Ord River and Parry Lagoons Nature Reserves 2010 Draft Management Plan R N V E M E O N G T E O H F T W A E I S L T A E R R N A U S T ORD RIVER AND PARRY LAGOONS NATURE RESERVES Management Plan 2010 Department of Environment and Conservation Conservation Commission of Western Australia ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This management plan was prepared by Department planning officer Sarah Greenwood with assistance from Paul McCluskey and Laurina Bullen. Assistance was provided by Daryl Moncrieff, Troy Sinclair, Scott Goodson, Allan Thomson and David Grosse. The planning team would like to thank the many other Departmental staff that contributed to and commented on sections of this plan. Special thanks to Jennifer Hale, ecologist and author of the Ecological Character Description for the Ord River Floodplain Ramsar site. Front cover images: Main image: Boardwalk at Marlgu Billabong. Photo by DEC. Other images: Frog; Telegraph Hill interpretive sign. Photos by DEC. ii INVITATION TO COMMENT This draft management plan gives you the opportunity to provide information, express your opinion, suggest alternatives and have your say on how Ord River and Parry Lagoons nature reserves and proposed additions will be managed over the next 10 years. What to consider In making your submission, it is important to understand that legislation and policy impose certain obligations on the Department of Environment and Conservation to manage lands and waters vested with the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and that there may be little room to manage some issues outside of these constraints and responsibilities. Nevertheless, it is important to hear from the public about the management of these issues. There are also some issues which may have a number of management options over the life of the plan, or where the Department has developed a proposal and wants to gauge public opinion about management. The Department and the Conservation Commission would particularly like to seek feedback on strategies and key performance indicators mentioned through various sections of the draft management plan. How to make effective comments It is important to indicate those actions and recommendations you agree with as well as those with which you disagree. Each submission is important, but those that give reasons behind concerns, give support where appropriate and offer information and constructive suggestions are most useful. To ensure your submission is as effective as possible please: • be clear and concise • list your points according to the subject sections and page numbers in the plan • describe briefly each subject or issue you wish to discuss • say whether you agree or disagree with any or all of the outcomes or actions within each subject or just those of specific interest to you-clearly state the reason behind your opinion and provide supportive information where possible • suggest alternatives to deal with issues on which you disagree. Where to send your comments Submissions are welcome for two months after the release date of the draft management plan and can be made online at: http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/ or by writing to: Planning Coordinator Ord River and Parry Lagoons Nature Reserves Draft Management Plan Department of Environment and Conservation Locked Bag 104 BENTLEY DELIVERY CENTRE WA 6983 Alternatively, submissions can be sent to: [email protected] iii How your comments will be considered All submissions will be summarised according to topics discussed. The management plan will then be reviewed in the light of submissions, according to established criteria (see below). A summary of the submissions will be prepared along with the final management plan, including an indication of how the plan was amended or not amended in response to the submissions: 1. The draft management plan will be amended if a submission: (a) provides additional information of direct relevance to management (b) provides additional information on affected user groups of direct relevance to management (c) indicates a change in (or clarifies) government legislation, management commitment or management policy (d) proposes desired outcomes that would better achieve strategies (e) indicates omissions, inaccuracies or a lack of clarity. 2. The draft management plan will not be amended if a submission: (a) clearly supports proposals in the plan (b) makes general statements and no change is sought (c) makes statements already in the plan or were considered during the plan preparation (d) addresses issues beyond the scope of the plan (e) is one among several widely divergent viewpoints received on the topic but the outcome or action in the plan is still considered the preferred option (f) contributes options that are not feasible (generally because of conflict with existing legislation, government policy, lack of resource capacity or lack of research knowledge to make decisions). (g) is based on unclear, factually incorrect information (h) provides details that are not appropriate or necessary for inclusion in a document aimed at providing management direction over the long term. iv CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1. Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Management Plan Area................................................................................................................................1 3. Key Values and Threats............................................................................................................................... 2 4. Management Directions............................................................................................................................... 3 5. Ecological Character.................................................................................................................................... 3 MANAGEMENT PURPOSE......................................................................................................................... 5 6. Legislative Framework ................................................................................................................................5 7. Management Arrangements with Aboriginal People................................................................................... 5 8. Performance Assessment ............................................................................................................................. 6 9. Administration ............................................................................................................................................. 6 10. Term of Plan ................................................................................................................................................ 6 MANAGING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................... 7 11. Physical Environment.................................................................................................................................. 7 12. Biological Environment............................................................................................................................... 8 13. Protection of the Natural Environment ...................................................................................................... 10 MANAGING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE............................................................................................... 13 14. Aboriginal Heritage ................................................................................................................................... 13 15. Non-Aboriginal Heritage ........................................................................................................................... 14 MANAGING VISITOR USE ....................................................................................................................... 15 16. Visitor Opportunities and Planning ........................................................................................................... 15 17. Visitor Access............................................................................................................................................ 17 18. Visitor Activities and Use.......................................................................................................................... 17 MANAGING RESOURCE USE ................................................................................................................. 20 19. Mineral Exploration and Development...................................................................................................... 20 20. Water Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 20 21. Public Utilities and Services...................................................................................................................... 22 22. Rehabilitation............................................................................................................................................. 22 INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY............................................................................................................... 24 RESEARCH...............................................................................................................................................