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Environmental News and Action |
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Substantial additions to the NPWS Estate made have been made recently to Guy
Fawkes River NP (4,470 ha), |
Royal deer update
The NSW Government has accepted the recommendations of the Deer Management Plan prepared by the Royal National Park Deer Working Group. NPWS has
arranged for professional shooters employed by the Rural Lands Protection Board to remove deer from areas of high concentration in Royal National Park at night.
Since the shooting started in February, those parts of the
National Park targeted have been closed to the public during times of shooting.
| Correction to Feb 2002 NPJ , p.20 – Chris Hartcher was Minister for the Environment when the original plan to reduce deer numbers was dropped in 1994. |
Only a drop in the Ocean..
The NSW Government announced the creation of six new aquatic reserves in the Sydney region — effective from the end of last month. These reserves are at Cabbage Tree Bay near Manly, the rocky foreshore between Bronte and Coogee, the area around Barrenjoey Headland, Narrabeen, Cape Banks at La Perouse and Boat Harbour, north of Cronulla.
The aquatic reserves already existed to 10m from the shore, but now protection will extend to 100m. Unfortunately, five of the six reserves still allow line fishing.
Only Cabbage Tree Bay is a fully protected aquatic reserve — this largely resulted from enormous local support including 800 submissions in favour, and an active role played by Manly Council.
NPA welcomed the Cabbage Tree decision, but was disappointed with the other aspects including an ineffective proposal to protect gropers. NPA believes that the other five aquatic reserves are ‘pretend protected areas’ and considers that the resulting minuscule increase in sanctuary areas will do little to increase the NSW total above 0.05% (close to the size of Sydney’s Centennial Park).
Last year 22 aquatic reserves between Newcastle and Wollongong were proposed by the Government. NPA calls on the NSW Fisheries Minister to ensure the immediate declaration of the remaining 18 aquatic reserves.
ANDREW COX
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2002
29th and 30th April, 2002, SEYMOUR CENTRE, SYDNEY EXPLORING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMICS & SOCIETY To attend or for further information contact: Clare Smith ph: 02 9279 9279 or email: csmith@nccnsw.org.au |
New Rules for the Game?
The Minister for Agriculture has drafted a Game Bill to re-establish game hunting of certain native birds (some ducks and quail) and feral animals on public lands.
Overseeing administration and promotion of game hunting will be a Game Council, chaired by a hunter and with a majority of hunters. They appoint and oversee inspectors with powers similar to police. Victoria, already with a game law, has 30,000 game hunters and the number in NSW is expected to be much greater. The national party is pushing to extend the Bill to cover national parks.
The Game Bill delivers a Shooters Party agenda and will undermine efforts at feral animal control, make public recreation unsafe, and kill protected native animals.
NPA and other NSW environment groups oppose game hunting and, with animal welfare groups, seek to block the Bill being passed by Parliament.
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Action:- Send letters urgently to:- Premier
Bob Carr and Minister for Agriculture Richard Amery, |
NPA has been involved in the Parliamentary Upper House Inquiry into Feral Animals established in 2001. Members and supporters expanded on the NPA and peak environment group submission with local examples at Cooma — a further hearing was held in Sydney in March and another is planned for Armidale this month.
NPA supports urgent action on feral animals by Government to strengthen laws and policies, develop a strategic and cooperative approach to feral animals and significantly enhance resources.
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Quarantine
Station Action
Since 1987, NPWS, driven by failure of successive NSW Governments to adequately fund restoration and maintenance of the North Head Quarantine Station (QS), has been seeking private sector involvement. After several companies pulled out, Mawland (a hotel management company) finally signed a Conditional Agreement to Lease in January 2000. The proposed ‘adaptive reuse’ of many of the buildings (for a 3-star hotel and a restaurant) and the possible tripling in visitor numbers would effectively destroy the cultural values and further endanger the natural heritage. NPA strongly opposes the proposed development and advises that the QS must be part of the planning of the whole of North Head — which can now include the old Artillery School — and must remain in public control. NPA's Sydney Branch has been actively involved in Reference Working Groups since 1999 and has made submissions to the NPWS and to a Commission of Inquiry since the EIS was publicised in September 2001. 1,100 submissions were received — only a handful in favour of the proposal. NPA sincerely thanks those many people who put in submissions. The determination of the Commissioners is pending at time of print. PETER CALDWELL |
Parks Act Changes
NPWS recently informed NPA that changes to the National Parks and Wildlife Act passed by Parliament late last year (see NPJ Feb 2002) will come into force in three stages between 1 July and 31 December 2002. While many provisions will commence in July, some that require more prepatory work by NPWS, such as the new leasing and inholding access arrangements, are likely to start much later. NPA will monitor progress to ensure unnecessary delays do not stall many of the positive changes to the Act.
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Keeping it Public On March 7th, NPA Executive Officer Andrew Cox addressed the Parliamentary forum Keeping it Public: better models for managing cultural and natural heritage. Andrew proposed new State and Federal legislation to ensure that government oversight of public lands better matches community expectations. The law would require an assessment of public lands no longer needed by a government department, or even a church, and public engagement in decisions on future use. |
NPA's hard working Park Management Committee responds to all management issues within more than 500 national parks and other conservation reserves in NSW. Its capacity to respond needs enhancing if NPA is to remain an effective watchdog.
Help fund a part-time or full-time project officer to support the committee's voluntary efforts.
Make a single tax-deductible donation or a regular annual contribution, marked for 'Park Management Officer'
Myall Shores
Myall Shores — a private camping area deep within the Myall Lakes National Park at Legges Camp — is proposing a major expansion. The so-called ‘resort’ plans to almost quadruple the number of cabins from 26 to 102, add a swimming pool and reduce the number of campsites.
NPA seeks the phasing out of the private development, rather than its expansion. Already Environment Australia has declared the expansion a ‘controlled action’ under Commonwealth EPBC Act, due to the potential impact on the Ramsar-listed Myall Lakes. The draft is currently being considered for adoption by NPWS and the Minister for the Environment.
ANDREW COX
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Summit
goes north and west
The second state forum for NSW forest and conservation activists was held in February at Hungry Head. The primary issues were burning biomass for fuel and charcoal and a campaign to increase the state reserve system. NPA Western Woodlands Officer, David Paull was encouraged by the level of interest in the western reserve campaign. |
Some national parks in NSW are still closed following the January bushfires — closures include Heathcote, Nattai, fire-affected areas of the Royal, Yengo, Conjola, and southern Blue Mountains. For a list of all closures — check the NPWS website or phone 1300 361 967
There are many promising stories of wildlife recovery – e.g. page 4 – but a close eye still needs to be kept on post-fire policy making.
NPA State Councillor and member of the NSW Bush Fire Coordinating Committee, Anne Reeves, noted concerns about over-wide fire breaks – and backburning within national parks and on public lands at the firefront.
"There are the also problems of rehabilitation of habitats in the face of erosion and weedspread, and the increased incidence of feral animal intrusion," Anne said.
Anne will be assisting NPA in monitoring Government planned changes to bushfire legislation, a new State Environmental Planning Policy and provide input to the upcoming Parliament Inquiry (reports by 28 June) and Coronial Inquiry (starts July).
A conference on 'Bushfires — Managing the Risk' will be conducted by NCC, 27-28 June
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Wheeler
Creek
In an intriguing 'development' at Wheeler Creek ,the Catholic Church which was proposing to build a large retirement village on the land at the top of the Wheeler Creek Valley, has withdrawn from a case to force approval from the Land and Environment Court. The new provisions listed in the 'Planning for Bushfire Protection' document means that the Church will need to redesign the whole proposal. JUDITH BENNETT |
Errata
SOS Printers apologise for final formatting errors in the cover story, Saline Solutions (Feb NPJ), omitting a paragraph on top of page 6 describing salt-reduction ideal of 100EC or less needed at Morgan above and beyond revegetation measures.
Also, Alan Catford's note on NPWS regulations in Feb NPJ, page 8, should have read : 'inappropriate activities..are not in line with NPA policy.' etc.
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