Kalbarri National Park ‘nature’s window’ management plan 83 2015 Conservation Commission WESTERN AUSTRALIA Department of Parks and Wildlife 17 Dick Perry Avenue KENSINGTON WA 6151 Phone: (08) 9219 9000 Fax: (08) 9334 0498 www.dpaw.wa.gov.au © State Government of Western Australia 2015 August 2015 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form (retaining this notice) for personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any other use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Parks and Wildlife. ISBN 978-1-921703-57-7 (print) ISBN 978-1-921703-58-4 (online) This management plan was prepared by the Conservation Commission of Western Australia through the agency of the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Questions regarding this management plan should be directed to: Planning Branch Department of Parks and Wildlife 17 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington WA 6151 Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: (08) 9219 9000 Email: [email protected] The recommended reference for this publication is: Department of Parks and Wildlife (2015), Kalbarri National Park management plan 2015. Management plan number 83. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth. This document is available in alternative formats on request. Front cover photos Main Nature’s Window at The Loop. Photo – Melissa Loomes/Parks and Wildlife Top right Coastal cliffs. Photo – Rory Chapple/Parks and Wildlife Top left Branching fringe lily (Thysanotus dichotomus). Photo – Rory Chapple/Parks and Wildlife Header photo View of The Loop from Nature’s Window. Photo – Clare Atkins/Parks and Wildlife All photos in this plan are credited to the department, unless otherwise indicated. Kalbarri National Park ‘nature’s window’ management plan 83 2015 Conservation Commission of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife Kalbarri National Park management plan Acknowledgments This management plan was prepared by a Department of Parks and Wildlife planning team consisting of Clare Atkins, Melissa Loomes, Michelle Rumball, David Rose, Sue Hancock, Mike Paxman, Anthony Desmond and Rory Chapple, with significant input from Parks and Wildlife staff from the Midwest Region, Geraldton District, Geographic Information Services, Fire Management Services, Parks and Visitor Services Division and Science and Conservation Division. Thank you to the members of the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation and Nanda who contributed to the preparation of this plan. Thank you to all those who took the time to make a submission to the draft management plan when it was released for public comment. Page ii Kalbarri National Park management plan Contents Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................................ii Summary .....................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................4 Overview .................................................................................................................................................4 Key values and pressures .........................................................................................................................5 Management context ..................................................................................................................................7 Vision .......................................................................................................................................................7 Legislation and policy .............................................................................................................................7 Management arrangements with Aboriginal people ................................................................................7 Administration .........................................................................................................................................8 Term of the plan.......................................................................................................................................8 Assessing performance ............................................................................................................................8 Consideration of adjacent lands ..............................................................................................................9 Neighbouring land use ...........................................................................................................................10 Managing cultural heritage .....................................................................................................................12 Managing visitor use ................................................................................................................................15 Visitor access .........................................................................................................................................18 Visitor activities .....................................................................................................................................20 Commercial operations and tourism ......................................................................................................27 Involving the community .........................................................................................................................28 Managing the natural environment ........................................................................................................30 Climate ..................................................................................................................................................30 Geology, landforms and soils ................................................................................................................31 Hydrology ..............................................................................................................................................33 Native plants and communities..............................................................................................................35 Native animals and habitats ...................................................................................................................39 Weeds ....................................................................................................................................................42 Introduced and other problem animals ..................................................................................................43 Fire… .....................................................................................................................................................46 Managing resource use ............................................................................................................................51 Mineral and petroleum operations .........................................................................................................51 Beekeeping ............................................................................................................................................52 Water resource use .................................................................................................................................52 Utilities and services .............................................................................................................................53 Page iii Kalbarri National Park management plan Research and monitoring ........................................................................................................................55 References .................................................................................................................................................57 Maps Map 1. Planning area .............................................................................................................................61 Map 2. Existing and proposed tenure ....................................................................................................62 Map 3. Recreation sites .........................................................................................................................63 Appendix ...................................................................................................................................................64 Consideration of adjacent lands – further detail ....................................................................................64 Page iv Summary Kalbarri National Park, created in 1963, is situated on the lower reaches of the Murchison River, about a six and a half hour drive north of Perth, and surrounds the coastal tourist town of Kalbarri on Western Australia’s Coral Coast. The park’s spectacular wildflowers, majestic Murchison Gorge, coastal landscapes and vast rolling sandplains provide a stunning setting for visitors to enjoy and engage in a wide range of recreational activities. The park’s Aboriginal cultural heritage, fascinating history of 17th century European exploration and more recent use