resort roundup summer 2008-09: a newsletter for the ... · 03 developmentdevelopment resort...

09

NPWS is pleased to confi rm construction will soon commence on the Thredbo Valley Track between Thredbo Village and Bullocks Flat. Traversing the picturesque Thredbo Valley, the shared-use track will give walkers and mountain bike riders 19 kilometres of an easy to moderate track system that will run parallel to the Thredbo River for its entire length. The track will provide ‘family-friendly’ riding opportunities within easy access of the Alpine Way. Pressure on other tracks in the area will also be alleviated and it will provide an alternative to higher elevation tracks during poor weather.

Up to nine bridges will be built as the track traverses the Thredbo River and numerous board crossings will also be constructed in wet areas and other gullies that need special track surfaces. Access to the track will also be provided at diff erent sections along the Alpine Way including the Thredbo Ranger Station and Thredbo Diggings where two loop trails will be built for wheel-chair users. Track planning has considered fl y-fi shers with large areas still providing solitude and appropriate separation of these diff erent recreational activities.

The NPWS track crew will commence construction this summer including an upgrade of the existing Thredbo Diggings Walking Track to accommodate cyclists.

Danny Corcoran, who has been the Ranger over the past 10 years for much of the country between Mt. Kosciuszko and the lower Snowy River, is Project Ranger for the duration of the track construction. Funded by the Kosciuszko Toward Centenary Fund, completion of the track is expected to take three to four years. The Thredbo Valley Track Crew is one of three NPWS teams that will be working on tracks this summer – the other two being the Main Range Track Crew and the Crew who maintain established tracks that start at Thredbo Village including the Kosciuszko Walk and the Dead Horse Gap/Thredbo River Walking Track.

Enthusiastic support for the Thredbo Valley Track has come from Kosciuszko Thredbo, Tourism Thredbo, Snowy Mountains Mountain Biking Club and South-east Mountain Biking Company – these latter two groups in particular have kindly off ered expertise with mountain biking track design during the course of the project. Danny is keen to maintain community involvement and encourages anybody with ideas, suggestions or inquiries to contact him on 64505557 or email: [email protected]

Above: The Thredbo Valley Track will be a specially designed and built shared-use track for both walkers and mountain bike riders (photo by Mike Edmondson).

what’sroundedupnew walking track .....................P014 seasons of KNP ........................P02spirit of the snowy mountains .P02thredbo blues .............................P02charlotte pass developments P03winter success.............................P04international weeds workshop .P04clean energy for eternity ........P04snake tales....................................P05 mountains to beach race ........P05new chain regulations .............P06raining dirt ...................................P07kosci’s seedy side .......................P07hello possum ...............................P08rock climbing fi sh? ....................P09clean ups ......................................P09name it ..........................................P10aust’ alps heritage listed .........P10new road names ........................P11more than just a name ............P12love the season your in ...........P14history and heritage .................P15bag it instead ..............................P15construction impacts ...............P16snowy rides’ special guests ....P16threatened species exhibition ..P17POM implementation reports ....P17resorts campaign material .....P18sustainable solutions forum ..P20perisher historical society.......P22skiing pioneer revisit ................P23farewell ..........................................P24research, monitoring and pest update .........................P25ems update ..................................P26contacts ........................................P28

SUMMERISSUE No 28

A newsletter for the resorts community of

Kosciuszko National Park

new walk and bike track new walk and bike track along the thredbo riveralong the thredbo river

NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

081213-01 Resort Round Up Iss 28.indd 1081213-01 Resort Round Up Iss 28.indd 1 19/12/08 4:02:15 PM19/12/08 4:02:15 PM

spirit of thesnowy mountains

four four seaso sseasonsFour seasons of weather were experienced by University of Western Sydney students whilst undertaking wildlife surveys around Sawpit Creek during mid-September. These fi rst year undergraduate students were surveying diff erent fauna groups in the Snowy Mountains as part of their animal studies. Surveys included small ground mammals using Elliott Traps, treadle traps for cats and larger possums, sand-plots for larger mammals such as kangaroos, wombats and foxes, bird spotting, frog calls and spotlighting. Whilst they learned how to detect diff erent animals using diff erent techniques, their resolve was tested when

the weather during the course of the week turned from a heat-wave to gale force winds, followed by torrential rain and then snow. Sub-zero night time temperatures also made it hard to concentrate but in their snap-shot survey of Sawpit Creek they recorded, three species of frog, two reptiles, 28 birds and 10 mammals – not a bad eff ort considering many animals were still in winter hibernation or had yet to migrate back to the Snowy Mountains.

Above right: Students learn to identify tracks in the snow (photo by Mel Schroder).

Right: Preparing Elliott Traps for capturing small ground mammals (photo by Mel Schroder).

02 ResortRoundUP - issue 28

thredbo blues festivalblues festival

University Students Experience Four Seasons

A new DVD promoting tourism and experiences

that Kosciuszko National Park and the wider

Snowy Mountains area has to off er was launched

recently. Titled ‘Spirit of the Snowy Mountains’,

the DVD was funded by the National Parks and

Wildlife Service and narrated by adventurer and

television presenter – Sorrell Wilby.

The 15th Thredbo Blues Festival is on again, commencing on Friday afternoon January 16th through to late on Sunday night January 18th. For $125 a ticket, Blues lovers can see 18 bands play up-close and personal in a range of diff erent venues throughout picturesque Thredbo Village over the weekend.

The bands are rostered to play gigs in small and intimate venues such as restaurants and bars, at the top of the mountain, poolside and in the village square.

Information on the

full line up of artists,

program, accommodation

and ticket purchases

can be found at

www.thredboblues.net.au

play gigs in s

,

dation

s

net.au The DVD was produced in a long and short version (14 and seven minutes respectively) and will be played in NPWS and shire visitor centres across the region.


03

developmentdevelopment

Resort Round-up is a newsletter

for the resorts community in

Kosciuszko National Park. It

contains a range of general

interest articles, operational

updates and key contacts for

issues and projects across the

resorts. A summer and winter

edition is prepared each year and

is available on the DECC website,

as an emailed PDF version or as

a mailed hardcopy. Please email

resortroundup@environment.

nsw.gov.au if you wish to be

included on the email and/or mail

distribution list. If you wish to

contribute articles please contact

Dave Woods (contact details on

back page).

For current and back issues of

Resort Round-up, logon to:

www.environment.nsw.gov.au/

whatsnewarchive/subscribe.htm

Not only is the Thredbo Valley the place for constructing new visitor facilities this summer, but Charlotte Pass Alpine Resort in collaboration with the NPWS is also improving its infrastructure with a new viewing platform at the top of the Kangaroo Triple Chair. An upgrade of the walking track between the Charlotte Pass Turning Circle and the new viewing platform, and new interpretation panels are also part of the new visitor facilities. These complimentary projects are all part of a year-round visitor focus by new owner Kevin Blyton. In addition to these facilities, The Chalet is now open for accommodation throughout summer and day visitors will be able to stop in the village for lunch and beverages.

As the viewing platform at the top of the Kangaroo Triple Chair is higher than the viewing platform at Charlotte Pass and Charlotte Pass Boardwalk, it is arguable that the new site is much more grand and spectacular – a point not lost on Charlotte Pass skiers who alight at the top of the chairlift each winter. Views at the new platform also give a scenic vista to the northern end of the Snowy Mountains and east over the Monaro Plains.

Upon completion of the viewing platform, walking track and interpretation panels, visitors will be able to travel up the chairlift, spend some time marvelling over the grandeur of the Main Range, identify the names of the peaks from one of the landscape interpretation panels and learn about alpine ecosystems and local indigenous people from another, before walking down the upgraded track passing an array of alpine fl owers and stopping at the remains of the fi rst successful mechanical lift to operate in Australia. They will then continue down to Charlotte Pass and walk back to the village via the road or by traversing the ski slope – the latter option also being proposed for a new walking track in the near future.

So whether you’re a day visitor or planning to stay overnight, Charlotte Pass Village can provide a wide range of tourist services in the heart of Australia’s newest National Heritage Listed landscape.

Below left: Professional photographer Mike Edmondson capturing a winter image for one of the interpretation panels for the viewing platform (photo by Dave Woods).

Below: The ‘Hoist’ – the second mechanical ski lift to be built in an Australian ski resort (after Mt. Buff alo) but arguably the fi rst successful one! Built in 1938 the remains of the ‘Hoist’ will be a heritage feature along the new walking track (photo by Dave Woods).

One of the panorama images that will be labelled with names to help visitors identify the highest mountain peaks in Australia from the new viewing platform (photo by Mike Edmondson).

charlotte passviewing platform and walking track


04

success success storiesstoriessnowseason successAfter a slow start to the 2008 snowseason, snow conditions improved dramatically just in time for the NSW July School Holidays, and these good conditions remained until the rain and dust storms experienced in late-September washed much of the snow away. In both NSW and Victoria visitation was slightly greater than 2007 with a 2.6% increase on the 10-year average. In summary more than two-million skier *days were recorded across the Australian snowfi elds in 2008.

The Mountain Invasion Research Network (MIREN), a global group of scientists conducting research on weeds in mountain areas, met at Stillwell Lodge in Charlotte Pass during the fi rst week of December. The workshop brought weed experts from as far away as North America and Europe, and an opportunity was given to local park managers to highlight the main weed problems in the alpine and sub-alpine areas of Kosciuszko National Park. The main theme of this years workshop was an international perspective for the

prioritisation of weed control, from both scientists and land managers. A fi eld trip was also undertaken to look at a small infestation of Orange Hawkweed (Hieracium auratiacum) on the western side of the park. This species, although not currently a major problem in Kosciuszko National Park, is one of the biggest weed threats to alpine ecosystems as experienced in Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand.

Above: Local Ranger Tim Greville gives an overview of weed management issues in Kosciuszko National Park to participants at the weeds workshop (photo by Dave Woods).

international weeds workshop at charlotte pass

2008 Skier Days 10 Year Average Skier Days

NSW 1,148,000 1,137,800

Victoria 891,000 814,400

TOTAL 2,038,00 1,953,800

*one skier day is the equivalent of one adult day ticket and is the industry standard in Australasian and North American ski fi elds.

CLEAN energyfor eternityOn Saturday 4th October the relay leg of the Get Up Climate Torch event in the Snowy Mountains was facilitated by local group ‘Clean Energy for Eternity’, promoting clean energy sources to combat carbon emissions. The device used in the relay was styled on the Sydney Olympic torch, but rather than emit a fl ame, the ‘Climate Torch’ uses a solar panel, wind turbine, hand-cranked dynamo and even a lemon to power the Light Crystal Display that shows the amount of voltage being produced from the four diff erent energy sources and the message ‘Halve Australia’s Greenhouse Pollution by 2020’.

An entourage of Snowy Mountains residents fi rst took the ‘Climate Torch’ up to Perisher Valley then on to Charlotte Pass highlighting the impact of climate change on our alpine environment and ski resort industry. The ‘Climate Torch’ was then relayed to Thredbo Village where it ascended the Kosciuszko Chairlift to Eagles Nest then went on to a number of other venues around the village before day’s end. The Get Up Climate Torch Relay delivered the ‘Climate Torch’ to Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday 12th October after traversing thousands of kilometres across Australia.

Top: Michelle McFarlane, Gary Grant and Pat Edmondson promoting ‘Clean Energy for Eternity’ at Perisher Valley (photo by Dave Woods).

Below: Locals promoting ‘Clean Energy for Eternity’ in the snow above Charlotte Pass Village (photo by Dave Woods).

ResortRoundUP - issue 28


In mid-August NPWS was asked by police to send an offi cer to Berridale to retrieve a snake that was found at a residence as part of a wider criminal investigation. The police had already established that the owner did not possess a ‘Reptile Keeper’s Licence’. The NPWS Operations Coordinator was short staff ed and asked ‘Ranger Dave’ if he could attend the Berridale address. Heading east from Jindabyne away from the resorts is not a common practice for the intrepid Resorts Environmental Liaison Offi cer, but imbued with a sense of duty he ventured off . At the premise the snake was kept in a small dark reptile cage and with the assistance of a torch it was ‘confi rmed’ that the animal was a python, however, not a Diamond Python as originally thought by police but an Eastern Carpet Snake – so thought Ranger Dave!

The snake was removed from its enclosure and taken outside so that a better inspection could be made of the animal – defi nitely no excuses could be made now for misidentifying the animal. The snake looked malnourished and was not in the best condition, but in the full light of a mid-winter sun nothing tweaked that the snake may not have held an ‘Australian passport’. At 1.5 metres in length, the snake was transferred to a reptile box and delivered to a reptile carer in Cooma.

Having returned to the more familiar working environment of the resorts community and pleased with his earlier deed, Ranger Dave was a little embarrassed when the Operations Coordinator politely rang to inform him that the snake was in fact a Red-tailed Boa Constrictor (subsequently identifi ed by the reptile carer). Obviously not familiar with this species of snake, Ranger Dave hurriedly searched the internet to fi nd that his misidentifi ed animal was a native of Central and South America for which there are 11 subspecies, and a popular reptile in the USA pet trade.

With this blight on this reputation, Ranger Dave has since retired his python retrieving services and has restricted himself to only dealing with those troublesome Elapids that are typically found in this part of the Snowy Mountains – primarily Highland Copperheads and Eastern Brown Snakes. As for the Red-tailed Boa Constrictor, it now lives at Mogo Zoo south of Bateman’s Bay.Top left: Eastern Carpet Python (source: Australia Zoo Website).Top right: One of the 11 sub-species of Red-tailed Boa Constrictor (source: Australia Zoo Website).

it’s a red-tailed boa constrictor

05

snake snake talestalesinaugural *BMC ‘mountains to beach’ mountain bike race

Commencing in Thredbo and fi nishing on the coast at Narooma, the inaugural BMC Mountains to Beach race of approximately 350km will be held between Sunday 1st March to Friday 6th March 2009. Entrants will ride solo or in pairs, traversing a diverse range of environments and challenging terrain including the Snowy Mountains, Monaro Plains, coastal ranges and coastal plains to the beach.

The majority of the riding will be in stages that will test the full range of mountain biking skills - uphill, downhill, cross country, marathon and riding under lights. Whilst timed race stages will range in length of up to 100km, there will also be a number of non-timed and non-race cruising stages along the way.

For more information about this event visit the promotional website at:http://www.wildhorizons.com.au/mountainstobeach/HOME.html

*BMC is the trading name of the Swiss - Bike Manufacturing Company.*BMC is the trading name


newnew chain chain regulationsregulations

new snow chain regulationsproposed by RTA for 2010


The RTA (Roads and Traffi c Authority) has carried out a review of reported crashes during the 2003 to 2007 ski season periods along the Alpine Way and the section of Kosciuszko Rd west of Sawpit Creek. As a result the RTA is proposing a new regulation that will require vehicles with four wheel drive transmission systems to be fi tted with winter tyres or to carry and fi t snow chains when directed. The regulation will apply on designated snow and ice risk sections in the Alpine Region between the June and October long weekends and will include large off -road vehicles, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and all-wheel-drive vehicles (AWDs). The proposed new regulation would come into eff ect for the 2010 snowseason.

Four wheel drive vehicles are currently exempt from having to carry and fi t snow chains under the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002. However, the designated snow & ice risk sections under this regulation only apply to sections of road within the National Park. The proposed amendments also plan to increase the extent of snow and ice risk section along the Alpine Way. Currently chains are required to be carried and fi tted on two-wheeled vehicles when directed between Thredbo Village and Tom Groggin. The proposed regulations would require chains to be carried and fi tted when requested between Penderlea and Tom Groggin (excluding four-wheel drive vehicles with certifi ed snow tyres). This extension to the snow and ice risk section along the Alpine Way would therefore require all vehicles to carry and fi t chains when requested by Police or RTA when travelling to Skitube or Thredbo Village – a section of road that has been exempt in the past. However, the current snow and ice risk section along the Kosciuszko Road would remain unchanged.

The RTA is currently engaging the community about the proposed changes and is inviting comments on a discussion paper that has been prepared on the subject titled ‘Introduction of winter tyre and snow chain regulation’. To access the discussion paper and contact details for further information, download a PDF copy from the RTA website below.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/downloads/snowlegislation.pdf


07

aa dirtydirty taletalek

osc

iusz

ko

’sseedy side

Dr Catherine Pickering’s moment of pondering the implications of weed seeds being spread on socks was enough to take this thought one step further and initiate an experiment with honours student Ann Mount. Last summer, ‘sock’ exposed walkers traversed diff erent areas of the alpine and sub-alpine tracts in an attempt to identify which sock fabrics and which seeds are likely to cling and be transported around the mountains. During the course of the experiment, 17,327 seeds from 67 species of plants were collected from 87 socks. The odd number of socks refl ected the experimental design of some people only wearing one sock to compare the seed collection ratio of socks to bare legs. According to Dr Pickering, up to 200 seeds

per sock can be collected by people bushwalking in the alpine and sub-alpine areas of Kosciuszko National Park. This information has implications for weed management and opportunities to ameliorate seed transfer by promoting certain types of fabric and the wearing of trousers and gaiters.

Dr Pickering is an Associate Professor at Griffi th University in Queensland who has undertaken ecological and recreational research in Kosciuszko National Park over recent years.

Right: Socks and other lower-leg apparel can spread many weed

seeds around the park (photo by Dave Woods).

On Wednesday 24th September 2008 not only did a large portion of the snow cover wash away in an intense downpour, but the remaining cover (and everything else) was dyed pink from the dirt and dust embedded in the rain. This material had been blown hundreds of kilometres from the western plains and arid regions of inland Australia by strong winds that crossed the Snowy Mountains where it eventually precipitated from a thunderstorm. Not that this was the fi rst dust storm in the area during spring as several smaller events in the previous couple of weeks had also discoloured the snow cover, but not to the intensity or

extent experienced on that particular day. For those present that afternoon there was an apocalyptic atmosphere, with the sky illuminated in low pinkish storm clouds as they released tonnes of sediment from the sky. Creeks were also fl ooded with chunks of snow excised from across the fl oodplain, and torrents of water running over the ski slopes almost brought an abrupt halt to the ski season.

Interestingly, such dust events at the end of the snowseason are not a new phenomena and are an important contribution to building up the soil mantle that covers the alpine area which in turn

supports about 200 native alpine plant species. Aeolian accretions (accumulation of wind transported soil particles) are an important part of Australian soil development over thousands of years. Dust accumulation in the order of 20-1000 tonnes per hectare, depending upon site and aspect, are estimated to have occurred on alpine soils in the Kosciuszko region during postglacial times. Alpine snowpatch soils in particular are the product of a large portion of Aeolian sediments.

Above: Contrasting pink and white snow after the ‘dirt storm’

(photo by Ken Green).

raining dirt


08

hello hello possum!possum!

The Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) is perhaps the most iconic of animals inhabiting the high country, with its unique peculiarity for seasonally hibernating each winter, and living on the ground compared to other possums that primarily live in trees and shrubs. In relation to resort areas, populations of Mountain Pygmy-possum exist in and adjacent to the Perisher Range Resorts, at Charlotte Pass Village and in the Ramshead Ranges above Thredbo Village. The proximity of Mountain Pygmy-possum to lodges and other ski resort infrastructure has been a good reason to continue to profi le this small threatened species in a range of media communicated within the resorts community.

In contrast and perhaps less well known in the lower altitude forests and woodlands of Kosciuszko National Park is the Eastern Pygmy-possum (Cercatetus nanus). Unlike the Mountain Pygmy-possum which occupies boulder fi elds and lives on the ground within the subnivean space during the winter snowseason, the Eastern Pygmy-possum may occupy hollows within

trees and large shrubs where it feeds primarily on nectar, pollen and occasionally insects in the surrounding canopy. In 2002, the Eastern Pygmy-possum was listed as a Vulnerable species under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Whilst tending to live in lower areas of the park, small populations of Eastern Pygmy-possum have been recorded in the fringe of the sub-alpine zone in the Snowy Mountains at approximately 1400 meters a.s.l. which coincides with the lowest recordings of Mountain Pygmy-possum. This elevation is also the approximate elevation of Thredbo Village so it has been no real surprise that both possum species have been positively identifi ed in this area of the park over the years.

Although both possum species are small and superfi cially similar, a few key physical attributes does make identifi cation of these two species a little easier. For example, the Mountain Pygmy-possum has a head and body length that averages 11 cm with a tail a further 14 cm long. The tail (that is prehensile and occasionally carried in a loop above the animals back)

is thickened and furred for 1 cm at the base before quickly tapering into a thin tail with scales and a sparse hair cover. In comparison, the Eastern Pygmy-possum is slightly smaller with a head and body length of approximately 9 cm and a tail a further 9 cm long. The tail in comparison to the Mountain Pygmy-possum is generally thicker and tapers more gradually. And fi nally, the Mountain Pygmy-possum tends to have a dark ring around its eyes, compared to the Eastern Pygmy-possum which has dark eye patches without a discernible narrow ring.

Notwithstanding the occasional Eastern-pygmy Possums that are introduced to resorts in fi rewood from outside of the park, spare a thought to these two unique animals that share the mountains with you, including the challenges of surviving predators, bushfi res and severe mountain weather.

Below left: Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus)

(photo by Julian Ash).

Below right: Eastern Pygmy-possum (Cercatetus nanus)

(photo by Dave Woods).


is it amountain pygmy-possum or eastern pygmy-possum

in your resort?


cleanclean upup

09

Not only is the Mountain Galaxias (Galaxias olidus) Australia’s highest fi sh, but it has an unusual ability to clamber over rocky surfaces whilst out of the water. The Mountain Galaxias occurs from sea level to near the top of Mt. Kosciuszko, but are less active under the snow in winter and need to regulate their body temperatures to survive the frigid waters and decreased food supply. In contrast, the summer months provide Mountain Galaxias with various water invertebrates to feed on and non-water insects that may fi nd themselves stranded on the water surface or washed into creeks.

At lower elevations Mountain Galaxias can grow to a length of 13 centimetres although at higher elevations the length is typically less than 8 centimetres. The highest animal was recorded at 2,137 metres, just 91 metres lower than the summit of Mt. Kosciuszko in two trickles of water 5-10 centimetres wide and less than 1 centimetre deep. The trickles were part of the upper tributaries of

Rawson’s Creek which fl ows into the Snowy River. Mountain Galaxias have been videoed clambering up stream faces and at other times observed on vertical rock faces using their pectoral and anal fi ns – a close inspection of these body parts reveals ridges on the lower surfaces that assists with clinging to the rock face, coupled with the surface tension of a thin fi lm of water between its ventral surface and the rock.

The main threat to Mountain Galaxias has been predation by introduced brown and rainbow trout that were introduced to Snowy Mountains streams in the 1890’s. Fortunately natural barriers such as waterfalls and constructed barriers such as culverts and weirs have inhibited some upstream movement of trout and therefore isolated populations of Mountain Galaxias survive in higher creeks and other water bodies.

Above: Mountain Galaxias

(source: Wildlife of the Snow Country).

mountain galaxias a rock climbing fi sh

SUMMERCleanupsA reminder that the large

bins situated around the

Perisher Range Resorts are

for paper, cardboard, plastic

bottles, cans, glass, kitchen

waste and cooking oil.

If you are doing summer

renovations or a major clean-

up, consider taking your

building waste or discarded

furnishings to Jindabyne

Landfi ll ,near the Jindabyne

Dam Wall, or hire a skip.

The Jindabyne Landfi ll is

currently operating on a

Summer Timetable and is

open:

Monday 8am - 12pm

Tuesday 8am – 5pm

Wednesday CLOSED

Thursday 8am – 5pm

Friday 8am – 5pm

Saturday 10am – 3pm

Sunday 10am – 3pm

The annual Perisher Clean-up Day was held on Tuesday 18th November with 120 Perisher Blue and NPWS staff picking-up litter across the Perisher Range. Year 10 Barker College students also participated with one group of 20 in the morning and another group of 21 in the afternoon. Approximately 0.92 tonnes of litter was collected throughout the day. This was on top of the 36 garbage bags of rubbish already collected by Perisher Blue prior to the clean-up day. Interestingly 446 bags of rubbish were collected throughout the season from bins at the base of lift huts and the mini pickups on mountain and at Bullocks Flat. Imagine how much more litter in these areas could be waiting for the annual clean-up if the bins weren’t in place?...and what was the most interesting item associated with the clean-up?...a discarded washing machine.

Left: One less plastic bag in Pipers Creek (photo by Janelle Herlihy).


10

a enamename titit

The last edition of Resort Round-up outlined the nomination and consultation process for the inclusion of the Australian Alps on the National Heritage List. Following positive comments and endorsement by individuals, community groups and the commercial sector, the nomination was successful and on Friday 7th November 2008 one of Australia’s most outstanding mountain landscapes was accepted based on its unique scenic, natural, indigenous and historic values. In excess of 1.6 million hectares, the Australian Alps (synonymous with the Australian Alps National Parks) encompasses 11 national parks and reserves across the High Country in Victoria, the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales and the Brindabella Ranges in the Australian Capital Territory.

The National Heritage List enables all Australians to value, protect and celebrate our unique heritage. There are currently 80 places on the National Heritage List raising the profi le of our area, not only nationally but internationally – and that’s a good thing for our tourism industry.

For more information about this and other places listed on the National Heritage List, please visit the website:

www.heritage.gov.au

Following community consultation in 2006 and 2007, and subsequent gazettal by the NSW Geographical Names Board in April 2008, most roads in the Perisher Range Resorts now have a name. The names were chosen from themes pertaining to local geographic features, and local fl ora and fauna. Consideration was given to a theme based on characters and identities who have had an association with the Perisher Range, but it was agreed that this would create controversy in adjudicating the merits of who would and wouldn’t be considered – after all, every lodge, commercial premise and resort operator has worthy candidates intrinsic to the history and development of the ski industry.

There are still fi ve roads that need to be named after the original names proposed

were rejected by the Geographical Names Board. A similar public exhibition and gazettal process will be followed for these as used for the names adopted in 2008. NPWS will commercially advertise and use the Perisher Consultative Committee (representatives from SLOPES, Perisher Chamber of Commerce and Perisher Blue) to help broadcast the request for names and public exhibition of proposed names – so you will have another opportunity to make suggestions. Roadside numbering to help emergency service call-outs will complete the Road Naming Project when it is fi nalised in 2009.

The maps opposite identify the new road names that were offi cially adopted in April 2008 for Perisher Valley and Smiggin Holes. However, the fi ve roads that still need to be named include:

the road from Kandahar to the snowmaking shed on Front Valley;

the road to Dulmison, Canberra Alpine and Beachcombers;

the road currently known as Willow Road in Smiggin Holes;

the main road into Guthega Village at the end of Guthega Road; and

the minor road that provides access to Jagungal, Doorak, Turnak and Guthega Lodge in Guthega Village – this road will be upgraded and become part of the public road network.

Map information on page 11. For more information on the road names and numbering project, please call Andrew Logan – Manager, Municipal Services Unit (contact details on back page).

new road namesin the perisher range resorts


australian alpsnow included on the National Heritage List


11

roadroad a esnames


o emore than than justjust aa a ename

1.

12

what’s the meaning

Perisher Valley

1. Billy Button Place – Billy Buttons are one of the alpine plants that characterise the fl ora of the high country with their mostly yellow to orange rounded fl ower heads. Most of the 12 species of Billy Button that are described in Kosciuszko National Park grow within alpine and sub-alpine areas. The scientifi c name for Billy Button is Craspedia.1. Billy Buttons (photo by Zarni Bear).

2. Burramys Road – Burramys is the generic name for the Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramy parvus) – Australia’s only seasonally hibernating marsupial. This small ground possum lives in boulderfi elds that are often covered or bordered by Mountain Plum Pine and other boulder hugging shrubs. The fi rst living Mountain Pygmy-possum was discovered at Mount Hotham in Victoria in 1966 and subsequently in the Snowy Mountains three years later. Prior to these discoveries knowledge of these animals was based on fossil records.2. Mountain Pygmy-possum (photo from Mel Schroder collection).

3. Candle Heath Road – Candle Heath is a low growing prickly shrub of wet areas with beautiful pale-yellow to canary-yellow fl owers that look like candles. Candle Heath grows in alpine and sub-alpine areas and is well distributed across the Perisher Range. The scientifi c name for Candle Heath is Richea continentis.3. Candle Heath (image from NPWS library).

4. Duncan Place – Duncan is a peak at 1925 metres above sea level just to the north of Porcupine Rocks, approximately two kilometres south of Perisher Valley. The origin of Duncan is uncertain, but if you know, please contact the Environmental Liaison Offi cer (contact details on back page) and I’ll include the response(s) in the next edition of Resort Round-up.4. A trig station marks the summit of Mt. Duncan just north of the Porcupine Rocks (photo by Brent Johnson).

5. Galaxia Place – Galaxias are small native freshwater fi sh of the Galaxiidae family, although in this instance the name pertains specifi cally to the Mountain Galaxias (Galaxias olidus). This is the only native fi sh that lives in the Snowy Mountain’s snow country including in trickles and rivulets on the Main Range, and is known for its ability to clamber up rock faces when moving upstream.5. Mountain Galaxias (source: Freshwater Fishes of Australia).

6. Perisher Creek Road – named after Perisher Creek which is the main creek that fl ows in a northerly direction through the centre of Perisher Valley before joining the Snowy River. The name Perisher is believed to have emanated from a local grazier called James Spencer. When looking for stray cattle in the area, and having reached one of the peaks with his stockmen, James was struck by an icy blast of wind remarking “this is a Perisher”.6. Perisher Creek (photo by Dave Woods).


The derivation for each of the gazetted road names adopted

for the Perisher Range Resorts is summarised below:

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.


13

7. Porcupine Road – The Porcupine Rocks is a granite outcrop overlooking the Thredbo Valley, approximately three kilometres to the south of Perisher Valley. So named because of their prominent outline giving the appearance of a “porcupine” (although porcupines are native to North America).7. Part of the ‘Porcupine Rocks’ complex that is quite prominent against the skyline of the Crackenback Range (photo by Dave Woods).

8. Pretty Valley Road – Yes, it is a pretty valley but if someone knows its origin or who named the area, please contact the Environmental Liaison Offi cer (contact details on back page) and I’ll include the response(s) in the next edition of Resort Round-up.8. Pretty Valley Chairlift taking advantage of good skiing terrain in Pretty Valley (photo by Dave Woods).

9. Telemark Place – Telemark is a county in Norway and lent its name to Telemark skiing, a style invented by Sondre Norheim, and the characteristic Telemark landing of ski jumping. This access road terminates at Telemark Ski Club – the fi rst ski lodge built in the Perisher Range in 1952, although the fi rst club building was built by the Kosciusko Snow Revellers Club who had erected a shed to accommodate members during the construction of their lodge. Little has changed to Telemark Lodge (T1) since it was constructed over 56 years ago. 9. Telemark Skiing (photo by Peter Murphy).

10. Wheatley Road – Mt. Wheatley at 1900 metres elevation is the mountain immediately behind those lodges in the south-west area of Perisher Valley. Mt. Wheatley is named after Mr. Wheatley who ran stock in the area after driving them from his property “Kara” located between Jindabyne and Berridale. 10. Mt. Wheatley creating a prominent backdrop to lodges in South Perisher (photo by Dave Woods).

Smiggin Holes

11. Corroboree Road – the generic name Corroboree derives from aboriginal ceremony and is also an anglicised pronunciation of a style of dance by the Dharuk people. The name was aptly given to the strikingly colourful Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) that has distinctive black and yellow dorsal stripes and measures only about 25mm. Unfortunately the Southern Corroboree Frog that use to inhabit the bogs and fens around Smiggin Holes and Perisher Valley is now listed as an endangered species and is locally extinct.11. Corroboree Frog (photo from NPWS library).

12. Pipers Place – Piper’s Creek is the creek from which Smiggin Holes draws its water supply and Piper’s Gap is the area between Smiggin Holes and Perisher Valley. Named after ‘Piper’, the lead bullock in a team owned by Jim Spencer, which used to break loose at night when camped at Piper’s Gap and was invariably found somewhere along Piper’s Creek. The top of the Smiggin Hole ski slope is also known as Mt. Piper.12. Pipers Creek, Pipers Gap and Mt. Piper (not shown but to the right of Pipers Gap) are named after a cantankerous bullock

(photo by Dave Woods).

of my road...

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

7.


14

lovelove thethe seasoseason youyour iin



historyhistory andand heritageheritage

15

starting thredboIn 2007 Thredbo played host to a range of activities and celebrations to commemorate 50 years of ski resort history in the Thredbo Valley. To compliment the history that has been recorded so far, Geoff rey Hughes has produced a wonderful book that captures Thredbo’s early days and the challenges faced by the Koscuisko Chairlift and Thredbo Hotel Syndicate. Geoff rey Hughes was a former director and only surviving member of that original syndicate that also included Eric Nicholls, Charles Anton, Tony Sponar and Andrew Thyne Reid. The book is a great contribution to the history of skiing and the development of Thredbo Village, particularly as it has been written by someone who witnessed the beginning of Thredbo as we know it today. The book contains over 40 pages of pictures and anecdotes of an important period in the history of our Snowy Mountains.

‘Starting Thredbo’ can be purchased from the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, Thredbo Historical Society, Thredbo Valley Distillery, Snowprint Bookshop (Jindabyne) and NPWS Snowy Region Visitor Centre.

Above: A section of the Geoffrey Hughes photographic

exhibition at the Snowy Region Visitor Centre in

November (photo by Dave Woods).

Hands-on learning was the main method used to impart traditional Aboriginal culture and experiences to NPWS staff at Sawpit Creek in August. Men’s and women’s groups were separated and taken to diff erent parts of the forest to learn bush skills including making fi re, rope, stone-axes, rope craft, bush tucker and share stories. The aim of the day was to give staff a greater appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal customs and values that have transcended thousands of years and which are still important to Aboriginal people today. The teachers were all NPWS Koori staff from country associated with Kosciuszko National Park.

Below left: NPWS staff learning the traditional way of creating fi re (photo by Dave Woods).

Below right: Aboriginal Discovery Ranger - Shane Herrington demonstrating how to make stone axe heads and other cutting implements (photo by Dave Woods).

sawpit creek cultural day

eco-bag it insteadIan Kiernan from Clean-up Australia says that 3.76 billion plastic bags still

go to landfi ll each year with upward of 90 million plastic bags still entering

waterways and the oceans with devastating consequences to our marine

wildlife. Since the introduction of the green eco-bags there has been a

reduction in plastic shopping bags from 6.9 billion to approximately 4

billion. Plastic bags are still a major litter item during resort clean-up days,

so consider using an eco-bag the next time you go to the resorts and reduce

the amount of plastic in our alpine water ways too!


upup closeclose andand pe so alpersonal

16

An opportunity to experience close up the diff erent types of fauna found in Kosciuszko National Park was given to children and their parents who were sponsored by the organisers of the Snowy Ride during the fi rst week of November 2008. NPWS Environmental Liaison Offi cer ‘borrowed’ some of the animals living in the Thredbo Valley to show the kids the local wildlife up close. This included frogs, lizards, a Southern Bush Rat, a Broad-toothed Rat and a possum. The frogs, as usual, were very popular until upstaged by three orphaned wombats that were kindly brought along by LAOKO members Alex Javorsek and Mandy Picker. Wim, Willy and Mellon are being raised after their respective mother’s were killed on Snowy Mountains roads. The opportunity to hold and learn about these iconic animals was defi nitely a highlight of the evening.

The Snowy Ride is a motorcycle event run annually in the Alpine Region of NSW with the aim of involving motorcycle riders from all over Australia to raise money for childhood cancer research. It is also an opportunity for riders to enjoy a weekend away with their friends and family and to ride some of Australia’s best and most picturesque roads.

The fi rst Snowy Ride was launched in 2001 as a request from Steven Walter, a young man who lost his fi ght against cancer. Steven loved motorcycle riding and asked that a charity motorcycle ride be organised to raise funds for cancer research and cancer care, “So that one day no other kid will have to go through what I’ve been through”. Now in its eighth year, the fi rst seven events have attracted a total of over 15,000 riders and raised over 1.5 million dollars for the Steven Walter Foundation.

For more information about the Snowy Ride and how you can help or be a part of future activities, logon to the website at http://www.snowyride.com.au

Photos - bleow from left to right: Snowy Ride Kids are welcomed by Jindabyne Public School at the Snowy Region Visitor Centre (photo by Dave Woods).

Young Maria Psaradellis making friends with one of the frogs (photo by Darin Nielson).

This Banjo Frog got lots of attention from the kids with all animals being returned to the bush that evening from where they were collected (photo by Darin Nielson).

Wombats were more popular than the frogs and bush rats according to the kids (photo by Dave Woods).

Steven Walter 21/05/1981 to 26/07/2000 A motorcycle champion who’s great passions were motorbikes and to fi nd a cure for cancer (source: Snowy Ride website).

snowy ride and some special guestsspecial guests

Short-term delays and alternative

access arrangements to lodges in West

Smiggins, Guthega and South Perisher

will be experienced this summer

due to road construction work. In an

attempt to minimise these impacts,

NPWS has been liaising with SLOPES,

the Perisher Chamber of Commerce

and the NSW Department of Planning

regarding the planned works.

Subject to weather conditions, the

proposed roadwork program will

result in the following disruptions:

Guthega

November – December 2008: full closure of Mt Tate road from near Tiobunga Lodge to near Guthega Alpine Hotel, with limited vehicular access via Perisher Blue workshop during this time.Mid-January – March 2009: full closure of Mt Tate Road from Ski Centre to near Tiobunga Lodge, with only limited pedestrian access possible.

West Smiggins

Mid-January – February 2009 progressive road closure from Muniong Lodge back to Apex Chalet.

West Smiggins cont.February – March 2009 progressive road closure from Apex Chalet back to Smiggins Hotel, alternative access via 4WD track off Kosciuszko Road.

March 2009 closure of road from Perisher Blue workshop to Smiggins Hotel, alternative access via 4WD track off Kosciuszko Road.

South Perisher January – February 2009: closure of Pipit Place from near Matterhorn to Snow Gums, however, some access will be maintained.

road construction impacts to lodgesin west smiggins, guthega and south perisher



photographic photographic exhibitionexhibition

17

kosciuszko national park plan of management implementation reports

by Megan Bennett, Resorts CoordinatorThe 2007/8 Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management Implementation Report has been prepared and can be viewed on the DECC website at: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/

parkmanagement/knpmgmtplan.htm

This Implementation Report, a requirement under the Plan of Management (PoM) (Chapter 16), charts the trends in condition of the park’s values and the progress of the plan’s implementation. This report covers the period from July 2007 to June 2008, two years since the plan was adopted and is intended for presentation to the Advisory Committees and key stakeholders.

The report includes an update on:• Key Performance Indicators, Integrated Monitoring Program and Integrated Evaluation System (Chapter 16) - Draft Key Performance Indicators and Kosciuszko

Database are near completion and will be trialled during the 2008/2009 reporting period;

• Park Restoration Plan (Section 11.1) - A Project and Planning Offi cer is managing the project ensuring that the objectives of the plan as detailed in the PoM are being met. To be completed during 2008/2009;

• Visitor Data System (VDS) (Section 8.1) - The development of VDS has commenced and components have been implemented across the park;

• Huts Conservation Strategy (Chapter 7) - The completed strategy is being implemented and can be viewed on line at: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/

parkmanagement/

KosciuszkoNPHutsStrategyDraft.htm

• Park Communication Plan (Section 13.1) - A Draft Communication Plan has been completed and is currently being reviewed; and

• Research projects underway include: - Spotted Tree Frog recovery project - Southern Corroboree Frog - The Alps Vegetation Fire Response Monitoring System - “Dogs in Space” - Spotted Tail Quoll - Mountain Pygmy-possum populations - Bog mapping project

Not every plant has large colourful petals, an aroma to heighten the senses nor a presence worthy of a hallway entrance, but all plants do have a right to survive – even if they are not always seen or appreciated. That’s why photographic artist Ruth Maddison was commissioned to interpret a cross-section of threatened and signifi cant plants growing in the Snowy Mountains and southern Monaro region. The conservation of our regional fl ora was a good reason for South East Arts Region and New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service to collaborate on a project to help locals and visitors recognise and connect with the more obscure species under threat in our area. We often take for granted that much of our fl ora is protected in national parks, but many threatened species exist outside of conservation reserves including roadsides, on grazing land and in other remnant vegetation on private tenure. Funded by grants from the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority Community Partnership Fund and the Commonwealth’s Regional Arts Fund, the ‘Now You See Us’ project refl ects a range of plants from diff erent environments including alpine and tableland, and represents a range of diff erent growth-forms including trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses and sedges.

Ruth collected plant images during three fi eld trips across the South-east and a couple of visits to regional herbariums, before sitting down in her studio to explore and experiment with the photographs on a computer. Her photographic creativity is now expressed on 12 large vinyl images that are accompanied by a short interpretation panel on each species name, conservation status and habitat. Born in Melbourne and having relocated to Eden in 1996, Ruth is a self taught and award winning photographer and visual artist with a long and distinguished exhibition record.

On Sunday 8th June, the photographic exhibition was launched at the Guthega Alpine Hotel followed by an exhibition at the Snowy Region Visitor Centre before being transported to Tumut Visitor Centre. Part of the project also includes a children’s story book about threatened fauna that features 12 not-so-well-known species in the region. The book is currently being written by local author Jane Caroll and illustrated by local artist Melinda Perrin. The book is due to be released in 2009.

Left: Photographic artist Ruth Maddison collecting images on the Main Range with botanist Dr Keith McDougall (photo by Dave Woods).

Above left: One of the threatened species images on display at the Guthega Alpine Hotel (photo by Dave Woods).

thre

ate

ne

d p

lan

tphotographic exhibition


campaigncampaign materialmaterial



campaigncampaign materialmaterial

19


sustainable sustainable solutionssolutions


Providers of sustainable products and services are invited to register their interest in exhibiting at the fi fth Alpine Resorts Sustainability Forum 1-2 May 2009 to be held at Thredbo, in the NSW Snowy Mountains. The Forum is an annual event designed to be a catalyst for taking action to achieve sustainable management of alpine resorts. Previous Forums have attracted over 100 delegates from alpine resort related industries, government and on-mountain business from across Australia and New Zealand, including:

ski lift operators;resort operators;hotels, lodges, motels, B&Bs and serviced apartments;retailers from larger supermarkets down to small outlets;ski equipment hire operators;transport operators; andmunicipal services providers.

The Australian alpine resorts are a signifi cant national tourism industry segment attracting over 3 million visitors a year. The industry generates approximately 1.3 billion dollars in gross revenue and accounts for 17,000 annual employment opportunities. Within the NSW alpine area of Kosciuszko National Park alone there are four major resort and lifting operators, over 200 accommodation providers and over 60 retailers.

An exceptional program is being put together show casing operators who are leading the way in implementing sustainable projects related to water, buildings and protecting the fragile alpine eco-system. Central to the 2009 program will be an exhibition of products and services related to the Forum theme.

2009alpine resorts sustainability forum

sharing sustainable solutions

Exhibition places are limited

Register your interest by contacting Megan Bennett

Email [email protected]

Phone 02 6450 5503


21

sustainablesustainable solutionssolutions

Friday 1 May 2009Venue Thredbo Alpine Hotel, Thredbo NSW

Keynote Speaker Nick Rowley, Director of Sydney based Kinesis and Strategic Director to the Copenhagen Climate Council

Full program Thursday 30th April to Saturday 2 May includes Sustainable Solutions Expo and Workshops

Registration Fee $295 Program and Applications available in February 2009Enquiries [email protected] or + 61 2 6450 5503www.environment.nsw.gov.au/events/

2009alpine resortssustainability forum

alpine resortssustainability forum

Sharing Sustainable Solutions

Images supplied courtesy of Perisher Blue, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn ski resorts, and NPWS.


historical historical societysociety


The launch of the Perisher Historical Society was celebrated by over 100 people on Saturday evening 14th June at the Snowgums Restaurant in Perisher Valley. A fi reworks display preceded the group sitting down to a fi ne three-course meal that was organised by Perisher Blue. Steering committee member Philip Woodman presided over the evening introducing guest speaker John Davis, a long time Perisher Valley stalwart whose knowledge and entertaining account of snow sport development across the Perisher Range rekindled fond memories for older members, and a spell-binding intrigue for those of lesser years. A short audio narrative from another Perisher associate Keith Line that was especially prepared for the evening was also played

along with archived fi lm of early ski instruction in Perisher Valley. The restaurant was decorated with skiing memorabilia including trophies, ski apparel, old lift-tickets and photographs. Amongst the display were donated items from three-time Olympic skier – Bill Day - including his Olympic blazer from the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley, USA. Some people also got into the spirit of the evening by donning the ski fashions of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

The Perisher Historical Society was started by Ku-ring-gai Alpine Lodge members Pam Woodman and Judy Thomson after encouragement by former Perisher Blue CEO Ashley Blondel. Support for the Perisher Historical Society has also come from

Perisher Blue and National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Proceeds from the inaugural dinner were kindly donated by Perisher Blue to the Perisher Historical Society and membership to the Perisher Historical Society is now open to all. For more information including the donation of ski memorabilia and membership forms, please contact phsadmin@

iprimus.com.au

Above left: Long-time Perisher personality John Davis provides an entertaining account of his involvement in the developing years of the Perisher ski industry (photo by Dave Woods).

Above centre: Some of Bill Day’s donated Olympic memorabilia on display at the inaugural Perisher Historical Society dinner held at Snowgums Restaurant (photo by Dave Woods).

Above right: Memories on display (photo by Dave Woods).

perisher historical society now inaugurated

hello... summer?Snow was still lying on the ground

around Smiggins Hole and Perisher

Valley in late September when fi ve

Highland Copperhead snakes were

observed in diff erent areas in four

days – hello summer!


skiingskiing pioneerpioneer

23

The inaugural dinner to launch the Perisher Historical Society brought many personalities back to the Snowy Mountains to celebrate our snowsports’ and resorts’ history. One of these skiing pioneers was Bill Day, son of George Day who managed the Chalet at Charlotte Pass between 1932 to 1949. Bill grew up at The Chalet and went on to become one of Australia’s greatest skiers, competing in the 1952 Winter Olympic Games in Oslo, Norway (along with his older brother Gordon), and again in Cortina, Italy in 1956, and in Squaw Valley, U.S.A in 1960.

Staying at Perisher Valley gave Bill and his wife Judy, and some other members of the newly formed Perisher Historical Society a chance to visit Charlotte Pass and listen to Bill reminisce about life at The Chalet. Bill said the last time he had visited Charlotte Pass was back in 1960, although his brother Gordon, father George and mother Eve had revisited the village about 10 years ago. Bill recounted how his father brought back by dog-sled from the side of Mt. Lee the engine and fuselage from a RAAF Tiger-moth plane fl own by Bob Arnott, how he skied off the three-storied Chalet roof in the bumper 1946 snow season and how his father built the rodeo arena from timber especially

felled at Sawpit Creek in the same year. Bill also gave some background as to what rooms in The Chalet were used for accommodation, administration and guest services, and recounted funny anecdotes about the many characters in the old photographs decorating The Chalet walls.

Bill, Judy and the Perisher Historical Society members were very grateful to Charlotte Pass Resort owner - Kevin Blyton and Chalet Manager – Melinda Proudfoot who kindly provided access throughout The Chalet building and a ride up the Kangaroo Ridge Chairlift, as well as hosting the group to a morning tea and a short archived fi lm on the skiing history of Charlotte Pass. The group were also appreciative of the National Parks and Wildlife Service for organising transport to Charlotte Pass from Perisher Valley.

Below left: Philip Woodman (left) of the Perisher Historical Society listens attentively to Bill Day as he recounts his memories of growing up at The Chalet (photo by Dave Woods).

Below right: Members of the Perisher Historical Society listen to Bill Day (middle) on the side of Mt. Stillwell. Bill’s family managed The Chalet between 1932 and 1949 (photo by Dave Woods).

prodigious skier bill dayrevisits his former home at charlotte pass


farewellfarewell


UPDATE...

Let us refl ect on the world of our Jim,

The mountains of Australia have been home to him.

At the roof of this country he’s led a small team,

To guide work on Kosczy, preserving the grand scheme.

From the very fi rst beginnings of this small Jindy offi ce,

Argued for more money from the stingy State coff ers.

Though the State Government’s large & impersonal too,

Jim’s quite the opposite – he’s thoughtful right through.

He’s got a great manner and what a boyish heart!

As he romps in the offi ce with a bright work day start.

He’ll tackle the hard issues, always an open door,

To bounce off a problem, sort fact from fi ction what’s more.

See Jim’s been our boss but he’s also our friend,

Now he’s on the move, he’s come to the next bend.

A bend in the river of life it would seem,

Time to set up camp further down stream.

May the river fl ow strong with some rapids for fun,

We wish you calm camps when your work day is done.

Sure the work here continues but in life we all need,

A change now and then, from hackles be freed.

So for now we all say “Fare well smiling Jim”,

Lord knows there’ll be days when we really miss him.

When we’re up on the hill looking out on the land,

We’ll think of you Jim, and your wise, guiding hand.

We’ll fondly remember times spent with you,

And when you’re back in the district, drop by for a brew.

So raise your glass, here’s a toast to a bloke we adore,

We know you’ll do well, with what life has in store.

Neil Smith 7/11/08

farewellJIM

By Lynda Weston – Environmental Planner (Department of Planning)

Jim Corrigan was with the Department of Planning for six years in the role of Team Leader and played a major part in setting up the Jindabyne offi ce and the gazettal of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Kosciuszko National Park - Alpine Resorts) 2007.

Jim was well liked by all and considered fair and practical in his approach as Team Leader at work and as a member of the Jindabyne community. Neil Smith, who worked with Jim from time to time as a contract building surveyor, prepared a poem which we think sums up Jim’s time with the Department of Planning.

Jim has taken up a Manager’s position with the ACT Planning and Land Authority. Jim will be greatly missed by not only the staff at the Department of Planning but others he has had dealings with during his time at Jindabyne. We wish Jim and his family the very best for the future.

farewellJIM

feral cat UPDATE

Six feral cats were trapped across the Perisher Range during winter 2008 through a coordinated program implemented by NPWS and Perisher Blue. Most cats were caught in response to setting traps in areas of reported sightings. Reporting cat sightings helps NPWS and Perisher Blue increase the trapability of these cryptic animals. Since last summer, another two cats were caught by Charlotte Pass Resort and four cats were also removed from Thredbo Village in a collaborative response by NPWS and Kosciuszko-Thredbo.

The carcass of captured cats is kept for gut analysis which is undertaken to determine what prey has been consumed prior to capture. Analysis from cats trapped in the winter’s of 2006 and 2007 identifi ed Dusky Antechinus as the most predated species being recorded in six of the eight cats, followed by Southern Bush Rat found in two cats and one stomach contents containing Ringtail Possum.

If you see a feral cat please report its location to Mel Schroder – Research and Monitoring Offi cer (contact details on back page).

pest management


updateupdate

25

UPDATE... A health check for sub-alpine streams

A biological water quality monitoring program commenced in the Perisher Range in 1993 to measure changes in environmental water quality. Monitoring has been undertaken both upstream and downstream of the resort in Spencers Creek, Rock Creek, Perisher Creek and Pipers Creek. Farm Creek was added in 2004.

The advantage of monitoring macro-invertebrate fauna is that it provides

a more meaningful measure of water quality of the preceding weeks or months. Chemical and physical data only provides an indication of stream health at the time of testing. The information provided from this project is a valuable tool to identify impacts and interpret trends in stream health.

A riparian vegetation (stream vegetation) and stream bank monitoring project is proposed to commence in Autumn 2009. Sites will be established in close proximity to the current biological water quality

testing sites and annual monitoring will assist in identifying any changes occurring to riparian zone health. Data will be collected on the structure and diversity of vegetation at each site, width of the riparian zone, introduced plants, stream bank stability and soil analysis. Information from this project will help better understand and improve the management of riparian zones within the resort areas of Kosciuszko National Park.

Below left: Emma Cheetham (left) and Sharmila Abbott from the University of Canberra checking data loggers at Pipers Creek (photo by Mel Schroder).

resort research, monitoring and pest managementby Mel Schroder – Research and Monitoring Offi cer

Pest Management in the Perisher Range

Reducing rabbit populations

Rabbit populations in resort areas continue to be widespread in disturbed areas or on the edges of native plant communities. Rabbits impact on native vegetation, help spread weeds and compete with native animals for habitat. Rabbits have been found to occur in areas identifi ed as important habitat for the endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum.

Rabbits also inhibit revegetation projects by digging and grazing on newly planted tube-stock. Rabbits burrowing under lodges has also resulted in disturbance to foundations.

In October 2008 monitoring was undertaken to determine rabbit populations in the Perisher Range Resorts. Despite the cold, winter populations had increased in some areas since May 2008. Subsequently a control program was undertaken in November with six bait stations

established in areas where rabbit populations were high. Pindone – an anticoagulant poison - was applied to carrots, and steel mesh was used to cover bait stations preventing larger non-target animals from removing baits. All bait stations were marked with warning signs. Monitoring of rabbit populations will continue throughout summer with the option of further baiting in autumn.

Above right: Rabbit control bait station at Smiggin Holes (photo by Mel Schroder).

continued on page 24


emsems updateupdatecontinued on page from 25

26

Managing weeds around the resorts

NPWS staff will be undertaking weed control around the Perisher Range Resorts during summer 2008/9. The weed management program will be targeting Lupins, Wintercress, Milfoil and isolated infestations of St John’s Wort.

A project to map the distribution and density of weeds within all of the Resorts will also be undertaken in summer and autumn 2009. The mapping project will record spatial

information into a geographic information system. This information will be used to establish priorities for weed control.

If you would like more information on weed management please contact Mel Schroder – Research and Monitoring Offi cer (contact details on back page).

Have you seen deer in the sub-alpine or alpine areas?

Deer populations are increasing both within and outside of Kosciusko

National Park. Their potential impact on native vegetation and soils in the sub-alpine and alpine areas is largely unknown. Their potential expansion into these areas could have major impacts on unique and fragile ecosystems that are already challenged by recent droughts. NPWS has received increased reports of deer sightings in the past 12 months. In an attempt to assess their distribution across resort areas please report any sightings to Mel Schroder – Research and Monitoring Offi cer (contact details on back page).

perisher range resorts

Lodge participation

The much anticipated “Lodge Environment Manual” has now been completed. It provides a useful guide to assist Perisher Lodges manage environmental risk and monitor environmental performance. The manual contains information on ‘EMS Requirements’ to help reduce potential risks and ‘lodge reporting requirements’ as they relate to the objectives and targets of the Perisher Range Resorts Environmenal Management System (PRREMS). Each Lodge EMS representative will receive a copy of the manual for their use in implementing and reporting against the PRREMS. The Manual is divided into six core chapters including (1)Flora & Fauna, (2) Soil & Water, (3) Air Quality, (4) Natural Resources (5) Cultural Heritage & Visual Amenity and (6) Sustainable Tourism. Each chapter focuses on the values of the area, how lodge activities may aff ect those values and what can be done to help reduce the impacts. The individual chapters along with the many references and attached guides contained in the manual can now be downloaded from the PRREMS webpage: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/PRREMS

environmental management systemBy Virginia Logan – Environmental Management Offi cer (EMS)



ems ems updatepupdate

27

Information sessions

Up to 60 Perisher lodge members attended information sessions in Canberra and Sydney in November. The sessions were organised to distribute the new ‘Lodge Environment Manuals’ to the Lodge EMS representatives and also as a way of providing some background information on the new system for the lodges. NPWS staff from Jindabyne, Donna Alexander (Manager of Environmental Services Unit), Virginia Logan (EMS Offi cer) and Helen Smith (Administrative Support), who facilitate and manage the PRREMS took the show on the road to try and make sure that everyone received the information fi rst hand and had an

opportunity to ask questions. Virginia said, “If lodge members couldn’t come to the mountain at this time of year then we thought we would bring the mountain to them”.

There are additional information sessions planned for Jindabyne and further distribution of the manuals will be facilitated through the Perisher Chamber of Commerce. If you or your lodge are unable to attend any of these sessions – don’t worry – Virginia or Helen will contact you and arrange for a copy of the manual to be sent to you.

Below: Lodge members attending one of the EMS sessions in Sydney (photo by Helen Smith).

PRREMS Poster

A PRREMS poster is now available to

be displayed around the resort and

accommodation premises in Perisher.

The poster captures some of the core

objectives of the PRREMS and encourages

individuals to ‘protect our streams’, ‘reduce

waste’, ‘care for wildlife’, ‘conserve energy’

and ‘love our mountains’.

Perisher Range resort EMS continued...

For more information or copies of the poster email: [email protected]

Lodge PRREMS Contacts

Can you please ensure

that your lodge has a

designated contact

person for the PRREMS

implementation and

reporting. If you are

uncertain of who this is

or would like to nominate

someone please contact

Virginia or Helen

on 0264505612 or

email: perisher.ems@

environment.nsw.gov.au

lodgecontacts

Sustainable Mountain Resorts – it’s up to you to make it happen!


NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service

Key Resort Section Staff Contacts:

Manager, Resorts Section

Andrew Harrigan – Ph. 6450 5504email: [email protected]

Manager, Environmental Services Unit

Donna Alexander – Ph. 6450 5607email: [email protected]

Environmental Liaison Offi cer

Dave Woods – Ph. 6450 5616email: [email protected]

Environmental Management Offi cer (EMS)

Virginia Logan – Ph. 6450 5612email: [email protected]

Environmental Management Offi cer

(Assessments Coordinator)

Shane Trengove – Ph. 6450 5543email: [email protected]

Senior Environmental Health Offi cer

Mark Nolan – Ph. 6450 5613email: [email protected]

Manager, Commercial Properties Unit

Karen Charnock – Ph. 6450 5502email: [email protected]

Senior Property Offi cer, Commercial Properties

Karen Field – Ph. 6450 5617email: karen.fi [email protected]

Manager, Municipal Services Unit

Andrew Logan – Ph. 6457 5214email: [email protected]

MSU Supervisor Water and Wastewater

Chris Foley – Ph. 6457 5214email: [email protected]

MSU Supervisor Operations and Maintenance

Steve Hansen – ph. 6457 5214email: [email protected]

NPWS Jindabyne Offi ce

Ph. 6450 5555Fax 6450 5530

NPWS Perisher Offi ce

Ph. 6457 4444Fax 6457 4455

The NPWS is part of the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW

Contributions to Newsletter

Readers are invited to contribute to Resort Round-up. Please keep articles relevant to resort issues and to less than 300 words. If you would like more information about your contribution, please contact Dave Woods – Environmental Liaison Offi cer to discuss.

Non-credited articles by Dave Woods.

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resort roundup summer 2008-09: a newsletter for the ... · 03 developmentdevelopment resort...

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