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Draft Plan of Management
Trinkey State Conservation Area
Trinkey Community Conservation Area Zone 3 State Conservation Area
Acknowledgments
This plan of management was prepared by staff of the Northern Plains Region of the NSW
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of the Office of Environment and Heritage,
Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The NPWS acknowledges that Trinkey State Conservation Area is in the traditional country
of the Gamilaraay Aboriginal people.
For additional information or any inquiries about this park or this plan of management,
contact the NPWS Coonabarabran Area Office, 30 Timor St, Coonabarabran or by
telephone on (02) 6842 1311.
Disclaimer: This publication is for discussion and comment only. Publication indicates the
proposals are under consideration and are open for public discussion. Any statements made
in this draft publication are made in good faith and do not render the Office of Environment
and Heritage liable for any loss or damage. Provisions in the final management plan may not
be the same as those in this draft plan.
Published by:
Office of Environment and Heritage
59–61 Goulburn Street
PO Box A290
Sydney South 1232
© Copyright State of NSW and the Office of Environment and Heritage: Use permitted with
appropriate acknowledgment.
ISBN 978 1 74293 524 9
OEH 2012/0141
Printed on recycled paper
Trinkey State Conservation Area
Draft Plan of Management
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
February, 2012
Invitation to Comment
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act) requires that a plan of management be
prepared that outlines how an area will be managed.
The procedures for the exhibition and adoption of plans of management involve the following
stages:
Public exhibition of draft
plan for at least 90 days
Plan and submissions to the
Community Conservation Advisory Committee
for consideration
Plan, submissions and Community
Conservation Advisory Committee’s advice to
the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory
Council for consideration
The Community Conservation Advisory
Committee consists of members
representing a broad range of
community interests in the community
conservation area and provides advice
about park management and
community perspectives
The Advisory Council
advises the Minister
administering the NPW Act. Its
membership is drawn from science,
education, conservation, recreation
and other interest groups
After considering the plan,
submissions and the recommendations of the Advisory
Council the Minister may adopt the plan
This draft plan has been developed with input from local community members and the CCA
Committee, and is now being placed on public exhibition for comment. Members of the public,
whether as individuals or as members of community interest groups, are invited to comment in
writing on this plan of management.
The draft plan is on exhibition until the Monday 25th June, 2012.
Submissions can be made by:
i)
Writing to The Ranger, Somerton National Park, NPWS, 30 Timor Street,
Coonabarabran, NSW, 2357; or
ii)
Submitting comments on-line at www.environment.nsw.gov.au.
To make consideration of your submission as effective as possible it would help us if you:
• Identify the section heading and number to which your comment relates; and
•
Briefly explain the reason for your comment and, if appropriate, suggest other ways to
address the issue.
All submissions received by NPWS are a matter of public record and are available for
inspection upon request. Your comments on this draft plan may contain information that is
defined as 'personal information' under the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection
Act 1998. The submission of personal information with your comments is voluntary.
Contents
1.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1
1.1
Location, gazettal and regional setting ............................................................................ 1
1.2
Statement of Significance ............................................................................................... 1
2.
MANAGEMENT CONTEXT ................................................................................................ 2
2.1
Legislative and Policy Framework ................................................................................... 2
2.2
Management Purposes and Principles ............................................................................ 2
2.3
Specific Management Directions ..................................................................................... 3
3.
VALUES ............................................................................................................................. 4
3.1
Geology, Landscape and Hydrology ............................................................................... 4
3.2
Native Plants ................................................................................................................... 4
3.3
Native Animals ................................................................................................................ 6
3.4
Aboriginal Heritage ......................................................................................................... 6
3.5
Historic Heritage ............................................................................................................. 7
3.6
Visitor Use, Education and Research .............................................................................. 7
3.7
Information and Education .............................................................................................. 7
4.
ISSUES .............................................................................................................................. 8
4.1
Weeds and Pest Animals ................................................................................................ 8
4.2
Isolation and Fragmentation ............................................................................................ 9
4.3
Climate Change .............................................................................................................. 9
5.
MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS AND OTHER USES........................................................ 10
5.1
Management Facilities and Operations ......................................................................... 10
5.2
Non-NPWS Uses/Operations ........................................................................................ 10
6.
IMPLEMENTATION .......................................................................................................... 12
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 17
Map of Trinkey State Conservation Area
1. Introduction
1.1
Location, gazettal and regional setting
Trinkey State Conservation Area (also referred to in this plan as ‘the reserve’) is 10,229
hectares in size, with a boundary 81.2 kilometres in length. It is located approximately 12
kilometres east of Tambar Springs, 7 kilometres north-east of Premer and 41 kilometres southwest of Gunnedah.
Trinkey State Conservation Area is one of the reserves established under the Brigalow and
Nandewar Community Conservation Areas Act 2005 (NSW) (BNCCA Act) and as such forms
part of a chain of reserves stretching the length of the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion. It
provides some connectivity in a highly cleared and fragmented landscape between the larger
reserved lands to the west such as Warrumbungle National Park and the Pilliga conservation
reserves, and the Liverpool Ranges to the south and forms part of the catchment for Bundella
and Coxs Creeks and the Lake Goran basin, part of the Namoi River Catchment.
Trinkey State Conservation Area is part of both the Liverpool Plains and the Pilliga sub-regions
of the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion. Prior to being gazetted as a State Conservation Area in
December 2005 the reserve was managed by Forests NSW as a commercial cypress pine
forest and included grazing leases.
It is surrounded by private properties used for grazing and cropping and includes several roads
that are vested in the Minister under Part 11 of the NPW Act to ensure continued access to
neighbouring land. These roads do not form part of the gazetted area of the park but their
management is subject to this plan, the NPW Regulation and the requirements of the EPA Act.
Trinkey State Conservation Area lies within the Gunnedah Local Government Area and the
Liverpool Plains Local Government Area. It lies within Zone 8(a) 'National Parks and Nature
Reserves' of the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan 1998 and Zone 1(f) 'Rural (Forestry)
Zone' of the Quirindi Local Environmental Plan1991.
The SCA falls within area of the Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), and is part of
the traditional lands of the Gamilaraay Aboriginal people.
1.2
Statement of Significance
Trinkey State Conservation Area is considered to be of significance for:
Native Plants: Trinkey State Conservation Area conserves remnants of the original vegetation
and habitats of the Pilliga sub-region of the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion. It contains a total of
358 vascular plant species. One species, Rulingia procumbens is listed as endangered under
both the NSW TSC Act and the EPBC Act (Hunter 2008).
Nine plant communities have been identified within the reserve – three of which contain
threatened ecosystems. The White Pine – Bulloak – White Box Woodland is protected under
the TSC Act as “White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Community” and under the
EPBC Act as critically endangered “White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy
Woodland or derived native grassland”. Additionally components of the Pilliga Box – White Box
– Myall Woodland and the Dirty Gum – Rough-barked Apple – Bulloak Woodland contain are
likely to constitute the “Myall Woodland in the Darling Riverine Plains, Brigalow Belt South,
Cobar Peneplain, Murray-Darling Depression, Riverina and NSW South Western Slopes
bioregions” classified as an endangered ecological community under the TSC Act and the
endangered ecological community “Weeping Myall Woodland” under the EPBC Act.
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Native Animals: One hundred and sixty species of native fauna have been recorded within the
reserve including seven species of amphibians, 25 reptile species, 103 bird species and 20
species of mammal. Of these, nine species of birds and three species of mammals (spottedtailed quoll, koala and the little pied bat) are listed as vulnerable under the TSC Act. One
species, the bush stone-curlew is listed as endangered under the TSC Act.
Aboriginal Heritage: The reserve protects over 30 Aboriginal sites, with a likelihood that more
sites will be found. It provides an important connection to Country for the local Aboriginal
community.
Historic Heritage: Two historic blazed trees have been recorded in the reserve.
2. Management Context
2.1
Legislative and Policy Framework
The management of the community conservation area is in the context of a legislative and
policy framework, primarily the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act) and Regulation,
the Community Conservation Area Agreement developed under the Brigalow and Nandewar
Community Conservation Area Act 2005 (CCA Act), the Threatened Species Conservation Act
1995 (TSC Act) and the policies of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Other legislation, strategies and international agreements may also apply to management of the
area. In particular, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act) may
require assessment of environmental impact of works proposed in this plan. The
Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
may apply in relation to actions that impact on matters of National Environmental Significance,
such as migratory and threatened species listed under that Act.
A plan of management is a statutory document under the NPW Act. Once the Minister has
adopted a plan, the plan must be carried out and no operations may be undertaken within the
reserve except in accordance with the plan. This plan will also apply to any future additions to
Trinkey State Conservation Area. Should management strategies or works be proposed in
future that are not consistent with this plan, an amendment to the plan will be required.
2.2
Management Purposes and Principles
Community Conservation Areas
Community conservation areas are established under the Brigalow and Nandewar Community
Conservation Area Act 2005. This Act provides for four dedicated management zones of which
zones 1, 2 and 3 relate to land reserved under the NPW Act as a national park, Aboriginal area
or a State conservation area, respectively. Land in zones 1, 2 and 3 are managed consistent
with the management principles set out in the NPW Act.
Zone 3 State Conservation Areas
Zone 3 community conservation areas are reserved under the NPW Act to protect and
conserve areas that:
•
contain significant or representative ecosystems, landforms or natural phenomena or
places of cultural significance;
•
that are capable of providing opportunities for sustainable visitor use and enjoyment, the
sustainable use of buildings and structures, or research; and
2
•
are capable of providing opportunities for uses permitted under other provisions of the
Act.
Under the Act (section 30G), Zone 3 community conservation areas are therefore managed to:
•
conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem functions, protect natural phenomena and
maintain natural landscapes;
•
conserve places, objects and features of cultural value;
•
provide for the undertaking of uses permitted under other provisions of the NPW Act
(including uses permitted under section 47J such as mineral exploration and mining),
having regard to the conservation of the natural and cultural values of the state
conservation area;
•
provide for sustainable visitor use and enjoyment that is compatible with conservation of
the area's natural and cultural values and with uses permitted in the area;
•
provide for sustainable use (including adaptive reuse) of any buildings or structures or
modified natural areas having regard to conservation of the area's natural and cultural
values and with other uses permitted in the area; and
•
provide for appropriate research and monitoring.
Land is reserved as a state conservation area where mineral values do not allow for reservation
under another category. The NPW Act requires a review of the classification of state
conservation areas every five years in consultation with the Minister administering the Mining
Act 1992. A review was undertaken in November 2008 in which the status of Trinkey
Community Conservation Area, Zone 3 State Conservation Area remained unchanged.
In the long term it is intended for Trinkey Community Conservation Area, Zone 3 State
Conservation Area to become a national park and therefore management of the state
conservation area will also be guided by the management principles for national parks as far as
possible.
2.3
Specific Management Directions
In addition to the general principles for the management of state conservation areas (refer
section 2.2), the management of Trinkey State Conservation Area will focus on the protection of
the significant vegetation communities and threatened native animal species and the protection
of Aboriginal heritage sites.
Major strategies to achieve these objectives are:
•
On-going fire management so that people and property are protected from wildfire, and
park values are maintained;
•
On-going control of pest species to minimise their impact on park values, in particular
the weed mother of millions;
•
Protection of cultural heritage places with community involvement, in particular from
members of the local Aboriginal community; and
•
Maintenance of information and regulatory signage.
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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.
Trinkey State Conservation Area is a significant reserve within the region as it provides key
habitat and refuge to a representative sample of the flora and fauna including woodland birds
and other native animals, in an area that is now mainly cleared of its original woodlands and
forests.
3.1
Geology, Landscape and Hydrology
Trinkey State Conservation Area is located in the southern section of the Brigalow Belt South
Bioregion. It is composed of country that rises gently from 330 metres above sea level in the
north of the reserve, to a series of higher ridges 574 metres above sea level in the southwestern section of the reserve. This ridgeline creates a watershed that drains westwards into
Bundella and Coxs Creeks and east and northwards to the Goran Lakes basin.
The reserve is predominantly underlain by Jurassic Pilliga Sandstones with associated
conglomerates and siltstones. These overlie the earlier Purlawaugh Beds of lithic sandstone,
shale, claystone and conglomerates and the Garrawilla Volcanics of dolerite, basalt, trachyte
and tuff / breccia. These areas are surrounded to the north and west by water deposited
Quaternary alluviums, gravel, silt, sands and clay deposits of the Liverpool plains. There is a
minor Tertiary basalt and dolerite intrusion of the earlier Pilliga sandstone in the central western
section of the reserve (Geological Survey of NSW, 1968).
The soils are predominantly yellow and red texture contrast soils with smaller regions of deep
black cracking clays in the north and west.
3.2
Native Plants
The vegetation of Trinkey State Conservation Area provides important links within the
landscape, but also in terms of vegetation types, between the Warrumbungle and Pilliga areas
to the north and the upper Hunter areas of the Wollemi and Goulburn River to the south and
east. In terms of diversity the reserve is ranked very highly in comparison to many other
reserves in western New South Wales across both richness overall, regional diversity and
species turnover (Hunter 2008).
A total of 358 vascular plant species have been recorded in the reserve. Only one species
recorded in the reserve, Rulingia procumbens, is of conservation concern and it is listed as
endangered under both the TSC Act and EPBC Act. Rulingia procumbens was found in the
past at one site within the reserve but was not found during recent floristic surveys.
Much of the reserve's vegetation is characterised by white cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla),
buloke (Allocasuarina luehmanii), black cypress pine (Callitris endlicheri), red ironbark
(Eucalytpus fibrosa), white bloodwood (Corymbia trachyphloia) and narrow-leaved ironbark
(Eucalyptus crebra), with a scattered shrub layer of peach heath (Leucopogon muticus) and a
diverse ground layer of grasses, herbs and forbs (Hunter 2008).
Nine plant communities have been identified within the reserve – three of which contain
threatened ecosystems.
Components of the White Pine – Bulloak – White Box Woodland is protected under the TSC
Act as “White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Community” and is potentially classified
as endangered under the EPBC Act as critically endangered “White Box – Yellow Box –
Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland or derived native grassland”.
Additionally components of the Pilliga Box – White Box – Myall Woodland and the Dirty Gum –
Rough-barked Apple – Bulloak Woodland are likely to constitute the “Myall Woodland in the
Darling Riverine Plains, Brigalow Belt South, Cobar Peneplain, Murray-Darling Depression,
Riverina and NSW South Western Slopes bioregions” classified as an endangered ecological
community under the TSC Act and the endangered ecological community known as “Weeping
Myall Woodland” under the EPBC Act.
3.2.1 Vegetation Communities
The nine vegetation types identified as part of a comprehensive vegetation survey conducted in
2008 are listed below:
Insert table:
• Buloke – White Cypress Pine – Narrow-leaved Ironbark Forest;
• White Cypress Pine – Buloke – White Box (Eucalyptus albens) Woodland;
• Pilliga Box (Eucalyptus pilligaensis) – White Box – Weeping Myall (Acacia pendula)
Woodland;
• White Box – Western Rosewood (Alectryon oleifolius) Woodland;
• Dirty Gum (Eucalyptus chloroclada) – Rough-barked Apple (Angophora floribunda) –
Buloke Woodland;
• Buloke – Red Ironbark Woodland;
• White Bloodwood – Red Ironbark – Black Cypress Pine Woodland;
• Blakely’s Red Gum (Eucalyptus blakelyi) – Black Cypress Pine Woodland; and
• White Cypress Pine – Black Cypress Pine – Red Ironbark – White Bloodwood
Woodland.
The Buloke – White Cypress Pine – Narrow-leaved Ironbark Forest community is a layered
woodland community restricted to the lower elevation parts of the reserve, particularly on the
northern and eastern outwash flats on the deeper, moist but well drained soils. It is composed
of a tall tree layer of the three main tree species as well as black cypress pine, dirty gum, Pilliga
box, Blakely's red gum and grey box (Eucalyptus microcarpa). The shrub and ground cover
layer is diverse and includes Acacia and Cassinia species as the dominant shrubs.
The White Cypress Pine – Buloke– White Box Woodland is the largest community and covers
nearly 40 percent of the reserve. It is generally layered woodland however the presence of
understorey shrub layers is highly variable. This community is found throughout the central
parts of the reserve, commonly between mid-slopes and flats on well drained and deep soils.
Tree species include the canopy dominants white cypress pine, buloke and white box, plus
Pilliga box, yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora), dirty gum, narrow-leaved ironbark, kurrajong
(Brachychiton populneus), rough-barked apple, grey box (Eucalyptus moluccana), red ironbark,
Blakely's red gum, black cypress pine, and motherumbah (Acacia cheelii). The shrub layer is
dominated by several Acacia species, sticky daisy-bush (Olearia elliptica) and wilga (Geijera
parviflora).
5
The remaining communities occur as small disjunct patches, linear strips or are scattered and
dispersed throughout the reserve. Most are currently well-reserved across their range and
generally not of conservation concern.
Another community, the Red Gum-Black Cypress Pine Woodland, occurs with a low shrubby
understorey in disjunct linear patches in the southern parts of the reserve on mid slopes on
deep and moist to well drained loamy sands. This community is typified by the two canopy
dominants along with white cypress pine and kurrajong, with numerous shrub species including
Leptospermum, Melaleuca, Callistemon, Acacia, Macrozamia and Grevillea species. This is an
unusual community type and likely naturally rare in the landscape (Hunter 2008).
3.3
Native Animals
One hundred and sixty species of native fauna have been recorded within Trinkey State
Conservation Area including seven species of amphibians, 25 reptile species, 103 bird species
and 20 mammals (DECC 2010a).
Of these, the spotted harrier (Circus assimilis), little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides), glossy
black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), little lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusilla), turquoise parrot
(Neophema pulchella), Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus), Speckled Warbler
(Pyrrholaemus saggitatus), grey crowned babbler - eastern subspecies (Pomatostomus
temporalis temporalis), varied sittella (Daphoenositta chrysoptera), spotted-tailed quoll
(Dasyurus maculatus), koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and the little pied bat (Chlinolobus
picatus) are listed as vulnerable under the TSC Act. This means that they 'are likely to become
endangered unless the circumstances and factors threatening their survival or evolutionary
development cease to operate’ (DECC 2010b).
One species, the bush stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), is known from a single record and is
listed as endangered under the TSC Act. This means this species is 'likely to become extinct or
is in immediate danger of extinction' (DECC 2010b).
3.4
Aboriginal Heritage
Somerton State Conservation Area lies within the traditional country of the Gamilaraay people
and falls within the Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council area. 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.
Aboriginal sites are places with evidence of Aboriginal occupation or that are related to other
aspects of Aboriginal culture. They are important as evidence of Aboriginal history and as part
of the culture of local Aboriginal people. A cultural heritage site survey was conducted in May
2009 by members of the local Aboriginal community and NPWS staff. This survey recorded
several scarred trees, grinding grooves, and artefact scatters (DECC 2009c).
Many plant species growing within the reserve such as the grass tree (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii)
and porcupine grass (Triodia scariosa), were also potentially used as food or medicinal plants,
or for tool and utensil construction (Hunter 2008).
While the NSW Government has legal responsibility for the protection of Aboriginal sites and
places the NPWS acknowledges the right of Aboriginal people to make decisions about their
6
own heritage. It is therefore policy that Aboriginal communities be consulted and involved in the
management of Aboriginal sites, places and related issues, and the promotion and presentation
of Aboriginal culture and history.
3.5
Historic Heritage
Heritage places and landscapes are made up of living stories as well as connections to the past
which can include natural resources, objects, customs and traditions that individuals and
communities have inherited from the past and wish to conserve for current and future
generations. Cultural heritage comprises places and items that may have historic, scientific,
aesthetic and social significance. The NPWS conserves the significant heritage features of
NSW parks and reserves.
Two historic sites have been recorded within Trinkey State Conservation Area. There are two
marked trees, dating from the 1930s to the early 1940s, which were blazed by the then Forestry
Commission of NSW to indicate forestry coupe boundaries.
In 1878 part of the area now occupied by the reserve originally fell under the Trinkey Run lease
and from early pastoral maps much of the land was heavily timbered (scrubby) and was known
locally as the Colly Blue Scrub (LPMA 2010). The Trinkey Run once covered an area of 12,800
acres and was originally owned by George Loder and then by Robert Simson in 1888.
In the early 1890s Trinkey Forest Reserve No. 1261 was established over the Colly Blue Scrub
area and then later gazetted in 1912 as Forest Reserve No. 28406 and made 'exempt from
operation of ordinary timber licences' (LPMA 2010). This Forest Reserve was converted to
Trinkey State Forest (No. 177) on 18 November 1914 with further additions being added in
1924 and 1937 resulting in the present day area of the reserve.
Evidence of former forestry practices can be found throughout the reserve in the form of
snigging tracks, the remains of milled flitches and the many cypress and ironbark tree stumps.
Evidence in the form of signage and cleared areas, now overgrown, indicates former use of the
forest by apiarists.
3.6
Visitor Use, Education and Research
Trinkey State Conservation Area is able to be accessed via Belmont and Donohue Roads, from
the three entrances off the Trinkey Forest Road (Curlewis - Tambar Springs Road) and off
Brunskills road onto Yannergee Road. All other entrances to the reserve are through private
property. Signage exists at all the main access points from these roads indicating the activities
that are permissible within the reserve.
Trinkey State Conservation Area is used for driving, bushwalking, mountain biking and horse
riding. It also has a history of use for various purposes by the local communities, including fire
wood collection, trail bike riding, hunting and off-road four-wheel driving. Some of these
activities were previously permitted under Forests NSW management.
There are currently no public facilities in the reserve and camping within Trinkey State
Conservation Area is not permitted unless by consent.
3.7
Information and Education
The reserve has been used in the recent past for educational purposes, particularly for training
the local Aboriginal community in undertaking cultural surveys (DECC 2009c).
7
Recent research activities within Trinkey State Conservation Area have included fauna, flora
and cultural surveys conducted by NPWS and community groups to better understand the
natural and cultural values of the reserve.
4. Issues
4.1
Weeds and Pest Animals
The Northern Plains Regional Pest Management Strategy (DECC 2007) lists several species of
pest animals and weeds and identifies their respective populations in Trinkey State
Conservation Area.
Goats (Capra hircus), rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), wild dogs (Canis lupus) and cats (Felis
catus) occur in isolated populations restricted to small areas, whilst feral pigs (Sus scrofa) occur
as scattered populations. The European fox (Vulpes vulpes) is widespread throughout the
reserve.
Pest species are plants and animals that have negative environmental, economic and social
impacts and are most commonly introduced species. Pests can have impacts across the range
of park values, including impacts on biodiversity, cultural heritage, catchment and scenic
values.
4.1.1 Pest Animals
Goat control is listed as a critical priority program within the Northern Plains Regional Pest
Management Strategy (DECC 2007). This is attributable to the need to manage goats to protect
colonies of large-eared pied bats which are susceptible to disturbance by goats – as identified
in the Priority Action Statement (PAS). Only a small transient population of feral goats has been
identified within the reserve, which moves off the reserve for extended periods of time. At the
time of writing (2011) goats have not been seen in the reserve for 2 years.
Trinkey State Conservation Area also contains localised high-density populations of feral pigs,
which may cause damage to crops adjoining the reserve if left uncontrolled. Feral pigs are a
declared pest under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 (NSW) and the NPWS is required to
control (continuously suppress and destroy) declared pest animals to the extent necessary to
minimise the risk of the pest causing damage to any land.
A winter fox baiting program has been running since 2006. A low presence of wild dogs has
been recorded within Trinkey State Conservation Area.
Wild dogs, including dingoes, are a declared pest under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998.
This binds all land managers, including the NPWS to control the species.
4.1.2 Weeds
The introduced plants mother of millions (Bryophyllum sp.) and tree pear (Opuntia tomentosa),
occur within the reserve, whilst common prickly pear (Opuntia stricta) and tiger pear (Opuntia
aurantiaca) have also been recorded as scattered through the reserve. These weed species are
sprayed annually during the appropriate season. Biological control agents including cactoblastis
and cochineal have been spread within prickly pear infestations in the reserve. Thistles and
other 'disturbance' weed species are present along edges of the trail network and along the
reserve boundaries where the level of disturbance by vehicles, machinery and feral animals is
greatest.
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4.2 FIRE
The primary fire management objectives of the NPWS are to protect life and property and
community assets from the adverse impacts of fire, whilst managing fire regimes to maintain
and protect biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Fire is a natural feature of many environments and is essential for the survival of some plant
communities. However, inappropriate fire regimes can lead to loss of particular plant and animal
species and communities, and high frequency fires have been listed as a key threatening
process under the TSC Act.
There have been no recorded wildfires within Trinkey State Conservation Area. There is little
evidence of fire scars and past wildfire events. Litter accumulation and understorey growth also
support this observation.
A separate (map-based) fire management strategy has been prepared for the reserve (DECC
2009a). The fire management strategy outlines the key assets within and adjoining Trinkey
State Conservation Area including sites of natural and cultural heritage value, fire management
zones which include asset protection zones, and fire control advantages such as management
roads and water supply points.
4.2
Isolation and Fragmentation
The area surrounding the reserve has been extensively cleared in the past, 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 reserve and provide ecological
corridors to other vegetated areas. Maintaining the integrity of the remaining habitat within the
reserve and, where possible, linking this to adjacent areas of vegetation to facilitate wildlife
corridors is important in ensuring long term viability of the reserve’s biological values.
4.3
Climate Change
Anthropogenic climate change has been listed as a key threatening process under the TSC Act.
Projections of future changes in climate for NSW include higher temperatures, increasing sea
levels and water temperatures, more intense but possibly reduced annual average rainfall,
increased temperature extremes and higher evaporative demand. These changes are likely to
lead to greater intensity and frequency of fires, more severe droughts, reduced river runoff and
water availability, regional flooding, increased erosion and ocean acidification.
Climate change may significantly affect biodiversity by changing population size and distribution
of species, modifying species composition, and altering the geographical extent of habitats and
ecosystems. The potential impact of climate change is difficult to assess since it depends on
the compounding effects of other pressures, particularly barriers to migration and pressure from
feral animals. Species most at risk are those unable to migrate or adapt, particularly those with
small population sizes or with slow growth rates.
Programs to reduce the pressures arising from other threats, such as habitat fragmentation,
invasive species, bushfires and pollution, will help reduce the severity of the effects of climate
change.
9
5. Management Operations And Other Uses
5.1
Management Facilities and Operations
There are many access roads within Trinkey State Conservation Area. These are used for fire
fighting and pest operations purposes and are accessible to standard 4 wheel drive vehicles.
The following roads have been gazetted as Part 11 Lands vested in the Minister on the basis
that they are required access routes for the general public: Wilgavale Road; Waitara Road;
Gean Boundary Road between its junctions with Waitara Road and Belmont/Jungle Road;
Belmont Road; North-West Boundary Road between the junction with Donohue Road and
Tambar Road, and where it meets Merrigula Track; and Merrigula Track. These roads do not
form part of the gazetted area of the park but their management is subject to this plan, the
NPW Regulation and the requirements of the EPA Act.
5.2
Non-NPWS Uses/Operations
5.2.1 Mining and Exploration
Exploration for minerals and petroleum, as well as mining and petroleum production, are
permissible uses within state conservation areas. Trinkey State Conservation Area is currently
cover by two petroleum titles – both held by Australian Coalbed Methane Pty Ltd. PEL 12 was
granted 27 September 1995, renewed 31 January 2008 and expired 26 September 2011
(covered about 2/3 of SCA); and PEL 1 granted 11 February 1993, last renewed 6 April 2009
and expires 10 February 2015 (covers about 1/3 of SCA).
The Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services (DTIRIS) is the
lead authority for mining and petroleum activities, including mineral exploration and mine site
rehabilitation. OEH and DTIRIS work together to ensure that exploration and production
proposals in SCAs comply with all statutory requirements, including any necessary
environmental impact assessments and approvals.
5.2.2 Access by Third Parties
An in-holding south east of the Breffni and Argyle Roads and a gazetted easement for the
Merrigula trigonometric station require access by other parties.
An old gravel extraction pit, not currently in use, is located off Gean Boundary Road just north
of the Belmont / Jungle Road junction. The gravel in the past has been used for maintenance
and construction of the reserve roads and public roads outside the reserve. The site of the
gravel pit is excluded from the reserve.
5.2.3 Apiary Sites
There are currently seven licensed apiary sites located within the reserve. A further 43 sites
exist in the reserve that have the potential to be reactivated in the future. These sites are
recognised as existing interests under the NPW Act as they pre-date the reserve’s gazettal.
NPWS policy on bee keeping allows existing sites to continue but does not allow any new or
additional sites.
The European honeybee (Apis mellifera) can have adverse impacts on some native plants and
animals (Paton 1996) including poor flower pollination and competition with native nectar
feeders. Competition from feral honeybees has been listed as a Key Threatening Process
under the TSC Act.
10
Whilst managed honeybees were not the subject of this determination it may be necessary to
relocate existing bee sites where apiary activities result in unacceptable environmental impacts,
user conflicts or are inconsistent with the park’s management.
11
Medium priority activities are those that are necessary to achieve the objectives and desired outcomes but are not urgent.
Low priority activities are desirable to achieve management objectives and desired outcomes but can wait until resources become
available.
Ongoing is for activities that are undertaken on an annual basis or statements of management intent that will direct the management
response if an issue that arises.
•
•
•
Less than 15% of the reserve boundary has a
native vegetation buffer, the remainder being
cleared agricultural land. As such it is important
that any native vegetation buffers be preserved.
6.2 On-park Ecological Conservation
There is potential for soil erosion issue where
small creeks traverse the reserve’s roads or where
water lies on track surfaces. Continued use of
these roads when wet by 4WDs and trail bikes
6.1 Off-park Ecological Conservation
The reserve is located in a highly cleared and
fragmented landscape and exists as an 'island'
refuge.
Current Situation
Table 1: List of Management Response
12
Soil erosion is
minimised. Roads are
accessible.
Maintain and enhance
connectivity of the
reserve with local
woodland remnants.
Desired Outcomes
6.2.1 Undertake all works in a manner that minimises
erosion and water pollution. Assess roads and take action
to arrest the erosion.
6.1.1 Work with neighbours and relevant authorities to
encourage conservation of remnant native vegetation in the
vicinity of the reserve.
Strategies
This plan of management does not have a specific term and will stay in force until amended or replaced in accordance with the NPW Act.
High priority activities are those imperative to achievement of the objectives and desired outcomes. They must be undertaken in the
near future to avoid significant deterioration in natural, cultural or management resources.
•
Identified activities for implementation are listed in Table 1. Relative priorities are allocated against each activity as follows:
This plan of management establishes a scheme of operations for the Trinkey State Conservation Area. Implementation of this plan will be
undertaken within the annual program of the NPWS Northern Plains Region.
6. Implementation
High
Low
Priority
Pig baiting programs undertaken throughout the
year. A fox baiting program is conducted annually
between April and September; other pest species
sightings are recorded and treated
opportunistically.
Isolated pest
populations are
controlled.
13
The impact of
introduced species on
native species and
neighbouring lands is
minimised.
Structural diversity and
habitat values are
maintained or
improved.
The Priorities Action Statement and Recovery
Plans contain strategies for the recovery of
threatened species. The Northern Plains Region
Biodiversity Monitoring Strategy (DECC 2009b)
provides a framework for monitoring.
Broad vegetation communities have been
identified and mapped. There is some grazing
pressure from straying stock.
6.3 Weeds and Pest Animals
Weed control is programmed and on-going.
All native plant and
animal species and
communities are
conserved. Key
threatening processes
are reduced.
One hundred and sixty fauna species have been
recorded. The reserve is home to at least 13
threatened fauna species. The threatened species
Rulingia procumbens has been historically
recorded within Trinkey State Conservation. There
is potential to gain a fuller understanding of the
fauna values and the status of threatened plant
populations.
may result in significant damage to the road
surfaces. Without remedial action this could make
the roads inaccessible to larger vehicles required
for fire fighting operations.
High
Medium
6.3.4 Continue to record pest species sightings and to
undertake control of wild dogs and other pest animals as
Medium
6.3.2 Monitor the reserve for noxious and significant
environmental weeds and treat any new outbreaks.
6.3.3 Work cooperatively with Central North Livestock
Health and Pest Authority, Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains
County Councils and neighbours in implementing
coordinated weed and pest animal control programs.
High
High
Medium
Medium
6.3.1 Continue weed control and pest animal control
programs as outlined in the Regional Pest Management
Strategy.
6.2.4 Ensure boundary of reserve is fenced and stock proof
in accordance with the NPWS Boundary Fencing Policy.
6.2.3 Implement the relevant actions from Priorities Action
Statement and Recovery Plans for the spotted harrier, little
eagle, glossy black-cockatoo, little lorikeet, turquoise parrot,
brown treecreeper, speckled warbler, grey crowned babbler
- eastern subspecies, varied sittella, spotted-tailed quoll,
koala, little pied bat and bush stone-curlew.
6.2.2 Implement targeted, systematic biodiversity surveys to
enhance the knowledge base for management of the flora
and fauna values of the reserve.
6.6 Historic Heritage
Two blazed survey trees dating from the late
6.5 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
There are over thirty recorded Aboriginal sites on
the reserve, from past and recent surveys (DECC
2009c) in which local Aboriginal people were
involved. Contemporary Aboriginal use of the area
is unknown. Aboriginal people have expressed an
interest in continuing their involvement in the
reserve, including continued youth training
opportunities.
Regional staff worked closely with neighbours and
fire agencies to develop the Trinkey State
Conservation Area Fire Management Strategy
2009 (DECC 2009a).
Fire intervals are approaching above optimal for
some of the broad vegetation communities of the
reserve.
6.4 Fire Management
A reserve fire management strategy has been
prepared for the reserve although fire history is not
well known.
14
6.6.1 Record any further blazed survey trees or other
Medium
Medium
6.5.2 Consult and involve the Walhallow Local Aboriginal
Land Council and Gamilaraay Elders in the management of
Aboriginal sites, places and values, including interpretation
of places or values.
Aboriginal people are
involved in
management of the
Aboriginal cultural
values in the park.
Historic heritage
High
Medium
High
High
6.5.1 Precede all new ground disturbance work by an
assessment for cultural features.
6.4.3 Continue to participate in Liverpool Range Bush Fire
Management Committee. Maintain coordination and
cooperation with Rural Fire Service brigades, Council fire
control officers and neighbours with regard to fuel
management and fire suppression.
6.4.2 Undertake prescribed burns to maintain ecological
values, as outlined in the Fire Management Strategy.
6.4.1 Manage wildfires in accordance with the Trinkey Fire
Management Strategy 2009 (DECC 2009a), and update this
strategy as required.
Aboriginal cultural
features and historic
features and values are
identified and
protected.
Stakeholders
participate in fire
management planning
and operations
Natural and cultural
features are protected
from damage by fire.
Fire regimes are
appropriate for
conservation of plant
and animal
communities.
Life, property and
natural and cultural
values are protected
from bushfire.
needed.
Three dams are suitable for fire fighting.
The reserve includes several roads that are vested in
the Minister under Part 11 of the NPW Act to ensure
continued access to neighbouring land. These roads
do not form part of the gazetted area of the park but
their management is subject to this plan, the NPW
Regulation and the requirements of the EPA Act.
6.8 Infrastructure Use and maintenance
Roads are at an adequate standard for fire and
pest operations, and are generally suitable for 4wheel drive vehicles.
Promotion of community understanding and
appreciation of the conservation values of the
reserve will be important for minimising illegal
activities and the impact of visitation.
Opportunities exist within the reserve for passive
nature based recreation as well as cycling, driving
or horse riding along the extensive park road
network. No additional facilities are provided.
1930s to the early 1940s have been recorded. No
other historic sites are recorded for Trinkey State
Conservation Area.
6.7 Visitor Use and Services
Trinkey State Conservation Area has a long history
of use by the local community for various purposes
that are no longer permitted such as, fire wood
collection, trail bike riding and hunting.
6.7.2 Camping in the reserve permissible by consent.
Use of road network
will not impact upon
reserve values.
15
Fire fighting capacity is
maximised within the
Management facilities
adequately serve
management needs
and have acceptable
impact.
Visitors will have an
appreciation of reserve
values and
conservation issues.
Visitor use is
ecologically sustainable
and does not reduce
reserve values.
6.7.1 Permit registered vehicle use, cycling and horse riding
on park roads shown on Map1. The impacts of use will be
monitored.
Impacts upon reserve
values are stable or
diminishing.
6.8.2 Retain dams as fire fighting water supplies and
maintain as required.
6.8.1 Maintain all park roads as shown on Map 1 for
management purposes.
6.7.6 Organise media releases, educational material and
contact with neighbours and community organisations
based on reserve management issues.
6.7.5 Investigate the need for, and best location for
permanent information signage on the reserve.
6.7.3 Permit organised self-reliant recreational groups and
educational visits, subject to conditions such limitations to
group size.
historic sites or artefacts found on the reserve and protect
from damage as far as possible.
features and values are
identified and
protected.
High
High
Low
Low
Medium
Medium
Medium
6.8.5 Monitor the park for feral bee hives and use of apiary
sites. Investigate whether existing authorised apiary sites in
the reserve need to be relocated due to unacceptable
environmental impacts, user conflicts or park management
programs, and if necessary relocate in accordance with the
NPWS Beekeeping Policy.
Apiary activities have
minimal impacts.
There are seven currently licensed bee sites
located within the reserve which predate its
gazettal. Some of these sites are currently (2010)
being used. A further forty-three bee sites exist in
the reserve that have the potential to be
reactivated in the future. Honeybees can have
adverse impacts on some native plants and
animals.
16
6.8.4 Investigate the gravel resource of the quarry for its
quality and volume to determine its suitability to be used by
NPWS for the maintenance of the reserve’s road network.
Use of the gravel
resource for road
maintenance or
construction will not
impact on the reserves
values.
An old gravel extraction pit has been used
historically for maintenance and construction of the
former State Forest roads and public roads outside
the reserve.
6.8.3 Applications for mining or mineral exploration in the
SCA will be subject to environmental impact assessment
and approvals.
Mining and mineral
exploration activities
have minimal impact on
natural and cultural
values.
The reserve is covered by two petroleum titles PEL1
which covers two thirds of the reserve and has
recently expired and PEL12, both held by Australian
Coal Methane Pty. Ltd.
reserve’s existing
resources.
Medium
Medium
High
References
DEC, 2006. Recreational Horse Riding Policy 2006 -2009, Department of Environment and
Conservation NSW, Sydney NSW.
http://www.australianhorsealliance.asn.au/Horse_riding_policy_July_2006.pdf.
DECC, 2007. Northern Plains Region Pest Management Strategy 2008-2011. Department of
Environment and Climate Change NSW, Sydney, NSW.
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/pestsweeds/NorthernPlainsPestManagementStrategy.ht
m.
DECC, 2009a. Trinkey State Conservation Area (CCAZ3) - Reserve Fire Management
Strategy 2009. Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW, Sydney NSW.
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/firemanagement/final/20080056TrinkeyFMS2
009.pdf.
DECC, 2009b. Northern Plains Region Biodiversity Monitoring Strategy 2009-2014, NPWS
Northern Plains Region, Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW, Sydney
NSW.
DECC, 2009c. Trinkey State Conservation Area - Cultural Heritage Survey May 2009,
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http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/index.aspx.
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LPMA, 2010. NSW Land and Property Management Authority Parish and Historical Mapping
Preservation Project database, Parish Map Trinkey and Tamarang, County Pottinger.
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NPWS, 2003. National Parks and Wildlife Service - Cycling Policy. National Parks and
Wildlife Service, Sydney, NSW.
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/policyCycling.pdf
Paton, D.C., 1996. Overview of Feral and Managed Honeybees in Australia: Distribution,
Abundance, Extent of Interactions with Native Biota, Evidence of Impacts and Future
Research, Australia Nature Conservation Agency.
Thackway. R & Cresswell. I. 1995. An interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia: A
Framework for Establishing the National System of Reserves. Version 4.0. Australian Nature
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