The Wilderness Society, 6/2/92. Addition nominated by Colong Foundation, Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs and The Wilderness Society on 23/10/96 . A further submission on 15/5/97 added the National Parks Association as a nominating group.
Nominated
Existing NPWS estate (Oct. 1993)
Barrington Tops National Park 38,248 ha 36,600 ha
Barrington Tops N.P. (1996 nom.) 52 ha under assessment
New NPWS estate (Oct. 1993 to Sept. 1999)
former State Forest 29,152 ha 23,230 ha
former State Forest (1996 nom.) 1,299 ha under assessment
former Vacant Crown Land 700 ha 800 ha
former resumed land managed
by Hunter Water Corporation — 1,100 ha
Other tenure
Chichester State Forest 550 ha —
Barrington Tops State Forest 400 ha —
Mt Allyn Flora Res. 450 ha 450 ha
Paddys Brush Crown Res. 300 ha 300 ha
Barrington Tops is a dissected plateau located at an altitude of 1200-1500m. The oldest rocks in the region comprise sedimentary deposits of the Devonian-Carboniferous periods, which were intruded by granitic magma during the Permian. A few residual basaltic caps on the plateau remain as evidence of the area's volcanic activity during the Tertiary period. Associated sedimentary and volcanic soils of red and stony kraznozems, podzolics and brown earths are to be found, while recent unconsolidated sedimentary deposits underlie the upland peaty swamps and alluvial flats. The plateau is the source of numerous rivers, those flowing west and south being tributaries of the Hunter River, while those flowing east, including the Barrington River, are tributaries of the Manning.
"The nominated area is part of an island of forest in a sea of cleared and modified agricultural lands. Thus it acts as an important refugium for native plants and animals. The diversity and juxtaposition of altitudinal zones, aspects, species and communities combine with the high rainfall and relatively high nutrient soils to represent one of the most significant biological refugia in New South Wales."
The area has three major rainforest forms: cool temperate, found above 900m and dominated by Antarctic Beech (Nothofagus moorei), which is at its southernmost limit; warm temperate, between 600 and 900m, characterised by Sassafras (Doryphora sassafras), Crabapple (Schizomeria ovata) and Rosewood (Dysoxyulum fraseranum) - but not Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) and; sub-tropical rainforest, on or close to valley floors at 400-600m, comprising Yellow Carrabeen (Sloanea woolsii), Thick-leafed Laurel (Cryptocarya meisneriana), Bangalow Palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) and Cabbage-tree Palms (Livistona australis). A rare example of riverine rainforest is located on the alluvial flats of Boonabilla Creek, consisting of the Brush Cherry (Syzygium paniculatum) - Black Apple (Planchonella australis) - Whalebone tree (Streblus brunonianus) association. These grow alongside the tallest River Oaks (Casuarina cunninghamiana) in the state.
The wilderness area also contains a great diversity of Eucalypt communities, including one of the major areas of intact sub-alpine Snow Gum woodland (E. pauciflora) in the state, interspersed with Black Sally (E. stellulata) and Mountain Gum (E. dalrympleana).
The sub-alpine swamps of the region constitute the largest area in the state after Kosciuszco National Park.
A number of species reach either their southernmost or northernmost boundaries within the area, including Antarctic Beech and Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus) (southernmost) and the Alpine water fern (Blechnum penna-marina) and Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) (northernmost).
Four threatened species of plant are endemic to Barrington Tops. These include the rare teatree Leptospermum argenteum, the rare herb Plantago palustris, the vulnerable purple pepperbush (Tasmannia purpurascens) and the uncommon annual herb Euphrasia ciliolata, whose status is unknown. Several rare or threatened plants are found in the tall old-growth forests of the area, particularly Mount Royal State Forest.
The altitudinal range and the variety of plant communities produce a range of faunal habitats in the area and this is reflected in the rich biota. Many faunal studies have been conducted in the Barrington region, and 27 species recognised under Schedules 1 and 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1996 are known to occur in the area. These include the Hastings River Mouse (Pseudomys oralis), that is considered close to extinction and internationally recognised as one of the world's rarest mammals. Other endangered species found include nine marsupials, four bats, a native rodent, nine birds and three amphibians. The Rufous Scrub-bird, considered vulnerable to extinction and internationally recognised as an endangered species is found in Barrington Tops.
Several endemic invertebrate species are known to occur in the Barrington Wilderness. These include the rare butterfly Pseudalmenus chlorinda barringtonensis, the true spiders Tasmanoonops parinus, T. pinus and Tarlina sp., the flightless carabid Trichosternus australasicus and three undescribed species of Onychophorans (velvet worms). The area also contains a disjunct population of the relict terrestrial ribbon worm, Argonemertes hillii.
The mountainous Barrington area represents a buffer zone between lands traditionally occupied by the Worimi, Geawegal, Dangaddi and Birpai Aboriginal People Few archaeological sites have been found in the area.
Settlement spread to the east and west of the Tops in the 1820s and 1830s, but it was not until the 1860s that the Tomalla station on the Edwards Plain was established for a few years by the selector James Campbell. He subsequently moved down to the upper Hunter Valley. Grazing continued in some areas until 1969 when the National Park was established.
Gold was washed along the lower reaches of Moonan Brook in the 1860s and the area became known as the Dennison Diggings. A substantial gold mining village was established at Copeland in the eastern foothills, with another shortlived mining town at Wangat established at the turn of the century.
Cedar getting occurred in the Williams, Allyn and Paterson Valleys in the 1820s. Logging continued in union with extended settlement of the river valleys, with overcutting finally exhausting supplies by the 1890s.
By this time most of the Chichester and Mt Royal Management Areas were identified and dedicated as Forest Reserves. This led to conflict with pastoral interests.
Reserves re-dedicated as State Forest, following the Forestry Act 1916.
A number of sawmills established to process timber logged from Main Creek, Fosterton and Bandon Grove. Logging of Williams and Allyn Rivers commences, supplying mills further afield. Logging of Avon River and the north eastern section of Chichester SF also commences.
Logging of Masseys Creek State Forest commences.
Logging of rainforest Brushwood commences. Allyn River sawmill constructed (1943).
Several areas are removed from Forestry Commission (FCNSW) management, being considered unfavourable for logging by Forest Assessors. In 1927 the Wangat and Chichester Headwaters were proclaimed water catchment areas and revoked from Chichester SF. Arguments over re-dedication continued until 1954 when reports, contradicting earlier conclusions, recommended logging was the most suitable land use for other non-catchment areas previously excluded from logging. These reports coincided with the removal of area allocation of sawlogs to straight cubic metre allocations to sawmills. This led to the practice of over cutting, as quotas were not related to specific areas.
Chichester State Forest was re-dedicated in 1960, following the recommendations of 1954.
Prior to 1965 unmerchantable timber remaining after logging was removed by ringbarking.
Rainforest logging intensifies. By 1975 5,900 cubic metres of rainforest timber were being logged per annum. This was expected to decline by 1980, probably anticipating the exhaustion of supplies.
Hardwood logging also dramatically increases from the mid-1960's onwards
Karuah Management Area and Boonabilla Management Area are combined with the Chichester Management Area and a joint management plan is produced.
Hardwood sawlogs estimated for 1977-1980 top 27,000 cubic metres - almost twice the 1955-60 levels.
Chichester Management Plan produced. Pulpwood production is foreshadowed:
"The virgin forest areas of the Chichester Management Area contain a significant component of overmature, highly defective stems ... and consequently would be available profitably to help support a woodchip project without prejudicing sawmill industry commitments".
1,420,000 cubic metres of sawlogs from virgin forest or areas logged prior to 1964 are identified for logging over a 44-year period.
Under Forestry Commission Policy it is decided not to log the rainforest of Barrington Tops. However, this did not include wet schlerophyll forest with a rainforest understorey Roading, however, is permitted in rainforest areas.
Concerned over logging in rainforest on Barrington Tops, the Colong Committee puts in a last-minute bid to have the area included in Premier Wran's "Rainforest Decision". The FCNSW counter acts by claiming the area contained only "moist hardwood". The October decision recommends identification of possible additions to the National Park, but in the subsequent negotiations the FCNSW continues to deny the existence of logging in rainforests.
Despite the forthcoming expiry of the 1980 Chichester management plan The Wilderness Society (TWS) Newcastle ascertains from FCNSW that Whispering Gully (Chichester SF) is scheduled for logging. Only 10-15% is excluded, despite the fact that 36% of the area exceeds 25 degrees (not suitable for logging according to the Soil Conservation Service [SCS]) and 50% of the gully supports stands of rainforest. Whispering gully, contained in the headwaters of the Karuah River, contains 2,000 ha identified by TWS as being of wilderness quality and suitable for inclusion in the National Park.
TWS discovers illegal rainforest logging east of the Paterson River. TWS also identifies 500 ha west of the Paterson River as being of Wilderness quality. Over 40% of the area comprises sub-tropical and cool temperate rainforest.
TWS requests Interim Protection Orders (IPOs) for Whispering Gully and Paterson River.
Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, refuses IPO and Paterson River is logged.
FCNSW announces preparation of new Management Plan but preparation was subsequently delayed until 1994. Logging was then undertaken as an "extension" to the 1980 plan, despite commitments that the new plan would be produced "well before the June 1990 deadline".
Court action undertaken in the Land and Environment Court (LEC) leads to a ruling that FCNSW must produce an EIS under the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) for its roading and planned logging of the Mount Royal Management Area.
The NSW Timber Industry (Interim Protection) Act 1992 (TIIP Act) is enacted in March, creating a logging moratorium on parts of Mt Royal, Stewarts Brook, Barrington Tops and Chichester State Forests totalling 18,400 ha, until an EIS is determined for those areas by the Minister for Planning (NSW) . About 12,400 ha of the above mentioned state forests within the nominated wilderness at Mt Royal is excluded from the moratorium under the TIIP Act and can be logged without prior environmental assessment.
A Forestry EIS30 for logging in the Mt Royal Management Area, covering some 3,983 ha of the nominated wilderness in Mt Royal State Forest (see fig 2.1 and p 2-9 of the EIS), was published in September and placed on public exhibition for submissions until 17/11/92.
The EIS maps showing constraints to logging and proposed roading are inconsistent. Roading is likely to repeat massive slumping of steep slopes as occurred in Davis Creek in 1989. The proposed roading traverses steep slopes and goes through rainforest areas as if the no go areas identified in the EIS did not exist.
The TIIP Act provisions affect timing of the determination of the EIS for logging by requiring a decision within 3 months (i.e. by 17/2/93) for wilderness quality forest within non-moratorium areas. However there is no time limit specified for determination of the Mt Royal part of the wilderness that falls within the moratorium: s.8(5) and s.9 TIIP Act.
March: The Hon Robert Webster, Minister for Planning, writes to the Hon Gary West, Minister for Conservation and Land Management, regarding the Forestry Commission's EIS for the Mount Royal Management Area, stating "upon examination the EIS contains a wide range of inadequacies, inconsistencies and the information in it is presented in a confusing manner ...the information in the EIS is so inadequate that it is impossible for the Director to assess the impact of the proposed logging operations in the Mount Royal Management Area". As a result, no permission is given to the Forestry Commission to carry out logging in the area but "It remains open for the Forestry Commission upon reflection to prepare a further EIS for all or part of the Mount Royal Management Area".
Two EIS's (Chichester, Gloucester Management Areas) covering part of the wilderness nomination area as described above are due to be published for public comment on 30/9/93: Schedule 4 TIIP Act.
May: Commencement of the State Government’s implementation of forestry reform. All NPWS identified wilderness and selected high conservation value forests deferred from logging until completion of regional assessment processes and finalisation of the relevant forest agreement under the Forestry and National Park Estate Act, 1998.
Proclamation by the Lands Department of NSW (DL) of the Chichester and Wangat Valley as a "Bird and Animal Sanctuary".
The Chichester and Wangat Valley's protected as a "Water Catchment".
South western section of the plateau declared a sanctuary.
NSW MLA E. S. Sponer proposes that Barrington Tops be "laid out in reserves and accommodation provided for the public".
Hunter Valley Councils recommend the formation of a Barrington Tops State Park. Development Trust to examine the formation of a park that was also to include a "primitive area ... not exceeding one tenth of the area of that park".
National Parks and Playgrounds Movement (NPPM) establishes a committee to consider a park proposal.
In response to FCNSW claims that it was best equipped to manage the area, an Inter-Departmental Committee (FCNSW, DL, SCS) was established. Committee recommends two National Parks: Gloucester Tops (1200 ha); Williams River (72 ha).
NPPM produces "The Barrington Tops Park Project".
August: NPPM establishes a committee with local councils and organisations. This committee recognises the FCNSW as the only body with sufficient funds to manage the area, and recommends that if the area was allocated to the FCNSW the Forestry Act should be re-written to deal with protection of Primitive Areas. Over 67,000 ha identified as National Park, Primitive Areas and Watershed Reserves.
Newly-formed National Parks Association (NPA) presses for independent parks body to administer the state's natural area. With the support of NPPM, Barrington Club and Sydney-based Caloola Club it produces the Policy for Reservations on the Barrington and Manning Tops This pushed for a National Park and attacked the affects of grazing on the plateau and the associated introduction of Scotch Broom to the area.
Negotiations by NPA with FCNSW lead to a gradual reduction in proposed areas.
After FCNSW land claims had been met only Gloucester Tops and Williams River are gazetted - total 1,272 ha.
Kerripit Beech Flora Reserve (No. 79931), 243 ha, within Barrington Tops State Forest gazetted on 1 June 1966.
14,000 ha of non-contentious Crown Land gazetted under the newly enacted National Parks and Wildlife Act as Barrington Tops National Park. This included a separate Gloucester Tops area.
Blue Gum Flora Reserve (No. 79975) of 292 ha within Stewarts Brook State Forest gazetted on 24 August 1973 and Gloucester Tops Flora Reserve (No. 79969) of 400 ha within Barrington Tops State Forest gazetted on 2 February 1973.
Helman Report Wilderness in Australia identifies Barrington Wilderness with a "core" of 28,000 ha.
In the Submission to the Government of NSW on the proposed additions to the Barrington Tops National Park (Sydney, 1982) NSW Conservation groups proposed six extensions to the National Park.
As part of its negotiations with the FCNSW prior to the release of its "Rainforest Policy" the Labor Government adopted only two of the proposed extensions. This left unprotected wilderness in Stewarts Brook SF, Barrington Tops SF and Chichester SF. NPWS also negotiated with FCNSW to allow logging of the 650 ha of Vacant Crown Land on Kholwa Creek, which would subsequently be added to the park.
After negotiations were completed, a further 22,000 ha are added to the park as part of the Wran Governments 1982 rainforest decision.
Along with 14 other areas, Barrington is placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List as one of the NSW Rainforest Parks.
Wilderness Working Group Report identifies an area of approximately 42,500 ha as Wilderness, largely following the 1982 Submission.
In an effort to protect Whispering Gully and the Paterson River from further wet schlerophyll logging and related destruction of rainforest TWS requests IPOs for the areas. These are rejected by Minister for the Environment Tim Moore.
September: Minister Moore submits the above requests to the Director of the NPWS and asks these representations be considered as a Barrington wilderness nomination.
NPWS releases its Barrington Tops Draft Plan of Management, tantamount to a park development proposal. The Draft POM proposes only three wilderness areas totalling only 27,770 ha to be dedicated under s.59(1) of the National Parks & Wildlife Act 197438. These are: the Devils Hole Wilderness in the northern section of the park (2,330 ha); The Chichester Wilderness which includes the Wangat and Chichester River catchments and part of the Williams River catchment (16,860 ha); and the Boonabilla Wilderness which includes most of that part of the park south and west of Careys Peak Trail (8,580 ha).
Also of particular concern to environment groups is: a road planned to the top of the Barrington plateau, the heart of the wilderness; continued 4WD and horseriding access to substantial sections of the park; and no further inclusion of any State Forests into the park despite continued recommendations. TWS and the Colong Foundation produce substantial submissions opposing such developments. Local NPWS staff accuse conservationists of "forcing the region's timber industry to a halt" and only wanting to see "one per cent of the park open to visitors".
Accusations by NPWS local staff led to intervention by Head Office, with a commitment to preparing an EIS for the Plateau Road (cost $300,000). As the road is currently under the control of FCNSW an EIS was also expected (1994) from them. This provides a partial moratorium for the heart of the Barrington Wilderness.
Following roading (Christmas, 1989) in the Mount Royal Management Area, the Land and Environment Court imposes an injunction on roading and logging of the Mount Royal Area prior to production of an EIS.
A wilderness of 62,000 ha is nominated by The Wilderness Society on 6/2/93 under section 7 of the Wilderness Act 1987.
Terry Metherell MLA (Ind), holding joint balance of power in NSW with non-aligned independents, announces on 13/2/92 his Wilderness (Declaration of New Areas) Bill 1992 which includes Barrington Tops wilderness nomination, less any freehold or Crown leasehold land, for protection as wilderness under existing legislation.
March: The Timber Industry (Interim Protection) Act 1992 places the forests within the Gloucester and Chichester Management Areas under logging moratorium and requires the the Barrington wilderness assessment be completed by 30 Septermber 1993.
Metherell's Bill is a crucial factor in triggering the decision by the Minister for Environment, Tim Moore, to announce on 9/4/92 a public exhibition and submission process from 19/4/93 to 19/8/93 for an NPWS assessment report of the nominated wilderness (and similarly with different dates for twenty two other wilderness areas in NSW). The Metherell Bill is shelved at the close of 1992 following Metherell's resignation from Parliament but the wilderness assessment reports were eventually published in a manner similar to the timetable laid out by Mr Moore and the T(IP)P Act.
The Prime Minister and the Premiers of all Australian states, except Tasmania, sign National Forest Policy Statement. This Statement declares "until the assessments (of forests for conservation values) are completed, forest management agencies will avoid activities that may significantly affect those areas of old-growth forest or wilderness that are likely to have high conservation value".
January: The Hon Ros Kelly pressures the Hon Gary West, Minister for Conservation and Land Management to protect Barrington Tops wilderness (and other areas) under the National Forest Policy signed by Premier John Fahey, in December '92.
April: NPWS releases its Assessment Report on the Barrington Wilderness Area. This assessment finds that the identified Barrington Wilderness readily meets the definition under Section 6 of the Wilderness Act 1987. The NPWS Assessment found that the boundaries of the Wilderness Society nomination require some modification to exclude areas of a disturbed nature not capable of practical regeneration. In particular, the report finds that the central plateau region of nominated area is, at present, not capable of practical regeneration. It is hoped that a trial of new broom control measures will prove successful, allowing the area infested with broom to be capable of restoration. In anticipation of a positive result, the Colong Foundation and the Hunter Branch of the National Parks Association submit that these weed infested areas can be reasonably identified as wilderness.
The report also recommends that Boonabilla Creek an the Paterson, Williams, Chichester and Wangat River systems be dedicated as Wild and Scenic Rivers under Section 61 of the NP&W Act 1974.
9 September: Premier Fahey announces his final determination of new areas to be gazetted as wilderness. This determination was decreased to 6 wilderness areas totalling 113,000 ha of the 350,000 ha promised in December 93 and does not include Barrington wilderness area.
22 September: Bob Carr, Leader of the Opposition, censures the Premier for breaching his promises on wilderness and commits NSW Labor to the declaration of twelve new wilderness areas including Barrington.
10 March: NSW Labor announces wilderness policy to secure six new wilderness areas and nine additions, including the creation of a Barrington Wilderness.
May: Labor Government ceases logging in all identified wilderness areas
August: Barrington Wilderness is placed on public exhibition for a second time.
April: The first round of Labor’s promised wilderness additions are declared over areas of existing National Park estate, with 32, 033 hectares of Barrington Tops National Park declared as the Barrington Wilderness.
June: The Draft Interim Forestry Assessment Report is released by the Government body Resource and Conservation Assessment Council (RACAC). As part of this process a desktop assessment of potential wilderness in eastern NSW is undertaken. Areas outside the existing NPWS identified wilderness boundaries are termed provisionally identified wilderness. Some 1,351 ha in Barrington Tops State Forest is provisionally identified through this process.
September: The NPWS recommends exclusion of the Barrington central plateau area from wilderness declaration in the medium term due to infestation with the noxious weed Scotch Broom.
23 October: Nomination under section 7 of the Wilderness Act submitted by Colong Foundation, Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs, TWS and NPA for 19 wilderness additions or new areas, provisionally identified through the Forestry Interim Assessment Process (IAP), including 1,351 ha of State Forest east of Gloucester Tops.
December: The Forestry Revocation Act is passed by Parliament, adding 21,525 ha to Barrington Tops National Park and creating the 5,030 ha Mt Royal National Park..
March: The acting Minister for the Environment, the Hon Bob Debus, declares 22,150 ha of additions to the Barrington Wilderness over former state forests.
1 June: NPWS Closes Carters Brush Trail for rehabilitation to protect conservation values.
19 March: The Carr Government commits to assess the proposed addition to Barrington Wilderness by the end of 1999 with determination of area for declaration by the end of 2000.
The major threats to Wilderness integrity are weed infestation and inappropriate park management.
Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius, incorrectly referred to also as Sarothamnus scoparius) is a major threat to the Wilderness integrity of Barrington and currently infests about 10,000 ha of private property, State Forest and National Park on the plateau. About 30% grows in impenetrable thickets over 2m high, taking over existing vegetation and providing a rich food source and shelter for feral pigs. The plant is spread through feral animal, horse and stock droppings, vehicles, on the boots of bushwalkers and down streams.
Scotch Broom is recognised as a noxious weed in NSW and Victoria. CSIRO has for some time conducted experiments to biologically control the problem.
Recommendations: Legislation should be enacted to make the removal of Scotch Broom obligatory. Complete prohibition of vehicular access to infested areas on the central plateau and elsewhere, combined with a control program for the elimination of feral pigs, would go a long way in halting the advance of Cytisus scoparius. Horseriding should not be permitted in wilderness areas nor infested areas. All walkers should be encouraged to scrub their boots at facilities that should be provided at the start of walking tracks. Grazing by feral cattle and brumbies associated with grazing of former state forest areas are another major cause of dispersal and should be controlled. The CSIRO and government agencies should be encouraged to continue development of biological control methods for Scotch Broom, as part of an integrated approach to its control.
The following proposed Service policies as outlined in the Barrington Tops draft management plan are entirely at odds with Wilderness preservation:
i) Vehicular access to the plateau including a proposed 2WD road and maintenance of 2WD and 4WD trails, management and recreational (4.3.2 and Map 3 of the draft plan);
The environmental impacts of trails on wilderness areas include: soil compaction and erosion; weed introduction and dissemination via NPWS vehicles or otherwise; facilitation of feral animal ingress; wildfires caused by arson; off-road vehicle use; impacts related to illegal horseriding and litter.
The use of 4WDs in wilderness areas is highly detrimental to the environment. Such vehicles introduce weeds, degrade walking tracks, damage fragile ecosystems and leave trails that destroy the aesthetic qualities of wilderness, as well as taking years to recover. Such vehicles often carry generators, firearms and dogs, which are also incompatible with wilderness appreciation due to the level of noise created and the destruction of wildlife.
ii) Prescription/ fuel reduction burning in Wilderness Areas (4.1.6);
Hazard reduction burning, backburning, spot burning and other methods of fire management undertaken by the NPWS can lead to wildfires, fire-sensitive placespecies' extinction, loss of native fauna, erosion and stream sedimentation.
iii) Visitor facilities at Big Hole, Junction Hole, Little Murray, Mt Barrington and Eremeran Point (4.3.3 and Map 3) within the identified Wilderness Area.
Recreation infrastructure within the broom infested areas of the park will facilitate weed invasion and could reduce wildlife populations and lead to the localised favouring of some species, particularly scavengers, over others.
iv) Authorisation of horseriding activities (4.1.5);
The Bicentennial National Trail follows Barrington and Stewarts Brook Trails within the area. The Trail passes through a broom-infested area. These horseriding tours through National Parks were established with no prior public consultation.
Horseriding undermines wilderness values and its environmental impacts include: introduction of exotic weeds contained in droppings as seeds; soil compaction, erosion and widening of walking tracks; clearing associated with pickets and corral construction; disturbance of native wildlife and wilderness solitude.
The passing of the Trail through wilderness areas is completely contrary to the promises given by the Bicentennial National Trail organisation: "In all cases where the Trail passes through or near national parks, the route has been determined through consultation with National Parks and Wildlife Service staff to ensure that the Trail does not encroach on any existing or future Wilderness Areas" (emphasis added).
v) Control of Dingoes by 1080 baiting (4.1.5);
There is some evidence that Critical Body Weight Range (CWR) (200-5000g) macropods, such as the Parma Wallaby and Rufous Bettong which are particularly at risk from fox predation, are able to persist in moist high quality forests in which dingos are present but foxes are absent. One theory suggests that CWR species persist where Dingos are common and actively exclude Foxes Although Dingos prey upon many macropod species, predation has not been shown to have a regulatory effect on these populations. Baiting reduces numbers of both Foxes and Dingos, but foxes may recover more rapidly and replace dingos in the ecosystem.
Baits can also kill other carnivores such as Tiger Quolls.
Recommendations:
i) Maintenance of trails - Vehicle use for management or otherwise in wilderness areas is a breach of faith with the provisions of the Wilderness Act. Most of the existing trails serve little management purpose. These tracks should be ripped and revegetated. The National Parks and Wildlife Service announced in 1995 that the Carters Brush Trail would be closed and revegetated as it served no management purpose and penetrated the wilderness area. The NPWS should continue to resist pressure from 4WD clubs to reopen this trail. The following trails should also be removed as a matter of priority: The Barrington Trail (including the Polblue extension); Kholwa, Mt Carson, Cabre Bald, Mt Nelson, Glowang, Mountaineer, Junction Hole and Wombat Creek Trails to prevent further spread of Scotch Broom. As part of an integrated program to provide appropriate recreation opportunities, alternative areas for car touring on tracks in state forests and on other public roads should be developed in partnership with 4WD clubs.
ii) Management of the National Park should be based primarily on wilderness preservation in order to maximise all the natural values present in this forest wilderness.
iii) Hazard reduction burning is incompatible with wilderness management. The best prescription to avoid fires in wilderness areas is to confine management trails to the edge outside the National Park, to prevent the spread of fire from outside. Where a fire occurs within a wilderness area it should be dealt with by remote area techniques or, if the risks are too great for this direct approach, control should be exercised from the relative safety of the perimeter trails. External management trails can be used to prevent it spreading to adjoining areas. Where absolutely necessary, helicopter landing areas could be cleared for fire control.
iv) The visitor facilities indicated above should be relocated to the edge of the park as proposed by TWS The Selby Hut should be managed as a historic ruin.
v) Horseriding is incompatible with the recreational opportunities in wilderness as outlined in the Wilderness Act 1987 Section 6.1(c) and should not be permitted by the Service. The Bicentennial National Trail should be re-routed around the wilderness, in adjoining State Forests.
vi) The use of 1080 (sodium flouroacetate) baits for Dingo control, which cause death through internal bleeding, convulsions and nervous system collapse over a thirty minute- to two hour period, should be abandoned. Programmes to control Dingos should only be undertaken on adjoining properties, only after there is substantial evidence that numbers of sheep are being taken and that other methods, such as removing lambing ewes, have not proved effective Similar conditions should apply to macropod populations within the NPWS area and its surroundings.
North East Forest Alliance
Hunter Region
PO Box 9
SINGLETON NSW 2330
Contact: Barrie Griffiths Ph: 02 6577 3105
Fax: 02 6577 3001
e-mail bgriffiths@hunterlink.net.au
The Wilderness Society
Newcastle Branch
90 Hunter Street
NEWCASTLE NSW 2300
Contact: Glen Klatovsky Ph: 4929 4395
FAX 4929 5940
Colong Foundation for Wilderness, 1989, Submission to the NPWS on the Barrington Tops Draft Plan of Management.
Colong Foundation for Wilderness, 1993, Submission on National Parks and Wildlife Service Barrington Tops Wilderness Assessment Report.
Colong Bulletin, 129, p7, "Rainforest Revisited".
Colong Bulletin, 131, p1, "The Wilderness (Declaration of New Areas) Bill".
Colong Bulletin, 135, p10, "Constraints no Bar to Logging".
Colong Bulletin 142 January 1994 p10, "Forest Minister Ignores Premier over Wilderness Logging".
Colong Bulletin 147, November 1994, p5, "The Fahey Government’s Wildernesses".
Colong Bulletin 151, July 1995 p6, "Labor’s Wilderness Moratorium".
Colong Bulletin 156, May 1996 p8, "Wilderness Protection - Navigating the way forward".
Colong Bulletin 157, July 1996 p3, "Wilderness Protection Scheme".
Colong Bulletin 159, p7, "Major advances in Wilderness and Forest Protection".