Volume 54 Number 1 March 2017

National Parks Association of the Australian Capital Territory Inc.

Club Lake Butterfly book Mattresses to walk launched bales of steel NPA Bulletin Volume 54 number 1 March 2017 Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect association opinion or objectives.

CONTENTS From the Editor’s desk...... 2 National Parks Council AGM...... 11 Kevin McCue Ox-eye Daisy alert...... 11 From the committee ACT environmental news ...... 12 Welcome, members and friends, to 2017...... 3 NPA outings program, March – June 2017 ...... 13–16 Rod Griffiths Grassland (Southern Lined) Earless Dragon project ...... 3 NPA ACT Christmas Party 2016...... 17 Chris Emery Photo montage Developments on a new northern national park ...... 4 ‘Soft Landing’ for old mattresses at the tip ...... 18 Kevin McCue and Rod Griffiths Esther Gallant Managing bushfire risks...... 4 Bushwalks Christine Goonrey Club Lake and Kunama Hutte ruins ...... 19 Symposium notice ...... 5 Brian Slee Butterfly book launched...... 6 Up the Burrungubugge ...... 20 Sonja Lenz Philip Gatenby Book review. Field Guide to the Butterflies of the ACT Gubur Dhaura (‘Red Ochre Ground’)...... 21 by Suzi Bond with Steve Holliday and John Stein...... 7 and Gungaderra Creek Rupert Barnett Brian Slee Not dead yet: rejuvenation of the Red Gum ...... 8 Wandering Weeders on the Mountain ...... 22 population at Spring Station Creek Kevin McCue Isobel Crawford PARKWATCH ...... 23 Ongoing research in Namadgi ...... 9 Compiled by Hazel Rath Kevin McCue NPA notices...... 26 Conservation Council events ...... 10 Meetings and speaker information...... 27 NPA information and contacts ...... 27 From the Editor’s desk In this issue of the Bulletin we extinction. Once great forests are being • not burning the bush too frequently. congratulate authors Suzi Bond, Steve savaged for woodchips here in Australia This has serious consequences for Holliday and John Stein and thank the (page 11). But again, here in the ACT, we insects and other small critters that live NPA team of Sonja Lenz, Esther Gallant, have a good news story – the successful in the leaf litter and recycle soil Adrienne Nicholson and Ed Highley [and breeding of the Eastern Bettong in a nutrients to keep the undergrowth myself!], and designer Mariana sanctuary (see NPA Bulletin, March alive, prevent erosion, grow orchids Rollgejser, for a spectacular book all 2016). It and the Bush Stone-curlew, the and other native flowers, and the next about butterflies (pages 6–7). We are Northern Corroboree Frog, New Holland generation of trees (page 4). elated to see it published, and gratified Mouse, Magpie Goose, Cape Barren Learning, for instance, all about the that it has been well received by the Goose, Southern Bandicoot, Spotted life cycles of the many beautiful species public – we’re already thinking about a Quoll, Koala, Rock Wallaby, Green and of butterfly that waft through our reprint. Golden Bell Frog among others were gardens and open spaces is essential if While the butterfly book has been a driven to extinction by the activities of our we want to conserve them – we do, don’t very public activity of NPA ACT, behind forebears in the ACT over just the past we? Our new butterfly book will help. the scenes another huge success is that a 150 years. There is huge value in maintaining as northern ACT national park is a step Whether any or all of these species can much of the natural habitat as we can, closer (page 4). For this, we say to Rod be bred and successfully reintroduced into forgoing some of the pleasures of Griffiths and the Environment the wild outside a sanctuary is 4-wheel driving, cycling, fishing and Subcommittee, well done! Another problematic, but we can help achieve this shooting in protected areas, to give other important activity, the symposium on fire goal by: animals a chance. The long-term survival management to be held in July • ridding the ACT of feral foxes and cats of humans on Earth may depend on the (pages 4–5) and convened by our own as a necessary first step ecological values inherent in protected Christine Goonrey, will illuminate the • providing safe road crossings, under- or areas – is the cost of their maintenance way ahead for community input into, and overpasses to stop the carnage of native too high a price to pay? animals on our roads understanding of, bushfire management, Kevin McCue and help to take the ACT public along on • learning how the environment cycle the path to fire resilience. works – removing 95 per cent of grassy Human greed, intolerance and woodlands surely has important ignorance, or a combination of these, consequences for the animal world and have driven many animal species to ultimately for humans

2NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 From the committee Welcome, members and friends, to 2017 The NPA Committee is expecting to ensure only appropriate projects are and it is expected another active year, which has already implemented. that the various kicked off with significant developments The last few months have been busy walks will take relating to the proposed new national despite the festive season. In December place from April. park (see article on page 4) and an we saw the successful launch of the Field The Environ- increased focus on ecotourism by the Guide to the Butterflies of the ACT. This ment Subcommittee ACT Government. This increased focus has proved to be an immensely popular is currently putting has resulted in the issuing of a request book and has opened many pairs of eyes together a response to the draft for proposals for the ‘Provision of Eco- to the diversity of the butterfly world in management plan for the Lower Cotter accommodation, Volunteer Guide the ACT. The Publications Subcommittee Catchment (LCC). The LCC adjoins Management and Nature Based Tourism is already thinking about the need for a and, in the Experiences’. This proposal seeks: reprint! future, as the natural environment the ‘holistic management of an Work on the new edition of the NPA’s recovers from the 2003 bushfires, it is “on-reserve” eco style housing Field Guide to the Native Trees of the likely that much of the LCC will be portfolio’, as well as the ACT continues and it will be a worthy incorporated into Namadgi. The ‘development of sensitive, successor to the current edition. proposed plan of management is appropriate nature based tourism The NPA has had stalls at the therefore of key interest to the NPA. experiences that build on existing environmental fair in December and the As always, these are just some of the natural and cultural values within open day at Jerrabomberra Wetlands (see activities involving the NPA and your the Territory’. photos on page 10). Both stalls were well participation, no matter how small, will The NPA believes that familiarity patronised and have contributed to strong be welcomed. Please do not hesitate to with the bush breeds understanding but, sales of the NPA’s publications. contact any of the committee members in seeking to achieve this, the primary Following the ACT election, the NPA if you would like to offer your support. responsibility of our conservation congratulated the successful candidates Rod Griffiths reserves remains the protection of the and offered to take them on a bushwalk natural environment. The NPA will as an opportunity to showcase the therefore be closely monitoring progress importance of the ACT’s reserves. There on ecotourism proposals and will work has been a positive response to this offer Grassland (Southern Lined) Earless Dragon project While searching for a suitable Honours (NSW). Reasons for its decline are varied predict the future project/scholarship to fund from a but include habitat clearance and population trajec- recently received bequest, we were fragmentation, and more subtle causes tories for the offered an interesting option from the such as habitat degradation (through species and the University of Canberra. As it does not stock or kangaroo grazing) and likelihood of its meet the requirements of the bequest, agricultural practices. Climate change is extinction. your committee has decided to fund this also likely to increase the threats to this Project expend- project from consolidated revenue. species. iture would be $10,000: The Grassland Earless Dragon, In collaboration with the ACT $5,000 for a student scholarship and Tympanocryptis pinguicolla, (see Government, the University of Canberra $5,000 for field work expenses. The page 49 of our Field Guide to the has collected mark–recapture data from project supervisor will be Professor Reptiles & Frogs of the Australian populations of the species using back- Stephen Sarre. We look forward to the Capital Territory) is one of Australia’s pattern recognition. In this project, the selected student giving us a presentation most endangered reptiles. Once student will survey the lizard in key at a general meeting sometime after occurring in temperate grasslands across population localities within the ACT, June 2018, following completion of the south-eastern Australia, T. pinguicolla combine the data with captures from project. now exists in only a few small and previous years, and then use the total Chris Emery fragmented populations in the ACT/ dataset to develop a population dynamic Treasurer Queanbeyan area and near model for the species. The goal will be to

Life membership of NPA ACT

The committee is again calling for nominations for Honorary Life Membership. If you know a member who has done something very special for our association and is worthy of this recognition, please send a confidential nomination to the secretary Sonja Lenz by mid-April (signed by yourself and another member who seconds the nomination). Further information on what to put into the nomination can be found on the NPA website or by contacting Kevin McCue on 6251 1291 or email [email protected]

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 3 From the committee (continued) Developments on a new northern national park Rod Griffiths wrote the first proposal in titled ‘Should Goorooyarroo, Mulligans a commitment to NPA ACT’s campaign for a new Flat, and investigate the northern national park in the ACT back become a National Park or remain as feasibility of the in April 2009 (published in the NPA discrete Nature Reserves as part of new national park Bulletin, June 2009) and discussed it Canberra Nature Park?’. Following proposal. (A copy with the then Chief Minister Jon publication of its findings, Rod Griffiths of the proposal can Stanhope in September 2009. as President of NPA ACT wrote on be found on the In October 2010, the Office of the 4 June 2011 complimenting OCSE on the NPA’s website.) In early Commissioner for Sustainability and the report and not only supported the February 2017, Mr Mick Gentleman, the Environment (OCSE), in response to a proposition but suggested adding other ACT’s Minister for the Environment direction from the then Chief Minister, reserves and providing connectivity and Heritage, announced the formation instigated an enquiry into Canberra between them. The establishment of a of a reference group to investigate the Nature Park, Corridor national park would help raise proposal. and Googong Foreshores. community awareness of the importance As one of a range of stakeholders, By March 2011, the NPA ACT of these ecosystems and provide impetus the NPA has been asked to nominate a proposal incorporated the ACT’s to achieve greater on- and off-reserve representative to the reference group nationally significant lowland grassy connectivity. with the first meeting to be held in early woodlands into a single reserve to Just before the 2016 ACT election, the March – watch this space! consolidate the management of these proposal was aired prominently in a Compiled by Kevin McCue on Conservation Council of the ACT Region important ecosystems (NPA Bulletin, consultation with Rod Griffiths March 2011). forum attended by electoral nominees Following the OCSE report, the from the Liberal, Labor and Greens ACT ACT’s Commissioner for Sustainability parties, who were asked whether they and the Environment, Dr Maxine supported such a proposal. The NPA was Cooper, commissioned a report in 2011 heartened when the subsequent Labor/ Greens parliamentary agreement included Managing bushfire risks NPA ACT has a proud history of working government policy, goal setting and A key objective with the community, government and strategic directions on fire management. of the symposium scientists to understand how we can The symposium will explore the legal will be to better manage the risks of bushfire. With setting for bushfire management in the strengthen the summers like this one just passed, we ACT; i.e. what has to be done according responsibility believe it is even more important for us to the current laws. In the face of so many shared between all to understand how the risks of conflicting ideas and theories about fire government, bushfires are being managed and what management, we also want to explore the researchers and the the implications are for our environment. social, economic and personal values community for managing fire hazards. It is 13 years since the bushfires of each of us bring to the debate. We need to We want to build a pathway for the 2003 devastated parts of our city. In the understand the data and modeling which community to interact effectively with current bushfire season of 2016–17, we rely on to estimate the risks involved the fire management planning processes heatwaves have flooded through the in different approaches, and what over the next few years. south-eastern states of Australia with research is saying about the best ways to So mark the dates in your calendar temperatures regularly reaching 35–44ºC mitigate those risks. and encourage people to attend. We and Canberra recording its hottest We need to see clear links between need to build community-supported fire January ever. A flow of hot air from the current research and fire management management strategies that protect life, Centre sucked the moisture out of strategies because the environmental risks property and the environment. grasslands and forests, and sent grass if we get our approaches wrong could fires tearing through communities and involve the loss of species, ecosystems Community Symposium – Bushfire destroying homes around Canberra. The and even existing natural landscape Management: Balancing the Risks risk of fire has not diminished; it has resilience to fire. Friday–Saturday, 21–22 July 2017 grown more urgent as climate change One of the most exciting strategies Pilgrim House begins to bite. emerging in the ACT is learning from Northbourne Avenue Consequently, NPA ACT is holding a Indigenous fire practices but the question Canberra City ACT 2601 community symposium in July to discuss remains: How do we incorporate that Christine Goonrey research, management strategies and learning into fire management practices? (flyer on facing page) community expectations for fire Other key issues to be explored at the management in the ACT in a changing symposium include managing the climate. The symposium aims to ensure bush–urban interface and the effects of an informed ACT community will be prescribed burning on public health, able to contribute positively to ACT water, and flora and fauna.

4NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 5 Butterfly book launched

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Book launch photographs by Chris Emery (CE) and Esther Gallant (EG). 1. Some of the capacity crowd in the Crosbie Morrison Building at the ANBG for the book launch on 13 December. (CE) 2. The books arrive! (CE) 3. Setting up the sales tables EG) 4. MC Christine Goonrey introducing the speaker Genevieve Jacobs. Author Suzi Bond looks on. (CE) 5. Genevieve Jacobs launching the book. (CE) 6. Lead author Suzi Bond signing books. (CE) 2 3

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The butterfly book The NPA agreed to publish the Field photos. Updates to the book were Guide to the Butterflies of the Australian coming thick and fast, such that Capital Territory in 2014, but serious the design for some species effort on the NPA’s working group’s needed to be modified tasks did not begin until 2016 (see also considerably to accommodate the NPA Bulletin, December 2016). An new data. It was rapidly getting agreement with the lead author was to the deadline for the printer and signed in July of that year, and the text, still there were better photos and albeit not yet complete, was delivered to new information coming in. the group, together with many The book also urgently photographs. Numerous meetings and needed copyediting. Ed Highley many hours of concentrated work completed that task while followed, during which the group indexes were still being massaged the text into a more consistent completed and existing photos format and removed all unnecessary replaced by even better ones. My duplication of information. hopes were fading fast that we This text and the photos were then could complete the final copy in passed to the designer, Mariana time for the printer and the Rollgejser. What a revelation it was to potential Christmas sales 6 see her design combine the two bonanza. The date for the launch 6 components of the book – all our work had already been publicised: suddenly had a visual impact! would we make it? The 2016–17 butterfly season was We did and what a relief that was, Esther, Adrienne, Kevin and Ed for all now well underway and Christmas.was and it saw this field guide becoming pulling together in what was a stressful, moving closer. The authors were busily NPA’s fastest-selling book. but also exciting, last couple of weeks surveying for butterflies, updating their My thanks go to the authors, the and days. distribution maps and collecting more many photographers, the designer, Sonja Lenz

6NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 Book review Field Guide to the The specimens are presented in five colour-coded families which, if each Butterflies of the ACT were easily distinguishable would by Suzi Bond, with Steve Holliday simplify identification, but I’ll need to and John Stein do more chasing before I recognise features that separate Swallowtails from National Parks Association of the Jezebels or learn why a Yellow Jewel is ACT a Blue. But we are lucky to live in the 2016 229 pages ACT – we have to thumb through fewer RRP $30 than a hundred. Separating butterflies and moths is a Most of us probably started taking note different challenge. It seems there are so of butterflies when we made a net to many species that don’t fit convenient catch the white ones fluttering over the groupings that it might be better if we veggies. I quickly learnt it was much treated those terms as synonymous. harder to catch them than the picture I’ve used the book to ID a number of books suggested, that if I did catch one I photos (I hope), then gone online for was supposed to squash it, and even if I more pictures and information. It’s not did it made no difference to their always clear-cut though; my brown numbers. almost matched a described species in Fast forward a few decades and shape but not colour, and lacked the most of us had become more aware of embroidered margin. Then I realised the butterflies and other insects around us, edge was tattered and the wings split, though we probably still had not learnt and found the note reminding me that much more about them despite the big butterflies can show their age. With it increase in available information. It does the job well. There are was an image of my ‘unlisted’ specimen. However, getting a name was rarely as introductions to the evolution and The NPA ACT Publications easy as looking up a field guide for, say, anatomy of the group and their life Subcommittee was much involved in the birds, mostly because butterflies cycles and habits, and practical topics preparation of the book, as Kevin wouldn’t stand still or if you did get a such as suitable plants for your garden. McCue described in the December 2016 good look the pictures in the books The selection of enough information to issue of the NPA Bulletin; we are were endless. allow readers to (mostly) identify a grateful. Recently too there has been a burst species without using formal key or A reprint could allow improvement of online sites put up by both public and technical terms must have been a tricky of some photos and, reflecting my private organisations that present a juggle for the authors because without observation above, include the ‘Selected range of Australia’s insects. However, that precision more errors in Moths’ in the indexes. A few words on a with an estimated 20,000 species of identification are likely. However, I've species’ distributions outside the ACT butterflies and moths in Australia and no doubt the book will prove popular, so would also be of value to many. only half of them described, the chances that if there are some wrong attributions However, the issue that must be remain small, as you scan hundreds it’s because many more are correct. addressed is the book’s binding – for the more pictures, that you’ll be exclaiming Each species is given a double page, present print run some force is required ‘Aha!’ one descriptive and the other showing to hold pages open. That’s nuisance But now we’ve got the ‘butterfly photos – typically male and female, and enough when using it to find images on a book’ for the ACT. Author Dr Suzi upper and undersides of the wings, if computer but almost impossible in the Bond tells us that of those recognised these differ. There is usually also its egg, field when trying to compare species. species (in the order Lepidoptera) in larva and pupa, and a map of its We can also hope there are plans to Australia, just 435 are butterflies, and occurrence in the ACT. The photos are extend this project to cover the ACT’s only 87 have been reported in the ACT. mostly excellent, which must have taken moths. It’s unlikely to be a field guide – The book describes all of these and, an immense and ongoing dedication by but maybe an app? briefly, a score of commonly-occurring the authors and sources on which they Rupert Barnett moths. draw.

Left. Greenish Grass-dart, Ocybadistes walkeri. Photo by Esther Gallant.

Right. Mating pair of Cabbage Whites, Pieris rapae (male to the right). Photo by Rupert Barnett.

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 7 Not dead yet: rejuvenation of the River Red Gum population at Spring Station Creek

The sole naturally occurring population form of River Red Gum. Seedlings During the September 2016 work of River Red Gum Eucalyptus grown from this material displayed the party, Adrienne Nicholson and others camaldulensis in the ACT is 1.5 km slightly narrower leaves associated with found eight very small narrow-leaved south of Tharwa, just past the Spring River Red Gums. River Red Gum seedlings to 18 cm Station Creek single-lane bridge. The Clive Hurlstone described why and under the blackberry mass in the south- single mature adult tree would appear to how NPA ACT had started caring for this eastern corner of the exclosure. Seven have had many lives, in the way of this population (NPA Bulletin 45(2), June were marked with stakes. species. Its four large trunks appear to be 2008). He described two 2008 work On the road verge east of the adult pre-invasion post-fire regeneration, as parties and noted that three sapling River tree, four narrow-leaved River Red Gum they are estimated to be hundreds of Red Gums had been identified by Ian plants of varying ages were recorded. years old. Brooker. Two are in the south-western The oldest is a very unhealthy sapling to Ian Brooker was a eucalypt specialist corner of the exclosure organised by 4 m, which might have been affected by at the then Forestry and Timber Bureau, Peter Ormay, and probably erected in the weedicide. Two of the three younger and his curiosity was piqued by this large early 1980s to protect the mature adult ones had been repeatedly mown over the tree. In 1975 he collected flowering and saplings, and to encourage further last few years, and had therefore material which he initially identified as regeneration. produced multiple young stems. The the River Red Gum’s close relative, Martin Chalk described two work fourth appeared to be from seed Blakely’s Red Gum (E. blakelyi). parties held last spring to cut and dab germinated in 2016. All were marked Subsequent collections of fruits by Ian blackberry (NPA Bulletin 53(4), with stakes and flagging tape, and and his colleague David Kleinig in 1978 December 2016) and to shorten the Bernie Brown, the ranger, has asked and 1980 changed his mind. With their pendulous lower dead branches of the mowing and weeding contractors to take atypical light yellowish seeds, and buds adult River Red Gum to reduce its care. with their distinctive short-beaked vulnerability to fire. They had died As well, I found 10 seedlings to rounded caps, they and the original during the Millenium drought and 35 cm high in the adjacent Namadgi material were identified as the typical subsequently been accidentally burned in Sports Flying Club paddock south of the a summer grass fire from the paddock to exclosure. Five were transplanted, three the west. By chance, a passing Namadgi (continued next page) ranger had been able to extinguish the fire. Martin also noted the very exciting discovery last spring of young River Red Gums, some in the south-eastern corner of the exclosure, and others along the road verge and in the model aeroplane paddock to the south. In this article, I delve further into the finding of these young plants, among the blackberry and/or long grasses, and the apparently successful transplanting of three individuals.

Top left. The base of the grand old River Red Gum showing blackberries sprayed on 12 December 2016. Note the rampant blackberry growth over the fence to the right. Top right. River Red Gum sapling on the roadside. Left. Small seedling in the south-east corner of the exclosure. Above. Transplanted River Red Gum seedling. Photos by John Brickhill.

8NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 Ongoing research in Namadgi Back in May 2006, a symposium • Aboriginal site preservation and convened by NPA ACT sought to restoration (GBRG involved) identify scientific research being • Planting a million trees in the ACT by undertaken in Namadgi National Park 2018, many of them in ACT nature that would influence park management parks and reserves as a contribution to decisions. Many surprises came out of global climate change minimisation that meeting, one being the diversity of • Kangaroo and dingo populations. research being pursued, and another that The list does not include ACT the research was not strategically driven Government projects and data collection but mostly done opportunistically to on major interests such as: pursue answers to very focused • feral animal monitoring and control – questions aligned with the interests of pigs, horses, deer, rabbits, foxes and the researchers. cats A decade on, I posed the question • water quality monitoring (in which again, this time to the Senior Parks and NPA ACT is involved through Martin Conservation Ranger at Namadgi, Ben Chalk) Stevenson – what research is being • bushfire management done? (it can be undertaken only with the permission of park management). • weed control (NPA ACT and GBRG A list of project descriptions and have regular work parties to remove institutions he sent me included some of broom, willow, briars etc.) the following: • restoring the bush to something like its • Ecological integrity for measuring pre-European state by removing national park management effective- unneeded fences and feral trees, ness – ANU planting trees and shrubs where necessary etc. (NPA ACT and GBRG • eDNA sampling for detecting presence again actively involved). of Northern Corroboree Frogs in sphagnum bogs – UC NPA members are involved, as you can see, in many aspects of park • RHDV for rabbit control – CSIRO management but there is scope for • Bird banding – CSIRO greater involvement, especially in the • Ongoing native fish research in the eDNA sampling and bird-banding – UC projects. Do volunteer if you are • Cotter River hydrology projects – interested and available. Contact me on several 02 6251 1291. • Bluegum Flats natural history – ANU Kevin McCue

Some successful River Red Gum seedlings along the Corridor. Photos courtesy of Parks Conservation and Lands.

Not dead yet: rejuvenation of the River Red Gum population … (continued) to the north-western corner and two All the young plants recorded so far So now there is not just one very along the southern edge of the exclosure. are from south to east of the adult, so mature adult River Red Gum and three The northern end of the club’s paddock would appear to have germinated from healthy saplings to ca 2 m, but two is not mown as often as the southern seed blown by the prevailing winds from younger cohorts as well. In the first week end, closer to the clubhouse, and it also the north-west. The unusually heavy of February 2017, while watering the has less African Lovegrass. But the rains of last winter and spring probably young plants, John Brickhill and I ground layer vegetation there was less encouraged the germination of seed counted three surviving transplanted dense than under the mature tree inside which, in drier seasons, may not have individuals in the north-western corner the exclosure, where no regeneration responded. of the exclosure, five naturally occurring was recorded. In a discussion with Clem Bernie Brown and NPA members ones along the exclosure’s southern Kyle and Ken Lee, the president and have done further weediciding of the edge, 24 in the eastern-most flying club secretary respectively of the flying club, blackberry regeneration. Some watering paddock and three to the west of this it was agreed that we could mark the of the seedlings has also been done. group. seedlings with protective stakes. Isobel Crawford

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 9 Conservation Council events The Conservation Council Canberra • Tuesday 18 April: Climate Change the Risks’, a symposium with the Region conducts regular ‘Environment Action: Getting to zero net emissions National Parks Association of the Exchanges’ through the year to provide • Tuesday 23 May: Overcoming the ACT, Conservation Council, Parks and in-depth discussions on a range of Growing Pains: Building a sustainable Conservation Service and Emergency environmental topics. compact city Services Agency. New venue: the Renewable Energy • Tuesday 27 June: Reducing Canberra’s NPA ACT is a member group of the Hub, 19–23 Moore Street, Turner Waste Mountain Conservation Council. If you are (just off Barry Drive) and And more events: interested in participating in any of its new day: Tuesday not Thursday. • Saturday 16 March 9.30–16.00 — events, put the dates in your diary and 12–2pm with a light lunch ‘Being an Effective Voice for the get all the details from its website: http:// provided and donations welcome. Environment’ symposium conservationcouncil.org.au/. Planned topics are: • Saturday 3 June 7pm — World • Tuesday 22 March: Using Nature for Environment Day Dinner Power: How soon to a 100 per cent • Friday 21–Saturday 22 July — renewable energy future? ‘Bushfire Management – Balancing

How many books are you buying, Rod? The NPA stall Setting up the NPA display at the Jerrabomberra at the Ecoelves market on 2 December 2016. Wetlands open day on 5 February 2017. Photo courtesy of Esther Gallant. Photo by Esther Gallant.

Butterfly, butterfly (For the child inside.)

Butterfly, butterfly, where have you been? Butterfly, butterfly, what will we eat? In my sleeping bag having a big dream. Nectar and pollen, some dew for a treat. Butterfly, butterfly, when will we fly? Butterfly, butterfly, you’ve been very kind As soon as my wings are unfolded and dry. to open my wings in spirit and mind. Butterfly, butterfly, what will we do there? Butterfly, butterfly, I now have seen We’ll sail like the birds and flutter through the air. those rainbow colours just like a dream. Butterfly, butterfly, what will we see? Butterfly, butterfly, ’tis been a long day, Some rocks, some dams and a great old tree. but do come again to fly and to play. Butterfly, butterfly, how big will they be? Klaus Hueneke Not much more than an ant or a bee. (with apologies to Anon.) Butterfly, butterfly, where will I lie? Squeeze in just there behind my green eye.

10 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 National Parks Australia Council AGM Representatives of the National Parks the six recommendations in The Jewel in Associations of the ACT, NSW, the Crown, NPAC’s policy document. Queensland and Victoria, as well as the This document will be an important part Nature Conservation Society of South of NPAC’s election campaign in the lead Australia (NCSSA), met in the VNPA up to the 2018 federal election and Office in Carlton, Melbourne, from briefing papers will be produced over 18–20 November 2016. NPA ACT was the next 12 months. represented by committee members Strategic planning discussions Quentin Moran and Kevin McCue. continued on the Saturday and the following actions were identified as Annual reports priorities for the next 12 months: Summaries from each member group 1. Develop a package of strategic were circulated in advance, including communications on national issues the NPA ACT report written by Rod 2. Build relationships Griffiths. The reports were briefly 3. Engage politicians. discussed at the beginning of Friday’s In the afternoon the delegates visited deliberations. Common issues included: Toolangi State Forest near Healesville in • prescribed burning in national parks the Yarra Valley Ranges, part of the and reserves proposed Great Forest National Park. • management of pest animals Our guide was Bernie Mace who has • tourism and associated infrastructure been involved with a long campaign to development in national parks and protect the tall forests in this area. The reserves. field trip was a good opportunity for NPAC Committee in Wirrawilla Rainforest. Three invited presentations informal discussions with other NPAC Photo by Kevin McCue. followed: members. The NPAC AGM was held on the advocacy and strategies for political • VNPA’s Citizen Science Programs, by lobbying Caitlin Griffith, Manager Community Sunday and the agenda included discussion of the President and • sharing knowledge and experience Engagement and Learning, Christine • coordinating action and ideas on Connelly, Nature Watch Coordinator Treasurer’s reports, and the election of office bearers for 2017. The NPAC conservation and protected area and Kade Mills, Reef Watch management at a national level Coordinator. (http://vnpa.org.au/page/ Executive was re-elected with acclamation: • enhanced opportunities to meet with volunteer/citizen-science) federal politicians and staff from the • Greater Alpine National Parks President Michelle Prior, NPAQ Secretary Graeme Wiffen, NPA Commonwealth Department of the Management Plan, by Stuart Hughes Environment and influence policy in from Parks Victoria. NSW Treasurer Euan Moore, VNPA relation to protected area and • Feral Horse Management Planning, by threatened species management Phil Pegler from Parks Victoria. Public Officer Kevin McCue, NPA ACT Policy Officer Sarah May • learning how to raise awareness and These were most interesting and engage the community in conservation generated strong discussion. South Australia will host the 2017 NPAC AGM over a weekend in late and appreciation of nature, with a Strategic planning October or early November 2017. focus on national parks through community education work. The afternoon session was devoted to Conclusion Bimonthly NPAC Executive strategic planning for the next 12–18 The member groups have a primary meetings (phone hook-ups) and the months and development of a work plan focus on the management of protected AGM are opportunities to strengthen to guide the NPAC Policy Officer and areas and informing the community, relationships and communications member group efforts in relation to industry and government on between various member groups. NPAC priorities. conservation issues. This is a summary of a more detailed Over the past 12 months, Sarah May, Benefits to member groups of NPAC report prepared by Nicki de Preu, the NPAC Policy Officer, has developed membership include: NCSSA. Ed. detailed background briefing papers on • learning about environmental Ox-eye Daisy alert Philip Selmes, ParkCare and 1. Roadside near Mount Clear more people on the lookout for this Volunteer Coordinator, sent out the campground – southern ACT weed the better so it would be appreciated if you could not only keep following email alert. 2. Sutton Road your eye out for this one but pass [this Within Parks and Conservation Service 3. Mt Franklin Road alert] on through your networks. If you we are becoming increasingly concerned but we are now seeing it in many more do come across it report sightings to about the risk posed by a number of areas. http://canberra.naturemapr.org/ or ‘new’ weeds that we are seeing more of. This highly invasive weed is able to phone: 13 22 81. One of these is Oxe-eye Daisy. There colonise intact native vegetation and have been few incursion sites so far farm pastures and so we do not want it See back cover of this Bulletin for including: established in the ACT. Obviously the information on Oxe-eye Daisy identification. Ed.

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 11 ACT environmental news Hopping to freedom non-native pines as well as used for woodland environment. There are livestock grazing. Barrer Hill still retains populations at most nature parks in Late last year Tidbinbilla Nature high conservation value with rocky the ACT. Reserve’s Captive Breeding Program grasslands home to threatened species Following the declaration of the did their sixth annual release of like the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo as a Northern Corroboree Frogs into area also forms parts of the soon-to-be controlled native species, the Namadgi National Park. It was a declared Molonglo River Reserve which Conservator for Flora and Fauna is beautiful sunny day and ten people from will be a key recreational area for the preparing a controlled native the Wildlife Team at Tidbinbilla and developing suburbs of Molonglo. species management plan for the from Conservation Research drove up The restoration work to date has Eastern Grey Kangaroo. with 493 frogs loaded into included removing the pines and The Conservator has invited public the car in pal pens full of sphagnum progressively replacing them with native comment on the draft plan at moss. After splitting the frogs up shrubs and trees, including the Clustered http://www.environment.act.gov.au/ between us and putting on a few extra Everlasting daisy, Red-leaf Wattle and __data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1029717/ jumpers, we left the track and set off Yellow Box. Extensive weed removal DraftControlledNativeSpeciesManage through the bush to find the bog our has also taken place. A key part of the mentPlan.pdf frogs would soon call home. There were project has involved returning habitat or search for it on yellow and white wildflowers in bloom structures to the area such as rocks, http://www.environment.act.gov.au/ everywhere and clear running streams salvaged logs, and dead trees which Closing date for comments is 24 March and we even saw a pair of gang gangs provide shelter for wildlife. 2017. Send written comments to: flying overhead. We released the frogs The ACT Parks and Conservation Manager, Environment, Planning and next to small pools in the bog and Service is working with the Australian Sustainable Development Directorate watched them crawl away into the moss, National University on a research by email to out in the sunshine for the first time in project at Barrer Hill to inform how [email protected] their lives! modified areas in the ACT and further or post to It will take three or four years for afield can be restored with vertical PO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601. these frogs to mature to breeding age, habitat structures, including translocated and only then will we be able to listen trees and man-made utility poles. The for their mating calls and estimate how trees, or ‘snags’, are those which need to many of them have survived. The be removed from urban landscapes for biggest threat to Corroboree Frogs is safety reasons. All snags and poles have Chytrid fungus which we know is been enriched with carved hollows with Tasmanian Tiger present in the Ginini wetlands. Chytrid varying entrance size dimensions has had a devastating impact on the targeting different animal species from population, leaving the species marsupials to bats and artificial bark that endangered. By doing annual releases will hopefully attract a host of creatures Tasmanian (Launceston, Tas.), we’re boosting the numbers of from spiders to geckos. Corroboree Frogs in the wild which The task of securing the snags in an Saturday 13 June 1885 we’re hoping will give them time to upright position requires structural page 22. develop a natural resistance to the engineers and skilled arborists, as well fungus. as large machinery to lift them into At Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve there ZOOLOGICAL—The two Tasma- position. Each snag was placed into a nian tigers which were brought to are over 1 100 Corroboree frogs in hole that has a steel layer and concrete captivity which form a self-sustaining town and lodged in the garden footing so it can remain standing safely attached to the caretaker's house, breeding population. Their breeding is for many decades. The research project managed to maximise genetic diversity Town Park, were shipped on compares how effective translocated board the s.s. Mangana Thursday so that if the wild population is wiped trees and utility poles are at attracting out, we have an insurance population to en route to South Australia. Mr. local wildlife. Specialised cameras M'Gowan, the caretaker of the save the species. The first eggs were recording real-time wildlife visits have collected from Mount Ginini in 2003 Town Park, telegraphed to the been installed. Stay tuned for updates Director of the Botanical and Zoo- and since 2011 we have released 2 300 and images posted to this website. frogs back into the wetlands! logical Gardens, Adelaide, stating www.environment.act.gov.au, that he had these two tigers for www.environment.act.gov.au, accessed 26 January 2017 sale, and stating the terms and released 10 January 2017 asking if he would purchase them. accessed 26 January 2017 The Eastern Grey Kangaroo He received an immediate reply declared a Controlled Native Barrer Hill restoration project accepting the tigers on the terms Species named, and they were shipped A restoration project has been taking accordingly. They should reach The Environment, Planning and place at Barrer Hill in the Molonglo Adelaide on Monday next, and will Sustainable Development Directorate Valley since 2014. The 50-hectare area, doubtless form a pleasing addition has written to NPA ACT, stating: on the northern bank of the Molonglo to the zoological collection in the River, across from the new suburb of The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is an garden there. Coombs, has a long history of human important – and iconic – part of impacts. It was formerly planted with Canberra’s grassland and

12 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 NPA outings program March – June 2017 Bushwalk Grading Guide Distance grading (per day) Terrain grading 1 up to 10 km A Road, fire-trail or track E Rock scrambling 2 10 km to 15 km B Open forest F Exploratory 3 15 km to 20 km C Light scrub 4 above 20 km D Patches of thick scrub, regrowth Day walks Carry lunch and snacks, drinks, protective clothing, a first aid kit and any required medication. Pack walks Two or more days. Carry all food and camping requirements. CONTACT LEADER EARLY. Car camps Facilities often limited. Vehicles taken to site can be used for camping. CONTACT LEADER EARLY. Work parties Carry items as for day walks plus work gloves and any tools required. Work party details and location sometimes change, check NPA website, www.npaact.org.au, for any last minute changes. Other activities include ski trips, canoe trips, nature rambles and environment or field guide studies. Wednesday walks (WW). Medium or somewhat harder walks arranged on a joint NPA, BBC (Brindabella Bushwalking Club) and CBC (Canberra Bushwalking Club) basis for fit and experienced club walkers. Notification and details are only emailed to members registered for WW. Only NPA-hosted WW are shown in this program. For WW email registration, contact the Outings Convener. Transport The NPA suggests a passenger contribution to transport costs of 40 cents per kilometre for the distance driven divided by the number of occupants of the car including the driver, rounded to the nearest dollar. The amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader. Drive and walk distances shown in the program are approximate for return journeys. NPA ACT members undertaking walks or other activities in this program are advised they should have PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE or, at least, AMBULANCE COVER in case of an accident requiring evacuation by ambulance or helicopter. Points to note Please help keep our outings program alive by volunteering to lead outings. New leaders are welcome. The Outings Convener is happy to suggest locations suitable for a walk if you do not have something in mind. Feel free to send in suggestions for outings with a suggested date to the Outings Convener by email to [email protected] All persons joining an outing of the National Parks Association of the ACT do so as volunteers in all respects and as such accept responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred and the National Parks Association of the ACT, its office bearers and appointed leaders, are absolved from any liability in respect of injury or damage suffered whilst engaged in any such outing. In voluntarily participating in these activities conducted by the NPA ACT, participants should be aware that they could be exposed to risks that could lead to injury, illness or death or to loss of or damage to property. These risks could include but are not limited to slippery and/or uneven surfaces, rocks being dislodged, falling at edges of cliffs or drops or elsewhere, risks associated with crossing creeks, hypothermia, heat exhaustion and the risks associated with any of the Special Hazards listed on the Atten- dance Record and Risk Waiver Form provided by the leader at the activity. To minimise these risks participants should endeavour to ensure that the activity is within their capabilities and that they are carrying food, water, equipment, clothing and footwear appropriate to the activity. Participants should advise the leader if they are taking any medication or have any physical or other limitation that might affect their participation in the activity. Participants should make every effort to remain with the rest of the party during the activity and accept the instructions of the leader. By sign- ing the Attendance Record and Risk Waiver Form participants agree that they understand these requirements and have considered the risks before choosing to sign the form and waiver any claim for damages arising from the activity that they might have against the association, the leader or any other participants in tort or contract. Children under 18 years of age are welcome to come on NPA ACT activities provided they are accompanied by a parent, guardian or close relative. Parents or Guardians will be required to sign a specific Risk Waiver for a Child form. Leaders to note: please send copies of completed Attendance Record and Risk Waiver Forms to Brian Slee, contact 6281 0719 or [email protected]

Note: Dananbilla Nature Reserve 4 March Saturday Walk 11 March Saturday Work Party Mid-week Work Parties SQUARE ROCK GUDGENBY BUSH REGENERATION GROUP Two work parties are in the planning Map 1:25,000 Leader Michael Goonrey stages and are likely to occur during the Grading 1 A Contact 6231 8395 or 0419 494 142 or period of this program. However, details Leader Steven Forst [email protected] were unavailable at the time of its Contact 0428 195 236 or Meet at the Namadgi Visitor Centre, preparation. [email protected] Tharwa at 9.15 am. Car pool to If you are interested, keep an eye on A short morning walk, through subalpine Gudgenby Valley. Work will include the online events program or contact our forest high in the hills to avoid the heat. weeding and maintenance of the Volunteer Coordinator, Martin Chalk, on Meet at Kambah Village Shops at Gudgenby Track towards Hospital 0411 161 056 closer to April. 8.00 am. Creek. Tools provided. Drive 75 km, $30 per car.

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 13 NPA outings program March – June 2017 (page 2 of 4) 11–13 March Pack Walk Contact 6281 0719 (h) or destination is possible if conditions Canberra Day Weekend [email protected] unsuitable. THE VINES AREA Climb steeply to Mount Ainslie and Drive 230 km, $92 per car. Map CMW Budawangs follow track north before connecting to Grading 2 A Centenary Trail. Continue to Mount 14–16 April Easter Pack Walk Leader Steven Forst Majura for lunch. Descend to Centenary SENTRY BOX AND SCABBY RANGE Contact 0428 195 236 or Trail and continue to Federal Highway, Maps Rendezvous Creek, Yaouk [email protected] North Watson. Car shuffle required. 1:25,000 A walk in to The Vines area in the Depart 9.00 am from Treloar Crescent Grading 2 A/B/D Budawangs near the base of Quiltys car park, Campbell, opposite High School Leader Rod Griffiths Mountain from the Nerriga entrance to (UBD map 2, location L3). Contact 0410 875 731 Morton National Park. Contact leader early as numbers limited. 29 March Wednesday Walk Photo by Philip Gatenby. Drive 360 km, $140 per car. Joint NPA / BBC / CBC Activity Leader Barrie R and Terrylea R 19 March Sunday Walk Contact 0437 023 140 (Barrie) YANKEE HAT NORTH Details are emailed to those on the Joint NPA/BBC/CBC activity Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise Map Rendezvous Creek 1:25,000 contact the leader. Grading 2 D/F Leader David D 2 April Sunday Walk Contact 0417 222 154 or PADRAL ROAD TO [email protected] Map 1:25,000 Starting at the Yankee Hat car park, we Grading 2 A/D/E Walking the ACT border – Following the will skirt the southern flanks of the Leader Rod Griffiths ACT Border in the south of Namadgi. mountain before following a tributary of Contact 0410 875 731 Starting from the southern end of the Old Bogong Creek towards the saddle Walking the ACT border – Padral Road to Boboyan Road walk on fire trails past between the north and south peaks. The Mount Coree. Walking on the ACT border Lone Pine and then follow border to walk will be very scrubby. straight line off Pabral Road. Hiking up to Sentry Box and along to Scabby Range, Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.00 Pabral Road from Blundells Flat, then SW exploring towards . Return am. Please contact leader by Thursday 16 through the top of Musk Creek towards via Sams Creek Fire Trail. Some thick March if you wish to participate. Mount Coree. This is very rough country vegetation expected. Drive 140 km, $56 per car. with strong regrowth and will involve Meet at Kambah shops car park some scrambling near Mount Coree. 8.00 am. 22 March Wednesday Walk Return via roads. Up to 13 km and 600 m Drive 110 km, $44 per car. Joint NPA / BBC / CBC Activity climb. Fit and experienced walkers only. Leader Steven Forst Meet at Weston Creek (Cooleman 22–25 April Pack Walk Contact 0428 195 236 or Court) car park 8:00 am. Currockbilly Mountain – Wirritin [email protected] Drive: 45 km, $18 per car. Ridge Details are emailed to those on the Maps Brooman, Corang 1:25,000 Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise 8 April Saturday Work Party Grading 2 A/F contact the leader. GUDGENBY BUSH REGENERATION GROUP Leader Rupert Barnett Leader Michael Goonrey Contact 6242 5241 or 25 March Saturday Work Party Contact 6231 8395 or 0419 494 142 or [email protected] BLUNDELLS FLAT WEED CONTROL [email protected] Leader Martin Chalk Meet at the Namadgi Visitor Centre, Photo by Philip Gatenby. Contact 6292 3502 Tharwa at 9.15 am. Car pool to Gudgenby This is a new work area for the NPA but Valley. Weeding and spraying at Amanda’s complements the work we have Slope and around Frank and Jacks Hut. previously undertaken on the slopes Tools provided. above Blundells Flat. The area has heritage-listed exotics but the weeds 9 April Sunday Walk include wilding exotics and the usual BUGTOWN CREEK suspects – plenty to do. Some tools Maps Denison, Tantangara 1:25,000 provided but a bush saw and/or loppers Grading 2 A/B/C/F and gloves would be handy. Leader Brian Slee Currockbilly Mountain is a notable peak Meet at Cooleman Court (behind Contact 6281 0719 (h) or in the near McDonald’s) at 9.00 am. [email protected] Mongarlowe. Just north of it the Wirritin Drive 45km, $18 per car. Depart 7.00 am from Kambah Village. Ridge splits off – it’s not long and has Drive through and 6 km west some good views but there are also 26 March Sunday Walk turn right onto Bugtown Road and park narrow rocky sections; happily the CENTENARY TRAIL: CAMPBELL TO 8 km north. Follow Bugtown Creek north patches of scrub were burnt 3 years ago WATSON to Nungar Plain and tiny Brayshaws Hut and remain fairly open. Day 1 we climb Map Canberra Centenary Trail map 1 for lunch. Return via Circuits Fire Trail. Currockbilly and camp nearby; Day 2 or UBD Street Directory 14 km walk. Afternoon tea Adaminaby. follow the ridge to Wirritin Mountain, Grading 3 A/C Contact leader by Saturday morning. then down a steep spur to the Yadboro Leader Brian Slee Bugtown Road is 4WD and alternative River; Day 3 climb 500 m to the Wog

14 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 NPA outings program March – June 2017 (page 3 of 4) Wog (Scenic Rim) Track; Day 4 gives Black Mountain (200 m climb). Then Gormans Trig along fire trails, with extra time to get to the cars if needed. enter the National Arboretum through the around 250 m climb. Then down Total distance of the walk is about Cork Oak plantation (morning tea) and Bradleys Creek to suitable lunch spot in 24 km. continue on to Dairy Farmers Hill for Hells Hole area. Steep climb out of Please contact the leader by 17 April lunch and great views over southern Bradleys Creek back to fire trail. for details. Limit 5. Canberra. Return to cars by way of the Different fire trail route back. Drive 200 km, $80 per car. Himalayan Cedars and Frost Hollow Drive 40 km, $15 per car. Snow Gums. Meet on the Aranda side of 23 April Sunday Walk Bindubi Street under the HV powerline 13 May Saturday Work Party THE BORDER AND SETTLERS TRACK (about 1 km from William Hovell Drive) GUDGENBY BUSH REGENERATION GROUP Map Yaouk 1:25,000 at 9.00 am. Leader Michael Goonrey Grading 3 A/B Contact 6231 8395 or 0419 494 142 or Leader Steven Forst 2 May Tuesday Work Party [email protected] Contact 0428 195 236 or GLENBURN PRECINCT KOWEN FOREST Meet at the Namadgi Visitor Centre, [email protected] Leader Col McAlister Tharwa at 9.15 am. Car pool to Contact 6288 4171 or Gudgenby Valley. Barbed wire fence [email protected] removal in Peppermint Hill area. Tools Work in the Glenburn Precinct to be provided. negotiated with the Parks Service. Meet at the Canberra Railway Station, Kingston 14 May Sunday Walk at 9.00 am. MOUNT MCDONALD, URIARRA Drive 50 km, $20 per car. Map Cotter Dam 1:25,000 Grading 2 A/B 6 May Saturday Walk Leader Brian Slee MOUNT GUDGENBY Contact 6281 0719 (h) or Photo by Philip Gatenby. Maps Yaouk (mostly), Rendezvous [email protected] Meet at Kambah Village shops car park Creek 1:25,000 Depart 9.30 am Cooleman Court car park at 8.00 am. A walk following the ACT Grading 3 A/D/E (Liardet Street, just south of border from the Boboyan Road to the Leader Philip Gatenby McDonald's) and drive to Brindabella Scabby Range Nature Reserve and Contact 6254 3094 (h), 0401 415 446 or Road car park, just north of Cotter returning along part of the Settlers Track. [email protected] Reserve. Climb through open forest and Partly on track, with a few off-track on track to Mount McDonald for views sections to follow the border more over Cotter Dam and Brindabella closely. Mountains. Descend west to Uriarra Drive 170 km, $68 per car. Settlement for lunch. Return on lower level trails near dam. 11 km walk, one 26 April Wednesday Walk steep climb. Afternoon tea Sakeena's, Joint NPA / BBC / CBC Activity Cooleman Court. Leader Mike Drive 30 km, $12 per car. Contact 0412 179 907 Details are emailed to those on the 13–21 May Saturday to Sunday inclusive or any day/s in between Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise Photo by Jan Gatenby. contact the leader. ART WEEK AT GUDGENBY COTTAGE From the Yankee Hat car park climb to Contacts Hazel Rath 4845 1021 or 29 April Saturday Work Party the saddle south-east of Mount Gudgenby Adrienne Nicholson 6281 6381 BRANDY FLAT FIRE TRAILWEED then on and upwards crossing rock slabs Photo by Adrienne Nicholson. CONTROL to the summit. The return route will be Leader Martin Chalk via the mountain’s south-east face. Contact 0411 161 056 Mostly off-track, patches of thick scrub This will be the first NPA work party in and rock scrambling. Distance of about this area. The location is about 1 km 17 km and a climb of 800 m. Early start along the fire trail from Glendale Depot. needed. All tools provided, but bring gloves. Contact leader by Thursday 4 May, Meet at Kambah Village at 8:30 am. preferably by email, for start time and Drive: 74 km, $30 per car. transport arrangements. Drive 100 km, $40 per car. 30 April Sunday Walk Immerse your creative side in the park BLACK MOUNTAIN AND THE ARBORETUM 7 May Sunday Walk environment (paint, draw, write, think, (via Aranda Bushland and – HELLS HOLE walk, photograph, whatever you wish) Dairy Farmers Hill) Map Hoskintown 1:25,000 with convivial and like-minded company. Map Canberra Nature Parks Grading 2 A/E Overnight stays for 1 or more nights Grading 2 A/B Leader Mike must be booked with leaders (maximum Leader Esther Contact 0412 179 907 6 people each night). Day visitors are Contact 0429 356 212 or Meet at Canberra Railway Station at also welcome any day, to participate or [email protected] 8.30 am. A walk from Googong Dam just to enjoy. From Aranda Bushland walk to the top of picnic area to Bradleys Creek via

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 15 NPA outings program March – June 2017 (page 4 of 4) 20–21 May Pack Walk 31 May Wednesday Walk 11 June Sunday Walk ADMIRATION POINT AND SNEDDEN PASS Joint NPA / BBC / CBC Activity DEVILS PEAK Map Corang 1:25,000 Leader Steven Forst Map Cotter Dam 1:25,000 Grading 1 A/C/part F Contact 0428 195 236 or Grading 1 D Leader Rupert Barnett [email protected] Leader David D Contact 6242 5241 or Details are emailed to those on the Contact [email protected] [email protected] Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise Drive to Piccadilly Circus in the The Scenic Rim Track from the Wog contact the leader. Brindabellas, then north along Two Sticks Wog entrance to the Morton National Road, parking at the base of Devils Peak. Park takes us to a number of popular It will be a short but scrubby walk to the 3 June Saturday Walk places, but we usually bypass a couple of summit. Total climb 150 m, though more spots worth visiting. At Admiration Point HIGH HILLS EAST OF GIBRALTAR CREEK if roads need to be walked. we’ll camp on an unusual promontory Map Tidbinbilla 1:25,000 Please advise leader of intention to with buttongrass slopes and hollows, and Grading 2 D participate by COB Thursday 8 June. at the Point admire big views along the Leader David D Drive 120 km, $14 per person. high escarpment past Mount Owen, and Contact [email protected] south up the Budawang Range. Returning Drive to the Corin Dam road, near Woods 18 June Sunday Walk on Sunday we’ll detour to Snedden Pass Reserve. Walk off-track down to BARRER HILL AND ARBORETUM – it’s an unexpected little ridge down to Gibraltar Creek, then up spurs to the Map Canberra street map Cockpit Swamp. unnamed high hills to the east of the Grading 1 A/B Contact the leader by 18 May for creek. Proceed north-east along the tops Leader Brian Slee details. Limit 6. for a few kilometres before dropping Contact 6281 0719 (h) or Drive 200 km, $80 per car. back down to the creek and the road [email protected] again. This is rough, rocky, scrubby Meet 9.30 am at National Rock Garden 24 May Wednesday Walk terrain. Total climb 700 m. car park, Barrenjoey Drive (UBD Joint NPA / BBC / CBC Activity Please advise leader of intention to map 58, location D7). After checking out Leader Philip Gatenby participate by COB Thursday 1 June. geological display, cross under Contact 0401 415 446 Drive 90 km, $10 per person. Tuggeranong Parkway into Arboretum Details are emailed to those on the and head SW through various plantations to Boundary Road before climbing Barrer Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise 4 June Sunday Walk contact the leader. (formerly Misery) Hill for morning tea. MCMAHONS HUT SITE Descend to Molonglo River before 27 May Saturday Work Party Map Williamsdale 1:25,000 returning to Boundary Road (avoiding STOCKYARD ARBORETUM Grading 3 A fences to the west). Lunch will be in one Leader Martin Chalk Leader Margaret Power of the remote Arboretum plantations. Contact 0411 161 056 Contact 0418 645 303 or Climb Dairy Farmers Hill and have We last visited this site in April 2014. [email protected] afternoon tea in Village Centre before This work party will continue the task of Walk from Honeysuckle Campground to returning to car park. searching for and removing pine wildings Booroomba Rocks for morning tea. and juniper. With luck, it will be no more Anyone not wanting to make the climb 24 June Saturday Work Party than a monitoring and maintenance up Booroomba Rocks is welcome to join FENCE REMOVAL – GUDGENBY VALLEY exercise. Some tools will be provided but the walk and have their morning tea in Leader Martin Chalk suggest you bring work gloves, loppers, the Booromba Rocks car park and wait Contact 0411 161 056 bush saw. Approximately 60 minute walk for the rest of the group to return. This will be the first fence removal work to work site. Work party will be subject to Continue on the Walking party at Gudgenby this year. In good weather. Track to Bushfold Flats and then to the November we completed the removal of Meet at Cooleman Court (behind former site of McMahons Hut for lunch. about 900 m of fence that ran to the west McDonald’s) at 8.15 am. In the afternoon proceed via Reads Hut of Peppermint Hill. This time we will Drive 126 km, $50 per car. (aka Bushfold Hut) to the fire trail and concentrate on a similar length that runs continue to the Apollo Road. Approx to Rendezvous Creek. All tools will be 28 May Sunday Walk 18 km walk. Car shuffle involved. provided. MOUNT PAINTER AND THE PINNACLE Meet at Kambah Village shops at Meet at Kambah Village shops at Map Canberra Nature Parks 8. 30 am. 8.00 am. Grading 2 A/B Drive: 60 km, $24 per car. Drive: 80 km, $32 per car. Leader Esther Contact 0429 356 212 or 10 June Saturday Work Party 28 June Wednesday Walk [email protected] Joint NPA / BBC / CBC Activity GUDGENBY BUSH REGENERATION GROUP Walk off track to Mount Painter (100 m Leader Barrie R Leader Michael Goonrey climb) for views over Lake Burley Contact 0437 023 140 Griffin and Molonglo Valley and then on Contact 6231 8395 or 0419 494 142 or Details are emailed to those on the to the Pinnacle for lunch with a view. [email protected] Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise Return along the south edge of Cook via Meet at the Namadgi Visitor Centre, contact the leader. some historic sites. Tharwa at 9.15 am. Car pool to Meet on the Aranda side of Bindubi Gudgenby Valley. Rabbit warren Street under the HV powerline (about mapping in Gudgenby Valley as directed 1 km from William Hovell Drive) at by local ranger. Tools provided. 9.00 am.

16 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 NPA ACT Christmas Party 2016

The Namadgi Visitor Centre proved to be a good choice for our annual get-together due to uncertainties about the weather on a hot and windy Sunday 11 December.

Rod’s speech highlighted the year’s achievements and he thanked all members for their continued support.

There was plenty to eat and drink. Esther and her helpers had set up gazebos and tables and a lovely spread of food and drinks.

Many a conversation about the year almost gone, and that ahead, was had by members.

Conversations continued after lunch in a very relaxing atmosphere.

Photos by Esther Gallant.

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 17 ‘Soft Landing’ for old mattresses at the tip Eleven NPA adventurers ventured out on When you approach the building on The mattress components 2 February to learn how the tip is John Cory Circuit, you will likely see tall • Springs are mechanically separated becoming less waste-full (sic). Our guide stacks of mattresses in the yard. In busy from the wooden base and then Davydd greeted us with biscuits, and times they can receive up to 1,000 crushed into a small block which is enthusiastically described how the mattresses a day! You may drop off your sold to BlueScope for $50/tonne (10 operation works. He was obviously mattress (any kind) for $23 or have it tonnes/week). The spring baler is an proud of what was being achieved in picked up for $33. Mattresses are picked impressive custom machine with reducing waste of both material and up from about 40 households a day. They enormous hydraulic pistons made to human resources. also arrive in containers from as far away the company founder’s specifications. The Soft Landing Company is a not- as Bega, Cooma and Adaminaby. Last • Wooden bases are burned at ACT for-profit organisation and originated year 18,000 mattresses were recycled. Recycling to generate electricity. They from Mission Australia. The intention is That represents about 13,000 cubic are also available free to anyone who to clear only 2 per cent above running metres less going to landfill. will cart them away. You can also pick expenses to allow for equipment The mattress recycling operation up casters – otherwise they go to maintenance and replacement. Last employs 10 people, mostly those landfill. November, Soft Landing was awarded previously un- or under-employed. While • Fabric is baled in a wool press. It can the ACT Sustainable Communities the workforce has a high turnover, this is be shredded and used in punching Commendation for contributions to the a good thing: once the employees bags but most goes to landfill. environment in Litter Prevention, Waste become accustomed to the daily routine • Foam is sold to Dunlop Rubber for Management and Resource Recovery. of work and presumably motivated by 50 cents/kilo and is shredded to make There are similar facilities in Western regular pay, they are able to find higher carpet underlay. Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and paying jobs elsewhere. So success at • Latex is also used for underlay but Perth. salvaging humans! has no sale value. The main manual labour is cutting • Coir (coconut fibre) is not currently 1 apart the mattresses. Each of the five recycled. Some of our group cutters is expected to process suggested and will follow up on the 50 mattresses a day. Apparently most idea that this could be turned into eventually achieve this with ease while erosion barriers for use by the various only a few struggle to reach the goal. landcare groups. Davydd was most Each work position has pallets of interested and hopes that Kevin and mattresses colour coded by worker. Each Chris are successful in organising this. mattress is placed on a work table and There were many questions and reduced to several piles of materials – some interesting discussions resulting in these added to growing piles within the the tour lasting twice as long as work area. Encouragingly, companies predicted. No surprise there with our such as Ikea are now selling mattresses group. We then moved to the Farrer that are ‘easy’ to disassemble and shops for coffee and continuing recycle. 2 discussions. 4 Esther Gallant

Photos by Esther Gallant. 1. Cutting up the mattresses. 2. Mattress springs go into a crusher. 3. A bale of crushed springs emerges. 4. Piles of materials to be baled; bales of crushed springs; pallets with springs still to be separated. 5. Sheer power rips the springs from the wooden pallets. 6. Some processes do need safety barriers! 3 5 6

18 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 Bushwalks Club Lake and Kunama Hutte ruins Date: Sunday, 3 December 2016. Protected by the range, Participants: Brian Slee (leader), David the reduced wind permitted Dedenczuk, Timothy Walsh. the flies to land so we Weather: Warm; windy; high cloud, curtailed their annoyance thin at first, gradually clouding and left at 11.30 am. Close over. up, it became apparent that Anemone buttercups (Ranunculus Lee’s cornice was too steep anemoneus) were thriving in Kosciuszko to climb so it was happy National Park after late season snow. chance that led us to This beautiful big white mountain encounter the aforesaid daisy – its green inner circle surrounded anemones as we contoured by yellow – is rarely seen in masses. But south at 2,000 metres around where Mount Lee’s snow drifts had the mountain. Alpine Marsh- melted and flowed through alpine grass, marigolds (formerly Caltha, they were flourishing. Astonishing to see now Psychrophila) peeped Kunama Hutte ruins. Photos by Brian Slee. after years of scouring creek banks for from the water. We nudged across steep snowdrifts and down to about, the sky turned grey, even the ants scarce individuals of an endemic species went quiet. eaten almost to extinction before cattle Kunama Creek. Easier terrain took us Except for a couple of splashy were excluded from the High Country. farther south to Northcote ski tow ruins crossings, the way back was relatively The summit of Lee was our where we contemplated the works of humans, chiefly a bulky internal easy as we contoured around Clarke and objective. We had reached its base from followed Club Lake Creek to Foremans Charlotte Pass by crossing the Snowy combustion engine. Kunama Hutte ruins were 5 minutes away and that was lunch Chimney. After a break we climbed back and following Club Lake Creek west to to the car, arriving 3 pm; 11 km. its source. On the way, small shiny- at 12.40 pm. Yellow bikes were everywhere in yellow buttercups were prolific with a It is a well-known story worth Jindabyne, being used to promote scattering of other flowers and a few recalling that the short-lived timber ski summer cycling in the mountains. We anemones. Pipits darted across alpine lodge (built 1953) was knocked from its had the usual treats at Sundance before grass. The creek was under snow for the stone foundations by a Mount Clarke returning to Calwell, arriving 6.15 pm, final 200 metres, but not the lake. Tim avalanche during breakfast, 12 July having departed there at 6.30 am. and David put aside their usual habit of 1956. The death therein of 20-year-old plunging in. Snowboarders camped Roslyn Twynam Wesche is A walk worth repeating for those nearby had rock-dodged 180 metres commemorated on a plaque. An eerie pursuing early wildflowers: anemones down precipitous snow cliffs from place, the foundations surrounded by and calthas. . rubble, and little visited. Ravens jagged Brian Slee Anemones and the water meadow. David measures the snow drift.

Pilgrims Storm in the night, followed by a cloudy morning. I put campfire … my boots on, walk around the lake, over Black circle of my longing … Mountain. But always a sense that there’s someone smoke swirls walking behind me. A fellow pilgrim? I look back starlit pilgrims occasionally. Just the shimmering silver of Scribbly share their stories Gums, the white cauliflowers of Cassinia. Will we catch up this evening, at the next campsite? Gerry Jacobson

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 19 Bushwalks (continued) Up the Burrungubugge Date: Monday–Thursday, 2–5 January 2017. Participants: Philip Gatenby (leader), Jan Gatenby, Dave Kelly. Weather: Mostly fine; mild to warm; light winds. The planned walk was from the Guthega Power Station to explore the areas of north and east of Disappointment Ridge. Luckily Dave looked at the NPWS website and found out that the bridge over the behind the power station was closed, as was the bridge over Munyang River (which was the case 2 years ago and seems to happen regularly) at the start of the Disappointment Ridge Track. So Crossing Valentine River. Photos by Philip Gatenby. plans were changed and the leader decided that the area proposed for After lunch we mostly scrub-bashed outcrops of the Bluff. The camp site was exploration could be accessed from the up the Burrungubugge for about 3 km in among ancient living Snow Gums, Island Bend Fire Trail via the two and a half hours, eventually perched above a small tarn. Jagungal Burrungubugge River. I’d last walked in reaching an extensive open area either stood out to the north. this area in 1983. side of the river. At its northern end is Day 3 we returned to Kidmans Hut in There’s a locked gate on the Island the picturesque Kidmans Hut, a time for lunch, passing initially between Bend Fire Trail, about a kilometre from welcome sight and our camp site for the the quaintly named hills, Cup and Saucer its crossing of the Snowy River first night. and Mailbox, en route to re-join downstream from the . An entry in the hut’s logbook offered yesterday’s track. We then battled the We left our car there, walked along the advice on getting to Mawsons Hut (in scrub of the Burrungubugge again, fire trail through displays of mountain the High Country) from Kidmans. reaching the ruins of Constances and bluebells to a bridge over the Apparently there was once a bridle trail. Burrungubugge Huts by 3.45 pm. Here Burrungubugge. About 100 m beyond Next day, with the help of what we’d we spent the third night. Increasing the bridge an overgrown vehicular track read and occasional cairns, we climbed cloud and a few spots of rain hurried our heads north-west up the river to the over 400 m and crossed the Great dinner that night. Day 4 was short and ruins of two huts, Constance and Dividing Range, then forded Valentines involved retracing our steps on the Burrungubugge. We had lunch near the River and arrived at Mawsons Hut in overgrown vehicular track to the Island ruins. All that remains of Constance Hut time for lunch. Dave had extolled the Bend Fire Trail, then on to the locked is a partly collapsed rock and cement virtues (accurately as it turned out) of a gate. Saw two snakes on the fire trail. chimney and fireplace, and a few bits of camp site where he’d previously stayed Scrub on the Burrungubugge makes tin and wire. The metal supports of the on Tarn Bluff on the Great Dividing accessing the High Country from Island nearby Burrungubugge Hut are still Range, so this became the day’s Bend quite difficult and we weren’t able there, together with a few charred destination. Crossing Valentines River to visit the areas intended. Hopefully the wooden supports and a pot-bellied stove. again we arrived mid-afternoon in time Munyang entrance and track up to set up and then Disappointment Ridge will be re- explore some of the opened. In 4 days we saw no other numerous rock (continued next page)

Trigger plants, Stylidium. Campsite at Tarn Bluff.

20 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 Bushwalks (continued) Gubur Dhaura (‘Red Ochre Ground’) and Gungaderra Creek Date: Sunday, 8 January 2017. Participants: Brian Slee (leader), Brian Christensen, Julie May, Michaela Popham, Margaret Power. Weather: Warm; cool breeze; high cloud becoming overcast. Having chosen what was forecast to be the hottest day of summer so far, this walk in East Gungahlin was shortened by deleting the Gungahlin Hill section to concentrate on Franklin and Harrison. We set out at 8.15 am from the Diane Barwick Street entrance to Gubur Dhaura. The ironstone hill is only 31 metres above surrounding Franklin but offers panoramic views of the northern border, and of hills sweeping south from it on both sides. Mature Wide view out to Canberra’s northern suburbs. Photo by Julie May. Apple Boxes frame the view. Ochre was traded from the site by Aboriginal Station Road, the original tree-lined dirt We wended our way through the side people; the hill was later mined for track running through the middle of streets of Franklin, stopping at an eco- small amounts of ore and road gravel, Harrison to the Station. An extravagance modern house with an impressive and is now a public park (see Barrow’s of open space. kangaroo paw garden display. Further up Walking Canberra, 2014, p. 16). Gungaderra Creek beckoned so we the hill, it was explained to us that Descending east, we soon reached criss-crossed it as we went along, mowers are rare so weeds mass along Flemington Road, lined as it is with visiting various ponds surrounded by frontages – prickly lettuce was starring. modern apartments. Canberrans enjoy native plantings. Ducks skid-landed on After 2 hours we were back: 6 km. speeding along here, condemning all the water. A pair of fluffy coot chicks Frankies @ Forde was declared they see: ‘Slums of the future!’. Would perched on a submerged trunk. Ibises closed by Google so we stuck to the that they took a stroll and surprised did what they do. original plan and had an excellent themselves. We waited for a tram before Tantalised by sightings of a crowd at breakfast at the district in Crace. Home crossing but it was a mirage. ‘Parkandplay’ (Kilmeny Close), we by noon. The area lends itself to Further east we turned beneath one diverted through there on the way back. interesting short walks. Worth repeating of the area’s magnificent eucalypts for a It is a sleek collection of open-air in winter. quick geek at historic Gungaderra exercise and play areas, for children and Brian Slee Homestead before continuing to the first adults, which could entertain for hours. of Gungaderra’s ponds. We retraced A game of roller hockey was being slightly to walk a long stretch of Well played on a caged surface.

Up the Burrungubugge (continued) people, but log book entries at Kidmans Endnote: Apologies to Barbara Slotemaker de and Mawsons Huts indicate the area is An old map in one of the huts we Bruine for getting the following two visited regularly. March Flies were visited showed the vehicular track poems muddled up in the December vicious and little black ants plentiful. up the Burrungubugge extending 2016 Bulletin. Ed. Abundant winter and spring rainfall beyond the hut ruins. The view ensured all streams and were from Google Earth suggests this ACRONYM flowing well. Apart from bluebells, may still be the case although we Water everywhere quite a few wildflowers were blooming, didn’t find it. On a future trip a Abundant pools particularly Prostanthera, Richea, search for the old track may be Teeming creeks Orites, Herpolirion, Kunzea, Stylidium, worthwhile. Eddying along buttercups, Billy Buttons, various Restless daisies and a number of orchids. Pig damage was extensive but we saw no FREE pigs. Horse droppings were evident Gudgenby Cottage. particularly on the Burrungubugge. Cosy fires Leaving Kidmans Hut on day 3 we saw Convivial company fresh horse manure and the probable Creative minds culprit about 50 minutes later, the only Carve, paint, write, muse, cook feral horse we saw all trip. Relax! Philip Gatenby

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 21 Wandering Weeders on the Mountain Over the Christmas break Sonja and I spent more than a week in or near Brisbane and visited friends who are very active in a bushcare group called Wandering Weeders. This group reports to, and works closely with, Brisbane City Council’s ‘Habitat Brisbane’. On a tour of the group’s work area on the southern, Chapel-Hill side of Mount Coot-tha we saw not only their impressive weeding exploits but also seed collection, plant propagation, planting and erosion control – the same activities that NPA ACT and Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group know from their work parties – but the plants, good and bad, are very different. The group has been active since 2004, although the volunteers started working there much earlier under a Abrus or Crab’s Eye Creeper on Mount Coot-tha, Brisbane. Photos by Lyn Cole. different name, and work parties attract 4–10 participants weekly. The highly flammable. It doesn’t get sprayed observed on the Mountain and in demographics are similar to those on since that would also kill the ‘good’ connected bush areas along creeks; many NPA and GBRG work parties: few plants that are struggling to exist under of the birds are also common in the ACT. youngsters, mostly retired participants, the Signal Grass, so the Weeders spend but very skilled across a range of many hours digging it out diligently. A multi-use mountain disciplines. As the name suggests, Mother of The Mountain is used by a wide range of Weeds on ‘the Mountain’, as it is Millions (Bryophyllum sp.) reproduces walkers, runners and cyclists, with the affectionately called by the Wandering rapidly, producing hundreds of tiny usual problems of off-track adventurers Weeders, include Signal Grass, Corky plantlets which quickly form new creating multiple new tracks and causing Passion Vine, Asparagus Fern (three colonies. It is adapted to dry conditions erosion; dogs off-leash chasing reptiles different species), Mother of Millions, and can survive long periods of drought. and wallabies; and garbage dumpers Abrus, Madeira Vine, Ochna, Oxalis, This increases the plant’s potential to introducing new weeds which the council and Glycine – most are garden escapees, persist and spread. Mother of Millions is seems unable to manage with the dumped in the bush or spread by birds toxic when ingested by livestock; it is minimal staff available. that eat the seeds. also poisonous to humans and household Prescribed burning is a problem – pets. It has to be pulled out, bagged and new undergrowth is destroyed and The two worst weeds taken off the mountain. butterfly habitat wiped out, as are the Signal Grass, introduced by pastoralists pupae, larvae and other grounded insects (or scientists working for the Benefits from planting that break down the litter. Burning is Department of Primary Industries), out- Planting is undertaken to lessen erosion usually carried out in winter when the competes native grasses by a huge in areas totally degraded when the moth/butterfly larvae are in diapause, so multiple and is one of the first plants to neighbouring suburban development this wreaks havoc on their populations, show again after a burning event. It went in, with resulting widespread run- not to mention the reptiles, and any bird inhibits insect life, and seems to have no off problems after storms. Natural nests. Burning also results in a big influx known insect ‘predator’ and certainly regeneration is easier to nurture than of weeds. keeps butterflies away. This grass is also trying to plant in areas where it is Wandering Weeders is one of more difficult to water in hot, than 80 such accredited groups in the dry times. Planting Brisbane area. It has access to grants, along footpaths is help with tools and gloves, even water designed to create a cubes (Tilkey Tanks) and hoses in dry ‘border’ to the forest. times; they maintain close links through The vine work plans, mapping and reporting. They Pararistolochia prae- also participate in citizen science venosa has been projects, such as helping a recent PhD reintroduced to the area student with work on the adverse because it attracts influence of Signal Grass on Mount Birdwing and Big Coot-tha. Greasy butterflies. Kevin McCue Others plants are staple with help from the Wandering diet for the numerous Weeders on Mount Coot-tha bird species that can be

Large thicket of Signal Grass smothering the native vegetation.

22 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 PARKWATCH Edited extracts from recent issues of This means Water Resource Plans in decision making. The thinking is that journals and newsletters, and (WRPs) which are being revised at by developing accounts, decision makers online sources. present, need not include new rules if can make more informed land-use those rules affect reliability of water decisions by having a full suite of Will the survive? supply. Basin States can include rules in information. Currently, decisions on land The health of the Darling River system is WRPs or Water Sharing Plans (WSPs) use are made with only partial at a tipping point. Can the system which may reduce reliability but these information – a situation that would survive the next round of negotiations are not required under the Basin Plan. never be countenanced in most business over how it should be managed? Terry These plans must be approved by the decisions. The researchers looked at Korn, president of the Australian Murray Darling Basin Authority and 3 elements: Floodplain Association discusses a major ultimately the Minister. But the • Ecosystem service including water issue of concern which could seriously likelihood of such rules being approved supply, carbon storage, timber impact on recovery of water for the if they were perceived to favour the provision, provisioning for crops and environment, floodplain graziers, environment rather than the irrigation fodder production and culture and Aboriginal culture and small industry is highly improbable. The recreation; communities downstream of Bourke. legality of the interpretation and • The contribution to GDP by industries The has application of section 6.14 by the MDBA including agriculture, water supply, committed almost $15 billion to the and States must be challenged as it has tourism and logging; and largest rural restructure program in the potential to seriously undermine the • Metrics relevant to biodiversity Australia and expects to effect original intent of the Basin Plan. including populations of arboreal significant changes to water For example, in October 2012 the marsupial, the number of threatened management in the Murray–Darling Barwon Darling Water Sharing Plan species, forest age-class and number of Basin without affecting the reliability of commenced with amended rules, but tree hollows. water supply to the irrigation industry. without those rules having been So what did they find? This is an admirable but unreal adequately discussed with the • In 2014 two ecosystem services – aspiration. Few people are aware that the community. The new rules permitted use provisioning of crops and fodder and MDB plan has an escape section for of larger pumps for extraction of low water provision – dwarfed other governments unwilling to implement flows. The mechanism proposed to services being worth approx. $120 mil- decisions which impact on the reliability protect low flows, Daily Extraction lion and $100 million respectively. of water supply to the irrigation industry. Limits, was excluded for the WSP. These Culture and recreation were worth The interpretation of this section of the two changes combined reduce the approx. $45 million, timber provi- Basin Plan by MDBA and States has the critically important low flows in the sioning (the value of timber minus potential to undo not only the gains Darling system, thus exposing haulage and harvest costs) $25 million brought about by the plan, but threatens downstream users to less water, longer and carbon sequestration $20 million. many environmental gains achieved for dry periods, increased salinity and • But when GDP was considered things the Basin’s rivers during the last increased likelihood of algal blooms. The got really interesting; water and 25 years. last minute changes to the agriculture were again the most The section of the Basin Plan Barwon–Darling WSP mean there is now valuable at $2,319 and $2,477 per interpreted as doing this is section 6.14. no effective protection of low flows, hectare respectively. Tourism was It states that: including environmental water, worth $354/ha (a conservative estimate Nothing in the Basin Plan requires a downstream stock and domestic supplies because the entire study was used in change in the reliability of water and downstream community water the calculation, whereas in reality allocations of a kind that would supply. These changes are now tourism is likely to be focussed in a trigger Subdivision B of Division 4 of entrenched in a plan that, in MDBA’s smaller area than the total). Timber Part 2 of the (Water) Act. view, does not need to be changed to was worth just $29/ha. But logging It is my understanding that the meet the requirements of the Basin Plan. also had a major negative impact on MDBA’s view, and the view of at least Community well-being is strongly carbon sequestration and carbon some of the states, is that this section influenced by the health of the river. Ask stocks; logging reduced sequestration overrides or turns off any part of the the Wilcannia community about this! by 3.13 tonnes of carbon per hectare Basin Plan whose requirements, in being Nature NSW, Vol. 60, No. 4 year between 1990 and 2015 – met, may change the reliability of water (Summer 2016) equivalent to $37.87 per year at a allocations. Of particular concern is the carbon price of $12.10 per tonne. view that section 6.14 can turn off parts Ecosystem accounting; helping Furthermore, logging reduced the of Chapter 10 that deal with water make an informed decision on carbon stocks of forests by 143 tonnes/ requirements of priority environmental the future of logging ha. At $12.10 per tonne this lost carbon assets and ecosystem functions, planning Back in June, scientists and economists is $1,730/ha or 60 times the value of for environmental watering and enabling from the Australian National University the timber. So the double impact of environment watering between produced a ground-breaking piece of logging on carbon sequestration and connected systems. It is also the position work. They published a set of storage means that logging costs much of the MDBA that the Basin Plan can be experimental ‘ecosystem accounts’ for more than it makes. fully implemented based on current the Central Highlands region of Victoria. Biodiversity; the key findings were; water sharing and river operation In essence, ecosystem accounts attempt • Since 2000, the number of threatened arrangements; i.e. requiring no changes to put a value on elements of an species had risen from 28 to 38, with to existing arrangements. ecosystem that are typically overlooked (continued next page)

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 23 PARKWATCH (continued) the number of critically endangered The full ‘Falls to Hotham Alpine strategies. In the meantime, core funding species rising from 0 to 5. Crossing’ is a five day walk, with four for park management remains seriously • The proportion of forest in older age overnight stops generally offering either underfunded. classes had declined and logging a tent on the ground (cheapest option), a Nature’s Voice, VNPA reduced the number of hollow-bearing tent with a raised platform or ‘alpine ebulletin, December 2016 trees by 70% (compared to 42% loss lodging’ – luxury serviced huts with from fire). bedding and food by a commercial Kosciuszko’s water catchments • Populations of arboreal marsupials had provider. Any future casual camping Large numbers of the Wild Horse, a farm fallen sharply in all forest age classes, must take place at least 100 metres from escapee, are severely impacting the water but older growth had more species and the bookable (and expensive) campsites catchment wetlands of the Australian higher number of animals. – if any feasible alternative sites are Alps, including right across Kosciuszko • Logging on rotations less than 120 available. National Park. In 2014, 35% of the Alps years will results in no recruitment of Most controversial is the provision of wetlands had been damaged. These high hollow-bearing trees due to the time a series of luxury huts in three sites, mountain wetlands are the very heart of needed for hollows to form. including seven near the top of the headwater catchment sources for our • The key threatening process to arboreal Diamantina Spur, a steep climb towards mightiest rivers, the Murray, mammals was the loss of hollow- the summit of Victoria’s largest free- Murrumbidgee and the Snowy. Numbers bearing trees and lack of recruitment of standing mountain, Mt Feathertop. The of Wild Horses have grown from about older trees. luxury cabins would have to be serviced 2,000 to more than 6,000 in just 11 years One concern that people have with regularly by helicopter. There are several and they are causing great damage to the environmental accounts is that they fear quite flawed aspects to this proposal. catchments. The NSW Government, in nature will be given a price tag, and that • Parks Victoria’s much vaunted response to these threats has launched, in the price of conserving nature will ‘Healthy Parks Healthy People’ May 2016, a draft Wild Horse inevitably be higher than development. program is meant to be about Management Plan for consultation. In this case the authors didn’t attempt to encouraging the broad community, Such a draft plan has been place a monetary value on wildlife, yet especially people who can most benefit contentious. A special bond exists their findings on biodiversity are still from access to our natural areas, to between many people and horses and stark. spend time in our national parks. This many others like seeing Wild Horses in Governments at both state and includes young people from the mountains. Many others however are federal level are loathe to face up to the disadvantaged areas, Indigenous quite shocked and horrified by the realities, economic and environmental of communities and especially people number of horses present, the piles of native forest logging. Part of this is suffering from depression. The long- horse dung and the scale of impacts to inertia – it’s easier not to change term economic benefits to the state if the park’s streams and wetlands. something that’s been occurring for a all sections of the community have Stepping away from the welfare and long time. But partly it’s because the access to nature is considered vast, but presence of Wild Horses, there is another economic value of forest has only been there is no program aimed at making issue of significance that the draft plan measured as the value of timber or that happen. must also reconcile. The sustained woodchips that they can produce. Public • There are many conflicting claims in delivery of high quality water from forests belong to everyone, and the the report including that the lodges will Kosciuszko’s catchment services to government has a duty to make sure not be visible from elsewhere in the millions of people downstream, all the they’re managed in the public interest. park, yet there will be spectacular way to Adelaide. Some 30% of the Having a full suite of information can views from them. Murray Darling Basin’s water comes only help in this regard. • There has been no environmental from the Australian Alps catchments. Nature NSW, Vol. 60, No. 4 impact statement prepared, nor a robust This water is of national economic (Summer 2016) business plan. significance and benefits town water • While various options for the walk supplies, agriculture, irrigation and some Not-so-healthy parks for have been examined, there has been no industries. The decisions implemented by wealthy people comparison with other good options for the final Wild Horse plan are, Parks Victoria, in liaison with Regional regional ecotourism. A far better consequently, of national importance. Development Victoria, is planning a project would be to promote the The draft Wild Horse Plan public multi-million dollar revamp of the hundreds of vacant beds at Falls Creek consultation process run by the National walking tracks between the Falls Creek and Mount Hotham alpine resorts Parks and Wildlife Service did identify and Mount Hotham alpine resorts, with during summer and the great range of that many people appreciated the the aim of discouraging use by the day walks that can be taken from those presence of the Wild Horses in current self-sufficient bushwalkers, who venues. Kosciuszko National Park and that they they say are low spenders. They are It appears investment in national were of heritage importance. The draft aiming at the ‘high-yield’ luxury market, parks is suffering from policy tunnel plan has been respectful of these views with the provision of privately built and vision focussing on poorly conceived and identified that a remnant or serviced lodges along the track. At a time overnight tracks, trails and luxury huts ‘attribute’ population of up to 600 Wild when park management is seriously aimed at untested high-end tourism Horses be present. Because of the Wild underfunded, and many parks have markets to the detriment and exclusion Horse potential for damage, this should serious weed and pest management of everyday Victorian bushwalkers. be considered a maximum number for problems, the promise that the revamped Government agencies seem intent on the interim. A lower number such as 200 walk will exhibit ‘exemplary implementing old, flawed Coalition may actually be needed to achieve environmental management’ rings a little policies by stealth, even though the ALP protection of the water catchments. has a clear policy stance against these hollow. (concluded on page 25)

24 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 PARKWATCH (continued) The NSW Government should be south-west of Blackall and accessible in into the depot, and when there was time, congratulated. This 2016 draft Wild dry weather. Established in 1990, the the information was put into the Horse Plan rises above sectoral self- Park covers 144,000 ha and was a former geographic information system – the GIS interest, it responds carefully and grazing property. The topography – like ArcMap. Paper maps would get strategically to matters raised by the includes the Gorman Ranges, the lost and staff would forget to load GPS local community; the wider community; headwaters of the Bulloo River, dense waypoints into ArcMap’, he said. ‘You’d the national economy and facilitates mulga woodland and colourful be out in a remote area and see protection of Australian alpine and escarpments of weathered, residual something. You might be able to mark subalpine species found nowhere else on coarse sandstone. Seven species of the location with a GPS but often Earth. The plan now needs to be macropods are protected in the Park and sightings would go unreported. Five to finalised, resourced and accompanied by koalas have been sighted. 10 years down the track, an infestation timely action to restore damage. Most Visiting the Park is recommended in forgotten about, could spread for many importantly, the plan invests in the the cooler months as extreme heat can be hectares’. delivery of quality water from the experienced in the summer months. In What every weed control manager catchments at a time of climate change wet weather the 4WD park track dreamt of was a bit of tech that could and forecast reductions in precipitation. becomes impassable. At Park keep track of all control works over all Kosciuszko’s natural water catchments Headquarters there is a comprehensive the past years and plot them effortlessly are far too precious to lose. historical photographic display, a shelter on a map. They waited for the Nature NPA NSW Volume 60 no 4 shed and toilets. No other facility or fuel, technology to arrive. Which it did via a Summer 2016 food or mobile phone coverage is company called ESRI which produces available, but there is a basic camping GIS software – ArcMap, ArcGIS On-line Fairmont Resort builds cabin area for tents and trailers. The Old Idalia and Collector app which are now in use without consent on the border and Wave Rock walk from Park using smart phones. Headquarters offers an excellent cross- Imagine you’re a newly recruited of Blue Mountains NP section of features in its 1.2 kilometres. ranger. You’re handed the latest smart Fairmont Resort has bulldozed a road Wave Rock is a colourful eroded phone as part of your kit. It is also a GPS along the route of Gladstone Pass and escarpment overhang approx. 100 metres and camera, so there’s no impediment then built a cabin on land zoned long and, by scrambling up a short cleft for using weed mapping software and environmental protection, without in the rock, the view from the top apps. At a glance you can see all of the approval from Blue Mountains City enables one to appreciate the expanse weed control work done in your patch. Council. The owner, the Schwartz family and topography of the National Park in You open the app; walk around the area company, believes the development has greater detail. With the diversity of being treated to plot a polygon; fill in the been unfairly treated. The company has landscape, history, vegetation and simple drop-down form (which weed, at received a $6,000 fine and was ordered wildlife in the Central West Queensland what density, which control method, who to demolish the cabin. These council National Park, Idalia offers a range of did the control work and when); then directions came after the company opportunities and activities. Visitors can tick to finish. undertook another unapproved explore rugged escarpments with At this point the information is sitting development that received a lesser fine. expansive views, indulge in spectacular in your phone. The magic happens when The developer is now seeking photography and appreciate possible you sync your map’s edits and instantly approval for the cabin, and if approved, sightings of rare and endangered everyone else on the system knows what bushwalkers may be subsequently denied wildlife. you’ve done. And if you’re out of range, access to the Pass. The cabin was built in Protected, NPAQ, Issue 11 it’s not a problem. You can still use your an environmentally sensitive area, on the (October–November 2016) phone to plot weed control, or to spot weed infestation and the syncing will be boundary of Blue Mountains National Pocket weed tech Park, near an upland swamp and in the available when you come back into headwaters of a creek. This is not the When it comes to managing weeds in the range. area for a cabin requiring a toilet. The Australian Alps you could have a dream There are several benefits in having developer also appears to have already budget, an army of dedicated control this adaptive management tool – one cleared vegetation for the cabin staff, and every method known to park that’s easy, fast and means there is no including tree ferns. management at your disposal and you data entry to do when you get back to the Environmental Protection Zones are could still be overwhelmed by an depot. This system makes it easier to coming under increased pressure from incoming tide of weeds. And that’s manage follow-up control which is the developers, who deny intact bushland its because one of the toughest parts of the biggest benefit to field staff. And for rights, as if it were cleared, flat land. We job is keeping across everything: it’s too someone like Steve who seeks to secure encourage Blue Mountains City Council easy to miss the moment for follow-up future budgets, it’s incredibly useful to to continue its long tradition of standing control work. Happily this is a good have current, data-filled maps to explain up for nature. news story. It shows that ACT Parks now what’s been happening and what lies Colong Bulletin, No. 265 have in hand a simple tool which is ahead. (December 2016) making all the difference. And Steve News of the Alps, November 2016 Taylor, their Senior Invasive Weeds Featured walk: Wave Rock, Officer, is keen for everyone to know Compiled by Hazel Rath Idalia National Park that it works. ‘Before 2008, we’d hand draw onto a Idalia, one of the Central West topographical map where we’d done our Queensland National Parks in the Cooper control. Some staff used a GPS which Creek catchment, is 113 kilometres was one step better. It was all brought

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 25 New members of NPA notices the association National Parks Association Calendar The NPA ACT welcomes March April May June Bethan David, Fri 14-Mon 17, Jason Cummings, Public holidays Mon 13 — Mon 12 Tues 25 Suzi Bond, Richard Dallwitz General meetings Thurs 16 Thurs 20 Thurs 18 Thurs 15 as new members. We look forward to seeing you Committee meetings Tues 7 Tues 4 Tues 2 Tues 6 at NPA activities. Gudgengy Bush Regeneration 1 Sat 11 Sat 8 Sat13 Sat 10 Glenburn work party 2 Tues 2 — Call for volunteers Further details: 1. GBRG. Meet at Namadgi Visitor Centre 9.15 am. At NPA general meetings 2. Friends of Glenburn meet at Canberra Railway Station, Kingston at 9.00 am, or at volunteer members set up the hall the locked gate off the Kings Highway at 9.20 am. and the supper. We need more volunteers for 2017 as the roster Contributions for the This Bulletin was prepared by: Editors, Kevin McCue and Sonja Lenz is by no means full. Please NPA Bulletin Copyeditor, Ed Highley contact Quentin Moran if you can help. [email protected] Contributions of articles, letters, poems, Presentation, Adrienne Nicholson. drawings and photographs are always welcome. If Thank you possible keep contributions to no more than 1,000 words. Items accepted for publication will be subject to editing and may also be published on the Community Symposium – Bushfire Management: Balancing the Risks NPA website. Send all items to the Bulletin Team, Friday, Saturday, 21–22 July 2017 email [email protected], or to the NPA ACT postal Pilgrim House address (see page 27). Northbourne Avenue Canberra City ACT 2601 See notice page 5. Deadline for the June 2017 issue: 30 April 2017.

NPA books available from some bookshops (eg ANBG), or contact the association office.

Correction to the item about Art Week at Gudgenby Cottage Rosenberg’s Monitors in the December Saturday to Sunday, 13–21 May 2016 Bulletin. Contacts Hazel Rath 4845 1021 or Adrienne Nicholson 6281 6381 Immerse yourself in the park environment to paint, draw, write, think, walk, Matthew Higgins writes: … you say that I photograph, whatever you wish. Overnight stays for 1 or more nights must be was ‘waiting for the adults to return to open booked with leaders (maximum 6 people each night). Day visitors are also up the mound’. I did not say this, because welcome any day, to participate or just to enjoy. this does not happen with this species. The hatchlings dig their own way out, as the Cover photographs Kangaroo Island researchers have found, and as I have now observed on Mt Ainslie. Front cover I know that Ross’s* otherwise excellent field guide says the female returns to open Main photo. Dainty Swallowtail Papilio anactus (See butterfly the mound but this is unfortunately an error book launch page 6). Photo by Esther Gallant. in an otherwise very helpful field guide. Insets. Left. Club Lake area of Kosciuszko National Park *Ross Bennett is the author of the NPA (see walk report page 19). Photo by Brian Slee. Field Guide to the Reptiles and Frogs Centre. Dr Suzi Bond (see butterfly book of the ACT. Come and hear all about launch page 8). Photo by Chris Emery the Rosenberg’s Monitors on Mount Ainslie at the March general meeting Right. Steel wire bales at the mattress recycling when Matthew will give us a full enterprise, Soft Landing (article page 18). Photo by Esther Gallant. account of his observations! See notice Back cover on page 27. Ed. Weed Alert poster.

26 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 General Meetings Third Thursday of the month, (not December or January) 8.00 pm, Uniting Church hall, 56 Scrivener Street, O’Connor Thursday 16 March Thursday 20 April Thursday 15 May Adventures with Rosie: monitoring A visit to Borneo The Galapagos Islands Adrienne Nicholson Rosenberg’s monitor on Mount Ainslie Judy and Dave kelly NPA member. 2013 – 2016 NPA members. Matthew Higgins Islands are places where evolution occurs Dave and Judy Kelly visited in isolation, resulting in amazing flora Historian and outdoor enthusiast. Malaysian Sarawak and Sabah and fauna ecosystems. Last year Adrienne Rosenberg’s Monitor, a large goanna rarely on the island of Borneo in May spent 16 days on the motor yacht Beagle seen in the ACT, is listed as a threatened 2016 and will share a sample in the Galapagos Islands (a side trip en species in NSW, Vic. and SA. Matthew looks at of what they saw and route to Venezuela!). key activities of these beautiful reptiles, experienced: the people, river The geology, flora and fauna of the recorded on Mount Ainslie. The project was a rides, seeing pitcher plants, Galapagos are every bit as interesting as partnership between Matthew and ACT hornbills, orangutans and expected. Knowledgeable park guides Government Senior Ecologist Don Fletcher. ending with a climb up Mount must accompany all groups visiting the Rosenbergs lay their eggs in termite mounds Kinabalu. Some of the islands; where, and when, groups may go and Matthew took what are probably the first environmental problems, sim- is well-controlled; conservation issues ever photographs of egg-laying and hatching in ilar to those in Australia, are were often discussed as an integral part of the Territory, and for a good distance beyond. also covered. this visit. Conveners National Parks Association of the ACT Incorporated Bulletin Working Group Kevin McCue 6251 1291 (h) [email protected] Inaugurated 1960 Cultural Subcommittee Quentin Moran 6288 9840 Aims and objectives of the Association [email protected] Environment Subcommittee Rod Griffiths 6288 6988 (h) • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the protection of [email protected] fauna and flora, scenery, natural features and cultural heritage in the Glenburn/Burbong Work Col McAlister 6288 4171 (h) Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the reservation of Parties [email protected] specific areas. Outings Subcommittee Steven Forst 0428 195 236 • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation areas. [email protected] • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment of, such Promotion and Engagement Vacant natural phenomena and cultural heritage by organised field outings, Subcommittee meetings or any other means. Publications Subcommittee Kevin McCue 6251 1291 (h) • Cooperation with organisations and persons having similar interests [email protected] and objectives. Work Party Co-ordinator Martin Chalk 6292 3502 (h) [email protected] • Promotion of, and education for, conservation, and the planning of landuse to achieve conservation. The NPA ACT office is in Unit 14 / 26 Lena Karmel Lodge, Barry Office bearers Drive, Acton, together with the Conservation Council. It is staffed by volunteers on an irregular basis. Callers may leave phone or email President vacant messages at any time. Vice-President Christine Goonrey 6231 8395 (h) Phone: (02) 6229 3201 or 0410 875 731 (if urgent) [email protected] Website: www.npaact.org.au Secretary Sonja Lenz 6251 1291 (h) Email: [email protected] [email protected] Address: GPO Box 544, Canberra ACT 2601 Treasurer Chris Emery 6249 7604 (h) Facebook: [email protected] www.facebook.com/NationalParksAssociationOfTheAct Committee members Membership subscription rates (1 July to 30 June) Isobel Crawford 6257 1660 (h) The subscription rate is $22, which includes a digital copy only of our [email protected] Bulletin. Esther Gallant (Minutes Secretary) 6161 4514 (h) If you want to receive a printed copy of the Bulletin, the subscription [email protected] rates are: Household membership $44 Single members $38.50 Rod Griffiths (Immediate Past President) 6288 6988 (h) Corporate membership $33 Full-time student/Pensioner $22 [email protected] Note: All the above subscription categories reduce to $11 if a George Heinsohn 6278 6655 (h) donation of $100 or more is made. [email protected] Advertising Kevin McCue 6251 1291 (h) [email protected] The NPA Bulletin accepts advertisements and inserts. Contact the NPA office for information and rates. Quentin Moran 6288 9840 (h) [email protected] Printed by Instant Colour Press, Belconnen, ACT. ISSN 0727-8837

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2017 27 For information on NPA ACT activities, please visit our website http://www.npaact.org.au and follow us at www.facebook.com/NationalParksAssociationOfTheAct