Document
Index
1999-2000 Ministerial Statements
Investing in our Natural and
Cultural Heritage
Chapter 4
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Index |
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The Commonwealth will provide $16 million in 1999-2000 to further develop a
comprehensive, adequate and representative National Reserve System. The Commonwealth is
working with all levels of governments, industry and the community to establish and manage
new ecologically significant protected areas, provide incentives for indigenous people and
other landholders to participate in strategically enhancing the National Reserve System
and to develop and implement best practice standards for management.
Table 4.2: National Reserve System Programme Land Acquisitions 1997-98 and 1998-99
| State | 1997-98 | 1998-99 |
| New South Wales | Yahringerie | Dananbilla-Illunie-Dembary Arakoola Beula Bolivia Hill Peery Mulgoa Gosford Coastal Open Space System Hexham Swamp |
| Victoria | Ningaringalook | |
| Queensland | Cudmore | Albinia Downs |
| South Australia | Mt Cone Mt Remarkable |
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| Western Australia | York Gum Wandoo Woodland Southern Ironstone at Busselton |
Gingin Meentheena North Tarin Additions to Cane River National Park Ioppolo Road Bushland Tumulus Springs Community Herb Rich Saline Shrublands Barnong Pastoral Lease Muggon Pastoral Lease Pimbee Pastoral Lease Earaheedy Pastoral Lease |
To meet these objectives, the Commonwealth, with the support of the State and Territory
nature conservation agencies, has developed the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation
of Australia and the Interim Scientific Guidelines for Establishing the National
Reserve System as planning tools to ensure the reservation of areas of highest
priority. The Interim Scientific Guidelines are currently being refined on the basis of
experience in their use and in consultation with the community and State and Territory
agencies.
The acquisition of land for inclusion in the National Reserve System is funded jointly by
the Commonwealth, States and Territories, and community groups. Since 1998, community
groups have assisted with the identification and purchase of areas suitable for inclusion
in the National Reserve System. In addition, owners of land of significance to the
National Reserve System may seek assistance to have such land recognised as a protected
area.
| Box 4.3: Hexham Swamp Rehabilitation Project In 1998-99, the Commonwealth Government approved funding of $900,000 a year over the next three years for this project, which will implement the Ironbark Creek Total Catchment Management Strategy. The project aims to restore and rehabilitate the estuarine, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the 3,200 hectares of Hexham Swamp. The major activities will centre around voluntary acquisition of some private land, the modification of flood gate operation, the rehabilitation of native vegetation and the reintroduction of estuarine fish and crustaceans. |
The Commonwealth will provide $2.1 million in 1999-2000 to the Indigenous
Protected Areas component of the National Reserve System Programme to establish and manage
protected areas on indigenous-owned estates, and to establish cooperative management
arrangements for government-owned protected areas between indigenous groups and the
relevant government nature conservation agency.
Projects funded under the National Reserve System Programme cover the establishment of
protected areas on private land, best practice protected area management and regional
planning for the identification of priority additions to the National Reserve System.
| Box 4.4: Gosford Coastal Open Space System Biodiversity
Component The National Reserve System programme has approved funding of $1 million over three years for the acquisition of land for the purpose of establishing private protected areas to protect the significant biodiversity values of the sites and to assist with the completion of the Gosford City Coastal Open Space System. |
| Box 4.5: Nantawarrina Nantawarrina, an Aboriginal owned property in the Northern Flinders Ranges, was declared the country's first Indigenous Protected Area in August 1998. An Indigenous Protected Area is an area of Aboriginal owned land voluntarily dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and managed in accordance with International Union for Conservation (IUCN) protected areas guidelines and standards. Nantawarrina is a property of 58,000 hectares, which was previously used for pastoral and mining activities. The declaration of an Indigenous Protected Area over Nantawarrina demonstrates a commitment from the Aboriginal landowners to manage the area for Biodiversity conservation and cultural values. This represents a significant step forward in the development of the National Reserve System. |
| Box 4.6: Peery Station--A Protected Area
in the Mulga Land of New South Wales In 1998-99 the Commonwealth approved funding for the purchase of Peery Station, a property in the north-west of New South Wales, north of Broken Hill and adjacent to the Paroo River Overflow. The large overflow lakes are highly significant for waterbirds, especially migratory waterbirds. The property has unique geomorphology features of stony ranges, lake beds and mound springs, which contain rare and threatened species. Few of the ecosystems on Peery Station are currently protected in a reserve system. |
Contact: Environment Australia, Biodiversity Group -- 02 6274 2706
