Plan of Management

Columbey National Park

COLUMBEY NATIONAL PARK

PLAN OF MANAGEMENT

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service September 2011

This plan of management was adopted by the Minister for the Environment on 22nd September 2011. Acknowledgments

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) acknowledges that this park is in the traditional country of the Worimi Aboriginal people. This plan of management is based on a draft plan prepared by the staff of the Hunter Region of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, part of the Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet. FRONT COVER: Spotted gum and Ironbark. Photo: NPWS

For additional information or any inquiries about this park or this plan of management, contact the NPWS Barrington Tops Area Office, PO Box 236 Gloucester 2422 or by telephone on (02) 6538 5300. Published by: Office of Environment and Heritage NSW 59–61 Goulburn Street PO Box A290 Sydney South 1232 © Copyright State of NSW and the Office of Environment and Heritage NSW: Use permitted with appropriate acknowledgment. ISBN 978 1 74293 370 2 OEH 2011/0821

September, 2011

Printed on recycled paper

FOREWORD Columbey National Park is located approximately 23 kilometres north-east of Maitland. It covers 868 hectares, the majority of which was reserved on 1st July 2007. Columbey National Park was reserved due to its significant vegetation features, including twelve vegetation communities. Three of these communities are listed as endangered ecological communities. These are the Lower Hunter Spotted Gum – Ironbark Forest, Floodplain Redgum-Box Forest, and Hunter Lowlands Redgum Forest. Recent fauna surveys recorded the vulnerable small marsupial brush-tailed phascogale in the park. The park provides suitable habitat for other threatened animal species which have been recorded nearby and may be present in the park. The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 requires that a plan of management be prepared for each national park. A draft plan of management for Columbey National Park was placed on public exhibition from 11th June until 27th September 2010. The submissions received were carefully considered before adopting this plan. The plan contains a number of actions to achieve the State Plan priority to “Protect native vegetation, biodiversity, land, rivers and coastal waterways”, including monitoring vegetation recovery by mapping vegetation boundaries, assessment of extent of endangered and other ecological communities, control of weeds and pest animals, and fire management strategies. The plan also contains a number of actions to help achieve “More people using parks”, including providing a parking area and interpretive signage. Four wheel driving, horse riding, mountain bike riding and bushwalking will continue to be permitted within the park.

This plan of management establishes the scheme of operations for Columbey National Park. In accordance with section 73B of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, this plan of management is hereby adopted.

Robyn Parker Minister for the Environment

MAP 1. COLUMBEY NATIONAL PARK

Eagl

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Eastern Trl

Clarence

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Tumbledown Creek

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Wallaroo C

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Pathfinder Trl

Gully Trl

Horse Trl

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Eastern Trl

Waterline Trl

Wallaroo Creek Trl

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Stonequarry H ill Trl

Connect i on Trl

Oak

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Columbey NP

Maitland

Newcastle

Pacific Ocean

Clarence Town

Nelson Bay

Uffington State Forest

Map 1 - Columbey National ParkLegend

0 500 1,000250Metres

Datum - AGD 1966, Projection - AMG Zone 56

Columbey NPHorse Riding Trail

Sealed Road - off parkPublic Access Roads

Unsealed Road - off parkManagement TrailPrivate Road

Non Public Access RoadsNPWS Gate

State Forest

Watercourse

Proposed Parking

4WD RoadUnsealed Road - On Park

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1. LOCATION, GAZETTAL AND REGIONAL CONTEXT Columbey National Park (referred to as ‘the park’ in this plan) is comprised of 868 hectares, the majority of which was reserved on 1st July 2007. The park was reserved due to significant vegetation features including three vegetation communities which are listed as endangered ecological communities. Prior to becoming a national park under the National Park Estate (Lower Hunter Region Reservations) Act 2006 it was part of Uffington State Forest No. 178 (Uffington SF 178). Land reserved as Uffington SF 178 was dedicated in late 1914 (Forestry Commission NSW 1981). A smaller 80 hectare portion (referred to as the Stonequarry Hill portion) located to the west of the main park was added to Columbey National Park in 2008. Stonequarry Hill was a former quarry site that was worked from about the 1860s until the turn of the century. The park derives its name from the nearby geographical feature Columbey Sugarloaf. The park is located approximately 23 kilometres north-east of Maitland. Nearby settlements include Clarence Town, Glen Oak, and Seaham. Maps 1 and 2 show the park location in a regional and state context.

Map 2. State Location Map

As well as the park, the area subject to this plan includes Eagleton Road which is vested in the Minister under Part 11 of the NPW Act, to ensure a continuation of access arrangements to neighbouring private land (refer to Map 1). The southern boundary of the park is located predominately on the northern side of the Clarence Town Road, with a smaller 30 hectare portion located on the southern side of the road. The western boundary of the park runs north to south, to the west of the Newcastle/Chichester Dam water pipeline, whilst the eastern boundary is largely marked by Stoney Creek. The northern boundary is marked by the combination of the Cemetery Road, and Wallaroo Creek.

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The Stonequarry Hill portion is bounded on all four sides by private property and access is restricted as the main unnamed access track to Stonequarry Hill passes through private property and is gated. Surrounding land uses are predominantly agricultural and rural residential. Forests NSW retains the adjacent Uffington SF 178 for forestry purposes. Nearby parks and reserves are situated primarily to the south east. These include Wallaroo National Park, and Wallaroo State Forest. The remaining part of the original Uffington State Forest borders the park to the north. The park falls within the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council’s area of responsibility, and forms part of the Worimi Nation, of the Kattang language group. The park is located within Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority. The bulk of the park area is situated in the Dungog Local Government Area, with portions of the southern boundary bordering the Port Stephens Local Government Area. The Stonequarry Hill portion is within the Port Stephens Local Government Area.

2. MANAGEMENT CONTEXT 2.1 LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FRAMEWORK The management of national parks in NSW is in the context of the legislative and policy framework, primarily the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act) the NPW Regulation 2002, the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act), and the policies of the NPWS. Other legislation, international agreements and charters may also apply to management of the area. In particular, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act) may require the assessment and mitigation of the environmental impacts of works proposed in this plan. 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 park except in accordance with this plan. This plan will also apply to any future additions to the park. Should management strategies or works be proposed for the park or any additions that are not consistent with this plan, an amendment to this plan or a new plan will be prepared and exhibited for public comment. 2.2 MANAGEMENT PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES National Parks are reserved under the NPW Act to protect and conserve areas containing outstanding or representative ecosystems, natural or cultural features or landscapes or phenomena that provide opportunities for public appreciation and inspiration and sustainable visitor use. Under the NPW Act (section 30E), National Parks are managed to:

• conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem functions, protect geological and geomorphological features and natural phenomena and maintain natural landscapes;

• conserve places, objects, features and landscapes of cultural value;

• protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations;

• promote public appreciation and understanding of the park’s natural and cultural values;

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• provide for sustainable visitor use and enjoyment that is compatible with conservation of natural and cultural values;

• provide for sustainable use (including adaptive reuse) of any buildings or structures or modified natural areas having regard to conservation of natural and cultural values; and

• provide for appropriate research and monitoring. 2.3 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Columbey National Park is considered to be of significance due to its biological values. Three vegetation communities, each of which Bell (2009) has described as an endangered ecological community (EEC) under the TSC Act, occur in the park. These are: 1) Lower Hunter Spotted Gum – Ironbark Forest, 2) Floodplain Redgum-Box Forest, and 3) Hunter Lowlands Redgum Forest. 2.4 SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT DIRECTIONS Management of the park will focus on the protection of the three EECs. Major strategies to achieve this objective are to:

• Implement the Regional Pest Management Strategy and focus on the pest plant control program;

• Provide appropriate day use recreational opportunities which complement visitor facilities in the local community; and

• Implement the Reserve Fire Management Strategy to protect life and property and maintain appropriate burn frequencies within ecological thresholds.

3. VALUES The location, landforms and plant and animal communities of an area have determined how it has been used and valued. 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, various aspects of natural heritage, cultural heritage, threats and on-going use are dealt with individually, but their inter-relationships are recognised. 3.1 GEOLOGY, LANDSCAPE AND HYDROLOGY The park forms part of the NSW North Coast Bioregion. It spans a gently undulating landscape. The highest feature, Tower Hill is approximately 100 metres above sea level (ASL). The park features numerous drainage lines, all of which generally run to the south-east into the Williams River. The underlying geology of the majority of the park is derived from the Wallaringa Formation, described as pink to brown, thickly bedded, lithic sandstone, conglomerate and granitoids with minor sandstones. This is a Palaeozoic era formation, formed during the Carboniferous period (360-290 million years ago). The subsurface soils are primarily alluvium derived, and feature sand, silt, clays and minor gravels. These can be characterised as poorly fertile, well drained, and highly erosive soils.

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The majority of the park is located within the Wallaroo Creek catchment, and drains into the lower arm of the Williams River. The smaller western Stonequarry Hill portion drains into the Tumbledown Creek catchment. Acid sulphate soils are identified in the lower branches of the Tumbledown and Wallaroo creeks. These soils are considered to have a low risk of becoming acidic (DLWC 1997). 3.2 NATIVE PLANTS The park features twelve vegetation communities which, for such a small park, represents significant diversity. These communities range from riparian rainforest on deep alluvial soils to drier open forests on hard setting clays (Bell 2009). Within the park, Bell identified 293 native plant species and three EECs which comprise 603 hectares of the total park area of 868 hectares. The three EECs are: Lower Hunter Spotted Gum – Ironbark Forest (475 hectares); Floodplain Redgum-Box Forest (124 hectares); and Hunter Lowlands Redgum Forest (3.68 hectares).

Lower Hunter Spotted Gum – Ironbark Forest is dominated by broad-leaved ironbark (Eucalyptus fibrosa), spotted gum (Corymbia maculata), broad-leaved white mahogany (Eucalyptus umbra) and in places grey box (Eucalyptus moluccana) can also be present. This community occupies the lower undulating slopes at low elevation, with typical understorey species including gorse bitter pea (Daviesia ulicifolia subsp. ulicifolia), native blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa), hairy bush-pea (Pultenaea villosa), wiry panic (Entolasia stricta), threeawn speargrass (Aristida vagans), Macrozamia flexuosa, and Lomandra confertifolia subsp. pallida. The co-dominance of Corymbia maculata and Eucalyptus fibrosa, often with Eucalyptus umbra, distinguish this community from all others (Bell 2009). Floodplain Redgum – Box Forest is restricted to major creeklines and their associated flood-outs. It can be dominated by cabbage gum (Eucalyptus amplifolia), grey ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia), forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) or grey box (Eucalyptus moluccana). Examples dominated by each are present within the park. Rough-barked apple (Angophora floribunda) also occurs as a canopy dominant in limited areas. The often mono-specific stands of cabbage gum, grey box, rough-barked apple or grey ironbark characterise this community, and cannot be confused with any other vegetation type (Bell 2009). Hunter Lowlands Redgum Forest occurs at a single location in a previously cleared and grazed landscape, where it is dominated by forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) over a grassy ground layer of kangaroo grass (Themeda australis), Aristida warburgii, threeawn speargrass (Aristida vagans), and Ptilothrix deusta. Shrubs such as Acacia falcata, green wattle (Acacia irrorata), hairy bush-pea (Pultenaea villosa) and native blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa) are also present (Bell 2009). The remaining nine vegetation communities identified are gully rainforest, riparian rainforest, paperbark soak forest, Seaham mahogany forest, Seaham ironbark forest, Seaham spotted gum – ironbark forest, red ironbark scrub-forest, stringybark – apple forest, and plantation forest. One threatened plant species was previously recorded in the location of the park. Slaty red gum (Eucalyptus glaucina), listed as vulnerable under the TSC Act, had been recorded to the north of the Clarence Town Road. The record dated from the 1890s and was not exact as to the specific location (Lower North East CRA Survey Dataset 1997). Rare or threatened Australian plant (ROTAP) species include a population of the terrestrial orchid Pterostylis chaetophora, and many of the rare cycad Macrozamia flexuosa (Bell 2009). The previously

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undescribed Clarence Town donkey orchid (Diuris sp aff alba (Clarence Town)) is also likely to occur in the park. 3.3 NATIVE ANIMALS Native mammal fauna observed in the park include the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus), and the eastern bent-wing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii). Amphibian fauna records for the park include Peron’s tree frog (Litoria peronii), broad-palmed frog (L. latopalmata), eastern dwarf tree frog (L. fallax), Lesueur’s frog (L. lesueuri), red-backed toadlet (Pseudophryne coriacea), common eastern froglet (Crinia signifera), and the ornate burrowing frog (Limnodynastes ornatus). Reptile fauna records include Jacky lizard (Amphibolurus muricatus), eastern water skink (Eulamprus quoyii), garden skink (Lampropholis delicata), and the three-toed skink (Saiphos equalis) (Lower North East CRA Survey Dataset 1997). Lace monitors (Varanus varius) have been observed in the park. Dingos (Canis lupis dingo) have also been observed. Of particular interest is the recording of the vulnerable brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) by NPWS staff during recent fauna surveys (Parkinson & Fawcett, 2010). The park provides ideal habitat for the swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) and the regent honey eater (Zanthomiza phrygia), both of which are listed as endangered under the TSC Act. Other species of interest observed nearby, and which could potentially occur in the park include: the powerful owl (Ninox strenua), barking owl (Ninox connivens), grey-crowned babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis), gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum), glossy black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea), and the eastern free-tail bat (Mormopterus norfolkensis). 3.4 ABORIGINAL HERITAGE Aboriginal communities have an association 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. The park is situated within the boundaries of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council. The park is within an area that was part of the Worimi Nation, of the Kattang language Group (Brereton and Paulson 1998). Documentation of early local Aboriginal use and occupation of the local area is scant. There are no sites recorded within the park boundary, although formal investigation has yet to be undertaken. It is recognised that whilst there may be a paucity of physical sites, this does not suggest the area was not utilised by, or is not of interest to Aboriginal peoples. 3.5 HISTORIC HERITAGE The past history of the park is closely associated with the founding and development of Clarence Town, located two kilometres to the east. The township was once a thriving centre for shipping and industry in the Hunter region. The township was established as a processing and distribution point for fine cabinet and shipbuilding timbers, such as red cedar and white beech. Coupled with its location on a wide navigable section of the Williams River, it developed into a township by the 1820s. As a major shipping node and head of the river,

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Clarence Town became an important centre for local industry (ship building, timber distribution, pubs, and factories). All goods destined for towns and districts as far north as Gloucester were transported from the township and carted (initially by bullock, and later horse and wagon) overland from there. The town’s importance gradually declined with the advent of rail transport by the late 1800’s (CTPS 1946). In spite of that decline, timber remained important to the local economy. By the 1930s locally sourced timber was used for the production of Masonite. The demand for timber for the production of Masonite resulted in widespread harvesting of timber. The mining industry also demanded considerable quantities of smaller timber, principally for pit props to the Hunter Valley coal mines (Forestry Commission NSW 1981). This created the current situation whereby the park is characterised by immature regrowth with limited evidence of a more mature structure. The Stonequarry Hill portion features a former quarry site that was one of the earliest industrial sites of the area. It is understood that the quarry was worked from about the 1860s to the early 1900s. Some material may also have been removed during the 1980s by the then Forestry Commission. A form of porphyritic sandstone quarried from the site was referred to as ‘Clarence Town Stone’ and was used in building works throughout the region, including the Clarence Town Police Station (1870), Seaham Church, Fort Scratchley (1885), local hotels (1880s), and for curbing and guttering in Newcastle during the 1880s (Hunter, 2010). Quarried material was extracted by the Forestry Commission up until the 1980s. 3.6 RECREATION, EDUCATION AND ACCESS The park provides an important recreational destination for the residents of Clarence Town, and other nearby urban areas. The park is popular for four wheel driving, horse riding, cycling and bushwalking. There is a history of trail bike riding, dating well back to when it was a State Forest. The labyrinthine network of trails throughout the park associated with its logging history is not sustainable in this small national park. Clarence Town Road is the main access road to the park. The park includes an extensive unsealed road network. The public access road network facilitates recreational opportunities and provides some park neighbours with access to their properties. Eagleton Road is a public access road managed by NPWS that provides access for a number of landowners to properties adjacent to the park’s north-western boundary. The park also includes a network of management trails that are primarily used for fire and other management purposes. Map 1 shows the public access road network, and recreational opportunities available in the park. Driving is permitted along Eagleton Road and Connection Trail (2WD standard) and the 4WD roads. Trail bike riding is permitted along public access roads, and by registered trail bikes only. Horse riding is permitted along the horse riding trails shown on Map 1. Bushwalking and cycling opportunities are permitted on the public access roads and management trails. The park is primarily a day use destination only and no recreational facilities are provided in the park. Recreational facilities will continue to be kept to a minimum with the provision of basic fixtures only (e.g. interpretative signage). Clarence Town is located in close proximity to the park and provides a range of accommodation opportunities. Given the parks proximity to Clarence Town, the day use nature of traditional park visitation and lack of suitable camp sites, camping opportunities will not be provided.

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4. ISSUES 4.1 PEST SPECIES A preliminary roadside weed assessment was undertaken in 2007. A small number of introduced (exotic or non-endemic) plant species have been recorded as occurring throughout the park. Lantana (Lantana camara), listed as noxious, occurs in patches, mainly along some of the internal tracks and trails. Minor infestations occur on Tower Hill, and the tracks leading to that feature. In an open flat area in the north-eastern part of the park (known as ‘The Paddock’), at least two introduced species occur. A small number of monterey pine (Pinus radiata) were recorded. There was also a small patch of the succulent Aloe vera on the north western edge of the cleared area near Wallaroo Creek. Prickly pear (Oputina stricta) has been recorded in the park. A plantation of black cyprus pine (Callitrus endlicheri) of approximately half a hectare occurs on previously cleared land near Yard Trail. This species does not occur naturally in this area, and is believed to have been planted as a trial plantation. Similarly, a small population of bunya pine (Araucaria bidwillii) has been recorded west of Eagleton Road. Control measures are best focused on controlling the lantana, as there is potential for complete removal from the park given the low density of infestation. Other introduced plant species will be prioritised for control subject to: the likelihood of control success; noxious plant classification; and ease of control. Opportunistic observations of vertebrate pests suggest only a limited number of pest animals exist in the park. Wild dogs (Canis lupis familiaris) have been reported anecdotally by neighbours, and tracks have been observed in the park. Domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) have also been observed. Proximity to local urban areas suggests other vertebrate pests such as cats (Felis catus) are likely. 4.2 FIRE The primary fire management objectives of the NPWS are to protect life, property and community assets from the adverse impacts of fire whilst managing fire regimes to maintain and protect biodiversity and cultural heritage. 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. High frequency fires have been listed as a key threatening process under the TSC Act, and can encourage the establishment and dispersal of introduced weed species. There has been one significant wildfire event recorded in the park. This occurred in December 1979 (Dungog Chronicle, 1979). The fire originated in the Mount Sugarloaf/Glen Oak area to the north-west of the park. The fire threatened Clarence Town and burnt out approximately 5,000 hectares of surrounding land. Backburn operations were conducted in the then Uffington State Forest by Forestry fire crews. There are a number of assets which border, or are close to the park, with the main ones being the Hunter Water pipeline beside Pipeline Trail and the township of Clarence Town with associated facilities.

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The NPWS uses a zoning system for bushfire management in NPWS reserves. NPWS zones are compatible with the system adopted by the Bushfire Coordinating Committee for use in District Bushfire Management Committee (DBFMC) bushfire risk management plans. Trails shown on Map 1 have been assessed as necessary for fire management purposes. The majority of other tracks and trails not shown on Map 1 need to be assessed for their strategic value, and will either remain dormant (for possible activation for future fire fighting purposes) or will be closed and rehabilitated. A Reserve Fire Management Strategy has been prepared for the park (DECC 2009). The primary fire management objectives for the park are to protect life and property and prevent inappropriate fire regimes that may threaten the EECs, and any Slaty red gums present within the park. Portions of the park north of Clarence Town Road and west of Eagleton Road will be subject to prescriptive burns for the purpose of hazard reduction. Priority will be given to protecting adjacent properties from fire coming from the park. The portion of park south of the Clarence Town Road will not be subject to frequent burning. This portion will be used as a reference site to assess the impacts of reduced fire events on the white box/broad-leaved ironbark community. This portion has limited public access, is surrounded by grazing land, and poses a lesser fire risk than the primary portion. The Stonequarry Hill portion will also be subject to an infrequent burn regime, primarily due to the difficulty of access and the lack of natural or man made features with which to compartmentalise prescription burns. NPWS maintains cooperative arrangements with surrounding landowners and Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades and is actively involved in the Lower Hunter Bush Fire Management Committee. Cooperative arrangements include approaches to fuel management, support for neighbours’ fire management efforts and information sharing. 4.3 ISOLATION AND FRAGMENTATION The surrounding Lower Hunter area has been extensively cleared, which has resulted in a high loss of biodiversity and fragmentation of habitat in the region. Long term conservation of biodiversity depends upon the protection, enhancement and connection of remaining habitat across the landscape, incorporating vegetation remnants on both public and private lands. Nearby vegetated areas contribute to the habitat values of the park and provide ecological corridors to other vegetated areas. Maintaining the integrity of the remaining habitat within the park and, where possible, linking this to adjacent areas of vegetation to facilitate wildlife corridors is important in ensuring long term viability of the park’s biological values. 4.4 INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES Illegal dumping of household and commercial waste is a significant management issue threatening the values of the park. Material that has been dumped includes car bodies, garden waste, building materials, and general household garbage. Whilst the visual and scenic impacts of dumping are immediately obvious, other undesirable impacts are also associated with this activity. One example is the introduction of plant species from garden waste. It is believed the occurrence of the Aloe vera in the park originated from garden waste. Vehicle dumping is occasionally associated with the deliberate burning out of the vehicle. This creates a significant fire risk particularly in the warmer, drier months. The dumping is focused at park entrances and in the paddock area near Wallaroo Creek. Unrestricted vehicle access onto the various tracks and trails throughout the park has resulted in significant undesirable impacts to the trail network. These impacts include

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providing ready access for dumping activities, damage to tracks and trails, soil erosion and compaction, and conflicting trail uses amongst visitor groups. Damage to tracks and trails from off road vehicles, such as trail bikes is readily observable at creek crossings and on a number of trails. Soil erosion occurs due to a combination of the thin highly erodable solodic soil type, and the interception of overland flow and subsequent channelling of run off down single wheel ruts, principally from trail bikes. There is evidence of off-road trail bike riding in the park. Off-road trail bike riding can cause loss of vegetation cover, soil compaction, erosion, and damage to park infrastructure.

5. REFERENCES Bell, S. (2009) Vegetation and floristics of Columbey National Park, Lower Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Unpublished report to NPWS. Brereton, S. and Paulson, R. (1998) Aboriginal Sites Investigation Gloucester Tops State Forests Gravel Quarry and NPWS Helipad Site. Report to NPWS by Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council. Byrne, Denis. (1992) Gloucester and Chichester Management Areas Environmental Impact Statement. Supporting Document No.8, An Investigation of the Aboriginal Archaeological Record of the Gloucester and Chichester EIS Areas. State Forests of NSW. Clarence Town Public School (CTPS) (1946) A Short History of Clarence Town. Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (2009) Hunter Region Columbey National Park Fire Management Strategy (Type 2), DECC, Sydney, NSW. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/firemanagement/final/Columbey.pdf

Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) 1997, Acid Sulphate Soil Maps Mapping Project, co-sponsored by Soil Conservation Service and the Natural Resources Council. Dungog Local Environment Plan 2006. Dungog Chronicle, December 5, 1979. Forestry Commission of NSW (1981) Management Plan for Wallaroo Management Area, Sydney. Hunter, C. (2010), History Off-cutts: Abandoned Quarry Stonequarry Hill Uffington State Forest Columbey National Park. Unpublished Report. Lower North East CRA Survey Dataset, NPWS 1997. NSW Scientific Committee (2005) Lower Hunter Spotted Gum Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - Endangered ecological community determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney. Parkinson, T. and Fawcett, A. (2010) Flora and Fauna establishment monitoring program. Unpublished internal NPWS report.

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em

ent

com

mitte

es a

nd local C

ouncils

to e

ncoura

ge c

onserv

ation o

f re

mnant

native v

eg

eta

tion in t

he v

icin

ity o

f th

e p

ark

. 6.1

.4 U

ndert

ake ro

ad w

ork

s in

a m

anner

that

min

imis

es

ero

sio

n a

nd w

ate

r pollu

tion,

and c

onstr

uct

rollo

vers

where

pra

ctical.

6.1

.5 C

lose a

ll non e

ssential

tracks a

nd i

nfo

rmal

trails

and

re

habili

tate

as r

eq

uired.

6.1

.6

Undert

ake

and

encoura

ge

researc

h

to

impro

ve

know

ledg

e a

nd m

anagem

ent of

natu

ral herita

ge.

Hig

h

Ong

oin

g

Ong

oin

g

Hig

h

Med

ium

M

ed

ium

11

Cu

rren

t S

itu

ati

on

D

esir

ed

Ou

tco

mes

Man

ag

em

en

t R

esp

on

se

P

rio

rity

*

6.2

C

ult

ura

l an

d H

isto

ric H

eri

tag

e

The

exis

ting

le

vel

of

know

ledg

e

about

the

Aborig

inal

cultura

l valu

es,

sig

nific

ance,

inte

rest, o

r use

of

the

park

is

poor.

M

ore

consultation

and

researc

h is r

eq

uired.

The h

isto

ry o

f th

e S

toneq

uarr

y H

ill p

ort

ion r

eq

uires

investig

ation t

o d

ete

rmin

e t

he level of

sig

nific

ance.

Aborig

inal

pla

ces

and

valu

es

are

id

entified

and p

rote

cte

d.

Aborig

inal

people

are

in

vo

lved

in

manag

em

ent

of

the

Aborig

inal

cultura

l valu

es o

f th

e p

ark

. H

isto

ric

featu

res

are

appro

priate

ly

conserv

ed

and

manag

ed.

Neg

ative

impacts

on

Aborig

inal

and

his

toric

herita

ge

valu

es

are

sta

ble

or

dim

inis

hin

g.

Unders

tandin

g

of

the

cultura

l valu

es

of

the

park

is im

pro

ved.

6.2

.1 C

onsult w

ith a

nd i

nvolv

e t

he W

orim

i Local

Aborig

inal

Land C

ouncil,

Eld

ers

gro

ups a

nd o

ther

rele

vant

Aborig

inal

com

munity

org

anis

ations

in

the

assessm

ent

of

cultura

l sig

nific

ance o

f th

e p

ark

. 6.2

.2 I

ncorp

ora

te t

he v

iew

s o

f th

e W

orim

i Local

Aborig

inal

Land C

ouncil,

Eld

ers

gro

ups a

nd o

ther

rele

vant

Aborig

inal

com

munity o

rganis

ations i

n t

he m

anag

em

ent

of

Aborig

inal

sites,

pla

ces a

nd v

alu

es, in

clu

din

g inte

rpre

tation o

f pla

ces o

r valu

es.

6.2

.3 A

ssess t

he c

ultura

l herita

ge v

alu

es o

f th

e p

ark

and

pre

pare

rele

vant m

anagem

ent str

ate

gie

s.

6.2

.4

Pre

cede

all

new

gro

und

dis

turb

ance

work

by

an

assessm

ent fo

r cultura

l fe

atu

res.

6.2

.5

Encoura

ge

furt

her

researc

h

into

th

e

Aborig

inal

herita

ge valu

es of

the p

ark

in

clo

se consultation w

ith th

e

Worim

i Local

Aborig

inal

Land C

ouncil,

Eld

ers

gro

ups a

nd

oth

er

rele

vant

Aborig

inal com

munity o

rganis

ations.

6.2

.6 E

ncoura

ge r

esearc

h i

nto

the h

isto

rical

sig

nific

ance o

f th

e a

rea.

In p

art

icula

r, m

onitor

the S

toneq

uarr

y H

ill p

ort

ion

and undert

ake arc

haeolo

gic

al

investig

ations of

the q

uarr

y

during

favoura

ble

conditio

ns e

.g.

during

dro

ught

or

follo

win

g

contr

olle

d b

urn

ing.

Med

ium

M

ed

ium

M

ed

ium

M

ed

ium

M

ed

ium

M

ed

ium

12

Cu

rren

t S

itu

ati

on

D

esir

ed

Ou

tco

mes

Man

ag

em

en

t R

esp

on

se

P

rio

rity

*

6.3

V

isit

or

Use a

nd

Serv

ices

Use o

f th

e p

ark

must

be c

are

fully

manag

ed s

ince it

is r

ela

tively

sm

all

and in

clu

des a

sig

nific

ant

are

a o

f re

mnant

veg

eta

tion,

conta

inin

g

endangere

d

ecolo

gic

al

com

munitie

s,

thre

ate

ned p

lant

specie

s,

as w

ell

as o

ther

import

ant

veg

eta

tion.

Access

to

the

park

is

im

port

ant

to

the

local

com

munity a

nd w

ill c

ontinue t

o b

e e

ncoura

ged a

s

a d

ay-u

se d

estination.

Vis

itor

facili

ties

will

be

min

imal

with

essential

infr

astr

uctu

re only

. T

he pro

vis

ion of

basic

vis

itor

park

ing

facili

ties

and

inte

rpre

tive

sig

nag

e

at

a

suitable

and r

eadily

accessib

le l

ocation (

eg.

alo

ng

Eag

leto

n R

oad)

will

be investig

ate

d.

The p

ark

is p

opula

r fo

r fo

ur

wheel

drivin

g,

hors

e

ridin

g, m

ounta

in b

ike r

idin

g,

and b

ushw

alk

ing.

The

com

bin

ation

of

trail

bik

ing,

cyclin

g,

hors

e

ridin

g,

and bushw

alk

ing in

a sm

all

park

has th

e

capacity

to

cre

ate

sig

nific

ant

user

conflic

t.

Tra

il bik

ing

g

enera

lly

is

a

freq

uent

sourc

e

of

conflic

t betw

een

div

ers

e

user

gro

ups.

Issues

such

as

nois

e,

trail

ero

sio

n,

unauth

orised

use

of

unre

gis

tere

d v

ehic

les,

and t

rail

safe

ty issues a

re o

f part

icula

r concern

. T

he la

byrinth

ine netw

ork

of

trails

th

roug

hout

the

park

associa

ted

with

its

his

tory

of

use

is

not

susta

inable

.

The l

ocal

com

munity i

s

aw

are

of

the

sig

nific

ance o

f th

e a

rea

and

of

manag

em

ent

pro

gra

ms.

Vis

itor

use

is

ecolo

gic

ally

susta

inable

. V

isitor

facili

ties

will

be

esta

blis

hed

to

the

min

imum

le

vel

necessary

. A

ll tr

ail

bik

e

ridin

g

outs

ide

public

access

roads c

eases.

All

dum

pin

g

activity

ceases.

6.3

.1 A

llow

public

vehic

le access on public

access ro

ads

show

n o

n M

ap 1

. A

llow

cyclin

g o

n t

he p

ublic

access r

oads

and m

anag

em

ent tr

ails

show

n o

n M

ap 1

. 6.3

.2

Lia

ise

with

the

rele

vant

auth

ority

in

re

lation

to

esta

blis

hin

g a

vehic

le s

peed l

imit f

or

public

access r

oads

show

n o

n M

ap 1

. 6.3

.3 A

llow

hors

e r

idin

g o

n r

oads a

nd m

anag

em

ent

trails

, show

n a

s h

ors

e r

idin

g tra

ils o

n M

ap 1

.

6.3

.4 P

rovid

e a

park

ing a

rea w

ith m

inim

al

vis

itor

facili

ties

(inclu

din

g inte

rpre

tative s

ignag

e)

at

the junction o

f E

ag

leto

n

Road and S

hort

cut

Tra

il (r

efe

r M

ap 1),

or

oth

er

suitable

lo

cation.

6.3

.5 P

rohib

it c

am

pin

g.

6.3

.6 M

onitor

levels

and im

pacts

of

vis

itor

use.

6.3

.7 C

lose a

ll in

form

al access p

oin

ts to v

ehic

les.

6.3

.8

Gate

/sig

npost

manag

em

ent

trails

to

re

str

ict

unauth

orised a

ccess.

6.3

.9 A

llow

re

gis

tere

d tr

ail

bik

e access on public

access

roads s

how

n o

n M

ap 1

. Im

ple

ment

str

ate

gie

s t

o p

revent

trail

bik

e r

idin

g e

lsew

here

.

Med

ium

M

ed

ium

M

ed

ium

H

igh

Ong

oin

g

Hig

h

Hig

h

Hig

h

Hig

h

13

Cu

rren

t S

itu

ati

on

D

esir

ed

Ou

tco

mes

Man

ag

em

en

t R

esp

on

se

P

rio

rity

*

Sto

neq

uarr

y H

ill i

s s

urr

ounded b

y p

rivate

pro

pert

y

wh

ich

limits

access

to

the

public

. T

here

is

one

manag

em

ent tr

ail

in this

section o

f th

e p

ark

. Ille

gal

dum

pin

g

occurs

at

a

num

ber

of

access

poin

ts.

6.4

W

eed

s a

nd

Pest

An

imals

A

pre

limin

ary

weed

asse

ssm

ent

was u

ndert

aken in

2007.

This

pro

vid

ed a

n o

verv

iew

of

weed s

pecie

s

pre

sent

on t

he p

ark

, le

vel

of

density,

and l

ocation

of

infe

sta

tions.

Opport

unis

tic o

bserv

ations i

ndic

ate

that

wild

do

gs

are

pre

sent

how

ever

the num

bers

are

unknow

n.

The p

roxim

ity t

o l

ocal

urb

an a

reas s

ugg

ests

oth

er

intr

oduced v

ert

ebra

te p

ests

such a

s c

ats

are

lik

ely

. A

sm

all

pla

nta

tion

of

native

pin

e

(Calli

tris

endlic

heri)

occurs

within

the p

ark

. Lanta

na B

iodiv

ers

ity M

onitoring

S

ites have been

esta

blis

hed b

y t

he N

PW

S.

The

impact

of

intr

oduced

specie

s

on

native

specie

s

and

neig

hbouring

la

nds

is

min

imis

ed.

The

impact

of

intr

oduced

specie

s

on

the p

ark

as a

whole

is

min

imis

ed.

The

pla

nta

tion

specie

s

are

re

moved

and

the

site

allo

wed

to

rehabili

tate

.

6.4

.1 M

anag

e in

troduced specie

s in

accord

ance w

ith th

e

Reg

ional

Pest

Manag

em

ent

Str

ate

gy.

Priority

will

be g

ive

n

to the c

ontr

ol of

Lanta

na c

am

ara

in the p

ark

. 6.4

.2 M

onitor

noxio

us a

nd s

ignific

ant

environm

enta

l w

eeds.

Tre

at any n

ew

outb

reaks w

here

possib

le.

6.4

.3 U

ndert

ake o

n-g

oin

g c

ontr

ol

pro

gra

ms f

or

Alo

e v

era

, C

alli

tris

endlic

heri,

Pin

us r

adia

ta,

and O

puntia s

tric

ta (

prickly

pear)

.

6.4

.4 P

rote

ct

Lanta

na B

iodiv

ers

ity M

onitoring

Sites f

rom

fire

that m

ay c

onflic

t w

ith r

esearc

h o

bje

ctives.

6.4

.5 Id

entify

lo

cations of

Lanta

na B

iodiv

ers

ity M

on

itoring

sites s

o a

s t

o e

nsure

local contr

ol pro

gra

ms d

o n

ot

inte

rfere

w

ith t

he m

onitoring

of th

ese s

ites.

Hig

h

Hig

h

Low

H

igh

Hig

h

14

6.5

F

ire M

an

ag

em

en

t F

ire i

s a

natu

ral

featu

re o

f m

any e

nvironm

ents

but

inappro

priate

fire

re

gim

es

can

lead

to

loss

of

part

icula

r pla

nt

and

anim

al

com

munitie

s.

Hig

h

freq

uency

fire

s

have

been

liste

d

as

a

key

thre

ate

nin

g p

rocess u

nder

the T

SC

Act.

A R

eserv

e F

ire M

anag

em

ent

Str

ate

gy has been

pre

pare

d f

or

the p

ark

. T

he p

ort

ion o

f th

e p

ark

situate

d o

n t

he s

outh

ern

sid

e o

f th

e C

lare

nce T

ow

n R

oad w

ill b

e u

sed a

s a

fire

m

anag

em

ent

refe

rence site,

and w

ill not

be

subje

ct to

fre

quent

burn

ing.

Eag

leto

n R

oad fo

rms an im

port

ant

and str

ate

gic

fire

m

anag

em

ent

access

trail

into

th

e

pa

rk.

Eag

leto

n

Road

and

Connecting

T

rail

serv

e

as

prim

ary

access

route

s

for

house

and

pro

pert

y pro

tection

to

adja

cent

pro

pert

ies

locate

d

on

the

nort

h-w

este

rn b

oundary

. S

toneq

uarr

y H

ill i

s s

urr

ounded b

y p

rivate

pro

pert

y

and

has

no

pra

ctical

boundary

conta

inm

ent

options.

Life,

pro

pert

y

and

natu

ral

and

cultura

l valu

es

are

pro

tecte

d

from

fire.

Fire

reg

imes

are

appro

priate

fo

r conserv

ation

of

native

pla

nt

and

anim

al

com

munitie

s.

Neg

ative im

pacts

of

fire

on natu

ral

and cultura

l herita

ge

valu

es

are

sta

ble

or

dim

inis

hin

g.

6.5

.1 I

mple

ment

the R

eserv

e F

ire M

anag

em

ent

Str

ate

gy f

or

the p

ark

. 6.5

.2

Part

icip

ate

in

th

e

Lo

wer

Hunte

r B

FM

C.

Ma

inta

in

coopera

tive a

rrang

em

ents

with l

ocal

RF

S b

rig

ades a

nd f

ire

contr

ol

off

icers

, F

ore

sts

N

SW

, H

unte

r W

ate

r C

orp

ora

tion

and s

urr

oundin

g l

andow

ners

in r

eg

ard

to f

uel

manag

em

ent

and f

ire s

uppre

ssio

n.

6.5

.3 S

uppre

ss a

ll unpla

nned f

ires in t

he p

ark

as q

uic

kly

as

possib

le.

6.5

.4 M

anag

e t

he p

ark

to p

rote

ct

bio

div

ers

ity in a

ccord

ance

with th

e id

entified fire

re

gim

es/thre

shold

s in

th

e R

eserv

e

Fire M

anag

em

ent

Str

ate

gy.

6.5

.5 T

he u

se o

f heavy m

achin

ery

off

tra

cks,

chem

icals

, etc

w

ill b

e a

void

ed.

6.5

.6 A

ssess t

he s

trate

gic

valu

e o

f dorm

ant

trails

not

show

n

in M

ap 1

and

activate

those t

rails

with s

trate

gic

valu

e f

or

fire

fig

hting p

urp

oses a

s r

equired.

6.5

.7 U

ndert

ake a

nd/o

r esta

blis

h s

trate

gic

fire m

anag

em

ent

work

s,

such as tr

itte

ring

and fire

bre

aks,

alo

ng

com

mon

boundaries as necessary

to

pro

tect

life,

pro

pert

y and th

e

environm

ent

where

appro

priate

.

Hig

h

Hig

h

Hig

h

Hig

h

Med

ium

M

ed

ium

H

igh

15

6.6

In

frastr

uctu

re a

nd

Main

ten

an

ce

Manag

em

ent

trails

to

be

reta

ined

and

oth

er

manag

em

ent fa

cili

ties a

re m

inim

al.

The

park

boundary

is

fe

nced

to

a

sto

ck-p

roof

sta

ndard

. H

unte

r W

ate

r pip

elin

es a

re l

ocate

d o

n t

he w

este

rn

and n

ort

hern

boundaries o

f th

e p

ark

. T

he l

ocation

of

the

underg

round

pip

elin

e

on

th

e

nort

hern

boundary

req

uires identification.

The p

ark

conta

ins t

wo q

uarr

ies, one in t

he

Sto

neq

uarr

y H

ill p

ort

ion, th

e s

econd n

ear

the

junction o

f T

ow

er

Hill

Tra

il and C

lare

nce T

ow

n

Road. T

he T

ow

er

Hill

Tra

il q

uarr

y c

an p

rovid

e

usefu

l m

ate

rial fo

r ro

ad m

ain

tenance,

whils

t th

e

Sto

neq

uarr

y H

ill q

uarr

y c

ould

supply

rock for

infr

astr

uctu

re w

ork

s.

Manag

em

ent

facili

ties

and

opera

tions

adeq

uate

ly

serv

e

manag

em

ent

needs

and

have

min

imal

impact.

Infr

astr

uctu

re

and

assets

are

ro

utinely

m

ain

tain

ed.

Exis

ting

non-p

ark

in

frastr

uctu

re

is

manag

ed

to

min

imis

e

impacts

on n

atu

ral

and

cultura

l valu

es.

6.6

.1 M

ain

tain

the r

oads a

nd m

anag

em

ent

trails

show

n o

n

Map 1

. 6.6

.2

Gate

/sig

npost

manag

em

ent

trails

to

re

str

ict

unauth

orised a

ccess.

6.6

.3 M

ain

tain

boundary

fences t

o e

xclu

de s

tock f

rom

the

park

. F

encin

g assis

tance m

ay be pro

vid

ed in

accord

ance

with N

PW

S p

olic

y.

6.6

.4

Investig

ate

th

e

tenure

of

all

non-N

PW

S

uses

and

ensure

th

at

licenses

or

easem

ents

are

g

rante

d

as

appro

priate

under

the N

PW

Act.

6.6

.5 I

nvestig

ate

the d

evelo

pm

ent

of

a q

uarr

y m

anag

em

ent

pla

n a

nd,

subje

ct

to a

ppro

priate

appro

vals

, use o

ne o

r both

q

uarr

ies t

o s

upply

mate

rial

for

essential

park

infr

astr

uctu

re

main

tenance,

such a

s r

oad g

ravel.

Med

ium

M

ed

ium

M

ed

ium

M

ed

ium

M

ed

ium

* H

igh

priority

activitie

s a

re those im

pera

tive t

o a

chie

vem

ent

of

the o

bje

ctives a

nd d

esired o

utc

om

es. T

hey m

ust be u

ndert

aken in t

he n

ear

futu

re to a

void

sig

nific

ant dete

riora

tion in n

atu

ral, c

ultura

l or

manag

em

ent re

sourc

es.

Med

ium

priority

activitie

s a

re t

hose that 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

.

On

go

ing

is for

activitie

s that are

undert

aken o

n a

n a

nnual basis

or

sta

tem

ents

of m

anag

em

ent in

tent th

at w

ill d

irect th

e m

anag

em

ent re

sponse

if a

n issue t

hat

arises.