National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008- 09

A Victorian Government initiative

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment , October 2009 © The State of , Department of Sustainability and Environment 2009 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne Printed by Stream Solutions Printed on 100% recycled paper ISSN: 1834-1209 (print) ISSN: 1834-1217 (online) For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is not without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, such as large print or audio, please telephone 136 186 or 1800 122 969 (TTY), or email [email protected]. This document is also available in PDF format on the Internet at

Front cover: and Brambuk – the National Park and Cultural Centre (Photo: Ian Harris)

CONTENTS

Foreword 2

Role of Council 3

Membership 3 Categories 3 Current members 3

Council activities 4 Statutory responsibilities 4 Section 19(2)(a) of the National Parks Act 1975 4 Section 19(2)(b) of the National Parks Act 1975 4 Section 11(1)(a) of the National Parks Act 1975 4 Program themes 5 Indigenous involvement in park management 5 VEAC recommendations on the River Red Gum Forests Investigation 5 The Greater Alpine National Parks management planning 5 The Land and Biodiversity at a time of Climate Change White Paper 6 Other key issues 6 Field inspections 7 Mount Eccles National Park 7 Grampians National Park 7 Kinglake and Yarra Ranges national parks 8 Presentations to Council 10

The parks system 12

Administration 12 Expenditure 12 Whistleblowers Protection Act 12 Freedom of Information Act 12

Acknowledgements 12

1 National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 Foreword Managing the natural environment of parks and protecting biodiversity as the climate This report outlines the activities undertaken changes are leading to more severe drought by the National Parks Advisory Council conditions and more intense fire regimes is (Council) for the year ending 30 June 2009. It an increasing challenge for park managers. is provided to the Minister for Environment Council commends the State Government in and Climate Change, the Honourable Gavin preparing the Land and Biodiversity at a time Jennings MLC, as required under section 11 of Climate Change White Paper and looks of the National Parks Act 1975. forward to the positive outcomes that it Under this Act, the Council is responsible for believes will flow from the paper in relation to advising the Minister on the administration of species protection and the role of parks the Act, i.e. on matters relating to the declared under the National Parks Act 1975. management of parks in Victoria declared Council was impressed with the dedication under the Act. The combination of the and commitment of Department of Council’s regionally orientated membership Sustainability and Environment and Parks together with its broad expertise and Victoria staff in their efforts in controlling the experience places it in an ideal position to February 2009 fires and in planning for the provide this advice. rehabilitation of the fire affected parks. The 133 parks and other areas managed However, Council was concerned with the under provisions of the National Parks Act impact that diverting resources (especially form a magnificent park system covering staff) to these (and other) bushfires is having more than 3.3 million hectares. The parks on other park management activities. system provides the cornerstone for Council supported increased Indigenous biodiversity conservation in Victoria, community involvement in park management protecting areas that are representative of and was impressed with the commitment of most natural environments occurring on all parties to progress co-operative public land. In addition, the park system management involving the Gundjitmara provides numerous recreation opportunities based on appreciation of the natural people through the Council for the environment, which are enjoyed by millions of Mount Eccles National Park. Council looked visitors annually. forward to arrangements being developed for involving Indigenous communities in the During the year Council considered key management of other parks in the future. issues facing Victoria’s park estate including Indigenous community involvement in park Council considered that the management of management, management planning for the the park estate in secure public ownership for the current and future generations must parks in the Alpine area, biodiversity continue to be a key priority of the State protection at a time of climate change and the Government. proposals to create new River Red Gum parks. In addition Council considered the impact of the severe bushfires that occurred in February 2009 which emerged as the most serious park management issue during the year.

Council has consistently supported action to make Victoria’s park system more comprehensive. Highlights for this year Ian Harris include the State Government largely Convenor adopting the Victorian Environmental September 2009 Assessment Council’s recommendations to create a suite of new and expanded national parks and protected areas that arose from the Council’s extensive River Red Gum investigation. Council was also very pleased to note the handover of the Quarantine Station from the Commonwealth to the State Government after protracted negotiations, which will now lead to the incorporation of the quarantine station into an expanded Point Nepean National Park.

National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 2 Role of Council biology or earth science at a university in Victoria The National Parks Advisory Council (Council) is established under section 10 of - one must be a person with experience the National Parks Act 1975 (the Act). The in local government who resides in a responsible Minister was Gavin Jennings municipality in which there is a park MLC, Minister for Environment and Climate - four must be persons with experience Change. in matters affecting the interests of the Under section 11 of the Act the functions of community. Council are to: The member categories are described in full under section 10 of the Act. Council members • advise the Minister generally in relation to the administration of the Act and on are appointed for a period of up to three particular matters in relation to that years, and may be re-appointed. The expiry administration on which the Minister of the appointments of non-departmental seeks its advice members is aligned in two groups - the terms of four members expire in 2009 and the terms • advise the Minister on any proposed of the other four in 2010. excision from a park referred to it by the Minister Current members • submit to the Minister within three months after each year ending on 30 June a The members of Council as at 30 June 2009 report on the performance of its functions were: during that year. • Mr Ian Harris (Convenor) – a person with In addition to these functions the Minister is skills or experience relating to the required to seek advice from Council on preservation and protection of parks certain leases, licences and consents for • Ms Nina Cullen – Director, Public Land particular activities within parks. Policy, DSE (nominee of the Secretary to The Act governs the protection and DSE) management of Victoria’s parks system. It • Mrs Heather Gee – a person with provides a strong framework for ensuring that experience in local government who the use and management of the parks are resides in a municipality in which there is compatible with the long-term maintenance of a park their natural and cultural values. • Ms Kate Glenie – a community The Secretary to the Department of representative (metropolitan) Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is responsible under the Act for ensuring the • Mr John Gray – a community appropriate management of parks in representative (non-metropolitan) accordance with the Act. Parks Victoria (PV), • Mr Lance Jennison – a community established under the Parks Victoria Act representative (non-metropolitan) 1998, manages the parks under a management agreement with the Secretary. • Mr Brian Martin – a person with skills or experience relating to the preservation Membership and protection of parks • Dr John Sherwood – a University Categories professor or teacher of ecology, biology or earth science Council consists of ten members of whom: • Mrs Deirdre Slattery – a community • one is a nominee of the Secretary to DSE representative (non-metropolitan) • one is the Director of National Parks • Mr Mark Stone - Director of National (defined under the Act as the Chief Parks (Chief Executive Officer of Parks Executive Officer, Parks Victoria) Victoria). • eight are appointed by the Governor in Council of whom - two must be persons with skills or experience relating to the preservation and the protection of parks - one must be a person who is a professor or teacher of ecology,

3 National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09

Council activities Council considered the proposed lease at its 9 October 2008 meeting and supported the During the year Council held seven meetings granting of a new lease. and conducted two field inspections of parks. Section 19(2)(b) of the National Parks At its 3 April meeting, Council met with the Act 1975 Minister for Environment and Climate Proposal: Granting of a seven year lease Change, Gavin Jennings MLC, to discuss the pursuant to section 19(2)(b) of the Act to Council work program and major issues Melbourne Walking Club Inc. for the use and relating to the management of national parks maintenance of Walter Briggs Hut, Mount in Victoria. Discussions included the February Donna Buang, within Yarra Ranges National 2009 bushfires and the development of Park. arrangements for Indigenous involvement in park management for the new Barmah Council considered the proposed lease for National Park and Nyah-Vinifera Park. the hut at a special meeting on 13 February 2009 and advised that the lease be approved Table 1: Meetings subject to some minor amendments to the document. Meeting number Date 241 8 August 2008 Section 11(1)(a) of the National Parks 242 10 October 2008 Act 1975 Council provided advice to the Minister on a 243 12 December 2008 range of topics relating to the Act. It also 244 13 February 2009 provided observations and recommendations following its field inspection of parks. 245 3 April 2009 246 23 April 2009 Table 3: Summary of advice 247 12 June 2009 Advice topic Date Victorian Environmental August Assessment Council River 2008 Table 2: Field inspections of parks Red Gum Forests December Location Date Investigation 2008 Mount Eccles National Park 9-10 South-west national parks March Grampians National Park October management issues 2009 Brambuk – the National Park 2008 and Cultural Centre Kinglake and Yarra Ranges June National Parks – park 2009 23-24 management issues Yarra Ranges National Park April relating to the impacts of 2009 Surrounding areas affected the February 2009 fires by the February 2009 Coppins Kiosk and Café June bushfires and processes for granting 2009 new leases in national Statutory responsibilities parks Victorian Competition & June During the year Council advised the Minister Efficiency Commission draft 2009 on matters as required under the National report on A Sustainable Parks Act as follows. Future for Victoria: getting Environmental Regulation Section 19(2)(a) of the National Parks Right Act 1975 Proposal: Surrender of an existing lease and Further details are provided under ‘Program the grant of a new lease for a term of 20 themes’, ‘Other key issues’ and ‘Field years for the upgrade and operation of inspections’. Coppins Kiosk and Cafe at the Sorrento Ocean Beach within Mornington Peninsula National Park pursuant to section 19(2)(a) of the Act.

National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 4

Program themes management with the Indigenous community as a means of reconciling Aboriginal interests In addition to undertaking its statutory in public land and in retaining the spiritual responsibilities, Council resolved to consider relationship of Aboriginal people with their matters relating to the following themes in traditional country. Council considered that 2008–09: these recommendations were appropriate • Indigenous involvement in park and reflect action being taken in many other management parts of . Formal arrangements to • The Greater Alpine National Parks involve the Indigenous community in the management planning process management of parks will benefit both nature conservation and the community at large. • The Land and Biodiversity at a time of Climate Change White Paper Council supported VEAC recommendations • The Victorian Environmental Assessment on the creation of new and expanded national Council (VEAC) recommendations on the parks and other protected areas and on River Red Gum Forests Investigation. shared land management with the Indigenous community. These themes were given special consideration during Council’s meetings and In March 2009, the Victorian Government field inspection of parks. These matters are response to the VEAC Final Report generally significant, long-term issues and they may endorsed these recommendations. In require further attention by Council in future particular, the government supported the years. establishment of boards of management for Nyah-Vinifera Park and Barmah National Indigenous involvement in park Park comprising a majority of Traditional management Owner group representation. A major feature of the field inspection of the At its 3 April 2009 meeting Council was south-west national parks in October 2008 briefed by the DSE Parks and Indigenous was the meeting with the Budj Bim Council at Land Policy Branch on the development of Mt Eccles National Park and the inspection of arrangements for these boards of Brambuk—the National Park and Cultural management. Following the briefing, Council Centre. The section ‘Field inspection’ provided comments to the DSE regarding provides further details. principles for boards of management for and Nyah-Vinifera Council also considered Indigenous issues Park. included in the recommendations of the VEAC River Red Gum Forests Investigation Council supported Indigenous involvement in Final Report. Details are provided below. the management of these parks and commented on the management principles VEAC recommendations on the River being developed. Red Gum Forests Investigation The Greater Alpine National Parks In July 2008, VEAC presented its Final management planning Report on the River Red Gum Forests Investigation. The Final Report contained In the latter half of 2008, Parks Victoria began recommendations to the government on the the management planning process for the expansion and the establishment of new Greater Alpine National Parks and other national parks and other protected areas and areas. The management plan will include the for increased Indigenous involvement in Alpine, Snowy River, Errinundra and Baw public land management. Baw National Parks, the Avon Wilderness Area and the Howqua Hills, Grant, Mount Council considered that this region contains Wills, Mount Murphy and Walhalla Historic some of the most important areas of nature Areas. Together, these parks protect very conservation and recreation value in the significant areas and, at 860 000 ha, are a State, with nationally significant riverine large part of the total park estate in Victoria. forests and . Creation of the new Council received two briefings during the year and expanded national parks and other from Parks Victoria on the management protected areas will protect these natural planning process. Council was informed that values and enhance recreation and tourism, three advisory committees would be formed: as well as providing enhanced economic development opportunities. • an Alpine Advisory Committee established under section 32AE of the The Final Report also made Act and a Greater Alpine National Parks recommendations on shared land Advisory Committee, both comprising the

5 National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09

same members, to provide high level Victorian Competition & Efficiency community input to the planning process. Commission (VCEC) The Alpine Advisory Committee’s statutory role relates only to the Alpine In March 2009, the VCEC produced a draft National Park so the latter committee was report on A Sustainable Future for Victoria: required for the other ten parks and getting Environmental Regulation Right. historic areas Amongst other things, the draft report invited comment on the costs and benefits of the • an Alpine Indigenous Reference Group to Government supporting the development of provide advice regarding the Indigenous renewable energy projects in national parks. community’s knowledge, aspirations and views Council considered that wind energy and geothermal developments may contribute to • an Environmental and Scientific lower carbon emissions but that such Reference Group to provide technical developments in national parks would be scientific advice. contrary to the intent and objects of the Act, Council was also briefed by Parks Victoria on be contrary to international guidelines for the development of an interactive website national parks, have unacceptable impacts on which plays a major role in the facilitation of wildlife and native vegetation and have the planning process. unacceptable impacts on visitor amenity and other national park values. Council will continue to follow the development of the management plan closely Council strongly opposed the development of as it will set long term management directions renewable energy projects in national parks in this group of parks. or other parks listed under the Act, other than small scale projects that are solely associated The Land and Biodiversity at a time of with park management. Climate Change White Paper The White Paper will establish policy and program directions, helping to set the Victorian Government’s agenda and guide investment decisions in land and biodiversity management over the next 20-50 years, especially in view of climate change. The release of the White Paper is planned during 2009. Council submitted advice on an earlier phase, the Green Paper, in June 2008. Council will review the White Paper when it is released to determine if it contains matters relevant to its statutory responsibilities.

Other key issues In addition to the program themes, Council considered other emerging park management issues. The bushfires that occurred in February 2009 emerged as the most serious park management issue during the year.

February 2009 bushfires The most significant issue that emerged during the year was the severe bushfires in Aftermath of the 2009 bushfires, Kinglake February 2009. Council received briefings on National Park (Photo: Ian Harris) this matter and undertook a field inspection of some of the fire-affected areas. The section ‘Field inspections’ provides further details.

National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 6

Field inspections Arising from this field inspection, Council: • strongly supported Indigenous Two field inspections were undertaken during involvement in the management of the year. The first field inspection, held in national parks, including further Mount Eccles and Grampians national parks involvement of the Budj Bim Council in and Brambuk – the National Park and the management Mt Eccles National Park Cultural Centre, provided a valuable insight into the emerging role of the Indigenous • supported the Budj Bim Council’s community in park management and details aspiration for a renaming of the park to of post-fire recovery programs. • supported the whole-of-landscape The second field inspection, held in Kinglake management approach of the Budj Bim and Yarra Ranges national parks and the lava flow in partnership with the surrounding areas, gave Council a first-hand people and private land view of the impact of the February 2009 owners. An integrated program is bushfires and an insight into the complex essential to protect the ecological values issues involved in community and park beyond the park’s boundaries and to deal recovery. efficiently with issues such as excessive koala populations and weeds Mount Eccles National Park • commended Parks Victoria staff on their Council attended the formal launch of the commitment to the sound management of Budj Bim Council. The Budj Bim Council is Mt Eccles and noted that more ground responsible for the management of the park staff are needed to adequately manage through a co-operative management the park, particularly the rehabilitation agreement between the Victorian government and vegetation monitoring after the and the Gunditjmara People. It forms part of recent fires. the Native Title Settlement Agreement between the Gunditjmara and the Victorian Grampians National Park Government. Parks Victoria staff gave a detailed account of The Budj Bim landscape adjoining the park at the response and ongoing recovery after the Lake is owned by the Gunditjmara fires in the Grampians in early 2006. people, the Traditional Owners group for the area. The landscape includes the land from Issues outlined included: Mt Eccles to the lava flow to the sea and • the effect of restricted access post-fire on Dean Maar (Lady Julia Percy Island). tourism and the local community The Budj Bim Council is keen to investigate • the staged approach to post-fire recovery how future resourcing and management will • the need for clear communication with encompass the broader landscape of which stakeholders regarding fire they are now the primary custodians. One • closure of camp sites, including the million dollars has been spent on koala impact on the environment of fewer sites management in the national park over the last and the need to redesign the sites four years. The koala overpopulation problem extends down the lava flow and work needs • the design of camping areas for a risk to be done outside the park. There is also a averse society and the inherent risks problem with weed control. associated with bush camps • the effort required in undertaking fire Parks Victoria staff provided detailed recovery work as well as ongoing information on management of the park maintenance and the need for extra including: ground staff in the area • the desirability of having the • the adverse impact of increasing management plan extend beyond the numbers and size of school groups on boundaries of the national park camping areas and tracks and the need • on-going management of koalas in the for more education and maybe regulation manna gum landscape of these groups • pest and weed management including • concerns about impact of fires on small management of bridal creeper mammals • fire management in the rocky terrain • the need for additional funding for post- • the impact of fuel reduction burns on fire research given the large proportion of manna gum and blackwood the park affected and the increased likelihood of major fires in a climate • the need for research into the emergence change future. of blue-green algae in Lake Surprise.

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Parks Victoria staff provided a detailed report Kinglake and Yarra Ranges national on the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby Project and parks the Grampians Ark Project which aim to Council inspected selected parts of the areas reintroduce this species to the park by affected by the February 2009 bushfires, in controlling foxes and to a lesser extent particular Kinglake and Yarra Ranges rabbits and weeds. Rock wallabies are national parks and surrounding areas. The critically endangered. The success of their specific objectives of the field inspection reintroduction as a flagship species will were: benefit other small mammals. • to gain a first hand view and Arising from this field inspection, Council: understanding of the impacts of the • recognised the increasing impact of fire recent fires on parks (natural values, and climate change on the resources and visitors’ experience and infrastructure) the management of the Grampians and the surrounding communities National Park, and the need for further • to discuss the needs relating to fire study on the impact of the fires on the recovery, in particular its ecological ecological values aspects • commended Parks Victoria for the • to discuss key catchment issues (water, response to the 2006 fires in the strategic fuel breaks, etc.) Grampians National Park. However, • to discuss the role of parks in helping to Council noted that the core functions rebuild affected communities were impacted adversely as a result of the fires • to increase Council’s understanding of the impact of prescribed burning • recognised the value of school visits to programs on bushfire behaviour the park and recommended that a system of booking be enforced to manage the • to provide recommendations where impact of these groups appropriate. • commended the Brush-tailed Rock The fires have had major impacts within the Wallaby recovery program while parks and in the surrounding communities. recognising the importance of balancing Within the parks, impacts include species recovery programs and broader considerable loss of infrastructure, short to landscape scale approaches. medium term restriction of access to visitors, significant loss of wildlife and possible long- Brambuk—the National Park and Cultural term effects on the vegetation. This raises Centre is 100 percent Indigenous owned and many issues for recovery, including the operated. It was originally created to give ecological effects of fire on plants and Indigenous people economic benefit from the animals, management of soil and the need to park. It offers training for young Indigenous replace infrastructure and re-open the parks people, early school leavers, and the long for recreation. term unemployed. This also raises the question of how The original Brambuk building was opened in rebuilding the parks can be integrated into 1990 and was the result of the five reconstruction of the affected communities. Indigenous communities surrounding the park Reconstruction offers opportunities for Parks coming together to find a place to preserve Victoria to engage closely with the community and share their heritage with the wider and to re-think recreational opportunities and community, through education. A new the potential for park-related business and building, launched in September 2006, was services that may help to stimulate local the culmination of many year’s work. economies. The local Indigenous community would like to see the park re-named Gariwerd. Kinglake national park Arising from this field inspection, Council: Over 90% of the park was burnt with part of • recognised the unique management the areas burnt in 2006 being burnt again. agreement between Brambuk and Parks The 2009 bushfires were intense in The Victoria Cascades, an area located within the Wallaby • supported renaming the park to Gariwerd Creek Water Supply Catchment and part of • commended the Indigenous perspective Kinglake National Park. The area contained which leads park interpretation themes small pockets of old growth forest – more than 300 years old. The lower slopes of the • recommended that geological and other ranges, covered by mixed species forest, scientific information continue to be were showing signs of regrowth. However, included in the interpretation program.

National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 8 most trees of the mountain ash forest located Yarra Ranges National Park at the top of the range were killed. Regeneration will occur from seeds dropped Council visited the Alpine after the fire resulting in an even-aged stand Resort. The Resort was preparing for the of trees and it will be several decades before coming winter season but there were many trees produce an adequate seed store. The challenges arising from the fire including fires have also caused extensive damage to temporary infrastructure, lack of the historic 1890 aqueduct. accommodation for visitors, lack of chain hire and doubts about school parties visiting the The park office and all other infrastructure at park. Although these matters fall outside the Masons Falls Picnic Area were destroyed in responsibilities of Council, they have a the fire. There is an opportunity for Parks significant impact on management of the Victoria to re-think the location and range of adjoining park. services, recreational opportunities and business opportunities offered by the park. A key issue for the park is the conservation status of rare and endangered Leadbeater’s Arising from this field inspection, Council: possum. This species has declined • noted that planning, reconstructing and significantly since the February 2009 fires. rehabilitating the parks will require Arising from this field inspection, Council: considerable resources and be a long- term project. This will require additional • strongly supported the recovery program for Leadbeater’s possum and staff and funding for these parks recommended that it incorporates a • believed that the parks can provide a community engagement program major input to the reconstruction of • recognised that the recreational and nearby communities by re-establishing tourism services provided by the park are tourism and recreational services and opening up economic opportunities. intimately linked with the future of the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort and with the Opportunities to co-locate visitor facilities, re-development of Marysville such as information centres, should be pursued wherever possible • believes that there is an opportunity to re- think the recreational opportunities • recommended that rehabilitation of the offered by the park and the relationship park is seen as a joint community development program. In the longer term, with the local community and that human needs and values must be balanced with the impact of the land use planning of ecological needs and values. private forested land adjacent to national parks needs to be considered in relation to its impact on park values and fire Fire management management Council visited the Mt St Leonard fire tower, • considered that there are major an important site for fire observation. The implications for urban and regional area in view includes a large part of the planning, public information and catchments for Melbourne’s water supply. education, building design and the The February 2009 fires penetrated small conduct of emergency services distances into the catchment before being • considered that there is a need for a controlled. A few spot fires were also major public education program on the extinguished. Silt fences and straw bales values of the park system and ecological have been installed on watercourses affected aspects of fire, and on the human/nature by the fire with the intent of reducing interactions in fire prone areas. sediment run-off – they will be monitored over the next five years. • was of the view that ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation values of Council also visited the O’Shannassy national parks should be taken into Reservoir. About half of its catchment was consideration in the efforts to reduce the burnt in the February 2009 fires but it was not scale and intensity of bushfires. The an intense fire. An unusual feature of this fire NPAC considers that existing policies and was that even wet gullies were burnt, legislation on biodiversity, native presumably as a result of the long dry period. vegetation retention and water Rehabilitation issues for catchment production/conservation should only be ecosystems include mountain ash modified if there are compelling reasons regeneration, Leadbeater’s possum recovery, to do so, backed by sound science. feral deer control and Smokey mouse reintroduction.

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Council inspected a long-established • considered that further research about strategic firebreak near the Mt St Leonard fire fire ecology and monitoring is needed to tower and another new one on the western understand the ecological effects of edge of the Upper Yarra catchment. The various fire regimes on different plant intent of these firebreaks is to provide a species and vegetation types so that planned, permanent alternative to efforts to reduce the number and intensity conventional fire suppression methods in of bushfires do not cause unacceptable which temporary bulldozed tracks are created impacts on the natural environment. in front of an active fire. The latter type of Council strongly recommended that funds clearing damages vegetation and soils and are made available for research on fire rehabilitation is expensive and time- ecology, particularly in the context of consuming. climate change These firebreaks have a slashed area on • was concerned that opportunistic either side of a track, usually on a ridge top. firebreaks would be developed in areas Council was informed that at least 30 percent where strategic firebreaks were already of the canopy trees are retained and low constructed. Council highlighted the need scrub corridors are retained at intervals along for fire controllers to be educated in the the firebreak to provide corridors for animals use of strategic firebreaks (habitat bridges) to cross the firebreak safely. • recommended careful management of The purpose is to create a location from the firebreaks to prevent illegal vehicle which to contain a fire, not to stop it. use and the spread of weeds and pathogens like Cinnamon fungus Arising from this field inspection, Council: supported deer control in the window of • supported the use of strategic fire breaks opportunity provided by the fires. with habitat bridges to help protect water supply catchments and settlements Presentations to Council • was of the view that the strategic fire breaks inspected are safer and more Presentations given to Council by DSE, Parks effective and cause less environmental Victoria and other interested parties provided damage than fire breaks bulldozed in important input and assisted understanding of emergency situations park management issues relating to the 2008-09 themes. They also addressed other • recommended that planned burning be issues including the Great Otway Park applied to the landscape in an informed management plan, bushfires, environmental way to both reduce the risk of large scale monitoring and the Canadian experience of bushfire and encourage biodiversity, and Indigenous involvement in the management that such burning be supported by sound of protected areas. Table 4 provides details of science the presentations to Council. • was concerned with some of the approaches being advocated for developing targets for the extent of prescribed burning. In particular these approaches do not appear to take into account the areas burnt by bushfires in the recent past (surely an effective tool for reducing fuel loads) and the areas of forest that are not suitable for prescribed burning, such as mountain ash forests • supported planned burning in mixed species forests in the catchments but not in mountain ash forests • recommended caution in applying planned burning in the short term to areas that escaped the February 2009 fires – these areas are now refuges for Members of the National Parks Advisory native fauna. Special protection Council and others, Mount Eccles National measures should be developed for areas Park (Photo: Lance Jennison) that have the potential to develop into old growth forests

National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 10 Table 4: Summary of the presentations to Council in 2008-09

Presentation Title Presenter Date Presentations at meetings Overview of the Environment and Natural Mr Gil Marshall and Mr Hamish Webb 8 August 2008 Resources Committee Bushfires Report (DSE) Management Plans: Otways and Review process Mr Ian Walker (PV) 8 August 2008 The VEAC River Red Gums Forests Investigation: Mr Duncan Malcolm (VEAC) 8 August 2008 Final Recommendations Parks Victoria commercial business: Coppins Kiosk Mr Alan Farquhar (PV) 9 October 2008 The Alpine National Parks Management Plan Mr Neil McCarthy (PV) 9 October 2008 Overview of the Management Plan Review and the Mr Neil McCarthy and Ms Louise Rose (PV) 12 December Greater Alpine National Parks management 2008 planning process Walter Briggs Hut Lease Proposal Ms Sophie Angelis 13 February and Mr Paul Dartnell (PV) 2009 Update on the February 2009 bushfires Mr Gordon Friend (DSE) 3 April 2009 and Mr Andrew Greystone (PV) The VEAC River Red Gums Forests Investigation: Ms Helen Fedoroff (DSE) 3 April 2009 Implementation and Government Response Barmah National Park and Nyah-Vinifera Park Joint Ms Sirma Hatzigianelis (DSE) 3 April 2009 Boards of Management Canadian Indigenous Study Tour Mr Mark Riley and Mr Barry Coombes (PV) 12 June 2009 The Canadian experience of Indigenous involvement in management of protected areas Signs of Healthy Parks Mr Tony Varcoe (PV) 12 June 2009 Ecological monitoring program Presentations during field inspections of parks Introduction to management of Mt Eccles National Mr Tony English, Mr Don Tumney 9 October 2008 Park and meeting the Budj Bim Council and Mr Patrick Fricker (PV) Ms Eileen Alberts and other members of the Budj Bim Council and Gunditjmara community Habitat 141 Mr Ron Dodds (Greening Australia) 9 October 2008 The impact of the 2006 Grampians fires on private Mr Tom Guthrie 9 October 2008 land Introduction to management of Grampians National Mr Graham Parkes, Mr Mike Stevens, Ms 10 October Park Pru Daley and Mr Peter Foster (PV) 2008 The Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby project and the Mr Graham Parkes 10 October Grampians Ark project and Mr Mike Stevens (PV) 2008 Brambuk—the National Park and Cultural Centre Mr Jeremy Clark (Brambuk) 10 October 2008 The February 2009 bushfires—overview and Mr Neil McCarthy, Mr David Nugent, Mr 23 April 2009 recovery briefing Chris McCormack and Mr Ion Maher (PV) Impact of the fires on the Lake Mountain Alpine Mr Richard Rogerson (Lake Mountain 24 April 2009 Resort Alpine Resort) Leadbeater’s Possum recovery program Mr Ian Roche (PV) 24 April 2009 Impact of the fires on Melbourne’s water Mr Keith Reynolds (Melbourne Water) 24 April 2009 catchments A resident’s perspective on the February 2009 Dr Malcolm Calder and Mrs Jane Calder 24 April 2009 bushfires

11 National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09

The parks system Protection Act, and applies departmental procedures in managing disclosures. As at 30 June 2009, there were 133 parks Disclosures may also be made directly to the and reserves, with a total area of Ombudsman. The contact details for the approximately 3.32 million hectares, Protected Disclosure Coordinator and managed under various provisions of the Ombudsman are: National Parks Act 1975. These areas comprised 41 national parks, 3 wilderness Jennifer Berensen parks, 27 state parks, 13 marine national Manager, Privacy parks, 11 marine sanctuaries, 11 marine/or Department of Sustainability and coastal parks or reserves, 11 other parks and Environment reserves, and 16 non-scheduled areas. In PO Box 500, East Melbourne VIC 3002. addition, there were 19 wilderness zones and Telephone: 9637 8697 22 remote and natural areas within 13 Facsimile: 9637 8128 national parks, and 4 designated water Email:[email protected] supply catchment areas within 3 national No disclosures were made to the Coordinator parks. in relation to the Council. On 9 November 2008, Cobboboonee National Park was created and approximately Freedom of Information Act 300 hectares added to Great Otway, Lower Glenelg and Kinglake national parks, Holey The National Parks Advisory Council is a Plains, Langi Ghiran and Warrandyte state “Government Agency” under the Freedom of parks and Castlemaine Diggings National Information Act 1982 and it complies with the Heritage Park, and some minor excisions and procedures prescribed under which members plan corrections made. of the public may gain access to information held by agencies. A decision to release information is made by an Authorised Officer. Administration The authorised officer is the DSE Freedom of Information Manager, Mr Luke Brown (03) Expenditure 9637 8585. DSE staff provided administrative support to An application fee of $23.40 applies at the Council. Council complied with DSE policies time of this report’s publication. In 2008-2009, in performing its functions throughout the no request for information under the Freedom reporting period. Financial and other of Information Act 1982 were made in relation information relating to the Financial to the Council. Management Act 1994 is included in DSE's Annual Report for 2008-09. Acknowledgements Table 5: Expenditure incurred by Council Council wishes to thank the staff of the Public in undertaking its responsibilities Land Division and more recently the Forests and Parks Division of DSE for their 2007-08 2008-09 assistance throughout the year. Meeting $10,097 $12,220 The Executive Officer, Ms Joanna Tonge, fees was replaced by Ms Kathleen Marcoux during Other $19,941 $23,717 the year. Ms Louise Cramsie acted as operating Executive Officer for part of the year. Council expenses would like to thank Ms Tonge, Ms Cramsie and Ms Marcoux for their support. Total $30,038 $35,937 Council also thanks Parks Victoria and DSE staff for providing information at Council Whistleblowers Protection Act meetings and field inspections. Their The Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 is commitment to parks is vital to the protection designed to protect people who disclose of the parks system. information about serious wrongdoing within Further copies of this report and information the Victorian Public Sector and to provide a on Council can be obtained from: framework for the investigation of these matters. Executive Officer National Parks Advisory Council The Protected Disclosure Coordinator for the Level 2, 8 Nicholson Street DSE acts as an agent for Council to receive East Melbourne Vic 3002. disclosures under the Whistleblowers

National Parks Advisory Council Annual Report 2008–09 12