm, pools in creeks,and ruggedcliffs along the Carson Triglachin Yrocerclv:lr. dubb, and Limtwphilasp. nov. (George Escarpment,along Johnson Creek and in Vorriga and Kenneally1977). The swampplants Gorge. Major waterfallsoccur at Morgan Falls and include a numberof bladderworts (Uttialklria) on the Drysdale River and there are numerous small , rigger plants (Srylidlum),Minra a.cme, Y'yris, falls elsewhere(Kabay, George and Kenn eally 1977). etc. Twenty-five species Biologically, the Park contains biota intermediate of fems occur in the Park. Of these, 13 are known from between those of the sub-humid nonh-west Worriga Gorge alone and two (Chrisrelladentw Kimberley and the semi.arid EastKimberley. andDorlopterisanmkn) have not been recordedelsewhere in Westem Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation is Australia. The recorded flora of the Park totals predominantly open-forestor wootiland, low open- 594 species,of which only 39 per cent occur also

6l )i.

DRYSDALERIVER NATIONAL PARK

SCALE 0 lo 20 lolm

LEGEND ffi ExislingNalional Park

E:_ ProposedNational Park v.c.L. vacant Crown Land

L_ _ CARSON RIVER

ELLENBRAE

MAP18

OL + in the PrinceRegent Nature Reserve. (Hesperiidae,Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae (other Fauna: Twenty-sixspecies of native mammalshave and Lycaenidae), and 931 of moths beenrecorded in the Park (McKenzieet al. 1977). Lepidoptera). Thineen of these are bats, including the poorly Recreational Use and Potential: At present, the known Myotis alversw, Tadorido lofiae anl National Park is not readily accessibleto visitors, Nycrophilru anthemensis. N. woikeri, a species but it will become an important tourist attraction previouslyknown from only one specimentaken in the firture. in the Northem Tenitory in 1892,was also collected. Key Features: A major National Park representative Terrestrialmammals include the Shon-earedRock of the drier interior of the North Kimberley. (Petroga.le (Peunms "The Wallaby brachyotis),Sugar Glider CTRC Recommendation: C-ommitteebelieves (Planigdie brevi.ceps),a Planigale mantan), the \fater that the Reserveboundaries need slight modification (Hydromls Rat chrysogasier)anda recently described such as the inclusion within the National Park of (Pseudnmys speciesof native mouse laborifex). those portions of the existing Stock Route which Birdsnumber 129 species (loh"::o{ et aI.197,7).. is not required for that purpose. Its addition to The avifaunaincludes sub-humid species at their the Park would rationalise the boundary and eastemknown limit of distribution,such as the facilitate management, particula.rly in regard to t}le Green-winged Pigeon (Chalcophapsinlim) and Carson Escarpment. It should be bome in mind Silver-backed Butcher-bird (Cractias trrEn s that the original concept of the Stock Route was lateru),as well as semi-aridspecies that do not intended to preservefi.rture public accessas well as extend further west, e.g. the Crested Pigeon provide for passageof stock. (Oc'lpla1s (Cinclcl-.harrrph$ lo1hotes),Brown Songlark In its nonhem section the Park is at present confined (Erltl:n.na cnnalrs)and GouldianFinch gouUi&). to the eastside of the DrysdaleRiver. An areaon Frogsand reptileswere plentiful duringthe suwey the westside adjacentto the spectacularSolea Falls and 13species of frogsand 47 reptileswere recorded warrants inclusion in the Park. It consistspanly (Storr and Smith 1977). A surprisinglyhigh total of rugged sandstonehills on which there is a tall of 26 speciesof fresh water fish was recorded open-shrubland or low open-woodland with a (Hutchins19?7 ). spinifex (Plecachne) understorey. Fan Palms The land snail fauna in the park is indicativeof (Uqistrnw kyri2hllla) are common here, as is drier conditions than thoseprevailing in tlre Prince Kalumburu Gum (Er.rcallpnrs herbertima). The Regent Nature Reserve and other nonh-west outstanding fearureof the area is a permanent strsrm Kimberleycoastal localities (Menifield et aL. 197'l ) . now named Forest Creek entering the Drysdale The familv Camaenidaeis less diverse in the some 10 km below the Falls. Along its lower DrysdaleRiver National Park,and operculateland courseit is lined with a tall closed-forest of Melaleurn snails(prosobranchs) are not represented.More bucadendra, C araltia brachiam, Sy 7y giwn eucaly pnide s arborealsnails were found in the Park,but these and an unnamed species. This is the only known are mainly tiny specieswhich may have been occurrence of this formation in the Kimberley, overlookedat the PrinceRegent. They arefound Upstream the creek forls and its two valleys contain in densevine thicketsin the deeper,well-watered dense vine thickets in which Cdssine, Po r4rio. gorges.Their affinitiesappear to be mainly with Stenomrpus, Fiats, Pknchnnella, Denhotnto ar:d Pacificand Indonesiansnails, and they may be a Alsonia occur. A small comb fem (Schi7cw4tr;gro*) relic fauna. Ground-livingsnails in the Park are found here is not known elsewherein Australia. found in a wide rangeof habitatswherever deep There is also an undescribed speciesof Ricinocar1os. leaf litter accumulates.They belong mainly to The proposed addition is at present part of Carson groupsendemic to nofthem Australia.Endemic River pastoral lease. It is rugged and has little land snailsrestricted to the Parkinclu de Arnplirlwgda pastoral value. It would add to the biological drysdtileuwnd Sembulinia doongana, representation in the Park, and ensurethe protection Some2 415 speciesbelonging to 15 insectorders of Solea Falls on the DrysdaleRiver. At present, werecollected (C-ommon and Upton 1977). They onlv the eastem side of this Fall is within the include 14 speciesof dragonflies(Odonata), 55 of Park." "The grasshoppen(Onhoptera), 338 of bugs(Hemiptera), Recommendarion Commitree endorsesche 403 of beetles (Coleoptera),30 of butterflies purpose and vesting of Reserve No. 32853, lt

63 Blechnum orientale i s a cunmonfem of seepagemeas in ntged sandstuv,

64 recommends that those adjacent portions of the Creek, lies in the south of this area. The gorgeis existing Stock Route which are no longer required about 400 m wide, broadening southwards,and is for that purposebe addedto the National Park." bordered by a high rampart of quartz sandstone for "The EPA Recommendation: EPA endorsesthe most of iu length. classification and vesting of Reserve 32853 and Vegetation and Flora: Beldw the cliffs are areas recommendsthat: of rainforest. One strip, that occurs either side of 1. the purposebe amendedto National Park and the nonh bank of the entrance to the Hunter, is Water; one of the largest and best developed rainforest patchesin Vestem Australia. This forest in 2. those adjacentportions of *re existing Stock occurs an almost unbroken line below the cliffs for many Route no longer requiredfor that purposebe kilometres. The patches addedto the National Park." substantial of rainforest that occur on Naturalist Island are very similar in Our Recommendation: We agreethat the adjacent their speciescomposition, but are isolated from portions of the Stock Route should be added to feral animals (ard many other sourcesof disturbance) the Park, but seeno reasonto amend the purpose "water", that occur on the mainland; the island provides a to include since there is no forseeable referencepoint for measuringthe effects of these requirement to develop water suppliesin this area. disturbers on the rainforests of the nearby mainland. The small adjacent ponion of Carson River Station, The botanical explorer Allan Cunningham, who which includes Solea Falls and the area of tall visited this area with Philip King in the H.M.C. forest,has been addedto the National Park. Mermaid in 1820, collected here. One speciesof tree,Xandusemon mbrosrs,has not been collected llllllllllllllll HUNTERRTvsRARER since. The vegetation of the sandstoneshas not 4.6 been examined, but is likely to be similar to that Location: 310 km north-east ofDerby. of the Prince Regent River Nature Reserve. The Map: 20. vegetation of the Enid Falls area is described by Miles etal. ( 19?5). Current Status; Partly vacant Crown land and partly ponion of ReserveNo. 30463 for the Use Fauna: A number of birds which are rare in Vestem and Benefit of Aborigines. Australia and restricted to rainforest patches are comparatively plentiful here. They include the Geomorphology: Along the nonhem sideof Prince Scrub Fowl (Megapodiusreinumdt), Rose-crowned FrederickHarbour and on either sideof the Hunter Pigeon (Ptilinoflr regina)and Green-wingedPigeon River are sheer, orange to red cliffs of l?arton (CWoDhaDsndim) . Other rainforest speciesrecorded Sandstone,sometimes underlain by CarsonVolcanic here include the Spangled Drongo (Dicnrna basalts. An unnamed tributary of the Hunter, which bracteaats), Yellow Oriole (Oriolus fuwoaruns), entersit ftom the nofth near its mouth, is especially Tones Strait Pigeon (Dunin spilorhoa) and the scenic. Near this ributary is Mt Anderdon (484 m), Little Shrike-Thrush (CoLlwicinlaDctr vula). which is only 2 km from tidal waters. Here the cliffs descend in great plunging stepstowards the The rare RufousOwl (Mnox rufa) and Black Gras- sea. In the mouth of the creek is an unnamed wren (Amyrornrshousei) have been recordedat Enid island of about 1 000 ha (herein referred to as Falls. Details of these and other fauna of this area Naturalist Island). It is geomorphologicallysimilar are given in Miles and Burbidge(1975). The Rock to the adjacent mainland, with steep cliffs and Ringtail Possum(Pseudocheirus dahli), an unusual small beachesin shelteredbays. On the other side and uncommon species,has been recordedfeeding of the creek is Manning Peak, 326 m high, whlch in the mangroves of the Hunter River and the is only a kilometre from Prince Frederick Harbour. Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylusporosru) is found At the mouth of the Hunter are rwo enormous in the tidal portionsofthe Hunter and its tributaries (Messel pinnacles of sandstonewith overhanging cliffs. In etal. 1987). "The 1820 these were named by P.P. King as Alan Solem (pers.comm.) considersthat the Hunter Ninepin". River areais part of the generic centre of diversity Enid Falls, and a deep gorgeassociated with Rufous for Kimberley land snaits; a recent survey of

65 Nauoolists' Beach ut an urnarned. island in tfu mouth o{ the Hunte,t N1)er. with railtfqest on thz sctee sbbes,

Vet seaon stoms ooet Mt Hat Sntion.

bft Kimberley rainforest patches found several new lllllllllllllll4.i KTNGFTSHER speciesof land snail in the area. Recreational Use and Potential: There is little Isr-Rxos current use, although the area is being visited by Location: The Kingfisher Islands are situated in an increasing number of people on charter boats Collier Bay about km east of Cockatoo Island or private cruises. The areahas great potential for 45 140 km north-north-east Derby. tourism becauseof its spectacularscenery, but the and of extremely rugged nature of the country indicates A description is given in Burbidge and McKeruie boat-basedtourism rather than land-basedfacilities. (1978). There is no road access,and road construction and Map: 3. maintenancewou)d be extremelyexpensive. Area: Kingfisherl0l0 ha, Melomys850 ha. Key Features: The area contains the most Current Status; Vacant Crown land. spectacularscenery of the Westem Australian, if Geomorphology: The group consistsof two major not the Australian, coastline. The rainforestsare islands,Kingfisher and Melomys, and some smaller outstanding and are among the best in the State. "The ones. Until recentlv thev were known asthe Wmd CTRC Recommendation: Committee Islands. All are composedof the Yampi Member recommendsdrat *Le area shown Fig. 7.6 be declared of the Pentecost Sandstone, and have a typical a ClassB Reservefor the purposeof National Park sandstonegeomorphology of abrupt hills with steep and vestedin the National ParksAuthority of V.A. screes,narrow valleys, stony beachesand abrupt Negotiations should be undertaken with the coastal cliffs with littoral mud in sheltered Aboriginal Lands Trust to include the sou*rem embayments. The substrate on the sandstone portion of ReserveNo. 30643 within the proposed comprisesjumbled boulders with small patches of reserve." shallow, skeletalsoils. "The EPA Recommendation: EPA recommends Vegetation and Flora: Both islands support that... the area ofvacant Crown land nonh ofthe extensive low open woodlands of Euralypnrsspp., (Prince reserve Regent Nature Reserve) and as especially E. minizta, with local development of indicated in Fig 7.5, be addedto the reserve." low closed shrubland in drainage channels. Our Recommendation: The vacant Crown land Termitwtio cdnesce?rs,Acacia hiDpwoides, Cassil provides a link between the Prince Regent Nature oligocmpaand Cekis plrilipDet$isare common shrubs, Reserve (proposed to be changed to a national with an understoreyof Ptilnatsexalmats, Ammanthrx park) and the proposednational park at Mitchell Iepnsadryus, Phyllana\raspp. and other small shrubs. Falls. Thus the oppornrnity existsto createa single Steep scree slopesoccur near the coast and these major national park, representativeof much of the are vegetatedwith hummock grasslands o{ Plectrdne wetter pans of the north Kimberley. Part of Reserve dantfunAifus and other grasses,with emergent Acacia 30463, for the Use and Benefit of Aborigines, is of tumrda. Rocky outcrops and coastalslopes support great value for the protection of rainforests and scatteredsmall treesof Ficru lettromcha,F . opposia, has very high scenic value. Cdlnix exsapfua and other small shrubs.Mangrove 'We recommend that the vacant Crown land in formations are limited to narrow strips in sheltered the Hunter River area, including Naturalist Island areas. (IZsazl'E 15001'S), be addedto the PrinceRegent Fauna:A brief sr-rrveyby tle Depanmentof Fisheries Nature Reserve and that the combined area be and \Uildlife in 1973 revealed the presenceof a declared a Class A national park. We also Mosaic-tailedRat (Melomyssp.) on Melomys Island recommend that the Department of Conservation and the Vater Rat (Hldromys chrysogaster)on and Land Management negotiate with relevant Kingfisher Island. The islands were named after Aboriginal communities and the Aboriginal Lands the Mangrove Kingfisher (Halcyonchloris). Trust with a view to adding someof Reserve30463, Recreational Use and Potential: Their close asoutlined Map 20, on to the National Park. proximity to Derby, and Koolan and Cockatoo

67 Islands, has induced several proposals for the Vegetation and Flora: The Rangessupporr a low construction of tourist facilities, but none has open woodlandwith eucalyptspecies dominant, reached ftuition. The mining facilities on C.ockatoo especiallyWoollybutt (8. miniata) and E. tectifica. Island have now been developedfor tourism. Other trees include Boab (Adansonia gregarii) Key Features: The presence of Mebmls ald the LJsit,luy4wnanunindurnii, byhrophleun dtmutacfus, Water Rat. Terminolia,Burlanania, Hakea arborescens, Grevillza "The mimosoi.des CTRC Recommendation: Kingfisher Islands etc. In shelteredor wateredvalleys and are vacant Crown lald and the Committee makes along creeksthe open-forestvegetation becomes more no recommendation conceming them." diverse,including E rdllpnrs sp., screwpines (Pandanw sp.) fan palms (bvisnna sp.), Albizia EPA Recommendation: The EPA makes no Iebbeck,etc. Bold Bluff is the only known locality recommendation on the King{isher Islands. for the cycadCycas finfinacea and is the rype localiry Our Recommendation: We recommend that the for two speciesof restricteddisribution, viz. Acacia Kingfisher Islandsbe declareda ClassC reservefor gracilhmoand Solanumbopoidr'nsk. Mt Bell is the the conservation of flora and fauna, vested in the only known locality for Pitlrodia obliryo. The National Parks and Nature C-onservationAuthority. declaredrare plant Eucalypusmocneona occurs in rnls area. Faurn: The faunaof the areais diverse.Mammals llililililililt4.8 KING LEOpOT-o include the rareRock Ringtail (Pseudrcheindolti), RnNces SugarGlider (Petanrusheuiceps), a rock-wallaby (Perogole sp.), Antelope Kangaroo (Mactoptts Location: The King Leopold Rangesextend for antilopinus),Euro (Macropm robwus), \?ater Rat some 300 km from Walcott Inlet in the north- (Hydromysclrrysogasrer) and the Brindled Bandicoot west Kimberleyto MargaretRiver about 100 km (Isoodonrutcramts) (Bannister 1969). westof HallsCreek. RecreationalUse and Potential: Becauseof their Map: 8. proximity to Derby,*re King Leopold Rangeshave Area: VacantCrown land:approximately 10 500 ha. considerablepotential to become a major tourist Undefinedadditional area. attmction. Accessto most of the Rangesat present Cunent Status: The formerBell CreekStation is is restrictedby difficultiesin buildingroads across vacantCrown land. The remainderof the trend of the steep ridges. A graded gravel the areais "beef pastorallease, being part of Mt Hart Station, road" &om Derbytowards Gibb River Station providesgood Geomorphology:The Rangesform a high marginal accessto the central King Leopold Ranges abutmentto the KimberleyPlateau Province to near Mount Broome and Mount Ord, and the north and overlook lower rangesand the Fitzroy a road from FitzroyCrossing to Landowne Station gap Plairu to the south-west. Elevarrors are up ro exploits the where the Leopold River cuts 950m abovesea level and reliefisup to 300 m. through the Ranges. Key Features: The Rangesconsist mainly of white to palebrown Representssome of the major ecosystems crossbeddedquaru sandstone,intruded by dark grey of the FitzgeraldPhytogeographic District. dolerite,which providesa markedvisual contrast Spectacularranges, diverse flora and fauna, high recreationalpotential. on steephillsides. Both the sandstoneand the "The dolerite have resistederosion more thalr adjacent CTRC Recommendation: area formerlv silatonesand feldspathicsandstones, and have given coveredby Bell Creek Station,centred about l?0 "beefroad" riseto a ruggedterrain with a characteristichogback 14'S,1250 26'E, is close to the mentioned topography. Sidesof valleysare generallysteep aboveand is now vacant Crown land. This block, and have only thin soil cover supporting spa$e of about10 500ha, wouldserve as a usefulnucleus vegetation, or are nearly vertical with precipitous for a National Park encompassingsome spectacular bare rock cliffs. As a result,panoramic views of sceneryin the mid-sectionof King LeopoldRanges. ranges,valleys and plains are obtained from many If adjacent land on Mt Hart Station to the west. scarDs. north.west becomes available it should be

68 investigated with a view to possible acquisition lllllllllllllll4.9MITCHELLPt-,trEau and addition to the proposed Park so as to include Mts Bell and Vincent, perhapsas far as Inglis Gap. Location: On the west side of Admiralty Gulf, Sou*r-east of Mt Bell the road makes an abrupt 350 km nortl-east of Derby and 2?0 km west- tum beneath a cliff more than 50 m high in whici'r nonh-west of Wr.ndham. intensely folded and ovenhrust beds of massive For descriptions of this area see Biobgical swuey of sandstone are exposed. These provide a spectacular Mitchell Pbteau u,l Adrniralrl Guf, W.A. Museum example of the effects of mountain building (1981). movements and rock-deformation. Map: 19 and 20 Immediately south of the former Bell Creek Station, Cunent Status: Vacant Crown land, some of which a massivesandstone outcrop 844 m above sealevel is subjectto mining lease. forms Bold Bluff, an impressive landmark within Geomoryhology: The Mitchell River flows the Ranges and, if posible, this area should be nonhwards, draining part of the Kimberley Plateau included in the proposedPark." into Admiralty Gulf via \Talmsley Bay. It is actively Recommendations: eroding its bed through King Leopold Sandstone, "The Committee recommendsthat : giving rise to gorgesand waterfalls,especially along a. the vacant Crown land formerly leasedas Bell the margins of the basalticMitchell Plateau. Two Creek Station be declareda ClassB Reservefor of the most noteworthy features of this erosion are the purposeofNational Park and vestedin the Mitchell Falls (14049'S, lzsa 42'E) and Surveyors National ParksAuthority of W.A., Pool and Falls (14040'S, 125043'E), each with a deep gorge downstream. East of the Plateau, two b. ifa suitable opportunity occurs,land adjacent small rivers and the larger Lawley River cornplete to the south and west-nonh-westbe acquired the drainagepattem of the area. These rivers flow and addedto the proposedNational Park." into the bay towards Port Warrender through broad EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommends mangroveswamps. that: Near the watercoursesthe sandstonehas wea*rered 1. the vacant Crorvn land formerly leased Bell as into a harsh blocky topography with sparsesoil in Creek Station be declared B a Class National joint cracks and narrow gullies. This in tum has Park and vested in the National Parks Authority restrictedthe height and distribution of vegetation, ofW.A.; increasingthe scenicimpact of bare rock gorges. 2. should suitableopportunities occur, the The Mitchell Plateau is a dissected undulating Department of Lands and Surveysnegotiare to upland underlain by dark basalt of ProterozoicCarson acquire those parts of Mt Hart Station that lie Volcanics (\Tilson 1981). Leaching has produced adjacent to the south and west.norh-west of a bauxitic laterite profile over large areasof the this reserve,and which include Bold Bluff, Mt basalt, although only a few eroded remnants now Bell, Mt Vincent and Inglis Gap." remain. Much of this bauxitic laterite contains Our Recomrnendation: We endorse the EPA sufficient aluminium to make it a potentially recommendation,excepr that the proposednational valuablecommercial source of that metal. The edge park should be a ClassA reserve. This small area, of the basalticplateau is typically precipitous,with on its own, doesnot representthe major landforms steeptalus slopesbeneath venical cliff faces. These and biota of the King Leopold Ranges,nor is ir slopes, especially where shaded from westerly large enough for national park status. We sunshine,are heavily vegetatedwith vine thickets. remmmend that the Kimberley Region Planning The Carson Volcanic country has an undulating Study identify areasof Mt Hart Station that are topography with generally gentle soil-mantled slopes not needed for pastoral pursuits and that they be and dendritic drainage. Near the co:rsr,promlnenr referred to the Department of Consewation and terracescan be seenon dre heddlands. In places, Land Management for evaluation for addition to volcanic screesoccur the reserve. below cliffs and terraces. To the eastof the Mitchell Plateau,the Lawley River flows into a large estuarywith extensivemudflats.

69 il,

! PROPOSEDLAWLEY RIVER NATIOT.IALPARK

/-),

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\:::::i:::::::i:!:iM TCHELL

l:"-r{:::t:::::: Inliixl rhiiihldti l::r::l_.e(s-::: r::!.i:::\:::::::: [::s:\:::::ili:;': LOCALITYMAP lii:i i::ii::i iiai'-2i

.4, LEGEND t:::: [::T::x- ProposedNational Park

:::l: V.C-L. Vacanl Crown Land

MAP19

70 Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation ofthe area tidal creeksadjacent to the main river is a mixed was describedby Hnatiuk and Kenneally ( 1981). low closed forest of Auicmnia marim, Catnpmstemon The plateau itself is covered with an open-forest schtitii and,Rhizoplwra srylosa. Pioneer communities dominated by Ewalypnx tetrodanm, E. minlrlm and, o( Sonneratbalba ar.d the othet more common E. nesophib, with some Eryt)trophleumchlorostachys species are located at the mout-h of the creeks on (\fells and Termhwlb canescens.The fan-palm Livismna extensiveshelving mudbanks 1981). eastoniiis very common in the understorey, and Fauna: Following recent surveys,mainly by the this is the only locality in the State where palms V.A. Museum, the fauna of the area is are such a dominant feature. Shrubs in the comparatively well-known. Thirty.nine speciesof understoreyinclude Cochlospermum,Grevillea spp., mammalshave been recorded,the largestnumber Persoonia,Gossypiam and Petalnstigma,and there is known ftom any areaof similar extent in Westem a ground layer of grassessuch asSorghrrm , Heteropogat Australia. Some speciesthat are known from few contorrusand Clrrysopogon htifolius (Beard 19?6). other localities in the Kimberley include Warabi (Penogale Patchesof rainforest occur on lateritic gravel and bwbidgei), Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phoscogale rocky basalt slopesaround the edgeof the plateau. tn1oatafa), Red.cheeked Dunnart (Sminthopsrs Treesof many generaoccur here, including Albi7ra, uiginitte), Carpentarian Durmart (Smindopsis -tailed (Wyulda Amlaya, Cavrium, Mictomelwn, Vitex, Wi$tia and butbri), Scaly Posum (Conihms Zizlplus. There are lianes such as Flagetlaria, srynrnicudaa), Brush-tailed Tree.rat penicillam), (Mesembriomys Operculitwand Pisonia. The floristic relationships Black-footed Tree-rat gouUii), (Pseudoml of the formation are Indo-Malesian rather than the rnouse s lakrifex), Orange (Rhinonicreru Australian. Similar patches occur at lower levels HorseshoeBat awantius) and Pygmy (Nycophilm (Kitchener below the plateau, but are somewhat differenr Long-earedBat c^uall€n) er floristically, containing genera such x Buhinia, al. 1981). Recent work has shown that mangroves Tmninnlia, Cassine,Drbsfonos and Turraea. Rainforest are an important mammal habitat, especially for (Tnthosr.mrs is of restricted occurrence in Westem Australia bats and the Nonhem Brushtail Posum and the areasat Mitchell Plateau are amonp the anrhemetxis). best availablefor reservation. Within a 20 km radius of SurvevorsPool, 92 non- passerineand 69 passerinespecies Below the plateau, on sandstone,the vegetation of birds have been recorded (Johnstoneand Smith 1981). The changesmarkedly. It is mosrly a woodland or low vine forest is an important habitat for such species woodland, with fringing formations along the asthe RainbowPitta (Pira ins), Tones Strait Pigeon perennial watercourses. Common trees in the (Dnta spilarlna), Figbird (Spfucor/reres woodland arc ErcaLypdts,Termirwlia, Gardenia, flaviuentris), Cicada Bird (Coracina renvirosms) and Koel Plonchonia,Greuillcn, ITakea,P etdatigma attd Acaaa. (Eudlnarrys scoloryrceo).In mangroves Very tall annual grassesare densein places. Along the around Port \Uarrender,10 speciesof mangrovebirds have and near the watercoursesMelabuca viridiflora, been recorded,and 20 speciesof waders Gmdenb species, Xand-rostemonparadoxts, Fims and tems were noted around margroves and on mudflats. plntypodn,and many small herbs such as Sryhdiam The ruggedsandstone areas:ue inhabited and UtricuLqria are found. On wet cliffs, as at by such speciesas the Black Grass Wren (Amywnis SurveyorsFalls, there are fems, including Nephrolepb, housei), White-quilled Rock Pigeon (Penophasnalbipennis) Ceratopterisand Lygodium. At Mitchell Falls is a -the and Lavender-flanked Wren (Mahms dubis). population of Tris ticha trifuia, an unlzual submerged plateauitself is a lessimportant bird habitat, except aquatic plant which grows in fast-flowing water. for the Nonhem Rosella (Plarycercruvenr,.s Onlinea pwpmea, a little-known aquatic, grows in s), which is more common here sandy-bottomedcreeks. than anyvhere else on the Kimberley mainland. Extensive areasof mudbanks and mangrovesare The reptile and frog fauna is similar to that of rhe found in the Lawley River estuary. The dominant Prince Regent Nature Reserve, except for the riverside community is a mixed low closed forest occurence at Mitchell Plateau of the tree ftos o{ Avicennia marirw and RhilopAorasrylosa. Thickets (Iioria misofulns), the dragon lizard (Dlporiphori of Cuiops mgal var. australisform the more landward conuergens)and the Rough-scaled Python (Morelu extension of the mangrove community, In two carinara)(Smith and Johnstone 1981).

,11 Tfu cycad, Cycas armstrongii, groius on seasonoJlyinundated arcasnear theMitchell Riuer.

't2 A variety of endemic land snails belonging to the growing on the laterite will be preserved. These genera T onesinarhia, Amplirhagoln, Seabadinia, tracts, and the fragile vine thickets below the plateau Baufint\n, and Nwgada are restricted to the Mitchell edges,will need to be protectedfrom the possibility Plateau(Solem 1979,1981, 1985). of erosion arising in adjacent mining areas. The Recreational Use and Potential: The main scenic mining company is already coruidering rehabilitation attraction of the area is the Mitchell River and its processes for worked-out areas, including uibutaries, deeply incised into sub-horizontal experimentationwith regrowth of tree species,and sandstone,with waterfalls and permanent pools. should be encouraged and assistedwhere necessary. The sharp edge of the basaltic Mitchell Plateau As accesswill almost certainly have to be firough forms an impressive backdrop to the east. The palm Mitchell River Station and the probable future community of the Plateau is an unuzual feature in mining lease,it is essential that frequent liaison be 'Westem Australia. The rainforest patches are also maintained between the reserve authority and the of interest. mining company. It is recoglised *rat some measure This is the only place along the nonh-esst Kimberley of control of tourists' activities may be necessary coast between Yampi Peninsula and Kalumburu during certain phasesof a mining operation". "The where there is road access to tlLe coast for the Recornmendations. Committee recommends general public, at least in the dry season. The that: mining company's main track from the Mitchell a. the leaseholdersof Mitchell fuver Station (who Plateau runs through Mitchell River Station, to are also the company intending to mine the join the Kalurnburu-Gibb River-Derby road to the bauxite) be approachedby the EPA with the east. A few rough tracks made during mineral requestthat they relinquish the ponions of their exploration are the only routes from the Plateau to pastoral leaseand mineral tenement as indicated the hilly sandstonelowlands to the west. There in Fig. "safari 7.7; are now regular tours" to the area. b. the land mentioned in a. and the vacart Crown The areahas enonnouspotential for national park land also indicated in Fig. 7.? be declareda development,incl uding tourism. ClassB Reservefor the purposeof National Key Features: The imponance of the proposed Park and vested in the National Parls Authority Lawley River national park is mainly the richness of W.A." and diversity of its rainforestsand mangroves.The "The proposed national park on the west side of the EPA Recommendation: EPA recommends plateau representssandstone environments, ald it that: includesthe spectacularMitchell Falls. Both have 1. The Department of Lands and Surveysrequest extensive areas of volcanic country and include the leaseholderof Mitchell River Station to some of the laterite plateau. The Park boundaries relinquish *rose ponions of the pastoral lease were chosen to avoid areaswith commercial bauxite that fall within the boundary of the proposed deposits. reserve; The Mitchell Falls has the potential to becomeone of 2. areasof land contained within the Australia's greatest tourist attractioru. boundariesoutlined in Fig 7.7 be set asideas a "Both Class B Reserve for the purposesof National CTRC Recommendation: this (the Lawlev Park and Water and be vestedin the National River area) and the proposed Mitchell River Parks Authority. The boundary of the eastem National Park are so far ftom the bauxite occunences area should extend to low water mark; that no conflict of interestsis likely to arise. Port Warrender, the planned poft for any mining 3, The mineral tenement holders be approached operations, the probable railway, road and mining with the request to relinquish those tenements plant sites are outside the proposed reserves. within the reserve area, and that their area be Although bauxite occurs extensively on the plateau included within the reserve." and adjacent isolated hills, variations in quality of Our Recommendation; There have been recent the ore, difficulties of accessand the small sizeof negotiations between the Govemment and the some deposia will enzurethat some areaswill remain company owning the mineral tenements and the unmined, so that tracts of the unusual palm forest pastorallease. The mining company has agreedto

73 Fie in Ian palm (Livistona eastonii.) commtru t1 , MitchelJ Platcau.

Manne biologisrscoilecing on Monrgomery Reef at low tide.

74 forfeit areasfrom its tenements and pastoral lease Fauna; The seagrassbeds are an important feeding to allow the creation of the national parks; however, place for Dugongs(Dugong dugon) and suppoft an the agreedboundaries differ slightly from the CTRC excellent example of the rich invertebrate marine recommendation. The proposednew boundaries faunadistinctive of the Kimberley coast. The fauna are shown in Map 19. ofthe coral reefhas not been examined. We recomrnend*rat the westem area, along with RecreationalUse and Potential: The areais visited the Hunter River area (Area 4.6), be addedto the by people from Koolan and Cockatoo Islandsand Prince Regent Nature Reserveand the whole area by charter boats. be declared a Class A national park vested in the Key Features: The seagrassbeds, coral reef and National Parks and Nature Clnservation Authority. associatedmarine fauna. Ve recommendthat the eastemarea be declareda CTRC Recommendation: None. ClassA national park vestedin the National Parks EPA Recommendation; None. and Nature Conservation Authority and that it be Our Recommendationr We recommend that the named the Lawley River National Park. Ve further waters surrounding the Montgomery Islands be recommend that the waters adjacent to this park declareda ClassA marine park.We alsorecommend be declareda ClassA marine national park vested that negotiations take place between the Department in the National Parks and Nature Conservation of Conservation and Land Management, relevant Authority. Aboriginal communities and the Aboriginal Lands Trust, with the view to including the Montgomery Islandsin the marine park. lllllllllllll4.ro MoNrconsRy IsIaNos ANo REEI lllllllllllllll4.Lr PnrNcEREcrNr Location; In Collier Bay,60 km east-north-eastof Koolan Island. NATunERESERvE Map: 3. Location: About 250 km north-east of Derbv and Area: Not known. 300 km west of Wyndharn. Current Status: The Montgomery Islandsand the Map: 20. adjacent High Clif6' Islands are part of Reserve Area: About 6J5 000 ha. 230?9 for the Use and Benefit of Aborigines. The Current Status: Class C Reserve 2'1164 {or the surroundingreef is vacant Crown lald. Conservation of Flora and Fauna vested in the Geomorphology: High Cliffu Islandsare composed National Parla and Nature C-onservationAuthority. of sandstone, probably Pentecost Sandstone and Geomorphology; The Reservelies largely within Siltstone, which contain one of the best examples the Prince Regent Plateau, a sub-province of the in the State of Precambrianstromatalites, known Kimberley PlateauProvince (Williams and Sofoulis as Conophyton. The Montgomery Islands are 1971). The Plateauconsists of Carpentarian King composedof Quatemaryalluvium, with surrounding Leopold Sandstone,while to the west of St George sandflatsand coral reef. Basin (the estuaryof rhe Prince Regent River) '!?arton is Vegetation and Flora: The Montgomery Islands Sandstoneoverlying Carson Volcanics. The are vegetatedwith mangroves.They are surrounded Basin itself contains extensive tidal flats of by shallow sandy banks with seagrass.The vegetation Quatemary alluvium. Quatemary alluvial deposits of High Cliffy Islands is a mixrure of sandstone also occur on erosional plains on the plateau. North- and vine thicket elementswith someSrghum and east of the Roe River is a hilly region of Carson Hettropogonanwrnrs grasslandson the flat sandsbne Volcanics capped in placeswith Teniary laterite. pavements. pa'folian, Tree speciesinclude Euralypns While much of the areahas a relatively monotonous, Adnnsatit gregorii, Termirulia Ntio]611isand Gyocorfla Iow relief of sandstoneand volcanic hills, there americanus. Scramblers s.uch x Flttgelbria indica, are spectacularfeatures such asKing Cascade,Pitta Pasifkro foetila, Xenostegiatrilenmm and Operaiina Gorge, Mt Trafalgar, Python Cliffs and the Prince brocuniiare very cornmon. Regent River itself, which runs straight for most of its length, often betweenrugged near.vertical cliffs.

75 MAP 20

76 Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation consists cuneata). The rare Black Grass.wren (Anrytornis mainly of closedforest, open forest,woodland, open iousei) occurs in various areas of the reserve, and woodland, tall shrubland and closed grassland one of only two records of the King Qu ail (Conmtix (George and Kenneally 1975). Eucalyprusspecies chinmsislircam) from Westem Australia is ftom a are generally the dominant trees, often with a locality in the Prince RegentNature Reserve. mixture of species of Celtis phLpperuis, Catmiwn The Iiogs (13 species)and reptiles (54 species)are ustralimrum, Buchananiaobouam, Owenia uunicosa, also tlpical of the north-west Kimberley and the Frlcr.rsspp., Erylnopllzum dlorostrclrys, Gardenia spp., north of the Nonhem Territory (Storr and Smith Plarchnniacmeyo xd others. In ftinging formations 19?5). Torresian generaare well-represented,but along watercourses, Melaleuca Leucadendra, Eremaeanare not. Some taxonomic divergence M. argentea,Putlnrw spiralisartd Eucalypnc species from populations in the Nonhem Tenitory appears are common. Grassesand sedgesare dominant in and, Dpcnipfuira hlinetm margaretoe and Carlia the ground flora and, in some swamps, form the johnsmnei jolmstonei, for example, are both principal cover when trees and shrubsare absent. representedby other sub-speciesin the Nonhem Several small but important pockets of rainforest, Territory. The spectacular green lizard DiDadDfuta occurring as semideciduous vine thicket, grow on supberbaoccurs in the reserve and is restricted to screes around St George Basin and Mt Trafalgar. the north-west Kimberlev. Mangroves cover extensive areas on tidal flats, especiallyin St George Basin and Rothsay \Vater, Recent work on the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodlha porosru) these being the secondlargest blocks of mangle in in the Kimberley has shown that the Prince the State. Regent Nature Reserve has an important role to play in the survival of this species(Messel er al. Over 500 speciesof plants have been recordedfrom 1977,Burbidge and Messel1979, Mesel eral. 1987). the reserve,including both common and rare species. Of the riven surveyed,the best and fastestrecovering Fan Palms (Ihisnna loriphylla) are common in populatioru were found in the Roe River, the Prince restrictedlocalities and severallarge populations of Regent River and St George Basin. These areas Clcas basalricaoccur on stony slopesdirectly behind offer a much better chance for a build-up in the beach at Careening Bay. Streamsand swamps crocodilenumbers than do other areasin the State. are rich in aquatic and swampplants. C. porosus inhabits both fresh and salt water but, Fauna: Thirty-six speciesof native mammals are in Westem Australia, is concentrated in the tidal known from resewe (McKenzie the et al, 1975). portions of large rivers where mangrovesare plentiful. This is nearly two-thirds of the total number of It alsooccurs in baysand occasionallyin the ocean, speciesrecorded for Kimberley particularly the and is but most of the time crocodilesare sighted in shallow high for a single reserve. Macropods,bandicoots water. As it exists at present, the Prince Regent and rodents are well represented and there is a Nature Reserve does not protec all the habitat of diverse assemblage of bats. The mammalsinclude Saltwater Crocodiles. Such protection could be at least three (Penogale speciesof rock-wallaby afforded by declaring marine parks in Prince braclryotis,P . burbilgei and Peradmcasconcinna), the Frederick Harbour and St George Basin. This would Rock Ringtail Possum (Psaloch eirus dahli), the also protect the habitat of other marine organisms Scaly-tailed Possum (Wyulda sryamicaudaa), the occuning adjacent to the existing terresffial Nature native mouse Pseulnmys loborifex as well as the Reserve. mangrove bat Pipisnelfuswesnolis. Fourteen speciesof fish have been recorded in fresh One hundred-and-sixty speciesof birds, about half rivers and streams,and a further twenty-one species of the total known from the Kimberlev. have been in the brackish inlet below King Cascade(Allen recorded in the reserve. Most representthe sub- 1975). Most are widespreadin tropical Australia, humid avifaunaof north-westem Kimberley,which some extending to other countries. "Top The hrge- is also typical of the End" of the Northem scale Grunter (lziopohuapon ma$ole1is) is known Territory, e.g. Scrub Fowl (Megapodir.rsreinwardt) only from the Reserve. and Tones Strait Pigeon (Dnlo spiLnlun spilrmhoa) Non-marine molluscsare representedby 26 species (Son etal. 1975,Burbidge and Fuller 1979). Several of land snail, a freshwatersnail and two speciesof dry-country birds are known ftom the inland freshwater mussels(Wilson and Smith 1975). The sandstoneplateau, e.g. the Diamond Dove (Geopelia land snails are predominantly camaenids. More

77 Kngs Cacade on the lnhre RegenrRiver.

Tfu c1cad, Cycas basaltica, on stony s[:rpe.sdirectly behind the beachat Cateeahg Bal.

't8 recent studiesby Alan Solem (1979,7987, 1985, carvedby the crew of H.M. C. Mermaid,the vessel pers. comm.) indicate that the genera Retrotena, usedby Phillip Parker King to carry out hydrographic Kimbuaga, Hadra a;d Baudinellahave their centres surveysof the nonhem coasts of Australia from ofdiversity in this area,and that restrictedendemic 1818 - 1820. King wasaccompanied by the botanisr species of the wide-ranging genera Tonesitrachia, Allan Cunningham and the reserve is an imponant Arnplihagd&a, Semfuu.rfinia altd Xanthomelnn are locality for botanists becauseof the large number numerous. Almost no camaenidspecies are shared ofnew speciesthat were describedfrom collections between the Mitchell Plateau area and the Prince he made. Regent "The Nature Reserve. CTRC Recommendation: Committee There is a large insect fauna typical of the region considersthat, although tlre Reserve is already large but also containing little.knou'n and undescribed ard representative of the region, it should be species,e.g. of Ancx (Odonata, dragonflies) and expandedto include severaladjacent features. To Sinlulitrn'(Diptera, flies) (Baileyand Richards1975). the east, Mt Hann and Mt Agnes, two isolated Recreational Use and Potential: Some of the mountains reaching over 820 m and ?40 m in coastalscenery is very attractive and it is receiving height respectively, lie in vacant Crown land. increasedattention ftom private and charter boats. Betweenthem, on an upper tributary of the Prince The abundant Saltwater Crocodiles are an added Regent River, is a deep gorge. The addition of feature. There has been some interest in this areawould have these advantages: bushwalking. There is no road access and f. it would protect the cornpletecatchment ofthe construction and maintenance would be verv costlv. Prince Regent River and greatly reducethe risk At presentthe Reserveis a ProhibiredArea under of pollution should adjacent areasbe utilised. the Wildlife Conservation Act and a permit is This is importalt in view of the extensive system necessaryto enter. CALM policy is to seekliaison of streamsand rivers forming the river basin, with the Mowanjum Aboriginal Community before and the dependenceof so many plants and issuingpermits for other than coastalaccess because animals on them; of the large number of sacredsites in the reserve. 2. it would add an areaof unique sceneryto dre There is no managementpresence, but CALM is reserve." seekingmoney to consrruct a field station near Mt 'Waterloo. Several islands which supplement the Reserve biologically lie off the coast and in the St George We believe that ftrture intensive recreational use Basin. St Andrew and St Patrick Islands in St proposed should be directed to the Mitchell Plateau George Basin, and Uwins and Greville Islands at National Park, where road accessalready exists and the entranceto the Basin,are Aboriginal Reserves. the sceneryis comparable. Recreationaluse ofthe However Bat, Boongareeand the Coronation Islands Prince Regent Nature Reserveshould be restricted are vacant Crown land. They are described in "Within to the coastand to bushwalkingunder strict permit- Section 7.2. the Nature Reservesare three only conditions. other reserves(Numbers 8243, 8248 and 8252 of Key Features: The Prince RegentNature Reserve 405, 405 and 1215 ha respectively)which were is representative of the sub-humid nonh-west declaredprior to the creation of the Prince Regent Kimberley flora and fauna and contains most of Nature Reserve. All are Class C, their purpose the north-west Kimberley endemics. It is one of being Vater.Travellers and Stock. There seems only two BiosphereReserves in Westem Australia. to be no reason whv thev should not be included It containspopulations ofthreatened mammals(e,g. in the Reserve." Golden Bandicoot) and includes the only patches Recommendations. of rainforestcurrently within a conservationreserve. "The Committee endorsesthe purposeand vesting It has the best populations of Saltwater Crocodile ofReserveNo. 27164. It recommends: in WestemAustralia and St GeorgeBasin includes the secondlargest areas of mangrove in the State. a. that the reservebe upgradedto a ClassB Reserve. b. that Aquatic Reservesbe An important historical site exists at Careening declaredto include: "Mermaid Bay. This is the Tree", a large Boab (a)Prince FrederickHarbour seawardto Cape Torrens and the unnamed canesouth of the

79 +

LOCALITYMAP RUSTRAI.IGE

SCALE 0 5 10 15 20km

PENTECOST

t-. RIVER I u".. I r_l f-l ti

BEDFORDDOWNS

LEGEND TABLELAND _l V.C. L, VacantCrown Land ||||||r|| Proposed Survey Area

MAP 21

80 Anderdon Island; and 10.the aquatic reservesbe classifiedas Class A (b)St George Basin seawardto Uwins Island reservesand vestedin the WA Wildlife and Cape \Tellington, including Rothsay and Authoritv: 'Waters; Munster 11.the !7A \illldlife Authoritv. in consultation c. t-hat the area around Mt Hann and Mt Agnes with the National Parks Authority, prepare a asdesignated in Fig. 7.5 be addedto rhe reserve; managernent plan for Resewe 27164, takng lnto account increasing public interest in the area. d. that Coronation, Bat and BoongareeIslands be addedto the reserve; Our Recommendation: We recommend that the reserve be amended to national park and that the e. that ReservesNos. 8243, 8248 and 8Z5Z be vesting rernain with fie National Parks and Nature cancelledand their areaadded to ReserveNo. Conservation Authority. \Ue endorse EPA 77164; remmmendations b, c, d and e, We recommend f. that the W.A. \Tildlife Authority, in that Recommendationa be changed,to the extent consultation with the National Parks Authority, that the reserveshould be Class A. The aquatic prepare a managementplan for the reserve,taking reservesrecommended in b should be ClassA marine into account increasingpublic interest in the national parks vested in the National Parks and alea." Nature Conservation Authority. EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommends*Lat: 1. the classificationof Reserve27164 be amended lllllllllllllll4.12RusrRRNcP to ClassB; Location; About 200 km south-westof Kununurra. Z. purpose reserve of tlie of the be Conservation Formerlyknown as*re Bluff FaceRange. Flora and Faunaand Water; Map:21. 3. the areaof vacant Crown land containing Mt Area: About 323 000 ha. Hann and Mt Agnes, asoutlined in Fig ?.5, be ",1,t",1r^ rh. ....^,.. Current Status: VacantCrown land. 4. the areaof vacant Crown land to the north of Geomorphology: The upper catchment of Durack the reserveand as indicated in Fig 7.5, be added River lies in a large area of vacant Crown land, to the reserve; surrounded by pastoral leases. Much of it is a gently undulating and monotonous plateau, but 5. Reserves8243,8248 and 8252 be cancelledand there are many seasonalstreams and, along the their areaadded to Reserve27164; larger watercourse,perrnanent pools. Most of the the islandsof the Augustusgroup and 6. should area is coveredby the Late PrecambrianPentecost those within St George Basin no longer be Sandstone, but there are small areas of sandy required Aboriginal Reserve,they be set aside as alluvium. In places,the streamshave carved out for the purposeof Conservation of Flora and picturesquegorges, and the southem end of the Fauna; Rust Range lies acrossthe area. Average annual ?. Bat Island, the Coronation Islards, Boongaree rainfall is about 650 mm. lsland and the other islandswithin Prince Vegetation and Flora: Low woodland with a grassy Frederick Harbour be addedto Reserve2? 164 - understoreyoccupies extensive tracts. ErcaL1pu,s PrinceRegent River Wildlife Sancruary; tetrodnnm, E. phoenici,t, E. chromophlnb nd, 8. Aquatic Reservesbe declaredto include: E. minnm are the dominant trees,with Plectrachne (a) Prince FrederickHarbour seawardto pzngenscommon as ground cover. Along drainage Cape Torrens and the unnamed cape lines the vegetationoften increaseslittle in density, south of the Anderdon Islands,and though the speciescomposition changes. Orange (b) St George Basin seawardto Uwins Grevillea (Greuilleapteritifolia) and Boab (Admsonb Island and Cape \Uellington, gregorii)are characteristic species. An important including Rothsay and Munster occurence is that of fan palms (Livistonosp.) in Waters; somegorges. Two speciesof Liuismnaoccur in the area. 9. dre aquatic reservesextend ftom high water mark;

81 Fauna; The fauna of the areahas not been studied. illllllllllillll4.r3 SrnGn4.HnN4 Recreational Use and Potential: No current use MoonEIsr-Rxns known. Major use in the foreseeablefuture unlikely becausethe area is not scenicallv spectacularand Location: A group of islands located off Anjo is off the major tourist routes. Peninsula at the northem end of Napier Broome Key Features: Insufficient data to define. There Bay about 40 km north of Kalumburu. areno reservesrepresenting ecosystems of d'redriest For a descriptionsee Burbidge and McKervie ( 1978). sourhem interior of the Kimberley Basin. Map: 4. 'Geomorphology'. CTRC Recommendation: At present there is no Area: Seeunder conservationreserve in the east-centralKimberley. Current Status; Vacant Crown land. The area in question lies midway betweenthe wet Geomorphology: The group comprisestwo small nonh-west and the semi-aridsouth-east Kimberley. islands - Scorpion (approx. 350 ha) and Kim A reserve here would increase the conserved (approx. 15 ha) - as well as Sir Graham Moore represenrationof Kimberley biota. Information is Island itself (Z 660 ha). Sir Graham Moore is a at present insufficient for a definite recommendation King Leopold Sandstoneisland. The westem four- to be made, but no developmentof dre areashould flfths has a low profile and is mostly covered wi*r be alloweduntil a biological surveyhas been carried sandy soil. At the eastem end is a mesa, capped out. "The by laterite. The two sectionsare joined by a narrow Recommendations: Committee recommends sandyisthmus. that: Vegetation and Flora: An open woodland of a. the Environmental Protection Authority arrange Eucalypus miniam, E. bleeseriand. E. PopLmw coverc for a biological surveyto be carriedout in the most of the island. Shrubs of Poutenaseicea, Acacia areashown in Fig.7.I ) to determineirs stignatophylla and TermiruItt canesceru above conservationalvalue; Plzcnachne pwtgens, Hetuopogon and Cymbopogon b. t-hecooperation of the Depanment of Lands form scatteredareas of low open shrubland. lVide and Surveysbe soughtto ensurethat the views crevices, where sandstone is exposed, support of the Envkonmental Protection Authority be Panlnnus sp., Eurnlypats spp., Ouenb uemicosaand obtained prior to any land release,pending Fiats plat'1fodaover hummock grasslands.Extensive completion of the suwey referredto in a above." areasof swarnp supporting a closed sedgelandof "The EPA Recommendation: EPA recommends Fuiretw cilituis surrounded by low closed forests of that: Melnlzur.auiridiflma occur in the westem ponion of 1. the Department of Fisheriesand Wildlife, the island. Xyis complanua md, Sqli&tun nultiscnfr.un 'Westem Australian Museum and Westem commonly occur in thesewetlands, Ausualian Herbarium make a biological survey Sandy areasat the eastemend of the island have a of the Bluff FaceRange area with a view to low open shrubland of Pouteriaseicea, Greuillza recommending to the EPA the creation of a sp., Bankh denmm and Pondrnuswith hummock reserve; grasslands. 2. the Department of Lands and Surveys,pending The flat laterite plateau of the mesa is covered the outcome ofthis biological survey,refer all with an open EumllDfrlswoodland over hummock applicationsfor releaseof this land to the EPA." grasses. Acaci,r gonocorpa and Acacia tutshr.ens low The laterite Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the EPA occur asscattered open shrublands. mesa low recommendation. The biological surveyshould be scree slopesof the are covered with a coordinated by the Biological SurveysCommittee. open or low closed shrubland, with some areasof Adtnsonb gregoni. The Department of Land Administration has Panlaruts and replacedthe Department of Lands and Surveys.

82 Fauna: The most interesting faunal element is the Volcanic and King Leopold Sandstonestrata. Thus Mosaic-tailed Rat (Melomys sp.). Unfortunately, there are contrasting landforms on either side of pigs have become establishedand are damaging the Inlet. the vegetation and soils, especiallyin swampsand To the north and north-east, 6ere are undulating creeks. Recently attempts to eradicate tlle pigs lowlands, with dendritic drainage off the gentle have been conductedby the Agriculture Protection slopesof the isolatedhills and ridges(tlpical volcanic Board as part of the brucellosiscontrol campaign. @untry). These lowlandsare overlooked by a sheer (Hydromys Water Rats chrysogruter)also occur there. escarpment, the southern margin of a Warton King Brown Snakes (Pseudomys arunclis) are Sandstone plateau stretching northward towards (Ctetnus common. The skink mntallis)has been Doubtful Bay. found on no other Kimberley island. To the soudrof the Inlet arerugged, boulder-strewn Recreational IJse and Potential: None. valleysand rangesof King Leopold Sandstone. Key Features: Sir Graham Moore is a large island Tidal mudflats, up to five kilomctres wide, fringe with a population Mosaic-tailed of Rats. It is by the central and eastem parts of the Inlet and are far the largest very few of islandsin the Kimberley variably inundated by the tides, which have an with lateritic surfaces. averageeffective rise and fall of 11 metres. Around "Sir CTRC Recommendation: Graham Moore the landwardedge ofthe mudflat there are exterxive Island is vacant Crown land but the Committee alluvial plains, including areasofdark alluvial soils, docs not consider it worthy of reservation at this occasional large fresh water lagoons and, where time." small streams flow out of the sandstone, small EPA Recommendation: None. swampyareas ofdeep, sandysoil sained by organics. Our Recommendation: We recommendthat Sir Rock slopesrise steeply from the mangrovesand Graham Moore Islandsbe declareda ClassC Nature rocky shores at the mouth of \Talcott Inlet, Reservevested in the National Parks and Nature terminating in a plateauwhich in placesis bordcred Conservation Authority. by cliffs.Here, the Warton and PentecostSandstones overlie the CarsonVolcanics and producea similar topography to that of King Leopold Sandstone. lllililllllil4.14 \TALCorr INLET King Leopold Sandstone also forms the Anesian Range, between the Isdell and Chamley Rivers, AREA east of l7alcott Inlet. Dark grey Han Dolerite intrudes all these rock types and produces Location: Situated 150 kilomctresnorth-cast of a characteristicblack bank on many hillsides Derby, the Walcott Inlct areaincludes the country where scree slopes have been produced south from the mouth of the Sale River to rhe by weathering. The sandstones,in particular, yicld King Leopold Rangc. It includcsWalcott Inlet, an angular, blocky scrcewhen providing which extends for about l0 l

83 +

MAP22

84 +

W.hen the plants at six of the rainforest patches Rivers and creeks,flowing through sandstone,are scatteredthrough the areawere surveyedin June fringed by stately Cadjeputsand River Gums over 1987,more than 10 speciesnew to WesternAustralia thicketsof screwp alm (Pmdnus) and wattle. Pools wererecorded. in fhe watercoursesare rich in aquatic plants such The Australian and New Zealand Scientific aswater lilies; waterfallsare numerouseven in the Exploring Society inventoried sites along the drv season.and decoratedwith fem banksand with estuariesof the Chamley and CalderRiven in 1983. fig treesthat cling to the sheerrock walls. Extensivetidal alluvial flats zuppondense stands Fauna: The areahas a rich and apparentlyintact of mangroves.Alluvial plains supponextensive fauna. Marnmalsreported in the sandstonecountry grasslandsdominated by woodland of Euca\pns by A. Chapman(pers. comm.) include the Scaly- tectificaandE. termir:rr;liswith T erminaliocu'Lescens, tailed Poszum(Vylla sryamicaudora),the rare and Cndenia pliformrs and Eryrhrophlewncllnrosttchys. endangeredGolden Bandicoot(Isrndon awaats), The ground layer is dominated by spear grass the SugarGlider (Penmts bre,,)ice|s),and a variety (Heteropogoncurmrtus) and Erhchnesp. of native tree and rock rats. The Ghost Bat (Maoodemw Alluvial banksadjacent to rivers supportE collp .s grgas) was recorded in riverine (Macroglosls papuata, Lysiphfllum cw:minfiwmi| \?hite Cedar woodlands,along with the BlossomBat periphery (Meliaazedararh) xA Braclrychitond.iversifotius. mirimts). Swampyareas on the landward of the mudflat supporta variety of water birds such forests the banksof creeks Gallery extend along as the Green PygmyGoose, Royal Spoonbilland to the outcroppingsandstone. Tree and adjacent Sacredlbis, and providebreeding habitat for the include Melabuca leucadendra,Tenninatia species SaltwaterCrocodile. Forrest'sMouse (Izcgal.iru plaWplryIla, F icuscorotutlam, Syrygrum erca\ pwides wastrapped in the grasslandson the alluvial groves forrasn) and ConllirL hachba. Derue of Putlanus plains. spiralisoccur over fern bedsdominated by Cyclosonr mrcf'ruptus. The following mammalshave been recordedin the rainforests:Shon-eared Rock-wallaby (Penogale Patchesof rainforestoccur on the steepslopes below haclqoas), Dulwlrs hollrcaus, Isoodnnmonourus, the sandstoneescarpments, in narrow gorges,in the Golden.backed Tree-rat (Mesembriomls hollowson the upper slopesof somehills and in nnomts), the rock-rats ZyTomlswodwardii and swampyareas behind tidal mudflats. Rainforest Z. ctrgwus,and Tunney's Rat (Rarnrsnmneyt). Birds speciesinclude Abna precowrius,Afuia eltteagnotAea, recordedin the rainforestsinclude the V/hitelined Gyocarfus americuttrs,Maktisia scmdzns,Brurea Honeyeater,Yellow Oriole, White-browedRobin, javanica, Melit azedoroch,Mimrcops eleng, Ailn Rainbow Pitta, Spangled Drongo, Shining racemosa,Bombax ceiba, Ficus vireru, F. racemosa, Flycatcher,Torres Strait Pigeon, Green-winged Naucbaorientalis, EumbDtus aDdoDlrylla, and Cappnris Pigeonand Figbird.Populations of the Olive Python, sepiorio. Green Tree Snake, and skinks such as Ca,rlia A low or openwmdland coversthe sandstoneslopes fiilrnnho, Morethia ruficaudn and Notoscincra and plateaux, interspersedin places with tall urotjulumare alsopresent. shrublandand hummockgrassland, Typical trees patches, includeWoollybu tt (EumIJDfrrminraa), Grey Box During a recent surveyof rainforest a (8. tectifiu), Bloodwoods (E. pobcm\a and numberof endemicland snailswere found to be (Alan pers. E. diclvonophlnia), Temhalitt spp., \Xl4ritewood restrictedto this area Solem comm.). (Amlay hemigkLuco),Bauhinia (Llsiphl\lum The faunaof snailsis, with few exceptions,different from the PrinceRegent Nature Reservein terms cunnrnfumii),Quinine Tree (PealosAgma fu}vscens), Brchuwnb sp., Gordeniospp., Owenia vemicoso, or specles. etc.Shrubs include Acacia spp., Grevillea spp., Ficus Recreational Use and Potential: Excellent; the spp., Cochlospermumfrueri, Dolichanlrone, etc. scenic grandeurof this remote wildemes is accesible Hummockgrass (Plecncrchrw pungeru), Spear Grasses via the navigable waters of Walcott Inlet and the (Ansnda spp. and Heteropogoncontartus), Sughum esruarinesections of the major rivers. sp.,Chrysolrogon /allox and KangarooGrass (ThemerJn Key Features: Spectacular tidal cunents and austtalii arecommon. whirlpools, sandstoneescsrpments and gorges,

85 ClnnbingSuarnp Fem (Stenochlaenapalustrl s) is amnonin golleqftrcsts lirging oecl

86 "The floating fern banks, waterbird lagoons,rainforest EPA recornmendsthat: patches,black plains. soil 1. the vacant Crown land sunounding "The the Inlet CTRC Recommendationr Committee be declareda ClassC Reservefor the purpose recommendst_hat: of National Park and Vater and vestedin the a. all vacant Crown land surroundingthe Inlet National ParksAuthority of \7.A.; be declareda ClassC Reservefor the purpose 2, once the reserveis gazetted,the National Parks of National Park and vestedin the National Authority explore with the occupants of Pantijan ParksAuthority of W.A.; Station the possibility ofjoint participation in b. that once the reserveis gazetted,the National managementof the Park." ParksAuthority explore with the lesseesof Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the EPA Pantijan Station the possibility of joint recommendation, except that the purpose of the participation in managememof the Park." "water" reserveshould not include and the reserve There have been proposalsto build a tidal power should be ClassA. The reserveshould extend to station at Yule Entrance, in the mouth of Walcott "Although low water mark. Inlet. the Committee's terms of Since the EPA remmmendation was made, referencedo not include comment on the viability the land between the Isdell and Chamley Rivers has of these proposals, it believes that any beenleased for pastoralpurposes. recommendations for a National Park or Conservation Reserve in the area .should not Ve frrther recommend that the waters of Walcott prejudicefuture decisionsconceming a tidal power Inlet be declared a Class A marine national oark station," vested in the National Parks and Naiure Conservation EPA Recommendation: The EPA endorsedthe Authority. CTRC recommendation to leave provision for a tidal power station.

Backflowbilbbongs along the Valcott Inkt are richin Muatic blrints.

87 ri-

SOUTHESKTABLELANDS, GARDINER RANGE, GREGORYLAKE & WOLFECREEK CRATER SCALE LEGEND 20O2p406080

\

t\'Qo *t!.'4 (! \! l- s TANAMI

BALGO /|' 52A0 DESEFT

A2 6399

BALWINA ABOR]GINAL FES€FVE .T/s7 .\

,/GREAT

8oo ^.24923 SANDY CENTRALALISTRALIA ABORIG NAL BESEFVE

DESERT

MAP 23

88 GnE,qrS,txnv Dsssnr

Th" .ro.th"- section of the Great Sandy Desert Sandy Desen. Its headwatersare in Sturt Creek, intrudes into the Broome, West Kimberley and then its route can be traced westwards to the coast Halls CreekShires. The geologyof tlis desenhas via Lake Gregory, Dragon Tree soak and Mandora been describedby Towner et al. (1976),Towner Salt Marsh. Gradients are gentlq along the axis of and Gibson(1980) and Yeateser aL (19?5).For a the major palaeodrainage valleys. Two distinct general description see Burbidge and McKenzie surface types are recognised in the valleys: calcrete (1e83). and alluvial depositsof saline loam and clay. Non. Red sand surfacesdominate the landscapeof the saline loam and clay occur in the upper reaches of desenand areexpressed mainly aslongitudinal dunes the drainagelines discussedlater. (Crowe 1975),trending west to west.north-west, The lake deposis comprise clay, silt, fine sand, separatedby inter-dune sandplainsranging from some superficial gypsum and occasional patches of 0.5km to severatkilometres wide. The dunesvary gravel or rock fragments. They are salt encrusted from three to 20 meues in height. Extensive where the water table is close to the surface(allowing sandplainswithout dunesare also presentin some evaporation) and usually crack as they dry out. places. Dune sandis red-brownand containsminor Laterally, the lakes grade into alluvial valley-fill silt. In inter-duneplains it is firmer, sometimes sedimentsor, more commonly, depositsthat are a with minor clay, and darker in colour. mixture of windblown sand and alluvial clavAilt. The sandis thought to have originatedin sinr ftom The latter is often associated with calcrete and is "erosion and retreat of the sandstonebreakaways gypsum-bearing along the margins of lakes. and redistributionof soil originallypresent on top Calcrete crops out extensively as pavements,mounds of the lateriticprofile". (Towner and Gibson 1980) and rubble within the valleys. The topography of The iron-enrichedlateritic crustsof the GreatSandy both sandy and alluvial surfaces overlying calcrete Desert are believed to have formed at tie same depositsis uneven. time (mid-Miocene)as the relict, now blocked, Exposuresof the Permian to Cretaceous sedimentary drainagevalleys (van de Graafet al. 1977). strata underlying the Great Sandy Desert are Today the Great Sandy Desert, like ot-herdesens expressedas low sandstone, siltstone or mudstone in li7estern Australia, has a disintegratedintemal ranges and rnesas,often capped with iron-enriched drainagecharacterised by ephemeralcreeks and riven laterite. In general, these outcrops are small and that only flow after cyclones and dischargeinto isolated, scacely interrupting the pattem of sand salt lakes. Most of theselakes are arrayedin partly dunes. The Mclarty Hills, a series of Jurassic interconnected chains, or are elongate,and mark sandstone outcrops in the north-westem part of the coursesof the ancient river vallevs. One of the Great Sandy Desert, provide a typical illustration. these is the Mandora Palaeoriver,mapped by van More extensive buttes and rangesoccur in the nonh- de Graaf et al. (1977),that drainedthe nonhern eastem sector of the Desen; comprising Permian half of the area encompassedtoday by the Great sandstones,these outcrops are mostly 15 to 30 metres

89 )f

9

2

o q J L I o N o F E : o o = I,IJ l o E, 1 z otJt lJl x-*ulel E '*] oE IJJ 5 F 2 E "l LIJ z U) = Rl uJ o o oIrl oo. o o E z o- a

F

LIJ E l-;l 1------1

1 \< .**

MAP 24

90 higher than the surroundingplains. The Southesk clay surround the lakes.Where they are adjacent Tablelandsnear GodfreysTank are 90 metreshigh to the sand ridges of the desert, tlese plains are in places. superficiallymantled by redsand. Laterite is expressedas capson marty of the mesas Mandora Swamp is one of a seriesof fresh water and as intermittent gravelly rises and breakaways swampsscattered along the axis of the relict drainage throughout t-he Great Sandy Desert. It represents valley to the eastof the salt marsh (Vvrwoll er al. the erodedremnants of the Miocene crust discussed 1986). k is the only swamp in the area with a earlier.Femrginous gravelly sandplains often overlie thick accumulation of organic sedirnent dtectly the laterite. overlying a sand substrate.The organics at the other Relatively small areasof clayeyand silty soils,with swamps are less than 40 cm thick and overlay a only minor sand and gravel, are found in valleys stiff plastic clay horizon. Mandora Swamp is also 'raised and as outwash plains, where small creeks drain different becauseit takesthe form of a bog', the Desertuplands (ranges,breakaway systems and standing about two meftes above the surrounding gravel ridges). These non-saline alluvial surfaces plain of organic rich mud, and is surroundedby a are best developedin the SoutheskTablelands and moat. near Lake Gregory. More typically, non-saline valley Undulating plains of ground-watercalcretes occur. fill and oumash surfacescomprise a mixture of Most areasare superficially mantled by red sand, alluvial silt/clay and greater percentagesof sand. though the calcretepavement is normally exposed Although these are still only a minor element, on the tops of the rises. srbstantial areasoccur in landscapedepresions along Features typical of the north-westem parts of the the salt lake systems and adjacent to ranges ard Great Sandy Desert include the extensive red the lesssteep-sided uplands. sandplains,red sand dunes about 15 metres high Burbidge and McKenzie (1983) recommended a and scatteredMesozoic mudstone and sandstone seriesof reservesin the Great Sandv Desert.three outcrops,often cappedwith laterite. of which are in its nonhem pan. Vegetation and Flora: Nearest to the sea,where sand is still being thrown up and colonised, the dunes have a cover of Spinr/erlongfolila, almost lllllllllllllll5.1MANDoRA pure at times, or with lpomoea pes,caprae,Eupharbd mytoifus and Polona eillasifllr.rus,Further from the Location: 220 km south-soutl.west of Broome. sea,usually after the first dune, the more consolidated Map:.2.{. sandhills are vegetated thickly with Triodia ptmgens Status: Anna Plains pastoral leaseincludes almost and with some Panicum sp. Occasional woody all the features associatedwith the mouth of tl-re plants include shrubs of Acacia bivenoso, Sanmhtm palaeoriver. It also includes extensive areas of hnceohum, Scoevola dncipiens,Euphnrbia coghlmii, sardplains and desen dunes, and swales with Croalmia cwmin$wnii and Aeruajavcmica. Frequent scatteredrock outcrops; the Radi Hills, in the vacant buming of the dune vegetation appearsto have Crown land south of Mandora Marsh (salt), and reducedthe abundanceof woody growth, especially Mount Phire, in the Nita Downs Pastoral Lease, in the hollows, where Acacfoibivenosa misht tend are two of the more prominent. The adjacent vacant ro form thickets. Crown land to the south and east (see map 24) On the plain behind, scattered stands of Eucalypns comprisessandplains, dunes ard isolatedoutcrops. af{. papuana occur and Triodia pmgens is lacking Geomorphology: Various Holocene coastal features fiom the loam soils. Frequent buming characterises and su#aces are associated with the mouth of the the grassland,which is a mixture of speciesand it Mandora Palaeoriver.These include beach dunes would be difficult to saywhich is the mosr important. of calcareousmarine sandsand saline lakes such as Species which do occur are Eragrosds dielsii, E. Mandora Marsh, with evaporitecarbonate surfaces. Iuotnaia, Xeroclloa fuirfum, Erneapogcnplnnifulits, Salt Creek is a deep channel several kilometres Sprnobolusoc.titncladus, Triraphis mollis, Dichonthilnn long that is permanently filled with salt water and affme, Chlorisruleralis, Paniann decomposiunvar. dischargesinto the easternside of Mandora Marsh. scabenimttmand also Sporobolusuirgrnictc, which Extensive alluvial plains of greyish sandy silt and has two growth forms. As Salt Grassit forms a coarsemat 0.2-0.3m thick of erectculms, while as

91 Sa| Creek, permanentlyfiIlzd with sattwater, supputsan ilmd ocaarenceof theVhite Mangror,,e(Avicennia marina).

92 Coastal Couch Grass it has long trailing culms, scfun3i),bunch grassessuch as Eragrosrisand a variety often more than 3 m in length. The two forrns of herbs (Srcmodiaspp., Minwia integenima, Plttrhea appear ro be the result of a responseto a slight tenanthera, and Cromltnia uispaw) alteration in soil mineral salt content. On what The undulating calcreteplains, thinly mantled with appearto be damperpatches in the grassland,there red sand, support open shrublands o( GreE)iIIea are colonies of Eulalb fulua or Botlviochba decipiens wickhorli and Acacia amplicepsover A. trursltrcens (both known as Bundle Bundle Grass) with Panialm and the other understoreyspecies described in the decompositwnx a subordinate form. previous paragraph. As a rule, the grass flats are treelessareas, but The red sand ridges of the desert support open occasionally there are small groups of Mebtbrca shrublands of Greuillea, Melalerca, Cromknia neruosa,M. ltuian/;a and M. arorioi.des.Here, most cwtnin{nmii, Corchons, Newcutelin clnlntrichn, of the grassesare absent, though Cenchruscilkrns Dunpiera cintrea, Burein aff. breuiflrtra, Cyanostegin may occur. These tree groups represent isolated c"ymocalyxand Acocin nmslurens, over a hummock 'rlte patches of Melaletrcashrublands that form a grasslando( Pbctrachneschinrri with scatteredlow definite phasein the transitional zonebetween the tr ees (T ermirwlin ctnnin ghamii). plain coastal vegetation and that of the spinifex The extersive red sandplainsof the inter-dr.ureswales pindan. This junctions border type appearson the support a selection of pindan and desen plants. loam red grey between and sand and between and Vegetation is a low open woodland of Eumlyputs red sand. ryCo|lqlirl over an open shrubland of Acatia The lakes are bare of vegetation, or support low alcistrocuqa, A. holnsericea, A. monticoh arrrd open shrublands of samphires such as Halosarcia A. translurensover a densehummock grasslandof inAca, H. habcnemoils :rtd Frutkznin. The banks Plectraclmeschinzii. In an area regenerating after of Salt Creek are lined by a relictual stand of the fire, the 1981 surveyrecorded a low open woodland White Mangrove (Auicenninmrlritw) first described of L1 siphyllrnn cmninf,tamii, Gr e'tillea lstenoborrya by Beard (1967). The extensivealluvial plains and Acorb hobsericeaover an open shrubland of surrounding the lakes support low woodlands or Acoda uutslrc.ensand Cassiaanuisryla mixed with shrub thickets o{ Acorb amplicepsand Melnleuca scatteredhummock (Pbctrtrc]trc schinii) and tussock otarioifus, over low shrubs such x Acacia monticoh, grassesand the he rbs CaltnCrinin, Triontlwnta pilosum Halnsarciautricuktta and the other samphireslisted and Polonrscalos achyris, above. Grasslandsof the native couch, Sporoboh.rs No data on the vegetation of the outcrops in the urginbra,which cover extensivealeas of theseplains, areahave been collected. glades occur as between the thickets and as an Fauna: A mixture of deseft and Torresian species more understoreywhere the thickets are open. were recordedduring the briefvisit in August 1983. The fresh water swampssupport an open forest of Mammals included the Red Kangaroo, Larapinta the paperbark Melalerca argentea20 metres high (Smintlnpsismnnuna), LesserHairy-footed Dunnart with, in wet areas,scattered Dragon Flower Trees (S. loungsoni), Delicate Mouse (Pseudomys (Sesbmia fonnosa), areasof the sedgeSchoenopizctls delicatulus), Yellow-bellied Sheath-tailed Bat Iimralis, the bulrush Tlpha domingensisand clumps (Ta1hnzous flauiuennis) and Nonhem Mastiff Bat of the fem Aqoxjchum speciosum. The sedge (Chnnephonjoknsrs). Numerous birds were recorded; Fimbrisrlhsfemt$nea forms a tussockgrassland under notably the ClamorousReed.Varbler, Barking Owl, the paperbarktrees on the raisedbog. The swamps Little Corella, Black-tailed Native Hen, Brolga, are all severely trampled by cattle though, Peacefu[ Dove, Straw-necked Ibis, White-plumed fom.rnately,the moat at Mandora Swamp was still and Black Honeyeater, \Uedge-tailed Eagle, (May 1986) providing panial protection for the numerous wading birds and water fowl. Reptiles raisedbog. included the dragons Ctenophorus caudicincus, Where red sand mantles the alluvial silt and clay Diparipham pindffi, D. winneckei ard Gemmamphara plains, the vegetation comprisesscattered low trees gilberti, rhe skinks Crenonrs grandis,Lerism ips, and tall shrubs such as Llsrphyllum cwtninfiwmii, Spfunomorphm isolepis,Noroscrhcus ornarus and the Grectille.aurickhamii, Termitwlia amninghmii and legles lizard Delmorincrc. Several amphibians were Acatia ampliceps, low shrubs such as Acacrla recorded,including Notalen nicAollsi. rarulurens,hummock grasses(including Plecnachne

9J \Uhen flooded, the Marsh is ar important habitat part of the Great Sandy Desert (McKenzie er al. for water birds. 1983). It straddles the Mandora Palaeoriver, All environments in the area are being severely including alluvial flats, numerous small salt lakes ,{^*",{",{ k,, ^.iit" and tlre peat swampat DragonTree Soak (\Tyrwoll et aI. 7986). The proposedreserve also includes Recreational Use and Potential: Desert scenery the Mclarty Hills, a seriesof low sandstone traversedby national highway, bird watching. Jurassic plateaux and mesas that scarcely disrupt the peat pile Key Features: The at Mandora Swamp is longitudinal pattem of the sandridges. of greatscientific importance. Desertenvironments abutting the coast and estuarine environments Vegetation and Flora: A detailed descriptiorLwas provided (1983) truncatedby beachdunes. Freshwater swampplants in McKenzie et aL. and additional plant specieswere listed in George and Mitchell and animals isolatedby sandydesert environments. ( Wetlands imponant for the conservationof wading 1e83). birds. The screesof the Mclarty Hills consist of shaly "Radi CTRC Recommerulation: Hills and Samphire pebblesand small boulders,often cementedtogetier Marsh (= Mandora Marsh) . Further investigation by a fragile crust of clay-like soil. The vegetation is recommended." is mostly open humnock grasswith a few herbs "The and occasionalshrubs of Gre{,ill€o.Some areasare EPA Recommendation; EPA recommends alrnost bare. The spinifexesNe Triodia intermedia to the Department of Fisheriesand Wildlife that and T. pungeru. Herbs include Abutilnn lepilum, when resourcesare available it should carry out a Dampieraconliuns , Gom\Iverw antninfiwmii , Ptilnus biological survey of the Radi Hills and Samphire calnsmclryw,P. emlmu.ts,P. incmrs, Trichadzsma Marsh with particular attention to the inland Tellanicum Ni Triumfetta micrantlw. Two other population of the mangroves." grassescollected here were Eriachne ciliam md Our Recommendation: Investigations of the E. muttotam. biological resourcesof the areahave proceededfar Among large bouldersaround the breakawayedge enough to enable a reserveto be delineated. We Greuillea pyamidalis and Fioa plnrypoda occur as recommend that a Class A nature rcserve,vested isolated plants. Herbaceousspecies are Cyperru in the National Parks and Nature Conservation cwtningjamii, Mukirt nwlerospamna, Nicotiana Authority, be declared with the following benthamtnta,Sokmwn Srcnophilum,Stemodia fiffiolia boundaries:200 00'S 121007'E eastto 122000', north and, by shelteredoverhangs, Tinos1ua smikt ina. to 19030', eastto the Anna Plains leaseboundary, south to 19040', west to 121010', south to the The smaller plateau areas carry open hummock Anna Plains leaseboundary, west to 121007', south grasswith scatteredshrubs. Triodic pungeruis the to the starting point (see Map 24). The most common spinifex. Shrubs include Call trixlon$flonn, significant part of this proposed reserve includes Greuillzapyranilnls and G. wickAomii. In small the fearures associatedwith the mouth of the gullies there are thickets of Acaria ocralenw, Mandora palaeoriverwhich arewithin Anna Plains A. mondcolaand Greuilleorefracm. Station. We recommendthat the reservebe named In the largcr valleys, where sandy loam has Mandora Reserve. the Nature accumulatcd,open scrub occurs along creek lines. This is dominated by Acorta, especiallyA. hnkxmcea and, A. monticola, with a f ew Clzrodendrum lllllllllllllllls.z McLARry Htt-t-s fkribrartum, Gardenia pyriformis, Greuillza refrorn, Hibisats lepmcl,o.htsar.d Euca\ptus papuata. There Location: 225 km south-eastofBroome. is a bunch grassto cane grassunderstorey, often Map:24. dense, of Eragrosni eriopodn, Aristidn brwnnrn, Cunent Status: This proposedreserve comprises A. inrrcryiglumis, Sor$um plzmosum and the 290 000 hectares,most of which is vacant Crown hummock grxs Trio a pungens,togethcr with the land. It includes the 14 182 hectare Dragon Tree sedgeFimbnsrylis dichomma. There are herbs such SoakNarure Reserve (A 15918). x Btrclmna(ASC 14735), Crotlaria oisfum, [)rosoa Geomorphology: Most of the area is covered by petiolais, Pltrcheatenanthera and Zomia sp. Away sand dune country typical of the north-westem from the drainage lines, Tio&a ptmgens and

94 T. intmnedin predominate, often with Lepmsema among the Baameo.Around the edge of the soak unmala. in damp mud is a sward of Pospalnn, Scattered The plains and swales are sand or sandy loam, plants of Fimbnsrylisfemtgineo occur in this sward. with vegetation varying from open hummock grass On the slightly higher (and dryer) grey loam flat to scrub. The spinifex is Triodia pmgens,which in surroundingthe Pupalmt sward is a zone in which some areas is stoloniferous. At the time of the Sporobolruvrgruicra forms a ground cover and Acccrlr investigation, other grassespresent were long past cmplicepsoccurs as scatteredor groupedtall shrubs. flowering, the ephemeral speciesmostly being dead. Funher away from the soak, loam flats and claypans The only species that could be determined was carry dense low heath to dwarf scrub; hummock Pania,tm austalietse. generally Shrubs are scattered, grasscovers occasional sandy rises. More clayey the speciesbeing Acacia coriacea,A. translucerc, areas ale dominated by sarnphires, especially Greuilba pyrunifulis, uickhomii, G. Hakea sp. af(. Halosarcio indica subsp. Ieiosmchya and H. suberea(ASG 14706), Persoontufabam, Pimelza halncnemoiles. More widespread is Tranthema unmocharis and Srllobrarum. In some areas there tmgidifuln,its succulent leavesmostly dark red. A are thickets, usually of Aurcia (e.g. A. monticola, number of grassesand herbs occur among the A. orth.ocmpa,A. stipuligera)but sometimes of Trinntlvma e.g. Cyyrus buJlnvs, Eragroscispograahs, Grevilltarefracta. Herbs (ASG include Bonamiasp. Flaweritt ustralnsica, Iturencia sp., L. gbmeram, 14'177), Casia nombihs,Corchrrus siloides,Goodenit Neohusizrnstrocarpa , PLrcheatttranthera , Pterocaulnn aTruea, Heliotropium tenuifolium, Keraudrenia '?integrifolin, sphrcelaann, Salsoln kali, Sesbania carmobina, PfuIlttntlws madertspatensis, Psualea Sporobolm u.rstraktsic.s, Triontherm niqtetra and Dustltlotoar\d P tilotusfusif ormis. Xerochlnahybam. The sanddunes carry the richest flora, with a varied Thickets also occur on the loam flats, mostly association of shrubs, herbs and grasses, and dominated by Acor.iaampliceps, some by Mehleuca occasionaltrees. The only spinifex on the dunesis glnmerata and M. Lsrandra, a few by Myopcnum Plecuochrwschinii. Shrubs are Acuai?rannida, Burnnia crcuminatum.In one area, about 0.5 km south of simplicifolia,Ca$trix kngiflora, ComespumapalliAum, the soak, the perennial sedgeScfioenm forms CromLcria cunninghtmii, Clanostegia clcnocalyx, /ahanis a russock layer beneath Acacin ar:d Melaleuca. Just GyrosrcmonteDDeri, Dodannea Deduncukvis, Duboisia west of the Soak is a solitary tree o( Eru\par hnpwoodii,Grevillm a[f. eiosmchya(ASG 14703), microtheco. Several Hakeo sulrrea also occur on G. stenoboo"la, Jcrcl'sonia acubom, Newcastelia dre flats. cbiatricha, Psoralta sp. (ASG 14645), Solanum uersiflorummd Templc.nniaincana. The perennial Hummock grassthat mantles the sandyrises scattered herbs include Aenicmplrymn recondiwm, Cassia acrossthe flats is dominated by Plecnachnepwtgens, ptuniln, Dampiera cinerea, Goofunn armiti{tw, a stoloniferoussoft spinifex. Lesscommon is Tnalia Halgmin solttnncea, Ptilotus athrolrcius, Scaevola pw]'gens. pmvifolb, (ASG Srda spp. 14701), Trichodesma Dunesand swalesassociated with the palaeodrainage Velleia (ASG Teyltmintm, Dm'ilntfonnrs and Zonrrasp. valley carried a low scrub o{ Melal ca U$iandra 14646). Ephemeral herbs recorded are Borrena mixed with Plecnrrluleschinit. The DesertWalnut, auriculna, Setmia apiculam Trinnthema pilosa. and Owenia reticuhm, occurs either as open stands or The trees are pyn/ormis Gnrdenia and Owenia scatteredtrees. On dunes and swalesthroughout retiolam. Erytlvophleum chknostachys,which is usually most of the proposed reserve, the Melalz.ura is arborescent,occurs as a shrub. replacedby other shrubssuch as Acrri.r anatice|.s, The most notable feature of the section of palaeo- A. translucens, Duboisia hopwoodii, Grevillea drainagcvalley included in the areais DragonTree stenobotrlaand G. {rickhdmii. Occasional shrubs Soak.The centre of DragonTrec Soak is dominated are Cromkria annninghamii,Cyarcstegia cyanoca\x, by an almost pure stand o{ Baumeamtianlnw growrng Dodorueapehtnafutis and Dolichandronelvterophylla. on wet, black mud. At the southern and northem A number of perennial herbs are found on the ends are small areasof Seslrnialirmosn growing as dunes,e.g. Aenictoph'1ton reconlium, Cusw pumila, a low forest. Scattered SesbanirLfcnmosa also grows Ccr chtrrc sidoides,Corynotheca mictantha, Dampiua among the Baumea. Bulrush, T1pfra domingerus, cinerea,Helionopium sp. (ASG L4806),N ewccstelia occurs under the Sesbonr,n,with occasionalclumps claionicha, Sokmumdiuersiflm.tm and Tephroskrsp

95 (ASG 14i96). A few ephemeralswere found, viz. mesasand buttes that occur in the north.east of ,Aristiin brounima, Boneria aria.lota, Euphrrbia sp., the Great Sandy Desert include some of the most Dartylacteniumradulans, and Trianthenwpilosa. Two prominent and topographically rugged landscapes speciesof mistletoe, Amyemagibberula on Creuillea in the desensof \Testem Australia. Theseoutcrops u)ickhamii and Amyema preissii on Accrcia ompliceps, are mostly 15 to 30 metres higher than the were collected. surrounding plains, although the Southesk Fauna: The area supportsa tlpical suite of desert Tablelandsnear GodfreysTank are 90 metreshigh vertebrates,though the population of Clamorous in places. Extensive areasof alluvial surfacesare Reed-\Tarblers, and records of the r*4rite-striped present, both as valley floors and ourwash plains, Mastiff-Bat, and PheasantC-oucal, at Dragon Tree in and around the Tablelands. Extensive sandplains Soak are of interest. Desert speciesrecorded in the and dune fields surroundthe hills (McKenzie er al. area include the Marsupial Mole (Nororlctes 1983). ryphLrps),a small gomna (Yumus giteni), the geckos Vegetation and Flora: The mesas,buttes and screes Dplodrcqhs a nspiallaus and D . taenranrs,*re skinks are vegetatedwith hummock grass,mainly Tnodra Lensa ipsand Ctznnarslrooksi lrooki, Major Mitchell pungeru, and scattered shrubs, while there are Cockatm and White-plumed Honeyeater(Burbidge occasional figs (Ficrls platypoda) at the edge of 1983, Stan and Fuller 1983, McKenzie and breakawaysarrd in fissures. Around rockholes at Youngson1983). the head of valleys are fems (Cireilanthes teruifolia) Recreational Use and Potential: Wildemess area. and herbs such as E\trophnrus spicaax, Glossosdgma &mlra, Lipocarpha mic'rocephala,Marsilea sp. and Key Features:Represents ecosystems and landscapes OArnlanda galioides. of the northem interior of the Great Sandv Desert. including an oasis. The scenery (Young 1981) The deep gullies below the rockholes carry the and palaeo-climatic implications of Dragon Tree thickest vegetation. As well as occasional trees (Erythnna Soak (Vyrwoll er aL.L986) are also important. vespertilioand Erca$pns asDero), therc are thickets of shrubs, including Acacra h olosericea, CTRC Recommendation: None. A. monticob, Greuillm uickhamii and Sonmhun EPA Recommendation: That a biological survey knceolaann. Beneath the shrubsis a densegrowth be cornpletedof the Great Sandy Desert. of grassand herbs. Dense, tall grasslandoccurs Our Recommendation: The biological surveywas elsewherein the valleys. (Burbidge carried out between 197? and 1980 arrd Two plant speciesare known only from this area - McKenzie 1983). Following the survey, Pdlnats mardugnu and Pseudochaemchloasp. Both recommendationswere made to dre EPA that several occur on the dry, rocky slopes of the mesas reserves,including this one, be declared(Burbidge, (McKenzie et aJ.1983, George and Mitchell 1983). McKenzie and Start 1983). \7e endorse the Fauna: Among the small mammals,rhe occurrence recommendation that the Mclarty Hills area be of both the Westem Chestnut Mouse (Pseulomys declareda ClassA nature reservewith the following nanru) and the Desert Mouse (P. doercr) is o( boundaries:190 20' to 19050' S and 123015' to interest, since these have been considered to be lL3o 45' E. The nature reserveshould be vestedin the samespecies by somezoologists. The uncommon the National Parks and Nature Conservation Shon-tailed Mouse (Izggadinafrrrestii) also occurs Authority. in the valleys. Euros (Macropls rohlsrlrs) live in the hills (McKenzie and Youngson 1983). The ranges, with their water and relatively lush llllllllllllllls.: Somlrsr TRer-Er-ANnsvegetation,support some birds that are uncommon in the desens,e.g. Fairy Martin, Brown Honeyeater A general description was given by Burbidge and and PaintedFinch (Start and Fuller 1983). Twenty McKenzie(1983). seven species of reptiles have been recorded Location: 300 kilometressouth-south-west of Halls (Burbidge 1983). Creek on the Canning Stock Route. Recreational Use and Potential: Wildemess; the Map:23. areareceives little tourist useat presentbut, because Status: Vacant Crown land. of its sceneryand location on the Canning Stock Geomorphology: The Permian sandstoneranges, Route,it could becomea maior tourist attraction

96 in the future. McKeruie arrdStart 1983). Key Features: 'We Permian ranges, landscapesand endorsethe recommendation that an alea of north-eastem ecosystemsof Great Sandy Desen, approximately 570 000 hectares be declared a plants, pools, endemic rock historical interest national park with the following boundaries. associated with early exploration and the Canning 20005'5 126020'Ethence eastto 126033'8,south Route. Stock to the north-west comer of Reserve No. 22956 CTRC Recommendation:None. (Use and Benefit of Aborigines), south along the EPA Recommendation: EPA made a general westem boundary to the south-westcomer of Reserve recommendation for a biological survey of the Great No. 22956, east to the westem boundary of the Sandy Desert. Billiluna Pastoral Lease (approx. 127003'30'E), Our Recommendation: The biological surveywas southto latitude200 55'S, west to 126020'E, north carriedout between1977 and 1980(Burbidge and to starting point. The proposed national park "Camping". McKenzie 1983). Following the survey, includes much of Reserve 5280 for recommendations were made to the EPA that several The national park should be vestedin the National reserves,including this one, be declared(Burbidge, Parksand Nature Conservation Authority.

97 l{ibiscus superbus u,rthits showl pink flow,:ts is one of 14 speciesof lTibiscus recmded t'rom the Kimberbl.

98 TnNnvr DpsERr

I he nonh-westem portion of the Tanami Desen IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII6.1 GARDINER RANGEAREA is included within the Halls Creek Shire.

Geologically, the northem portion of the Tanami Location: About 400 km south of Kunununa and Desert in Westem Australia comprisesparts of *re 180 km south-eastof Halls Creek. Victoria River Basin, Arunta Block and, further Mapr73. south, the Lake MacKay Basin. Their geology is Area: 349 000 ha. describedby Trendall and Cope (1975) and detailed in Crowe and Muhling (19?7) and Blake,Passmore Current Status: Vacant Crown land (formerlv the and Muhling (1977). The main exposedrock tlpes Coronado pastorallease). are unmetamorphosedProterozoic sandstones such Geomorphology: Most of the rangesare composed as the Gardiner Beds and Permian sandstonesand of the ProterozoicGardiner Rarge sandstonewith siltstones of the Liveringa Group, Godfrey Beds small areas of the Talbot Well formarion, a and Noonkanbah Formation. stromalitic chert with siltstone and limestone. The range is surronndedby sandplains (Blake et al. 1977). Most of the area comprisesgently undulating, red sandyplains of Quatemary age,that are intemrpted Vegetation and Florar The Gardiner Range is a by occasionaloutcrops of Proterozoicrocks as low seriesof low hills coveredby a humrnock grassland rocky ranges. In the southem part, these plains (Trrodia) with scattered Greqtillea,Hakza and Acncia are dominated by parallel sand dunes. Laterite shrubs. The flats around *ie hills carry grassesand crusteduplands occur on the Permianoutcrops near sporadic eucalypts. A small area of mulga is the Lake Gregory. The north-west comet is traversed northernmost locality for this formation in Westem by Stun, Wolfe, Durbai and Salt Pan Creeks, all Australia. The Gardiner Range is in a transition of which drain inland to Lake Gregory. zonebetween Kimberley and desenflora, the former mainly occupying moister and sheltered habitats, The north-wesiem Tanami Desert receives an but with progressivelyfewer representationsas the annual average rainfall of (in between 350 mm rainfall decreases. the nonh) and 250 mm, received during a Fauna: The area was examined in 1975 predictable rainy season that lasts from early June by \U.H. Butler, while under December to early April (Beard 1979). The rest contract to the W.A. Museum (G.M. Storr and !?.H. Butler, pers. of the year is vim-rally a drought, during which comm.). Sixty-nine species fresh water is retained only in rock holes associated of birds were recorded, including the Port Lincoln Parrot (Banardius with outcrops, in Lake Gregory, and aspools along Stun Creek. zomrir6), fiis being its northemmost record in W.A. Most birdsobservel wereEyrean (arid zone) species, There are a number of existing and proposed with the Torresian (Klmberley) element in the conservationreserves in the district. minority. Mammals observedincluded the Nonhem

99 Nailtail Wallaby (Orrychogaba mgwfua) and t}:.e and fauna, declared Class A and vested in the Dalglte (Macroru hgoru). Seven speciesof reptiles National Pa s andNature C-onservationAuthoriw. and a ftog were collected. Recreational lJse and Potential: None. Key Features: A zone of transition beween the llllllllllllllll6.2GREGoRY LerE Kimberlev and Tanami Desert flora and fauna, the For a general description seeBurbidge and McKenzie former mainly occupying the moister and sheltered 1983). habitats, but with progresivety fewer representatives edgeof Great Sandy Desen, asthe rainhll decreases.The only arearepresentative Location: Nonh-eastem 50 km west of Balgo. of the Tanami Desen available for reservation for nature conservation in Westem Australia. Map: 23. "all CTRC Recommendation: of the land Current status: The proposed reserve is within concemed is held under pastoral lease,but provision *re Lake Gregory PastoralLease owned by the Mulan should be made to ensure the creation of an Aboriginal Corporation. appropriate reserve should any of the existing leases Geomorphology: Gregory Lake lies in sandplain be determined. with low east-westdwres and is the terminal drainage At present there is no significant conservation area for Sturt Creek, which arises in the South- reserve in the East Kimberley. The proposed west Kimberley and flows south. The sandplain National Park in the Carr Boyd Ranges adjacent consistsof aeolian red and yellow sand. Moving to Lake Argyte (Area 7.10) would provide some closer to the lake, the soil changes from alluvial representation of East Kimberley ecosystems,but sand,silt and clay tlnough to alluvial clay in drainage on its o\r.n it would not adequately represent the channels and salt lakes and then to gypsiferous region. Most of tle east Kimberley is under pastoral and saline sand, silt and clay in the main lake bed. lease and cannot be considered for reservation Sandstoneunderlies the whole area. without good supporting data; such data are not Although often referred to as Gregory Salt Lake, available. In the absenceof other reserves,the the Lake is fresh when water levels are high (0.5 Gardiner Range area will provide additional ppt TDS in May 1980, 0.6-1.9 ppt in September representation of the region as well as being of 1986). value in its own right, being in an area of biological transition between two floras and faunas." Vegetation and Flora: The vegetationaround the lake is greatly affectedby water level: at times of Recommendaiion: "The Committee recomrnends flood much of the sunounding vegetation is that the Departrnent of Lands and Surveys be inundatedand dies. At moderatewater levels the requested to give consideration to the creation of lake is zurroundedby a belt of samphirecontaining an appropriate reserve in the Gardiner Range area, Halosacit.hohcnemoides, H. indico,Eragr ostis diekii, should any of the existing pastoral leases be Cressouetica, Mugank Sila rohlenoeand determined." llodknrda, "The Su.rairsonasp. Around this is a belt of trees, the EPA Recommendation: EPA recommends main speciesare an undescribedAcacia, Eu&bqtus that the Department of Lands and Surveys reserve microthrcaar..d llal"za ?suberea.Beyond the trees, a zuitable area of land in the vicinity of the Gardiner sanddunes occur, covered by spinifexes(Plecttathnt Range should any of the existing pastoral leasesbe scfunrii and Tridia ptngens)and grasses(Arunda determined." sp., Eragrosrisenopoda and Eriaclne aristida) Our Recommendation: The pastoral lease has (McKenzieet al. 1983). been zurrenderedand the land is now vacant. There Fauna; GregoryLake supports spectacular numbers has been a request that part of the area be set aside of water birds when water levels are high: in as an Aboriginal living area, and that a new pastoral September1986, 57 speciesand 240 000 individuals leasebe issued. The Pastoral Board believes that were recorded. Notable occurrences include: pastoral pursuits in this area woutd not be viable. AustralianPelican (5 000in November1979) (Stan \i?e recommend that the former Coronado pastoral and Fuller 1983);Little BlackCormorant (60 000 lease, apan from a 200 ha area for an Aboriginal in September1986); Plumed Whistling Duck living area, be reserved for the conservation of flora (13 000 in September1986); Black Swan (6 000

100 Ir.

in September 1986); Freckled Duck (900 in of Sturt Creek, so asto minimise cattle damageto September 1986); Grey Teal (25 000 in August the lake and its surrounds. 1985); Pink-eared Duck (34 000 in September 1986); Hardhead (16 000 in September1986); EurasianC-oot (74 000 in September1986); Brolga llllllllllllllll6.3\7oLFE CnEsr (3 500 in September1986); Vhiskered Tem (2 000 in September 1986); Caspian Tem (1500 in CnarEn September 1986) (R. Jaenschpers. comm.). The Location: 100km southof Halls Creek. Freckled Duck is a declared threatened species,and Map: 23. the large flocks on Lake Gregory show that it has great sigliftcance in the conservation of this species. Area: 1 460ha. Current Status: Class A Reserve 29457 for Recreational Use and Potential: No current use. Protection of Meteorite Crater, vested in the Limited potential astourist site, especiallyfor keen National Parla andNature ConservationAut-hority. omithologists. Geomorphology:The featureof the reserveis the Key Features: Unique arid zone lake with an Volfe CreekCrater, a nearcircular depression about enormousdiversity and number ofwater birds. "At 900m in diameterwith the floor about60 m below CTRC Recommendation; present, Gregory the rim. The crater was formed by an enormous Lake is within Billiluna pastoral lease. In view of explosionand was probablyabout 180 to 200 rn its importance the Committee remmmends that a deepbefore it wasfilled by blown sandand glpsum. biological survey of the lake be carried out, It is thought to have been formed in the Miocene, coordinated by the Department of Fisheries and although someauthors believe that it formed more Fauna, arrd recommendations drawn up for a recently- either in the Plioceneor earlyPleistocene. conservationreserve *rere." The origin of the crater is not certain. Two "The EPA Recommendation: EPA, noting that h1'potheseshave been put forward: an impact Gregory Lake is within the Billiluna pastorallease, explosion ftom an enormousmeteorite weighing recommendsto the Department of Fisheriesand several thousand tonnes, or an explosion of ri7ildlife, the National Parks Board and the \7.A. endogenouscryptovolcanic origin. The formerseems Museum respectivelythat, when resourcesbecome morelikely, but doesnot entirelyfit all the geological available, features of Gregory Lake within their evidence(McCall 1965). individual framework of interests be investigated The crater is surroundedby sandplainsand low with a view to appropriately advising the EPA as dunes.\Uolfe Geek itself is situatedthree kilomeues to whether a conservation reserveshould be created to the west. within the region." Vegetationand Flora: The craterrim supportsa Our Recommendation: Gregory Lake has been Trindiaintermedia hvmmock grassland with scattered proposedas a wetland of intemational importance. shrubsand small trees of Eurnlypns breuifulia, Reservation and protection of the wetland vegetation Grevi\capyramilolis, G. r{racw, G. cricklumiiand would be a major step towards meeting Australia's Hakza \ktea. The vegetation of the crater floor is obligation for proper managementof the wetland a low open woodland o{ Aurcia dmphcepswith a as welt as ensuring the future of one of the most few bloodwoodeucalyp$. The herb layerconsists imponant sitesfor water birds in Westem Australia, mainlyofgrasses. The Lake is now in the Lake Gregory pastoral The surroundingred sandssupport a Triodiapmgens lease.At present,cattle ftom Lake GregoryStation hummockgrassland with emergentshrubs and trees. are seriouslydamaging the fringing vegetation. The shrubsinclude Acacia hemignosm, Dolidwndrorw Ve recommend that the Department of hewoDlryIln,Hol

101 "The of birds and reptiles. A rare dragon lizard CTRC Recommendation: Committee ('tymputocrlptk aurira) was located a short distance recommends that the classification be upgraded to to the west of the reserve. A Class,and that the vesting remain unaltered." Recreational Use and Potential: The meteorite EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommends crater is a major tourist attraction and, despite its to the Department of Lands and Surveys that Wolfe remoteness,is visited by an increasingnumber of Creek Crater reserve /9457, a geological site of people, including organisedbus tours. world significance, vested in the National Parks Key Features: The meteorite crater, which has Board, be upgradedto ClassA." world sigrrificance. Only dree other similar craters exist - in Arizona, Canada and Aleeria. Our Recommendation: The reserveis now Class A. We endorse the current purpose, status ard vesting.

702 AT\ NREAS T$QUIRING AnnrrroNAlIxvEsrrcArroN

lf, lVIany imponanr fearuresof rhe Kimberleyare lllllllllllllll7.2 not included in either existingor proposedreserves. CxpyBoucerNvrlr-E 'We have insuf{icient information to make definite PENrNsur-R recommendationsconceming someareas that have Cape Bougainville Peninzula lies bemeen Admiralty potential for reservation as national parks or nature Gulf and Vansittart Bay. It consistsof a plateau of reserves.These areasare discussedbriefly below. bauxitic laterite overlying CarsonVolcanic slopes. The laterites support a different plant community ilililililililil7.1 BURr RRNCS. from that at Mitchell Plateau, being mainly a Elranllpus savannahwoodland. Extersive rainforests, MOUXT ZtVttVtERtr,tRN sorneof the largestand best developedin the State, are found below the edgesof the lateritic plateau. Situated 25 km east of Kununurra, the Burt Range Feralcattle have not yet enteredthis area,although and Mt Zimmerman lie adjacentto the Keep River populations exist nearby. The volcanics support a National Park in the Northem Tenitory. The savannahwoodland with tussockgrasses. conservation values of the Keep River National The laterites have commercial potential for alumina Park would be complementedby the creation of a production and are held as mineral tenements. correspondingnational park in Westem Australia. Recommendation: !?e recommend that when Featuresof the area include rugged and dissected an Environmental Review ald Management sandstoneterrain, Aboriginal art sites, interesting Plan is produced for the development fauna, including the Short-eared Rock-wallaby of the bauxite, it include recommendations (Petrogalebrorlryotis), \fhite-quilled Rock-pigeon for the reservation and managementof the rainforests. (Petrophosso albipennis), Sandstone Strike-thrush (Collttricirlch wooduardi) and a variety of flora (including an undescribedfan palm, Livisoona). The area fronts the Duncan Highway at the border, lllllllllllllll7.3 CHEDDACLTp'ps, and is strategicallyplaced to intercept visitors, An NaprEnRnxcE information centre/quarantine facility could be incorporated in this area. The area is currrently The 80 m high Chedda Cliffs extend for 56 within Ivanhoe Station. Approximately 225 kmz is kilometres rc the north-west of \Tindjana Gorge proposedfor investigation. National Park, forming the most westerly exposure Recommendation: 1Ve recommend that the of the Devonian fossil reef system. Parts of the Depanment of Conservation and I-and Management range :lre scenicallyattractive, and pans are highly investigate the Bun Range area and make sigrificant to the traditional Aboriginal owners of recommendations conceming its future status. the area. Discussionsshould be held with the Conservation In this area, the range contains hanging valleys Commission of the Northem Territory to ensure that form waterfalls at the cliff face with plunge "in.our" that mutually compatible boundariesare selected. pools below, cliff-foot cavesand an cave

103 +

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104 near Bamet Spring. Also near Bamet Spring, a previously,islands have major nature conservation narrow, but very deep, vertical-walled gorge values. These particular islands have not been penetrates tfuough the cliff into the range. Above examinedby biologists. the Old Napier Downs Cave lies the largestenclosed Geologica$ the islands are part of Yampi Peninsula depressionin the limestone ranges,and it exhibits and would have been cut off from the Peninsula interesting karst features such as pinnacles, corridor by rising sea levels about 8 000 years ago. Most valleys and sink holes, Old Napier Downs Cave islandsare mmposed of the Yampi member of the appearsto be the outflow cave for the depression, PentecostSandstone. There are extensiveadjacent and is situated in the outer wall of the Napier mudflats and mangrove swamps. Range. It is horizontally developed and, while Recommendation: We recornmend that the short, the cave is very big in cross+ection (V,A. Deparunent of C-onseration and lind Management National Parks and Reserves Association, conduct a biological surveyof the islandsin Talbot unpublished report to the EPA, 1978). Bay. Until this is completed, any proposalsfor The range and its cliffs are situated on Kimberley developing the islands should be refened by the Downs and Napier Downs Stations. Department of Land Administration to the EPA. 'We Recommendation: recommend that the Department of C-,onservationand l:nd Management investigate the conservation and recreation values lllllllllllllll7.6 IoSEpHBONRpRRTS of the Chedda Cliffs sector of the fossil reef and, after consultation with local Aboriginal peopleand Gur-pCoRsrRl LRNo the pastoral leaseowners, make recommendations One hundred kilometres north of Kununurra lies a conceming its future status(see also AreaZ.S). strip of coastal vacant Crown land, ranging in width from 2 to 8 km, which runs from t-he !/A-NT border (1290E) to the mouth of Cambridge Gulf. lllllllllllllll2.4 CocKBURNRANGE Featuresinclude ShakespeareHill and the Needles, extensive tidal mudflats and some Eucolypats The Cockbum Range is an isolated mesa-form range tetrodarLnwoodlznd. There has been no biolosical at the head of Cambridge Gulf. It risesto 600 m, survey work done in the area. well above the local level of the Kimberley Plateau, To the west, this land adioins that proposed for and is bounded by scarps300 m high. It has a reservation around the false moudrs of the Ord cappingof sandstoneover shale. (Area 3.4). The Ningbing Range (Area 7.9), part Spectaculargorges and massivescree slopes are a of the Denovian Reef System, also adjoins this featureof this precipitoussandstone range. Isolated 8rea. rainforest patches are rich in species such as Recommendation: We recommend that the CrJ\mco:ryaa,tmingfumii Alstoniasqecrabilis and the , Deparunent of Coservation and land Management f ernsLygodium miooplyllun and Blechnwnryrienmb. investigate the area to determine its conservation The range lies within El Questro Station. potential and make recommendationsconceming Recommendation: We recommend d-rat the its future status. A marine/terrestrialreserve system Department of Conservation and land Management should be considered, including the area from investigate the conservation and recreation values LacrosseIsland to Rocky Island and Pelican Island of the Cockbum Range and surrounds and make (Area 3.7). recommendationsas to its frture starus. lllllllllllllll?.?KrNG LEopor-oANo lllllllllllllll2.5ISLANDS IN Talsor DunacrRRNcss Bnv The inland margin of the Kimberley Basin is Talbot Bay, situated just to the south of Koolan delineated by the King Leopold Ranges in the south Island, contains several fairly large islards. The and the Durack Ranses in the easr. islands are vacant Crown land. As discussed

105 w

The Riuer Screu Pine (Pandanus aquaticus) is lound along the banks ol permanent creeksand rivets.

106 Both ranges are belts of narrow, parallel, steep- investigate the conservation values of the Ningbing sided flat-topped ridges,mainly of sandstoneintruded Range and surrounding area and make by Hart Dolerite. Deeply incised valleys have formed recommendations as to its fuarre status. in relatively erodible basaltsand dolerites. Parts of the ranges are scenically outstanding. Areas of very high landscape quality include: lllllllllllllll?.10NonrH Ktlrnpru-Ev - the ElgeeCliffs and Chamberlain River Valley; Coasr,E,tsr op - the passageofthe Fitzroy River through the King Leopold Range, and adjacent escarpments, CRpsLoNnoNoEnRy extending for 50 kilometres to the south-east; The coastline (and up to five to 10 kilometres . the highlands centred on Mounts Ord, Broome, inland) from ElsieIsland OZTa$'F., 14015'S) to Herbert,and Bell (125011'E to 125038'E, and Cape Dussejour(1280 13'E, 14044'S) is scenic and 1?03'S to 1?030'S) (seealso Area 4.8). diverse, comprising coastal cliffs, gorges,mangrove- All tluee areas arc presently leased for pastoral lined bays, enormous sand dunes, and shallow purposes. sandplaneson horizontally-bedded sandstonestrata. 'We Recommendation: recommend that the At King George Falls, the King George River plunges Departrnent of Conservation and Land Management spectacularly over a sandstonecliff into tidal waters. investigate the conservation and recreation values The baseof the 100 m falls is accessibleby boat of the three areas and make recommendations from the Timor Sea,and is visited by an increasing conceming their firture status. number of tourists. Similar falls occur on C-asuarina Creek, a tributary of the Berkeley River. The majority of the area is Aboriginal Reserve, lllllllllllllll7.8 LA\yFORD F(ANGE and the south-eastemsector is vacant Crown land. Recomrnendation: We recommend that the The Lawford Range is situated about 70 km south- Department of C.onservationand I-and Management eastof Fitzroy Crossing. The range is composedof consult with Aboriginal people concerning the - part limestone of the Kimberley fossilbarrier reef. possibility of managing some of the area for It is scenically attractive and is adjacent to the conservationand recreation. Great Northem Highway. It is located on Gogo Station. 'We 7.rr PsNrEcosrRNo Recommendation: recommend that the lllllllllllllll Deparnnent of C-onservationand Lsrd Management DunacrRrvsn investigatethe conservation and recreation values Gonces of the Lawford Range and surrounds and make recommendations as to its firture status. The Durack and Pentecost Rivers and their tributaries in their desentto Cambridge Gulf have formed deep incisions through the sandstonesof 7.eNINGBINGITANGE the Kimberley Basin.The extensivesystem ofdeep, lllllllllllllll steep-sidedvalleys and gorgesthat has resulted is Ningbing Range is situated 90 km nonh of spectacular, and has great recreational potential Kununurra. It is composed of Upper Devonian becauseit is locatedwithin 120 km of Kununurra. quaru sandstoneand limestone and is part of the Land tenure comprisesAboriginal Reserve,Home Kimberley Devonian limestone reef complex that Valley and El Questro Stations. is better known in the Napier and OscarRanges. Recomrnendation: We recommend that the The Ningbing Range is immediately adjacent to Department of Clnservation and land Management the proposed nature reserve including the false determine zuitable boundaries for these areas and mouths of the Ord River (Area 3.4). It is within institute negotiations for their reservation asnational Carlton Hill Station. oarls. Recommendation: We recommend that the Department of Conservation and land Management

107 Cyads are widesyea.din ncntfum Austtalia.Tfus femdz plantof Cycasbasaltica shou,s thepolm.likz frods andmodified leaues bearing Imge seeds.

108 lllllllllllllll7.rz PHIt-lrpsRnxcE Department of C-onservationand l-and Management conduct a biological surveyof the St GeorgeRange The Phillips Range straddlesthe Gibb River Road and report on its nature conservationvalues. betweenMt House and Mt Bamett Stations. Most of the Range is in a tongue of vacant Crown land lying between ttre two pastoral leases.\Tithin and lllllllllllllll2.14\fESr Ca\asRrDcp adjacent to the vacant Crown land are severalscenic gorges: Manning, Adcock, Galvans, Isdell and Gut-p Bamett Gorges. A strip of country approximately 15 km wide along The range and surrounding country are composed the westem side of Cambridge Gulf, bemeen the mainly of ruggedKing Leopold Sandstones. Milligan Ranges and Cape Dussejour, is vacant The area is receiving increasingtourist use.During Crown land. 1986, about 8 000 people in over 3 000 vehicles It comprises the eastem edgeof the Kimberley Basin, visited Mt Bamett, and most of thesepeople visited and includes massive outcrops of Pentecost and Manning Gorge, which is only two kilometresfiom Warton Sandstones,as well assmaller areas of Elgee the station homestead. The increasing tourist Siltstone, tidal mudflats and creek systems. The pressure is starting to lead to environmental precipitousnature of the rock stata makesthe area degradationaround camping areasand water holes. scenicallyattractive. There are extensive areasof Iocal peoplehave proposedthat the Phillips Range mangrove and populations of the Saltwater area be declareda national park, and that areasof Crocodile; otherwise, almost nothing is known of adiacent pastoral leasesbe added to the park so it the area'sflora and fauna. includesthe scenicgorges. There are no conservation reservesrepresenting Recommendation: We recommend that the the mastal environments along the north-eastem Department of C-onservationand l-and Management edge of the Kimberley Basin. In fact, the entire investigatethe proposalto declarea Phillips Range north-eastempart of the Kimberley Basin is devoid National Park and report on boundaries and of reservesfor conservation. managementcosts. Recommendation: lVe recommend that the Department of Cmservation and f-and Management conduct a biological survey of the westem side of lllllllllllllll?.13SArNr GEoncE Cambridge Gulf and report on its nature RnNcE conservatlonvaLues,

The St George Range is situated about ?5 km south- west of FitzroyCrossing, panly within Noonkanbah lllllllllllllll?.1sYAMpr PENrNsur-R Station and parrly within Cherrabun Station. Much of the coastline, promontories and inlets of The area is scenically attractive and is near the Yampi Peninsulacomprise landscapes ofgreat beauty boundary of Kimberley vegetation types and the and diversity. The large tidal range ard narrow Great Sandy Desert. The r:rngesare composedof channels and enuances to inlets combine to produce heavily-faulted Permian sandstones and shales tidal waterfallsin somelocations. surroundedby Quatemary sandplains. It has not been examined by biologiss. Proterozoicrock formations comprising sandstone, siltstone and basaltgive rise to the ruggedridges of Rock-wallabieshave been reportedthere. Ifproven, the Peniruula. Doleritic intrusions are common. this may be of considerable significance. The population of rock-wallabies in the Edgar Range The northem part of the Peninsula is Aboriginal (Area 2.3), not far to the vrest, is.taxonomically Reserve,and the southern part DefenceReserve. distinct, and is extremely rare and possiblydreatened Recommendation: We recommend that any changes with extinction. St George Range rock-wallabies in land tenure in the area take into account the may be the sametaxon. desirability that the coastal pans of the Peninsula Recommendation: We recommend that the becomea national oark.

109 NOTES

110 ApppxDrxr

Comparison Between EPA and CALM Recornmendations

KEY NR Nature Reserve NP National Park MNR Marine Narue Resewe MNP Madne National Park MP Marine Park s Recommendedfor biological suwey or other invesrigarions Recommended negotiariors wifi Aboriginal people concerning participarion in munasement '1_ EPA made a general recommendarion for a bioiogtcal survey ofthe Grear Sandy Desert EPA rccommended a reserve, purpose not stipulated Additions recomrnended

CALMNo. EPANo. locality EPA Proposal CALM Proposal

1.1 ?.1.2 Adele Island NR NR, MNR l.z 7-.r3 BrowseIsland NR NR, MNR 1.3 Rowley Shoals MNP z.l Broome vine thickets NR z.z Dampier Peninsula NR(4) NR(4),NP 2.3 Edgar Range NR NR )4 7.r.1 LacepedeIslands NR NR 7.5 7-15 Oscar & Napier Ranges NP(3) NP(4)++ L.O Roebuck Bay MP J.l R,'n ole R"."1" NP 3.2 7.18 Mirima (Hidden Valley) NP NP 3.3 ?.r0 Lake Argyle, Carr Boyd R NP NP 14 7.tz Ord River NR NR++ 3.5 PacksaddleSwamps NR 3.6 7.tl Parrys Lagoons NR NR+ + 3.7 7.2.6 Pelican Island NR NR 3.8 Point Spring NR '1 41 )4 Admiralty Gulf Islands NR NR 4) 7.2.3 BonaparteArchipelago NR, A NR, NP, A 47 7.2.3 BuccaneerArchipelago S MP,A 44 7.8 Cape Londondeny NP NP, MNP 4.5 7.9 DrysdaleRiver NP++ NP++ 4.6 7.5 Hunter River NR NP++,A 4.7 7.2.2 Kingfisher Islands NR 4.8 7.16 King Leopold Ranges NP NP 4A 7.? Mitchell Plateau NP(2) NP(z) 4.10 Montgomery Is & Reef MP 4.rr Prince Regent NR++ NP++MNP(2) 4.rz 7.r3 Rust Range S S

111 CALMNo. EPA No. locality EPA Proposal CALM Proposal

417 7.2.5 Sir Graham Moore Islands NR '1 4.r4 4 \falcott Inlet NP NP, MNP t.l tz.z Mandora S NR ).L +l Mclarty Hills NR +1 SoutheskTablelands NP 6.1 7.r4 Gardiner Range ,fZ NR 6.2 1)4 Lake Gregory S o..) tL.) Wolfe Creek NP 11 Burt Range - Mt Zimmerman )' S 1'l Cape Bougainville Pen. seetext Chedda Cliffs S ?.4 Cockbum Range S Islandsof Talbot Bay S r.o Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Coastal Land S '7 '7 King Leopold & Durack Ranges S 7.8 Lawford Range S 7.9 Ningbing Range S 7.10 Coast east of Cape Londondeny S,A 7.rr Pentecost & Durack River Gorges S 7.tz Phillips Range S Lt) St GeorgeRange S ?.r4 Vest CambridgeGulf S Ycmni Ppninc"lo NP

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