August 2000 Messages from the Executive

NPA and Aboriginal people working together
for Pilliga and Goonoo Goonoo

Working to stop western woodlands being used as an easy supply of wood for charcoal has brought together NPA and local Aboriginal people.
In February 2000, the NPA Sydney office received a call from Rod Towney, who lives in the Dubbo area and chairs the Central Region Land Council. Last year he was appointed chair of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. He was keen to team up with NPA, who has been opposing the use of western woodlands trees to make silicon since July 1999; and he was particularly interested in protecting Goonoo Goonoo, to the north-east of Dubbo.

This led to the formation of the Friends of Goonoo, consisting of the Central Region Land Council, NPA and Central West Environment Council. Led by Rod Towney and Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council, Friends of Goonoo held a successful public meeting about burning the western woodlands in early March at Dubbo. About 150 people attended, including many local and regional Aboriginal people. They voted to oppose the use of western woodlands for silicon production and sought the protection of Goonoo Goonoo as a national park.

The next day, Friends of Goonoo wrote seeking an urgent meeting with the NSW Premier, who was due in Dubbo for the Salinity Summit in several weeks. One day before the summit, Premier Bob Carr announced that Goonoo Goonoo and Pilliga woodlands would not be used for charcoal production.

Concerns over the future of Goonoo Goonoo and Pilliga remained. The Government set up an Aboriginal consultative committee with State Forests and NPWS to oversee logging operations in the Pilliga, and aims to establish a similar one for Goonoo Goonoo. However, NPA learnt of widespread Aboriginal disappointment with plans for further logging and a proposed 5-year forest agreement. NPA discussed with Aboriginal people its goal of permanent protection for the natural and cultural values of the land, along with our commitment to sharing information and listening to Aboriginal people.

NPA attended a meeting at Coonamble in April with Aboriginal people interested in the Pilliga and Goonoo Goonoo. Joint letters were written to Government about the conduct of the Pilliga Aboriginal consultative committee, further logging, and opposition to mining exploration in Pilliga without a full environmental impact assessment.

In May, NPA met with members of the Wirrimbah Traditional Descendants, Coral Peckham and William Burns, traditional owners of Goonoo Goonoo and active supporters of NPA Macquarie Valley Branch. Hearing NPA’s efforts for the permanent protection of Goonoo Goonoo boosted their confidence that a national park could be achieved, and we agreed to continue working together on this.

Some Government agencies feel they have a monopoly on consultation with Aboriginal people. NPA seeks protection for the land – an option that is currently not being offered to Aboriginal people by the NSW Government at Pilliga or Goonoo Goonoo. NPA will continue to work closely and openly with Aboriginal people, knowing that this will better serve our common objectives.

Andrew Cox
Western Woodlands Project Officer

The June 2000 Journal included a note from Noel Plumb, then Executive Officer, indicating that he was leaving NPA. Noel resigned at the NPA State Council meeting held in May. In response, State Council accepted the resignation of the Executive Officer with regret, noting Noel's considerable achievements during his time in the position. We recorded our ap–preciation of his unstinting dedication towards conservation and the Association, wishing him well in the future. This resolution was passed without dissent.

The NPA Executive wishes to record its thanks to Noel for his work for NPA during his 3½ years' employment. Noel showed a high level of commitment, energy and dedication to the work of NPA in protecting and expanding the reserve system in New South Wales.

He worked long hours in his efforts to achieve protection for forests and woodlands, and increased the public profile of the Association through this work. He was instrumental in the successful campaign to protect the South Coast forests of New South Wales (see page 11 & 12).

From the Executive

Following the release of the Coronial Inquiry report on the Thredbo landslide disaster, the NSW Government has announced an inquiry into the role of the NPWS in overseeing urban development and roadworks in national parks.
NPA believes it is essential that the NPWS retain this role. Whilst the Coronial Inquiry made adverse findings against NPWS, any alternative would have the potential to seriously damage the national parks estate and create a precedent which could see other aspects of Service management taken out of their hands. The simple solution is for the Service to employ or consult professional engineers, just as local councils do.

NPWS engineers have made significant improvements in miti–gating the environmental impacts of road construction along the section of the Alpine Way beyond Dead Horse Gap. The Roads & Traffic Authority, on the other hand, are viewed by conservationists as envi–ronmental and social vandals, res–ponsible for destroying bushland, splitting communities and imposing polluting stacks on poorer communities who have limited ability to thwart the road-building juggernaut.

The implications of the Inquiry go far beyond Thredbo village and the Alpine Way. What of the tourist drive in Sturt NP, which has now become a major through-route for heavy vehicle transport; the fire break in Pilliga NR, a short-cut from Baradine to Narrabri; the school bus route through Mt Jerusalem NP; or the tourist roads through parks in the Blue Mountains??

Whilst the Service is much maligned, it is the only agency which has nature conservation as its core business, and the only competent agency to manage natural areas for the conservation of biodiversity. Its control over urban development and roads within parks should not be divested to another authority.

Roger Lembit
NPA President