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Branching from the
Far South Coast
As our name suggests,
we are at quite a distance
from the majority of NSW NPA branches. Ours is a small branch in
a busy tourist region with the vast area of recently-declared
South East Forests NP at our back door, and a number of
intensively visited smaller coastal parks nearer to home.
We hold meetings
bi-monthly, and for alternate months organise outings and walks
in this enticing variety of coastal and hinterland Parks. Living
in a widespread but comparatively small community we welcome the
opportunity to have close contact and a good relationship with
members of the local NPWS staff.
The Far South Coast
is an area where conservationists have long battled against the
worthless destruction of our NSW native forests. Some of our
members are old campaigners, and we acknowledge the difficulty
of living alongside forest workers whose livelihood has been
dependent on the woodchip industry.
Nevertheless there
are many local projects which present us a non-confrontational
challenge . We are currently supporting an exciting development
adjacent to the recent additions to Ben Boyd NP. On the Pambula
River floodplains a Wetlands and Heritage Project will
rehabilitate a large area of abandoned racecourse and former
farmland, establishing bird sanctuaries and boardwalks.
We are also promoting
and looking forward to the coming publication of a work by one
of our members, Chris Allen, on the History
of Koala Conservation in the South East.
Recently we have
played an important part in influencing NPWS Head Office to
withdraw its proposal to increase charges to school groups for
entry to Bournda Environmental Education Centre in Bournda NP.
Further afield, but still on our agenda as matters for grave
concern, are the impending threat of over development of
Kosciuszko NP, and the proposal to establish a charcoal plant at
Mogo.
The Far South Coast
Branch extends to other NPA members a warm invitation to visit
our remote and naturally rich region.
Anabel McDonald
Far South Coast Branch, NPA
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Far South Coast Branch
NPA walkers stop for a chat
and a view at the Pinnacles, Ben Boyd NP
Photo: Anabel McDonald
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Cockatoos
feast on burnt banksia
in Yuraygir NP
While Sydney
and South Coast fires dominated the
media over the Christmas New Year period, a fire has
burnt out much of the North Yuragir National Park. It
too was burnt just on eight years ago, almost to the
day, in December 1993.
The fire
began on private property to the west of Clarence Peak,
and moved northwards into the Park. It burned over
several days with the most damage occurring on December
27th (2001) with the winds moving the fire towards the
villages of Wooloweyah and Angourie.
Back burning
was carried out around the villages, and while the fire
burned very close to some houses, no property was lost.
However, a great deal of the Park was burnt, with untold
losses to animal and plantlife.
The usual
blame was given to NPWS -- perhaps the media should
educate the public about the negative effects of hazard
reduction and back burning, rather than whipping up
anti-national park sentiment.
Karen Joynes
Clarence Valley Branch, NPA
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Black Cockatoos enjoy
some burnt banksia
in the blackened environment of Yuraygir NP
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