NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION (ACT) INCORPORATED

Tidbinbilla and the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby recovery Termeil Coastal Reserves A pox on all pests NPA BULLETIN Volume 36 number 1 March 1999

CONTENTS

From the President 3 Namadgi-Tidbinbilla: High Country History and Clive Hurlstone Heritage 11 Bush Christmas party held indoors 3 Walking in history makes a good change 12 Graeme Wicks Graeme Wicks A pox on all pests 4 Tfermeil Coastal Reserves 13 Eleanor Stodart Reg Alder Draft Alpine Region Strategy 5 Parkwatch 14 Timothy Walsh and Neville Esau Len Haskew Tidbinbilla role in Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby Some thoughts about the PALM report 15 recovery 6 Syd Comfort Geoff Underwood Book reviews 16 Obituary: Dr Robert Story 7 Car camping 1930s style IV Fiona MacDonald Brand Olive Buckman Morton and Budawang National Parks Draft Where I come from 18 Management Plan 8 A new member Neville Esau for the Environment Sub-committee Australians for an Ecologically Sustainable Rural Residential Development in the ACT 10 Population ( Branch) 19 Syd Comfort Phyl Goddard A winter escape to far north Queensland 11 Calendar 19 Betty Lewis General meetings 19

National Parks Association (ACT) Incorporated The NPA (ACT) office is located in Maclaurin Cres, Chifley, Inaugurated 1960 next to the preschool and is staffed by Dianne Hastie. Office Aims and objectives of the Association hours are: 9am to 1pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the Telephone/Fax: (02) 6282 5813 protection of fauna and flora, scenery, natural features and Email: [email protected] cultural heritage in the Australian Capital Territory and Address: PO Box 1940, Woden ACT 2606 elsewhere, and the reservation of specific areas. " Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation Membership areas. New members are welcome and should enquire through the • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment of, NPA office. such natural phenomena and cultural heritage by organised Subscription rates (1 July to 30 June) field outings, meetings or any other means. Household members $30 Single members $25 * Cooperation with organisations and persons having similar Corporate members $20 Bulletin only $20 interests and objectives. Concession $15 * Promotion of, and education for, conservation, and the For new subscriptions joining between: planning of landuse to achieve conservation. 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate 1 April and 30 June — annual subscription Office-bearers, committee and convenors President Clive Hurlstone 6288 7592(h); NPA Bulletin 6246 5516(w) Contributions of articles, line drawings and photographs Immediate including colour prints are welcome and should be lodged with the office or Syd Comfort (02) 6286 2578. past president Eleanor Stodart 6281 5004(h)

Secretary Max Lawrence 6288 1370(h) Deadline for June issue: 1 May 1999. Treasurer Mike Smith 6286 2984(h) Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Association opinion or objectives. Committee members This bulletin was produced by the NPA Bulletin Working Group Yvonne Bartos 6231 5699(h) with assistance from Green Words & Images. Funds provided Len Haskew 6281 4268(h); fax 6281 4257(h) by the ACT Government under the ACT Environment Grants David Pfanner 6247 7572(h) Program assisted in the production of this issue. Timothy Walsh 6285 1112(h) Printed by Copy-Qik Printers, Canberra, ACT on recycled paper. Convenors ISSN 0727-8837 Environment Sub-committee Neville Esau 6286 4176(h) Cover: The late Robert Story on a ridge south of Orroral in Namadgi Outings Sub-Committee Max Lawrence 6288 1370(h) National Park in 1992preparing for one of the annual walks he led for Bulletin Working Group Syd Comfort 6286 2578(h) the Canberra Alpine Club. Photo Reg Alder. From the President It is with sadness that we mark the who may be interested in joining us. While in the area you could take passing of Robert Story, a founding The Gudgenby Valley Bush in the new exhibition at the National member and past president of the Regeneration Group has begun its Library called "Birds", where some Association. Over a long period, 1999 program after a summer of the library's rich and extensive Robert contributed greatly to the break. Come along and get some collection of illustrations and books NPA and to the environment and hands-on experience of gardening is on display. outdoor scene in this region. On on a really large scale. Eleanor The NPA is reprinting its behalf of the Association, I extend Stodart, phone 6281 5004, has the wonderful bird guide, "Field Guide our sympathy to his wife, Sybil, details. to the Birds of the ACT'. The book, daughters Judy and Muriel and The NPA will again have a display first printed in 1993, has sold 5000 other members of the family. at ACT Alive on the lawns at Old copies and is highly acclaimed as a Interleaved with this Bulletin is Parliament House on 15th March great local guide. If you don't have the new NPA pamphlet and and helpers are needed. After one get one fresh off the press, and membership application form. This helping out you could look at the remember it makes an ideal new form has been designed to grab wide range of other community memento of Canberra, the Bush attention, so pass it on to someone interests on display. Capital (still), for visiting-friends. Clive Hurlstone Bush Christmas party held indoors

Caloola Farm turned out to be an inspired choice for the association's 1998 Christmas party. Probably all members were looking forward to a day in the bush - almost a tradition after the parties at Nil Desperandum - but in the heat­ wave conditions of December 13 nearly everyone who went was happy to stay indoors. The original plan was to have the party at the Oldfield homestead, a few hundred metres down towards the river from the main complex of buildings and sleeping cabins. With A Bush Christmas indoors at Caloola. Photo Barbara Comfort. its enclosed yard, the old house Despite the heat, numbers were agricultural prospects are also being offered an atmosphere that was both nearly the same as in recent NPA explored. historic and countrified. But when Christmas parties, and, as in past Local historian and NPA member temperatures around 40 degrees years, this was another occasion for Matthew Higgins spoke of the were forecast, it was decided that a good, happy get-together. Aboriginal peoples who were the Caloola's high-ceilinged meeting and Members caught up with old friends, first human inhabitants of the Naas mess hall was the best option. met newer members and swapped Valley. He gave an overview of its The big hall meant there was lots of news and plenty of Btories. settlement by Europeans and the plenty of room for the 65 members Some slightly formal proceedings families whose names are part of its to enjoy their Christmas fare under gave an added interest. history - finishing on a sensational cooling overhead fans while taking Max Lawrence called the party to note with a story about a murderer in a view across drought-stricken order and after a few well-chosen on the run and a siege at the paddocks to the and the words introduced Caloola Farm's DugganOldfield homestead in the 1960s. hills beyond. manager, Peter Duggan, who We had another fine NPA Some of the more determined souls welcomed members and spoke about Christmas party, and the organisers took their car fridges, picnic baskets the property's recent history. He and those who helped deserve our and folding chairs into the open air described how it had been operated thanks and congratulations. And and enjoyed the same view from the as, successively, a church-sponsored thanks are also due to Caloola Farm shade of an old gum tree. A few even drug rehabilitation centre, then as management for the use of their went out in the midday sun and a youth training centre, and most facilities and the welcome walked down to the Oldfield recently as a recreation and tourism members received. homestead, or as far as the parched facility catering for individuals and river, and back. special-interest groups, while new Graeme Wicks A pox on all pests English Broom Drawing by Eleanor Stodart English Broom, Cytisus scoparius (also called Scotch Broom or just Broom), is widespread in Victoria and has been declared a regionally controlled weed in a number of districts. It has the potential for being an enormous problem in Namadgi. Stored seed remain viable for 80 years, an incredible number are produced, and unlike many other weed species, English Broom does not need disturbed ground to become English Broom, Cytisus scoparius established. Seeds are considered (also known as Scotch Broom or Broom) toxic to stock if eaten excessively, and Shrub to 4m, usually 1-2, with a stout taproot, distinguished by stems may also be toxic to native animals. with five aides and pods with hairy margins. Leaves with three leaflets Thickets increase fuel loads in areas (singly on tips), short stalks. Flowers - yellow pea about 2cm long, of native vegetation, burn intensively, sometimes with red markings in centre. Pods hairy on margins, green but fire can stimulate germination so at first, then brown or black when mature, 2-6cm long. unfortunately does not rid us of the problem. However, the potential for serious Pine, briars the past, to the extent that several invasion has been recognised in the members said "no more" to work Parks and Conservation Service Two well known and often lamented party coordinator, Len Haskew. You (PC&S) which has established a pests are pine wildings and briar will be pleased to hear that other monitoring program. By spraying roses. It is most unfortunate that people have been tackling briars sites for the past 12 years the service several pine forests in the ACT are within the Hospital Creek pine has kept its occurrence at a planted adjacent to bushland, the plantation. The Gudgenby Bush manageable level. worst offender being Boboyan Regeneration Group (GBRG) had a Forty-four sites in Namadgi have Plantation in Namadgi National work party in early December which been recorded, and the parks service Park. NPA has already had a few vigorously tackled those within would like help locating others that work parties felling wildings on the isolated stands of eucalypts may be there. The only way of slopes above the pine compartments (incidentally the group included locating sites is by on-ground search, on the western side of Bogong Creek. several NPA members). With so so bushwalkers could be valuable Last November in one day we felled much bare ground and limited informants. Once notified, sites are over 250 trees ranging in size from competition, the briars have the checked and marked with a star seedlings which could be pulled out potential to do very well so some picket and a yellow cattle tag. So, if (not many) to a tree 30cm in effort is worth undertaking to thwart any members come across unmarked diameter. Most were between 5cm them. GBRG will have another work patches, please record the position as and 12cm in diameter. party this autumn, and ranger Steve accurately as possible and notify the As well as occurring on the slopes Welch hopes to have some of the Visitor Centre. If in doubt about immediately above the plantation in larger plants near tracks sprayed. identification, take a small sample of Bogong Creek, established wildings the suspect plant with you. extend well to the south of the Calicivirus and Another way in which NPA plantation area, perhaps carried by members could help is by 'adopting a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. Some rabbits in the ACT patch'. This would require visiting of these trees are large, but others It is over two years since NPA had a the patch in November when the could be felled by hand and NPA work party (22 June 1996) to mark broom is in flower, and pulling up members will have the opportunity rabbit warrens in the Boboyan pine small plants. Thus people could to tackle as many as they like in area ready for ripping when combine the pleasure of a bushwalk work parties next April. We will also calicivirus arrived. Calicivirus was with the satisfaction of working for a record the location of those too big first found in the ACT in May 1996, couple of hours to manage a problem to fell by hand so that money spent and was released officially later that weed in the park. Anyone who is on contractors can be used most year, but the ripping did not happen interested in such an idea could efficiently. Look in the Outings till late last year, just two years later contact me, or Steve Welch, the Program for details. than planned. In the meantime, NPA ranger looking after the spraying NPA members have been asked to members observed numerous rabbits program, through the Visitor Centre. tackle briar roses on work parties in bouncing freely in the open ground between Gudgenby homestead and calicivirus. That is, warren ripping populations and increased survival the Boboyan pines. It is also most appears to stimulate an outbreak of the native shrubs selectively unfortunate that although some of calicivirus. A lack of foxes also grazed by rabbits. Unfortunately ripping has now been done, the appears to aid in the spread of Gudgenby appears to be the funds available were not adequate calicivirus. Foxes keep rabbits near exception that proves the rule. Why for Parks and Conservation Service their warrens and ensure quick that is so is not clear. Last October, to complete the job. Rabbits are still disposal of carcases. Rabbit 70 per cent of Gudgenby rabbits were present at Gudgenby in sufficient numbers at Boboyan and Mount sero positive for cahcivirus so it may numbers to spread easily into the Clear crashed in 1996; in both be that there were large numbers of vulnerable regenerating bush. these areas Parks & Conservation young rabbits there when the virus The picture over the rest of the Service has been poisoning foxes; first spread and these are now ACT is not so gloomy. Rabbit and at Boboyan it was observed immune for life. (Rabbits under six numbers at all other sites monitored that carcases persisted. Tests weeks do not succumb to the virus are as low as they have been, a suggest that a large brown blowfly and become immune). However, they situation also found on rural may be the chief carrier of the virus will not pass their immunity on to leaseholds. For example, near from carcases. Certainly it can their progeny and few wild rabbits Uriarra Crossing numbers dropped spread into isolated populations, live more than two years so we can in 1996 and have stayed low. such as the one at Bendora (and to hope that the next generation will Monitoring by spotlight counts at urban pet rabbits if not protected). not be so fortunate. We also need to Glendale, Orroral, Mount Clear and Overall in the ACT, rabbit see that adequate ripping is done to Boboyan has appeared to show a numbers have dropped and have maximise their exposure. rise in numbers after ripping (when remained low. It will be interesting rabbits cannot easily retreat into to see whether the reduction will warrens) then a fall due to lead to reduced feral cat and fox Eleanor Stodart Draft Alpine Region Strategy

The NSW Department of Urban The strategy is a curious Biological Diversity). Most of the Affairs and Planning has issued a document. It appears to say all the work cited involves tourism, Draft Alpine Region Strategy for the right things - the importance of the economic and transport local government areas of Bombala, region for: its biological diversity, its opportunities, jobs and the Like. Cooma-Monaro, Snowy River, tourism resources, its water, This said, it must be acknowledged Tumut, Tumbarumba and agricultural and forestry resources. that the strategy is wide-ranging. It Kosciuszko National Park. In the Nonetheless it fails to acknowledge acknowledges some of the words of the Minister for Urban the need to keep development environmental attributes of the Affairs and Planning, Craig outsidKnowlese the area's national parks. region and points out how farming, Knowles, "This is a region The strategy was prepared by a forestry, hydro and irrigation undergoing significant change of its steering committee set up by the schemes, feral animals and the like local and regional economies, in the NSW Government in 1997, made up have taken their toll. In advocating role and needs of its communities, of representatives of local interest a strategy to stimulate local and in the pressure to achieve the groups and local and state agencies. development, improve transport right balance between Considering the enormous amount links, increase rural population and environmental preservation and of research work done on the region stimulate all-season tourism, it does development." This strategy has by bodies such as the Australian state this must be done through an been prepared "as the first step in Academy of Science, the Australian ecologically sustainable framework. working with local communities to Conservation Foundation, the A series of policies are enunciated manage and direct this change...it Wilderness Society, and of course and then brief action plans and is not a legal planning document. It the National Parks Associations of priorities, outcomes and provides direction and guidance, not ACT, NSW and Victoria, the lack of responsibilities are fisted for each rules and regulations". participation of these organisations plan. It is here the NPA ACT has As soon as the NPA ACT became is odd. In addition, the Australian commented on the need to remove aware of this draft strategy Neville Alps Liaison Committee some of the woolliness of the plans Esau, convenor of the Environment (Commonwealth, Victorian, NSW and to incorporate government and Sub-committee, formed a working and ACT Governments) does not community conservation groups in party (Kevin Frawley, Stephen seem to have been involved in any those responsible for overseeing the Johnston, Timothy Walsh and meaningful way. outcome of each policy. himself) to study the strategy and The result is that the bibliography It must be noted that the prepare comments back to the NSW lacks even the most basic significant Aboriginal and European Government. Given the findings of conservation studies (except for the heritage of the region is the recent Perisher Valley inquiry, National Strategy for the our task was tinged with foreboding! Conservation of Australian continued on page 9 Tidbinbilla role in Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby recovery This is the text of the address of Geoff Underwood, Wildlife Officer, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Environment ACT to the September general meeting of the association).

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (TNR) has had a long association with the brush-trailed rock wallaby. The species has lived among the granite tors surrounding the Tidbinbilla valley for thousands of years prior to the arrival of European settlers. They were once common along the Australian eastern coast from western Victoria through to southern Queensland, and whilst reasonable numbers still exist in the more northerly parts of their range, the species has been lost from most of the central and southern sections of Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies on granite boulders in Namadgi. Will we be their distribution. seeing them there again? Drawing by Eleanor Stodart. Commercial hunting of Brush- tailed Rock Wallabies resulted in in the ACT was in 1959, in what is were introduced to the New Zealand over 500 000 bounties being paid now the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. island of Kawau during the late during the period between 1894 and It is now probable that the Brush- 1800s, where they subsequently 1914, and with extensive fur trade tailed Rock Wallaby is extinct in the bred up in numbers owing to the lack existing up to 1927. During 1908 ACT, and likely to face a similar fate of predators. During the 1970s some some 92 590 rock wallaby skins were in Victoria unless action is taken to of these animals were caught from marketed through a single Sydney assist the species recover numbers. As Kawau Island and transferred to a wool-broking company. The a result of the threats facing this number of Australian zoos for fragmentation of rock wallaby species a recovery program was display. In 1986 a male and two habitat as a result of land established in Victoria. A small female "Kawau Island" brush-tailed development, and the introduction of number of animals was trapped from rock wallabies were transferred to predators such as foxes and cats, East Gippsland and transferred to TNR to start a captive breeding and have also had a dramatic impact Healesville Sanctuary in 1997 to form display group. These animals upon Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby the nucleus of a captive breeding adapted well to Tidbinbilla and populations, particularly in south­ group. today the reserve is home to the eastern . The small, The problem faced by the recovery largest population of brush-tailed fragmented populations which have team was how to quickly breed up the rock wallabies in captivity, managed to survive these threats large number of animals needed for numbering over 30 animals. Until must also contend today with a release to the wild. Normally a recently, the "Kawau Island" increased recreational usage of these female rock wallaby will only produce animals were considered unsuitable refuge sites. one young a year, and with the small for release into the wild, because Unfortunately the Brush-tailed group held at Healesville Sanctuary they were thought to differ Rock Wallaby is now classified as it would take more than 15 years to genetically from known wild critically endangered in Victoria, breed up enough animals for a single populations in Australia. where it is estimated that there are release. The solution was to get more Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve was an probably only 20 to 30 animals left than one young from each female per obvious choice of venue to undertake in the wild. The brush-trailed rock year, by transferring pouch young "cross fostering trials" because of the wallaby is also considered from the female Brush-tailed Rock large group of "Kawau Island" rock endangered in the ACT, with recent Wallaby to that of a "foster female" wallabies housed here, and the fact surveys failing to find any evidence from another species, a technique that we'also had a large colony of of animals remaining alive in the which had not be used in a Tammar wallabies which would wild. The last Brush-tailed Rock conservation program in the past. make ideal foster mothers. And so it Wallaby to be seen alive in the wild Some brush-tailed rock wallabies was that in early 1997 members of the brush-trailed rock wallaby used in the conservation of other identify the development of actions recovery team descended on threatened species. which will enable the reintroduction Tidbinbilla to commence trails of The cross fostering trials have of captive-bred animals in order to this innovative technique. proved to be a spectacular success, re-establish the species in the wild. The cross fostering procedure with seven Brush-tailed Rock Ultimately, it is hoped that the cross fostering technique can be used to involves catching a "foster mother" Wallaby joeys having been breed animals suitable for release Tammar wallaby, and transferring successfully cross fostered to back into the wild in the ACT. the pouch young from a brush- tammar wallaby surrogate females; trailed rock wallaby to the Tammar all of which have now left the pouch. As a result of the success of the wallaby. Once transferred, the rock The next stage in the process is to program and the interest it has wallaby pouch young would feed cross foster the young of Victorian generated a Brush-tailed Rock upon the milk produced by the brush-tailed rock wallabies to the Wallaby recovery team has been "foster mother" and continue to grow Tammar wallabies held at established in southern NSW and in the tammar wallaby pouch. With Tidbinbilla. This will allow us to the formation of a national recovery the removal of her pouch young, the rapidly build up the number of team is also proposed, with TNR female Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby Victorian animals to enable an early again playing a major role in these is then able to produce another release to the wild. groups. young, and in this way it is possible An additional benefit of this The coming months will see TNR to obtain up to six young per year program has been that the genetic involved in the development of a from each female, instead of the makeup on the "Kawau Island" rock number of conservation programs, single young normally produced. wallabies housed at Tidbinbilla has not only with the Brush-tailed Rock Utilising this technique rock been more closely scrutinised, and Wallaby but also with several other wallabies would be rapidly bred up as a result there is now strong species. in captivity, making it feasible to evidence to suggest that these One day you might be able to come release a group back to the wild in animals are in fact suitable for to Tidbinbilla and once again see as little as three years. Whilst this release in the ACT region. wild brush-tailed rock wallabies would not only enable rock wallabies Environment ACT is currently living among the granite tors of the to be released into the wild sooner, developing a draft action plan for Tidbinbilla valley. it would also provide a number of brush-tailed rock wallabies in the cost savings which could then be ACT and it is hoped that this will Geoff Underwood

Association of the ACT in 1960. He The Story family's main Obituary joined the committee in 1962 and recreation was bushwalking - long was president from 1963 to 1965. As and hard - and involvement in the Dr Robert Story the main aim of the ACT NPA in the Kosciusko Huts Association (KHA) 1960s was to establish "a National work parties. Robert was president Employed in his early years as a Park for the National Capital", of KHA in the 1970s and also pasture research officer in South Robert was a member of a party of president of the Canberra Africa, Robert, the botanist, was three committee members (Julie Bushwalkers and the Australian also a convinced environmentalist. Henry and Fiona Brand were the National Parks Council. He was He first spoke out about the others) who walked into Mount made an honorary life member of destruction of the environment by Kelly in 1962 with Alpine Club the NPA in 1984 and awarded the human activity whilst giving a talk member Alan Bagnall who knew the Medal of the Order of Australia in at Albany Museum (South Africa) in area. After climbing the mountain, 1989 in recognition of his 1945. Robert said, "Unless we keep drinking in the view, the solitude involvement in all these our population under control and and the remoteness, there was no environmental bodies. limited, we are committing suicide doubt that the national park The National Parks Association of just as surely as the sun is going to proposal would be based on the the ACT has been honoured to have rise to-morrow." He maintained this Mount Kelly - Gudgenby area. had Robert as a member for 39 viewpoint all his life, so that having Robert worked hard with Julie years, grateful for all that he" did, migrated to Australia in 1959 with Henry to write the proposal drawing and all that the Story family have his wife, Sybil, and children, Judy on expert information from several given, and continues to give, to the and Muriel, it was very much in of his CSIRO colleagues. The conservation cause. character that he was attracted to proposal was presented to Mr Doug Robert Story born 1913, South groups involved with the Anthony, Minister for the Interior, in Africa, died 19 February 1999, environment. 1963. The present Namadgi National Canberra ACT. Robert was one of the founding Park is a continuing memorial to members of the National Parks NPA founders such as Robert. Fiona MacDonald Brand Morton and Budawang National Parks Draft Management Plan

The NSW National Parks and •provision of educational saw the implementation of Wildlife Service has issued a draft opportunities at Fitzroy Falls and imaginative policies in these areas management plan for the Morton other suitable locations. as essential to address the current and Budawang National Parks and The overall strategy to achieve unsustainable impact of the NPA has already provided these objectives necessarily includes recreational use in popular areas, detailed comments in response. a range of management programs; particularity in Morton National All management plans are the draft plan lists these as: Park. Central to any policy to detailed and complex documents. achieve sustainable recreational use • fire management The summary I have included here is a policy to restrict and regulate • weed and feral animal control only touches on some of the many access and numbers of visitors. • rehabilitation of disturbed areas issues, strategies, policies, and Unless this objective can be • threatened species surveys action plans included in the draft. achieved many of the other policies • recording of historic places Copies of the draft plan and our to redress current degradation and • access detailed response are available in achieve sustainable use will fail. • remote and wilderness the NPA office if members wish to The draft plan rightly points out management pursue any topic in more detail. that a compulsory permit system • promotion of minimal impact use The specific objectives for Morton would not work. We believe that a • rationalisation of the Budawang and Budawang National Parks voluntary permit system is both Wilderness walking tracks listed in the draft plan include: practicable and achievable. • provision of boundary day and • conservation of these parks as Our response in these key areas overnight recreation facilities components of the system of included the following comments protected lands of the Sydney Within this strategy, the major (these have been slightly abridged): Basin and Coastal Escarpment parts of both parks will be managed Promotion and interpretation • conservation of representative as wilderness areas; large sections NPA ACT supports the policy samples of the diverse plant and of both parks have already been objectives listed for this section. A animal communities of the basin gazetted as wilderness under the clear and imaginative education and escarpment Wilderness Act. policy and actions are urgently • conservation of areas with The draft plan provides detailed needed to promote sustainable use significant vegetation discussion and explanations of all of many areas of Morton and communities and threatened plant these strategies: policies and action Budawang National Parks. species plans for each objective are included Bushwalking and other outdoor • maintenance of populations of in the draft. There is extensive organisations (mduding programs threatened native animals, discussion of promotion, in schools and colleges) have a major particularly the Ground Parrot, interpretation, and recreation impact on the way these parks are Eastern Bristlebird, Koala, Brush- issues, including options for perceived and used. Tb help achieve tailed Rock Wallaby, and Broad- controlling access to wilderness the objectives we would like to see headed Snake areas. A comprehensive policy not just authors, but clubs and • protection and enhancement of covering all aspects and levels of organisations, especially peak wilderness values recreation and access covering the bodies, directly involved in • protection of significant Aboriginal whole of the parks is included. disseminating information and art sites The NPA, through the undertaking appropriate actions to • promotion of public appreciation of Environment Sub-committee, has achieve the stated policy objectives. the diversity and high provided comments on a number of conservation significance of the sections of the draft plan, including Recreation opportunities two parks, and the need for expressing support for initiatives to Consistent with our protective management and non- improve the conservation status of recommendations for education damaging use the parks, such as the declaration, programs to promote (voluntary) • provision of opportunities for low- under proposed legislation, of the restrictions on visitor numbers, we key day and overnight recreational Clyde and Shoalhaven Rivers within would like to see more restrictive use on the edges of Morton Morton National Park as wild and policies and action plans on areas National Park scenic rivers. where vehicular, horse riding, and • promotion of tourist use and Our major comments concerned bicycle access is permitted. There appreciation of the northern rim the sections on promotion, should be no access for these and south-eastern corner of interpretation, recreation activities in wilderness areas, or in Morton National Park opportunities and wilderness. We buffer zones surrounding wilderness areas. All vehicular, management notes, are expensive to limits on numbers. The service horse, and bicycle access should be administer and difGcult to enforce already controls visitor numbers on restricted to designated roads, and in Morton and Budawang National commercial trips. Combining this only on the periphery of the parks. Parks. All other wilderness control with restrictions on non-commercial We believe that recreational vehicle policies, however, will ultimately fail recreational visits would lay the use within these parks has already to achieve long-term sustainable use foundation for sustainable use of exceeded the criteria set in the plan unless visitor numbers can this wilderness. of management for environmental be controlled. We would emphasise the damage, and the time is overdue for importance of policies and action As part of the policies for this the inclusion of further vehicular plans for: section, the service should give a restriction and control in the plan • provision of suitable composting high priority to developing a policy of management. toilets at camping areas and action plan to (voluntarily) The list of policy points for this • adherence to the minimal impact control visitor numbers. As section is quite long and detailed, bushwalking code mentioned in our comments on an reflecting the diverse range of • no cave camping earlier section, we believe this could activities and areas that have • use of fuel stoves only - no removal be achieved through clubs and developed in the parks. Considerable of fallen or dead timber schools agreeing to implement such strengthening and rationalisation of • removal of all cairns a policy If clubs and schools agreed these policies needs to occur to • provision for ranger presence at to limit numbers to a maximum of emphasise more appropriate peak times (Easter, etc) in popular six per walk and the frequency of recreation patterns and controlling areas to promote sustainable use visitations to once or twice per year, inappropriate uses. The emphasis policies and monitor activities a significant reduction in numbers should be on education and • rationalising tracks and camping could be achieved. Such an NPWS management for sustainable use, areas request would reach a large particularly in wilderness areas. • implementing track maintenance proportion of the potential (and and hardening through voluntary Wilderness cooperative) wilderness users. The work programs. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs NPAACT believes that a policy and We believe that the draft plan and other peak bodies, and action plan to restrict visitor provides the wide range of policies education bodies, could, and would, numbers is essential to achieve and action plans necessary to play a key role in achieving this sustainable use of the wilderness provide secure conservation, redress objective. Other suggestions to limit areas in Morton and Budawang existing degradation and achieve numbers could include a voluntary National Parks. We believe this sustainable use. restriction can be achieved registration system, perhaps voluntarily and without the use of Internet-based, and signage at Neville Esau for the permits, which, as the draft plan of popular entry points specifying Environment Sub-committee Green Words is 10 Draft Alpine Region Strategy continued from page 5 At an afternoon of water and music acknowledged in the strategy and Threats to the Alpine region of held beside the pool of Churchill adequate suggestions for its NSW still exist in the form of House in late December, Green preservation and interpretation are unsympathetic town planning, Words marked its tenth birthday. made. uncontrolled feral flora and fauna, and the devastating and the Speaking to the occasion, Roger This strategy is seen by its pernicious effect of four-wheel drive Green recalled that a lot had changed authors as a community planning vehicles. This strategy, when over those 10 years; on a global scale, document which will allow local finalised and implemented, could be the Cold War had ended and on a communities to plan their futures the instrument to deal with these. local scale, Green Words had gone in an economically and ecologically from a single Mac and himself in a sustaining way. However due to the room in Ainslie to an organisation Timothy Walsh and national and international employing some 12 staff. He had Neville Esau importance of the region, these some words of appreciation for his communities must allow clients including two originals still on conservation groups such as the Membership his books, one being the National NPA to play a role. When all is said Parks Association. and done, were it not for application form The organisation received a small conservationists of the stature of the enclosed birthday gift - an addition of two Byles, the Dunphys, Lane Poole, words to its name - which Costin, Mulvaney, Flood, and many Perhaps you could pass this to henceforth is "Green Words & more, this area would not be someone who would like to join Images". recognised for its unique the NPA. environmental importance. Syd Comfort Rural Residential Development in the ACT

In September 1998 the ACT was subsequently withdrawn. On sprawl with consequential demands Government released a discussion 28 May 1998 the ACT Legislative for additional roads, and increased paper on Rural Residential Assembly passed a resolution polluting traffic. Use of land for RRD Development (RRD) in the ACT, supporting the Government's would also reduce the return to the prepared by consultants. RRD was commitment to the introduction Government from the release of land defined as land division into lots in of RRD. from approximately $30 000 to excess of 0.5ha and less than 8ha in $5000 per urban block The ACT Conservation Council area which allows some form of community as a whole could be responses rural activity. The consultants were subsidising a lifestyle that only a to examine the introduction of RRD The Conservation Council of the small section of the community into the ACT,. investigate possible South East Region and Canberra could afford. has prepared a comprehensive sites for development and to consult Environmental issues with key stakeholders and response to the discussion paper and There are a number of community representatives. The concludes that it cannot support the environmental management issues foreword to the paper by the RRD as proposed in the discussion associated with RRD: weeds, Executive Director of Planning and paper. I have attempted to predation, fire and the protection of Land Management, Lincoln summarise the council's submission natural areas. The consultants Hawkins, indicated that an outcome in succeeding paragraphs. acknowledge that even well favouring RRD was anticipated. Process designed RRD "cannot guarantee Discussion paper conclusion By adopting a policy in favour of the retention of flora and fauna". Areas ofYellow Box/Red Gum grassy The discussion paper concludes that RRD in May 1998 the Government woodland, a declared endangered there is a demand for RRD in the has rejected the recommendations of ecological community, would be ACT and that it would provide a the Rural Policy Taskforce opposing particularly vulnerable. Especially housing option not currently RRD, reached after extensive with small blocks, there will be available in the Territory. It would community consultation, and has pressures from both initial also provide an opportunity for ignored the need for further development and continuing human investment to target a "quality" consultation. By taking this decision impact through fragmentation of market niche not well catered for. without discussion with other habitat, predation by domestic The paper concedes that if RRD authorities in the region, the animals, introduction of weeds, were permitted in future urban Government puts at risk the changes to the visual aesthetics of areas, fewer residential lots would cooperative approach to planning rural landscapes and the be available in the ACT and that the that led to the agreement on the ACT destruction of wildlife corridors. financial return to the Government and Sub Region Planning Strategy Protection from bushfires and a would depend on the level of land in 1995. Tb adopt the pro RRD policy desire for a tidy appearance by some values achieved. Potential RRD before the discussion paper on the owners will lead to destruction of areas are identified as : subject was completed undermines conservation values. Protection of Melrose Valley (11 large lots) the value of that report. The the environment through property Kinslyside (208 small lots) and Government approach takes little management agreements will face north Gungahlin (69 small lots). account of the importance of consultation and runs contrary to many problems, some stemming Background established ACT and regional from the process itself and others The ACT and Sub-region Planning planning guidelines. from the resources needed to enforce Strategy - agreed in 1995 between these with hundreds of individual the Commonwealth and ACT Future city development and land holders. Governments and regional councils cost Site selection - which considered long term land The Conservation Council use in the region, did not propose submission recognises the need to The Conservation Council questions RRD for the ACT but agreed with keep a large area of land available how the authors of the discussion some development of this type in in the ACT for future urban needs. paper decided which areas are adjacent areas of NSW. The ACT If Kinlyside and north Gungahlin suitable for RRD; chosen sites have Rural Policy Task Force Report, were to be used for RRD, over 2000 serious nature conservation developed in 1997 after extensive urban lots would be lost and the problems which have not been community consultation did not need for alternative areas for urban addressed. The areas proposed for favour RRD in the ACT and firmly use could result in pressure to RRD include ecosystems classified opposed it on productive urbanise valuable open space. The as endangered, some of which are agricultural land. Recently a low population densities of RRD already covered by conservation proposal for RRD in Kinlyside would work against urban action plans prepared by the ACT received widespread publicity and consolidation and favour urban continued on page 17 15 March Canberra Day (Monday) 27 March Saturday work party NPA outings program ACT Alive Gudgenby work party Lawns opposite Old Parliament House Leader: Eleanor Stodart Contact: Yvonne Bartos Phone: 6281 5004 Phone: 6231 5699 March-June 1999 This is a joint exercise with the Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group We are asking members to help the NPA by calling in to our tent and to tackle briars and other weeds in the newly seeded areas where once spending up to a couple of hours answering questions about the stood Boboyan Pines. Meet at the Yankee Hat carpark at 10.00am or, Outings guide Association and its aims, and about the display. You will also have the if you wish to share transport, at the Namadgi Visitors Centre by opportunity to see the other interesting stalls at this popular exhibition. Day walks carry lundi, drinks and prorective clothing. 9.15am. Please phone if you can help. Pack walks rwo or more days, carry all food and camping require-

menrs. CONTACT LEADER BY WEDNESDAY. 20 March Saturday daywalk 10-11 April Saturday and Sunday work parties Car camps facilities often limited or non-existent. Vehicles taken Brindabella Range Ramble Upper Hospital Creek work party to site can be used for camping. BOOK EARLY Leader: Steven Forst 2A Leader: Eleanor Stodart ^ WITH LEADER. Map: ACT 1:100 000 Map: Yaouk 1:25 000 Other activities include nature rambles, environmental and field guide Phone: 6279 1326(w), (5251 6817(h) Phone: 6281 5004 studies and ski tours. Meet ar picnic area carpark on Uiiarra road just off the Cotter road We will be felling the smaller pines in Hospital Creek south of the (near Duffy) at 8.30am. A fire trail walk through the tall 'shady' forest Boboyan pine plantation, and recording the location of those too big Points to note between the and the Brindabella Road. Nestled in a south to tackle by hand. The pines are well spread out, so there will be Please help keep our outings program alive by volunteering to lead outings. east fadng valley this moist temperate/alpine eucalyptus forest provides opportunity for good walking and to really get to know the area. Attend New leaders are welcome. The outings covenor is happy to suggest locations for pleasant walking even in summer. Some views of Canberra. 80 either or both days. Ring leader for details. lOOkms, $20 per car. suitable for a walk if you do not have something in mind yourself. Feel kms, $16 per car. free to send in suggestions for outings to die association's office as soon as 18 April Sunday daywalk you think of them, with a suggested dare. 21 March Sunday daywalk All persons joining an outing of the National Parks Association of the Naas River Corang Peak ACT do so as volunteers in all respects and as such accept sole responsibility Leader: Frank Clements 3A/B Leader: Mike Smith 3A7D for any injury howsoever incurred and the National Parks Association of Map: Yaouk 1:25 000 Map: Corang 1:25 000 the ACT, its office bearers and appointed leaders are absolved from any Phone: 6231 7005 Phone: 6286 2984 liability in respect of injury or damage suffered whilst engaged in any A repeat of the August walk, but without the cold and wet weather Meet at Canberra Railway Station Kingston at 7.30am. Note early such outing. (?). Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.00am. Walk from Boboyan start. A walk in the Budawangs from the Wog Wog entrance to Corang The committee suggests a donation of TWENTY cents per kilometre Pines carpark to an unusually coloured rock outcrop, climbing about Peak which has 360 degree views. Scrubby side trip to Admiration DIVIDED BYTHE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS in the car, induding 70m, then proceeding to Hospital Creek faJls and Hospital Hut, before Point for lunch (mote great views). Return by same route, making the the driver, (to the nearest dollar) be offered to the d river by each passenger resuming the Old Boboyan Road and going on to Naas River. Return total walk near to 20kms. Drive is around 250kms, $50 per car. accepting transport. Drive and walk distances quoted in the program are to cats via the road. lOOkms, $20 per car. approximate distances for return journeys. 16 - 18 April three day packwalk 22 - 28 March 1999 seven day packwalk Walks gradings CobberaS to Thredbo Mt Clear Campground to Caloola Farm Leader: David Large 1A/B Distance grading (per day) Leaders: Mick Kelly and Max Lawrence 3A/B Maps: Colinton, Michelago 1:25 000 1 - up to 10 km Map: Jacobs River 1:100 000 Phone: 6291 4830 2- 10 km to 15 km Phone: 02 4472 3959 (Mick), 6288 1370 (Max)

3-15 km to 20 km This walk is fully booked. If you haven't booked your only chance is A through walk to explore sites of historical interest, visiting a number of huts, ruins, grave sites and old settlement sites in the Naas Valley. 4 - above 20 km to go on the waiting list for last minute cancellations. Terrain grading Day 1 see Barrett's ruin, Demandering and Horse Gully huts, and A - Road, firetrail, track 24 March daywalk camp at Brayshaws ruin. Day 2 visit Mrs Mathieson's grave, Reedy B - Open forest Wednesday walk Creek settlement sites, and camp at Max and Bert Oldfield's hut. Day C - Light scrub Leader: Yvonne Bartos 3 is Tom Rowleys turn and the walk out to Caloola. Mostly on track, D - Patches of thick scrub, regrowth Phone: 6231 5699 few hills. Many river crossings may involve some wading if river is up. E - Rock scrambling The March edition of our series of monthly mid-week walks. Phone An easy packwalk suitable for beginners. TransportTBA, butdepending F - Exploratory leader for details, which will be determined nearer the date. on numbers probably meet at Caloola and bus to Mt Clear. 24 April Saturday daywalk 2 May Sunday daywalk 22 - 23 May weekend packwalk Mt Domain Mt Gingera and Brumby Flat Royal National Park Coast Walk Leader: Steven Forst 1A/B Leader: Steve Hill 3A/B Leader: David Large 2A Map: Tidbinbilla 1:25 000 Map: 1:25 000 Map: RNP 1:30 000 Phone: 6279 1326 (w), 6251 6817 (h) Phone: 6231 9186(h) Phone: 6291 4830

Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.30am. A steep climb (over 600m) Meet at the carpark in the pines off Uriarra Road near where it joins Joint walk with FBI. A repeat of last September's walk. This time we on track to the top of one of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserves landmark the Corter Road. From Pryors Hut we go up to the Gingera north will utilise the YHA hostel at Garie Beach making it a light pack or mounrains. There's plenty of time and we'll take it slowly and enjoy summit (steepish), then along the ridge for a while before a genrle supported walk Suitable for beginners. Enjoy magnificent sea views the views. 70kms, $14 per car, plus TNR entrance fee. descent to Brumby Flat (still at around 1800m) on the western side. A from cliff tops. Transport TBA depending on numbers. Phone leader chance to enjoy a beautiful example of an alpine frosty hollow/marsh for details and bookings. 24 - 26 April three day packwalk and meditate about the real world. We then visit some ancient Northern Kosciuszko Frost Plains snowgums (centuries old), and undertake a gende scramble up to the 23 May Sunday daywalk Leader: Martin Chalk southern summit. Back to Ginini carpark the usual way. ]40kms, $28 Yaouk Peak 2A7B/C/F per car. Leader: Stephen Johnston 2B/C/E Map: Rules Point 1:25 000 Map: Yaouk 1:25 000 Phone: 6268 4864(w), 6292 3502(h) 7-9 May three day packwalk Phone: 6258 3833(h) Namadgi National Park A three day walk across the frost plains of northern Kosciuszko Nadonal An off-track 600m climb to Yaouk Peak, with time to explore the Leaders: Eric and Pat Pickering Park. Visit places such as Old Currango, Gurrangorambla Range, small plateau. Phone leader for bookings and enquiries, ISOknis, $36 2A/C/D/E Pockets Hut, Seventeen Flat, Cooleman Plain and Caves, and the site per car. Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 of Harris Hut. Call leader by preceding Wednesday for details. Phone: 6286 2128 Numbers will be limited. 400kms, $80 per car. 26 May daywalk Joint NPA/FBI walk. Three days in Namadgi National Park starting Wednesday walk from Orroral and taking in Mt Namadgi, Creamy Flats and Coronet Leader: David Large 28 April daywalk Peak, and possibly Mt Kelly. Some rock scrambling and magnificent Wednesday walk Phone: 6291 4830 views. Lots of scrub but plenty of time to enjoy this beautiful area. Leader: Max Lawrence The May edition of our series of monthly mid-week walks. Phone Phone leader for details. 70kms, $14 per car. Phone: 6288 1370 leader for details, which will be determined nearer the date.

The April edition of our series of monthly mid-week walks. Phone 8-9 May weekend outing 29 - 30 May weekend packwalk leader for details, which will be derermined nearer the dare. Hawkesbury cruise Booth Range Leader: Len Haskew Leader: Philip Gatenby 3A/B/D/F 1 - 6 May one week packwalk Phone: 6281 4268 Maps: Colinton, Michelago 1:25 000 Orroral to Kiandra Details of this outing were in the last program. If you want to go, but Phone: 6254 3094 Leader: Graham Scully 2A/B/C haven't booked, phone Len. You never know, he may still have a vacancy. Pardy exploratory walk on the ridges and valleys of the Booth Range, Map: Tantangara 1:100 000 south and east of Booths Hill. Mostly off ttack, some patches of thick Phone: 6230 3352 16 May Sunday daywalk scrub may be encountered. Phone leader by Wednesday 26 May for Day 1 - from Orroral through Cotter Gap, Cotter River to camp at Brindabella Nadonal Park details and bookings. 130kms, $26 per car. Little Bimberi Creek. Day 2 - over Murrays Gap to camp at Oldfields Leader: Max Lawrence 1B/C/E Hut, optional climb to Bimberi summit. Day 3 - to Old Currango Maps: Brindabella 1:100 000, Umburra 1:25 000 30 May Sunday daywalk via the site of Argentine Harris' cherry garden homestead. Day 4 - to Phone: 6288 1370 Orroral Circuit Currango where we will stay in booked accommodation, have a hot This walk involves a couple of hours driving (including over an hour Leader: Steven Forst 2A shower and a meal in the main homestead. Day 5 - to Hains Hut via on bumpy four wheel drive tracks) to get to the kick ofFpoint for what Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 the Murrumbidgee. Day 6 - To Kiandra via Witzes Hut and Wild is quire a short walk Our destination will be the top of the falls on Phone: 6279 1326(w), 6251 6817(h) Horse Plain. Waterfall Creek, which plunges well over 200m in very short order on A walk from Orroral Campground up the track to Orroral Homestead its way down ro the Goodradigbee. A good opportunity to visit this and the tracking station site and beyond, returning on the other side great new park on our doorstep. Phone leader early for details and of the river. Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.30am. 70kms, $14 bookings. Numbers will be limited by the availabiliry of 4WD vehicles. per car. I40kms, $28 per car. 6 June Sunday daywalk Forthcoming, dates to be determined Westbourne Woods Walk - Red Rocks Canyon The Two Rivers Walking Track Held the second Sunday of every month. Meet at the entrance to Leader: Steve Hill 2A Contact: Mick Kelly Royal Canberra Golf Club at the top of Bentham Street Yarralumla at Map: 1:25 000 Phone: 02 4472 3959 9.30am for a two hour free guided walk to enjoy the many species of Phone: 6231 9186(h) The Two Rivers Walking Track is a joint venture of the Shoalhaven mature trees from all comers of the wotld, (no dog please). Almost a stroll for the most part, mainly on tracks. A chance to visit City Council, the NPWS and the Aboriginal community of some magnificent sights along the Murrumbidgee Corridor from the Shoalhaven. It links the Shoalhaven River near Nowra south to the Tuggeranong Creek corner to Red Rocks for lunch and, if people Clyde at Yadboro, mostly on established firetratls and tracks. Mick is wish, further downstream. Beautiful scenery right on our door step, planning to organise a packwalk along the track, probably of about a and plenty of bird life at any time of the year. Meet at Urambi Hills week's duration. Details of the walk, which is likely to be held during carpark about 200m along Learmonth Drive from the Athlon Drive the winter months, will be in the next NPA outings program. Watch turnoff* in Kambah at 10.00am. Okms, $0 per car. this space.

12-14 June long weekend packwalk Quiltys Mountain Leader: Steven Forst 2A/B Ref: CMW Budawangs Phone: 6279 1326(w), 6251 6817(h) Contact leader by Tuesday for details of two and a half day walk starting Saturday. Easy-medium walk with packs to a base camp on the Endrick River. Visit Quiltys Pass, the Bora Ground, and Round Mountain. A late lunch at Braidwood on Monday. 340 kms, $68 per car.

12 - 14 June long weekend carcamp Murramarang National Park Mont Adventure Sale Leader: Mick and Joan Kelly Maps: Durras 1:25 000, Batemans Bay Forestry Map In May 1998, David Edwards of Mont Adventure Equipment spoke at Phone: 02 4472 3959 our general meeting and promised to let us know about their next Weekend will include walk from Depot Beach to Durras Mountain (283m) and return, plus some forest walks. Relaxation will be the sale. Here are the details: main theme, perhaps some birdwatching or fishing for those interested. Please phone leaders by Monday 7 June. A three day clearance sale of clothing, tents and other outdoor products will be held in late March. 19 June Saturday daywalk Coree and Devils Peak Leader: Matthew Higgins 2A/B/D Friday 19th March : 12 noon to 7pm Map: 1:25 000 Phone: 6247 7285 Saturday 20th March : 9am to 5pm Crunch frost in the northern Brindabellas this winter! Joint walk with Sunday 21st March : 9am to 3pm KHA. We'll climb Coree from near Blundells, walk to Coree Flats, climb Devils Peak, and return ro Blundells. Some history, a good deal Address: 39 Crawford St, Queanbeyan. of great native forest, excellent views from both peaks. Steep climbs, about 14kms. For the fit. Book with leader, numbers limited. 90kms, $18 per car. A winter escape to far north Queensland

An offer of favourable airfares Stinging Tree and the long canes of induced me to go north, in June 1998 the Wait-a-while Palm or Lawyer and the Queensland Tourist Office Vine, of which there were many. Our helped me to make up my mind by head guide, a naturalist, was also finding an interesting four-day invaluable for finding the tracks rainforest walk not far from Cairns. and droppings of the Cassowaries On the first day, an adventure which live in these forests. Their company from Cairns picked me up mounds were enormous, but the big at Palm Cove and took me to the shy bird was not to be seen. Neither Atherton Tableland, which offers was the Dingo whose footmarks beautiful scenery. Some of my were right on our tracks for a while. favourite places from a trip I made It took us about five hours, 35 years ago look unchanged: Lake walking mainly along ancient Barrine with its giant Kauri pines Aboriginal trails, crossing some around 1100 years old, Lake Eachammountai n streams, to reach our Eacham, Yungaburra, where a small campsite at Moochoopa Falls. neighbouring giant strangler fig tree The canopy of trees is very high, with aerial roots dropping about 15m making the area below very dark, to the ground. Yungaburra the tracks difficult to follow and the Flowering umbrella tree at hake A cruise is now available on the tree roots and buttresses of fig trees Barrine. Photo Betty Lewis. extinct crater, Lake Barrine, so I hard to avoid. joined this later in the day. The I spent a rather cool night in a crystal clear waters show off hammock with a sheet of clear trees. An interesting rock outcrop freshwater tortoises, giant eels and plastic hanging from a line above, along the wide and clear Russell snakes while the Red Cedars, Silver which to my surprise gave complete River was our lunch stop. Ash, Black Bean trees and flowering protection from hours of pouring In the afternoon we located the Umbrella Trees make it most rain. The morning light came Coocbie Falls, after some trouble attractive. The skipper of the boat suddenly and straight away finding the overgrown track. showed his skill at attracting Kites brought out a burst of birdsongs, the However, our explorations were cut with his whistles (and pieces of loudest of course from the short by heavy rain which bread) whilst a shiny, dark Darter Kookaburra. encouraged us to hurry back to bird was drying out on a fallen tree. On the third morning I was left camp at Moochoopa Falls. The next morning I joined a group behind with my guide as the others As my last day in the Bartle Frere for a two-day rainforest trip. We set rolled up their hammocks and left rainforest concluded I reflected on off early from Yungaburra to go to for their return trip to civilisation. the quietness of the forest canopy. the edge of the Bartle Frere Day three was another eventful day. Apart from the Sulphur-crested rainforest, which forms part of the We walked up and down slippery Cockatoos, which were heard quite World Heritage listed Bellenden Ker tracks leading to beautiful frequently, the other birds kept National Park. Bartle Frere waterfalls like the Crossover and quiet during the long periods of fine Mountain is the highest in the Amphitheatre, at times hanging mist. Occasionally, the Cockatoos Queensland at 1615 metres and on to roots and branches. were joined by Rifle Birds and the Bellenden Ker is the second highest. Unfortunately the water was quite soft wailing of the Catbird, to leave me with a wonderful aural memory Before setting off we were cool and not inviting for a swim. of my three days in the rainforest. introduced to various plants to watch Along the way we stopped to admire out for, including the leaves of the the profusion of fungi on the fallen Betty Lewis

Namadgi-Tidbinbilla: High Country History and Heritage

This is a course being run by bushwalks. Making extensive use of walks visit some key sites reflecting Canberra historian and member slides and oral history tapes, the major themes in the mountains' Matthew Higgins at the ANU's course is designed for people history. The course is to be run again Centre for Continuing Education wanting to know more about the in May 1999. For details ring the (CCE). The course consists of three post-settlement history of our CCE on 6249 3891. evening sessions and two one-day beautiful ACT high country. The Walking in history makes a good change

It's easy to detect the enthusiast to be carried to little more than a Julius Caesar won a major battle when Phil Bubb talks about walking' day pack against the Gauls led by in Europe. He says that, in his view, • there is a certain sweetness Vercingetorix. It was here in 1095 to confine walking to Australia could represented by the French use of that Pope Urban preached the First "result only from poverty or bigotry." the word douce; Europe is mostly Crusade with its enormous In an entertaining talk, he told green, soft, moist and seductive. consequences for Western history. members at the July general Switzerland and Austria abound We took a bus to the edge of town, meeting that walking in Europe was in marked and mapped walking and passed an 11th century fortified a pleasing contrast to walking in tracks, and France has 40 000km of church where, I like to think, the Australia. "I love both," he said. "I grandes randonnees. One, for sermon was delivered." appreciate the virtues of each the example, goes from Strasbourg in Next day, they passed through more because of the contrast." the north along the mountains of the small villages, a Gallo-Roman Phil's talk - on the pleasures of eastern borders of France to Nice in temple to Mercury, a firing range walking in Europe and how they the south - in fact, it is a trans- with "danger of death" notices differ from those in Australia - was European path starting on the coast prominently displayed, sheep a nice balance of anecdote, advice of the Netherlands. Another trans- grazing in a volcanic crater, and a and encouragement. He also European path starts on the Atlantic large Romanesque church out of all brought a wealth of maps, guides coast, traverses the Pyrenees, proportion to the small village it was and other reference materials for passes through Switzerland and in, with "brilliant light through its members to look at. along the spine of Austria. "I have arches upon arches ... this wonderful Phil and his wife, Leonie, are no idea where it ends," Phil place defied gravity and exuded relative newcomers to walking in confessed. light." Europe but they have made up for Phil outlined walks in four regions In the Vosges Mountains of north­ lost time. Since their first European as examples of different walking eastern France are the walk in 1992, they have been back experiences in Europe: mountain emplacements, trenches, ruined four times and have completed walking in Switzerland, walking armaments and cemeteries of the walks in France, Switzerland, through history in the Auvergne wars of this century. As Phil and Austria, Norway and Slovenia. district of southern France, a walk Leonie walked from a ridge where One of the main differences with more recent history in the the French and Germans had fought between walking in Australia and Vosgnes Mountains of north-east a stalemated battle for four years in walking in Europe is that the first France, and a "special place" - World War I, they came on a French is associated with the bush, whereas Queyras, near Briancon, south-east family picnicking within the walls in Europe walking is done in a of Grenoble and south-west of Turin, of a ruined castle and wandered context of history and culture. where the French border balloons through beautiful old wine villages, "The walking terrain has a human into Italy. and, said Phil, life seemed strange history of tens of thousands of years, "We walked from a hotel in - tens of thousands of Germans now a written history of a thousand or Zermatt for six days with little live in Alsace because France is two," Phil said of Europe. "It has recrossing of tracks," Phil said about cheaper and the country is beautiful. buildings, ruins and footpaths their mountain walking in the Swiss Queyras, an isolated place hundreds of years old. Each region Alps. "It was not wilderness but we surrounded by mountains, is one of has an individual culture developed could always see a wildness of crags Phil's favourite places in Europe - around its farming, and the farms and glaciers with everything an outstanding natural area that are there to suggest what life was dominated by the impossibly real does not preclude villages, tourism like before modern times. One is Matterhorn. On our first day we or agriculture. Among their walks in surrounded by places where climbed 6000 feet to the Hornli the area was a three-day circuit of Western civilisation was formed." Hutte, clinging to the shoulder of the Monte Viso, taking them over the Other things that make walking Matterhorn. border into Italy. in Europe special are: "In Switzerland, most people only "Although steep, we climbed • no mountains in Australia have walk downhill. They use lifts to go quickly through the alpine the grandeur and beauty of the up. Where there are no lifts, there landscape in sunshine almost to the Alps are few people." Col de la Travsersette on an • the footpaths are well signposted, When Phil and Leonie journeyed excellent path. Hannibal is believed marked and mapped, and to the Auvergne in 1992 and walked to have crossed this pass," Phil said, sometimes connect over from Chamonix to Clermont adding that when they reached the thousands of kilometres and Ferrand in the Massif Central, they col "our privacy disappeared because several countries discovered they were on the half of Italy was picnicking in the • moderately priced accommodation "highways of history". sun." adapted to walkers is available "Two kilometres south of Clermont enroute, and reduces what needs Ferrand, at the plateau of Gergovie, continued on page 13 Termeil Coastal Reserves A draft plan of management to under the State Forests of NSW. A permitted at Termeil Head and regulate the use of one of the few steering committee was formed Meroo Head with toilet facilities, remaining undeveloped coastal made up of representatives these firewood and fireplaces areas of the South Coast of NSW has organisations and of NSW Fisheries, • a coastal track is to be formalised NSW National • sensitive areas are to be protected; Parks andWudlife • community groups are to be Service and the encouraged to become involved in Ulladulla Local the management of the reserve Aboriginal Land • recreational horse riding is to be Council. permitted on tracks and on Community views beaches below the high water line were gained • Termeil and Meroo Lakes are not from public to be opened to the sea meetings, written • commercial fishing in the lakes is representations, to be permitted two user surveys, a • dogs and other small pets are to management be prohibited. forum, informal The development of this draft discussion with management plan shows how, with various groups the cooperation and involvement of and from comment many diverse public interests, a plan on the draft plan. that will suit most can be evolved. In addition, a The declaration of the area as a reference group reserve indicates that public was formed lobbying over a long period can consisting of result in the preservation of a fragile representatives area and in its protection from from groups of development. organisations having common Reg Alder objectives. A meeting of this Meroo Beach and Meroo Head from Nuggan group was held to Point, Termeil Coastal Reserves. develop Walking in history Photo Reg Alder. the basis for makes a good identifying the been formulated and public values of the area and for a plan of change comment on its impact has been management. Despite the size and continued from page 12 requested. the diversity of the group a good deal The reserve, to be named Termeil of agreement was reached on the On their descent into the cloud, Coastal Reserves, extends from the importance of the proposed reserve. me with a frisson of vertigo as the southern shore of Tabourie Lake to Subsequently, newsletters were crags at my feet disappeared into the the northern shore of Williga Lake distributed to report on progress on fog" - they came upon a spring with adjacent to the Bawley Point developing proposals for the a sign that said it was the source of settlement. The reserve extends management of the reserve. the River Po. along the coastline for a straight-line In summary, the plan ensures that Phil ended his talk with succinct distance of 6.5km and has an the major part of the reserve will and comprehensive advice, ranging average width of400m and an area continue to be managed as a natural from using the Internet and writing of430ha. area with the following stipulations: to local authorities rather than Proposals for the declaration of the • the only access is to be by two national organisations in planning area as a national park or a reserve roads from the Princes Highway ahead and to always ask the price have been raised over a period of • all other vehicle tracks are to be of everything beforehand. several years but have been closed, there is to be no vehicle Phil and Leonie have a wealth of complicated by the divided control access to the beach and off-road reference material as well as of the land. Part of the land is under vehicle use is to be prohibited experience. They are happy to give the control of the Shoalhaven City • present use of parking areas is to advice and information to members Council, part under the NSW formalised and parking fees thinking of walking in Europe, and Department of Land and Water introduced can be contacted on (02) 6248 6769. Conservation and the remainder • primitive camping is to be Graeme Wicks For this issue of the Bulletin Len No place for a radioactive is comprised of Aboriginal women has drawn his Parkwatch material waste dump: Kupa Piti from the Arabunna, , from the Internet instead of from Kungka Tjuta Women's Group AntinKarinya and YanKuntjatjara periodicals as he has done We are Aboriginal women. We were communities of northern South previously. He would welcome born on the earth. Some of us are Australia. comment on this initiative. Arabunna women. This is our old ACF Website: acfonline.org.au Feb, people's country - Arabunna 1999 Address to the inaugural People's country. The Billa Kalina meeting of the Australian region is very important to us. It is Industry Group's National the place where our grandmothers' Ground-breaking agreement Environment Policy Group grandmothers lived. It was our marks new era in Australian By the President of the home until we were forced to move Wetlands Conservation Australian Conservation off the lands. An unprecedented agreement Foundation, . We have always remained involving rural landholders and I thought you may be interested connected to the land and this conservationists along with state in our view of 10 of the most connection is still strong. We still and federal governments in the joint important issues for the coming know where the women's sites are management of significant wetland year. and we are concerned that our areas contained within farming They are: women's sites will be destroyed so properties was signed on World 1. Protecting Australia's coasts and that when we go back it will all be Wetlands Day Tuesday 2nd marine environments gone. February 1999 in Moree. 2. Saving our National Parks and We're trying hard about this World Heritage Areas - no to NPANSW and WWF-Australia rubbish - the radioactive dump. We Jabiluka and no to the threats to have facilitated a memorandum of don't want that - we've got kids to the Great Barrier Reef understanding that involves listing grow up on the country. more than 1000 hectares of the 3. Halting the clearing of the bush The Lake Eyre basin and country Gwydir wetlands, which are about 4. Reforming tax to clean up the air is millions of years old and Billa 500 kilometres north west of Sydney 5. Accelerating greenhouse action. Kalina has ancient mound springs. near Moree, under the international While we see the opportunity for We've got underground water, that's Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. emissions trading, our view is why we're worrying about the water. that first a fair dinkum, target This agreement is another step in We don't want the poison from the driven action to reduce emissions a very important process - dump leaking into underground in Australia needs to be in place. conservation groups engaging water. 6. Rescuing Australia's forests from productively with landholders and And we're worried about the failing "Regional Forest governments to develop new animals. We eat malu (kangaroo), Agreements". approaches to conservation. kalaya (emu), ungkata (frill necked 7. Bringing back to life the once lizard), goanna, ngintaka (perente), The Gwydir wetlands had been mighty Murray, Darling and porcupine, kipara (wild turkey), dying in recent years due to water Snowy Rivers. kalamina (blue tongue lizard), kalta extraction for irrigation use, weed 8. Don't put it in our back yards - (sleepy lizard). We're worried that invasion and clearing for cessation of uranium mining and any of these animals, birds will agriculture, all of which are radioactive waste dump become poisoned and so we'll addressed in the Memorandum of proposals. become poisoned in our turn. Understanding. Previously 9. The proposed Federal They should listen to the developed water sharing rules now Environment Bill. We describe Aboriginal people first. We cemented through the agreement this legislation as back to the traditional people really know the have already yielded results with future, devolving Commonwealth land. We are holding the culture for the return of half a million breeding responsibilities to the states, to the land and for our grandchildren. waterbirds to the wetlands over this companies, to individuals, but We've got the story to the land from summer. not to the community and being our grandmothers and highly restrictive in application. The landholders will also continue grandfathers, not on paper but in We are aware that some of our to benefit from flood induced pasture our heads. We are the custodiana of concerns are shared by business. for their livestock. The stewardship this. This poison can never be fixed. 10.Stopping the burning and of the sheep and cattle producers That is why we are talking strongly poisoning of the great rainforests who own the land is considered for the land and for the people. and reefs in South East Asia and central to maintaining the Papua New Guinea. Ngananya Kulila! Listen to us! conservation values of the wetlands. ACF website: acfonline.org au Feb, •Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta Women's From the Nswnpa website 1999 Group is based in and www.nswnpa.cjb.net Feb, 1999. PARKWATCH Some thoughts about the

Historic decision by Newcastle City Council: Boral on Notice - PALM report Stop Woodchipping A review of the Planning and Land The report recommends options for 10 February 1999 Management Group (PALM) within reducing Commonwealth The Wilderness Society strongly the ACT Department of Urban involvement in Territory planning. supports the historic Resolution of Services was completed by "Align the Territory and National the Newcastle City Council last consultants Ernst and Young in Capital Plans and have the Territory night to continue its commitment to November 1998 and was considered administer both on behalf of the cease commercial dealings with by the Legislative Assembly in Commonwealth." "Rationalise December. This note does not designated areas in the Plan to Boral and applauds the extension of attempt to evaluate the report; reduce the need for referral of this principle to include all rather it seeks to draw attention to applications to the National Capital companies woodchipping our native what are seen as disturbing Authority." (8.6.1) forests. directions proposed by the "Newcastle City Council is leading In order to streamline the consultants. The following extracts planning and land management the world in its pursuit of from the report illustrate some of system, the report suggests that the Ecologically Sustainable these concerns. Section reference specificity of the Territory Plan be Development (ESD), and is putting numbers are shown in brackets. into action what too many reduced. "Refine the Territory Plan organisations have left as just The report emphasises the need to widen the acceptable land uses in words," stated Wilderness Society for PALM to facilitate investment zones to maximum extent." "Remove spokesperson Glen Klatovsky. and development. "PALM needs to site specific land use policies." (8.6.1) improve its performance in the The first part of the Resolution is The report proposes the option of following key area(s): developing an as follows: reducing the scrutiny of the organisational culture of clearly Legislative Assembly over variations With the exception of those meeting customers' needs, in to the Territory Plan. "Where a Plan matters coming within the Local particular providing a level of variation is required, the process Government Tendering Regulation, service which contributes to could be shorter with the final Council confirms its decision to have investment confidence and economic decision resting with the Minister. no new direct commercial dealings development whilst maintaining This would remove the current with any commercial entity ecological sustainability and quality requirement in the legislation to (mcluding Boral) which, in Council's development goals." (1.1) refer the draft to an Assembly view, has a significant involvement An increase in the decision­ Committee for inquiry and report. in the woodchipping of Australian making authority of PALM staff is Additionally, whilst under the native forests. recommended. "PALM'S stakeholder proposed new arrangements the "Boral, and all the woodchipping groups have differing and at times variation would be tabled in the companies in Australia, have been competing interests. In many cases Assembly for the information of put on notice. The community will there will be clearly differentiated members, it would not be open to act to end this industry, the most winners and losers. It needs to be disallowance as is currently the unpopular industry in Australia. accepted that PALM'S role centres case."(8.3.3.1 Table 8) The precedent has been set. around this need to assess and "This Resolution paves the way for balance competing interests." (2.2.1) The report suggests that the many other Councils and "PALM needs to create an requirement for development organisations, both public and atmosphere where staff have the applications, with the attendant private, to pursue the common goal appropriate skills and the authority processes, be reduced. "Create of ending the woodchipping of to take decisions." (2.2.1) categories of 'as of right' development for less complex Australia's native forests. Boral has It is recommended that the 1996 had two opportunities to account for proposals Introduce minor lease decision of the Legislative Assembly their practices in native forests in variation process for applications to widen the requirements for front of the public jury that is NCC, where proposed uses are entirely neighbourhood notification be and failed abysmally. It is now time consistent with all requirements of overturned. "Options for achieving the Territory Plan for specific areas." for Boral to become responsible and efficiencies: reduce by 20% the (8.6.1) accountable. number of building and. Wilderness Society Website: Whilst attainment of efficiency development applications requiring www.wilderness.org.au Feb, 1999. within the group, updating of public/neighbour notification." Compiled by Len Haskew (8.6.1) continued on page 18 Book Reviews

Canberra's Historic Houses; history, including geology, ecology Dwellings and Ruins of the 19th and flora and fauna, is treated century. thoroughly. There is also a good by Graeme Barrow, Dagraja PresB, section on cultural history detailing 1998. RRP: $24.95 both Aboriginal and European The first impression this book influences on the landscape. The gives is that it is well presented, hydro schemes are well documented, with quality paper, clear colour as is the plea for the conservation of photographs, and easy to read text. cultural heritage. It will appeal both to readers who By far the greater part of the book will simply skim through, look at is taken up with the "grand tour" the photographs and scan the text, which takes the driver and and to those who have a deeper passengers through the major alpine interest in buildings and history. parks commencing in Gippsland at Some of this latter group may wish Licola and concluding in the ACT at to follow up references for particular Tharwa. The tour is divided into six buildings in the footnotes section surprised that so much remains of sections so it is quite easy to choose towards the end of the book. our pre-Federation heritage. an appropriate trip. A frustration I felt going through The reader is given an overview All tours have a similar format, the book was in not knowing of 50 dwellings and ruins in the with the main highlights mentioned precisely where each building or ACT, complete with colour (the tour in a nutshell) followed by ruin was, or whether it is possible photographs and historical indications of distance, travel time, to pay a visit. Admittedly some are summaries. To my surprise, the road conditions (and cautions), the on private property and not open to very first building to be described appropriate season for the trip, the the public, but others such as St is Elm Grove, which my son and his availability of fuel, food and John's Schoolhouse are available for partner rented for three years accommodation as well as an inspection, and some details on before moving down to the coast to indication of national parks camping access would have been welcome. build their own home. Built in 1882, areas. In all, this book provides a useful and now slowly deteriorating, it is Then follows a very well detailed summary of our 19th century built unlikely to be retained when description of the trip and heritage, and will be of interest to Gungahlin development reaches intermediate distances. Important those of us who live in the ACT, as this property. scenic highlights are pointed out well as visitors. The five-page introduction sets and, in addition, coloured sidebars the buildings in their historical Graham Scully on each page give further detail context from the discovery of the about points of interest and these Limestone Plains in 1821 to the are often accompanied by an early years of this century However, Explore the Australian alps. By the appropriate photograph. The the author does not restrict himself Australian Alps Liaison Committee. detailed descriptions, together with simply to historical facts and New Holland Publishers, Sydney, the excellent maps would make it technical descriptions. He laments 1998. RRP $29.95. hard for anyone to miss the road. the limited protection and funding Subtitled a Touring Guide to the Each of these "grand tour" sections for our built heritage, gives Australian Alps National Park, this is accompanied by further details examples where officialdom has is a very attractive book. It is large about interesting side trips which neglected or destroyed buildings (A4 size and with nearly 180 pages), take you deeper into the parks. To that ought to have been preserved, printed on a glossy paper which me this is the book's greatest and urges those who care never to enhances text, maps and strength, encouraging visitors off lose their vigilance. A very useful photographs. Indeed given a hard the main roads and giving them an feature is that each place is related cover it would fulfil all the intimate look at the area being to the Register of the National requirements of a 'coffee table' book. travelled. The division of these side Estate, the Interim Heritage Places Explore the Australian alps is trips as suited to 2WD or 4WD Register, the Heritage Places obviously aimed at people who vehicles enables drivers to make Register and the National Trust. primarily tour by car and who do not appropriate choices. Once again the The book comprehensively covers have a detailed knowledge of the maps (at least for 2WD) are quite a wide range of buildings, from the area. Nevertheless, it provides good adequate, although those taking the large and grand such as Lanyon and reading for those who know the area 4WD might find it wise to take along Duntroon, to the small and humble well. more information. As far as I could such as Brayshaw's hut and the The book gives a comprehensive tell, the descriptions are quite Tennent homestead. Some may be overview of the region. Natural continued on page 17 Car camping 1930s style

For many years car camping has been a feature of NPA outings programs, with some notable leaders such as Ian Currie and Len Haskew willing to dream up ideas and to keep the unruly in order. These camps have attracted a variety of accommodation - tents, trailers, campers and vans - but none, to my mind, quite as fascinating as the camping trailer devised by Olive Buckman's father in the early 30s when her family camped regularly in a farm on the Welsh coast. Towed by the car owned A family group standing in front of by Olive's grandmother, the trailer the camping trailer at the Welsh provided an early and ingenious farm in 1932. Olive is second from solution to the situation we now are the left. Photo courtesy of able to address from a range of Olive Buckman. vehicles available from the The camping trailer opened and in showroom floor. Olive's photos and use, 1932. Photo courtesy of an extract from her book, Life is a Olive Buckman. Mountain, tell the story. 1 "A dead-end road ran into the or five feet wide and about two feet two parts of the lid came down and sandhills and a farmer and his deep. The 'lid' was in two parts, were fixed horizontally out from the daughter were friends of the family, hinged along the sides and at an sides of the box base. Framework so that we often had the area to angle of forty-five degrees. They then held a canvas cover in a tent ourselves when camping there. I met at the top. At the short ends shape over the whole thing, so that used to sleep on the back seat of the were double hinged pieces, dropping two people could sleep on the bottom car, some in a tent, and four in Dad's down to form a step when open, and of the box and two on the side trailer. As always, years ahead of meeting the sides when closed. With extensions. Duringthe day a folding his time, he invented and made a all our gear in, it was rather like an table was erected in the box and we 'tent-a-van'. When closed it oblong house with sloping roof when sat along the sides." measured about six feet long, four ready for towing. Once opened, the Olive Buckman

Rural Residential Book Reviews continued from page 16 Development in. the ACT continued from page 10 accurate, but I suppose this should included in this reading fist. come as no surprise, as the book was While Kosciusko Huts Government. The discussion paper compiled by staff from both state and Association, quite rightly, was identifies problems associated with territory national park services as mentioned in regard to hut each of the proposed sites but these well as the Australian Alps Liaison conservation, sadly our NPA problems are not worked through, Committee and the Biodiversity initiatives were not mentioned in largely because there is a lack of Group of Environment Australia. the articles on the Yerrabi Track, relevant information. Further Also included are appropriate the restoration of Orroral discussion of the validity of these cautionary notes for drivers, Homestead or the Boboyan Pines selections cannot proceed in the walkers and campers. (Detailed Project. absence of this information. track notes for walkers are not In general, the photographs Conservation Council included in the book - suggested throughout the book are excellent conclusion walks are either listed in the and in the main well presented. The Conservation Council submission sidebars or mentioned in a table Explore the australian alps is a concludes by expressing a lack of showing camping areas and book well worth reading (and confidence in the discussion paper and facilities). owning) and would make a very finds that there are too many problems A bibliography, and suggestions acceptable gift to someone and inequalities associated with the for further reading are also contemplating all or part of the current proposal to support it. included. I was surprised to see that "grand tour". NPA's Field Guides were not Len Haskew Syd Comfort Where I come from

I never truly appreciated the hills became more appreciative. I spent in my recovery as the day I and ranges of Canberra until I went time at the dams on the Cotter. I anticipated doctor's orders and to live in Adelaide. visited many of the trig stations on shuffled several hundred metres to I had worked at an outdoor job in the mountain peaks. I often worked a point from where I could see the Canberra for three years. For most into the evening - seeing the sunset western and southern horizons. of that time I was in sight of the behind the hills - before driving back More than most people, I should ranges. I spent several days in the to town. I camped on Bimberi for two have an affinity for that country. Brindabellas and several in the periods of several days each. My maternal grandfather was a Tidbinbilla Valley. There were some In recent years, I've joined a few dedicated trout fisherman. During road jobs on the Boboyan Road. I National Parks Association walks the 1930s (before I was born) he and remember driving to the summits of into the mountains. These are his two sons (my uncles) were Coree, One Tree and Tennent. I do challenging and instructive outings. regular visitors to the Brindabellas. not recall admiring the view or I still have a good deal to learn about They travelled up from Sydney, pondering the wonders of nature this part of the Canberra district. I through Canberra, beyond during those years. There was like to look back at Canberra from a Brindabella Station to Koorabri. always a job to do and during lunch mountain peak and identify They camped and fished along the breaks I played euchre with landmarks in the city. (I also enjoy . the men. lying in a hot bath at the end of My mother and her mother were Then, working in Adelaide, the these days.) not interested in fishing or camping. locals insisted I marvel at the beauty However, I confess to preferring to On the outward journey my and majesty of the hills within sight spend my Saturday afternoons grandfather delivered them to Hotel of their city. I agreed, diplomatically, supporting my old rugby union club Bundanoon and while the men and did not point out the doing battle with the Canberra fished the women enjoyed the social detrimental effect of the quarries teams in the local competition. I life of the Southern Highlands: and orchards on their slopes. But don't sit in the grandstand. I like to dining, dancing, tennis, sedate when I flew home for my first watch the game walking up and bushwalks. holiday, the plane came in from the down the far touchline. And when south. I had a good view of the hills things go against my team (alas, a One year, my father's family came and ranges to the west and south of regular occurrence these days), I do up from Sydney to have a holiday at Canberra. I realised I should be not gaze heavenwards. I look Bundanoon. My parents met. telling the South Australians about towards the ranges and find I owe my very existence to the call the hills around my home. solace there. of the Brindabellas. A few years later I returned to I recently had a five-week period work in Canberra - still in the field. of recuperation at home after an I kept a closer eye on the ranges. I operation. I date the turning point A new member Some thoughts about the PALM

report continued from page 15

procedures to keep abreast of changing practice and the provision of prompt service are desirable objectives, it is important that these goals are not achieved at the expense of accountability and protection of the public interest, or by distortion of the balance between | development pressures and I community and environment interests. This caution is Just before returning to the USA, Esther Gallant enjoyed a car camp at particularly relevant to the ACT at Mount Clear with NPA members. Esther from Minnesota, a member of the the present time when the Territory Sierra Club, spent nine months in 1998 at the ANU and addressed the is facing a changed and difficult November meeting of the NPA. Left to right, Col McAlister, Max Lawrence, economic situation. Reg Alder, Fiona Brand, Len Haskew, Bonny Fox, Laurie Adams, Esther Syd Comfort Gallant. Photo Barrie Ridgway. Calendar Australians for an Ecologically March April May June Sustainable Committee Meeting Tues 30 Thur 6 Thur 3 Population Gudgenby Regeneration1 Sat 27 (Canberra Branch) Easter Monday Mon 5 As its name suggests, Australians World Environment Day Sat 5 for an Ecologically Sustainable Bulletin Working Group2 Tues 13 Population (AESP) is dedicated to

3 the advocacy of a population size Canberra ACT Alive Mon 15 commensurate with Australia's General Meeting Thur 18 Thur15 Thur 20 Thur17 resource base. AESP was Environment Sub-committee4 Thurs 8 Thurs 13 Thurs 10 inaugurated in 1988 in the belief that over-population in Australia Further Details and elsewhere was the major cause 1 - Eleanor Stodart 6281 5004 3 - Outings Program of accelerating environmental 2 - Syd Comfort 6286 2578 4 - Neville Esau 6286 4176 degradation. AESP is funded by donations and membership fees and General meetings seeks to promote awareness of the Held in Forestry House, Yarralumla, commencing at 8.00pm. extent and implications of world­ Thursday 18 March. The trouble with being green. Bruce Ford, Head wide and Australian population of Conservation, National Gallery of Australia, and Dr Kelvin Officer, of growth by means of public meetings, Navin Officer Heritage Consultants, have been monitoring the rock art conferences, submissions to shelter known as Nursery Swamp II to determine the environmental factors government, press statements and leading to a virulent green lichen that threatens to obscure and eventually publication of a quarterly obliterate the Aboriginal paintings on the rock face. The work was funded newsletter. by a grant from ACT Heritage obtained by NPA and was described by Graeme Wicks in the September Bulletin. We will hear something further of their With statistics showing a world work and how they discovered a major natural limiting factor on the growth population of 2.5 billion in 1950, of lichen which may lead, in the future, to a very low impact conservation rapidly approaching 6 billion now intervention. and still growing, and with Thursday 15 April. Preparing for the 2000 State of the Environment Australia having the second-fastest Report. Joe Baker, Commissioner for the Environment in the ACT, will growth rate of any developed nation, discuss the particular challenges associated with the definition of the AESP advocates lower immigration environment in the Environment Protection Act 1997 (which was not rates whilst rejecting selection based available when he last talked to the NPA). As with our 1997 report, we will on race. be covering the Australian Capital Region which comprises the ACT plus 17 surrounding local government authorities of NSW. Much benefit has been AESP supports conservation groups gained from the public workshop in December 1998 that looked at the issues in the many issues on which they and indicators that should be included in the report. Joe will refer to the focus but claims that if we cannot outcomes of that workshop. stabilise, let alone reverse, human population growth, all our efforts to Thursday 20 May. Jabiluka. Anna Reynolds, National Liaison Officer, preserve the environment will in the Australian Conservation Foundation, will provide us with an update on uranium mining in Australia, particularly with regard to Kakadu end be futile. National Park. Australians for an Ecologically Thursday, 17 June. Visions for the New Millennium. A senior Sustainable Population Inc. representative of the NSW National Parks and Wttdlife Service will talk on Website: the outcomes of the visions for the New Millennium process and current http ://www.teknet. au/ ~ aespnat plans for parks in the south-east of NSW. Canberra Branch: PO Box 3345, New members Manuka ACT 2603 Tel: (02) 6286 5318 Michael Kearns, Kambah Fax: (02) 6286 5424 Beverley Shallcross, Weetangera Elain Herlihy, Kambah Email: [email protected] Els Wynen and David Vanzetti, Flynn Richard & Judith Miller, Geary's Gap Phyl Goddard National Parks Association (ACT) New members welcome

Application form enclosed

An NPA group at Brayshaw's Hut. Photo Graeme Wicks.

NPA Bulletin POSTAGE [f undelivered please return to: SURFACE National Parks Association of the ACT PAID PO Box 1940 Woden ACT 2606 AUSTRALIA Print Post Approved MAIL PP 248831/00041