A draft conservation plan has been prepared by the Department of Environment and Conservation following two years of consultation and workshops involving the wider community. Further community comment is now being sought, according to Environment Minister Bill Marmion.
The draft plan was prepared by DEC on behalf of the Conservation Commission of WA, following extensive community consultation during the past two years, including eight community workshops, two of which were with native title claimants.
The draft plan covers the Greater Kingston and Lake Muir national parks and 17 nature reserves including Lake Muir and Tone-Perup nature reserves, an area of 106,900 hectares in total, including the internationally significant Muir-Byenup Ramsar wetlands.
“This area has immense flora and fauna conservation importance as it is one of the last remaining strongholds of the threatened woylie, numbat, tammar wallaby, Muir’s corella, Australasian bittern and Balston’s pygmy perch,” the Minister said. “The parks also contain the largest-known wambenger (phascogale) population in the State.”
Since the 1970s, the world’s most significant wetlands have been internationally recognised under a treaty that was first signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The outstanding biological diversity of the Muir-Byenup Ramsar site was formally recognised in 2001.
“The site contains the biggest natural sedgelands in WA and is one of only a few wetlands in the State that is in almost pristine condition. The wetlands are also a significant refuge for 35 migratory bird species,” the Minister said.
Several reserves also lie within the Lake Muir/Unicup Natural Diversity Recovery Catchment, which the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) manages under the State Salinity Strategy to help recover and protect the wetlands from salinity.
Mr Marmion said the planning area contained important visitor facilities including the Perup Nature’s Guest House and the Lake Muir Observatory, with the majority of visitor use being low impact recreation such as day trips for bushwalking, eco-education, bird watching and nature photography.
“Also of great importance are the Aboriginal sites of mythological, ceremonial, cultural and spiritual significance, and non-indigenous sites associated with early settlement, agriculture and forestry,” he said.
“The plan outlines conservation, visitor services and community involvement management strategies for the next 10 years, so it is important that the public has its say. The final plan can then provide a balance between conservation and recreation, and reflect the interests of the community.”
The draft plan is available from http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/haveyoursay and from DEC offices at Kensington and Manjimup. Submissions can be made via an online form on the website, sending an email to planning@dec.wa.gov.au, or by posting a written submission to the Planning Unit, DEC Reply Paid 62342, Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983.
The public comment period closes on Friday, June 3.