Environmental News and Action
|
Environmental News and Action |
|
Kosciuszko
Resort plans go from bad to worse
When the Government announced the ‘overhaul of planing in Kosciuszko’ in February this year, NPA vigorously opposed the stripping of the NPWS’s resort management powers. As more details come to light, Government now appears to be moving quickly to restrict NPWS’s powers even further. The initial proposal, prompted by a planning inquiry leading from recommend-ations of the Coroner’s Inquiry into the Thredbo landslide, was for the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) to be the consent authority for developments greater than $2million. Now the current proposal is for consents for all development to be approved by DUAP. NPWS will then have no formal role in any approvals, given that Government also proposes to remove the need for ski resort and lodge owners holding leases in Kosciuszko National Park to gain NPWS consent before proceeding with a development proposal. This would make the Kosciuszko ski resorts the only place in NSW where leaseholders are not so constrained ADI bidding war At the time of going to print, with the Federal election days away, both major parties have increased the area of the ADI site at St Marys promised as regional park from 630 hectares to 800 hectares of the total 1,540 hectare site. Intense lobbying by the ADI Residents Action Group have ensured that the most important environmental issue in Sydney is getting media coverage and the attention of local candidates. Unfortunately the convoluted 800 hectares is still far short of the full protection of the site needed to ensure that the threatened Cumberland plain woodlands, kangaroos, emus and other wildlife can survive being hemmed in by proposed urban and industrial development on its doorstep. |
National Parks and Wildlife amendments due
Significant amendments to the National Parks and Wildlife Act, first mooted in December 1999, were due in Parliament in November, with the Government planning to push them through before Parliament rises before Christmas.
NPA will actively ensure only those changes that improve the management of our national parks are approved.
Sydney's catchments secured
At long last, Environment Minister Bob Debus is removing the last impediments to transferring the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) owned lands to NPWS. First promised in 1995, the Minister says the ‘indicative’ timetable is to transfer by as early as mid-December more than 40,000 hectares surrounding Lake Burragorang to Blue Mountains National Park, and during 2002, lands at Katoomba, Blackheath, O’Hares Creek and the Lake Tallowa foreshores to national park too.
As part of the transfer, water authorities Hunter Water and Sydney Water and SCA are seeking to insert in the National Parks and Wildlife Act provisions that allow their minor infrastructure within the national parks. At the time of printing, NPA and other environment groups were seeking amendments in Parliament that would constrain these provisions.
|
Arakwal — the newest National ParkPictured right, a new National Park, Arakwal, at Byron Bay, was officially declared in October. The 183-hectare national park stretching to the south of Cape Byron will protect significant Aboriginal cultural heritage. "My family and I were forced from our home over 50 years ago, today we’re back. I only hope that I live long enough to see homes built on our old campsite where I have all my childhood memories. The National Park will allow our young people to work and care for our sacred country. This is a good day for all the people of Byron Bay," said Lorna Kelly, Arakwal Elder, Byron Bay (October 28, 2001). The new Park will also protect important natural values including the largest remaining coastal clay heath left in the state. |
Byron Bay Marine Park for Byron Bay? The community has been
invited by the State Government to make comments on a plan to establish a
marine park at Byron Bay. |
Plans of Management
The Journal brings the latest schedule of draft plans of management at time of print. (closing date in brackets.)
¨
Wambina Nature Reserve (l3/12/01)¨
Myall Lakes National Park and Little Broughton Island and Stormpetrel Nature Reserves (14/12/01)¨
Amendments to Murramarang National Park (21/12/01)¨
Cape Byron SRA (24/1/02) Ben Halls Gap National Park (8/2/02)¨
Throsby Park Historic Site (18/2/02)¨
Boronga, Boomi and Boomi West Nature Reserves – near Narrabri (18/2/02)¨
The Tweed Caldera (including Mt Warning NP, Border Ranges NP, Limpinwood NR, Numinbah NR, Mebbin NP, Nightcap NP, Snows Gully NR, Mt Jerusalem NP, & Goonengerry NP) ( March 02)Exhibitions of Yengo NP and Parr SRA, and that for Blue Gum Hills Regional Park (in Newcastle) have been extended until 7 December 2001.
There have been a few additions to the NPWS Estate bringing the total area to 5,387,055 hectares which is approximately 6.72% of the land area in NSW.
Compiled from information provided by NPWS
|
National Environment conference wrap-up Over 400 people from around Australia and overseas gathered in Melbourne for the first environment- movement organised environment conference in 13 years. Workshops centred around issues such as deep ecology, indigenous issues, land clearing, forests, chemicals, media, globalisation , marine conservation, corporate relationships and sustainability... The conference organiser, Mittagong Forum (representing organisations such as ACF, NPAC, NCC and the Wilderness Society), is all about increasing communications and collaboration within the Australian Environment movement — (this) conference succeeded in doing just that. Kate Mcmaster |
|
Myall Lakes
National Park.
It is essential to preserve this beautiful area which was first reserved as a National Park in April 1972 as 15, 429 hectares. It is now 44,172 ha in size. The draft plan of management exhibition closes on 14 December 2001! |
|
|
National Environment conference wrap-up Over 400 people from around Australia and overseas gathered in Melbourne for the first environment- movement organised environment conference in 13 years. Workshops centred around issues such as deep ecology, indigenous issues, land clearing, forests, chemicals, media, globalisation , marine conservation, corporate relationships and sustainability... The conference organiser, Mittagong Forum (representing organisations such as ACF, NPAC, NCC and the Wilderness Society), is all about increasing communications and collaboration within the Australian Environment movement — (this) conference succeeded in doing just that. Kate Mcmaster |
Support NPA input to Management Plans
NPA's Park Management Committee (PMC) plays a vital role in providing input to the draft plans of management throughout the State.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service now manages over 500 national parks and nature reserves. Each of these reserves must have a plan of management to control its management. So far only about 25% of national parks and nature reserves have a plan.
For the hundreds of plans still to be completed over the next ten years, NPWS will be seeking comments on each draft plan. It is important that the NPWS receives detailed comments for each draft plan exhibited, and any problems are identified before the plan is adopted. At present rates, there is a need to respond to at least 20 plans each year.
NPA has been providing detailed comments on almost every draft plan of management exhibited. These comments help ensure that the plans do provide the best ecological management framework. The expert advice, determination and wisdom of NPA’s Park Management Committee has been instrumental in this.
NPA now seeks to employ a project officer to keep up with the volume of plans on exhibition.
|
Action:
Please donate to NPA to allow us to ensure that NPA retains its strong voice in the management of national parks. Send donations
to |
|
|
National
Parks Association - Home Page |
|
