Track work in the Budawangs

The coastline and forests of southeast NSW NPA BULLETIN Volume 26 number 4 December 1989

Contents

Durras Lake 5 Repairing the Budawangs 6 Parkwatch 9 Action in the southeast forests 10 Public and private parks in SA 12 Jervis Bay 14 The alps 16 Naas valley 18 Cover Forest history 19 Photo: Babette Scougall. Stockyards between Waterholes hut and the Lone Islands of paradise 20 Pine site, Namadgi National Park. Easter 1989. Conservation Council 22

Subscription rates (1 July - 30 June) National Parks Association (ACT) Household members $20 Single members $ 15 Incorporated Corporate members $10 Bulletin only $10 Inaugurated 1960 Concession: half above rates For new subscriptions joining between: Aims and objects of the Association 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the 1 April and 30 June - annual subscription protection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural features Membership enquiries welcome in the Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the Please phone Laraine Frawley at the NPA office. reservation of specific areas. • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation is located in Kingsley Street, areas. The NPA (ACT) office " Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment Acton. Office hours are: of, such natural phenomena by organised field outings, 10am to 2pm Mondays meetings or any other means. 9am to 2pm Tuesdays and Thursdays " Co-operation with organisations and persons having Telephone: (062) 571063 similar interests and objectives. Address: GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601. • Promotion of, and education for, nature conservation, and the planning of land-use to achieve conservation. Contribute to your Bulletin Contributions of articles (news, description or fiction), Office-bearers and Committee black-and-white photographs and line drawings are President keenly sought for the Bulletin. Please label photo­ Syd Comfort 862578 (h) graphs with the name of the subject, the name of the Vice President photographer and the date. Leave contributions at the Beverley Hammond 886577 (h) 581877 (wj office or phone the editor, Roger Green, on (062) Immediate Past President 470059. Kevin Frawley 823080 (h) 688309 (w) Secretary Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Judith Webster 414646 (h) Association opinion or objectives. Treasurer Les Pyke 812982 fhj Deadline for March issue: 1 February, 1989. Committee members Steven Forst 516817 fh) 748426 (w) NPA Bulletin is produced by Green Words for the Jacqui Rees 958567 (h) National Parks Association (ACT) Incorporated. It is Mike Smith 862984 (h) 819565 fwj produced with the assistance of an ACT Community Glyn Lewis 952720 (h) Development Fund grant. Jill Roberts 491390 fh) 724192 (w) Phil Bubb 814929 (h) 466128 (w) Printed on recycled paper by Highland Press, Tim Walsh 851112 (h) 741465 fw) Queanbeyan, NSW. Dugald Monro 318776 (h) ISSN 0727-S837 IN COMMITTEE President's i foreword

A recent seminar on future direc­ rather than by a Commonwealth private sector rather than in gov­ tions for Canberra was told that Government ernment initiatives. the National Capital is now enter­ One implication of all this is the ing a second age of development increased need for people con­ and planning in which the struc­ cerned about the Territory and its ture is no longer monolithic, funds environment to be involved in the are limited and there are many debate on planning and develop­ more players who wish to take ment to ensure that the values part in the action. which they support are properly It is certainly true that a great represented. More than ever, deal is changing: planning is the active participation in issues is responsibility not of one body but needed with particular emphasis of the National Capital Planning on longer term outcomes. Our as­ Authority and the Territory sociation has a part to play in Planning Authority which togeth­ important doing this both by acting in its er have to work out a modus oper­ areas with a view to enacting sig­ own right and by collaborating andi for this important function; nificant new legislation. The with like-minded organisations. self-government means that deci­ changes are occurring against a sions and policies are made by the background in which the stimulus Syd Comfort Territory Government operating for economic activity in the in the local political climate Territory is being sought in the Boboyan piine s cause c oncern The Boboyan pine forest is in placed with appropriate native Namadgi National Park, near species. A major rehabilitation Gudgenby station. The old program will commence in the in­ Boboyan Road is open for cars as terim in those parts of the former far as the forest and is a common plantation where only dead or un­ starting point for walks to wild economic pines remain.' places such as Mount Gudgenby, The ACT Parks and Mount Kelly, Mount Scabby and Conservation Service has been Namadgi Peak. granted $13 500 over the period The 45 minutes or so walk 1988 to 1991 from the National through the forest at the start and Estate Grants Program for reha­ finish of such trips detracts from bilitation work. the experience of visiting these In view of the current state of magnificent places. The forest is a the forest, to wait 20 years before blot on the landscape. clearing regrowth and wildings The visual impact is not, howev­ would be unwise. The time to do er, the major concern. The pine this is now, while the trees are forest was severely damaged by small and relatively easy to the 1983 bushfires. Some dead remove. Indeed, in view of the likely need for such clearing oper­ trees were subsequently removed. offer a work party to remove the ations every few years, one won­ Following the recent wet spell, ex­ wildings. The Association has ders whether it might not be tensive regrowth has occurred. written to the service raising better (and perhaps cheaper in the Worse, wilding pines are spread­ these issues and also asking for long run) to remove the plantation ing into the surrounding native information on the progress of now, despite the loss of revenue forest. work being undertaken with the from timber sales. The Namadgi management plan national estate grant. of June 1986 states: 'The remain­ As a result of these concerns the As we expect that our offer of a der of the pine trees will be left Namadgi subcommittee decided work party will be accepted, I until economic maturity. This will that the NPA should write to the would ask any interested volun­ be in another 20 years or so. Parks and Conservation Service teers to give me their names. My Thinning may take place in the requesting that work to suppress address is 5 Masters Place, mean time. The plantation will regrowth and remove wildings be Kambah. Telephone (062) 318776. then be harvested, pine regrowth undertaken. The subcommittee and wildings suppressed and re- also decided that the NPA should Dugald Monro MEETINGS

Sanders on the ACT environment The guest speaker for the October heater (and he has designed one) on Murrumbidgee west and the general meeting was Senator is preferable to a power station commercial creep in Civic along Norm Sanders. Senator Sanders, a burning coal to provide an equiva­ Northbourne Avenue and Torrens geomorphologist by training, rep­ lent amount of heating. Street, Braddon. resents Tasmania in the Federal Noise is not a major problem in In regard to the overall planning Parliament. He is currently the the ACT except for Northbourne issues in Canberra, Senator endorsed Australian Democrats' Avenue. Canberra has good quali­ Sanders said that until self- Senate candidate for the ACT. ty drinking water. However, prob­ government the planning process Senator Sanders' talk, entitled lems are present with regard to had been overseen by a basically Environmental Issues in the ACT, th e fl ow of run -off water from farsighted government. However, was presented in two segments, in storm drains into the lakes. now we have little more than a the first he gave a summary of the In regard to the conservation of shire council, dangerously open to main environmental issues facing energy, Senator Sanders believes pressure from developers. The the ACT and in the second he dis­ that the ACT, and Australia as a danger of Canberra changing from cussed the planning issues whole, should have an energy con­ an 'oasis of rationality' into part of Canberra people needed to be servation strategy. A lot can be the world-wide horror or urban aware of. done in the ACT by designing and sprawl must be watched with vigi­ Senator Sanders sees Canberra positioning houses so as to get lance and acted upon vigorously by as a city blessed by open space maximum advantage from solar the local community. and, to date, good planning. heating and sensible insulation. Such threats include the very However, he said we need to be Senator Sanders also raised the fast train and associated multi­ alert to the dangers of lead in the greenhouse effect and its possible function polis and a multi-laned air from cars and the possibility of impact on Canberra. Other mat­ highways around North Canberra. problems from fuel stoves. ters mentioned in his overview of However, Senator Sanders be­ environmental issues for Canberra Tim Walsh lieves that an efficient wood were the developmental pressures Campaigning on many fronts The Environment subcommittee, the usual activities of lobbying pol­ issue who may need some assis­ convened by Jacqui Rees (958567) iticians and public servants, pre­ tance with research, letter/ and Tim Walsh (851112 home, paring responses to calls for public submission writing, site inspec­ 741465 work), is currently made submissions for such matters as tions, meetings with government up of about 15 members who meet the Canberra Nature Park and ar­ officials or attendance at on the fourth Thursday of every ranging visits to environmental seminars. second (odd) month. Ring Tim to hot spots. The recent working par­ The environmental threats check the date and location of the ties in the Budawangs, the week­ facing the world often seem over­ next meeting. end visit to Jervis Bay and the whelming. However, the threats The subcommittee operates by a participation of some members in facing the Canberra region are member or several members the peaceful protests to save the more easily understood and acted taking portfolio responsibility for a southeast forests are examples. upon. particular subject area. This NPA members do not need to New issues appear all the time: person then acts as the contact or come along to subcommittee meet­ the national aquarium, the very initiator of action by the committee ings in order to participate in its fast train, the future of the for that particular subject. The working (although everyone is very Canberra open space system and subject areas taken up by the sub­ welcome to attend). If you'd like to the Canberra Nature Park are committee recently include: follow up a particular issue and but a few examples. Further • Australian alps - developments you think the environment sub­ afield we need to be vigilant in in Kosciusko ski area and possible committee might be able to help, helping to protect the areas we world heritage listing give Jacqui or Tim a ring. They use and love - the Budawangs, • The coast, especially Jervis Bay will tell you who to contact or sug­ the Kosciusko region, Jervis Bay. - possible naval relocation gest how you can initiate action. The Environment Subcommittee • The southeast forests Alternatively, if you'd like to con­ hopes to work as a catalyst to en­ • East coast national parks, espe­ tribute to the work of the subcom­ courage all members to pursue cially the Budawangs mittee but don't have a specific the aims of the Association. • Canberra and ACT environ­ area of interest in mind, the con­ Please participate. mental and planning matters. venors can put you in contact with Tim Walsh On these issues we undertake a member working on a particular $1 million to protect Durras Lake he Friends of Durras have launched a campaign to Traise $1 million to buy 509 hectares of unspoilt forest on the shore of Durras Lake and close to Murramarang National Park, The group fears that unless the land is acquired for conservation purposes it will be developed as a tourist resort. The land, which has a five- kilometre frontage on the eastern shore of the lake, was passed in at auction in July after a bid of $920,000. The reserve price was $1 million. Durras Lake is one of the attrac­ tive small lakes on the south coast of New South Wales which are in­ creasingly being surrounded by de­ velopment. The wetlands provide an important habitat for fish and birds. The land around the lake has valuable spotted gum forest with an understorey of a new policy of limiting the trans­ Durras Lake is surrounded by burrawangs. fer of forestry land to national valuable forests and wetlands. A narrow stretch of coastline parks so conservationists can only north of Batemans Bay is protect­ hope that the lakeside state forest Mountains west of Sydney. ed within Murramarang National could be managed for nature con­ Through the holding of social Park. While this park is valuable, servation values. To secure a sig­ functions, with the support of busi­ it is too small to be a viable biolog­ nificant part of the catchment the nesses and societies, and with pub­ ical reserve or to disperse the freehold parcel is needed. licity in The Sydney Morning impact of many thousands of visi­ The land for sale, which has not Herald, the conservationists man­ tors every summer. Local conser­ been cleared, is presently zoned aged to raise £260 in time to stay vationists, such as the Friends of for rural use. This would allow a the lessee's axe. Only one tree was Durras and the Coastwatchers tourist resort but not intensive lost. Once the land was acquired, Association, and the Total suburban subdivision. As recent and significant public support for Environment Centre in Sydney advertisements in The Canberra the forest demonstrated, the have long argued for extensions to Times indicate, suburban subdivi­ Department of Lands reserved ad­ Murramarang National Park, fur­ sion is rapidly extending north joining strips of forest on the floor ther up the coast beyond Bawley along the Pacific Highway from of the Grose Valley. It is now part Point and inland towards the Batemans Bay. of the Blue Mountains National Princes Highway. Much of the The Friends of Durras fear that Park. hinterland is state forest. this could soon lead to some sort Pledges of money or donations to Durras Lake would be one of the of clearing and building on the the Friends of Durras, for their key features of the extended na­ foreshores of the lake. If they suc­ campaign to acquire the land at tional park. At the moment the ceed in purchasing the land, they Durras Lake, should be sent to lake's catchment is made up of dif­ will give it to the National Parks The Treasurer, Friends of Durras, ferent types of land tenure: free­ and Wildlife Service for perma­ PO Box 174, Batemans Bay, NSW hold land in the villages of North nent protection. 2536. Telephone (062) 475097. If and South Durras, the freehold The last time Australians the site is not secured, the money land that is currently for sale, bought land for conservation pur­ will be returned or the pledges Crown land and state forest. The poses and returned it to the voided. The group can send a form New South Wales National Parks nation was during the height of for tax deductible donations and Wildlife Service is currently the Depression. In 1931 Myles through the Australian investigating the possibility of in­ Dunphy and other members of the Conservation Foundation. corporating the Crown land into Mountain Trails Club and the Murramarang National Park. The Sydney Bush Walkers rallied to New South Wales Government has save Blue Gum Forest in the Blue WORKS Repairing the Budawangs

Chapter one what are Minders and why were camp fires or at worst be trucked Minding the cheeses they needed? The National Parks off by passing motorists for fire­ title to confuse? And well and Wildlife Service (NPWS) had wood. The Minders' sojourn was you may ask what are arranged for the delivery of a large uneventful. cheeses? In work-party ter­ trailer load of cheeses to the car The main party, comprising 13 A park and camping area at Wog workers, arrived early Saturday minology they are substantial and weighty pieces of round log (in this Wog in the Budawangs on the morning and set about the tasks at instance iron bark), cut to approxi­ Friday immediately prior to the hand. These tasks revolved around mately 25 centimetre lengths, NPAs firstwor k party scheduled the stabilisation of the track for placed in mud for use as stepping for the weekend 2/3 September. approximately 100 metres either stones. The NPWS held fears that such side of Wog Wog Creek. At that logs, cut at such reasonable time the track was a quagmire, Reg Alder and Fiona Brand vol­ lengths, would at best be used for unteered to be The Minders. And and the main task at hand lay in the transportation of the cheeses predominantly by wheelbarrow and sometimes by hand to appro­ Working at Wog Wog priate sites along the length of the (to the tune of a traditional Aussie song) proposed work area. Then followed the mud wallowing. Out of the Once some jolly workers sat around their lunchtime fire wallowing came measurements, Under the shade of some eucalypt trees; track routing, digging (pugging), And they sang as they watched and waited till their billy boiled the handling and finally place­ 'Who'll come a-working alongside of me?' ment of the cheeses. The energies of the workers 'Working at Wog Wog, working at Wog Wog knew no bounds. By lunch time Who'll come a-working alongside of me,' they had used all of the cheeses And they sang as they watched and waited till their billy boiled that had been supplied and almost 'Who'll come a-working alongside of me'. completed a number of other earth works as well. The challenge was Then up drove a ranger, impressive in his uniform presented to the leader to do some Up jumped the workers - one, two, three quick thinking about additional 'What's that jolly load, you've got in your service truck?' tasks, finessing the existing work 'A hundred more cheeses' he shouted with glee and providing options for a leisure­ ly stroll to explore the Wog Wog Working at Wog Wog, working at Wog Wog Creek and gorge. Things were etc looking good as the group lazed around the lunch time fire. Then . Then those weary workers, told him of their labours . . the distant sound of a vehicle. It Slaving all morning - and all of it for free! drew closer and what's more Shifting stones and rocks, and cheeses by the dozen turned into our camp site. It was 'Who'll come a-working alongside of me?' the ranger Roger Hosking com­ plete with a ute packed full of Working at Wog Wog, working at Wog Wog cheeses!! So that solved the deci­ etc sion making for the afternoon. The site of the crestfallen faces was They took the ranger down the track, to see the progress they had made something to see. It's great work you're doing here, for sure!' said he The NPA's poet laureate, Judy And they thought they heard him chuckle, as he left them all - hard at it Webster, composed a commemora­ still tive sonnet 'Working at Wog Wog', which can also be sung to the tune 'That'll keep them busy, till it's time for tea'. of a well known Australian melody. It was subsequently rap­ Final refrain: turously received following its 'Working at Wog Wog, working at Wog Wog debut around the Wog Wog camp­ Who'll come a-working alongside of me,' site of the second Budawangs And they thought they heard him chuckle, as he left them all, hard at it work party. still Ultimately Saturday's work saw: 'That'll keep them busy, till it's time for tea'. • the sinking of 150 cheeses (cov­ Judith Webster ering both sides of the creek) • the construction of three rock walk ways • the building of a number of rock steps • stepping stones across the creek (until the next flood) • the installation of two further log steps, gutters and many drain­ age channels. Sunday the party walked to the bog on the swamp just short of the junction of the Corang Peak and Corang River tracks. There, with a variety of bush saws, the group cut logs of varying lengths and thick­ nesses for incorporation into a sub­ stantial corduroy track. The finished section was most impressive. Following the second day in the mud we sat near the track to admire our work and wait for the first bushwalker and the compli­ Jane O'Donohue placing rocks during the Wog Wog work party in ments that we thought were so de­ September. Photo: Judith Webster. serving. Can you believe the first group of walkers over the corduroy come as for a back pack. Nearly all left to perform some fancy leg actually were disappointed that of the party elected to walk in the work to the tune of the engine revs the adventure had been taken out nine kilometres to the work scene; as Alan manoeuvred at each gear of the bog. Well, they were boy in fact it took considerable persua­ change. scouts! sion to get eight carriers (those re­ Suffice to say the organisational quired to transport the equipment structure held, and the party re­ Chapter two the 1.5 kilometres from Wog Wog grouped on the top of the escarp­ Log jamming camp up onto the escarpment) to ment some two to three kilometres ollowing some initial con­ step forth to be transported to­ on the Wog Wog side of the Corang cerns by the work-party pro­ gether with gear in the NPWS ve­ Peak track. Unfortunately, due to Fject officer over the number hicles supplied for the occasion. circumstances beyond Alan's con­ of workpersons volunteering for Interesting to compare the deci­ trol, like bushfires further north in the next lot of hard labour, the sion-making processes demon­ NSW, and high winds in the area, NPA contingent eventually took to strated by the teenage trio the helicopter dropped all of the the field on Saturday 28 October Andrew Payne, Ben Thompson iron bark logs on the one site some with 24 artisans. and Michelle Puniard, who had distance from our designated work They were ably assisted and sup­ almost rushed Roger when he said area. Considerable time and effort ported by Alan Norman and Roger he could take three passengers, to­ had to be effected to transport the Hosking, rangers from the Nowra gether with a large number of the logs to the work area. It was not a office. The service had already hel­ packs in the Toyota 4x4 utility to task that should be underestimat­ icoptered in some 70 piles of wood the camp site! Obviously they ed in any way. That Saturday saw (we were soon to discover not your were saving their energies for the the laying of 45 logs, angled and ordinary plank variety but four- work party itself. partly sunk into the track. All had foot lengths (yes, something over a Some time later, having packed drainage channels and some re­ metre) of very dense iron bark, a Landcruiser troupe carrier to quired pinning with steel spikes. each approximately 30 centimetres the ceiling with gear, sandwiched In between each log the track was in diameter). in five NPA members, further gear back-filled and drained. The idea The logistics of transporting 23 and the said Mr Pyke's chair into being to divert water from the rucksacks, 24 day packs, ranger the rear section of the vehicle, we track at the highest elevation.to equipment and radios, dozens of were about to depart to discover allow for natural silting and stabil­ picks, mattocks, shovels and other that Les had been overlooked in isation of the track in the longer digging paraphernalia, a large the packing. As there was scarcely term. quantity of steel pegs, plus Les breathing space in the back, (well Sunday's work involved the exca­ Pyke's car camping equipment that was the excuse) he quickly vation of channels off a large complete with gas stove and fold­ opted to sit in the front with Alan stretch of the track in the Corang ing chair. The latter workperson (the ranger) and the female occu­ Peak-Kora Hill area, thus pleaded no knowledge of instruc­ pants. This entailed Les nursing tions that the workers were to Karen Wilson, with Doreen Wilson continued next page Repairing the Budawangs continued from previous page lem, but put 20 people there and nated $1000 to the NPWS to assist the scene is transformed before the project. alleviating in time much of the ex­ one's eyes. We can all attest to The NPA is keeping both clubs isting quagmire problems which that. It's exciting stuff. and the NPWS informed of both currently occur during and after In addition, on the last work progress and plans, and in the pro­ rain. We also performed some en­ party we were rewarded with pris­ cess has developed further friend­ hancing work on the earlier drains tine views while we worked, of the ships and the offers of constructed. It was all part of the Budawang and Morton National collaborative help from each of the learning process. Parks. These were even further en­ organisations. hanced by side trips up Corang Chapter three Peak and out to Admiration Point. Chapter five The reward Thank you all. Thanks also to The future have tried to convey the extent Alan Norman for co-ordinating the t is obvious that there is going of my thanks to each and every events on behalf of the NPWS and to be a continuing need for club I person who has attended these to Roger Hosking for his assis­ and community support in work parties. Without their enthu­ tance. We have all enjoyed meeting I many areas of natural importance. siasm, reliability, fortitude, and working with them and look The members of NPA have a long strengths and beyond all humour, forward to other collaborative pro­ tradition in this field and it is neither party would have been a jects with the service in the future. likely that the Outings Committee success. And great events they will set aside a number of week­ have been ... we have all gained Chapter four ends during each year specifically personal satisfaction and been re­ Other volunteer work for such tasks. These will be pub­ warded by the experience. The ver the last 12 months or so lished in the outings program. In club has added its support, and the members of the Coast and addition to work in the NPWS representatives have given Mountain Walkers, who are Budawangs our skills and labours us some very positive feedback and O Sydney based, have re-routed and will be required at Orroral Valley thanks. The NPWS at the macro cleared parts of the Folly Point homestead, amongst the wildling level is strapped for funds and track, and cleared sections of the pines at Namadgi and for track manpower resources. We have Corang Peak track. Volunteers work at Kosciusko National Park been told at the micro level how from the Canberra Bushwalking in the not too distant future. dispiriting it can be for one person Club have also carried out exten­ to labour all day on a hill and to Di Thompson sive soil conservation work in Budawangs work party see how little effect their efforts Monolith Valley. That club also do- have made to a large-scale prob­ coordinator

Churchill fellowships The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust is calling for applications for fellowships to be taken up during 1991. Merit in any fieldo f value to the community is the major criteri­ on for the granting of fellowships. Fellows are given airfares and the chance to study overseas- Applications forms can be ob­ tained hy sending a stamped self- addressed envelope, 24 by 12 cen­ timetres, to Application forms, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, 218 Northbourne Ave, Canberra 2601. Applications close on 28 February 1990.

Di Thompson and her troops poised on a line of ripe Budawang cheeses. Photo: Reg Alder. PARKWATCH

Reserve, declared a mine-free na­ donkey orchid . (Diuris venosa), NSW director tional park. which is also threatened by illegal Mr Bannon has also announced collecting. Horses and off-road ve­ sacked a marine conservation zone for the hicles could also affect the drain­ The New South Wales Minister for Great Australian Bight. It is not age patterns of the swampy the Environment, Tim Moore, clear exactly what will be con­ ground where the orchid grows. sacked the director of the New served in this zone as fishing will Broom seeds are probably spread South Wales National Parks and still be allowed. The bight is one of by horse hooves, car tyres and Wildlife Service, John Whitehouse, the breeding grounds of the endan­ bushwalkers7 boots. in September. gered southern right whale, National Parks Journal, NSW As an adviser to Labor ministers Eubalaena australis. July 1989 for parks, plaruiing and environ­ ment, Whitehouse helped draft planning and heritage laws and SA prepares Miners look at create new national parks throughout the state. He was ap­ wilderness law WA parks pointed director of the service in The Minister for Environment and A number of mining companies 1985. The Labor Opposition said Planning in South Australia, have applied to explore for miner­ the sacking was due to Susan Lenehan, announced in als in national parks in Western Whitehouse's defence of the envi­ October that the state would pre­ Australia. Areas of interest to ronment in the face of National pare a wilderness protection act. miners included Shark Bay, a po­ Parly pressure. The legislation will control devel­ tential world heritage site, and the Interest focuses on the replace­ opment in areas designated as Rudall River, Yalgorup, ment for Whitehouse and the two wilderness. These areas are likely Fitzgerald, Cambridge Gulf, new deputy directors who are to be 100 islands off the coast, in­ D'Entrecasteaux and Moore River being appointed. Among other cluding parts of Kangaroo Island, National Parks. Some other areas tasks they will have to cut staff and parts of outback South proposed for national park reser­ numbers and repay, from a tight Australia. It is not clear whether vation have also aroused the inter­ national parks budget, at least restrictions will apply to the activi­ est of miners. Only 5.8 per cent of part of the $6 million overspent. ties of mineral prospectors, grazi­ Western Australia is secured as ers and four-wheel-drivers who national park or nature reserve. have done much to reduce the Conservation News, Australian Big park for wilderness quality of South Conservation Foundation, August Nullarbor Australia's arid northern lands. 1989. The South Australian Premier, John Bannon, has announced the Oxley Wild Parks for Mallee creation of the largest national The Victorian Land Conservation park in Australia, Nullarbor Rivers extended Council has recommended parks National Park. The park will cover The New South Wales National and reserves for the Mallee dis­ 2,000,000 hectares of western Parks and Wildlife Service has trict in northwestern Victoria. The South Australia. Unfortunately purchased 13,000 hectares of land proposals include the creation of a this park, apart from a 10- to add to Oxley Wild Rivers 600,000 hectare Murray-Sunset kilometre-wide strip along the National Park in northern New National Park and the addition of coast, is subject to mineral explo­ South Wales. The land increased Pine Plains and the central Big ration and mining. A large area of the park's size to 94,000 hectares. Desert area to Wyperfeld National Crown land north of Nullarbor Each year 150,000 people visit the Park. The council has failed to rec­ National Park has been designat­ park's plateaux and rugged gorges. ommend an end to broombrush ed regional reserve, but is also harvesting and grazing which subject to mining. threaten the wilderness quality of The South Australian Broom doom the region. Victorian conservation Government has said it aims to Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) groups are organising a major have 15 per cent of the state is threatening rare plants in campaign to try to more fully pro­ within the national parks system Barrington Tops National Park tect the Sunset Country and the by 1991, the centenary of national and neighbouring state forests in Big Desert. parks in that state. That system northern New South Wales. The Conservation News, Australian increasingly allows exploitation by weed also occurs in Kosciusko Conservation Foundation, mining or grazing. Only 4 per cent National Park. September 1989. of South Australia is park that is Dense clumps of broom compete free of mining rights. for space and change the habitat. The Nature Conservation Society The vulnerable plants at of South Australia is seeking to Barrington Tops are the broad- have the Yellabrina wilderness, leaved pepper bush (Tasmannia east of Nullarbor Regional purpurascens) and the beautiful 'Spring into action' in the

After about 45 minutes' walk we came to the new work which had been recently proceeding, and at the same time the rest of the cars and television crews caught us up, having won the argument at the locked gate.

lthough a fire trail already existed in the area, the A Forestry Commission had cut a huge swathe through the forest crossing this fire trail, and wide enough to put a major high­ way through, before being stopped by Ihe injunction. Such was the confidence of the organisers that this injunction would hold indefi­ nitely, we were all encouraged to accept newly gathered tree seeds and some soil and sow them over the recently bulldozed areas. Maybe this was somewhat symbol­ uch was the motto for the road we travelled on, which had ic, but it gave some purpose to the October long weekend for been subjected to 'integrated log­ visit, and the action was recorded Sthose concerned with protect­ ging' fairly recently. by the television crews. ing the southeast forests, and The next day, after a late night Some of those in the party appar­ three National Parks Association enjoying the bush dance, we joined ently walked a lot further on to members decided to provide sup­ a large group of people who had where the tree-sitters were still port and join the forest festival. opted to have a look at the disput­ sitting after several weeks of Directions to the campsite were ed Wog Way, a major highway protest, and who welcomed the obtained from the information tent being pushed through the moral support. at the Bombala turn-off and we ar­ Coolangubra wilderness. Having seen the destruction rived late Saturday morning to Currently the work has been caused by this roading we were find a well-established camp with stopped via an injunction in a not surprised that access had been marquees, toilets, entertainment Sydney court, and we were inter­ made difficult. I will leave the rostrum, cooking and food supply ested in seeing what had been reader to imagine why such a facilities and hundreds of tents. going on. The first hazard was a major roadway should need to be Obviously a lot of work had gone locked gate - the forests were offi­ pushed through wilderness area into preparing the site over the cially open - closed and manned by but one obvious interpretation was previous week for the expected one the district forester, who was re­ that this was just a way of getting thousand visitors. fusing to let vehicles proceed. We lots of large vehicles into areas Having found a campsite, we in­ left him arguing and started walk­ previously unlogged. vestigated things to do in the af­ ing along the broad metalled road, After a very cold and windy eve­ ternoon. There were several walks cleared to about three times the ning the next day dawned a little available, as well as tree-climbing, eventual width of the road itself. better and the camp was in full workshops on non-violent action and kayaking on the Bombala river. We chose a walk to Devils Creek in the Tantawangalo area. The Tantawangalo is the catchment for Bega and the surrounding coastal During the area's water supply which is cur­ October rently under threat from the long Forestry Commission's trial log­ weekend ging program. Devils Creek forms protesters part of the catchment, and looks camped on like a rainforest gully which has in the banks the past been selectively logged of the hut remains in pristine condition Bombala compared with the area across the River. southeast forests

Managing Tasmania's world heritage The Tasmanian Department of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage wants to hear the public's ideas on managing Tasmania's magnificent world heritage area The depart­ ment is seeking submissions of any length during until the end of February 1990, after which it will prepare a draft management plan. Pamphlets giving details of the area's boundaries, management Protesters and film crews locked out of Wog Way in issues and guidelines on writing Coolangubra State Forest. submissions are available from: swing again with meetings around elected to save the protest at the the camp fire and discussions and chip mill for another time. World Heritage Area Planning Team workshops if you cared to join Altogether a weekend somewhat Department of Parks, Wildlife and them. different from the usual NPA car Heritage We opted for a walk up the road camp but nevertheless a reward­ GPO Box 44A from the camp to view one of the ing experience. logging coops. Not obvious from Hobart 7001 Telephone (002) 303912. the road, a track took us into the John Webster large area recently logged. Devastation all around, with a few trees left standing and much debris lying on the ground, possi­ bly waiting to be burnt. Even if these areas eventually recover, it is difficult to see how wildlife can withstand such onslaught, and things will obviously never be the same again. For me the weekend showed the strength of feeling against the de­ struction of the forests, largely to satisfy the woodchip industry, and renewed my opposition to the Forestry Commission's practice of intensive forestry - more accurate­ ly termed de-forestry, or plain vandalism. The camp was well organised and a lot of effort had gone into making it successful by a devoted group of people who deserved better support in the way of num­ bers; but it was far from the fail­ ure the loggers claimed. Maybe they were upset that their expect­ ed confrontation at the Eden wood- chip mill didn't materialise, but the camp was a long way from Eden and the majority of campers appeared to come from Sydney and Public versus private parks

he rugged Gammon The next day we set out Ranges National to explore Arkaroola, still T Park may be a great unsure of exactly what it place to visit. But I was. Tourists were clam­ wouldn't know. I only bering into a convoy of stayed Ion -drives for a ranger to e part of the the visitors' We asked the in that the C man about able to cope were given a roads, an marked tracks cause the d from a few ness the all d:iy, over a point tryi ades, with ex walking. e felt inclined, needed a map; the only map picked something was the one stuck to the jfEjSjfj short but pretty, with the wall. SSyS; hope of a view aat the end. Accommodation? We The wildlife in the dry could camp if we got a Flinders Ranges keeps a permit but we were assured pretty low profile during that the only good spots the day but it wasn't long were the ones we couldn't before we saw a large get to. scaled tailless lizard. We 'Is there any chance of kept walking up the ridge. seeing a yellow-footed rock Eventually we reached the wallaby in the park or have kind of rocky outcrops the goats pushed them out?' which we had been told I asked. We had seen a the wallabies liked. We motley coloured flock of dropped off the ridge and goats by the road, shortly started scrambling around after we entered the park. the side of the slope, cling­ 'No goats in this park,' ing to the well-spaced low was the gruff reply. shrubs. Well, I guess if you don't admit to Arkaroola property and village Across the slope we saw a jump. management problems, you don't with Gammon Ranges National It was a wallaby. A bit far away to have to spend so much money on Park in the distance. see any details of colouring. We park managers. We promptly got tried to get closer without disturb­ back into the car and drove along route was negotiable to two-wheel- ing it again. It hopped further the rough dirt road, out of the park drive cars, given some careful driv­ away. No sign of yellow feet. It and into Arkaroola. ing through creekbeds and over must have been something else. Beside the carpark was a display rocky roads. Only a few side tracks We descended to the dry creek- hall and information centre with were restricted to four-wheel- bed. Kangaroo tracks in the sand. maps, posters and all sorts of beau­ drive. We followed until we flushed out tiful and useful things for sale. I got a map and and a poster of another wallaby. Still no yellow Inside the door were big photo­ the strange arid-land wildflowers markings. What about that cave in graphs of yellow-footed rock walla­ we had been seeing by the roadside the cliff above? My energetic mate bies (Petrogale xanthopus and a and then began inspecting the climbed up and found a spacious log of the times and places of glass cases of sparkling minerals cave with animal bones inside. It recent sightings. The marsupials and fine-leaved fossils. There were would have been a good place for were obviously a major attraction. large charts of geological history. Aboriginal hunters to sit and The man at the counter was There was an article of mine from survey the landscape. being cheerful beyond the call of an obscure Canberra publication. Eventually the creek led us back duty explaining repeatedly the How did they find that? The re­ to the car. It had not been a long condition of every road and track search must have been very thor­ walk but at least we had gained to a monumental bore. T was down ough. Eventually my partner some feeling of the rocks, plants there in the Moke yesterday. The dragged me away. and animals of the Flinders creeks are down; you just have to We didn't feel like camping so for Ranges without dying of thirst. be careful of the boulders.' $10 each we got beds in an old We went back to the shop to get The bore asked about another bunkhouse. We got the whole a drink and find out a bit more track but he couldn't fool the advis­ bunkhouse to ourselves. After about Arkaroola. It is a privately er. This guy knew his patch of dirt- weeks of camping it was nice to owned nature reserve of 61,000 It turned out that every major have some electric light to read by. hectares with a history of mining. 17/18/19 March-Pack Walk (3/A) Tumbarumba- Talbingo Advance Notices Ref: Hume & Hovell track sketch maps or Budawangs Work Party Ref: CMW Budawangs Outings program Yarrangobilly 1:100 000, Courabyra 1:25 000 Leader: Dlanne Thompson Ph 88 6084 Leader: Phil Bubb Ph 81 4929 h 46 6128w Contact leader early to become involved In the conservation of our , December 1989 to April 1990 Contact leader early for details. A two day walk (15km and 20km) national parks at a really down to earth level. along a pleasant and varied section of the track, camping at the Gudgenby Work Party Ref: ACT 1:100 000 delightful Paddys River Dam. We shall hire a bus from Talbingo to the start of the walk. There is vehicle access in good weather to Leader: Dugald Monro Ph 31 8776 the camp site for car camping (pack portaging?) members. 400km Contact leader to find out how to become involved in the conserva­ drive. tion of our local environment.

17/18/19 March-Car Camp (1/A) Mt Dromedary Leader: Peter Roe/Syd Comfort Ph 91 9535/86 2578 Contact leaders early for details of this car camp in the Mt Drome­ dary area. Walks up Mt Dromedary and along the coast. A caravan park camping fee maybe necessary. 600km drive.

24/25 March-Pack Walk (1/A/B) Mt Talaterang Ref: CMW Budawangs Leader: Steven Forst Ph 51 6817 h 74 8426 w Contact leader for details of this walk to a less visited high point in the Budawangs. An easy short walk with packs to a campsite on top of a waterfall then a harder day walk up to the summit and back, picking up packs before returning to the cars. Spectacular views. 600 km drive. Outings guide Day walks carry lunch, drinks and protective clothing. 24 March-Saturday Walk (1/A) Pack walks two or more days, carry all food and camping re­ Stockyard Hut Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 quirements. CONTACT LEADER BY Leader: Lyle Mark Ph 86 2801 WEDNESDAY. Meet at the comer of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Road at Car camps facilities often limited or non-existent. Vehicles 8.30am. A good beginners walk from Mt Ginini on tracks across taken to site can be used for camping. BOOK Cheyenne Flats to Stockyard Arboretum, the ruin of Stockyard Hut EARLY WITH LEADER. and Priors Hut. Return along the track. 120km drive. Other activities include nature rambles, environmental and field guide studies and ski tours. 1 April-Sunday Walk (4/A/D) Rock Flats Ref: Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 Walks gradings Leader: Frank Clements Ph 31 7005 Points to note Distance grading (per day) Meet at the Kambah Village Shops at 8am. A longer walk half on New faces to lead, new places to go. Please help keep our outings 1 - up to 10 km fire trails and half through bush, some of it rough. There are two program alive by volunteering to lead a walk occasionally. Tele­ 2-10 km to 15 km steep climbs of about 200 metres each. 80km drive. phone the walks convenor, Steven Forst, on 516817 (h). 3-15kmto20 km All persons joining an outing of ihe National Parks Association 4 - above 20 km. 8 April-Sunday Walk (1/A-E) of the ACT do so as volunteers in all respects and as such accept Terrain grading sole responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred and the Na­ Bungonia Gorge Ref: Caoura 1:25 000 A - Road, firetrail, track tional Parks Association of the ACT, its office bearers and appoint­ B - Open forest Leader: Mike Smith Ph 86 2984 ed leaders are absolved from any liability in respect of any injury or C - Light scrub Meet at the Drive-in on Northboume Avenue at Bam. A steep walk damage suffered whilst engaged in any such outing. D - Patches of thick scrub, regrowth down on the track from Bungonia lookdown to Bungonia Creek, The Committee suggests a donation of FIVE cents per kilomet­ E - Rock scrambling then following the creek up into the gorge through some spectacu­ re (to the nearest dollar) be offered to the driver by each passenger F - Exploratory. lar rock formations. Lunch at the pool In the gorge. Finally a steep­ accepting transport. Drive and walk distances quoted in the pro­ er climb out of the gorge via 'Efflux'. 220km drive. gram are the approximate distances for return journeys. The walks program contains additional information. If necessary, contact the leader. 6 e 13 December-Wednesday Sub-committee Meeting 4 February Sunday-Walk (1/A) 24/25 February-Pack Walk (1/A) Walk3 Program for April to June 1990 Swamp Creek Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Goodradigbee River Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Leader: Steven Forst Ph 51 6817 h 74 8426 w Leader: Olive Buckman Ph 48 8774 Leader: Fiona Brand Ph 47 9538 This meeting will be held at Gladys Joyce's place, 14 Borrowdale Meet ai the corner of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Road at Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this easy 2km walk for St. Red Hill, irom 7 30pm. The contents of the next outings pro­ 9.30am. A pleasant 2-4 km stroll along Swamp Creek. Hopefully beginners or children. Lots of time for swimming. 160 km dnve. gram will be discussed along with any other business. All lots of blackberry picking and swimming. 20km drive 25 February-Sunday Walk (1/B) welcome Honeysuckle Creek Area Ref: Corln Dam 1:25 000 10 February-Saturday Walk (2/A/B) Leader: Lin Richardson Ph 41 5498 14 January-Sunday Walk (1/B) Beyond Flea Creek Ref: ACT 1 MOO 000 Corroboree Meet at the Kambah Village Shops at 8 30am. A moderate 8km Frog Search Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Leader: Steven Forst Ph 51 6817 h 74 8426 w walk mostly in swamp/grassland or open forest starting from the Leader: Will Osborne Ph 51 3829 Meet at the comer of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Road at tracking station site. 80km dnve. Meet at the corner of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Road at Sam. A walk along the Goodradigbee River from the Brindabella 8.30am. A walk in the Ginini Flats area in search of the Corrobor- bridge northward beyond Flea Creek and return. Opportunities tor 3/4 March-Pack walk (2/A/F) ee Frog with the expert. 100km drive. swimming and possibly blackberry picking. Note the road into the Tantangara Area Ref: Tantangara 1:25 000 Brindabella Valley can be quite rough. 120km dnve Leader: Dianne Thompson Ph88 6084h 84 5043w 20/21 January-Canoe Trip (1/A) Contact leader by Wednesday for details. A 28km walk mostly on The Upper Murray 15 February-Mid week Walk (1/A) tracks in the Tantangara area visiting Circuits, Pedens and Town- Leader: Chris Bellamy Ph 49 7167 Fishing Gap, Tidbinbilla Ref: ACT 1 =100 000 sends Huts. Swimming in the Murrumbidgee River. 400km drive. Contact leader by 13 January for details A canoe trip along the Leader: Gladys Joyce Ph 95 6959 upper Murray River. Rented canoes available at Walwa or BYO. Meet at the comer of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Road at 3 March-Saturday Walk (2/A) Plenty of platypus to see. Start from Towong and canoe past Tin- 9.30am. An 8km walk on tracks, moderate walking but steep in Gingera from Ginini Ref: Corln Dam 1:25 000 taldra and Walwa to finish at the Tintaldra riverside Pub Stay at or parts. 60km drive. Leader: Dugald Monro Ph 31 8776 camp next to the riverside Tintaldra Pub Friday/Saturday nights. Meet at the corner of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Road at Easy paddfrng. suit beginners. 800 km drive via Holbrook and 17/18 February-Pack walk (3/B/C/E) 8am. A 13km walk from Mt Ginini to the top of Mt Gingera. Good Jingellic. Townsends Spur/Canyon Falls Ref: Kosciusko 1:50000 views, returning by Snowy Flat. Half on tracks, half through open Leader: Phil Bubb Ph 81 4929 h 46 6128 w bush. One steep climb of 200m 100km drive. 26/27/28 January-Pack walk (2/A) Contact leader by Wednesday for details. A hard Snowy Moun­ The Main Range Ref: Mt Kosciusko 1:50 000 tains pack walk for the fit only. Down Townsends Spur to the falls 10 March-Saturday Walk (3/C) Leader: John Hutton Ph 5B 7334 on Lady Northcotes Canyon, camping nearby. Then probably up Stockyard Spur Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Contact leader by 19 January for details and bookings as numbers Watsons Crags Spur. A steep descent and climb of about 1000 Leader: Graham Guttrldge Ph 31 4330 45 1618 metres with rock scrambling, some scrub and scree slopes to ne­ are limited. A walk from Dead Horse Gap up Heshaw Climb to the Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 8am. A medium level walk with gotiate. 450km drive Ramshead and onto Mt Kosciusko and Mt Townsend. The three two difficult climbs (600m + 300m). Start at Corin Dam Carpark days will be spent exploring the Main Range, visiting Lake Albina. and climb the spur for an excellent view of Ginini Falls over a long Blue Lake and Seamans Hut A good introductory walk to the Main 17 February-Saturday Walk (1/A) Uriarra lunch. Return by the same route. 70km drive. Range. Limit of 10 people. 400km dnve. Crossing Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Leader: Syd Comfort Ph 86 2578 11 March-Sunday Walk (2/A) 26/27/28/(29) January-Pack walk (2/E/F) Meet at the corner of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Rd at 8 30 The Corn Trail Ref: Araluen 1:25 000/Monga 1:25 000 Ettrema area Ref: Touga 1:25 000/Yalwal 1:25 000 am. A walk or li-lo along the Murrumbidgee downstream from Un- Leader: Mike Smith Ph 86 2984 h arra Crossing. Stay on for lunch and swim if you wish. 30km drive Leaders: Pat & Eric Pickering Ph 85 2128 Meet at Woolworths Carpark Oueanbeyan at 8am. Walking track An exploratory walk in the area of Ettrema. Tullyangela. Dynamity. following the original pack horse route over the Clyde Mountain. A and Cinch Creeks in Morton National Park Steep climbs (400 m). 24/25 February-Pack walk (4/A) 650 metre drop trom the top of the Clyde Mt to the Buckenbowra waterfalls, pools and swimming The leaders would like to extend Nine Mile Diggings River. Car shuffle or crossover depending on conditions and num­ the walk to four days if participants are agreeable. Contact leaders Ref: Cabramurra 1:25 000/Denlson 1:25 000 bers 240km drive by Tuesday 23 January for details. 320 km drive Leader: John Hutton Ph 58 7334 Contact leader by 16 February. A walk visiting histonc huts, gold 14 March-Mid Week Walk (1/A) 3/4 February Pack-Walk (3/E/F) mine diggings and Table Top Mountain. Limit of 10. 400km drive Square Rock Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 Wadbilllga Leader: Olive Buckman Ph 48 8774 Leader: Philip Gatenby Ph 54 3094 Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 9am. A pleasant 8km walk, on Contact leader by Wednesday for details An exporatory walk in tracks through a variety of scenery, to a fascinating rock formation the Wadbilliga National Park. Steep climbs and the possibility of with wide views. A climb of 270 metres Approximately 5 hour trip swimming with packs Not for beginners including lunch and exploration. 80km drive. in South Australia

Judging from the displays, the Next door is Gammon Ranges owner is obviously a keen and National Park, 128,000 hectares Walks in the expert geologist. He is also inter­ of arid hills and river red gum- ested in astronomy, having estab­ filled gorges. Its description as Bush Capital lished a small domed observatory wilderness will only be justified If you think of Canberra as the on a hilltop. The tourist centre - when the alleged four-wheel-drive Bush Capital, then walks around with displays, a shop, service sta­ only tracks are closed to traffic. the city are bushwalks. Kim tion, motels, caravans, swimming Some loyal South Australians Morgan obviously thanks so; her pool and playground — is not as have suggested the Gammon book contains a three-page ballad compact and attractive as it might Ranges should be a candidate for called Bush Capital. be. world heritage listing. When I picked up her book, enti­ Arkaroola's tourist operations Before the world comes to visit tled Canberra Bushwalks and with seem to have grown haphazardly the park had better get its act to­ a photograph of Tidbinbilla in the rough bush fashion; this is gether. Wilderness is no excuse Nature Reserve on the cover, I was no slick international resort. for giving visitors a hard time. As expecting to be transported to the Arkaroola offers accommodation, conservationists have learnt, the wilds of the Brindabellas and information, tours and other ser­ protection" of wilderness depends Namadgi. However, the book does vices based on its history and nat­ on good public relations in the pe­ not go beyond the Murrumbidgee. ural qualities. ripheral areas around the This need not be a problem. As wilderness. the back cover says, there are he history starts with the The ranger's lack of enthusiasm plenty of beautiful places around formation of the solar for visitors may be explained by a the city. The author has walked T system and moves through state parks service that is under­ them all with her dogs and gives a Aboriginal times to the feeble at­ staffed and overworked. There very thorough description of routes tempts of Europeans to establish a may not be sufficient money for through Canberra Nature Park copper smelting industry in 1861. visitor services, information cen­ and other urban bush land in an The Adnjamathanha people say tres or feral goat eradication. It area bounded by Kambah Pool, the that Arkaroo was a giant serpent seems that the South Australian Stromlo pine forest, Charnwood that carved the gorge of Arkaroola Government has placed considera­ and the pines near Canberra Creek as he dragged his water- ble emphasis on national parks airport. filled body from the salt lake now raising their own revenue, rather called Lake Frome up into the The book is illustrated by very than the government supplying simple sketch maps with typed ranges. The natural qualities of adequate budgets for park man­ Arkaroola include rugged hills, labels and dark photographs agement. (On a tour of about half which are not always very instruc­ steep gorges, waterholes and radi­ a dozen major South Australian oactive hot springs (formed when tive. For example, distant pictures national parks in August, there Arkaroo rested his bloated body), of Mount Rogers, near PraseT, and was no doubt that the parks were and a range of minerals that fasci­ the Urambii Hills, near Kambah, not nearly as well resourced as nated the Antarctic explorer and give great prominence to the high­ geologist, Douglas Mawson. those of New South Wales). If so, ways in the foreground. Horizons the park managers could learn a are not always horizontal and the lot from the way Arkaroola runs Australian-American memorial on its land and its tourist business. Russell Hill (which obscures the The protection of While the Gammon Ranges subject of the picture, Mount National Park may contain spec­ Pleasant) is not vertical. wilderness depends on tacular scenery and wildlife of Roger Green good public relations great scientific interest (it's pretty hard for a stranger to tell on a Kim Morgan, Canberra in the peripheral visit), there is no doubt which Bushwalks, Kangaroo Press, 190 areas around the place offers better services to visi­ pages, $12.95. tors. Arkaroola shows how intelli­ wilderness gent and enthusiastic private management can contribute to Gum tree kills nature conservation and walker Though I did not see any work­ education. A 50-year-old women died in ing mine, I suspect the tourist and August after a gum tree fell on educational activities are subsid­ Roger Green top of her while she was bush­ ised by small-scale mining. I do walking east of Melbourne. Police not know the environmental said she was walking along impact of this. Arkaroola may not Gerraty's trail in the - Victorian be a model of conservation land alps when the tree, laden with management but its economy is snow, fell on her. She had been on sufficiently viable to allow all a one-day bus trip. goats to be shot on sight. Adelaide Advertiser THE COAST Jervis Bay slide show At the September general meeting of the Association the leader of the Jervis Bay conservation campaign, Sue Hanley, described the various threats to the bay. Despite a bad cold, she spoke to a series of slides that showed the diversity and beauty of the bay's scenery and wildlife. Threats to these include the navy's plans for an armaments depot and fleet base, the Shoalhaven City Council's plans for a sewerage outfall and the gen­ eral trend towards subdivision and suburban housing construction in attractive coastal areas that have not been otherwise reserved. A number of national park pro­ posals have been submitted for parts of the bay since 1944. The NPA members Gabrielle Robin, left, and Jane O'Donoghue, behind the Canberra branch of the Australian banner, on the Hume Highway south of Goulburn. Photo: Den Robin. Conservation Foundation is pres­ ently preparing a comprehensive proposal to protect the lands and Conservationists walk waters of Jervis Bay, to be pre­ sented to the Federal Government. from the bay to Canberra At the end of the meeting the Association voted to donate $150 NPA members were among those On 9 October the Federal to the Jervis Bay campaign. The who carried a petition from Jervis Minister for the Environment, President, Syd Comfort, wrote to Bay to Canberra over the October Senator Graham Richardson, said the Prime Minister, Mr Hawke, in long weekend. The petition, organ­ the decision regarding the pro­ the following terms: ised by the Jervis Bay Protection posed navy move to Jervis Bay The Association wishes to Committee and signed by about was in limbo and that the navy congratulate you on the under­ 15000 people, called on the was currently canvassing other taking given recently that al­ Federal Government to hold a full possible sites along the east coast. ternatives to moving naval public inquiry on the proposed 'The navy have withdrawn their facilities from the Sydney area naval developments in Jervis Bay. EIS,' he said in an interview on to Jervis Bay will be rigorously On Tuesday 3 October it was pre­ ABC television news. 'I have no evaluated . . . sented to the Federal Member for idea when they'll bring it up to me The accessibility of Jervis Bay Fraser, John Langmore, who for any sort of consideration. The and its proximity to large cen­ lodged it in Parliament. Prime Minister has indicated that tres of population ensure that The four-day protest march because of this, the move may not the potential for the recogni­ through Kangaroo Valley and go ahead.' tion of its inherent values by Bundanoon and along the Hume the public will undoubtedly be The situation is looking better, and Federal Highways was de­ realised. although our campaign to protect manding but great fun. About 50 Jervis Bay must not also go into Rather than seek develop­ conservationists took part, main­ limbo. We need to put our efforts ment of the Jervis Bay area, taining an average walking speed into achieving a Jervis Bay nation­ the Australian Government of 6.5 kilometres an hour. There al park, including a marine re­ should, in the view of the were delicious meals, good compa­ serve, as outlined by Sue Hanley, Association, vigorously pursue ny and a supportive response from and continuing to closely monitor the declaration of a national members of the public in the developments in defence. park and marine reserve cover­ towns we walked through and ing the area. Only in this way from the vehicles that flew past on can the future of this unique the highways. Den Robin national asset be assured. Milo Dunphy on coastal devlopment The director of the Total Dunphy said that there was a Environment Centre in Sydney, need to reserve long chains of the Milo Dunphy, addressed the May remaining natural parts of the general meeting of the Association coastline in national parks. on the subject of the south coast of Wetlands, wild rivers, endangered New South Wales. He said that and migratory species especially the Greiner Government was de­ had to be protected. stroying environmental legislation The Total Environment Centre and allowing developers to con­ had been responsible for gaining sume the remaining natural areas the Myall Lakes National Park in on the coast outside national the 1970s. It was currently work­ parks. ing on a number of national park He said that 'New South Wales proposals: Bongil Bongil near Inc' - a term applied to the busi­ Sawtell on the north coast, Jervis ness management style of the Bay, and extensions of Royal and Premier, Nick Greiner — may be Murramarang National Parks. the most successful asset-stripping Development should be kept exercise by any corporate raider in within existing built-up areas. New South Wales history. There should be no more tourist National Party policies which roads close and parallel to the would destroy natural areas were coast. There also had to be more Sketches by being implemented. public information and consulta­ Development applications is tion on plans. Government agen­ John Payne coastal areas had boomed and cies — the Forestry Commission, A former member of the were being fast tracked by the the Department of Main Roads Association, the late John Payne, leader of the National Party, Wal and local councils - also needed to was a talented sketcher who spent Murray. Amendments to planning be reformed. many happy hours on NPA out­ and environment legislation would Conservationists needed to make ings recordings things of interest destroy zoning regulations and a big effort to achieve a planning in the bush. Our thanks to Judy make coastal subdivision harder to system which balanced developers Payne for allowing us to reproduce block. Urban sprawl threatened and empowered community some of his work in the Bulletin. coastal protection and rural zones groups to protect coastal lands. along the whole coastline. After the talk the meeting ex­ Above: Egg case of a Port Jackson Part of Sydney Harbour National pressed its concern at the tidal shark, found on the shores of Park was to be leased to a private wave of development along the Jervis Bay. university. The government aimed NSW coastline and donated $100 Below: Blue Oliveberry (Blueberry to sell Crown land on the coast to the Total Environment Centre's Ash), Elaeocarpus retdculatus, without regard for the interests of coastal fighting fund. from Jervis Bay. the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Despite the impending greenhouse effect, which threatens to raise the sea level by one or two metres in the next 50 years, low- lying lands were still being subdivided. In 1988 there were 150 applica­ tions for developments valued at over $1 million along the New South Wales coast. Many were combinations of a hotel, golf course and suburban subdivision, concen­ trated in the area from Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour. Along the Gerroa-Ulladulla stretch of coastline, 25 projects — naval, tour­ ist and residential - were planned. THE ALPS

the memorandum of understand­ Alpine trek ing. Then the party walked and Thredbo plan On 2 November eight rugged out­ skied to the top of Mount Kosciusko. criticised doors types set out from the front The Kosciusko Advisory The Great Alpine Trek culminat­ of Parliament House in Canberra Committee, set up by the NSW ed with the proclamation of the on their way to Victoria. They had Minister for the Environment, Tim Victorian Alpine Park by the with them a memorandum of un­ Moore, has advised against the ex­ Victorian Minister for derstanding, an agreement be­ pansion of the resort at Thredbo tween the Commonwealth, ACT, Conservation , Forests and Lands, beyond the current developed New South Wales and Victorian Kay Setches, at Snowy Plains near area. At its October meeting the Governments, on the cooperative Licola on 2 December. All types of committee opposed moves by the management of the national parks users of the park, from bushwalk­ lessee, Kosciusko Thredbo Pty Ltd, of the Australian alps. Before they ers to horse-riders and four-wheel to apply for an extension of its left the Federal Minister for the drivers, attended the event. nine-hole golf course, a proposal Environment, Senator Graham Members of the Victorian National rejected by the National Parks and Richardson, signed the memoran­ Parks Association attended to Wildlife Service. dum, which was passed on by the show their support for the national Acting Minister for the park, albeit somewhat compro­ The committee also resolved that Environment, Clyde Holding. mised, for which they have been any development should be within The trekkers walked, skied, campaigning for decades. the existing built-up village area cycled, rode horses, drove, climbed and further that no additional ac­ and rafted from Canberra to commodation should be built until Victoria in an attempt to publicise the water-quality monitoring and national agreement on the need to NPWS decides waste-disposal measures proposed conserve the alps in national by the developers have been com­ parks. The representative of the on Thredbo EIS pleted. If the new tip at Jinda­ ACT on the trek was the president The director of the New South byne, to replace the unsightly of the Canberra Bush walking Wales National Parks and Wildlife dump on the banks of the Thredbo Club, David Campbell. Another Service has determined the envi­ River near the resort, takes two trekker, Carrie Steffen, also lives ronmental impact statement on years to complete, this may delay in Canberra. the redevelopment of Thredbo vil­ the redevelopment of the resort. After setting out from the top of lage. The service has approved the At the meeting the committee Capital Hill on mountain bikes the expansion from 3200 to 4800 beds, also discussed feral animals and trekkers' first camp was in Orroral an international hotel, lodges, plants, the recycling of rubbish, Valley. The next day the ACT min­ townhouses, condominiums and a the declining national park budget ister responsible for national sports centre. The extension of the and the use of volunteers for some parks, Elinor Grassby, signed the golf course was rejected. The ser­ park maintenance jobs. NPA mem­ memorandum. Then the trekkers vice varied the plan for the siting bers may be interested in this last rode off into the wilds of Namadgi of the hotel: it should be sited near topic, which will be discussed fur­ National Park and on to Cooleman the valley terminal, not on the vil­ ther by the parks service. Plains. lage green. The service required On 9 November the trekkers the lesses, Kosciusko Thredbo Pty emerged from the wilderness at Ltd, to maintain walking tracks, Charlotte Pass in Kosciusko prepare educational material on Resort for sale National Park. There the New the park, provide funds for water- The Transfield construction group South Wales Minister for the quality monitoring, control storm and Fritz Feiersinger are trying to Environment, Tim Moore, signed and close the tip. sell Blue Cow resort in Kosciusko National Park. The resort was built in 1987. Though the resort The ACT minister for was supposed to be the most envi­ national parks, Mrs ronmentally sensitive, it led to the Elinor Grassby, construction of roads through sen­ addressing alpine sitive subalpine habitats and trekkers at Orroral buildings that are visible from the camping ground. The main range. Research is continu­ memorandum of ing on the impact of the resort on understanding between the mountain pygmy possums four governments on that live be­ cooperative alpine (Burramys parvus) neath the ski runs. management is in the According to The Canberra cylinder on the table. the resort, which was sup­ Photo: Reg Alder. Times, posed to open summer and winter, will be operating at a reduced level this summer. Winter trip Warner on Kosciusko

approaching the pass Charles Warner's Bushwalking in 'Compulsory preface and warning* up the west fork of valentine creek Kosciusko National Park is a clas­ emphasise that the book is for ex­ leaning on a strong southerly sic. Our copy of the first edition is perienced bushwalkers. snow-whipped skin numb dirty and dog-eared with use. It As well as the description of was a basic production but the walking areas, Warner has three stumble on ridged crust maps were good and the notes other chapters on the locality - de­ dull under our packs brief and useful. The book did not scribing the landforms, climate, some were quicker at this give detailed route instructions. vegetation, wildlife and human we were all close to our courage The second edition is much gloss­ history, the special needs and reg­ ier. It has a full-colour cover pic­ ulations of walking and camping we glimpsed the lowlands under ture of Jagungal, better paper, in Kosciusko, and dealing with black perfect binding, more photographs hazards — hypothermia, snakebite, shreds of racing cloud and more pages (though the bushfires and floods. and the sight of one mountain weight is similar). My initial fear For someone capable of negotiat­ recalling was whether it would be as useful ing his or her own way through where we had been and durable as the old, stapled relatively gentle terrain, as is edition. Kosciusko National Park, and down in an exulting traverse The maps are similar, though coping with changing weather con­ below the snowbound arena with a little more detail. Blessedly, ditions, Warner's book is the best meeting the text is also structured in the available. For those who like to be sunshine, colours, running water same way as the first edition with guided every step of the way, they other birdsong than crow-cawing each section of the park having an should get something else. introduction, list of maps, list of In my opinion Bushwalking in people were climbing roads, tracks and other construc­ Kosciusko National Park is the just as far as they pleased tions, notes on access, and descrip­ best regional bushwalking guide I smiling, we babbled tion of points of interest. The have seen in Australia, our hearts were dazed and slow author has added the odd para­ graphs to each section and brought Roger Green as if we had just been born other information up to date. it is like this, climbing ad The walkeT is still left to plan his Charles Warner, Bushwalking in descending or her own walk. That is the great Kosciusko National Park, pub­ year after year beauty of this book compared to lished by the author, 128pages. we are always pleased to return the many other detailed Toute guides to national parks. It also Ken Cameron explains why the subtitle and

Meetings wi th the ACT G overnment

The September Bulletin reported Topics discussed included the the leaflet drop on the develop­ that a briefing paper setting out proposed extensions of Namadgi ment of a management plan for major environmental concerns of National Park to include North Canberra Nature Park had been the Association within the ACT Cotter, Gibraltar Creek, Blue very encouraging and further had been prepared for Mrs Elinor Gum and Mount Tennant areas, public involvement would be Grassby who, as Minister for the formation of the ACT Parks sought through joint projects on re­ Housing and Urban Services, had and Conservation Committee generation and tree planting. responsibility for parks and re­ which will be a vehicle for depart­ serves. Kevin Frawley met with mental and public consultation, Syd Comfort Mrs Grassby in August and subse­ the proposed world heritage list­ quently, together with Syd ing of the alpine parks, and man­ Comfort and Anne Taylor, met agement plans for the with the Director of the Parks and Murrumbidgee River corridor and Conservation Service, Mr Greg the Jerrabomberra wetlands. Fraser, and senior officers from his Parks and Conservation officers department. advised that public response to TRIPS

very marked cut holes in the creek bed and have speculated that these may have been made by the occupants of the property to obtain water in dry times. Following the Old Boboyan Road up the valley we next stopped at the site of the Boboyan Homestead. Settlement was not officially permitted west of the Murrumbidgee until the late 1830's and at this time John Grey, a storekeeper from Queanbeyan. bought Boboyan and employed Charles McKeahnie as overseer and it was probably he who was responsible for the firstconstruc ­ tion on this site about 1840. Boboyan remained the principal Near the site of Lone Pine homestead in the upper Naas valley. home on the Naas Creek for well Photo: Babette Scougall. over a hundred years and a won­ derful position it occupies: a gently sloping, sheltered site with a finenorth-easterl y aspect over­ A walk in the looking the valley. The remains of the 1866 and 1901 homesteads were inspected and the orchard, Naas valley well, dam and graveyard visited. Recent rains have loosened some his year the National Parks 1906 it is thought that the school of the large stones which form the Association in conjunction only operated for three or four spillway of the dam, an indication T with the Kosciusko Huts years and then on a half-time of the inevitable processes of Association again conducted basis. Little remains of the tiny decay which go on continually Heritage Week walks in the building but that little was unless some preservation steps Grassy and Naas Creeks area. sketched and measured by Ken are taken. The walk described here started Johnson and Alan Fenton during I have been told that the home­ at Brayshaw's Hut, which is situ­ the walk. stead ceased to be the head house ated close to the Boboyan Road be­ We then drove back a short dis­ of the property in the 1950s or tween the Mount Clear turn-off tance and along the southern end 1960s but was still occupied by and the ACT/New South Wales of the old Boboyan Road to the Ted Brayshaw for some time after border. The hut, although built as locked gate and visited the site of that. After the house became late as 1903, was constructed James Brayshaw's Hut which is lo­ vacant, vandalism and misuse using the traditional vertical slab cated rather less than a kilometre became a concern for the owners walls, shingle roof and a huge beyond the gate. This site is identi­ and, conscious of its heritage chimney of granite blocks. fied at a distance as a hemispheri­ value, they sought government in­ Additions in the form of lean-tos cal clump of quince trees and terest in the homestead. This offer represent two later construction closer inspection reveals that the was not taken up so the house was patterns, milled timber and fibro quince has taken over the site cov­ demolished and materials sold in sheeting. This hut was well de­ ering the remaining foundations of 1971. The property was resumed scribed in an earlier NPA Bulletin the building. The house is known by the Commonwealth in the (December 1984) and we noted fur­ to date from some time before 1970s to be later incorporated into ther deterioration since that time: 1882 because in that year its value the national park. The ACT Parks one long weatherboard plank com­ was recorded at twenty pounds. and Conservation Service has re­ pletely removed, further breaks in Ken and Alan spent the remainder stored the huge homestead fire­ the fibro, bricks fallen from the of the day locating and measuring place, its massive wooden lintel chimney capping and a door badly the existing parts of the building having been badly burned. Much damaged by gun-shot holes. while the rest of the party moved of the original mortar used in the Across the Boboyan Road from to other sites. Considering the un­ fireplace is still in place; it is made Brayshaws, the remains of an old promising prospect presented by from local clay and contains no school, known as Boboyan or Tin the site, they have produced a re­ lime or cement. Dish School have recently been lo­ markably good outline of what was At lunchtime we were pleased to cated. We visited this site, one of a quite considerable building. shelter from the drizzle in the the first groups to do so. Built in They also located nearby, some crutching shed built in the 1960s BOOKS when the Luton family, the last owners, were in possession, and then went on to two older sites Forests past and future nearby. One of these, Venables The history of Australia's forests But despite the lack of historians Hut, dates back to at least 1883 has great significance for creation, there were lots of other interesting but was bulldozed in more recent conservation and good manage­ people at the conference. times. Granville Venables was a ment of many national parks. Geographers from Canberra and rabbit trapper for Dick Brayshaw Without a knowledge of the ecolog­ Hobart, Geoff Hope and Jamie and was in the hut until the late ical, Aboriginal and European Kirkpatrick, reviewed the ecologi­ 1940s or early 1950s. We are told changes made to forests there is cal history of Australian forests. that many a lively dance and little basis for arguments about Naturalists from the New South horse race meeting- was held here where particular trees should be, Wales National Parks and Wildlife in its hey day but this is a far cry whether their range are declining Service, Dan Lunney and Chris from the remains which we now or expanding and what impacts Moon, told the story of logging and see and comprise some old fruit forest ecosystems can cope with. fire in the Mumbulla State Forest trees, parts of the stone chimney This affects questions of the pro­ on the south coast of New South and house foundations. tection of species, the location of Wales. A parks service anthropolo­ Low cloud and drizzle prevented national parks and the heated gist, Sue Feary, reports on us from enjoying the back drop of debate about how often forests Aboriginal use of the southeast hills which frame this valley but should be burnt. Australian forests. One of the compensated for this by providing In 1988 a number of academics, senior figures of Australian forest­ an atmosphere well fitted to con­ land managers and other research­ ry, Leslie Carron, reviewed the templation of the occupants and ers from a variety of disciplines — state of knowledge of the history of life of yesteryear which yielded biology, forestry, anthropology, ge­ public forests. An architect from the heritage we value today. ography - got together at the the University of Queensland, Don Centre for Resource and Watson, described the destruction Syd Comfort Environmental Studies at the of the softwood scrubs of southeast Australian National University for Queensland. With acknowledgements to the the first conference on Australian Colin Michael Hall, from the Kosciusko Huts Association and forest history. Kevin Frawley and Department of Geography and rangers of the ACT Parks and Noel Semple have collected the Planning at the University of New Conservation Service. proceedings in a volume called England, examines the hypothesis Australia's ever-changing forests. that national parks in North The absent-minded editor apolo­ Kevin Frawley has added one America and Australia were gises for failing to print this story paper that was not delivered at simply lands otherwise deemed alongside Ken Johnson's drawings the conference: a review of articles worthless. He concludes that which appeared in the last and books on the history of conser­ Australia's national parks are not Bulletin. vation and the national park con­ just the rational result of aesthetic cept in Australia. The review itself and ecological considerations. The is quite illuminating but it also creation and continued protection points to the amount of research of national parks — from the 19th Frawley elected that could be conducted into the century to the present — was and philosophy, sociology, economics is dependent on an absence of ma­ chair of ANPC and politics of conservation over terial wealth as much as higher The Past President of the the last century or so. There is a ideals. National Parks Association great opportunity, and plenty of Australia's ever-changing forests (ACT), Kevin Frawley, has been ripping yarns, for a bright young contains a wealth of ideas and in­ elected chairman of the historian. formation. For a set of conference Australian National Parks Surprisingly few historians con­ proceedings the production values Council, the peak body of the na­ tributed to the forest history con­ are high. For anyone interested in tional parks movement in ference. A forest historian from the past and future of Australia's Australia. The council represents North Carolina, H.K. Steen, ob­ forests, the book is a good buy, the various National Parks served in his paper: Tn North available from Association. Associations on major issues, America forest history is practised particularly at the national level. primarily by historians, while in Roger Green other nations foresters dominate the field. Historians see forests as Kevin Frawley and Noel Semple, an organic extension of social, po­ editors, Australia's ever-changing litical and economic systems. forests, Australian Defence Force Foresters see forests as places Academy, 529 pages, $1500. where trees grow and other re­ sources occur.' TRIPS

Two islands of paradis e islands, sea birds, many endemic plants and, above all, perfect peace. The only sounds were the birds and the breeze through the overhead canopy. All too soon I flew out in a tiny nine-seater plane on the two-hour flight to Lord Howe Island. If I had liked Norfolk then I was now to fall in love with Lord Howe. At the sight of the delightful long and narrow (11 kilometres by two kilo­ metres) lush land with towering Mounts Lydgbird and Gower at the southern end and I was hooked. The island and islets are all that remain of a 30-mill ion -year-old volcano and the north end is the oldest. Here I had my first days ome months ago I decided to lounge if I was foolish enough to walk to old Settlement Beach and get away from it all. I wanted leave the door open. a climb through the forest to S peace and quiet, beautiful Food was, naturally, more ex­ Kim's Lookout high on the cliffs, surroundings and a chance to walk pensive than on the mainland and then along to Malabar. a lot. on Norfolk one is restricted to The views were delightful - Pacific Unlimited Holidays pro­ fruit and vegetables that can be north east to the Admiralty vided this through their Off Peak grown locally. There are also Islands, down the narrow neck Tariff Tearer Twin Island package guest houses providing meals and with beaches either side and the to Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. many clubs welcome visitors. Both two lovely huge bulks of Mounts Special rates apply from mid-May these and a number of restau­ to mid-September; you choose your rants provide excellent low-cost accommodation and number of meals. nights on each speck of land and Cars are available for hire but the final quote covers all air fares, as the whole island is only eight accommodation, transfers and two kilometres by five kilometres I tours on Norfolk Island. I found was happy to walk everywhere. the temperatures in August were These ramblings included a fasci­ delightful and the quiet of the off nating day at the old penal settle­ season made the trip a true ment - the second in Australia - paradise. which, along with the Pitcairn set­ Both islands are volcanic, have tlement, provides a fascinating delightful lagoons, clear beaches, slice of history. The area is vast, tropical rainforest, fascinating many buildings being restored, all corals and rocks, masses of endem­ clearly labelled, and one can ic plants, trees and birds, and spend hours and hours of wander­ peace - perfect peace. In a pleas­ ing without loosing interest. Later ant two-hour flight from Sydney I saw sound and light there. we passed over Lord Howe Island The scenic tour was excellent, and Balls Pyramid, that spectacu­ covering most of the island and lar 548-metre high pinnacle of main places and gave one a rock, a cross between a cathedral chance to decide what to return spire and a Walt Disney castle. to. For me this was the penal set­ Landing on Norfolk I was soon set­ tlement and the National Park. tled into my apartment consisting Here, in the north of the island, I of a large lounge, well-equipped spent a memorable day on well kitchen, bedroom with en suite made tracks among beautiful and verandah. I had my own pet rainforests and coastal paths with fan-tailed pigeons and black doves magnificent views of clear tur­ which happily wandered into the quoise seas, fascinating volcanic Lydgbird and Gower (both over 800 metres) at the southern end with Balls Pyramid peeping over their shoulder. Bikes are available for hire but the walking and rambling is so de­ lightful that I preferred to do this, stopping to chat with locals and visitors alike. While Mount Lydgbird is inac­ cessible Gower can be climbed, but one must have a guide. For me this day was the highlight of my trip.

even starters and our able, jovial guide Ray set off S around 7.30am following a track through the palms, boulder hopping along Little Island and Bloody "BcU^ . kv«^sVou, rW~A then the start — a stiff short climb up the side of Lydgbird. This con­ tinued along the Lower Road with fixed ropes to help those with a canopy of trees, ferns and palms around) was a two-hour cruise fear of heights. There was a tower­ often festooned like fairy lights. around the island. We covered the ing 200-metre cliff on our left and Tiny brightly coloured fungi dotted length of the clear lagoon inside a sheer 200-metre drop to the sea the forest floor, woodhens wan­ the most southern reef in the on the right! The track then dered around our feet and we were world and rode the waves under turned into Erskine Valley and in fairyland. At a hand clap or and around Mounts Lydgbird and after a total climb of about 200 vocal sound from Ray, providence Gower, with the sea 50 metres metres we crossed the creek onto petrels would hurtle down through deep on one side and 200 metres Mount Gower itself. Up, up over the canopy and then scuttle to on the other in places. There were roots and rocks we climbed — a their burrows. lovely views of Balls Pyramid, wonderful canopy of trees and By 5pm we had retraced our close ups of geological features of ferns all around and over us, and often slippery steps, semi abseiled the beaches, cliffs and rocks — each so to the saddle at about 400 down the ropes of the get-up place, new view full of beauty and inter­ metres. From here Lydgbird took and returned to our start the est. In and out we went, through on a totally different shape and richer in experiences of many the Admiralty Islands, swarming the views down to the island were kinds. with their thousand of sea birds spectacular. Now came the tricky My second memorable day (apart (14 species nest regularly) past the part up the spine of Gower, rising from the joy of many rambles northern cliffs with their fantastic very steeply, many sections vertical dykes and so back to the having fixed ropes and above this lagoon. was the 'get-up place' — a sheer While walking was my main ac­ cliff which saved the flightless tivity (purchase of Ian Hutton's Lord Howe woodhen. Wild pigs little book is a must to fully enjoy could not negotiate it and the few descriptions of walks, fauna, flora remaining birds were removed to and geology) both islands also a specially prepared area to have fishing trips, glass-bottomed become the nucleus of a captive boats, cruises, scenic flights, breeding program in the early bowls, scuba diving, snorkelling, 1980s. This was most successful. bowls, tennis and so on. My last­ By 1984 some hundreds of wood- ing memories are of peace, friend­ hens were again wandering wild liness and great natural beauty, and the scheme was closed. especially on Lord Howe Island. Eventually we reached the summit at 850 metres which was Olive Buckman an area like the enchanted forests of our childhood dreams. Constant mist encourages dozens of differ­ ent mosses, lichens and ferns, each with its twinkling drop of moisture, to grow thickly on the Your Consc^rvatio n Coianci l What is it? The council has been able to es­ environmental impact statements, The conservation Council of the tablish itself as a representative of discussion papers, and draft plans South-East Region & Canberra is conservation groups of the region of management; and active lobby­ a voluntary organisation much to such a degree that the media ing. It is important to realise that like the NPA, the major difference now approaches them for comment the Environment Centre cannot being its membership, which is on any environmentally related play the part of the council, it is a comprised of organisations rather topics. They have also been invited resource centre and its directors than individuals. The council pro­ to represent community interests cannot speak on behalf of local vides a focus for a variety of on a variety of advisory conservationists. The groups with an interest in the en­ committees. Conservation Council could per­ vironment, enabling them to act The council supports the activi­ haps be described as the political together. ties of its member groups. For ex­ voice of the environment ample the Forestry Working movement. Group has been assisting the The lobbying activities of the Why have it? South Coast member groups in council during the ACT elections A large number of groups all their dealings with the woodchip gave a considerable boost to its trying to comment on an issue can industry in a campaign that has public profile. During the same confuse the listeners, clouding reached such proportions it now period the council executive, rather than clarifying the issue. employs two campaign co­ through consultation with its The council can integrate the ordinators and occupies a consider­ member groups, produced a Policy many interests and concerns of its able amount of office space. The members and present them in a statement on ACT Environmental council is also able to pick up on way which can be clearly under­ Issues. The purpose of this docu­ stood by politicians and journal­ any new issues which are not ment was to present to the elec­ ists, thus commanding greater being covered by any of the tion candidates a range of issues attention for the issues. member groups. affecting the urban and rural envi­ The two major methods of opera­ ronments of the ACT. The state­ tion are: the preparation of sub­ ment sets out a direction for policy How does it operate? missions in response to as well as providing practical The Conservation Council is a non-profit organisation, which at present represents some 34 organi­ sations. It receives some govern­ Calendar ment funding both federal and local, but is quite independent of any government instrumentality. December Saturday 2 Conservation Council general meeting at Braidwood Its issues and programs are decid­ Thursday 7 Committee meeting, 7.30pm 87 Shackleton Circt, Mawson ed at open quarterly general meet­ Sunday 10 NPA Christmas Party, 3pm Orroral picnic ground ings of delegates from the member Tuesday 12 Environment Centre general meeting 7 pm organisations. The council has an Wednesday 13 Outings subcommittee meeting 7.30 pm, 14 Borrowdale elected executive which meets St, Red Hill, Steve Forst 516817(h) 748426(w) about once a fortnight to carry out the wishes of the member organi­ sations. There is also a full-time January director, an office manager, and Sunday 14 Corroboree frog search two project officers. Working Thursday 25 Environment subcommittee meeting 7.30pm, 43 Fitchett groups dealing with forests, and St, Garran, Tim Walsh 851112(h) 741465(w) the urban environment have been set up to focus extra attention on February specific issues and to develop and Thursday 1 Committee meeting 7.30pm, 87 Shackleton Circt Mawson implement policies and actions for Thursday 8 Namadgi subcommittee meeting 7.30pm, 11 Dyson St, them. Lyneham, Dugald Monro 318776(h) Thursday 15 NPA general meeting 8pm What does it do? The Conservation Council works March by research, education, lobbying of Thursday 1 Committee meeting 7.30pm 87 Shackleton Circt, Mawson government and media, publica­ tion, and more direct action where Publicity and education subcommittee meetings: contact Jill Roberts necessary. 491390(h) 724192(w). proposals for action. The docu­ WALKING TOURS ment will now become an impor­ tant tool in the process of lobbying the elected ACT Assembly. It is ^25-70's now being reviewed and revised by the council, through the advice On our 4-16 days minibus CAMPING tours we enjoy of the member groups. LEISURELY DAY WALKS in BEAUTIFUL SCENERY Budget prices. No experience needed. All equipment supplied. How can you help? Suit nature lovers and those wanting an easy healthy holiday. It's your council; its ability to We emphasize comfort and enjoyment of nature. Small groups. achieve real gains for the environ­ Easier or longer walk options. ment is only limited by the amount of effort members are pre­ Red Centre • Laming ton & pared to make. It is up to you to Flinders Ranges. Girraween bring to the council's attention Grampians • Warrumbungles any issues which you feel should Victorian Alps & Kaputar be addressed. The council is heavi­ & Buffalo • Kanangra-Boyd ly reliant on input from people with skills such as planning, biolo­ Wilson's Prom • Blue Mountains gy, law, bookkeeping, chemistry, Otways & Port • Morton Nat. Park organisation, and most of all time Campbell • NSW South Coast and a willingness to learn. Ideas Tasmania • Snowy Mountains for actions are much sought after and time to back them up espe­ cially useful. The Forestry and Urban Environment "Working Prices from $285 for 4 day Victorian Tours Groups are two existing areas for For brochure ring, write or send coupon to involvement in the council's oper­ ations. All you need is your enthu­ HAPPY WALKER ADVENTURE TOURS siasm and the time to learn. P.O. Box 886 (1 Wickham Road) Croydon, Vic. 3136 Do something positive for Ph: (03) 725 2723 your environment, now.

Anne Taylor Name...

NPA administrative assistant Address

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NPA Bulletin National Parks Association of the ACT POSTAGE GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601 PAID Registered by Australia Post Publication number NBH0857 AUSTRALIA

General meetings Held at 8pm, room 1, Griffin Centre, Bunda Street, Civic.

No meeting in January February 15 Gary Scott and a panel from the National Capital Planning Authority will talk about the future role of the NCPA in environmental planning and issues concerning sites of significance in the ACT. March 15 Paul Butler, who has recently returned from Antarctica, will talk about conservation and that continent.