NSW WILDERNESS RED INDEX

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

Wilderness Declared:

Grattai Wilderness Area;

Nandewar Wilderness Area;

Rusden Wilderness Area;

DESCRIPTION:

The Nandewar Range are the remnants of a volcano which was active 17-20 million years ago. It rises abruptly from the surrounding plains to a height of 1,510 metres at Mount Kaputar. The lava shield is up to 700 metres thick but has in places been deeply eroded, exposing the older rocks which underlie the lavas. The degree of dissection in the landscape varies considerably. In some areas, broad amphitheatre valleys with alluvial floors extend well back into the range. Elsewhere streams flow down canyons. At Kurrawong Gorge, Horsearm Creek plunges down 70 metres in two waterfalls; smaller cascades and plunge pools are well developed at Waa Gorge and Devils Holes. Gently sloping upland areas like the summit of Grattai Mountain are the slightly eroded remnants of the original surface of the volcanic shield. In the upperstory of the landscape, lavas form extensive clifflines which often display columnar jointing, such as at Sawn Rocks. Erosion of these cliffs over time has left isolated buttes such as Nungadhun and The Governor. Another example is Yullundunida, a spectacular curved dyke, which rises up to 150 metres above the surrounding country.

The combination of fertile volcanic soils, high rainfall and substantial variations in relief has resulted in great diversity of vegetation. The vegetation of the area is predominantly dry sclerophyll forest. Small patches of stunted sub-alpine woodland consisting of White Gum (Eucalyptus dalrympleana) and Snow Gum (E. pauciflora) growing amongst snow grass (Poa suberana) are found on the high plateau areas. Heath and low scrub occur on the wind swept peaks and rocky outcrops, while open forest with trees reaching 20-30 metres occur on hill-sides subject to snow and severe frosts.

Wet sclerophyll forest has developed in lower altitude sheltered valleys east of Mount Kaputar and small patches of rainforest occur in the deeper valleys in this part of the park. These rainforest remnants are very limited in extent and many species are at their western limit of distribution. Protection of these communities is considered of high importance.

Seven rare plant species have been recorded in the park.

The range of habitats within the park supports a variety of native fauna. Twenty native mammals and one hundred and fifty-three native birds are known to occur in the park.

Fauna listed on Schedules 1 and 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 include: Koala, Brush- tailed Rock Wallaby and Turquoise Parrot.

LAND USE HISTORY:

European

HISTORY OF CONSERVATION MEASURES:

THREATS:

Goats compete with kangaroo and wallaby species for shelter and food. Pigs damage vegetation and soil. They may also interfere directly with native species such as the Ground Nesting Brush-Turkey. Current management strategies for these species include shooting and 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poisoning. Baiting can kill native species, causing death through internal bleeding, convulsions and nervous system collapse over a thirty minute to two hour period.

A number of apiary sites are currently licenced in the park. European honeybees compete with native animals, particularly native bees, honey eaters and small mammals. They also have significant effects on native flora including increasing hybridisation between species, and therefore, reduction of the number of species in certain genera.

Recommendations: Management of feral animals should continue by trapping, shooting and fumigation of rabbit burrows, but indiscriminate 1080 use within the park should be stopped. Baiting should only be undertaken after all other methods of control have been exhausted, and only where it can be actively targeted at pest species as demonstrated by scientific trials. Existing apiary licences should be phased out, and no additional sites licenced in the Wilderness. Grazing of stock should not be permitted in the park and stock found within the park should be treated as feral animals or impounded and sold.

Recommendation: Kaputar National Park is relatively small and should not be further fragmented by management trails. No service tracks should be established, maintained or used within wilderness areas. The loop road to Mt Kaputar should not be sealed. All gravel quarry (borrow) pits in the park should be closed and rehabilitated. Further requirements for road base should be found outside park boundaries. The Rusden and Nandewar Wilderness Areas should be joined through declaration of the dividing track as wilderness.

Fire management is most effective when undertaken close to the assets to be protected. If further fire management trails are deemed necessary these should be undertaken on adjoining properties following the public exhibition of a fire management plan.

CONTACT ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

National Parks Association
Tamworth-Namoi Branch
P O Box 185
TAMWORTH NSW 2340
Contact: Robin Gunning Ph: 6766 2266 (ah)
6763 1128 (wk)
FAX: 6763 1222
email rgunning@enternet.com.au

RELEVANT CORRESPONDENCE:

Colong Foundation Submission on Draft Plan of Management.

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