Page 3662 - Week 08 - Thursday, 19 August 2010
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diversity of ecosystems that provide refuge for plants and animals. More than 700 plant species, 200 vertebrate animals, 170 bird species, 41 reptile species and four native fish have been recorded there.
Namadgi has a rich heritage in our history. There is extensive evidence of Aboriginal use of the land, including quarry sites, ceremonial stone arrangements and rock art, and there are remnants of homesteads, huts and fences from early pastoral settlers. Namadgi is also valued as a destination for a range of sympathetic recreational activities including bushwalking, camping and rock climbing.
The Namadgi national park plan of management sets out objectives, policies and actions which aim to protect Namadgi’s values. The plan introduces a zoning system for the park, which is based on key values such as wilderness, water supply, biodiversity, cultural heritage and scenic quality. The zoning system provides a graduation from remote areas which protect the wilderness and water catchment areas where access is restricted to ensure that Canberra’s water is appropriately protected, and more accessible areas where there are more developed recreational facilities.
Three primary management zones are specified. Zone 1, on the western side of the park, has a focus on remote areas, which have a higher biodiversity value and include the Bimberi wilderness, the middle Cotter catchment and parts of the lower Cotter catchment. Recreation in this zone is limited to low-impact activities. The focus of zone 2 is on semi-remote areas which are mainly found in the eastern and southern parts of Namadgi. The biodiversity value of this zone is also very high with areas such as the Mount Tennant/Blue Gum areas having an unusual and rich assemblage of species.
The wild semi-remote areas of Booth Range and Blue Gum Creek do not contain public roads. The broad open grassy valleys of the Orroral, Gudgenby, Boboyan and Naas rivers include a high density of Aboriginal and European cultural heritage sites and only low-key recreational pursuits will be permitted in zone 2. Zone 3 covers road corridors and visitor service roads. It also includes the lower Cotter catchment, which has a network of minor roads which were built when the area was previously managed as a pine plantation.
Conservation and biodiversity is a central focus of the Namadgi management plan and, as I mentioned earlier, a large number of plant, animal, bird, fish and reptile species have been recorded there. Fifteen species are listed as threatened under the Nature Conservation Act including the Brindabella midge orchid, the northern corroboree frog, the two-spined blackfish and the spotted-tailed quoll.
Three vegetation communities have also been identified as requiring special protection and management, including the natural temperate grasslands of the southern tablelands, montane and subalpine bog communities, and black cypress pine.
Cultural heritage is also a focus in the plan. Humans have been part of the ecosystems that comprise the present Namadgi national park for over 20,000 years. Numerous Aboriginal sites have been recorded and evidence of low intensity land uses from the nineteenth and early 20th century are found throughout the park. The plan outlines policies and actions which aim to identify, protect, manage and interpret these values.
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