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17th meeting of the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council: 13 February 2007

The following is a summary of matters considered by the Advisory Council at its meeting held on 13 February 2007, of relevance to Advisory Committees.

Plans of Management

Council made recommendations that the Minister adopt the plans of management for these areas:

Western

  • Narrandera Nature Reserve (Western Rivers Region)
  • Goonawarra Nature Reserve (Western Rivers Region)
  • Boginderra Hills Nature Reserve (Western Rivers Region)

Southern
  • Burra Creek Nature Reserve (South West Slopes Region)

Central
  • Gardens of Stone National Park (Blue Mountains Region)
  • Avisford Nature Reserve (Blue Mountains Region)
  • Mulgoa Nature Reserve (Sydney Region)

Advisory Committee matters discussed by Council:
  • Carbon Trading
    The Far West Region Advisory Committee wrote to the concerning carbon trading. Council discussed the issues raised by the Advisory Committee and requested further on the matter.
  • Regional Advisory Committees Conference
    Council members were reminded that the Regional Advisory Committees Conference will be held on 27-29 April 2007.


Deputy Director General's report to Council

The following is a summary of issues Tony Fleming discussed with Council.

  • 40th Anniversary of NPWS

     

    • 2007 is the 40th anniversary of NPWS, 150th anniversary of Fort Denison and 50th anniversary of the gazettal of Dorrigo NP and Nadgee NR. It is also the 50th anniversary of the National Parks Association. A number of events and activities are planned for throughout the year.
  • Fire season update: 2006-07 fire season

     

    • This fire season there have been a total of 281 fires that involved a NPWS response. 226 of these fires involved NPWS land:

       

      • 170 fires started ON-park, with 89% being controlled ON-park
      • 56 fires started OFF-park, and then came ON-park
      • In addition, NPWS fire-fighters have assisted with a further 55 OFF-park fires
    • Location of fires by Branch:

       

      • 40% of fires have occurred within Central Branch
      • 28% within Northern
      • 20% within Southern
      • 12% within Western
    • A total of 225,942.40 hectares of NPWS land has been burnt by bushfire this fire season.
    • Cause of fires:

       

      • 17% of fires were arson or suspected arson
      • 42% of fires were started by lightning
      • 7% started due to legal burning off
      • 2% started due to illegal burning off
      • The remaining 32% were started by either campfire/cooking, farm equipment, power-line, smoking or other causes
    • Already this season, more than 2,257.24 km of fire trails have undergone maintenance activities.
    • As of December last year, 79% of reserves are now covered by an adopted fire management strategy.
  • Kosciuszko National Park

     

    • Ceremony held in December 2006 to celebrate 100th anniversary of the creation of National Chase Snowy Mountains.
  • Kosciuszko Thredbo Pty Ltd lease

     

    • The proposal to grant Kosciuszko Thredbo Pty Ltd a new lease for Thredbo Resort Area is currently being negotiated. The proposal has been advertised.
  • Perisher Range Resorts

     

    • Process to release beds to existing lessees has started. DEC is holding discussions with the chamber of commerce over the lease offer.
  • Co-Management And Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA)

     

    • Stockton Bight: Co-management arrangements finalised. Ceremony held on 10 February 2007.
    • Arakwal Stage 2 ILUA: Ceremony held on 8 February 2007, attended by Premier and Minister.
    • Githabul ILUA: Agreement reached on ILUA, with expectation that it will be finalised by the end of February.
  • Zoning Plans for Batemans and Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Parks

     

    • The Zoning Plan for Batemans Marine Park will commence on 30 June 2007.
    • The Zoning Plan for Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park will commence on 30 March 2007.
  • State of the Environment

     

    • The State of the Environment (SoE) report was launched at the Royal Botanic Gardens in December.
    • 2006 Who Cares About the Environment? Report was launched in November.
    • Both reports are available on the DEC website.
  • Biodiversity Bill

     

    • Government is proposing to introduce a Biodiversity Banking and Offsets Scheme. The first two years of scheme will operate as a trial, with close scrutiny to monitor implementation.
  • Royal National Park Cabins

     

    • Court challenge resolved. Expect to be issuing licences soon.
  • Take a Walk in the Park

     

    • The Walk in the Park brochure recently published, highlights walks and picnic spots in and around Sydney, Blue Mountains and Central Coast. 2007 Guide to National Parks has also been released.
  • National Parks added to the National Heritage List

     

    • Sydney's Royal National Park and the adjoining Garawarra State Conservation Area, the Warrumbungles in northern NSW, and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney's north have joined The Grampians in Western Victoria and the Stirling Ranges in South Australia to be added to the National Heritage List.

Council matters arising from previous minutes and general business:
  • Crown Leases
    The Council's Reservation and Conservation Planning Sub Committee considered the proposal to sell Crown leases and Council passed a resolution highlighting the importance of maintaining or improving conservation values in any lease conversions.
  • SIMIs
    Council discussed SIMIs for Barrington Tops State Conservation Area, Copeland Tops State Conservation Area and Marshalls Creek Nature Reserve. Council raised concerns regarding work proposed under these SIMIs and recommended, in particular for Barrington Tops and Copeland Tops State Conservation Areas, that a plan of management should be prepared as a priority.
  • Tree Risk Policy
    Council reviewed the DEC Tree Risk Policy and were invited to provide comments.
  • Thredbo Head Lease Area
    The proposal to grant Kosciuszko Thredbo Pty Ltd a further lease was referred to the Advisory Council for consideration. Council noted that DEC is obliged to renew the lease under similar terms and conditions to the earlier lease.


Further Information

If you require further information on any matters in this summary please contact Alison Verwey, Stakeholder Liaison Officer on (02) 9585 6337, alison.verwey@environment,nsw.gov.au or Lynne Moyce, Manager Stakeholder Liaison and Strategic Projects on (02) 9585 6344, lynne.moyce@environment.nsw.gov.au

 

 

Page last updated: 22 September 2008