Annual Report and State of the Wet Tropics Report 2 0 0 8 – 2 0 0 9 Greater Daintree (Kerry Trapnell) Greater Daintree (Kerry 20 September 2009 The Hon Kate Jones MP Chair, Wet Tropics Ministerial Council Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability PO Box 15155 City East QLD 4002
Dear Minister, I am pleased to present the Annual Report and State of the Wet Tropics Report 2008–2009 for the Wet Tropics Management Authority. I certify this Annual Report and State of the Wet Tropics Report meets the prescribed requirements of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977 and the Financial Management Standard 1997 particularly with regard to reporting this agency’s governance arrangements, objectives, functions and performance, as well as the agency’s additional reporting and tabling obligations for this report.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Maclean Executive Director, Wet Tropics Management Authority Annual Report 2008–2009 ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009
Table of contents
Terms and abbreviations 5
Highlights 7
Introduction 13
Administration of the Act 14
Program reports 27
Planning and Conservation Program 27
Communities and Partnerships Program 45
Business Management Program 67
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Terms and abbreviations AWHAC Australian World Heritage Advisory Committee AWHIN Australian World Heritage Indigenous Network Bioregion Wet Tropics of Queensland biogeographic region CAG Cassowary Advisory Group CCC Community Consultative Committee CDP Community Development Plan Commonwealth Act Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Conservation Act 1994 CREB Cairns Regional Electricity Board CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation CSLG Conservation Sector Liaison Group CTBCC Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change DEHWA Department of the Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts DERM Department of Environment and Resource Management DMR Department of Main Roads DNRW Department of Natural Resources and Water EEO Equal Employment Opportunity EPA Environmental Protection Agency EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 EPHC Environment Protection and Heritage Commission FNQ far north Queensland FNQ ROC Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils FNQ 2031 Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031 ILUA Indigenous Land Use Agreement JCU James Cook University JYAC Jabalbina �Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation
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MTSRF Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility NAIDOC National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Commemoration NGO non-government organisation NiE Newspapers in Education NQTOLSMA North Queensland Traditional Owner Land and Sea Management Alliance. NRM natural resource management QPWS Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Queensland Act Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 RAAC Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Committee RRRC Reef and Rainforest Research Centre SAC Scientific Advisory Committee SARAS Study and Research Assistance Scheme Terrain NRM Terrain Natural Resource Management The Area Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area The Authority Wet Tropics Management Authority The Plan Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 TILG Tourism Industry Liaison Group UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation WTMA Wet Tropics Management Authority WTQWHA Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area
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Highlights The Wet Tropics Management Authority has a distinctive and privileged role in tropical north Queensland. Based in the region, with a Board comprising regional leaders, the Authority works with State, Commonwealth and local government agencies, community organisations and industry to ensure protection of the outstanding universal values of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The Authority aims to ensure that the Area plays an important role in the life of the community. This is always a challenging task but the Authority has Andrew Maclean, enjoyed another successful year during Executive Director, 2008–2009. Wet Tropics Management Authority
Queensland Government reforms The Authority welcomed the appointment of the Hon Kate Jones MP as the new Queensland Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability following the 2009 Queensland election. The Minister is also the Chair of the Wet Tropics Ministerial Council. The Authority looks forward supporting the new Minister in her responsibilities for Queensland World Heritage management. Following the 2009 State election, the Queensland Government implemented a number of machinery of government changes designed to provide: • more responsive and improved services to the Queensland community including those in regional areas • more coordinated and cohesive policy responses by government at all organisational levels • more efficient and effective use of resources • enduring organisational structures and relationships with service delivery partners and citizens. The Authority falls within the portfolio of the new Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). DERM delivers many of the services previously provided by the former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNRW). The establishment of DERM is a welcome development for the Authority, which looks forward to the opportunities it provides for
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greater integration of Indigenous service delivery, better integration of native vegetation and biodiversity policy and improved coordination and consistency in the management of the various public land tenures. The Authority will continue to place a very high priority on a mutually supportive partnership with DERM, as it did with the EPA in the past.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Changes in the regional boundaries of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) during the year were welcomed by the Authority. The establishment of the QPWS Wet Tropics Region, which closely conforms to the boundaries of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, has facilitated a further strengthening of this very important partnership. As well as acknowledging the vital role the QPWS plays in managing the protected area estate within the World Heritage Area, the Authority has particularly welcomed the formal activity reports the QPWS Wet Tropics Region now prepares for the Board and its advisory committees.
Caring for Our Country The Authority remains grateful to the Commonwealth Government for its financial support for the Authority under the Caring for Our Country program. Funding for 2008–2009 was provided on a one year interim basis, pending completion of the Outcomes Statement and Business Plan for the program. The Authority is pleased to note that the Australian Government has committed to continuing support for World Heritage management under the Caring for Our Country program and looks forward to a longer term funding commitment for the Wet Tropics now that administration of the fund has been settled.
Australian World Heritage Advisory Committee The Australian World Heritage Advisory Committee (AWHAC), which advises the Environment Protection and Heritage Council on World Heritage issues relevant at a national level, held its first meeting in 2009. Board Director, Dr Alastair Birtles, represented the Authority at the first meeting of the AWHAC held in Canberra in April 2009. Because supportive networks with other World Heritage managers are so important, the Authority is committed to the success of the AWHAC through support of Dr Birtles in his role and assistance as required to the AWHAC secretariat.
Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031 A sustainably managed regional landscape plays a vital role in sustaining the values of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, a fact recognised as a goal in the Authority’s strategic plan. Accordingly, the Authority took the opportunity to contribute to the development of the FNQ 2031,
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completed by the Queensland Government in early 2009. The Regional Plan represents a very significant advance in ensuring sustainability of the Wet Tropics region by defining the limits of urban development and by establishing environmental performance standards for infrastructure and other developments. Its completion will facilitate better protection of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and the Authority will remain actively engaged in its implementation.
Review of Government Boards, Committees and Statutory Authorities During the year, the Authority, including its five sub-committees, was subject to the review of State Government boards, committees and statutory authorities initiated by the Queensland Premier. The Authority was pleased to have the opportunity to make submissions to the review, showing how it represents an efficient and effective means of achieving high standards of World Heritage management. The submissions demonstrated that the Authority’s role in coordinating policy implementation between the Queensland and Australian governments remains relevant and important and that it has a very clear understanding of its accountability to the two governments and the Wet Tropics community. The reviewers recommended, and Queensland Cabinet subsequently confirmed, that the Authority and its five sub- committees should be retained. The Authority is pleased with this outcome, which establishes a firm platform for its future development as a Queensland statutory authority.
Participants at the Cairns Training Workshop for the East Rennell World Heritage Area
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Strengthening management capacity in the East Rennell World Heritage Area During May and June 2009 the Authority welcomed fourteen people from the Solomon Islands to participate in a training workshop aimed at building the capacity of Solomon Islanders to manage the East Rennell World Heritage Area. Participants comprised eight members from the East Rennell World Heritage Site Association Committee, the Premier and Provincial Tourism Officer for the Rennell and Bellona Provincial Government and three representatives from the Solomon Islands Government. The project was initiated by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and funded under AusAID’s Pacific Governance Support Program. The Department of Environment Water Heritage and the Arts engaged the Authority to deliver key components of the program. Opportunities for building a longer term twinning relationship between the Authority and the East Rennell World Heritage Site Association were also discussed during the Cairns Training Workshop.
Cassowary Awards The tenth annual Cassowary Awards in 2008 were a huge success. This year guests travelled on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway before the awards ceremony held at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. The Awards were presented by Mr Jim Turnour MHR, Member for Leichhardt, representing the Australian Government, and Mr Steve Wettenhall MP, Member for Barron River, representing the Queensland Premier, the Hon Anna Bligh MP. Also held on the evening were the Young Cassowary Awards, now in their fourth year. These awards recognise the work of students Associate Professor Steve Williams, winner and school classes in helping to of the Cassowary Award for Science, with his conserve the Wet Tropics. Twelve wife Dr Yvette Williams Cassowary Award winners were honoured, including two Young Cassowary Awards.
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Board of Directors The success of the Authority depends very heavily on the leadership provided by its Board of Directors. There have been a number of changes in the composition of the Board during the year. The second three year term of the Board’s Chairperson, Lt Gen John Grey AC (Retd) came to an end in May 2009. Lt Gen Grey provided magnificent service to the Authority during his term as Chairperson. His steady leadership and wise judgement were highly valued by his colleagues on the Board, by Authority staff and by stakeholders. Some of the highlights of his term included the completion of the Wet Tropics Regional Agreement to establish a framework for Indigenous community participation in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area; the completion of the Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy that sets out a comprehensive program for protection of the Wet Tropics landscape; a highly complex assessment and approval process for a proposed major upgrade of the Kuranda Range Road; and his leadership of the Authority in the aftermath of Cyclone Larry. Another loss to the Board during the year was the resignation in May 2009 of Cr Tom Gilmore after serving for nearly six years on the Board. Cr Gilmore brought to the Board a very important perspective from both local government and from the Tablelands community. His insightful and thoughtful contributions ensured the Board could make balanced decisions, considering the needs and interests of all of the Wet Tropics community. The Authority looks forward to maintaining its association with Cr Gilmore in his role as the Mayor of the Tablelands Regional Council. The Authority welcomed the appointment in May 2009 of new Directors, Ms Allison Halliday and Mr Russell Butler Senior, to the Board. Their appointment marks the fulfilment of a commitment in the Wet Tropics Regional Agreement to increase Indigenous representation on the Board. It will further strengthen the Authority’s commitment to ensuring participation of Rainforest Aboriginal people in the management of the Area. Unfortunately, for a large part of the year, there have been several vacancies on the Board. There was a long delay prior to the appointments of Ms Halliday and Mr Butler and replacements for Lt Gen Grey and Cr Gilmore have not yet been identified. The Authority looks forward to early decisions to fill these vacancies to ensure the Board can be fully functional, providing effective leadership for the Authority and the Wet Tropics community and authoritative advice to the State and Commonwealth Governments.
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Thanks Thank you to my colleagues on the staff of the Authority, all of whom are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of management appropriate to a World Heritage Area. The Authority depends absolutely on their commitment and skills. Thanks are also due to the chairpersons and members of our various advisory committees and liaison groups. In many ways, these forums serve as the Authority’s eyes and ears, ensuring that the issues, knowledge and wisdom of the Wet Tropics community are available to the Authority, ensuring its priorities and decisions remain vital and relevant. They make the Authority strong. Government agency observers at Board meetings make a very important contribution to governance of the Authority. Our thanks to Ms Veronica Blazely of the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts; Mr Peter Ogilvie, Mr Ross MacLeod and Mr Wolf Sievers of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service; Mr Greg Howe and Mr Glenn Weber of the Department of Resources Energy and Tourism; and Mr Jeff Gillies of Tourism Queensland; all of whom have assisted the Board in their capacity as observers during the year. Our partner organisations in the management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area play a vital role in the management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. While too numerous to identify individually here, they are also sincerely thanked for their cooperation and support.
Andrew Maclean Executive Director, Wet Tropics Management Authority
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Introduction
World Heritage and National Heritage listing The World Heritage Convention has been ratified by 186 states around the world and the World Heritage List includes 890 properties. Australia became a signatory in 1974 and there are currently 17 Australian properties on the World Heritage list. World Heritage listing is recognition by the international community that a place is such an outstanding example of the world’s natural or cultural heritage that its conservation is of value to all people. The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (WTQWHA, the Area) has outstanding natural values, meeting all four natural criteria for World Heritage listing and fulfilling the necessary conditions of integrity. The Wet Tropics of Queensland is considered to: • contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance – Criterion (vii). • be an outstanding examples representing the major stages of Earth’s history, including the record of life, and significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features – Criterion (viii). • be an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals - Criterion (ix). • contain the most important significant natural habitats for in- situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation – Criterion (x). In May 2007 the Area was also listed on Australia’s National Heritage List. The Area was listed for the five National Heritage criteria which correspond to its World Heritage criteria. It is intended that, over time and subject to resources available, the Wet Tropics of Queensland will be reassessed for its full range of National Heritage values. The criteria are: • the place’s importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia’s natural or cultural history – Criterion (a). • the place’s possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Australia’s natural or cultural history – Criterion (b). • the place’s potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Australia’s natural or cultural history – Criterion (c).
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• the place’s importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of (i) a class of Australia’s natural or cultural places; or (ii) a class of Australia’s natural or cultural environments – Criterion (d). • the place’s importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics valued by a community or cultural group – Criterion (e).
Administration of the Act
Enabling legislation The Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 (Queensland Act) was proclaimed on 1 November 1993, apart from sections 56 and 57. The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Conservation Act 1994 (Commonwealth Act) was proclaimed on 15 March 1994. This Commonwealth legislation gives effect to a management scheme and intergovernmental agreement made between the Australian Government and Queensland Government in 1990. The agreement implements Australia’s international duty for the protection, conservation, presentation, rehabilitation and transmission to future generations of the World Heritage Area. The Queensland Act provides the legal basis for the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 (the Plan) which regulates land use activities in the Area through a zoning and permit system. The Plan was gazetted on 22 May 1998 and commenced operation on 1 September 1998. Section 56 of the Queensland Act, which prohibits the destruction of forest products, and section 57, which sets out compensation provisions, also commenced on 1 September 1998. The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Management Scheme is an intergovernmental agreement signed by the Prime Minister of Australia and the Premier of Queensland in 1990. It sets out broad structural and funding arrangements for the management of the Area. The agreement is scheduled in the Queensland Act and given effect by section 3 of the Commonwealth Act. Australian and Queensland Ministers last revised the agreement in December 1995.
The Wet Tropics Management Authority The Wet Tropics Management Authority was set up to ensure Australia’s obligation under the World Heritage Convention is met in relation to the Area. It is funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government, reporting to both on its performance against agreed outcomes. The Authority is a body corporate, with statutory powers defined under the Queensland Act.
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The Authority’s functions, as defined under section 10 of the Queensland Act, are to: • develop and implement policies and programs for management of the Area • formulate performance indicators for the implementation of approved policies and programs • advise and make recommendations to the Minister and the Ministerial Council • prepare and implement management plans for the Area • administer funding arrangements • facilitate and enter into Cooperative Management Agreements • rehabilitate and restore the Area • gather, research, analyse and disseminate information on the Area • develop public and community education programs • promote the Area locally, nationally and internationally • liaise with the Queensland and Australian Governments, agencies and international organisations • monitor the state of the Area • advise and report to the Minister and the Ministerial Council on the state of the Area. In performing its functions the Authority must, as far as practicable, consider Aboriginal tradition and liaise and cooperate with Aboriginal people particularly concerned with the Area.
Statutory reporting obligations Each year the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA, the Authority) prepares a report on the administration of the Act during the year, financial statements for the year, and a report on the state of the Area, as required under section 63(1) of the Queensland Act and section 10 of the Commonwealth Act. The Annual Report focuses on the administrative, financial and management activities of the Authority during 2008–2009. The State of the Wet Tropics Report takes a report card approach and examines the condition of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area within the context of the surrounding bioregion.
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Management structure The intergovernmental agreement provides for a Wet Tropics Ministerial Council, comprising two Australian Government and two Queensland Government Ministers. Its function is to coordinate policy and funding for the Area. The Queensland Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, chairs the Council. A Board of Directors is set up under the Queensland Act and consists of seven directors, six of whom serve as directors in a part time capacity. Two directors are nominated by the Australian Government and two by the Queensland Government. The Chair and a designated Aboriginal director are nominated by the Wet Tropics Ministerial Council. The Executive Director of the Authority is a non-voting Board director. The Board’s key function is to implement programs to meet Australia’s international obligations for the Area under the World Heritage Convention. The Authority is a unit within the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). As part of the Queensland public sector, the Authority is subject to established public sector legislation, regulations, standards and guidelines governing administrative functions and arrangements. The Director- General of the DERM is the accountable officer for the Authority under the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1997. The Authority is responsible to the Director-General regarding compliance with State Government administrative and financial standards. The Authority has three advisory committees appointed by the Board under the Queensland Act. They are the Community Consultative Committee, the Scientific Advisory Committee and the Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Committee. These committees meet quarterly prior to Board meetings and advise the Authority on policy, programs and research for the management of the Area. The Board has also appointed two liaison groups, the Conservation Sector Liaison Group and the Tourism Industry Liaison Group. The liaison groups are chaired by a Board director and meet quarterly, providing a valuable information exchange about important and emerging conservation and tourism issues. The Authority is a small organisation and works in partnership with other agencies, stakeholders and the wider community. The Authority has produced a range of strategic policy and planning documents which guide management of the Area, consistent with its legislative responsibilities. Figure 1 provides an overview of the Authority’s legislative and strategic planning framework.
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Figure 1. Legislative and strategic planning framework for the WTQWHA.
Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993
Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998
Protection Through Partnerships
Conservation Research Presentation Aboriginal Rehabilitation Monitoring Role in the life of Transmission and Reporting the Community Involvement
Conservation State of the Nature Based Regional Strategy Wet Tropics Tourism Strategy Agreement Report Walking Strategy Wet Tropics Research and Information Needs Report
While the Authority is the lead agency responsible for policy, planning and the coordination of management in the Area, it is not directly responsible for on-ground management. Day-to-day management activities such as infrastructure maintenance and pest control are the responsibility of the relevant land managers which include the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), infrastructure service providers for power, water and roads and nine local governments. The Local Government Areas which include parts of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (WTQWHA) are: • Cook Shire Council • Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Community Council • Cairns Regional Council • Tablelands Regional Council • Yarrabah Aboriginal Community Council • Cassowary Coast Regional Council • Hinchinbrook Shire Council • Townsville City Council • Charters Towers Regional Council.
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Figure 2 Local Government Areas which include the WTQWHA
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To prioritise and coordinate management activities in the protected area estate within the Area, a partnership agreement is developed each year between the Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). The partnership agreement outlines products and services to be delivered by the QPWS under funding provided by the Queensland Government for World Heritage management. Figure 3. World Heritage Area management
Ministerial Council
WTMA Board Advisory Committees Executive Director Liaison Wet Tropics Management Authority Groups
World Heritage Area policy
World Heritage Area strategic planning DERM, local governments Operational Management and other capital works, maintenance of facilities, land weed and feral animal control, managers fire management, compliance
Wet Tropics Ministerial Council At 30 June 2009 the Ministerial Council comprised: Hon Kate Jones MP, Queensland Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability (Chair) Hon Peter Lawlor MP, Queensland Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading Hon Peter Garrett AM MP, Australian Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, Australian Minister for Tourism. Matters requiring Ministerial Council decision during the year were dealt with out of session.
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Wet Tropics Management Authority Board of Directors
Dr Alastair Birtles Dr Elaine Harding Ms Allison Halliday
Mr Russell Butler Mr Andrew Maclean Senior
At 30 June 2009 the Board of Directors comprised: Dr Alastair Birtles Dr Elaine Harding Ms Allison Halliday Mr Russell Butler Senior Mr Andrew Maclean (WTMA Executive Director).
Cape Tribulation
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There have been a number of changes in the composition of the Board during the year. The second three year term of the Board’s Chairperson, Lt Gen John Grey AC (Retd) ended in May 2009 and Cr Tom Gilmore, resigned as a Director in May 2009. The Authority welcomed the appointment in May 2009 of two new Directors, Ms Allison Halliday and Mr Russell Butler Senior to the Board. Their appointment marks the fulfilment of a commitment in the Wet Tropics Regional Agreement to increase Indigenous representation on the Board and will further strengthen the Authority’s commitment to ensuring participation of Rainforest Aboriginal people in the management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The Authority’s Board meets quarterly or as required. All four Board meetings were held in Cairns during the year on 18-19 August 2008, 10-11 November 2008, 2-3 March 2009 and 11-12 May 2009. The overall cost of the Board in 2008–2009 was $44,696. This included meeting fees, special assignment fees, all necessary and reasonable travel expenses and other general operating costs. Photo: Martin Cohen
Mountain Mistfrog
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Committees and liaison groups
Community Consultative Committee (CCC) The members of the CCC are selected as individuals to represent a broad range of community views and expertise from throughout the Wet Tropics region. A significant number of the CCC are landholders within the Area or live on neighbouring properties. Their interests and skills include conservation, education, tourism, recreation, local government, Aboriginal culture, science and primary industries. A new CCC was appointed on 16 April 2007 for a three year term. At 30 June 2009 the CCC members were: Ms Bryony Barnett (Chair) Mr Bood Hickson Ms Angela Freeman (Deputy Chair) Mr Russell Hore Ms Jax Bergersen Ms Nicole Goudberg Moore Mrs Pam Birkett Mr Jon Nott Ms Ellie Bock Mr Jeff Pezutti Mr Greg Bruce Mr Ross Rogers Mr Marcus Bulstrode Mr Peter Smith Mr John Courtenay Mr Douglas Southwood Mr Pino Giandomenico Mr Nigel Tucker Mr Andy Gierz Mrs Linda Venn Ms Marina Gurtzis Ms Diana Wood Mr Brian Hewett
The CCC met on 31 August 2008, 16 November 2008, 23 February 2009 and 1 May 2009. The CCC cost $11,689 to operate, mostly for catering, venue hire and reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and travel expenses. Members do not receive sitting fees.
Community Consultative Committee
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Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) Members of the SAC come from a broad range of disciplines including the natural, ecological, socio-cultural and economic sciences. A new SAC was appointed on 24 May 2007 for a three year term. At 30 June 2009 the members of the SAC were:
Professor Paul Gadek (Chair) Dr Bill McDonald Associate Professor Peter Professor Bruce Prideaux Valentine (Deputy Chair) Ms Joann Schmider Professor Ralf Buckley Mr Peter Stanton Associate Professor Carla Catterall Dr Natalie Stoeckl Professor Iain Gordon Associate Professor Steve Williams Dr Elaine Harding Dr David Hilbert Ex officio members Dr Rosemary Hill Dr Bill McDonald (DERM) Dr Colin Hunt Mr Andrew Millerd (DERM Ms Dr Suzanne Jenkins Sheriden Morris (RRRC) Mr George Lukacs Professor Steve Turton (TLJV) Dr Chris Margules Mr Peter Wallace (RAAC delegate) Mr Victor Maund
The SAC met three times in 2008–2009: on 26 August 2008 in Cairns, on 18 March 2009 which included a field trip to visit Wongabel State Forest and revegetation sites on the Tablelands; and on 15-16 April 2009 in Cairns. The SAC cost $8,017 to operate, mostly for catering, venue hire and reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and travel expenses. Members do not do receive sitting fees.
Scientific Advisory Committee
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Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Committee (RAAC) The RAAC is established by the WTMA Board under section 40(1) (b) of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993. Members are nominated by their tribal group for appointment by the Board. The RAAC provides the Authority with advice on policies and programs and Rainforest Aboriginal community related issues pertinent to all aspects of the Authority’s functions in relation to management of the Area. At 30 June 2009 the members of the RAAC were: Ms Margaret Freeman (Jirrbal) (A/Chair) Ms Rhonda Brim (Djabugay) (A/Deputy Chair) Mr John Andy (Djiru) Mr Claude Beeron (Girramay) Ms Lillian Clubb (Yidinji) – (Malanbarra) Ms Maureen Green (Kuku Muluridji) Mr Arthur Johnson (Wulgurukaba) Mr Victor Maund (Ma:Mu) Mr Ernie Raymont (Ngadjon-Jii) Ms Jeanette Singleton (Yirrganydji) Mr Peter Wallace (Kuku Yalanji) Mr Troy Wyles-Whelan (Nywaigi) The RAAC met four times in Cairns in 2008–2009: on 12-14 August 2008; 5-6 November 2008; 25-26 March 2009; and 26-27 May 2009. A total of 61 resolutions were presented to the Board. The RAAC cost $15,200 to operate, covering catering, venue hire and reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and travel expenses. Members do not receive sitting fees.
Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Committee
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Conservation Sector Liaison Group (CSLG) CSLG members represent key conservation groups throughout the Wet Tropics region. The current CSLG was appointed on 3 November 2007 for a three year term. At 30 June 2009 CSLG members were: Dr Elaine Harding (Chair) Mr Steve Canendo (Yarrabah Council) Mr Dave Cook (Rainforest Rescue) Ms Alice Crabtree (Conservation Volunteers Australia) Ms Liz Gallie (Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation) Ms Rowena Grace (Terrain Natural Resource Management) Mr John Grant (Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group) Ms Marina Gurtzis (Daintree Rainforest Foundation) Mr David Hudson (Conservation Volunteers Australia) Mr Luke Jackson (Quoll Seekers Network) Mr Tony Jurgensen (Johnstone Ecological Society) Mr Glenn Kvassay (Quoll Seekers Network) Mr Adam Millar (Environmental Defender’s Office) Ms Margaret Moorhouse (Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook) Mr John Rainbird (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority) Ms Cathy Retter (EnviroCare) Mr Peter Rowles (Terrain Natural Resource Management) Mr Steve Ryan (Cairns and Far North Environment Centre) Mr Peter Smith (Wildlife Preservation Society Queensland) The CSLG met on 1 August 2008, 31 October 2008, 20 February 2009 and 27 April 2009.
Conservation Sector Liaison Group
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Tourism Industry Liaison Group (TILG) TILG members represent members of the tourism industry with interests in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The current TILG was appointed on 3 November 2004 for a three year term. The term has been extended while negotiations are held with DERM about the TILG and the Northern Tourism Industry Forum. At 30 June 2009 TILG members were: Dr Alastair Birtles (WTMA Board) (Acting Chair) Ms Leanne Bayne (Tableland Promotion Bureau) Mr Ron Birkett (Daintree Discovery Centre) Mr Richard Blanchette (Port Hinchinbrook) Mr Damien Britnell (Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Inc) Mr Terry Carmichael (Rainforest Habitat) Mr John Courtenay (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Mr Gordon Dixon (Far North Queensland Tourism Operators Association) Ms Angela Freeman (Australian Tourism Export Council) Mr Rob Giason (Tourism Tropical North Queensland) Mr Jeff Gillies (Tourism Queensland) Mr Daniel Gschwind (Queensland Tourism Industry Corporation) Mr Lawrence Mason (Mason’s Tours) Mr Steve McDermott (Terrain Natural Resource Management) Mr John McIntyre (Tourism Tropical North Queensland) Mr Phil Rist (Girringun Aboriginal Corporation) Mr Doug Ryan (Port Douglas and Daintree Tourism Association) Mr Joe Sproats (Townsville Enterprise Limited) Mr Rob West (BTS Tours) Ms Birte Zurhold (Tourism Queensland) The TILG met on 16 October 2008, 5 February 2009 and 4 June 2009. The three liaison groups cost a total of $6,092 mostly for catering and reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and travel expenses. Members of the two liaison groups do not receive sitting fees.
Tourism Industry Liaison Group
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Program reports The Authority comprises three programs which work cooperatively to manage the World Heritage Area. Reports on the activities of the three programs can be found below.
Planning and Conservation Program The Planning and Conservation Program comprises staff with skills in environmental planning and assessment, permits and regulations, environmental monitoring and reporting, and environmental research. The Planning and Conservation Program is responsible for the delivery of the following projects: • Heritage Conservation Project • Knowledge Management Project • Climate Change Project • Wet Tropics Plan Review
Heritage Conservation Project The Heritage Conservation Project is responsible for the administration of the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 (the Plan) which regulates land use activities and access within the Area. This includes the assessment of permit applications for construction and maintenance of roads, powerlines, water supplies and communication facilities, and motorised vehicle access within the Area. The project also develops policies and guidelines about how best to manage the use of the Area. Environmental Codes of Practice and Environmental Management Plans are often included as part of permit conditions. The Heritage Conservation Project also provides advice on development proposals, including those outside the Area, that may affect the Area’s natural and cultural values. WTMA staff also work closely with landholders, local governments and other service providers to manage infrastructure and development issues and to improve weed and feral animal control. Key project objectives include: • implementation of strategies that protect the Area from adverse impacts of development and use • developing strategies that support the conservation and rehabilitation of the Area • engaging key partners in management roles that support the protection of World Heritage values consistent with the World Heritage Convention and associated Australian and Queensland Wet Tropics legislation.
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Assessment of Wet Tropics permit applications
Kuranda Range Road
Proposed safety upgrade to the Kuranda Range Road The Queensland Department of Main Roads submitted a permit application to the Authority in December 2008 to undertake a safety upgrade of some sections of the Smithfield to Kuranda section of the Kennedy Highway (Kuranda Range Road) within the Area. In March 2009 the Authority issued Main Roads with a permit to undertake the works.
Other significant permit applications Authority staff assessed and issued permits to the following agencies: • Powerlink: for the construction of a double circuit 275/132kv power line from Innisfail to Edmonton • Townsville City Council: to allow for the placement of temporary accommodation for rangers at Lake Paluma • Cairns Regional Council: for the construction of water reservoirs at Majuba and Junction Creeks • Department of Main Roads: to permit construction of an overpass over the North Coast railway at Rungoo, part of the proposed Cardwell Range upgrade of the Bruce Highway.
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Other development proposals Authority staff also assessed a wide range of other development proposals including: • Stanwell’s proposal to reinstate a water gauging station at Nitchiga Creek. A Cooperative Management Agreement was developed and subsequently signed • A proposal by Powerlink to upgrade the Ingham to Tully electricity transmission line • Department of Main Roads design proposals for an upgrade to the Hinchinbrook Lookout at Cardwell Gap • A land owner’s proposal to construct a residence at Home Rule • The proposed construction of a telecommunications tower at Oak Beach • The proposed widening of the Captain Cook Highway at Tin Creek, Wangetti • A proposal to upgrade the Cooper Creek causeway on Cape Tribulation Road
Powerlines along the CREB Track • The Authority continues to provide advice concerning a proposed major residential and resort proposal at Ella Bay, north of Innisfail. This project has been recognised as a development of State significance under theState Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 and is also under consideration by the Commonwealth under its Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Access to the development is through the World Heritage Area and any upgrade would require a permit under the Plan.
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Infrastructure maintenance permits Maintenance permits are issued by the Authority to government agencies, local governments and other service providers within the Area. In 2008–2009 an infrastructure permit was issued to Southedge Daintree Pastoral Company for the ongoing maintenance of Southedge Road. Following local government amalgamations, maintenance permits were re-issued to the newly formed regional councils.
Minor and inconsequential activities Activities deemed to be of minor and inconsequential impact under the Plan do not require a Wet Tropics permit to be issued. Eighteen permit applications were assessed by staff during 2008–2009 and deemed to be minor and inconsequential in terms of the impact the proposed activity would have on the Area’s integrity. These proposals were from: • Telstra to build a new telecommunications tower at Wangetti • Broadcast Australia to erect facilities at Bellenden Ker • QRail to undertake rock stabilisation work above the Kuranda Range rail line • Stanwell to replace the decking of a bridge at Koombooloomba • Stanwell to reinstate a rock wall at Tully Weir • Department of Main Roads to carry out drilling test bore holes at the Rungoo open level rail crossing north of the Cardwell Range Kuranda Scenic Railway • Department of Main Roads for the installation of a culvert north of Rex Lookout on the Captain Cook Highway • Department of Main Roads to install guide rails on the Captain Cook Highway • Cairns Regional Council to replace the Meelele Creek bridge decking • Cairns Regional Council Water and Waste to upgrade the access to Intake Creek which is part of the Daintree township water supply
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• Cairns Regional Council Water and Waste to replace the intake structure at Joyce Creek • Cairns Regional Council Water and Waste for the reinstatement of a concrete pad at the Worth Creek intake • Tablelands Regional Council to upgrade the intake weir at Herberton Dam • Tablelands Regional Council to install intake screens at Herberton Weir and Mt Molloy • Cassowary Coast Regional Council to reinstate a rock wall at Telstra Tower Alexandra Drive, Bingal Bay • a landowner’s proposal to construct a shed at Japoonvale • Burungu Aboriginal Corporation for infrastructure maintenance on the Burungu lease.
Wet Tropics permits issued by the Department of Environment and Resource Management A large number of Wet Tropics permits are issued by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM - formerly the Environmental Protection Agency) which is a permit entity (or delegate) under Part 6 of the Plan. DERM issues these permits under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Authority. The 245 permits issued by the DERM during the year were for the use of motor vehicles on presentation restricted roads and management roads.
Compliance There were several incidents of non-compliance reported in 2008–2009. Subsequent investigations failed to find sufficient evidence to warrant seeking any prosecution.
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Compliance training for QPWS staff Authority staff developed and delivered training to QPWS staff as part of their compliance training.
Land dealings, development referrals and advice Land dealings Responses were provided to requests for information regarding the implications of World Heritage listing on land in or adjacent to the Area, and the management of regulated activities in the Area. Authority staff provided advice to ten separate requests for identification of the World Heritage Area boundary and one request for a review of the boundary. Advice was provided concerning several applications for a reconfiguration of a lot and also for one amended development application. Staff also provided advice to DERM about individual land dealings including three Permits to Occupy, four lease renewals, two proposals for freeholding and two proposed road closures. DERM was also provided with the Authority’s assessment of the conservation significance and potential future use of a number of lots of State land in the area of the Ma:Mu and Djiru Peoples’ Native Title claims. Authority staff also provided advice on the proposed purchase of a lot at Bramston Beach for the construction of a waste water treatment plant.
Referrals under the EPBC Act Advice was provided to the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts about a range of referrals under the EPBC Act associated with urban and rural residential development in the Mission Beach, Innisfail and Kuranda areas. Advice was also provided concerning the proposed construction of water reservoirs at Bellenden Ker and Junction Creek and the Bruce Highway upgrade at the Tully River.
Policy advice Authority staff provided advice to Cairns Regional Council about the future management of the CREB Track (north of the Daintree River) and input to Council’s planning for the proposed Bramston Beach Integrated Water Management Scheme. Advice was provided to Terrain NRM, concerning infrastructure planning issues at Mission Beach and input into the Tully Water Quality Improvement Plan. Staff also provided input into the process to develop a master plan for the Mt Peter area. Authority staff have been developing a draft policy concerning the potential for offsetting impacts on World Heritage values and have participated in a workshop in Townsville that facilitated sharing of information between organisations dealing with the issue. Staff have also
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progressed a review of several Authority policies, including its voluntary land acquisition policy and a review of the Use of Compound Sodium Fluoroacetate (Compound 1080). The draft Roads in the Rainforest Best Practice Guidelines being developed by the Department of Main Roads was reviewed. Input was also provided into the development of an application for Caring for Country funds by Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils for the control of Weeds of National Significance. Authority staff provided conservation advice to: • the Department of Main Roads and QPWS regarding vegetation management at scenic lookouts • Cairns Regional Council concerning traffic calming measures on Cape Tribulation Road • Cairns Regional Council concerning vegetation maintenance on the Bloomfield and Cape Tribulation roads • Cook Shire Council road concerning widening and sealing of steeper parts of the Gap Creek section of the Bloomfield Road • Ergon about the removal of powerlines on the CREB track between the Daintree River and the McDowall Range • Ergon concerning installation of an electricity power line to a residence in the Little Mulgrave valley • Ergon about the maintenance of access tracks • Powerlink about the removal of the Kareeya to Innisfail and Turkinjie to Cairns powerlines • Department of Main Roads concerning scenic impacts of the recent upgrade of the Captain Cook Highway at Red Cliff Point • Department of Main Roads concerning road maintenance on the Rex Range Road, Kuranda Range Road, the Captain Cook Highway, Gillies Highway, Palmerston Highway, Kennedy Highway and Longlands Gap • Cairns Regional Council about vegetation and road maintenance on the Bloomfield Track • Cassowary Coast Regional Council about weed maintenance on the Tully Gorge Road • Tablelands Regional Council concerning tree felling on Black Mountain Road • The Department of Defence about management issues at the Tully Training Area • The Department of Environment and Resource Management about a conservation covenant with Bloomfield Wilderness Lodge • Mareeba Shire Council regarding the Authority’s views on the proposed upgrade at Wright’s Lookout
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• The Department of Environment and Resource Management regarding a proposed water gauging station on the Tully River • Telstra concerning vegetation maintenance at Alexandra Range • A landowner about remediation works in Mason Creek • A landowner concerning the development of a helipad on their land at Shipwreck Bay • The Department of Environment and Resource Management about the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 and any implications there may be for the Dulabed Native Title Claim • Department of Natural Resources and Water concerning the North Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy • Department of Natural Resources and Water concerning the draft Blue Hole Management Plan
Coastal fire on Macalister Range
Weeds and fire Staff contributed to meetings of the FNQ Pest Advisory Forum and District and Regional Fire Management Coordination Committees. The Authority continued to monitor the former Cardwell Shire’s roadside verge rehabilitation program targeting weeds on the Tully Gorge Road. Staff also reviewed action plans for Stevia ovata and pond apple.
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Community conservation Wangetti Recovery Group The Authority has continued to support the recovery plan for the Wangetti Recreation Reserve in the Area between Cairns and Port Douglas. The Wangetti Recovery Group comprises the local Wangetti community, the Yirrganydji Traditional Owners, Cairns regional Council, the Department of Main Roads and Conservation Volunteers Australia. Interpretive information has been installed with picnic shelters at car parks at the northern and southern ends of the beach.
New interpretive display and shelter at Wangetti Beach
Other activities The Authority sought advice from: • The DERM about the impact of road maintenance on nesting birds along Mt Lewis Road • The DERM about the potential impacts of run off from the Collingwood mine tailings dam • The DERM concerning potential impacts on cultural heritage values associated with land management activity at Wonga Beach The Authority requested: • Cassowary Coast Regional Council to consider lowering the speed limit on the Etty Bay Road
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• Cairns Regional Council to consider installing traffic calming measures on Buchanan Creek Road modifying the design of a rock retaining wall at Mirror Bend on the Alexandra Range Road. The Authority provided a grant to James Cook University researchers to continue monitoring the use of infrastructure designed to facilitate the movement of native animals over and under roads in the Area. In May 2009 Authority staff were invited to attend and present at a symposium in Brisbane hosted by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand about more fauna friendly design for linear infrastructure. WTMA staff made a joint presentation, entitled Breaking the Barriers, about the north Queensland experience of developing fauna friendly designs for linear infrastructure, particularly roads. It was presented from the perspective of a regulator, a consultant engineer, a scientist and a consultant ecologist.
Canopy rope bridge across the Palmerston Highway
Green ringtail possum on the canopy rope bridge across the Palmerston Highway
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Knowledge Management Project The Knowledge Management Project brings together data and information needed to develop knowledge products that will improve the standard of management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The data is also used for fulfilling our statutory and other reporting obligations at the State, Commonwealth and international level. Key project objectives include: • effective partnerships with the scientific community and other information providers to assist in information sharing • preparation and effective delivery of reports, maps and other products relating to conservation management of World Heritage values and integrity • development and delivery of State of the Wet Tropics reporting frameworks that enable the objective reporting on the condition of the Area and management effectiveness.
Research partnerships Authority staff participated at the Operations Committee of the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) which is the regional body administering and managing the Federal Government’s investment in the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF). The Authority presented a paper at the 2009 MTSRF Annual Conference, participated at workshops and information sharing sessions, and liaised with individual researchers on specific issues. The Authority also chaired the RRRC Rainforest and Catchments Steering Committee.
Scientific Advisory Committee The Authority continued to support the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). During the year major issues where SAC advice was sought included: • the review of the Wet Tropics Management Plan • the development of an environmental offsets policy • road management issues • endangered ecological communities • fire management • World Heritage governance • wildlife translocations • Caring for Our Country funding submission • research and information needs report • State of the Wet Tropics reporting.
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Wet Tropics Vegetation Mapping Initiative The overall aim of the Wet Tropics Vegetation Mapping (WTMAps) Initiative is to produce a 56 set series of 1:50 000 vegetation maps and associated information and knowledge which describes the vegetation communities of the Wet Tropics bioregion in a readily accessible and user-friendly format. The WTMAps Initiative commenced in 1998 and has been a significant long term project for the Authority. The Authority achieved several major milestones during the year, including: • final production and printing of a 30 set series of hard copy vegetation maps • research and data gathering regarding individual vegetation communities, including relevant facts and figures about each community (such as distribution, hectare extent within Queensland’s protected area estate and the Wet Tropics bioregion); key threats and values; and relevant management considerations. The Authority is in the process of completing the final production of the full vegetation map series covering the Wet Tropics bioregion. It is anticipated this mapping information and associated field guide will be made publicly available on DVD during 2009–2010.
A section of the Wet Tropics vegetation maps
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State of the Wet Tropics reporting The Authority introduced a new Wet Tropics Reporting System during 2007–2008. The system adopted a three tiered approach as follows: 1. A six yearly Periodic Report for UNESCO 2. A three yearly Wet Tropics Report Card sequenced to complement the six yearly Periodic Report cycle 3. A themed State of the Wet Tropics Report to meet the Authority’s annual statutory reporting obligations under section 63(1)(c) of Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Protections and Management Act 1993 and section 10 of the Commonwealth’s Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Conservation Act 1994. In September 2008 the Authority completed and tabled its first theme- based State of the Wet Tropics Report. The 2007–2008 theme was Climate Change. The 2008–2009 State of the Wet Tropics Report, which is included with this Annual Report, is the first of the three-yearly Wet Tropics Report Cards. The report is aimed at providing a snapshot of the condition of, and pressures on the Area from a sub-biogeographic regional perspective.
Geographic Information Services The Authority provided geographic information services and products to a varied client base during the year. Clients included local, State and Commonwealth government departments, research organisations, community groups and individuals.
WTMA staff member, Mike Stott, with the Wet Tropics map provided to the C4 Visitor Centre for it’s interpretive display
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Climate Change Project The purpose of the Climate Change Project is to improve climate change information capture from other organisations and to deliver reports and advice of strategic relevance to the conservation management of the Area. One of the longer-term aims of this project is to achieve a more integrated and connected natural landscape in the Wet Tropics. This will enhance the resilience of its internationally outstanding biodiversity to cope with the emerging impacts of climate change. It is hoped to achieve the goal of minimising the negative impacts of climate change on the region’s biodiversity by maximising the capacity of its species and ecosystems to adapt to future climate change.
State of the Wet Tropics Report 2008–2009 The Authority’s research staff authored Climate Change in the Wet Tropics – Impacts and Responses. This report identifies the likely range and intensity of impacts on the natural values of the Area and adaptation options and strategies to proactively deal with the threats to these natural values.
Climate change modelling and impact prediction The Climate Change Project is supporting research into more reliable regional climate change impact predictions on biodiversity in the Area through collaboration with CSIRO and James Cook University (JCU). These partnership arrangements have been facilitated through: • A Smart State co-sponsor role in the Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change based at JCU • A research partner role in CSIRO Atherton’s MTSRF funded Climate Change project
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• Sponsoring a workshop: Predicting climate change impacts on biodiversity – the way forward (see below) • Supporting, as an industry partner, the successful bid in October 2008 by JCU to host the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility – Terrestrial Biodiversity Hub in Townsville.
Climate change impact monitoring and reporting The Authority is keen to establish the Area as a benchmark for the early detection of the impacts of climate change on tropical forests generally. This is being achieved through partnership arrangements with CSIRO and JCU in monitoring climate change impacts in the Area through the establishment and regular measurement of a comprehensive network of biodiversity and climate monitoring plots. The Authority also collaborated as an institutional partner in the successful bid by JCU and CSIRO to establish the Rainforest Biodiversity Node of the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy - Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network program. This research infrastructure investment will establish a long-term 25 hectare, fully inventoried, super monitoring plot in the region, incorporating state of the art measuring equipment for climate and other environmental variables. Photo: Mike Trenerry Lemuroid ringtail possums
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Smart State co-sponsor The Authority is a Smart State co-sponsor of the JCU Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change project – The Impact of Global Climate Change on Queensland’s Natural Environment. Since the commencement of this project the Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change (CTBCC) has been responsible for the installation of permanent weather data loggers at 25 sites. These data loggers measure key climatic parameters including air temperature, humidity, soil temperature, soil moisture, and condensation patterns at 15 minute intervals. These loggers have been in place for over two years, during which time they have taken a combined total of over 1.3 million climate records. At these same sites CTBCC staff and students have carried out over 350 individual bird surveys and 10,000 individual records of birds. Similarly, over 300 reptile surveys, 100 mammal surveys and 200 frog surveys have also been carried out over this period. This project has investigated the vulnerability to extinction of 162 species of Wet Tropics vertebrate animals to climate change. All of the research findings to date are aimed at assessing which species are most vulnerable to climate change and what are the possible scenarios that could increase their resilience to climate change. The newly conceived Vulnerability Assessment Framework (developed by Steve Williams, Luke Shoo, Joanne Issac, Ary Hoffmann and Gary Langham) will facilitate the prioritisation of management resources within the Wet Tropics. This framework will allow managers to more accurately identify priority species, habitats and ecosystems (i.e. those which are most threatened by climate change) and which individual aspects of climate change will most greatly affect them. Limited conservation funds can then be applied in a targeted manner to the individual systems or species in greatest need.
Tully River
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Climate change and biodiversity workshop On 17 to 21 November 2008 the Authority supported the Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change to host an expert workshop: Predicting climate change impacts on biodiversity: the way forward. The workshop involved seven scientists from JCU, ten scientists from other Australian institutions, three international invitees, two WTMA staff and a representative of RRRC. Other organisations supporting the event were The Australian Research Council Network - Earth Systems Science, Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility (MTSRF), Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC), James Cook University and the Daintree Discovery Centre. Topics covered in detail during the workshop included: species and system vulnerability and ways of predicting impacts, spatial modelling, ecological resilience, evolutionary adaptation, physiological tolerances, and evolutionary/biogeographic history and how this information can be used to inform predictions on future climate change. Participants then worked to develop a Vulnerability Assessment Framework in which all important mechanisms were represented and links between mechanisms were established. Photo: Martin Cohen Australian lace-lid treefrogs
Climate change regional partnerships In a joint agreement with the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Terrain NRM, the Authority contributed $10,000 to assist local governments to implement their Cities for Climate Protection programs
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and to report on their land management activities which contribute to adaptation to climate change impacts as part of the Reef Guardian Councils program.
Feral pig
Wet Tropics Management Plan Review The Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 regulates activities which might impact on the integrity of the Area or on its World Heritage values. The Plan must be reviewed every ten years through a process that involves two phases of formal consultation. In 2008–2009, the Authority prepared a draft Wet Tropics Amendment Management Plan (Amendment Plan) and completed the second and final phase of consultation. The Amendment Plan proposes a number of amendments to the current Plan related to, inter alia, management zones, motor vehicle access, community services infrastructure, undesirable plants and animals, restricted activity areas and mining. In accordance with the requirements of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993, the public was notified of the preparation of the Amendment Plan via newspaper notices and mailings to over 700 individuals and organisations. A public information package was also prepared to highlight and explain the reasons for the proposed amendments to the Plan. A total of 35 written submissions were received regarding the draft Amendment Plan by the closing date of 27 March 2009. The Authority undertook follow-up consultation to further investigate some of the concerns raised in submissions received. The next stage is to prepare a final Amendment Plan for consideration by the Wet Tropics Ministerial Council prior to seeking approval of the Plan by Governor in Council.
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Communities and Partnerships Program The Communities and Partnerships Program comprises staff with professional skills in community engagement, indigenous partnerships, communications, tourism and visitor services and the development and maintenance of organisational partnerships. The program includes three main projects: • Indigenous Partnerships Project • Community Engagement Project • Tourism and Recreation Project Through the Communities and Partnerships Program, the Wet Tropics Management Authority works to ensure that the Area is relevant in the life of the community and that, in turn, the community has a say in the management of the Area and has opportunities to contribute towards its protection and management.
WTMA staff celebrating Earth Day by potting up seedlings Indigenous Partnerships Project This project is responsible for Aboriginal community liaison, policy, protocol development, cultural heritage management, native title issues and the implementation of the Wet Tropics Regional Agreement. Members of the project team work closely with Rainforest Aboriginal people, native title representative bodies, local Aboriginal corporations, government agencies and reference groups.
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Successful engagement of Rainforest Aboriginal people in management of the Area yields social and economic dividends for the community, as well as environmental and cultural benefits. This is consistent with key deliverables of the Australian and Queensland Governments to sustain cultures and improve socio-economic well-being by engaging with, and supporting the capacity of, Indigenous communities, organisations and individuals. Appropriate recognition and support provides a platform for improved leadership, governance and operational competencies through capacity growth, education, equitable participation in decision-making, enterprise development and employment.
Positive working relationships and partnerships with Rainforest Aboriginal people Community consultation Community consultations were structured around discrete projects and activities such as the Wet Tropics Plan review, decisions on infrastructure permits and the Blak Roots art exhibition. Consultation activities provided timely and informed advice and information exchange that benefited both Rainforest Aboriginal people and the Authority.
Rainforest Aboriginal News The eleventh edition of the Rainforest Aboriginal News was distributed in December 2008. The theme, cultural heritage, captured stories written by Traditional Owners, project officers from external projects and children from Murray River Upper State School. It featured articles on the cultural heritage mapping projects underway across the region, NAIDOC Day celebrations at Yarrabah and Rainforest Aboriginal owned tourism ventures. Also included was a copy of Girringun Aboriginal Corporation’s DVD, No Wabu, No Wuju, No Gunduy. The Authority supported this DVD about Traditional Owner’s connection to the cassowary with funds for publication. The Authority distributed more that 1500 copies of the Rainforest Aboriginal News.
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Public information The Authority promoted its work with Rainforest Aboriginal people through stalls at the 2009 National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Commemoration (NAIDOC) celebrations in Cairns and at the Cairns Show. Rainforest Aboriginal people were consulted in the production of various Wet Tropics World Heritage Area promotional materials.
WTMA stall at NAIDOC week celebrations in Cairns
Wet Tropics Regional Agreement The Authority continued to implement its obligations under the Wet Tropics Regional Agreement, including arrangements for the appointment of two Rainforest Aboriginal Board directors; facilitation of the Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Committee (RAAC); investment and support to the Wet Tropics Cultural Heritage Mapping Project; research projects for Indigenous cultural indicators, intellectual property and social resilience; and applying consultation protocols with local Traditional Owners on all aspects of the Authority’s business.
Native Title, ILUAs and other agreements The Authority participated in the negotiation and implementation of a variety of Native Title determinations and associated Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) and Cooperative Management Agreements. In this task the Authority seeks to reconcile its responsibility to manage the Area with the Native Title rights of Rainforest Aboriginal people; their cultural obligations to protect and manage lands; and their aspirations for land use, community development and socioeconomic recovery.
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The Authority: • Engaged in ILUA negotiations with Dulabed Malanbarra Yidinji, Jirrbal, MaMu, Djiru and Yarrabah people for tenure and management arrangements over National Parks, State Forest, Deed of Grant in Trust and Unallocated State Land in their respective areas. • Participated in ILUA implementation with cross-agency teams that coordinated planning and on-ground projects in partnership with Traditional Owner organisations, including Mandingalbay Yidinji. In the latter case, the Authority was a member of the Mandingalbay Yidinji Strategic Plan Implementation Committee that coordinated action planning, such as base-line natural resource inventory; development of a management plan; and funding submissions for on-ground management. • Participated in whole-of-government forums to resolve tenure and access, use and management arrangements for the Mona Mona Reserve.
Emmagen Beach, Daintree
Kuku Yalanji ILUA implementation The Federal Court made a Native Title consent determination in 2007 following the registration by the National Native Title Tribunal of 15 ILUAs between Kuku Yalanji people and the State, local governments, grazing and mining leaseholders, Telstra, Ergon and the Authority. The ILUAs include an extensive program of work for the Authority, other Queensland agencies and the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation (JYAC) which is the prescribed body corporate and land trust. The Authority sought to coordinate its specific role of developing community development plans, with the land tenure and management
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work being conducted by the DERM and the community development work being led by the JYAC. Consistent with this objective, the Authority participated on the steering and monthly operations committees and provided advice to the boards of JYAC and Bana Yarralji Bubu Corporation, Regional Managers Coordination Network and Cairns Regional and Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Councils. In addition, the Authority contributed advice for a Cabinet Budget Review Committee submission that led to a grant of funds for use by the JYAC to strengthen its capacity in discharging its role. The Authority also provided advice to the Burungu Aboriginal Corporation and Bana Mindilji Aboriginal Corporation about opportunities for development within the ILUA area. The Authority consulted extensively with the JYAC and other agencies about arrangements for the community development plans (CDPs) mandated by the ILUA. As part of this, it granted the JYAC $5000 to engage the Kuku Yalanji community in preliminary planning for CDPs; facilitated a workshop of the JYAC and government agencies to agree action plan tasks for CDPs and prepared and offered a contract proposal to JYAC to undertake specific tasks. Organisational capability issues within the JYAC limited progress in the preparation of the community development plans. To address this, the Authority contributed to terms of reference and recruitment of consultants to review JYAC organisational capacity and to develop a framework for country based planning. The Authority also completed base-line assessment of infrastructure and roads or tracks within the ILUA area, drafted conservation terms for grazing leases and assessed draft activity guidelines for national parks and nature refuges on proposed Yalanji lands.
The Daintree coast
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National Heritage listing The Authority continued its commitment to the process of assessing the Area for the National Heritage List for its cultural values. The Authority worked closely with the Australian Government to ensure that future consultations regarding the listing process are undertaken across the entire Area. The Authority regularly sought the advice of the RAAC and Girringun Aboriginal Corporation.
Professionally functioning Rainforest Aboriginal organisations Regional Rainforest Aboriginal organisation In response to advice from the Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Committee (RAAC), the Authority facilitated a Wet Tropics Rainforest Aboriginal Leadership Group to review the closure of the former Aboriginal Rainforest Council and to assess and make recommendations on the ambitions of Rainforest Aboriginal people for a regional representative and service delivery organisation for land/sea and cultural heritage matters. The leadership group, with support from the RAAC, established the North Queensland Traditional Owner Land and Sea Management Alliance (NQTOLSMA). The Authority, in cooperation with Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, provided logistical and facilitation support to the alliance.
Delegation from the East Rennell World Heritage Area visiting Mossman Gorge
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Partnerships The Authority contracted or partnered with several Aboriginal organisations, NGOs and government agencies to support the operation of professional NRM organisations, including mentoring and technical and administrative advice. These included: • Support for the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation to facilitate consultation workshops regarding models for a regional Rainforest Aboriginal partnership arrangement (governance, operational, service delivery and brokering capacity). • A contract with Terrain NRM (with governance from RAAC and Girringun) to prepare a discussion paper on options for a regional partnership arrangement for Rainforest Aboriginal people to function at the strategic level for land and sea management and supporting the rights, interests and aspirations of individual tribes/ clans/families and their representative organisations. • Support for Girringun Aboriginal Corporation to share experiences with World Heritage managers from East Rennell in the Solomon Islands as part of the Cairns Training Workshop. • Sponsorship for the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Organisation and Townsville Cultural Centre to host the fifth Annual Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference 2009 in Townsville. The conference aimed at both disseminating information on best practice Indigenous Tourism and providing a forum for the development of partnerships between indigenous and mainstream tourism businesses. • Sponsorship for the Townsville Cultural Centre to launch the Dreamtime Tracks initiative – a collaborative effort on behalf of Rainforest Aboriginal people in the southern region of the Wet Tropics to create tourism marketing and training opportunities necessary for individual business success.
Engagement in the governance of the Area Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Committee (RAAC) The RAAC provided advice to the Board on many issues including the: • Wet Tropics Management Plan review • WTMA project and business planning • FNQ 2031 • Wet Tropics Regional Agreement implementation • Caring for Our Country funding submissions • Australian World Heritage Indigenous Network
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• North Queensland Traditional Owner Land and Sea Management Alliance • The WTMA partnership agreement with the QPWS • The Cairns training workshop for the East Rennell World Heritage Area • Queensland Government Review of Boards and Committees • Cultural Heritage Mapping Project • State of the Wet Tropics reporting • Indigenous tourism.
RAAC committee members at a meeting in 2009
Australian World Heritage Indigenous Network (AWHIN) The Authority facilitated the involvement of Rainforest Aboriginal people in the Australian World Heritage Indigenous Network (AWHIN) enabling Wet Tropics Traditional Owners to meet with and develop strategies and ideas with Traditional Owners from other Australian World Heritage Areas. Four representatives, supported by a WTMA staff member, attended the 2008 National Conference held in the greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, New South Wales. Ms Margaret Freeman, a member of the RAAC, was nominated by AWHIN, along with Mr Hank Horton from the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, to represent the Network on the Australian World Heritage Advisory Council.
World Conservation Congress The Authority sponsored two Rainforest Aboriginal representatives to attend the Fourth World Conservation Congress, Barcelona 2008. The
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representatives, along with an Authority staff member, were members of the Australian working group that facilitated the Indigenous Cultural Action for Biological and Cultural Conservation and Human Well-being combined workshop and attended the World Conservation Congress Forum.
Representatives from the Wet Tropics attending the Fourth World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, 2008 Community Engagement Project The Community Engagement Project aims to inspire the community to actively engage and participate in conservation of the World Heritage Area and to educate the community to appreciate the diverse environmental and socioeconomic benefits of the Area. The project also aims to promote the role of the Authority and its partners in managing the World Heritage Area. The project generates and supports a broad range of products and activities to engage and educate the community, including advisory and liaison groups; educational materials; the Wet Tropics Management Authority website; brochures, books and DVDs; local media stories; regional displays and art exhibitions; and the annual Cassowary Awards.
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Working with the Wet Tropics community Advisory committees and liaison groups The Authority continued to provide executive support for the Community Consultative Committee and the Conservation Sector Liaison Group. Both groups meet quarterly and provide advice to the Authority’s Board. Major issues discussed for the 2008–2009 year included: • fire management • urban and coastal development • FNQ 2031 • Caring for Our Country funding submissions • conservation of the Daintree lowlands • the Queensland Government Review of Boards and Committees • cassowary conservation and research • environmental offsets and nature refuges • feral pig control • World Heritage governance • community engagement practices • roadside clearing and road maintenance within the Area • upgrades on the Kuranda Range Road • EPBC Act referrals and • the review of the Wet Tropics Management Plan.
Graceful treefrog
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Cassowary Recovery Team (CRT) During the year, the Authority consulted with the Cassowary Advisory Group (CAG) and other stakeholders and agreed that the CAG become part of a reformed Cassowary Recovery Team, which had not met for some time. The role of the re- established Cassowary Recovery Team is to share information and coordinate implementation of the Cassowary Recovery Plan that was approved under the EPBC Act in 2008. The CRT will assist in coordinating the work of community, government and research partners involved in cassowary conservation and advise the Board and other authorities as required on cassowary conservation issues. The Authority provides secretariat support. The first meeting of the Cassowary Recovery Team, which supersedes the CAG, was held on 26 June 2009. The Cassowary Recovery Team comprises organisations and individuals active in cassowary research, management and community activities. At 30 June 2009 CRT participants were: Ms Jax Bergerson (Kuranda Conservation) Mr Harry Cassidy (Birds Australia) Mr Dominic Chaplin (Birds Australia) Mr Paul Devine (Cassowary Coast Council) Ms Liz Gallie (Community for Coastal and Southern cassowary Cassowary Conservation) Mr Peter Latch (Dept of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts) Mr Andrew Millerd (Dept of Environment and Resource Management) Mr Clay Mitchell (Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria, Queensland) Mr Tony O’Malley (Terrain Natural Resource Management) Mr Allen Sheather (Daintree Cassowary Care Group) Mr Paul Sydes (Cassowary Coast Council) Mr Shayne Walker (Dept Main Roads) Dr David Wescott (CSIRO Atherton) Mr Russell Wild (Cairns Regional Council) Additional representation from the scientific and Indigenous communities is still being sought. The CAG met on 30 August 2008 and 27 March 2009.The CRT first met on 26 June 2009.
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Major issues discussed by the CAG and CRT during the year included local cassowary conservation activities in the Daintree, Kuranda and Mission Beach areas; cassowary DNA research; the operation of the Garner’s Beach Cassowary Rehabilitation Facility; Mission Beach development; and cassowary road deaths.
Cassowary Awards The tenth annual Cassowary Awards were held at Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park at Smithfield on Saturday 8 November 2008. The Awards were presented by Mr Jim Turnour, Member for Leichhardt, representing the Australian Government, and Mr Steve Wettenhall, Member for Barron River, representing the Queensland Premier, the Hon Anna Bligh. Also held on the evening were the Young Cassowary Awards, now in their fourth year. These awards recognise the work of students and school classes in helping to conserve the Wet Tropics.
The 2008 Cassowary Award recipients
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Twelve Cassowary Award winners were honoured, including two Young Cassowary Awards: • Leonard Andy (Rainforest Aboriginal Culture) for working with the community to promote a vibrant Rainforest Aboriginal culture through education, art, wildlife conservation • Mike Berwick (Conservation) for his many years of passion and determination to conserve the rainforests of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area • Daryl Dickson (Arts) for enhancing our appreciation of Wet Tropics wildlife through her fine art and caring for injured animals • Angela and Peter Freeman (Nature Based Tourism) for their leadership and excellence in presenting and caring for Wet Tropics wildlife and educating the public about World Heritage conservation • Hambledon State School (Young Cassowary Award) for its holistic approach to environmental education • Barbara Lanskey (Community Conservation) for her many years of community leadership and education to conserve and restore Wet Tropics vegetation and wildlife habitat • Stella Martin (Government) for her many years of dedication to community education and enjoyment of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area • Neville Simpson (Education) for his many years of commitment to innovative environmental education in the Wet Tropics • Linda Venn (Unsung Hero) for her passion and enthusiasm in promoting local history, environmental education and enjoyment of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area • Walker Family Tours (Nature Based Tourism) for excellence in educating visitors about Rainforest Aboriginal culture and the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area • Steve Williams (Science) for his innovative research into Wet Tropics vertebrates and the impacts of climate change on the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area • Wonga Beach State School (Young Cassowary Award) for creating a mini wetland habitat within the school grounds.
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Young Cassowary Awards In addition to the two Young Cassowary Awards, several other awards were presented to students and schools in the Wet Tropics region: • Middle School, Kuranda District College (Outstanding Achievement Award) for producing a be-cassowary children’s storybook • Aloomba State School (Continuing Excellence Award) for organising the annual Tilapia Terminators fishing challenge • Heatley Secondary College (Encouragement Award) for the creation of the butterfly garden by The Lepidoptera Club • Isabella State School (Encouragement Award) for the ongoing environmental efforts of the Eco Warriors project.
Top: Isabella State School students with Tjapukai Dancers at the 2008 Cassowary Awards Bottom: Wonga Beach State School, winners of the 2008 Young Cassowary Award
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Twenty years of World Heritage The 9 December 2008 marked 20 years of Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. The Authority celebrated the occasion with numerous promotional items, including a logo, an information brochure, stickers, calico bags, stick on tattoos and various articles featured in local newspapers and magazines.
WTMA staff celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in December 2008.
Art exhibitions The Authority held its first poster competition for schools and received many excellent entries highlighting the perceptions of young artists of the rainforests and wildlife of the Wet Tropics. The entries were displayed at the Cairns Regional Council. Winners received prizes donated by Skyrail and were exhibited at the Cairns Regional Gallery. The Authority also helped to sponsor two art exhibitions. The Blak Roots art exhibition at Kick Arts featured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art depicting their relationship with the World Heritage reef and rainforests. The This is Cassowary Country exhibition at Cairns Regional Gallery featured seven local artists linked to Kuranda Conservation Community Nursery. The artists celebrated the iconic cassowary and expressed their concerns about the future survival of this endangered species.
59 ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009
Community attitudes survey The Authority worked with JCU and the RRRC to analyse and report on over 850 responses to a survey of Wet Tropics residents. The survey results were launched by the Hon Desley Boyle in December 2008 and are available on the Wet Tropics Management Authority website. Overall responses were very favourable with over 92 percent of residents showing support for the World Heritage Area.
Community attitudes survey launch
Climate change activities The Authority produced and distributed a climate change brochure and published Climate Change in the Wet Tropics: Impacts and Responses, a colour version of the 2007–2008 State of the Wet Tropics Report. The Authority also launched its second poster competition in June 2009 in conjunction with GBRMPA, Skyrail and Great Adventures. The Keep It Cool competition promotes education about climate change in Wet Tropics schools.
Visitor centres The Authority gave a $10,000 grant to the Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation to upgrade the displays at the C4 Visitor Centre in Mission Beach. WTMA also designed and sponsored the Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group sign at Malanda Falls Visitor Centre which was launched in September 2008. Artwork of wildlife posters was supplied to Cairns Rainforest Dome for its displays.
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Promotion of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Wet Tropics vegetation posters A set of ten colourful vegetation posters was published in September 2008 for schools, visitor centres and the community. The posters show the diversity of vegetation within the Area and the animals which use different habitats. So far 60,000 posters have been printed and most distributed.
Celebrating the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area The Authority published and distributed thousands of four page brochures which highlighted the special values of the Area and its community benefits.
Wet Tropics website The Authority continued to maintain and expand its extensive website of over 500 pages. Website statistics showed between 45,000 and 55,000 visits to the website each month. The most popular features were Wet Tropics walks, the Rainforest Explorer primary school educational activities and images, the news and issues section, and plants and animals pages.
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World Heritage Area plinths In cooperation with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, four plinths were erected at Mossman Gorge, Barron Falls, Mamu Canopy Walkway and Wallaman Falls to recognise the World Heritage and National Heritage listing of the Area. The plinths were commissioned by the Australian Government and were complemented by a small brochure about the significance of the Area.
DERM Ranger, Rob Stephens, with the World Heritage Area plinth at Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway
Media relations The Authority continued to promote World Heritage issues in the media and the wider community. Media releases publicised the community attitudes survey, the Authority’s poster and art exhibitions, feral deer research, the Cassowary Awards, CREB Track openings and closures, climate change issues and cassowary research.
E–newsletter Publication of the Authority’s first e–newsletter commenced during the year, with the objective of ensuring the Wet Tropics community is well informed about the World Heritage Area and the work of the Authority and it’s partners. Three newsletters were completed for the year with over 400 subscribers.
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Photo library The Wet Tropics photo library was expanded to include over 2,800 photos, which have been catalogued for easy searching and to ensure compliance with copyright and crediting obligations.
Education Newspapers in Education The Authority sponsored the Newspapers in Education (NiE) section of The Cairns Post and The Townsville Bulletin newspapers for the fifth year. As part of its sponsorship the Authority provided four pages of stories and activities in each newspaper throughout the year. This year’s NiE articles promoted the Young Cassowary Awards and the Wet Tropics and Keep It Cool art competitions.
Gordonvale State School with their winning artwork in the 2008 poster competition
Animal athletes A set of ten postcards was produced about the special athletic talents of Wet Tropics animals. These were originally run in The Cairns Post to coincide with the Beijing Olympics and were then produced as postcards for schools and events such as the Cairns Show. They included the striped rocket-frog in the long jump, the amethystine python in the wrestling, and the Victoria’s riflebird in the artistic gymnastics.
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Presentations Authority staff delivered more than 20 presentations about the Wet Tropics and World Heritage management to university, primary schools, TAFE, overseas students and visiting overseas dignitaries during the year.
Information stalls The Authority again held a stall at the Cairns Regional Show in July 2008 and circulated around the grounds with cassowary rider costumes. The Authority also held stalls for the local Envirofiesta, the Cairns session of Queensland Parliament and numerous conferences.
WTMAs stall at the Cairns Regional Show 2008
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Tourism and Visitor Services Project This project focuses on liaison and support for the tourism industry and visitor information centres as the important points of connection with tourists visiting the Area. Tourism provides a very important conduit to present the Area’s values to the wider public. The project seeks to support and raise professional standards and access to quality information and is supported by our production of the Wet Tropics magazine, liaison with tour operators and the tourism industry and our support to visitor information centres. Tourism is an important focus for the Authority. It has the potential to provide local communities with economic and social benefits, as well as benefit the wider Australian economy. It is also one of the key methods of presenting the Area as set out in the World Heritage Convention. Cooperation between the tourism industry, management agencies and the community is essential for the long-term success of tourism. The Authority’s Nature Based Tourism Strategy provides the basis for tourism management in the World Heritage Area. The overall aim is to encourage a dynamic, sustainable and professional nature-based tourism industry in the Wet Tropics. In 2008–2009 the Authority continued to foster cooperative partnerships between the tourism industry, managing agencies, Indigenous people, conservation groups and the wider community in relation to tourism issues.
Tourism Industry Liaison Group The Authority provides support to the Wet Tropics Tourism Industry Liaison Group, which represents industry views to the Board. During 2008–2009, the effects of the global economic downturn on the tourism sector were a common theme for discussions. Major issues discussed in 2008–2009 were: • Walking tracks maintenance and use • The Wet Tropics Management Plan review and its implications for the tourism sector • JCU’s community survey of attitudes in the Wet Tropics Region • RAIN (Research and Information Needs) report • Safety upgrade on the Kuranda Range Road • Review of Boards and Committees report • WTMA 3 year Business Plan • Draft offsets policy • Tourism accreditation • Mossman Gorge gateway • WTMA’s submission for FNQ 2031
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Publications and tourism resources The Authority has continued to cooperate with the Department of Main Roads (DMR) to erect road signs in the Wet Tropics region with the World Heritage emblem. DMR will continue to erect more sign throughout the region. Wet Tropics staff attended visitor centre meetings to familiarise staff and volunteers with the Wet Tropics WHA and as a valuable source of advice about visitor information needs. Visitor centres are an important means of distributing information including the Wet Tropics magazine to visitors to the Area.
Yungaburra Visitor Centre
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Business Management Program
This program principally supports the Authority’s strategic plan goal that the ‘Wet Tropics Management Authority demonstrates excellence in corporate governance and management.’ This is delivered by improvement of the Authority’s contribution to investors, stakeholders and the community by continued development of the Authority’s capability, effectiveness and accountability. There are two projects within this program: Corporate Development and Business Administration.
Lt Gen John Grey AC (Retd), WTMA board Chair and Peter Hitchcock, former WTMA Executive Director, at the Strategic Plan launch
67 ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009
Corporate Development Project The Corporate Development Project aims to ensure the Authority maintains and develops it own capacity and continues to adapt to the changing needs of the Australian and Queensland Governments and the Wet Tropics community. Photo: Tony Kennedy Photo: Tony
Southern cassowary
Organisational reform During the year, the Authority completed a re-organisation that aimed to ensure staffing arrangements reflect the priorities expressed in the Authority’s strategic plan (See Table 1). The Authority now delivers services through three programs: • Planning and Conservation, which encompasses statutory and strategic planning and regulatory activities, research partnerships and knowledge management. • Communities and Partnerships, which encompasses community engagement programs, partnerships with Rainforest Aboriginal people, communications and the development and maintenance of strong partnerships with other agencies. • Business Management, which encompasses finance management, human resources management, office administration and related activities and also WTMA’s corporate development activities such as training, business systems development and development of new sources of investment.
68 Table 1. Wet Tropics management structure
Statutory Committees Wet Tropics Liaison Groups Ministerial Council
Rainforest Aboriginal Tourism Industry Advisory Committee Liaison Group Wet Tropics Management Authority Scientific Advisory Conservation Sector Committee Board of Directors Liaison Group 6 Part Time 1 Full Time Community Consultative (Executive Director) Cassowary Committee Recovery Team
Wet Tropics Management Authority
Planning and Conservation Business Management Communities and Partnerships Planning strategies Land acquisition Policy coordination Public relations Cassowary Awards Legislation Codes of practice Corporate services Community liaison Community liaison Scientific research Management agencies Financial services Education Regional agreement Monitoring and liaison Human resource Promotion and implementation reporting Capital works management interpretation Cultural heritage Information technology Tenure changes Office services Media Inter agency networking Regional integration Cooperative Board support Website Management Permit assessment management agreements agreements Impact assessment ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009
Business systems The Authority is committed to developing and adapting its own capabilities to ensure it maintains capacity to meet the needs of the Australian and Queensland Governments and the Wet Tropics community. Work has progressed on implementing new business management systems that ensure efficient, well targeted allocation of resources and improve the Authority’s accountability to the Board and stakeholders. A strengthening of project management methodologies is a particular feature of these reforms. The Authority’s project management approach encourages clear identification of outcomes, objectives and milestones. It requires purposeful allocation of staff and other resources to organisational priorities and establishes a clear basis for organisational performance management.
Partnerships The Authority regards partnerships with other agencies with roles in environmental management as central to its success in managing the Area. Of particular importance is the Authority’s relationship with the Department of Environment and Resource Management, primarily through the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). The Authority manages its formal relationship with QPWS through an annual agreement. During the year, a new format for the agreement was introduced that emphasises the mutually supportive partnership of the two organisations. Other important partnerships for the Authority include those with: • Terrain NRM which has worked with the Authority in Indigenous partnerships projects, joint development of funding applications and in community engagement. • The Reef and Rainforest Research Centre which administers the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, funding much of the rainforest research in the region. • The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) which, in addition to its heritage policy roles in support of the Authority, coordinates the assessment and issue of permits under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 with the work of the Authority. • Tourism Queensland which, along with Tropical Tourism North Queensland, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, the Commonwealth Department of Resources Energy and Tourism and many regional tourism businesses, assists the Authority in ensuring the Area is appropriately presented to visitors. The Authority understands the importance of coordinating its work with other State and Commonwealth agencies to facilitate efficient and
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effective service delivery to the Wet Tropics community. The Authority’s active participation in the Far North Queensland Regional Managers Coordination Network is an important means of achieving this.
Stakeholder survey Maintaining a close awareness of the needs and interests of Wet Tropics stakeholders is vitally important to ensure the Authority designs and delivers services that are aligned to stakeholder and partner needs. In 2008 an online survey of about 100 people in government, community and industry organisations associated with the Authority yielded valuable information. Some of the key observations from the survey included: • Over 90% of respondents regard the following activities as important or very important for the Authority: –– Providing information about the Area –– Reporting on the condition of the Area –– Advice to Queensland and Australian Governments. • 66% of respondents consider the Authority to be very effective or effective in protecting the World Heritage Area from negative impacts of development or use • 70% to 80% of respondents indicated agreement about positive performance and behaviour of staff against a number of indicators • Only 17% of respondents agreed with the proposition that other land management agencies and private individuals could effectively manage the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in the absence of the Authority. These results and others from the survey along with other sources, will assist the Authority to shape project design and organisational development.
New investments Through its Corporate Development Project, the Authority has been able to secure new investments into projects that contribute to the Authority’s strategic goals. These include: • Funds from the DEWHA to support the East Rennell World Heritage training program. • Funds from the Department of Resources Energy and Tourism to conduct an investigation of tourist accreditation opportunities based on the World Heritage Area. • Funds from the Department of Resources Energy and Tourism to conduct a series of seminars aimed at facilitating Indigenous community participation in Wet Tropics tourism.
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The Authority also worked in partnership with other organisations to make applications for funding under the Caring for Our Country program. These have been unsuccessful in the current round but will provide a basis for future applications under this program.
Strengthening management capacity in the East Rennell World Heritage Area Through its strategic plan the Authority has established an objective of contributing to the capacity of heritage managers in the Asia/Pacific region. This objective will mostly be achieved and funded through partnerships with the DEWHA and AusAid or simular arrangements. The Authority was pleased to have the opportunity during the year to assist the managers of the East Rennell World Heritage Area. From 26 May to 11 June 2009, a delegation from the Solomon Islands participated in a training workshop aimed at building the capacity of Solomon Islanders to manage the East Rennell World Heritage Area. Participants comprised eight members from the East Rennell World Heritage Site Association Committee, the Premier and Provincial Tourism Officer for Rennell and Bellona Provincial Government and three representatives from the Solomon Islands Government. The project was initiated by the DEWHA and funded under AusAID’s Pacific Governance Support Program. The Authority was engaged by DEWHA to deliver key components of the program. This included participation in a scoping mission, development and implementation of a training workshop in World Heritage responsibilities and best practice management and development of an educational toolkit. The Authority also provided support for Girringun Aboriginal Corporation to share experiences with World Heritage managers from East Rennell as part of the Cairns Training Workshop.
Training and development Maintaining and developing the capabilities of its workforce is central to the Authority’s corporate development. Expenditure for staff training, development and attendance at conferences and seminars was $15,152 (this figure excludes air fares and travel allowances). There were six attendances at seminars, conferences and workshops. Themes included climate change impacts on biodiversity, marine and tropical sciences, natural resources and workplace, health and safety. Five staff attended leadership courses relating to coaching, teambuilding and communication. All staff completed DiSC personal profiling as part of organisational team building and the rehabilitation coordinator completed recertification. One staff member is currently participating in a Commonwealth Government Indigenous Leadership Program in Canberra and another is undertaking the Public Sector Management course. The Authority is supporting one staff member to undertake
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university studies in desktop publishing and photography under the SARAS scheme. All new staff were provided with a formal induction. The Authority participated as a member of the Regional Training and Human Resource Network.
Business Administration Project The Business Administration Project delivers the activities of financial management, workforce management, general administration, office services and secretariat support for the Authority’s Board and the Wet Tropics Ministerial Council. The project’s primary objective is to develop and maintain appropriate management information and financial systems for the Authority and to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
Financial management Funding As a Statutory Authority, the Authority’s general-purpose financial statements details for 2008–2009 are incorporated in the overall Department of Environment and Resource Management financial statements. Total funding of $5.7 million for 2008–2009 was provided to the Authority, principally by the Australian and Queensland Governments, and supplemented by other forms of income. The Authority realised an operating surplus of $0.9 million. A summary of the Authority’s operating statement for 2008–2009 is provided in Table 2. The Australian Government’s base allocation to the Authority for 2008– 2009 was $2.7 million. These funds were allocated among the Authority’s programs. The Queensland Government contributed $1.8 million to the Authority. Under the annual Partnership Agreement, these funds were then transferred to QPWS for on-ground World Heritage management services. The Authority continues to encourage the Australian and Queensland Governments to reach a new financial agreement regarding future funding arrangements for the ongoing management of the Area.
Audits No operational audits were conducted in 2008–2009.
73 Table 2. Wet Tropics Management Authority operating statement
Controlled Revenue and Expenses 2008-09 2007-08
REVENUE $'000 $'000
Revenue from Government Payments for Outputs 2,715 2,640 Asset Assumed/Liabilities transferred 0 0 Sub-total Government Revenue 2,715 2,640
Own Source Revenue User Charges 1 (3) Grants and Other Contributions 2,918 2,684 Taxes fees and fines 74 0 Gain on disposal of fixed assets 0 0 Other Revenue 7 5 Interest 0 0 Sub-total Own Source Revenue 3,000 2,686
TOTAL REVENUE 5,715 5,326
EXPENSES $'000 $'000
Operating Expenses Program Business Management 2,838 2,718 Communities & Partnerships 894 915 Planning & Conservation 1,072 1,096 Sub-total Operating Expenses 4,804 4,729
Non-Operating Expenses Depreciation 11 20 Asset Writedowns/Loss on disposal 0 0
Sub-total Non-Operating Expenses 11 20
TOTAL EXPENSES 4,815 4,749
OPERATING RESULT 900 577 ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009
Staffing and contractors Staffing At 30 June 2009 the approved staff establishment of the Authority totalled 28 permanent positions, eight of which were vacant. An overview of the Wet Tropics management structure is provided in Table 1. Details of the Authority’s staffing structure are shown in Table 3.
Contractors Contract staff supplemented staff resources during the year to provide a range of services. These services included consultation and liaison with Rainforest Aboriginal people; Geographic Information Systems services, vegetation mapping, financial and workforce management; recruitment and selection; conservation activities and administrative support. Table 4 shows expenditure on consultancies and contracts for 2008–2009 compared to the previous financial year.
Table 4. Expenditure on contracts
Expenditure ($) 2008–2009 2007–2008 Consultancies by Category * Management 6,000 0 TOTAL 6,000 0
Contract Staff by Program* Business Management 25,850 19,169 Communities and 21,638 36,163 Partnerships Planning and Conservation 90,701 181,224 TOTAL 138,189 236,556
* Excludes QPWS expenses incurred against the Service Agreement.
Workplace health and safety Monthly workplace health and safety inspections were conducted with no significant issues arising. Two workplace incidents were reported during this financial year (both medical expenses only) and no lost time incidents were recorded. Staff training for workplace health and safety is described above.
75 Table 3. WTMA staffing structure, 30 June 2009
Executive Director – SES2
Executive Assistant – AO3
Communities & Partnerships Business Management Planning & Conservation Principal Project Officer – AO7 Manager – AO8 Manager – AO7 Manager – AO8
Project Manager – AO6 Indigenous Partnerships Community Engagement Finance Officer – AO5 Heritage Conservation Knowledge Management Team Leader – AO7 Team Leader – AO6 Team Leader – PO4 Team Leader – PO5
Project Officer – AO4 Project Officer -AO4 Senior Administration Senior Project Officer TO4 Senior Project Officer – AO5 Project Officer – PO2 Officer – AO4
Project Officer – AO4 Administration Officer – AO3 Project Officer – AO4 Senior Project Officer – PO3 Senior Project Officer – AO5 (Identified) Planning Team Leader – PO4
Project Officer – AO4 Administration Officer – AO3 (Identified) Senior Project Officer – PO3
Administration Officer – AO3
Vacant Position ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009
Equal Employment Opportunity All selection recommendations are monitored and reviewed to ensure compliance with the recruitment and selection standard. All appointments complied with the standard and no EEO complaints were received. At 30 June 2009 the Authority had ten females (two temporary) and ten males on staff and eight positions vacant. Table 5 gives a profile of the Authority’s staff.
Table 5. Employment by gender, occupational stream and salary
Employment by gender and occupational stream as at 30 June 2009
Stream Female (%) Male (%) Administration and Senior Executive 8 (40) 8 (40) Service Professional 2 (10) 2 (10) Technical 0 0 Operational 0 0 Total 10 (50) 10 (50)
Employment by gender and salary level as at 30 June 2009
Salary Range Female (%) Male (%) $95,081+ 1 (5) $89,897 - $95,081 2 (10) $81,139 - $87,003 3 (15) $72,015 - $77,583 3 (15) $61,942 - $68,692 3 (15) 1 (5) $53,816 - $61,131 5 (25) $46,070 - $52,546 2 (10) $35,955 - $43,159 Total 10 (50) 10 (50) Overseas travel There were two overseas trips by Authority staff. Mr Nigel Hedgcock, Team Leader, Indigenous Partnerships, attended the Forth World Conservation Congress in Barcelona in October 2008. WTMA is a member of the IUCN and was co-organiser of the Indigenous Cultural Action for Biological and Cultural Conservation and Human Well- Being workshop with international partners. Mr Max Chappell, Manager, Planning and Conservation, travelled to the Solomon Islands in November 2008 as part of scoping mission for an AusAID-funded World Heritage management project.
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State of the Wet Tropics Report 2008–2009
STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Table of Contents
Terms and abbreviations 82 Executive summary 83 1. Introduction 89 Profile of the Wet Tropics 92 Condition of the WTWHA in an historical context 96 Subregions of the Wet Tropics 98 2. Report card assessment 103 Summary of overall condition and trend 103 Climate change 120 3. Opportunities for action 121 A resilient landscape 121 Priority areas 126
Appendix 1 – State of biodiversity 127 State of ecosystem health 127 State of species 130
Appendix 2 – Drivers of change 137 What affects our environment? 137
Appendix 3 – Pressures 142 What causes loss of biodiversity and ecosystem health? 142 Appendix 4 – Responses 162 General responses 162 Specific responses 169
References 175
81 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Terms and abbreviations
bioregion Wet Tropics of Queensland biogeographic region CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation DERM Department of Environment and Resource Management DEWHA Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts EMP Environmental Management Plan EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 IDAS Integrated Development Assessment System ILUA Indigenous Land Use Agreement IPA Integrated Planning Act 1997 JCU James Cook University MTSRF Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility NCA Nature Conservation Act 1992 OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development PSR Pressure – State – Response Qld Queensland QPWS Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service RE Regional ecosystem RRRC Reef and Rainforest Research Centre SLATS Statewide Landcover and Tree Study Terrain Terrain Natural Resource Management The Authority Wet Tropics Management Authority The Act Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 The Area The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area WTMA Wet Tropics Management Authority WTWHA Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area
82 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Executive summary
The Wet Tropics of Queensland was inscribed on the World Heritage List in December 1988 in recognition of the region’s outstanding universal values. It is a region of enormous biological diversity and spectacular landscapes. Its rainforests are the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforests on earth and support many endemic species and ancient plant families. The Queensland and Australian Governments cooperatively manage the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area through the Wet Tropics Management Authority. In turn, the Authority works in partnership Andrew Maclean, with the Department of Environment Executive Director, and Resource Management (principally Wet Tropics Management through the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Authority Service), other Queensland and Australian Government agencies, research institutions and the regional community.
Reporting The Authority is responsible for reporting annually to the Queensland and Australian Parliaments on the state of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. This report fulfils that requirement for 2008–2009. It adopts a report card format, presenting available data on the World Heritage Area and its surrounding region to demonstrate the status of the Area and trends in its conservation management. The report recognises that the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area cannot be managed in isolation from surrounding land use. Accordingly, the report presents data about both the World Heritage Area itself and relevant indicators for the wider bioregion. This report focuses on the biophysical attributes of the World Heritage Area.
World Heritage condition The report shows significant progress in the area of environmental management since the Area was inscribed on the World Heritage list. Laws and strategies have been developed that focus on key environmental areas, such as World Heritage, biodiversity, protected areas, urban and rural development, and water quality. Despite this, there have been increases in some pressures and some aspects of the environment have deteriorated.
83 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Integrity Natural regenerative processes are gradually reinstating ecosystem composition, structure and function in previously logged forests. Many disturbed areas have significantly rehabilitated in the twenty years since World Heritage listing. The extent of cleared areas and vehicle tracks within the WTWHA has been significantly reduced which has also resulted in a reduction in the amount of internal habitat fragmentation. This has resulted in a general enhancement of the integrity of the Area. The rates of habitat loss and habitat degradation in the wider region are slowing but have not ceased. One of the main reasons for this trend has been the introduction of the Vegetation Management Act 1999 which regulates the clearing of land. This Act has reduced land conversion in the region and is leading to passive restoration of natural vegetation in many areas.
Fire Systematic fire planning and management of the open forests and woodlands within the region is progressing on a more rigorous and scientific basis than at listing. However, our knowledge of what constitutes ecologically appropriate fire regimes in the Wet Tropics context is incomplete. The prospect of climate change in the region adds further complexity to the issue of fire management.
Rare and threatened species Rare and threatened species are afforded a higher level of protection than at listing. However, the implementation of species recovery plans and ecosystem repair activities is not being adequately resourced. Limited knowledge of the population, distribution and behaviour of most rare and threatened species is an impediment to effective conservation programs or even basic monitoring of trends in the status of species.
Land tenure Within the World Heritage Area there have been very significant conversions of land to protected area tenures. These offer greater protection to World Heritage and other environmental values and are unencumbered by leases or other use rights.
Infrastructure design and maintenance There have been significant advances and improvements in the design, construction and maintenance standards for community services infrastructure within the Area since listing. Several infrastructure agencies have adopted high standards of environmental planning and management to mitigate risks associated with essential community infrastructure.
84 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Pressures on World Heritage values Although many sound conservation activities, programs and policies are now in place, there remain a number of newly emerging and long- standing key pressures that prevail within the region and adversely affect the condition of the Area.
Climate change Climate change is a major emerging threat to the survival of a large proportion of the Area’s unique biota. Temperature increases have the potential to dramatically limit the distributional range of species presently confined to cooler higher altitude parts of the region. Climate change could also alter rainfall patterns, fire regimes and the frequency of extreme events such as cyclones and droughts. Climate change will interact with most other pressures, increasing the risks posed by weeds, pests and diseases, fire and fragmentation.
Regional population growth An increasing regional population is resulting in an expansion and intensification of urban development and community infrastructure. Regional population growth, urban sprawl and changing land uses outside the Area are resulting in increasing demand for water supplies, road upgrades, electricity supplies and waste disposal. Supplying this increasing demand for community services, while maintaining ecological systems, is a growing challenge.
Vegetation clearing and fragmentation Vegetation clearing and fragmentation of natural habitats outside the Area have the potential to adversely affect the ecological functioning of the Area by severing ecological connectivity, altering hydrological and fire regimes and increasing invasions by feral animal pests and environmental weeds. Internal fragmentation (and its array of impacts on ecological integrity, ecosystems and evolutionary processes) is considered a major threatening process to the World Heritage values of the Area. In recognition of this, wherever feasible and as opportunities arise, obsolete infrastructure has been phased-out, and considerable efforts have been invested in improving management and maintenance practices through the use of codes of environmental practice and detailed environmental management plans.
Pests, weeds and pathogens Invasive pest species, including plants, animals and pathogens, are more prevalent now than at listing and their impact, presumably, more pervasive.
85 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
The rate of spread of alien invasive plants throughout the bioregion is increasing more rapidly than can be managed through existing programmes for their removal. This has significant adverse consequences for biodiversity.
Key messages arising from the report The establishment of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area was a profoundly positive step in the conservation of the region’s outstanding universal values. Inscription of the Area, with associated legislative protection, means that the rainforests and associated ecosystems of the Area are now almost completely protected from direct adverse impacts of development and use. The ecosystems of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area are recovering from the impact of past disturbances. The scars of logging, mining, grazing and other impacts of historical land uses are fading, demonstrating the natural regenerative capacity of the rainforests. Strict limits on any future impacts means that the natural integrity and processes of the forests ecosystems will progressively improve. Environmental management standards have improved over the 20 years since the Wet Tropics was inscribed on the World Heritage list. Rising to the challenge of protecting the values of the Area, many road managers and the electricity supply industry are now world leaders in the field of mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into their operations. The lessons generated from the Wet Tropics build capability for environmental performance elsewhere in Queensland and Australia. Activities and processes arising outside the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area remain the major threat to its condition and values. Climate change, the pressures of population growth, inappropriate fire regimes and pests, weeds and disease are now the primary threats to the condition of the forests of the Area. Effective management of these threats requires that World Heritage managers work in partnership with other regional land and resource managers and the regional community to make progress. The environment of the wider Wet Tropics bioregion is under great pressure. Rapid growth and development of communities between Cairns and Townsville is contributing to increasing demands for land and natural resources. Controls over clearing of ‘least concern’ and non-remnant vegetation remain weak and continuing clearing continues to deplete and fragment ecosystems in areas surrounding the Area, with potentially adverse consequences for the Area itself. The prediction that drivers of change in biodiversity will stay the same or increase means that the Wet Tropics bioregion, like much of the rest of the world, is unlikely to reach the goal of completely halting biodiversity loss in the near future.
86 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
The regional community plays a major role in maintaining and promoting World Heritage values. The involvement of very active local community groups in the Wet Tropics has played a significant role in improving the state of the region’s natural environment. Less biodiversity would exist today had not communities, NGOs and government agencies joined in collaborative programs to conserve biodiversity, mitigate its loss, and support its sustainable use. The region’s ecotourism industry not only showcases and presents the Area but provides very significant economic and employment benefits to the region.
Andrew Maclean Executive Director, Wet Tropics Management Authority
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STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
1. Introduction This is the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s seventeenth annual State of the Wet Tropics Report. The Authority’s first report was prepared in 1992. The aim of this year’s State of the Wet Tropics Report is to provide a broad big picture assessment of the condition of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA) in the context of the entire Wet Tropics’ bioregion (Map 1). The first part of this report (Section 1) provides a very brief profile of the WTWHA and summarises the extent of the major pressures affecting the condition of the WTWHA at the time of its inscription onto the World Heritage list in December 1988. This summary provides a context for the assessment of the current condition of the Area. Section 1 concludes by briefly describing the general reporting framework we have adopted including a description of the subregional units used throughout the report to show and summarise the spatial patterns of the various indicators. The assessment (Section 2) takes a report card approach and examines the condition of the WTWHA within the context of the surrounding bioregion. It does this by firstly assessing the overall landscape health of each Wet Tropics subregion using a continental approach. By using this national methodology, the ecological condition of each Wet Tropics subregion can be assessed on a comparative basis to other Australian subregions. This indicates the relative magnitude and spatial pattern of the surrounding external drivers of environmental change potentially affecting the WTWHA. The second part of the assessment focuses only on the area inside the boundary of the WTWHA and an array of internal environmental pressures. These pressures have been separated into five groups with indicators reflecting: 1. internal fragmentation and habitat loss within the WTWHA 2. areas within the WTWHA identified as at high risk from pests, diseases and other potential impacts 3. threatened ecosystems and species within the WTWHA 4. pressures on freshwater systems inside the WTWHA 5. threats to WTWHA upland summit areas. The internal WTWHA assessment is summarised in a series of maps depicting the overall rank contribution that each subregion contributes to each of the individual pressure indicators used.
89 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Section 3 of the report outlines a range of opportunities for action that could be taken at a regional level to mitigate and better manage issues which emerged from the assessment process. The supporting data and information which forms the basis of the current assessment is located in four Appendices which describe in greater detail: • the current state of the Area (Appendix 1) • the main drivers of change (Appendix 2) • the main pressures affecting the WTWHA (Appendix 3) • the range of responses employed to deal with these environmental pressures (Appendix 4). The report is intended to inform community members and decision makers to help improve management of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. Although this report focuses on the natural environment, the underlying theme is the interdependence of the natural environment, human well-being and the regional economy.
Lower Barron River
90 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Map 1. Boundaries of the Wet Tropics bioregion and the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area
91 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Profile of the Wet Tropics Queensland’s Wet Tropics bioregion is unusual in the Australian context because of its high rainfall. However, it is also renowned for its biological diversity, spectacular scenery, Aboriginal cultures and economic productivity. Because of these features, the region is seen as a desirable place to live, visit and invest in. As a result, human activity is increasing, which in turn places increasing pressures on the environment. The Wet Tropics bioregion (Map 1) is one of 85 bioregions in Australia [21]. It covers approximately two million hectares and includes the entire Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (894,420ha). The Wet Tropics is located adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. About 230,000 people live in the region [62]. Most human activities in one way or another depend on the region’s natural environment, whether it be the environmental values that attract and support a major ecotourism industry; or whether it is the climate that supports tropical agriculture. Each year nearly two million domestic visitors and one million international visitors come to the region, directly supporting tourism businesses, and indirectly supporting a substantial part of the regional economy. Tourism is by far the major source of revenue and total visitor expenditure exceeds two billion dollars annually [33]. The estimated regional economic impact of Australia’s World Heritage areas was calculated in 2008 [33]. This report found that the economic activity generated through the management of the WTWHA and through visitation to the WTWHA on the region was very substantial and is summarised in Table 1 and Table 2. Table 1. Annual impacts of management of the WTWHA on the regional economy [33]
Direct Production Consumption Total TOTAL Effect Induced Induced Flow-on EFFECT
OUTPUT ($’000) 11,380 3,928 8,139 12,067 23,447 Ratio Multiplier 1.00 0.35 0.72 1.06 2.06 INCOME ($’000) 7,219 1,029 2,333 3,361 10,580 Ratio Multiplier 1.00 0.14 0.32 0.47 1.47 VALUE-ADDED ($’000) 7,446 1,722 4,290 6,012 13,458 Ratio Multiplier 1.00 0.23 0.58 0.81 1.81 EMPLOYEES (no.) 180 16 44 60 240 Ratio Multiplier 1.00 0.09 0.24 0.34 1.34
92 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Management of the WTWHA was found to contribute: • $23.5 million in annual direct and indirect output or business turnover • $13.5 million in annual direct and indirect value added • $10.6 million in annual direct and indirect household income and • 240 direct and indirect jobs. Table 2. Annual impacts of visitors to the WTWHA on the regional economy [33]
Direct Production Consumption Total TOTAL Effect Induced Induced Flow-on EFFECT
OUTPUT ($’000) 1,190,817 400,384 466,779 867,163 2,057,980 Ratio Multiplier 1.00 0.34 0.39 0.73 1.73 INCOME ($’000) 354,834 118,193 133,777 251,970 606,804 Ratio Multiplier 1.00 0.33 0.38 0.71 1.71 VALUE-ADDED ($’000) 509,518 171,535 246,055 417,590 927,108 Ratio Multiplier 1.00 0.34 0.48 0.82 1.82 EMPLOYEES (no.) 8,807 2,019 2,525 4,544 13,351 Ratio Multiplier 1.00 0.23 0.29 0.52 1.52
Visitation to the WTWHA was found to contribute: • $2,058 million in annual direct and indirect output or business turnover; • $927 million in annual direct and indirect value added; • $606 million in annual direct and indirect household income • 13,351 direct and indirect jobs. The biodiversity of the WTWHA is also an important source of numerous direct and indirect human benefits in the form of environmental goods and services. Table 3 lists and categorises some examples of the range of benefits ecosystems provide for human well-being. The WTWHA is also a sanctuary from urban pressures, a place for exploration, and provides the community with a sense of place, cultural identity and spiritual nourishment. Although placing a financial value on these services is complex and contentious, they are nevertheless of enormous value to modern economies and to human health and wellbeing.
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Table 3. Ecosystem goods and services provided by the WTWHA
Environmental values Environmental Community Community and processes regulation services enrichment
• biodiversity • regulation of • clean water supply • tourism • habitats and regional and micro • energy • recreation and refugia climates (hydroelectricity) leisure activities flood mitigation • soil formation and • • shade and shelter • spiritual values fertility • water purification • pharmaceutical and enjoyment • carbon • erosion control and biological • scenic and sequestration • pest control products aesthetic values • biomass • groundwater • horticultural • cultural and production recharge products historical values • art and craft • awareness and • pollination materials education • nutrient recycling • scientific discovery • nitrogen fixing • sense of place and • water cycles identity • genetic resources • fire regimes
The region also has great cultural significance for Aboriginal Traditional Owners. The Wet Tropics consists of a series of living cultural landscapes that have been shaped by the management practices of Traditional Owners for thousands of years. Australia is recognised by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre as one of the world’s 17 mega-diverse countries which collectively harbour 75 percent of the earth’s total biological diversity [3]. Queensland’s Wet Tropics is a megadiverse region and is represented on The Global 200 list [53] which is a collection of the earth’s 200 most outstanding, important and diverse terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. Although representing only 0.013 percent of the earth’s land surface [31], the Wet Tropics, for its size, makes a significant contribution to global biodiversity (Table 4). The high level of regional endemism increases this relative contribution. Table 4. Examples of the Wet Tropics’ contribution to global biodiversity.
Proportion of the world’s total found in Group the Wet Tropics (percent)
Vascular plant species 1.7 Mammal species 2.5 Bird species 3.4 Amphibian species 1.1
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The Wet Tropics only occupies 0.26 percent of the Australian continent’s land surface [32] but it contains a disproportionately large share of its biodiversity (Table 5). Table 5. Proportion of Australia’s species found in the Wet Tropics
Plants % Animals %
Ferns 65 Marsupials 30 Cycads 21 Bats 58 Conifers 37 Rodents 25 Orchids 30 Birds 40 Vascular plants 26 Frogs 29 Reptiles 20 Freshwater fish 42
The Wet Tropics of Queensland was inscribed on the World Heritage list in December 1988. At the time of its inscription, the Wet Tropics was one of only 13 natural World Heritage properties to fulfil all four natural World Heritage criteria and is recognised as an outstanding example of: • Earth’s evolutionary history • On-going biological evolution • Exceptional natural beauty • Habitat for threatened species. In May 2007 the WTWHA was also listed on Australia’s National Heritage List on the basis that it possesses outstanding heritage value to the nation because of its: • Importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia’s natural or cultural history • Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Australia’s natural or cultural history • Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Australia’s natural or cultural history • Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of (i) a class of Australia’s natural or cultural places; or (ii) a class of Australia’s natural or cultural environments • Importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics valued by a community or cultural group.
95 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Condition of the WTWHA in an historical context At the time of its inscription onto the World Heritage list, the condition of the WTWHA ranged from pristine to various stages of regeneration as a result of a range of human activities. Human impact in the Wet Tropics bioregion is relatively low compared to other global tropical forest regions, with a large proportion of the region’s forest cover remaining from the time of first European settlement. The majority of the region’s lowland and basalt tableland forest cover, however, has been cleared for agricultural purposes and large parts of the WTWHA have been affected by logging [43]. Prior to its inscription in 1988, long-term average timber yields from what is now the WTWHA were 63,000 cubic metres per annum from a productive area of 158,000 hectares. Up until listing, therefore, parts of the WTWHA had been subject to a 70 year history of logging of varying intensity [36]. Nevertheless, much of the WTWHA is in an undisturbed condition having been inaccessible to logging [43] or other modern human use. At the time of inscription, clearings within the WTWHA totalled 7,538 hectares [73]. Most of these were associated with the provision of infrastructure for the community and to service the timber and mining industries (Table 6). Linear service corridor clearings accounted for over half this total (4,475 hectares), of which 2,406 hectares are still maintained for the provision of community and management access and electricity distribution. Patch clearings accounted for a further 2,733 hectares, the largest contributor (2,129 hectares) being the impoundments associated with three artificial dams (Paluma Dam, Koombooloomba Dam and Copperlode Dam) which were present prior to listing. Edge clearings include narrow slivers of highly modified land which were included within the boundaries of the WTWHA, primarily to produce a sensible management boundary. These clearings and disturbances affect natural integrity through internal fragmentation and edge effect impacts. Other inherited disturbances to integrity include incursions by exotic plants, animals and diseases.
Copperlode Dam
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Table 6. Extent of habitat loss within the Area at the time of listing.
Clearing Type Total Area (ha)
Linear service corridor clearings powerlines 772 roads 3679 railways 22 cableways 2 total linear clearings 4,475
Patch clearings quarries 43 inundation (dams) 2129 recreation areas 45 settlements 120 communication facilities 3 fire degraded hill slopes 105 other 288 total patch clearings 2733
Edge clearings paddocks 197 sugarcane 65 pine plantations 36 orchards and plantations 32 total edge clearings 330
Logging has been a prohibited activity in the WTWHA since 1987 and infrastructure associated with this industry has been phased out. Over 6,500 kilometres (2,070 hectares) of old logging tracks were closed. However, some of these decommissioned roads now form the basis of walking tracks such as the long-distance Misty Mountains Trails. There have been no clearings associated with new powerline or new road construction within the WTWHA since listing. There has been a progressive conversion of land tenures within the WTWHA to national park (from 14% of the Area at the time of listing [43] to 64% in 2007) and a progressive reduction in the area of various lease tenures.
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A statutory management plan for the WTWHA has been in place since 1998. The plan identified 461,620 hectares as being remote from human disturbances and created a zone to ensure its protection. A further 414,372 hectares has been identified as in a mostly natural state and has been zoned to promote its restoration wherever practical or opportunities arise. A further 18,259 hectares has been identified which accommodates existing infrastructure needed for community services. Such areas have been zoned and regulated to ensure that the impact of activities associated with community services is managed to minimise their adverse effects on the integrity of the WTWHA.
Reporting framework As was the case in previous State of the Wet Tropics Reports, this year’s report is based on a modification of the pressure–state–response (PSR) model developed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the early 1990s [52]. This model forms the basis for many state of the environment reports from many parts of the world. The PSR framework states that human activities exert pressures on the environment, changing the state of natural resources. People respond to these changes with policies and actions to prevent, reduce or mitigate pressures and, thereby, reduce environmental damage. Many countries and organisations have modified the basic PSR framework. For example, the Commission on Sustainable Development [14] used a variation where the term ‘driving force’ was used instead of ‘pressure’ to take into account broader social, economic and institutional factors.
Subregions of the Wet Tropics The Wet Tropics bioregion has been divided into nine subregions [35] that are used as the framework for spatial analysis and comparison throughout this report (Map 2). Each subregion has a characteristic climate, pattern of geology and landform, and associated soils and vegetation. Three subregions delineate the major areas of coastal lowlands (subregions 1, 2 and 3 below), a fourth contains a high basalt plateau (subregion 4 below), and the balance contains the extensive hills and ranges that dominate the bioregion (subregions 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 below). 1. The Herbert subregion contains the delta of the Herbert River and the piedmont fans associated with the coastal escarpment between the Cardwell Range and Bluewater Creek. This subregion receives the lowest rainfall of any of the Wet Tropics coastal lowlands and its floodplains are dominated by woodlands. Small areas of dunes occur along its seaward margin and there are a large number of short estuaries with extensive mangrove communities backed by salt plains.
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2. The Tully subregion is also dominated by alluvial plains and piedmont fans, but its rainfall is higher and its vegetation is dominated by forests, rainforests and extensive wetland areas. This subregion contains the largest extent of coastal dune systems in the bioregion and mangrove systems are also widespread. The higher rainfall results in brackish swamps occurring in place of the salt pans characteristic of the Herbert subregion. 3. The Innisfail subregion, extending along the coastal plain from the Cairns to Mission Beach districts, receives similar rainfall to that of the Tully subregion. Unlike the Herbert and Tully subregions however, which are predominantly flat and have catchments dominated by granites and acid volcanics, the Innisfail subregion is gently undulating with low hills and has considerable areas of basalt and metasediments. 4. The Atherton subregion is a tableland area dominated by basalt plains. The older lavas originated from composite or shield volcanoes and are deeply weathered. The younger lavas, which occur in the northern part of the subregion, are weakly weathered, stony and associated with cinder cones. A number of explosion craters such as those at Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine and Bromfield Swamp occur in the central and northern parts of the subregion. Relief is flat to undulating in the north where rainfall is least, while steep land occurs in the south and east where rainfall is highest. Because of the cooling effects of elevation, the climate is subtropical rather than tropical. Vegetation is mainly rainforests with sclerophyll woodland in the drier parts where mean annual rainfall is less than 1,400mm. 5. The Paluma/Seaview subregion encompasses the southern ranges of the bioregion and is separated from the subregions to its north by the Herbert River Gorge. Rainforested areas are separated into three distinct sections – the Mt Lee, Mt Spec and Mt Halifax sections – by open forest and woodlands. The mean annual rainfall for much of this subregion is barely above the rainforest threshold of 1,300 mm and only exceeds 1,600 mm at higher elevations. Much of the Seaview Range section is below 800m but the Paluma Range section is generally above 800m. The geology of this subregion is complex, but the principal rocks are granites and acid volcanics. 6. The Kirrama/Hinchinbrook subregion includes the Cardwell and Kirrama Ranges, Macalister Mountains and the ranges of Hinchinbrook Island. These ranges consist of granites and rhyolites. This subregion is characterised by steep environmental gradients associated with steep slopes, gorges, water falls, shallow rocky soils and a complex pattern of vegetation with rainforest interspersed with tall open forests and woodlands.
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7. The Bellenden Ker/Lamb subregion includes the very wet and cloudy upland and highland granite massifs of the Lamb, Bellenden Ker and Walter Hill Ranges and the coastal outlier of the Malbon Thompson Range. This subregion includes the highest mountain in Queensland (Bartle Frere at 1,622m) and some of the most rugged terrain. Rainfall on the centre peak of Mt Bellenden Ker averages over eight metres, with recorded rainfall intensities reaching 1,140mm in a 24 hour period [63]. Granites dominate this subregion and the vegetation is predominantly rainforest. 8. The Macalister subregion is an undulating tableland bounded by a steep dissected escarpment falling to a very narrow coastal plain. Metasediments characterise this subregion. However, there are several prominent granite peaks which occur along its length. This subregion is the area in which the Great Dividing Range comes closest to the coast. It is a lower section between the more elevated Carbine Tableland in the north and the Lamb Range to the south. Due to its generally low altitude and its alignment parallel to the prevailing winds, this subregion is substantially drier than areas to its north and south, resulting in an eastern escarpment and western fall dominated by woodlands with a band of rainforest in between. This band of rainforest has been termed the Black Mountain Corridor by ecologists or the Black Mountain Barrier by geneticists. 9. The Daintree/Bloomfield subregion is a complex subregion which includes the Carbine, Windsor and Big Tablelands, Mt Finnigan, and the Thornton, McDowall and Black Trevethan Ranges which are all sharply defined granite batholiths that have resisted erosion more than the surrounding sediments which comprise the basins of the Daintree and Bloomfield Rivers. This subregion also includes a narrow coastal plain. Photo: Martin Cohen Green ringtail possum
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Map 2. The nine subregions of the Wet Tropics bioregion (see descriptions in the text).
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The WTWHA covers 45 percent of the Wet Tropics bioregion (Table 7). There is, however, a large variation in the proportion of different subregions protected within the WTWHA, ranging from only five percent for the coastal lowland Herbert subregion to 81 percent for the largely rugged, mountainous Bellenden Ker/Lamb subregion. In general the coastal subregions and the fertile, gently undulating, upland Atherton subregion have been subject to the greatest extent of historical clearing and transformation for agricultural and, more recently, urban development land uses. Table 7. Wet Tropics’ subregions and their level of representation within the WTWHA.
Area Area in WTWHA Subregion % area in WTWHA (‘000 ha) (‘000 ha)
Herbert 220 10 5 Tully 144 29 20 Innisfail 199 43 22 Atherton 168 38 23 Paluma/Seaview 247 100 40 Kirrama/ 268 157 59 Hinchinbrook Bellenden Ker/ 255 206 81 Lamb Macalister 116 54 47 Daintree/ 359 257 72 Bloomfield Total 1976 894 45 Photo: Kerry Trapnell Photo: Kerry Hinchinbrook Island
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2. Report card assessment
Summary of overall condition and trend
Wet Tropics bioregion as a whole A rapid assessment of the relative condition of Australia’s bioregions and subregions was developed as part of the National Land and Water Resources Audit assessment of the condition of the natural resources of Australia. The assessment was jointly funded and supported by the State of the Environment Reporting and the National Reserves System sections of the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) and the National Land and Water Resources Audit. The primary aim of the project was to assess regional differences in the health of landscapes from a natural ecosystems perspective to help guide national initiatives for biodiversity conservation [5]. The assessment procedure allocates continental landscape stress classes that range from one to six (where one is most stressed while six is least stressed). Those subregions which score a five or six are largely areas significantly protected through legislative means, while those registering a two or three are generally those that have been extensively developed. The assessment of landscape health has been applied to all of Australia’s biogeographic subregions [49]. Attributes used to create the continental stress rating (Table 8 and Figures 1a to 1g) include: a. Current extent of native vegetation b. Connectivity of native vegetation c. Percent of native vegetation in land tenures associated with conservative land use practices d. Degree of altered hydrological conditions e. Percent of ecosystems threatened f. Number of threatened plant species g. Number of threatened vertebrate animal species Of Australia’s 354 IBRA subregions [26], 17 have been described as Class 1; 20 as Class 2; 90 as Class 3; 75 as Class 4 while 152 meet the criteria of Class 5 and Class 6 [9]. The initial stress rating is based on the relative classes of vegetation extent, fragmentation, condition and percentage of subregional ecosystems threatened. These attributes are considered the primary determinants of remaining biodiversity in the national assessment. Decision tree tables [9] are then used to determine a subregion’s overall landscape stress score [9]. Attributes described in Table 8 and Figures
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1a to 1g are hierarchical. Those used earlier in the assessment are considered more important and have a greater influence in determining the final landscape stress class in the decision tree table synthesis [9]. Applying this national schema to subregions within the Wet Tropics bioregion it was found the overall state of the region’s landscape health varies between subregions. Areas not within the WTWHA were found to be only in fair condition, requiring significant intervention (Figure 2). The condition of these areas was considered to be in decline due to fragmentation and loss of remnant regional ecosystems, as a result of agricultural and urban expansion. It was found that one subregion received a Class 2 score; three subregions a Class 3 or a Class 5 score and two subregions a Class 6 score (Figure 2) Generally those subregions with the higher proportion of the WTWHA within their boundaries have the higher overall landscape health score. Table 8. Stress attributes and their scoring criteria [49, 7]
Class Attribute 1 2 3 4 5 6
Percent native a. vegetation 0-10 10-30 30-50 50-70 70-90 90-100 cover some connectivity selective unmodified very little associated connectivity Degree of clearing of by significant b. connectivity with major still high connectivity small areas clearing (relictual) landscape (variegated) (intact) (intact) features (fragmented) Percent vegetation in c. 0-10 10-30 30-50 50-70 70-90 90-100 conservation land tenures Degree of moderate changed major moderate minor d. to minor hydrological change change change change conditions Percent of e. ecosystems at 90-100 70-90 50-70 30-50 10-30 0-10 risk Number of f. threatened >49 30-49 10-29 5-9 <5 plants Number of g. threatened >19 10-19 5-9 <5 vertebrates
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Figures 1a to 1g. The colour code indicates the relative landscape health contributed by this attribute – green is indicative of good health, amber moderately healthy but needs attention, and red indicates poor health or high level of intervention required. The criteria for attributes (a) to (g) are described in Table 8 above. Attribute values are modified from the Australian Natural Resources Atlas website [8]).
Subregion A. % Native Vegetation Cover
Daintree-Bloomfield
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook
Paluma-Seaview
Atherton
Innisfail
Tully
Herbert 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Class Figure 1a. Stress class scores for the proportion of native vegetation cover in each subregion [6]. The extent of native vegetation provides a broad surrogate for the spatial extent of ecological disruption within a subregion and is based on the Authority’s regional vegetation mapping coverages.
Subregion B. Degree of Connectivity
Daintree-Bloomfield
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook
Paluma-Seaview
Atherton
Innisfail
Tully
Herbert 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Class Figure 1b. Stress class scores for degree of habitat fragmentation in each subregion. Decreasing connectivity (increasing fragmentation) across a landscape leads to a general decline in biodiversity, particularly of the less mobile vertebrates with more complex habitat or large home area requirements [6].
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Subregion C. % Vegetation in Conservation land Tenures
Daintree-Bloomfield
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook
Paluma-Seaview
Atherton
Innisfail
Tully
Herbert 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Class
Figure 1c. Stress class scores for degree of protected area status for each subregion [6] (note this outcome has updated the data used by the national assessment criteria since the recently completed State Forest transfer process has markedly improved the scores for all subregions apart from the Atherton, Innisfail and Tully subregions).
Subregion D. Degree of Changed Hydrological Conditions
Daintree-Bloomfield
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook
Paluma-Seaview
Atherton
Innisfail
Tully
Herbert 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Class
Figure 1d. Stress class scores for altered hydrological conditions in each subregion [6].
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Subregion E. % of Ecosystems at Risk
Daintree-Bloomfield
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook
Paluma-Seaview
Atherton
Innisfail
Tully
Herbert 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Class
Figure 1e. Stress class scores for threatened regional ecosystems in each subregion [6].
Subregion F. Number of Threatened Plants
Daintree-Bloomfield
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook
Paluma-Seaview
Atherton
Innisfail
Tully
Herbert 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Class
Figure 1f. Stress class scores for the number of threatened plant species in each subregion [6].
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Subregion G. Number of Threatened Vertebrates
Daintree-Bloomfield
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook
Paluma-Seaview
Atherton
Innisfail
Tully
Herbert 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Class
Figure 1g. Stress class scores for the number of threatened vertebrate animal species in each subregion [6].
Subregion Overall Landscape Stress Score
Daintree-Bloomfield
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook
Paluma-Seaview
Atherton
Innisfail
Tully
Herbert 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Class
Figure 2. Overall national landscape stress score for each subregion [8]. The colour code indicates the relative landscape health of the subregion – green is indicative of good health, amber moderately healthy but needs attention, red indicates poor health or high level of intervention required.
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The Innisfail subregion, a coastal alluvial plain which extends from Cairns to Mission Beach, received a poor Class 2 score indicating a situation in which little natural vegetation remains, and that which does remain is under increasing stress from a variety of threatening processes. A Class 2 score places this subregion in an endangered category. There are 37 subregions in Australia considered to be endangered landscapes (17 Class 1 and 20 Class 2 subregions). Most endangered subregions are located in the south-east of the continent and include places such as south-eastern South Australia, much of Victoria and southern New South Wales, the Avon Wheatbelt and Dandarragan Plateau in south- west Western Australia. In Queensland there are several endangered subregions within the Mulga lands, South East Queensland and the Brigalow Belt [5]. A further three subregions received a Class 3 score (Herbert, Tully and Atherton; refer to Map 2 for locations) where natural vegetation remains to a slightly greater extent than the Innisfail subregion, but connectivity is still marginal. Ongoing threatening processes suggests that these subregions are on the edge of major declines in biodiversity. The landscape health decline in Class 3 subregions is considered reversible, but only with concerted effort. Strategic establishment of wildlife corridors and weed and feral animal control is needed to maintain the areas of greatest biodiversity value. Within Australia there are 90 class 3 subregions. At the other end of the scale, three Wet Tropics subregions scored a Class 5 score (Paluma-Seaview, Bellenden Ker-Lamb and Daintree- Bloomfield) and two subregions a Class 6 score (Kirrama-Hinchinbrook and Macalister). Subregions within the two lowest stress classes are considered to be in good health. These lower stress class subregions correspond with those subregions of marginal value to agriculture or pastoralism and which have a large proportion of their area protected within the WTWHA. Relative to other subregions, weeds and feral animals are not yet as great a threat to biodiversity and landscape health. Within Australia 43 percent of all subregions (152 in total) are in the two lowest stress classes [5].
Wet Tropics World Heritage Area A different approach to assessing the relative stress condition of different sections of the WTWHA was undertaken since the continental approach used above results in all subregional sections of the WTWHA achieving a Class 6 score. The approach that has been taken is to produce a summary table of a range of pressures for which there is adequate spatial data (Table 9 and Figures 3 to 7). The raw score for each pressure attribute was then ranked on a subregional basis from one to nine, where one represents
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the subregion least impacted by the pressure attribute while a ranking of nine indicates the subregion most heavily impacted by the pressure attribute (Figure 8). These tables and figures also indicate the relative contribution that maintained infrastructure, threatened ecosystems and species or disease risk makes to the overall assessment. This assessment is not designed to provide an overall landscape health score for different sections of the WTWHA, but rather to provide a picture of the range of different types of internal pressures and risk factors and their spatial distribution across the WTWHA. In conjunction with the continental landscape health assessment described in the section above, which identifies where the major external environmental pressures are likely to be most pronounced, area and issue priorities for investment and action can be targeted. On the basis of this assessment the WTWHA is currently in very good condition with the impact of contemporary uses relatively minor and actions are being taken to progressively reduce the impacts of managed and maintained infrastructure. Photo: Mike Trenerry
White lemuroid ringtail possum
110 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009 0 0 0 2 4 30 47 19 3.4 3.7 4.2 35.1 Tully 1 2 1 9 10 14 1.3 0.3 1.8 199 28.2 10.8 Seaview Paluma- 3 0 3 9 4 22 25 6.2 1.5 262 17.6 11.3 Macalister 2 4 2 58 21 11 3.4 1.2 0.8 13.1 17.1 1455 Kirrama- Hinchinbrook 0 6 0 0 32 24 15 13 2.3 3.4 5.9 33.4 Innisfail 1 0 2 0 0 11 15 10 1.6 5.5 2.2 32.9 Herbert 1 8 4 7 4 0 17 1.2 0.5 11.6 16.7 19.8 Daintree- Bloomfield 8 0 8 8 55 39 10 49 0.8 0.2 13.7 18.6 Bellenden Ker-Lamb 0 2 6 2 0 59 22 32 4.2 1.3 3.9 17.3 Atherton ) 2 Pressure Maintained infrastructure (%) Clearings (%) Phytophthora risk areas (%) All pests - high risk areas (%) Road density (km per 100 km Grazing entitlements (%) Threatened ecosystems (% veg) supply sites Water Threatened spp. (index) sites Tower Pipelines (km) Impoundments (ha) J I F E L B A K C D G H Code 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 4 4 group Indicator Indicator group 1: Habitat loss and fragmentation Indicator group 2: Risk factor pressures Indicator group 3: Threatened species and systems Indicator group 4: Freshwater pressures Indicator group 5: Summit area pressures Indicator group Table 9. Summary table of pressure operating within the WTWHA Table
111 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Daintree-Bloomfield
6 5 4 3 2 1 0 A B
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb 6
6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 A B 0 A B Innisfail
Atherton 6
6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 A B 0 A B Tully
Kirrama 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 A B 0 A B Herbert Paluma-Seaview 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 A B 0 A B
Figure 3. Habitat loss and fragmentation inside the WTWHA Indicator A refers to maintained infrastructure within the WTWHA and relates primarily to linear disturbances associated with access and electricity distribution which are the main causes of ecological fragmentation within the WTWHA. Indicator B refers to the percentage of the WTWHA within a subregion that is cleared. The data presented in the graphs relate to the area inside the WTWHA only which is indicated on the map by a dark, solid colour, not to the area of a subregion external to the WTWHA which is depicted on the map in a stippled lighter shade.
112 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Daintree-Bloomfield
60
50
40
30 Bellenden Ker-Lamb Macalister 20 60 60 10 50 50 0 40 C D E F 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0 C D E F C D E F
Atherton Innisfail 60 60 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 0 C D E F 0 C D E F
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook Tully 60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0 C D E F C D E F
Paluma-Seaview Herbert 60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0 C D E F C D E F
Figure 4. Risk factors inside WTWHA Indicator C: refers to areas within the WTWHA modelled as being at high risk from virulent Phytophthora forest dieback which is the main cause of patch death in the WTWHA. Indicator D refers to the percentage of the WTWHA within a subregion that has been modelled as being at high risk of pest species invasion based upon current patterns and densities of pest species within the bioregion. Indicator E is based upon road density (km per 100 km2) and is considered as a risk factor both from a fragmenting and edge effects perspective but also the greater the degree of access the greater the potential for human presence and activities (both legal and illegal), weed spread, road deaths of wildlife etc. Indicator F refers to the proportion of the WTWHA within a subregion that is encumbered with grazing entitlements of various sorts and is considered a risk factor due to the range of potential environmental impacts associated with this activity. The data presented in the graphs relate to the area inside the WTWHA only which is indicated on the map by a dark, solid colour, not to the area of a subregion external to the WTWHA which is depicted on the map in a stippled lighter shade.
113 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Daintree-Bloomfield
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 G H
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb 35 30 35 25 30 20 25 15 20 10 15 5 10 0 5 G H 0 G H Innisfail
Atherton 35 30 35 30 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 0 5 G H 0 G H Tully
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook 35 35 30 30 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 G H 0 G H Herbert Paluma-Seaview 35 35 30 30 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 G H 0 G H
Figure 5. Threatened ecosystems and species inside WTWHA Indicator G refers to the proportion of mapped regional ecosystems listed as endangered or of concern within the WTWHA. Indicator H is the relative contribution each subregion within the WTWHA makes towards the conservation of endangered and vulnerable species. The data presented in the graphs relate to the area inside the WTWHA only which is indicated on the map by a dark, solid colour, not to the area of a subregion external to the WTWHA which is depicted on the map in a stippled lighter shade.
114 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Daintree-Bloomfield
Code Pressure Value I Pipelines (km) 4 J Impoundments (ha) 0 K Water supply sites 4
Macalister
Code Pressure Value I Pipelines (km) 4 J Impoundments (ha) 262 K Water supply sites 3
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Code Pressure Value I Pipelines (km) 10 J Impoundments (ha) 19 K Water supply sites 8
Atherton Innisfail Code Pressure Value Code Pressure Value I Pipelines (km) 2 I Pipelines (km) 13 J Impoundments (ha) 0 J Impoundments (ha) 0 K Water supply sites 2 K Water supply sites 6
Kirrama-Hinchinbrook Tully
Code Pressure Value Code Pressure Value I Pipelines (km) 2 I Pipelines (km) 4 J Impoundments (ha) 1455 J Impoundments (ha) 0 K Water supply sites 2 K Water supply sites 0
Herbert
Code Pressure Value I Pipelines (km) 10 J Impoundments (ha) 0 K Water supply sites 0
Paluma-Seaview
Code Pressure Value I Pipelines (km) 9 J Impoundments (ha) 199 K Water supply sites 2
Figure 6. Freshwater pressures inside WTWHA Indicator I is the length of water supply pipelines within the WTWHA. Indicator J is the area of artificial lakes within the WTWHA resulting from the construction of dams and the inundation of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Indicator K is the number of domestic water supply off-take sites within the WTWHA. These pressures alter habitat conditions, disrupt natural flow rates, alter water quantity and quality modify aquatic species composition, abundances and breeding cues. The data presented in the tables relate to the area inside the WTWHA only which is indicated on the map by a dark, solid colour, not to the area of a subregion external to the WTWHA which is depicted on the map in a stippled lighter shade.
115 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Daintree-Bloomfield
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 Macalister 3 2 10 Bellenden Ker-Lamb 1 9 0 8 10 L 7 9 6 8 5 7 4 6 3 5 2 4 1 3 0 2 L 1 0 L Innisfail Atherton 10 9 10 8 9 7 8 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 0 1 L 0 L Tully Kirrama-Hinchinbrook 10 9 10 8 9 7 8 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 0 1 L 0 L Herbert Paluma-Seaview 10 10 9 9 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 L L
Figure 7. Summit area pressures inside WTWHA Indicator L is the number of communication tower sites within the WTWHA. Summit and highland areas are a very restricted and unconnected habitat types generally with very high levels of locally restricted and endemic species. These areas are also considered to be at most immediate risk from climate change since species cannot move to higher cooler locations in response to elevated temperatures and many summit areas are reliant on cloud cover and cloud stripping – climate change is causing the altitude of the cloud to rise (100 metres for every 1oC rise in temperature). The data presented in the graphs relate to the area inside the WTWHA only which is indicated on the map by a dark, solid colour, not to the area of a subregion external to the WTWHA which is depicted on the map in a stippled lighter shade.
116 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009 d. All pests - high risk areas (%)inside WTWHA. c. Phytophthora risk areas (%) inside WTWHA. b . Clearings (%) inside WTWHA. a . Maintained infrastructure (%) inside WTWHA. Pressure indicator assessment ‘traffic light’ ranking summary. Pressure indicator assessment ‘traffic light’ 8a to 8l. Pressure indicator assessment ‘traffic light’ ranking summary. Figures Green indicates subregions which contribute the least (lower third) to overall intensity of particular ranking summary. pressure indicator within the WTWHA. Red indicates subregions which make greatest contribution (top third) to overall intensity of the particular pressure indicator within WTWHA. Amber indicates those subregions in mid third with respect to their contribution.
117 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009 h. Threatened spp. (index) inside WTWHA. g. Threatened ecosystems (% veg) inside WTWHA. f. Grazing entitlements (%) inside WTWHA. ) inside WTWHA. 2 Figures 8a to 8l. Pressure indicator assessment ‘traffic light’ ranking summary. Figures e. Road density (km per 100 km
118 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009 Tower sites inside l. Tower WTWHA. Water supply sites k. Water inside WTWHA. Water pipelines (km) j. Water inside WTWHA. Figures 8a to 8l. Pressure indicator assessment ‘traffic light’ ranking summary. Figures . i. Impoundments (ha) inside WTWHA.
119 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Climate change A major concern is the very high risk that climate change poses to the World Heritage Area and the values for which it was listed [75]. Climate changes of the magnitude anticipated will have severe and interacting effects on the values of the WTWHA. We can anticipate changes in the abundance and distribution of flora and fauna. Interactions between organisms, such as predator prey relationships and insect pollination, are likely to be disrupted, creating consequent changes in ecosystem composition, structure and function. Many of the highly-valued endemic species of the WTWHA are confined to the higher, cooler parts of the region. Modelling indicates that, under a 2oC warming, the proportion of the WTWHA with a mean annual temperature of 22.0oC or less will markedly reduce, diminishing the proportion of the Area suitable for these thermally sensitive fauna. This will substantially increase the risk of extinction for high elevation endemic wildlife. Disruption of ecosystems and changed climatic conditions will make the WTWHA more vulnerable to weed and pest invasion. Weed species that may not be able to invade native ecosystems at present may gain a competitive advantage under the warmer drier conditions that are expected. The risk of new vertebrate and insect pests and plant and animal diseases is also likely to increase. The above assessment indicates that a large part of the WTWHA is considered highly vulnerable to pest and disease establishment. Cloud stripping, or fog drip, is a significant source of freshwater in the region. Temperature increases will cause a rise in the altitude of the condensation layer, reducing the area where cloud stripping can occur and diminishing catchment runoff. Reduced stream flows will have ecological impacts but will also reduce the amount of water available for irrigation and urban water supply. Climate change will also compromise other environmental goods and services. For example, if the loss of rainforest values becomes obvious, the World Heritage Area may become less attractive for tourists, creating significant economic impacts in the region. While the outlook for climate change in the bioregion is a cause for great concern, much can be done at the regional level to adapt to the anticipated changes. The most important management interventions will be those that build ecological resilience in and around the WTWHA. A range of management activities aimed at the long-term enhancement of regional ecological resilience was proposed in last year’s State of the Wet Tropics [75] report which had a focus on climate change impacts and responses.
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3. Opportunities for action
This section is intended to identify a broad set of priority options for action. These aim to effect change in the causes of degradation in response to emerging or prevailing environmental problems, as identified in preceding sections and elaborated in greater detail in the appendices that accompany this report. The predictions that drivers of change in biodiversity will stay stable or increase implies that for the Wet Tropics, similarly to the rest of the world, reducing the rates of biodiversity loss will be very difficult. Although the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 provides legislative protection for the WTWHA it has become increasingly apparent that the World Heritage Area must be managed as a core component of the whole Wet Tropics bioregion. Issues such as climate change, habitat fragmentation, weeds, pests and diseases, fire management and the use of water transcend the boundary of the WTWHA and require a coordinated response from the entire community. The long term integrity of the WTWHA is becoming increasingly reliant on cooperative whole-of-region management. The willingness of local governments, landholders, Aboriginal Traditional Owners and the broader community to offer their expertise and participate in conservation and rehabilitation measures will be vital to the Area’s survival for future generations. The long-term survival of a healthy WTWHA depends on actions designed to maintain and enhance ecological resilience across the whole Wet Tropics bioregion.
A resilient landscape Ecological resilience is the capacity of an ecosystem to tolerate or recover from disturbance without ‘collapsing’. A resilient ecosystem can withstand ‘shocks’ and rebuild itself when necessary. For ecosystems to persist in the long term, successful recovery after disturbance is fundamental. Natural systems are characterised by environmental thresholds that, if crossed, may lead to large-scale and relatively abrupt shifts in state, including changes in ecosystem processes and structure [29]. Once a threshold is crossed and a shift in state or a key process occurs, it may be difficult, or even impossible, to reverse the shift. A major benefit of managing natural systems for overall resilience is that it provides the best general insurance against both current pressures and emerging threats such as climate change and other currently unrecognised environmental stresses [75]. Therefore, the best long-term management strategy is to aim for a landscape with the resilience to recover from as wide a range of possible challenges as possible. Factors contributing to ecological resilience include:
121 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
• Biological diversity: Ecological systems with high biological diversity will generally have greater inherent resilience, largely because they will have more diverse responses and capacities available to them. Diversity of habitats also increases the likelihood of some habitats being more resilient to impacts from particular stresses or disturbances. • Connectivity: Connectivity refers to the extent of the connections between populations. The capacity of natural systems to recover after a disturbance, or to reorganise in the face of new or intensified pressures, depends to a large extent on the ability of plant and animal populations and ecological processes to disperse or move across the landscape. • Refugia: Refugia are areas within the landscape where ecosystems are ‘buffered’ from pressures or disturbances that would otherwise result in reduced resilience elsewhere. Refugia serve as secure ‘source areas’ which are important for the replenishment of disturbed populations and serve as stepping stones for maintaining population connectivity across larger scales. Important features of refugia include adequate extent to provide sufficient source populations, and inclusion of a diverse and comprehensive sample of many different habitat types. Conserving or creating greater landscape connectivity between areas rich in biodiversity, in conjunction with refugia, provides greater opportunities for species and ecological processes to recover, re-establish and relocate or to adapt and evolve. The following four broad areas of activity outline a range of practical steps that the region can take to help achieve a more resilient natural environment both in and surrounding the WTWHA. 1. Regional planning, coordination and leadership This activity area will ensure the coordination and alignment of efforts of regional land and environment agencies and private land managers. Such coordination will ensure resources and efforts are appropriately targeted and aligned with agreed priorities. Regional institutions and communities already have the underlying capability to take action against environmental deterioration if supported with adequate resources. Responding to any particular environmental issues is unlikely to succeed if it is done in isolation from other land management activities and other agencies involved in land management. Environmental issues occur at all scales, from species to catchment to landscape scales, and across industries, property boundaries and land tenures. For a regional response to be meaningful, all those affected need to be brought together to deliver integrated approaches to
122 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
natural resource and land management problems. This must involve government agencies, industries and regional communities. Many management responses to environmental issues, such as pest management and creating wildlife corridors, are already being undertaken to enhance Wet Tropics conservation. Such conservation activities will become more urgent and priorities may alter in the light of climate change to ensure additional environmental or socioeconomic benefits. The Authority’s Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy [74] and the complementary Wet Tropics Regional NRM Plan [66] both provide a structured basis and identify conservation priorities for the Wet Tropics bioregion. Implementing these strategies would ensure a common purpose and help coordinate and align efforts and funding opportunities. Similarly, there are a range of recommended coordinated regional actions outlined in the Authority’s Climate Change in the Wet Tropics: Impacts and Responses report [75] which are designed to create a more resilient Wet Tropics landscape. 2. Improving and communicating our knowledge of the natural values of the region and the threats to their integrity Regional research institutions such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and James Cook University (JCU) with support from the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF), are making good progress in understanding the impact of human pressures on the region’s natural environment. More work is needed to improve, refine and communicate current knowledge. There are opportunities to capitalise on regional research capability through establishment of, for example, Centres of Excellence that would deliver information to managers and policy makers to improve management responses. While the Wet Tropics region is recognised as a leader in tropical ecology and rainforest research, there remain substantial gaps in our knowledge of environmental impacts and appropriate responses to these impacts. There is also a need to improve the synthesis and dissemination of information so that it is more relevant and understandable to decision-makers and the general community. Key components of building regional ecological resilience include the ability to generate access and interpret information about environmental impacts and suitable methods for identifying and assessing potential management responses; adequate financial and other resources; and a willingness to adapt. Universities and research institutions have a special role to play in educating and building regional capacity through establishing centres for ecological research and learning, fostering international
123 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
networks of collaborating scientists and institutions, and providing training and career development opportunities for young scientists. The research capability of the region has increased significantly in the last decade. However, there is still a need to integrate this research into the management of threatening processes such as climate change, fragmentation, pests and fire. Monitoring biodiversity, environmental impacts and management responses is critical given managing complex natural systems entails so many uncertainties. Monitoring is necessary to detect population changes and species declines or increases. The biodiversity/climate change monitoring plots which have been established in the Wet Tropics by JCU and CSIRO researchers, in particular, has provided Australia with an opportunity to join a worldwide network of rainforest monitoring plots. The Wet Tropics plot network has the potential to provide the most comprehensive study of biological communities ever undertaken in Australia. They not only provide the baseline for long-term monitoring for a very large proportion of all the species and bioclimates in the Wet Tropics, but also a large proportion of Queensland’s and Australia’s total biodiversity. Improving and communicating our knowledge of the natural values of the Wet Tropics and the threats to their integrity could be enhanced through the greater use of the Authority’s Research and Information Needs for Management report [72] by the region’s research provider community and continued support and funding of the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF), the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) and the continued development of the Australian Tropical Forest Institute in Cairns as an international centre of excellence in research and management of tropical forests. 3. On-ground works to improve forest health The principal means of achieving ecosystem resilience is to build and maintain ecosystem health. Activities which create wildlife corridors, limit further clearing, rehabilitate cleared areas, protect important habitat refuges and manage the threat of environmental weeds, pests and diseases are all measures that will also assist to strengthen the region’s ecosystems against a wide range of contemporary pressures as well as the inevitable impacts of climate change. There are a wide range of actions that can be implemented to increase the ecological resilience of the region’s natural ecosystems. Many are relevant for implementation at both large and small scales, but their efficacy will be increased if they are part of a coordinated effort by all land and natural resource managers. Both the Authority’s Climate Change in the Wet Tropics: Impacts and Responses report [75] and Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy [74] outline
124 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
a range of recommended coordinated regional actions which are designed to create a more resilient Wet Tropics landscape through consideration of issues such as the maintenance and enhancement of landscape-scale ecological connectivity and wildlife corridors, climate change adaptation, species and ecological community conservation, invasive plants, pest animals, diseases and pathogens and fire regimes. 4. Increasing community awareness and mobilising behavioural change Private land managers can make a major contribution to increasing the ecological resilience of the Wet Tropics. Land and environment agencies need to provide leadership by increasing community awareness of the risks of various environmental pressures and assist communities to find regionally relevant ways of responding. Improved land management practices should be supported through technical advice, incentives and appropriate land and resource management policies. Communities must be appropriately engaged in decision-making affecting their own land or public lands such as those in the WTQWHA. Community involvement will be vital to ameliorate the impacts of a range of current and emerging threats to the WTWHA. The Authority, the tourism industry and a range of community groups actively promote public education about the natural values of the WTWHA. Community education promotes the benefits of biodiversity conservation for the community’s quality of life. The Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy [74] advocates cooperative management and community engagement to address pressures on the WTWHA. There is already a strong local culture of conservation and support for the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Areas. Large sectors of the community are already actively engaged in conservation measures such as planting wildlife corridors, wildlife care and weed control. Such activities are not restricted to conservationists and now include such diverse groups as primary producers, the tourism industry, infrastructure providers, Rainforest Aboriginal people and local businesses [74]. Local communities are seen by the Authority as important guardians of their own ecosystems and resources. Education, knowledge acquisition, and the encouragement of voluntary actions in local communities are fundamental in giving the WTWHA a greater role in the life of the community. Participation in policy development, decision-making, and keeping government and the private sector activities in check are also critically important. Private enterprise, such as the tourism industry, as a major user of the ecosystem services provided by a healthy WTWHA, is in a powerful position to influence the causes of environmental change. On its
125 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
own, as well as through partnerships with government and other stakeholders, it can effect change through education and awareness- raising. Clearly, all sectors play important roles in implementing and propagating behavioural and ecosystem change.
Priority areas It is obvious from the assessments covered in this report and its appendices that neither biodiversity nor the pressures that threaten it are evenly distributed across the region. At the regional level, these priority areas include the coastal lowland subregions of Innisfail, Tully and Herbert, in particular, and the upland Atherton subregion. Photo: Julia Cooper
Researchers on Mt Lewis
126 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Appendix 1 – State of biodiversity
State of ecosystem health
Background Regional ecosystems (REs) are vegetation communities that are consistently associated with a particular combination of geology, landform and soil within a bioregion. They form the scientific framework of Queensland’s conservation planning, biodiversity management [23] and vegetation management legislation and guidelines [22]. The Vegetation Management Act 1999 defines ‘endangered’, ‘of concern’ and ‘not of concern’ regional ecosystems.
An ‘endangered’ regional ecosystem has either: a. less than 10% of its pre-clearing extent remaining; or b. 10% to 30% of its pre-clearing extent remaining and the remnant vegetation remaining is less than 10,000 hectares in the region. An ‘of concern’ regional ecosystem has either: a. 10% to 30% of its pre-clearing extent remaining; or b. more than 30% of its pre-clearing extent remaining and the remnant vegetation remaining is less than 10,000 hectares. A ‘not of concern’ regional ecosystem has: a. more than 30% of its pre-clearing extent remaining; and b. the remnant vegetation remaining is more than 10,000 hectares.
Findings Although being Queensland’s third smallest bioregion (so it is harder to reach the 10,000 hectare minimum threshold for many REs compared to the much larger bioregions) the Wet Tropics has a very high diversity of regional ecosystems, with a disproportionately large percentage having an ‘endangered’ or ‘of concern’ conservation status (Table 10). Most ‘endangered’ regional ecosystems have attained their status due to agricultural land clearing outside of the WTWHA and most also have naturally restricted distributions. Regional ecosystems classified as ‘of concern’ include once widespread types that have been extensively developed for agriculture, as well as some open forest systems that are rapidly changing structure and floristic composition due to altered fire regimes. However, a large proportion are designated as ‘of concern’ due to their naturally restricted distribution and small spatial extent of less than 10,000 hectares [27].
127 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Although recent legislation and government policy has significantly increased the level of protection for ‘endangered’ and ‘of concern’ regional ecosystems, these initiatives have not improved their condition. Ecosystems still remain highly fragmented. Outside of the WTWHA, pressure on these areas is increasing, particularly on the coastal lowlands.
Table 10. Summary of the Vegetation Management Act status of Queensland’s bioregional ecosystems [1]
Area No. Regional Bioregion Endangered Of concern Not of concern (‘000 ha) Ecosystems
No % No % No %
1 Northwest Highlands 6,950 43 0 0.0 11 25.6 32 74.4 2 Gulf Plains 21,377 84 1 1.2 17 20.2 66 78.6 3 Cape York Peninsula 11,548 223 1 0.5 97 43.7 125 55.8 4 Mitchell Grass Downs 22,787 54 1 1.9 4 7.4 49 90.7 5 Channel Country 24,594 56 0 0.0 3 5.4 53 94.6 6 Mulga Lands 19,097 65 3 4.6 5 7.7 57 87.7 7 Wet Tropics 1,850 185 18 9.7 134 72.4 33 17.9 8 Central Queensland Coast 1,151 75 9 12.0 43 57.3 23 30.7 9 Einasleigh Uplands 12,808 142 0 0.0 36 25.4 106 74.6 10 Desert Uplands 6,882 77 2 2.6 26 33.8 49 63.6 11 Brigalow Belt 35,158 172 26 15.1 55 32.0 91 52.9 12 Southeast Queensland 8,231 151 22 14.6 75 49.7 54 35.7 13 New England Tableland 341 25 9 36.0 10 40.0 6 24.0
Total 172,774 1351 92 6.8 516 38.2 743 55.0
Of the 18 endangered REs (Table 10), 15 occur on the coastal alluvial plain, four of which are rainforest types, eight are open forest/woodland (sclerophyll) types and three are non-woody wetland types. Of the three upland endangered REs, two are rainforest types (one on basalt, one on alluvium) while the remaining RE is an open forest (sclerophyll) type on basalt. The high proportion of the region’s endangered REs in the coastal lowland subregions of Herbert, Tully and Innisfail, both in terms of absolute numbers or on a percent area basis, is highlighted in Table 11 and Figure 9 respectively. The status of these threatened REs is independent of tenure (Table 12), however on-going losses are largely confined to freehold areas (Table 13)
128 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Table 11. Subregional distribution of endangered, of concern and no concern regional ecosystems as per the Vegetation Management Act 1999.
RE status
Number of REs Subregion Endangered Of concern No concern in subregion
1 Herbert 10 34 11 55 2 Tully 8 30 6 44 3 Innisfail 9 43 9 61 4 Atherton 3 28 12 43 5 Paluma/Seaview 0 30 13 43 6 Kirrama/Hinchinbrook 1 44 16 61 7 Bellenden Ker/Lamb 1 47 14 62 8 Macalister 2 34 7 43 9 Daintree/Bloomfield 7 70 21 98
Figure 9. The areas of threatened regional ecosystems as a proportion of the uncleared areas both inside and outside the WTWHA by subregion.
Subregion Proportion of subregion cleared (%)
Tully
Innisfail
Herbert
Macalister Inside WTWHA within uncleared Daintree - Bloomfield area Outside WTWHA within uncleared Bellenden Ker-Lamb area
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Paluma - Seaview
Atherton
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Proportion of Subregion (%)
129 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Table 12. Remnant vegetation in the Wet Tropics by tenure and VMA status (area in hectares)
Tenure Endangered Of Concern Not of Concern Total
National Park 7,777 122,844 619,017 749,638 Freehold 8,686 46,151 111,920 166,757 Leasehold 5,493 65,406 232,525 303,424 Other tenures 12,714 187,114 860,328 1,060,156
Table 13. Areas of remnant vegetation clearing 2003-2005 by tenure and VMA status (area in hectares)
Tenure Endangered Of Concern Not of Concern Total
Freehold 48 84 373 505 Leasehold 7 13 31 51 Other tenures 9 22 34 65
Aquatic ecosystems in the Wet Tropics The regional ecosystem framework employed in Queensland only considers terrestrial ecosystems. There is no corresponding aquatic equivalent. The Wet Tropics Bioregion has 13 major river systems, most of which drain eastward into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. There are also 30 wetlands of national significance. Wet Tropics freshwater systems contain extremely rich biodiversity. For instance, 80 of the 190 species of Australian freshwater fish can be found in the Wet Tropics. Freshwater systems are a preferred habitat for 30 frog species, 16 reptile species and 73 bird species. Rivers and waterfalls also have scenic and recreational value such as waterfalls, swimming holes and rapids used for rafting. Some freshwater species such as barramundi and eels spend parts of their life cycle in the marine environment. These aquatic values are shared with the adjoining Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
State of species
Background Threatened species are a widely used indicator of the status of biodiversity. The following tables are based on both Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation 1999 (EPBC Act). Rare species are not presently considered threatened, but include species with small geographic ranges or low local abundances, patchily distributed within their ranges, all these attributes place them in a risk category.
130 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Findings While representing only one percent of the land area of Queensland, the Wet Tropics bioregion has the highest number of species considered to be threatened of any bioregion in Queensland. The WTWHA, therefore, plays a very important role in the conservation of many of the listed species. The high proportion of presumed extinct, endangered and vulnerable plants found in the Wet Tropics, compared to the rest of Queensland (Tables 14, 15, 18), reflects the vulnerability, small population size and restricted distribution of many of the region’s locally endemic plants and the pattern and legacy of past forest clearing. The presumed extinct species, in general, have not been recorded for over 50 years. Endangered animals (Tables 16, 17) include seven frog species, seven mammals and seven birds. A further 27 vertebrate species are classified as vulnerable [58]. The decline and disappearance of the region’s frog populations has been catastrophic. Several regionally endemic, upland stream dwelling frogs have not been able to be located for several years. The primary cause of these mass frog mortalities has been attributed to chytrid fungus disease which is widespread throughout the bioregion. A range of other amphibian diseases also appears to be affecting the region’s frogs. It is thought that the region’s cassowary population is declining due to the cumulative effects of loss and fragmentation of lowland habitat and mortality caused by collisions with vehicles. Cassowary fatalities in the Mission Beach district and the Daintree lowlands are of particular concern. Stress, disease and dog attacks are also contributing to human mediated cassowary deaths. Table 14. Vascular plant conservation status summary (NCA)
Status under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act
Group Rare Vulnerable Endangered Extinct Total
Whisk ferns 0 0 0 1 1 Spike mosses 0 0 0 0 0 Club mosses 1 4 4 2 11 Ferns 28 6 5 5 44 Cycads 0 1 0 0 1 Conifers 2 0 0 0 2 Lower dicots 38 0 2 0 40 Higher dicots 157 34 17 5 213 Monocots 52 14 16 2 84 Total 278 59 44 15 396
131 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Table 15. Vascular plant conservation status summary (EPBC Act)
Status under Federal EPBC Act
Critically Group Vulnerable Endangered Extinct Total Endangered
Whisk ferns 0 0 0 1 1 Spike mosses 0 0 0 0 0 Club mosses 4 4 0 2 10 Ferns 7 4 0 5 16 Cycads 1 0 0 0 1 Conifers 0 0 0 0 0 Lower dicots 0 2 0 0 2 Higher dicots 30 5 0 4 39 Monocots 12 13 0 2 27 Total 54 28 0 14 96
Table 16. Vertebrate animal conservation status summary (NCA)
Status under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act
Group Common Rare Vulnerable Endangered Extinct Total
Amphibians 35 11 3 7 0 56 Reptiles 142 17 6 2 0 167 Birds 434 16 13 7 0 470 Mammals 88 12 5 7 0 112 Total 699 56 27 23 0 805
Table 17. Vertebrate animal conservation status summary (EPBC Act)
Status under Federal EPBC Act
Critically Group Vulnerable Endangered Extinct Total Endangered
Amphibians 1 4 2 1 8 Reptiles 6 2 0 0 8 Birds 5 7 0 0 12 Mammals 2 6 1 0 9 Bony fish 0 1 0 0 1 Total 14 20 3 1 38
132 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Table 18. Extinct Wet Tropics plants under Queensland and Commonwealth legislation
Class Family Scientific Name NCA1 EPBC2 whisk ferns Tmesipteridaceae Tmesipteris lanceolata PE EX club mosses Lycopodiaceae Huperzia serrata PE EX club mosses Lycopodiaceae Lycopodium volubile PE EX Ferns Hymenophyllaceae Hymenophyllum lobbii PE EX Ferns Hymenophyllaceae Hymenophyllum whitei PE EX Ferns Hymenophyllaceae Trichomanes exiguum PE EX Ferns Polypodiaceae Lemmaphyllum accedens PE EX Ferns Vittariaceae Monogramma dareicarpa PE EX higher dicots Apocynaceae Marsdenia araujacea PE EX higher dicots Convolvulaceae Argyreia soutteri PE EX higher dicots Lamiaceae Prostanthera albohirta PE EX higher dicots Lamiaceae Prostanthera clotteniana E EX higher dicots Rubiaceae Oldenlandia tenelliflora var. papuana PE higher dicots Rubiaceae Wendlandia psychotrioides PE monocots Musaceae Musa fitzalanii PE EX monocots Orchidaceae Oberonia attenuata PE EX
NCA1 PE = Presumed Extinct category under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 EPBC2 EX = Extinct category under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 In Table 19 the levels of endemism are expressed as the number of species endemic to the bioregion, and regional endemism is the proportion of species that are restricted to the bioregion. Edge species are those that primarily occur in neighbouring bioregions but which have also been recorded as occasionally occurring within the Wet Tropics [70]. The spatial distribution of this vertebrate richness is shown in Maps 3, 4 and 5. These figures show the importance of upland subregions and the World Heritage Area in the conservation of vertebrate biodiversity. Table 19. Summary of terrestrial vertebrate richness for the Wet Tropics by taxonomic class [70]
No. of edge No. of endemic % regionally Taxa No. of species No. of families species species endemic
Mammals 117 9 23 14 12 Birds 338 16 66 12 4 Reptiles 161 35 12 30 19 Frogs 60 5 5 27 45 Total 676 65 106 83 12
133 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Map 3. Relative species richness of all rainforest vertebrate fauna by subregion and inside and outside of the WTWHA [70]
134 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Map 4. Relative species richness of endemic rainforest vertebrate fauna by subregion and inside and outside of the WTWHA [70]
135 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Map 5. Relative species richness of NCA and EPBC listed threatened rainforest vertebrate fauna by subregion and inside and outside of the WTWHA [70]
136 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Appendix 2 – Drivers of change
What affects our environment? In the following two sections the major factors affecting the World Heritage Area have been separated into those described as ‘drivers of change’ and those classed as ‘pressures’. Environmental change is brought about by a number of factors that drive, influence and direct environmental issues. These drivers arise mainly from socio-economic activities. It is the drivers of change that create the demand for resource use, access and community infrastructure that result in activities that place pressure on the natural values of the WTWHA. Most of these processes are strongly influenced by regional development demands, land use and land tenure patterns. The drivers, although originating outside of the WTWHA itself, result in activities or processes either within or outside the WTWHA with the potential to adversely affect the condition of its natural values.
Regional population Background The Wet Tropics is the most populated region in tropical Australia [57] with most of the population living within 50 kilometres of the WTWHA boundaries in the major cities of Cairns and Townsville, smaller coastal towns and the closely settled farming areas of the Atherton Tableland. While Cairns is the dominant social and economic centre of the Wet Tropics region, Atherton and Mareeba dominate the southern and northern Atherton Tablelands respectively. The numbers of non- commercial rural landholders on small holdings has increased greatly in the region, particularly in the ‘sea change’ and ‘tree change’ areas such as Mission Beach and the Atherton Tablelands [11]. The increasing regional population is manifested in an expansion and intensification of urban development, urban clearing and subsequent increases in demand for energy supplies, telecommunication facilities, the upgrading of transport corridors and water supplies. In addition to the growth of population; the pattern of urbanisation is one of incremental sprawl and numerous species of wildlife around these growing population centres are affected negatively by this dual-action process of urban population growth and subsequent urban expansion.
Findings The region’s population grew by over 104,000 people over the 25 year period 1981–2007 (124,600 to 229,297 people) (Figure 10). The region’s population was 229,297 people at 30 June 2007 with a growth rate
137 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
averaging 467 new people each month [62]. Statutory regional planning has identified where increased urbanisation is to occur to cater for this population growth (Figure 11) which is predominantly in the greater Cairns city section of the Innisfail subregion
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000 Population
50,000
0 1981 1988 1991 1996 2001 2006 2007
Figure 10. The region’s population for the 25 year period 1981–2007. [62]
FNQ 2031 Urban Footprint 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 Area (ha) 6000 4000 2000 0 Atherton Bellenden Daintree Innisfail Macalister Tully Ker-Lamb Bloomfield Subregion
Figure 11. The area of land designated as available for urban development in the Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 [17]. (Note: the Herbert, Kirrama-Hinchinbrook and Paluma- Seaview subregions are external to the FNQ 2031 planning area).
138 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Vegetation clearing Background Although the clearing data presented here relate to areas outside of the WTWHA, regional patterns and trends in clearing and land uses surrounding the Area are underlying threats to the long-term integrity of the WTWHA. Some of the associated impacts include loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat; severing of wildlife corridors and reduction in habitat refuges; increased demand for water, reduced water quality and changing water tables; and the introduction and spread of pest plants, animals and diseases. The WTWHA is not one continuous expanse and there is particular concern that clearing patterns may adversely affect the integrity of the Area by severing ecological connectivity between areas of World Heritage. Most of the region’s extensively cleared coastal lowlands are freehold agricultural and urban land. Similarly, the fertile soils and gentle terrain of the basalt tablelands led to their widespread selective clearing from the time of European settlement of the region. Consequently, as most of the well-drained coastal plain and fertile upland basalt plains have already been extensively cleared, even small amounts of additional clearing of these habitat types can have a relatively large impact on remaining regional biodiversity. The richest, most fertile, highest quality habitats were typically cleared first and most extensively. Many mammal and bird species prefer these fertile habitats [13] and, even if the overall level of future clearing is not high, their local populations can be rapidly depleted or even lost. Although the Vegetation Management Act 1999 defines three categories of vegetation: ‘endangered’, ‘of concern’ and ‘not of concern’ it does not categorise vegetation on the basis of how valuable it is to wildlife as habitat. The VMA measure of significance is strictly one of rarity, not habitat value. Although increased rarity makes a stand of vegetation worth saving for that reason alone; it does not mean that vegetation classified as ‘endangered’ is any more or less environmentally valuable as wildlife habitat than vegetation classified as ‘not of concern’. An unfortunate, but common public perception is that only endangered or of concern vegetation is of any environmental importance - whereas all native vegetation, including regrowth is environmentally valuable because all is wildlife habitat.
139 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Findings Historically the pattern of clearing in the Wet Tropics has been concentrated along the coastal plain and in the fertile, gently undulating basalt tableland uplands (Figure 12). The legacy of this historical clearing pattern is that some subregions have suffered heavy clearing while those with lower agricultural potential because of rugged terrain and poorer soils have remained largely intact.
Subregion Percent cleared outside WTWHA
Innisfail
Tully
Atherton
Herbert
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Macalister
Daintree - Bloomfield
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Paluma - Seaview
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Figure 12. The proportion of the each subregion, not within the WTWHA, that is currently cleared
The Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) monitors tree clearing in Queensland using satellite imagery [24]. For the period 1991 to 1995 the clearing rate for the entire Wet Tropics region averaged 3,583 hectares per year, reducing to 1,275 hectares per year for the period 1997 to 1999. Between 1999 and 2001 the average annual clearing rate was 1,069 hectares per year. The rate of clearing continued to decline to 990 hectares per year during 2003–2004 [24]. Unexpectedly, the rate of clearing has been increasing with 1,160 hectares cleared in 2004–2005 and 1,625 hectares in 2006–2007 which was the last year of available data (Figure 13, Table 20). Most clearing in the region is associated with grazing or rural residential purposes (Table 20).
140 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000 Rate of clearing (ha per year)
500
0 1991-1995 1997-1999 2000-2001 2001-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007
Period
Figure 13. Rate of native vegetation clearing from 1991 to 2007 for the Wet Tropics bioregion.
Table 20. Rate of bioregional forest conversion 1997 to 2007 (ha per year) [24].
Rate of Period Pasture1 Crops2 Forestry3 Infrastructure4 Settlement5 Clearing (ha per year)
1997-1999 448 723 - 78 27 1276
2000-2001 733 67 69 108 30 1007
2001-2003 683 188 131 56 21 1079
2003-2004 529 1 381 16 63 990
2004-2005 570 0 490 30 70 1160
2005-2006 700 10 600 150 70 1530
2006-2007 947 79 550 8 41 1625
1Pasture: Cleared for grazing or rural residential purposes 2Crops: Cleared for growing crops 3Forestry: Clearing within State Forests, plantations and native forests 4Infrastructure: Cleared for roads, railways, powerlines or water storage 5Settlement: Cleared for urban development
141 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
In a detailed study undertaken in 2003 on the impacts of land clearing on wildlife in Queensland it was conservatively estimated that land clearing within the Wet Tropics bioregion for the period 1999–2001 resulted in the direct loss of habitat for 54,000 mammals per year [13] and the loss or displacement of an estimated 29,000 birds per year [13] in addition to the destruction of an estimated 350,800 open forest and woodland canopy trees, 383,600 rainforest canopy trees and 251,200 wetland canopy trees [13]. The total area of new clearings within the WTWHA since listing covers approximately 101 hectares. Of this, 85 hectares occurred on Freehold land prior to the commencement of the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998. Most of the remaining 16 hectares was associated with the provision of community infrastructure. This loss amounts to only 0.01 percent of the WTWHA.
Appendix 3 – Pressures
What causes loss of biodiversity and ecosystem health? Pressures causing declines in biodiversity and ecosystem health include climate change, loss, fragmentation and degradation of natural habitat, invasion by introduced pest species, modification of fire regimes and other factors. The relative importance of these pressures differs considerably across different parts of the region. The emphasis in this section, to the extent of available data, is on impacts within the WTWHA itself.
Climate change Background Climate change and its associated impacts are identified as the defining challenge for World Heritage management of the 21st century. The CSIRO has identified a number of possible outcomes based on the results of fifteen different global climate models for the Wet Tropics region [60]. Medium emission level scenario climate projections indicate that temperatures are likely to increase by 0.8°C by 2030 with an uncertainty range of 0.6°C (low emission scenario) to-1.1°C (high emission scenario) (Figure 14). Rainfall is predicted to become more seasonal with a wetter wet season and a longer, drier dry season. Higher temperatures will also lead to higher evaporation rates, which will add to the region’s drier future. Cyclone intensity is predicted to be greater creating risks of more frequent major ecosystem disruption. The El Niño phenomenon is predicted to occur more frequently causing more
142 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
frequent droughts, increasing the risk of bushfire with consequent damage to both rainforests and pyrrhic sclerophyll communities.
3
2.5 Low Medum 2 High
1.5
1
0.5 Estimated increase in temperature (ºC) 0 2030 2050 2070 Figure 14. Climate change models predictions for Cairns’ average annual temperature in coming decades under low, medium and high emission scenarios [60].
With climatic changes of this magnitude it is anticipated that there will be significant changes in the abundance and distribution of flora and fauna and that interactions between organisms, such as predator prey relationships and insect pollination are likely to be disrupted creating flow-on changes in ecosystem composition, structure and function.
Findings Research shows that the biodiversity of the WTWHA is highly sensitive to climate change [44, 41, 69]. The location and extent of rainforests, in particular, is largely determined by rainfall and its seasonality, while the type of rainforest and many of the organisms found within them depend upon narrow temperature ranges. Computer modelling simulations (Figure 15) predict catastrophic losses of Wet Tropics’ locally endemic vertebrate species over the next 50 to 100 years as a consequence of the current trends in climate change [69]. The impacts of internal habitat fragmentation (caused by community infrastructure such as roads and powerline clearings) as barriers to movement and migration are expected to exacerbate this impact, as well as acting as conduits accelerating pest invasions and increasing the risk of fire.
143 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Current +1ºC +3.5ºC +5ºC +7ºC Legend Wet Tropics Bioregion Species richness
1 - 5 Cairns 6 - 10 11 - 15 16 - 20 21 - 25 26 - 30 31 - 35 36 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50
Figure 15. Geographic pattern of species richness of regionally endemic rainforest vertebrates at varying temperature scenarios predicted to 2100 [69].
Quantitative evidence of impacts on species is emerging for high altitude sections of the WTWHA. For example, populations of the lemuroid ringtail possum have declined drastically in the northern part of its range (Carbine Tableland) consistent with climate change modelling predictions [68]. The formation of new ecosystems, abrupt changes in ecosystem structure and functioning, and surprising, unexpected outcomes are likely to become more common. Coupled with the existing pressures on biodiversity, these climate-related complications have become major management challenges. Disruption of ecosystems and changed climatic conditions will make the WTWHA more vulnerable to weed and pest invasion. Weed species that may not be able to invade native ecosystems at present may gain a competitive advantage under the warmer drier conditions that are expected. The risk of new vertebrate and insect pests and plant and animal diseases is also likely to increase. Climate change will also compromise other environmental goods and services. For example, if the loss of rainforest values becomes obvious, the World Heritage Area may become less attractive for tourists creating significant economic impacts in the region. Cloud stripping by high altitude vegetation is a significant source of fresh water in the region. Temperature increases will reduce the area where cloud stripping can occur resulting in diminished catchment runoff. Reduced stream flows will have ecological impacts but will also reduce the amount of water available for irrigation and urban water supply.
144 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Loss, fragmentation and degradation of natural habitats The conversion of natural ecosystems is the most significant cause of declines in ecosystem health. The loss of natural habitat is also generally associated with a range of secondary consequences including the degradation and fragmentation of remaining habitats which result in losses of biodiversity, invasions by pest species and changes in the provision of ecosystem services. The consequences of habitat fragmentation are far reaching, for example, plant and animal species are less resilient when the ecological communities of which they are a part become isolated or reduced in size. Biodiversity is quickly lost from small remnants, and the species that persist become increasingly vulnerable. When the World Heritage Area was listed, it contained community services infrastructure such as roads, dams, pipelines, powerlines, railways and telecommunications towers. Population growth and development pressures have resulted in increased demands for new or upgraded community infrastructure within the WTWHA. Significant environmental impacts are associated with such infrastructure, particularly where the establishment or maintenance of cleared corridors are required through rainforests. Impacts include: • ecological fragmentation • edge effects caused by increased levels of exposure to sun and wind • changes to water cycles and local air temperatures • invasion by exotic weeds and feral animals • a loss of native ‘deep forest’ plant and animal species and an increase in early successional and ‘edge’ native species.
Roads Background The presence of a road alters hydrology, fragments habitat and results in fauna being killed through collision with vehicles. Some native animals avoid roads, resulting in wildlife populations becoming isolated and causing a disruption to seasonal movements and genetic interchange. Roads are also a source of stream pollution and increased sediment load, while road culverts often result in the fragmentation of aquatic habitats and the altering of stream flow patterns. The fragmentary impacts of a road are amplified by vehicular use of the road, which interferes with wildlife activities and behaviour. This may include noise, vibration, movement, dust, emissions and lights. Findings The growing commuter, tourism and freight transport needs of the region are resulting in an increasing demand for the upgrading of many of the region’s main roads, including those with sections within
145 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
the WTWHA. There is also a demand from the tourism and recreation sectors to better maintain some of the public roads where motor vehicle access is allowed under the Plan. There are presently 1,217 kilometres of maintained vehicle roads and tracks in the WTWHA (Table 21). Their distribution and relative density across the region is shown in Figures 16 and 17 which demonstrates that while the Daintree-Bloomfield subregion has the greatest overall length of roads, the Atherton subregion has the greatest density of roads. Table 21. Extent, types and purpose of maintained roads in the WTWHA
Road class and purpose Length (km)
State controlled roads (roads which form part of the State’s road network) 101 Community access roads (local community transport roads) 150 Presentation unrestricted (roads which provide vehicle-based presentation 238 opportunities) Presentation restricted (roads where public access may be restricted and a 230 permit is required) Landholder access (provide legal access to properties in or adjacent 153 to the Property) Management (provide access for management activities including the 345 service of public utilities) Total 1217
Subregion Road length (km)
Daintree - Bloomfield
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Paluma - Seaview
Macalister
Atherton
Innisfail
Tully
Herbert
0 50 100 150 200 250 Road length (km)
Figure 16. Length of maintained roads within the WTWHA by subregion
146 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Subregion Road density
Atherton
Macalister
Tully
Innisfail
Herbert
Paluma - Seaview
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Daintree - Bloomfield
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Road density (km per 100km2)
Figure 17. Relative density of maintained roads within the WTWHA by subregion Although there have been no clearings associated with new roads in the WTWHA since listing, there have been several road upgrades, road widenings and emergency repairs which have resulted in the removal of trees and an increased cleared road footprint, contributing to increased fragmentation of habitat. Additional passing lanes have been constructed on the Cook, Kennedy and Gillies Highways and a major upgrade of the Tully-Mission Beach Road has occurred. Cyclone, flood, landslip and slumping damage has resulted in major repair works being undertaken on the Palmerston, Kennedy and Gillies Highways, the Alexander Range Road and many more minor access roads such as the Mt Lewis Road and the Tinaroo road network within the WTWHA post listing. There is no overall clearing estimate resulting from these road upgrades and major repairs but they would be unlikely to amount to more than 50 hectares.
Electricity supply Background Although power transmission lines are less prevalent within the WTWHA than roads, the clearings associated with them are typically wider, the fragmentation impacts greater and the array of edge effects of a greater magnitude. Clearings associated with powerlines result in the invasion by weed species, especially tall exotic grasses and shrubs. These corridors
147 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
also act as conduits for feral animals, wind and fire into the interior of the forest.
Findings Within the WTWHA are an assortment of electricity supply facilities including three hydro-electric schemes with power stations and associated dams, tunnels and other works, 222 kilometres of power transmission lines, 98 kilometres of power distribution lines, one substation, and various ancillary facilities such as roads, buildings, houses and workshops. Stanwell Corporation, Powerlink and Ergon Energy manage electricity generation, supply and distribution infrastructure and various ancillary facilities such as roads and buildings located within the WTWHA.
Telecommunications Findings There are numerous service providers which maintain telecommunication towers and facilities in the World Heritage Area. These government departments and private companies include Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, the Department of Main Roads, Black and White Taxis, and radio and TV Stations. There are currently 37 communication tower sites maintained within the WTWHA (Figure 18). A tower site might support one or several towers and other associated infrastructure.
Subregion Number of tower sites
Macalister
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Daintree - Bloomfield
Atherton
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Tully
Paluma - Seaview
Innisfail
Herbert
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Number of tower sites Figure 18. Number of communication tower sites within the WTWHA by subregion.
148 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Water supply and storage Background Dams, weirs and culverts result in pressures on aquatic ecosystems by causing changes in natural flow regimes as a result of water extraction and supply. They also result in the direct modification or destruction of natural habitats and act as barriers to the movement of plants and animals within rivers and between rivers and their floodplains. They are also often associated with decreased water quality and quantity and increased colonisation by introduced and exotic animal and plant species. Environmental water flows include both the volume of water flow and the natural variations in water flow that are needed for aquatic plants and animals to survive. Not enough water, or water at the wrong time, can result in a loss of habitat, breeding failure and even death for some species. Water quality can be lowered by increases in nutrients, eroded sediments and pollutants, sometimes combined with reductions in water flows. Water demands for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses continue to increase due to the diversification and intensification of agriculture, regional population growth and increased urbanisation. Use of groundwater resources on the Atherton Tableland is increasing as surface water resources become fully allocated. Studies on the potential for groundwater resources to supplement Cairns urban water supply are ongoing. The effect of increased groundwater extraction on stream recharge, wetlands and other ecosystems dependant on groundwater is still uncertain.
Findings There are three dams in the WTWHA: Copperlode Falls Dam, Paluma Dam and Koombooloomba Dam. The first two supply the urban water requirements of the Cairns and Townsville regions while Koombooloomba Dam provides a water source for hydroelectric power generation. These water impoundments, which were constructed prior to World Heritage listing, cover a total area of approximately 2,000 hectares (Figure 19). Although Tinaroo Dam is located outside of the WTWHA, it significantly affects environmental water flows along sections of the Barron River which are within the WTWHA. Local government authorities have 22 urban water supply intakes within the WTWHA, each with associated pipelines, access roads and powerlines. Water supplies in the Area are managed by corporate entities such NQ Water, Sun Water and Cairns Water as well as by local governments.
149 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Although there has been no increase in the number of impoundments on watercourses inside the WTWHA since listing, there have been the following changes: • five hectare enlargement to the Herberton water supply and • increases in the off-take capacity for the Mossman, Cairns, Mission Beach, Cardwell and Crystal Creek water supplies. The major user of water supplied from sources located within the WTWHA is Cairns City which sources its domestic water from Lake Morris, Behana Creek and six small streams in its southern rural area. Cairns City’s major water supply Lake Morris (Copperlode Dam), with a total capacity of 45,000 ML, provides around 80 ML/day on average and about 110 ML/day during high demand periods. Cairns Water provides water to over 130,000 residents and 58,875 properties. Cairns consumes around 100 ML/day during the heaviest demand periods from September to November. The overall annual water consumption is about 29,000 ML/year [19].
Subregion Area (ha)
Tully
Innisfail
Herbert
Daintree - Bloomfield
Atherton
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Paluma - Seaview
Macalister
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 Area of artificial lake (ha)
Figure 19. Area of water impoundments associated with dams within the WTWHA.
150 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
There are a total of 59 kilometres of water pipelines associated with urban water supplies within the WTWHA (Figure 20).
Subregion Length of water pipeline (km)
Innisfail
Bellenden Ker-Lamb
Herbert
Paluma - Seaview
Daintree - Bloomfield
Macalister
Tully
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Atherton
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Length of water pipeline (km)
Figure 20. Length of water supply pipelines within the WTWHA by subregion.
Grazing Background The grazing of stock is generally incompatible with the goals of World Heritage management. The potential impacts of grazing include: • modifications to vegetation structure and floristic composition of the understorey and ground cover • reduced habitat diversity • trampling of vegetation • compaction of soil • soil erosion and consequent effects on water quality • nutrient enrichment of soil and aquatic ecosystems through excrement • introduction and spread of invasive weeds • alteration of natural fire regimes • impacts of fencing, access roads and other infrastructure.
151 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Findings Grazing under formal tenure arrangements is presently occurring on 26 grazing properties that make up just under eight percent of the WTWHA (Table 22). The relative distribution of these grazing authorities across the WTWHA is presented in Figure 21 and reflects those subregions with substantial areas of non-rainforest vegetation.
Table 22. Number, type and areas of grazing authorities granted over parts of the WTWHA.
Proportion of WHA Latest expiry Type No. Area (ha) (%) date
Occupation licence 3 2986 0.33 N/A Pastoral Holding 6 11783 1.32 2034 Special Lease 12 47853 5.36 2037 Term Lease 5 4486 0.50 2051
Total 26 67108 7.51
Subregion Percent of subregion inside WTWHA subject to grazing leases
Macalister
Bellenden Ker - Lamb
Tully
Innisfail
Atherton
Paluma - Seaview
Daintree - Bloomfield
Herbert
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% Proportion of subregion (%)
Figure 21. Proportion of subregions within the WTWHA available for grazing.
152 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Invasive pest species An invasive pest species is one that has been introduced, by deliberate or accidental human action, into an area in which it did not previously occur and is capable of establishing self-sustaining populations by invading native communities and is capable of causing modifications to native species richness, abundance or ecosystem function. Invasive species include introduced weeds, feral animals, insects and other invertebrates, diseases, fungi and parasites. Invasive species do not only include exotic species but can also include translocated native species. Whilst not all introduced species thrive in their new environments, some do, becoming ‘invasive’, spreading at the expense of local native species and becoming pests which cause significant changes to habitats and ecosystem functioning. Invasive species are usually generalists so they are well placed to adapt to a disturbed or changing environment. They can dominate ecological niches especially when native species are placed under stress. A major management challenge therefore, will be identifying and eradicating species that could potentially become invasive with climate change.
Pest plants Background Most pest plant invasions are closely associated with disturbances caused by human activity. Within the WTWHA, the majority of weeds are associated with boundary edges and infrastructure corridor clearings such as powerline easements and road verges which act as conduits for weed dispersal. Weeds generally compete vigorously with native plants for light, water, nutrients and pollinators and often prevent native species regenerating in disturbed areas. Weeds can affect animal biodiversity by eliminating, reducing or Increasing food supplies, habitat and nesting sites. Weeds also cause other flow-on effects. Some weeds are either more flammable or more fire retardant than the species they displace and can alter the fire patterns of the communities they invade. This may subsequently affect native animals living in those communities.
Findings Within the bioregion 508 exotic plant escapees have become established (naturalised) [65] which represents almost 39 percent of Queensland’s total weed flora. Of major concern is the number of recent introductions of weeds on the Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy’s Weeds Target List [64] which is a compilation of those species considered to pose the greatest potential threat to Australian rural industries and natural environment. The rate and magnitude of invasive plant naturalisation within the Wet Tropics over the last century is illustrated in Figure 22.
153 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
2000-01 506 1990-99 428 1980-89 319 1970-79 265 1960-69 191 1950-59 122
Decade 1940-49 76 1930-39 68 1920-29 26 1910-19 19 1900-09 6 <1900 4
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Cumulative total
Figure 22. The total number of naturalised plant species recorded in the Wet Tropics region during ten year increments [65].
There are a small number of newly emerging weed species of extreme management concern. These include Miconia (Miconia calvescens, M. racemosa and M. nervosa), Mikania (Mikania micrantha), Limnocharis (Limnocharis flava), Koster’s curse (Clidemia hirta) and Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata). Two examples of these weed species of major concern and the current distribution of their known outbreaks within the Wet Tropics are presented below. Figure 23 shows the current known occurrences of Miconia in the bioregion [48]. It has become established in over half of the subregions of the Wet Tropics. Miconia species are aggressive trees and shrubs that have the ability to invade rainforest areas, displace native plant species and affect the habitat of native fauna. Birds are attracted to the fruit, which can be spread large distances from the parent tree. Seeds can persist in the soil for more than eight years. Miconia calvescens has become a major weed in the Society Islands (which includes Tahiti), the Hawaiian Islands and other Pacific islands. In the Hawaiian Islands, this plant is known as the ‘purple plague’ and it is considered the greatest plant threat to the remaining wet forest ecosystems on the islands. In Tahiti, by 1996, Miconia calvescens had become established over 65% of the island (70 000 hectares) in dense stands, with up to 880 trees per hectare [10].
154 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
The main species of Miconia in the region is Miconia calvescens. The only known infestation of Miconia racemosa was discovered near Kuranda, in 2002. The only known infestation of Miconia nervosa was discovered in at Whyanbeel, near Mossman, in 2004.
Subregion Miconia outbreaks
Tully
Paluma - Seaview
Macalister
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Innisfail
Herbert
Daintree - Bloomfield
Bellenden Ker - Lamb
Atherton
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Number of outbreaks
Figure 23. The number of Miconia spp. outbreaks recorded in subregions of the Wet Tropics (one outbreak has been recorded within the WTWHA in the Macalister subregion) [48].
Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) is also considered to be one of the world’s worst tropical weeds due to its quick invasion, easy establishment and ability to smother existing vegetation. Siam weed was first identified in Australia in 1994, as several large infestations along the Tully River and at Bingil Bay near Mission Beach in the Wet Tropics. Figure 24 [61]shows its current area of infestation in the central, very wet, coastal subregions of Innisfail and Tully and the adjoining foothills of the Bellenden Ker- Lamb subregion and the large number of recorded outbreaks despite a concerted control program.
155 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Subregion Siam weed
Tully
Paluma - Seaview
Macalister
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Innisfail
Herbert
Daintree - Bloomfield
Bellenden Ker - Lamb
Atherton
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Number of outbreaks Figure 24. The number of Siam weed outbreaks recorded in subregions of the Wet Tropics (six outbreaks have been recorded within the WTWHA: one in Bellenden Ker-Lamb; two in Innisfail and three in Tully subregions) [61].
Pest animals Background Pest animal species can impact on ecosystems and species by predation, competition for food or breeding areas, pest-induced habitat changes, or the transmission of parasites and other disease organisms. A range of government agencies and landholders are responsible for the control of pest animals in the Wet Tropics. As the principal land manager, QPWS is responsible for the majority of pest animal control in the WTWHA. However, other divisions of DERM and Biosecurity Queensland also assist in the eradication and control of feral animals under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 particularly in the surrounding bioregion.
Findings The current major vertebrate pests in the region include the pig, cat, cane toad, dog/dingo and tilapia. These species rank as high impact due to their current levels of ecological damage and because of the current lack of feasible options to control them [38].
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Although the number of vertebrate pest species (28) has remained stable for several years, their population numbers, distribution and ecological impacts are generally very poorly understood. The populations of some have apparently increased markedly in recent years. It has been estimated that there are about 27,000 feral pigs in the region [51]. Apart from the feral pig, no estimates of feral animal numbers have been undertaken within the region. Qualitative distributional ranking assessments have been made on the basis of perceived high, medium and low density estimates for most species (Figure 25).
Subregion
Herbert
Paluma - Seaview
Bellenden Ker - Lamb
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Tully
Macalister
Innisfail Inside WTWHA (ha) outside WTWHA (ha) Atherton
Daintree - Bloomfield
0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 Area of high risk (ha)
Figure 25. Cumulative total area considered at high risk from all recorded vertebrate pest species in the bioregion based upon the FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils data [2]. The Herbert and Paluma- Seaview subregions lie outside the FNQ ROC region.
Very little is known about the status of invertebrate pest species apart from those of importance to agriculture or which pose a threat to human health. Invertebrate species such as the crazy ant, electric ant, Asian honey bee, papaya fruit fly, palm leaf beetle and spiralling white fly have all been recognised as potential threats to the integrity of the WTWHA. Agricultural pest control operations may have serious implications for the WTWHA if the pest species also becomes established in the forests of the World Heritage Area.
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The Authority’s Conservation Strategy [74] identified feral deer as a major emerging threat needing to be tackled before it becomes established in the region. Several deer species have recently established feral populations in the region and have demonstrated a capacity to breed rapidly and to cause significant environmental damage. The Queensland government recently declared deer as pest animals under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act. Tilapia, an introduced fish, is rapidly invading many of the region’s major rivers, streams and water storages, possibly aided by illegal movement and release by people. Two tilapia species have established in the Wet Tropics - the Mozambique mouthbrooder (Oreochromis mossambicus) and the black mangrove cichlid (Tilapia mariae). Their rate of population increase is very rapid. For example, fiveT. mariae were released into a Port Douglas resort pond in 1989. Three years later over 1 million fish (18 tonnes) were destroyed [42]. The stocking of native fish has also been identified as a threat to the resident native species in the Area. The translocation of large predatory native fish, such as barramundi and sooty grunter, outside their natural range is a particular concern. Translocating recreational fish species above natural barriers such as waterfalls may put the natural assemblages of aquatic species and the ecological processes of these streams at enormous risk. There is evidence that up to 36 native fish species (plus red-claw crayfish) have been translocated into the region’s waterways [12].
Pathogens Background Little is known about the ecological impacts of introduced pathogens, although they are likely to be significant. The forest dieback/ root rot disease (Phytophthora cinnamomi) and frog chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) are two water-borne pathogens that are known to be having significant impacts on many of the region’s native species. These impacts can be exacerbated by human activities that assist in the spread of these pathogens, such as soil and water disturbance and movement of infected soil by vehicles, humans and animals. Widespread, small patches of rainforest dieback caused by outbreaks of Phytophthora cinnamomi were first recorded in the region during the 1970s. More recent outbreaks were found in the late 1990s and continue to the present day. The cause or trigger of these outbreaks is presently unknown, but appears to be correlated to past disturbances associated with the logging industry [30]. The effects of P. cinnamomi on the region’s rainforests can vary from no visible impact to slight loss of canopy leaves in susceptible species to the death of all plants in virulent outbreaks. Where virulent outbreaks occur the anticipated consequences include:
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• major disruptions to ecological community structure • local extinctions of populations of some plant species • a massive reduction in primary productivity • less productive, more open, less diverse habitat for wildlife. Frog chytrid fungus has been identified as a primary cause of massive mortality of stream-dwelling frogs in the region. Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) causes chytridiomycosis, a highly infectious amphibian disease first discovered in dead and dying frogs in the Wet Tropics in 1993. The fungus is now known to be widespread across Australia and has been present since at least 1978. It infects the skin of frogs, disrupting the epidermal layers and causing increased shedding and death. Worldwide, chytrid fungus is now credited with causing the extinction of up to 122 frog species, eight in Australia. The emergence of this disease radically changes our view of wildlife diseases because it is the first such disease to emerge in ‘pristine’ sites to infect a wide range of hosts and to cause declines, and possibly extinctions, in disparate regions across the world. This may reflect a concerning global trend that suggest that infectious diseases in wildlife populations are emerging at unusually high rates [28, 39]. Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are those caused by parasites and pathogens that have recently increased in incidence, numbers of host species or geographic extent; have been newly discovered; or are caused by a newly evolved agent [15]. The diversity of EIDs afflicting wildlife, coupled with the increased frequency of outbreaks has raised concern that infectious disease may play a strong and increasingly important role in species depletion and extinction [39, 15].
Findings A major loss of biodiversity may occur when a new disease is introduced, resulting in catastrophic depopulation. Two equivalents of these ‘first- contact’ depopulations appear to have occurred recently in the Wet Tropics (phytophthora dieback and frog chytrid fungus), but their true extent has probably been underestimated. It is anticipated that recent, initially catastrophic declines may be followed by chronic population depression and potential local extinction. Over 200 small patches of dead rainforest have been identified from the Mount Lewis, Lamb Range and Tully Falls sections of the WTWHA. A report by JCU researchers suggests that approximately 14 percent or 126,000 hectares of the WTWHA may be considered highly susceptible and at risk from rainforest dieback [30]. At least five species of phytophthora have been found at dieback sites: P. cinnamomi, P. heveae, P. katsuurae, P. palmivora and another unidentified species. JCU researchers have modelled the areas of high risk from Phytophthora dieback [55] which is summarised in Figure 26.
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Subregion
Atherton
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Bellenden Ker - Lamb
Innisfail
Tully
Daintree - Bloomfield
Herbert
Paluma - Seaview
Macalister
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Proportion of subregion at risk (%) Figure 26. Modelled Phytophthora risk across the WTWHA by subregion [55]
Several species of locally endemic rainforest stream-dwelling frogs, which were once distributed widely and in high numbers throughout the Wet Tropics, vanished from altitudes above 300m within a very short period of time. Four species, the sharp-snouted day frog (Taudactylus acutirostris), the northern tinker frog (Taudactylus rheophilus), the mountain mist frog (Litoria nyakalensis) and the armoured mist frog (Litoria lorica) only occurred at high altitudes. Another four species, the common mist frog (Litoria rheocola), the waterfall frog (Litoria nannotis), the Australian lace- lid (Nyctimystes dayi) and the green-eyed tree frog (Litoria genimaculata) have suffered extensive declines and are no longer able to be located at high altitude habitats. However, they still persist at lower elevations.
Modifications to fire regimes Background Fires play a fundamental role in maintaining many of Australia’s natural ecosystems and ecological processes. Most non-rainforest ecosystems in the Wet Tropics evolved under the influence of fire and rely on particular fire regimes for their persistence in the landscape. A fire regime is a long-term pattern of fires, defined by their frequency and intensity and the season in which they occur. Fires that are too frequent
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or too infrequent, too severe or too mild, or mistimed, they can erode ecosystem integrity and biodiversity. When Indigenous peoples arrived tens of thousands of years ago they began using fire to manage the landscape. Fire regimes changed with early European settlement, when fire was used extensively for clearing land and managing stock. With more intensive settlement patterns, a fire suppression approach was generally adopted apart from its use in the sugar industry. The change in intensity and frequency of fires since European settlement has dramatically affected the composition and structure of non-rainforest vegetation across the drier parts of the region and the location and nature of the rainforest/open forest boundaries or ecotones, which in turn has affected the habitat and distribution of native animals. Fire management in these non-rainforest ecosystems is, in general, focused on creating a mosaic of patches representative of a range of fire histories to generate heterogeneity across space and time. This approach is based upon the assumption that fire patterns act as surrogates for biodiversity. Because different taxa exhibit different responses to fires, patchy burning provides a range of habitats that enable the persistence of biota in the regional landscape. Patch mosaic burning has also been linked to traditional burning by Aboriginal peoples. Such practices have, however, been severely disrupted throughout the Wet Tropics following European settlement. In the Wet Tropics context there has been very little rigorous analysis of the ecological significance of different burning patterns. The effectiveness of fire patterns as surrogates of biodiversity has to a large extent been accepted without critical analysis of the levels of pyrodiversity actually required for biodiversity. Importantly, there is likely to be a positive relationship between fire proneness and ecosystem resilience to fire. Rainforests occur at the low fire frequency resilience extreme; such habitats are so fire sensitive that virtually any fire reduces their conservation values. Climate change is predicted to alter the frequency of high-fire-danger weather and the intensity, frequency and seasonality of fires, leading to changed and often more intense fire regimes in the long term [25, 67] so that current fire management strategies may become less applicable as fire regimes change in response to climate change.
Findings The long-term persistence or regeneration of a number of the region’s more restricted sclerophyll vegetation types is under threat due to the disruption of historical fire patterns. For example, wet sclerophyll forests occur as a discontinuous strip up to four kilometres wide along the western margin of the rainforest and occupy approximately 54,000
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hectares. This represents only half the extent identified from air photos taken in the 1940s [37]. The narrow strip of wet sclerophyll forest is important for the conservation of two of the mammals restricted to the bioregion, the endangered northern bettong (Bettongia tropica) and the vulnerable northern subspecies of the yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis). Conversely, inappropriate fire management and wildfires have also adversely affected rainforest areas which are not adapted to burning. Extreme examples are areas of fire-degraded hill slopes where rainforests have been converted to grasslands [63]. These fire degraded hillslope grassland communities are more flammable than the previous rainforest cover creating demands for continued burning for fire protection reasons. Such degradation is particularly evident on the hillslopes around Cairns due to the past practice of burning sugarcane prior to harvest. Current green harvesting of sugarcane and urban expansion have reduced the frequency of hillslope fires penetrating into rainforest communities. Climate change has the potential to increase the risk of fire in rainforest communities. Weed invasions can also significantly alter fire regimes. Tall aggressive weeds such as guinea grass and molasses grass are changing the seasonality and intensity of fires when they dominate the ground cover fuel load.
Appendix 4 – Responses
General responses Governments and community organisations have responded to the important need to protect the WTWHA and the wider Wet Tropics landscape with a range of statutory and strategic planning responses since the Area was inscribed on the World Heritage list. These broad responses include measures aimed at conserving biodiversity or ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.
Statutory protective measures The EPBC Act is the Australian Government’s central piece of environmental legislation. The EPBC Act provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places. In particular, in the current context, the EPBC Act regulates actions that are likely to have a significant impact on the values of an Australian World Heritage Property including actions that occur outside the boundaries of a world heritage
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property. An action includes a project, development, undertaking or any activity or series of activities. Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993, together with its subordinate statute, the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998, provide the main legal framework and statutory mechanisms for management of the WTWHA. The regulatory aspect of the Wet Tropics Management Plan has four key components: • a zoning scheme • a permit system • assessment guidelines and codes of practice • co-operative management agreements. The Plan is administered by the Wet Tropics Management Authority but it also establishes other agencies such as QPWS as permit issuing bodies. The provisions of the Wet Tropics Management Act and the Wet Tropics Management Plan are confined to the area within the WTWHA boundary. Other relevant State legislation with a broader-area mandate include the Nature Conservation Act 1992, the Vegetation Management Act 1999 and the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA). Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), has primary responsibility for nature conservation in Queensland including: • dedication and declaration of protected areas • protection of native wildlife and habitats • regulation of the use of protected wildlife • managing protected areas • managing commercial tour operations (including permit issue); and • maintaining infrastructure and public contact in areas under its management. The Vegetation Management Act 1999 makes vegetation clearing assessable under the IPA. The Queensland Government has put in place vegetation clearing controls with landholders requiring approval in most cases to clear native vegetation on freehold and leasehold lands. This is an important aid in the buffering and protection of the natural values of the WTWHA. The IPA establishes an integrated development assessment system (IDAS). IDAS is a framework that establishes a common statutory system for making, assessing and deciding development applications. The Authority is referred to for advice regarding any reconfiguration of a lot, or a material change of use on land adjacent the WTWHA where the local government considers the development is not of a minor nature.
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The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 provides a framework and powers for enforced control of weeds and pest animals. Through this Act, weeds are assessed and may be declared as Class 1, 2 or 3. All landholders, including local governments and state agencies, are required to control Class 1 and 2 pests on their land. Class 1 pests are subject to eradication programs if present in the wild. There is an obligation on landholders to control Class 3 plants only where they affect an environmentally significant area such as a World Heritage area. The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 requires every local government in Queensland to develop a pest management plan for their area that deal with pest issues specific to their area.
Regional planning The Queensland Government has prepared the statutory Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031 [17] which must be followed by all state agencies and local governments in their planning and when assessing development. As well as adopting the plan’s policies, each local government authority is required to amend its planning scheme to align with the Regional Plan. The Wet Tropics’ human population is predicted to grow by more than 100,000 residents over the next twenty years and the Regional Plan and its associated State Planning Regulatory Provisions and maps and the Far North Queensland Infrastructure Plan 2009-2031 [17] is designed as the blueprint to manage this growth and its consequent development. The Plan identifies areas where urban developments can occur. The Plan also seeks to ensure areas and corridors for biodiversity are identified to address fragmentation and improve connectivity between the major separated blocks of the WTWHA. Over 99 percent of the region has been designated as off-limits to urban development which will be consolidated within an urban footprint covering 0.5 percent of the region. Most future urban growth will also be consolidated within the greater Cairns district, which is expected to grow by an estimated 75,000 people [17].
Protected area consolidation within the WTWHA The WTWHA includes within its 3,125 kilometre boundary almost 730 separate parcels of land comprised of a variety of land tenures including National Park, Forest Reserve, State Forest, Timber Reserve, Unallocated State Land, Leasehold and Freehold. A corresponding range of government agencies and private landholders have responsibilities for managing these tenures under a range of legislation. Although World Heritage listing does not affect land ownership, the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 does regulate activities in the Area across all tenures (see above).
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National Park status provides the highest level of conservation tenure, while Freehold and Leasehold tenures are associated with a range of land use rights that provide lower levels of statutory protection for nature conservation. Since November 2000, State Forests and Timber Reserves in the Wet Tropics have been progressively transferred to protected area tenures with the resultant increase in higher order land protection within the WTWHA since listing being very significant. At the time of listing (December 1988) only 14 percent of the WTWHA was National Park [43] compared to 64 percent at present (Tables 23 and 24). Table 23. Proportional trends in land tenure in the WTWHA.
Tenure Percentage of WTWHA
1995 2000 2006 2007
National Park 28 32 63.9 64.3 Forest Reserve - - 8.2 5.1 State Forest 38 39 0.2 3.4 Timber Reserve 8 8 7.8 7.8 Various Reserves & Dams 1 1 1.1 1.1 Unallocated State Land 7 7 6.4 6.4 Leasehold* 15 10 9.3 8.9 Freehold & Similar 2 2 1.9 1.9 Others (rivers, roads, esplanades etc.) 1 1 1.2 1.2 Total 100 100 100 100
*Leasehold includes leases over a variety of base tenures including National Park, Timber Reserve, Forest Reserve and State Forest. Where a lease has been issued over a base tenure, the area of the lease has been subtracted from the base tenure.
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Table 24. Spatial pattern of tenure types within the WTWHA.
Proportion of tenure types within sub regions within WTWHA as a percentage (2009)
National State Forest Lands Timber Unallocated Sub region Park Forest Reserve Reserve Lease Reserve Freehold State Land
Tully 95.6 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 Paluma - Seaview 83.9 0.4 0.0 1.0 8.2 0.0 0.0 5.9 Bellenden Ker - Lamb 80.1 0.1 12.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 3.5 2.4 Kirrama - Hinchinbrook 79.2 0.0 18.3 0.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 Atherton 76.4 0.1 20.1 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 Macalister 74.9 5.2 0.5 4.7 0.2 0.0 0.1 13.5 Innisfail 70.7 0.0 1.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 14.2 10.0 Herbert 66.4 0.6 0.3 0.1 1.8 0.0 0.3 7.2 Daintree - Bloomfield 29.6 0.0 4.4 0.5 1.7 53.1 0.5 9.5
An Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) was signed with the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people in 2007 to cooperatively manage their traditional lands in the Daintree-Bloomfield subregion. The agreement recognises the native title rights of the Kuku Yalanji people. It provides for Aboriginal land ownership and living areas, some grazing areas, conservation areas and public access to designated tourist sites. When final gazettal occurs, the agreement will result in a tenure reconfiguration incorporating: Aboriginal Freehold, Ordinary Freehold, existing and new National Park, third party leasehold and Reserves.
Research investment and regional capacity The Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) is a $40 million component of the Commonwealth Environment Research Facility (CERF), which is administered by the Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA). The MTSRF research investment is managed regionally by the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC). MTSRF was developed to deliver scientific solutions for environmental problems by bringing together the capabilities and facilities of fifteen of the nation’s research agencies and involving around 300 scientists. The purpose of MTSRF is to improve our capacity to understand and respond to environmental pressures affecting the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and its associated rainforest landscapes, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and its catchments, and Torres Strait. The Federal Government has invested $7.6 million into MTSRF research for 2009-2010, building on the $22.8 million research investment since its inception in 2006. The Authority is represented at both the Board and Operations levels of the RRRC.
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Strategic planning The Authority’s Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy [74] identifies actions that can be taken at a regional level to tackle issues that go beyond the boundaries of the WTWHA such as climate change, habitat fragmentation, fire management and the use of water and which require a coordinated response from the whole community. The strategy evaluates the major threats to the Area and how landholders, the community and the Authority can help address these threats. The Conservation Strategy also complements other WTMA strategies and agreements including the Nature Based Tourism Strategy and Walking Strategy which provide a framework for the ecologically sustainable management of tourism and recreation in and around the World Heritage Area. The Wet Tropics Regional Agreement with Aboriginal groups provides for Aboriginal representation and participation in all aspects of conservation management.
Natural resource management Terrain NRM is the natural resource management body for the Wet Tropics. Terrain’s key role is to support the implementation of the Regional NRM Plan and its companion Aboriginal Cultural and NRM Plan [66]. To do this, Terrain brokers support and funding and helps to align efforts. For example, Terrain works closely with the region’s Catchment and Landcare groups, Local Government, Traditional Owners, industry, the conservation sector and government to provide a range of on-ground delivery services such as support for landscape restoration projects, including the design and planting of revegetation corridors for riparian improvement, water quality and biodiversity values, or sustainable production advice including soil conservation, and feral animal pest and weed control.
Conservation on private land The long term integrity and health of the WTWHA depends on cooperative conservation management outside the Area. There are a variety of agreements and covenants available for use between private landholders and Commonwealth, State or local governments to conserve natural areas. Many WTWHA landholders and neighbours operate ecotourism ventures and promote biodiversity conservation of their land and its World Heritage values. It is extremely important for World Heritage biodiversity that neighbouring farm management techniques be as compatible as possible with conservation aims. Conservation management agreements with private land-holders are designed to ensure that activities on the land they manage are sympathetic with maintaining and protecting important wildlife habitats. Conservation agreements in the form of nature reserves (Figure 27) and Land for Wildlife (Figure 28) contribute substantially to regional conservation efforts.
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Subregion
Macalister
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Paluma - Seaview
Bellenden Ker - Lamb
Herbert
Innisfail Inside WTWHA (ha) outside WTWHA (ha) Atherton
Daintree - Bloomfield
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 Area (ha)
Figure 27. Area of Nature Refuge agreements on private lands within Wet Tropics subregions (May 2009)
Subregion
Tully
Paluma - Seaview
Macalister
Kirrama - Hinchinbrook
Innisfail Inside WTWHA (ha) outside WTWHA (ha) Herbert
Daintree - Bloomfield
Bellenden Ker - Lamb
Atherton
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 Area (ha) Figure 28. Area of Land for Wildlife agreements on private lands within Wet Tropics subregions (May 2009)
168 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
Specific responses
State of landscape health response Natural recovery and regrowth is the main approach being relied upon by the Authority to restore integrity to previously logged parts of the WTWHA and to progressively enhance connectivity and ecological processes to other areas of disturbance within the Area. The Authority also supports and promotes strategic tree planting and other environmental restoration approaches within degraded parts of the WTWHA and adjoining lands [34]. There are a range of rehabilitation initiatives and many thousands of trees that have been planted since listing both within and adjacent to the WTWHA. The Authority’s priorities for rehabilitation are focussed on the re-establishment of ecologically functional wildlife corridors, the decommissioning of obsolete infrastructure especially roads, tracks, powerline clearings and old mine sites and the stabilisation of other disturbed sites.
State of ecosystem health response Mabi forest on the Atherton Tablelands [46] and littoral rainforest and coastal vine thickets [20] (including six Wet Tropics regional ecosystems) are recognised as endangered ‘ecological communities’ under the EPBC Act. A recovery plan has been completed and a number of strategic restoration plantings have been initiated for Mabi forest.
State of species responses Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) all listed native wildlife is protected. Fauna friendly road designs have been constructed and are being monitored and assessed in the Mission Beach and the Palmerston/ Millaa Millaa areas. These initiatives are benefiting cassowaries, a range of rare endemic possums and tree kangaroos in particular. They include: • purpose-built tunnels under roads and canopy bridges above roads • traffic calming devices • fencing to funnel wildlife away from roads and into culvert crossings • retrofitted elevated dry passageways within large, under-road culverts • a range of newly designed cassowary awareness signage. The EPBC Act lists nationally threatened species and provides for the development and implementation of species recovery plans. The Federal Endangered Species Program is implemented through parallel programs run in Queensland by DERM as the State’s lead agency with respect to species recovery planning. Recovery Plans describe, schedule and cost actions assessed as necessary to support the recovery of threatened
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species. In the Wet Tropics recovery plans are presently in place for eight frog species [50, 47], the northern bettong [16], the mahogany glider [54], the southern cassowary [45] and cave-dwelling bats [59]. No systematic recovery planning for any plant species apart from the fern Chingia australis [40] has been undertaken despite the extremely high record of recent plant extinctions which has occurred in the Wet Tropics.
Grazing within the WTWHA responses Many of the grazing authorities within the WTWHA will not be renewed beyond their current expiry dates where they occur on land being transferred to the National Park estate under the State Forest transfer process. The Authority’s Board has also adopted a general policy to have grazing phased out in the Area except where it can be demonstrated the grazing activity is beneficial to World Heritage management and no prudent and feasible management alternatives are available.
Climate change responses Committed to protecting the values of Australia’s World Heritage properties, the Commonwealth Government commissioned the Australian National University to assess the exposure, potential impacts, vulnerability and adaptive capacity of all Australian World Heritage properties to climate change and to identify major knowledge gaps. The aim of the resulting report [4] is inform management plans and government policy on World Heritage and climate change adaptation. Current climate change initiatives in the region were described in detail in the 2007-2008 State of the Wet Tropics Climate Change themed report [75].
Infrastructure management responses The Authority works with other government departments and infrastructure providers to reduce the impacts caused by the construction and maintenance of infrastructure such as roads, water supplies, powerlines and towers. The Authority also does long term planning with infrastructure agencies to try to minimise the amount of infrastructure in the World Heritage Area. A range of agencies are responsible for operating and maintaining community infrastructure in the Area including QRail, QPWS, DMR, Telstra, Powerlink, Ergon Energy, Stanwell Corporation, North Queensland Water, the Defence Department and local governments. Under the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 a permit is required to undertake construction, upgrades or maintenance of infrastructure. Infrastructure agencies, together with the Authority, have developed Codes of Environmental Practice that are used as part of the conditions for these permits. So far Codes of Environmental Practice have been developed for road [18], electricity [56] and water infrastructure [71].
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The Authority also requires that Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) be developed as an additional condition of some permits. EMPs set more specific environmental management requirements and assist in compliance monitoring. Those agencies maintaining community infrastructure within the WTWHA have become world leaders in the conservation initiatives they have developed as routine components of their operations. Several of these conservation initiatives that have been mainstreamed into their operations are now being adopted in other parts of Queensland and interstate.
Roads The Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 restricts the use of motorised vehicles to specified roads. The WTWHA now has 1,217 kilometres of roads which provide motor vehicle access for public, private or management purposes. These roads are managed by a variety of agencies and private interests. A network of approximately 6,535 kilometres of rough unformed logging tracks previously used by the timber industry in the WTWHA, with a combined footprint of approximately 2,070 hectares were set aside for rehabilitation when the plan was gazetted (some of these have subsequently been converted into long distance walking tracks). MTSRF funded researchers, in partnership with DMR, are studying the impacts of roads on wildlife and ecosystem connectivity. They have designed and trialled a variety of ways to reduce the high level of road kills in the Area. Animal underpasses and overpasses have been developed to provide a means for animals to safely cross roads. Overpasses consist of rope ladders connecting canopies on either side of roads. Their main function is to reduce fragmentation for animals that rarely or never leave the canopy. Underpasses are tunnels under major roads that allow animals to pass under the traffic, thereby lowering road kill. For example, a rope ladder strung across the Old Palmerston Highway now regularly registers up to 30 possum crossings a night including lemuroid, green and Herbert River ringtail possums, coppery brushtail possums and striped possums. A series of 45 metre long rope ladders have also been strung across the Palmerston Highway. The East Evelyn Road upgrade included the installation of several 3.4 metre high wildlife tunnels that have been furnished with soil and leaf litter, rocks, logs and ropes which not only mimic the outside habitat, but also provide smaller animals protection from predators. The area, that was once a hot spot for road induced animal fatality, now has very few road kills and a wide variety of fauna have been recorded as using the under road route to cross the road, including cassowaries and tree kangaroos.
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Powerlines No new powerline clearings have been established since the introduction of the Wet Tropics Management Plan in 1998. The range of initiatives being employed to reduce the impacts of powerline maintenance is resulting in increased levels of tree cover across most powerline easements throughout the WTWHA. The Australian Government approved the construction of a high voltage powerline from Tully to Innisfail subject to a number of conditions. The construction of this powerline along a new coastal alignment will allow the eventual removal of 35 kilometres of a high voltage electricity powerline which currently cuts through the Palmerston section of the WTWHA. The most suitable means to decommission the Palmerston powerline and rehabilitate the infrastructure corridor through the Area is still to be determined.
Water supply The Far North Queensland Water Strategy [19] encompasses the catchments of the Mulgrave, Barron and North Johnstone rivers, and part of Herbert, Walsh, Upper Mitchell, Mossman and Lower Daintree rivers to address water supply issues identified in FNQ 2031. The strategy provides for medium and long term water needs in the region taking into account urban growth, climate change and increased demand for water from agriculture and industry.
Pest plants As the WTWHAs principal on-ground land manager, QPWS is responsible for the majority of weed control within the Area. Biosecurity Queensland has a regional coordinating role and also assists in the eradication and control of weeds, particularly the eradication of Class 1 weeds listed under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002). The Australian Government also has provided funding for certain weed management through the Weeds of National Significance program. All local government jurisdictions within the region have developed Pest Management Plans under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1985, which identify and target the major environmental and agricultural weeds found within their section of the region. Declaration of a pest imposes legal responsibilities on all landholders, local governments and state government agencies to control the pest on lands under their jurisdiction. Some weeds that have the potential to seriously impact the country’s primary industries, trade, the economy and the environment at the national level are subject to national eradication programs if their total elimination is feasible. These programs are cooperative efforts between the Federal and State Governments and are managed and operated in the Wet Tropics by Biosecurity Queensland and involve extensive
172 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
community engagement to identify infested areas, targeted weed surveys and weed control, and research components. Weeds that are currently subject to national eradication programs in the Wet Tropics region include the National Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata) Eradication Program which commenced in 1995 and the National Four Tropical Weeds Eradication Program which commenced in 2004 and has been extended until 2012 to eradicate Koster’s curse, limnocharis, mikania vine and three miconia species. The only recorded infestations of these weeds in Australia is currently in the Wet Tropics.
Pest animals Biosecurity Queensland is responsible for coordinating government efforts to prevent, respond to, and recover from pests and disease that threaten the economy and environment.
Feral deer Research, commissioned by the Authority, found that feral deer are much more widespread in the Wet Tropics than first thought. In cooperation with QPWS, DNRW (now DERM) and local government authorities, WTMA established a public feral deer education and sighting program. Populations of feral deer were identified in the Palmerston, Bingil Bay, East Russell, Ithaca River and Tarzali areas. All feral rusa deer (Cervus timorensis), fallow deer (Dama dama) and sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) so far identified are believed to have escaped from deer farms. In response to advice from WTMA and other parties, the Queensland Government declared feral deer a pest species in 2009 under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. All species of feral deer are now declared as either Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 pest animals. Declaration imposes a legal responsibility for control by landowners on land under their management. Feral rusa and feral chital deer are now Class 2 pest animals and all reasonable steps have to be taken to control them by landholders. Feral red and feral fallow deer are now Class 3 pest animals which means that only landholders in or adjacent to environmentally significant areas (such as the World Heritage Area) are required to control these deer on their land.
Feral fish It is illegal to possess, rear, sell or buy tilapia. It is also an offence to release tilapia into Queensland waterways or to use them as bait, live or dead. Penalties of up to $150,000 now apply. Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries an operating unit within the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation has a surveillance program to monitor tilapia in the region. It has also launched an education campaign and has produced and distributed identification cards and brochures to help people identify, report and destroy tilapia.
173 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
The Australian Government contributed $910,000 to Terrain NRM for a project on the management of tilapia in the Wet Tropics. The project, in collaboration with researchers from James Cook University, is looking at ways to control existing infestations and reduce their rate of spread. It also includes an education campaign to increase community understanding of how severe the problem is. Field surveys are being undertaken, with trials to detect, control and eradicate infestations.
Feral pigs A cooperative ‘on ground’ program between QPWS, Local Government, Traditional Owners and private landowners has been running for several years in the Daintree area. A professional, accredited, full time trapper is employed to control pigs working across all tenure including National Parks in the area. Terrain NRM has also initiated a feral pig management program in strategic parts of their management region.
Pathogens In 2005 the Rainforest CRC was commissioned to develop a Wet Tropics program to monitor the recovery of rainforest vegetation after experiencing Phytophthora dieback. QPWS staff now monitor Phytophthora dieback affected sites on Bellenden Ker, Bartle Frere, Mount Lewis and in the Koombooloomba/Tully Falls area on a biennial basis. Researchers at JCU, Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, the Cairns Frog Hospital and CSIROs Australian Animal Health Laboratory in East Geelong are attempting to diagnose a group of new and emerging diseases causing high levels of cancer, malformations and deaths in frogs in the Wet Tropics. These diseases, unrelated to chytridiomycosis, have not been observed previously and could threaten the long-term survival of the region’s native frogs.
Altered fire regimes QPWS has developed a state-wide fire policy and is progressively drawing- up fire management plans for all protected areas within the Wet Tropics bioregion. QPWS hold annual fire planning workshops and have established strategic fire monitoring plots across parts of the bioregion including, for example, Mt Peter, Paluma, Mt Fox, Wallaman Falls, Mt Windsor, Barron Gorge and Eubenangee Swamp.
174 STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2008 – 2009
References
All reference hyperlinks were correct as of 21 August 2009
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[45] Latch, P. 2007. National recovery plan for the southern cassowary Casuarius casuarius johnsonii . Report to Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.environment. gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/southern-cassowary/ pubs/sth-cassowary.pdf [46] Latch, P. 2008. Recovery Plan for Mabi Forest. Report to Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/ threatened/publications/recovery/pubs/mabi-forest.pdf [47] McDonald, K.R., Bolitho, E., Dennis, A., Simpson, N. and Winter, J.W. 2000. Recovery plan for the magnificent broodfrog Pseudophryne covacevichae 2000- 2004. Unpublished report to Environment Australia, Canberra. http:// www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/ magnificent-broodfrog/index.html [48] Miconia distribution: GIS data sourced from MTSRF Status and Trends Project in collaboration with Biosecurity Queensland. [49] Morgan, G. (2001). Landscape Health in Australia: A rapid assessment of the relative condition of Australia’s bioregions and subregions. [50] Northern Queensland Threatened Frogs Recovery Team. 2001. Recovery plan for the stream-dwelling rainforest frogs of the Wet Tropics biogeographic region of north-east Queensland 2000-2004. Report to Environment Australia, Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane. http://www.environment.gov.au/ biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/rainforest-frogs/index.html [51] Number of feral pigs in the region J. Mitchell – Biosecurity Queensland pers. comm. [52] OECD 1993. (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) OECD Core Set of Indicators for Environmental Performance Reviews. A synthesis report by the group on the State of the Environment. Environment Monographs 83. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris. [53] Olson, D.M., Dinerstein, E., Abell, R., Allnutt, T., Carpenter, C., McClenachan, L., D’Amico, J., Hurley, P., Kassem, K., Strand, H., Taye, M. and Thieme, M. (2000). The Global 200: A Representation Approach to Conserving the Earth’s Distinctive Ecoregions. Conservation Science Program, World Wildlife Fund-US. [54] Parsons, M. and Latch, P. 2007. Recovery plan for the mahogany glider Petaurus gracilis. Report to Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. http:// www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/ mahogany-glider/pubs/mahogany-glider.pdf [55] Phytophthora high risk model: GIS data sourced from MTSRF Status and Trends Project in collaboration with School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University. [56] Queensland Electricity Supply Industry (2000). Queensland Electricity Supply Industry (QESI): Maintenance Code for the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. http://www.wettropics.gov.au/mwha/mwha_pdf/s62_guidelines/s62_04elec. pdf [57] Queensland Office of Economic and Statistical Research: Regional Profiles http://statistics.oesr.qld.gov.au/qld-regional-profiles
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[58] Queensland’s Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 1994: http://www. legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/N/NatureConWiMR06.pdf [59] Recovery plan for cave-dwelling bats, Rhinolophus philippinensis, Hipposideros semoni and Taphozous troughtoni 2001-2005. Unpublished report to Environment Australia, Canberra. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ publications/recovery/cave-dwelling-bats/index.html [60] Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (released 30 July 2009). Communiqué 16: Planning for the Future of North Queensland. http://www.rrrc.org.au/ publications/downloads/Communique16-3.pdf [61] Siam weed distribution: GIS data sourced from MTSRF Status and Trends Project in collaboration with Biosecurity Queensland. [62] The region’s population for the 25 year period 1981–2007. Source: ABS Cat No 3218.0. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Products/3218.0~2007- 08~Main+Features~Queensland?OpenDocument#PARALINK4 [63] Tracey, J.G. (1982). The Vegetation of the Humid Tropics of North Queensland, CSIRO, Melbourne. [64] Waterhouse, B.M. & Mitchell, A.A. (1998). Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy – Weeds Target List. Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service. Miscellaneous Publication No.6/98. [65] Werren, G. (2001). Environmental Weeds of the Wet Tropics Bioregion: Risk Assessment and Priority Ranking. Rainforest CRC, Cairns. [66] Wet Tropics Regional NRM Plan http://www.terrain.org.au/publications/nrm- plans.html [67] Williams, A., Karoly, D. & Tapper, N. (2001). The sensitivity of Australian fire danger to climate change. Climatic change 49: 171-91. [68] Williams, S. (2009). Pers. com. (findings from 10 years of monitoring data). [69] Williams, S., Bolitho, E. & Fox, S. (2003). Climate change in Australian tropical rainforests: An impending environmental catastrophe. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B 270: 1887-1893. [70] Williams, S.E. (2006). Vertebrates of the Wet Tropics Rainforests of Australia: Species Distributions and Biodiversity. Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management, Cairns, Australia. [71] WTMA (2000 ). Water Infrastructure Code of Practice. Field Guide for the Maintenance and Operation of Water Extraction Infrastructure in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. http://www.wettropics.gov.au/mwha/mwha_pdf/ s62_guidelines/s62_07water.pdf [72] WTMA (2000). Wet Tropics Research and Information Needs for Management. http:// www.wettropics.gov.au/mwha/mwha_pdf/rain_report.pdf [73] WTMA (2002). State of the Wet Tropics Report 2001-02 . Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns http://www.wettropics.gov.au/media/media_pdf/annual_ reports/2001a_report.pdf [74] WTMA (2004). Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy. Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns. http://www.wettropics.gov.au/mwha/mwha_pdf/Strategies/ wtmaConservationStrategy.pdf [75] WTMA (2008). Climate Change in the Wet Tropics: Impacts and Responses. State of the Wet Tropics Report 2007 – 2008. http://www.wettropics.gov.au/ media/media_pdf/annual_reports/2008sowt_report_climatechange.pdf
179 Sharp-snouted torrent frog (Martin Cohen)
PO Box 2050 Cairns, Qld 4870 Tel: 07 4052 0555 Fax: 07 4031 1364 Email: [email protected] Website: www.wettropics.gov.au