❓ Mr Masters questions the Environment and Heritage portfolio regarding the definition and management of the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area, particularly concerning roads, visitor centres, and fire management. The Minister provides definitions, confirms the area meets them, and outlines management strategies.
AnsweredQoN 1581Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What are the national and international definitions of wilderness and wilderness areas?
(2) Does the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area (WWA) meet these definitions?
(3) If not, in what respects does the proposed WWA not meet these definitions?
(4) If not, how will visitors to the proposed WWA experience the true qualities of wilderness?
(5) How many kilometres of roads traverse the proposed WWA?
(6) Is the presence of the Karri Tingle Visitor Centre as proposed in the discussion paper for "A new forest management plan for Western Australia" consistent with the goals and objectives of a wilderness area?
(7) How will the fire management needs of the proposed WWA be met, especially if roads are to be closed and revegetated in order to enhance the wilderness quality of the proposed wilderness area?
(2) Does the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area (WWA) meet these definitions?
(3) If not, in what respects does the proposed WWA not meet these definitions?
(4) If not, how will visitors to the proposed WWA experience the true qualities of wilderness?
(5) How many kilometres of roads traverse the proposed WWA?
(6) Is the presence of the Karri Tingle Visitor Centre as proposed in the discussion paper for "A new forest management plan for Western Australia" consistent with the goals and objectives of a wilderness area?
(7) How will the fire management needs of the proposed WWA be met, especially if roads are to be closed and revegetated in order to enhance the wilderness quality of the proposed wilderness area?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 May 2002
Responded by
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
65 days
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), now known as the World Conservation Union, defines wilderness area as a large area of unmodified or slightly modified land, and/or sea, retaining its natural character and influence, without permanent or significant habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural condition. The Australian Wilderness Society defines wilderness as a remote area essentially unaffected and unaltered by modern industrial civilisation and colonial society. The Australian Heritage Commission has compiled and maintains the National Wilderness Inventory, which is designed to identify wilderness quality across the Australian landscape. Four indicators are used to assist in identifying degrees of wilderness quality. These are: Remoteness from settlement; Remoteness from access; Apparent naturalness; and Biophysical naturalness. A draft policy for the identification and management of wilderness and surrounding areas on land managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management is currently being prepared and will be released for a public comment period. It is proposed to use the National Wilderness Inventory as a tool for identifying wilderness and surrounding areas. Under the draft policy a tract of land may be considered a wilderness area where it contains a core area(s) that meets minimum size and wilderness quality thresholds. Management of areas that surround this core wilderness will be consistent with maintaining the qualities of wilderness. (2) Yes (3) Not applicable (4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
The Australian Wilderness Society defines wilderness as a remote area essentially unaffected and unaltered by modern industrial civilisation and colonial society. The Australian Heritage Commission has compiled and maintains the National Wilderness Inventory, which is designed to identify wilderness quality across the Australian landscape. Four indicators are used to assist in identifying degrees of wilderness quality. These are: Remoteness from settlement; Remoteness from access; Apparent naturalness; and Biophysical naturalness. A draft policy for the identification and management of wilderness and surrounding areas on land managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management is currently being prepared and will be released for a public comment period. It is proposed to use the National Wilderness Inventory as a tool for identifying wilderness and surrounding areas. Under the draft policy a tract of land may be considered a wilderness area where it contains a core area(s) that meets minimum size and wilderness quality thresholds. Management of areas that surround this core wilderness will be consistent with maintaining the qualities of wilderness. (2) Yes (3) Not applicable (4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
The Australian Heritage Commission has compiled and maintains the National Wilderness Inventory, which is designed to identify wilderness quality across the Australian landscape. Four indicators are used to assist in identifying degrees of wilderness quality. These are: Remoteness from settlement; Remoteness from access; Apparent naturalness; and Biophysical naturalness. A draft policy for the identification and management of wilderness and surrounding areas on land managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management is currently being prepared and will be released for a public comment period. It is proposed to use the National Wilderness Inventory as a tool for identifying wilderness and surrounding areas. Under the draft policy a tract of land may be considered a wilderness area where it contains a core area(s) that meets minimum size and wilderness quality thresholds. Management of areas that surround this core wilderness will be consistent with maintaining the qualities of wilderness. (2) Yes (3) Not applicable (4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(2) Yes (3) Not applicable (4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(3) Not applicable (4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
The Australian Wilderness Society defines wilderness as a remote area essentially unaffected and unaltered by modern industrial civilisation and colonial society. The Australian Heritage Commission has compiled and maintains the National Wilderness Inventory, which is designed to identify wilderness quality across the Australian landscape. Four indicators are used to assist in identifying degrees of wilderness quality. These are: Remoteness from settlement; Remoteness from access; Apparent naturalness; and Biophysical naturalness. A draft policy for the identification and management of wilderness and surrounding areas on land managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management is currently being prepared and will be released for a public comment period. It is proposed to use the National Wilderness Inventory as a tool for identifying wilderness and surrounding areas. Under the draft policy a tract of land may be considered a wilderness area where it contains a core area(s) that meets minimum size and wilderness quality thresholds. Management of areas that surround this core wilderness will be consistent with maintaining the qualities of wilderness. (2) Yes (3) Not applicable (4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
The Australian Heritage Commission has compiled and maintains the National Wilderness Inventory, which is designed to identify wilderness quality across the Australian landscape. Four indicators are used to assist in identifying degrees of wilderness quality. These are: Remoteness from settlement; Remoteness from access; Apparent naturalness; and Biophysical naturalness. A draft policy for the identification and management of wilderness and surrounding areas on land managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management is currently being prepared and will be released for a public comment period. It is proposed to use the National Wilderness Inventory as a tool for identifying wilderness and surrounding areas. Under the draft policy a tract of land may be considered a wilderness area where it contains a core area(s) that meets minimum size and wilderness quality thresholds. Management of areas that surround this core wilderness will be consistent with maintaining the qualities of wilderness. (2) Yes (3) Not applicable (4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(2) Yes (3) Not applicable (4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(3) Not applicable (4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(4) Not applicable (5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(5) 171 kilometres of sealed road and 1,634 kilometres of unsealed road traverse the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area. Many of these roads are within road reserves and therefore will not be included in the new national parks making up the Walpole Wilderness Area. (6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(6) Yes. The presence of visitor centres in areas surrounding a core area(s) of high wilderness quality is consistent with promoting an awareness of wilderness values and appropriate use of wilderness areas. (7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(7) Fire management needs and access will be addressed as part of the preparation of a management plan for the national parks within the Walpole Wilderness Area.
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