Volume 55 Number 4 December 2018

National Parks Association of the Australian Capital Territory Inc.

Two Art Weeks in 2018

Life Membership for retiring Treasurer

Kosciuszko NP under threat NPA Bulletin Volume 55 Number 4 December 2018 Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect association opinion or objectives. CONTENTS From the President ...... 2 Six days on the , Byadbo Wilderness...... 12 Esther Gallant Mike Bremers From the committee Dr Bryan Harry Pratt, 1937–2018 ...... 13 Kosciuszko – it’s a park, not a paddock! ...... 3 Tony Wood, 1942–2018...... 13 The campaign ...... 3 Yathong revisited ...... 14 Campaign staff...... 3 Kevin McCue VIP tour to Ginini Wetlands ...... 3 Cavemen and their women, and God...... 14 SaveKosci protest walk...... 4 Gerry Jacobson Kosciuszko Science Conference...... 5 NPA outings program, December 2018–February 2019 .....15–18 Esther Gallant Ordinary versus dynamic bushfire behaviour...... 19 IUCN definition of a national park ...... 5 Jason Sharples ACT peatlands: high value and vulnerable ...... 6 Bushwalk reports Geoffrey Hope South ...... 20 Cull of brumbies right...... 7 Brian Slee Canberra Times editorial Guthega Ridge and Valley...... 20 Report from the Environment Subcommittee...... 7 Brian Slee Rod Griffiths The Paralyser and Illawong Lodge ...... 21 NPA ACT work party summary August – October 2018 ...... 8 Brian Slee Martin Chalk Fiftieth anniversary of the first Moon landing...... 22 Art week at Gudgenby Cottage...... 8 Brett McNamara Larry O’Loughlin retires...... 8 Conservation issues in the Marquesas Islands...... 23 NPA ACT named Environmental Group of the Year...... 9 Elizabeth and David Teather NPA donates books for children’s art competitions...... 9 All that’s white … ...... 25 GBRG’s seat in the park ...... 10 Rupert Barnett Doug Brown PARKWATCH ...... 26 Roundup and risks: is this still a debate?...... 10 Compiled by Hazel Rath Rupert Barnett NPA notices...... 30 National Parks Council AGM 2018...... 11 Meetings and speaker information...... 31 Kevin McCue NPA information and contacts...... 31 From the President

It has been a busy time since the ACT Region concerning joint actions on been declared formation of the ‘Grand Coalition’ on cat-containment policy in the ACT. to have a feral horses at the 17 July Canberra The citizen-science Rosenberg’s high bushfire meeting. A number of actions were Monitor tracking project has been risk. suggested to counter the folly of the awarded a more than $29,000 grant from We continue NSW heritage feral horse legislation and the ACT Government. Congratulations our efforts to put many NPA ACT and Canberra Don and Kevin! This grant, with nature books in the Bushwalking Club (CBC) volunteers additional funds from the Bubb bequest, hands of children and young families. have worked hard on events to raise will allow these promising studies to go to We presented books to the winners of public awareness of the absurdity of the next level. the Friends of ANBG Schools Photo protecting feral horses in a national park The Publicity Subcommittee has Competition in November. and the likely resulting severe damage to progressed with text and photo selections And last but far from least, we have alpine ecosystems. for our new membership brochure that is arranged the annual NPA ACT As usual, the Environment now ready for graphic design. We look Christmas Party for 2 December at the Subcommittee has been busy writing forward to its completion in 2019. Namadgi Visitor Centre. While there submissions to the investigations of Several members are actively involved you will be able to visit an exhibition of various government agencies: the Senate in the Ginninderra Falls Association’s work from this year’s NPA Art Weeks at inquiry on feral animals; the ACT campaign to gain a better environmental Gudgenby Cottage. management plan for the Spotted-tailed outcome in the cross-border urban There are, as usual, reports on these Quoll; the ACT nature-based tourism development along Ginninderra Creek and further NPA activities in this issue of strategy. There are ongoing discussions and the Murrumbidgee River near the Bulletin. with the Conservation Council of the Ginninderra Falls. This area has recently Esther Gallant

2 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 From the committee Kosciuszko – it’s a park, not a paddock! The campaign Campaign staff VIP tour to Ginini Wetlands Damage to Our major donation plus similar ones Throughout August and September (KNP) by feral animals, especially from NSW NPA and ISC enabled the Di Thompson contacted Members of horses, has been ongoing for decades engagement of campaigners to lead the the Legislative Assembly, Environment though ignored by politicians setting media and public education efforts. The Directorate leaders and others about NSW national park policy. The selection and steering committee – participating in a trip to view the legislation to give feral horses within myself, Alix Goodwin and Andrew important wetlands at the head of the KNP protected ‘heritage’ status may Cox – interviewed candidates and agreed Cotter Catchment – the source of 80 per have brought public opinion to a tipping to hire Richard and Alison Swain from cent of Canberra’s drinking water. The point. Many of our members dug deep to Numeralla. Ginini Wetlands in Namadgi have fund opposition to this legislation by the Ramsar designation as they are of ‘Grand Coalition’ of NPA NSW, international importance and the largest NPA ACT and the Invasive Species wetland in the . Council (ISC). Donations totalling over The arrangements for the day $40,000 have been made by NPA ACT including a bus and 4WD vehicles were members in support of the initial made by Parks staff under the direction NPA NSW Morning Herald of Namadgi Manager Brett McNamara. public notice opposing passage of the The official invitation to this important legislation, the SaveKosci protest walk, trip was extended by NPA ACT. the Kosciuszko Science Conference and Invitees were personally contacted by the ReclaimKosci campaign. In addition, Di Thompson to explain the signif- hundreds of NPA ACT volunteer hours Alison Swain (left), with a few responsibilities icance of the trip. The ultimate message have supported these projects. This (photo supplied) and Richard Swain (photo by was that our clean water comes from substantial support has been gratefully Stephen Worley). these wetlands. Hundreds of feral acknowledged by our NSW colleagues. horses are just across the border and if Alison and Richard run Alpine River Email exchange between Esther not removed will trash this area as they Adventures guiding paddling trips on the Gallant and Andrew Cox, CEO of ISC have already destroyed adjacent parts of Snowy River in southern KNP and on the and coordinator of the feral horse KNP. The day was to focus on water Murrumbidgee River. Having seen the campaign: and it rained to add emphasis. damage close up they have been About 30 people joined the trip with Hi Andrew, privately campaigning against feral two MLAs and their staff plus staffers The results are in and NPA ACT horses in KNP for some time. Now there of two others representing all three members dug deep to support the are emaciated horses dead from major parties on board the bus as well Ferals Campaign. We challenge starvation along the bank and even in the as the Director of ACT Parks Daniel others to step up and keep the river. As you might imagine, this is not Iglesias, and the Commissioner for the momentum going. the kind of wilderness adventure they or Environment Kate Auty. There were Regards, their customers want. The Swains seem also representatives of Icon Water and Esther the perfect advocates for our campaign, environmental scientists. NPA ACT Hi Esther, having local contacts, lobbying members served as hosts, the advance This is amazing news and will experience and a strong longstanding party setting up morning tea at Bulls really allow us to escalate the personal interest in the issue. Head and lunch at Franklin Chalet. Campaign. ISC would love to be The Swains already have many Brett was MC both on and off the bus able to thank the donors for their relevant contacts with other tourism providing entertaining stories from the generosity. I am confident we will operators, local landholders, NSW history of the Mount Franklin area as start to turn around the debate. politicians and the local Aboriginal well as passionate descriptions of the Thanks for all your efforts. community and have made a fast start on importance of the area to the Canberra All the best, the media campaign. Recently they have water supply. Andrew taken print and broadcast journalists on The best summation of the trip I have also received thanks for our visits to damaged areas and involved comes from subsequent comments in generosity from Alix Goodwin, CEO of other locals in their efforts. Last month two of the many thank you emails, first NPA NSW, and Graeme Worboys, Di Thompson took them (accompanied from Di to participants: organiser of the Kosciuszko Science by Annette Smith and me) to view sites Well what a day it was for us all, Conference of which NPA ACT was a in northern KNP where media could and an opportunity to see and sponsor. easily be taken to see the extent of the hear of our catchment history and damage. They have produced a fact sheet issues. From the meetings that Donors, consider yourselves showing the false premise of the many Esther and I had with many of thanked by NSW colleagues and myths stated as facts by the pro-brumby you, there is a solid understanding all of us in the ACT currently lobby. You can find this on our website. of the threat from feral horses that toiling on the campaign. http://www.npaact.org.au/res/File/2018/ faces our catchment and our Fact%20Sheet-Reclaim%20Kosci- wonderful Namadgi National Myths%20V%20Reality- Park and the cost implications for 2018%20October.pdf the ACT. So few horses and so (continued next page)

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 3 Kosciuszko – it’s a park, not a paddock! (continued)

much damage can occur in a short time. It was a privilege to have you all together, to talk with you, and hopefully to work together in the future. Of course Brett’s MC role and his stories – both fact and fiction – were amazing. I know most were really fact, as I’ve learned from many others. My thanks to Brett and his team; without them this field trip would not have taken place. I am eternally grateful to them. For me the highlight demonstration was Brett repeated[ly] squeezing the water from a handful of sphagnum moss into someone’s hands. It was ‘the drop of water’ he so often spoke of. Second, from Brett McNamara to participants (with permission): I’m unaware of any other time in the history of the Parks Service After a briefing at Ginini Flats, Namadgi Manager Brett McNamara squeezes water from whereby representatives from all sphagnum moss while describing the path of a drop of water from here to your coffee cup. political persuasions within the Photo by Di Thompson. ACT Assembly, along with the Gallant were powerful. inherited strengths – not something Office of the Commissioner for the I sensed that those in attendance we built or bought, but were gifted. Environment have come together have discovered a new The trip reminded me that we have for an onsite briefing. Albeit high in appreciation for the life of a also been gifted a community that the misty mountains of Namadgi, it raindrop, from a cloud to a CBR cares deeply about that catchment. was an historic occasion. coffee cup. Perfect. We look forward to continuing to Undoubtedly the message around work with NPA, Parks and Cons and the Cotter as our principle water A subsequent email from Brett: others to achieve our common catchment resonated. The threat The issue at hand is not if, but goals. from NSW feral horses, not if but when these horses move into the when, impacting upon these values ACT due to their home range was clearly understood. The expanding given the lack of any historical context that we walk in effective control under the NSW Save Kosci protest walk the footsteps of those who have legislation. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Linda been protecting this catchment for We regularly monitor for feral Groom near on 100 Sydney to Summit over 100 years was not lost. horse incursion from the air via a walkers left Sydney on 5 November Such an event would not have been helicopter and ground based with appropriate fanfare (a choir and a patrols along known hot spots. One possible without the support of our (continued next page) community. To that end the such ‘hot spot’ is Murrays Gap just lobbying efforts of the National north of Mt Bimberi. Murrays Gap Parks Association and others, was is a designated fire management the key to a highly successful and trail linking Namadgi National very informative day. The tireless Park directly with Kosciuszko efforts of Di Thompson and Esther National Park. We have detected mobs of horses along this Briefing at Bulls Head shelter – nice day. management trail less than 3 km Photo provided by Brett McNamara. from our border. From Jane Breaden, the Head of Marketing, Icon Water (with permission): It was lovely to meet you on Wednesday and thank you again for organising the day. It was a very good example of how to generate community interest in and support for an important issue. We know at Icon NSW Shadow Minister for the Environment, Water that the pristine Penny Sharp, with Corroboree Frog in catchment is one of our Sydney. Photo by Cynthia Burton.

4 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 Kosciuszko – it’s a park, not a paddock! (continued) gigantic Corroboree Frog) and Australian Academy of Science, the encouragement from many, including ANU Fenner School of Environmental NSW shadow environment minister Science and Deakin University. Penny Sharp. Attendees came from NSW and The walk will reach the summit of as well as the ACT. Kosciuszko on 8 or 9 December so there Congratulations to Graeme for is still time to get involved. Along the achieving the almost impossible – way there was a protest rally in organising a scientific meeting in less Queanbeyan followed by a lunch with than 4 months. The 103-page illustrated some local politicians. abstracts of 23 papers were printed in Cynthia Burton is organising media full colour in the conference proceedings coverage as the walk progresses. which was sponsored in part by Register at: NPA ACT. Copies of this publication https://savekosci.org/ will be available to members at general Dr Graeme Worboys Follow the walk online: meetings. Photo by Esther Gallant. Twitter: ReclaimKosci@Reclaim Participants agreed that the meeting Kosci or SaveKosci@SaveKosci was a tremendous success. Scientists there is a clear and present threat Facebook: Reclaim Kosci or Save and non-scientists alike understood and to the natural water catchments Kosci appreciated the information presented. and the natural ecosystems of Now we have a concise body of written Kosciuszko National Park and peer-reviewed evidence to cite when other Australian Alps national facing down the nay-sayers (pun parks caused directly by thousands intended here). There was general of feral horses’. agreement that there is no minimum Two pages of detail followed. It will number of horses that will not be presented to the NSW Government. significantly damage fragile alpine and Many thanks to Graeme for his subalpine environments. It was pointed persistence and determination that this out repeatedly that NSW is out of step conference would occur. with all the other states and territories, which cull hard-hooved animals Esther Gallant including horses. At the beginning of proceedings, attendees were stunned by the announcement that one UNSW scientist planning to present work conducted outside Australia had been forbidden to attend or present at the conference by Supporters preparing to welcome the the NSW Department of Heritage and walkers outside Mr Barilaro’s electorate Environment. It seems that, contrary to Conference at the Shine Dome. office in Queanbeyan on 22 November; he circumstances in most democratic Photo by Kevin McCue. wasn’t there! Photo by Sabine Friedrich. countries of the world, the State of NSW does not respect academic freedom. Scientists are Kosciuszko Science Conference outraged. On 8 November about 150 people At the conclusion of gathered at the Shine Dome in Canberra the conference par- for a conference bringing together ticipants were given the environmental scientists and activists for opportunity to sign a two- a day of hard facts on the damage page declaration, ‘The inflicted by hard hooves on KNP and Kosciuszko Science other parks. The conference was Accord’, which begins: conceived and organised by ‘We, the undersigned, environmental scientist Dr Graeme agree that scientific Worboys and sponsored by the evidence shows that

IUCN definition of a national park IUCN category 2 defines a national park as a large natural or near natural area set aside to protect large-scale ecological processes, along with the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic of the area, which also provide a foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible, spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational, and visitor opportunities.

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 5 ACT peatlands: high value and vulnerable The mountains of the Australian recommendations that pop- Capital Territory are home to ulations of horses in the park numerous small wetlands that should be greatly reduced. are unusual in forming peat due Meanwhile the Victorian Gov- to waterlogging, acidity and ernment is using aerial culling to cool temperatures. Peatlands control feral deer and cattle. trap sediment, remove nutrient The ACT peatlands are a legacy and store water, gradually that cannot be quickly replaced releasing high-quality flows to once they are trampled and rivers. They are also important drained. The largest population of as animal habitat by providing feral horses in KNP, probably green feed and water during dry 2,500 horses, is located within periods to a range of grazers and 15 km of the ACT border. invertebrates, as well as Geoffrey Hope supporting species such as freshwater crayfish, frogs and Emeritus Professor, the Broad-toothed Rat1. Archaeology and In Coring Snowy Flat bog, ANU and UNSW, 2015. Natural History, ANU there are around 60 peatlands Photo by Geoff Hope. totalling 575 ha, of which subalpine Sphagnum (moss) shrub bog conducted show that the peatlands are References totals 167 ha. Ginini Flats is the best- sensitive to disturbance, especially 1 Hope, G.S., Nanson, R. and Flett, I. known bog complex. The fires of anything that leads to drainage. 2009. The peat-forming mires of the 14–18 January 2003 burnt across almost Historical grazing in the Snowy Australian Capital Territory. all of the bogs, killing areas of Mountains destroyed large areas of Technical Report 19, Territory and Sphagnum and shrubs, allowing peatlands and damaged many more. For Municipal Services, ACT Empodisma (twig rush) fen to invade. this reason, heavy-hooved mammals Government, Canberra. 57pp . Peat forms very slowly, especially in such as horses, deer and cattle should be https:// this fire-prone environment. The depth excluded from the catchments using www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ of peat in Ginini is about 1.2 m, and suitable methods. These could include resources/nature/ carbon dating shows that it has taken trapping and aerial shooting. The 120257PeatBogs.pdf Kosciuszko Wild Horse Independent 2 Zheng, X., Amesbury, M., Hope, G., over 3,500 years to build up. So bogs 3 have additional scientific value because Technical Reference Group (ITRG) , Martin, L. and Mooney, S. 2018. their history is archived in the sediment. which included veterinarians and animal Testate amoebae as a hydrological Studies of cores from Ginini and Snowy welfare representatives, concluded in proxy for reconstructing water table Flat use pollen preserved in the peat to 2016 that well-managed aerial shooting depth in the mires of south-eastern see vegetation history, and charcoal to was practicable in subalpine envir- Australia. Ecological Indicators distinguish the fire history. Fire has onments and was humane in that family –10650R1. been a constant, but wet bogs can groups could be removed together and 3 Lonsdale, M., Cameron, E., resprout. A new study of the resting that death was very quick. Beavis, S. Hope, G.S., Jones, B., spores of testate amoebae has provided Although this was accepted by the Rose, R., Saunders. G. and a record of rainfall over the past 2,000 majority in town hall meetings about this Welsh, A. 2016. Final report of the years2 (actually depth to water table). topic, strong resistance to this view by Independent Technical Reference This suggests that the end of the ‘Little pro-brumby groups meant this option Group: Supplementary to the Ice Age’ around 1880 saw rising was specifically rejected by the NSW Kosciuszko National Park Wild wetness but that this has started to dry Government. The same groups have Horse Management Plan, report by in the past 20–50 years. The studies recently been successful in preventing the Independent Technical any effective Reference Group to the Office of man-agement of Environment and Heritage NSW, horse numbers in Sydney. 63pp. https:// Kos-ciuszko www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ National Park by research-and-publications/ con-vincing the publications- search/ NSW supplementary-to-the-kosciuszko- Government to national-park-wild-horse- reject the ITRG management-plan

Dunnes Creek just over Murrays Pass in NSW, a former Sphagnum peat bog converted into a creek by horse trampling. Photo by Geoff Hope.

6 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 Cull of brumbies right* When NSW Deputy Premier John The horses also trample swamps, plants, and the kangaroos themselves at Barilaro reversed a planned cull of wild which act as crucial filters for risk. alpine horses in May, he was careful to rainwater. They destroy habitat for And so we cull them, in large evoke some of our most cherished various endangered species. The scale numbers, to protect their populations in Australian imagery. of destruction caused by wild horses the future, and ensure the biological ‘Wild brumbies have been roaming can, one academic said, be seen from diversity of the bush capital. And the the Australian alps for almost 200 years space. cullings have led to positive, and are part of the cultural fabric and And yet the NSW government is incremental results over the past folklore of the country’, he said. intent on clinging onto some romantic 10 years. He forgot to mention, though, that imagery that, while appealing and It is often said that those who place the natural environment is as much a indeed part of Australian history and the lives of individual animals over the part of that folklore – mountains, gum folklore, is completely divorced from health of ecosystems are operating on a trees, rushing rivers – as the wild horses the reality of environmental different value system altogether. No that are, when all is said and done, an degradation. one enjoys the idea of killing animals, introduced species. And it is this natural No one, least of all the highly particularly systematic culling, in large environment that is being protected by trained scientists who recommend that numbers. But it is difficult to detect any controlled culls in the ACT and Victoria. these animals be culled, enjoys the foresight in the decision to reverse a At a conference this week, ANU notion of killing animals. In Canberra, cull of an introduced species, especially scientist Jamie Pittock accused NSW of residents have on the whole accepted when the consequences of their ignoring the science behind the difficult the need for a yearly kangaroo cull, to spiralling population is so very evident. decision to cull brumbies. avoid spiralling populations and Environmental scientists are right to He listed the numerous types of ongoing damage to the natural call for a carefully considered, damage being wrought by the hooved environment. And these animals are far scientifically determined controlled cull animals, on a landscape that has never closer to our national identity than a of brumbies, folklore be damned. wild horse. Kangaroos are on our coat evolved to cope with hooves of any kind. * This editorial in The Canberra of arms and our national carrier. There It’s the hooves that trample the habitat Times of 12 November 2018, is is almost no animal that more closely and create new waterways diverting rain reproduced with the paper’s represents Australia in its uniqueness to rivers faster than is good for the permission. environment. These extra waterways and diversity. And yet modern life has gather dirt and other contaminants, changed their habitats in urban polluting rivers and streams, and Canberra, which has put the reducing the supply of usable water. environment, endangered animals and Report from the Environment Subcommittee The key function of NPA ACT is its lack of priorities and budgets for advocacy for the environment. This role proposed actions and queried how has driven the creation of key parks and the actions proposed fitted with the reserves, such as Namadgi and ACT’s responsibilities under the Mulligans Flat. The NPA has been National Action Plan for the fearless in defending the ACT’s reserves Spotted-tailed Quoll. from incompatible activities and o the Senate inquiry into the impact developments and in monitoring the of feral deer, pigs and goats in adequacy of the management of these Australia. The NPA’s detailed reserves. submission noted that the threats of the inadequacy of federal The NPA’s Environment Sub- feral deer, pigs and goats raise environment legislation; the role of committee assists the Management important questions about how the research in the management of pest Committee with the formulation of federal government can more species; and the inadequacy of NPA’s environmental positions, the effectively work with the states and funding for land management. drafting of submissions on territories and use its powers and • completed the public survey on environmental issues, and liaison with resources to better protect matters nature-based tourism in the ACT. the ACT Government and the ACT Parks of national environmental • seen the NPA endorse the NSW SE and Conservation Service. significance. It also commented on Forests proposal to stop logging, Since the previous issue of the the risks to natural biodiversity preserve biodiversity and retrain the Bulletin, the Environment Subcommittee from these pest species; the workforce. has: limitations of current laws, policies Membership of the Environment • continued to be involved in supporting and practices; the effectiveness of Subcommittee is open to all members the ‘SaveKosci/Reclaim Kosci’ cam- control and containment tools; and of the NPA ACT. If you are interested paign, which is fighting to protect proposed future threat abatement in helping protect the ACT’s natural Kosciuszko National Park from the actions for these species. environment, please contact the severe environmental damage caused o the Senate inquiry into Australia’s subcommittee’s convener, Rod by feral horses. faunal extinction crisis. Among Griffiths, on 0410 875 731. • made submissions on: other things, the NPA’s submission Rod Griffiths, Convener o the Spotted-tailed Quoll action plan. reflected on habitat loss as the key Environment Subcommittee This submission commented on the driver of extinctions in Australia;

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 7 NPA ACT work party summary August – October 2018

Month Activity Agency Participants Moore’s Hill – Cootamundra Wattle control. The wattle thicket opposite the Cotter campground was cut/dabbed. Blackberry and briar also treated, plus August PCS 7 14 mahonia. Larger but more scattered plants remain to the north and west. Results need to be checked for effectiveness. Revisit Aug/Sep 2020 Orroral Valley: weed control on ‘Rabbity Hill’: 409 briar cut/dabbed, September many verbascum rosettes chipped out, horehound chipped and removed PCS 10 from five locations. Still more to do. Broom control Brayshaws Hut area: 2,413 plants removed from sites 801, October 809, 821, 835, 845, 865. A, E. Signs of grazing by kangaroos. No flowering PCS 6 plants seen. Art Week at Gudgenby Cottage

In 2018 NPA ACT had two Art Weeks at Gudgenby Cottage, the second in October. An NPA ACT exhibition has been set up at the Namadgi Visitor Centre. There is also a presentation covering Art Week activities over the years in the NVC theatre. Above. Kevin brought a project from home to work on, with interest from Sonja. Above right. Walking to the Yankee Hat Aboriginal rock art site. Right. Setting up the exhibition at the NVC. Below. Close-up of lichens on a rock. Photos by Adrienne Nicholson.

Larry O’Loughlin retires Though we wish him well for his undertook the heavy workload of improvements to the retirement and future endeavours, it is Executive Director with a wry smile and ACT’s environment. with great regret that the NPA ACT a razor-sharp sense of humour, and has Some recent ex- committee records here the recent worked closely with the NPA on amples include his retirement of the Conservation Council’s numerous issues over the past 4 years. work on zero carbon Executive Director, Larry O’Loughlin. Larry’s extensive contacts and emissions and the Larry has been a tireless worker for the understanding of the political listing of the loss of mature native trees environment around the ACT. He environment helped negotiate significant as a key threatening process.

8 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 NPA ACT named Environmental Group of the Year NPA ACT was awarded the 2018 • educate – through seminars and NPA ACT’s work. It champions the role Environmental Group award by the conferences; broad-ranging and of the National Parks Australia Council, Conservation Council of the ACT popular publications; the support of the peak body for national parks Region at the Spring Mingle held on science by awarding scholarships to associations in Australia; the 26 November 2018. Our association has ANU and UC science students; a Conservation Council, with which been championing the ACT and region’s varied speakers program at its general numerous environmental submissions natural environment for 58 years and has meetings; as well as newspaper articles have been co-authored; the connectivity done so across a wide range of fields. and columns, letters to the editor, radio of natural areas throughout the region as Here are some of the key points in and television interviews; a member of the Kosciuszko to Coast NPA’s application for the award. • deliver on-ground work – through Partnership. Our association is currently NPA ACT members work with the monthly work parties in the ACT and supporting the coalition of environmental ACT community, bureaucracy and the region; citizen-science projects groups fighting to protect Kosciuszko governments to: such as the Rosenberg’s Monitor National Park from the severe • influence environmental policy – tracking program; provision of an all- environmental damage caused by feral through lobbying for the creation of terrain wheelchair to the ACT animals, especially feral horses. conservation areas; detailed community; and a successful outdoor commentary on ACT legislation, plans activities program. of management, action plans and Networking, partnerships and strategies; representation on cooperation with other environmental consultation panels; groups are key components of NPA donates books for children’s art competitions theme of the competition This year for the first time, prizes through drawing, painting or were awarded to ACT artists. ACT NPA mixed media. They also wrote was a major contributor, donating many up to 150 words about the copies of its field guides and the threat and/or their suggestion Namadgi book. for a solution. We hope to continue this successful The artwork was photo- collaboration in future years. graphed by teachers or parents Bren Weatherstone, and submitted online along ACT Coordinator, TSCAC with a description and an explanation of why the NPA members Bren Weatherstone species was chosen. Entries and Geoff Hope organised this The ACT Threatened Species Children’s were received from ACT primary schools, competition. Art Competition (TSCAC) 2018 was after-school groups and individuals. part of the much larger NSW To see the entries: The winning artworks from the https://www.elixirphotography.com/ competition established by Forestmedia finalists chosen by a panel of judges were Network. Forestmedia aims to raise client/endangered-species-competition- photographed by a professional photo- 2018 awareness of the need to preserve and grapher to be printed either on value all native species of fauna and plastic (for indoor exhibition) or flora – especially those faced with Corflute (for outside exhibition). extinction – and to reverse the Prize-winning entries were destruction of native habitat. Through exhibited at the Australian National art, it encourages the next generation of Botanic Gardens during the spring environmental leaders to think about school holidays, after the artists how we can take action. had received their prizes from Each young artist (aged 5 to 12) Commonwealth Threatened Species chose a threatened species of plant or Commissioner Sally Box at the animal to research, and then created an opening launch in the ANBG original work of art that interpreted the theatrette on 29 September 2018.

NPA ACT also presented NPA field guides and Namadgi books to the winners of the ANBG Schools Photography Competition at the prize-giving ceremony on 3 November 2018. First prize winning photographs are shown below. Ed. Altered Reality Colour Monochrome

NPA BULLETIN − DECMBER 2018 9 GBRG’s seat in the park Courtesy of ACT Parks and Conservation, a new park bench has been installed beside the Yankee Hat walking trail. The bench marks the contribution of the Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group (GBRG) to the regeneration of the former Gudgenby pine plantation over the 20 years since the group’s establishment in 1998. Situated near the bridge over Bogong Creek, the wooden bench with iron work has a fine view towards Peppermint Hill, one of the sites in the Gudgenby Valley regularly visited by the group’s work parties. Doug Brown Adrienne Nicholson and Bruce and Maria Boreham try out the new bench on the Yankee Hut trail during Art Week in October 2018. Photo by Hazel Rath. Roundup and risks: is this still a debate? Twice in recent months we’ve heard the and usage information as misleading. the label instructions and full personal media giving particular attention to the Much of the Four Corners protective equipment is used at all herbicide glyphosate, usually with presentation consisted of claim and times’. For volunteers who avoid using rhetorical questions that implied there counterclaim, with no attempt to inform spray application, disposable gloves and may be some untested and uncertain but viewers about independent studies. glasses will usually be sufficient. serious risk in its use by humans. Nevertheless, the aggressive character of It’s my impression that the many The first occasion was in August, the Monsanto campaign in support of its people involved in caring for our prompted by the decision of a commercial rights and product claims did heritage of native forests, grasslands and Californian court to award to a school much to arouse the deep suspicion of their biota do endeavour to minimise groundsman US$289 million in many towards the company and its exposure to themselves and non-target damages against the company products, which in previous decades had plants of course, but are also grateful Monsanto. The groundsman claimed his been stirred from its involvement in there is a low-risk way of dealing with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was in DDT and Agent Orange, among other the many situations when chemical part caused by his use of glyphosate issues. control of weeds is the only practical over many years. Many similar claims In contrast to the Four Corners method. are pending. The court’s decision program, the website The Conversation It will be enlightening to see how the prompted a discussion on the ABC’s had earlier the same day presented a groundsman’s case is dealt with by the Health Report (13 August 2018) with summary by a lecturer in pharmacology US legal processes; one of the core Professor Lin Fritschi, Cancer at the University of Adelaide of recent issues may be the traditional conundrum, Epidemiologist at Curtin University studies and important reviews under the ‘can we say that correlation proves and, in 2015, chair of a subcommittee heading, ‘Stop worrying and trust the causation’, or, how sure does a judge of the WHO which decided that evidence: it’s very unlikely Roundup have to be that the groundsman’s NHL glyphosate is ‘probably carcinogenic causes cancer’. The difference was was not caused rather by red meat or for humans’. striking – and reassuring. other possible environmental factors? The second media review was on an In the Health Report, Fritschi agreed The jury was not required to assess the ABC Four Corners program (8 October that the Australian Pesticides and methodology underlying the WHO 2018) titled ‘The Monsanto Papers’. Veterinary Medicines Authority ruling. The program presented comments from (APVMA) classifies glyphosate as 2A, Glyphosate continues to be marketed parties that included users, reviewers, that is, it may be a possible carcinogen by Bayer (replacing Monsanto) and lawyers and Monsanto representatives for humans. The presenter noted that many other companies. and a range of views, particularly about other 2A items include red meat, high- roundup.com.au deals with a the glowing advertising by Monsanto temperature frying, burning wood, and comprehensive list of consumer- assuring that the product was effective, some shift work; Fritschi pointed out that oriented FAQs. and safe. the classification only recognises a The APVMA site is at Monsanto had discovered this possible link but says nothing about the apvma.gov.au/node/13891 . herbicide in 1970 and marketed it with dosage. She agreed though that there The Conversation article is at the name Roundup®. Monsanto’s last were no current grounds on which the 2A theconversation.com (search for US patent expired in 2000 and it has classification should be reconsidered, but glyphosate). largely moved out of agrochemical stressed that users should observe the Rupert Barnett activities (Wikipedia). Its interest in safety precautions as set out in a Roundup® was recently sold to the product’s Safety Data Sheet; in brief pharmaceutical company Bayer. The these recommend that exposure of skin ‘Monsanto papers’ turned out to be a and especially eyes to the chemical million pages of company material should be avoided. provided to the Californian court that in Both Fritschi and the APVMA particular detailed the company’s PR repeated this message in the Four programs to reinforce its messages Corners program, and next day the about the product. In contrast many Director of the ACT Parks and users felt they or their family had Conservation Service stated in an email suffered from exposure, and some to staff, ‘it is imperative that our use [of Hawthorn in NNP killed by glyphosate. lawyers also regarded the advertising glyphosate] is only in accordance with Photo by Rupert Barnett.

10 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 National Parks Australia Council AGM 2018 Queensland NPA organised this used their 4WD vehicles to take us to the year’s NPAC meeting incorporating the Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area annual general meeting, held in hosted by the Ngarang-Wal Gold Coast Brisbane. Esther Gallant and I were the Aboriginal Association. We inspected two NPA ACT delegates, and I am also their impressive plantings and weed and the public officer. erosion control work and listened to an Laura Hahn, QNPA Conservation explanation by Justine Dillon, QPWS Officer, chaired the first meeting at ranger-in-charge. The barbeque that 8:30 am on Friday and we dived into the followed was superb. future of NPAC – no nominees had been Afterwards we drove up to Mount found for the executive and it was Tamborine National Park escorted by seriously mooted for a while that NPAC Len and Laurelle Lowry on a circuit be converted into ‘NPAC lite’ until around the Paralilla Block (an outlier of another Christine Goonrey comes along. Hard at work at the NPAC meeting. the national park) admiring the rainforest Every delegate affirmed the value of an Photo by Kevin McCue. vegetation they have propagated over annual meeting and a decision was 20 years, along the way transforming a deferred to Sunday’s AGM. who took the process through to joint farm block into a national park. It was a Members presented their reports of management and all that that implied. long day by the time we returned to the key issues and after the discussions Andrew thought that joint management city and dined at the Peasant Restaurant, about common issues, dominated by was a model others might follow. a fixed menu Spanish restaurant. Luckily tourism, we had the first speaker Guy The last session, to 5:00 pm, was everywhere was in walking distance of Cooper talking about weed management devoted to the strategic and annual work our hotel (for bushwalkers that is!). by volunteers in national parks. In plan. From the discussion we decided to On Sunday at the AGM, which Queensland they do no spraying, and use co-opt Matt Ruchel, CEO of VNPA, one started at 9:00 am, Bruce McGregor no Roundup, but their weeds are day per week to put together a plan for from VNPA agreed to be president, different to ours in the ACT, amongst the pre-federal election campaign. Then Graeme Wiffen, NSW NPA, stayed on as them okra and asparagus fern. They use we went out to dinner to the Thai Temple secretary and Ewen Moore, VNPA, a paint-on gel herbicide Vigilant™. restaurant nearby. agreed to continue as treasurer, while After morning tea, Peter Johnson, a As is the tradition, Saturday was Kevin McCue will persevere as public Principal Conservation Analyst with the devoted to an outing and four members officer – that problem is solved for Queensland Department of Environment another year! We continued on with the and Science, gave a remarkable strategic planning till noon. presentation on climate resilience and After a short discussion it was agreed CAR assessments*. The output of a that it was the ACT’s turn to be the complex mathematical process was a venue for the next NPAC general series of Queensland maps for different meeting and AGM, and the dates 18–20 species colour-coded for resilience. October were chosen. We discussed a Apparently Victoria has started on the possible theme – Threats to National process too, but their system is not as Parks – and then we thanked Laura and sophisticated. The results have not yet her wonderfully supportive team and been published. dispersed. Julia Stevenson Lyon from the Kevin McCue Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) then took us through to lunch *Assessment of a reserved area’s with a talk titled ‘National Parks Values comprehensiveness, adequacy and Based Management Planning’. representativeness After lunch the last of the speakers, Andrew Picone from ACF, gave a polished talk on the Cape York tenure resolution program and management. He Esther admires the revegetation project. praised the Indigenous representatives Photo by Kevin McCue.

Happy presidential duties

Left. The certificate presentation to NPA’s newest Life Member, Chris Emery, who has handed on the Treasurer’s role after many years. Right. A welcome to the evening’s speaker, Emily Stringer, recip- ient of an NPA scholarship for her Earless Dragon study.

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 11 Six days on the Snowy River, Byadbo Wilderness

In the March 2018 issue of the Bulletin I Pause on a river bend. Photo by Mike Bremers. described an expedition down the top crew, transferred to the river and, after a The expedition was not just about 150 km of the Murray River, led by relatively short paddle, arrived at our paddling. Swainy has Aboriginal Richard Swain (Swainy) of Alpine River first campsite. Each night we camped in heritage and is a font of knowledge Adventures (ARA). That journey was a lovely campsite close to the river and about Indigenous culture and full of anxiety for me as a novice we were well fed by Swainy’s offsider interpretation of country. He is whitewater paddler as we had to pass Chris. During the first night the river passionate about this area and this was a through the ‘Murray Gates’ with grade 3 level rose due to an environmental flow highlight of the expedition. He showed and 4 rapids. We got through safely and peak. Day 2 involved a portage around us numerous sites and artifacts including I decided that I would like to join the 4 m high falls. In our case, the scar trees and stone tools. Unfortunately, Richard on one of his commercial tours, portage was lengthy because the higher many Australians believe that our which are suitable for beginners, for a river level prevented us paddling too heritage goes back only 200 years but more relaxed journey. close to the upstream side of the falls. here we were surrounded by signs of The Snowy River 6-day Byadbo First we paddled along the reedy Byadbo continuous Aboriginal occupation dating Wilderness Expedition was run from Creek for as far as possible, before back thousands of years! 18–23 October this year and each of the starting a lengthy 600 m portage of all Swainy also is passionate about eight participants paddled one of ARA’s the gear and kayaks through rough, preserving the environment. He pointed inflatable kayaks. These kayaks are very scrubby country. We camped on the high out the damage caused by overgrazing stable and can carry the occupant’s ground that we called ‘Alcatraz’ as there by sheep in the 1880s, leading to camping gear in addition to some of the was no easy way off. massive erosion and loss of topsoil. He communal gear. The expedition started On day 3 we needed to manhandle also pointed out the damage caused by in a remote area (the closest town being loaded kayaks down a steep, rocky slope present-day threats to the environment – Delegate) just upstream of the Snowy before Swainy and Chris seal-launched feral deer, pigs and horses. On a number River Falls and finished about 70 km us into the river just below the rapids of occasions we saw horses that were downstream, where the river runs close downstream of the falls. What followed either dead or skin and bone and close to to the Barry Way. for the remainder of the expedition was death (see photo page 15). Day 1 involved driving from a relaxed routine of about 5 hours a day Overall, this was a great trip. As co- Canberra to Dalgety where we met the on the river paddling on calm pools paddler John said ‘I’d highly teeming with platypus, interspersed recommend doing this trip before doing with grade 1–3 rapids. At each the church buildings and castles of rapid, the lead guide would scout Europe’. out the best route and call us Mike Bremers through. The tail-end guide would be on hand for anyone who got For more photos of this trip go to: stuck on a rock or who capsized. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ Fortunately, these were rare oTrjLYudDBLQTnpC8 occurrences. The rapids provided the right amount of excitement without causing too much anxiety. We finished each day at about 3 pm, allowing for plenty of time to set up camp and relax before devouring Chris’s nightly creation.

Swainy with Aboriginal grinding stones. Photo by John Evans.

12 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 Dr Bryan Harry Pratt, 1937 – 2018 A friend to the natural concept embracing not only small up for us now, so we need to maintain environment reserves but also green corridors staff levels and increase them, we need the funding and we need a pat on Bryan Pratt graduated in science from between them, managed as parks. the back for the people who are still the University of Sydney in 1959, gained Residents of the suburbs who wanted to hammering away with the zeal we had an honours degree from the University of explore farther than their backyards 30–40 years ago. The job isn’t Adelaide in 1961 and was awarded his could do so and they would become the finished by a long shot … The PhD there in 1964. best protectors of the parks. national parks have to go on in He moved to Canberra in 1965 to Bryan answered to seventeen perpetuity: it’s their real value for work for the Commonwealth Bureau of ministers over the years. Tom Uren was society. Once you cut your resources Environmental Studies, before moving in one of them and it was he who declared below a certain level they become 1974 to a new department as Director of the Namadgi National Park on 5 June non-functional or non-useful. Conservation and Agriculture, to set up 1984. the ACT Parks and Conservation One of the tough decisions Bryan Bryan was a patron of the Service. made was to remove the last of the feral Ginninderra Falls Association. He In that role, Bryan administered horses from the mountains. He also played a prominent role in the working fisheries, forestry, city parks and wildlife stopped the trapping and poisoning of party set up by the Belconnen among other activities, before retiring in dingoes, an order that didn’t survive. Community Council to look into cross- 1988 to spend more time at his tackle When interviewed by Matthew border issues relating to West shops and fishing. His book The Higgins in 2000, he noted that: Belconnen. The group, which usually Canberra Fisherman is essential reading Hammering me all the time in the met at Dr Pratt’s tackle shop, for local anglers. background was the National Parks recommended that the area become a His first day at the Department of Association. They had bushwalkers, national park. This was the initial Interior saw the introduction of the they had ecologists, they had damn Proposal for a Murrumbidgee– Canberra Nature Park, a concept based good people, the brains of the ACT Ginninderra Gorges National Park. on nature parks in Germany. The idea belonged to the National Parks Compiled from internet sources and was for a nature park of all the open Association, half of CSIRO and ANU Matthew Higgins’ oral history and other people. spaces of the ACT under a unified commissioned by NPA ACT. management philosophy. He saw the That’s the challenge we’ve got coming Tony Wood, 1942 – 2018 For NPA ACT members, Tony Wood is on and it really changed my perception unsuccessful identifi- best known for his photographs in our of the bush. cation of a sighting Field Guide to the Orchids of the Austra- Canberra Nature Map (CNM) was would ultimately fly. lian Capital Territory but his work went set up as a website in December 2013 The other moderators much wider than that. Aaron Clausen, with ACT Senior Conservation Officer, respected him as did founder of Canberra Nature Map and Dr Michael Mulvaney, as its first CNM’s broader user NatureMapr, describes Tony’s influence Administrator. Tony and I became base. on our community. friends and by early 2014, he was Fast forward to I had heard about this guy called CNM’s very first Category Moderator. 2018 and due to my Tony Wood, a contributor to [David His curiosity and passion to help with family moving house, I Jones’] Field Guide to the ACT Orchids, the cause was so enlightening and it found myself handing which had been recommended to me. I really made my job very easy. my old orchid green- was amazed that Jean Egan and Tony Before long I was privileged enough house over to Tony so that he could Wood had such extensive knowledge and to learn about the lesser known but ecol- make use of it in amongst his impres- experience with our local orchid species. ogically important ‘Tony’s Gully’ orchid sive collection of orchids and succu- Its pages became worn and well loved – hotspot – an area in the ACT absolutely lents in his backyard. I remember being the sign of an amazing book! thriving with a wide variety of terrestrial so pleased that the greenhouse was During October 2013, I was in a orchid species, first documented by Tony going to such a good home and giving Black Mountain car park and bumped Wood and only passed on to the most him a hand to deliver it to his place and into none other than Jean Egan and the discerning of orchid hunters! get it set up. He was so excited to man himself. I had no idea who they As of October 2018, Tony had made: expand his orchid and succulent collec- were, but we exchanged greetings and I • 1,099 comments to help guide users tion. told them I was trying to find some who reported orchids Tony Wood was a man who really native orchids because I had ridden my • 3,232 confirmations of orchid sight- impacted my life with his knowledge, bike on top of some Canberra Spider ings passion and generosity. There is some Orchids recently by mistake and wanted • 396 other general orchid related sug- comfort in knowing he was with his to learn more about them. gestions loving family in his final moments. His Tony provided tips and suggestions This is a ridiculously massive effort legacy will live on in his remarkable for where I should head next and I was and shows just how passionate Tony was photos which taught so many of us to really amazed with his generosity and about the natural world. really look and appreciate the intricate willingness to share. He invited me to What I noticed most of all was that beauty of these amazing plants. He will his regular, annual ‘Black Mountain people, including myself, hugely be missed by all orchid lovers and all Orchid Walk’ to be held later that same respected Tony’s opinion. He was those he shared his life and his passion month. Of course, I attended with bells CNM’s original orchid moderator and with. his advice regarding the successful or Reprinted with the author’s permission.

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 13 Yathong Nature Reserve NSW revisited Dates: 6–20 September 2018. goats, herds of up to six, seemed to have Participants: John Brickhill (leader), a jaunty step. Goat and rabbit numbers Isobel Crawford, Sonja Lenz, have been reduced so significantly that Kevin McCue, Deidre Shaw, Di there is evidence of Cypress Pine and and Gary Thompson. other shrub species regenerating for the Weather: Dry, cold at night. first time in more than a decade. Curly-bark Wattle Acacia curranii. In the December 2017 Bulletin, John Over the 4 days of our visit John led Photo by Kevin McCue. Brickhill described a visit to parts of his us around most of the areas visited on and axes over the millennia of former work area of 40 years, a nature the previous trip, with long drives and Indigenous stewardship. We didn’t find reserve south of Cobar, NSW, that was short walks. We saw most of the plant sharpening grooves in our short visit but listed by UNESCO in 1977 as a communities mentioned in the 2017 there were many distinctive tree scars Biosphere Reserve under the ‘Man and Bulletin article and ticked off 54 species used for their coolamons and shields and the Biosphere Programme’. Flat, or of birds, some heard but not seen. They others probably cut by early Europeans gently rolling sandhills, stony ridges, ranged from the Weebill to the Wedge- for slab huts, tall and square at top and iron-rich red sandy soil, Mallee, Mulga, tailed Eagle, the smallest to the largest bottom. John dutifully photographed and Gum, Box or Acacia trees, Western flying birds of Australia, and included mapped their position using GPS. Grey Kangaroos and strange bird calls – Mallee Ring-necks, Blue Bonnets and Two NSW Parks Service rangers such a contrast to the ACT. Only the Striped Honeyeaters. Unfortunately, the from Griffith overnighted one night and deep blue sky was shared. Yathong extremely rare Malleefowl was not seen. were soon engaged over dinner in deep 2 Nature Reserve is 1,070 km , almost the Few raptors or reptiles were discussion with Di over the three same size as Namadgi National Park, observed, though we did spot three Lace governments’ horse policies. Other and grossly understaffed, with just two Monitors. One conveniently stalked nights Gary entertained us all with field officer positions on-site. Yathong right through our base at the shearer’s stories of background political history Nature Reserve is one of four adjacent quarters. Echidnas were out and about and analysis. conservation reserves listed as the too. The area is almost unique for Sonja and I pondered the rock Central NSW Mallee Important Bird hosting Eastern and Western Greys, Red outcrops and terrain-changing faults, the Area. This IBA was so classified Kangaroos and Wallaroos together. oldest rocks of metamorphosed because it supports isolated key There were flowering plants and sandstone or quartzite of the so-called populations of the Malleefowl and the shrubs to admire for their fortitude and Devonian period, the age of fishes Red-lored Whistler. It is also a hope. Deidre spotted the first orchid, 420–360 Mya and not now present in significant area of habitat in New South Pink Fingers Petalochilus carneus, the ACT. There are conglomerates and Wales for other threatened mallee bird small and delicate in the understorey of sandstone too, now weathered to a silty species, including the Shy Heathwren, a threatened wattle. Our botanist Isobel red sand which has been driven by Striated Grasswren, Southern Scrub- cheerfully identified the plants we saw prevailing winds into sequences of sand robin and Chestnut Quail-thrush. and collected more Red Gum material dunes. We also saw volcanics, but The country and animals are for the Australian National Herbarium. armchair geology is difficult from the suffering from drought, now entering its None of us will ever forget the shiny- rear seat of a moving 4WD. second consecutive summer. The grass leaved Bimblebox E. populnea, or the Thanks John and Isobel, a mem- is chewed to the ground, the kangaroos Curly-bark Wattle Acacia curranii. orable outing in many ways. are gaunt and reduced to nibbling Aboriginal stone artefacts were Kevin McCue eucalypt leaves, the water holes (ground abundant, all shapes and sizes diligently tanks) are almost dry. Only the feral flaked to make cutting tools, spear heads Cavemen and their women, and God I wake at dawn to the magic of drifting karst hydrology projects. Always enjoyed I sort of understand things, can follow snow. We’re at . But OMG going underground but was never a sport the discussion, but my left brain is rusty I’ve forgotten how cold snow is. Luckily, caver. and creaking. And there are features that it’s slightly warmer inside the caves. isolated I’ve never seen before. I’m on a scientific excursion to look in a far corner four cupolas at ‘palaeokarst’ features at five New of the bus ... coalescing South Wales sites: Jenolan, Wombeyan, little gerry in the temple of Baal Wellington, Borenore, and Bungonia and his private thoughts we look upwards caves. It’s all part of the International in adoration Speleological Congress, held in Sydney The focus of the field trip is on how Jenolan, by the way, is managed by the in July 2017. Speleo what? these caves formed and when. We look at various features suggesting extreme age. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. speleos … Are they perhaps the oldest caves known? And if anyone is interested in the latest what a wicked mania There is animated discussion in Czech, research on these caves, for exploring caves Norwegian, American and various other please let me know. I have the research with lights that dazzle languages. papers and am happy to lend them. and wives for scale our leader says who made My companions are mostly this rock is laminated these great caverns professors of karst (and their wives). I’m bat poo was God around fascinated but slow to contribute. Well but some people claim in the Carboniferous I’ve been out of it for twenty years. Once it’s ‘funnystuffite’ or was she late Devonian? upon a time I did do scientific work on Gerry Jacobson

14 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 NPA outings program December 2018 – February 2019 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, [email protected] . 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, ( [email protected] ) 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 Attendance 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 who 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] NPA has a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) available to leaders. The PLB can be obtained from Steven Forst, contact 0428 195 236 or [email protected]

A horrible death for this feral horse; starvation is not humane. Photo by Mike Bremers.

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 15 NPA outings program December 2018 – February 2019 (page 2 of 4) Save Kosciuszko Walk A walk from Sydney to to help save Kosciuszko National Park from damage by wild horses and other feral animals. The walk started in Sydney on 3 November and will be ending on Kosciuszko on 8 or 9 December. Why not consider joining the final push to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko?

For more information visit https://savekosci.org

1 December Saturday walk 8 December Saturday work 19 January Saturday walk Dr Suzi Bond will be leading a butterfly party and Christmas party , Ginini Arboretum walk for NPA members at the Australian Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group We walk south along the Mount Franklin National Botanic Gardens. Bring Meet at the Namadgi Visitor Centre, Tharwa Fire T rail to its junction with Stock- binoculars and cameras. Meet at the at 9:15 am. Car pool to Gudgenby Valley. yard Spur Fire Trail. From here it is off- ANBG Visitor Centre at 1:00 pm. Limit Weeding and spraying east of Gudgenby track. We descend to the site of the old 12 participants. Please contact Suzi so Cottage. Tools provided. Stay for Christmas Forestry Hut on Stockyard Creek before that she can confirm details with you. lunch at the cottage. Bring a plate to share. climbing up to the site of the one-time Leader: Suzi Bond Some drinks provided. arboretum. We then go up to Cheyenne Contact: [email protected] Leader: Doug Brown and Morass Flats, crossing the latter and Contact: 6247 0239 or picking up the old ski run up the hill to [email protected] the cars. With luck the scrub will not be too bad but bring gaiters and gloves. Dis- 16 December Sunday walk tance is about 16 km and the height gained about 400 m. Would appreciate Meet 8:30 am at Bushfire Memorial car high clearance vehicles. Contact leader park, west of intersection of Swallowtail by Friday 18 January for start time and Road and Peter Cullen Way, Wright (UBD meeting place. map 66, p5). Walk will follow the path north Drive: 132 km, $53 per car. then north-west (parallel to Uriarra Road) to Map: Corin Dam 1:25,000 Western Trailhead. Then head south and Grading: 1 A/B/C climb Mount Stromlo (782 m), steep in Leader: Barrie Ridgway 1 December Saturday walk Contact: 0437 023 140 or Demandering Hut places, for morning tea at the cafe. Descend on trails to car park. Historic area, excellent [email protected] Meet at Kambah Village Shops car park at views. An 8 km walk, with a climb of 8:30 am. Walk along the Naas Valley from 20 January Sunday walk 200 m. Lunch for stayers at Holdens Creek the Mount Clear Campground, mainly on and Mount Pond, Coombs. Walk timed to avoid hottest fire trail. Several creek crossings to cool Carruthers part of day. No transport costs our feet along the way before we reach the Depart 6:30 am and drive to Charlotte Map: Stromlo Forest Park Trail Map picturesque Demandering Hut for lunch. Pass. Take the Main Range track to the Grading: 1 A Back along the Naas to the cars in the Snowy River, then to Blue Lake lookout. Leader: Brian Slee From here, ascend steeply off-track to a afternoon. Contact: 6281 0719 or ridge and then proceed to Mount Drive: 160 km, $64 per car. [email protected] Twynam. After a break, follow the ridge Map: Colinton 1:25,000 south, with fabulous views in front of us, Grading: 2 A/B 6 January Sunday morning walk and then rejoin the Main Range track. If Leader: Steven Forst North Canberra parks and time and energy permits, we’ll follow the Contact: 0428 195 236 or track up to before [email protected] wetlands Meet 9:00 am at Edgar Street, Ainslie, in returning to Charlotte Pass. Book with front of shops. Head east to leader by Saturday morning. Nature Reserve and then north to Dickson Drive: 420 km, $168 per car, plus park 2 December Sunday Wetlands at Hawdon Street. After a break, entry fee. NPA Christmas Party follow the storm water channel west to Map: Perisher Valley 1:25,000 [Note this is a week earlier than usual.] Lyneham Wetlands and then Sullivans Grading: 2 A/B Creek to Haig Park. Walk through park Leader: Margaret NPA Christmas Party at the Namadgi back to Ainslie Shops. A 9 km walk Contact: 0448 924 357 or Visitor Centre from 11:00 am. mostly over level ground. Sit down lunch [email protected] Bring your own lunch, a chair and at Edgars Inn. Walk timed to avoid hottest something to share. Snacks, desserts part of day. and some drinks provided. Get in touch Map: UBD Canberra Street Directory, with a committee member if you need a Maps 49 and 50 lift. Grading: 1 A Leader: Brian Slee Come at 10:00 am if you want to go for Contact: 6281 0719 or a short walk before festivities begin. [email protected] Leader: NPA President / Vice President

16 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 NPA outings program December 2018 – February 2019 (page 3 of 4) 23 January Wednesday walk places, on the last day. The planned route 23 February Saturday work party Joint NPA / BBC / CBC activity may be changed if the weather is Fence removal – Glendale area Details are emailed to those on the unsuitable. Contact leader by Thursday This will be the first of a series of fence Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise 7 February to book on the walk and for removal tasks in the Glendale area. The contact the leader. more details, preferably by email. Limit fences in question are located in the Leader: Barrie Ridgway of 8. vicinity of the Brandy Flat Fire Trail Contact: 0437 023 140 or Drive: 310 km, $124 per car. towards Reedy Creek. All tools will be [email protected] Map: Touga 1:25,000 provided. Meet at Kambah Village shops Grading: 2 D/E at 8:00 am. 27 January Sunday walk Leader: Philip Gatenby Drive: 84 km, $34 per car. Square Rock – Smokers Trail loop Contact: 0401 415 446 or Leader: Martin Chalk [email protected] Meet at Kambah Village Shops car park at Contact: 6292 3502 or 0411 161 056 8:00 am. A walk through subalpine forest 17 February Sunday walk 24 February Sunday sculpture walk to Square Rock returning along Smokers Corang Peak Trail. The early start, altitude and mainly West Row to New Acton and back shaded track should allow us to avoid the Meet at the Queanbeyan Swimming Pool Meet in the London Circuit car park heat. car park at 7:30 am. Note early start. A (entry near the Reserve Bank) opposite Drive: 75 km, $30. walk in the Budawangs from the Wog the West Row Park. Parking is free on Map: Corin Dam1:25,000 Wog entrance to Corang Peak which has Sundays. This will be a gentle 3 km level Grading: 2 A/B 360 degree views. Then on to Corang walk. We will visit some 25 sculptures. Leader: Steven Forst Arch or Admiration Point for lunch. Same You will like some, not others. We will Contact: 0428 195 236 or route return. If hot weather may go to have lunch/coffee at New Acton before [email protected] Corang Lagoon instead. returning to the cars. Drive: 250km, $90 per car. Leader: Col McAlister 30 January Wednesday walk Map: Corang 1:25,000 Contact: [email protected] or Joint NPA / BBC / CBC activity Grading: 3 A/D 6288 4171 Leader: Mike S Details are emailed to those on the Contact: 0412 179 907 Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise 27 February Wednesday walk Joint NPA / BBC / CBC activity contact the leader. 18 February Monday walk Leader: Mike S Lake Burley Griffin–western Details are emailed to those on the Contact: 0412 179 907 circuit Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise contact the leader. 2–3 February Talbingo paddle Meet at National Rock Garden car park, Leader: Philip Gatenby Talbingo Reservoir Barrenjoey Drive, at 9:00 am (UBD map Contact: 0401 415 446 or 58, location D7). Follow the path south [email protected] Paddle from ‘Sue City’ (O’Hares Rest across Scrivener Dam and along southern Area) 4 km to the camp site on Talbingo shore to Lennox Gardens for morning tea. Reservoir. Options for the afternoon and 2 March Saturday walk Then across Commonwealth Avenue Mount Gudgenby next morning include paddling, Bridge and head west to National swimming or walking up some of the Museum for sit-down lunch. Return via From the Yankee Hat car park climb to many nearby hills for views over the north shore. The 14 km walk will only the saddle south-east of Mount reservoir. A beautiful location suitable for proceed if forecast temperatures are mild. Gudgenby, then on and upwards crossing beginners. BYO canoe or contact leader Map: UBD Canberra Street Directory, rock slabs to the summit. The return to discuss options. Transport: $180 per Maps 58 and 59; Barrow’s Walking route will be via the mountain’s south- car. Limit: 8. Canberra, Walks 53-59. east face. Mostly off-track, patches of Map: Yarrangobilly 1:100,000 or Ravine Grading: 2 A thick scrub and rock scrambling. 1:25,000 and Yarrangobilly 1:25,000 Leader: Brian Slee Distance of about 16 km and a climb of Leader: Mike Bremers Contact: 6281 0719 or 800 m. Early start needed. If the weather Contact: 0428 923 408 or [email protected] is very warm the walk’s destination will [email protected] be changed. Contact leader by Thursday 21 February Thursday tour 28 February, preferably by email, for Lower Molonglo Water Quality start time and transport arrangements. Control Centre (LMWQCC) Drive 100 km, $40 per car. Map: Yaouk 1:25,000 Find out what happens to our sewage on a Grading: 3 A/D/E 1.5 hour morning walking tour of the Leader: Philip Gatenby LMWQCC at the end of Stockdill Drive. Contact: 0401 415 446 or The plant is designed to treat wastewater [email protected] thoroughly so that it can be put back into the Molonglo River for downstream users. This tour will explain the plant’s chemical and biological treatment processes. The walking tour includes stairs, uneven terrain, narrow paths and 10–13/14 February Pack walk steep inclines. All participants must wear Ettrema long pants, long sleeves and enclosed flat Walk from Tolwong Road, descending sturdy shoes. Maximum of 24. Contact along Tullyangela Creek to Ettrema the leader by 18 February to reserve your Creek. We then walk upstream and leave spot and learn meeting place and time the gorge via Transportation Spur and details. Pardon Point. Swimming with packs is Leader: Esther required in Tullyangela Creek. Some rock Contact: 0429 356 212 or scrambling and patches of thick scrub to [email protected] negotiate. A climb of 300 m, steep in

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 17 NPA outings program December 2018 – February 2019 (page 4 of 4) 2–4 March Relaxed pack walk 11 March Monday public holiday 23 March Saturday work party Rendezvous Creek Valley walk Briar control – Sawpit Creek area From Boboyan Road, an easy walk up Northern ACT border This work party will be our first in the Rendezvous Creek to camp for 2 nights Meet 8:30 am at Mulligans Flat Road car Sawpit Creek area (Orroral Valley). The on a grassy knoll. On second day enjoy park, on left and just north of Henry location of the task is along the Smokers the bush surrounding camp at your leisure William Street, Bonner. Take shortcut Trail not far from its crossing of the (bring your sketch pad, camera or Kindle) north to Oak Hill and from there follow Orroral River. Cut/dab equipment will be or walk to the cascades further up the val- Canberra Centenary Trail west to One provided but your own secateurs would ley for lunch. Return to cars by same Tree Hill and on to Hall. A scenic 16 km be handy. Meet at Kambah Village shops route on third day. Contact leader at least walk with some moderate climbs. at 8:30 am. 7 days in advance for further details and Afternoon tea at Hall. Car shuffle Drive: 93 km, $36 per car. travel arrangements. involved. Leader: Martin Chalk Drive: 95 km, $38 per car. Map: Hall 1:25,000 or Canberra Centenary Contact: 0411 161 056 Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25,000 Trail map, Sections 1 and 2. Grading: 2 A/B Grading: 3 A 27 March Wednesday walk Leader: Esther Leader: Brian Slee Joint NPA / BBC / CBC activity Contact: 0429 356 212 or Contact: 6281 0719 or Details are emailed to those on the [email protected] [email protected] Wednesday walks email list. Otherwise contact the leader. 17 March Sunday sculpture walk Leader: Barrie Ridgway Northbourne Avenue to Glebe Park Contact: 0437 023 140 or Meet in the London Circuit car park [email protected] (entry near the Reserve Bank) opposite the Commonwealth Bank. Parking is free 30 March Saturday walk on Sundays. This will be a gentle 3–4 km Mount Palerang level walk. We will visit some A lovely walk to a high summit with great 40 sculptures and have lunch/coffee at the views. Off-track there and mostly track Canberra Centre during the walk. After back. Good vegetation mix. Some easy lunch/coffee continue the walk to Glebe rock scrambling. Some light scrub. About Park and then return to the cars. 10 km and 483 m climb. We will need Grading: 1 A high clearance vehicles. Contact leader by Leader: Col McAlister Thursday 29 March for start time and Contact: [email protected] or meeting place. 9 March Saturday work party 6288 4171 Drive: 100 km, $40 per car. Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group Map: Bombay 1:25,000 Meet at the Namadgi Visitor Centre, Grading: 2 A/B/C Tharwa, at 9:15 am. Car pool to Leader: Barrie Ridgway Gudgenby Valley. Survey African Contact: 0437 023 140 or lovegrass and other grassy weeds if [email protected] suitable ranger staff available to provide preliminary assistance in identification. Weeding and spraying at an alternative site (possibly along Yankee Hat walking trail) if suitable staff are not available. Tools provided. Leader: Doug Brown Contact: 6247 0239 or [email protected]

A big welcome to the Sydney-to- Kosciuszko walkers outside Mr Barilaro’s office in Queanbeyan on 22 November (see page 4). Photo by Sabine Friedrich.

18 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 Ordinary versus dynamic bushfire behaviour* Bushfires are a natural hazard but, Recent research has shown that Mass spotting according to the ACT Strategic Bushfire dynamic fire behaviour can occur on 1 Under most burning conditions, spot Management Plan , Australia has steep slopes of over 24–26 degrees. fires, largely caused by airborne embers, experienced a growing number of Areas downwind of these slopes can be can be put out easily and do not extreme bushfires since 2001. exposed to a much greater risk of contribute much to propagation of the Common bushfire behaviour damage than normal, due to the fire. Under extreme conditions, however, occurrence of dynamic fire propagation Some 95 per cent of bushfires burn spot fires are so numerous that they and the development of catastrophic along the ground in a long, thin front become the dominant propagation firestorms. One example of dynamic fire that passes quickly at a relatively mechanism and the fire spreads as a behaviour (eruptive fire spread) is constant rate of spread. Property tends to cascade of spot fires forming a ‘pseudo’ illustrated in Figure 1. catch fire by radiant heat from one front. Fire intensities increase greatly burning item igniting another; a 100-m when spot fires join together. Dynamic setback from vegetation is generally interactions between different parts of adequate protection for property in this the fire and the atmosphere cause the situation2. This type of fire occurs on individual fire fronts to accelerate, with a slopes under 20 degrees and the current consequent increase in fire-line intensity. Australian Standard was designed for AS 3959 is fundamentally flawed this situation using the McArthur Forest because these increases in intensity are Fire Danger Index (FFDI) developed in not currently considered. the 1960s. This index combines drought Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a fire Fire thunderstorms burning up a positive slope towards a level with wind speed, temperature and Under conditions of extreme and house. The orange and yellow flames humidity. dynamic fire behaviour, the very large represent the case of eruptive fire Australian Standard 3959 covers the amounts of heat and moisture released spread, in which the flames have bushfire safety requirements of building from a fire can cause its plume to rise up attached to the surface. The black in a bushfire prone area, along with the to several kilometres into the outlined flames represent the case of a methodology for calculating the relevant atmosphere. In such a situation, the fire’s separated plume, which is the situation bushfire attack level (BAL). There are plume can transition into a towering depicted in AS 39596. six bushfire attack levels based on the cumulus cloud – a pyrocumulonimbus severity of the building’s potential (Figure 3), a fire thunderstorm which can exposure to ember attack, radiant heat In the case of eruptive fire behaviour, and direct flame contact. These are the spread will be dominated by determined by the regional location, the convective heat transfer (by strong air vegetation type and its distance from the movement) rather than radiant heat building, and the slope on which the transfer. In addition, such eruptive fires vegetation is located. produce a larger area of active flame Bushfire damage in this scenario can than the standard fire front, which makes generally be reduced by creating an containment of a bushfire more difficult asset protection zone (APZ), free from and has implications for determining the flammable material, around a property. appropriate size of APZs. The minimum distance recommended is 20 m but, in a highly forested area, a Whirlwind-driven sideways spread greater distance is needed, generally up The 2003 Canberra fires revealed the Figure 3. Pyrocumulonimbus cloud to 100 m3. Nevertheless, according to existence of another unusual mode of generated over the ACT during the the AS 3959 2009 Edition, Scope fire spread (see Figure 2), in which the January 2003 bushfire. Credit: NSW section, there can be no guarantee that a interaction of winds, terrain and fire Rural Fire Service. building complying with the standard causes the generation of significant fire cause more damage than the fire itself. will survive any particular bushfire4. In eddies on lee-facing slopes, which carry The combination of strong winds and 2003, 50 per cent of the 500 houses lost the fire sideways instead of straight such dynamic fire behaviour drives in Duffy were more than 100 m away ahead. This results in extreme wildfires, embers vast distances that make 20–100 from the forest edge. with a large area of land being alight at metre APZs totally ineffective. any one time, in contrast to the relatively Extreme bushfire behaviour Current science can identify those thin line of a normal fire. The greatest amount of damage comes areas at greatest risk of catastrophic from the 5 per cent of fires whose damage from such extreme fires, which behaviour is dramatically different from should assist decision-making on the norm, as was the one that devastated protection versus avoidance in Duffy. Records from Canberra Airport vulnerable areas. The next step is to show that the majority of high FFDI determine how close to areas with days come from the north and west, i.e. potential dynamic fire characteristics it is largely from the , reasonable and responsible to establish which attracts a lot of lightning strikes. Figure 2. Diagrammatic representation urban settlements. How a bushfire behaves in these higher of the formation of fire eddies on lee- For references for this article see page 22. slope conditions is not fully described by facing slopes. the four FFDI factors listed above5.

* Summary by Ginninderra Falls Association, of the presentation by Assoc. Prof. Jason Sharples at their Spring 2018 Public Meeting.

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 19 Bushwalk reports South Ramshead Range Date: Wednesday, 22 August 2018. range terminates. Although Ramshead excursion to South Ramshead. In Participants: Brian Slee (leader), (2,190 m) is a snowshoeing favourite, summer it would have been a Margaret Power, Max Smith. the range south of it has never been an bushbashing slog but snow simplifies Weather: Foggy low cloud and brief NPA destination. Like Etheridge Ridge and turns scratchy obstacles into ice- snowfall in morning; white mist, (NPA Bulletin, September 2017, p. 26), encrusted works of art. The trig on the high cloud and increasing patches it has been overlooked too long. peak is a mere post but offered great of blue sky in afternoon; mild We had set out at 9:15 am from Dead views of Thredbo River and Chimneys temperatures; slight breeze. Horse Gap (1,582 m) with the intention Ridge. of climbing Rams- We had earned lunch by the time head, but the Max had kicked a path for us up the weather was bleak. steep slope to the pyramid trig on Peak It seemed unlikely 2040. Sitting on a narrow summit in the there would be any in winter usually views from the means a preoccupation with staying summit, so when the comfortable. But there was no wind and snowboarders’ track we sat quietly, like we were on the bow we were following of a great ship, contemplating veered south-west, Kosciuszko and Ramshead phasing in we continued in that and out of brightly lit white mist. direction. It started Remarkably beautiful. to snow, tinselly Departing at 1:15 pm, our attempt to little shards, then reach the top of Peak 2020 was blocked flakes. Ghostly by difficult terrain. So we headed back gums shrouded in downhill, sinking nicely into softening snow framed the snow, reaching the car at 2:30. 7 km. landscape. Little ravens were still clucking about. Having climbed Noted in Jindabyne were temporary Snowshoeing along the ridge. Photo by Brian Slee. 400 m, morning tea traffic lights at the Kosciuszko Road – Travellers on the Alpine Way from was declared at Barry Way intersection and duplication Jindabyne to Dead Horse Gap see bulky 11 am on the crest of the range, south of of Kosciuszko Road from there to the Ramshead Range to their right most of Peak 2040. We were in a wonderland of Alpine Way, putting an end, one hopes, the way. The range’s southern end, snow-blasted rocks. Despite the drought, to morning hold-ups. After the usual stop however, can be appreciated from only 2018 is a big snow year and Abbotts at ‘Sundance’, we were back at Calwell further east on Cascade Trail – three Ridge on the horizon was buried in snow at 5:30 pm, having departed at 6:30 am. grand peaks, the first and second and bathed in shifting silvery light. South Ramshead, we will be back. unnamed (2,020 m, 2,040 m); with the The cloud was lifting, so before Brian Slee third, South Ramshead (1,951 m), the climbing Peak 2040, we made an Guthega Ridge and Valley Date: Thursday, 2 August 2018. Kosciuszko Road, between Barry and of trees burnt in 2003. The antler-like Participants: Mike Bremers (leader), Alpine Ways, has been duplicated, encrustations are not rare, but under a Peter Anderson-Smith, John Evans, hopefully reducing traffic delays in blue sky, in groves of snow gums, there Stephen Marchant, Michaela Jindabyne. Also noted: Paddy Pallin has was magic about having our first break Popham, Margaret Power, Brian left West Jindabyne. Continuous snow among them. More were encountered as Slee. cover began at 1,600 metres; further up we proceeded. Weather: Blue sky; cold; breezy in there was a solid depth. A breeze wafted (continued next page) exposed areas. through the more- This was a walk replacing the 15 July empty-than-full Guthega NPA outing to Tate West Ridge. Back in car park. Magpies are the ‘noughties’ we seldom saw snowshoe uncommon here but one tracks, other than our own, in came a’begging. Kosciuszko National Park. It started to Setting out at 9:10, change in 2015. On this walk, our first our first section was the for 2018, the only pronounced tracks routine 400 m trudge up seen were those left by ‘bushwalkers in Guthega Ridge. Where snow’. the slope flattened out, We departed Calwell Club at 6:15 am wind-driven snow, in Peter’s Subaru and John’s Mazda and turned to ice, clung to could not but be made alert to kangaroos the silver-grey remains by the number of spectacularly bloody Iced branches, Guthega spur. carcasses on the Highway. Photo by John Evans.

20 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 Bushwalk reports (continued) The Paralyser and Illawong Lodge Date: Thursday, 9 August 2018. Heading south Participants: Mike Bremers (leader), on the broad Peter Anderson-Smith, John Evans, saddle of Perisher Brian Slee. Range, the surface Weather: Sunny; high thin cloud later; was icy; we warm in sheltered areas; windy on climbed rocky ridge. tors for views of On 29 August 2015, Max, Peter and I had the Main Range, set out from Guthega with the aim of which looked like crossing Spencer Creek and heading smoothed me- further south. However, the creek was ringue. From the impassable and we returned instead via heights Mike The Paralyser trig, the descent from swept us west which was spectacular. This walk was a down to a spot repeat, in the opposite direction. The sheltered by descent toward Spencer Creek proved to healthy young be equally impressive. Snow Gums. Near The Paralyser. Photo by Mike Bremers. We set out from Calwell at 6:15 am in During lunch John Mike’s Prado, dodging a roo on the way, tried to toboggan on a pack liner but the 3 pm. 11 km. and arrived at 8:50. 2018 was becoming slope was too soft. Soon after leaving Guthega, we a big snow year. More had fallen in the Next was the delightful descent, passed a wombat studiously nibbling week since we last visited Guthega. beginning across an open valley, then roadside tufts. At the usual stop at Complete coverage started at Wilsons through trees where the snow was ‘Sundance’ it was decided that a knife Valley and overnight cars at Guthega powdery. We were banging accretions and fork could be used if a pie was too were half buried. We were on untracked from our snowshoes further down. The hot (the NZ view was that it was snow, crossing the bridge over Farm Main Range loomed dramatically and permissible in all circumstances). Creek, at 9:30 am. Guthrie Ridge (tree-clad and north- Interesting to note a batwing-doored The 400-m climb to Paralyser trig sloping, with a straight edge down to the Tesla? being connected to one of the (1987 m) was a bit of a slog in the Snowy) began filling the foreground. We NRMA EV chargers at Kalkite Street relatively soft conditions and we did not veered right before reaching Spencer car park. Back at Calwell at 6:20 pm. arrive until 11:30 am. To the north-west, Creek and picked up a ski track, Beaut outing. almost the whole route taken on following it around the base of Perisher Brian Slee 2 August could be seen. The wind Range to Illawong Lodge. arrived at 11 am but never approached After a break we stopped to talk to the forecast 55 kph max. A Sydney two guys heading for the Lodge (two couple at the trig were skiing from teenagers in tow) and then continued to Perisher to Guthega. Farm Creek and back to the car, arriving

Guthega Ridge and Valley (continued) After crunching across open spaces to of the group continued further west to a Mount Tate. Snow bridges allowed us to the peak of the ridge (1,993 m), with rise for great views as far as Victoria. keep crossing the Guthega as we expansive views along the range from The return route was new: down continued further down. The river Mount Tate to Tate West Ridge, we Guthega Valley instead of sticking to the became more exposed, with lovely descended to Consett Stephen Pass and ridge on either side. Deterrents in the views along it to Perisher Range. sheltered below the embankment to its past have been the narrowness of the There were two options from here: west for lunch, during which time some valley and the steepness of its tree- stick to the river or contour high on the studded sides where the left slope. We did the latter. While this river nears the pondage. did not present unusual challenges to the It was hoped solid hulkier members of the group, the snow would ameliorate lightweights were left floundering. It these difficulties. was nice to get back to our starting point Indeed, the first above Guthega Pondage, and to the cars three-quarters was a soon after 3 pm. 13 km. dream descent. From After feeding our faces at Consett Stephen we ‘Sundance’, we were in Calwell at kept right of the river, 6:15 pm. A walk worth repeating, crossing a low ridge particularly exploring lower-level routes into a sweeping valley out of Guthega Valley. coming down from Brian Slee Snow blasting. Photo by Mike Bremers.

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 21 Fiftieth anniversary of the first Moon landing The first image of Man stepping on Its functions were the Moon was broadcast by transferred to the Mount Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station Stromlo Observatory in in what is now Namadgi National 1999. It was Australia’s Park on 21 July 1969. primary geodetic facility, boasting caesium atomic In 1960, the United States of America clocks providing Australia and Australia signed an agreement under with its official time, and a which Australia established and operated range of sensitive a number of tracking stations as part of instrumentation catering to worldwide networks under the control of Satellite Laser Ranging the National Aeronautical Space and Global Positioning Administration (NASA). Two tracking Systems, enabling meas- stations and a geodetic observatory were urement of the Earth’s located in the ACT within the park area. geoid with millimetre The three sites are now on the ACT accuracy. Heritage Register: The 50th anniversary is • Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station expected to draw many (1967–1981) was used for the Manned visitors to the former space Spaceflight Network. It is most sites within Namadgi. The famous for receiving and broadcasting ACT Parks and Con- footage of the Apollo 11 Moon landing servation Service has been and the first images of human successful in securing funds footsteps on the Moon in July 1969. for a capital works project • Orroral Valley Tracking Station to upgrade and enhance the (1965–1985) was the largest tracking visitor experience at these station in the Southern Hemisphere historic precincts. This with a workforce of about 200. Used project will see upgrades at for the Space Tracking and Data the three sites and recognise Acquisition Network, it tracked the key role played by the Orroral Tracking Station. Photo by Fiona MacDonald Brand. satellites 24 hours a day every day for former Honeysuckle Creek 20 years. Tracking Station through: • telling stories of the long history of • Orroral Geodetic Observatory (now • a permanent memorial at Honeysuckle Aboriginal habitation in the area, decommissioned) was one of two Creek to celebrate the 50th anniversary through looking at how the stars have geodetic observatories in the Southern of the Apollo 11 mission and Man’s shaped culture, with relevant Hemisphere between 1974 and 1999. first steps on the Moon Indigenous storytelling integrated within the works and a storytelling phone app. • improving the visitor experience at the former Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station, the former Orroral Valley Tracking Station and at the Geodetic Observatory • highlighting the relevance of the sites to each other, showing their geographical relationship, and improving wayfinding at the sites. The works will be completed in time for the celebrations on 21 July 2019. Brett McNamara

The geodetic dome above Orroral Valley.

Ordinary versus dynamic bushfire behaviour (References for the article on page 19) 1 http://esa.act.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/The-ACT-Strategic-Bushfire-Management-Plan.pdf 2 ACTPLA, Planning for Bushfire Risk Mitigation General Code: March 2008. 3 http://www.as3959.com.au/bushfire-attack-level/ 4 https://infostore.saiglobal.com/en-au/Standards/preview-122340_SAIG_AS_AS_275109/ 5 Ibid. 6 Sharples, J.J. Risk implications of Dynamic Fire Propagation – A case study of the Ginninderra region, 2017. http://ginninderra.org.au/Sharples-Fire-Report Most of the section on extreme bushfires is from this work.

22 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 Conservation issues in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia This is not an account of a heroic tramp We later learnt that this is because the in remote terrain, compass in hand. prevailing easterly trade winds have Indeed, we travelled in some luxury. Our passed over the cold Humboldt Current. vessel did, however, berth alongside We surmise that the air mass is cooled some of the world’s smallest quays, as and therefore cannot pick up sufficient we travelled, metaphorically, in the wake moisture (see ‘Marquesas Islands’ in of countless island-hopping schooners Wikipedia). (goélettes) of earlier years, loading bags, We had stocked up in Papeete’s sacks, drums and crates of produce from single but excellent bookshop with books tiny villages, and delivering essential on the bird life and settlement history of supplies unavailable in any other way. the Marquesas. The Aranui 5’s library Where no quay existed, barges and supplied other invaluable material. This lighters handled the freight, and once we included Herman Melville’s fictionalised were ourselves manhandled like sacks of autobiography based on his month as a copra as we struggled to get on and off fugitive sailor on the island of Nuku the barge in heavy swells. Hiva in 18421, and Thor Heyerdahl’s We travelled to the Marquesas Islands account of his stay during 1937–8, on in the Tahiti-registered Aranui 5. The Fatu Iva2. 15 Marquesas Islands, six of which are Peopling the Marquesas populated, are part of the autonomous Loading people and produce, Fatu Hiva. overseas territory of French Polynesia. The first people to arrive in what the islanders call ‘the land of men’ were All inhabitants are French citizens. The human population of the Marquesas, islands lie 1,500 km NE of Tahiti, and it Polynesians from further west, continuing the migration that had from an estimated 75,000 at the time of took us two days sailing to get there from Captain Cook’s visit in 1774, to only Papeete. There were 9,346 Marquesas originated from Southeast Asia. They arrived about one thousand years ago, in 2,256 in 1926. There is ample islanders at the August 2017 census, archeological evidence in the making their living from farming, double-hulled canoes that could sail against the prevailing easterly winds by Marquesas of much larger, now sending surplus produce by the Aranui 5 abandoned, human settlements. Indeed, or her sister freighter for sale in Tahiti. the process of shunting, i.e. changing the position of the inverted V-shaped sail3. overgrown foundations of buildings and They make and sell beautiful handicrafts carved stone tikis abound. Today the (bone, stone and wood carvings and They brought with them their food plants (e.g. breadfruit, taro, coconut and population has recovered to exceed printed tapa), to the tourists who 9,300 Marquesans living on the Islands, disembark to a genuinely warm and plantain), their dogs, pigs, chickens and the Polynesian Rat, Rattus exulans. with perhaps a similar number living musical welcome at each stop. elsewhere. We travelled with 160 other These mammals were the first to arrive in these islands, and undoubtedly the rat Alongside this resurgence has come passengers, from France, Germany, a cultural renaissance, inspired by Australia, New Zealand and a dozen in particular had a devastating effect on indigenous birds and other fauna. Monsignor Hervé-Marie Le Cléac’h, other countries. Through our daily appointed Catholic Bishop of the organised trips on-shore, we managed to From 1774, further ecological transformations were associated with the diocese of Taiohae in 1970. He learn enough about the natural recognized the rich culture of the environment, and the agricultural arrival of European explorers, whalers, and traders in sandalwood. The Spanish Marquesans, which had been suppressed economy, to realise what a lot we didn’t by earlier missionaries. Keen for young know. For example, we had expected were the first Europeans to reach the Marquesas, from Peru in 1595. It’s not people to rediscover their heritage, he lush tropical vegetation, but this was introduced the Marquesan language into mostly limited to the deep river valleys. clear which European visitors introduced goats and sheep. Goats are today hunted the liturgy. The distinctive nature of on horseback, and church interiors, redolent with local are a standard part sculptures, reflects his commitment. of the islanders’ The indigenous Polynesian diet. Horses were population of the Marquesas had introduced from occupied their lands for 600 years Chile in 1857 and before the arrival of the Europeans, are relied upon to whereas the Indigenous people of bring coconuts Australia had occupied their continent down from upper for some 60,000 years. Nevertheless, hillsides to dry for the effect of the first contact with the copra. Europeans has striking parallels. Exposure to But in Australia, the European unfamiliar diseases settlers became numerically dominant, was among the and now form the great majority of a causes of the huge much larger population (the continent decline of the had a population of around one million Dawn light, Hiva Oa. (continued next page)

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 23 Conservation issues in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia (continued) inhabitants in 1788, and has 25 million pawpaw, limes, bananas, starfruit, a convoy of 4WDs. Gazing from the car today). By contrast, in the Marquesas, pomelo, pineapple, noni (Indian over grassy hills towards the ocean, she while there has been some intermarriage, Mulberry) and of course the staples spotted a kingfisher 200 metres away, the size of the present, predominantly breadfruit and coconut. This wide range unmistakeable in size and shape, its Polynesian population is much smaller of fruits includes those introduced and bright blue back glinting in the sun, than that of a couple of hundred years successfully acclimatised during the last flying parallel to our vehicle. The rare ago. two centuries. Market stalls have all sorts Marquesan Kingfisher, Halcyon of jams, pickles and honey for sale. godeffroyi, is known only from restricted An unexpected source of information habitats and is critically endangered. But about the original vegetation is it wasn’t a mirage, since her companion Melville’s Typee. After jumping ship in spotted it too. Our bird books list this Nuku Hiva, Melville set off inland with a type of locality as one of its habitats. fellow deserter in 1842. After a gruelling few days struggling through steep, Implications for conservation, forested mountain gorges, they spent of nature and heritage some weeks with the then occupants of The poster campaign to save endangered one of the river valleys. His descriptions bird species from extinction was the of the villagers, still in their dignified most obvious example of raising public and tattooed splendour are unforgettable awareness of conservation issues. and uniquely valuable. Whether his The further spread of Black Rat may descriptions of tame and colourful also disrupt existing ecosystems in other ‘bright and beautiful birds’ (Chapter 29) ways. It’s been suggested, for example, is reliable is dubious. that the disappearance of trees from A search of websites indicates that Easter Island was not caused by the there were fifteen endemic terrestrial bird overuse of this resource by humans, but species in the Marquesas. Of these, three by the consumption of tree seeds by are already extinct; three are endangered, plagues of rats. and five are critically endangered4. In A wide range of tropical fruits and vegetables is produced for local use, and Fruit for tasting, Ua Pou. part, this is because of introduced birds. The Black Rat, Rattus rattus, known as some we saw being carried between The largest settlement is Taiohae on the ship rat, is also to blame. islands by the Aranui 5. On Ua Huka we the island of Nuku Hiva. It’s the To take one example, the Blue tasted many different fruit in an administrative seat, with just under 3,000 Lorikeet, Vini ultramarina, once arboretum set up by a former mayor, run people. But most people live in small widespread throughout the archipelago, on a shoestring and now somewhat villages dotted around the coasts, where is now limited to the island of Ua Huka. neglected. We saw plantations of a young people have to learn to live an Yachties who land are faced with an variety of mangoes and of citrus fruits, isolated life with very limited outsized poster warning them to take necessarily fenced from goats. Vanilla opportunities. Nevertheless, all are precautions to prevent rats accessing the had been recently established in a couple linked to Facebook, and the implications shore. Here, we watched a little, of small enclosures. of this are not easy for outsiders to specially trained terrier sniffing around (continued next page) comprehend. the unloaded cargo, on the lookout for the Black Rat. We met a young woman Ecological changes after from Oxford University, visiting as part Polynesian settlement of a research project investigating the The history described above has left the adequacy of current measures to exclude islands with a variety of ecosystems. the Black Rat. These include the almost bare rock of Elizabeth’s heart-stopping experience volcanic plugs, and steep scree slopes, to was on Ua Huka. After visiting three the lush tropical forests in the valley small museums (one on wood crafts, one bottoms. Ua Huka has extensive on petroglyphs and one on sailing craft) grasslands, while grey-green acacias our party was returning to the harbour in have taken over extensive stretches of hillsides on several islands. We don’t know the origin of this shrub, but were told it had been introduced. Nevertheless, the deep valleys of Ua Pou remain clad with fruit-bearing trees, and the women of the village of Hakahou put on a generous spread of many different fruits for us to taste. Among others were Tahitian mango, guava, Explanatoty sign about endangered Blue Lorikeet, Fatu Iva harbour.

24 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 Conservation issues in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia (continued) Articles in magazines published eastern edge of the elsewhere in French Polynesia advocate lagoon. Fakarava the development of high value benefits from EU- agricultural and horticultural produce for funded conservation export, as well as for the local cuisine, for both natural and and emphasising the clean, green cultural heritage. characteristics of the environment5. One third of Clearly the conservation of specific Fakarava’s total area ecosystems in the Marquesas will need is a UNESCO to go hand-in-hand with other uses of the Biosphere Reserve. land and marine environments, and to Fakarava’s un- take account of local cultural practices. spoilt tranquillity For example, the popular practice among contrasts with the young Marquesan men of hunting goats intrusive exploitation brings to mind the power of the hunting of Rangiroa atoll and and fishing lobby in the Australian High of Bora Bora. We Country, and of the commercial interests took an outrigger of deer farmers in the Southern Alps of canoe through the Volcanic peaks, Nuku Hiva. New Zealand! extensive lagoon References: within the reef which circles Bora Bora’s Conservation issues in the atolls 1. Melville, Hermann (1846) Typee: A massive volcanic rock core. Five tourist Peep at Polynesian Life, Wiley and We should briefly mention the atolls that hotel complexes occupy much of the Putnam, New York we called at on the way to and from the inland shore of the atoll, consisting of 2. Heyerdahl, Thor (1974) Fatu Hiva – Marquesas. Fakarava is the second overwater fales, some two storeys high. Back to Nature, George Allen and largest atoll in the vast Tuamoto They are ugly symbols for one of the Unwin, Great Britain Archipelago: 60 km by 21 km, with a main sources of income throughout 3. Finney, Ben (2006) ‘Ocean Sailing land area of merely 24 sq km. Three French Polynesia: tourism. Yes, the Canoes’, pp. 100–153 in Vaka small villages are confined to the north- swimming, alongside stingrays and Moana: Voyages of the Ancestors, sharks, was wonderful, and although the The Discovery and Settlement of the coral was predominantly grey, many Pacific, K. R. Howe (ed.), David colourful fish were managing to survive. Bateman Ltd, Auckland In conclusion 4. https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/ Paul Gaugin spent his last years on Hiva checklist.jsp?region=PFmq&list= Oa, and although he found it inspiring howardmoore®ion=PFmq&list= and magical, it was no paradise for him. howardmoore. See also: Manu: Les The Marquesas Islands are unutterably Oiseaux de Polynésie (1999) B.P. beautiful, but in their conservation 21098 Papeete www.manu.pf- issues, they share problems that are [email protected] familiar to places close to home. 5. Jacques-Bourgeat, Claude (2018) Elizabeth Teather and David Teather ‘The Fruits of Eden: From self- sufficiency during ancient times to Photos by Elizabeth and David Teather. modern agroforestry’, TahitiVahine Magazine #5, March, pp. 112–126, Tahiti Communication, Papeete

Acacia-clad hillsides, Oa Pou.

All that’s white …

…may not be a Cabbage White.

Cabbage White, Pieris rapae. Caper White, Belenois java. Photos by Rupert Barnett.

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 25 PARKWATCH News from state-based associations Irreplaceable benefits catchments. Wilderness also reinforces and agencies. Our ability to retain wilderness is a key the viability of freshwater native fish About wilderness indicator of whether our management of populations and other aquatic life. the Australian environment is The best opportunities for solitude Why wilderness? ecologically sustainable. We have lost so and peace are found in wilderness. Time and again, surveys have shown that much, but there is hope, if only we can Wilderness has an enviable track record Australians overwhelmingly support the get governments, citizens and opinion as a source of spiritual renewal and in protection of our wilderness. Yet even leaders to understand the undeniable and providing insights into humanity’s place with a magnificent system of national irreplaceable benefits of wilderness. in nature. Wilderness offers protection parks, much of the nation’s wild country Wilderness holds a genetic store of to the 60,000-plus years of Aboriginal is still exposed to ‘development’ of all unimaginable wealth. Only in wilderness history by helping to keep cultural kinds. Because governments and could the Wollemi Pine (Wollemia heritage sites protected, isolated and industry cling to the suspicion that our nobilis) remain unknown for 200 years secret, in their original context. wilderness must hold latent opportunities of European occupation. In the relative Wilderness has enriched and continues for financial gain they are reluctant to stability of the deepest canyons of our to enrich all our lives. stand these lands aside from commerce. largest forest wilderness, these 30-metre Wilderness and the future Setting wilderness apart is a gesture of trees survived 100 million years of In April 1851, giving a lecture in humility and respect towards the greater climate change. Their discovery brought Concord, Massachusetts, Thoreau put world: it honours nature. In the market home to the world that Australia’s the case for ‘Nature, for absolute place of our consumer culture, fuelled by wilderness contains biological treasures freedom and wildness’, crystallising his hubris, it is remarkable that it has been of great importance to science and message near the end with these famous done at all. society. Opportunities yet to be grasped words – ‘in Wildness is the preservation What we need is a reminder that our in our wild places include examination of the World’. human nature was forged when nature of the medicinal properties of native What Thoreau was talking about dominated our daily existence. By plants known to Aboriginal people, such was the way he believed wildness could psychology and by temperament we are as certain grevilleas, and opportunities provide balance in the lives of a people poorly suited to the rapidly changing for improving pasture contained in the whose environments were increasingly technological world that we have so genetic resources of our rapidly being affected by the unrelenting march recently constructed around us. Even diminishing native grasslands. of progress. Tapping into the wildness now, when humans are fast changing The significant variation in altitude, he believed was within us all, could most of the Earth, we still like to have soil and terrain in the wilderness areas provide relief from the blighted urban plants and pets in our homes, we love on Australia’s eastern seaboard may and rural landscapes of industrial gardening and being outdoors, we thrill provide the essential opportunities for civilisation. Having vehemently argued to films, images and books of nature and wildlife to relocate in response to global how important wildness was Thoreau adventure, we crave ‘peace and quiet’. warming. The rare and isolated plant urged its protection in parks and Nature remains a counter to materialism populations and ecosystems of today are preserves for inspiration and our true and vital to our spiritual well being. the survivors of previous warmer and recreation. A century and a half later the As the American philosopher Henry wetter climatic conditions. They may be need for the balancing role of wildness David Thoreau wrote: ‘We need to essential to the ecosystems of tomorrow. in our lives in the sense argued by witness our own limitations transgressed, Wilderness provides opportunities to Thoreau is greater than ever. But, in our and some life pasturing freely where we study responses to climate change in current situation, where environmental never wander’. Wilderness is where we environments where other types of modification threatens to destroy our came from; we sever the connection at disturbance are minimal. Such studies ecological life support systems, has our peril. And yet the connection is may enable scientists to recommend wilderness even more to offer? threatened. Our remaining wilderness is appropriate measures for wildlife The burgeoning industrial society indeed the ‘last of lands’, since the most survival in fragmented habitats where from which Thoreau suggested we fertile soils, the most productive forests, extinctions are likely, and how to adapt should seek relief has now reached a the most useful coasts, the most fire management and farming practices serious stage in terms of its impact on accessible waters and the richest rocks to a warmer world. the physical environment, the have all been harnessed for our practical To cease building wilderness- impoverishment of the social wants. To be effectively conserved, flooding dams, Australians need to stop environment of many and our prospects Australian landscapes, ecosystems and wasting fresh water. It is more important for survival. Can wilderness now play a biodiversity will need to be protected than ever to stop clearing native wider role in preserving humanity by across all lands and waters, even those vegetation, reverse soil erosion, tree helping to fundamentally change its already highly modified. But if we seek dieback, river salinity and salt scalding values and goals? to live in harmony with our world then of agricultural lands, to cease pesticide The matter is urgent because our wilderness, occupying the most natural contamination of food crops and contain dominant policies and institutions are end of the environmental spectrum, will urban pollution and sprawl. Wilderness, based on endless consumption and remain the rock to which other the ultimate self-sustaining natural population growth that drive rapid conservation initiatives are anchored. We system, provides the necessary deterioration of the environment. have the power to bend the whole planet inspiration for an ecologically Growth has been viewed as a means to to our will, but wilderness is the only sustainable society. Its undisturbed improve living standards but it has land use where we choose to say: this is catchments supply a higher quality, more become an end in itself, with little for nature, first and always. constant water yield than disturbed (continued next page)

26 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 P ARKWATCH (continued) consideration of the need for the biodiversity and landscapes. It is the forest. Eighty-seven per cent of sustainable outcomes we need to incomprehensible that we now have Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) survive. We now have little time in legislation that prioritises an introduced in the forest are under-represented in which to make an orderly transition to a species over our native plants and the Central Victorian Upland Bioregion. society in which the aim of growth is animals. This is highlighted by, not only In 2014, the former Napthine replaced by the aim of achieving the damage being done to Kosciuszko government controversially gave the harmony with the Earth and with each NP by feral horses, but also the government logging agency VicForests other. Wilderness, a temporary antidote undermining of the NPWS by new wild control of logging operations. to the ills of our ‘civilisation’ since the horse heritage legislation. We are also VicForests licensees are currently time of Thoreau, now has the potential to seeing the stalling of the establishment harvesting around 1,000 cubic metres in be part of its cure! plan for national parks and the additions Mount Cole as part of its ‘community Colong Bulletin, to the protected land areas we need for forestry’ program. No. 272 (October 2018) the future viability of our wildlife are A team of VNPA staff recently The National Parks and Wildlife just not happening. travelled to the site and found at least Service we want to have Are all our conservation efforts five of the 17 clearfell coupes have getting us nowhere? Sixty years after been logged in the past few years, two Whether we are cross-country skiing NPA started advocating for well- have been logged in the past 6 months through snow gums not far from the managed protected areas we need to with at least one just finished. Some of source of the Snowy and Murray rivers, redouble our efforts and perhaps find the future areas flagged for clearfell sitting among the giant blue gums in the new ways to advocate for government logging have significant conservation Grose Valley, or looking across the support and respect for a professionally values. The VEAC recommendations rainforest listening to the birds at run national park system. It’s time to for Mount Cole fall short, with much of Dorrigo, there is a group of people we turn back the tide of indifference and the area left open to intensive logging, should thank for managing and disrespect for country. It’s time to take and the Wimmera River headwaters protecting these areas – the people who pride in the plants, animals and lacking any protection. work for the National Parks and Wildlife landscapes that exist alongside us. It’s Park Watch (VNPA), Service (NPWS). time for effective protection of nature. No. 274 (September 2018) After 10 years of lobbying by NPA And as a first step, it’s time to restore the (NSW), the National Parks and Wildlife Plucking the goose that lays the National Parks and Wildlife Service to golden egg? Service was established by the Liberal being one of the world’s leaders in In early August, the Coalition Askin government in 1967, with protected area management. The people announced that it would create a new responsibility for the care, control and and wildlife of NSW deserve nothing Great Ocean Road Authority ‘to management of national parks. At that less. manage designated Crown Land along time about 1 per cent of NSW was Nature NSW, the Great Ocean Road. This new protected within parks such as The Vol. 62, No. 3 (Spring 2018) Royal, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Bouddi, New authority will replace existing England, Morton, Kosciuszko, Dorrigo, What’s the buzz this Spring? organisations including local and Brisbane Waters. Since this start, With the assistance of citizen scientists, governments, Parks Victoria, Dept. of NPWS, with support from both Labor we have been surveying pollinators and Land, Water and Planning and the Great and Coalition governments, has grown butterflies in South Western Sydney to Ocean Road Coast Committee that the national parks estate to 9 per cent of monitor the effect of bushcare and currently manage Crown land along the NSW, established ecological research restoration. Bringing Back the Buzz has coast.’ capabilities, developed innovative fire- now been running for 2 years in Spring There are around 110,000 ha of fighting and pest management strategies, and Autumn, across 6 sites. What public land within 5 km of the coast and managed access to these precious follows is an overview of our findings so (both land and sea) between Geelong areas by millions of people. far. and Warrnambool. The bulk of this is NPWS has also developed • By an order of magnitude, the most managed by Parks Victoria, of which partnerships with Aboriginal people to commonly found pollinator species 80 per cent is protected under the protect cultural heritage and jointly were Hoverflies (Syrphidae family) National Parks Act. The rest is a range manage significant parks. This joint and European Honey Bee (Apis of smaller coastal bushland and nature management has helped bring deeper mellifera). conservation reserves protected under insight and feel for country. ‘We don’t • We observed 19 butterfly species the Crown Land (Reserves) Act. own the land … the land owns us’. These throughout the first 2 years of the VNPA would be deeply concerned arrangements mean Aboriginal project. and opposed to any change of tenure or experience, insight and knowledge • In general we tended to find more management responsibility for become part of park management. butterflies than pollinators at each ‘designated crown land’ in high We are fortunate in NSW to have had monitoring plot. conservations areas. This would include capable people with passion and Nature NSW, reserves under the National Parks Act, dedication for their job managing our Vol. 62, No. 3 (Spring 2018) Crown Land (Reserves) Act, and other national parks. Yet support for the Walking the Beeripmo clearfell trail? coastal reserves. NPWS is ebbing, making it increasingly Of the almost $1 billion in economic difficult for the service to fulfil its Mount Cole State Forest was identified benefit generated in the region, much purpose. Restructures, staff losses and as having high conservation values can be attributed to its natural values – budget cuts have left our parks under VNPA’s Small Parks Project in the vast majority managed by Parks vulnerable. Commercial and 2010. There are 130 species of birds, Victoria. Surely some of the revenue development interests are threatening 9 threatened fauna species and generated from these natural drawcards 13 threatened flora species occurring in (continued next page)

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 27 P ARKWATCH (continued) should be invested back into park was reflected in photography and building, bus shelter, parking and a management. Instead of duplicating sketches, new technology is opening viewing platform near Glacier Rock. Parks Victoria, it would be better to fund different frontiers for the sharing of our Premier Will Hodgman said the existing park management body precious natural places. ‘Parallel Parks’ restrictions on the number of tourists properly. A healthy, well looked-after in one example of this. entering Tasmania would ‘hurt’ the state. goose will continue to lay golden eggs Technology, Virtual Reality, is being ‘If we send a message to the rest of the for many decades to come, as well as used in a new way, to allow more people world that we no longer want tourists ensuring our great natural heritage is to access nature, and increase their here they’ll get it, and that will damage protected. wellbeing. and hurt Tasmanian businesses right Park Watch (VNPA), More than a billion people have some across the state. It will cost jobs and we No. 274 (September 2018) form of disability. New Horizons have a want to see growth in our tourism We can deal with deer bold mission; to harness the power of VR industry continue. to remove barriers and create www.abc.net.au/news 2018-10-09 It seems an insurmountable problem: up opportunities to explore the world that to a million deer in Victoria, the Iconic species – brush-tailed rock- millions could once have only dreamt of. wallaby conservation program population growing by 200,000–300,000 And they’re helping to do just that Numbers of brush-tailed rock-wallabies a year, and an apparently powerful lobby through their Parallel Parks initiative. have dramatically declined after habitat group demanding protection for a Parallel Parks is using VR to loss. It once lived between Queensland, ‘quality hunting experience’. But two transport people to places they may not Grampians in Victoria and west as far as things are emerging to change this otherwise be able to visit, from Uluru- the Warrumbungle Ranges. A NSW situation. Kata Tjuka to Murray River. Gathering recovery plan for the brush-tailed rock- First, widespread dismay over the HD 3D footage is challenging. Filming wallaby was created in 2008. Following many impacts of deer is growing. in remote and sometimes inhospitable on from this, Saving our Species is a Secondly, effective control methods areas isn’t easy, nor is it cheap. conservation program designed to ensure either exist or are well into development. The second challenge is building the the rock-wallaby remains healthy and Farmers across Victoria, from far East virtual reality apps. This requires specific wild. Captive breeding is already Gippsland to the Mallee, are dealing skills and unique technology. There are underway in partner zoos and with large numbers of deer invading no off-the-shelf solutions, which means sanctuaries. The program aims to their land. That invasion is attracting a custom-making to requirements. The supplement this effort by reducing pest plethora of rogue hunters after an easy final challenge is ensuring people have animals (foxes, cats, and goats) and ‘drive by’ hunt. And they, in turn are access to the necessary equipment. monitoring wallaby populations to placing a burden on country police who People with disability are among the further our understanding of the threats are now being called out at night to deal most disadvantaged of all Australia. it continues to face. with them. Smartphones, and VR headsets are still www.nationalparks.nws.gov.au/ Landcare groups, working for many out of reach for many. New Horizons conservation-programs years replanting creek-sides and natural hopes to raise awareness of the issues accessed 27/10/2018 corridors with native species have seen people with disability face and address their hard-won gains trashed by feral the challenges through fundraising for World record feral cat eradication deer, and peri-urban councils are uniting Parallel Parks and through engaging new for Dirk Hartog Island against the growing menace on partners for the project across Australia. Dirk Hartog Island National Park, off Melbourne’s fringe. Deer are causing Protected (QNPA) Western Australia’s Mid-west coast, has road accidents, and due to their size, the Issue 22 (Spring 2018) become the world’s largest island to accidents are serious. have cats, sheep and goats eradicated, In the Alpine National Park, aerial Is Tasmania’s iconic park being paving the way for extensive threatened shooting (already employed for deer in loved to death? animal reintroductions over the next South Australia, Canada and New Visitor numbers at Cradle Mountain are 12 years. Announcing the second stage Zealand) should be used to keep deer surging, with 1.26 million people coming of the ground-breaking ‘Return to 1616’ from Victoria’s High Plains. But the from far and wide to visit the island state ecological restoration program, ultimate control tool is a targeted and last year. Environment Minister Stephen Dawson humane bait. It will enable strategic Rapidly growing visitor number – today declared the 63,000 hectare island action across the landscape, potentially from 200,000 in 2014 to 250,000 in cat, goat and sheep free. removing deer from many areas, 2017 – has prompted Parks and Wildlife Dirk Hartog Island is the State’s decreasing impacts on others, while still Service to ban private vehicle access to largest island and is home to the first allowing recreational hunting. A number Dove Lake during peak periods, to ease known European landing on WA soil by of researchers are already working on congestion and improve road safety. Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog and his crew this, supported by some federal funding. At peak times, like the Easter long in 1616. Since the introduction of What is needed now is a funding boost, weekend, there is a steady stream of grazing animals, cats and weeds, maybe $1 million a year for the next people heading in both directions around 10 native mammal species have been 3 years, to enable the control we need. Dove Lake. Tourists are able to stand on lost from the island. More than 5,000 Park Watch (VNPA) Glacier Rock and take in the view, but it sheep and 11,000 goats have now been No. 274 (September 2018) can become overcrowded and precarious removed, resulting in improved to visit. The state and federal ‘Parallel Parks’ vegetation and habitat for native species. governments have committed about Following extensive baiting, trapping A founding purpose for NPAQ (National $86 million to a total overhaul of and monitoring, no feral cats have been Parks Association, Queensland) was to facilities at Cradle Mountain. Part of the detected on the island since October grow and protect national parks and redevelopment includes a new viewing appreciation for nature. Where once this shelter at Dove Lake, an amenities (continued next page)

28 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 P ARKWATCH (continued) 2016, making it the world’s largest Snowy 2.0 will prop up the coal population is growing at a rate of about island-based feral cat eradication project. industry[!] 300,000 a year. Stage 2 will see the reintroduction of Snowy 2.0 is a pumped hydro storage As part of its wider Alpine 10 native mammal species and of bird scheme proposed to be located in conservation strategy, in line with the species that were known to exist on the Kosciuszko National Park. It is planned Commonwealth Environmental Protec- island. In addition, two native mammal to have 2,000 MW of capacity and tion and Biodiversity Conservation Act species that were not known to exist enough stored water to operate (1999) and the Victorian Flora and there, Rufous hare-wallabies and Banded continuously for 7 days when the Fauna Guarantee Act (1988), Parks hare-wallabies, are being introduced. To Tantangara dam storage is full. Snowy Victoria began the deer aerial shooting start stage 2 of the project, a team of Hydro’s website features a report by trial in the Mt Buffalo and Alpine Dept. of Biodiversity, Conservation and consultants Marsden Jacob stating that National Parks. A Parks Victoria Attractions scientists have released more Snowy 2.0 ‘would improve the spokeswoman said the aim of the than 140 Banded and Rufous hare- economics of coal generation’ by operation was to trial aerial shooting in wallabies onto the island over the past ‘increasing the use of low-cost fuels’ [i.e. spring at a range of elevations and in a 2 weeks. The $44.4 million project is coal]. variety of terrain and vegetation types. funded by the Gorgon Barrow Island Net Furthermore, ‘The power losses Data collected from the trial will be Conservation Benefits Fund and the during each pumping cycle would reviewed to improve Parks Victoria’s Dept. of Biodiversity, Conservation and increase electricity demand, requiring understanding of the technique and how Attractions. additional generation and consequently it might be used as part of an integrated www.dpaw.wa.au/news/media- CO2 emissions’ and by ‘… increasing mix of strategies for managing deer to statements/minister-for-the-environment lower cost coal-fired generation’. Snowy protect environmentally sensitive areas. published 15 October 2018 2.0 is a bad development in a national A helicopter was used to target deer in Compiled by Hazel Rath park propping up the coal industry. Side- areas around Mt Buffalo, Mt Feathertop deals (i.e. so-called environmental and Mt Pinnibar, which included offsets), such as seeking catchment inaccessible and rugged terrain. restoration, feral horse removal, The spokeswoman said during the environmental flows and rehabilitation of operation, air observers could identify upland swamps to assist the recovery of significant track networks and large endangered alpine species are in tricky wallows that had been formed by deer Winter colours of a Snow Gum, across the park. To ensure the animals Kosciuszko National Park. political territory. Photo by Mike Bremers. To transmit the power generated by were killed humanely, an independent Snowy 2.0, swathes of eucalypt forest vet was employed to monitor the animal must be cleared for new power welfare outcomes. ‘All carcass locations transmission lines that will double the were recorded and 10 per cent were capital cost of the operating project to $8 examined by the vet to ensure shooting billion. This clearing will have serious was carried out humanely’, she said. impacts on Kosciuszko National Park. ‘Those near waterways were visited and National parks should be sacrosanct and moved where required to prevent major infrastructure should be contamination of water catchments.’ prohibited. Snowy 2.0 is emphatically Representatives from key not a modern engineering vision to stakeholder groups, including the reduce infrastructure impacts on, or Australian Deer Association, the improve the health of, Kosciuszko Sporting Shooters Association of National Park while enabling a new Australia, the Game Management green energy economy. Authority, the Harrietville Community Colong Bulletin, No. 270 (March 2018) Forum and the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning, Deer culled in alpine aerial were briefed on the operation on shooting trial Wednesday, October 17. One deer was shot every 10 minutes, and All data collected are now being 119 were killed over four days, during reviewed, with the results combined Victoria’s first aerial deer cull last month. with any from the ongoing ground Professional shooters spent 20 hours in shooting trial to find the best mix of helicopters between October 16 and 19, methods to control the deer population. as part of the Parks Victoria aerial Parks Victoria has confirmed it will then shooting trial of deer in the Alpine determine the level of deer control National Park. The deer culled were needed to protect the environmentally almost all Sambar deer, with the sensitive areas, and the best combination exception of one Fallow deer. of techniques to use. Parks Victoria chief conservation ‘An ongoing, sustainable, landscape scientist Mark Norman said the aerial scale deer control action plan will be cull trial was part of a three-year prepared in line with the recently program to find the most efficient, cost released Draft Victorian Deer effective and humane methods of Management Strategy’, the Parks managing deer in the Alpine National Victoria spokeswoman said. Park. The Victorian National Parks Gippsland Times, 5 Nov 2018 Association estimates the Victorian deer

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 29 NPA notices National Parks Association Calendar December January February March The NPA welcomes Tues 25 Tues 1 the following new members Public holidays — Mon 11 Wed 26 Mon 28 Jan Morgan, James and Christine Volk. General meetings — — Thurs 21 Thurs 21 We look forward to seeing you at NPA activities. Committee meetings Tues 4 — Tues 5 Tues 5

Gudgengy Bush Regeneration 1 Sat 8 2 —— Sat 9 3 NPA Christmas Party Sun 2 This Bulletin was prepared by:

Further details: 1 GBRG. Meet at Namadgi Visitor Centre 9:15 am. Editors, Kevin McCue and Sonja Lenz 2 GBRG Christmas Party. Copyeditor, Ed Highley 3 NPA Christmas Party. Presentation, Adrienne Nicholson. Christmas party season NPA, Namadgi Visitor Centre GBRG Sunday 2 December Saturday 8 December See Outings Program, page 16 See Outings Program, page 16

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

Call for volunteers At NPA general meetings volunteer Cover photographs members set up the hall and the supper. We Front cover need more volunteers for 2019 as the roster Main photo. Guthega Valley, Kosciuszko National Park. Photo by Mike Bremers. is by no means full. Please contact Quentin (bushwalk page 20). Moran if you can help. [email protected] Thank you. Insets. Top. Art Week at Gudgenby Cottage (see page 8). Photo by Adrienne Nicholson. Centre. Chris Emery receiving his Life Member- ship certificate (see page 11). Photo by Sabine Friedrich. Contributions for the Bottom. Kosciuszko National Park, Main NPA Bulletin Range track. Photo by Kevin McCue.

Contributions of articles, letters, poems, Back cover drawings and photographs are always Kosciuszko National Park welcome. If possible keep contributions to no Top left. Paddling the Snowy River, Byadbo Wilderness. Photo by Mike Bremers. more than 1,000 words. Items accepted for Top right. Main Range Track.. Photo by Adrienne Nicholson. publication will be subject to editing and may also be published on the NPA website. Send all Centre (left to right). Chequered Swallowtail (Adrienne Nicholson); items to the Bulletin Team, email A bird orchid (Adrienne Nicholson; [email protected], or to the NPA ACT A mountain skink (Kevin McCue); Mountain katydid (Adrienne Nicholson) postal address (see page 27). Bottom left. Summer daisies. Photo by Kevin McCue. Deadline for the March 2019 issue: 31 January 2019. Bottom right. Thredbo River valley in winter. Photo by Brian Slee.

30 NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 General Meetings Third Thursday of the month, (not December or January) 8.00 pm, Uniting Church hall, 56 Scrivener Street, O’Connor Thursday 21 February 2019 The wild things of Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary Sam Nerrie NPA member and accomplished photographer Since moving to Canberra a few years ago, Sam has developed a passion for Mulligans Flat, regularly wandering the forests and grasslands. She has encountered many animals, insects, birds and plants there, each with a story to tell. Mulligans Flat is a fascinating place and Sam, an experienced presenter, will share some of the delightful photographic moments she has experienced in the sanctuary. One of her photos gained an honourable mention in an international photography competition.

The management committee of the NPA ACT wishes all members and their families a happy Christmas/New Year break and all the best for 2019.

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 Outings Subcommittee Steven Forst 0428 195 236 Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the reservation of [email protected] specific areas. Publications Subcommittee Kevin McCue 6251 1291 (h) • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation areas. [email protected] • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment of, such Publicity Subcommittee Allan Sharp [email protected] natural phenomena and cultural heritage by organised field outings, th meetings or any other means. 60 Anniversary Subcommittee Cynthia Burton 0488 071 203 [email protected] • Cooperation with organisations and persons having similar interests Work Party Co-ordinator Martin Chalk 6292 3502 (h) and objectives. [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 Drive, Acton, together with the Conservation Council. It is staffed by Office bearers volunteers on an irregular basis. Callers may leave phone or email President Esther Gallant 6161 4514 (h) messages at any time. [email protected] Phone: (02) 6229 3201 or 0429 356 212 (if urgent) Vice President Cynthia Burton 0488 071 203 Website: www.npaact.org.au [email protected] Email: [email protected] Secretary Sonja Lenz 6251 1291 (h) Address: GPO Box 544, Canberra ACT 2601 [email protected] Facebook: Treasurer Hannah Conway 0439 962 255 [email protected] www.facebook.com/NationalParksAssociationOfTheAct Membership subscription rates (1 July to 30 June) Committee members The subscription rate is $22, which includes a digital copy only of our Chris Emery 6249 7604 (h) Bulletin. [email protected] If you want to receive a printed copy of the Bulletin, the subscription rates are: Steven Forst 0428 195 236 Household membership $44 Single members $38.50 [email protected] Corporate membership $33 Full-time student/Pensioner $22 Rod Griffiths (Immediate Past President) 6288 6988 (h) [email protected] Note: All the above subscription categories reduce to $11 if a donation of $100 or more is made. George Heinsohn 6278 6655 (h) [email protected] Advertising The NPA Bulletin accepts advertisements and inserts. Contact Kevin McCue 6251 1291 (h) [email protected] the NPA office for information and rates. Printed by Instant Colour Press, Belconnen, ACT. ISSN 0727-8837

NPA BULLETIN − DECEMBER 2018 31 Kosciuszko. It’s a park, not a paddock!

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