❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the management of Fitzgerald River National Park, covering topics such as management plan reviews, staffing levels, visitor numbers, the Park Improvement Project, dieback management, fire management, and advisory committee involvement. The response provides data and explanations, indicating ongoing management efforts.
AnsweredQoN 2216Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regards to the management of the Fitzgerald River National Park, I ask -
(1) When was the management plan for the Fitzgerald River National Park enacted?
(2) What is the period that this management plan covers?
(3) Is the Fitzgerald River National Park being managed under a 1991-2001 management plan?
(4) If yes to (3), why hasn’t a review of the management plan been carried out?
(5) Does the Minister support the intention of section 55(1) of the
Conservation and Land Management Act 1984
that ‘a management plan’s policy, guidelines and operations will be effective for a specific period that shall not exceed 10 years’?
(6) Do the proposed changes to roads and site infrastructure, and the coastal walk trail project, collectively known as the Fitzgerald River National Park Improvement Project (FRNPIP), comply with the 1991-2001 management plan?
(7) What is the current Department of Environment and Conservation staffing allocation to the park?
(8) Please provide the staffing figures for each year since the park was established?
(9) Please provide figures for visitors to the park for the same period?
(10) With the advent of the new Park Improvement Project, what are the planned staffing arrangements to effectively manage the upgraded facilities and increased visitor numbers, and protect the park?
(11) Is there currently a Fitzgerald River National Park Advisory Committee?
(12) How are committee members selected?
(13) How often does this Committee meet?
(14) Has this committee been consulted about the FRNPIP?
(15) If yes to (14), what has been their response?
(16) How will phytophthora dieback be managed in the park in light of the new road upgrade, both during construction and thereafter?
(17) How will the coastal walk trail be managed to ensure that it does not bring dieback into areas of the central wilderness known to be dieback free?
(18) In the light of increased knowledge of the impacts of climate change on the south west of Western Australia has the fire management of the park been, -
(a) reviewed; and
(b) modified?
(19) If no to (18)(a) and (18)(b), why not?
(20) Is there a date set to commence the revision of the park management plan?
(1) When was the management plan for the Fitzgerald River National Park enacted?
(2) What is the period that this management plan covers?
(3) Is the Fitzgerald River National Park being managed under a 1991-2001 management plan?
(4) If yes to (3), why hasn’t a review of the management plan been carried out?
(5) Does the Minister support the intention of section 55(1) of the
Conservation and Land Management Act 1984
that ‘a management plan’s policy, guidelines and operations will be effective for a specific period that shall not exceed 10 years’?
(6) Do the proposed changes to roads and site infrastructure, and the coastal walk trail project, collectively known as the Fitzgerald River National Park Improvement Project (FRNPIP), comply with the 1991-2001 management plan?
(7) What is the current Department of Environment and Conservation staffing allocation to the park?
(8) Please provide the staffing figures for each year since the park was established?
(9) Please provide figures for visitors to the park for the same period?
(10) With the advent of the new Park Improvement Project, what are the planned staffing arrangements to effectively manage the upgraded facilities and increased visitor numbers, and protect the park?
(11) Is there currently a Fitzgerald River National Park Advisory Committee?
(12) How are committee members selected?
(13) How often does this Committee meet?
(14) Has this committee been consulted about the FRNPIP?
(15) If yes to (14), what has been their response?
(16) How will phytophthora dieback be managed in the park in light of the new road upgrade, both during construction and thereafter?
(17) How will the coastal walk trail be managed to ensure that it does not bring dieback into areas of the central wilderness known to be dieback free?
(18) In the light of increased knowledge of the impacts of climate change on the south west of Western Australia has the fire management of the park been, -
(a) reviewed; and
(b) modified?
(19) If no to (18)(a) and (18)(b), why not?
(20) Is there a date set to commence the revision of the park management plan?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 May 2010
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
(1) - (3) The Fitzgerald River National Park Management Plan 1991-2001 was enacted on 19 July 1991.
(4) - (5) The preparation of management plans is prioritised across the State with current priorities focused on areas that are not covered by existing management plans. A review of fire management in the wilderness zone of the park was conducted and changes incorporated into the existing plan in 1998. Management plans are prepared for a 10-year period but remain in force until a new plan is approved.
(6) Yes. The upgrade of roads and recreation sites is consistent with the management plan
.
The coastal walk trail may require a minor amendment to the plan depending on an assessment of the trail alignment, the standard of development and the level and location of any associated facilities such as camping areas, water tanks and toilets.
(7) The current staff allocation residing in the park is 3 full time equivalents (FTEs). There are an additional 12 FTEs undertaking projects within the park.
(8) (1973 - 1985) 3 FTEs. Three permanent staff residing in the park.
(1985 - 1998) 4 FTEs. Three permanent staff residing in the park.
(1998 - 2006) 7 FTEs. Three permanent staff residing in the park.
(2006 - 2008) 9 FTEs. Three permanent staff residing in the park.
(2008 - 2009) 9 FTEs. Two permanent staff residing in the park.
(2010) 15 FTEs. Two permanent staff and one contract staff member currently reside in the park.
(9) (1973 - 1994) - Unknown
(1994 - 1998) - 40,000 pa
(1998 - 2000) - 39,000 pa
(2000 - 2001) - 26,000
(2001 - 2002) - 38,000
(2002 - 2003) - 32,000
(2003 - 2004) - 41,000
(2004 - 2005) - 40,000
(2005 - 2006) - 44,000
(2006 - 2007) - 44,000
(2007 - 2008) - 37,000
(2008 - 2009) - 40,000
(10) Staffing arrangements will be reviewed and determined in order to ensure effective visitor management and environmental protection when the improvements are finalized.
(11) - (13) Yes. Prospective members are invited to nominate after vacancies are advertised, seeking representatives from local government, community members, the indigenous community and interested groups. The committee is scheduled to meet bi-annually or as required.
(14) - (15) The FRNPIP was discussed at the committee meeting on 16 March 2010. The committee generally supported the project. Some members had concerns about the proposed walk trail in the absence of a concept design identifying alignments, the standard of development and the level and location of any associated facilities. These concerns will be addressed during development of the project.
(16) - (17) Phytophthora dieback management in the park is a priority objective for DEC. The current management of dieback is focused on minimising risk through developing knowledge of dieback occurrence, education and awareness, restricting access during high risk periods (wet soil conditions) and provision of hygiene infrastructure. A dieback risk assessment is currently being undertaken for the national park.
During the FRNPIP, dieback hygiene is being strictly managed through an Environmental Management Plan and on-site environmental supervision and compliance monitoring. This will apply to all stages of the project including construction of the roads, recreational facilities and walk trail. Management principles in this process include sound knowledge of dieback occurrence, minimisation of soil disturbance and movement, clearly marked zoning of works based on micro-catchments and known dieback occurrence, and the cleaning of vehicles, machinery and other potential vectors for soil movement before entering site and moving between demarcated zones.
(18)-(19) Yes, a review was undertaken in 1998 and is further reviewed bi-annually through a Master Burn Planning process. Community input is sought through the park's Fire Working Group which meets twice yearly.
(20) No.
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(4) - (5) The preparation of management plans is prioritised across the State with current priorities focused on areas that are not covered by existing management plans. A review of fire management in the wilderness zone of the park was conducted and changes incorporated into the existing plan in 1998. Management plans are prepared for a 10-year period but remain in force until a new plan is approved.
(6) Yes. The upgrade of roads and recreation sites is consistent with the management plan
.
The coastal walk trail may require a minor amendment to the plan depending on an assessment of the trail alignment, the standard of development and the level and location of any associated facilities such as camping areas, water tanks and toilets.
(7) The current staff allocation residing in the park is 3 full time equivalents (FTEs). There are an additional 12 FTEs undertaking projects within the park.
(8) (1973 - 1985) 3 FTEs. Three permanent staff residing in the park.
(1985 - 1998) 4 FTEs. Three permanent staff residing in the park.
(1998 - 2006) 7 FTEs. Three permanent staff residing in the park.
(2006 - 2008) 9 FTEs. Three permanent staff residing in the park.
(2008 - 2009) 9 FTEs. Two permanent staff residing in the park.
(2010) 15 FTEs. Two permanent staff and one contract staff member currently reside in the park.
(9) (1973 - 1994) - Unknown
(1994 - 1998) - 40,000 pa
(1998 - 2000) - 39,000 pa
(2000 - 2001) - 26,000
(2001 - 2002) - 38,000
(2002 - 2003) - 32,000
(2003 - 2004) - 41,000
(2004 - 2005) - 40,000
(2005 - 2006) - 44,000
(2006 - 2007) - 44,000
(2007 - 2008) - 37,000
(2008 - 2009) - 40,000
(10) Staffing arrangements will be reviewed and determined in order to ensure effective visitor management and environmental protection when the improvements are finalized.
(11) - (13) Yes. Prospective members are invited to nominate after vacancies are advertised, seeking representatives from local government, community members, the indigenous community and interested groups. The committee is scheduled to meet bi-annually or as required.
(14) - (15) The FRNPIP was discussed at the committee meeting on 16 March 2010. The committee generally supported the project. Some members had concerns about the proposed walk trail in the absence of a concept design identifying alignments, the standard of development and the level and location of any associated facilities. These concerns will be addressed during development of the project.
(16) - (17) Phytophthora dieback management in the park is a priority objective for DEC. The current management of dieback is focused on minimising risk through developing knowledge of dieback occurrence, education and awareness, restricting access during high risk periods (wet soil conditions) and provision of hygiene infrastructure. A dieback risk assessment is currently being undertaken for the national park.
During the FRNPIP, dieback hygiene is being strictly managed through an Environmental Management Plan and on-site environmental supervision and compliance monitoring. This will apply to all stages of the project including construction of the roads, recreational facilities and walk trail. Management principles in this process include sound knowledge of dieback occurrence, minimisation of soil disturbance and movement, clearly marked zoning of works based on micro-catchments and known dieback occurrence, and the cleaning of vehicles, machinery and other potential vectors for soil movement before entering site and moving between demarcated zones.
(18)-(19) Yes, a review was undertaken in 1998 and is further reviewed bi-annually through a Master Burn Planning process. Community input is sought through the park's Fire Working Group which meets twice yearly.
(20) No.
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