Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan 2015

Arkaroola
Protection Area
Draft Management Plan 2015
Managed to conserve nationally and internationally recognised geological features,
spectacular semi-arid mountainous landscapes, cultural values and biodiversity assets.
Your views
are important
The Arkaroola Protection Area is of breathtaking
beauty and outstanding geological significance.
It is also an area that protects floristic values that
are in healthy condition and cultural values that
are significant to the Adnyamathanha people
- the traditional owners of the Flinders Ranges.
The Arkaroola Protection Area is afforded similar
status to a national park. It is a privately managed
protected area that contains privately owned assets
including extensive infrastructure, the Arkaroola
and Mt Freeling pastoral lease areas and an area
of freehold land. It is managed by the landowner
and lessees in accordance with legislation that was
specifically created for its protection.
The Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management
Plan has been prepared to facilitate community
input into the future management of this area.
I acknowledge the important contribution towards
the development of this draft plan made by
Ms Margaret Sprigg, Mr Douglas Sprigg,
Ms Lorraine Edmunds, Mr Guy Burnett, the late
Mr Dennis Walter OAM and the Anggumathanha Law
Adnyamathanha Elders.
Submissions on this draft plan are now invited from
members of the public. The plan will be further
refined and finalised after the careful consideration
of each submission received. I encourage you to
make a submission on this draft plan.
The Hon. Ian Hunter MLC
Minister for Sustainability,
Environment and Conservation
1
Developing this draft plan
As required by the Arkaroola Protection Act 2012, this draft plan has been
developed in consultation with those people who have an interest in the area
and those with a responsibility for its management including the native title
holders, the private property owners and the lessees.
Adnyamathanha language is used in this plan to help illustrate the cultural
knowledge, identity, tradition and deep spiritual relationships between the
traditional owners and the region. All language used in this plan has been
endorsed by the Camp Law Mob (Anggumathanha Law Adnyamathanha Elders)
and is subject to copyright.
This draft plan has been developed to encourage all interested people to have
their say about the future management of the area.
Mount
Freeling
Station
Contents
Directions for management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The Arkaroola Protection Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Significance and purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
What are we looking after?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
What are the challenges? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Management themes and priorities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Invitation to contribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan 2
3
Directions for management
The Arkaroola Protection Act 2012 was established on 26 April 2012 specifically
to protect a remote part of outback South Australia known as Arkaroola.
The Act established the Arkaroola Protection Area and provides for its protection in
perpetuity. The Act prohibits any mining activities pursuant to the Mining Act 1971,
the Opal Mining Act 1995 or the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000.
Objectives for the management of the Arkaroola Protection Area are specified
in section 4 of the Act. These objectives are:
(a) to provide for the conservation of nature;
(b) to support the conservation of objects, places and features
of cultural or spiritual value to the Adnyamathanha people;
(c) to support scientific research and monitoring;
(d) to foster public appreciation, understanding and enjoyment;
(e) to ensure that development and the management of land
is consistent with the above objectives.
The Act requires that a management plan is developed to set directions for
management. It also requires that development plans under the Development Act
1993 are amended to ensure that any development within the Arkaroola Protection
Area is consistent with the management plan. The Act provides for the continuation
of management through the pastoral leases that are in place under the Pastoral Land
Management and Conservation Act 1989.
In summary, the Arkaroola Protection Area Management Plan, the amended
development plan and the existing pastoral leases will provide the basis for the
long term care and protection of this unique protected area.
The Adnyamathanha people are the native title holders of an area that encompasses
most of the Arkaroola Protection Area. Following public consultation on the Arkaroola
Protection Area Draft Management Plan, a final management plan will be adopted
subject to any native title rights or interests that continue to exist in relation to the land.
Once adopted, the Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan will
meet the requirements of section 8 of the Arkaroola Protection Act.
Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan 4
The Arkaroola Protection Area
The Arkaroola Protection Area is located approximately 700 km north
of Adelaide in the remote mountains of the northern Flinders Ranges.
The Arkaroola Protection Area (59,000 ha) is largely comprised of
the Arkaroola pastoral lease. It also includes some 555 ha of freehold
land around the Arkaroola Village and a small section of the Mount
Freeling Pastoral Lease (Figure 1).
The Spriggs continued to manage the Arkaroola-Mount Painter
Sanctuary for conservation and tourism while actively encouraging
geological and environmental research. Reg Sprigg was a central
figure in the conservation and promotion of the Sanctuary’s heritage
values. This has been an innovative and effective approach to
protected area management in South Australia.
Created in 1937, the Arkaroola pastoral lease (Arkaroola) was an
amalgam of mountainous remnants with little grazing value for
the owners of surrounding leases. However, the mineral-rich
remnants had earlier attracted the interest of Sir Douglas Mawson
(1882 – 1958), then Professor of Geology and Mineralogy at the
University of Adelaide. When radio-active minerals were discovered at
Mt Painter in 1910, Mawson visited Arkaroola and became involved
in uranium mining and geological research. He recognised the unique
potential of Arkaroola as an outdoor teaching laboratory and brought
students to the area on geological field trips. One of Mawson’s
students, Reg Sprigg AO (1919 – 1994), never forgot his teacher
and mentor’s words.
‘In keeping with the ideals of World Wildlife (Australia)
and the National Heritage, we have set aside for posterity
an area of approximately 180 km² of high red range
country lying north of the Arkaroola Gorge, as a prime
example of the Australian arid mountain wilderness - it is
a veritable museum of mineral and geological treasures.’
‘If you can do anything to protect Arkaroola for posterity,
then do it’
Sir Douglas Mawson
Exploration for uranium at Arkaroola intensified in 1944, in response
to a request from the British Government associated with the
development of the atomic bomb (Brugger et al 2003). In the late
1960s, the development of nuclear power stations around the world
again promoted interest in uranium mining in Australia.
Initial steps were taken to protect Arkaroola in 1968 when Reg
Sprigg AO and Griselda Sprigg (1921 – 2003) acquired the Arkaroola
pastoral lease. It was initially gazetted as a Fauna Sanctuary under
the South Australia’s former Fauna Conservation Act 1964 and as
an Aboriginal and Historic Reserve under the former Aboriginal and
Historic Relics Preservation Act 1965. It was subsequently proclaimed
in 1996 as the Arkaroola-Mount Painter Sanctuary under the
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.
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Reg Sprigg AO 1984
Mineral exploration resumed on the Sanctuary in the 2000s. The
prospect of mining in the Sanctuary prompted considerable public
debate in South Australia. The Sprigg family, some Adnyamathanha
people and the many environmental advocates from across the
world campaigned to preserve the legacy of Sir Douglas Mawson,
the Sprigg family and others by protecting the Sanctuary from
mining. In response, the South Australian Government established
the Arkaroola Protection Act 2012 to exclude mining and provide
for the continuing proper management and care of the area.
The Arkaroola Protection Area is not a national park or under
government control. Its management remains in private hands.
However, the area is provided with a high level of protection,
consistent with that of a national park to ensure that its special
heritage values are conserved for posterity.
Significance and purpose
‘Long before European settlement of Australia the
history of the land was documented on the Yarta (land)
which is known to our Yura’s (Adnyamathanha people)
as Muda (history). In ancient time this was known as
Nguthanha. The Nguthunha and the knowledge was
passed onto generations for safe keeping and the
identity of the traditional custodians. This cultural
custom is still in force in order to respect the sacred
land and to teach our Yura Yakarti’s (Adnyamathanha
children). This is known as Yura Muda.‘
Anggumathanha Law Adnyamathanha Elders
The Arkaroola Protection Area is a refuge for many species that
are rare or threatened and contains extensive areas of intact vegetation
that are particularly effective for the conservation of biodiversity.
The Arkaroola Protection Area contributes to the conservation value of
an extensive protected area landscape that extends through the northeast of South Australia. There are a number of protected areas in the
region, managed under a range of management models. These include
Lake Torrens National Park, Ediacara Conservation Park, Flinders Ranges
National Park, Lake Frome Regional Reserve, Vulkathunha–Gammon
Ranges National Park, and Nantawarinna Indigenous Protection Area.
It also contains the Arkaroola Reef – the best preserved and one
of the oldest Neoproterozoic fossil carbonate reefs in the world.
Sites such as the Arkaroola Reef enable research into the earliest
life forms on Earth. It is one of the few places on Earth where the
geology and palaeontology of Precambrian and earlier periods of
the Earth’s crust formation can be seen and researched (Worboys
and Hore 2013). As such it is of profound significance
for geological and paleontological research.
The Arkaroola Protection Area contains numerous interesting sites
associated with early exploration and pastoral history. The Australian
geologist and explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson was particularly interested
in the geology of the Arkaroola area, and described Arkaroola as “one
great open air museum” while he was the Professor of Geology and
Mineralogy at the University of Adelaide (Walter and Walter 2011).
The dramatic landscape and features such as Freeling Heights (944m)
and the Mawson Plateau in particular, are breathtaking and unique
features of outback South Australia. The undeveloped character of
this area makes a major impression on visitors who are able to enjoy
a wilderness experience, spectacular views and learn about the area’s
plants, animals, geology and the evolution of life on earth.
The Arkaroola Protection Area is of profound significance for the
conservation of geological features. It was listed on the South
Australian Heritage Register (SAHC 2012) and was jointly nominated
by the Sprigg family and the South Australian Government, for National
Heritage listing in 2012. It contains rugged ranges, mountains, deep
gorges, creeks and plateaus that are visibly and geologically distinct
from the surrounding landscape. The Arkaroola Protection Area is
one of Australia’s outstanding geological ‘hot spots’ and protects a
concentrated suite of geological features created through complex
geomorphological phenomena associated with the radiogenic heat
generated by the natural decay of radioactive minerals within
1,580 million year old granitic rocks (Worboys and Hore 2013).
Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan 6
What are we looking after?
The Arkaroola Protection Area is valued for protecting:
Biodiversity
• A stronghold for the Yellow–footed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale
xanthopus) which is listed as vulnerable under the Australian
Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 and South Australia’s National Parks
and Wildlife Act 1972.
• The Spidery Wattle (Acacia araneosa) and the Slender
Bellfruit (Codonocarpus pyramidalis), which are listed
as vulnerable under the Australian Government’s
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
and endangered under the South Australia’s National Parks
and Wildlife Act.
• A number of plant and animal species that are endemic,
uncommon, relict or at the edge of their range including the
Brown toadlet (Pseudophryne bibronii) and Beckler’s rock
wattle (Acacia beckleri ssp. megasperica).
• Extensive and intact native vegetation communities that are
in very good condition and where natural ecological
processes are resilient.
• Ephemeral creeks and waterholes that provide significant
terrestrial and aquatic habitat and fauna refuge areas.
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Adnyamathanha culture
• A cultural landscape that includes resources, sites, objects
and remains that are important to the Adnyamathanha
people and the maintenance of their culture.
• Ephemeral creeks and waterholes that are central to
Adnyamathanha spiritual connection with the land.
Geological research
• One of the few places on earth where the geology and
palaeontology of Precambrian and earlier periods, and the
formation of the Earth’s crust is exposed and can readily be
seen and researched, including sites with evidence of Earth’s
earliest life forms.
• An internationally significant concentration of diverse
geological, geomorphic and geo-historical phenomena
including evidence of rocks which are 1.6 billion years old
and evidence of key events including;
- The emplacement of a granite body some 1,580 million
years ago which contained uranium, thorium and
potassium radioactive minerals which through decay,
produced the natural (radiogenic) heat, producing
astonishing geomorphological features and naturally
occurring hot rocks (Worboys and Hore 2013).
What are the challenges?
- Formation of the giant rift valley off the eastern side of
Arkaroola some 850 million years ago. The rift valley’s
sides were pulled apart and the valley floor descended
creating a marine environment into which streams and
glaciers deposited eroded sediment into the geosyncline
(Adelaide Geosyncline), (Worboys and Hore 2013).
- Precambrian carbonate reefs which provided habitat for
stromatolites and other ancient life forms that could be
the first animals on Earth (Worboys and Hore 2013).
- Geothermal activity (including geysers and hot pools)
during a Permian Ice Age (300 million years ago), and
remnant hot springs at Paralana that are still active.
• A variety of landforms including high ranges, mountains and
plateaus, gorges, valleys, creek lines, flood outs and plains
that are linked to geology, and have influenced the evolution
of the area’s distinctive flora and fauna.
Visitor use and appreciation
• A nationally significant ‘open air museum’.
• Spectacular semi-arid mountain scenery and the Mawson
Plateau, which is a wilderness of national significance.
• Buildings and relics within the Arkaroola homestead precinct
that help to conserve the area’s pastoral history.
Key challenges for the protection of the Arkaroola Protection
Area include:
• Minimising the impact of exotic species and preventing the
establishment of new invasive species particularly within
areas to the north of the Arkaroola Creek where native
vegetation is in very good condition.
• Sharing culturally appropriate information about significant
cultural sites to ensure continued cooperation in their protection.
• Providing appropriate and sustainable access for a diverse
range of people including traditional owners, researchers,
educators and visitors.
• Facilitating research that improves knowledge about the
values, threats and management needs of the Arkaroola
Protection Area, especially for values that are most likely to
be susceptible to the effects of a changing climate.
• Facilitating low-impact tourism and education that fosters
the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the
Arkaroola Protection Area and continues to contribute to
the financial resources necessary for management of its
conservation and other assets.
• Maintaining the remote and undeveloped character of the
Mawson Plateau.
Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan
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Management themes and priorities
This section of the plan addresses the most important management issues
for the Arkaroola Protection Area focusing on five key themes.
Theme 1: Building on biodiversity
conservation achievements
The mountains, gorges, watercourses and plateaus of the
Arkaroola Protection Area are a refuge for a diverse range of
animals and some of the best preserved plant communities in the
Flinders Ranges. The naturalness of the area is largely due to a
lack of development, the limited extent of past livestock grazing,
the permanent destocking of the Arkaroola Pastoral Lease in
1972, and the sound land management practices that have been
in place over the area for a long period of time. High rainfall
years in the mid 1970’s enabled the extensive regeneration of
mulga and other perennial plants (Della Torre and Lay 2000).
The Spidery Wattle (Acacia araneosa), Slender Bell-fruit
(Codonocarpus pyramidalis), and Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby
(Petrogale xanthopus) are listed as vulnerable under the
Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 and occur as significant populations in
the Arkaroola Protection Area. The Arkaroola Protection Area
was one of the first areas in South Australia managed for the
protection of the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby and remains a
stronghold for this species (Sprigg 1984).
Endemic, rare or uncommon species, or others at the edge of their
range, are also well represented, including the Red-barred Dragon
(Amphibolorus vadnappa), Flinders Ranges Short-tailed Grasswren
(Amytornis merrotsyi subsp. merrotsyi) and Arkaroola Wattle
(Acacia confluens) (Brandle 2010). Additionally, several species of
9
interest have been recently identified, including Beckler’s Rock
Wattle (Acacia beckleri subsp. megaspherica), Rock Germander
(Teucrium reidii) and a new genus of subterranean crustacean,
Arkaroolabathynella spriggi (Abrams et al. 2013).
The higher ranges have created refuges for the survival of relict
plant and animal species that are usually associated with more
temperate environments (Brandle 2001). Relict species like the
Brown Toadlet (Pseudophryne bibronii), and the Flinders Ranges
Bottlebrush (Callistemon teretifolius) are likely to be most at risk
from the impacts of climate change as habitats contract.
The greatest threats to the Arkaroola Protection Area’s
biodiversity come from pest plants and animals. The recent
introduction and spread of the invasive pest plant species
Jumping Cholla (Cylindropuntia prolifera) and Mexican Poppy
(Argemone ochroleuca) have brought new threats to the
integrity of several vegetation communities. Jumping Cholla also
has implications for animal welfare. Vehicles used for touring
or road maintenance have potential to introduce new weeds
like Buffel Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and African Rue (Peganum
harmala). Tracks, camping areas and day visitor sites, will
continue to be a focus for the monitoring of pest plants.
Many plant species and vegetation communities, especially those
around waterholes are susceptible to grazing pressure from
introduced animal species. The Yellow–footed Rock-wallaby
and many bird and reptile species including uncommon species
like the Jewelled Gecko (Strophurus edleri) and the Short-tailed
Grasswren are vulnerable to predation by foxes and feral cats.
Rabbits have increased their range since the mid 1990’s, and
are presently at low densities across much of the Arkaroola
Protection Area. Feral goats remain a problem across the region.
To address these threats, the Arkaroola Protection Area has been
a focus for the Bounceback program since 2000. This program
of ecological restoration activities involves collaboration between
land managers to achieve regional pest animal management.
The South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management
Plan provides strategic directions for the conservation of biodiversity
in the Flinders Ranges (SAAL NRM 2010). The Arkaroola Protection
Area will be managed to reflect regional priorities and resource
condition targets. The continuation of cooperative biodiversity
conservation programs, like Bounceback, will help to maintain
the resilience of biodiversity values and, potentially, enable native
species to adapt to the effects of climate change.
Objective and strategies
Maintain ecological integrity and protect conservation priorities from threatening processes.
• Continue to conduct the Bounceback program and other cooperative biodiversity conservation programs within the
Arkaroola Protection Area.
• Manage pest animals with an emphasis on the protection of priority vegetation communities.
• Minimise impacts on the Awi Urtu (ephemeral streams and waterholes) by controlling introduced pests (particularly goats)
and continuing to prohibit camping near these areas.
• As guided by the aspirations of the Mt Freeling lessees, progressively amend grazing leases to phase out livestock grazing.
• Minimize the spread of existing pest plants and conduct regular inspections to detect and eradicate new pest plant infestations.
• Continue to liaise with researchers and research institutions to approve access for appropriate research activities.
Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan 10
Theme 2: Respecting and recognising
Adnyamathanha spiritual and cultural
relationships with country
In 2009 a consent determination in the Federal Court formerly
recognised the Native Title rights of the Adnyamathanha people
over a large area in the northern Flinders Ranges, the central
Flinders Ranges and lands to the east and west of the ranges.
As Native Title holders, the Adnyamathanha people have specific
rights, including the right to access and participate in cultural
activities on more than 60 pastoral leases including
the Arkaroola and Mt Freeling lease areas.
The area is known to Adnyamthanha people as Akurra. The
people, landscape, rocks, water, plants, animals, bush tucker
and Awi Urtu (waterholes) including Arkaroola, Bolla Bollana,
Nooldoonooldoona and Echo Camp waterholes have special
cultural significance for Adnyamathanha people.
There are also sites called Mundtha sites within the Arkaroola
Protection Area that are highly spiritual and sacred to
Adnyamathanha people. Adnyamathanha culture includes
important protocols that determine appropriate access to these
sites. Additionally there are other sites such as old camps, and
graves. These sites contain objects and remains that are fully
protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988.
The Adnyamathanha people seek to sustain Yura Muda through
ongoing connection with Mundtha sites. They also seek to
promote understanding of their culture through appropriate
interpretation and involvement in the delivery of cultural tourism.
This will help to sustain Adnyamathanha culture and enable
visitors to learn about Adnyamathanha culture. Greater respect
for the traditional owners and recognition of Yura Muda will
help to protect cultural values.
Objective and strategies
Enable Adnyamathanha traditional owners to sustain their spiritual and cultural relationship with Country within
the Arkaroola Protection Area in accordance with their Native Title rights.
• Encourage the identification and protection of cultural heritage features and values.
• Encourage research that improves understanding of Adnyamathanha culture and identifies requirements for the
protection of known sites.
• Through collaboration with lessees, enable Adnyamathanha people to exercise their Native Title rights, develop cultural
tourism products and deliver cultural tourism activities within the pastoral lease areas.
• As resources allow, incorporate Yura language into signage for the identification of sites and the communication of
culture to visitors.
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Theme 3: Protecting and providing
opportunities for geological and
palaeontological research
Despite its remoteness, the Arkaroola Protection Area has been
an important geoscience teaching landscape for many decades.
Several generations of scientists have translated their fascination
with the Arkaroola Protection Area into an extensive body of
knowledge through their research. This is largely attributable to
Reg Sprigg, who actively encouraged and supported geoscience
teaching and research activity in the area now known as the
Arkaroola Protection Area.
The Arkaroola Protection Area remains an important geoscience
education site for international universities in Germany,
Austria, Belgium and England as well as Australian academic
institutions including the University of Adelaide, Flinders
University, Macquarie University, Monash University, University
of Melbourne and the Queensland University of Technology.
The Arkaroola Protection Area is also a highly valued training
location for the professional development of geologists. Its
textbook geology has been continuously visited and studied by
economic and research geologists from Australia and beyond
since the 1970s.
The South Australian Museum and the Geological Survey of
South Australia have had a century long association with the
Arkaroola Protection Area. Scientific research and collection staff
have conducted fieldwork in the area for decades. Geological
and biological material from the Arkaroola Protection area and
other nearby areas is well represented in museum collections and
has formed the basis for the description of several new biological
and mineralogical species, including the rare mineral Spriggite
(Brugger 2002). These organisations have also identified and
documented numerous geological features that are unique to
the Arkaroola Protection Area (Hill & Hore, 2011).
The Arkaroola Protection Area is thought to have geological
and landform similarities to Mars. Consequently it has become
Australia’s premier Mars analogue site. It was selected because
of the diversity of its geology and landforms and range of
potential habitats of astrobiological interest. Mars Society
Australia has led several international expeditions to the
Arkaroola Protection Area. In collaboration with NASA’s Ames
Research Centre in California, Mars Society Australia is enabling
Australian and American educators to work alongside scientists
in the Arkaroola Protection Area through the ‘Spaceward Bound
Australia’ program. This program provides hands on experience
and training for teachers in planetary science disciplines.
The Arkaroola Protection Act 2012 prohibits any mining activities
pursuant to the Mining Act 1971, the Opal Mining Act 1995 or
the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000. The Arkaroola
Protection Area is listed as a State Heritage Place under the Heritage
Places Act 1993. The Heritage Places Act provides protection for
sites against mineral collecting and inappropriate development.
Nominated for National Heritage listing, the Arkaroola Protection
Area’s geoscience education and research values have been
identified as key attributes for listing as a place of ‘outstanding
heritage value’. Sites of particular significance for research include
the Neoproterozoic Arkaroola Reef, the ancient geothermal site
at Mt Gee and Mt Painter, and Paralana Hot Springs.
The Arkaroola Education and Research Foundation has been
created to foster and support ongoing geoscience research and
education within the Arkaroola Protection Area and to carry
forward the 80 year legacy of Sir Douglas Mawson and Reg Sprigg
to promote the Arkaroola Protection Area as an ‘open air museum’.
Objective and strategies
Enable minimal impact geological and palæontological research.
• Continue to liaise with researchers and research institutions to approve access for appropriate research activities.
• Liaise with scientists to identify and protect sites that are susceptible to inadvertent damage or development, including
inappropriate sampling.
• Incorporate research findings into information for visitors.
• Continue to prohibit the collecting of rocks and minerals other than sampling required for research or education purposes
Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan 12
Arkaroola Protection Area
Figure 1
Arkaroola Protection Area
0 km
2
4
6
8
Jones
H ill
Legend
Arkaroola Protection Area
Proposed Wilderness Zone
Proposed Minimal Development Zone
Proposed Multi-use Zone
YEREL
INA
CRE
EK
Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges
National Park
Mawson
Plateau
Protection Area Boundary
Tee Junction
Waterhole
2WD Road
4WD Track
Walking Trail
Watercourse
Mount MacDonnell
Yudnamutana Mine
Area
Paralana Hot Springs
TR
AC
K
Siller Lookout
The Armchair
Wheal Turner Ruins
Mount Gee
P
Geological Core Library
TO
Mount Painter /
Ngumbambadanha
ARKAROOLA PROTECTION AREA
RIDGE
ruin
(Old Bolla
Bollana Smelters)
CREE K
K
AR
OOLA
AR
Pinnacles
Lookout
Gate
Arkaroola
Village
Gate
Undoo Oopinna
Waterhole
Bararranna
Waterhole
Stubbs Waterhole
Mara Murumuru Waterhole
Elva Dam
Spriggina Lookout
ST
RO
AD
VULKATHUNHA GAMMON RANGES
NATIONAL PARK
EA
Echo Camp Waterhole /
Ngawarlanha
Nooldoonooldoona
Waterhole
Coulthards
Lookout
Arkaroola Waterhole
Bolla Bollana Spring
Arkaroola
Springs
AR
KA
R
lookout
OO
LA
PE
LE
S
S
Frome
Lookout
CREEK
ER
PAINT
H
O
Arkaroola Homestead Precinct
CR
E
'Nudlamatina Hut'
O
M
RO
AD
Ra
ng
e
Wooltana Cave
/ Mindaapadanha
AR
KA
RO
O
LA
Bl
ue
airstrip
13
'Wooltana'
airstrip
UN
T
EK
Theme 4: Connecting visitors to the
ancient landscape
The Arkaroola Protection Area is remote however its spectacular
scenery, unique geology and biodiversity attract visitors from
around the world.
The Arkaroola Village provides a range of accommodation options,
a shop, astronomical observatories, a small museum and other
amenities including a geological garden that features rare and
endemic plants. The village is also the starting point for scenic
flights and guided tours including the highly acclaimed Ridge Top
Tour, self-guided tours and walking trails. Arkaroola village is an
iconic tourism destination and compliments other attractions in
the northern Flinders Ranges including adjacent pastoral properties
and the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park.
The Flinders Ranges is one of 16 National Landscapes in Australia.
These landscapes are priorities for the international promotion of
Australia and demonstrate the positive relationship that can be
achieved between tourism and conservation. Through tourism,
visitors are able to access, experience, understand and appreciate
the ancient landscape of the Arkaroola Protection Area. Tourism
has also provided resources for research and conservation
activities and helped to generate community support for the
area’s protection.
The Mawson Plateau region to the north of the Yudanamutana
Gorge is extremely remote with no vehicle access (Figure 1).
This region was identified in the National Wilderness Inventory
(AHC 2003) as a major area of high wilderness quality.
To ensure that these wilderness values are retained, any
future development, particularly within the proposed Minimal
Development Zone and the proposed Wilderness Zone will
require careful control in accordance with the Development Act
(see theme 5).
In accordance with the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation
Act 1989, access to the Arkaroola and Mt Freeling lease areas
requires the permission of the lessees. This ensures that visitors
are aware of their responsibilities for minimal impact behaviour.
The conservation of natural and cultural values is vital to retain the
appeal of the Arkaroola Protection Area as a tourism destination.
Over time, the existing suite of tourism products may need to
need to be expanded or refined in response to the changing
expectations of visitors. For example there may be opportunities
to create new cultural tourism or geological tourism experiences
as awareness of the Arkaroola Protection Area and its unique
features increases.
Areas north of Arkaroola Creek and Yudnamutana Gorge are
largely pristine due to the absence of development and the minimal
amount of livestock grazing that has occurred. Built infrastructure
in these areas is restricted to a few access tracks, remnants of
earlier mineral exploration activities, lookouts, cairns, some minor
safety fencing and small scale radio communication facilities.
Objective and strategies
Provide opportunities for people to enjoy the Arkaroola Protection Area and develop an appreciation of its special values.
• Provide class 3 walking trails and visitor information to enable safe, self-sufficient walking.
• As required, review visitor access to support safety and the protection of cultural and environmental values.
• Provide opportunities for visitors to:
- drive or cycle through the Arkaroola Protection Area on the 2WD roads and 4WD tracks that are open for access
and designated in Figure 1, and
- walk through the Arkaroola Protection Area and camp in designated locations.
• Provide information to visitors that communicates appropriate behaviour and ‘leave no trace’ principles. This should
encourage visitors to stay on designated vehicle tracks, dispose of human waste appropriately, take rubbish home,
camp in designated areas and prevent contamination of Awi Urtu (Waterholes).
• Enable the development of appropriate and low key visitor facilities in accordance with the revised Development Plan
(see theme 5).
• Continue to provide high quality tourism and interpretive experiences.
Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan
14
Theme 5: Protecting the Arkaroola
Protection Area against
inappropriate development
The majority of the Arkaroola Protection Area is subject to
pastoral lease under the Pastoral Land Management and
Conservation Act 1989. This Act and the lease conditions provide
for appropriate public access and management of these pastoral
lands. The rights and interests of the traditional owners are
respected through consultation and involvement in planned
developments in accordance with the Native Title Act 1993.
The Arkaroola Protection Area is listed as a State Heritage Place
under the Heritage Places Act 1993.
South Australia’s Development Act 1993 controls all development
in the State. This includes the alteration of a State Heritage
Place, the construction of a building, a change in land use, the
subdivision of an allotment or earthworks.
Development within the Arkaroola Protection Area is controlled by
the provision of the Development Act 1993 and the Development
Plan – Land Not Within Council Area (Flinders) (DPTI 2012).
This development plan sets out the objectives and principles of
development to ensure that the significant landscapes of the
Flinders Ranges are appropriately managed. The Development
Plan currently controls development in the Arkaroola Protection
Area through the designation of the Arkaroola Village as a Tourist
Accommodation Zone. The rest of the Arkaroola Protection Area
is designated as Environmental Zone Class A and Environmental
Zone Class B (DPTI 2012).
Areas in the south of the Arkaroola Protection Area including
the Arkaroola Village and Homestead have been appropriately
planned and constructed to enable management, research and
tourism to occur. Areas further north such as the Mawson Plateau
have little or no development. New development such as roads,
buildings or major telecommunications facilities have potential to
impact directly on important geological sites, landscape features
and cultural sites. Roads in particular provide a conduit for the
introduction and spread of weeds. Developments could also
affect ecological processes that are in a relatively unmodified state
through the subtle alteration of fire regimes, water flow patterns
or species movement and dispersal patterns.
15
It is a requirement under the Arkaroola Protection Act that
the Development Plan is amended to ensure consistency with
the management plan. Several alterations to the existing
zones will be required to ensure that development controls are
strengthened. Pastoral leases and the proposed amendments to
the Development Plan will enable lessees to continue to utilise
the Arkaroola Protection Area for a range of purposes including
conservation, research, education and tourism.
It is proposed to replace the existing zones with three new zones
as shown in Figure 1. The proposed new zones are:
Arkaroola Protection Area - Wilderness Zone.
This zone will encompass a large area that is undeveloped
and is of high wilderness quality. This zone will extend from
Yudnamutana Gorge to the northern boundary of the Arkaroola
Protection Area, including the Mt Freeling section of the Mawson
Plateau. It will exclude a 250 metre corridor along existing tracks.
The Principles of Development Control proposed for this zone
aim to preclude all development other than low key facilities for
walking (see strategy 1 below).
Arkaroola Protection Area – Minimal Development Zone.
This zone will contain a small amount of environmentally sensitive
infrastructure that provides for conservation, tourism, research
and education. This zone will extend from the Arkaroola Creek
to the Yudnamutana Gorge. It will include Paralana Hot Springs
and the 250 metre corridor that extends along existing tracks in
the northern part of the Arkaroola Protection Area. The Principles
of Development Control proposed for this zone aim to preclude
vegetation clearance, the development of roads and all other forms
of development other than road works (for safety purposes only)
and minimal, unobtrusive infrastructure (for tourism, research and
education purposes only) (see strategy 2 below).
In the past, some people have commemorated the lives of loved
ones who have had a deep attachment to the Arkaroola Protection
Area through the establishment of small commemorative plaques
or memorials. There is a need to accommodate this in the future
through the establishment of a remembrance wall in one, secluded
location that prevents the proliferation of memorials throughout the
Arkaroola Protection Area.
Arkaroola Protection Area – Multi-use Zone.
This zone will contain the Arkaroola Village, the Arkaroola
Homestead, lookouts and other environmentally sensitive
infrastructure that provides for the continuation of
conservation, tourism, research and education activities.
This zone will encompass the southern portion of the
Arkaroola Protection Area between the Arkaroola Creek and
the southern boundary. Principles of Development Control
proposed for this zone aim to enable appropriate development
that is required to support conservation, tourism, research,
safety or education. This may include the development of
new infrastructure and the replacement or upgrade of existing,
aging infrastructure. It may also include the adoption of new
technology for improved communications, power generation
and transport. (see strategy 3 below).
Objective and strategies
Protect the natural, cultural and landscape values of the Arkaroola Protection Area from inappropriate development.
1. Amend the Development Plan to establish the Arkaroola Protection Area - Wilderness Zone with the following Principles of
Development Control:
• No developments should be approved other than those that are required for public safety and communications.
• No development should be approved that will entail the destruction of native plants and/or protected animals.
• Signs should be unobtrusive and limited to locations that require visitor information for safety or management purposes.
2. Amend the Development Plan to establish the Arkaroola Protection Area - Minimal Development Zone with the following
Principles of Development Control:
• Development should not impair the natural or scenic features of the surrounding area.
• Developments that entail the clearance of native plants or the destruction of protected animals should not be approved.
• Developments should be restricted to those that are specifically for conservation, tourism, research, monitoring,
communications, safety or education purposes.
3. Amend the Development Plan to establish the Arkaroola Protection Area – Multi-use Zone with the following Principles of
Development Control:
• Development should not impair the natural or scenic features of the surrounding area.
• Developments that entail significant destruction of native plants or the destruction of protected animals should not be approved.
• The development of new infrastructure and the improvement of existing infrastructure should be restricted to those
developments that are primary intended to support conservation, tourism, research, safety or education activities.
• Where practicable, signs and other developments should be sited and designed to be unobtrusive and constructed of materials
that blend with the landscape.
Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan
16
Invitation to contribute
This draft management plan has been released for public consultation
to facilitate community input into the development of a management
plan for the Arkaroola Protection Area.
You are invited contribute by making a submission.
To ensure that your submission is effective:
• Refer to the page, section, paragraph and/or objective or
strategy upon which you are commenting.
• Make your points concise and clear.
• Outline the elements of the draft plan that you wish to comment
on. If necessary explain why you think the plan should be altered
and describe how you think it could be improved.
• Provide references to substantiate your comments and to help
improve the plan.
Please note that your submission will become part of the public
record and will be available to anyone who requests a copy unless
you specifically request otherwise.
Following the closing date, each submission will be carefully
analysed using criteria that are provided at www.environment.
sa.parkmanagementplans. Based on submissions received, a final
plan will then be prepared in consultation with the Arkaroola and
Mt Freeling lessees.
The final plan will be forwarded to the Minister for Sustainability,
Environment and Conservation for consideration together with a detailed
analysis of public submissions received. The Minister may adopt the plan
with or without alteration.
Submissions close 14 August 2015
Written submissions:
Barry Hayden
Coordinator, Protected Area Management
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
GPO Box 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001
E-mail submissions:
DEWNRProtectedAreaManagement@sa.gov.au
Online submissions:
www.environment.sa/parkmanagement
17
References
Abrams, K.M. King, R.A. Guzik, M.T. Cooper, S.J.B. Austin, A.D. (2013). Molecular
phylogenetic, morphological and biogeographic evidence for a new genus of
parabathynellid crustaceans (Syncarida: Bathynellacea) from groundwater in an
ancient southern Australia landscape. Invertebrate Systematics 27: 146-172.
AHC (2003) National Wilderness Inventory, Australian Heritage Commission
http://www.environment.gov.au/node/20119.
Brandle, R. (2001). A Biological Survey of the Flinders Ranges, South Australia 19971999. Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia.
Brugger, J., Ansermet, S. and Pring, A. (2003) Uranium Minerals from Mt Painter,
Northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia’, Australian Journal of Minerology, Vol 9,
No 1, pp 15-31.
Della Torre and Lay (2000) Arkaroola Pastoral Lease Assessment.
DEWNR (2012). Bounceback Celebrating 20 Years. Department of Environment
Water and Natural Resources, Adelaide.
DEH (2009) South Australian. Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy – Flinders and Olary
Ranges Conservation Priorities, South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board, Department
of Environment and Heritage.
DPTI (2012) Development Plan - Land Not Within Council Area (Flinders), Department
of Planning Transport and Infrastructure, Adelaide.
Gehling, J.G. (2012) Geological Hotspot and Grand Cycles of Climate and Evolving
Life, Unpublished Written Contributions to the Arkaroola National heritage List
Nomination, January 2012, South Australia Museum, Adelaide.
Hill SM & Hore SB, (2011). Key insights into rangefront mineral system expression
and evolution from regolith and long term landscape history, NE Flinders Ranges,
MESA Journal 63, DMITRE.
SAALNRM (2010). South Australian Arid Lands Regional Natural Resources
Management Plan. South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management
Board, South Australia.
SAHC (2011) Arkaroola via Leigh Creek, Assessment of Heritage Value, File no
26404, South Australian Heritage Council, South Australian Government, Adelaide.
Sprigg, R.C. (1984) Arkaroola-Mount Painter in the Northern Flinders Ranges, S.A.
The Last Billion Years, Lutheran Publishing House, Adelaide.
TRC (2012). Flinders Ranges Destination Action Plan, Tourism Resource Consultants,
South Australian Tourism Commission, Adelaide.
Tunbridge, D. (1988). Flinders Ranges Dreaming. Australian Institute of Aboriginal
Studies. Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.
Walter, M. and Walter, D. (2011). Arkaroola: Mawson’s “one great open-air
museum”. In: 6th Sprigg Symposium: Unravelling the northern Flinders Ranges and
beyond. Geographical Society of Australia Abstracts 100. (Ed C.J. Forbes). Geological
Society of Australia, Adelaide.
Worboys, G. L. and Hore, S.B. (2013). Arkaroola: a field guide to selected geological
features of the Arkaroola Protection Area. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and
Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources, Adelaide.
Arkaroola Protection Area Draft Management Plan 18
For further information please contact:
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources phone information line (08) 8204 1910,
or see SA White Pages for your local Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources office.
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© Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | April 2015 | FIS 92957