Strategy for Kosciuszko

“A main objective of all NPWS fire management strategies is the protection of life and property and this strategy for Kosciuszko is no different,” said NPWS Director Southern Alistair Henchman.
“The strategy includes a number of new initiatives including the determination of Asset Protection Zones around many built assets within the park.

“The strategy also sets out key areas, classed as Strategic Fire Advantage Zones where overall fuel hazard will be regularly monitored and appropriate fuel management programs will be implemented.

“Prescribed burning proposals are also included in the strategy. These proposals have been developed to minimise fires leaving the park and to protect built and environmental assets within and adjacent to the park.

“Protection of natural heritage is being advanced through the identification of priority habitats for the most threatened fauna species, such as the Southern Corroboree Frog and for rare vegetation remnants such as rainforest and old growth Alpine Ash forests.

“All plant communities have a tolerance limit or threshold for how often they can be affected by fire. Most need fire but regular, repeated fire can be detrimental to their long term sustainability. This factor must be carefully considered when looking at prescribed burn proposals.

“As well as liaising closely with the adjoining neighbours and bush fire brigades, government agencies and other stakeholders, the NPWS is committed to maintaining its strong working relationship with the local Bush Fire Management Committees. Assessment of fire trails and selection of trails for major works, as well as consideration of future areas for prescribed burning treatments will continue through these committees,” he said.

Kosciuszko National Park is one of Australia’s largest and most well-known parks. It covers an area of approximately 688,846 hectares. It adjoins the ACT to the north, Victoria to the south, and straddles the Great Dividing Range, known in this region as the Snowy Mountains.
In the January 2003 bushfires, 1.87 million hectares across south eastern Australia was burnt including about 69 per cent of Kosciuszko National Park.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will exhibit the Kosciuszko National Park Draft Fire Management Strategy until April 25. It will be available, and on display at the NPWS Queanbeyan, Jindabyne, Khancoban, Bombala and Tumut offices, and the Cooma and Tumut Rural Fire Service offices. It will also be available on http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/.

All people with an interest in the management of fire in the park are encouraged to make written comments and send them to: The Regional Operations Coordinator, Kosciuszko National Park Draft Fire Management Strategy Submissions, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Snowy Mountains Region. PO Box 2228, Jindabyne, NSW 2627, or via email at knp.fms@environment.nsw.gov.au.

Abercrombie River National Park

Abercrombie River National Park preserves the largest remaining intact patch of low open forest in the south-west central tablelands area. Casuarinas stand beside deep waterholes on the park's three main waterways. Camp on the banks of the Retreat or Abercrombie Rivers and fish for trout, go swimming or canoeing in the waterholes (when not in drought conditions).

Abercrombie River and Retreat River are important habitats for platypuses and eastern water rats. Wallaroos, red-necked wallabies, swamp wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos are often seen in the eucalypt forest.

Access 120 km west of Sydney, 40 km south of Oberon along Goulburn Road (unsealed).Oberon, phone 6336 1972The park varies widely in altitude and geology. In the north-east, the landscape reaches 1128m above sea level, and you'll find rich volcanic soils. The southern end of the park is much lower - only 500m at the Abercrombie River - and has much poorer soils from sedimentary rock. This landscape diversity has led to a wide variety of plant communities. In the high-altitude areas in the eastern section of the park, you'll find mountain gums and peppermint, which is typical of the Southern Tablelands. This type of plant community has been much reduced elsewhere, due to land clearing for pine plantations and forestry.

At lower altitudes, there are open forests of inland scribbly gum and red stringy bark. Along the rivers and creeks, there are tall river oaks, tea trees and bottlebrushes.Argyle apple grows in this park. This is close to the northern limit of its distribution.Wallaroos, red-necked wallabies, swamp wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos are often seen in the park's eucalypt forests. Wombats and echidnas live on the slopes and river flats.Up in the trees, there are greater gliders, sugar gliders, brush-tailed possums and ring-tailed possums. Over 60 species of birds are also found in the park - including the peregrine falcon.Down by the park's rivers, you might be lucky enough to see a platypus.

If not, you might spot a Gippsland water dragon, sunning itself on a rock during the warmer months. You'll also hear the calls of a variety of frog species.The rivers and creeks are home to trout cod and Macquarie perch, both of which are protected by law. River blackfish, silver perch and Murray Cray are also found here - all of these species are rare in the region. If you catch a trout cod, Macquarie perch or silver perch, you must carefully return it to the water.

History

The rivers and creeks throughout the park offered food and shelter for local Aboriginal tribes, possibly the Wiradjuri or Gundungarra people. These tribes probably used the Abercrombie River as a trading route for stone tools and even shells from the coast. The land and waterways, and the plants and animals that live in them, feature in all facets of Aboriginal culture – including recreational, ceremonial, and spiritual and as a main source of food and medicine. They are associated with dreaming stories and cultural learning that is still passed on today. We work with local Aboriginal communities to protect this rich heritage.

To find out more about Aboriginal heritage in the park, you can get in touch with the local Aboriginal community. Contact the park office for more details. The area that now forms the national park was prospected during the 19th century gold-rushes, and there are still some diggings, water races and sluice boxes left behind by the miners. There's also an early 20th century wattle-and-daub hut in the park.

History Of Belair National Park

Aboriginal History - The Kaurna Aboriginal people were the original inhabitants of the area now known asBelair National Park. The park falls within the 'country' of the Kaurna people which extends from CrystalBrook in the north to Cape Jervois in the south and inland to the Mount Lofty Ranges. It is probable that thePeramangk Aboriginal people of the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges also utilised the area.The Kaurna people referred to the area now known as Belair National Park, as 'Piradli' meaning 'baldness'.This was in reference to the area's appearance when looking south from the Adelaide plains - 'bald like themoon'. The description provides an insight into the 'fire stick farming' activities of the Kaurna people, as asignificant part of the Adelaide Plains and foothills contained open grassland and woodland prior to theestablishment of the suburb of Mitcham in 1837.

European History -

1837 The first European people to traverse the Belair area were crewmen from the ship Coromandel. They fled here after deciding to abscond to the bush.

1840 - Governor Gawler initiated action to set aside an area fora government farm on which sick horses and bullocks from anumber of government departments could be agisted.

1842 - Government gained legal title to the farm andproceeded to use the land to grow hay and take care of stockbelonging to the survey and police departments.

1849 to 1852 - Governor Young gives orders for the commissionerof police to take charge of the farm and to use it for horses Enjoying a mixed game of cricket during the.employed in the Gold Escort and other police services early days

1881 - A proposal was put forward for the subdivision of the farm into small agricultural holdings and wasdrawn up for the consideration of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The reaction of the public to thisproject was surprising.

1883 - A Bill was passed in both houses of Parliament statingGovernment Farm could not be sold by the Government butthere were no restrictions on the uses to which it could be put.

1886 - 202 ha of the Farm were handed over to the Woods andForest Department as a Forest Reserve. About 80 ha of thereserve, covered with a crop of young saplings, principally RiverRed Gums with a few South Australian Blue and Peppermint Gums, were thinned and pruned so that the remaining 35,000young saplings would grow into trees of considerable value. A day at the races

1891 -In 1888 a naturalist named Samual Dixon complained about the clearing of River Red Gums within the forest reserve. After three years of debate the area was finally dedicated in 1891 'for the sole purpose of a public national recreation and pleasure ground' and it was to be controlled by 12 commissioners.

1892 - The first board of commissioners was appointed and the park at Belair became the second national park established in Australia.

1920 - The commissioners as a group, began to change their policies toward conservation of native plants and animals. Before this time, the community had little appreciation of native flora and fauna, and with little financial support from the Government, the commissioners could not have been expected to develop different policies.

1922 -Pressure in the early 1900s from groups such as the Native Fauna and Flora Protection Committee resulted in less exotic plantings being planted. The last large scale planting of non-Australian species was 700 Japanese cherries planted on 6 ha of land in Sparkes Gully and named 'Victory Remembrance' to commemorate the Allied victory in the First World War. These trees are still present in Sparkes Gully today.

1923 - The commissioners decided that all future plantings were to be indigenous to the state so they would conform with the naturalness of the park.

1929 - Belair National Park was well established and developed with 42 tennis courts, several pavilions and ovals, other facilities and a well developed road network. This was to accommodate the increasing number of visitors and play an important social function during and after the years of the Great Depression.

1934 -Trees were cleared to make way for a nine hole golf course which was built as a means to raise revenue for the park.1934 to 1946 - Problems with fires and weeds were on the increase. Serious fire outbreaks occurred in

1934, 1938-1940 and 1943-1946.1941 -The nine hole golf course was extended to an 18 hole golf course. It is now one of the most popular public golf courses in the country today.

1945 - During the Second World War the park was used for military camps which occupied Main, Gums and Tea-Tree Ovals plus all nearby pavilions, arbours and tennis courts.

1961 - As a result of the growing demand for outdoor recreational pursuits and a better quality of life, Belair National Park needed relief from overcrowding and overuse of the facilities.

1972 - The National Parks Commission terminated and control of the park passed to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Belair Recreation Park was gazetted in 1972.

1991 - Re-dedication of Belair Recreation Park to Belair National Park.Today - Belair National Park reflects the history of the evolution of park management in South Australia. The aim of park management is to pursue excellence in the facilitation of recreation and social interaction with the natural environment. Belair is an essential component of the natural ecosystem and habitat continuum of the Mount Lofty Ranges. Complementing the outstanding presentation of the State's native fauna at Cleland Conservation Park, Belair National Park has firmly established its place as a key regional visitor attraction, showcasing the State's parks system, contributing to community awareness of our natural environment and promoting advocacy and support for the Department for Environment and Heritage and the environment in general.