Goodradigbee

NSW WILDERNESS RED INDEX

Published by The Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd (September 1999)
2/332 Pitt Street Sydney 2000 ph 02 9261 2400; fax 02 9261 2144
email keith@colongwilderness.org.au web site colongwilderness.org.au

NAME: Goodradigbee

NOMINATED BY: The Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd (September 1989).

LOCATION: South-east NSW and south-west ACT, 35 km south west of Canberra.

SIZE: 160,754 ha ACT & NSW (nom. and WASA) areas
112,900 ha 1989 NSW nomination area
95,173 ha NSW 1996 updated NPWS identified area

consisting of three separate identified wilderness areas:

Bimberi 31,367 ha;
Bimberi addn. 1,017 ha;
Goobarragandra 35,380 ha;

Bogong Peaks 27,409 ha.

1999 Wilderness Assessment Study Areas (WASA):

5,700 ha Bimberi addition;

20,720 ha Goobarragandra additions (approx. 12,066 ha previously nom.);

1,700 ha Bogong Peaks addition

128,954 ha (total of NSW 1989 nom. and new WASA areas).

TENURE (NSW): Nominated Identified
Existing NPWS estate (Oct. 1993)

Kosciuszko National Park 96,700 ha 77,956 ha
Kosciuszko National Park (WASA) approx. 7,337 ha under assessment
Bimberi Nature Reserve 5,900 ha 6,090 ha
Bimberi Nature Reserve (WASA) approx. 1,900 ha under assessment
Scabby Range Nature Reserve 2,800 ha 4,360 ha

New NPWS estate (Oct. 1993-Sept. 1999)
Former State Forest 2,280 ha 2,280 ha
Former freehold (addn. to Scabby Range NR) 0 ha 1,017 ha

Other tenure
Micalong and Bondo State Forests 5,220 ha 3,470 ha
Bondo State Forest (WASA) 1,508 ha under assessment
Crown land (WASA) approx. 2,850 ha under assessment
Leasehold land (WASA) approx. 503 ha under assessment
Freehold land (WASA) approx. 1,956 ha under assessment

TENURE (ACT):

Namadgi National Park 31,800 ha

Wilderness Declared (NSW):

Kosciuszko National Park
Bogong Peaks Wilderness;

Size: 27,409 ha

Percentage of entire area (NSW & ACT): 17%

Kosciuszko National Park, Bimberi and Scabby Range Nature Reserves
Bimberi Wilderness;

Size: 27,633 ha

Percentage of entire area (NSW & ACT): 17%

Kosciuszko National Park
Goobarragandra Wilderness;

Size: 31,525 ha

Percentage of entire area (NSW & ACT): 20%

Wilderness Declared (ACT):

Bimberi Wilderness (in Namadgi National Park) under Nature Conservation Act 1980 (ACT), December 1989;

Size: 31,800 ha

Percentage of entire area (ACT & NSW): 20%

Wilderness Not Declared (NSW):

Kosciuszko National Park and Bimberi Nature Reserve;

Size (part of nominated area and WASA): 30,350 ha.

Percentage of entire nomination (ACT & NSW): 18%

Micalong and Bondo State Forests;

Size (part of nominated area and WASA): 6,728 ha

Percentage of entire area (ACT & NSW) 4%

Crown land;

Size (part of nominated area and WASA): 2,850 ha

Percentage of entire area (ACT & NSW) 2%

Leasehold land;

Size (part of nominated area and WASA): 503 ha

Percentage of entire area (ACT & NSW) <1%

Freehold land;

Size (part of nominated area and WASA): 1,956 ha

Percentage of entire area (ACT & NSW) 1%

DESCRIPTION:

The wilderness is drained by the Murrumbidgee, Goodradigbee and Goobarragandra Rivers. The backbone of the wilderness is the Fiery Range, formed from sedimentary and volcanic rocks, and intruded by bands of granodiorite. The Bogong Mountains to the west and Brindabella Range to the east are predominantly of granite. Abutting these mountain ranges, in the southern part of the wilderness nomination, are outcrops of limestone associated with Yarrangobilly Caves and Cooleman Plains.

The general level of the terrain drops away steeply into the Goobarragandra and Goodradigbee River valleys. Spectacular gorges are found in their headwaters.

Although there have been many surveys within the Kosciuszko National Park, there have been no complete vegetation surveys of the Goodrabidgee.

Vegetation is sub-alpine at the highest altitudes, ranging to wet sclerophyll forest at lower altitudes. In subalpine areas, small areas of bog, fen, heath and sod tussock grassland dissect eucalypt woodlands. Above 1,600 metres, a Eucalyptus niphophila woodland predominates. E. niphophila is a fire sensitive eucalypt. Most individual trees are less than fifty years old, reflecting past burning practices. The woodland community typically has a shrubby understorey, with Oxylobium ellipticum and Podocarpus species dominant. On poorly drained sites, a low heath of Kunzea mulleri/Epacris serpyllifolia replaces the woodland. Where there is an elevated water table, fens and Sphagnum bogs develop in frost hollows. At this altitude, treeless sod tussock grasslands on valley bottoms are a response to cold air drainage. A characteristic E. pauciflora/E. stellulata association surrounds these frost hollows.

Extensive montane forests occur between 1,100 and 1,600 metres. These forests are dominated by a wet sclerophyll forest community, with principal species Eucalyptus delegatensis (alpine ash), E. dalrympleana (mountain gum), E. viminalis (manna gum), and E. radiata (narrow-leaved peppermint).

On exposed dry sites, a dry sclerophyll forest of E. macrorhyncha/E. rossii woodland community has developed which is related to the tableland woodland communities to the north of the park. On the dry and very exposed lower slopes in westerly facing locations, a tall woodland of E. albens/Callitris spp. association is found. These rainshadow communities add to the diversity of montane forest and subalpine ecosystems.

No rare, endangered or threatened flora are known to be found in the area, however Galium roddii is recorded as a narrow endemic confined to the Cave Creek gorges. Another species of restricted distribution, known to occur in the area is E. pendula, which is related to the Snow Gum.

No comprehensive fauna surveys of Goodradigbee Wilderness have been done, but a survey of Brindabella Range National Park, an area of similar habitat, details the fauna that should be expected to occur within Goodradigbee. The survey found 298 species of fauna comprising 47 mammals, 181 birds, 26 reptiles, 12 amphibians, 9 fish and 23 invertebrates. Rare fauna of the area include; the Broad-toothed Rat (Mastacomys fuscus); the rare northern form of the Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) (threatened in NSW) and a butterfly (Oreixenica kershawiphryne) which is endemic to the Brindabella Range. The rocky peaks of the Brindabella and Scabby Ranges in the east section of the wilderness are habitat for summer aestivation of the Bogong Moth (Agrotis infusa).

LAND USE HISTORY:

Aboriginal The area is part of the territory traditionally occupied by the Walgalu Aboriginal People, who were joined in the summer months by the Ngarigo and Ngunawal for the Bogong feasts. An important burial site has been discovered in a small cave in the Cooleman area and other Aboriginal sites of significance have been located at Coolamine Homestead..

Mining Gold mining took place along the Upper Goobarragandra River from the early 1860s until operations ceased in 1950. Remnants are still to be seen along the river.

Grazing This was officially discouraged in the "High Country" of Kosciusko State Park in areas over 1350 metres by the late 1950s, and phased out entirely by 1969 (implemented in first Plan of Management, 1974). The continued use of the minor stock route along Broken Cart Track as a "long paddock" means that some grazing is still occurring within the nomination.

1994 A stock company commences bi-annual cattle drives through the wilderness as a tourism venture under the name Reynella Rides. While promoted as a compatible use with the park due to its recreation component, the activity effectively sanctioned renewed grazing of the park.

Electricity

1956 Snowy Mountains Authority (SMA) erects Yass 1 330,000-volt pylon through Goodradigbee nomination.

1960-61 SMA erects Yass 2 330,000-volt pylon through nomination. These pylons compromised the wilderness values of the area. The National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) identified wilderness was divided into three areas (Bogong, Fiery and Bimberi) because of the pylons and associated roads .

Logging

1967 34,000 ha, of wilderness-quality lands transferred from Kosciusko State Park to Buccleuch State Forest as part of the adjustment of national park areas which accompanied the passage of the National Parks and Wildlife Act. This area was subsequently roaded and logging commenced.

1996 April: The Interim Forest Assessment Process (IAP) results in deferral of logging within the NPWS identified wilderness in the Micalong and Bondo State Forests (collectively known as the Buccleuch forests).

Fishing This still occurs within the area of nomination, and has not been discouraged in the Bimberi Nature Reserve Plan of Management NSW (January 1997). In the Namadgi National Park Management Plan ACT (June 1986) reference is made to the threats posed by introduced trout to the native Macquarie Perch and River Blackfish. In order to protect native fish, trapping has been implemented by the ACT Government to remove trout and other exotic fish in the Cotter River system, including streams inside the Bimberi section of the wilderness area. Trout fishing is still permitted in the Gudgenby River, which is also within the Wilderness Area. In NSW, no measures have been proposed to protect endangered fish inside the Goodradigbee Wilderness Area.

HISTORY OF CONSERVATION MEASURES:

1944 Dedication of Kosciusko State Park which spans some 96,700 ha of the wilderness nomination.

1958 Grazing ended in Kosciusko State Park above 1,350 metres.

1965 Kosciusko State Park Trust produces "Interim Master Plan" which proposed five wilderness areas, including Goodradigbee.

1967 Kosciusko State Park declared a National Park following the creation of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Act 1967. Phasing out of grazing leases below 1350 metres begins.

1969 Grazing ended in Kosciusko National Park.

1974 Kosciusko National Park Plan of Management adopts Goodradigbee Wilderness Area, encompassing approximately 104,000 ha in three segments, separated by public roads. The fragmentation of the wilderness was also partly the result of heavy lobbying by fishermen and 4WD clubs at the public display stage of the (Draft) Plan of Management.

1976 Helman wilderness study identified Bogong, Fiery and Bimberi to be of wilderness quality, but recommended they be treated separately, due to dividing power lines. Bogong, although of wilderness quality, did not rate as wilderness, being considered smaller than the study’s minimum size criterion of 25,000 ha.

1981 Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Eric Bedford, gazettes 15,764 ha of former travelling stock, camping and water reserves to Kosciusko National Park. This places the control of stock movement through the park with the NPWS.

1982 Kosciusko National Park Plan of Management declares Bogong (25,000 ha) as a wilderness area under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 but re-classifies the remainder of the Goodradigbee Wilderness area into other management types Over 70,000 ha. of wilderness "lost".

1986 Australian Alps Memorandum of Understanding signed between ACT, NSW, Victoria, and Commonwealth Governments.

1988 18,200 ha of Bimberi to be managed as a wilderness area in the 1988 Kosciusko Management Plan. The plan also announced as a "high" priority "the declaration of the Fiery Range/Goobarragandra River area as a wilderness management area". This would be done "in consultation with user groups".
September: Victorian National Parks Association publishes the Australian Alps World Heritage Nomination Proposal which includes the Goodradigbee Wilderness.

1989 Bimberi Wilderness Area in Namadgi National Park gazetted under Nature Conservation Act (ACT) 1980 (31,800 ha).
The Colong Foundation nominates: Bogong, Fiery, Bimberi (ACT and NSW) wilderness areas; most of Scabby Range Nature Reserve; and parts of Buccleuch State Forest as the Goodradigbee Wilderness.

Australian Alps Memorandum of Understanding revised and ratified.

1992 April: Terry Metherell MLA (Ind) (former Liberal Member for Davidson), 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 Goodradigbee, less any freehold or Crown leasehold land, for protection as wilderness under existing legislation.
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.

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 oldgrowth forest or wilderness that are likely to have high conservation value".

National Parks and Wildlife Service release Goodradigbee Wilderness Assessment Report. This report concludes that "The majority of the proposed Goodradigbee Wilderness Area readily meets the definition under Section 6 of the Wilderness Act 1987 and can reasonably be identified as wilderness" This report divides the Goodradigbee Wilderness into three areas separated by power lines: Bimberi (28,960 ha), Goobarragandra (33,970 ha) and Bogong Peaks (27,444 ha). The total area identified by the NPWS assessment is 90,374 ha, about 54,000 ha less than the area nominated by the Colong Foundation.
Bogong Peaks Wilderness Area declared under Wilderness Act. Fiery Range/Goobarragandra and Bimberi wilderness sections were not declared despite the recommendations and zonings of the 1988 park plan of management. Much of the local community opposition to the proposed wilderness has been apparently stirred up by the then Members for Burrinjuck (Alby Schultz) and Monaro (Peter Cochran) who were totally opposed to the protection of the Goodradigbee Wilderness.

1993 23 December: Fahey Government announces 350,000 ha of wilderness within 7 of the 10 areas nominated by environmental groups. This announcement covers 13% of NSW wilderness and 0.33% of NSW's total area. A further 80,000 ha of wilderness was to be referred to the Natural Resources Audit Council, a body (now defunct) comprising 11 members of governmental resource management departments and industry representatives. The proposed Goodradigbee Wilderness was to be fragmented into the three areas of Bogong, Goodradigbee and Bimberi, leaving considerable areas for exploitation by off-road vehicles and horse-riders, and facilitating illegal use within the nominated wilderness.

1994 11 February: An addition of 1,017 ha of acquired freehold land is gazetted as part of Scabby Range Nature Reserve. This addition contains high wilderness qualities and is suitable for inclusion in a revised identified boundary.
2 March: Premier Fahey announces that a further assessment process for wilderness declaration is needed and that the Surveyor-General be involved in investigating wilderness boundaries already defined by NPWS. Director General of Cabinet commissions the Surveyor-General to investigate Deua, Macleay Gorges and Goodradigbee wilderness areas. Report gives priority to all competing interests and greatly reduces the area proposed for declaration by recommending the removal of the Fiery Range (Goobarragandra) section from the wilderness area.

9 September: Premier Fahey announces his final determination of new areas to be gazetted as wilderness. This determination has decreased to 6 wilderness areas totalling 113,000 ha. Government declares only 22,750 ha, east of the Long Plain Road, as the Bimberi Wilderness, excluding the Fiery Ranges (Goobragandra Wilderness).

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.

1995 March: The ALP Opposition releases its wilderness policy as part of the 1995 election campaign. Labor commits to declaring 7 new wilderness areas and 9 additions to existing areas, including Goodradigbee.
May: Labor Government ceases logging in all NPWS identified wilderness areas

November: The Goobarragandra and Bimberi Wilderness areas are placed on public exhibition for the second time.

1996 16 February: The Colong Foundation requests a review of the identified Bimberi Wilderness boundary in the Mount Morgan area and in the new addition to the Scabby Range Nature Reserve of 1,017 ha. The Mount Morgan area has apparently been excluded from identification due to the minor Line Pine fire road (but also route the Bicentennial National Trail), despite being in wilderness condition. The Government supports the original NPWS position that the original Mt Morgan be excluded on the basis of fire and grazing impacts. However, the Scabby Range addition is identified as wilderness by the NPWS and declared.
12 April: The Government declares 29,287 ha of Kosciuszko National Park as Goobarragandra Wilderness and 4,466 ha of Scabby Range Nature Reserve as an addition to Bimberi Wilderness. The Coolamine Plain area of Kosciuszko National Park is excluded from the declaration as an access concession.

5 July: The Government revokes 2,280 ha of Buccleuch state forests, in the Myers and Flat Creek catchments, for addition to Kosciuszko National Park, and declares 2,238 ha of this as an addition to the Goobarragandra Wilderness.

July: The remaining State Forests components of the Goobarragandra identified wilderness are placed on public exhibition as part of the Forestry Interim Assessment Process (IAP). This includes the tall alpine ash forests of the Big Dubbo Hill area.

September: The Government announces its position on the interim assessment process and announces several wilderness additions over areas of State Forest. The Goobarragandra additions are deferred pending a Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) for the Tumut region.

1997 February: Minister for the Environment adopts a new plan of management of the Bimberi Nature Reserve. Under the plan, Harrys Spur track will be closed and allowed to revegetate.

1999 31 May: The National Parks and Wildlife Service Southern Zone releases its Wilderness Assessment study areas for the Southern/Tumut CRA. Through this process, 5 additions to Goodradigbee are to be investigated: one at Bimberi (5,700 ha); one at Bogong Peaks (1,700 ha); and three at Goobarragandra (2,000 ha, 620 ha and 18,100 ha) The latter area of 18,100 ha includes parts of the Bondo and Micalong State Forests.

THREATS:

The four main threats to this Wilderness Area are logging, horse riding, stock, fragmentation and vehicle access.

Logging In 1967 about 34,000 ha were transferred from the Goodradigbee Wilderness for addition to the Buccleuch (Bondo and Micalong) State Forest. The forest removed from Kosciuszko National Park contains important stands of alpine ash around big Dubbo Hill, at the northern limit of their ecological range.

Recommendations: The alpine ash forests area around Big Dubbo Hill should be returned to Kosciuszko National Park The perimeter road around the Buccleuch State Forest should be ripped and revegetated with suitable local native plants. The forest is a substantial incursion into the park's northern area. Forestry policies on vehicle access and fire management which adversely affect wilderness values of the adjoining national park should be discontinued.

Horse Riding The environmental impact of horse riding on vegetation and soils in wilderness areas is well recognised. Horse riding, particularly large commercial parties, cause: soil compaction; erosion; introduce weed species through manure; and disturbance to wilderness appreciation.

Recommendations: Wilderness use must be consistent with protection of natural and cultural values and emphasise self reliance. Within the originally nominated wilderness, there was an apparent bias for horse riding over other management objectives which, in time, will severely degrade wilderness values. The "wait and see what happens" approach to the environmental impacts of horse riding is unacceptable. There is sufficient historical evidence to establish a strong case against horse riding in KosciuszkoNational Park.

The National (horse riding) Trail passes through the nominated Goodradigbee Wilderness addition along the Long Pine Fire Trail, and has led to increased horse riding in the sensitive areas around Mt Morgan. An alternative route to the east of Kosciuszko and Namadgi National Parks should be developed to cater for horse riders.

Stock Access Continued use of the minor stock route along Broken Cart Track, as a "long paddock" by local graziers is not justified. Grazing of Kosciuszko National Park during summer can cause loss of native flora and fauna, soil erosion and stream sedimentation. The cattle can be readily transported around the park by truck. For further information regarding the impacts of stock grazing on the high country, see the Jagungal Red Index entry, pages 2-3.

Recommendations: The stock route should be included as wilderness within Kosciuszko National Park. This would finally exclude all stock from the park.

The licence allowing City Slicker cattle drives through the Kosciuszko National Parks by Reynella Rides should be cancelled. Such forms of tourism are not consistent with the conservation objectives of the national park.

Management
tracks The current network of management tracks in the Goodradigbee Wilderness are a major cause of ecological degradation. Management tracks facilitate illegal off road vehicle use. Illegal management track users: cause fires; introduce noxious weeds and rubbish; often carry guns; and degrade stream banks, fragile wet heaths and sphagnum bogs, creating many management problems. Such users have been known to undertake ‘pig dogging’, where pigs are deliberately released into wilderness areas. These same problems are used to justify retention of management track systems in wilderness.

Recommendations: Closure, rehabilitation and revegetation of management tracks in the Goodradigbee Wilderness would reduce the occurrence of the above environmental impacts.

Power lines and associated roading The 330kV power lines, Yass No1 and Yass No2, and associated roads, divide the wilderness into three areas and mar the visual landscape. The 1974, 1982 and 1988 Kosciusko Plan of Management all indicate the importance of reviewing non-conforming structures in the park, with the aim of progressive removal.

Recommendations: Alternative routes should be found for these transmission lines which do not conflict with wilderness objectives.

A ten year replacement plan should be established with construction of new transmission lines to the west of Kosciuszko National Park. In the meantime, only essential maintenance should be undertaken on these transmission lines. Roads traversing both easements should be returned to locked management tracks.

Vehicle access - related problems The State Pollution Control Commission Inquiry into the Recreational Use of Off Road Vehicles found "The use of vehicles in areas with high wilderness value, jeopardise wilderness qualities".

The Blue Water Holes, Cooleman Karst Area and Coolamine Homestead should be approachable only by foot. Removal of vehicle access would reduce the incidence of vandalism at the Coolamine Homestead and environmental damage at Blue Water Holes and the Cooleman Plain.

Exclusion of the Cooleman Homestead and Blue Water Holes from the Bimberi Wilderness in the 1988 Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management and 1992 NPWS Wilderness Assessment Report is not consistent with the Bimberi Wilderness identified by Helman, the Wilderness Working Group or the Goodradigbee wilderness zone in the 1974 Plan of Management. Continued damage of the Cooleman Plain was highlighted in the 1987 Kosciuszko Draft Plan of Management. The report states vehicle use in the area has caused "some of the most serious damage to natural scenery, landforms, vegetation and soils that has occurred anywhere in south-eastern Australia". It further acknowledges that "preventing illegal vehicle use on the Cooleman Plain is particularly difficult...".

Recommendations: The natural values of Blue Water Holes and Cooleman Plain are best protected by inclusion in the Goodradigbee Wilderness. The Blue Water Holes Track should be closed and rehabilitated. For car-based campers, the most suitable and direct approach to the Cooleman Plain and Blue Water Holes should be from the road terminus near Gurrangorambla Creek, a distance of 10 kilometres.

The Rules Point Road should terminate a short distance from the Brindabella entrance to the park. The rugged terrain in the vicinity should provide suitable natural barriers to control illegal vehicle use. The Park's northern environs would remain an attractive destination for visitors travelling to the Brindabella entrance.

The Mount Franklin Road beyond Mount Aggie is a major intrusion into the wilderness. Maintenance of this road provides off road vehicle access to a large part of the wilderness in Bimberi Nature Reserve and Namadgi National Park. The road should be closed to public access at Mount Aggie.

CONTACT ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS:

Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd
Level 2, 332 Pitt Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Contact: Keith Muir (Director) Ph: 02 9261 2400
Fax: 02 9261 2144
e-mail keith@colongwilderness.org.au

RELEVANT CORRESPONDENCE:

September 4, 1989: Letter accompanying Goodradigbee nomination from Colong Foundation (See
Kosciuszkoand Goodradigbee files);

October 20, 1989: Letter of acknowledgement NPWS (Goodradigbee and Kosciuszkofiles Colong
Foundation office files);

September 2, 1991: Letter and accompanying press clippings from K Swann to Keith Muir.

RELEVANT COLONG BULLETIN ARTICLES:

Colong Bulletin, 117, October 1989, p7, "Goodradigbee Wilderness Area Nominated".

Colong Bulletin, 135, November 1992, p4-5, "The Fragmentation of Our Alpine Wilderness".

Colong Bulletin, 155, February 1996, p6, "Goodradigbee and Boyd Wildernesses revisited".

See also Colong Bulletin Index under:
"Wilderness";
"Kosciuszko".

Return to NSW Wilderness Index

NAME:	Goodradigbee
NOMINATED BY:	The Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd (September 1989).
LOCATION:	South-east NSW and south-west ACT, 35 km south west of Canberra.
SIZE:	160,754 ha ACT & NSW (nom. and WASA) areas 112,900 ha 1989 NSW nomination area 95,173 ha NSW 1996 updated NPWS identified area consisting of three separate identified wilderness areas: Bimberi 31,367 ha; Bimberi addn. 1,017 ha; Goobarragandra 35,380 ha; Bogong Peaks 27,409 ha. 1999 Wilderness Assessment Study Areas (WASA): 5,700 ha Bimberi addition; 20,720 ha Goobarragandra additions (approx. 12,066 ha previously nom.); 1,700 ha Bogong Peaks addition 128,954 ha (total of NSW 1989 nom. and new WASA areas).

Size (part of nominated area and WASA):	30,350 ha.
Percentage of entire nomination (ACT & NSW):	18%

Size (part of nominated area and WASA):	6,728 ha
Percentage of entire area (ACT & NSW)	4%

Size (part of nominated area and WASA):	2,850 ha
Percentage of entire area (ACT & NSW)	2%

Size (part of nominated area and WASA):	503 ha
Percentage of entire area (ACT & NSW)	<1%

Size (part of nominated area and WASA):	1,956 ha
Percentage of entire area (ACT & NSW)	1%

Aboriginal	The area is part of the territory traditionally occupied by the Walgalu Aboriginal People, who were joined in the summer months by the Ngarigo and Ngunawal for the Bogong feasts. An important burial site has been discovered in a small cave in the Cooleman area and other Aboriginal sites of significance have been located at Coolamine Homestead..
Mining	Gold mining took place along the Upper Goobarragandra River from the early 1860s until operations ceased in 1950. Remnants are still to be seen along the river.
Grazing	This was officially discouraged in the "High Country" of Kosciusko State Park in areas over 1350 metres by the late 1950s, and phased out entirely by 1969 (implemented in first Plan of Management, 1974). The continued use of the minor stock route along Broken Cart Track as a "long paddock" means that some grazing is still occurring within the nomination.
1994	A stock company commences bi-annual cattle drives through the wilderness as a tourism venture under the name Reynella Rides. While promoted as a compatible use with the park due to its recreation component, the activity effectively sanctioned renewed grazing of the park.

1956	Snowy Mountains Authority (SMA) erects Yass 1 330,000-volt pylon through Goodradigbee nomination.
1960-61	SMA erects Yass 2 330,000-volt pylon through nomination. These pylons compromised the wilderness values of the area. The National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) identified wilderness was divided into three areas (Bogong, Fiery and Bimberi) because of the pylons and associated roads .

1967	34,000 ha, of wilderness-quality lands transferred from Kosciusko State Park to Buccleuch State Forest as part of the adjustment of national park areas which accompanied the passage of the National Parks and Wildlife Act. This area was subsequently roaded and logging commenced.
1996	April: The Interim Forest Assessment Process (IAP) results in deferral of logging within the NPWS identified wilderness in the Micalong and Bondo State Forests (collectively known as the Buccleuch forests).
Fishing	This still occurs within the area of nomination, and has not been discouraged in the Bimberi Nature Reserve Plan of Management NSW (January 1997). In the Namadgi National Park Management Plan ACT (June 1986) reference is made to the threats posed by introduced trout to the native Macquarie Perch and River Blackfish. In order to protect native fish, trapping has been implemented by the ACT Government to remove trout and other exotic fish in the Cotter River system, including streams inside the Bimberi section of the wilderness area. Trout fishing is still permitted in the Gudgenby River, which is also within the Wilderness Area. In NSW, no measures have been proposed to protect endangered fish inside the Goodradigbee Wilderness Area.

1944	Dedication of Kosciusko State Park which spans some 96,700 ha of the wilderness nomination.
1958	Grazing ended in Kosciusko State Park above 1,350 metres.
1965	Kosciusko State Park Trust produces "Interim Master Plan" which proposed five wilderness areas, including Goodradigbee.
1967	Kosciusko State Park declared a National Park following the creation of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Act 1967. Phasing out of grazing leases below 1350 metres begins.
1969	Grazing ended in Kosciusko National Park.
1974	Kosciusko National Park Plan of Management adopts Goodradigbee Wilderness Area, encompassing approximately 104,000 ha in three segments, separated by public roads. The fragmentation of the wilderness was also partly the result of heavy lobbying by fishermen and 4WD clubs at the public display stage of the (Draft) Plan of Management.
1976	Helman wilderness study identified Bogong, Fiery and Bimberi to be of wilderness quality, but recommended they be treated separately, due to dividing power lines. Bogong, although of wilderness quality, did not rate as wilderness, being considered smaller than the study’s minimum size criterion of 25,000 ha.
1981	Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Eric Bedford, gazettes 15,764 ha of former travelling stock, camping and water reserves to Kosciusko National Park. This places the control of stock movement through the park with the NPWS.
1982	Kosciusko National Park Plan of Management declares Bogong (25,000 ha) as a wilderness area under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 but re-classifies the remainder of the Goodradigbee Wilderness area into other management types Over 70,000 ha. of wilderness "lost".
1986	Australian Alps Memorandum of Understanding signed between ACT, NSW, Victoria, and Commonwealth Governments.
1988	18,200 ha of Bimberi to be managed as a wilderness area in the 1988 Kosciusko Management Plan. The plan also announced as a "high" priority "the declaration of the Fiery Range/Goobarragandra River area as a wilderness management area". This would be done "in consultation with user groups". September: Victorian National Parks Association publishes the Australian Alps World Heritage Nomination Proposal which includes the Goodradigbee Wilderness.
1989	Bimberi Wilderness Area in Namadgi National Park gazetted under Nature Conservation Act (ACT) 1980 (31,800 ha). The Colong Foundation nominates: Bogong, Fiery, Bimberi (ACT and NSW) wilderness areas; most of Scabby Range Nature Reserve; and parts of Buccleuch State Forest as the Goodradigbee Wilderness. Australian Alps Memorandum of Understanding revised and ratified.
1992	April: Terry Metherell MLA (Ind) (former Liberal Member for Davidson), 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 Goodradigbee, less any freehold or Crown leasehold land, for protection as wilderness under existing legislation. 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. 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 oldgrowth forest or wilderness that are likely to have high conservation value".
	National Parks and Wildlife Service release Goodradigbee Wilderness Assessment Report. This report concludes that "The majority of the proposed Goodradigbee Wilderness Area readily meets the definition under Section 6 of the Wilderness Act 1987 and can reasonably be identified as wilderness" This report divides the Goodradigbee Wilderness into three areas separated by power lines: Bimberi (28,960 ha), Goobarragandra (33,970 ha) and Bogong Peaks (27,444 ha). The total area identified by the NPWS assessment is 90,374 ha, about 54,000 ha less than the area nominated by the Colong Foundation. Bogong Peaks Wilderness Area declared under Wilderness Act. Fiery Range/Goobarragandra and Bimberi wilderness sections were not declared despite the recommendations and zonings of the 1988 park plan of management. Much of the local community opposition to the proposed wilderness has been apparently stirred up by the then Members for Burrinjuck (Alby Schultz) and Monaro (Peter Cochran) who were totally opposed to the protection of the Goodradigbee Wilderness.
1993	23 December: Fahey Government announces 350,000 ha of wilderness within 7 of the 10 areas nominated by environmental groups. This announcement covers 13% of NSW wilderness and 0.33% of NSW's total area. A further 80,000 ha of wilderness was to be referred to the Natural Resources Audit Council, a body (now defunct) comprising 11 members of governmental resource management departments and industry representatives. The proposed Goodradigbee Wilderness was to be fragmented into the three areas of Bogong, Goodradigbee and Bimberi, leaving considerable areas for exploitation by off-road vehicles and horse-riders, and facilitating illegal use within the nominated wilderness.
1994	11 February: An addition of 1,017 ha of acquired freehold land is gazetted as part of Scabby Range Nature Reserve. This addition contains high wilderness qualities and is suitable for inclusion in a revised identified boundary. 2 March: Premier Fahey announces that a further assessment process for wilderness declaration is needed and that the Surveyor-General be involved in investigating wilderness boundaries already defined by NPWS. Director General of Cabinet commissions the Surveyor-General to investigate Deua, Macleay Gorges and Goodradigbee wilderness areas. Report gives priority to all competing interests and greatly reduces the area proposed for declaration by recommending the removal of the Fiery Range (Goobarragandra) section from the wilderness area. 9 September: Premier Fahey announces his final determination of new areas to be gazetted as wilderness. This determination has decreased to 6 wilderness areas totalling 113,000 ha. Government declares only 22,750 ha, east of the Long Plain Road, as the Bimberi Wilderness, excluding the Fiery Ranges (Goobragandra Wilderness). 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.
1995	March: The ALP Opposition releases its wilderness policy as part of the 1995 election campaign. Labor commits to declaring 7 new wilderness areas and 9 additions to existing areas, including Goodradigbee. May: Labor Government ceases logging in all NPWS identified wilderness areas November: The Goobarragandra and Bimberi Wilderness areas are placed on public exhibition for the second time.
1996	16 February: The Colong Foundation requests a review of the identified Bimberi Wilderness boundary in the Mount Morgan area and in the new addition to the Scabby Range Nature Reserve of 1,017 ha. The Mount Morgan area has apparently been excluded from identification due to the minor Line Pine fire road (but also route the Bicentennial National Trail), despite being in wilderness condition. The Government supports the original NPWS position that the original Mt Morgan be excluded on the basis of fire and grazing impacts. However, the Scabby Range addition is identified as wilderness by the NPWS and declared. 12 April: The Government declares 29,287 ha of Kosciuszko National Park as Goobarragandra Wilderness and 4,466 ha of Scabby Range Nature Reserve as an addition to Bimberi Wilderness. The Coolamine Plain area of Kosciuszko National Park is excluded from the declaration as an access concession. 5 July: The Government revokes 2,280 ha of Buccleuch state forests, in the Myers and Flat Creek catchments, for addition to Kosciuszko National Park, and declares 2,238 ha of this as an addition to the Goobarragandra Wilderness. July: The remaining State Forests components of the Goobarragandra identified wilderness are placed on public exhibition as part of the Forestry Interim Assessment Process (IAP). This includes the tall alpine ash forests of the Big Dubbo Hill area. September: The Government announces its position on the interim assessment process and announces several wilderness additions over areas of State Forest. The Goobarragandra additions are deferred pending a Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) for the Tumut region.
1997	February: Minister for the Environment adopts a new plan of management of the Bimberi Nature Reserve. Under the plan, Harrys Spur track will be closed and allowed to revegetate.
1999	31 May: The National Parks and Wildlife Service Southern Zone releases its Wilderness Assessment study areas for the Southern/Tumut CRA. Through this process, 5 additions to Goodradigbee are to be investigated: one at Bimberi (5,700 ha); one at Bogong Peaks (1,700 ha); and three at Goobarragandra (2,000 ha, 620 ha and 18,100 ha) The latter area of 18,100 ha includes parts of the Bondo and Micalong State Forests.