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~ ~ I ll-IE WOLGAN VALl£Y I I A study of land-use and c onflicts with proposals for future management. I , I I LlTHGOW REGIONAL LlBRAR V BS.·/_".V. ~.(~ Ifc... I 11- ( }f I $ r: 0(' ~7 ~ 8, 'WoL 'Bt<.~ -- - ~.:..;:..:! .: I ~ ..., '"' -1 (' i\ t u L- _, I I Roland Breckwoldt L.. I The National Trust of Aust ral ia (N.S.W:)' " " I I

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This study was prepared for The National Trust I of Australia (New South Wales) by Ro1and Breckwo1dt with the assistance of a grant provided by the . Austral ian Government under the National Estate ,I P rog ra,mme.

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I Published by The National Trust of Austral ia (N.S.W.) Observatory Hill, I Sydney. N.S.W. 2000 October, 1977. I I c. The National Trust of Australia (N.S.W.)

I National Library of Australia Card Number & ISBN 909723 62 1 , ';'1I ,'" j ,/, I j l '11JI ·1 ! I I ! ! ·1 I 'I Most people who have been there feel strongly about the .... - Wolgan Valley. Few places contain such a diversity of attractive attributes in such close proximity. The list I is formidable - natural beauty, the glow-worm tunnel, a fasci~ating history, recreation areas, agricultural lands, minerals and wjldernes.s .. _A]1.~are·_c_ontaineJi in.a_val·ley .._ ringec(bya spectacular sandst6~eescarpment .... ft is . - .1 becaus.e of these attributes·and differing perspectives on how they should be used that conflicts have arisen. The Wolgan Valley is characterised by a number of land­ I use conflicts. Indeed, few of the pressures which come to bear on rural lands are absent from the valley. Its proximity to Sydney and the Bathurst Orange growth 1I .~; centre.will ensure that thes~ problems wi 11 not diminish I without careful planning and subsequent management. ·.. ·11 The interest groups associated with the valley agree that all is not well. Nor is this only the view of those who w visit the area. The residents are not entirely happy. Most of them are farmers who wish to pu~sue their livel i­ jl hoods in the absence of an influx of visitors who may .M hold values alien to their own and who may also want to ~se their lands. It is, however, a curious situation :1 because many people want the Wolgan Valley to stay as it is .. They are fearfu 1 that State Government i ntervent ion may change the area in more ~etrimental fashion than the ,I present unre~olved conflict situation. On the other hand, they agree that the pressures of modern society will not allow the Wolgan to stay the same without intervention. It is for these reasons that this study has eVQlved. The '1 funds for the study were granted by the Australian _ Government under the 1975-·7-6-Na-tional· Estate Programme to the N.S.W. Planning and Environment Commission. The I Commission handed over the responsibility for preparation and administration of the study to The National Trust of Australia (New South Wales). .1 I

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! J I. I I I I CONTENTS Page No. CHAPTER I Background 1. I 1.1 Scope of Study I. 1.2 Description of the Wolgan Valley 2. I CHAPTER 2 The P~ysical Environment 2. I Geology 3. 2.2 Geomorphology 4. 2.3 Soi Is 4. I 2.4 Climate 6. 2.5 Vegetation 8. 2.(> Fauna 10. I CHAPTER 3 History 3. I Aboriginal prehistory IJ. I 3.2 European settlement 14. CHAPTER 4 Ownership and Control 4. I Landholders 17. I 4.2 Other Controlling Interests 18. CHAPTER 5 Conflicts and Recommendations I 5. I Wolgan Wildlife Refuge 21. 5.2 National Trust Landscape Listing 21. . '. 5.3 The Original Wolgan Homestead 22 . 5.4 Newnes Hotel 22. I 5.5 Tourism and Recreation 23. 5.6 Industrial Site and Rai lway 28. 5.7 Village of Newnes 33. I 5.8 Mining 34. 5.9 Agriculture 38. 5. 10 Glow-worm tunnel 39. I 5. 11 National Parks and Related Issues 43. CHAPTER 6 Summary of Recommendations 50. I ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED 52.

MAPS AND PHOTOGRAPHS 53. I REFERENCES 54. I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 55. I I I I I I

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AERIAL VIEW OF THE WOLGAN VALLEY I Reproduction by permission of the Department of Lands, New South Wales I I rJ

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H~~glMJJj~~~~ MAP 1 - LOCATION MAP SHOWING EXTENT OF THE WOLGAN VALLEY Base map is section of Bathurst Project Map reproduced by courtesy of Forestry Commission of New South Wales. '-.., rv11'.iitt1~'~,ITHGc;ifN' -r '<~~~~/ /., .. CHAPTER 1

BACKGROUND

1.1 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The area encompassed by this study is the Wolgan Valley and the environs II

....'\. with which it is interdependent. The boundary of the valley is distinct . At one end it is the catchment of the Wolgan River, on both sides it is the rugged sandstone escarpment and at t~e other end it is the junction of I. the Wolgan and Capertee Rivers. The interdependent environs are not so'.-- I easily defined and are a matter of judgment. The extent to which they are discussed in this report reflects the judgment of their importance. !I For example, the Colo-Hunter wilderness is only briefly discussed because it is a separate conservation proposal and it should be managed as a wilderness hinterland. On the other.. hand, the proposal to establish a colI iery on the plateau above the valley will have a direct and immediate 'I impact. The depth of the study was a function of the available funds and time , I hence a detailed survey of the physical environment was not possible. A reasonably thorough survey of fauna and flora alone would exceed the value of the grant. Thus the depth of the study was a matter of allocating time and effort to the most important aspects for planning. I The avai labi lity of voluntary assistance was also a determinant. In this regard, the response was wonderful. This report could not have been completed without the help of a number of people. I

1.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE WOLGAN VALLEY I The Wolgan Valley 1 ies on the western edge of the Blue Mountains and is within the Hawkesbury River catchment. The local government area is the Municipality of the City of Greater Lithgow. The valley is mainly in I the County of' Cook and is covered by the Parishes of Cox, Gindantherie, Barton, Wolgan, Cook and Goolooinboin. A small area is in the County of Hunter, Parish of Capertee. The valley is within a 160 km radius of I Sydney. The distance by road from Sydney to Newnes is 191 km. The only road access is via Lidsdale, on the Mudgee Road 13 km from Lithgow. Newnes is a further 32 km from Lidsdale. I The Wolgan Valley is approximately 45 km long, measured from Wolgan Gap to the junction of the Wolgan and Capertee Rivers. Newnes is approxim- ately 20 km from Wolgan Gap. The width of the valley varies from 6-7 I km at its widest point to less than 1 km in the gorge east of Newnes. At Newnes it turns sharply east into the rugged gorges of the upper Colo River. I

The Wolgan River rises in two branches - t~e East and West Wolgan Rivers. The headwaters of both branchos are in the Newnes State Forest and contain spectacular gorges and canyons. The Wolgan River catchment, measured I from 4 km above Newnes, is 238 $q.km (Water Resources Commission 1977 pers. comm.) The Wolgan River is an upland tributar'y,of the Hawkesbury River which flows out to sea at Broken Bay north of Sydney. I I I. I ~I d I The Wolgan Valley is known asa Ibottle neck valleyl because it widens out to a ~oad valley floor only to close in again where the river has cut a gorge out through the sandstone cap. I The valley is bounded by a rugged escarpment only broken where dra1nage I the plateau. channels have entered from Within the valley, close to the junction of the east and west branches of the Wolgan River, are two prominent landmarks - Mount Wolgan at 877 m I and Donkey Mountain at 995 m. The valley floor is 600 m above sea level. The village of Newnes, which is now no more than the Newnes Hotel .arid two private residences, is situated at the north-eastern end of the I valley. Adjacent to the village site, along both sides of the river is the shale mining industrial site. From here it is a further 25 km to ,I the junction of the Wolgan River and the Capertee River. I

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I - I I To Lidsdale via the Gap, circa 1920. I I I l .:.1"-:1 CHAPTER 2

THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

2. I GEOLOGY

The Wolgan Valley is situated at th~ north-western edge of the Blue Mountains Plateau and is within the Sydney Basin geological region. The area is also in the Western Coal District of N.S.W.

Strat i graphy • "'.... I .... • The rocks of the plateau and cliffs belong to the sandstone dominated ~I Narrabeen Group laid down during the several marine incursions of the Triassic period. Below this group lie the Illawarra Coal Measures, formed under extensive swamps produced by the retreating s~as which had laid down the silts.and fi"ne sands of the Lower Permian sediments. cThese. ~I sediments bedon"g to"'the Shoalhaven Group which underlie the coal measures. The swamps were destroyed ~t the close of the Permian by orogenic move­ 11 ments and perhaps a coincfdent change of climate. In the broader part of the valley floor, between Wolgan Gap and Donkey Mountain, outcrops of Devonian conglomerate, limestones, quartzite and ~I siltstone occur. North-east of these, occqrs an outcrop of a small inlier of the granitic rocks of the Carboniferous Kanimbla Batholith which intrudes the older Devonian Silur~an sediments. Still further to the north-east, the valley floor bears a deposit of Quarternary alluvium 'I composed of gravel, sand, silt and clay. The Triassic strata. The cliffs forming the valley wall are composed fl of two of the formations included in the Narrabeen Group. The upper portion is Grose Sandstone composed of massive labile or sub-labile sandstone with beds of shale and siltstone present."· These rocks over­ lie the softer sub-labile sandstone, silty.mudstone and shale of the I1 Caley Formation. The differential weathering of these softer beds undermines sections of the Grose Sandstone resulting in the periodic breaking away' of blocks of the sandstone. Many of these blocks can be fl found at the cliff bases or further down the slope to the valley floor.

The Permian strata. The I llawarra Coal Measures lie immediately below 11 the Caley Formation. The upper. bed is the Katoomba Seam - on'e of-the two major economic coal seams of 'the Illawarra Coal Measures in the Western Coal District. Below this seam, interbedded with sediments . i.ncluding oil shale, several other coal seams occur. In descending. order they are: the Middle River or "Di"rty Seam", fhe Irondale (Wolgan) Seam, the Lidsdale (Capertee) Seam and the Lithgow Seam. The Lithgow Seam is the second of the two major economic seams and it overlies the Marrangaroo conglomerate above the Shoalhaven Group sediments. In the Newnes area a bed of oil shale outcrops in the sandstone above the Irondale Seam. . fl Below the coal measures lies the conglomerate of the Berry Formation of the Shoalhaven Group. This formation contains subordinate br.eccias and grits, sandstone, siltstone and shale. The Shoalhaven Group tl unconformably overlies Devoni~n and SJlurian sedt~ents. The-~ermian and Triassic strata lie conformably and horizontally one over the other, I the entire formation dipping gently to the north and east.

3. Economic Geology I The history of the valley is dominated by the exploitation of oil shale but it now appears that the only substantial'economic enterprise is coal mining. I

Coal is the primary commercial geological resource of the valley. The Katoomba Seam contains good quality; low ash, steaming grade coal with I a general working thickness of from 1 to 4 metres. The Middle River Seam has a high ash content and contains bands of dirt. The Irondale Seam contains high quality coking coal but the ash content is also high. I The seam is about 2m thick at Newnes but this is probably its maximum,~...... thickness. The Lidsdale and Lithgow Seams also contain good quality coals, the best known outcrops of these occurring in the Capertee Valley and at Lithgow respectively. Neither seam outcrops at Newnes. Reserves I of oil shale have been almost exhausted in the valley and recovery of the remainder is considered uneconomic. The Grose Sandstone is suitable for building and 'ornamental ·sturie.- . Other resources include aggregate, I clay, shale and felspar:

2.2 GEOMORPHOLOGY

The Wolgan Valley was formed, and continues to be formed, by stream incision and transport of erosion products as well as active slope retreat .1 at the valley walls. Slope retreat is caused by the weakening and removal of the Caley cl~ystone formations w~ich underly the Narrabeen sandstones. This sandstone cap then breaks off having been dissected I into joint blocks by movements of the earth's crust and also by water moving through permeable sites. The water- emerges as springs below the sandstone and hastens the decay and removal of the Caley claystone. The entire process often culminates in massive landslides which greatly I hastens slope retreat.

The base of the cl iff line coincides with the Triassic-Permian boundary I and from.h~re there is a continuous debris slope to the valley floor and river. These processes have produced a landform with the following characteri sti cs: I the sheer sandstone valley walls with their testimony the on-going weathering processes I the steep·slopes from the base of the cl iffline composed mainly of weatheri_ng p_rocl:l!E~s of the Permian formations the presence.of large sandstone blocks over much of the I slope profile, and the less striking features such as the sand/gravel bed­ load of the river and sandy clay valley soils. I 2.3 SOILS I The following information on the soils of the Wolgan Valley was derived from Hamilton's (1976) report on the 'Soil resources of the Hawkesbury River catchment, New South Wale~'. Hamilton states'that the soi+s are I described in accord with Northcote's (1971) cla~sification and that the soils are delineated by visual appearance and inferred chemical and physical properties. To achieve this delineation, factors not consider- ed or not given prominence by Northcote were included. These include I texture of the A horizon, the presence of rock or ironstone gravel and colour of the profile. I 4. I. TABLE

I PROPERTIES OF THE SOILS OF THE WOLGAN VALLEY

I Valley floor & slopes Sandstone plateau

Map Unit 16 hardsetting sandy 2 grey and yellow~brown I loam yellow texture uniform soi Is contrast soi Is

,I Hydrological Rapidly to moderately Uniformly rapidly permeable IAI horizon permeable and excessi~~ly overlying a very slowly well drained soi I ...~-- permeable IBI horizon. Available water storage Available water storage is very small. is small to very small.

I.,. Mechanical Modera te 1y compa'c ted I AI' Loosely compacted sand_ horizon with tendancy to Aeration is excellent. hardsetting or drying to Rock and/or ironstone.. a dense compact ion. The gravel commonly occ~rs ~~ I IBI horizon is densely beneath the IAI 2 to very densely compacted. horizon. Aeration is firm to good I In the IAI horiz6n and poor to very poo~ in the I IBI horizon. Fertility Acid soils, pH5.5-6.0 Very acid soils, pH5.0- chemically inferti le. 5.5 chemically very 11 Deficient in N, P, Ca infertile severe defic­ and Mo. iencies of N, P, Ca and possibly Mo. Soil depends on organic matter I for retention of nutrients . . .. Solarityand/or Sodic to strongly sodic I sodicity soil secondary saliniz­ ation ~ommon but local­ ised.

I Erod i b i 1 i ty lA I - high Moderate I- IBI - very high I Extract from HaQilton (1976) I Note: Hamilton states that this data is of a general nature only.

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I 5. 't-, In the 1:250,000 soil map discussed by Hamilton (1976) the soils of the Wolgan Valley are classed as hardsetting sandy loam yellow texture contrast sons (see Table 1). These occur· on Permian sandstone, shale and conglomer­ ate deposits. Areas of·this unit are found in the steep-sided relative­ ly flat valleys adjacent to the sandstone plateau at the south of Glen Alice and east of Mt. Victoria, and in a strip along the western side of the sandstone plateau extending from Lithgow to close to Sutton Forest. I The landscape of the unit varies from flat valley basins, through undul­ ating to hilly valley floors, to dissected plateaux. The soils on the sandstone plateau above the valley are classed as grey I and yellow-brown uniform sands. These 'occur on the Triassic sand~~?~e plateau which surrounds Sydney and in particular on the areas of strong relief on the plateau. These areas extend across the north of the catchment from Glen Alice to Gosford and south to the Warragamba Dam. The depth and character of the soils can vary greatly in short distances, depending on the landscape.'

2.4 CLIMATE

The Wolgan Valley lies in Region 10, Mitchell, N.S.W. as delineated by ~ the Bureau of Meteorology. The following notes are derived from the Bureau's survey of the Region (Bureau of Meteorology 1967).

Ra infall The period of greatest rainfall occurs in summer and winter. The spring and autumn averages do not generally· exceed the summer or winter months. I The rainfall is regarded as reliable measured by Australian standards. In nearly all months there is greater than 40 percent chance of one inch or more of rainfall. However, the winter and spring months have.a higher rel iabil ity than other months. I

Temperature Temperature varies greatly according to local variations in topography. I o As a rule; .daily maximum temperature decreases by 2.7 e per thousand 0 feet in summer and about 2 C per thousand feet in winter. Daily minimum temperatures are more. affected by site and local air flow and I the relationship with height is not so clear. However, a decrease of approximately I.Soe in summer and 10C in winter is a guide. These variations in site have strong implications for the Wolgan Valley with I its extreme variations in altitude in close proximity making factors such as cold air drainage highly influential. On winter nights during anti-cyclol"")es cold-cj-ir ·Hows from the high peaks into hollows, collect­ ing behind barriers to its free movement. I

Topography over-rides other variables such as latitudinal and longitud­ inal position throughout Mitchell Region. However, the south-east I portion, which includes the Wolgan Valley, is influenced more by the sea and consequently its maxima and minima are more equable than the drier west and north. At Lithgow only on one summer day in ten has I the summer .temperature exceeded 32 oC. In winter, it is unusual for temperature to rise above lSoe in July, the coldest month . Frosts . . o Temperatures of below 0 e are associated with severe frosts and light 0 frosts are related to those between 2 e and OOC. Since there is great I I 6. I ------~~:.~. ~...... ,. ., .• ~ .... .- .-...... -. Iii1 ..•.", ___ '. '_, ~ • TAB.LE 2 • • CLIMATIC DATE NEWNES AFFOR.ESTATION CAMP Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Station Name NEWNES PRISON CAMP New South Wale~ Number 063062, Latitude 33 deg. 21 mi n S . Long i tude 150 Deg, 15 Min E Elevation 1033.3 M Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug . Sep Oct Nov Dec Year 9 am Mean Temperatures (C) and Mean Relative Hum.idfty (%) Dry. Bulb 17.7 17,3 15.6 13. 1 8.7 5.8 5.4 6.7 Wet Bulb 14.1 14.8 9.8 12.6 14.4 16.9 12.0 13.1 10.6 7.3 4.9 4.3 4.8 7.5 Dew Point 11 13 11 8 9.7 .11.3 13.0 9.6 6 4 3 2 5 7 9 10 Humidity 67 76 75 73 82 87 7 84 74 72 68 68 63 74 3 pm Mean Temperatures, (C) and Mean Relative Humidity (%) Dry Bulb 21.5 19 .. 5 19.1 16.1 11.6 8.8 . Wet Bulb ~.6 9.5 12.7 15.4 17 .0 20.7 15.0 16.0 16.8 15.0 12.5 lQ,2 6,5 6.3 6,8 10.2 Dew Point 12 15, 12 10.9 13.3 15.0 11.6 9 9 4 4 4 8 7 10 Humidity 55 76:' 65 ' 66 84 JJ 9 71 71 67 73 56 65 53 67 Daily Maximum Temperature (C) Mean 23·3 22.7 20.9 18.0 13.5 10.6 10.0 11. 1 .~ .13.8 86 percentile 29.3 28!9 25.0 18.0 19.7 22.5 . 17.0 22.2 17.3 13.9 12.5 14.4 18.9 23.3 14 percen t i 1e 16.9 17.2 '16. 1 13.6 24.6 28.3 9.7 7.3 7,2 7.8 9,4 12.4 14.4 16.3 Dai 1y, Minimum Temperature (C) Mean.. 10.4 11.2 9.8 5.7 3. 1 .1 -1.1 .5 2.0 86. percent) 1. e 14.0 13.9 12.5 7.6 8.7 11.9 5.8 9.4 7.4 3.7 3.3 4.3- 6. 1 14.0 16, 1 14, percentile 6.6 7.8 6.7 2.2 -2.2 17.4 -3:8 -5.6 -3.9 -1.9 1.7 3.8 6.1 Ra i nfa 11 (mm) Mean 122 120 88 74 73 '93 64 81 66 91 Median 136 96 76 63 87 93 1052 59 62 49 77 61 84 74 66 Raindays (No)' 1,097 Mean 17 19. 13 7 9 11 11 14 9 13 17 15 155 I,~:

7. I topographic variability in the Wolgan Valley and environs it is impossible to state the incidence .of frost.· However, reference to the·Newnes Afforestation Camp climatic data sheet shows that such temperatures are likely to be frequent. I Sunshine I The Wolgan Valley portion of Mitchell Region receives 9 hours of sunshine per day from November.to January. This daily amount decreases approx­ imately one hour per month until June, when the average is 5 to 5~ hours of sunshine per day. On an annual basis, the average daily sunshine I is 7.4 hou rs . Cloud I The nearest station r.ecording cloud cover is at Katoomba, approximately 52 km direct from Newnes. .. Average- amount (If Cl:.otld "a'( Ra toorTlo'a', 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. . nieas~ured· in 8ths I of sky. Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov:, ~Dec. I 9 a.m. 5.2 4.5 4.8 4.2 3.8 3.7 3.7 4.0 3.5 4.4 4.4 4.6 3 p.m. 5.8 5.2 5.2 4.6 3.4 4.2 4.5 4.7 4.5 5.2 5.4 5.6 (Bureau of Meteorology 1967, p.63) I Cl imatic data: Newnes Afforestation Camp I Table 2 shows climatic data for Newnes Afforestation Camp. It has an elevation of 1033.3 m and is situated on the elevated tableland above the Wolgan Valley. Therefore these data will vary from those in the valley. However, it is the closest recording station to the valley and is indic­ I ative of climate. Furthermore, adjustments as described in the above text can be made for topographic variation between Newnes Afforestation Camp and the valley. I

2.5 VEGETATION I The valley floor The valley floor.is the area most affected by land clearing for ~gricu~ture. The natJve Kangaroo Grass (Themeda austral is) is the dominant herb but I other introduced sown pasture species are present. Parts of the cleared 1and are now ·subject- to heavy regrowth by- acaci a spec i es 'wh i"ch' ~lfe": obVious­ ly an early state of succession back to eucalypt dominant forest. '1.

The camping area at Newnes is in the valley floor environment and whilst it has been logged in the past and grazed at present, it still contains I the dominant tree species. These are: Yellow Box (Eucalpytus melliodora , Forest Red Gtlm (Eucalyptus terreticornj~), .Ribbon Gum Eucalyptus viminali~) and Acacia decurren~. Acacia falciformes is common on locations which have been disturbed in thi past as in the I nearby industrial site.

The banks of the Wolgan River are characterised by Casuarina cunni~ghammi I with Eucalyptus viminatis on the deeper uncleared sandy soils. Also present along the river is Eucalyptus cypellocarp~, however this species is mainly confined to the upper slopes and plateau. Eucalyptu~ bosistoana occurs in parts of the valley and these specimens are found I I 8. , ; I I some distance from the main p.0pulations in the Grose Valley, ,Liverpool area, Illawarra and.Burragorang Valley.

I The 1961 Sydney 1:250,000 geological map (Department of Mines) shows a basalt outcrop approximately five kilometres below Newnes. The outcrop is not shown on the 1966 geological 'map of the same area. However, I Mr. J. Pickard of the Herbarium (pers.comm.) believes that the outcrop does exist and that its vegetation Is significantly different from the surrounding environment and is worthy of further investigation. I The slopes " The slopes have been less altered by man in recent years but they wer~'~ost I' likely heavily logged for mine props in the past. Scribbly Gum . (Eucalyptus rossii) occurs on the drier exposed west facing slopes whilst ~ucalyptus punctata is found on the deeper soils of alluvial fans and watercourses. Black cypress. (Callitris edlicheri) and Angophora flori- I' bundg are also C01l1mon. . Scattered 'specimens of Eucalpytus cypellocarpa . ::::­ are found on' the slopes but it is mainly a plateau species. a It is likely that the vegetation on south-east facing slopes differs in~ significant ways from those facing north-west. This is because the latter are more exposed to wind and sun. However, the only difference observed in this preliminary account is that the vegetation on north­ western slopes is shorter and sparser than that on the opposite slopes whilst dominant species composition remains similar. The plateau The plateau environment is generally described as Blue Mountains sandstone complex. It is rich in its diversity of vegetation types and species. Characteristic types are mal lee-form, swamps and rainforest elements in wet, protected gullies. Dominant eucalyptus species are Bl9xlandls Stringybark (Eucalyptus blaxlandii), Blue-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus I agglomerata), Broad~leaf Peppermint (Eucalyptus radia~9)' Brown Barrel (Eucalyptus fastiga~a), White Ash (~ucalyptus oreade~), Sydney Peppermint (EucalyptU~ piperata) , Mountain Gum ( Eucalyptus dalrymplean~). The rainforest species found in the wetter gullies include those described I oelow.

Rainforest elements I Some rainforest species are found in the upper reaches of the Wolgan River catchment, particularly the East Wolgan,and in isolated gullies such as that near'· the glow-worm.tunnel .a.t the head of Tunnel Creek. The I only area visited was Tunnel Creek and nearby Bell IS Grotto. The main rainforest species found here are Blueberry Ash (Elaecarpus reticulatg) Native Frangipanny (Hymenosporum flavum), Possumwood (Quintinia sp), I Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) and Black Sassafras (Atherosperm~ moschatum). These species are interspersed with numerous tree-ferns. I Noxious Weeds There are numerous large infestations of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosis L. .ill19J throughout the valley. They are dispersed mainly over the v'alley floor where the forest has been cleared or disturbecj ,a'nd parts of the' I industrial site. . , . I

9. 2.6 FAUNA I

A fauna survey was outside the scope of this report. The valley and environs contain significant wildlife habitat and it is likely that the I full range of indigenous species would be found by systematic survey. It has b~en estimated that there ari approximately 400 species of terrest­ rial vertebrates in the Hawkesbury River Valley. This number consists I of 250 birds, 50 mammals, 50+ reptiles and 50+ amp'nI5i~ns (Hawkesbury Valley Environmental Study Background Report 1973). It is expected that a large proportion of these occur in and around the Wolgan Valley. I The following birds were observed during field trips for this report .. ·.l't must be stressed, however, that the primary purpose of these trips was' to study land-use in general and not a survey of the av.ifauna. The follow­ ing 1 ist is then only a superficial insight into the bird population of I the valley.

"'-.:,":=.'--:: _. --== "" , •..:;:·=-".d •. Spotte1J-'"Qti~((''ri1rush=""rCinclosoma punctatum) ~-:' I Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceu~) Wonga Pigeon (Leucosa rc i a me 1ano 1eucs)' Gang-gang (Callocephalon fimbriaturo) I Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (~acotua galerita) Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegan~) Eastern Rosel1a (Platycercus eximiu?-) King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) . I Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aguila audax) . Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus) Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo giga~) I Superb Lyrebird (Menura superba) Black-faced Cukoo-shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae) Striated Tho~nbill (Acanthiza lineata) I ~carlet Robin (Petroica multicolor) - Willie Wagtail (Phipidura leucophry~) Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoral i·s) White-throated Tree-creeper (Climacteris leucophaea) I .~ellow-tufted Honeyeater (Meliphaga melanops) Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) .' Red-browed Finch (Aegintha temporali~) I Black-backed Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) Pied Currawong (Strepera graculin~) Little Raven (Corvus mellori) I Grey Fantail (Phipidura ful(gnosa) I I .1 I I

10, I I , CHAPTER 3 , HI STORY 3.1 ABORIGINAL PREHISTORY

Mr. lan Johnson, School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, • kindly prepared the following notes on Aboriginal prehistory. According to ethnographic records, the Wo1gan Valley lay close to the =1 boundary of the Wiradjuri tribe to the west and the Daruk tribe to the east. In view of its topographic situation, with access over fairii! easy country to the west but restricted access to the east via the narrow l' gorges of the Co10 River, it is probable that its ties are with the west rather than the east . . Both in this respect, and in terms of the environ­ ment, relief, range of rockshe1ters and stone for tool-making, the' Wo1gan Valley is closely comparable ~ith the neighbouring Capertee. V~lley. Aboriginal occupation of both valleys is attested by chipped stone flakes •• and tools found. on the surface in almost all rockshe1ters of any size·, . particularly those near intermittent watercourses, swamps .or the mai~~ river.

• To date no excavations have taken place in the Wo1gan Valley, and my.own IJ fieldwork is limited to a few days archaeological site survey. However, the Caper tee Valley was the scene of an' important series of excavations in 1958-61, and, in view of the similarity between.the two valleys, a general statement may be made on th~ potential of the Wo1gan, based on my • limited observations coupled with the results of theCapertee excavations. The sites in the 'Capertee Valley are among the oldest and richest sites excavated in South East Australia, dating back to 11,000 years or more ago. Unfortunately these sites were excavated with very limited means and using methods which became outdated soon afterwards, and as a result the collections made are less useful than those excavated more recently. In particular, they cannot answer certain questions that have come to the fore in' recent years.

A large'proportion of each major site was excavated, so there is little possibility of satisfactory re-excavation. These sites remain of considerable importance, however, both for their early dates and richness ~I and because it was on the basis of these that F.D. McCarthy proposed two phases of Aboriginal prehistory in South East Australia (F.D. McCarthy, 1964 The Archaeology ?f the Capertee Valley, New South Wales. Rec. Aust. Museum. V26·; 197-246). - flis 'division, though at present under review, seems to be the expression of an Australia-wide change in stone tools at about 6000 years ago, marked by the appearance of a number of smaller ~I and more finely worked implement types. The importance of the Wo1gan Valley may take one of two for.ms. We observe that in the recent past, the Wolgan and Capertee Valleys seem to have ~I witnessed similar levels of Aboriginal occupation under similar environ­ mental and topographic conditions.

1. If this similarity stretches back into t~~ past, the 11 Wo1gan offers the potential of locating sites of similar richness and antiquity to those of the Capertee, documenting the appearance of the more refined stone tools of the past 11 6000 years. Equally, the apparently undisturbed nature of the sites I 'have "seen, holds out hope that a detailed study of the adaptation of the Aboriginal people to the resources

11. provided by the valley, might eventually be possible.if I those sites are not disturbed.

2. On the other hand, it may be that in the past, the lesser accessibility of the Wolgan .Valley resulted in more spasmodic occupation. If this were the case, a compar­ ison of the two valleys could help document the process of expansion of the Aboriginal population into more remote I areas as a result of population pressures, increasing mobility or increasing efficiency of the Aboriginal tool ki t. A particular case. of this might be the pressure

caused by white settlement of adjoining areas. .' '.:" .. Site recording I

~=~_~=.:-~:~!:'~:~r~;~~~:~~og~_~a~~=~~~onnaissance has been carrie~_:u~_i~ 0 th=e==~'_';::'_~'__ ;""~-'il~_l

1. The western side of the valley from just south of the Wolgan River/Rocky Creek junction (GR 510230), northwest for approximately 2~ kms. I

2. The western side of the valley from Newnes south to the road junction at GR 398198. I (Grid references on Ben Bullen or Mount Morgan 1:25,000 topographic maps.) I The reconnaissance was restricted primarily to a search for rock-shelters, owing to their visibility and my aim to locate s~tes with some d~ptg of archaeological deposits (Rockshelters act as a concentrating influence). As in the Capertee Valley, the sites are' mostly overhangs formed by large I boulders resting on the talus slope which forms the sides of the valley. They. ar€! most often located on flats or terraces. The cliffs in the area do not seem to form extensive rockshelters at their bases, though I these ma~ £orm from time to time to be later buried by the accumulating talus. There is, however, such a rockshelter approximately 1 km south of the Wolgan Gap, and this site has Aboriginal hand-stencils on the. walls and some depth of archaeological deposits.. It is probable that there I are similar sites on the plateau region and around the base of the cliffs surrounding the Wolgan Valley, and others have been reported from n~igh­ bouring areas.

In all', 12 sites with chipped stone remains on the surface were located', - .. ---. toge~her wi~h a similar number of promising rockshelters (i.e. ones which --. '~'-I appear to have some depth of deposits but where no Aboriginal relics were .found on the surface).

In view of the small area examined and the number of sites found, the I Wolgan Valley clearly has considerable archaeological potential. The preceding discussion will have made it clear that this potential is primarily a scientific one, extrapOlated from results in the neighbouring I Capertee Valley. Though no rock art has so far been found within. the Wolgan itself, there are a number of art sites, on the surrounding'plateau regions including the one at Wolgan Gap, and the excavated site~.in the Caper tee Valley also contain paintings. Equally, though I did not find I any rockshelter sites as large as those excavated in the Capertee Valley, the potential for such ~ites exists. Positive protection of such sites is difficult - the best protection is generally remoteness. If any such I sites with any depth of deposits, should be located, it will be clear from the preceding discussion that they are likely to be of considerable I .; , 12. I~ •

J archaeological importance, and every effort should be made to preserve them from the depredations of specimen collectors or excessive use by campers, animals etc. It has been suggested that informative education­ I al notices in archaeological sites help to protect them, but the best protection is probably the negative .one of not making them visible, commo~ knowledge or easily accessible .

The majority of the shelter sites I 'have found are at little risk from • collectors, campers or other causes, owing to their small size. All that is needed for their conservation is an awareness that any protected area exceeding a couple of square metres and having a more or less level earthen or sandy floor, is a potential archaeological site, particula~ly • if it is located near a source of water. It is the corpus of such ~ites I rather than the in~ividual sites themselves which is of archaeological importance.

A third type of site which is very vulnerable to changi~g land use, are sites in the open. It 1.s known that the Aborigines lived primarily. in- _ . the open, construcing shelters from bark etc. Though many of these sites will have been washed away and/or buried by soil movements on the steep I slopes of the area, some are still visible on the surface or exposed i~ eroded areas. Location of such sites, however, requires an intensive ground survey, and their conservarion would require consideration of the I effect of changing land use on erosion and soil movement. Every effort should be made not to site paths or vehicle tracks on or near them, not only to avoid direct physical damage but also to avoid depredation by stone tool collectors. At the present time we do not have the ability to extract much information from these sites, but rapid advances are taking place elsewhere and these si tes vdll probably become increasingly important in the future. If in situ conservation is not practicable, I many of these sites can be effectively safeguarded for future study by a controlled total collection made by a competent archaeologist.

In conclusion, the Wolgan Valley appears to present a considerable A scientific archaeological potential. Any changes in land-use should be accompanJed by an archaeological reconnaissance of the area involved with a view t~ locating archaeological sites, determining the effect of such I changes and suggesting effective conservation measures. , Mr. Johnson mentioned the Aboriginal site 1 km south of Wolgan Gap. Fol,lowing ,is a further description of this site derived from records of the Australian Museum and National Parks and Wildlife Service of N.S.W., The site is located at GR 316 090 Cullen Bullen 1:25,000 map sheet. It 1I consists of a leaning rock face 50 m high and approximately 100 m long. Below the face is a large occupation deposit. Test trenches yielded points, scrapers and small cones to a depth of 45 cm. The most signif­ icant features of the site are a large number of red and white human hand -I stencils and stencils of an axe and a boomerang. There is also an unusual small bark stencil of a human figure which could have been used - in rituals. This figure is particularly interesting because an identical ~I one is to be found (again in association with stencils) in a shelter near Bulga. The sitewas an ideal place for secret ceremonies both from its seclusion and general layout.

-I The site is readily accessible via a short track from Wolgan Gap and has now been defaced and is untidy with litter. The National Parks and II Wildl ife Service of N.S.W. considers that the defaced and weathered 11 13· 11' I I

I Cricket match, 'The Flat' Newnes, circa 1920. The foundations of the school, centre rear, can still be seen above the campground adjacent to Little Capertee Creek. I I I stencils could be cleaned without damage. The previous Blaxland Shire Council did approach the Service for more regular patrols of the site but this has proved too difficult to maintain on a regular basis since the nearest ranger is stationed at Hartley. For regular patrol, inspection and maintenance, a ranger would need to be located closer to the site. Since this is unwarranted for the Aboriginal site alone, the ranger would require wider duties. This could well eventuate from an expansion of the Blue Mountains National Park as recommended elsewhere in this report, and the recent dedication of Patoney1s Crown Nature Reserve.

3.2 EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT

The first recorded. European discovery of the Wolgan Valley was by Robert Hoddle who in 1823 unsuccessfully sought a route from Belli s Line of Road to the Hunter Valley. Hoddle was employed by the Surveyor-General, and had just completedthe__ init.ial surve~ of the Bell's line of Road •. Soon __ after its discovery James Walker of "Wallerawang" station establ ished the "Wolgan" out-station in the valley. (see Chapter 5.3 "Original Wolgan homestead" for current status.)

Small prospecting pits had been noted in the area as early as 1868 but Camp be I 1 Mitchel I is recognised as the first to open the Newnes shale seam in 1873. Mining started in 1903 but it was not until 1905 when the Commonwealth Oil Corporation Limited was floated in the United Kingdom that large-scale commercial mining commenced. This Company also had I shale mining interests at Hartley Vale and Torbane. The town of Newnes was named after Sir George Newnes, one of the Directors of the Corporation and a well-known British publisher at the time.

The decision to mine and develop a town at Newnes rather than at Torbane was because Newnes was closer to the western railway line. The town was divided into "company" and "government" sections. Estimates of its I population vary from 1,000 (McLeod Morgan 1959) to 3,000 (Luchetti 1976) people. The industrial works included coal and shale mining as well as a brick'works. Products included lubricating oils, paraffin, coke, II sulphate of ammonia, kerosene, candles and naptha. Petrol was not regard­ ed as an important product because the internal combustion engine had not become popular. The coke was of a high metallurgical quality and was II transported to the smelters at Cobar. Traosport'to and from Newnes was first via Lidsdale by a road constructed by the Public Works Department in 1897. Next came a "coach road" from 1.1 Newnes Junction then known as Dargan's. The railway line from Newnes Junction to Newnes was commenced in April 1906 and comp1eted in November 1907. The siting, design and construction of the railway was a civil 1I engineering feat of its time as well as " .... one of the most ambitious undertaken by private enterprise in the state if not in the whole of Australasia" (Eardley and Stephens 1974, p.125).

The Commonwealth Oil Corporation Ltd. mined in both the Capertee and Wolgan Valleys but Soon closed the Capertee operation and concentrated on Newnes. Located at Newnes was the shale retorting bench, brick kilns, power-house I for generating electricity, coke works, oil refin~ry, storage tanks as wel I as the entire support and administrative infrastructure. However, Newnes was soon troubled with high costs, inappropriate retorting technol­ ogy, industrial trouble and low prices for its products now facing compet­ I ition from the incandescent gas mantle and electric light. To accumulate I I 14, '. 11 '11 II II I I I I I

I - I I Newnes railway station and stores, circa 1920. I I I

------capital the Corporation tried to sel I the railway to the State Government. However, the offer was refused. The time of the first closing of the works is given as 1911 by Lishmund (1974). However, according to Eardley and Stephens (1974 p.207) the works did not close until 1913. It was announced on February 16th, 1914 that David Fell was appointed as receiver to bring the operation to conclusion.

The beginning of the First World War provided the impetus to keep Newnes in operation and various economic and technological adjustments were made. John Fel I, a brother of David, came to Australia from England to regesign the Newnes retort bench. Then in April 1915 an arrangement was r~ached where John Fell and the Commonwealth Oil Corporation were associated under the name of John Fell and Company. John Fell moved equipment from Hartley Vale to Newnes and also railed Torbane shale to Newnes for treat- ment. His plan was to concentrate the manufacturing section of the district shale oil industry at Newnes.

Again the industry was affected by industrial and economic problems and in September 1919 the Commonwealth Oil Corporation was re-formed wit~~ John Fell being appointed manager at Newnes. However, this was also unsuccessful and the works closed between November 1919 and February 1920 according to Eardley and Stephens (1974 p.210) whilst Lishmund (1974 p.6S) states that the mines closed in 1922.

In 1921 an abortive attempt was made to retort the shale in situ by setting the seam alig~t. At this time people were still employed at Newnes as maintenance staff and also to refine some overseas crude oil. In 1924 Fel I built a refinery at Duck Creek, Clyde to produce motor fuel from Newnes shale. This was unviable and in March 1926 the maintenance staff on the Newnes railway and refinery were paid off (Eardley and Stephens 1974 p.211).

The closure was once again short-lived. In 1930 A.E. Broue formed a company including Broken Hill Mining interests. This association only lasted ·a· few months before Broue formed Oi 1 Producers Newnes L imi ted. Work started in 1931 on repairing the railway and plant but the men ceased work as soon as they realised there were no wages forthcoming. So once again Newnes closed only to be re-opened by the newly formed Shale Oil Development Committee Limited,to which the Federal Government granted I 30,000 pounds to employ miners. By November 1931, 3,000 gallons of crude oil per day was being retorted at Newnes but even so,production ceased in I March 1932. On April 2, 1932 the Federal Government called tenders for companies to operate Newnes but later in the month closed the works. In 1932 a I Melbourne company was approved but it failed to raise sufficient capital. In 1933 the New South Wales and Federal Governments financed a committee to investigate commercial oil production at Newnes. The committee reported that Newnes was still ~iable as a site for producing motor and I fuel oils. Various companies were unsuccessfully approached to operate the works so in May 1936 the Federal Government announced it would nationalise Newnes. I .. In April 1937, Mr. George Davis and the New South Wales and Federal Governments joined to form National Oil Proprietary Limited to mine the Wolgan-Glen Davis shale depOsits from the Glen Davis side. A new works I was built at Glen Davis utilising most of the Newnes equipment which was railed to the new site. This was the first demolition activity at

15. I I I I I I I I I

I I I The home of Mr. John Fell at Newnes, circa 1920. I I

I I Newnes and heralded its. decay to its present condition. The Newnes Railway was abandoned and a pipeline laid along its path. Operations at Glen Davis started early in 1940 but the company was unable to mine sufficient shale of the correct quality to employ the retorts. Further interest in shale mining emanated from the Oil Shale Mission of the United States Board of Economic Warfare visit to Australia in 1942. The Mission . recommended large expansion.of the Glen Davis works using new Renco retorts. A pilot retort was established but economic production was still elusive and the plant was closed in May )952 .. The serviceable equipment at Newnes was moved to Glen Davis around 1·9~O but the .wholesale dismantling of what remained at Newnes took place gradually. Eardsley ·and Stephens (1974 p.2J7) state that the railway lines were used in North Africa during the Second World War. Abandoned locomotives and other useful metal were cu~ up for scrap during the 1950s. !. Bricks and other ~uilding ~~ter-ial~were ~lso removed so tha~ today only ~ a small proportion remains of this once optimistic enterprise. Newnes Hotel, which has been operating continuously, is the only building that I. remains intact; . ~~ I I * * * I I I I I I I

I , . I

16. 41 .. -~'--~-'~''f . , 11 I CHAPTER 4 1:- •• OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL I­ 4.1 LANDHOLDERS I' Forestry Commission .1 I The Forestry Commission has two forests in. the Wolgan Valley and enVirons: r .. :... - \ Newnes State Forest. The -Forestry Commission Bathurst Project Map shows Newnes State. Forest as an area of 13,000 ha. However, it was t, I expanded by another 16,000 ha by notice in the Government Gazette of March 12, 197p. The forest contains Newnes Afforestation Camp j's­ which manages a Pinus radiata plalltation. Most. of the fore'sf l located on th~ pl~ieau-~round the ~eadwaters of the Wolgan Valley. 01. This vegetation zone' is discussed in Chapter 2. The Fores'try Commission states th~t up to approximately half the area could be~ suitable for pinus radiata and that the remainder will be used for I I low quality timber production from native species, mainly White Ash (Eucalyptus oreades) for mine props. The rate of pine planting is approximately 100 ha per annum. It was stated that no pine. I) planting would occur in the visual catchment of the Wolgan Valley. Wolgan State Forest. The Wolgan State Forest is situated in the 11 I Wolgan Valley and covers 1,454 ha. It contains forest extending from the valley floor, up the slopes, to the plateau thereby containing species not found in Newnes State Forest. Dominant species are those described in Chapter 2. Management of the 11 f forest is primarily for durable hardwoods, it being one of the few in the district which supplies this timber. Wolgan State Forest adjoinS_Ben Bullen State Forest, an area of 7,928 ha which 1I extends north-west from the valley. Agricultural holdings I1 A total of 8062 ha of land in the Wolgan Valley is used for grazin~. Beef cattle and sheep raIsIng are dominant forms of commercial agri~ulture. The land is held as freehold; Crown lease, permissive occupancy, annual I: lease and forestry lease. Land tenure is shown on map 2. There are only four properties based on freehold landCbut which also encomp~ss lea'ses} that are viable agricultural enterprises. Only one of the owners 0-1 of these properties is a full-time farmer resident in the valley. Of' the remainder, one property is managed from outside the valley, the owner of another resides in Lithgow and the other owner has an 'off-farm occupa t ion. I·

In addition to the above properties, annual leases for grazing purposes are held by two different parties. These leases only provide small returns being located on very marginal lands, mostly bush. I National Parks & Wildlife Service of N.S.W. ! ' r I The National Parks & Wildlife' Service estate includes the 3,230 ha Pantoney1s Crown Nature Reserve. Although it is not in the Wolgan Valley it is adjacent to it on the north-western side and~is discussed in~ .1 Chapter 5.l~ of this report as its management impinges on national park proposals in the area. The Blue Mountains National Park is separated from the valley by Newnes State Forest. I

17. I I fAIrJER1IElE , OIItlll'mU) I Jt

Land Tenure

,f Ilr.~ Freehold ~ • leasehold \.~~ Vacant Crown land MIN/~rr;§W'P£ IU,rlOlIlS .1~ '.-, ... State Forests ;j~ _i1-- • Pantoney's Crown -1.- . Nature Reserve I I Boundary of Blue Mountains . ~.- r -: ~Jational Park extensions ''! . i proposed-in Chapter 5. J

J

I MAP 2 - BASE MAP: SECTION OF COUNTY OF COOK I Reproduced by permission of the Department of Lands, New South Wales. I I 4 I ~ Village of Newnes The ownership of village lots is discussed in Chapter 5.7. It is insig­ I nificant in terms of area of land but extremely important for planning. • Crown lands I The Crown owns extensive lands in the area and these are discussed in • Chapter 5. I I in relation to national park proposals. I 4.2 OTHER CONTROLLING INTERESTS I Besides ownership of land in the valley, there are other controlling • interests. These are discussed below: I Department of Mines

The Department of Mines and its lessees have extensive interests in the area. This interest relates primarily to coal but also includes lesser I I mineral deposits such as the shale ash deposits at Newnes. Mining is fully discussed in Chapter 5.8. I N.S.W. Planning and Environment Commission

The Planning and Environment Commission has some control over the valley through its head of power to impose and oversee an interim development I order (100) through local government. The relevent 100 for the Wolgan Valley is 100 No. I Shire of Blaxland March 7, 1975. Blaxland Council has since been amalgamated with Lithgow City Council to become the I I Council of the City of Greater Lithgow. The 100 has the Wolgan Valley zoned Non-urban la which restricts development to one dwelling per 40 ha. However, dwell ings are permitted on land less than 40 ha under clause 17 I of the 100. The implications of this serious shortcoming are discussed in Chap.te r 5.7 liThe v i I I age of Newnes 1 •

On November 16, 1976 the Commission introduced a new zoning policy for I land outside urban areas. This policy was developed to counteract the detrimental aspects arising from the lack of positive rural land-use zoning and planning in N.S.W. Within the new zoning system are ten Rural I Environment Protection zones. They are: Rural Environment Protection (Es~arpment) I 11 11 11 (Archaeological Site) 11 11 11 (Historic Site) 11 11 11 (Scientific Site) 11 11 11 (Wildlife Refuge) I 11 11 11 (Wetlands) 11 11 11 (Estuarine Wetlands) 11 11 11 ( Foreshore P rotec t ion) I 11 11 11 (Scen i c) 11 11 11 (Water Catchment Area) I The Escarpment, Archeological Site, Wildl ife Refuge and Scenic~ones are relevent to the Wolgan Valley. If the recommendations of this report are enacted upon, the Commission's new zoning policy wil I be applied to the valley. I i I -1 18. I ~~-~~-~~~~-~------,

Council of the City of Greater Lithgow

The Council of the City of Greater Lithgow is responsible for day to day administration of the 100. The following extract from the' I DO shows the I Council's responsibilities in the va 11 ey : Column 1 Co 1umn " Col umn I I I Column iV Column V Zone and Development Development which Deve 1opmen t De ve I opmen t I colour or which may be may be carried wh i ch may, be whi ch may ind i cat ion carried out out only wi th carri ed out not be on 100 Map wi thout the the consent of only with the car'r'i~d consent of the Counci 1 concu rr.ence out. I the Counci 1 of the Commission I 1.Non-urban Agriculture: Deve I opmen t Industries Motor show­ (a) Non-urban forestry; other than other ,than rooms; I IIAII Li ght dwe 11 i ng- referred to extractive res i den t i a 1 brown. houses ref. in Columns industries, bu i 1d i n~gs ; - to in Clause II , IV and offens ive shops 1 3 (1) (a) V. or hazard­ other than I ous indust­ general ries and stores. rural indus­ I tries.

Source: Alteration of Interim Development Order N6. 1 Shire of Blaxland I Government Gazette No. 42, 7th March, 1975.

It should be noted that it is Clause l3(l)(a) referred to in Column I I I above that allows bui Idings on l.ess than 40 ha where such land was an existing ..parcel (see Chapter 5.7 liThe Village of Newnes "). I The Electricity Commission

The Electricity Commission in a letter dated June 1, 1977, states: I liThe investigations which the Commission is undertaking in the'Wallerawang region ar'e currently associated with resources assessments and it is therefore not practicable to define possible project locations. The most I, that can be stated at this stage is that if a power station is constructed in the future in,that region it would not be in the Wolgan Valley and its impact would,most likely be confined to some utilisation of the headwater area's of tributary streams and the' uti 1 isation of some of the water I resources at the, downstream end of the valleyl'. This reply is non-commital given the proliferation of rumours about the I Electricity Commisslon's plans in the area. It seems certain that the Commission does plan to build a major new power station, probably located within the recently expanded Newnes'State Forest. Recent Government· announcem~nts indicate the generating plant will be Ilnked with a cOal I mining p·roject. Having no details it is impossibl'e ·to state what the impact of this proposal will be o'n. the Wolgan Valley. However, it js to be hoped that any development would be subject to stringent environmental I safeguards.

19. "

I Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board

The Board has no projects planned within the WoJgan Valley, However. it I does have plans for damming the Colo River at some future date. The Wolgan Valley, being in the Colo catchment, would then come under Section 56A of the Board's Act. This Section allows the Governor to declare outer , lands as catchment areas and thereby control certain types of development f and use without actually owning the land as with inner catchment areas. I '...... I ;1 J 11 ,I tl I I I I I I I I

20. I I I I I Ic­ I I I I

I I

Valley scene. I I I CHAPTER 5

CONFLICTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5. 1 WOLGAN WILDLIFE REFUGE The entire Wolgan Valley was proclaimed a Wildlife Refuge under Section 22 of the Fauna Protection Act, 1948. Wildlife refuges are private, local government or government owned lands where the owner or managing authority enters into an agreement with the National Parks & Wildlife Service to protect fauna and flora and its habitat. .- Wildlife refuges are not areas dedicated under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. They are proclaimed by the Minister in the Government Gazette and can be revoked by either party to the agreement.

11 .. I n the past ,man~ 'landhol ders proc la imed the i r-propert i es . as:'wi ld I He .. -'-~::;::: refuges to prohibit shooting. There were two good reasons for this: first, the property owner was granted distinctive signs to ward off 'I shooters; second, the penalty for shooting protected fauna was higher~, on wildlife refuges than elsewhere. This is probably why the Wolgan Wildlife Refuge was proclaimed - to deter weekend shooters. However, ,I the original purpose of the wildlife refuge concept was to promote the integrated management of wildlife and agriculture. Thus habitat preser­ vation and wi Idl ife management are seen as more important than only keep- 1I ing out shooters. To bring wi Idl ife management and habitat maintenance back into the wi ld­ life refuge system, all refuges were automatically revoked by the National II Parks & Wildlife Act, 1974. Under the new Act the penalty for illegally shooting protected fauna was made the same for all lands thus removing this incentive for wildlife refuge status. The sign denoting the Wolgan 11 Valley as a wildlife refuge still exists but it was automatically revoked along with all other refuges.

Since 1974 the National Parks & Wi Idlife Service requires potential wildlife refuge owners to demonstrate that their land contains significant wildlife habitat and that it will be managed as an integral part of the whole property. This is the condition upon which the Wolgan Valley could be once again proclaimed a wildlife refuge. Since the co-operation of all the pr.operty owners i.n wildlife management is unlikely So then is the proclamation of the whole valley as a refuge. However, individual property owners can still apply to have their properties declared wild-, 1 life refuges. 5.2 NATIONAL TRUST LANDSCAPE LISTING The National Trust of Australia (N.S.W.) has a system of listing beautiful landscapes for which it advocates special scenic protection tl measures. This recognises that scenery is a resource worthy of protect­ ion in its own right. Before a landscape can ge given a Classified listing it must be evaluated by the Landscape Conservation Committee and approved by the Trust Council. Public interest and representations are 1 also taken into account. Those landscapes given,a -Classified Jjsting by the Trust are then submitted to the Australian Heritage Commission I1 for inclusion on the Register of the National Estate. ! I !I 21. I I I I I I I I I Newnes Hotel. I I I I -I I I I I I r\_!.-: __ ' \A,_I ___ u __ ,.., ... +,.,,"" .... I I The Trust approved the Wolgan Valley .to be listed-as a CLASSIFIED LANDSCAPE on November 22, 1976 for three reasons: scenic . quality, recreation value and the Newnes industrial site. The boundary landscape to the is defined as the e~carpment ~hich surrounds the most valley. The ·1 appropriate method of ensuring.the National Trust's recommendations are followed is for the. valley to be.declared a scenic protection area. I This is further discussed in 5.11. ~I 5.3 THE ORIGINAL WOLGAN HOMESTEAD The original Walker 'Wolga~' homestead (see Chapter 3.2) still stan·d's-. The homestead which .has National Trust Classified listing, is disused and in poor condition and stands on 'Wolgan Station owned family. ' by the Webb It is a large slab cottage of about six rooms. The year 1874 is etched into the stone chimney.. The front of the house •______of.verticaJ is constructed sl.c;t~s but there i~ <;!_':'~S.~\1j..!lSJ=TP=~~;-,~.g!J~i!,b.a1.~-1!lsi~=--wLt-h_~....:._: ~-,.~ .... ~- ~·fiorizontar - slabs. Two rooms have flagged stone floors. The house inhabited was until 1957 and could still be restored. There are numerous associated slab sheds. There is little likelihood of the present owner restoring the Restoration homestead. would require a degree of co-operation not yet apparent. The proposed N.S.W. Government Heritage Bill may offer a solution. 11 this becomes When law, considerable assistance will be available to the owners of properties which are included in the Heritage Council IS list. , owners The ·of such propert.i es, whether they a re pub I i c or pri vate entitled, wi 11 be '1 when appropriate, to rating and taxation relief, financial assistance by way of long~term loans and grants, assistance by way of technical advice and expertise and in the rezoning of the property to allow an otherwise il non-conforming use when such use is essential to the economi·c maintenance of the property. There are also provisions Bill in the for the Minister to make orders in respect to such properties the and penalties which are provided for non-compliance with the flt orders, terms of for example, unlawful demolition, alteration or rebuilding, demolitJ0o by neglect, are II severe. 5.4 NEWNES HOTEL The Newnes Hotel has been operating continuously since the mining days. il Today, it is an integral part of the Newnes experience and a living link with the past. The hotel has considerable architectural Nat merit and-has· iona I Trust Cl ass ifi ed list ing. It is' I ocated on-P~i-tl'~~-"9;-P~·~i 1-'·'· of Gindantherie, sh County of Cook on a parcel of land 16.t9 ha in area owned by Mr. K.J. Gale.

I The architectural and historic qualities of the hotel could destroyed by easily be insensitive 'modernisation ' or extensions. I~s future can, at best, only be reg~rded as precarious and urgent action is required to I ensure its preservation. It is recommended that the hotel is included in an historic embraces area which the village of Newnes and the industrial site. This area historic I should be managed as a focal point within the' national parKexten- . sions proposed in Chapter 5.11. Compulsory acquisition of the hotel may not be essential if a co-operative liaison can be developed with the licensee and maintained in perpetuity. Alte~natively~ I controls ~peciaJ planning could be enforced. The proposed New South Wales Government I I 22. ------

Heritage Bill, discussed above in relation to the odgirial Wolgan home­ stead, also applies to the hotel. However, eventual compulsory acquisition I • and a lease-back arrangement with app~opriate conditions should not be overlooked. Another alternative would be to harness the potential for voluntary I assistance and financial donations towards restoration. There is such strong positive feeling about the hotel and its place in the hfstory of Newnes that voluntary restoration and funding are by no means impossible. This would, however, require administration by a responsible organisation I and long-term success is not assured. It is extremely difficult to. discuss Newnes Hotel without mentioninQ I Mr. J i m Ga'l e, a man. he Id in fond regard by most peop 1e who enjoy th'e~'~ Wolgan Valley. W~i~st at the time of writing, Mr~ Gale had relinquished ownership of the hotel it is still to be hoped that any future management I recognises his presence and contribution to this delightful hotel. I I I 5.5 TOURISM AND RECREATION I, The Wolgan Valley has a long association with tourism and recreation. I As early as 1911, a rail trip from.Sydney to Newnes and a return trip by. coach to Wallerawang' thence rail to Sydney was a popular weekend out­ I ing (Eard1ey and Stephens 1974 p.94). Since then, the record of tourism I and recreation is vague and no relevant.statistics exist. Given that .. personal motor vehicle transport has only become common in Australia I since World War I I, it is likely that the valley has only recently become I popular once again. But even" in this recent period the type of visitor has changed with changing public tastes and available transport technology. Prior to the recent wave of well-equipped motor-oriented visitors the I valley was a focal point for people attracted to its isola~ion as much as I anything else. Today, twenty to thirty cars, with an average of three passengers per vehicle, plus numerous motorcycles enter the valley each I weeken~\. Most stay at least one night. On long weekends the number I increases dramatically and over Easter 1977 there were upwards of 600 people camped around Newnes. I I Recreation at Newnes is interes·ting in that it is environmentally and techno log i,ca 11 y defi ned. That is, the envi.ronlnent - phys i ca 1 and-­ cultural - attracts people whilst available technology provides tr:anspo.rt I there and frequently defines on site activity. Unlike other areas with I similar natural features, Newnes iscnot-1l1anagemene"defined.· For example, once an area is dedicated as a national park, historic. site ·or state· I recreation area, then it is managed in a" particular way which defines use of the area. Thus management must be added to other facbors governing use. However, at Newnes there has been no official management policy and use has been largely self-regulatory and lassez faire. I

In the circumstances it is highly likely that recreation at Newnes fluct­ uates according to popular taste and is underscored by conflicting values. I For example, it is probable that the seeker of quiet natural beau~y has I been, or is being, replaced by someone whose perceptions can more easily accommodate the noise and impact of many trail biKes. The self-regulat­ ory aspect also ensures that people who demand more than the available I I facilities do not stay or make a return visit. I I 23. I I I I I

I I

Easter 1977. Looking down on the main camping area on both sides of I the Wolgan River at the junction of the Little Capertee Creek. Note clustering of campers. I I Camping I Virtually the entire valley floor, by virtue of its private ownership, is excluded from the public for recreation and camping. The only camping I area is in the vicinity of Newnes. Camping is permitted on the 16.19 ha parcel of land in the village of Newnes (Portion 9, Parish of Gindantherie) owned by Mr. K.J. Gale and on the industrial site held as annual lease 57/13 by J.M. Gale, P.J. Donnelly and K.W. Hall. There is a symbiotic relation­ I ship between ownership of the hotel and camping. However, the above areas are also used for beef cattle grazing. I Campers distribute themselves according to personal taste and v~hicle. The main concentration is around the jun~tion of the Little Capertee Creek and the Wo'l gan Ri ve r . However, campers can be found among the I I industrial ruins to the end of four wheel drive access 13 km east of Newnes. Two wheel drive access is difficult beyond 3 km east of Newnes. - Within this area, campers are able to choose a site almost anywhere they desire. Sites vary fro'm sedate caravans in the cleared land around' -- Little Capertee Creek to a bed of bracken in one of the beehive coke ovens. One of the advantages of a lassez faire camping area is that people can choose a spot according to their wants without being spatially I and behaviourally confined by regulations .

The lac~ of regulations. means that the camping area is not in . .. -.J perfect condition. There is erosion, and boggy and deeply rutted I • vehicle tracks. However, these conditions do not deter visitors and the damage to the environment may well be much less than would occur if I the camping area were more sophisticated and thereby attracted many I more people. This is one dilemma facing national park managers which has not occurred in the Wolgan Valley. Approximately 25% of the camping I area around Little Capertee Creek is bare of ground cover. This is quantitative whilst the qualitative response has not been a deterrent. I The current impact on the environment from camping is small compared to the first mining activities. Further, all the camping occurs on I habitat that has been greatly altered through urban and industrial dev­ I elop~ent in the past and grazing more recently. This is not to argue I for the status quo and is said simply as a word of caution. I Toilet facilities vary from a convenient location in the bush to improv­ ised screens with pits or use of the hotel toilets. Presumably, those I who require better facilities do not use the area. The effect of human wastes on,the environment is not known. Some people bring their own I drinking water, others use water from the River. There were no compLaints about water nor are there any records of illness attributed to polluted I water. I

For an unregulated area, the campground is surprising. There is far I less litter than in many regulated areas. Part of the price of regulat­ I ion may be that people assume there is someone paid to pick up litter, therefore 11 •••• why not throw something out - the a.ttendant wi 11 pick I· it up." I Cans, bottles and other refuse is heaped by campers and the hotel licensee. It is then dumped by the licensee in a large erosion gully I at the rear of the camping area. This is all "a bit unsightly especially I when there are numerous heaps sti lIon the camping area but the system works. There may be pollution by runoff from the dump but it is not 1 obvious and further testing would be necessary to determine if that is the case. " I I 24. I I JI I I I I I I I . I I

I - .. I I , , I I I I I I ~ I I I Two different camping styles in the Wolgan Valley. • I The main factor regarding camping at Newnes is that it is virtually self­ regulatory and those who enjoy,or tolerate~the lack of facilities use • the area whilst those who do not, go elsewhere. Some, of course, bring , their facilities with them, for example, the caravaners. I Characteristics of recreation I I A valid recreation survey was beyond the scope of this report. The time scale did not allow a field trip for hypothesis development and pilot survey prior to winter and the absence of suitable holiday periods. The I I scope for a recreation survey at Newnes is enormous and a fascinating study could be made. Hypotheses and propositions for testing aboull'd: I the dynamics of self-regulation I a comparison of environmentally d~fined recreation at Newnes to management defined recreation on a simblar environment the same d is tance from Sydney. _ _ _ I I the wide range of activities at Newnes provides an opportunity for measuring the interaction between various activities and to overcome the major flaw of many recreation surveys - their I tendency to compartmentalise activities and rank them on I inval id cri teria. (see discussion below), perception studies related to the admixture of trail bikes and I natural environment. I socio-economic data and point of origin. One hypothesis is that visitors to Newnes come from a more heterogeneous socio­ economic background than national park users who are often I I claimed to be mainly of middle-class affiliation (Wilkinson 1972, p.237-47).

I This discussion of recreation in the Wolgan Valley is based on being a I participant/observer in the valley over two Autumn weekends and the Easter 1977 holiday period. During that period the following activities I were observed and recorded: I trai 1 bike riding bushwalking I I inspection of industrial site four-wheel drive treks sports (e.g. cricket) I rockcl imbing I 'sustenance activities (e.g. cooking, collecting wood) photography I environmental education (e.g. scouts) I gathering of friends and family drinking at Newnes Hotel pleasure driving r children playing I swimming fossicking painting I The authors of many recreation studies attempt to identify the obvious recreation activities and then assume that they are also the most popular. Furthermore, these activities are often listed iri~, questionna~ce and I respondents asked which they favour most. There is usually an 'other' category but this is biased because, being last, and undefined, it appears to the respondent as an afterthought. Experience as an'observer in the I Wolgan demonstrates how inaccurate and misleading such studies can be. I 25. I I I I

I I I The coke ovens still have their uses - one for a kitchen and another for a bedroom. I _I I Some of the least obvious recreation activities can also be the ~ important, for example:

Gathering of friends. Viewed from above,over the Easter holiday I period the main campground around Little Capertee Creek showed extreme cluste~ing of campers. This could be partly explained by the way that one campsite draws socially oriented people to its proximity I wllich in turn attracts others. 'However, ground observations showed numerous family and activity groups as well as grouping of caravans and four wheel drives. One group had even fenced themselves off. I Sustenance activities. This is another of the less obvious actl~ities but an extremely important one. Camp establishment and maintenance and camp cooking were a large part of many visitors recreation I experience. This is enhanced by the absence of regulations,- People can foster their idiosyncracies in camp layout. Collecting wood was greatly enjoyed by peopl~ dep~iv~d of this kind ?f actJvity , I in their normal routine. There is room for different interpretations on the significance of these sustenance activities. For example, cooking while on holiday is regarded as a chore by some. However, the number of people observed collectingtwood, tending campfires, and~~ I cooking in family groups indicates that it is also a very important recreation activity. I Drinking at the hotel. Not likely to be listed as a recreation activity,but of significance,is drinking at the Newnes Hotel. Whilst many visitors drop in for a casual drink, others go to the Wolgan Valley as a place to 'have a few beers.' I I Off road recreation vehicles I The rough unsealed road into the valley, the old mining and industrial site roads, the unfenced areas around the camping ground and the general atmosphere of isolation are the ingredients of an ideal location for I off-road recreation vehicles (O.R.R.V.) The only two of this type of vehicle observed in the Wolgan were trail bikes and four wheel drives. Depending on one1s point of view, thege vehicles are a wonderful tech­ nological aid to extend man1s reach into, or over, the physical environ­ I ment or they are a noisy, polluting menace, dangerous to those gentle souls who prefer to walk the tracks. Regardless of the position one takes in this debate, O.R.R.V.'s do cause a significant and controversial I impact on 'the Wolgan Valley. The uncontrolled use of trai 1 bikes and four wheel drives has caused tracks to be 'pushed' through the bush in and around the campsite resulting in significant erosion. Trail bikes I are the greatest problem in this regard. Over a busy weekend or holiday'period the Newnes area of the Wolgan Valley is dominated by trail bikes. In a preliminary recreation survey of the Newnes camping area by McKay (1976), trail bikes were listed as the most offensive aspect of I the area. This may change as the new (early 1977) owner of the Newnes Hotel is I attempting to prevent trail bikes using the camping ground and the industrial site. Since this area includes all the freely accessible areas to the bush tracks this prevention would g~eatly reduce use of trail bikes. Indeed, in April 1977, the first new signs proh"tbiting I trail bike use were erected. How successful the programme will be remains to be seen. Since many of the trail bike riders are among I ~I family groups who provide custom to the hotel, there may be a compromise. I It may also be physically impossible for one person to control trai I bikes over a large area and run the hotel at the same time. I 26. I I I I I I I ~I., I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ! I a I u I u I Trail bike riders, four wheel drive and walkers at the Wolgan River. il I I The road through the camping area is a public road and riders could use this at will. Furthermore, this road-is braided into a number of tracks which gives riders wide discretion if they wished to enforce their rights. I It is unlikely that the issue of trail bikes in particular and O.R.R.V.s in general, will be resolved to the satisfaction of both conflicting • parties. A wider system of management and legal basis for control must I be established. This is covered by recommendations made in 5.11 which would bring O.R.R.V.s under the policy of the National Parks and Wildlife • Service. I The Auto Cycle Union of N.S.W. Ltd., the controlling body of moto~.cycling • in New South Wales made a submission for inclusion in this report. The Union agrees that limitations should be placed on two and four wheeled I vehicles where they cause damage to the environment. Its main interest is to ensure that A.C.U. sanctioned sporting events may take place on • private properties with landholder agreement. Here, steps would be taken to ensure that damage to the environment did not occur. The Uriiorr I maintains that it takes a responsible attitude to the environment and • simply asks for the right to negotiate suitable areas for legitimate sporting activities. In this regard it states that there are more~suit- I I able areas closer to Lithgow for more intensive motor cycle activities. Given the tenor of this submission, it is unlikely that the major national park recommendations made in this report would create confl ict with I I organised motor cycle activities. It appears that the major motor cycle use in the Wolgan Valley is on an informal individual and small group I basis. I Permanent and long-term campers Because there are few controls on the land around Newnes, people have I been able to establish permanent and long-term camps. There is at least one permanent camp and during this study there was another camp which had been established for 11 months. Whilst such users are a minority I their presence is significant. I In a crowded urban society some people will want to camp in natural I environments for extended periods. To date this option has been the I prerogativeof those who can afford to buy their own land (and thereby also contribute to the problems associated with premature rural subdivisions) or escape to less inhabited northern Australia. tt seems 1napprop- I I riate to discriminate against those who can not, or do not want to, own land or travel. These people may in fact cause less environmental I problems because they do not own land or travel great distances. I There is also something that strikes most people as intrinsically good in the way that this small area of land has given some people the opportunity to live out their idiosyncracises with minimum interference. In present­ I I ing this side of the issue the counter arguments are well recognised. For example, pr!me public lands have in the past been alienated by a variety of Isquattersl. Kosciusko, Royal and Myall Lakes National Parks I are cases in point. And soon or later, a hard decision must be taken to I divest a minority of their assumed 'rights' in order to provide a larger publ ic their rights and allow a competent management authority to manage I the land according to the demands made upon it'and to protec~. its physical I environment. This is the case with Newnes and other parts of the Wolgan :] Valley. However, due recognition should be given to its past role. I An alternative would be to actually zone part of the valley for free­ camping. A problem with this suggestion is that once that zone became ] I 1 2.7· I I I I I

I I I I I I I The industrial site as it was, circa 1920. I I I -I I I I widely known it may lead to undesirable and unintended consequences such as overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. However, this should not prevent investigation of a free-camping zone with minimal rules and man­ I I agement. Experience in the Wolgan Valley suggests that such a zone is desired by many people. Too many recreation and land-use studies repres­ ent majority values without considering minority groups or, more import­ I antly, new and emerging values. Thus planning is often reactive rather I than anticipatory. This policy could be applied in the Wolgan Valley by dedicating the industrial area and surrounding natural environment for more protective management and providing a free-camping zone elsewhere on I I land not in such great conflict with historic site or national park ya)ues. Tbe Crown land around Donkey Mountain and Mount Wolgan should be consider­ ed as a possible location, particularly if it were linked to the Wolgan I I River. The current permanent and long-term camping around Newnes is not primarily because 6f the environment but more because the lessee has I allowed it. 5.6 INDUSTRIAL SITE AND RAILWAY I I The industrial site. The Newnes industrial site is one of the most important features of the Wolgan Valley. What remains is only a small proportion of this once I I industrious site. However, the relics are a fascinating reminder of the quest for resources and man's efforts to obtain wealth from the earth's crust. This quest overcame enormous obstacles cast by the rugged I I topography and limited technology of the time. No doubt one of the reasons for the continued efforts to keep the operation viable was the initial impetus spurred on by nationalistic motives and the vision of an indigenous oil industry. Today, the industrial reI ics are.a favoured I fossicking ground for visitors. Few have the knowledge to interpret what they see but most are impressed by the scale of the operation, div­ ersity of structures, and capacity of natural succession to obliterate I man's works. Rumours abound about current destruction of the remaining relics (see I Chapter 3.2 for details of earlier demolition). Some people state that bricks are still being removed and sold from the site. Whilst it is clear that large quantities of bricks were taken in the past it is uncert­ ain whether the practice continues at present. However, certain sites I hav.e bric~s of value and may be under threat, for example, the coke ovens. Vandalism is also cited as a=cause-bf destruction to the industrial site. I However, 'vandalism' is a term usually restricted to wanton or deliberate destruction or defacement of property. Frequently such action is with- out obvious motive. Vandal ism is therefore an awkward label to apply to the Newnes industrial site since it is in such a bad condition anyway. I Furthermore, vandalism to the remaining brick structures would be too much lLke sheer hard work. There may, however, be some inadvertant damage caused by people collecting bricks to construct campsite facilities I such as fireplaces. Again, the coke ovens are particularly vulnerable to unthinking destruction and desperately need adequate protection. I It is stated that individuals hold salvage rights to the industrial site. No evidence could be located to support these claims and if salvage 'rights' were sold it is unl ikely that they are still legally binding. The Receiver appointed to close the operation wrote to the District I Inspector of Collieries'oh 'November 30, 1953 stating that his duty was to dispose of assets and account to the secured creditors, namely the I 28. I I it I I j 1I I

I Some of the coke ovens still in good condition.

Coke ovens shnwinn" .. o...... ,..,;~;~~ __ ~, ___ r .• I I Commonwealth and N.S.W. Government.. Thus a local individual could have purchased certain equipment and items. -However, legal access to such items closes six months after the determination of close of operations or after such period as the Minister allows (Mining Act 1906, Section 125). I The Receiver could have sold 'rights' inadvertantly but they would not apply to this day. I I The industrial site is located along a two km section of the Wolgan River at Newnes in the County of Cook on parts of the following portions: I I Parish of Gindantherie Mining leases 25, 26 I Min i ng pe rm its 3, 4, 15, 16 I Parish of Barton Mining leases 18, 25, 26 Min i ng pe-rm it 9, 1 r, -14, 16 I Mining reserve 3003G No. 2 1899

I Only the river section of these portions contain the industrial site. ~ I The escarpment forms a natural boundary to the rear. Currently 198.3 ha of the site is held as annual lease 57/13 by J.W. Gale, P.J. Donnelly I and K.W. Hall. I The National Trust of Australia (N.S.W.) rates Joadja, near Mittagong, as the outstanding shale oil site in New South Wales. Newnes is rated I as the second most important and Hartley, third. The Trust's Industrial I Archaeology Committee has recently recommended that the Newnes shale oil refinery, associated works and village as well as the railway receive a Classified listing by the Trust Council. I The following report on the industrial site and its possibilities for restoration, stabilisation and interpretation was prepared by Mr. M. I Pearson, Investigations Officer - Historian, National Parks and Wildlife I Service-of New South Wales_ According to Mr. Pearson the site is important because it has relics relating to all phases of the oil extract­ I ion and refining processes, together with associated industrhil remains I such as coke ovens and brickworks. I This report deals with the present condition of each of the structures I within th~ Oil Refinery area, and comments on possible restoration or stabilisation and interpretation. The refinery area was divided into 16 sections for convenience. These are shown on the accompanying map. I Below are the descriptions of each building within these subdivisions. I

1 . The coke ovens and coal mines. The coke ovens are a unique set of I beehive kilns, built before 1907 and used until 1911, when the closing I of Cobar smel~ers removed the main export market. It is reputed that 120 kilns were built, in two rows of 60 back to back. However, only 90 kilns can now be recognised. The coke ovens are among the best I I preserved and most interesting remains on the site.

Several of the kilns are in very good condition, though_all have lost I what appears to be a front facade. This facade of: stone has bE!en used I as a stone source for some time, the Newnes railway platform, for example. 1 is reputedly made out of blocks removed from it. I Perhaps the most economical method of preserving and interpreting the coke ovens to the public would be to restore a block of say, 6 kilns, I 29· I I------=--= I I <-..., ....

I ",,-<:-, ~ \~<'~~:~:.c:~ ~, ,- .~ ..______...... \ ,/\/ ,"~"'. .~ '\" '. ' .. ' .. I , I I. I I I I I I I I 1 I I ·1 ------__ ~--~----~------~I

I

I -----1 ._"!T~~.'-; ~ , I i.. ; ~<'~i-. '.- ..: '-'~. ~~~~ I

I I I I I - GENERAL PLAN OF WOR'S- -COMMONWEALTH OIL CORPORATIPN LTD I ~EWNES N.S.W. - SCALE gt.e Wl I I

MAP 3 - INDUSTRIAL SITE. (Nu I Map by courtesy of Australian Railway Histori( I ".'!. stabilise another 10, and do maintenance on the rest as money allows. The western end of the row of kilns would be best for this project, being the best preserved. To restore or even actively stabilise the whole 90 kilns would be financially unsupportable, and not really necessary.

The coal mine complex behind the kilns has been destroyed to the foundat­ ion blocks of the buildings, and would entail little or no expense to preserve and interpret.

2. Workshop complex. This group of workshops is merely a concrete and brick slab floor, and offers no problem in preservation, but is of little value for interpretation. ',','

3. Wax production area. The wax sweating plant is no more than knee high brick foundations and retaining wall. The wax refinery foundations are to chest height, but have no walls above this. One boiling vat, firebox and _chiIJllley surviye nearby i but; -whether these rela te to the wax - factory or a .la-fer period is not known. The candle factory is a floor slab covered with pieces from candle making equipment.

The foundations of the stock tanks are a metre high maze of crossing " brick walls, the tanks they supported being very large. The settling house is a set of metre high squares end on end, which appear to be supports for square tanks. The smaller stock tanks above the workshop area are of the 'bulls-eye' tank foundation style, and are not very substantial.

The whole of the wax production area is made up of easily preserved foundations and could be effectively interpreted to the public with graphic ai ds, and perhaps an exampl e of a candl e making machi ne .

4. Parrafin sheds and stock tanks. The main building in this group is the only building on the site which still stands to roof level. The filter press house and De la Vergne freezing machine room have brick walls standing to roof height, the latter being a two storey section. However;'the flat concrete roofs of both rooms have collapsed, and a very large square settling tank which occupied the upper level of the freezing room has also collapsed, and is lying at a precarious angle. The walls of the building are very unstable and several walls would need immediate demolition. Other walls might be stabilised.

Some of the various brick tank stands below the paraffin works are in quite good condition, standing 3 metres tall. Some of these stands are worthy of pregervation, and the rest could be easily stabilised. A possible interpretation project here could be to replace an empty tank back on one of the stands, to explain what these odd buildings were used for.

The tar plant and soda tar plant are merely ground level foundations. The biggest problems with this paraEfin works complex are the instability of the paraffin sheds, which will cost a considerable amount to make safe, and the control of slope erosion around the tank sites.

5. Retorts and associated equipment. Most of ,t~js section of the rl site is built on terraces, held back by massive brick retaining walls 40-60 feet high. Parts of these retaining walls need urgent attention 1- I to replace eroded slopes behind and beneath them. I 30. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I' 1 I I I I Foundations are all that ammonia r~main of the atmospheric scrubbers and exhauster condensers, ~ a flat house. The the area of ground. shale storage complex, The bench of retorts, b~n is just ~ is a long mound of the heart of the whole brick appearing rubble up to 3 metres in places. high, with piers retorts It is possible that of could be exposed bg more of the base , project here excavation. A possible of the could be the interpretative which 'still re-erecti~n of one exist at the Glen or more retorts, some idea of what Davis works. This of these looked like would give a far better on this section, than just the foundations. 1.J apart from the The remains maintained. retaining wall failures, would be e?s4ly , ~ ~ 6. Naptha plant. 'Most of this JI foundations and section is comprised retaining walls which of ground level the works. The stand formed the back walls square for the gas producing of some of brick rooms. The plant is two 2 metre but area ~ould pre~ent high ~I" also ,few. poi-nts t5i"1nterest few preservation'problemS"; ior'the public. -. ;. -=--- 7. Distillation area. The charging and heavy and tanks for I paraffin oil stills the crude oil stills stand on a level are ground level foundations ~ above the stills only, and steep slope, badly themselves. Between in need of erosion the two is a stands for the control. The lubricating and fine charging tank I metres high,. but oil stills are very are badly deteriorated. large, being 4 The two 45, metre chimneys at the stills I brick removed. The ,have been demolished, from still benches, of and much east to west, the which there are four, fine crude oil still being deteriorate oil boilers the worst. the best preserved, their present These stills would the condition for probably survive I bushes were a long time if invading in removed, and visitors blackberries and For possible prevented f.r-om interpretation of climbing over them. oil still could their use to the public, be restored, the part of the I still of the difficulty might crude righ t sort to fi be finding a metal the crude oil t into the housings. stills and condenser AS. an interim measure deteriorat~on area could be stabilised I at a reasonable cost. from further 8. Sulphate house and water ling sump, settling sumps. a ?et of concrete 'The ammonia water very minor pens, is in perfect sett­ feature. The condition, but I and walls sulphate house is only a - up to 2 metres a collection of foundations vegetation high, able to be easily and preventing uncontrolled stabilised by removing visitor climbing. .-:? -t .- I 9. water separator and power house. arator is a concrete The dirty water lined pondage still ponds and sep­ again, a minor feature in excellent condition,.but The in the int~rpretation 70 metre chimney and of shale oil extraction. I a pile boiler area have been of bricks 3-4 metres demolished, and impressive tall.' The power are now and in quite good house foundations stabilised. condjtion to ground a~e The plumbers level, and easily I workshop has disappeared. The foqndations in this oil section are not and need only stabilising essential to the story and a minimum of shale I of interp'r~tation. 10. This area was not: inspected. Foundations Ill. of some of the buildings have remained, but very little. 12. Offices. Chimneys 11 the hill, and foundation slabs hut the area is of of the offices occur little value in interpreting on the oil works. I· 31. i ___------1I I I 13. BEick works~ This is an in~eres~ing area and meri~s pro~ec~ion and in~erpre~a~ion. Mos~ of the'-brlcks . used in ~he works were made here. Li~~le sign remains of ~e press house or drying house, bu~ ~ree I I of ~e brick kilns survive in par~ ~o ~he ~op of ~he fire doors, up ~o 2 me~res high. The area is heavillj overgrown wi~h bracken, blackberry and o~her weeds, and should be cleared and ~he bes~ brick kiln uncovered ·1 I and s~abilised. The house a~ ~e.~es~ern end has disappeared. A large me~al ~ailk is nearby. This migh~ perhaps be replaced on one of ~he I ~ank s~ands in ~he paraffi~ works area. I 14. The forge could no~ be loca~ed, and ~he house is ground level ~:_'_ founda~ions only. I I 15. Wa ter supply. pump. The wa ter pump was on a concrete platform built over the river. This requires no maintenance. I I 16: House site. ThJ..s·are~·a;;§s ~~o.t '~ppear-"a;;~he 19ir map'~"'and could be a later addition. It has two large fireplaces wi~ chimneys probably belonging to one large building, and across the road a concrete foundat­ ion site. These should be stabilised and their history ascertained ~~ I I from oral tradition. I General Comments. I The majority of the oil refinery sites' buildings have been demolished to foundation level, and need little or no maintenance. The areas I I· which, if this site were to be managed by a responsible authority, need stabilisation and possible restoration in part, are the coke ovens, part or the'paraffin works complex, part of the retort bench, the crude oil stills, and the brickworks. These areas, plus the wax refinery, I I would make an adequate and economical basis for interpreting this site to the public by showing the major industrial' processes without excessive I restoration or reconstruction. I Simple-and constant maintenance should preserve the rest of the site in I its present impressive. condition. I Control of vegetation regrowth, especially of blackberry and o~er ground shrubs and weeds, and a control programme on erosion, is badly needed at I ~e site. The control' of bo~ these factors would do much·towards­ I maintaini~g the ruins in a reasonable condition. The protection of this si~w~d~ir~~rnlwlementary to the protection of I I ~e natural environment around it. Much of the interest in Newnes is based on its glorious natural surroundings. To control and protect one without ~e other would be shortsighted. The .conjunction of the I industrial site wi~in a protected natural area would also have certain I management advantages, such as vehi~le access control, fire control, pest eradication and staffing l~vels.

I The Newnes industrial area merits preservation, and presents a unique ·1 opportunity to interpret Australia's early oil industry to the public. I I The 'r:a i 1way '. The Australian Railway Historical Society, N.S.W. Divisi~n was invited J to make a submission for inclusion in this ~epC?rt, regarding its I i nteres t ion the'Newr(e-s-~"f'ai'ft;j~y::- - :The Soci ety prepared a submi ss ion, the I basis of which is presented below: I 32. J I Travellers awaiting departure of the train from Newnes, circa 1920.

The railway station today. Photo, G. Hicks. I I There is very little of the original railway left except for railway and sRipway formations, the station platform and a few ironwork relics, usually unidentifiable to anyone but a railway historian. I I There are some other relics hidden in the bush but their location is kept from the public. I I Over recent years some wooden skips have been taken from the valley and are now in railway museums. Others were collected for a small display outside the Newnes Hotel. However~ these are I I rapidly deteriorating through lack of maintenance. ' ...... The Society is concerned about the general state of Newnes and I would like to see the whole area ~roperly managed and maintained. I Given the deteriorated condition of the railway, the Society does not view its maintenance as a hindrance to further mining develop­ I I ment. Access to the railway formation should be improved, particularly the glow-worm tunnel. This access should be for pedestrians I I only and should include right of way across private land below the tunne 1 . I If steps were taken to manage Newnes and the industrial site then the Society would be interested in co-operating with the management authority in establishing a railway display and providing interpret- ative advice and materials. The Society sees a large demand for I such fa c i 1 i tie s . This report supports the above views of the Society. The issue of new I mining remains a vexed problem and this is discussed in 5.8. It should be noted that the inclusion of portion 6 Parish of Barton i~ public recreation lands (for example, national park) as recommended by the District Surveyor, Lands Board Office, Orange, would provide public I access t9.the glow-worm tunnel (see 5.11) I 5.7 VILLAGE OF NEWNES The village of Newnes was planned and developed in association with the I shale and .coal mining industrlal complex. The village is shown on the Department of Lands, Village of Newnes and suburban lands map of 23rd November, 1964. Since the amalgamation of Blaxland Shire Council and Lithgow City Counci 1, the village, as the rest of the valley, is control­ I led by the Council of the City of Greater Lithgow.

The village contains approximately 560 lots. Less than half of these had I owners which reflects the optimism of the period rather than the real ity of Newnes economic viability. The streets were named after similar mining towns of the era and local areas, for example, Joadja, "Torbane I Airlie, Hartley, Capertee, Leura and Colo Streets. Within the village zone was a large subdivision, Portion 9, parish of Gindantherie of 16.9 ha. This is now held in freehold by Mr. K.J. Gale. I The village site, except those lots under current ownership, is used as the camping ground. That portion not held under freehold is held as annual lease No. 57/13. Five of the old village blocks, excluding the I Newnes Hotel, are held in freehold. Dwellings have been built on two of these lots. I 33. I -1~1!}t~~:,<:~.. :<: ,.r· ~.~ 'N.~~·:· Z!:;;Jf~~: 'U)~~ '.:.~ .:1:-. .. I > " .!-' ;. "~f.: }; ?:.J~. ~_ .: ..~ VILLAGE OF- NEWNl~ AND SUBURBAN LANDS LAND DISTRICT OF LlTHGOW I \1 111..\.';1_\:'1:1> ~IIIHI':

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17. (1) The Council may approve of the erection of a dwel ling-house on any land which the Shire Clerk certifies was an existing parcel and I on which there is erected no other dwell ing-house where the Counci.l is satisfied - I (a) that the dwell ing-house will have adequate vehicular access; (b) that the erection of the dwell ing-house will not create or increase the effect of ribbon development along any main I road; and ( c) that adequate public utility services wi 11 be available to the land. I (2) In considering any appl ication for approval under this clause I the Counci 1 shall have regard to the requirements for setback of buildings from the alignment or centre 1 ine of main roads as set out in this Order. (3) For the purposes of this clause 'existing parcel of land ' 11 means any area of adjoining or adjacent land held in the same ownership at the appointed day. (4) The Council shall enter all decisions given under this clause I in a register and shall show all such decisions on a map and shall make such register and map available for inspection by any duly authorised officer of the Authority. I

In effect, providing ownership can be established, all lots could be classified as existing parcels and the owner could obtain Counci 1 approv- I al for a dwell ing. This was confirmed by the Town Clerk, Council of the City of Greater Lithgow in a letter of 20th May, 1977.

This situation must be regarded as totally unsatisfactory. Single I domestic dwell ings, randomly scattered around Newnes would be quite out • of character with the area and make present and future attempts towards conservation much more difficult. Two dwellings have been built in I recent yearsneitherof which are sympathetic in materials and design • with the local environment. Three more lots have their ownership established and could be built upon at any time. I No further bui lding should be allowed in the village of Newnes. The • existing - dwellings and owned lots should be considered for public acquisition to coincide with dedication of the village zone and I the industrial site as an historic area within a national park (see 5.11 • for details of this proposal.) I • 5.8 MINING I Oil Shale I Lishmund (1971) defines oil shale as " ... a carbonaceous sediment which I has a comparatively low carbon:hydrogen ratio and which produces mainly I I paraffinic oils on destructtve distillation ('retorting' ). Lishmund states that'there is no 6i] shale being worked in Australia at present and is unlikely in the future because of the small deposits and high production ~osts.

In New South Wales, oil shale is found in the Permian coal measures of the Sydney Basin and is c]osely associated with coal seams. It orIgIn- ated as. organic deposits in sheltered lakes and lagoons in water too deep for normal swamp vegetation. The deep water allowed small finely divided material to develop and deposit in the absence of large shallow­ water plant species found in coa]. The known deposits of. oi I sh~r'e lie mainly on the western margin of the Sydney Basin where there is greater exposure of the coal measures. The Newnes and Glen Davis outcrops belong to the same formation but are separated by a high sandstone ridge dividing the Wolgan and Capertee Valleys.

S'ha le Ash: :.

On Mineral Reserve No. 30039, at the Newnes industrial site, are large shale ash deposits remaining from the mining days. Recently, ther~~has been an interest in these deposits. One company, for example, wishes to extract material from the ash and use it in the manufacture of an oil-absorbent mat for use under vehicles in domestic garages.

Three companies h9ve lodged appl ications for removal of the ash:

Genders Estates Pty. Ltd. l·odged an application for a lease on February 6 , 1976 which is still pending. The area covered in the appl ication is 9 ha. The National Parks Association of .N~S.W. lodged an objection and the next stage is for a Mining Warden's inquiry to which the N.S.W. Planning and Environment 'Commission will be served notice to attend.

Petra Chemicals (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. lodged an application on June 10, 1964 and was granted a 1.51 ha mining lease No. 27. How~ver, this lease was cancelled on January 21, 1977 on the grounds that the Company had failed to comply with conditions of the lease.

Repco Research Pty. Ltd. applied for mineral leas~ No. 16 for _ 5.4 ha on August 8, 1974. However, two objections,' one from Mr. J~ Gale and the other from the N.S.W. Planning and Environment Commi.ss ion prevented the lease being gr.anted prior to-a'Mining Warden's Inquiry. The Inquiry began on November 3, 1976 followed by a site inspection on November 4, culminating in 'the Wa rden IS' dec is i on on Novembe r 9. Mr. J. Gale failed to appear before the Inquiry and his objections were deemed d i scon t i nued and d i sa II owed. Mr. Ga I e I s object ions related mainly to disruption to hfs hotel ~rade and gr~zing activities. The Warden decided that the Planning and Environment Commis~ion's objection be allowed and any development application be subject to an environmental impact statement. The Warden' further recommended that any lease granted be for a period of only three years and that the District Inspect'or of Mines fie requested to advise additional conditions to prevent damage to the environment and pollution of the Wolgan River. On February «, 1977, Repco Research Pty. Ltd. was directed by the DeP9 rtment of Mines to prepare an environmental impact 'statement before the application would be further" considered.

35. I I I In its objection to the' granting of the Repco lease the Planni~g and Environment Commisiion sta~ed that no such approval should be given Ontil this report was completed. It is therefore I relevant to make recommendations regarding the removal of the shale asb. I The ash deposits have little aesthetic merit, they have not been colonis­ ed by unique fauna or flora, nor do'they hold great value as historic relics or repositories of artefacts worthy of excavation. Given that I all other environmental safeguards are met, extraction could procee~ .. The relevant conditions a~e: ~-~

that there is no interference with any other parts of the I industrial site that no new structures are built on'the industrial-..." --- site.. '- - = I that there is no p611ution ~f'the Wolgan River that only one of the many existing tracks be used to, transport the material out of the industrial site and I that this is wholly maintained by the Company. that extraction be disallowed on weekends and over holiday periods such as Easter. Other provisions may be necessary I for long hol idays such as the school holiday periods. that, in accord with the Warden's recommendation, the l'ease I be grant~d for a three year period only. that, upon termination of the operation, the Company return the contours as near as possible to those pre-existing the ash deposits. I that, upon terminatiqn of operations, the Company remove aJl structures related to this operation save those which may be I necessary for stabilising contours or providing drainage. . Coal Mining I Coalex Pty. Ltd. has major coal mining interests in the Wolgan Valley and its environs. Coalex holds a mining lease covering 31 sq. km which extends over the plateau to the south-east of the valley. It does, -_ I however, include part of the valley near Newnes. The Company began exploration throughout the area in 1968 and opened an experimental adit in the Wolgan Valley near Newnes in 1972. This adit ceased production, in 1,974. I

Coalex' proposals to develop ,its mineral lease'have varied over the past few years. However, a final plan' and associated environmental impact I statement are now being prepared (Augu~t 1977). This proposal is to develop the colliery and mine shafts up on the plateau approxi~ately 1.7 km east of the escarpment. The exact location of the proposed colliery is shown on the aerial photograph. The colliery will not be I visJble from the Wolgan Valley.

Three vertical shafts will be at the colI iery site: . 9ne shaft wrll be I used for the e0 traction of coal, another will be an air exhaust and the third will be used for' lowering and raising miners. From this entry a mine will proceed towards the existing experimental Newnes adit in I the Wolgan Valley. At the same time a tunnel will be driven from the Newnes adit towards that coming from the plateau colI iery entry. Thus the two mines wi 11 meet. I 36. I Prior to the two 'mines meeting, approximately 500,000 tonnes of coal will be extracted from the Newnes adit and stored on the ground in the valley. Once stockpiled this coal will be transported by truck to the colliery on the plateau via the Old Coach Road (see aerial photograph), -this road having been widened and sealed 'by the company beforehand. All washed and graded coal will then be transported to Newnes Junction from the colliery on a partly upgraded existing road and partly newly constructed road. The Company does not propose to use the old railway line. Construction is scheduled to begin in 1979.

The Company assures, at this stage, that the glow-worm tunnel wi (l-'~';;ot be used or affected in any way. I tal so ma i nta i ns that the Wo 1gan Valley will orrly be used for occasional service requirements when access to the Newnes adit is necessary for repairs or installations that cannot be completed via entry at the pit head on the plateau~ All other works wi 11 ~.e under..ground·. __ .. .",,,,=_' .. ,

The full range of environmental effects will be p.resented in the Company's environmental impact statement. Presumably, State Government appr~val will not-be given unless environmental effects are satisfactory accordin~ to legislative requirements.

There are however, some additional issues which should be canvassed and considered. These are:

The col1.iery would be located in an area of great value for national park purposes. This is indeed unfortunate and alternatives will hopeful1y be examined. If it is approved then consideration should be given to managing the colliery and lease in a buffer zone to the park perhaps for eventual inclusion in the park when mining ceases.

Upgrading the Old Coach Road could have a significant impact on the Wolgan Valley. The most. obvious possible effect is on sceliery. Unless carefully carried out, the roadworks. could destroy the presently unmarked escarpment. A second possible impact is that unless it remains a private mining road there will be much better access to the-Wolgan Valley. Instead of the longer, and bumpier, trip via Lidsdale and Wolgan Gap, __ there would be quick access on a sealed road vi-a Newnes Junction. This would dramatically increase the number of visitors to Newnes and also increase the need for more sophisticated managemen t.

Coalex's le~se adjoins the boundary of the recreation reserve which contains the glow-worm tunnel. On no account should the tunnel be used or affected by mining activity. It is best protected by declaring it within a national park. State Government coal mining project On September 5, 1977 the Minister for Mines and Energy gave Not~ce of Intention to Invite Applications fo~ the Grant of a Coal Lease by the Electricity Commission of New South Wales. " .

The lease area is 54.72 square kilometres, Parishes of Clwydd, Rock Hill and Cook, County of Cook .. The lease is centred on Newnes State Forest where it is believed that the Electricity Commission' ha~ plin~' ~d build

37. I

a major power station which would be closely associated 'wt~b ~Q~_pr9Posed mine and colliery (see Chapter 4.2). I The northern boundary of the lease comes to 15 km from Newnes but the major portion of the lease is on the plateau underlying Newnes State • Forest. If the proposal proceeds then it is to be hoped that stringent I environmental safeguards will be applied and that no impairment of the· • visual and physical qualities of th~ Wolgan Valley occurs . I ...... •• 5.9 AGRI CULTURE The agricultural lands are devoted to beef cattle and sheep grazing I I except for small areas of crops for fodder or hay. Nearly all the grazing land is situated between Newnes and Wolgan Gap, with the main 11 .1_ =.~-~' ·-··~~~:-j"19!r~! e:~6~~~ a~~~~:~.L~~ L:? s-~P~~~~i;~~e!-~a-~i ~~~!~~~

Three replies were received to the request for submissions. One saw it desirable for the land around Newnes to be dedicated as a national I 11 park. Another respondent was vehement in his opposition to nature con­ servation and 'environmentalists' interfering with the valley in any way. He was concerned about bush fires and noxious animals and wee'ds being I I harboured in national parks and is opposed to public access over private' lands, saying there is ample evidence of damage to property incurred by visitors. The third reply tendered the same viewpoint but somewhak less forcefully. It was possible to contact a fourth proper.ty owner I I by phone. His main concern was to re-introduce the valley'~ sanctuary st~tus as shooting was a serious problem. This owner also wanted a ·"I"~" ._----- "._-. better road access into the valley. . .-==,=,-~'---"'- I The agricultural area of the Wolgan Valley presents, at present, no conflict in land-use. This is because agriculture is historically and I I legally well-established. Freehold land ownership accrues the owner certain legal rights. Potential conflicts, such as right of way for hikers, are quel led by the owner establishing his claims by ~keep out' signs. This is indeed the case in the Wolgan Valley where there is a I I plethora of the most obvious and agressive signs against trespass. Many of these signs are to prevent shooters. However, most of the signs do not discriminate between shooter and pas~Lv~ walker and the I I general public is denied access to virtually all the valley floor and that part of the Wolgan River which flows through i·t. I Apart from the problem of access to the surroundi.ng bushwalking areas I and provision of extra camping sites along the river, there ~ppears to I have been little confl ict over the actual existence of the freehold f I

, ~8. I I I I • I I• I I I I I I I I I J; I I I

I ----- I I I I n I Shay locomotive No. 2 outside tunnel en route to Newnes, circa 1920. 11 I " , I

I grazing land. A report by the National Parks Association of New South Wales to the State Government in 1972, did call for the resumption of I the freehold land and its inclusion in a national park. However, this I claim is not pressed in the Association's most recent proposal (N.P.A. 1976-77) . I I The grazing lands do contribute to the landscape qualities of the valley. The undulating pastures provide a contrast to the wooded slopes and craggy escarpment. The grazing lands also give the valley a human I scale and presence. This would all be lost if the area were subdivided I for hol iday farms and rural retreats. Even the 40 ha minimum subcffvision allowed in the Interim Development Order is too small for an area as I I closed in as the Wolgan Valley. The freehold grazi.ng lands should stay as they are except for small areas required for boundary rationalisation of-a national park. Thegraztng ~lands .. - I I would be best protected by designating them under one of the N.S.W. Planning and Environment Commission's new rural zones. The most approp- riate zone is Rural Environment (Scenic Protection). Consideration, I should then be given to designating it a scenic protection area as I described by Breckwoldt (1977). This would provide the valley with a local committee responsible for administration of State Government scenic I I protection area pol icy. 5.10 GLOW-WORM TUNNEL I I The glow-worm tunnel is located at GR 415, 185 Ben Bullen 1:25,000 map sheet, in the Parish of Barton, County of Cook. It was built as a railway tunnel for the Wolgan shale railway and is now within a Depart­ ment of Lands regerve for public recreation notified 17th August 1910. I I Following its abandonment as a railway tunnel it has become colonised by glow-worms and presents a beautiful and dramatic sight to those who r venture into it. The reserve is under the control of the Council of I the Ci.ty of Greater Lithgow. However, it has received no positive managemeht from either the Department of Lands or the Council since its dedication. I Access to the tunnel is along the old railway track from Newnes, a distance of approximately 10 km. This is a walking track as mos~ trail bikes are halted by deep gullies once bridged by the railway. I Access is also possible by driving out from Newnes and then walking up Tunnel Cr~ek but this means crossing private lands which at present have signs banning trespassers. There is also access by road from I Newnes Junction through the Newnes State Forest. This was a popular point of entry until recently when the road was badly washed away approximately 3 km from the tunnel. A few trail bikes cross this er:osion gully but most people find it necessary to walk the last few I ki lometres.

The poor access to the tunnel has afforded it some protection. However, -I its uncontrol led use makes it imperat ive that stronger efforts are made to protect this unique and beautiful attraction. . The most appropriate method of doing so is to include it within the national park ~roposed in 5.11. .. I

Dr. Aola Richards, School of Zoology, University of New South Wal~s, prepared a report on the glow-worm tunnel. The following is taken I from the report. I 39. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I From inside the glow-worm tunnel. I .i I I Introduction The biological importance of the Wolgan Valley near Newnes, New South I I Wales, is centred around the gl.ow-worm tunnel and its fauna. Wai tomo Caves in New Zealand has become world famous for its Glow-worm Grotto; but it is often forgotten that glow-worms ~lso occur in Australia. I Three species are known to occur in eastern Australia and Tasmania. I They are closely related to the New'Zealand species, all belonging to the genus Arachnocampa Edwards. Arachnocampa richardsae Harrison (named after the writer) (Harrison, 1966) occurs in central and southern I I New South Wales. It may be found in the Royal National Park south of Sydney, in forest near Bundanoon, and scattered throughout the Blue ',', Mountains. It is this species that lives in the Wolgan Valley tunnel. I Representatives of the species were probably the first glow-worms to be I observed by a European. In 1804, George Caley was sent to Australia by Joseph Banks to collect plants. While lying trying to sleep under a protecting rock ledge in the Grose Valley of the Blue Mountains, he I I observed a luminous larva which he at first mistook for a star (Caley, 1966). I I Biology of glow-worms Glow-worms are the larval stage of a harmless, luminous species of fungus I I gnat (Diptera, Mycetophilidae). The biology and ecological relation­ ships of Arachnocampa richardsae are I,ery similar to those of the other species (Richards 1960,1963, 1964). They all inhabit damp, shady I crevices and stream banks, often making quite impressive displays with I their myriad twinkling lights. However, unlike the other species, A. richardsae seldom frequents tunnels or caves - there are no glow­ worms in the Jenolan Caves. I

One of the most peculiar features of the glow-worm is the feeding habits of the larva. The larva is elongated, semi-transparent, with a horny I head which bears a pair of bi ting jaws. Behind the jaws are a pair of I mucus gla,nds. The posteriOr abdominal segment contains the light organ. The larva builds itself a hollow, tubular nest of mucus and silk in I which it suspends istelf from the shelf or ceiling above by a number of I fine silk threads. From the nest the larva lets down up to 70 sJ;rings of sticky droplets known as 'fishing-lines'. Depending on environmental I condi tions and the size of the larva, fishing-lines vary in length from I 1 cm to up to 20 cm and are used to catch prey. Glow-worms feed chiefly on midges and mosquitoes which may spend part of their life cycle in the water on the floor of the tunnel. They are also cannibalistic, I both on other larvae and on the adul t fl ies . In the darkness, the I midges and other insects are attracted by' the light emitted by the glow-worm larva, and they fly upwards to become entangled in the glow­ I worm's snare. I

The most interesting structure in the glow-worm is its light organ. This is formed from the dilated tips of the four excretory tubules, I which are extensions of the alimentary canal. These lie within a I layer of respiratory tissue that acts as a reflector. The anterior part of each tubule is concerned with excretion, while the posterior I half forms the light organ. In no other known insect is the light I organ formed from the excretory organ. The exact nature of the light still remains to be investigated. I Due to the ideal environmental conditions and the plentiful food supply, I the Wolgan Valley glow-worm tunnel contains the largest known population I J 40. I of A. richardsae. Because of its uniqueness, it constitutes one of the most significant reasons for protecting the tunnel a-nd its fauna.

Threats to glow-worm population

uncontrolled collecting. In recent years a researcher into the bio­ chemistry of luminescence has been removing up to 10 per cent of the population (approximately 4,000 larvae) each year. The significant drop in numbers of glow-worms has been noticed by local residents who have blamed trail bike exhausts as the cause.

Mining. A further and major threat to the glow-worms is the pos~ibility of coal mining in the vicini ty of the tunnel. Coalex pty. Ltd. have produced an environmental impact statement for extending the Wolgan Colliery. Already an experimental mine shaft has been sunk in the valley, and it is proposed to build the mine close to the glow-worm tunnel. The operation of such a- .mine at such close proximity_ ...,to the glow-worms could severely or irreparably damage the surrounding ecosystem, causing soil erosion and disappearance of the forest, thus leading to the extinction of the glow-worm population. Three alternative sites for the mine are available.· None of these would be so detrimentai~to the glow-worms, and it is vital that preference should be given to any of these sites.

Trail bikes. While not the primary cause of the dramatic decrease in the glow-worm population, the trail bikes' exhaust may well be adding fuel to fire, and bike riders frequentl~g the tunnel and its environs should be discouraged or stopped. I Comparison with other areas A cave where serious parallels could be made with the Wolgan Valley glow-worm tunnel is Waitomo Cave in New Zealand. Although native bush remains in the immediate vicinity of Waitomo Cave, 75 percent of the surrounding countryside has been cleared and the bush replaced with past~re. Therefore any increase in erosion on the slopes may be blamed on agriculture and road making just as much as on forest clearing. Silt and debris have clogged up the Waitomo Stream, and mechanical removal of the mud banks have destroyed the glow-worms' main food supply - midges whose immature stages live in the muddy deposits at the bottom ~f slugg­ ish parts ,of the stream. Interference with the ecosystem has led to the current problems, and it could lead to the eventual closure of the cave. At the moment its life expectancy is less than 50 years (Wil1iams,1975). Care should be taken that this is not allowed to be repeated in the Wo1gan Valley, for mining of the area could completely destroy the ecosystem and the glow-worms.

The writer entirely agrees with Dr. D.H. Colless, Chief Research Scient­ ist, C.S.I.R.O., and Senior Dipterist in Australia, who wrote to Professor John Lee on 15th March, 1976: "There is some evidence that glow-worm popu1ations in caves can be pretty fragile. At least one cave previously reported to have a spectacular display seems now devoid of the creatures. They seem usually to depend on prey that enters from outside; so, of course, ecological upset of ~be surrounding country­ side can place them in peril. Also, it seems iike1y that ih undisturb­ ed country a cave would be repopulated from the sparser population in the adjacent forest; but the increasing disturbance of much of our

41. Looking up Tunnel Creek towards the glow-worm tunnel. The private lands in the foreground prevent direct access to the tunnel. native forest is steadily reducing this option.. Both these factors· argue, I believe, for extreme care on your part".

Ten to 15 years ago, large populations of A. richardsae occurred at glow-worm Nook and Horseshoe Falls, Hazelbrook. Three year~ ago when Dr. D. McAlpine, Curator in Entomology at the Australian Museum, visited these two areas the glow-worms had almost completely disappeared. There did not appear to be any major disturbance of the ecosystem. This is further evidence of just how fragile the glow-worm populations are.

Conservation of the tunnel area ......

To maintain and stabilise the present glow-worm population in.the Wolgan Valley tunnel, it is essential that nothing should be done to jeopardise the potential food supply which has its origin outside the tunnel. Wa ter on the. floor" ·of the tunnel is due to run off_and seepage :from the_ hill next to the tunnel. Any disturbance to the ecosystem which might stop or significantly reduce this water supply could effectively destroy the breeding site for the midges and mosquitoes. Further, as glow-worms are not all confined to the tunnel environment, but may also be scatter­ ed throughout the .surrounding forest, it is essential that forest in the vicinity of the tunnel should be preserved as a refuge for the glow­ worms, thus allowing possible and continuous colonisa.tion of the tunnel.

Scientifically the tunnel is also very important, as it is the type locality of A. richardsae~ It is to the type locality of a species that the scientist r~turns to collect more specimens .and check his ident­ ifica tions .

The writer has approached the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service concerning possible protection of these glow-worms, but they have shown little interest in their decimation. Unlike other States in Australia, no insects are protected in New South Wales, and so the glow-worms' destruction has been allowed to continue. In Tasmania, Arachnocampa tasmaniensis Ferguson is a .protected species, and may not pe collected without permit. There, at least, the potential of the glow-worm as a tourist attraction and as a unique part of our fauna has been recognised.

The glow-worm tunnel is well known to many thousands of New Sou.th - - . Welshmen, who have visited it over the years. If the area of the Wolgan Valley were to be turned into a Reserve, the tunnel would be protected and could become a tourist attraction. However, immediate conservation of the tunnel and its fauna is imperative. Much still remains to be learned scientifically about our glow-worms, which are amongst the most unique insects in the world. Their preservation· is essential so that the beauty of their lights may be enjoyed by future gene~ations.

Recommendations

(a) Protect the glow-worms. A permit should be required before any specimens may be collected, and a limitation should be placed on the number of specimens that may be removed. Consideration of the known population size should be tak~n into account when assessing this, and also the purposes for which the specimens are required. Immediate action is necessary.

42. I (b) Create a Reserve which incorporates the tunnel. Control ~he amount; of access to the glow-worms ~ and prohibi t trai'l b:f.ke riders from going through the tunnel. I (c) The Forest and Tunnel Creek in.the vicinity of the tunnel should be protected. Forestry operations other than those necessary for fire prevention or fire fighting should not be permitted. I

(d) Mining operations should be forbidden in the vicinity of the tunnel, and any such operations in the valley should be managed so that shock waves will not damage the tunnel or I , . its contents. '.

Acknowledgements I

I am most grateful to Dr. D.H. Colless, Division of Entomology', C.S.I.R.O. Ca1)berra, fo_r pe:rmission to quote pa:r.:f;_ of_!2 ,let,t_er he wr.ote. to J?ro:f.~s.sQ!~., _ I J. Lee in 1976. I also wish to thank Dr. D. McAlpine, Australian Museum, Sydney, for information on the size of the glow-worm population at' Hazelbrook. I References Caley, G. (1966) Reflections on the 90lony of New South Wales, I 8th November 1804. J.E.B. 'Currey (Ed.), Melbourne, Lansdown Press .

Harrison, R.A. (1966) Australian glow-worms of the genus Arachnocampa I Edwards (Diptera:Mycetophilidae). Pacific •I I Insects ~ (4): 877-883 I Richards, Aola M. (1960) Observations on the New Zealand Glow-worm Arachnocampa luminosa (Skuse) 1890. Trans R.Soc. N.Z. 88 : 559-574. I Richabds, Aola M. (1963) Glow-worms. Aust. Nat. Hist. XIV (7) : 222-224

Richards, Aola M.(1964) The New Zealand Glow-worm. Studies in Speleology I • 1 : 38-41 Williams, P. (Ed.) (1975) Report on the Conservation of Wai~omo Caves. N.Z. I Speleo. Bull. 5 (93) : 373-396 I 5.11 NATIONAL PARKS AND RELATED ISSUES The most certain method of protecting major assets of the Wolgan Valley I would be to declare the appropriate areas as a national park. Dedication of a national park over-selected areas would:

conserve the natural environment with its fauna and flora I enhance management of the camping area protect recreation areas I protect scenic values of the escarpment protect the hotel and industrial site by proclaiming them an historic area within the national park. I I 43. I provide a managed access point to the Colo-Hunter Wi ldern~ss area provide a management base for Pantoney1s Crown Nature Reserve and Aboriginal sites and relics in the region linking the Wolgan proposals with the present Blue Mountains Nat-ional Park would give both areas better management and protection.

The above advantages are powerful reasons for dedication of a park. Presented below are representations and proposals made by groups who encourage the dedication of a national park around the Wolgan V-al.ley.

Sydney Rockcl imbing Club

Taylor's (1974) 'The Wolgan Valley: a rockclimber's guide ' describes

":t . ... ]68 climbs_w.t:;1;h::-numerous-added diversions while notirl-9- t-hat·the-number.··,--- of climbs to be as~ended and described is virtually unlimited. From Taylor (p.4):

"The Wolgan Valley occupies a special place in the minds of rockcll""'IDbers. The remoteness and isolation of the area made it one of the ultimate long weekend experiences for many walkers and climbers. Now, with modern transport, we are able to visit the area as frequently as other Blue Mountains areas. From a climbers point of view, a lifetime of first ascents await the challenge."

It is. not surpris ing then, ,that the Acting Secretary of the Sydney Rock­ cl imbing Club submitted that the Club had a great interest in preserving the area. The rockcl imbers' basic concern is to hav.e continued access to the cl iffl ines and that they should not be marred, physically. or aesthetically, by development. There may be confl icts· between rock cl imbers and natio.nal park management from time to time, but thei r interests would be served by dedication of the escarpment in a national park . . ' . National Parks Association of N.S.W.

The National Parks Association of N.S.W. (N.P.A.) has a long interest in the Wolgan Valley. In June 1932, Myles Dunphy originated a mapped proposal of a 'B'lue Mountains National Park: with Primitive Areas' on behalf of the National Parks and Primitive Areas Council. This proposal skirted the valley floor and contained all the lands east of rl eastern escarpment but only took in the north-western escarpment approx­ 'imately 5 km from Newnes. The boundary crossed the Wolgan River east of Newnes thereby excluding the vi.11age zone and the industrial site ...~;B (N.P.A. 1976-77). The Blue Mountains National Park evenutally dedicated was disappointingly smaller than Dunphy's proposal. However, Dunphy's map of 1932 is still a basic working document for recent proposals to extend the park.

In 1972 the N.P.A. requested the State Government to extend the Blue Mountains National Park by an area of 200,000 ha. This proposal stretched north from Newnes State Forest across_ the Wolgan Valley includ­ ing the eastern end of the Capertee Valley then north-west to Widden Brook and across east to the Putty Road. This is the only proposal which has seriously considered including the whole of the Wolgan Valley, I including its cleared rural lands, in a national park. More recently I 44. I -\, , , I I i i the ~.P.A. has published a Greater Blue Mountains N~tional Park (N;P.A. Proposal 1976-77). It was prepared in association with'the Colo Committee, N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs, Bindook Committee I the Total and Environment Centre, This proposal includes all the lands;encircling Crown the Wolgan Valley but does not include the cleared valley floor. The proposal also shows the Newnes State Forest as an area to be'further I I investigated for,possible park additions. The is particularly N.P.A. interested in the Newnes area as an access point to the Colo wilderness which is discussed in its own proposal and by Helman et al (1976). I I . -. Total Environment Centre - - The Total I Environment Centre (TEC) is associated with the N.P.A.'s proposals in the Wolgan Val ley. It has recently published a beautiful photographically illustrated boqk to publicis~, the Gr~at~r_Blue Mountains National Park I J Proposal. Th'e'T:CC.- receritTy receiv~d a"gra-nt from New South the Wales Government to report on suitable boundaries for extensions. the park This report was not completed at the time of compiling r th is study. ~ I The N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs The N.S.W. Federation I of Bushwalking Clubs submitted its views on the Wolgan Valley for this report. The 8ederation ' s interests covered al I t~e valley's attributes and have bee~ included in the relevant parts th i s report. of I

The Federation makes the following points relating specifically to national parks: I The surrounding plateaux and tributary gull ies of the Wolgan River are highly regarded bushwalking areas. The Wolgan-Capertee divide I is of particular interest and is used frequently for bushwalking.

The lowe'r Wolgan Valley, downstream of Newnes, is frequently I visited for easy bushwalking trips. It is also used as, a base for harder trips that penetrate the surrounding plateau. I The pipeline track receives heavy use and requires protection maintenance. and

The I Federat ion is eager to see retent i on and improvement of roadside parking and camping opportunities in the valley. Access to the plateau and passes is severely circumscribed by private ownership of adjoining lands '(i.e. the agricultural I holdings of the valley floor). The Federation would like to see provision made for access across some lands currently in private ownership_ I National Parks and Wildl ife Service of N.S.W. The National Parks and Wildlife Service states that it has a I interest in str~ng the Colo-Hunter wilderness area which includes the Wolgan Valley. This area is included in the Service's Wollemi proposal which covers the lands west of the Putty Road and north of the Blue Mountains National Park. I Included in the Wollemi proposa'l are the large areas I 45. I of vacant Crown land in the County of Cook surrounding the Wolgan Valley.

The Service's interests in the valley are based on its natural and cultural features and as an access point to the Colo-Hunter wilderness. The Service has no interest in the rural lands of the valley but is concerned to see that these are man~ged in sympathy with landscape and nature conservation principles. The Service is also examining the scenic and environmentally significant features of the Caper tee Valley. Whilst this investigation is only in its preliminary stage it may encompass lands adjacent to the Wolgan Valley.

Pantoney's Crown Nature Reserve was dedicated by proclamation in Government Gazette No. 68 of 24th June, 1977. I t covers an a rea ·of:- 3,230 ha and is within the County of Cook, Parish of Goolooinboin. The Reserve is adjacent to the leasehold Crown land which adjoins the Wolgan Valley and is therefore an integral part of nature conservation system around the Wolgan Valley (see Map 1 for location).

Boundari ~a£i~~~lisation

Those areas ~hich should be included in a national park are listed bel~w: the village of Newnes and hotel

the industrial site and railway

the surrounding escarpment and vegetated slopes the glow-worm tunnel

the riverine and valley environment beginning approximately 4 km s·outh-wes t of Newnes. . II the vacant Crown lands on the plateau around the valley. The exact boundaries to include this broad proposal would mainly follow boundaries of vacant Crown land and Crown lease. There are only four ,I categori~s of freehold land affected: the five viJlage lots of known ownership. Two of these have dwell i ngs: II the 16.19 ha village lot on which the hotel ·stands the freehold grazing land on the Wolgan River east of Newnes.

. ~ --... ,I Portions 8, 12, Parish of Gindantherie and portions 28, 27 Parish of Barton. ,I A survey· of Crown lands in the vaney and its environs has been made by the District Surveyor, Lands Board Office, Orange, N.S.W .. The purpose of this survey was to recQmmend boundary adjustments for .recreation purposes. Virtually all the areas mentioned in the survey are suitable II for national park purposes .. The survey is presented in full below and quoted direct by courtesy of the District Surveyor, Orange. The areas mentioned are best located on the ~~rish maps.

II Parish Cox

Areas around Wolgan Gap are generally covered by Ben Bullen State II.. Forest which contains the spectacular Gardinerfs Gap area or R42350 for Public Recreation, with the exception of the following: II 46. f I (a) Freehold por~ion 40 is per~ially developed as a rural residence si~e. I Fu~ure inclusion in~o ~he recreation system should be considered. . . (b) Area ~o the eas~ and south of R42350 will be dealt with separa~ely I I under rationalisation of forestry boundaries (File 71/289). Par ish Wolgan I I (c) Area west of Portion 40 appears to be more sui ~ably administered '­ as an addition to Ben Bullen S~ate Forest at ~his stage. I I (d) Area south of Portion 33 (currently p.a. 66/6) is sui~able for addition to R42350 for public recreation.

(e) Area denoted by yellow edge south of Portions 26, ~ & 44 under I I State Forest investigation (L.B. 69-258) has only nominal areas suitable for f'orest usage and a boundary should be struck at this stage_be~~een f~rest & r.ecreation land as p!! :he ~o~~o~ing_d~~c~~E~~ I I - ·'·ion, viz.

Commencing at the sou~h western corner of Crown land 682, thence westerly to the Parish boundary, thence southerly & westerly by ~~ I I that Parish boundary. Thence via the western branch of the Wolgan River to coincide with the north eastern boundary of· R42350 for Public Recrea~ion. I Further rationalisation with the Forestry Commission to the south can follow in due course. I (f) Crown land 68/2 fronting the Eastern Branch of the Wolgan River appears suitable for inclusion in the recreation lands (this is partly also in Parish Cook). I (g) Portions 44, 45 & 47 (Sp.L. 64/1) are partially developed lands and are not considered to be of value unless it could be anticipated that, in the long term, the whole valley would be included, and I this is very doubtful. (h) R79369 containing "Donkey Mountain" should be reserved for public I recreation. Portion 48 (Sp.L. 57/22) has potential for incl~sion and should be noted accordingly.

(i) Portion ~9 (Crown land 63/1) & Portion 50 (R79402 for Future Public I Requirements & So.L. 54/28) appear· to be still in relati"vely virgin state and should be no~ed for inclusion. Area adjoining Por. 50. on the east is part of Sp.L. 51/9 and should ~e noted for future I addition to recreation lands. (j) Inclusion of northern part of Portion 51 is not warranted, however, I that part sou~h of the road will be required for access to the Donkey Mountain area.

(k) The north western boundary of Portion 49 is at the b~se of the cliffs. I The fact that this left an ar~a of vacant Crown land between this portion and the proposed Tower Mountain Nature Reserve in the.Parish Goolooinboin was covered in my report 74/105 (L.B. 70/625) and this I area was recommended for inclusion in the Natu~e Reserve . •• Parish Cook I (1) Portion 6 (Expired Sp.L.) should be reserved. I 47. I (m) Portion 7 (vacant Crown land) should be reserved~

(n)' All 'that vacant Crown land north of the easterly prolongation of south boundary of Portion 7 and west of Newnes Railway (M.L.3) to be reserved.

Parish Barton

(0) All the vacant Crown land between Newnes Railway (M.L.3), R456l9 and the Wolgan River to be reserved.

(p) At this point, the valley narrows, therefore consideration sh~uld be given to eventual inclusion of all holdings north of, and including, Portion 6, with initial reservation from M.L.3 to the Wolgan River as far as the southern boundary of M.L. 25. Rationalisation of boundaries east of M.L. 3 will be covered independently when final location of proposed Coale~ pty. Ltd. structur~s are determined. (Coal Mine entrance is located in Sp.L. 62/16).

(q) From the south boundary of M.L. 25, overall .reservation at this stage. should extend from the Wo1gan Valley to an arbitrary boun~ary selected approximately 40 chains over the cliff line (cliff line denoted by blue line on accompanying diagrams). Reservation to extend as far ~s prolongation of boundary between Parish Gindantherie and Parish Capertee. Reservation should include old Railway (M .L. 3) •

Parish Gindantherie

(r) R79343 for Future Public Requirements (Sp.L. 51/9) be noted for eventual inclusion.

(s) Sp.L. 62/16 be noted for eventual inclusion.

(t) Sp.L. 54.32 to be noted for eventual inclusion.

(u) Portions 14-17-18-19 should be reserved for Public Recreation in anticipation of surrounding land being reserved at a later date.

(v) From the north western corner of the boundary of the Villag~ of Newnes, overall Reservation at this stage should extend from the Wo1gan River to an arbitrary boundary selected approximate1y-40 chains over the cliff line (cliff line denoted by blue line on accompanyiEg diagrams) . Reservation to extend as far as the Parish Capertee.

This report is in complete agreement with the proposals presented by the District Surveyor with the additional recommendation that they are all linked and extended as a national park. Thus the areas along the Wolgan River recommended by the District Surveyor would be extended beyond the escarpment and include the vacant Crown lands of the p·lateau. The adoption of the District Surveyor1s, recommendations would provide access across current leases to prime bushwalking areas and the glow-worm tunnel. This is of major importance given the number of submissions made to this study expressing concern over lack of access across private lands.

48. ~::' ' I Whilst not mentioned in the above survey, the District Surveyor has else­ I where (pers. comm.) made reconimendat'ions regarding the vi llage of Newnes which only include part of the village as a recreation area. However, it is recommended in this report (see 5.7) that the entire village is I included in a national park.. Thfs is the most efficient way of protecting • an integral part of the·Wolgan. Valley. The boundary of a Greater Blue I Mountains National Park extension presented in Map 1 draws together all I the above proposals. I • ! ....' .. 1 • I •I ·1 • ·1 • 1 I 1 I I .. • I • I • I • I • I I , . I I ..1 I .. 49. o .t J'- ~. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I , il pO, I L I I I;, ~ J CHAPTER 6 I SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

I LANDSCAPE PROTECTION I

The scenic qualities of the Wolgan Valley should be protected by designating I it a scenic protection area. The boundary of the area should include the I entire visual catchment. I THE ORIGINAL WOLGAN HOMESTEAD I The original Wolgan Homest'ead stands on private land best suited tOi~ts current use as a grazing property and there appears little that can be I done to preserve this building without the owners co-operation. Provisions I in the New South Wales Heritage Bill should be investigated if it is passed I by Pa r I i ament. I NEWNES HOTEL

The Newnes Hotel is within the village of Newnes. It is recommended,that I both the hotel and the village are included in an historic area within'a I national park. The hotel should be protected because of its architectural merit and intimate association with Newnes. If compulsory acquisition is I not favoured then restraints should be placed on the owner to ensure that I unsympathetic alteration or additions do not destroy the character of the I bu i Id i ng. RECREATION I

The camping area around the vi Ilage of Newnes and the industrial site I should be included in a national park and receive more adequate supervision I and management. However, due recognition should be given to the self­ regulatory aspect of camping in the Wolgan. Unless made essential by I increased visitation, efforts should be made to manage camping and recreation I without providing sophisticated facilities and imposing controls beyond I those necessary to maintain the area. THE INDUSTRIAL SITE AND RAILWAY I I The industrial site and railway should be dedicated as an historic area within the broader national park proposal. I I THE VILLAGE OF NEWNES The potential for further bui Iding in the village of Newnes should be removed I immediately. This would follow automatically if the village zone were ded­ I icated within a national park. If this is not favoured then the 100 should still be amended to ensure that the granting of building permits in the I village is the same as that for the rest of the valley, i ,e. a 40 ha minimum I subdivision. I MINING

I Provided stringent environmental protection regul,ations are laid down, as described in this report, there is no objection to 'removal of the shale I ash deposits. I Equally stringent conditions should be placed on coal mining activities. The highly vulnerable scenic escarpment and the glow-worm tunnel require I I adequate protection. 50. I I I AGRICULTURE

I Agriculture is one of the least confl icting land-uses in the Wolgan Valley. Problems do arise from time to time regarding publ ic access to or across private lands. Right of way for an easier access to the glow-worm tunnel I is a continuing issue discussed in this report. Otherwise, the most appropriate status for the valley's rural lands is that they be declared a scenic protection area so that landscape conservation overrides all I planning decisions. THE GLOW-WORM TUNNEL ......

I The glow-worm tunnel requires urgent protection. The glow-worms should be declared a protected species (as has occurred in Tasmania) and the I tunnel be included in a national park. NATIONAL PARK AND NATURE CONSERVATION

The following areas should be included in the Greater Blue Mountains I National Park proposal:

the village of Newnes I the industrial site and rai Iway the escarpment and slopes surrounding the valley I the glow-worm tunnel the riverine and valley environment beginning approximately I 4 km south-west of Newnes. the vacant Crown lands on the plateau around the valley.

I ABORIGINAL RELICS

It is ~ecommended that no approval be given to any developments in and I around the Wolgan Valley until a survey of Aboriginal sites and relics has been made. In the absence of such a development-instigated survey other competent bodies should still be encouraged to survey and record the I Aboriginal history of the area. I I I I I I I 51. I I I

I

The valley floor is used for grazing. Private ownership prevents 'public access to fhe lands beyond. I I I I jl ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

11 Bureau of Meteorology, Department of Science ~I NEW SOUTH WALES, GOVERNMENT Department of Lands Department of Mines National Parks and Wildlife Service JI Electricity Commission

Planning and Environment'Commission ." . Australian Museum , -- ill Forestry Commission Water Resources Commission Bathurst Orange Development Corporation II Soil Conservation Service Metropol itan"Watet, Sewerage and-D'rainage Board National Herbarium, Department of Agriculture II LOCAL GOVERNMENT Council of the City of Greater Lithgow fl BUSINESS Coalex Pty. Ltd.

I I INDIVIDUALS Dr. Aola Richards, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology, University II of New South Wales. Mr. lan Johnson, Research Scholar, Prehistory, School of Pacific Studies, II Australian National University. ~andholders in the Wolgan Valley

Mr. Joe .Mc~ay, Wentworth Falls

II VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS Austral ian Railway Historical Society - N.S.W. Division II Sydney Rockclimbing Club' New South Wales Federation of Bushwalking Clubs The'National Trust of Australia (N.S.W.) Four Wheel Drive Clubs Association of New South Wales and Australian I Capital Terr{tory. Auto Cycle Union of New South Wales Royal Australian Historical Society Total Environment Centre I National Parks Association of New South Wales I I I

52. ,~

MAPS AND PHOTOGRAPHS -I • Maps: Royal Australian Survey Corps: I ~ Sydney 1:250,000 SI 56-5, ed.l" Ser R502 Wallerawang 1:100,000 8931, ed. 1, Ser R651 I .. Department of Lands: Cullen Bullen 1 :25,000 8931 - 1ft - N I Ben Bullen 1:25,000 8931 - tv - S Mt. Morgan 1: 25,000 ". :..; 8931 t - S , " -- County of Cook, Eastern Division, 5th ed . Parish of Gindantherie, Barton" Wolgan, Cook, Cox, Coolooinboin,Capertee I • Department of'Mines: I 1:250,000 Geological SurveY·,0'f-N~s:.W;---Sydney, 1rd ed. I

I Photographs: I Aerial photographs: Department of Lands - Run 2G 4/12/70 I Wallerawang N.S.W. 1920: 5207,8,9,10' I Historic photographs: Mining and Geological Museum, I George Street, Sydney. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

53. I I REFERENCES 1. Breckwoldt, R.J. (1977) Landscape conservation in New South Wales The National T~ust of Australia (N.S.W.) 1977. 2. Director of Meteorology (1967) Climatic survey region 10 Mitchell New South Wales. Bureau of Meteorology: Department of Supply. 1967.

3. Eardley, G.H., Stephens, E.M. (1974) The shale railways of New Sout~ Wales. Australian Railway Historical Society. 1974 4. Hamilton, G.J. (1976) The soil resources of the Hawkesbury River catchment, New South Wales. Soil Conservation Service of N.S.W.·.~ Journal, Vol. 32, No. 4. October 1976.

5. He1man, P.D., Jones, A.D., Pigram, J.J., Smith, J.M.B., (1976) Wilderness in Australia: eastern New South-Wales and south eastern Queens 1and.-·" Department Qf Geog~.aphy. U. N. E. ,.. Ar.mi da 1e. 1~76 6. The Hawkesbury Valley environmental study background report. Minister for Environment Control. N.S.W., Sept., 1973.

7. Lishmund, S.R. (1974) Oi 1 Shale: the mineral industry of New South Wales, No. 30 Geological Survey of New South Wales. Department of Mines. 1974.

8. Luchett i, A. S. (1976) The 0 i 1 sha 1e industry: its deve I opmen.t, growth and demise. Lithgow District Historical Society, 1976. 9. Mabbut, J.A., Maynard, K., and Sullivan, M. (1972) Landforms of New South Wales. Department Decentralisation & Development, Sydney,1972. 10. Mayne, S.J., et al (1974) Geology of the Sydney region - a review Bull. 149, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology & Geophysics, AGPS, Canberra. 1974. 11. MacLeod Morgan, H.A., (1957) A short history of the Wolgan Valley. Royal Australian Historical Society Journal. Vol. 45, Pt.2, July 1957 12. McKay;' J. (1976) An original assessment of the recreation potential of the area surrounding the 'ghost town I Newnes, in the Wolgan Valley, N.S.W. in partial fulfilment of Litt.B., Geography Dept., U.N.E., 1976. . . . . 13. National Parks-Association of N.S.W. (1976-77) Special Issue: The Greater Blue Mountains National Park ~roposal. The National _Parks Journal, Dec. - Jan. 1976-77. 1~. No~thcote, K.H. (1971) A factual key for the recognition of Australian

soils. Rellim Tech. Pub1., Glenside, South Australia, 1971. '0. 15. Pickard,·J. (1977) Personal Communication. National Herbarium, Sydney. 16. Taylor, P. (1974) The Wolgan Valley: a rockclimbers guide. 124.Pennant Hills Rd., Normanhurst, N.S.W. 2076. 1974. 17. Water Conservation and_ Irrigation Commission (1973) Water resources of the Hawkesbury Valley. Report No. 25, Jan. 1973. 1"8. Wilkinson, D.Y. (1972) The class imperative: the 'greening' and 'bluing ' of America. in National Parks for the future. The COAservation Foundation: Washington D.C, 1972 pp. 237-47.

54. kM d'£7t.!::""Cd I 'I I I I I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I I The generous help of the following people is gratefully acknowledge~.;._

Ms. Jane Nicholls, Mr. Peter James, Mrs. Nancye Patten~ The National I I Trust of Australia (N.S.W.)

Mr. Don Johnstone, Ms. ADne Conway, Mr. Mike Pearson,_ Ms. Julie O'Dean I .National Parks, & Wi ldl ife Service of-N~'S.W:'-'L'" I Mr. Alec Ramsland, Mr. Steve Lishmund, Mr. John McMahon, Mr. George I Hicks, Department of Mtnes. ,_ I Mr. lan Johnson, Research Scholar, Prehistory, School of Pacific Studies,. I Australian National University. I Mr. Alan Carey, Department of Lands. I Mr. Ke i th Emery,. So i I Conservat i on Servi ce of N. S. W. I I Mr. Joe McKay, Wentworth Falls, N.S.W. I particularly thank Mr. Bob Speirs who assisted on field trips and with library. research. Also thanked are those indi~iduals and organisations I' who made submissions ·for inclusion in this repor:-t .• I .. f I I I I I , I I

, . I I

55. I I .r.... ·, ...... ~~