NPA Bulletin National Parks Association of the ACT Vol 25 No 2 December 1987 4$ * '. -J3T LIONS PARK THIS 4 HECTARE PARK WAS CONSTRUCTED OUT OF A WILDERNESS ASA PROJECT Of THE LIONS CLUB OF TOOWOOMBA WEST Can a //ff/e nature be saved before we 'improve' upon it all Picnic Point, Toowoomba, Qld. NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY INC. Inaugurated 1960 Aims and Objects of the Association Office Bearers and Committee Promotion of national parks and of measures for the President protection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural Kevin Frawley. 4 Shiels PI.. Curtin. 2605 features in the Australian Capital Territory and else­ 82 3080 (H). 68 8309 (Wl where, and the reservation of specific areas. Vice-President Vacant Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor re­ Secretary creation areas. Julia Tramor. 2 Hill Comer. Yarralumla. 2600 Stimulation of interest m. and appreciation and enjoy­ 81 1 195 (Hi. 62 1514 iW) ment of. such natural phenomena by organised field Ti easurer outings, meetings or any other means. Jan Gatenby. 1 6 Goodparla St. Hawker. 261 4 54 3094 (Hi Co-operation with organisations and persons having Publicity Olticer similar interests and objectives. Glyn Lewis 95 2720 iH) Promotion of. and education for, nature conservation, Bulletin Editor and the planning of land-use to achieve conservation. Judith Simondson. 1 06 Jackie Howe Cres Macarthur. 2904 91 6201iH) Outings Convenor Ian Haynes. 21 Roberts St. Macquane. 2614 51 4762 <H) CONTENTS Other Committee Members . Neville Esau 86 41 76 iHi. 49 4554 IWI 1 Philip Gatenby 54 3094 (Hi Kevin Totterdell 81 4410 (Hi 'S3 "5270 iWi President s Foreword Immediate Past President ComnHttee New.s Ross Carlton 86 3892 (Hi New Members Public Othcer The Protection ot Reserved Lands m me ACT Charles Hill 95 8924 (Hi Buiidmg A Home To Tread Lightly On The Landscape The- Fire History Of Rotten Swamp Managing r-irewood ualhynnc) In Parks Annual Subscription Rates 11 July JU Junei Jusl Briefly Household Members $20 Let lei S Single Members Si 5 The Dedicated Traveller Corporate Members S10 Bo- Vale Walking Track Bulletin Only $10 Heysen Tr.ui Concession- Half Above Rates Grunting Up To Cudgenby For new subscriptions joining between 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate Flora and Fauna Special Protection Measures 1 April and 30 June - annual subscription ABC Of Eul-n.vilkinq (up to 1 5 months membership benetiti Membership Enquiries welcome , Please phone Laraine Frawley at the NPA office on 57 1 063 The NPA of the ACT office is located m Kingsley Streel. AUon Office Hours: 10.00am to 2.00pm Mondays 9 00am to 2 00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays Telephone: 57 1063 Postal Address: Box 457 GPO. Canberra L.'b01 DEADLINE DATES for NPA BULLETIN contributions: 15 October, 1 5 January 1 5 April. 1 5 July Articles by contributors may not necessaniy retted Association opimvn ot objectives Printed by Derek Kelly 54 1 226 Attention All Members ! Typeset by Top Typesetters 51 6550 Contributions of between 200 and 300 words, with ot without photographs (black and white preferably! are sought eagerly for the Bulletin Of course we need longer items as well, but short ones are popular with everyone 1 Share with us your camps, trips and pack walks your trials and tribulations and adventures of all kinds. PRESIDENT'S FOREWORD Kosciusko National Park has been a focus of committee attention in the last few months. We have prepared comments on the proposed amendments to the K.N.P. Plan of Management, and on the Development Study on the Eastern Approaches tothe Park(Department of Environment and Planning, NSW). Onething is clear- development pressures are growing at an alarming rate for this area. The Development Study outlines a 'preferred strategy' for the eastern approaches to K.N.P. (from Jindabyne), which is, in effect, a corridor of development at differing densities and standards, stretching from Jindabyne to the Park boundary on both the Alpine Way and the Kosciusko Road, This is clearly inconsistent with the widely supported view of recent years, that development should be concentrated in existing centres adjacent to the Park. Of particular concern is the proposal that major developments be allowed in the so-called 'Bullocks', 'Little Thredbo', and 'Penderlea' precincts which directly abut the Park. In responding to this and the proposed Plan of Management amendments, we have taken the view that our guiding principle should be to aim for the maximum protection of natural values in the Park. For example, we have recommended that there be no camping, including pack camping, at or near Blue Water Holes because of the rapid degradation of this area in recent years. We have strongly opposed the suggestion that camping be allowed in or near the restored Coolamine buildings. Also in the northern part of the Park, we have supported the designation of the Bimberi Wilderness area, but recommend the area be extended to incorporate Mt Morgan and Half Moon Peaks and adjacent areas. In the Perisher area, we have expressed our concern at the potential for increasing environmental degradation with the proposed new down-hill ski developments in the Blue Cow area. The problem of reconciling recreational use (especially that involving extensive infrastructure) and nature conservation in our National Parks is not a new one for NPA, as a perusal of past Bulletins shows. Currently, however, the Parks are facing a new level of threat, as governments and private developers attempt to make the most of the tourist/recreation boom and its resultant commercial opportunities. For the Association, the result will be the necessity for an increasingly vigorous role in supporting the preservation of natural values. At times this may confront us with challenges to our own thinking, as well as difficult choices and decisions. Red Spot A red spot on the label of your Speakers for General Meetings Wanted Bulletin indicates that NPA records show you as unfinancial. To renew your membership see the Treasurer The NPA holds general meetings on the third Thursday of each month from at the next general meeting of the February to November inclusive. Association, call at the NPA office These meetings are planned to provide a variety of guest speakers and in Kingsley Street, Acton (phone films on conservation and national parks issues. 57 1063) or post your subscription Volunteer speakers and/or suggestions for topics are always needed. If to GPO Box 457, Canberra 2601. you would like to know more about a particular subject, or know someone The Bulletin distribution list will be who is willing to speak, we'd like to know! revised in December by deleting Please contact Julia Trainor (phone 811195) with your ideas. any unfinancial members. Committee News New Members The following new members are welcomed fo the Association: preparation ol management briefs NEW PURCHASE Peter BAYLISS. Charnwood; for which might be carried out by The Association is now the proud Carmel BELL. Jamison: David voluntary organizations. owner of a microcomputer- an Opal Graham Scully. Presidenl of the BENNETTS. Garran; Ashley and Turbo PC/XT to be exact. Laraine Joanne CROSS, Chisholm; Richard Kosciusko Huts Association, was Frawley. our Office Assistant, is invited to attend our September and Sally De FERRANTl Deakin: already using it for word processing, Committee meeting. Mr Scully out­ Lesley FORBES. Wanmassa. P.A. and the next step is to create a lined the interest of the KHA m GARDNER and B.W BORRELL. membership database The design doing maintenance on huts in Lyneham, Mr and Mrs R GRAY. of the membership database is Namadgi. Campbell. Jennifer and Barthol­ underway, and Neville and Maxme omew HAND. Latham. Clive Esau nave entered a few member­ ENVIRONMENT MATTERS HUGHES and Kasuma NISHIGAYA- ship records as a trial Other future HUGHES. Hughes. Catherine applications could include account­ On wider conservation matters, the JOHNSTON. Aranda: Tanya and ing and desk top publishing If any Committee has prepared responses Max KIERMAIER. Gowne; Mrs J members have any interest or to the fasfern Approaches to Kos­ KLOVDAHL. Curtin. Richard LAN­ expertise to offer, please contact ciusko National Park Development CASTER and family. Reid J.A and the office or a member ot the comm­ Study to the Dralt Amendments to G.M LESLIE. Garran McMURRAY ittee. the Kosciusko National Park plan family. O'Connor Susan and Robin ot Management and to Cooleman MILLER. Gairan: Suzanne O'CALLAGHAN NAMADGI Plain Karst Area Management Plan. Giralang. Keith and Bron- All these documents and The Assoc­ wyn OCTBORN. Red Hii|. Amswcfh Following the successful1 construct­ iation's comments are available PATRQNI Downer Miss A. PRIT ion of the Yerrabi Track, several trom the Office. The draft amend­ CHARD * 'eston: Betty ROSS. Red members have drafted an interpre­ ments cover alpine skiing facilities, Hill. Johanna VERBECK Flynn tative brochure which outlines the the extension ol horse riding into Chns WARE Downer Mr and Mrs flora fauna and natural features to parts of some wilderness areas, R. WATKINS. Duffy Eric ZURCHER. be seen along the track. The and measures to reduce the impact Tom HATTON Linda BROOME. Committee has approached the on the Cooleman Plain Karst Area. Lyneham Parks and Conservation Service for Another ot our regular meetings assistance ;n publishing the bro­ was held with membe*'S of the chure and agreement has been NPWS ***** iNSWi The discussion was reached to work together on its (literally1) very wide ranging, cover­ preparation and publication Tiy a different ing the Australian Alps. Namadgi With the Yerrabi Track receiving kind of Brindabella Range, and the Kos­ much use. some members have holiday ciusko and Morton National Parks expressed interest in constructing this The Australian Nationa1 Parks additional tracks near the Boboyan summer' Council held its Annual Conference Road.