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Coxcomb, Killabakh & Goonook Nature Reserve Plan of Management
COXCOMB, GOONOOK & KILLABAKH
NATURE RESERVES
PLAN OF MANAGEMENT
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Part of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water
February 2011
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This plan of management was adopted by the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment on 15
th February 2011.
Acknowledgments The NPWS acknowledges that this reserve is in the traditional country of the Biripi Aboriginal people. This plan of management is based on a draft plan prepared by the staff of the Mid North Coast Region of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. Cover photo by Kevin Carter, NPWS. View over Coxcomb and Goonook Nature Reserves. For additional information or any inquiries about these reserves or this plan of management, contact the NPWS Manning Area Office, 78 Hargreaves Street, Taree NSW 2430 or by telephone on (02) 6552 4097. © Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (NSW) 2011: Use permitted with appropriate acknowledgment. ISBN 978 1 74293 208 8 DECCW 2011/0220
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FOREWORD
Coxcomb, Goonook and Killabakh Nature Reserves are located approximately 25 kilometres north of Taree on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. All three reserves were established in 1999 as a result of the Lower North East Regional Forest Agreement and have a combined area of approximately 3,700 hectares. Coxcomb, Goonook and Killabakh Nature Reserves protect important geological features, a high diversity of forest ecosystems, fragile mountain and escarpment vegetation, and a number of threatened animal species. They also have an important role as part of a wildlife corridor extending from Taree to the Great Dividing Range. The reserves are part of the traditional country of the Biripi Aboriginal people. The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 requires that a plan of management be prepared for each nature reserve. A draft plan of management for Coxcomb, Goonook and Killabakh Nature Reserves was placed on public exhibition from 20
th February until 25
th May 2009. The submissions received were carefully
considered before adopting this plan. This plan contains a number of actions to achieve the State Plan priority to “Protect our native vegetation, biodiversity, land, rivers and coastal waterways”, including
undertaking surveys for threatened and significant native plant and animal species and communities, implementing a marker system to avoid inadvertent damage to threatened or significant plants, and implementing pest species control and bush regeneration works.
This plan of management establishes the scheme of operations for Coxcomb Nature Reserve, Goonook Nature Reserve and Killabakh Nature Reserve. In accordance with section 73B of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, this plan of management is hereby adopted.
Frank Sartor MP Minister for Climate Change and the Environment
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1. COXCOMB, GOONOOK & KILLABAKH NATURE RESERVES
Coxcomb, Goonook and Killabakh Nature Reserves (collectively referred to as the “planning area”) are located on the steep to undulating and dissected southern escarpment and associated ridge systems of the Comboyne Plateau, approximately 25 kilometres north of Taree, west of the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Coxcomb Nature Reserve was dedicated on 3 May 1999. Formerly a crown land reserve, it has an area of 73 hectares and includes the summit and slopes of Mount Coxcomb. The name Coxcomb is probably derived from “cocks comb” or the comb of a rooster of which Mount Coxcomb appears as a silhouette from certain aspects (Evans, pers. comm., 2004). Coxcomb Nature Reserve is located approximately 19 kilometres north of Wingham. Goonook Nature Reserve was first dedicated on 1 January 1999, with an area of 987 hectares. The reserve was formerly part of Yarratt State Forest. Mount Goonook was added to the nature reserve on 22 February 2007. The addition of this land which was previously private property increased the total area of Goonook Nature Reserve to 1,074 hectares. The name Goonook is probably a derivation of the Kattang word “gunang” which refers to excrement (Brereton, pers. comm., 2007; Muurrbay Aboriginal Language Co-operative and Many Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre, 2005). Goonook Nature Reserve is located approximately 15 kilometres north of Wingham. Killabakh Nature Reserve was dedicated on 1 January 1999 and comprises four separate areas of land totalling 2,644 hectares. “Keilabakh” in the Kattang language means “blue gum” (Ramsland, 2001) and the derivation – “Killabakh” is used for Killabakh Mountain and the township of Killabakh. The nature reserve includes the former Marsh State Forest (1,905 hectares) and a number of crown land reserves. Killabakh Nature Reserve is located approximately 25 kilometres north of Wingham and 9 kilometres east of Elands. Surrounding land uses in the Wingham and Comboyne districts consist primarily of grazing, dairy and forestry operations. The region is popular with tourists visiting the towns of Wingham, Killabakh, Elands and Comboyne, the Ellenborough Falls, Tapin Tops and Cottan-Bimbang National Parks and Dingo Tops, Bulga and Doyles River State Forests. The Lower North East Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) covers the planning area. The RFA provided for major additions to the reserve system, including the establishment of the planning area, following assessment of the natural, cultural, economic and social values of forests. This plan also covers lands which are vested in the Minister for the purposes of Part 11 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act. These lands incorporate a number of roads (see Section 5. Management Operations and/or Other Uses) and ensure a continuation of access arrangements to neighbouring private land. The planning area is within the Greater Taree City and Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Areas, the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority and the Purfleet-Taree Local Aboriginal Land Council area.
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2. MANAGEMENT CONTEXT
2.1. Legislative and Policy Framework The management of nature reserves in NSW and any Part 11 lands is in the context of a legislative and policy framework, primarily the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act), the NPW Regulation, the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) and the policies of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The policies are based on the legislative background and internationally accepted principles of park management. They relate to nature conservation, Aboriginal and historic heritage conservation, recreation, commercial use, research and communication. Other legislation, international agreements and charters may also apply to management of the area. In particular, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 may require the assessment and mitigation of the environmental impacts of works proposed in this plan. The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) also applies in relation to actions that may impact on threatened species listed under that Act. A plan of management is a statutory document under the NPW Act. Once the Minister has adopted a plan, no operations may be undertaken within the planning area except in accordance with this plan. This plan will also apply to any future additions to the planning area. Should management strategies or works be proposed for the planning area or any additions that are not consistent with the plan, an amendment to the plan will be required. Any such amendment will be publicly exhibited. 2.2. Management Purposes and Principles Nature reserves are reserved under the NPW Act to protect and conserve areas containing outstanding, unique or representative ecosystems, species, communities or natural phenomena. Under the Act (section 30J), nature reserves are managed to:
• conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem functions, and protect geological and geomorphologic features and natural phenomena;
• conserve places, objects, features and landscapes of cultural value;
• promote public appreciation, enjoyment and understanding of the reserve’s natural and cultural values; and
• provide for appropriate research and monitoring. Nature reserves differ from national parks in that they do not have as a management principle to provide for visitor use.
KillabakhNR
KillabakhNR
KillabakhNR
Schubert Trl
Coxcomb Rd
Mount Gibraltar853m
Mooral C
k
Mooral Creek Trl
Kippaxs Valley
Lansd
owne
R
Killabakh Ck
COMBO
YNE
PLAT
EAU
Waterfall Creek
Comboyne
Killabakh
UpperLansdowne
KillabakhNR
GoonookNR
Boorganna NR
CoxcombNR
ComboyneNR
Killabakh Mountain865m
Mount Coxcomb
Mount Goonook431m
Paynes Trl
River Rd
Coopers
Cutting Rd
Yellow Rocks Creek TrlComboyne Rd
Colling Rd
Latimore
Rd
Taylors Rd
Upper Lansdowne Rd
Ducks Rd
Mount Coxcomb Rd
Kopp
in Ya
rratt R
d
Innes View Rd
Nicho
ls Trl
McGu
ilvray
's Trl
Waterfal
l Rd
McFadde
ns Trl
Yarratt SF
Comboyne SF
Lansdowne R
Dingo Ck
Mooral Ck
Mumfords Ck
Killab
akh Ck
Toms C k
Dawson R
Thon
e R
Yellow Rocks C k
Ce
dar Party Ck
Tea Kettle C k
Gun C
k
Styl es
Ck
Branch Gully
Ellenborough R
Thone R
Mumfords Ck
Queens Lake NR
Dooragan NPCrowdy Bay NP
Planning AreaReserves
Taree
Old Bar
WinghamHarrington
ComboyneElands
Coopernook
Comboyne -
Lansdowne
Escarpment
TownGateMountainTrig PointSealed Road - Off ParkUnsealed Road - Off ParkUnsealed Road - On ParkManagement TrailPrivate Property TrailWalking TrackRiver / CreekPlanning AreaOther NPWS EstateState Forest
0 1 2 30.5 Kilometres
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2.3. Management Objectives The specific objectives for the planning area are to:
• Protect the important geological features and associated vegetation of Killabakh Mountain, Mount Coxcomb, Mount Goonook and the rock escarpments in the upper Lansdowne valley, upper Kippaxs valley, upper Dingo Creek and Yellow Rocks Creek;
• Conserve & protect the key habitat for fauna and flora of the planning area, as an important component of the wildlife corridor between the Manning Valley alluvial floodplain and the Great Dividing Range;
• Protect water quality in the upper Lansdowne River, Dingo Creek, Yellow Rocks Creek and headwaters of the Dawson River which contributes to water quality in the Manning River catchment;
• Reduce the distribution and spread of introduced species in the planning area; and
• Continue to involve the community in the management and protection of the natural and cultural values of the planning area.
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3. VALUES OF THE RESERVE
The location, landforms, waterways and plant and animal communities of an area help determine its natural values. Both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people place values on natural areas, including aesthetic, social, spiritual and recreational values. These values may be attached to the landscape as a whole or to individual components, for example to plant and animal species used by Aboriginal people. This plan of management aims to conserve both natural and cultural values. For reasons of clarity and document usefulness, natural heritage, cultural heritage, threats and on-going use are dealt with individually, but their inter-relationships are recognised. Goonook Nature Reserve and Killabakh Nature Reserve were previously part of forestry areas, whereas the more inaccessible Coxcomb Nature Reserve has had minimal disturbance. The peaks of Killabakh Mountain, Mount Coxcomb and Mount Goonook continue to be sites of remote self-reliant recreation, nature study and appreciation. The planning area forms part of the forested skyline viewed from many parts of the Manning Valley. It has an important role as part of a unique wildlife corridor extending from Taree to the Great Dividing Range. 3.1. Landform, Geology and Soils The tertiary fine-grained comendite (rhyolite) volcanic peaks of Mount Coxcomb and Mount Goonook are prominent features of Coxcomb Nature Reserve and Goonook Nature Reserve (Knutson, 1975; Westerman, 2004). Both peaks are surrounded by the Permo-carboniferous mudstones, siltstones and shales of the underlying Giro Beds. The Giro Beds have weathered to form brown podzolic and lateritic podzolic soils of medium to low fertility (Evans, 2001). Soils in Killabakh Nature Reserve are derived from the tertiary basalt and trachytes of the Comboyne Plateau and the permo-carboniferous mudstones, siltstones and shales of the underlying Giro Beds (Forestry Commission of NSW, 1979). The soils derived from basalt are at higher altitudes (greater than 600 metres above sea level) and are relatively fertile red-brown kraznozems and red podsols with high resistance to erosion. At lower altitudes there are heavy friable soils derived from the Giro Beds. Killabakh Mountain is a comendite plug located between the Yellow Rocks and Mooral creeks, in the south of the Reserve (Knutson, 1975; Westerman, 2004). The planning area is located within the steep and dissected southern escarpment of the Comboyne Plateau and a ridgeline extending from the plateau to the headwaters of the Dawson River north of Taree. Elevation in the planning area ranges from 45 metres above sea level on the banks of the Lansdowne and Dawson rivers to 865 metres above sea level at the summit of Killabakh Mountain. Dominant features include the volcanic peaks of Killabakh Mountain, Mount Coxcomb and Mount Goonook, the deep valleys of Dingo, Mooral, Yellow Rocks, Waterfall Creek and the steep slopes of the upper Lansdowne River valley. The planning area protects parts of the upper Lansdowne River, Dingo Creek, Yellow Rocks Creek and the headwaters of the Dawson River. It delivers high quality water to these waterways within the Manning River catchment.
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3.2. Native Plants The variety of soils and landform within the planning area supports a highly diverse range of forest ecosystems including large stands of old-growth forest. Fourteen forest ecosystems have been identified in Killabakh Nature Reserve, with rainforest and other moist forest types occupying over half of the reserve (RACD, 1999). Three forest ecosystems have been identified in Coxcomb Nature Reserve (McDonald, 2002) and five forest ecosystems are identified in that part of Goonook Nature Reserve that was formerly part of Yarratt State Forest (RACD, 1999). The addition of Mount Goonook further contributes to the floristic diversity of the planning area. Sub-tropical rainforests are found along Dingo, Yellow Rocks and Mooral Creeks and in the upper Lansdowne and upper Dawson River catchments, particularly in those areas with southerly aspects and on talus slopes where fire has been excluded. These rainforests are dominated by figs (Ficus spp.), giant stingers (Dendrocnide excelsa), coachwoods (Ceratopetalum apetulum), black booyong (Argyrodendron actinophyllum), white beech (Gmelina leichhardtii) and bangalow palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana). Other moist forest types are well represented including communities of tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys) / Sydney blue gum (E. saligna), wet brushbox (Lephostemon confertus) / tallowwood / Sydney blue gum and stands of flooded gum (E. grandis) (Flint, 2003). Drier forest associations are restricted to exposed ridges and escarpments and are generally at lower elevations within the planning area. Dry grassy tallowwood / small-fruited grey gum (E. propinqua) and small-fruited grey gum / white mahogany (E. acmenoides) / red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera), small-fruited grey gum / grey ironbark (E. placita) / white mahogany are extensive. Escarpment tallowwood / red bloodwood is an uncommon forest type protected in a few discrete areas within the planning area (RACD, 1999). The volcanic peaks within the planning area provide habitat for disjunct and unusual vegetation communities. Blue Mountains ash (E. oreades) occurs on Killabakh Mountain as a mature thin-stemmed “whipstick” mallee on skeletal soils and as a medium to large forest tree on adjacent deeper soils (Evans, 2001). This species occurs in the Blue Mountains of NSW and is found in disjunct stands on the mid north and north coasts of NSW (Brooker and Kleinig, 1999). The recently described and restricted shrub Kunzea sp. ‘Middle Brother Mountain’ occurs on Killabakh Mountain, Mount Coxcomb and Mount Goonook (Evans, pers. comm., 2004; Paget, pers. comm., 2004). There have been no known formal vegetation surveys of the planning area and information on former crown land and private property within the planning area is limited. Two threatened plants have been recorded in Goonook Nature Reserve, trailing woodruff (Asperula asthenes) and brown pomaderris (Pomaderris brunnea). Both species have a Vulnerable status under the TSC Act and the EPBC Act. Trailing woodruff is a forb that prefers damp sites, often along river banks. Brown pomaderris is a shrub found in moist woodlands and forest on clay and alluvial soils. A Priorities Action Statement (PAS) has been prepared that identifies strategies and actions to promote the recovery of threatened species, populations and ecological communities and manage key threatening processes (DEC, 2006).
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Key PAS actions for trailing woodruff include: enhancing habitat along watercourses in areas near known populations and excluding stock; controlling weeds at known sites with appropriate control techniques (control by chemical means may not be suitable); and monitoring habitat condition at known sites. Key PAS actions for brown pomaderris include: developing operational guidelines in the reserve fire management strategy to protect this species from fire; undertaking research, particularly in regard to response to fire and other disturbance; and undertaking surveys in potential habitat. Models developed as part of the Lower North East Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) process have predicted several other threatened and significant plant species for which the planning area provides suitable habitat (See Table 1) (Richards, 1999). Table 1. Threatened and significant plant species predicted to occur in the planning area
Common Name Scientific name Status Reserve
Milky silkpod Parsonsia dorrigoensis Vulnerable*^ K, G
Tapering-leaved bottlebrush Callistemon acuminatus ROTAP K, C Ravine orchid Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii Vulnerable*#/ROTAP K Hartman’s sarcochilus Sarcochilus hartmannii Vulnerable*# K Lesser creeping fern Arthropteris palisotii Endangered* K White-flowered wax plant Cynanchum elegans Endangered*
^ K
* Status under TSC Act # Denotes species listed as nationally vulnerable under the EPBC Act
^ Denotes species listed as nationally endangered under the EPBC Act ROTAP – Denotes species listed as a Rare or Threatened Australian Plant (ROTAP) according to Briggs
and Leigh (1996)
K = Killabakh Nature Reserve G = Goonook Nature Reserve C = Coxcomb Nature Reserve
3.3. Native Animals Key habitats and corridors mapping for forest fauna has been undertaken by the NPWS to provide a landscape framework for conservation in north east NSW (Scotts, 2002). Key habitats are areas of predicted high conservation value for forest fauna mapped using fauna assemblage information (assemblages are groupings of conservation priority fauna with similar distributions). Corridors are areas mapped for their potential habitat values for resident populations or nomadic and migratory species and to provide overall landscape connectivity to facilitate fauna movement. Approximately half of the planning area has been mapped as key habitat and the majority of the planning area has been identified as part of a regional corridor between Killabakh, Comboyne and Coopernook. Ten threatened fauna species have been recorded in the planning area through a small number of Forests NSW surveys, the Lower North East CRA survey and through incidental sightings (see Table 2). The Priorities Action Statement (PAS) also identifies strategies and actions to promote the recovery of threatened animal species, populations and ecological communities and manage key threatening processes (DEC, 2006). Key PAS actions for stuttering barred frog include: controlling weeds in known habitat; and monitoring status of known populations. Key PAS actions for glossy black-cockatoo include: encouraging the restoration of foraging habitat that has been cleared or degraded by previous impacts.
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Key PAS actions for sooty owl include: implementing a regional monitoring program. Key PAS actions for spotted-tailed quoll include: ensuring reserve fire management strategies include operational guidelines that protect rocky outcrops and riparian zones within areas of known habitat. Key PAS actions for little bentwing-bat and eastern bentwing-bat include: identifying and protecting significant roost sites in natural and artificial structures; controlling foxes, cats and goats around roosting sites; excluding prescription burns from 100 metres from caves/roost entrances; restricting access to significant roost sites; undertaking non-chemical removal of weeds to prevent obstruction of cave entrances. Key PAS actions for koala include: managing all NPWS estate to specifically provide for the protection of koalas, through plans of management, pest management plans, fire management plans and reviews of environmental factors. Key PAS actions for brush-tailed phascogale include: undertaking fox and wild dog control at priority sites. Key PAS actions for grey-headed flying fox include: conducting periodic assessments of the population size of grey-headed flying foxes to monitor population trends. Table 2. Threatened animal species recorded in the planning area
Common name Scientific name Legal Status Reserve
Amphibians Stuttering barred frog Mixophyes balbus Vulnerable*
# K,G
Birds Glossy black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami Vulnerable*^ K,G Sooty owl Tyto tenebricosa Vulnerable* K Mammals Spotted-tailed quoll Dasyrurus maculatus Vulnerable*^ K Golden-tipped bat Kerivoula papuensis Vulnerable* K,G Little bentwing-bat Miniopterus australis Vulnerable* K,G
Eastern bentwing-bat Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis Vulnerable* K Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Vulnerable* K,G Brush-tailed phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa Vulnerable* G Grey-headed flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus Vulnerable*# G
* Status under TSC Act
# Denotes species listed as nationally vulnerable under the EPBC Act
^ Denotes species listed as nationally endangered under the EPBC Act K Killabakh Nature Reserve G Goonook Nature Reserve C Coxcomb Nature Reserve
The list of threatened animal species recorded in the planning area is very light on, reflecting the lack of survey work in the area (Scotts, pers. comm., 2008). Based on models developed as part of the Lower North East CRA process and nearby threatened animal records, the planning area provides suitable habitat for an additional twenty threatened animal species (see Table 3). The planning area could be highly significant for several faunal groups including fauna of the dry open forests, rainforest and wet forest fauna, and frogs generally (Scotts, pers. comm., 2008). This highlights the need for more targeted and systematic fauna surveys in the planning area.
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Table 3. Threatened animal species predicted to occur in the planning area Common name Scientific name Legal Status
Amphibians Green-thighed frog Litoria brevipalmata Vulnerable* Davies tree frog Litoria daviesae Vulnerable* Giant barred frog Mixophyes iterates Endangered*^ Sphagnum frog Philoria sphagnicolus Vulnerable* Birds Bush stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius Endangered* Brown treecreeper (eastern subspecies) Climacteris picumnus victoriae Vulnerable* Square-tailed kite Lophoictinia isura Vulnerable* Hooded robin (south-eastern form) Melanodryas cucullata cucullata Vulnerable* Powerful owl Ninox strenua Vulnerable* Olive whistler Pachycephala olivacea Vulnerable* Wompoo fruit-dove Ptilinopus magnificus Vulnerable* Masked owl Tyto novaehollandiae Vulnerable* Mammals Eastern pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus Vulnerable* Large-eared pied bat Chalinolobus dwyeri Vulnerable*# Parma wallaby Macropus parma Vulnerable* Yellow-bellied glider Petaurus australis Vulnerable* Squirrel glider Petaurus norfolcensis Vulnerable*
Long-nosed potoroo Potorous tridactylus Vulnerable*#
Greater broad-nosed bat Scoteanax rueppellii Vulnerable* Reptiles Stephens’ banded snake Hoplocephalus stephensii Vulnerable*
* Status under TSC Act
# Denotes species listed as nationally vulnerable under the EPBC Act
Denotes species listed as nationally endangered under the EPBC Act
3.4. Aboriginal Heritage Aboriginal communities have an association with and connection to the land. The land and water within a landscape are central to Aboriginal spirituality and contribute to Aboriginal identity. Aboriginal communities associate natural resources with the use and enjoyment of foods and medicines, caring for the land, passing on cultural knowledge, kinship systems and strengthening social bonds. Aboriginal heritage and connection to nature are inseparable from each other and need to be managed in an integrated manner across the landscape. Killabakh Mountain, Mount Coxcomb, Mount Goonook and the Comboyne Plateau are spiritually significant features in the landscape to Aboriginal people. Two Aboriginal sites have been recorded at Mount Goonook within Goonook Nature Reserve. No other Aboriginal sites have been recorded in the planning area, however no systematic survey for cultural heritage has been undertaken. The planning area is within the Purfleet-Taree Local Aboriginal Land Council area. It is NPWS policy to involve the local Aboriginal community in the management of Aboriginal heritage in the planning area.
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3.5. Historic Heritage Prior to 1947, the area now known as Killabakh Nature Reserve was largely crown land. From 1947 the Forestry Commission of NSW acquired much of the crown land and crown leases through “piecemeal aggregation” increasing the forest from an area of 631 hectares in 1947 to 1,905 hectares in 1974 (Forestry Commission of NSW, 1979). Little is known about the period prior to 1940, however, reports on the condition of the forest communities reflect that some areas had been ringbarked and intensively logged. The Yellow Rocks Creek Trail (formerly known as Marsh Access Road) was constructed prior to 1940 and was initially known as Cooks Road, Slaters Road and Marsh Access Road. The road from Boorganna to Kippaxs (now known as Duck Road) was constructed prior to 1947 (Forestry Commission of NSW, 1979). The area now known as Coxcomb Nature Reserve was part of a large tract of vacant crown land prior to 1919. In 1919, the summit of Mount Coxcomb and the steep escarpments to the north and west of the summit were reserved for public recreation (Department of Lands, 2004). At the same time, the heavily forested slopes to the east and south of Mount Coxcomb were set aside as part of Homestead Farm Area Number 1044 for returned soldiers (Department of Lands, 2004). The Homestead Farm perpetual lease was exercised from 1921 to 1981 when an application was made to convert the lease to freehold title. At that time the area which now comprises the eastern and southern forested slopes of Coxcomb Nature Reserve was excluded from freehold conversion, and in 1984 it was reserved for public recreation (Department of Lands, 2004). The area was dedicated as Coxcomb Nature Reserve on 3 May 1999. Evidence of past land use in Killabakh Nature Reserve and Goonook Nature Reserve include disused log dumps, tree stumps and a network of disused logging trails. In Killabakh Nature Reserve the remains of a small logging hut and machinery parts can be found on Yellow Rocks Creek Trail and a trigonometric station is located on Killabakh Mountain. Two bridges situated on Taylors Road in Goonook Nature Reserve, as well as Killabakh Mountain, Mount Coxcomb and the Comboyne – Lansdowne Escarpment are listed on the NPWS Historic Heritage Information Management System. Little evidence of past use is present in Coxcomb Nature Reserve. 3.6. Education, Recreation and Research Values The planning area provides opportunities for solitude, nature study, self-reliant passive recreation and limited vehicle-based opportunities. No formal walking tracks or other visitor facilities are located in the planning area. The main access to Killabakh and Goonook Nature Reserves is via Wingham or Comboyne. Comboyne Road provides access to the western and central portions of Killabakh Nature Reserve. Yellow Rocks Creek Trail, Coxcomb Road and Ducks Road are gated and provide walking opportunities in Killabakh Nature Reserve (see map). Access to Goonook Nature Reserve is via Taylors Road through Yarratt State Forest (see map). Taylors Road is maintained to a dry weather two wheel drive standard in Goonook Nature Reserve. The areas most frequently visited in the planning area include the summits of Killabakh Mountain, Mount Coxcomb and Mount Goonook, Yellow Rocks Creek and the upper Dingo Creek.
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Coxcomb Nature Reserve is surrounded by private property and access to the reserve relies on approval to cross this land. As a consequence, public access is restricted to walkers and prior permission must be obtained from landholders. Those parts of the planning area that were previously crown land and private property, have had limited study and include sites of particular scientific interest such as the disjunct and unusual vegetation surrounding the peaks of Killabakh Mountain, Mount Coxcomb and Mount Goonook.
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4. THREATS TO RESERVE VALUES
4.1. Pest Species Pest plant species recorded in the planning area are confined to areas of previous disturbance, primarily along roadways and trails. Crofton weed (Ageratina adenophora) is known to occur in the planning area and is listed as a noxious weed in the Greater Taree City Council (GTCC) area. It is particularly prevalent in Killabakh Nature Reserve adjacent to fire trails and roads and there is a large infestation associated with a landslip east of the Comboyne – Wingham Road. Lantana (Lantana camara) is predominant in the understorey of most lower altitude forest ecosystems within the planning area. Roadside infestations of crofton weed and lantana are subject to herbicide spraying. Several pest animal species have been recorded within the planning area, including wild dog (Canis familiaris) and feral cat (Felis cattus) (Forestry Commission of NSW, 1979). The fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral pig (Sus scrofa) are known to occur on adjacent private property (Fotheringham, pers. comm., 2003) and are likely to occur in the planning area. Predation by the feral cat and the fox, and predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs, are listed as key threatening processes under the TSC Act and the EPBC Act. Reactive wild dog and fox baiting programs are undertaken in Goonook Nature Reserve in co-operation with neighbours and the Gloucester Rural Lands Protection Board. Pest management is undertaken in the planning area in accordance with the NPWS Wild Dog Policy and the Mid North Coast Region Pest Management Strategy 2008-2011 (NPWS, 2008). 4.2. Fire Management Fire is a natural feature of many environments and is essential for the survival of some plant communities. However, inappropriate fire regimes can lead to loss of particular plant and animal species and communities, and high frequency fires have been listed as a key threatening process under the TSC Act. The primary fire management objectives of the NPWS are to protect life and property and community assets from the adverse impacts of fire, whilst managing fire regimes to maintain and protect biodiversity and cultural heritage (NPWS, 2007). The NPWS uses a zoning system for bushfire management which is compatible with the zoning used by the Greater Taree District Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC) in its bushfire risk management plan. In regard to Killabakh Nature Reserve and Coxcomb Nature Reserve, fire management strategies are included in this plan of management. In regard to Goonook Nature Reserve, a separate fire management strategy will be prepared. Annual hazard reduction programs, which may include mechanical fuel reduction techniques, prescribed burning and fire trail works, are submitted to the BFMC. Killabakh and Coxcomb Nature Reserves occupy the steep, dissected predominantly southerly aspect slopes of the Comboyne Plateau. Rainforests and moist forest communities dominate this landscape, with unusual plant associations found on the peaks of Killabakh Mountain and Mount Coxcomb.
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The remains of the small logging hut located on Yellow Rocks Creek Fire Trail is a fire vulnerable asset. There is potential for fires to spread into both reserves from surrounding forests and cleared grasslands. Killabakh Nature Reserve has several natural and constructed barriers that may inhibit the spread of fire. These include Yellow Rocks Creek and Yellow Rocks Creek Fire Trail, Duck Road, Dingo Creek and rainforest in the upper Lansdowne River catchment. In contrast, there are few natural and no constructed barriers to inhibit the spread of fire in Coxcomb Nature Reserve. In November 1957 and November 1968, fires that originated at Kippaxs progressed from west to east over the Wingham-Comboyne Road in the vicinity of Mount Gibraltar and into the upper Lansdowne Valley in the planning area (Forestry Commission of NSW, 1979). The 1968 fire also burnt Mount Coxcomb as it progressed towards the coast (Cox, pers. comm., 2004). During the 1957 fire, a “secondary fire” started on the Wingham-Comboyne Road and progressed north and south on the western side of the road (Forestry Commission of NSW, 1979). Since 1999 there have been three fires recorded in the planning area. These fires have originated in neighbouring private property and entered Killabakh Nature Reserve from the west and south. Ridge-tops near the western boundary of Killabakh Nature Reserve show evidence of frequent burning. This is likely to impact on rainforest and moist forest communities in this area and change composition of native vegetation. NPWS has assessed Killabakh and Coxcomb Nature Reserves for fire management planning purposes and both reserves have been zoned as Land Management Zones (LMZs). The primary objective within LMZs is the conservation of biodiversity and protection of culturally significant features from fire. These reserves have been designated as LMZs because they are not adjacent to built assets which would be exposed to a high level of bushfire risk and they do not have a history of bushfire ignitions or known areas of high bushfire potential. Fire requirements for most plant species can be summarised on the basis of vegetation communities, with a threshold in fire regime variability, marking a critical change from a high species diversity to low species diversity. Table 3 shows fire regime guidelines identified for Killabakh and Coxcomb Nature Reserves. Table 4. Fire Interval Guidelines for Protection of Vegetation Communities. Vegetation Community Minimum
Interval (yrs)
Maximum Interval
(yrs)
Notes
Rainforest n/a n/a Fire should be avoided
Wet sclerophyll forest 25 60 Crown fires should be avoided at the lower end of the interval range
Grassy dry sclerophyll forest
5 50
Scrubby dry sclerophyll forest
7 30
Source: Bradstock et al. (2003). Goonook Nature Reserve contains a variety of moist forest ecosystems, primarily on a ridge system descending into the headwaters of the Dawson River.
14
There have been no recorded fires in Goonook Nature Reserve since 1999 and it is unknown if the 1958 and 1968 fires in the north of the planning area extended into the area now part of the reserve. Important fire control lines include Coopers Cutting Road, and Taylors Road. The priority will be to protect the catchment values and moist forest ecosystems in the headwaters to the Dawson River and the significant vegetation on the summit and south eastern slopes of Mount Goonook. 4.3. Soil Erosion Soil erosion is not a significant issue in the planning area. There are however, a number of minor erosion issues along some small sections of roads near drain outlets and creek crossings. A section of Yellow Rocks Creek Trail has been realigned where it crosses Yellow Rocks Creek to overcome trail instability and erosion. Other sections of this trail have steep side slopes which are prone to slumping. Prior to Killabakh Nature Reserve being dedicated, a major slip occurred on the Comboyne Road. In order to re-open the road large amounts of rock material were pushed off the road onto the downhill side into the Reserve. This resulted in the deforestation of a considerable area below the road. This area was covered by wet hardwood forest assemblages and rainforest at the time the damage occurred, and subsequent revegetation is occurring. Though some invasive and non invasive weed species have now colonised the disturbed site. The steep topography of the planning area contributes to the high velocity of water during rainfall events. It is possible that during these events, silt could enter the adjacent waterways. 4.4. Visitor Impacts The three summits of Killabakh Mountain, Mount Goonook and Mount Coxcomb have fragile geology and soils and significant vegetation communities. There is therefore potential for significant impacts in the vicinity of these mountains. Excessive vehicle use on steep tracks and trails, particularly within Goonook Nature Reserve, could result in soil erosion, damage to vegetation and negative impacts on water quality in creeks and streams. Management tracks will be gated, and informal vehicle tracks will be allowed to re-vegetate.
15
5. MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS AND/OR OTHER USES
In addition to the roads available for public vehicle access, there is a network of management trails in the planning area (see map). The primary purpose of the management trail system is for fire management. Management trails also provide access for operations such as pest control, research and search and rescue. Vehicle access to management trails is restricted to essential or emergency purposes, although the trails are available for use by walkers. The planning area includes lands which are vested in the Minister for the purposes of Part 11 of the NPW Act. These lands include Comboyne Road, Coxcomb Road and Ducks Road in Killabakh Nature Reserve and Taylors Road, Coopers Cutting Road, River Road, McGuilvray’s Trail, Payne’s Trail and Nichols Trail in Goonook Nature Reserve. Some existing Part 11 roads will no longer be required for access to private land. There are no Part 11 lands in Coxcomb Nature Reserve. Schubert Trail within Killabakh Nature Reserve is required for continued access to neighbouring private land (see map). Access to this property may be provided by a licence under the NPW Act. Several road and other crown land reserves are located within the planning area. A crown road reserve enters the western boundary of Killabakh Nature Reserve, terminating in a remote area within the reserve north of Yellow Rocks Creek. Other crown road reserves link crown reserves on the summit of Mount Goonook. NPWS will seek to acquire these road reserves (see map). Trigonometric stations are located on Killabakh Mountain and Mount Goonook and are used as survey reference points. Vegetation surrounding the trigonometric points may require maintenance to ensure line of sight from surrounding areas. The trigonometric point at Killabakh Mountain is within the planning area, while the trigonometric point at Mount Goonook is excluded from the planning area. NPWS will seek to add the land occupied by the trigonometric point at Mount Goonook into the planning area to ensure consistent management of the sensitive vegetation on both summits (see map). There are three bee keeping sites located in Goonook Nature Reserve that predate the nature reserve’s dedication. The bee keeping sites will be managed in accordance with the DECC Bee Keeping Policy and the standard conditions for the operation and management of apiary sites on NPWS estate. Bee keeping sites will be repositioned in close proximity to the system of public roads and management trails in consultation with the licensed apiarists.
16
6.
MA
NA
GE
ME
NT
ST
RA
TE
GIE
S A
ND
AC
TIO
NS
Cu
rre
nt
Sit
ua
tio
n
De
sir
ed
Ou
tco
me
s
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
Str
ate
gie
s /
Ac
tio
ns
P
rio
rity
6.1
. S
oil
an
d w
ate
r c
on
se
rva
tio
n
So
il e
rosio
n is a
min
or
issu
e in
th
e p
lan
nin
g
are
a.
It is a
sso
cia
ted
with
th
e r
oa
d a
nd
m
an
age
me
nt
tra
il n
etw
ork
. E
rosio
n c
an
ca
use
lo
ca
lise
d d
am
age
to
ro
ad
s a
nd
tra
ils d
urin
g
hig
h r
ain
fall
eve
nts
, a
nd
silt
ma
y e
nte
r a
dja
ce
nt
wa
terw
ays.
Prio
r to
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
be
ing d
ed
ica
ted
, a
m
ajo
r slip
occu
rre
d o
n t
he
Co
mb
oyn
e R
oa
d
resu
lte
d in
th
e d
efo
resta
tio
n o
f a
n a
rea
in
wh
at
is n
ow
kn
ow
as K
illa
ba
kh
Na
ture
Re
se
rve
. T
his
are
a w
as c
ove
red
by w
et
ha
rdw
oo
d f
ore
st
asse
mb
lage
s a
nd
ra
info
rest
at
the
tim
e t
he
d
am
age
occu
rre
d,
an
d s
ub
se
qu
en
t re
ve
ge
tatio
n is o
ccu
rrin
g.
Th
ou
gh
so
me
in
va
siv
e a
nd
no
n in
va
siv
e w
ee
d s
pe
cie
s h
ave
n
ow
co
lon
ise
d t
he
dis
turb
ed
site
.
So
il e
rosio
n in
th
e
pla
nn
ing a
rea
is
min
imis
ed
. W
ate
r qu
alit
y a
nd
h
ea
lth
of
rese
rve
str
ea
ms is im
pro
ve
d.
Th
e la
nd
slip
site
is
sta
bili
se
d t
hro
ugh
n
atu
ral re
ve
ge
tatio
n.
6.1
.1
Mo
nito
r ro
ad
an
d t
rail
ne
two
rk c
on
ditio
n.
M
ain
tain
ro
ad
s t
o a
n a
pp
rop
ria
te s
tan
da
rd a
nd
in
ve
stiga
te o
ptio
ns f
or
the
in
sta
llatio
n o
f e
rosio
n
pro
tectio
n m
ea
su
res a
lon
g s
ectio
ns o
f ro
ad
s w
hic
h
po
se
a r
isk t
o s
oil
sta
bili
ty.
6
.1.2
U
nd
ert
ake
all
wo
rks in
a m
an
ne
r th
at
min
imis
es e
rosio
n a
nd
wa
ter
po
llutio
n.
6
.1.3
V
isu
ally
mo
nito
r th
e la
nd
slip
site
an
d
imp
lem
en
t w
ee
d c
on
tro
l w
ork
s w
he
re p
ossib
le.
Me
diu
m
Hig
h
Lo
w
6.2
. N
ati
ve
pla
nt
an
d a
nim
al
co
ns
erv
ati
on
T
he
pla
nn
ing a
rea
co
nta
ins a
hig
h d
ive
rsity o
f fo
rest
eco
syste
ms in
clu
din
g la
rge
sta
nd
s o
f o
ld-g
row
th f
ore
st.
So
me
of
the
se
fo
rest
eco
syste
ms a
re p
oo
rly c
on
se
rve
d w
ith
in N
SW
. T
he
pla
nn
ing a
rea
co
nta
ins a
nu
mb
er
of
rare
, th
rea
ten
ed
an
d r
egio
na
lly s
ign
ific
an
t p
lan
t a
nd
a
nim
al sp
ecie
s.
Th
e t
hre
ate
ne
d s
pe
cie
s t
raili
ng w
oo
dru
ff a
nd
b
row
n p
om
ad
err
is h
ave
be
en
re
co
rde
d in
G
oo
no
ok N
atu
re R
ese
rve
.
Na
tive
pla
nt
an
d
an
ima
l sp
ecie
s,
an
d
co
mm
un
itie
s a
re
co
nse
rve
d.
Na
tura
l p
roce
sse
s
inclu
din
g
rege
ne
ratio
n o
f fo
rest
co
mm
un
itie
s,
in t
he
p
lan
nin
g a
rea
co
ntin
ue
.
6.2
.1
Allo
w n
atu
ral re
ge
ne
ratio
n o
f d
istu
rbe
d
are
as.
Un
de
rta
ke
re
ha
bili
tatio
n a
nd
we
ed
co
ntr
ol
wo
rks w
he
re n
ece
ssa
ry.
6.2
.2
Imp
lem
en
t re
leva
nt
actio
ns in
th
e
Th
rea
ten
ed
Sp
ecie
s P
rio
ritie
s A
ctio
n S
tate
me
nt
an
d
reco
ve
ry a
nd
th
rea
t a
ba
tem
en
t p
lan
s f
or
thre
ate
ne
d
sp
ecie
s.
Me
diu
m
Hig
h
17
Cu
rre
nt
Sit
ua
tio
n
De
sir
ed
Ou
tco
me
s
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
Str
ate
gie
s /
Ac
tio
ns
P
rio
rity
Th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
co
nta
ins iso
late
d
po
pu
latio
ns o
f B
lue
Mo
un
tain
s A
sh
an
d
Ku
nze
a s
p.
’Mid
dle
Bro
the
r M
ou
nta
in’. F
ive
th
rea
ten
ed
an
d o
ne
RO
TA
P p
lan
t sp
ecie
s a
re
als
o p
red
icte
d t
o o
ccu
r in
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
.
Te
n v
uln
era
ble
an
ima
l sp
ecie
s h
ave
be
en
re
co
rde
d in
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
. It
als
o c
on
tain
s
su
ita
ble
ha
bita
t fo
r tw
en
ty o
the
r sp
ecie
s lis
ted
u
nd
er
the
TS
C A
ct.
T
he
re h
ave
be
en
no
flo
ra a
nd
fa
un
a s
urv
eys
of
pa
rts o
f th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
th
at
we
re
pre
vio
usly
cro
wn
la
nd
or
priva
te p
rop
ert
y.
On
ly
min
or
su
rve
ys h
ave
be
en
un
de
rta
ke
n o
f th
e
rem
ain
ing s
ectio
n o
f th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
.
Imp
rove
d k
no
wle
dge
o
f th
rea
ten
ed
an
d
sig
nific
an
t p
lan
ts a
nd
a
nim
als
in
clu
din
g
the
ir e
co
logy a
nd
h
ab
ita
t re
qu
ire
me
nts
. A
rea
s o
f p
revio
us
dis
turb
an
ce
are
re
ve
ge
tate
d.
6.2
.3
Un
de
rta
ke
mo
nito
rin
g a
nd
su
rve
ys o
f th
rea
ten
ed
an
d s
ign
ific
an
t sp
ecie
s a
nd
co
mm
un
itie
s,
an
d in
pa
rtic
ula
r fo
r tr
aili
ng w
oo
dru
ff a
nd
bro
wn
p
om
ad
err
is,
Blu
e M
ou
nta
ins a
sh
an
d K
un
ze
a s
p.
‘Mid
dle
Bro
the
r M
ou
nta
in’.
6
.2.4
Im
ple
me
nt
a m
ark
er
syste
m t
hro
ugh
ou
t th
e
roa
d a
nd
tra
il n
etw
ork
in
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
to
avo
id
da
ma
ge
to
th
rea
ten
ed
or
sig
nific
an
t p
lan
t sp
ecie
s f
rom
ro
ad
wo
rks o
r w
ee
d c
on
tro
l p
rogra
ms.
6.2
.5
Wo
rk w
ith
ne
igh
bo
urs
an
d v
ege
tatio
n
ma
na
ge
me
nt
co
mm
itte
es t
o e
nco
ura
ge
co
nse
rva
tio
n
of
rem
na
nt
na
tive
ve
ge
tatio
n in
th
e v
icin
ity o
f th
e
rese
rve
. 6
.2.6
E
nco
ura
ge
su
rve
ys f
or
thre
ate
ne
d p
lan
t a
nd
a
nim
al sp
ecie
s w
ith
prio
rity
giv
en
to
pre
dic
ted
ha
bita
t fo
r th
rea
ten
ed
sp
ecie
s a
nd
are
as t
ha
t w
ere
fo
rme
rly
cro
wn
an
d p
riva
te la
nd
.
Hig
h
Me
diu
m
Me
diu
m
Me
diu
m
6
.3.
Cu
ltu
ral
He
rita
ge
T
he
Birip
i p
eo
ple
ha
ve
a c
on
ne
ctio
n w
ith
th
e
pla
nn
ing a
rea
. It
wa
s lik
ely
th
at
the
pla
nn
ing
are
a w
as t
rad
itio
na
lly u
se
d b
y lo
ca
l tr
ibe
s f
or
hu
ntin
g a
nd
ga
the
rin
g o
f fo
od
re
so
urc
es a
nd
w
he
re c
ultu
ral p
ractice
s s
uch
as s
ocia
l ga
the
rin
gs a
nd
ce
rem
on
ies w
ere
un
de
rta
ke
n.
Tw
o A
bo
rigin
al site
s h
ave
be
en
re
co
rde
d in
G
oo
no
ok N
atu
re R
ese
rve
, a
nd
th
ere
are
th
e
rem
ain
s o
f a
lo
ggin
g h
ut
an
d lo
ggin
g
equ
ipm
en
t in
Kill
ab
akh
Na
ture
Re
se
rve
.
Ab
origin
al a
nd
h
isto
ric f
ea
ture
s a
nd
va
lue
s a
re id
en
tifie
d
an
d p
rote
cte
d.
Ab
origin
al p
eo
ple
are
in
vo
lve
d in
m
an
age
me
nt
of
the
A
bo
rigin
al cu
ltu
ral
va
lue
s in
th
e p
ark
.
6.3
.1
Un
de
rta
ke
a c
ultu
ral h
erita
ge
asse
ssm
en
t p
rio
r to
gro
un
d d
istu
rba
nce
wo
rk b
ein
g u
nd
ert
ake
n.
6.3
.2
En
co
ura
ge
Ab
origin
al cu
ltu
ral h
erita
ge
stu
dy
of
the
pla
nn
ing a
rea
in
co
nsu
lta
tio
n w
ith
th
e P
urf
lee
t-T
are
e L
oca
l A
bo
rigin
al L
an
d C
ou
ncil.
6
.3.3
E
nsu
re t
ha
t a
ny in
form
atio
n o
n A
bo
rigin
al
cu
ltu
ral h
erita
ge
in
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
is p
rovid
ed
to
th
e
Pu
rfle
et-
Ta
ree
Lo
ca
l A
bo
rigin
al L
an
d C
ou
ncil,
Eld
ers
gro
up
s a
nd
oth
er
rele
va
nt
Ind
ige
no
us p
ers
on
s.
Hig
h
Lo
w
Hig
h
18
Cu
rre
nt
Sit
ua
tio
n
De
sir
ed
Ou
tco
me
s
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
Str
ate
gie
s /
Ac
tio
ns
P
rio
rity
No
co
mp
reh
en
siv
e s
urv
eys h
ave
be
en
u
nd
ert
ake
n in
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
fo
r site
s o
f in
dig
en
ou
s o
r n
on
-in
dig
en
ou
s c
ultu
ral
sig
nific
an
ce
. O
the
r cu
ltu
ral site
s m
ay e
xis
t w
ith
in t
he
pla
nn
ing a
rea
.
Un
de
rsta
nd
ing o
f th
e
cu
ltu
ral va
lue
s o
f th
e
pa
rk is im
pro
ve
d.
6.3
.4
De
term
ine
his
toric s
ign
ific
an
ce
of
loggin
g
hu
t a
nd
re
mn
an
t lo
ggin
g e
qu
ipm
en
t th
at
rem
ain
s in
K
illa
ba
kh
Na
ture
Re
se
rve
.
Lo
w
6.4
. In
tro
du
ce
d P
lan
ts a
nd
An
ima
ls
Pe
st
pla
nt
sp
ecie
s a
re lo
ca
ted
in
dis
turb
ed
a
rea
s a
nd
alo
ng r
oa
dsid
es.
On
e n
oxio
us w
ee
d
pre
se
nt
in t
he
pla
nn
ing a
rea
is c
roft
on
we
ed
. P
est
an
ima
ls r
eco
rde
d in
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
in
clu
de
wild
do
gs,
foxe
s a
nd
pig
s.
T
he
Re
gio
na
l P
est
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
str
ate
gy
ide
ntifie
s t
he
pla
nn
ing a
rea
fo
r re
active
pe
st
an
ima
l sp
ecie
s c
on
tro
l ra
the
r th
an
on
go
ing
regu
lar
co
ntr
ol p
rogra
ms.
Intr
od
uce
d p
lan
ts a
nd
a
nim
als
are
co
ntr
olle
d a
nd
wh
ere
p
ossib
le e
limin
ate
d.
A
pp
rop
ria
te p
est
ma
na
ge
me
nt
te
ch
niq
ue
s a
re
imp
lem
en
ted
. T
he
im
pa
ct
of
intr
od
uce
d s
pe
cie
s
on
na
tive
sp
ecie
s a
nd
n
eig
hb
ou
rin
g la
nd
is
min
imis
ed
.
6.4
.1
Un
de
rta
ke
pe
st
sp
ecie
s c
on
tro
l a
nd
bu
sh
re
ge
ne
ratio
n w
ork
s in
acco
rda
nce
with
th
e M
id N
ort
h
Co
ast
Re
gio
n P
est
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
Str
ate
gy 2
00
8-2
01
1.
T
arg
et
cro
fto
n w
ee
d a
nd
la
nta
na
an
d a
rea
s o
f d
istu
rba
nce
su
ch
as r
oa
d a
nd
tra
il e
dge
s.
6.4
.2
Un
de
rta
ke
wild
do
g b
aitin
g p
rogra
ms o
n a
n
ee
ds b
asis
in
co
op
era
tio
n w
ith
th
e G
lou
ce
ste
r R
ura
l L
an
ds P
rote
ctio
n B
oa
rd a
nd
su
rro
un
din
g la
nd
ho
lde
rs.
6.4
.3
Mo
nito
r p
est
an
ima
l sp
ecie
s a
nd
im
ple
me
nt
co
ntr
ol p
rogra
ms w
he
n n
ece
ssa
ry.
6.4
.4
Mo
nito
r n
oxio
us a
nd
sig
nific
an
t e
nviro
nm
en
tal w
ee
ds a
cro
ss t
he
pla
nn
ing a
rea
p
art
icu
larly c
roft
on
we
ed
at
the
la
nd
slip
on
Co
mb
oyn
e
Ro
ad
, Y
ello
w R
ocks C
ree
k T
rail
an
d D
uck R
oa
d a
nd
im
ple
me
nt
co
ntr
ol p
rogra
ms w
he
n n
ece
ssa
ry.
Me
diu
m
Hig
h
Hig
h
Me
diu
m
6
.5.
Fir
e M
an
ag
em
en
t
Ve
ge
tatio
n c
om
mu
nitie
s s
uch
as r
ain
fore
sts
a
nd
we
t scle
rop
hyll
fore
st
are
fire
se
nsitiv
e.
Fire
ha
s h
isto
rica
lly e
nte
red
Kill
ab
akh
Na
ture
R
ese
rve
fro
m t
he
we
st
an
d s
ou
th.
No
fire
is
kn
ow
n t
o h
ave
occu
rre
d in
Co
xco
mb
Na
ture
R
ese
rve
sin
ce
19
68
.
Fire
re
gim
es a
re
ap
pro
pria
te f
or
co
nse
rva
tio
n o
f n
ative
pla
nt
an
d
an
ima
l co
mm
un
itie
s.
6.5
.1
Ma
na
ge
Co
xco
mb
an
d K
illa
ba
kh
Na
ture
R
ese
rve
s a
s a
LM
Z (
refe
r S
ectio
n 4
.2).
6
.5.2
P
rep
are
an
d im
ple
me
nt
a R
ese
rve
Fire
M
an
age
me
nt
Str
ate
gy f
or
Go
on
oo
k N
atu
re R
ese
rve
(re
fer
se
ctio
n 4
.2).
Hig
h
Hig
h
19
Cu
rre
nt
Sit
ua
tio
n
De
sir
ed
Ou
tco
me
s
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
Str
ate
gie
s /
Ac
tio
ns
P
rio
rity
Fire
s a
re g
en
era
lly c
au
se
d b
y e
sca
pe
d r
ura
l b
urn
s.
A R
ese
rve
Fire
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
Str
ate
gy is
requ
ire
d f
or
the
Go
on
oo
k N
atu
re R
ese
rve
(re
fer
se
ctio
n 4
.2).
Life
, p
rop
ert
y
inclu
din
g a
djo
inin
g
dw
elli
ngs a
nd
in
fra
str
uctu
re a
re
pro
tecte
d f
rom
fire
. W
he
re p
ossib
le,
fire
is
exclu
de
d f
rom
ra
info
rest
an
d w
et
scle
rop
hyll
fore
sts
.
6.5
.3
Ma
na
ge
fire
re
gim
es t
o p
rote
ct
bio
div
ers
ity
in a
cco
rda
nce
with
th
e id
en
tifie
d f
ire
fre
qu
en
cy
thre
sh
old
s f
or
ve
ge
tatio
n c
om
mu
nitie
s a
nd
an
y f
ire
se
nsitiv
e c
om
mu
nitie
s.
Th
is in
clu
de
s,
wh
ere
po
ssib
le,
exclu
din
g f
ire
fro
m r
ain
fore
sts
an
d w
et
scle
rop
hyll
co
mm
un
itie
s.
6.5
.4
Pa
rtic
ipa
te in
Gre
ate
r T
are
e D
istr
ict
Bu
sh
F
ire
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
Co
mm
itte
e.
Ma
inta
in c
oo
rdin
ate
d
an
d c
oo
pe
rative
arr
an
ge
me
nts
with
th
e R
ura
l F
ire
S
erv
ice
Briga
de
s,
GT
CC
an
d s
urr
ou
nd
ing la
nd
ho
lde
rs
with
re
ga
rd t
o f
ue
l m
an
age
me
nt
an
d f
ire
su
pp
ressio
n.
6.5
.5
Ma
inta
in p
ub
lic r
oa
ds a
nd
ma
na
ge
me
nt
tra
ils a
s s
ho
wn
on
th
e m
ap
fo
r fire
ma
na
ge
me
nt.
Hig
h
Hig
h
Hig
h
6.6
. R
ec
rea
tio
na
l O
pp
ort
un
itie
s
Th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
pro
vid
es d
estin
atio
ns f
or
so
litu
de
, n
atu
re s
tud
y,
se
lf-r
elia
nt
pa
ssiv
e
recre
atio
n a
nd
lim
ite
d v
eh
icle
-ba
se
d
op
po
rtu
nitie
s.
No
fo
rma
l w
alk
ing
tra
cks o
r o
the
r vis
ito
r fa
cili
tie
s a
re lo
ca
ted
in
th
e
pla
nn
ing
are
a.
Use
of
the
pla
nn
ing a
rea
mu
st
be
ca
refu
lly
ma
na
ge
d s
ince
it
co
nta
ins a
mo
sa
ic o
f sig
nific
an
t re
mn
an
t ve
ge
tatio
n a
nd
ge
olo
gy.
Th
ere
is n
o e
vid
en
ce
of
ho
rse
rid
ing w
ith
in t
he
p
lan
nin
g a
rea
. T
he
re a
re n
um
ero
us h
ors
e
rid
ing o
pp
ort
un
itie
s in
ne
arb
y S
tate
Fo
rest.
Vis
ito
r u
se
is
ap
pro
pria
te a
nd
e
co
logic
ally
su
sta
ina
ble
. T
he
lo
ca
l co
mm
un
ity
is a
wa
re o
f th
e
sig
nific
an
ce
of
the
a
rea
an
d o
f m
an
age
me
nt
pro
gra
ms.
6.6
.1
Pro
vid
e p
ub
lic v
eh
icle
acce
ss in
acco
rda
nce
w
ith
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
ma
p (
refe
r p
age
3).
6
.6.2
A
cce
ss t
o r
em
ote
wa
lkin
g d
estin
atio
ns w
ill
no
t b
e p
rom
ote
d in
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
. 6
.6.3
D
o n
ot
allo
w c
am
pin
g o
r h
ors
e r
idin
g in
th
e
pla
nn
ing a
rea
.
6.6
.4
Pe
rmit w
alk
ing o
n a
ll ro
ad
s a
nd
m
an
age
me
nt
tra
ils w
ith
in t
he
pla
nn
ing a
rea
.
6.6
.5
Pe
rmit c
yclin
g o
n a
ll p
ub
lic r
oa
ds in
th
e
pla
nn
ing a
rea
.
Hig
h
Hig
h
Hig
h
Hig
h
Me
diu
m
20
Cu
rre
nt
Sit
ua
tio
n
De
sir
ed
Ou
tco
me
s
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
Str
ate
gie
s /
Ac
tio
ns
P
rio
rity
Ve
hic
le u
se
on
ste
ep
tra
cks a
nd
tra
ils,
pa
rtic
ula
rly w
ith
in G
oo
no
ok N
atu
re R
ese
rve
, co
uld
re
su
lt in
so
il e
rosio
n,
da
ma
ge
to
ve
ge
tatio
n a
nd
ne
ga
tive
im
pa
cts
on
wa
ter
qu
alit
y in
cre
eks a
nd
str
ea
ms.
T
he
re is u
nco
ntr
olle
d v
eh
icle
acce
ss t
o p
art
s
of
the
ro
ad
an
d t
rail
ne
two
rk w
ith
in t
he
p
lan
nin
g a
rea
. S
om
e t
rails
are
in
ap
pro
pria
te
for
recre
atio
na
l u
se
du
e t
o p
ub
lic s
afe
ty a
nd
im
pa
cts
on
th
e e
nviro
nm
en
t.
Exce
ssiv
e p
ub
lic v
isita
tio
n t
o r
em
ote
d
estin
atio
ns m
ay r
esu
lt in
site
de
gra
da
tio
n.
Th
e p
ote
ntia
l fo
r site
de
gra
da
tio
n is g
rea
test
in
the
vic
inity o
f th
e r
em
ote
wa
lkin
g d
estin
atio
ns
of
Kill
ab
akh
Mo
un
tain
, M
ou
nt
Go
on
oo
k a
nd
M
ou
nt
Co
xco
mb
.
6.6
.6
Org
an
ise
d g
rou
p v
isits t
o t
he
su
mm
its o
f K
illa
ba
kh
Mo
un
tain
, M
ou
nt
Go
on
oo
k o
r M
ou
nt
Co
xco
mb
will
re
qu
ire
co
nse
nt,
wh
ich
will
be
ba
se
d o
n
the
pre
va
ilin
g c
on
ditio
ns a
nd
po
ten
tia
l im
pa
cts
. 6
.6.7
N
o c
om
me
rcia
l to
ur
op
era
tors
will
be
p
erm
itte
d in
pla
nn
ing a
rea
. 6
.6.8
M
on
ito
r le
ve
ls a
nd
im
pa
cts
of
use
.
Me
diu
m
Me
diu
m
Me
diu
m
6.7
. R
es
ea
rch
an
d M
on
ito
rin
g
Th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
is a
n im
po
rta
nt
scie
ntific
are
a.
Pre
vio
us r
ese
arc
h a
ctivitie
s h
ave
p
rim
arily
su
rro
un
de
d f
ore
str
y o
pe
ratio
ns.
A
rea
s o
f p
revio
us c
row
n la
nd
an
d p
riva
te
pro
pe
rty h
ave
ha
d lim
ite
d s
tud
y a
nd
in
clu
de
site
s o
f p
art
icu
lar
scie
ntific in
tere
st
su
rro
un
din
g t
he
pe
aks o
f K
illa
ba
kh
Mo
un
tain
, M
ou
nt
Co
xco
mb
an
d M
ou
nt
Go
on
oo
k
Scie
ntific s
tud
y is n
ee
de
d t
o im
pro
ve
u
nd
ers
tan
din
g o
f th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
’s n
atu
ral
an
d c
ultu
ral h
erita
ge
, th
e p
roce
sse
s t
ha
t a
ffe
ct
the
m a
nd
th
e r
equ
ire
me
nts
fo
r m
an
age
me
nt
of
pa
rtic
ula
r sp
ecie
s.
Re
se
arc
h e
nh
an
ce
s
the
ma
na
ge
me
nt
info
rma
tio
n b
ase
an
d
ha
s m
inim
al
en
viro
nm
en
tal
imp
act.
6.7
.1
Un
de
rta
ke
an
d e
nco
ura
ge
re
se
arc
h t
o
imp
rove
kn
ow
led
ge
an
d m
an
age
me
nt
of
na
tura
l a
nd
cu
ltu
ral h
erita
ge
. 6
.7.2
P
rio
ritie
s f
or
rese
arc
h a
re t
he
stu
dy o
f th
e
ge
om
orp
ho
logy a
nd
pla
nt
an
d a
nim
al a
sso
cia
tio
ns in
th
e v
icin
ity o
f th
e p
ea
ks o
f K
illa
ba
kh
Mo
un
tain
, M
ou
nt
Co
xco
mb
an
d M
ou
nt
Go
on
oo
k.
Me
diu
m
Me
diu
m
21
Cu
rre
nt
Sit
ua
tio
n
De
sir
ed
Ou
tco
me
s
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
Str
ate
gie
s /
Ac
tio
ns
P
rio
rity
6.8
. M
an
ag
em
en
t O
pe
rati
on
s a
nd
Oth
er
Us
es
A
ne
two
rk o
f m
an
age
me
nt
tra
ils a
nd
pu
blic
ly
ava
ilab
le p
ark
ro
ad
s o
ccu
r w
ith
in t
he
pla
nn
ing
are
a.
Th
is n
etw
ork
re
qu
ire
s r
atio
na
lisa
tio
n t
o
imp
rove
pla
nn
ing a
rea
ma
na
ge
me
nt
ou
tco
me
s
an
d p
riva
te p
rop
ert
y a
cce
ss.
A n
um
be
r o
f ro
ad
an
d o
the
r cro
wn
la
nd
re
se
rve
s w
hic
h d
o n
ot
pro
vid
e p
ractica
l a
cce
ss
to n
eig
hb
ou
rin
g p
rop
ert
ies o
r fa
cili
tie
s a
re
loca
ted
with
in t
he
pla
nn
ing a
rea
. T
he
trigo
no
me
tric
po
int
at
Mo
un
t G
oo
no
ok is
exclu
de
d f
rom
th
e p
lan
nin
g a
rea
. V
ege
tatio
n
su
rro
un
din
g t
he
trigo
no
me
tric
po
ints
in
th
e
pla
nn
ing a
rea
ma
y r
equ
ire
ve
ge
tatio
n
ma
na
ge
me
nt
to e
nsu
re lin
e o
f site
vis
ibili
ty.
T
hre
e b
ee
ke
ep
ing s
ite
s a
re lo
ca
ted
in
G
oo
no
ok N
atu
re R
ese
rve
.
Pu
blic
pa
rk r
oa
ds,
ma
na
ge
me
nt
tra
ils
an
d P
art
11
la
nd
s a
re
pro
vid
ed
as
ne
ce
ssa
ry f
or
fire
m
an
age
me
nt,
pe
st
sp
ecie
s,
priva
te
pro
pe
rty a
cce
ss a
nd
o
the
r m
an
age
me
nt
pu
rpo
se
s.
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
facili
tie
s
an
d o
pe
ratio
ns
ad
equ
ate
ly s
erv
e
ma
na
ge
me
nt
ne
ed
s
an
d h
ave
min
ima
l im
pa
ct.
N
o c
row
n r
oa
d n
or
cro
wn
la
nd
re
se
rve
s
with
in t
he
pla
nn
ing
are
a u
nle
ss t
he
y
pro
vid
e p
ractica
l a
cce
ss t
o
ne
igh
bo
urin
g
pro
pe
rtie
s.
Be
e k
ee
pin
g s
ite
s
po
sitio
ne
d in
clo
se
p
roxim
ity t
o t
he
syste
m o
f p
ub
lic
roa
ds a
nd
/or
ma
na
ge
me
nt
tra
ils.
LE
P z
on
ings r
efle
ct
na
ture
re
se
rve
sta
tus.
6.8
.1
Ma
inta
in a
str
ate
gic
ne
two
rk o
f m
an
age
me
nt
tra
ils (
se
e m
ap
) to
a d
ry w
ea
the
r fo
ur
wh
ee
l d
rive
sta
nd
ard
. T
rails
will
be
sig
np
oste
d t
o
pro
vid
e d
ire
ctio
n a
nd
ga
tes o
r b
olla
rds in
sta
lled
wh
ere
n
ece
ssa
ry t
o p
reve
nt
un
au
tho
rise
d a
cce
ss.
All
oth
er
tra
ils w
ill b
e c
lose
d a
nd
allo
we
d t
o r
e-v
ege
tate
. 6
.8.2
D
eve
lop
fo
rma
l a
gre
em
en
ts a
nd
lic
en
ce
s
wh
ere
ne
ce
ssa
ry t
o a
llow
co
ntin
ue
d a
cce
ss t
o p
riva
te
pro
pe
rty.
6
.8.3
S
ee
k t
o in
co
rpo
rate
Pa
rt 1
1 la
nd
s w
ith
in t
he
p
lan
nin
g a
rea
wh
ich
are
no
lo
nge
r re
qu
ire
d f
or
acce
ss
to p
riva
te la
nd
. 6
.8.4
S
ee
k t
o in
co
rpo
rate
cro
wn
ro
ad
or
cro
wn
la
nd
re
se
rve
s w
ith
in t
he
pla
nn
ing a
rea
. 6
.8.5
N
ego
tia
te w
ith
ap
iarists
to
en
su
re lic
en
se
d
be
eke
ep
ing s
ite
s a
re lo
ca
ted
in
clo
se
pro
xim
ity t
o
pu
blic
ro
ad
s a
nd
/or
ma
na
ge
me
nt
tra
ils.
6.8
.6
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
of
ve
ge
tatio
n s
urr
ou
nd
ing
trig
on
om
etr
ic s
tatio
ns w
ill b
e r
estr
icte
d t
o lic
en
se
d
pe
rso
ns u
nd
er
NP
WS
sta
ff s
up
erv
isio
n.
Ve
ge
tatio
n
cle
arin
g w
ill b
e k
ep
t to
th
e m
inim
um
exte
nt
ne
ce
ssa
ry.
Hig
h
Hig
h
Hig
h
Me
diu
m
Me
diu
m
Me
diu
m
22
Hig
h p
riority
activitie
s a
re t
hose i
mpera
tive t
o a
chie
vem
ent
of
the o
bje
ctives a
nd d
esired o
utc
om
es.
They m
ust
be u
ndert
aken i
n t
he n
ear
futu
re t
o
avoid
sig
nific
ant
dete
riora
tion in n
atu
ral, c
ultura
l or
manag
em
ent
resourc
es.
Med
ium
priority
activitie
s a
re t
hose t
hat
are
necessary
to a
chie
ve t
he o
bje
ctives a
nd d
esired o
utc
om
es b
ut
are
not
urg
ent.
Lo
w p
riority
activitie
s a
re d
esirable
to a
chie
ve m
anag
em
ent
obje
ctives a
nd d
esired o
utc
om
es b
ut
can w
ait u
ntil re
sourc
es b
ecom
e a
vaila
ble
.
23
7. REFERENCES
Bradstock, R., Kenny, B. & Tasker, E. (2003). Guidelines for Ecological Sustainable Management. Final Report for NSW Biodiversity Strategy. Department of Environment and Conservation, Hurstville. Briggs, J.D. & Leigh, J.H. (1996). Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised edition. CSIRO, Melbourne. Brooker, M.H.I. and Kleinig, D.A. (1999). Field guide to Eucalypts of South eastern Australia Volume 1 Second Addition. Bloomings Books, Hawthorne Victoria DEC (2006). Threatened Species Priorities Action Statement (PAS). Department of Environment and Conservation, Hurstville. WWW location: http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/home_PAS_New.aspx Department of Lands (2004). History of Mount Coxcomb, Unpublished Report for NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Manning Area, Taree Evans, T. (2001). The Lansdowne Volcanics New reserves on the Comboyne & Lansdowne Escarpments. Pages 6 – 8 National Parks Journal February 2001 Vol 45 No 1. National Parks Association of NSW Inc. Flint, C. (2003). Killabakh Nature Reserve Conservation Data Assessment. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Conservation and Planning Division, Northern Directorate. Forestry Commission of NSW (1979). Management Plan for Marsh State Forest. Forestry Commission of N.S.W. Knutson, J. (1975). Petrology and Geochemistry of Igneous Rocks in the Comboyne Plateau – Lorne Basin area of NSW. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Macquarie University. McDonald, P. (2002). Draft Species Typing by API of Various Areas in the Manning Region NPWS. Unpublished report for NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Manning Area, Taree Muurrbay Aboriginal Language Co-operative & Many Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre (2005). Kattang Language Word List and Finder List. Australian Government Department of Communications, Technology and the Arts. NPWS (2007). Fire Management Manual. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville. NPWS (2008). Mid North Coast Region Pest Management Strategy 2008-2011. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville. RACD (1999). Forest Ecosystem Classifications for Upper and Lower North East CRA Regions: A Report undertaken for the NSW CRA/RFA Steering Committee. Resource and Conservation Division, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Sydney.
24
Ramsland, J. (2001). Custodians of the Soil: A History of Aboriginal-European Relationships in the Manning Valley of New South Wales. PhD Thesis, University of Newcastle, Newcastle. Richards, P. (1999). Threatened Plants Project Northern Region A project undertaken for the Joint Commonwealth NSW Regional Forest Agreement Steering Committee as part of the NSW Comprehensive Regional Assessments. NSW Government and Commonwealth Government. Scotts, D. (2002). Key Habitats and Corridors for Forest Fauna: A landscape framework for conservation in north-east New South Wales. Published by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville. State Forests NSW Mid North Coast Region (2001). Flora and Fauna Report for Goonook Nature Reserve. Unpublished report for NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Manning Area, Taree. Westerman, H. (2004). Geological Information on three Nature Reserves in the Lansdowne Area. Unpublished Report for NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Manning Area, Taree. Personal Communications Brereton, Steve. (2007). Aboriginal Heritage Conservation Officer, Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW, Taree. Cox, R. (2004). Fire Control Officer, Greater Taree District, NSW Rural Fire Service. Evans, T. (2004). Area Manager, Barrington Area, Hunter Region, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Gloucester. Fotheringham, P. (2003). Senior Ranger, Gloucester Rural Lands Protection Board, Wingham. Paget, Andrew. (2004). Environmental Officer, Greater Taree City Council, Taree. Scotts, D. (2008). Branch Ecologist, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Coffs Harbour.
