December 2005 NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION (ACT) INCORPORATED The Kelly gang Strategies, plans and responses Vale Amanda Carey NPA BULLETIN Volume 42 number 4 December 2000« 5 CONTENTS Gudgenby Bush Regeneration Group reaches 11 a milestone From the President 3 Christine Goonrey Hazel Rath Volunteers bar nxine 3 Mt Kelly packwalk, October 20d5 12 Martin Chalk, Judy Kelly NPA responds to draft Namadgi plan 4 PARKWATCH 1 14, 15 Graeme Wicks Compiled by Len Haskew New process for appointing life members 6 Community concerns for natural values in 16 Kevin McCue Molonglo Valley plans Graeme Wicks Vale Amanda Carey and Celebrating a life 7 Brett McNamara and Graeme Wicks Sustainability and Bushfire Recovery Conference 16 Graeme Wicks Message from the Alps/Forests World Heritage 8 Working Group Great Australian Bushwalk 2005 17 Geoff Mosley Max Lawrence Alps nominated for heritage list 9 Thanks for the broken ankle : 18 Graeme Wicks Graeme Wicks i Park or paddock 9 Draft Budawangs strategy: NPA comments 18 David Pfanner Graeme Wicks Challenges for national parks today 10 National Parks Australia Council meets 19 Dr Maxine Cdoper Kevin McCue Canoeing in a wilderness 11 Meetings and Calendar of events' 20 David Pfanner National Parks Association of the ACT Incorporated The NPA ACT office is in MacLaurin Crescent, Chifley, next to the Inaugurated 1960 preschool. It is staffed by volunteers but, at present, not on a regular Aims and objectives of the Association basis. Callers may leave phone or email messages at any time and • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the protection of they will be attended to. The post office mail box is cleared daily. fauna and flora, scenery, natural features and cultural heritage in Phone/Fax: (02) 6282 5813 the Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the reserva­ Email: [email protected] tion of specific areas. Address: PO Box 1940, Woden ACT 2606 • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation areas. Internet: www.npaact.org.au • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment of, such natural phenomena and cultural heritage by organised field Subscription rates (I July to 30 June) oudngs, meetings or any other means. Household membership $40 Single members $35 • Cooperation with organisations and persons having similar inter­ Corporate membership $30 Bulletin only $30 ests and objectives. Concession $25 • Promotion of, arid education for, conservation, and the planning of landuse to achieve conservation. Advertising Office-bearers The Bulletin accepts advertisements and inserts. The standard cost of an A4 insert is $310 but some concessional rates may be arranged. President Christine Goonrey 6231 8395 (h) Vice-President' David Large 6291 4830 (h) NPA Bulletin Secretary Sonja Lenz 6251 1291 (h) Contributions of articles, line drawings and photographs, fncluding Treasurer Rod Griffiths 6288 6988 (h) colour prints, are welcome and should be lodged with the office or Syd Comfort (02) 6286 2578. Committee members Chris Emery 6249 7604 (h) Deadline for March 2006 issue: 1 February 2006 Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect association opin­ Steven Forst 6251 6817(h), 6219 5236 (w) ion] or objectives. Clive Hurlstone 6288 7592 (h), 040 778 3422 (mob) Judy Kelly 6253 1859(h, after 7.30pm) This Bulletin was produced by the NPA Bulletin Working Group. Printed by Copy-Qik, Canberra, ACT. Immediate Past President Kevin McCue 6251 1291 (Ji) ISSN 0727-8837 Conveners j Outings Sub-comrhittee Steven Forst 6251 6817 (h) i 6219 5236 (w) Cover Photo: Steven Forst and David Kelly climbing Bulletin Working Group Syd Comfort 6286 2578 (h) Mt Kelly—view back down to Sam's Creek Environment Sub-committee Clive Hurlstone 6288 7592 (h) (Story starts page 12) Photo Max Lawrence contact 040 778 3422 (mob) From the President New Pathways Demand Smaller inquiry into the 2003 bushfires; Maria the Council now that cattle grazing has Footprints Taranto from the CRC on Bushfire been banned in the Victorian national This was the theme of a conference on Research, and Sandy Hollway. We did parks and there are mixed views on "Making Canberra Sustainable" a field trip to inspect the new water whether to proceed. It was interesting to presented by Manning Clark House and treatment works at Mt Stromlo. We also see that the Federal Minister attempted the Nature and Society Forum. This had a presentation by the Director of to restore cattle to the Victorian Alps quote from Professor Bob Douglas the Observatory, Professor Penny parks within a few weeks of the NPAC struck me as very apt for more than one Sackett, on plans to restore the area, meeting by offering to cooperate with a reason. Not only can it inspire our including the Heritage listed World Heritage listing. Pm personally personal efforts to walk more softly observatory. As you can imagine, off- very wary of pursuing a listing under across this planet, it also directs us to site back-up of their computer files is current circumstances. look at the activities undertaken in our one of the most important tasks on their My personal highlight of the past name. I am referring, of course, to some regular round of bushfire preparation. few months was on a much smaller of the proposals outlined in the draft Their fire management plan was very scale. On a work party with Martin Management Plan for Namadgi impressive and sits on everyone's desk! Chalk on the Australian Alps Walking National Park which was released on The most interesting presentation Track in October, I saw my first real in- September 6. Some of the things was from Ms Lyn Breuer who chairs the-wild colony of bird orchids or outlined in the draft plan will strike a the SA Inquiry into "Native Vegetation Chiloglottis. Nothing beats the thrill of very large footprint indeed! Building and the Eyre Peninsula Bushfire", being in the bush, of finding its small major fire trails through wilderness which has been asked to investigate the secrets and enjoying its peaceful areas, creating the possibility of role of natural vegetation in the Eyre environment. That's what NPA ACT is commercial, 4WD and bicycle tours Peninsula bushfires. Although 83 per all about. through the wilderness and allowing cent of the land use in the fire-affected Which reminds me of the point groups of up to 400 to use the semi- areas was cropping or grazing, native made by one speaker at the "Making remote Booth Range for events are vegetation took the main blame for the Canberra Sustainable" conference. He some of the things the plan would intensity and spread of the fires. said that we are "eroding public spaces permit. Ms Breuer indicated that scientific by privatisation". There is an increasing examination of the fire areas may Working up the NPA ACT emphasis on commercial and private indicate the opposite, namely that submission on the draft plan has been use of public spaces; on activities such native vegetation actually slowed or the biggest task on our agenda. as 4W driving; large group use and diverted the fire in places. We look However, in addition to this, every competitive events in parks. These uses, forward to the committee's report in NPA member should put in their own by their nature, exclude other people 2006. personal submission so that the from enjoying the public amenity. government will understand how Another big event for us was Associated with this is the discounting serious we are about reducing the hosting the National Parks of Australia of those uses of public spaces which do human footprint on our beautiful park. Council meeting, held in Canberra on not consume resources and produce a Check out the documents on our September 17 and 18. I would like to profit. We know that this narrow view website which we have prepared to help thank Kevin McCue for organising a of the world will eventually pass so it's you make your own submission and very successful and interesting meeting. up to us to ensure that, when economic there you will also find directions on The venue at Manning Clark House rationalism has gone the way of all the where to send it. was friendly and relaxed. Dr Maxine otfier management fads, Namadgi will still be there in all its glory for quiet, Another conference which Chris Cooper, from Environment ACT, and public enjoyment. Emery, Kevin McCue and I attended Dr Bruce Leaver, from the Australian recently was the 10th Annual Alps National Park, spoke to the group Christine Goonrey Conference of the Parliamentary and provided some interesting Environmental and Public Works background briefing on some of the big Committees on Bushfire Recovery and issues facing national parks today. Sustainability. Speakers included In fact, World Heritage listing of the Mr Stuart Elliss who chaired the COAG Alpine National Parks was discussed by Volunteers bar none On Saturday October 22 seven on the steeper opposite slope by a on the way (these were chipped out) NPA ACT members answered the call contractor during the preceding and an equal number or orchids (these to work on the Alpine Walking Track. weekend. were left!). With assistance of park ranger All were justifiably satisfied with Should anyone see anything during Ollie Orgill, 14 water bars were placed completing the job and secure in the their travels through the park that might on the eastern slope of the steep section knowledge that this section of track is be a suitable project for volunteer of track some five minutes walk from safe from severe erosion for years to involvement, please contact me at home its intersection with the Cotter Hut come. The group then proceeded up the on 6292 3502.