2011–12 Yearbook Department of Environment and Conservation R N V E M E O N G T E O H F T W A E I S L T A E R R N A U S T Acknowledgments This yearbook was prepared by the Corporate Communications Branch of the Department of Environment and Conservation. For more information contact: Level 4 The Atrium 168 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre Western Australia 6983 Telephone (08) 6467 5000 Facsimile (08) 6467 5562 Recommended reference The recommended reference for this publication is: Department of Environment and Conservation 2012 2011–12 Yearbook, Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth ISSN 1839-888X (Print) ISSN 1839 8898 (Online) December 2012 Cover photographs Left: Environmental officer Saorla Finucane. Photo – Peter Nicholas/DEC Right: Senior wildlife officer Rick Dawson with a Carnaby’s cockatoo. Photo – Leighton De Barros This document is available in alternative formats on request. Contact Corporate Communications Branch on (08) 9389 4000. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION 2011–12 YEARBOOK Foreword DEC’s Yearbook is a companion volume to its Annual Report. The department has a responsibility to protect and conserve the state’s environment on behalf of the people of Western Australia. Many members of the public have a very keen interest in what is being done to maintain a healthy environment for us to live in and enjoy a good quality of life and to protect and conserve the wildlife and landscapes they care so deeply about. It is a passion that is shared by the department’s staff who are engaged in a wide variety of activities across the state, activities that range from inspecting industrial premises identified as being a potential environmental hazard to researching coral reef health in a marine park. The Yearbook is an opportunity to provide some detail about the diverse projects and programs and list achievements at various levels of activity, from big-ticket items such as the creation of two new marine parks to day-to-day activities such as monitoring Perth’s air quality. An extraordinary level of commitment to the environment and the community sees staff frequently go above and beyond expectations in so many different ways—disentangling whales, responding to pollution incidents, fighting fires, tracking endangered animals—and often in difficult and inhospitable environments. In many activities staff are supported by volunteers whose efforts and passion are much appreciated. The challenge of looking after our environment is significant and cannot be done by the department alone. As well as providing an insight into the broad range of work undertaken by the department, the Yearbook also presents various records and statistics that are of public interest. These statistics include the number of specimens held by the Western Australian Herbarium, details of prescribed burns undertaken, translocations of threatened species and the number of reported visits to DEC-managed parks and reserves. I am pleased to present the 2011–12 DEC Yearbook for the public record, and take this opportunity to thank the many DEC staff and volunteers who continue to strive for the health and sustainability of Western Australia’s environment. Keiran McNamara Director General iii Contents Acknowledgments ii Foreword iii List of tables and figures ix PART ONE: OVERVIEW 1 Key events and issues 2011–12 3 Two new parks part of greater plan to protect WA’s marine treasures 3 Protecting WA’s marine bioregions 4 Legislative changes increase Aboriginal involvement on DEC-managed lands and waters 5 DEC makes good progress in implementing Kimberley strategy 7 Fire research underway in Great Western Woodlands 10 WA cementing its place as a premier ecotourism destination 12 Industry regulation reform program forges ahead 14 Other organisational highlights 15 A big move for WA Herbarium 15 DEC future leaders show the way 17 Ten years of recognising champions of the environment 20 Forest monitoring supports biodiversity protection strategy 22 Stunning views from new Granite Skywalk 24 Prototype mallee harvester developed 26 Priority nature conservation projects 27 Awards to recognise excellence in nature conservation 32 PART TWO: SERVICE AREAS 34 Nature Conservation 35 Building biodiversity knowledge 36 Biological inventory 36 Taxonomy and biotic collection management 38 Establishment of the terrestrial and marine conservation reserve system 39 Effective management of the conservation reserve system 40 Management planning for conservation reserves 40 Good Neighbour policy 41 Fire and biodiversity research projects 41 Recovery of threatened species and ecological communities, and management of other significant species and ecosystems 42 Recovery of threatened species and ecological communities 42 Wetland conservation 53 Management of marine fauna 56 Management of commercial activities involving wildlife 58 Regulation 58 iv DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION 2011–12 YEARBOOK Conserving landscapes and seascapes; integrating off- and on-reserve conservation and managing threatening processes 67 Biodiversity conservation legislation 67 Native Vegetation Framework 67 Regional nature conservation plans 67 Managing system-wide threats 67 Invasive species control 70 Phytophthora dieback management 75 Fire management on unallocated Crown land and unmanaged reserves 76 Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy 76 Great Western Woodlands 76 Net Conservation Benefits program 76 Assessment of land resource use impacts on biodiversity conservation 77 Encouraging public understanding and support of biodiversity conservation and other DEC programs and activities 82 Southwest Australia Ecoregion Initiative 82 Public participation programs 82 Provision of private land biodiversity conservation support and advice 83 Animal ethics 85 Sustainable Forest Management 87 Implementation of approved forest management plans and government policies and programs 87 Forest Management Plan 2004–2013 87 Preparing the next forest management plan 89 Community forest inspection program 89 Inventory, assessment and modelling of natural resources 89 Maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity and other values of forests 90 Health and vitality in natural landscapes 90 Integrated planning support 90 Management of soil disturbance in timber harvesting 90 Implementation of fauna habitat zones 91 Management system for approvals, monitoring and compliance 91 Forest monitoring 91 Forest auditing 91 Adaptive management 96 Provision for harvesting, regeneration and growth of forest products 98 Silviculture guidelines 98 Monitoring of areas subject to timber harvesting and associated treatments 98 v Parks and Visitor Services 101 Planning for management 101 Acquisition and administration of protected areas 102 Reserve acquisition 102 Leasing activities 102 Apiary site management 103 Park presentation and resource protection 103 Capital works 103 Roads 104 Recreation planning and design 104 Visitor communication and management 104 Interpretive planning and design 105 Community liaison, consultation and advisory services 105 Guided interpretive programs 107 Aboriginal liaison, consultation and heritage 107 Planning and relationship building 108 Education and training 108 Business management 109 Rediscover Parks 109 Healthy Parks, Healthy People 109 Park passes and fees 110 Commercial operations and events 112 Legislation and policy for parks and visitor services 113 Legislation 113 Policy 113 Recreation activities and trails 114 Bibbulmun Track 114 Munda Biddi Trail 114 Motorised recreation 115 Community involvement 116 Volunteers 118 Regional parks 119 Planning and estate management 119 Community liaison and participation 120 Social and visitor research 120 Visitor-use monitoring 121 Visitor survey program 122 vi DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION 2011–12 YEARBOOK Astronomy 123 Public viewing and participation 123 Research activities 123 Support to the Conservation Commission and the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority 124 Other initiatives 124 Memoranda of understanding 124 World and national heritage 125 Formal management arrangements with Aboriginal people 125 Regional activities 128 Goldfields Region 128 Kimberley Region 129 Midwest Region 131 Pilbara Region 131 South Coast Region 133 South West Region 134 Swan Region 135 Warren Region 135 Wheatbelt Region 136 Environmental Regulation 137 Air quality program 138 Perth Air Quality Management Plan 138 Regional air quality investigations 141 Fixed ambient air quality monitoring network 142 Noise regulation 143 Industry regulation 143 Approvals processing 143 Regulation of prescribed premises 145 National Pollutant Inventory 145 Controlled waste 145 Industry regulation compliance strategy 146 Environmental hazards management 147 Pollution emergency management 147 Regulation of contaminated sites 148 Industry regulation training 148 Local government support and training 148 Regulatory training program 150 Indian Ocean Territories 151 vii Significant issues 151 Southern Metropolitan Regional Council’s Canning Vale waste composting facility 151 Cockburn Cement Ltd lime and cement plant Munster 151 Environmental Sustainability 153 Strategic Policy 153 Strategic assessment of the impacts of development in the Perth and Peel regions 153 Offsets 153 Support for participation in Council of Australian Governments Standing Council on Water and Environment 153 Waste management 154 Legislation and regulations 154 Office of the Waste Authority 154 Delivery of programs on behalf of the Waste