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

Wilderness Declared:

Washpool Wilderness;

Wilderness Not Declared:

Washpool National Park and NPWS acquired lands;

State Forest Informal Reserve;

State Forest;

Crown land;

Leasehold land;

Freehold land;

DESCRIPTION:

The Washpool Wilderness contains an outstanding variety of topographic features, including: a section of the Great Escarpment; part of the Gibraltar Range; the deeply incised valley of the Rocky (Timbarra) River; and part of the New England Tableland. The Demon Fault system bisects the wilderness, representing the meeting of two major blocks - the younger Demon Block on the east (the Washpool region) and the older Woolomin Texas Block on the west (the Spirabo region) - and forming the valley along which the Rocky (Timbarra) River runs. Relief in the area is generally between 400 and 1,500 metres.

The geology of the Washpool half of the wilderness is dominated by middle to upper Permian volcanics and intrusives, including the Coombadjah Volcanic Complex and Stanthorpe Adamellite. The Gibraltar Range, along which the Washpool region lies, is an easterly outlier of the New England Tableland and is a plateau-like landform dissected by numerous deep valleys leading to the Rocky (Timbarra) River in the west and to Washpool Creek in the east.

The Spirabo half of the wilderness to the west consists mainly of Devonian metamorphosed mudstones and sandstones comprising argillites, phyllites and slates. The soils of the wilderness are typically yellow podsols of only fair fertility which are very prone to gully erosion.

The Washpool Wilderness includes two identified wild and scenic river systems, the Timbarra (Rocky) River and Washpool Creek and its tributaries.

The vegetation of the western and eastern halves of the wilderness differ considerably. The Washpool half features rainforest and moist open forest, while the Spirabo region features dry schlerophyll with patches of rainforest refugia in favourable niches.

The Washpool half of the wilderness nomination to the east contains the important warm temperate rainforest association Coachwood-Crabapple-Corkwood (Ceratopetalum apetulum-Schizomeria ovata-Caldcluvia paniculata). This area, also referred to as Willowie Scrub, is the largest stand of unlogged Coachwood in the world. Coachwood is also found growing in association with another warm temperate rainforest species, Yellow Carrabeen (Sloanea woolsii). Sub-tropical rainforests grow in isolated pockets in moist gullies with deep soils, while lowland sub-tropical stands are found on the south side of Coombadjah Creek. Dry rainforest is found in the lower and middle reaches of Washpool Creek. Wet sclerophyll forests of New England Blackbutt (Eucalyptus andrewsii) grow on higher slopes, often with a rainforest understorey, giving way to Tallowwood-Blue Gum-Brush Box associations (E. microcorys-E. saligna-Tristania conferta) further down. Dry sclerophyll forests, again of New England Blackbutt, are found on high western slopes, whereas eastern slopes are predominantly of Spotted Gum (E. maculata). Dry open forests of Red Bloodwood (E. gummifera), Mountain Gum (E. dalrympleana), Blackbutt (E. pilularis), Narrow-leaved Peppermint (E. radiata) and Forest Oak (Casuarina torulosa) are found on fire-prone, dry slopes. Some natural grasslands are found to the south of the area, which in summer months are covered with Christmas Bells (Blandfordia nobilis).

The Spirabo region of the Washpool Wilderness contains most of the remaining forests of the New England Tableland region. These forests have been extensively cleared for agriculture. The state-wide summary of forestry regions prepared by the New South Wales Pulp and Paper Industry Task Force Report (Department of State Development, 1989) showed that the Glen Innes region has by far the lowest percentage of forested lands protected in national parks, with only 4% of its forests being reserved. Several inadequately conserved plant associations are found in the area.

Washpool wilderness is part of a broad, virtually unbroken belt of mostly undisturbed forested land extending north to south along the eastern escarpment and plateau margins from Ebor to the Queensland border. Thus, it forms one of the largest significant refuges for forest dependent fauna in the north-east part of the state. Several species listed in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 are known to occur in the forests of the western sector of the area. These include six mammals (Yellow-bellied Glider, Tiger Quoll, Rufous Bettong, Great Pipistrelle, Golden-tipped Bat and Greater Broad-nosed Bat), two birds (Glossy Black Cockatoo and Sooty Owl) and one amphibian (Litoria subglandulosa). Several other threatened species are expected to occur in the area. These include seven species of mammal (Koala, Brush-tailed Phascogale, Squirrel Glider, Hastings River Mouse, Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, Common Bent-winged Bat, Large-footed Mouse-eared Bat and White-striped Mastiff Bat) and one reptile (Carpet/Diamond python). The threatened fish, the Eastern Freshwater Cod, is expected to occur in the river systems of the area.

Animals recorded in the North Washpool portion of the wilderness include twelve amphibian species, 31 reptile species, 122 bird species and 52 mammals species. The threatened fauna found or expected to be found in this area include seven mammals, six birds, two lizards and three frogs.

LAND USE HISTORY:

An eight-year transition period for the main rainforest log recipient, Big River Timbers Pty Ltd, established to phase out rainforest logging and establish non-rainforest alternatives.

HISTORY OF CONSERVATION MEASURES:

March: Those areas of Washpool Wilderness within the Glen Innes and Casino West Management Areas are included in the moratorium provisions of Schedule 2 of the Timber Industry Interim Protection Act 1992 (TI(IP) Act) until the Environmental Impact Statements for Glen Innes and Casino Forest Management Areas are determined by the Minister for Planning. Areas under the moratorium include all of Curramore State Forest, parts of Little Spirabo State Forest and most of the northern half of Spirabo State Forest. The moratorium excludes those areas of Washpool within the Grafton and Tenterfield Management Areas.

6 March: Washpool Wilderness of 24,500 ha declared under Section 8(1A) of the Wilderness Act 1987 by Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore.

May: NPWS releases Assessment Report on the Washpool Wilderness Area proposed by NEFA, identifying 69,103 ha as wilderness, and recommending its declaration under the Wilderness Act. They further recommend that North Washpool be nominated for inscription onto the IUCN World Heritage List.

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".

THREATS:

The major threats to the integrity of Washpool are associated with: logging in unprotected parts of Spirabo, Ewingar and Billilimbra State Forests and leasehold lands; and inappropriate NPWS management of the currently declared wilderness area.

The environmental impacts of logging include: in soil compaction and erosion; pollution of streams with silt; sediment and ash from frequent fires; escaped regeneration burns and excessive production of CO₂; introduction of noxious weeds and dieback; loss of biodiversity; destruction of flora and fauna; and roading of previously remote areas.

The environmental impacts of trails and construction of logging roads in wilderness areas include: rubbish dumping; soil compaction and erosion; weed introduction and dissemination by NPWS and other vehicles; assisting the dispersal and foraging of feral animals; enabling arsonists to light wildfires in remote areas; and other adverse environmental impacts associated with off-road vehicle use and horseriding.

Some logging took place in the Willowie Scrub area during the late 1980s with resulting Lantana infestation. A number of fire trails have broken the forest canopy of the area (Desert Spur Fire Trail, Ewingar Fire Trail and a trail in the Malara catchment)

Recommendations: A logging moratorium should be upheld over all State Forests and leasehold lands within the identified wilderness until these areas can be acquired with the Dunphy or OP Fund for inclusion within the Washpool National Park, both as a wilderness area and a World Heritage property. Revegetation and regeneration of logged and roaded areas should be undertaken by State Forests (SFNSW), as was the case with Viper Scrub and North Washpool areas.

Recommendations: Irrigation schemes in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area have led to increased salination due to rise in water table levels and the consequent rise in mineral salts to the surface. Further consideration of other inland diversion schemes should be discouraged for environmental and economic reasons.

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; and disturbance of native wildlife and wilderness solitude.

The passing of the Trail through wilderness areas is completely contrary to the promises given by the 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).

Recommendations:

i) Hazard reduction burning is not compatible with wilderness management. Maintenance of management trails in wilderness areas does not comply with the management principles laid down under the Wilderness Act. The existing trails serve little purpose and should be rehabilitated. The best prescription to avoid fires in wilderness areas is to confine management trails to the edge of 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 existing perimeter trails. Fuel-reduction burns should be undertaken where they are most effective, that is close to the assets being protected (eg. state forests and rural settlement). Most wildfires burn into parks, not the other way around, and broad-area control burns of wilderness are ineffective in controlling such external fires. External management trails can be used to prevent wildfire spreading to adjoining areas Where absolutely necessary, helicopter landing areas could be cleared for fire control.

Effective fire fighting in wilderness requires constant aerial or satellite surveillance in bushfire danger periods to enable rapid detection and response. Such an approach eliminates the need for fire towers in wilderness areas. To effectively tackle fires in remote areas while they are still small, more fire fighters need to be trained as ‘smoke jumpers’ and helicopter crews.

The protection of wilderness values needs to be a priority in fire management plans. During fire emergencies bulldozers should not be allowed to scar the scenery by cutting fire control lines on steep slopes. All too often these measures fail to contain a wildfire. Decisions on damaging suppression practices should be addressed during management planning, not in a fire crisis. Except for fire trails in perimeter areas, trails constructed during fire fighting operations should be closed and rehabilitated immediately following the operation.

ii) The National Trail should be rerouted around the Washpool identified Wilderness and horseriding excluded from wilderness areas and the national park.

CONTACT ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

North East Forest Alliance
C/- Big Scrub Environment Centre
123 Keen St
LISMORE NSW 2480
Contact: John Corkill Ph: 02 6622 4737
FAX: 02 6622 2676
e-mail brushbox@mail.nrg.com.au

National Parks Association
Clarence Valley Branch
P O Box 63
COUTTS CROSSING NSW 2460
Contact: Greg Clancy Ph: 02 6649 3153
Fax: 02 6649 3051

RELEVANT ARTICLES:

Colong Bulletin, 129, November 1991, "Rainforest Revisited", p7-8.

Colong Bulletin, 131, March 1992, "Wilderness Window Dressing", p 2.

Colong Bulletin, 133, July 1992, "Support the Wilderness Nominations", p3-9.

Colong Bulletin, 134, September 1992, "National Trail Hoopla", p 7.
also "Anti-Conservationists Rampant", p 8.

Colong Bulletin, 135, November 1992, "Crown Lands Go West", p8-10.

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, November 1996 p7, "Major advances in Wilderness and Forest Protection".

Colong Bulletin 166, January 1998 p7-8, "Wilderness - The hard yards".

Colong Bulletin 172 January 1999 p7, "Forest Fandango".

Also see Colong Bulletin index under:
"Washpool"
"Rainforests"

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