MANAGEMENT PLAN 2016 Narawntapu National Park HAWLEY NATURE RESERVE Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Narawntapu National Park Hawley Nature Reserve Management Plan 2016 Narawntapu National Park, Hawley Nature Reserve - Management Plan 2016 NARAWNTAPU NATIONAL PARK HAWLEY NATURE RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2016 (Replacing the Narawntapu National Park, Hawley Nature Reserve Management Plan 2000) This management plan replaces the Narawntapu National Park, Hawley Nature Reserve Management Plan 2000. This management plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Part 3 of the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002. Unless otherwise specified, this plan adopts the interpretation of terms given in the Act. The term ‘Director’ refers to the Director of National Parks and Wildlife. The term ‘Park’ refers to the Narawntapu National Park. The term “Reserve” refers to the Hawley Nature Reserve. The appendices do not form part of this statutory plan, but are provided as additional information to assist in management. The draft management plan was available for public comment from 14 November 2015 until 16 December 2015. Nineteen representations were received on the draft plan, providing valuable information and recommendations for management of the Park. This input and effort is gratefully acknowledged. Approval This management plan was approved by Her Excellency the Governor-in- Council on 29 November 2016 and took effect on 21 December 2016, being seven days after publication of that approval in the Government Gazette. ISBN (book): 978-0-9925963-6-1 ISBN (PDF): 978-0-9925963-7-8 Cover image: Narawntapu National Park. Photo courtesy of Tourism Tasmania & Brian Dullaghan Published by: Parks and Wildlife Service Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment GPO Box 1751 Hobart TAS 7001 Cite as: Parks and Wildlife Service 2016, Narawntapu National Park, Hawley Nature Reserve Management Plan 2016, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. ii Narawntapu National Park, Hawley Nature Reserve - Management Plan 2016 iii Narawntapu National Park, Hawley Nature Reserve - Management Plan 2016 Summary The scenic natural landscapes of the Park contain intrinsically important environmental values which also underpin the value of the Park for recreation and tourism. Many features of the Park are also of scientific and educational interest. The Park also contains features of Aboriginal and historic heritage value. The management plan provides for conservation of the values of the Park and the Reserve. In the case of Narawntapu National Park, the plan also provides for visitor access and facilities. To these ends, the management plan: - zones the Park and Reserve to take account of different features and values and direct and manage visitor activities and impacts; - focuses on conservation of threatened and priority flora and fauna species and communities with CAR or National Estate values; - protects Aboriginal and historic heritage features and values; - in the national park, identifies key locations for provision of visitor facilities and services at a number of locations in the Springlawn area, and at Badger Head and West Head; and - promotes the Park as an important visitor destination in northern Tasmania. iv Narawntapu National Park, Hawley Nature Reserve - Management Plan 2016 Contents 1 Introduction 1 1.1 An Overview of the Park and the Reserve 1 1.1.1 Location and Regional Context 1 1.1.2 Climate 1 1.1.3 Importance of the Park and the Reserve 1 1.1.4 Park Name 2 1.2 Creation of the Park and Reserve 2 1.2.1 Reservation History 2 1.2.2 Area and Boundaries 2 2 The Vision and Objectives for the Park and Reserve 7 2.1 The Vision for the Park and Reserve 7 2.1.1 The Vision 7 2.1.2 Achieving the Vision 7 2.2 Purposes and Objectives of National Parks 7 2.3 Purposes and Objectives of Nature Reserves 8 2.4 Specific Park and Reserve Objectives 9 2.5 Management Zones and Sites 9 3 Park and Reserve Conservation 13 3.1 Geodiversity 13 3.2 Natural Landscape and Water Quality 14 3.3 Flora 15 3.4 Fauna 17 3.5 Aboriginal and Historic Heritage 19 3.5.1 Aboriginal Heritage 19 3.5.2 Historic Heritage 20 3.5.3 Cultural Landscape 21 4 Park and Reserve Protection 22 4.1 Fire Management 22 4.2 Introduced Pests and Diseases 24 4.2.1 Introduced Fauna 24 4.2.2 Introduced Flora 24 4.2.3 Plant Diseases 25 4.3 Soil Conservation and Erosion Control 26 4.4 Managing Visitor Impacts 27 4.5 Managing Development 28 5 Tourism and Recreation 29 5.1 Understanding the Park and Reserve Visit 29 5.2 Promoting the Park 29 5.3 Interpretation and Education 30 5.4 Access 31 5.4.1 Boating Access 31 5.4.2 Air Access 32 5.4.3 Vehicular Access 32 5.4.4 Walking Access 33 5.4.5 Bicycle Access 34 5.4.6 Horse Access 35 v Narawntapu National Park, Hawley Nature Reserve - Management Plan 2016 5.5 Developing Facilities and Services 35 5.5.1 Springlawn Visitor Services Zone 38 5.5.2 West Head Visitor Services Zone 39 5.5.3 Badger Head Visitor Services Site 39 5.5.4 Recreation Zone 39 5.5.5 Conservation Zone 40 5.5.6 Hawley Nature Reserve 41 5.5.7 Assessing Development Proposals 41 6 Involving the Community 43 6.1 Community Support 43 6.2 Working with Neighbours 43 7 Other Issues 44 7.1 Boundaries 44 7.2 Leases, Licences and Authorities 44 7.3 Statutory Powers 45 7.4 Research and Monitoring 45 7.5 Administration 46 7.5.1 Implementation 46 7.5.2 Search and Rescue, First Aid 46 7.5.3 Enforcement 47 Glossary 48 References 49 Appendices 51 Appendix 1 Flora of Narawntapu National Park 51 Appendix 1b Flora of Hawley Nature Reserve 58 Appendix 2 Known Land Vertebrates (Excluding Birds) and Invertebrates of Narawntapu National Park 61 Appendix 3 Birds of Narawntapu National Park 63 Appendix 3b Birds of Hawley Nature Reserve 65 Appendix 3c Threatened Species of Narawntapu National Park 66 Appendix 4 Performance Indicators 67 Maps Map 1 Location 4 Map 2 Park Boundary 5 Map 3 Reserve Boundary 6 Map 4 Management Zones 12 Map 5 Access - Springlawn Area 36 Tables Table 1 Management Zones or Sites 10 Table 2 Summary of Permitted Facilities, Services, and Activities by Management Zone or Site 40 vi Narawntapu National Park, Hawley Nature Reserve - Management Plan 2016 1 Introduction 1.1 An Overview of the Park Hawley Nature Reserve is similar to a Category and the Reserve I Protected Area in the categorisation system of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Category I reserves are protected areas managed mainly for science or 1.1.1 Location and Regional Context wilderness protection. Narawntapu National Park (formerly Asbestos The geology of Narawntapu National Park is of Range National Park) lies on the central north scientific interest because it lies on the major coast of Tasmania (see Map 1). The Park crustal suture between the eastern and western stretches along the coast of Bass Strait from the Tasmania terranes. This is the boundary Port Sorell estuary in the west to the mouth of between regions of widely differing geological the Tamar River in the east. Noted for its long history that were brought together during an beaches and rugged headlands, the Park includes ancient (Devonian) mountain building event. coastal heathlands and wetlands rising to forested hills and ranges inland. In much of the Park and Reserve, biodiversity is high and in a relatively natural state. However, The Park contributes to the regional tourism particularly on or adjacent to the pasture areas industry of the central north coast, with a noticeable pattern of visitation coinciding with of Springlawn, natural mammal biodiversity is modified and vegetation community condition the Spirit of Tasmania timetable. affected because of altered habitat created by former pasture land. The Park and Reserve are The combination of location, and environmental substantially free of pollution of air, land, and and heritage features provide a contrast with, water. and a complement to other destinations on the coast where more developed, urban-style The Park's native vegetation consists of a great facilities are provided for visitors. diversity of predominantly dry sclerophyll plant communities, heathlands and coastal vegetation. Hawley Nature Reserve is located on the These communities have high conservation outskirts of Port Sorell. Although it is visited at value. This is due to the presence of times by local people, it is not a significant visitor geographically significant endemic species such as destination. velvet bush, threatened species such as the grass tree, and several plant communities which are 1.1.2 Climate unreserved or poorly reserved elsewhere in the State reserve system. The Reserve is primarily The Narawntapu National Park has a temperate important for its flora conservation values. maritime climate. The prevailing winds are north-westerly and north-easterly. The mean Three vegetation communities are listed as rainfall is of the order of 750 mm per annum threatened on Schedule 3A of the Nature with precipitation greatest between April and Conservation Act 2002. These are Melaleuca August. The mean temperature in January is ericifolia swamp forest, Riparian scrub and about 170C and in July about 90C. Wetlands. The Park has saltmarsh areas that are listed as a “threatened ecological community” under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity 1.1.3 Importance of the Park Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCA). and the Reserve The Park is valuable for wildlife conservation and Narawntapu National Park is similar to a at Springlawn has one of the best wetlands in the Category II Protected Area in the categorisation region.