Mount Warning National Park Et Al
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Parks & Reserves of the Tweed Caldera Incorporating National Parks: Mt Warning Border Ranges Mebbin Nightcap Mt Jerusalem Goonengerry Nature Reserves: Limpinwood Numinbah Snows Gully Plan of Management NSW NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Acknowledgments: This plan of management was prepared by David Edwards with the assistance of a steering group comprised of the following people: Graeme McGregor, David Charley, Lance Tarvey, Damien Hofmeyerand, Janet Cavanaugh (all of the NPWS) and Hugh Nicholson, Jeremy Buultjens, Stephanie Lymburner and Raylee Delaney (all of the Northern Rivers Region Advisory Committee). Many other staff from the Northern Rivers Region and Northern Field Branch of the NPWS, as well as the Planning Subcommittee of the NPWS Advisory Council, provided valuable assistance in the preparation of this plan. This plan was prepared with financial assistance from the World Heritage Management and Upkeep Program of the National Trust. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Crown Copyright 2004: Use permitted with appropriate acknowledgment. ISBN 0 7313 6641 7 ii FOREWORD This plan of management encompasses the national parks and nature reserves commonly known as the “Tweed Caldera”, all of which form part of the ancient Mt Warning (or Wollumbin) shield volcano in far northern NSW. The “planning area” encompasses Mt Warning, Border Ranges, Mebbin, Nightcap, Goonengerry and Mt Jerusalem National Parks and Limpinwood, Numinbah and Snows Gully Nature Reserves. The parks and reserves of the planning area are all considered in the one plan because, with the exception of the western Border Ranges, they form part of a common landscape - the Mt Warning shield volcano. (Also forming part of this spectacular landform are Lamington and Springbrook National Parks in Queensland). Most of the planning area is of international renown for its World Heritage listed sub- tropical rainforests (part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia) World Heritage Property), outstanding landscapes, and the recreation opportunities it affords. The majority of Border Ranges NP and all of Limpinwood NR is declared wilderness, thereby affording a sense of remoteness and solitude. The plan also provides for the protection of significant Aboriginal and historic cultural heritage values. In addition to the subtropical rainforest, there are large areas of wet and dry sclerophyll forest and pockets of sub-montane heath which provide habitat for a large number of threatened plant and animal species. Of particular significance is the border region of the planning area which has the highest concentration of marsupial, bird, snake and frog species in Australia. A wide range of nature based recreation opportunities are provided in the planning area. Some outstanding scenic drives are provided, including the extensive Tweed Scenic Drive in the Border Ranges with its focus on rainforests and views into the Tweed Caldera. Such driving opportunities are rare elsewhere. There is also a diverse range of spectacular bushwalks including: the summit walk in Mt Warning NP; Antarctic beech forest walk in Border Ranges NP, and walks to towering waterfalls in Nightcap NP. Eleven day use and three camping areas are provided in the planning area. Horse riding is also provided on a range of trails in those parts of the planning area where the activity can be undertaken safely and sustainably. This plan of management establishes the scheme of operations for the “Parks and Reserves of the Tweed Caldera”. In accordance with the provisions of Sections 75 and 76 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974, this plan of management is hereby adopted. Bob Debus Minister for the Environment iii iv CONTENTS abbreviations...............................................................................................................6 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................7 1.1 Location & Regional Setting............................................................................7 1.2 Park Dedication................................................................................................9 1.3 Plan Purpose...................................................................................................10 1.4 Previous Plans of Management......................................................................10 1.5 Summary of Key Values ................................................................................10 1.6 Landscape Context .........................................................................................12 2. MANAGEMENT CONTEXT ................................................................................13 2.1 Legislative & Policy Context .........................................................................13 2.2 Management Vision .......................................................................................16 2.3 Management Directions .................................................................................16 3. MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES............................................................................19 3.1 THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE..........19 3.1.1 World Heritage............................................................................................19 3.1.2 Landforms and Visual Landscapes ..............................................................23 3.1.3 Aboriginal Heritage.....................................................................................26 3.1.4 Historic Heritage .........................................................................................28 3.1.5 Wilderness................................................................................................31 3.1.6 Water Catchment.........................................................................................32 3.1.7 Biodiversity .................................................................................................33 3.1.8 Introduced Plants.........................................................................................37 3.1.9 Introduced Animals.....................................................................................41 3.1.10 Fire Management.......................................................................................43 3.2 VISITOR USE...................................................................................................48 3.2.1 Public Vehicle Access.................................................................................49 3.2.2 Day Use Areas.............................................................................................53 3.2.3 Camping ......................................................................................................58 3.2.4 Bushwalking................................................................................................61 3.2.5 Horse Riding ...............................................................................................64 3.2.6 Cycling ........................................................................................................66 3.2.7 Adventure Activities ...................................................................................67 3.2.8 Large Group Events ....................................................................................69 3.2.9 Commercial Tourism...................................................................................71 3.2.10 Information, Interpretation & Education...................................................74 3.2.11 Research ....................................................................................................77 3.3 MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS.....................................................................80 3.4 Other Land Uses ................................................................................................83 3.4.1 Crown Reserve In-Holdings........................................................................83 3.4.2 Apiary Licenses & Grazing Leases.............................................................84 3.4.3 Transmission Lines and Towers..................................................................85 3.4.4 Water Supply...............................................................................................86 4. IMPLEMENTATION, EVALUATION & REVIEW ............................................89 4.1 Plan Implementation ......................................................................................89 4.2 Plan Evaluation ..............................................................................................95 4.3 Plan Review....................................................................................................96 Selected References..................................................................................................97 v Appendices .............................................................................................................100 Appendix 1. World Heritage CERRA values......................................................100 Appendix 2 Threatened Species found in parts of the planning area.................102 2a. Fauna.......................................................................................................102 2b. Flora ........................................................................................................104 Appendix 3 Vegetation Communities of the Planning Area..............................105 Appendix 4 Acceptable