nature conservation reserves in the...nature conservation reserves in the western australia v...

NATURE CONSERVATION RESERVES IN THE

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

vDeparknmt of Conservation and Land Management

NATUnECoxsr,RVATroN

REsr,nvr,s

IN THEKnTTnERLEY

\ T,sTpRN AUSTRALIAby

Andrew A. BurbidgeN.L. McKenzie

andKevin F. Kenneally

t99r

Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia

fu*'"L Mi.'^f^-0 '

PnEp,qcp

I his publication is the submission by the Department of Conservation and Land Managernent to theKimberley Region Planning Study. The submission was compiled from information available early in 198?.

Considerable biogeographical research has been conducted in the Kimberlev since the earlv 1970s. Thisreport is based on tlrat research. However, future studies will doubtles highl€hr additional nature conservationrequirernents. Our recommendations, although based on a comparatively good data base, should not beconsidered the final word on a reserve system that represents all of the region's biota and landscapes.

Some additional information has already bemme available. Two areas deserve special mention:

1. Munja l,agoon (160 22'S, 1240 56'E) is one ofthe few large permanent fresh water swampsin the North Kimberley. It provides suitable habitat for north-west Kimberley populations of theComb-crested Jacana ard numerous other wetland birds through the dry season,

Z. A proposed nature reserve near Derby, at 170 20'S, IZ30 Z4'E, comprising a small, sub-coastal area ofblack+oil plain and relict Pleistocene sand dunes, was overlooked in the submission.

Decisions about previous conservation recommendations have been taken by the Govemment sinceCALM'S submission was written, e.g. conceming rWalcott Inlet. However, this report has not been amended.

In this document we have not addressed the conservation of MANGROVE and RANFOREST communrrres.These two vegetation tl?es are of significant importance to nature conservation. Both are dominated byspecies that do not occur in any other habitat type in the State and their dense vegetations createmicroclimates on which a great number ofother species are totafly dependent, Both communities occur inrelatively small patches scattered over great areas; this feature makes it particularly difficult to protect themvia reservation.

Considering the great importance of these communities and their susceptibility to disturbances, nothingshould be done to destroy any patch ofeither community without proper environmental impact assessment.

The EPA commented on mangroves as follows:"Mangrove communities are a feature of the nonhern Westem Australian coast, both as extensive lowclosed-forest on tidal flats and as narrow fringes on rocky shores. Because of their great biological andphysical imponance which has only recently been widely recognised, the Authority considers that margrovecommunities should be retained and protected wherever practicable. Mangroves help stabilise the coastlineby colonising newly created prograding shorelines. Because of their extensive and specialised roor sysrem,mangroves slow water movement sufficiently to cause some sediment to fall out of suspension. Thisattribute has allowed the mangtove communities to become a very rich food source to marine fauna.Commercial exploitation of fish and crustacea dependent on this source takes place throughout much ofnorthem Australia.""The Authority therefore RECOMMENDS that any proposed developments which would affect a significantarea of mangroves on the Westem Austratian coast be referred to the Authority for assessment as to itsbiological or physical imponance in that location before action is taken which could lead to their destruction."

Recornmendations: We recommend that the Environmental Protection Authority ensure that all proposalsthat affect either mangrove or rainforest communities are referred for environmental impact assessment. rfferecommend that Munja Lagoon and the proposed nature reserve near Derby be declared Class A reserves forthe conservation of flora and fauna and vested in the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authoritv.

A

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I his report is based on "Conservation Reserves in Westem Australia, Repon ofthe Conservation ThroughReserves Committee on System 7 to the Environmental Protection Authority 1977" and we acknowledgeour debt to the authors of that docurnent.At the time the System 7 report was produced the Conservation Through Reserves Committee comprised:

Mr J.F, Morgan (Chairman), Sruueycr GeneraL for 'Western

AustraliaDr B.E, Balme, Reado in Geologl , Uniuersitl of Westem AustraliaProfessor R.T. Appleyard, Professor of Economic Hisnry , Uniuersitl of Watem Ausnalia

The report was written mainly by the Technical Sub-committee which comprised:

R.T. Appleyard, M.A., Ph.D. F.A.S.S.A., Profesor of Economic History,Uniuersiry o/ Westem Australia (Convenor)

A.A, Burbidge, B.Sc.(Hons), Ph.D., Senior Res earchOfficu, Wildlife Research Branch,Departtnent of Fishtnes anA \x/ildJtfe

A.S. George, B,A., Western Aus tralnn HerWum, Depmtment of Agncultu;re,'J.H. Lord, B.Sc., F.G.S., M,Aus.l.M.M,, Directtn, Geolngical Suruel Branch, Mines DeportmentB.J. White, B.Sc. (For), Foress DepurmentMr L. Goodridge, Secretary

* Mr Lord was represented at most meetings of the Subcommittee by Mr E. Biggs, a Ceologist of theGeological Survey Branch, Mines Department.

The sections of the CTRC Report on dre South-west Kimberley were contributed by N.L. McKenzLe.

\7e also thank our colleagues who have contributed information to this publication: P-F. Beny, A. Chapman,C.C. Done, P.J. Fuller, S.A. Halse, P. Kimber, J.A.K. Lane, and R.E. Johnstone. The assistance of Ms JillPryde with word processing is gratefully acknowledged. The maps were prepared by CALMT MappingBranch and we are particularly grateful to John Forster, Steve Rowlands, Mark Laming, Annette Turpinand Annette Jones. We also thank Wendy Searle and Allan Burbidge for their accurate proofreading. Theassistance of Carolyn Thomson, Louise Burch, Stacey Strickland, Sandra Mitchell and Margaret Wilke ofCALM's Public Affairs Branch is gratefully acknowledged.

CoxrENrs

INTRODUCTION

INDEXMAPS

1 OCEANIC ISLANDS

1.1 Adele Islandl.Z Browse Island1.3 Rowley Shoals

2 SOUTH.WESTKIMBERLEY

Broome Townsite Vine ThicketsDampier PeniruulaEdgar RangeLacepede Islands Nature ReserveOscar and Napier Ranges ,/-Roebuck Bav

3 EASTKMBERLEY Z'I

3.1 Bungle Bungle National Park 293.7 Mirima National Park 333.3 Lake Argyle & Carr Boyd Range 353.4 Ord River Nature Reserve & False Moutls of the Ord 373.5 Packsaddle Swamps 4l3.6 Parrys Lagoons Nature Reserve y' 4l3.7 Pelican Island Nature Reserve 433.8 Point Spring Nature Reserve 45

4 NORTI{ KTMBERLEY 47

4.1 Admiralty Gulf Islands 484.2 Bonaparte Archipelago 514.3 Buccaneer Archipelago 554.4 Cape Londonderry 594.5 Drvsdale River National Park 61

rcxt page map no, map page

r-4 x-xtlt

Xl-XU

x1

xl

68l b

xi-xiiz0) 4

lx

2.3zz

1zz

)

5o

7L-)

89

77I )

19t9L)

1 1

1 ' )

1 , 1L. ' f

L - )

7.6

xlll

Xll-Xlll

xii

A1

z83236384042xi41

101 1tzIJ

L1l f

z16

43-43t718

vrl

4.6 Hunter River4.7 Kingfisher Islands4.8 King Leopold. Ranges4.9 Mitchell Plateau4.10 Montgomery Islands and Reef4.11 Prince Regent.Nature Reserve4.12 Rust Range4.13 Sir Graham Moore Islands4.14 \Ualcott Inlet

GREAT SANDY DESERT

5.1 Mandora5.2 Mclarty Hills5.3 SoutheskTablelands

TANAMIDESERT

6.1 Gardiner Range6.2 Gregory Lake6.3 Wolfe Creek

ADDITIONALAREAS THATREQUIRE INVESTIGATION

7 .l Burt Range - Mt Zimmerman7 .Z Cape Bougainville Peninsula7.3 Chedda Cliffs, Napier Range7 .4 Cockbum Range7 .5 Islands in Talbot Bay7 .6 Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Coastal Land7 .7 King Leopold and Durack Ranges7.8 Lawford Range7 .9 Ningbing Range7.10 North Kimberley Coast, east of Cape Londonderry7.11 Pentecost and Durack River Gorges7.12 Phillips Range7.13 St George Ranges7.14 \?est Cambridge Gulf7.15 Yampi Peninsula

text page

656768697575818283

89

103

1031031031U)

105105lu)107107107107109109109109

map no map page

76xii

z0?0,76xii

1 0

80xiii

84

z03819,203z0z l4zz

741 4

23

23L)

23

9I9496

99100101

z5L)

L )

L )

3L)

L)

L)

L )

25L)

L)

909088

888888

103103103103xi103103103103103103103

APPENDIX

Comoarison between EPA and CALM recommendatioru 111

REFERENCES

v I l

I l . )

INrnoDUCTroN

Y

Ln 7972, shorrly after it was established by Act of Parliament, the Environmental Prorecrion Authority(EPA) established the Conservation Through Reserves C,ommittee (CTRC) to recommend a system ofnature consewation reserves for Western Australia.

CTRC divided the State into 12 "systems" (Map 1) and its first report in 19?4 made recommendations forreserves in 10 of tiese. System 7, the Kimberley, was the subject of a separate report, released in 1977.

The EPA, after considering public submissions on the recommendations for reserves in System 7, maderecommendations to State Cabinet, which were published in 1980. Although Cabinet endorsed all tleEPA recommendations in principle, it decided that implementation of each recommendation was to be onthe basis of separate Cabinet decisions. Very few of the recommendations have been further considered byCabinet, mainly because of delays while various enquiries were completed, and the failure of all relevantGovemment departments to agree.

In 1986 the Govemment set up a Kimberley Land Use Study, later called the Kimberley Region PlarningSnrdy (IG.PS) to be carried out by the State Planning Commission and the Department of RegionalDevelopment and the North-West,

The aim of the study is "to prepare a long range planning strategy for the Kimberley Region havingparticular regard to economic, social and environmental issues and to devise such mecharisms as arenecessary to effect the implementation of that strategy."

The primary objective relating to natural resources is "to identify areas ard items of natural, culmral,historical or archaeological significance and to specify those strategies which will provide for the malmenance,conservation and where appropriate the development of the Region's natural atuibutes and resources"(KRPS 198?).

The Department of Conservation and Land Management decided that it would make a major submission tothe KRPS, especially with respect to the need to declare additional national parls, nature reserves andconservation parks in the Kimberley. It was felt that d-re best way to do this would be to revise and updatetne Lt-f(L Jvstem / r(eDoft.

Because the KRPS is examining all the land in the four Kimberley Shires, its boundary is different from theCTRC study, extending into parts of the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts (Map 1). In this report we haveincluded existing and proposed reserves in those ponions of the desens relevant to the present study. Someof these were described by CTRC in their 1974 report under System 12; some have been remmmendedfollowing biological surveys carried out since.

The Kimberley of Westem Australia has a flora and fauna largely distinct from that of the rest of the State,but closely related to that of the northern parts of the Nonhem Territory and Queensland. Nevertheless,the Kimberley differs from other parts of northem Australia in many respects, and national parks elsewhere,such as Kakadu, do not remove the need for a proper, representative conservation resewe system in theKimberley. A detailed description of the region can be found in CTRC ( 19i 7 ).

Most of the Kimberley is Crown land, although much of it is leased for pastoral purposes. The KRPSprovides an opponunity, not available in most other pans of the State, to proclaim a truly representativeseries of nature conservation reserves in keeping with the Vorld, National and State Conservation Sffategies.

tx

ri.

CONSERVATION THROUGHRESERVES SYSTEMS INDEX

SCALE

50 0 100 200 300 km

PORT HEDLAND

0

\

GERALOTON

ESPERANCELEGENO

vvl kimberley Regon

MAP 1

t

# a; [ E i

; E € : * - = E I *3fEFgig*E

a

5 E -: 3 : a F ^ -d 5 = - - * F q Fr l 6 E E ! : 4 r: g ^ ! 1 & E E " i - E* E E ; P I ; F <

: . s

a E ! - . -E * j . 3 sT i E E E E F F; ' 5 g 9 E F P F I Cq 9 - Y E e o E z E

i e g g s E"g! I

a

a

o

6

a

-a

a

a

a

*a -a

9.o

E

o.

'9

* o ! ?' . , : i d

^ < .

to

o so ;z s lJ t . -9 l aI J J , I UE ? e l oo H = lI Ia lt r - l =r t l so J god

]Q

oo.=

oFxlrJo2

MAP 2

XI

+

.bs ,9^< \\ c'//a

zg)

a : ;

fl5si , 't

3t

^'la i

{

I t f/lhf. nu'\

'-;l t,L r !

d . , -

dtr5

t .z.t;:o(- q

E-Ad-" E! ^ : / g s

F g *i ; P

:&.3 $'\r_

c'j-

o_\)^-o

oo. fo..l

---

u ) r-.< io {*a-

-sL!

a{

:

6 8s

J'l ':';ff

s.l

Iq 6 lu=lI*l"l

R":,s-g.;s""^ iS

p]l

oozJaUItroEall.lro

MAP 3

x t l

*

3 d

q .

i i :

"t r""rr#: *

q._

dira

!ie,-.L r= 4

. 6FD. C"

* FF i

qJtn! i

E-z (5Eoo S- E e. o

u-

qD

' (

3 :

t >. ) :, . <

3F=,.c { Pe a iP . d

d I <,J

F s - - " ,

. \ -6 t l d <: ld

Et ss:t s o

40s

pE€i1iiijp*iX$f

.e

=S|lJoo

d

srtlCh

F

aozJIulEoIaLLo

MAP 4

x l

1Ocp,tNrc Isutxos

The broad continental shelf off the Kimberleycoast is dotted wi*r reefs, banks, shoals and coral-fringed near-shore islands. \Uhere the ocean flooris between about 100-200 metres deep, severalsubmerged banls reach to within 30 m of the surface(well within the range of coral growth) and arereported to be coral banks. There are also severalemergent reefs, and some have sand cays: BrowseIsland, Cartier Island, Ashmore Reef (with threesand cays), Hibemia Reef and, closer inshore, AdeleIsland.

A second series of emergent annular reefs rises ftomthe Scott Reef/Rowley Shoals platform, betweenthe 300 and 700 m contours. These are, ftom norttr-west to south-east, Seringapatam Reei the two ScottReefs and the three atolls of the Rowley Shoals( lmper ieuse, Clerke and Mermaid Reefs) .Unvegetated, supratidal sand cays are present onImperieuse, Clerke and South Scott Reef, withintertidal sand cays on other reefs (Berry and Marsh1986).Some ofthe islands and surrounding reefs are withinWestem Australia, while othen are CommonwealthTerritory. The CTRC Report discussed both classesof land but we have restricted our report to StateIand. Since the CTRC Report was published, theCommonweal*L Govemment has declared theAshmore Reef and its islands to be a national naturereserve. Other areas ol.ned by the Commonwealthand not discussed here are Cartier Island,Seringapatam Reef and Scott Reef.

Oceanic islands are irnportant places for the nestingof seabirds and turtles. The surrounding coral reefsare rich in marine organisms and arc of considerablescientific and conservation value. They arebecoming well known and are now being visitedby an increasing number of pcople wishing to viewcoral reef communities and/or conduct recreational

fishing. A series of conservation reserves are neededthat represent the biological diversity of the ftagile,rich madne ecosystems found on and around theseisolated oceanic islands and shoals.

lllllllllllllll 1.1 ADELE IslnNn

Location: Adele Island is situated about 100 kmnorth-nonh-east of Cape Leveque at about 150 31'S,1230 09,8.

Map: 2,3.

Current Status: Meda locations 10 and 13.Freehold land owned by the Commonwealth ofAustralia.

Geomorphology: Sand cay on limestone and coralreef. Extensive coral reefs sunound *re island; thestructure is an unusual near.shore platform reef ofgreat scientific interest.

Vegetation and Flora, A grassland of SpinfexIangifolius on white sandy soils and Sporobolusvirginicus on saline loamy soils. Nine plant specieshave been recorded (Anon. i972).

Fauna: Seabird colonies are the most importantwildlife feature. Species that breed there includethe Lesser Frigate-bird (Fregaa ctriel) (2500 pairsin June 1972, 5700 pairs in luly 1981), Brou'nBooby (Sala bucoguter) ( 1500 - 2000 pairs in June19'12,75A0 pairs in July 1981) and Masked Booby(Sula dnrqlana) (100 pairs in June 1972, 320 pairsin July 1981) (Anon. 19J2, Burbidge et al. 1987).The Polynesian Rat (Ranm exu.laru) occurs on theisland, presumably having been introduced byIndonesian fishermen.

Nothing is known of the marine fauna of theplatform reef, but it is certain to be rich in speciesand of exceptional conservation value.

Recreational use or potential: None.

Key Features: The seabird colonies and thesurrounding reef.

CTRC Recommendation: "That the EPA askthe State Govemment to explore with theCommonwealth Govemment means of retumingAdele Island to State control. Should this eventuate,the island be declared a Class B Reserve for theConservation of Flora and Fauna vested in theW.A. \fildlife Authority. Leases be issued to protectthe lighthouse, radio beacon and automatic weatherstation."

EPA Recommendation; "The EPA recommendsthat:

1. dre State Govemment explore with theComrnonwealth Govemment means of retumingAdele Islald to State conuol;

2. should such a transfer eventuate, Adele Islandshould be declared a Class B Reserve for theConservation ofFlora and Fauna and vested in*re \7.A. \Tildlife Authority;

3. leases be issued to protect the lighthouse, radiobeacon and automatic weather station prior toreservation of the island."

Our Recommendation: !?e endorse the EPArecommendations, except that we see no reasonwhy this important island should not be a Class Areserve. The reserve should be vested in theNational Parls and Nature C-onservation Authoriry.We recommend that the surounding reef be declareda Class A marine nature reserve.

lllllllllllllll r.z BnowsgIsr-RxoLocation; Browse Island is situated in the TimorSea about 350 km north of Derby at 14007rS, 123033'E.

Map; 2.

Area: About 13 ha.

Current Status: Reserve No. 27697 for Minerals(Phosphatic Rock), not vested.

Geomorphologyr A sand and lirnestone cay situatedon a limestone and coral reef. The island onceheld large deposits of guano but these have beenmined out, resulting in a disturbed surface.

Vegetation and Flora: Behind the beaches is asparse vegetation consisting mainly of the creeperIDonroea Des-caproe and a few scattered bushes ofScaevoLt sericea. On undisturbed coral sand themost common species are Abutilan inAicwn and at

unidentified Sida. The grasses Ercgrosns sp. ardCencLrrus brounii are also common. Disturbed areashave been colonised by l|omoea, Salsola koli andSida (Burbidge et al. 1978).

Fauna; No seabirds now breed on Browse Island,but it is one of the most important turtle nestingsites in Australia. A survey by the Department ofFisheries and Wildlife in lune 1972 (Smith and

Johnstone 1978) revealed thousands of turtle nestsin the narrow strip of beach above high-water mark.The Green Turtle (Cheknlarrydrs) certainly breedsthere ald other species may also use it.

Recreational ljse and Potential: None.

Key Features: The tunle rookeries.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeerecommends that Reserve No. 2269? (Browse Island)be changed from Minerals (Phosphatic Rock) toConservation of Fauna and Flora and that it bedeclared Class B and vested in the W.A. WildlifeAuthority. The reserve should be extended to lowwater mark in order to ensure the protection ofturtles. "

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat:

1. the boundary ofReserve 22697 be extended tolow water mark;

Z. the classification and purpose ofReserve 22697be amended to a Class B Reserve for theC,onservation of Flora and Fauna and the Reservebe vested in the W.A. Wildlife Authority."

Our Recommendation: We endorse the EPArecommendation, except that the reserve shouldclearly be Class A. We recomnend that thesurrounding reefbe declared a Class A marine naturereserve.

iltLilililililt 1.3 RowLEvSuoRr-s

Location: The three separate atolls, Mermaid Reef(170 07'S, 1190 20'E), Clerke Reef (170 10'S, 119020'E) and Imperieuse Reef (170 35'S, 1180 56'E)lie about 300 km (165 nautical miles) west ofBroome.Map: Z.Area: Each atoll covers an area of around 80 to 90kmZ. Dimensions of the atolls are Mermaid: 14.5 x?.6 km, Clerke and Imperieuse: 17.8 x 9.5 km.Current Status: Imperieuse and Clerke Reefs areunder Stare control and are vacant Crown land.Mermaid Reef is under Commonwealth iurisJiction.

The taking of corals, molluscs and some fish hasbeen prohibited under tlre Fisheries Act.

Geomorphology: Regarded as the most perfectexamples of shelf atolls in Australian waters. Eachconsists of a perimeter of coral reef (through whichpass between one and three narrow passages)enclosing a central lagoon with prolific growth ofpatch reefs. Small islands occur on Imperieuseand Clerke Reefs - Cunningham and Bedwell Islandsrespectively. There is no permanent land abovehigh tide mark on Mermaid Reef. All tfuee atollsdrop off extremely steeply to about 500 m.

Vegetation and Flora: The cays are not vegetated.One species of seagrass has been recorded.Fauna: The marine fauna is typical of clear oceanicwaters and contains a high proportion of taxa notfound on the adjacent mainland. The \TestemAustralian Museum has recorded a very wide varietyof marine organisms: 184 species of corals in 52genera (Vemon 1986),273 species of molluscs(\(/ells and Slack-Smith 1986), 90 species ofechinoderms (Manh 1986) and 485 species of {ishes(Allen and Russell 1986).

One species of seabird - the Red-tailed Tropic-bird- nests on Bedwell Island. Migrating birds, especiallywaders, rest on the sand cavs.

Recreational Use and p6lgnrial: The Rowley Shoalsoffer spectacular diving conditions in a pristineenvironment. They have an unusual abundanceof extremely large reef fish and sea snaLes do notoccur. These attributes are attracting increasingnumbers of visiton both from Ausnalia and oveneas,using both charter and private vessels.

Key Features: Exceptional water clarity and proliftcand spectacular underwater life, including large reeffish, The most accessible of the shelf-edge atollsfor tourists (rnainly from Broome). Fewer problemswith Indonesian fisherrnen than other shelf-edgeatolls.

CTRC Recommendation: None.

EPA Recommendation: None.

Our Recommendationr 'We

recommend that Clerkeand Irnperieuse Reefs be declared Class A marinenational parks vested in the National Parks andNature C.onservation Au*rority. A managementplan is needed to control the activities of visitingvessels.

We also recommend that the State approach theCommonwealth with a view to Mermaid Reef beingdeclared a marine national park underCommonwealth legislation.

Red-footedBoobl rcsting on Adek IsLanl.

I)mestone cl{fs anrl boab trees are tlpical ol the Oscor and Napier Ranges.

Souru-\yEST KMSERLEY

'T.,I he Phanerozoic South-west Kimberley is the

north-western comer of the Canning Basin, mostof which is occupied by the reddish sand dunesand swales of the Great Sandy Desert. Comparedwith the rest of the Canning Basin, the South-west Kirnberley district is well-watered, receivingan annual average rainfall of 400 to 800 rnm duringa predictable rainy season (McKenzie 1981c).

Well-watered tropical sandplain environments donot occur elsewhere in Westem Australia. Theirpeculiar array of vegetation, known collectively as"pindan", is unique to the South-west Kimberley,although most of the component species arewidespread across tropical Australia.

It is the dominance, continuity, and variety of thesesandy plains that distinguish the Dampier Peninsulafron other well-watered areas of the South-westKimberley. Sand surfaces of the central South-west Kirnberley are dissected by major river systemsarrd include substantial areas of a variety of heavyalluvial soil surfaces. They are also interrupted bylimestone and sedimentary ranges each mantled inand surrounded by areas of their derived soils. TheDar.npier Peninsula is basically a continuous, butheterogeneous, sandplain. Coastal environmentsand, rarely, rock outcrops provide only minor reliefexcept in the Mount Jowlaenga area.

There are few offshore islands; the Lacepedescomprise the only significant group.

Apart frorn the Lacepede Islands, there are onlyfour conscrvation reserves in the South-westKimberley - each of these represents one or tworelatively restricted environments rather than thewidespread surface rypes of the district. TheCoulornb Point Nanrre Reserve (28 300 ha) onthe Darnpier Peninzula comes closest to reprcse nringthe "typical rather than the special" by includingextensive areas of well-watered communities on

sandplains drained by incised watercourses and, toa lesser extent, light alluvial soils, as well as smallareas offour different coastal environments; samphkeand grasslands on supratidal mudflats, estuarine lowforests of paperbarks, coasal sand dunes and vinethickets. However, as currently outlined, it includesneither tidal mudflats nor mangroves because thereserve does not extend to low water mark.

The other three conservation reserves (TunnelCreek, Windjana Gorge and Geikie Gorge NationalParks) have a total area of only 5 361 hectares andare restricted to small, scenic areas ofthe limestoneOscar and Napier Ranges on the inland northemedge of the district.

To improve the coverage of South-west Kimberleyenvironments by conservation reserves, a large(807 000 ha) nature reserve has already beenproposed in the viciniry of the Edgar Ranges, onthe dry, southem, inland margin of the district(McKenzie 1981b). Dry country versions ofcommunities on heavy alluvial soil surfaces andriver frontage surfaces are included in the proposedEdgar Ranges Nature Reserve (McKenzie 1981b,p. 68), but only as relatively small areas.Unfornrnately, it is not possible to propose reservesto represent the well.watered versions ofcommunities growing on these surfaces (gilgai soils,black soils, etc) even though they are widespreadin central and northem areas of the South-westKimberley (Crowe, Towner and Gibson 1978);desirable as cattle pasture, they are entirely includedwithin pastoral leases.

A different situation exists for the other rnaincategory of South-west Kimberley surface . sandplainsand dunefields. Because communities of these sandysurfaces are less suitable for cattle grazing, largetracts along the drier southem edge of the districtremain as vacant Croun land and are reoresented

+

PROPOSEDBROOME VINE THICKETS LOCALITY MAP

NATURE RESERVE

SCALE

s I 1 K .

% ,,"ro""o ,^r," ̂ """*"

o

d

GANTHEAUME

r1

t"l

A t R p o R T - ' . -

- - . . -=--=-=S

B B O O M E T O W N S I T E

MAP 5

in the proposed Edgar Rarges Nature Reserve.Although the well-watered versions of sandplaincommunities in central and northem areas of theSouth-west Kimberley are all held by pastoralstations, some areas still occur as vacant Crowrlland on the Dampier Peninsula. In fact, some ofthe most luxuriant forms of pindan occur in thevacant Crown land on the northem end of thePeninsula. Beard (1979) did not map these pindanareas, expressed as open-forests of Erira$pats mininm,on the northem end of the Peninsula.

This pattem of land tenure also makes additionalreserves on the Dampier Peninsula essential forthe conservation of adequate areas of othercommunities typical of the South-west Kimberley.Exarnples include coastal communities such ss vinethickets, grassed mudflats and mangrovcs.

Recommendation: We recommend that theDepartment of C.onservation and l-and Managementidentify possible aress of the Fitzroy River basinthat could be reserved to protect representativeareas of the communities that occur there and thatthese areas be examined for their biological values.Preferably, any reserve should be contiguous withthe proposed Devonian Reef National Park (seeNapier and Oscar Ranges, Area 2.5).

ilil|ilI|l|t 2.1 BROOMETOWNSTTE

VINETurcrErsLocation: Inland from Cable Beach, extendingsouth to Gantheaume Point, Broome.

Map: 5.

Area: About 206 ha.

Current Status: Vacant Crown land.

Geomorphology: Coastal dunes and sandplains.

Vegetation and Flora: In the shelter of the dunesard wcsr of Cubinge Road lhere is a major vinethicket. It is adjacent to the district's finest standsof Gubinge (TermiMlia ferdinmdian{r). The vinethicket represents the southemmost stand ofra inforest vegetat ion in the Kimber ley.Representative species include the trees Tenninalirrpetioktris, T . fudinanliarw, Pry*tnia sericea, G),rcrmpusamericanru, the shrubs Paueta brownii, Grewiabreuiflora, Mallonrs rcsophilus, and the climbersCaesolpin t majtn, lacEtemontia pmiculam atdCapparis LaiantJw.

The vine thickets contain a high proportion ofplants with edible fruits, making *rem important

seasonal food resources for Aborigines.

Fauna: Not studied.

Recreational Use and Potential: Being in closeproximity to a major tourist centre, the BroomeVine Thickets have considerable potential foreducational use. If developed with nature trailsand other interpretative features they could becomea major tourist attraction.

Key Features: Southemmost rainforest vegetationin the Kimberley, immediately adjacent to majortourist centre.


EPA Recommendationr None.

Our Recornmendation: The Broome BotanicalSociety has campaigned for some years to preservethese vine thickets. Submissions have been madeto Govemment but no final decision has yet beentaken. We recommend that the Broome VineThickets be declared a Class A conservation parkvested in the National Parks and NatureConservation Au*rority.

IIIIIIIIII]IIII 2.2 DAMPIERPENINSULA

The Dampier Peninsula is one of the highest rainfallareas in the district. This is reflected in the greaterproportion of sub-humid tropical species in its floraand fauna, and in the generally more subduedtopography of the sandy surfaces that dominate itslandscape (McKenzie and Kenneally 1983).Generally wetter conditions during the Holoceneare thought to have eroded the dunefields, leavingextensive red sandplains and, especially in northemparts of the Peninsula, allowed organification anda degree of soil development. The Peninsulacontains many areas of historic importance relatingto natural history collections. Broome, in particr.rlar,has been the focus for many of these studies.

Location: Between Broome and Cape Leveque.

Map: 6.

Area:

Coulomb Point Narure Reserve:28 J00 ha

Proposed Leveque Nature Reserve: 1 010 ha

Proposed Borda Nature Reserve: 15 800 ha

Proposed Cygnet Bay Nature Reserve: 12 300 ha

Proposed Dampierland National Park: 112 800 ha( including Coulomb Nature Reserve)

Proposed Jowlaenga Nature Reserve: 35 040 ha

)f

LOCALTTY MAP n

f. oo* i. . . - ]( r

t ;\ i\"."," -j

THE DAMPIER PENINSULASCALE

Q 19 29 39Km

',1:',:,";**::'"ffi"{.rxz",20927

Lombadina Mrssron / l l / / Abansnat^ L t l - F e s e r v F

S ,cygnet Bay

Proposed BordaNature Reserve

OCEAN Pen(te, -bav

Prooosed Cvonot BavNature R'€-serve

INDIANDeep Water Point

-o oLu..r"o"

trara"

c Beagle Bay

LEGEND

$ exrlng ltarure neserve

NNI eroposeo rarure Reserves

l-:-l Proposec tlationat earl

N i N ; ^Y INNNr t aJS\SN

Special I L€ase I

,-? eA,hg

rsJ_ _

A 1834

!couNTRYI D O W N SIl

I Propossd Jowla6nga

L___MOUNT JOWLAENGA ;

II

tr

_ r__ _JWATERBANK

[ - --r, KTLTO IL )

f--JROEBUCK PLAINS

I

MAP 6

Current Status: Most is held as pastoral leases.Three small areas in the northem parts of thePeninsula are vacant Crown land proposed as natureresewes; the rest is pastoral lease, is reserved forthe "Use and Benefit of Aborigines" (Reserve Nos1834, 20927, 22675) or is nature reserve (PointCoulomb Nature Reserve, Reserve No. A29983,for the Conservation of Flora and Fauna).

Geomorphology: The Dampier Peninsula isunderlain by Jurassic marine sediments (sandstoneand mudstone). Occasional outcrops of EarlyCretaceous sandstone occur in the Camot Peak,Cygnet Bay and Mount Jowlaenga areas. Cainozoicrocks are restricted to relatively small exposures:calcrete in coastal situations on Waterbank Stationand Packer Island; laterites on uplands in the MountJowlaenga area (Gibson 1983 ).Most of the Dampier Peninsula is mantled byreddish-grey Quatemary sandplains of rnixed alluvialand aeolian origin, which grade into yellowish-grey sandplains towards the northem end of thePeninsula where rainfall is higher. Areas of redaeolial sand as weak dunes occur throughout thePeninsula and are understood to be remnants ofthe previous era of aridity and homologous withthe Quatemary dunes of the Great Sandy Desen.Beaches and beach dunes of quartzose shelly sandand saline mudflats, either supratidal or tidal(including mangroves), also occur coastally. Aseasonally active coastat drainage system andscattered seasonal fresh water swamps are present,although poorly developed. In easr-west section,the Dampier Peninsula is gently convex. Sheetflooding is the most widespread pattem of drainagebecause few abrupt rises intemrpt the gentle gradientsof the plains country that forms the broad spine ofthe Peninsula. The southem half of the Peninsulahas a peripheral system of creeks and small rivers,best developed near the coast in the Coulomb PointNature Resewe, at Roebuck Bay and east of Dampierf l l l l .

The northern end of the Peninsula is too smalland narrow for development of substantialwatercourses although steeper gradients areencountered on its eastern and western aspects.Broad sub-coastal drainage valleys, with seasonallyswampy areas, occur behind most of the larger bays- especially Beagle Bay and Pender Bay.

The surfaces important on the Dampier Peninsulaare: coastal saline mudflats; beaches and beach duneswith some derived limestone outcrops; Permian andMesozoic outcrop country of south.eastem areasand the northem coastline; widespread reddish-

grey sandplains of southem areas; yellowish-greysandy plains of nonhern areas; watercourses irndseasonal fresh water swamps.

There are a number of permanent ftesh water springsin the westem portion of the Peninsula. Theseare located at Wonganut, Beagle Bay andWaterbank.

Vegetation and Flora; The sandy soil plains thatdorninate the landscape of the Peninsula support arepetitive mosaic of woodland vegetations, althoughwo trends in this "pindan" vegetation can bedistinguished (McKenzie & Kenneally 1983).

One is a gradual change from Acacia-dominatedlow open woodlands in the south rc Ercolypws'dominated open forests in the nonh. It correspondsto rainfall and rainfall-caused soil trends. FromBeagle Bay southwards, the vegetation is a lowopen-woodland dominated by Eucalyputs DapMTto,E. pobcarDa, E. semsa, E. tectificn, E. dnmpieri and,E. Tlgophllln with Er'ltlvophleum chbrostachys,Glrocorpus americmv.rs and Lysiphlllum atmingh{Lmiialso common. The understorey consists of severalspecies of Acaclr which reach canopy height andinclude A. nmila, A. eriopoda and A. monticola.Shrub species commonly found in the pindaninclude Acacrla hobs eficeo, Dohchmuhorw heteroplrJUa,Gardenin pyrifonnis, Grevilba r{rrrcm, G . heliospeltrw,Hal,,za arborescens , Pemlnsigma pubescetr , Pltmchoniacareya and. Termhwlia curescens. The grass layer ismainly Chrysopogo n D allia$, Cymbopo gon unbiguus,Heteropogon conttrars and Sorglum stipoideum. Thevegetation of Wonganut sandy plains surfaces onlybecomes distinguishable from the Yeeda surfaces atthe lowest levels in the landscape. On the C-oulombPoint Nature Reserve, for instance, Wonganut plainssuppon a low open woodland of Acacra wmida wirh.occasional patches of Melnbtrca nervosa, Gyocmpusamericurts and small pockets of vine thicketelements (Cmarium usnalintum and Pouteriasuicea). A mixed grassland of Cymbopogon andEragrosas is present.

Proceeding north from Broome a gradual changein the vegetation becomes noticeable after the first30 kilometres. The tree layer of the Yeeda surfacebegins to increase in height and density. Eica\patsmini.ra appears among E. dampieri, E. paprwv(broad-leaved form), Amcia eriopoda and A. wmtdo.Other componena of the shrub and ground layersdo not change appreciably. A patch of Eurtt\pnujeruenii and E. seosa occurs on the Cape Levequeroad 51 km north of Broome; the soil consists ofred sand becoming clayey with depth. Associatedvegetation includ es Acoria eriopda, A. hippwoiles,

A. platycarpa, A. atmida, Braclqchiton dfuusifolit+s,Erythrophlewn chlorosachls and Grevilba refrata.The other is a trend from sandplains, with un-coordinated drainage, found high in the landscapeto the more alluvial sandplains with co-ordinated.*rough-going drainage found in more coastal areas.This trend is most noticeable nonh of Pender Bay,where the higher surfaces suppon Er.ao$pats miniamopen.forest with E . DaDwna, E. tzctifica, E. darrlDieriand an understorey of Acatia wmida, Brorlrycbmndiuersifolius, Gardznia pyriformis, LlsiplryLlumcunninfinmii, Persoonia fabun atrd, Planchrnia cneya.On the medium level contours, and on patches ofsofter, more sandy soils, woodlands of EuutlypatsdlmDieri ard, E. tectifico replace the E. miniamalthough scattered shrubs and low trees (mainlyAcacia wmila and A. eriopoda) over bunch grassesare the ubiquitous under-strata throughout. An areajust south of Deep

'Water Point, which, at the

time of the 1978 survey, had not been bumt formany years, erried an open scrub of Acatiamutjmla(to 7 m, 607o) with an understorey of DistichostemonhispiAulus , Callnix exstipulam nd Mytel)n pfu.klaiAes(0.5 to 2 m, 30%). The lower, more coastal surfacessupport a woodland of Eumlypats pol:1corpa,E . papwru ar.d, Melalerca vvidiJlnra ov er Pandanusspiralis, Acacia pelliw, Grevitlea pyrolniLolis ar:.dPlanrhnnin cmeya. 'fhe fem PhryTma miooplqlhnn,and the herbs [hosera petioWs arrd a species ofXyris, are frequent but localised. Occasional areasof dark, cracking clay are also present.

Sub-coastal vine thickets and closed vine forestsoccur immediately behind coastal dune systems.These include a variety of plants with Indo-Malesianaffinities and are best developed towards thenorthern end of the Peninsula. The principal upperstorey tree species of the closed vine forest (to15 m) include Mehlerca cajubuti, M. dealbam, M.viriliflma, Termivlin Detjoktris, Cassine melunocarpa,Celds philipptnerub , Dinslyu fmea vat. knnilis, Fic'svirens , Mimusops elengi , Pitmspnrum molrrccanum andPouter[a sericea. The understorey comprises shrubspecies such as Dodnnaen DlarJDffia, Exocar|osI{fiifolius , Plltnrbago zqlani&, Sutmlum lanceohtum,Fh.rcggea virosa, Pudanrs spiralis and Crotontomentellus. Vine species including Adeniahzterophylln, Abrus precamrtus, CaesalpintL maior,Glmrwttlwa nitila, Ja.qtnmatio Datiaiaa, Pusiflorufoetida, Mmsdenia onerasceru and Tirwspuo smilrcnware common climbers extending into the canopiesof the trees. The semi-parasite Crusyria filrlormisforms dense tangled patches in the canopies of theMebleuco snecies.

C-oastal dunes and beaches support the grass Cenchnrsbiflorus, while the shrubs Crotaknia cwrninghtmii,Euphorbia cofilanii md Finbnsrylr sence, are commonon tlre fore-dunes. Isolated clumps of Pmtarnsspirolis var. culenrs (to 3 m) occur in the interdunalswales and sometimes in the strand communitybehind beaches. The leeward side of the dunes ischaracterised by dense shrub thickets of Aurcilunpliceps and Cromknb amnin$urnii (to 2.5 m, 20-?07o and patches of the grasses Cymh,pogon ambigura(to 1.5 m, 607o) and $p;nfg1 longifoli$.

Riverine communities are best developed in theCoulomb Point Nature Reserve and compriseMelaleura ororioides low closed forests in estuarinesituations, and fringing woodlands of Etrca\patscmnldulercis, Slzygrum euta\pniles nd Mehleucavirilifbra over Putlanus spiralis var. convexls andP. daruinensis along fresh water creeks.rVhere coastal dunes truncate drainage lines, freshwater swamps occur. They support a low woodlandof Inphastemat gru'L fums with a fringe of Melaleucauiri&flma andM. orotinilz.s. rVhen water is present,following summer rain, the surface of these sub-coastal swamps is often covered with a dense blmmof kmrw or.EtinocnaLs. As the water level recedes,the damp areas support numerous ephemeral speciessuch as Byblis liniflua, Drosera indica, D. Deioktrts,Goodenia sepalosa and Ollenlntlia galioifus. Thegrasses Arisdda lqgrometriu, DigiwirL bicomk,Echinochloo mlnru ar:d Pseudoraphis spinescens arecommon, as are *re sedges Clpena biliu , C. Dllklvlhsand Fimbr"rsrylrs ccespiroso. The climbers PromsfinagusroremosLts, Capttaris ksiandw artd Gymnandvra nitilaoccur amongst the lt phostemon.

Small semi-permanent lakes and seasonal swampson Yeeda surfaces a-re generally further inland andsupport a fringing low woodland of Mehleucaocorioi.des and either M. oiililloro or M. nervosa,often with Er.rcall pfr^ DaDunta and Panlanus spiralis,over numerous grasses.

Areas of permanent fresh water are rare on thePeninsula, and where they occur they support largegroves of Melnbum mjuputi andM. viridiflma. Theyare the only places on the Peninsula where aquaticssuch as the Blue Waterlily (Nymplrcea uiokrcea) andthe fringed waterlilies Nymphordes indrca andN. beaglensis occur. The latter is endemic to theBeagle Bay area.

At one locality near Camot Bay a fresh water springknown as "Fern Island" supports a ctosed stand ofMelnlzrca mjuputi over a dense ground cover of thefem Cyclosona intanrpnrs. The climbing MaidenhairFem fo4ms dense, trailing columns into dre canopy.

10

Mangroves are widespread in coastal areas. In seawardand/or creek-fringing situations, Cunpnstemonschultpi (up to 12 m, 40% dense) and Aegicerucorniculnam (to 5 m, scattered) were recorded inthe stands at Packer islsnd, \Tillie Creek and on,the Coulomb Point Nature Reserve.Avicennio. mo:rina u:.d, RhizoDhtna srJlosa (to 14 m,60-1007.) always form the central zone of the standswirit Auicennb mcLrina (to 5 m, 40.807o) and/orCeriops mgaL (to 3.5 m, 80-1007o) forming thelandward zone, depending on substratecharacteristics. The hemiparasite Amy ema tholtssiunis common on Atricernit nrarha; the lichen Roma.tnaecklonii is frequently found on the branches of Ceriopsagal. Less common species in the landward zoneinclude Aegralitis utrutlata, Excoecoria agallncha,Bruguiera emrismta and Osbornia octodonm.Shrublands on zupra.tidal mudflats are dominatedby samphires Holosncit halocnemoi.des subsp.halnoremoiles. and H. hakrnemoides zubsp. tenlisand/or the grass Sporobolm t,irgrnicr.rs and thehalophl.tes Sesuqrium pcralacanum and Neobassi.aastrocnrDa (0.25 m,40.70o/o). Other sub-shrubs, suchx Hemidnoa diandra, Muellerolimnn salicomiaceumand Smeda arbusculoides, and the grass Xcrochboimberbis may occur on the landward perimeter ofthe mudflat.The landward edge of the mudflat is frequentlydelimited by a fringing stand, up to 10 m wide, ofpaperbark trees (Melolarca acacioifus) to 7 m highor, on sandy ridges, strand shrubs zuch as Hibisoapmlwifurmis, Thespesia populneoides nd Abutilaninlicwn.Broome Sandstone is exposed along the coast asmud-stone and red, eroding claystone. In the JamesPrice Point area it suppons a wind-pruned thicketof Amria wmida in which Gyrocarpus americamnand Ficus opposim are also common.Extensive outcrops of Melligo Sandstone occur inthe Mt Jowlaenga,/Dampier Hill area in the south-eastem sector of the Peninsula. The vegetation ofDampier Hill is a low woodland to low open-woodland of Eucalypats papuana ar:d E. confotiflcra,over a high shrubland comprising Acaciasngmanpblla, A. holosericen, A. monticola, Amkryahemiglauca, Calyfix exstipulom, Pterocoulonglmlulnsum and Triumfetm affin. denialom. Theunderstorey is a tussock grassland of Cymbopogonunbiguus. Outcrops of Broome Sandstone in thisarea were not sampled. Surrounding the hills is awhite clay drainage area which supports an open-woodland o( ErcoJypats tectifica, with scatteredLysiplqlJum atnninfiarnii over a grassland of Sorgfium

stipoideum.Termite mounds are very common.

Melligo Sandstone exposures around Cygnet Bay,near Deep Water Point and Karrakatta Bay, suppona tlpical Nordr Kimberley sandstone element whichincludes Acacia montimla, Cmarhun ausualioru.m,Exocar|os latifolius, Cochbs1ermwn f'raseri, Fintsopposim van indtcora, F . plrryyrda, C'revillel wicllninii,Pouteria sericea, Tempbnnb hookeri and Trcrclrymenegltu ifoli{t (l to Z m, 20'40%). The hummock grassTrio&a fungns (0.5 m, 307o) is very common. Thescramblers Abrus precawius, Flagelklria indica,Pusifkna foetida, Sorcostemmo ustale, Tinospcnasmilacina and Mukia nnderosDatntv arc also present.

The 311 species of plant (including 283 floweringplants) (Kenneally 1983) recorded on the Peninsulainclude both Torresian (sub-humid Kimberley) anddesert species, many of which are either near thesouthem or at the northem limits of their knownranges in Western Ausffalia. In this context theTorresian species Porretfa brownii, Mimusops elen$,Dbspyos fmea var. humih and Gyocarpw Mvrica{wsand the arid zone species Cdanounpus cotinifolh,sand Gyrostemon tpD\eri are relevant. The flora ofthe Dampier Peninsula has a much greaterproportion of Torresian species than that of theproposed Edgar Ranges Nature Reserve. Ofpanicularbiogeographical siglificance in this context are thesemi-deciduous vine thicket to vine forestcommunities. These outlying communities belongto the continuum of monsoon forest that stretchesacross the humid north of Ausualia. They aredepauperate in Indo-Malesian species, even whencompared with their North-west Kimberleycounterpafts.

The Point Coulomb Nature Reserve does notrepresent the diversity of the Dampier Peninzula;it includes sandplains with coordinated drainagethat support the shrubland and open woodlandversions of "pindan" typical of near coastal areasat the southern end of the Peninsula. \vy'hile thefringing vegetations found along creeks are alsowell represented, outcrop surfaces, coastalcommunities, fresh water swamps and vine forestsare hardly represented at all.

Following biological surveys between 19?7 arid 1981(McKenzie and Kenneally 1983), three naturereserves were proposed that would represent thevegetations of the northem half of the Peninsula.Together, the three proposed reserves includeextensive areas of vine-forest, coastal dunevegeations, fresh water swamps, limestone andsandstone outcrop vegetations, samphire and RibbonGrass plairu, mangrove communities and open forest

11

versions of pindan. They are situated in a largearea of vacant Crown land between the BeagleBay Aboriginal Reserve (No. 1834) and theAboriginal Reserve to the east and south of CapeLeveque (No. 20927). Lombadina Mission is locatedon the north-west portion of this vacant Crownland and cattle from the settlement graze throughoutthe area.

In the context of conservation of South-westKimberley environments, the ideal reserve on thenonh end of the Peninzula would occupy the entirearea of vacant Crown land. However, to avoidprejudicing the pastoral pursuits of the Lombadinacommunitv. three smaller areas were selected toexclude tracks, bores and the major part of thepasture yet, at the same time, to represent thebiological richness of the nonhem end of thePeninsula as far as possible.

Fauna: The fauna is also mainly Tonesian in itsaffinities, with a small proportion of desert species.More than 33 species of native mammals have beenrecorded on the Peninsula since European settlement(McKervie 1983a), but many species are now extinctthere including the Golden Bandicoot (Isoodondrratus), Golden-backed Tree-rat (Mesembriotttysmamms) and Boodie (Betnngia bsueur). Persistingmammals include the Nonhem Nail-tailed Vallaby(Onychngalz.a mguifua), Dalgyte (Macrons lcgoas),Northem Planigale (Pkmi1ale mrculaus) as well asthe common Sandy Wallaby (Monopus asrlis). Arich bat fauna has been recorded including Pteroplrsscaprlatus, T aphoTors floviventtis, Mormoptmts kvirc,Pipisfiellus ueserclis and Nycrophih^ bifox.

Birds are plentiful and over 214 species have beenrecorded (Johnstone 1983). Thls richness is mainlydue to the diversity ofhabitats, especially tt-rose onor near the coast. Some species, including, theBroad-billed and Brown-tailed Flvcatchers. Rose-crowned Fruit-Pigeon, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Red-mllared Lorikeet and Olive-backed Oriole, are atthe extreme south-westem edge of their ranges.Sixty-nine species of reptile have been recorded(Storr & Johnstone 1983) of which three areendemic (the snake Vermicella minimc and twolizards, Isism aDoda and L. separanln). A richamphibian fauna (nine species) is also known.

Colless (1983) collected 440 insect species duringa 13-day visit in April 1977. Considering how poorlythe insect fauna of the Kimberlev is known, it isnot surprising that many of these species areconsidered rare in collections and are new recordsfor rWestem Australia. Several species ofcamaenidland snails, including Quisnachia Lepmgramiru nd

several Rfragada spp., are endemic to the Peninsula(Alan Solem, pers. comrn.).

Frequent buming and the presence of wild cattleand donkeys are causing widespread darnagethroughout the Peninsula. Feral cats are alsocommon.

Much of the faunistic richness of the Peninsula isfound in the coastal and near-coastal environmentsso poorly represented in the Point Coulomb NatureReserve. In addition many of the Peninsula'sTorresian species only occur in the more luxuriantand species-rich communities in the far north ofthe Peninsula. Examples include the Rose-crownedFruit-Pigeon, Creen Tree-Snake and NorthemBlossorn-bat.

Recreational Use and Potentiah The wholePeninsula is networked with tracks, and frequentlyvisited by tourists. The coastal scenery is attractiveand there is good fishlng from the sandy beachesand in the mangrove creeks. The Aboriginalcommunities are establishi4g a tourist resort at CapeLeveque with guided t6urs of the area. The largetourist induslry centred on Broome is growingrapidly, and more intensive tourist-use of thePeninsula is expected.

Key Features: The Acacia-dominated woodlandsknown as "pindan". A visibly rich bird fauna.Tropical sandy beaches and other coastal featuresthat are readily accessible.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Point CoulombNature Reserve originated as part of a proposedreserve in Dampier Land recommended in theNational Parks and Nature Reserve Repon, 1962(Australian Academy of Science i962, 1965). Thisrecommendation was for an area south and east ofthe present reserve totalling some 125 000 ha, topreserve an area of pindan and its characteristicfauna. The report also recommended that an areato the north of Point Coulomb, then occupied byCamot Station, be added to the proposed reserveif it became vacant. This is the area now reservedand the area originally proposed is now part of'!?aterbank

Station.

It appears that the existing Point Coulomb NatureReserve contains only a small area of pindan andcorrespondingly small populations of both the Nail-tail l?allaby and Dalgye (Butler 1971). The Dalgiteis known to occur on parts of Waterbank Stationto the east of the reserve but this type of country ishighly susceptible to damage by cattle. TheCommittee believes that it is important to protectan adequate area of pindan. It also sees a need toprotect adequate areas of other features typical of

t2

Dampier Land such as coastal sand dunes,mangroves, Mehbuca thickes, and swarnps. It seestwo possible ways of achieving this :

1. resuming part of \(aterbank Station to enlargethe existing reserve; or

2. finding vacant land elsewhere which wouldserve the purpose.

The Committee favours the latter altemative andbelieves that resumption of part of a pastoral leaseshould be recommended only as a last resorr.

The Committee endorses the status, purpose andvesting of the Point Coulomb Nature Reserve. Itrecommends that, after compilation of the datacollected during the biological surveys coordinatedby the Depatment of Fisheries and lVildhfe inconjunction with the W.A. Museurn, the V.A.Herbarium and C.S.I.R.O. Division of Entomologyon:

(i) the Point C-oulomb Nature Reserve;(ii) the vacant Crown land between Aboriginal

Reserve Nos. i834 and 2092?; nd(iii) the vacant Crown land between Roebuck

Plains and Thangoo Stations on the northand west and Dampier Downs and ArdjorieStations on the east;

the EPA decide whether the Point Coulomb Reserveshould be extended or whether the other two areasshould be reserved. If the vacant Crown land insouth-east Dampier Land is reserved, then the areaformerly occupied by Ardjorie Station should beincluded wi*rin the proposed reserve, sub.ject toagreement by the Pastoral Appraisement Board".

EPA Recommendation: "Point C-oulomb NatureReserve is Class A Reserve 29983 for theConservation ofFlora and Fauna and vested in the\7.A. \Uildlife Authority. lVhile the reserveoriginated to preserve an area of pindan and itscharacteristic fauna, the area appears to containonly a small area of pindan and associated fauna.To alleviate this lack of representation, the CTRCsuggested wo further areas for evaluation. Reportshave been received following biological surveys ofboth areas, and the EPA recommendations takeaccount of them,

1. The EPA endorses the present classification,purpose and vesting of Reserve 29983 - PointCoulomb Nature Reserve.

The EPA recommends that:

2. the area of Deep Water Point not witlin theexisting pearl culture lease and as shown in Fig.7.3(i) be set aside as a Class B Reserve for the

13

purpose of recreation, Should the pearl cultureIease over the nothern portion of the pointbe no longer required, that area should be addedto the recreation reserve;

3. the areas of vacant Crown land delineated inFig. 7.3(0 be declared Class A Reserves for theconservation of Flora and Fauna and vested inthe W.A. I0fildlife Authority. A suitable accessinto Deep Water Point should be excluded atthe time of resewation;

4. the area shown in Fig. 7.3(iil be set aside as aClass B Resewe for the purpose of Conservarionof Flora and Fauna and NUater and vested inthe W.A. Wildlife Authority. This reserveshould include the area formerly occupied byArdjorie Station subject to the agreement ofthe Pastoral Appraismem Board."

Our Recommendation: We endorse the EPArecommendations except that the reserves shouldbe Class A and t}re former Ardjorie station shouldbe added to the proposed Edgar Range Reservewhether or not the Pastoral Appraisement Boardagrees; it is an essential addition to the region'sconservallon reserve system.The three proposed reserves on the northern endof the Pensinsula represent its diversity of mesicpindan and coastal communities. These areas arethe richest in species and include a greater proportionof Tonesian elements than areas further south onthe Peninsula.

C-oulomb Point Nature Reserve is clearlv mo smallto represent the sandplain environments thatdominate the Peninsula. The proposed Borda,Leveque and Cygtet Bay Nature Reserves representan extreme form of these environments; thev arealsosmall areas. The original Ausralian AcademyofScience recommendation (1962) was for a largerarea now occupied by the nonhern half ofWaterbank Station. Should the Govemment acquire\Taterbank Station we recommend that the areashoum on Map 6 be added to C,oulomb Point NatureReserve and the larger reserve be declared a nationalpark in recoglition of the major usage of its coastalenvironments. The park should be named the"Dampierland National Park".This new national park would also protect a greaternumber of the ephemeral lakes and fresh watersprings (e.g Wonganur Spring) on the Peninsula,increase the representation of the Peninzula's coastaland riverine environments, and oflow-level pindanon th,rough-drained soils.

A smallgr area to the east of the proposed nationalpark represents pindan in areas of uncoordinated

High\ djssected mid country tlpical of the Edgar Ranges.

Dampier Penin:tia: coasuJ dunes and clttm1s af sde\u pine (Pandanus spiralis) in interdunal swales.

L4

il.

drainage high in the landscape of the Peninsula.It may also become available (see Map 6). Verecommend that this area be declared a Class Anature reserve vested in the National Parks andNature Conservation Authority. Ve recommendthat it be named Jowlaenga Nature Reserve.

lllllllllllllll 2.3 EDGARRANGESAnEa

The area includes parts of the Edgar Ranges, aninteresting topographic feature drained by GeegullyCreek, a tributary of the Fitzroy River. The Rangeshave great historical interest to naturalists, since itwas the site of collections rnade by J.P. Rogers inthe early 1900s and tle Swedish Mojberg Expeditionin 1910-1913 (Soderburg 1918).

Location: About 120 km souti.east of Broome.

Map: 7.

Area: 807 000 ha.


Geomorphology: The Edgar Ranges area includesthree relatively dry inland environments of theSouth-west Kimberley, as well as a comparativelywell-watered version of a landscape belonging tothe Great Sandy Desen (McKenzie 1981b). TheRanges comprise a picturesque scarp, with outlyingmesas and buttes, formed by the headwaters ofGeegully Creek eroding the plateau of Jurassicsandstone and mudstone strata underlying *re GreatSandy Desert. The caprock is a resistant sandstonewhich affords some protection to the softer siltstonesbeneath. The difference in height between the twoplains is about 150 m (Speck et al. 1964). Theranges contain gorges, caves and permanent waterand support a variety of vegetation and animals.Heavier alluvial soils occur as outwash plains beneaththe scarp. Quatemary sands cover both the plateauand the erosion plain beneath the scarp, as extensivetracts of sandplain and dunefields.

Vegetation and Flora: Sandplains dominate thewestem and north-westem section of the EdgarRanges area and extend further inland, as a wideband adjacent to *re rim of the scarp, to latitude180 45' south (McKenzie and Kenneally 1983).They support dry-country versions of the pindanvegetation endemic to the district - low woodlandsto low open-woodlands structurally conrolled byspecies of Eurafupnc rygollrylla, Amcia uiopoda,Grevilbarefracm, G. crrbklumii over rnixed hummockand tussock grasslands. Nearer the Ranges are high

open-shrublands of Acacia retiuenia, A hilliartr, A.ancistrocarDa, A. sipuligera and A. monticola overtussock grasses and spinifex. Occasional emergentbloodwoods such as Erlcalyptus zJgollryl.Ia occnr.Patches of Erca$pnn odanmcarpa (Stun's CreekMallee) arld Jnckonria sp. form open scrubs in placesnear the scarp of the ranges. Torresian species arecommon in these formations (e.g, ELvetia saligrw,Llsiphyllwn cunninghamii, Actrcia hobsericea and,Dolirhandrme heterophylla) . Sandplains of the YeedaLand System are an importalt component of theSouth-west Kimberley, occupying about 25% of itsland surface. The pindan vegetation they supportvaries across the district. Sandplains in the EdgarRanges area, and similarly dry inland sandplainselsewhere in the district, support a vegetation distinctfrom their bener-watered equivalents on the DampierPeninsula and near Derby.

Isolated fig trees (Ficus plaqpodn) cling to the sheersandstone cliffs. The most impoftant occurrenceof a plant in d-ris habitat is a solitary colony of anew variety of the Screw Pine (Pandanus spiralisvar. flnmvrc) at l-ogues Spring. Similar sedimentaryranges occur as isolated outcrops elsewhere in theSouth-west Kimberley, and occupy approximately4o/o of it:s land surface. They suppon a variety offairly sparse plant formations - open woodlands ofRiver Gums, Eucalypar hevifolia and E. confertiflrnafringe the \rater-courses, and hummock grasslandswith scattered Acach thickets dominate gravel soilsand scree slopes.

The sedimentary surfaces of the Edgar Ranges zupporta variety offairly sparse vegetations. Gravel surfacesand scree slopes of the ranges support :rn open-hummock grassland of spinifex with emergentErca\pttu brevifuIia, E. paDwno, Acoril manticoh,A. lnUjma, and Solanzm furudehnlei. Fringing wood-lands of Ericolyprus camallubnsk, E. confotillma andE. semsa over Acacia species and spinifex line water-courses and narrow valleys running into the scarp.Dunes and swale plains typical ofthe north-westemmargin of the Great Sandy Desert are extensivesouth of the Ranges. They support shrub andgrassland communities with occasional low trees:Garfunin pyifcnmis nd Eumtypats rygopfulla. Shruband grass species on the swale plains are a stuntedand depauperate selection of plants from the pindancommunity (e.g. Acorb hoWericm and Greoilleareftacm), with a greater percentage of desert speciessuch x Acacin uwdreps, A,. otrcistrrcorfu, Newusteliaclnlnnidu and Plecnachne schinzii. Althoughdunefields such as these dominate the landscane of

15

_ _ _ _ _ J

-If

-l \

| - l . - l 'J L----- 5 lag / ; i E= | l c c: *< | l d -Y l - -_J :Y I

S r oI

II

o lu J l

-l-

t_l

ulEIIJaulEI!Efkz

uJozEE

ooIIJoI,[email protected].

=(L

loLIJ

56

R E^ i Ez d *o n _

W

afi

=

eMAP 7

16

the entire noth-westem sector ofthe Great SandyDesert, small patches of eroded dunes are notinftequent in sandplain areas of central and southemparts of the South-west Kimberley. Available datasuggests that, as a biological unit, this surface gradesin a nonh-south axis from Kimberley to desertaffinities.

Shrubs of the dunes include Cyanostegil clmwcalyx,Cassb sp., Calynix sp., Acacia drepanocarpa andA. uiopoda. The Edgar Ranges area includes a fewof the alluvial sand, earth, clay and loam surfacesassociated with the drainage valleys of the Fitzroyand Lennard Rivers. These occur in the headwatersof Geegully Creek, on the now abandoned ArdjorieStation section of the Edgar Ranges area. Fringingformations of River Gums (Eucalypats unnoldulenskand E. microthem) along Geegully Creek act asbiogeographic corridors corurecting the much moremesic communities of the North Kimberley to therelatively arid and outlying scarp of tle Edgar Ranges.

The 213 species of plants recorded in the EdgarRanges area (Kenneally 1981) include a mixtureof Torresian (sub-humid Kimberley) and desertspecies; many are near either the southem ornorthem limits of their known ranges in VestemAustralia. Of particular interest in this contextare the Torresian Dros era petinllvis and Biblis liniflmaand the desen species Cyancsrgra cyurocolyx utdPitlrodia chmisepolo.

Fauna: The fauna of the Edgar Ranges area is amixture of Torresian (sub-humid Kimberley) anddesert species. Twenty-four species of mammalhave been recorded (Youngson, Henry & McKenzie1981). A taxonomically unique population of theRock \Tallaby (Petrogale hteralis) occurs in theRange. Populations of the Dalgyte (Macrotis h.goas),Sandy Inland Mou se (P seulany s hermonrubr.ngerurs ),Forrest's Mouse (PyulonLls fonr-sti) and Leser Hairy-footed Dunnan (Smindropsis yor,mgsoni) are imponantfor conservation and biogeographic reasons. TheEdgar Ranges area is the "type locality" ofS. loungsoni.One hundred and twenty-one species of birds havebeen recorded (Johnstone, Smith & Fuller 1981),including three of special significance toconservation - Princess Parrot, Peregrine Falconand Major Mitchell's Cockatoo. Residentpopulations of the last two were recorded in thearea during the 1976 zurvey. Recorded in 1910,the rare and nomadic Princess Parrot is probablyonly an intermittent visitor. Among the Torresianspecies recorded were the Red-collared and Varied

Lorikeets, Rufous-throated Honeyeater and PictorellaFinch. Geomorphological changes make thepresence of such species funher sou*r into the desenunlikely, even in the wet season. A largercomponent of arid zone birds has been recorded,including the Princess Parrot, rVhite-ftonted

Honeyeater, Desert Varbler (Gerygone fi.sco mngi,Spinifex Bird and Black Honeyeater. A race ofthe Plumed Pigeon (Geoplrap s plumifera mungr) isendemic to the Edgar Ranges; many are desertspecies on the north-westem limits of their ranges.

Ston and Smith (1981) recorded five species ofamphibians and 40 species of reptiles in the EdgarRanges area. Again, the fauna is a mixture ofKimberley and desert species; the presence of thedragon lizard DipofiDhora pinlan and the skinkCtenoats inomaats as well as their arid zonecor.rnterparts D. w neckei andC. vuntilrs respectively,highlights this biogeographical characteristic of theEdgar Ranges area's fauna. Because the area is inrelatively dry country, it is richer in desen ratherthan Kimberley birds and reptiles.

The insect collection from the Edgar Ranges area(Common 1981) contains 949 species (8 Orders);the additional 31 species collected at Logues Springalmost certainly occur at pools elsewhere in theranges. A wet season collection would vastlyincrease the list. Ian Common concentrated onthe Order Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies),mllecting 514 species. Considering how poorly theKimberley insect fauna is known (nearly 50 percent ofthe micro-Lepidoptera collected in the FigarRanges area are undescribed), it is not surprisingthat rnany ofthese records have extended the knownrange of species.

Recreational Use and Potential: No current usekno*'n. Unlikely to have major use in the forseeablefuture because the area is accessible only via pastoralIease tracks, many of which are sandy. The exposedstrata of the scarp are colourfirl, and the abruptrock walls of the incised valleys are spectacular.

Key Features: Arid "pindan", Dalgytes and Rock-wallabies, northem edge of Great Sandy Desen.

CTRC Recommendation: See above underDampier Peninsula, ( Ar ea 7.2).

EPA Recommendation: See above under DampierPeninsula. (Areal.Z).

Our Recommendation: See above under DampierPeninsula. (Area2.2).

I 7

ii*':t rai*i,

lasset Frigate-btrd. and chicl<s - Lncepede Island,s .

Broun Boobies nesting ' Lacepede Islands .

1 8

IIIIIIII1IIIIII 2.4 LACEPEDE ISLANDS

Location; The Lacepede Islands lie some 20 kmoff the coast, 150 krn north of Broome.Map: 2, J.Area: \Vest Island: 106.6 ha, Middle Island:53.6 ha, East Island: about 32 ha, Sandy Island:6 .1 na .

Current Status: \Vest and Middle Islands compriseClass C Reserve No. 7279 for t]r.e Conservation ofFlora and Fauna, vested in the National Parks andNature Conservation Authority. East Island is leasedto the Commonwealth of Australia for a lighthousesite. Sandy Island is vacant Crown land.

Geomorphology: Sand cays on lirnestone and coralreef.

Vegetation and Flora: The Islands are sparselyvegetated with Beach Spinifex (S1irufexlnngifolits),Amzrlmnnls palliAiflonts , Cleome vismsa xtd Cmavaliarosea. A lagoon at the northem end of West Islandis ftinged with Halosorira ind)ca stsbsp, julrea,Neobassie astrocnrpat Seszrrizm portuluasmtm andSprobolus virginias. A few shrubs of the WhiteMangrove (Avicennia mar a) have been recordedgrowing in the lagoon.

Fauna: The main conservation value of the islaldsis the significant seabird nesting colonies. Themain species and the number of pairs counted in

July 1981 are Brown Booby (Sulaleucoguter) l7 670pairs and Lesser Frigate-bird (Fregaa ofiel) 2700pairs (Burbidge et at. 1987). Other species includeAustralian Pelican (Pelecam.a corupicillarus) about70 pairs (P.J. Fuller and J.A.K. Lane pers. comm.),Common Noddy (Anor.a smlidm) and Fairy Tem(Stema nereis). The Lacepede Islands colonies ofBrown Booby are t}re largest in the world and d-reLesser Frigatebird colonies are the largest in theIndian Ocean.

The Black Rat (Rnmrs ramx) was present, somedmesin plague numbers, on West, Middle and SandyIslands. Rats inhibit or prevent breeding by thesmaller species of seabirds and, in 1986, theDepanment of Conservation and L,and Management(CALM) commenced an eradication campaign.

The islands possess major tunle nesting rookeries.Large numbers of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas)nest there and CALM is currently tagging nestingturtles to elucidate migration pattems.

Two species of lizards, the gecko Gehyra pwtcmmand the dragon Gemmnnphrna grlberri are knownfrom lVest and Middle Islands, respectively.

Recreational IJse and Potential: The islands arevisited by fishermen and naturalists and by touristsviewing Kimberley features. There is no potentialfor interuive use by people because of the desolatenature of the islands and the lack of fresh water.

Key Features: The seabird colonies and tunlerookeries.

CTRC Recommendation: "The CommitteeRecommends that Reserve No. 7279 mmprisingthe West and Middle Islands of the Lacepede Islandsbe reclassified to Class B. Should East Island becomeavailable for reservation, it should be added to thereserve. The reserve should be extended to lowwater mark in order to ensure the Drotection ofturdes."

EPA Recommendation; "The EPA recommendsthat:

1. the boundary of Reserve ?279 be extended toIow water mark;

2. the classification ofReserve 72?9 be amendedto Class B;

3. should East Island become available forreservation, it be added to Reserve 72?9."

Our Recommendation: We endorse the EPAremmmendations except that the status of thereserve should be Clas A. Sandv Island should beadded to the Nature Reserve.

l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l 2.s OSCARANDNAPTERRexcEs

Australian Academy of Science (1962, 1965) gavemnsiderable attention to this area. It expressedthe opinion that because the ranges "include someof the most beautiful and striking scenery to befound in

'Westem Australia", it was desirable that

parts be set aside as a national park (AustralianAcademy of Science 1965, p. 208). It also expressedthe opinion that selected gorges and ranges in thearea be set aside as Class A reserves and that anexpert committee be asked to survey the area andrecommend pans for public recreation, Aboriginaland archaeological sites, fauna and flora and forgeological purposes.

Location: Geikie Gorge National Park is 15 kmnonh-east of Fitzroy Crossing; Windjana Gorge is130 km east of Derby; Tunnel Creek is i65 kmeast of Derby; Brooking Gorge is about 16 km west^f E:,--^,, r--^--:^^er urr u rts.

The Oscar Range extends from about 140 km east-

19

+

PROPOSED NAPIER & OSCAR RANGESAND KING LEOPOLD RANGES

NATIONAL PARKS

HART

IL-

NAPIER DOWNS

-1- \

- r - r_ \S

KIMBERLEYDOWNS

t----l ---o o l

- a l' o l

L * _

DOWNS

jtt.-\

\\ flf"

b;^\ \

\ "'\\ ""*A:h* BRooKtNG

:,^;i\ ' " ' \

SPRTNGS(rL{{NEUN \. )

f. '1a^ N\

--5orh-

MAP B

za

south-east of Derby to north-west of Fitzroy Crosing.The Napier Rarge extends from about 25 km eastof Derby 90 km to the east-south-east.

Map: 8.

Area: Geikie Gorge National Park: 3 136 ha;'VTindjana Gorge National Park 2 134 ha; Tunnel

Creek National Park 91 ha.

Current Status: Since the publication of theNational Parks Repon, Geikie Gorge, WindjanaGorge and Tunnel Creek have been declarednational parks and are now vested in the NationalParks and Nature Conservation Authority.

Geikie Gorge is Class A Reserve No. 28401.\Tindjana Gorge National Park is Class A ReserveNo. 31107. Tunnel Creek National Park is ClassC Reserve No. 26890.

Brooking Gorge lies within Brooking SpringsStation.

The Oscar Range lies within the pastoral leases ofBrooking Springs, Fairfield and Leopold Downs.The Napier Range lies within the pastoral leasesof Napier Downs, Kimberley Dorvns and Fairfield.

Geomorphology: The Napier and Oscar Rangesare the limestone remnants of a Devonian barrierreef. They are two of a series of low, elongateridges that rise abruptly from grassy alluvial plainsto the north of the Fitzroy River. The ranges arecomposed of a central west-nonh-west trending ridgeof Precambrian schist and gneiss that is flanked tothe north and south by narrow belts of DevonianIimestone. The topography, particularly in thelimestone belts, is rugged, with canyons, karst featuresand impressive cliffs rising above the plains. Thenumerous springs in the limestone terrain are linedwith PanAaruts and vines and covered with waterlilies; they are peacefirl enclaves in an otherwiseharsh environment. Caves are abundant andcontain Aboriginal paintings.

Geikie Gorge is formed where the Fitzroy Rivercuts through the limestone at the junction betweenthe Oscar and Geikie Ranges. Pennanent deepwater occurs in the Gorge.

Windjana Corge is a picturesque narrow canyon,cut through the limestone of the Napier Range bythe Lennard River. As described in the NationalParks Report, the gorge is about 5 km long, walledby venical cliffs ofweathered limestone from 30 to100 m high. Though the Lennard River runsthrough the Corge only in wet weather, it containspools surrounded by trees and shrubbery during thedry season.

Tunnel Creek flows through the Napier Range, in

2T

a large natural tunnel erorJed through the limestoneby the stream itself. Apart from its tourist appeal,tlis unusual physiographic feature is of interest togeomorphologisrs and geologisrs.

Brmking Gorge is regarded by some people as beingeven more beautiful than Geikie Gorge. A longnarrow limestone gorge which has been eroded byBrooking Creek, it contains permanent pools offresh water.

Vegetation and Flora: The forest fringing theriver in Geikie Gorge is dominated by two speciesof cadjeput, Melalerc.abrcalendra and M. argentea,There are also River Gums (Eucofupna cmwlklnvis),Freshwater Mangr oves (Barringtonia crcuwtgula) , figs(Fiats roremosa, F. cryronulam and F. htsptda) andscrew pines (Panlaru.s). The Tropical Reed(PLvagnites kmkd forms dense stands on the banls,while Native Passion filit (P assiJlrr a f (Etid scramblesover trees and shrubs.

In Windjana Gorge, River Gums (Eucalypnacamaldulmsis) and cadjeputs (Mehleuca bucadmdra)fringe the alluvial banks of the Lennard River,together with Fiers curnuha, F . hispiAa, F . racemosaand Nauclea o"ieualis. \Xl&rite Cedar (MeLaazednrtrch), Boabs (Adaruonra gregorii), Gyroccafisomericuttts and Amlay hemipiarca occur on theslopes of the Gorge.

Pools in Brooking Gorge are bordered by a deruegrowth of Fica racan ow, Nurclea orimtnlis, Mekilarcnbucadendra, Pandanus ar4nticw and odrer trees.

Faunar Geikie Gorge harbours a large populationof Freshwater Crocodiles (Crocodllm johrstoni) aswell as Leichardt's Sawfish (Prisaopsis leiclturdti)and C-.oach-whip Stingray (Himannna amak), speciesnormally marine. Barramundi (lzres calcifera) arealso found there. The Short-eared Rock-wallaby(Penogale brochyotis) and Orange Horseshoe Bat(Rhinonicteris mnulreus) are notable mammals.

A wide variety of water birds have been recordedat Geikie Gorge, including the Darrer, Great Egretand Little Pied Connorant. Two species not oftenfound so far from the sea are the White-breastedSea-Eagle and Brahminny Kite. In the thickvegetation fringing the gorge, the rare andendangered Purple-crowned Fairy-wren breeds, andthe Clarnorous Reed-Varbler, Brush Cuckoo andRestless Flycatcher occur, while along the cliffsthe Great Bower-Bird ard Sandstone Shrike.Thrushare found.

Windjana Gorge is also rich in fauna, includingSandy \?allaby (Marropru agLs), Yellow-lipped Bat(Epcesicus doufuui) and Freshwater Crocodile(Crocodylt+s johnsmni). Water birds include Great

Egret, Black.fronted Dotterel, Darter, Little PiedCormorant, Vhite-faced Heron, Black Bittem andRufous Night-Heron. The Peregrine Falcon andthe Sandstone Shrike-Thrush are found on thecliffs. Other birds include the Barking Owl andBlue-winged Kookaburra. The pools contain fourspecies of ftesh water ffsh - an undescribed RainbowFish (Nematocennis sp.), Bony Bream (Nemaaloserebi, Spangled Perch (TeraDon unicolor) and anundescribed Archer Fish (Toxotes sp.).

Tunnel Creek contains five species of bats: theGhost Bat (Macrderma gigas), Bent-wing Bat(Miniopenis schreikrsii), Little Bat (Epesicui pumiliscuninrs), Orange Horseshoe Bat (Rhinoniaoisunantfus) and Yellow-lipped Bat (E1testr:.ls dtuek6i) .The creek contains four species of fish: anundescribed Rainbow Fish (Nemaocentrru sp.), theBony Bream (Nemaaloserebi), Spangled Perch(T eroSnn wrcnbr) and Fork-tailed Catlch (Neosrlurusglencoeruis).

Birds recorded in Brooking Gorge include the BlackDuck, Restless Flycatcher, Bar-shouldered Dove,Peaceful Dove and Great Bower-bird.

There have been no detailed examinations of thefauna of the Oscar or Napier Ranges as a whole.However, the rare Rock Rlngtail (Pseutn&elus dohh)is known to occur in the Napier Range. Somemeasure of the biological importance of the rangescarr be gauged from the fact that they support alarge number of endemic land snails and cave-dwelling invenebrates. Twenty.one species ofcamaenid land snails are endemic to the ranges(Solem 1979, 1981, 1984, 1985). These belong tothe genera Ampltrhogala, Vesnaborhia, Rhogalo,Kimbu aga, Kendrickia, Moul&niga and Quistrachia.There is also one species of pupillid land snailendemic to the ran ges (Gfliotrrrchtla mpiama).

Recreational Use and Potential: Geikie Gorge iswithout doubt an important tourisr attraction inthe region. As it is close to Fiaroy Crossing andthe main highway through the Kimberley, GeikieGorge National Park has become a popular touristresort. More than 13 000 people entered it betweenApril 19?4 and October 1975 and there were 27 000visiton during the 1986 dry season. Rangen conductboat tours through the Park, and the fees chargedcontribute to the cost of maintaining the service.The rapidly increasing number oftourists will createmanagement problems in the fi:ture,

Windjana Gorge is popular with tourists becauseof its attractive scenery, and its Aboriginal andhistorical interesl The large cave near the eastemenuance is decorated by numerous paintings of men

and animals, the main figure being an impressive\Tandjina. It is also the site of an Aboriginaluprising led by the Bunaba tribesman Pigeon(Jundumuna). Pigeon's first victim, ConstableRichardson, was murdered in October 1894 atLillimilura Police Station, just 215 metres east ofthe Gorge. The remains of the police station stillstand. Shonly after this, Pigeon killed the stockmenBurke and Gibbs at the entrance to the Gorge.

Like Geikie Gorge, NUindjana Gorge, and othersites in these limestone ranges, Tunnel Creek ison a route used increasingly by tourists. Its unusualformation and historical associations with theAboriginal Pigeon (who hid from his pursuers inthe tunnel), have attracted many visitors. Theimmediate problem at Tunnel Creek is to protectit from "improvements" and ftom damage by visitors.For instance, provision of lights to illuminate thetunnel would disturb the colonies ofbats; the GhostBat requires a totally dark diumal refuge.

As Brooking Gorge is accessible by a good trackand close to Geikie Gorge, the number of visitorsmay be expected to increase greatly in the future.At present, tourists only visit it occasionally. Thelessee of Brooking Springs Station does not generallyallow tourists and is understandably apprehensiveabout the effects that increasing numbers of visitorswill have on his lease. Brooking Gorge is fenced,but cattle are allowed to enter when other zurfacewaters dry up.

Public access to the Oscar Range is currently limitedto a road which cuts across the eastem part of therange between Leopold Downs and Fitzroy Crossing.Effons to create a reserve for recreational purposescould be counter to the principal aims of consewingsprings and cave paintings, unless the area receivedadequate managemenL

The main conservation requirements for the OscarRange are the preservation of the springs arrd theAboriginal paintings. This may be best achievedby designation of small reserves around springs,with fencing to limit access by stock, and byconstmction of barriers to control access to caves.Springs in the Oscar Range are important waterresources for the pastoral industry. Provision wouldneed to be made so that water be provided, preferablyvia bores, to the plains below. However, the rangecountry itselfhas low grazing potential and is difficultto muster cattle from. The range also provides arefirge for vermin such as donkeys.

Key Features; A Devonian barrier reef knownworld.wide, with spectacular scenery, rare wildlife,caves, sub-fossil deposits and increasing tourist use.

zz

CTRC Recommendation: "V/hile CTRC believesin principle that a larger area of the Napier andOscar Ranges should be set aside as National Park,it also recognises the difficulty of obtaining suitableland for such a purpose. Unlike the NorthKimberley, there are no large tracts of vacant CrownLand in the region, and any proposal for a majorpark in the area would involve the acquisition ofland held under pastoral lease.The Committee endorses the status, purpose andvesting of the Geikie Gorge National Park. Itrecommends that in view of the expected largenumber of future visitors to the Gorge, the NationalParks Authority:(0 reconsider the boundaries ofthe existing Park;(ii) consider whbther the existing campsite and

facilides are in the most desirable site.The Committee endorses the status, purpose andvesting of the \Tindjana Gorge National Park.The Committee endorses the status, purpose andvesting of the Tunnel Creek National Park.The C,ommittee recommends that negotiations beundertaken with the lessee of Brooking SpringsStation, with a view to declaring Brooking Gorgeas a Class B Reserve for the purpose of NationalPark, and vesting it in the National Parks Authority.C-onceming the Oscar Range, the Comrnitteerecommends that:a. The \?4. Museum be requested to make a survey

of caves with the obj ective of proposing aconservation programme for important sites;

b. A survey be made of springs with the objectivesof:(a) designating small reserves, and(b) reconcilingconservationrequirementsand

pastoral usage."EPA Recommendation:"The EPA endorses the status, purpose and vestingof Geikie Gorge National Park. It recommendsthat the National Park Authority review theadequacy of the existing Park boundary."The EPA endorses the status, purpose and vestingofReserve 31107 (Windjana Gorge National Park)."The EPA endorses the status, purpose and vestingof Tunnel Creek National Park.

BROOKINGGORGEThis gorge lies within Brooking Springs Station.During the visit by the EPA to Brooking Gorge,representations were made regarding the imponanceof the Gorge to the local community and to the

Station. C,oncem was expressed that reservationas a National Park would deny the local populationthe use of the Gorge for recreational purposes andwould restrict the availabilitv of water for stockpurposes. In addition, the Gorge has a limitedcapacity to accommodate visitors.

The Authority mnsiders that while Brooking Gorgeis aesthetically amactive and has considerable scenicgrandeur, the limited capacity for accommodatinglarge numbers of visitors without costly managementmitigates against its becoming a successful NationalPark at this time.

The EPA recommends that no action be taken toreserve Brooking Gorge at this time. However,should the public be denied reasonable access tothe Gorge or if signs of significant deterioration ofthe Gorge become apparent, the question ofreservation of Brooking Gorge be reconsidered by*re Authority,

OSCARRANGE

The EPA recommends that the W.A. Museum, inconjunction with the Australiar SpeleologicalFederation, make a survev of caves in the OscarRange and repon to the EPA on their considerationand anthropological value, with a view toreservation. "

Our Recommendation: Our recommendations arebased on the view that the existing small reservesin the Napier and Oscar Ranges are inadequate.They are not representative of the ranges, merelyincluding small scenic localities, which are underconsiderable, and increasing, recreational preszure.To create a system of conservation reservesrepresenting the sEuctures, surfaces, biologicaldiversity and rnajor tourist attractions associatedwith the ranges and adjacent alluvial plains to thenonh and south we recommend:

1. That Brooking Gorge and environs (Map 8) bedeclared a Class A reserve for a conservauonpark and it be vested in the Nationat Parls andNature Conservation Authority.

2. That the reserve recommended bv the VestemAustralian Sub-Committee of the AustralianAcademv of Sciences Committee on NationalPuks (1962, p. 92) (Map 8) be declared a Class Anational park vested in the National Parks andNanrre Corxervation Authority. The park shouldbe narned the Devonian Reef National Park.

3. That the Department of Conservation and LandManagement considers extending WindjanaGorge and Geikie Gorge National Parks to make

)f

PROPOSED ROEBUCK BAYMARINE PARK

SCALE5 o 5 1 0 k m

BOEBUCK BAY

R A C E C O U R S E

MAP 9

1L

them more representative of their disuicts andof the ranges as a whole. In particular,consideration should be given to connectingWindjana Gorge National Park with the proposedDevonian ReefNational Park and to connectingthe proposed Brooking Gorge C-onsewation Parkwi*r Geikie Gorge National Park.

ililililililill 2.6 ROEBUCKBAYAnpeLocation: Immediately east and south-east ofBroome.Mapr 9.Area: Not known.Current Status: Vacant Crown land and unreservedtidal flats. Includes a small part of Roebuck PlainsStation.

Geomorphology: The coast consists of sandplainsand low dunes underlain by weakly to moderatelycemented alluvial conglomerate. Between thewestem edge and Fall Point there are steep sandyslopes or cliffs (2 - 5 m) adjacent to the beach.Elsewhere, muddy tidal flats occur along the shoreand at low tide are dry for several hundred metresbelow high water mark. The tidal Crab Creek flowsinto the area just south of Fall Point.Vegetation and Flora: In the nothem part of theproposed reserve, the foredune zone is vegetatedwith Sptnfer longtfolius and Cmavolia rosea close tothe beach, and with Plectrachne pungeru on thedune crests. On the sandplains behind is a tlpicalpindan vegetation with low trees, tall shrubs 146a.2eriopodc is the dominant species) and tall grassland.Some plant species with rainforest affinity are foundhere. South of Fall Point, mangroves (Aeicenr,iamorina, Rhizo|funa srJlov, CefioDs agal nd Bruguieraexarisaw) grow on the mudflats. Tidal portions ofCrab Creek are vegetated with mangroves, and theSaltwater Couch (Sporobolus uirginicus) grows onthe floodplain of the creek.Fauna: The intertidal flats and beaches are thelandfall and Geding grounds of vast numbers ofmigratory wading birds that arrive in Australia fromtheir breeding grounds in the arctic parts of eastAsia in August.September and leave in March andApril. Over 850 000 waders use Roebuck Bay andEighty Mile Beach at rnigration time; large numbersspend the summer there and about 10 000 non-breeding birds use the area during the sourhemwinter. At high tide, the wading birds concentrateat roosting areas on the beach around Fall Pointand, to a lesser extent, Bush and Sandy Points.These areas are particularly important and are most

25

susceptible to disturbance. The birds also roost inthe mangroves and on the mudflats behind themangroves under some conditions.

The combined area of Roebuck Bay and EightyMile Beach is the seventh most significant placefor wader concentrations in the world. RoebuckBay contains a much greater density of birds thanEighty Mile Beach; over 170 000 birds have beencounted there on a single occasion.

The bats of the mangrove community include anundescribed form of Chalinoloblrs goulfii. The batcommunity that forages in these mangrove standsis of coruiderable interest to ecologists (McKenzieand Rolfe 1986).

Recreational IJse and Potential: The area isbecoming a major attraction, being close to Broomeand having pleasant coastal scenery. Amateur anda small amount of professional fishing takes place.The abundant bird life is bemming knownintemationally and is starting to attract overseas,as well as Australian, bird watchers. In conjunctionwith the other facilities and attractions of theBroome area, there is considerable potential fordeveloping the area as an imponant intemationalattraction.

The Royal Australasian Omithologists Union hasconstructed and is stafffng a Bird Observatory inthe Roebuck Bay area. The Bird Observatory willattract increasing numbers of bird watchers to thearea, and will provide a base from which to conductresearch into bird movements, feeding and life cycles.

Key Featuresr The tidal flats and the migramrywading birds. The high tide roosting areas.

CTRC Recommendation: None,


Our Recommendation: Australia has signed threeintemational treaties that protect migratory wadingbirds and their habitat. Resewation of the RoebuckBay area would be a major step forward in meetingAustralia's obligations under these ueaties. Becauseboth land and water is involved, the best form ofreservation would be a marine park, that wouldallow zoning for recreational use of suitable areas.'We

recommend that a Class A marine park bedeclared in the Roebuck Bay area, with theboundaries shown on the map. The reserve shouldbe vested on the National Parks and NatureConservation Authority.

. t

l',.

A hrm.gornl Warrrllha prrirrrnrgs crc /urrml on mnnl o/ the sanrlstone cl// laces throughcntt thc KrnberLel .

26

E,qsr KilraepRLEY

Efor this discussion, the East Kimberley inc)udesthe Bonapafte Gulf Basin, the Ord Basin, the eastemside of the Halls Creek Mobile Zone and thenonhern part of the Victoria River Basin.

The two Phanerozoic basins (Bonaparte and Ord)are topographically and geologically distinct fromthe Precambrian rock types of the North KimberleyDistrict. However, this is not true of the HallsCreek Mobile Zone and of the Victoria River Basin;we included these two areas in the East Kimberleybecause they fall within the drainage basin of theOrd River, the boundaries of whlch mrrespond tothe Ordland Physiographic Division outlined byBeard (1979). Strictly then, the southem part ofthe Parrys Lagoons Nature Reserve intrudes intothe eastem edge of the North Kimberley (KimberleyFoothills Sub-Province).We have not considered the south-westem extersionof the Hall Botanical District (see Beard 1979) inthis account because it falls outside Ordland, thereare no existing reserve recommendations in thearea and there are few biogeographic data available.

Four distinct physiographic provinces are includedin the Ordland Division (Paterson 1970, Stewartet a l . I970. Beard 1979 ) :1. The Cambridge Gulf Lowlands comprise low-

lying erosional and alluvial plains that extendinland from the tidal mudflats of the norhemcoastline. These plains are mainly sandy, butinclude extensive areas of brown and greyalluvium (known as black soil), and do not exceed100 m in altitude. Interspersed across the plainsare remnants of Proterozoic sandstones (Pentecost.Cockbum and Hensman Sandstones, PincombeFormation, and Vyndham Shale), Palaeozoicsandstones (Cockatoo and Skewthorpe

Formations, Hart Spring and Point SpringSandstones) and limestones (Ningbing Limestone).These outcrop as structural platearx, rocky mesas,hills and cuestas rising to 300 m altitude.

2. The Ord Plains Province was formed where theOrd River flows through a sequence of l-owerCambrian volcanics (Arrtrim Plateaux Volcanics),Middle Cambrian limestones (Headlev andLinnekar Limestones) and shales (PantonFormation), and Devonian sandstone (Eldersandstone). The province comprises extensivelow-lying plains ard hilly tracts covered byresidual and alluvial soils. lVhere associated withcalcareous rocks, these are mainly "black soils";where derived from the Elder sandstone, the soilsare sandv: soils of the volcanics include lithosolson uplands and juvenile cracking clays on outwashplains. The volcanics have mostly been dissectedto form mesas and buttes; limestones and shalesform low cuestas; sandstones form cuestas and astructural bench surrounding a structural pleateau(the Bungle Bungle massif). Altitudes range from80 m in the north to 500 m on ridge cress inthe south; the lowest parts of the plains weredrowned by Lake Argyle.

3. The Sturt Plateau Province occurs along thesouthem margin of Ordland. It is a gentlyundulating, elevated, erosion plain, drained inlandby Sturt and \Uolfe Creeks, and separated fromthe dissected valley of the Ord River by steepbreakaways. Much of the plateau is covered bycracking clay plains developed over AnuimPlateau Volcanics, though large areas are cappedwi*r thick laterire, which has partly been dissectedto form mesas, and is mainly covered by extensivedesert sandolains.

z7

*

a

_ zt 8r dr I

t >

+ 2d -o ou ) O-T -)

- :8 l9 la l

d .

RoP

l '_ _ Lt

I

h

eE< 6

< P

z.oo!Jq)

;6

9 4

ffiN

!srsozo=o

5Rr

II

s lI

_ l: l

II

2o

o

o

II

II

ul>LIut,uE,

2( ,> iE 3

tJl

EulalrJEzIstulU'zoC)oz

L-

Y lE l

tri< lz l9 :F I

2i| l l ;J Io lz lf lm lu J ld !z ifo

..\sx'(

MAP 1O

28

4. The Lamboo Hills Province is an area of veryrugged topography, comprised of a variety ofPrecambrian rock types that belong to the HallsCreek Mobile Zone:

Most of this Province is occupied by the Bow RiverHills, an area of low, rounded, boulder-strewn hillsand ridges consisting mainly of Bow River granitewith intrusions of dolerite, porphyry and other rocksof the Lamboo mmplex. The soil cover is poor.

To the north is an area of rugged sandstone, siltstoneand shale ranges, bounded by steep scarps, knownas the Carr Boyd Ranges. Relief within the Rangesis up to 450 m. Loamy, duplex and sandy soils arepresent.

To the east, between the Bow River Hills and theOrd Basin, are the rugged, inaccessible sandstone,dolomite and siltstone terrains of the OsmondRange, and the Albert-Edward Range; the latter ischaracterised by nonherly trending cuestas andhogbacls, and includes near-vertical scarps up to125 m high, deep gorges and trellised drainage.

The Halls Creek ridges separate the Albert-EdwardRange from the Bow River Hills; its Archean sub-grey wacke, shale, siltstone and basalt rocks havelittle soil cover, are tightly folded and have a rough,hilly relief of up to 100 rn. Drainage is trellisedand the steep slopes of the intervening ridges aredeeply incised.

The East Kimberley Disuict receives an arxrualaverage rainfall of between 500 mm (in the south)and 800 mm (ln the nonh) during a predictablerainy season that lasts from late November to earlyApril. The rest of the year is virtually a drought,during which fresh water is retained only inlandscapes associated with the more ancient rock-types, as pgols along the major river systems, andin man-made situations (such as dams on pastoralproperties, and wetlands associated with LakeArgyle).The East Kimberley includes parts of the HallsCreek and Wyndham-East Kimberley Shires. Thereare a number of existing and proposed conservationreserves in the district.

ilililililililt 3.1 BUNCLS BUNCT-ENRrroNel Pem AuoCoNsERvATroN RESERVE

Location: About 120 km south of Kununurra and120 km north-east of Halls Creek.

Map: 10.Area: Reserve 39897, National Parkl.208 7/3 ha,Reserve 39898, Conservation Reserve : 110 602 ha.

Current Status: During construction of the OrdIrrigation Scheme, large areas of the Ord Basinupstream from Lake Argyle were withdrawn frompastoral lease and reserved for the purpose ofstabilising and regenerating vegetation on landsdegraded by previous pastoral practices. The resewewas created following concem that the estimated22 000 000 tonnes of sediment being washed offthe Ord River catchment each vear, from over-gazed pastoral leases, would occlude Lake Argyle.The Ord River Regeneration Reserve (No. 28538)is Class C, and is not vested. Management toachieve the stated purpose of reservation is in thehands of the Department of Agriculture.

Following media promotion of the spectacularBungle Bungle massif during 1982 and 1983, theEnvironmental Protection Authority set up aworking group to investigate and report on thestatus, vesting and purpose of Bungle Bungle andadloining land. Following consideration of theworking goup's recommendations by State Cabinet,the nonh-westem portion of the Ord RiverRegeneration Reserve was proclaimed partly aReserve for Conservation and partly a NationalPark. Both were Class C and vested in the NationalParls and Nature Conseration Authority. Cabinetproposed that the National Park be upgraded toClass A once its long-term boundaries were decided,

Geomorphology: The description below is drawnfrom the working group's ffnal repon to theEnvironmental Protection Authority (Bungle BungleWorking Group 1986).

The Bungle Bungle massif is a structural plateau ofthe Devonian Elder Sandstone, whose massive bedsin places tower nearly 300 metres above thesunounding sandplain. The plateau is deeply incisedand features numerous canyons with sheer sides,and arrays of dramatic silicified towers, on whichorange and black bands are superimposed alongthe horizontal bedding planes. Substrates includeexposed rock to sandy lithosols on the uplands andcuestas, with sandy to ftiable calcareous soils onthe lower footslopes.

The bulk of the National Park, to the north, eastand south of the massif, is occupied by a sm.rcturalbench of extensive undulating sandplain, of deepred and yellow sands and earths, derived from theunderlying Elder Sandstone. Rough stony hilts of

L9

Broad pebblJ stream beds derir.ted t'rom cotgJomeraus drain the Bwtgle BungJt massi[ .

l 0

Jif.

Antrim Plateau Volcanics (mainly basalts), mantled

with lithosols, and associated outwash plains of

cracking clays, occur to the west and north of theBungle Bungle massif.

To the south-west of the massif are complex fold"

mountains and ridges of Archean sedimentary andmetamorphic rocls with sparse gravelly lithosols.To the north arrd nonh-west of the massif are

Proterozoic strata, including shale, siltstone,sandstone, conglomerate and dolomite rocks, asstrike-ridges and cuestas with inaccessible terrainand intense drainage pattems; soils comprise stonylithosols between rock sheets, boulders and outcrops,duplex soils on mid and lower slopes and some

areas of dark clay loams in major valley bottoms.

Relatively small areas of Headley Limestone, as

cuestas and strike ridges, occur mainly to the southof the massif. Soils range liom hard crystallinelirnestone pavements to stony calcareous lithosolsand loams.

The main surfaces of the eastem and southemmargins of the Park belong to the erosional plain

of the Hardman Basin, which lies along both sidesof the Ord River. The Cambrian rock-types consistof altemating layers of hard crystalline limestoneand soft shale; four distinct geomorphic units occur:

1. cuestas, cuesta baclslopes and low rises mantledin stable calcareous earths:

2. black soil plains, transitional to heavy crackingclays of river flood plains;

3. interfluve upper and lower slopes with grey-

brown calcareous desert loams and clays, oftenwith a thin surface crust; and

4. unconsolidated micaceous sands, silts andloams associated with the Ord River floodplains.

Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation of the areahas been described by Forbes and Kenneally ( 1986).The massif and the Proterozoic uplands to the westand north support low, open woodland. On theplateaux this conprises Ercalypus clifnnnna mdE. collina, with associated tall shrubs such as Greulleawickhamii, Acocia asadenia and A. enopoda over aspinifex understorey. Cambrian volcanic andArchean metamorphic and sedimentary rangessupport low open-woodlands of species such asEurnbpats brevifolia, E. tectifica nd E. dtclvomophloittover spinifex. I-ower slopes support Er.icalyprus spp.,Termimlia spp. and Acacia spp. over Ribbon Crass(Chry soPogon fallnx).Limestone surfaces support spinifex and low grass

with scattered trees, including Eurolpfl^ @rminoli5Nutwood (Tmrunalr ercstdm) arrd Actqia famesiora.

Srearn valleys associated widr ranges feature narrowriparian woodland s of Taminalia plaryphllh., or openforests of Cadjeput (Melaleuca leucolendra) .Permanent swamps and streams in the OsmondRange include patches of dense riparian forestcomprising Syxlgr wn d.ngo2horciles, Fians coronulam,

Nurclpa orienalk afi, Cctrallia brorhiam, over a lush

understorey of the fern Clclosorus interruDa$ a dTaro (Colocasrla es afuna).'fhe riverine habitats ofthis range include a rare ffee, Eundin ellerlana.Gorges in the Bungle Bungle rnassif feature thenew species Grevilba psiktntho, the first recorded

occurrence in Westem Australia of the fem Taenitispinnaa, the moss Uleobryum Duuuitlnum, the vineStephanin japonica, the shrub Comesp mna seanl m,

t.'e tree bpmspermwn lon$fol.ium and an undescribedLiuisroni.a palm.

The sand and earth plains of the structural benchsurrounding the massif suppon shrublands of Acacio

annida and Greuillea wickhamii, with extensive low

open-woodlands o( Euco\pws collina md E. brevifloraand grass understoreys of spinifex and \Tiregrass(Erirclne sp.).

Black soil plains support grasslands dominated byMitchell Grass (Asnebla spp.) or Feathertop (Arudda

spp.) with scattered Bauhinia (Llsi|hylLum

auninfumii) and Coolibah ( Eurall ra$ miclothzca) .The introduced Kapok Bush, Buffel Crass andBirdwood Grass have largely dominated loam andclay surfaces of the interfluves. Major waterccursessuch as the Ord River support fringing woodlandsof River Gum. Coolibah, Nutwood (Terminalia

orostratn) and Cadjeput. The levees support Iowopen-woodlands of Lysiplqllum, Ghost Gum(Ercab|ats FDwwL) and tlickea of Acacia famesirnwover mixed perennial grasses.

Fauna: Knowledge of the fauna is largely restrictedto birds and a comprehersive list is being drawn up.

Recreational Use and Potential: Though the

existence of the Bungle Bungle massif was knownlocally, it was only recently discovered by the widerpublic and tourism interests after widespread mediamverage in late 1982 and early 1983, initiated bythe "Vonden of Vestern Australia" television series.

Despite relatively little official promotion of thearea, it has already generated interest to the extentthat most tourists to the East Kimberley regionwant to include it on their itinerary. This degreeof interest mav be attributed to several factors. Most

l 1

il,

MIRIMA NATIONAL PARK

l 0 2 K m

II

I

i

l tr lr lII

II

aKellys Knob

r l

MAP 11

) L

imponantly, it is a feature that is cenainly unusual,spectacular and highly distinctive. However, theexotic name, the relative remoteness and spectacularmanner in which the s-rea was first "discovered"

by the television cameras and zubsequent newspaperreports may also have conbibuted to the level ofinterest.

Access to the area by vehicle is difficult, particularlyif tle visitor's intention is to reach the areas whichhave been featured extensively in media mverageand have come to be regarded as the characteristicBungle Bungle landscape. The rough pre-existingtracks which reach to within a few kilometres ofthe massif were constructed for mineral explorationpurposes and were not intended to withstandcontinued use or to serve any lasting purposes.Accordingly, their routes were not surveyed toidentifi' the most appropriate alignment with respectto ease of access or long term stability. Beyondthe mining tracks, touriss ard tour operatorsintending to reach the desired features have travenedfragile eroding lands and forced an access acrosscountry for a number of kilometres.

Key Features: One of the few large impact craterson the Eafth's surface (the Piccaninny structure),remote inland occurrence of riverine rainforest(Osmond Ranges), spectacular scenery, cross-sectionof typical Ord Basin environments (none of whichare included in conservation reserves elsewhere)and sites of Aboriginal impotance.


EPA Recommendation: At its meeting on 16 May1985 the EPA considered and fully endorsed thereport and recommendations of the Bungle BungleNforking Group (published in 1986).

Our Recommendation: lVe recommend that theNational Park be upgraded to Class A and that theconservation reserve be added to the Nationat Parkas soon as circumsrances permit.

lllllllllllllll 3.2 MtRttvtR NATIoNnt-Pnm

Location: Immediately adjacent to Kununurra.Currently, officially known as Hidden ValleyNational Park, but a name change is proposed.

Map: 11.Arear 1 817 ha.

Current Status: Class A Reserve 3?883, vested

in the National Parks and Nature ConservationAuthority.

Geomorphology: The dominant fean:re of the parkis a rugged gtoup of sandstone hills, which rise inplaces to almost 100 m above the surroundingalluvial red and yellow sandplains of the Ord River.The hills and enclosed valleys are part of dre Kelly'sKnob and Abrey Sandstone members and are ofDevonian age.

Vegetation and Flora: The valley floors aredominated by Woollybutt (Eucallpnis miniaa) ar.dIong-ftuited Bloodwmd (Eucalfpnr pobcnDa) overshrubs such as Cajanra retinlaas, Planchonia coreya,Greoilleahelbsperma, C . refroca and Poumia sericeo.The rock walls suppon the Boab (Adamnia gegoii)and the figs Fic.s hucotricha and F. platypoda, andTurkey Bush (Cabmx exstiDulara). Undescribedspecies of Lindernia and Plaqvce are known fromfissures in the gorge walls. Both appear to beendemic to the area. In the sandy areas subject toseasonal flooding rhe {ern PlatlTonw mir,oplryl}amis common, along with Haemodonnn parvifknnnand numerous ephemeral species such as SryMium,Uniatknia, Byblis and Drosera.The park supports a mosaic of upland tall grasssavannah and woodland; in particular thehtrnlypasdirhromophloia sub-atliance in valleys and Triodbpr.mgeru, with low open eucalypt overstorey on thehills.Eucalypts found in the area include Variable-barkedBloodwood (E. dkhranoDltnid, Darwin Stringybark(E. tetrodonta), Long-frui ted Bloodwood(E. DoLJcarDa), and Kalumburu White Gum(E. herberaaru). There is an impressive, almostpure stand of Voollybutt (E. mininn) growing onred sand in the north-west comer of the park.

Other tree species include the Boab (Adansonia

cr€cortt), Wild Mango (Burharwtin obo'!)om), En\)Apple (Ou,,enia uemicosa) and several species ofTermircJb, including T. htipes. Wattles, such asAcocia nmida and A. plzcncarpo, are common, asis the attractive shrub Kimberley Heather (Caf mxexstiDuhm). A geographically restricted plant,Echinochloa mocrandra, has been recorded nearbyand it is likely that it occurs within the park, alongLily Creek.

Fauna: No fauna surveys have been carried out.Known resident species include the Shon-earedRock.wallaby (Petogsle hl.lyotis) and the Echidna(Tdqdossus acdtana). The park suppons a diverserange of amphibian, reptilian and avian fauna.

33

Highly dissectzd, satdstone is a dominant feauue of Mirima NationoJ Patk.

Water birds , including Pied. G eese , corgregate on P otns lagoons soxth of Wydhllm.

34

Recreational Use and Potential: The park is apopular destination for townspeople, being wellwithin walking distance of most houses inKununurra. Local commercial tour operators andvisiting coaches take groups ofmore than 100 touristsinto the park each day during the dry season. Msitcirnumbers decline markedly in the wet.

Key Features : Striking scenery of sandstone ranges,cliffs and valleys. The area is often referred to as a"mini Bungle Bungle" because of similarities inrock formations.

CTRC Recommenrlation: Not included in CTRC'S19?7 report, but recommended in a supplementaryreport to the EPA.

EPA Reeommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat:

1. the area delineated in Fig. ?.18 be set apart as aClass A Resewe for National Park, vested inthe National Parks Authority;

2. prior to this reservation, the Public WorksDepartment, in consultation with the EPA, selectan inconspicuous site for a water tank, and thissite be reserved for Public Works;

3. the National Parls Authority consult with thetraditional owners of Hidden Valley during thepreparation of a maragement plan."

Our Recommendation: The National Park wasdeclared in 1982. We endorse the class, purposeand vesting of the reserve. Because of its small sizeit does not wanant the status of national park andit should be designated a conservation park.

ilililIilililil 3.3 LnTEAncyLEANDCennBoyoRRNcE

Location: Fifty kilometres south of Kununurra.

M a p : 1 2 .

Area: About i25 000 ha.

Current Status: The \U.A. Water Authority, asthe dominant authority in all phases of the OrdIrrigation Scheme, exens influence over all activityrelating to the Lake. Potential erosion problems,mainly associated with stock use of the occasionallyinundated black soil plains, have led to the vestingof Reserve 31165, of 182 885 ha, for "Govemment

Requirements" on the east and south sides of theLake, in the Minister for Water Resources. Some

vacant Crown land exists beween Reserve 31165and the low water marks, but seasonal inundationrestricts its potential use for other than waterprotecdon purposes, In the vicinity of the damand downstream to the trigation area, particularlyon the east side of the Ord River, the requirementsof management suggest that the Water Authorityshould be involved in all land-use activities,including tourism.

Geomorphology: The Carr Boyd Ranges consistof rugged ridges, hogbacls, cuestas and structuralplateaux of quartz sandstone, siltstone and shale(Paterson 1970). These stuctures are separatedand dissected by narrow valleys and gullies,frequently steep-sided and rocky, which severelyrestrict access other than by foot. Small areas ofbasalt, granite and dolerite also occur. Drainage isstructurally controlled. Fluvial plains of grey (orblack) soil with heavy texture, and of red to yelloweanhs with coarse texture, occur in association withthe deeply alluviated drainage valleys of the Ordand D:nham Rivers. Gradients of the fine-texturedplains are very gentle except where cut by streamchannels; the coarse-textured fluvial plains have amore irregular topography. The islands in LakeArgyle are outcrops of sandstone and/or siltstone.

Vegetation and Flora: The Carr Boyd Rangessuppoft an open woodland of Eur.alypus miniamand E. tenodnnm or E. dichromophlora over annualSorgham on deeper soils or Pbctrachne on morestony areas with skeletal soils.

Fauna: The biology of the vacant Crown land westand north-west of Lake Argyle, comprising the CarrBoyd and other ranges that form the northem partsof the Lamboo Hills Province, has not been studied.A survey of areas now inundated or isolated asislands in Lake Argyle was undenaken by theWestem Australian Museum prior to the completionof dre main dam. Mammals recorded included theEuro (Macropm robusnrs), Short.eared Rock \fallaby(Penogale braclqotis), an Antechinus (Antechirus

bilami), Ingram's Planigale (Planigab ingrami), theDusky Horseshoe Bat. (Hiryosidr,os gilberd), and theOrange Horseshoe Bat (Rhinoni cterc utrant ^)(Kitchener 19? 8).

Later, studies by Peter Gowland for the AgricultureDepanment of Westem Australia showed that theLake Argyle wetland system, like the Ord RiverIrrigation Area, fi-rnctions mainly as a dry seasonrefuge to which vast numbers of birds (especially

35

il.

PROPOSED LAKE ARGYLEAND CARR BOYD RANGE

NATIONAL PARKSCALE

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 K m

LEGEND

f .--l Proposed Nationa park

---------_

rlIVANHOE t//

(\ A Pt . 3t 165

i'- "--.-

.RIVER

F'l:;,/

A P r . 3 1 1 6 5Govt. Bequnenents

- - - - - - -LISSADELL I

I

il ,^--'-,(

i?_

MAP 12

36

waterbirds) flock for its concentrated and convenientfood source. Eurasian Coot, Black Duck, GreyTeal, Pink-eared Duck, Hardhead and Black-wingedStilt are some of the birds that favour the Lakerather than the Irrigation Area. The RAOURemote Wetlands Expedition of 1986 reported 59species of waterbirds totalling 181 400 individualsat Lake Argyle. Common species included Hardhead(51 400), Eurasian Coot (50 800), Grey Teal(17 200), Vandering \{/histling-Duck (11 000) andMagpie Goose (10500). Two species gszetted as"Rare" under the Vildlife Conservation Act werenoted: Radjah Shelduck (657) and Comb-crestedlacana (296) .

Freshwater Crocodiles (Crocdyhs johnstoni) areabundant in the lake. Saltwater crocodiles are alsopresent (C. Done, pers. comm.).

The islands created by the damming have biologicalimportance as parts of a fragrnented ecosystem thatshould not be overlooked. The ability of existingplants and animals to survive isolation and theircapacity to adapt to a changed habitat are aspectsthat should be studied over a long period of time.The Short-eared Rock-wallaby and the NorthemNail-tailed Wallaby are both known to have beenleft on islands following "Operation Noah" whichaimed to remove animals from areas destined forinundation. This situation would be expensive tocreate experimentally and ecologists should takeadvantage of it. Some form of reservation is desirablefor this purpose although it may not be possible touse the reserve immediately.

Recreational IJse and Potential: The decision topress ahead with the Ord Scheme signified theend of isolation for the lower Ord Valley. Planning,construction and operation of the scheme has meantrnore people and better access. Tourism hasinevitably followed and has beett rncreirsrng yearby year. The need to protect significant featuresfor the benefit of both local residents and visitorshas therefore become a matter of urgency. TheW.A. Vater Authority has been active andresponsible in rhis field, and in the provision offacilities to attract and handle the increasing touristpressure. Pre-eminent among the attractions isthe vast Lake Argyle itself. The islands created bythe damming have obvious recreational potentialand some are in use already.

The vacant Crown land west and nofth-west ofLake Argyle, comprising the Can Boyd and other

31

ranges, has the aftributes of a national park. Thegtandeur of the ranges, rising steeply from a largebody of navigable water, gives them an obviousrecreational value, particulady within a fewkilometres of the water's edge.

Key Features: Spectacular scenery, man-madewetland with abundant wetland fauna. islands inLake Argyle.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeerecommends that the islands in Lake Argyle andthe Carr Boyd Ranges to the west and north-westof Lake Argyle be declared a Class C Reserve forthe purpose of National Park, and vested in theNational Parks Authority of W.A.

Class C resewation as National Park is recommendeduntil time and further work clarify the mineralpotential of the area."


1. the area shown in Fig. ?.10, including the CarrBoyd Ranges and the islands in Lake Argyle, bedeclared a Class C Reserve for National Parkand vested in the National Parks Authority;

2. the reserve should extend to high water mark."

Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the EPArecommendation.

ilIilIilililIil 3.4 oRDRrvrnNnrunERrsERvs ANo Fnr-srMourHs Op THE Ono

Locationr The Ord River Nature Reserve is situatedon the tidal portion of the Ord River 25 kilometresnorth-east of Wlndham. It extends nonhward alongthe East Arm of Cambridge Gulf. CALM hasrequested that the reserve be extended furrhernorthwards to include the extensive tidal waterwavs.and enormous mangrove swamps and mudflats,known as the "False Mouths of the Ord".Map: 13.Area: 23 945 hectares is reserved at present.Current Status: The Ord River Nature Reserve isResewe No. 3196'l [or the Conservation of Floraand Fauna, Class C, vested in the W.A. \)ilildlifeAuthority. The mangle at the false mouths of theOrd and Adolphus Island are vacant Crownland.

+

o(d

CAMBBIDGEta\ss

ot,

\ Y

> ' 2

v^

v

CARLTON HILL

PROPOSED ORD RIVERNATURE RESERVE

SCALE20 km

LEGEND

Pfoposed Nature ReservesVililT)ry1

A 31636Conservation of Fauna

MAP 13

38

Geomorphology: The reserve comprises coastaland estuarine deltaic plains of highty saline claysincised by dendritic tidal creeks. It includes anarea of "coastal erosional plain" - deep sandy soilssupporting woodland over tall grass - with severaloutcrops of Hart Spring Sandstone as abrupt hills.Mount Connection is one such outcrop (Plum andPerry 1971, Plum and Veevers 1971, Stewart et al.19?0, Beard 1979). The false mouths of the Ordis the most extensive mudflat and tidal waterwaycomplex in Westem Australia.

Vegetation and Flora: Mangroves line the estuaryof the Ord River and the drainage creeks that incisethe mudflats. They also cover mudflats where theyare regularly inundated by the tides. Species ofmangrove include Cunptostemnn schultTii, Bruguierapar viflora, Excoecaria agalbdw, RhiTophma srlb sa,Xllncmpus u.rsnaktsiats, Aegicera corniculnum,Aegialitis u'tnuhm, Ceriops mgal and Sonneratia olba.Less frequently inundated areas of the mudflatsupport low shrublands of samphire and lowgrasslands of Saltwater Couch (Sporobohs virginiLus),The scree-slopes of Mount Connection support alow open-woodland of eucalypts over spinifexhummock grassland.

Fauna: The reserve, which was declared primarilyto protect the Saltwater Cromdile (Croco$Iusporosus), resulted from a recommendation by DrH.R. Bustard who was commissioned by theDepartment of Fisheries and Fauna to report onthe status of crocodiles in Westem Australia (Bustard1969). Dr Bustard felt that this area was ideal fora crocodile reserve because it contained excellenthabitat and still held a number of crocodiles whichwould repopulate the area if rigidly protected.Recent surveys of Saltwater Crocodile numbers(Messel et aI. 1987) show that the Ord has anincreasing crocodile population and is the majorbreeding river in Cambridge Gulf. However, thereserve does not include signiftcant areas of breedinghabitat.

The mammals and birds of the urangroves weresampled during a four-day visit in 1983. Theysupport the only known Westem Australianpopulation of Black Butcherbird, as well as apopulation of flycatchers that is morphologicallyintermediate between the Lemon-breasted Flycatcherand the Broum-tailed Flycatcher. The rare MangroveKingfisher and other mangrove specialists, such asthe Chestnut Rail, were also present.

Marnmals recorded include the only known

population of Mozaic-tailed Rat (Melomys) fromthe East Kimberley and a rich bat fauna includingBlack Flying Fox (Pteropus alecto), Yellow-belliedSheathtail Bat (TaDhozorls flanriuentris), CommonSheathtail Bat (T. georgianru), Northem MastiffBat (Cluterephnn jobensis), Common Bent-wing Bat(Minio|tefls scfu eiber sii), Hoary Bat (Chalinolobusrogersi), Little Broad-nosed Bat (Scorreperu greyi),PipisnelLus oesffdlis, arrd Amhem Land Long-earedBat (Nycophilru arnhemeruis) (McKenzie and Rolfe1986) .

Recreational Use and Potential: It is readilvaccessible by boat from Wyndham, but has littlerecreational value except for naturalists andfisherpeople.

Key Featuresr Rare and scientifically importantbirds, extensive m:rngrove communities, SalwaterCrocodiles. Parts are scenically attractive.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeeendorses the status, purpose and vesting of thisreserve."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA endorses thestatus, purpose and vesting of Reserve 31967."

Our Recommendation: We recommend thatResewe 31967 be upgraded to Class A and thatthe area from low water mark to 40 m above highwater mark adjacent to the reserve and at the falsemouths of the Ord be added to the reserve (Map13). This is because the current reserve is far rcosmall to achieve its conservation objective ofrepresenting the estuarine and marine environmentsof the Cambridge Gulf Lowlands PhysiographicProvince. At present, some areas below high watermark adjacent to the Ord River Nature Reserveappear to be included in Carlton Hill Station, eventhough pastoral leases normally terniinate 40 mabove high water mark. To enact thisrecommendation d-re boundary of Carlton Hill willneed to be readjusted to the usual legal boundaryof 40 m above high water mark.

We also remmmend that the lower reaches of theOrd, the waters adlacent to the existing reserveand the waters adjacent to the false mouths bedeclared a Class A marine nature reserve, Steosshould be tai<en to add areas ofSalrwater Crocodilebreeding habitat to the reserve.

We recommend that the Department ofConservation and Land Management conduct abiological zurvey of Adolphus Island and recommendwhether it should be added ro the reserve.

39

rf

-z3oz

gE

HH\ - - - -/

-y'

--r7

zl"

I

J9"I

\ l

MAP 14

40

llllllilllllllll 3.5 PRCTSROOLE SWAMPSThe persistence of the Packsaddle Swamps area ofLake Kununurra depends on structures associatedwith the Ord Inigation Scheme; the swamps wereformed when the Kununurra Diversion Dam wasbuilt across the Ord River so water levels in LakeKunununa could be held constant throughout theyear. The system is occasionally drained formaintenance for about two weeks at a time,

Location: On the westem side of Lake Kununurra,immediately upstream of the Kununurra DiversionDam, five kilometres west of Kununurra.

Map: 14.

Area; 860 ha.

Current Status: Vacant Crown land; it has beenproposed as a reserve for irrigation, drainage andnature conservation, to be vested jointly in theW.A. N7ater Authority and the National Parksand Narure Conservarion Authority.

Geomorphology: Inundated and exposed fluvialplains of black (cracking clay) and red soils (Plum

and Perrv 1971).

Four wetland areas, continuous with LakeKununurra. are included. as well as seven kilomeuesof the edge of Lake Kununurra.

Vegetation and Flora: The Lake Kununurrawaterway is fringed with a forest o( Melalzurabumdnndra, EuraLy pats mio otlvco, E. cunaWiensis,Sa,bmin fonnosa, Nauclea orienats and LnphostemongratAiflm:. In the shallows along tlre waterway,and throughout the swamps, are stands ofbullrushes(Typhn dnmingensis) and Eleocharis spp. The aquaticvegetation of the swamps includes Nympho idrs indta,Nymphaea gigantea, Najas graminee, HJdriLInuerticilltm, P ommngemn tricarh:la;ars, Mybphylltnn$ernlLosum, Va\ixwria spirolis and Clnra spp. (S.A.

Halse, pers. comm.).

Dry areas of red soil support an open low woodlandof LysiphylJwn cwtninfrwnii , Ercalypaa pruirwsa andE. tectifica over perennial and annual grasses.Ercalypus miootheca occurs on levee banks.

Fauna: The swamps are rich in bird life. Moretl-ran 12 000 birds were recorded in the Kununurrawetlands in September/October 1978. MikeOsbome, Peter Gowland and Ron Johnstone have,at various times, made lists of the rich bird faunafound in the Paclsaddle areas of the swamp. Typicalbirds include the Glossy Ibis, Star Finch, CrimsonFinch, Clamorous Reed-warbler, Golden-headed

Fantail-warbler, Comb-crested Jacana (a declaredrare species in W.A.), Great Egret, Horsfield'sBushlark, Eastem Swamphen, Magpie Goose,Restless Flycatcher and Jabiru.Prodigious numbers of Freshwater Crocodiles occurin the swamps, along with the \Uater Rat, BlackFlying Fox, Broln Flying Fox, Amhem Land long.eared Bat and Hoary Bat.

Recreational Use and Potential: National HighwayOne crosses the Ord River along *re top of theDivenion Dam and provides an unmatched vantagepoint from which to view these picturesque sw:rmpsand their spectacular bird life. The swamps havebecome a major tourist attraction. The area is alsoa readily accessible shrdy resource.

Key Features: Spectacular scenery, wetlands,wildlife.

CTRC Recommendation: Notdiscussed.

EPA Recommendation r Not considered.

Our Recommendation: We recommend that theproposed reserve for irrigation, drainage and natureconservation be created. Joint vesting in the W.A.Vater Authority and the National Parls and NatureConservation Authority is considered neces$rybecause the former are responsible for controllingthe water levels throughout the wetland system,part of the Ord Inigation Scheme.

ililililililill 3.6 PRnRys LncooNsNATURERESERvS

Location: About 25 km south-east of \Vyndham.Map: 15.

Area: 18 742 ha.

Current Status: It is mostly contained within ClassC Reserves Nos. 1058 (1024 ha, \fater and theC.onservation of Fauna, vested in the Minister forWater Resources) , 1059 (2 000 ha, Vater and theConservation of Fauna, vested in the Minister forVater Resources) ,31636 (lZ 589 ha, Consewationof Fauna, vested in the National Parks and NatureC.onservation Authority) and 10866 (Z l79ha,Protection ofFlora and Fauna, vested in the NationalParks and Nature Conservation Authoritv).

Geomorphology: These reserves include a numberof wetlands (Parry Creek, Parrys Lagooru, PoliceHole, Jogalong Billabong, Palm Spring, \ifild GooseCreek and Goose Hill Creek) and represent rhe

4r

PROPOSED PARRYS LAGOONSNATURE RESERVE

LOCALITY MAP

SCALE

5

LEGENO

% e,opos.d N^tur. aes.rue

MAP 15

non-marine ecosystems of *Le Cambridge Gulflowland Physiographic Province. Most of the landsurface comprises nearly flat Quatemary alluvialplains with extensive areas of black soil (crackingclay) (Paterson 1970). The water table is at ornear the surface during the dry season; the plainsare flooded during the wet season. Drainage linesare poorly defined, widely spaced and sometimesend in fresh water swamps; an example is providedby Parry Creek which drains into Parrys Lagoons.

Structural plateaux, ridges and deep V-shaped valleysof Upper Pentecost Sandstone dominate thesouthem section of the area (Plum and Veevers1971). These surfaces are rockv, and mantled withshallow skeletal soils. Small basalt outcrops occuras hills (e.g. Pivot Hill) near the westem edge ofthe area.

Vegetation and Flora: The seasonal wetlandssupport a number of aquatic species such asNymphrca $gantea nd some stands of Pl'tragniteslccrkt arLd, Seshmis cnruwbtna. Trees fringing thewetlands include EucaLypats papuaru, E. mt:rolrcca,E. mmoldulensis, Melnbrca sp., Adansonia gegoi|Excrxcaria paruifolit and, especially around PalmSpring, areas of Panlarus spiralts. The grasslandaround the seasonal wetland includes c:ne srass(Sorghr,rm ausvaliense). The sandstone countrysupports open woodlands including Eumlypnstet'rodonta and E. dichromophloia over spinifex andtussock grasses.

Fauna: The lagoons and billabongs attractthousands of water birds, especially during t]re dryseason when fiesh water in the region becomesscarce. S.A. Halse (pers. comm.) reported 2? 000water birds in May 1986, of which 18 400 wereducks. During that survey 54 species of waterbirdwere recorded on these wetlands. Common speciesincluded the Magpie Goose, Straw.necked Ibis,Sacred Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Black Duck, WanderingVhistling Duck, Ausralian \Thistling Duck, Brolga,Jabiru, Australian Pelican, Little Curlew andOriental Pratincole. The comparatively rare RadjahSheldu& can also be seen there. The Parrp Lagmnsare probably the rnost important site in Australiafor \Uood Sandpipers and, in years when localrainfall is good, the lagoons and associated seasonalwetlands are one of the major breeding areas forwaterbirds in the Kimberlev.

The Red-backed Button-Quail occurs in grasslandsaround Parrys Lagoon. Finches are numerous rnthe area, species recorded including the Zebra,

Pictorella, Double.barred, Crimson and l,ongtailed.

Mammals include the Nonhem Nail-tailed riUallaby,

Sandy \Tallaby and the Long-Haired Rat (Rarusvillosissrmus), which is known from only one otherlocality in Western Australia. Parry Creek, near\Uyndham, is the "Type Localiry" of WoodwardsRock-rat (Zlzom1s wodwctrdii), a species restrictedto sandstone boulder country.

The reserves are at present being damaged by cattleand this should be controlled.

Recreational IJse and Potential: The area is easilyaccessible as the Great Northem Highway runsalong the westem boundary and the old Wyndham-Kununurra Road runs through the area.

Key Features: Outstanding for irs bird life.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeeendorses the status, purlnse and vesting of ReservesNos. 1058, 1059, 30866 and 31636."EPA Recommendation: "The EPA endorses thestatus purpose and vesting of Reserves 1058, 1059,31636 and 30866."

Our Recommendation: Negotiations between theDepartment of Corxervation and Land Management,the W.A. lVater Authority and the Department ofAgriculture have been held with the aim ofmnsolidating and rationalising the boundaries ofthe Parrys Lagoons Nature Reserve. Ve recommendthat a single reserve as sho*n on Map 15 be declareda Class A nature reserve vested in the NationalParks and Nature C-onservation Authoritv.

lllllllllllllll 3.7 PEr-rCRN ISlaNnNATunsREspRvE

Location: Pelican Island lies about 110 km north-east of \Tyndham in Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.Map: 2.

Area: About 8 ha.

Geomorphology: A low sand cay with some rockyareas.

Current Status: Class C Reserve 29541 for WildlifeSanctuary, vested in the National Parks and NatureC-onservation Authority.

Vegetation and Flora: Low vegetation, mainlySaltwater C-ouch (Sporoboh.a oirgrnrd/s ).Fauna: As the name suggests, the island's mainfeature is that it is a breeding place for the Australian

43

if

POINT SPRING NATURE RESERVESCALE

? . . . . . . . . , ?

EI* l

iI

-c/

oP/ oo

/ " '

/ + "/ c -

//.i s9

t t ,)

r /

I\a''t-,

8.'ao /i:\.

a

-<o<d ./

I

\

Q.a- - rlu,

\ )

III

m-\

:'d,.

\ KUNUNURRA

MAP 16

44

Pelican (Pelecanus cutspicitlans). Pelicans breedon only ffve other offshore islands in V,A., althoughdrey occasionally breed on islands in major riversand in estuaries in the South \Vest of the State.Turtles also nest on Pelican Island.Recreational IJse and Potential: None.Key Features: The pelican breeding colony.CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeerecommends that Reserve No. 29241 (Pelican Island,Joseph Bonaparte Gul0 be upgraded to a Class BReserve."EPA Recommenrlation: "The EPA endorses thepurpose and vesting of Reserve 29241 butrecommends that t}re classification be amended tot-lass D.

Our Recommendation: We recommend that thepurpose of the reserve be amended to Conservationof Flora and Fauna and that it be upgraded toClass A.

lllllllllllllllll :.e PorNrSpnrxcNRruRsRsssnvp

Location: 40 km north-north-east of Kununurra,

M a p : 1 6 ,

Area: 303 ha.

Current Status: Class A Reserve No, 34585 forthe Consewation of Flora and Fauna, vested inthe National Parks and Nature C-onservationAuthority. The reserve has been fenced to preventdamage by cattle ftom the sunounding pastoral lease.

Geomorphology: Point Spring is a permanenrspring at the base of the Veaber Range, a lowsandstone range rising from black soil plains. Thereserve includes small areas of both the range andthe plains. The spring feeds a small lake a shorrdistance from the hills.

Vegetation and Flora: Around the spring there isa small patch of remnalt rainforest. Tree speciesrecorded include Canoriwn austalianum, CaralJiabrorhiaa, Ewdia elleryuw, Ficla racemom, F. virersardTermindia soicocarpa. Patches of closed canopyrainforest are so rare in the lowland environmentsof the East Kimberley that a variety of species dependon Point Spring for their persistence in the district.Grasslands surround the lake, while there are opensavannah woodlalds elsewhere.

Fauna: A Flying Fox colony inhabits the rainforestpatch along with populations of typical rainforestbirds such as the Green-backed Gerygone. Thelake provides a resting and feeding place forwaterbirds, including brolgas, storks, egrets andnerons.

Recreational Use and Potential: Because of itsproximity to Kununurra the nanue reserve is visitedby people during the dry season. Wet season accessis impossible because of the adjacent black soilplains.

Key Features: The spring and associated rainforestpatch and wetland.

CTRC Recornrnendation: None,


Our Recornmendation: Ve endorse the status,purpose and vesting of the Point Spring NatureReserve.

BI&z u,,aterlilll (Nymphoides violacea).

45

The Boab (Adansonia gregorii) ts a gort)- stenrmed tree commot throughout much of tfu Kimberlel. Duing the dry season it is lznflessbut afutrned u,ith large fntits connidng edible pulp arl seeds . The leaves an'l. lkxtLers appedr in th.e wet season.

46

Ir.

4KnraepRLEYNonrn

The geology of the North Kimberley has beendescribed by Thom (1975), so only an outline ispresented here. The Kimberley Plateau Provinceoccupies the major part of the district and has abroad, uplifted, dissected peneplain developed acrossthe flat-lying sedimentary and volcanic rocks ofthe Kimberley Basin. The plateau has an altitudeof 400 to 500 metres above sea level. Undulatingsandstone benches maly kilometres long, boundedby cliffs up to ?5 metres high, are mmmon fearuresof the plateau landscape.

The plateau is flanked to the south-west by theKing Leopold Moblle Zone and to the east by theHalls Creek Mobile Zone. Together, these zonesare referred to as the Halls Creek Province and,though intensely folded and faulted, have a moresubdued topography of igneous and metamorphicrocks. Open textured drainage and low, roundedbouldery hills are characteristic. The metamorphicrocks form sharp strike ridges, while smooth whale-back hills separated by narrow sandy flats are typicalof the granite areas. l,ocal maximum altitudes ransefrom J00 to 600 metres, but relief seldom exceeds200 metres.Included in the Kimberley Basin, but lying betweenthe Kimberley Plateau and the low country of themobile zones, there is a topographically intermediatezone with a complex broken pattem of cuestas,hog-backs and minor escarpments. This zone hasa relief of 200 to 400 metres.

The Precambrian rocks of the Kimberley Basin andits mobile zones were laid down between 1 900and 1 650 million years ago, although the mobilezones have since undergone continual [oca[ renewals.Following rejuvenation of the drainage sysrem inthe late Tertiary or early Pleistocene, the KimberleyPlateau Province underwent a period of activedissection. Larer, a Quatemary rise in sea level

resulted in the drowning of valleys, the formationof an indented shoreline and many offshore islandswith a coastal configuration strongly controlled bythe jointing in the King Leopold and WartonSandstones. The islands are thought to have lastbeen part of the mainland as recently as 8 000 to10 000 years ago. A few islands, such as Boongaree,have possibly had a much more recem separauon.Thus, the stratigraphy of the islands is the same asthat of the adjacent North Kimberley mainland,although even the largest islands usually includeno more than two or three of the Precambrianrock types found on the mainland. Thegeomorphology of the North Kimberley, and all itsadjacent islands, is controlled by sandstone orvolcanic strata. In broad terms t}te rVarton, KingLeopold and Pentecost Sandstones are expressedas resistant, cliff-forming quartz sandstones, givingrise to a rugged, dissected terrain with joint-controlled gorges and drainage. The CarsonVolcanics are expressed as rounded, usually soilcovered, undulating country with gentle gradientsand dendritic drainage. Han Dolerite occurs asdark grey to black bouldery outcrops, and is generallyfound in valleys.

Shallow Cenozoic deposits of sandy soils, alluviumor (rarely) black soils, incompletely mantle thesandstones and volcanics. Awav from the coast.and on uplands near the coast and on the islandswhere dissection is incomplete, the sandstone strataof the Kimberley Plateau are thinly mantled withCenozoic soils of light, sandy texture. SuperficialTeniary deposits of laterite and bauxite cap thePrecambrian srrata in some areas (e.g. MiichellPlateau).

Quatemary deposits also occur, though mainly incoastal situations and along the courses of majorriver systems such as the Drysdale, King Edward

41

and Carson Rivers. Quaternary soils are presenton the coast as beach sands and grey mud.Shorelines are uzually rocky, although small, sandybeaches are present between some headlands. Alongsheltered shores a narrow srip of littoral mud occun,and in sheltered bays there are often extensive littoralmudflats traversed bv incised tidal creels. Shallowrocky shoals and coral reefs are found around manyof the islands.

The North Kimberley has a rich flora and faunathat includes many tropical species, with affinitiesto the Northem Territory and Queensland, thatdo not occur elsewhere in W.A. It also includes anumber of endemic species and is the only districtin \(/estem Australia where there have been nodocumented extinctions of native species duringthe period of European settlement. The oppomrnityto protect these intact ecosystems is of intemationalsiglificance and should not be lost. Their propermanagement has some urgency - there is evidencethat certain native mammal species have recentlydisappeared from south-eastern parts of the district(Harry Martin, pers. comm.).

The Nonh Kimberley islands are panicularlyimportant nature conservation areas. They possesspopulations of a variety of plants and animalsunaffected by European man or his introducedanimals. Some islands further south in W.A. nowcontain the only populations of mammals oncewidespread on the mainland. ti7hile, fortunately,this is not the present situation in the Kimberley,similar massive extinctions can not be ruled outon the adjacent mainland in the future. Islandpopulations of animals can be managed much morereadily than mainland ones, because of their isolationftom the many human-introduced disturbers thatare found on large landmasses.

Islands are also important breeding sites for marinespecies such as seabirds and tunles. Kimberleyislands provide important habitat for large SaltwaterCrocodiles displaced ftom breeding habitat in nearbyrlven.

There are only two major conservation reserves inthe North Kimberley, though a number of othershave been recommended.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4.1 ADMIMLTY GL]LF ISLANDSFour distinct groups of islands can be recognised inAdmiraltv Gulf:

Institut, Montesquieu and Kingsmill Islands

Cassini Island

Osbom Islands

Low Rocks

For a general description see Burbidge and McKenzie( 1978a).

4.1.T INSTITUT, MONTESQUIEU ANDKINGSMILL ISLANDS

Location: These are groups of small islarrds lyingto tlre north of Cape Voltaire, about 4 1 0 km nonh-east of Derby.Map: 4.Current Status: Vacant Crown land,Geomorphology: Fenelon and Corneille are thelargest. They consist of laterite plateaux breakingaway to steep dolerite slopes with sandy spits onparts of the shoreline.

Vegetation and Flora: On Fenelon the beach isfringed by a dense stand of Spinifer longfoha, whichmerges into woodland. A few suand species zuchx Thespesia populrwoides, Abutilon indiann, Mtrcwwdiabolica s$sp. kcmvnhi ar:d Ses,w nn Fratrcnstnnnhave been recorded. Several trees of Gwugaflmihnna and the creepers Abrus precator ts,Menemb ryinaa and Ipomoea wfu. grow directlybehind the beach (Beard eral. 1984).

The plateau is reached by climbing a scree slopecovered in laterite rubble. Scattered trees such asEuralypms naophila, E, Dapurna, E. polycarg.Burlmnnil obouoa, Dolichmdrone heteroplrylh,Gyocrupus unuirulus and the shrubs Acochstigmanfuylla, Cadnln cnD@oi es, Carissalanceobta,Dstichostemon ligiAtun. F icus opposim, Snychnoslurida and Triuntfena flumigoa are common on rheslopes and plateau. In the more open areas deruestands of the bunch gmsses Cenchrus elymoilns,Erirclrne ciliaa, Hetercpogon corltorn$ and thehummock gxs Plzctrochne sp. are encountered.Amongst the grasses, Cassydra flilormis and C.dpparisspinosa form irnpenetrable thickets.

The rim of the plateau supports Alyrra spicata,Brachlchion sp., Celns DhilipDr'nensis, Fiors virers var.daslcmDa, Flagenar;a inlim, Mimwops eleng, kntniaserirea and Ttmaea ptbescerc.

The basalt slope below the plateau rim is coveredin a dense oatch of vine forest.

48

Eucolyptus nesophila forms an open forest on theperimeter of the vine thicket.

Fauna: No information available.

Recreational LJse and Potential: No current use,Little potential; although picturesque, they areremote and there is no surface warer.

Key Features: Insufficient information.



Our Recommendation: We recommend that theDepamnent of Conservation and I-€nd Managernentcarry out a biological survey of the Institut,Montesquieu and Kingsmill Islands, and report ontheir nature conservation value. Until a decisionis made on their future, the Department of LandAdministration should refer all proposals for theirleasing or alienation ro the EPA.

4.1.2 CASSINI ISLAND

Location: At 130 57'S, 1250 38'E; approximately30 km nonh of Cape Voltaire.

Map: 4.

Area: About 350 ha.


Geomorphology: The island consists mostly of alaterite plateau about 12 - 15 m high, breakingaway to cliffs undercut with shallow caves wherethey descend directly to the sea, or with narrowfringing beaches in sheltered areas.

Vegetation and Flora: The plateau vegetation ismostly a Triodra hummock grassland with emergentAcacia shrubs. There is a small area o{ Eurafupwswoodland at the eastem end of the plateau andremnant rainforest species occur along the cliffs(W.H. Butler pers. comm.).

Fauna: Cassini is an impoftant nesting rookeryfor green tunles. Ospreys and sea-eagles nest onthe island and there is a small population of Omnge-footed S crub -fowl (Me gapdius r einw cn dt),

Recreational Use and Potential: None. There isno surface water.

Key Features: The turtle nesting rookeries.



Our Recommendation: That Cassini Island bedeclared a Class A reserve for the conservation offlora arrd fauna, vested in the National Parks andNature Conservation Authority.

49

4.1.3 OSBORN ISLANDSLocation; The Osbom Islands lie in the south-eastem part of Admiralty Gulf. There are fivemain islands: Middle Osbom, South-lfest Osbom,Carlia, Borda and Steep Head. The group providesa great variety of geology, flora and fauna, and isin many ways a microcosm of the region.

Map: 4.

Area: See under geomorphology.


Geomorphology: Middle Osbom Island (Z 300 ha)consists of weathered Carson Volcanic rocks. UnliLemany basaltic areas it is steep and in places rugged,and the major peak resembles a volcanic plug. Theundulating slopes are well-mantled with red volcanicsoils. Kidney Island (approx. 230 ha) has a similargeorogy.

South-lfest Osborn ( I 370 ha) consists of wocentral plateaux formed by Warton Sandstone, withsheer cliffs falling to basalt scree-slopes of CarsonVolcanics. Deposits of alluvial soils occur on moregentle slopes near the coast. Carlia Island (480 ha)is somewhat similar, but the plateau is lessconspicuous. The plateaux include shallow pocketsof skeletal soils, while basic soils have developedin basalt areas with deeper alluvial deposits occuningin valleys. A small estuarine salt marsh occurs onthe western coast of South-\fest Osbom. SteepHead Island (approx 290 ha) has a similar structureto South-West Osbom, but has smaller basalticareas below the cliffs.

Borda Island (600 ha) contrasts sharply with theremainder of the group, as it is composed of ruggedKing Leopold Sandstones with deep, wide fissures.In places, there are extensive sandy flats at thebase ofthe sandstone cliffs.

Vegetation and Flom:

Middle Osbom Island: The dominant vegetationis a low open-woodland of Eucalypnrs with a grassand shrub understorey. Steep slopes support openand closed-shrublands of Cutarium ausnaliarwm,Burharcnia obouam arld Mimusops elengi, Lowshrublands of Cochlospennnn frawri and Braclrychinnoccur on less steeply sloping areas. Small areas ofan open-shrubland including Acacia stignwtoplrytla,Trema upera, Greeitaa mimosoiles, Celns pfultpperuisand Ptaomlgnb fiimera are scattered in theshrubla-nds of steep and gradual slope area. Sorghumsp. and Heeropogon contoftls occur under theseshrublards.

Littoral areas have narrow zones of mangroves withclosed-shrublands of Thespesia popuLneoifus ardextensive flats of Sporobolm virginiats and Sp;nrfexbngifolius. Boab (Adansonia gregmii) occurs in thezupra-littoral.

South-1Vest Osbom Island: Scattered low open.shrublands, mostly in crevices, dominate thedissected sandstone on top of the mesx. Pouteriosericea is the most common shrub, with Ficus

DIatJDda, Exocrtrpos lnifohus, Cutarium anstrahannmand, Gr ev ille.a r efr otn.

Sandstone scree slopes, at the foot of the sandstonecliffs of the mesas and adjacent areas of steeplysloping volcanic soils, suppon tall vine thickets ofAlbizia lzbbeck, Aidin rotemow, Acoria hemignosawith Tinosponr smilacina and other lianes.

At lower levels, the volcanic soil slopes and ateasof alluvium are characterized by Adansonia gregriiand extensive areas of Themedo. usualis and Sorgfium.Acacia dunnii, Ziylphus quadrilDarktris and Hakeam(E'rocarpd also occur on the lower slopes ascomponents of scattered low open shrublands.

Borda Island: Vegetation cover, mainly spinifexPlnctrachne ar:d Triodia, is spane on the exposedsandstones. Ficus pbqpoda, G11rocarbus americu'tusand Ca\trix erctipu.laa occur in crevices. Deep widefiszures support a low open-shrubland of Acaciareanervis and Pbcnaclule.

A limited area of vine thi&et, with Tinospora anda few large trees of Albizialebbeck occurs at the footof a high sandstone cliff. Vet areas near this cliffsupport low open forests of Mehburn viridiflrna,

Extensive littoral areas of Plecnaclne and Spn;/exlongifolius, with occasional Pandanus, occur on acoastal sandplain in the nonh-west portion of theisland.

Carlia Island: The sandstone areas are sparselyvegetated except in crevices, where Fiats, Pouteriasericeq Awlaya vaiifolia and Ouenia q)emicosafrequently occur.

Both basic soils developed over volcanic rocks andalluvial soils in vafleys support low open woodlandswith a ground cover of grasses. There are no areasof fringing vine thicket, although a low forest wasrecorded at the base of a volcanic scree slope behinda beach on the westem coast.

Extensive low closed forests of mangroves, includingCerbps Wal and Aubennia rnarina occur on thecentral eastem coast (Burbidge et al. 1978).

50

Steep Head Island: Steep Head Island has not beenexamined in detail. It has a structure and vegetationsimilar to that of South-West Osbom, and supportsa major rainforest stand.Fauna: The fauna of Middle Osbom includesWoodward's Rock.nt (ZJzomJs woduardril and thedingo (Canis familiaris dingo). The skinkCrlDableDhans nlegaticns has been recorded ononly two islands - this and South.West Osbom.On South-West Osbom, Voodward's Rock.Rat(Zjzomys wodwardii) is the only mammal, but theisland has an impoftanr bird fauna, especially thatassociated with the rainforest. Birds recorded includethe Rose.crowned Pigeon (Pdlinopus regura), TonesStrait Pigeon (Dwtla spikrrhd, Green WingedPigeon (Cluhophys indrca), Scrub Fowl (MegoDdiusreinwoLrdt), Rainbow Pita (Pittn iris), PeregrineFalcon (Fabo peregrinus) and Spangled Drongo(Dimms harteans).The fauna of Carlia includes the Golden-backedTree-Rat (Maanbriomys mamnw) and the dingo.The island was named after the skinks CarD.ajolnrarei znd C. riaundw. Little Rock-wallabies(P eradmcns concinna) and \Toodward's Rock-rats(ZlzamJs woodwmdii) are common on Borda Island.Recreational Use and Potential: No current use.There is some potential for human use when theMitchell Plateau bauxite deposits are exploited.Key Features: The group is n m:rny ways amicrocosm ofthe region as the four major geologicalsurfaces of the nonh-west Kimberley are found here,as well as an array of beaches, mangrove bays androcky shores. Of particular imponance is therainforest on South-West Osbom, the largest andmost diverse rainforest on an island in W.A., andtherefore the only large patch protected fromdegradation by feral animals.

CTRC Recommendation: "The C-ommitteerecommends...that the Osbom Islands, comprisingMiddle, South-West, Carlia, Kidney, Borda andSteep Head Islands be declared a Class B reservefor the conservation of flora and fauna and vestedin the \U.A. Wildlife Authority."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat the Osbom Islands be declared a Class B Reservefor the Conservation of Flora and Fauna and vestedin the W.A. Vildlife Authority."Our Recornmendation:

'We endorse the EPA

recommendation, except that the reserve shouldbe Class A. The National Parks and Nature

Conservation Authority has replaced the W.A.Wildlife Authority.

4.1.4 LO\? ROCKSLocation: bw Rocks are situated at 140 04'S, 125052'E in the nonhem part of Admiralty Gulf.Map: {.

Current Status: Low Rocks comprise Class CReserve No. 33837 for the Conservation of Faunaand Flora, vested in the \?.A. National Parks andNature Conservation Authority.

Geomorphology: A small outcrop of King LeopoldSandstones with little soil. They have an area of4 ha.

Vegetation: Scattered grass.

Fauna: Low Rocks are impotant as a breedingsite for tlre Pied Cormorant (Phtrllcrocorax uarirs\,Bridled Tem (Stenw maethems) and Crested Tem(Swrr.bugii).

Recreational IJse and Potential: No current use.Visits should be permitted only under strictconditions to prevent disturbance of the seabirdbreeding colonies.

Key Features: The seabird colonies.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeerecommends ...that I-ow Rocks, in Admiraltv Gulf,be declared a Class B Reserve for the C-onservationof Flora and Fauna and vested in the W.A. \UildlifeAuthority."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA endorses thepurpose and vesting of Reserve 33832 - Low Rocks- but recommends that t}le classification be amendedto Class 8."

Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the purposeand vesting, but recommend that the classificationbe upgraded to Class A.

ililil1ilil1ilil14.2 BONAPARTEAncHrpElaco

The Bonaparte Archipelago includes many inshoreislands lying between Camden Sound and CapeVoltaire. It can be divided into three groups:Augustus, Prince Regent and Bigge. For generaldescriptions see Burbidge and McKenzie ( 19?8).

4.2.I AUGUSTUSGROUPLocation: The group lies 240 km nonh-north-eastof Derby. Augustus Island is seaward of Kuri Bay.Further offshore are the Helvood Islands, ByamManin Island, Champagny Island and several smallerislands.Map: 3.Arca: See individual areas under 'Vegetation' below,Current Status: Reserve 23079 for the use andbenefit of Aborigines.Geomorphology: The islands in this group representa variety of coastal, aquatic and upland surface.types developed on Warton Sandstone strata, adominant component of the adjacent mainland.The islands comprise massive scree slopes and rockyuplands with abrupt structural plateaux incised bynarrow, joint-controlled valleys. Soils are mainlyskeletal.Vegetation and Flora: Augustus Island (1? 952ha) suppons a variety of vegetation formations.Dense stands of mangroves belonging to a numberof species (e.g. Rhizo|hora srybsa, Sonneratia oJba,Aa)icernia marino) occur in the inlets. Most of theisland is covered with a mosaic of hummockgrassland, shrubland and low open woodland,Spinifex (Plecnochne) is the dominant grass. Thetrees include Encatypats miniam, Tmninalia caneyens ,Owenb uemicosa, Acacio species and Boabs(Adansonia gregoni), screw pines (Pandanus) andcycads (Cycas fusaltira) occur in some areas.The island is criss-crossed by shallow valleys inwhich alluvial soils suppon an open forest ofEuralypw species and Erythrophlam cl tJorostrrchys.A large fresh water creek runs southward throughthe centre of the island and, in its lower reaches,supports a fringing formation of massive cadjeputs(Meltleuca leucadendra, M. virdflora), screw pines(Panl"aus) and dense grass. Many swamp plantsalso grow along this creek. Cliffs and steep screesare often faced with rainforest patches.The Helwmd group includes two fairly large islandsand a number of smaller ones. The largest is DarcyIsland (4 800 ha) which is north-east of HeywoodIsland (760 ha) and is covered by a low open.forest of Eucalypns (mostly E. miniara) with avariable, and often dense, shrub layer of Acaciaspp. (including A . delibrata) , Grevillea andDdawaover hummock grasslands. Like Augustus, the islandis criss-crossed with shallow valleys in which the

) 1

density of these species is greater. At the mouthof a deeper gully is an area of rnassive cadieputs(Melalerco sp.), and in another, good stands ofthe cycad Cycas basdrica and Native Walnut (Oueniauemicosa) occur. Most of the coast consists of ruggedunvegetated sandstone cliffs fringed by a narrowband of mangroves. In sheltered bays and inlets,the mangroves form low closed forests. Attractivesandy beaches, with Spini/ex longifolius grasslandsabove the high tide line, occur in several inlets.

Heyrvood Island itself is much smaller and, althoughgenerally similar, has extensive olrn scrub of Acarrlespp.

Champagny (1 330 ha) is covered mainly with anopen scrub dominated by Acacia plectocarpa and A.a,mi4a over lower shrubs such as Sanalr.rm knreolanunand a dense ground cover of grasses. There is alsohummock grassland dominated by Plecrachne. Thisisland has a lower profile than Augustus or *reHelwood Islands. Sandy beaches, with areas ofSpinifer grassland above the high tide line, areprominent along the coast, and areas of mangrovesoccur in sheltered situations.

On Byam Martin (760 ha) the dominant vegetationis a tall shrubland of Acada wicaa nd A. Dlecufltrfuover hummock grassland. Creeks are lined withPutfunrs or Mebleum uiridilbra with T mnhalia sp.and Boabs (Adotnonn gregadi) away from the water.The creeper Ipomo en pes-cafiae is common.

Fauna: Augustus Island has a rich mammal fauna.It includes the Little Rock-wallabv (Peradmcas

concinnc), Sugar Glider (Petntnts her.,iceps), GoldenBandicoot (lsoodon at,lr.rn,rs), Little Nonhern Native-Cat, (Duywus halluxaats), a species of Antechinus(Pseudnntechinus ningbing), two species of Rock-rats(ZJzomJs argunrs and Z. wudwctrdii), three speciesof bats and the dingo, The Golden Bandicoot isan endangered species that has declined drasticallyon the mainland. The only other island populationis found on Banow Island, and is considered torepresent another subspecies.

The Aruechinus is also known from Heywood Islandand \Toodwardt Rock-rat occurs on both Heywmdand Darcy Islands. A rock-wallaby (speciesunknown) is also found on the latter island.

A large number of birds and reptiles are knownftom the islands in the Augustus group. Notablebirds include the Aare Kingfisher, Pheasant C-oucal,Brown-tailed Flycatcher and Spangled Drongo.Populatiors of reptiles with restricted distributions

52

that are represented on these islands include Gehyraxenopus, Ctnnoats knbidgei all'd, Leista ualkeri.

Recreational IJse or Potential: None.

Key Features: The Augustus group is particularlyimportant because of the presence of the GoldenBandicoot. The group also protects areas typicalof the adjacent mainland that have not been affectedby the presence of feral animals.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeerecommends that the EPA bring to the notice ofthe Aboriginal Lands Trust the conservation valueof islands in the Augustus group, at the mouth ofthe Prince Regent River and in St George Basin.Should they at any time be no longer required asAboriginal Resewes, they should be set aside asNature Reserves."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat ...should the islands of the Augustus group nolonger be required as Aboriginal Reserve, they beset aside for the purpose of Conservation of Floraarrd Fauna,"

Our Recornmendation: We recommend that theDepartment of Coruervation and bnd Managementnegotiate with local Aboriginal communities andthe Aboriginal Lands Trust with the view to workingout arrsngements for dre management of theAugustus group of islands for nature conservationand the protection of Aboriginal heritage values.

4.2.2 PRINCE REGENT GROUPLocation: This group contains islands adjacent tothe Prince Regent Nature Reserve: St Andrewand St Patrick Islands in St George Basin, UwinsIsland at the mouth of the Basin, Bat Island offCape Brewster, the Coronation Islands in YorkSound and Boongaree Island in Prince FrederickHarbour. They are about 2?0 km nonh-north-east of Derby.Maps: 3 and 4.Area: See under Geomorphology.

Current Status: St Andrew, St Patrick and UwinsIslands are pan of Reserve 23079 for the Use andBenefit of Aborigines. The Coronation Islands,Bat and Boongaree Islands are vacant Crown land.

Geomorphology: St Andrew (1 400 ha), St Patrick(440 ha) and Bat (30 ha) Islands each consist of acentral plateau of ri7anon Sandstone, with steepcliffs falling away to the underlying Carson Volcanicslopes. Bat Island (about 5 ha) is a small, steep

)1,

sided island. Uwins Island (3 300 ha) consists ofheavily jointed Warton Sandstone, with skeletalsoils. Most of its shoreline is rocky and there areseveral muddy bays.

The Coronations are a group of low basaltic islandsto the north of the Prince Regent Nature Reserve.Coronation Island (3 830 ha) is very irregular inoutline and is mostly composed of gentle slopesand rounded hills of volcanic soils, with occasionalrocky outcrops. There are many sandy beachesand rockV basaltic headlands with steep cliffs andscree sropes.

Boongaree Island (4 880 ha) lies near the coast inPrince Frederick Harbour. It consists mainly ofKing Leopold Sandstone, although a large dome ofHart Dolerite that occurs in the central part dividesthe sandstones into two discrete areas.

Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation of St Patrickand St Ardrew Islands is generally similar to partsof the adjacent Prince Regent River Nature Reserve(Miles, Kenneally and George 19?5). Small areasof rainforest occur on steep, moist basaltic soilsand on screes below the sardstone cliffs, but muchof the slopes is covered with open.woodlands ofErcalypus mininm and'l etmirulia ferdinar-diano.Some of the plants collected by the botanist AllanCunningham who visited Bat Island with P.P. Kingin 1820 were subsequently described as new speciesand the island is an importanr qpe locality.

The vegetation of Uwins Island is similar to thatfound on Wanon Sandstones of the adjacentmainland in the Prince Regent River Nature Reserve(Miles, Kenneally and George 19?5). k is mainlya woodland with Eucalypats femtginea, E. miniamandE. perfoliaa predominating. Shrubs of Acaciasnpulosa and A. Iunnifusa are common, and thegtound cover consisa principally ofhummock grassesand Cenchnrs elymoides. The gullies support fanpalms (Liuisona sp.), screw pines (Pandanru),Ssnmlwn and Cluyemtm. Some of the inlets arelined with mangrove stands in which Rhizophoraappears to predominate.

The main vegetation of Coronation Island is amixed Eucajyprus low-woodland with a ground mverof tussock grasses. Patches of low woodlandcontaining Terminuli'a, Acnin, P mdarus, Ilakea andother genera are also found. There are a few areasof mangroves and extensive sandy beaches.

Vegetation on the sandstone areas of BoongareeIsland is mainly an open-woodland of Eucalyprus

miniam and other eucalypts, with shrubs of Acacb,CoJynix, Ddorvtea and, Greuilba. Areas of deepersoil contain an open-scrub of Acacrla. The doleriticslopes support grasslands with occasional KapokBush (Cochlospermum fraseri). There are extensiveareas of mangroves. On the no(hem side of theisland a stream in a steep sandstone valley provideshabitat for dense banks of fems.Fauna: Mammals of St Andrew Island include theonly known Kimberley island population of theBrindled Bandicoot (Isoodon mooaaus) and birdsinclude the Rose-crowned Pigeon (Ptihnoys regirwe@ingii), which is restricted to rainforest patches.St Patrick island has not been examined bybiologists.Northem Quolls (Das1wrc hallrcoms) are plentifulon lJwins Island and the Golden-backed Tree-rat(Mesembnomys namms) also occurs there, Thefirst European to visit Bat Island was P.P. King in1820 (King 1827). He named the island after visitinga cave containing numerous bats. The island wasinvestigated by scientists fiom the Depanment ofFisheries and Wildlife in 1973 and the cave provedto be a refuge for two species of bats . the LittleBat (Eptesicns Dumilis cawinus) and the CommonSheath-tailed Bat (T alhn Tous gmr giarus).The fauna of Coronation Island is less divene thanon sandstone islands and the only mammals knownare the Common Rock-rat (74zomls argunrs) andthe Black Flying Fox (Pteropus alecno). Z. argmusoccurs here as an unusual form which may warranttaxonomic distinction. The beaches are animportant turtle nesting site.Boongaree Island has a rich fauna. The mostimportant occurrence is the Scaly-tailed Possum(Vyulla sEtnnicntdoto). Other mammals includethe Little Rock Wallaby (Perafuncas concintw),Nonhem Quoll (Dasywlc hnllucaas), Tunney's Rat(Ratus wrnqi), Woodward's Rock-rat (ZJzomJswodwordii) and tluee species of bat including thelittle-known Lesser Warty-nosed Horseshoe Bat(Hipposrderos srcnods). Reptiles include the SuperbDagon (Diponphora supuba) and the large geckoP s euAnlvatfu rcr1lus mu oticus.Recreational Use or Potential: No current use.Coronation Island has some potential for tourism,since it possesses sandy beaches and has acomparatively smooth and attractive terrain.Key Featuresl UnliLe the Augustus group, theislands of the Prince Regent group also include

).)

ecosystems on Hart Dolerite and Carson Volcanicsurfaces. The islands complement the adjacentPrince Regent Nature Reserve and should beconsidered part of it. The presence of IsoodonmaL'roLtnts on St Andrew Island and V/yuLlasEtamiculaa onBrr,ngaree Island is of considerableimportance to the long-term suwival of these species.

CTRC Recommendation: The Comminee believesthat data on selected islands are sufficient to warranttheir immediate resewation. It does not wish tosee all islands in this remote area reserved but isaware that future research may show that additionalislands should be conserved."The Committee recommends: ...that Bat Island,the Coronation Islands and Boongaree Island beadded to Reserve No.27164. the Prince RegentRiver

'\iTildlife Sanctuary (see also Area 7.5) ...that

the EPA bring to the notice of the AboriginalLands Trust the conservation value of islands inthe Augustus group, at the mouth of the PrinceRegent River and in St George Basin. Shouldthey at any time be no longer required as AboriginalReserves, thev should be set aside as NatureResewes."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat,

1. the attention of the Aboriginal Lands Trust bedrawn to the conservation value of islands in ...St George Basin;

2. Bat Island, the Coronation Islands, BoongareeIsland and the other islands within PrinceFrederick Harbour be added to Resene77164 -Prince Regent River Wildlife Sanctuary."

Our Recommendation:

1. That CALM commence negotiations with localAboriginal communities and the AboriginalLands Trust with the view to working outarrangements for the joint management of theislands at the mouth of the Prince Regent Riverand in St George Basin for nature conservationand the protection of Aboriginal heritage values,

2. Bat Island, the Coronation Islands, BoongareeIsland and the other islands within PrinceFrederick Harbour be added to Res ewe 27 764 -Prince Regent Narure Reserve.

4.2.3 BIGGE GROUPLocation: 330 km west-north-west of Wltrdham.

Map: 4,

54

Area: See ufider geomorphology.

Current Status: Vacant Crown land.Geomorphology; This group consists of three largeislands and some smaller ones. The largest is BiggeIsland, itself with an area of about 17 190 ha.Katers and \Tollaston Islands, which lie near themainland in Montague Sound, are also fai y largeand geomorphologically similar to Bigge. Theyconsist mainly of heavily dissected King LeopoldSandstone, expressed as exceedingly rugged screes,cliffs and undulating rock-pile country, with areasofdolerite and sandy soil. There are several smallerislands funher offshore, including the volcanic Maretand Montalivet Islands, some of which are cappedwith laterite.

Vegetation and Flora: Most of Bigge Island consistsofopen, dissected sandstone with deep gullies, andoccasional broad valleys. They suppon low open-woodlands and tall open.shrublands of Acacfo.,Pandanrs, Ouenia, Eumlyptus spp. Ficus, Srrychnosand, Gcndznia with scattered hummock grasses(Plectrachne). Other shrubs include Hibiscra,Sana*An, CoJynix al:td Canthr'um. Occasional creeksare fringed with cadjeputs (Melaleuca brcodcrfua)and screw pines (Pandanr.a), as well as the femAoostichwn speciosum.A wide central vale with basaltic soil contains awoodland of Euutlypala species (including E.miniom), Asrcio ar:dTerminalia. Behind sandy shoresthere is a hummock grassland of Spinr/ex bngifoliuswith scattered shrubs o( Morfnda atrifolia arrd Sc.alo/r;.sencea. Muddy shores are fringed with mangroves,espe cial ly Avicenn in and RhiTophoru.Katers Island has extensive areas of bare rock andareas of little soil with hummock grasslands. Fisuresand cracks in the rocks support Ficus sp, and manysmall trees and shrubs such x Erqatntnia, Gardeniaand Snychnos. All open.shrublan ds o( Acaciaretincruis and A. rybcarpa with occasional Eucallpnrsand Erlthrophbum occur in larger fissures. A deepvalley in the north-west pan of the island has anarrow strip of vine thicket in which Tinos1yaand Arisrolochi.a occur. There are some fringingsandy areas with S pinifexlongifolius, Beach MomingGlory (Ifumoea pes-mprae) and a few mangroveformations.

\Uollaston is a steep island with rock tenaces. Themain vegetation is a hummock grassland. Gyenpsmwicanus, Alsania and Ficus are common ffees lnjoint fractures in the sandstone. One deep valleycontains a dense thicket of Acacrla sp. an d Coer,alfinia

major with the creeper Ftogelbria indica and, inseepage areas, the fems Lygodrum miuoplryLlw't ar.dStenochlttena palusnis. Sandy flats by the sea arecovered with SporoboLus oirgnXus.

East Montalivet Island, situated at the entrarce ofMontague Sound, is dominated by a laterite plateausupporting a hummock grassland of Plecror.l:rrrz. wirl:.some scattered shrubs of Acncla sp. The breakawayand scree slopes of the plateau zupport dense thicketsof the same species as occur further down-slopealthough Flagelknia infica and Abrus precatcnitu aremore common in this habitat.

The surrounding slopes of volcanic soil and rockoutcrops are characterised by the low open-shrublands of Brarlrychimn, with scattered shrubsof Mimusops ebngi, Diosplros niterc, Ai.dia racemov,Tmnindio sp. atl.d Burlaru a ohvam. An extensivesandy littoral area dominated by Spinifex longifoliusarrd Salsola kali occurs on the south side of t}reisland.

South Maret Island, which lies 18 km seaward ofBigge Island, resembles East Montalivet.

Most of the island is a laterite capped plateausupporting a low open-shrubland to an openhurnmock grassland of spinifex. Acacia reth,crttis,Ercalypus sp., GreviLbn pyamidalis and Diospyosniteru are the common shrubs and trees. A mediumdense or open grass understorey o( Plecuorhne andHetnopogcn contrtrnrs occurs on the more weatheredlaterite. Open areas of laterite support Cdnrmangustifoliwn, Cldaba caDryoites and Gomplnezra sp.The steep scree slopes over volcanic rocks aregenerally covered by thickets of low shrubs such asPouwia seicea and Ardia with Flogellaria indco andAbrus precatrtrius. Panlanus tees occur in deepervalleys.

Littoral vegetation is limited to narrow zones ofSpmifex longr/ollrs on the westem and eastern shores.

Fauna: The most important fauna species of thisgroup are the Warabi (Perrogale burbrdge,), which isabundant on Bigge and Katers, and the Scaly-tailedPossum (Wylrda srynnicmdam) which occurs onBigge. Both species are nofth-west Kimberleyendemics and the islands are most important totheir long.term conservation. A small rock-wallaby,species unknown, also occurs on Wollaston. Biggeis rich in mammals, also having populations of theEchidna (Tachyglos sus a.uleatus), Northem Quoll(Drr.yms hollucaats), Woolwardt Rock-rat (Zylomys

w o dw ar di), Del icate Mouse (P s eulnmy s dzltmtulus)

and the Dingo. The Golden-backed Tree-rat(Mesembriomys wrnnts) is found on VollastonIsland.

All islands in the group have rich bird and reptilefaunas. Populations of the \7hite-lined Honeyeater(Meltphaga albilineam), a bearded dragon (Pogonamioolepilom) and the Blind Snake (Ty1hlinapolygrunmbo) have been found on Bigge; the firstalso occurs on Vollaston. In lVestem Australia,these species are restricted to the high rainfall paraof the North Kimberley. Three species of frog havebeen found during dry-season surveys on BiggeIsland, reflecting their size and representation inmainland situations.Recreational Use and Potential: No current use.No potential for tourist development because oftheir rugged zurfaces and remoteness. Potential forwildemess activities and nature studv.Key Features: These islands represent a variety ofKing Leopold Sandstone zurfaces and their associatedplant and animal communities, King LeopoldSandstone is the dominant surface of the north-west Kimberley. Bigge is one of the two largestKimberley islands and the other, Augustus, isreserved for the use and benefit of Aborigines. Theislands have a very rich flora and fauna.CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeerecommends ... that Bigge, Katers and \TollastonIslands, the Maret Islands. and the MontalivetIslands be declared a Class B Reserve for theConsewation ofFlora and Fauna and vested in theW.A. r0Uildlife Authority."EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat: .,.Bigge, Katers, Wollaston, the Maret andthe Montalivet Islands be declared a Class B Reservefor the Conservation of Flora and Fauna and vestedin the \7.A. Wildlife Authoritv."Our Recommendation: 1Ve endorse the EPArecommendation, except that the reserve shouldbe Class A. The National Parls and NatureConservation Authority has replaced the \7.A.\Uildlife Authority.

lllllilllllllll 4.3 BUccANEERARcHrpEr-Rco

Locationr At the northem end of King Sound,nonh of Derby.

55

Hidfun Island in tle Bu.caneer Anchipelago illusnates tfu ntgged sandstol shrnelhz andsandl embalments which arc t:Jpical feotwes of the Kimberlel coast.

Abcne the Mitchell Riuer F dJs , thz sunow,:d,ing country is characterised fu rugged , higl,Jl dissected sandstortc .

56

Mapr 3.

Area: Not surveyed. Islands range from a fewhectares to about 7 400 ha.

Current Status: Most islands are vacant Crownland. Sunday Island is a reserve for the use andbenefit of Aborigines, and Swan Island is Reserveno. 34257 for the conservation of flora and fauna,vested in the National Parks and NatureConservation Authoritv. Koolan and CockatooIslands are developed as iron-ore mines, withassociated residential and port facilities, though oreis no longer mined on Cockatoo Island and thefacilities are being developed as a tourist resoft.

Geomorphology; The numerous islands conformto the strike of the geological structures of theYampi Peninsula, and were formed when thecoastline was flooded just prior to the Holocene.The islands are characterised by rugged Proterozoicsandstone topography, with abrupt structuralplateaux and strike ridges, incised by narrow, jointcontrolled valleys and surrounded by steep screeslopes. Abrupt coastal cliffs and promontoriesoverlook the narrow tidal charurels that seoaratethe islands from each other and from the mainland.

Geological surfaces (Gellatly and Sofoulis 1973)exposed on the islands include King LeopoldSandstone (Hidden, Sunday, Lachlan, Long, Pasco,King Hall, Sir Frederick, Cafferelli), Elgee Siltstone(Gibbings, Koolan), Pentecost Sandstone (lwine,Bathunt) , Yampi Member including hematitic quafizsandstone (Koolan, Cockatoo), Han Dolerite(Lachlan), and \(otjulum Porphyry (Conilurus).These surfaces are partially mantled by shallowskeletal to clayey soils.

The marine environment is diverse, with rockyisland shores, coral reefs, algal reef flats and shallowsandy banks with extensive seagrass beds. Sandybeaches are sparse and confined to small shelteredbays, though tidal mudflats border most embay'rnents.Tidal channels contain coarse-grained sands thatoften form cross.bedded tidal megaripples (e.g.Sundav Island). Small areas of alluvium are foundon a few islands (e.g. Gibbings) where beach duneshave truncated outwash valleys. An intra-tidallagoon, cut off from the sea by a sand-bar, occurson Macleav Island.

Vegetation and Flora: Each of the geologicalsurfaces zupports a different plant community. Thecharacteristic vegetation of the islands is found inshaflow sandy soils over sandstone. It consists of a

57

low open forest of Euralypats cutfertiJkna, E . miniatoand Burlwronia obovao, over a closed heath ofCalytrix exstipulaa, Acacia sdgmatophylla,A. nmslrcens arrd A. amila. Grevillea yyartidalisand Acaria hippnoiles are occasional. Under thetrees and shrubs is a closed hummock grassland ofPlemachne. Eucalypats haclryudra occurs in fiszuresof the rugged outcropping sandstone.Scree slopes of sandstone, having skeletal coarsesandy soils, typically support a low open shrublandof Buchanania obovaa and Calynix exstiylam withsome Gr euillea py uni.dalis, over scattere d Pbcn oclmesp. Ficus platypodn is resuicted to scree slopes andcliff faces where it grows out of fissures.Dry creek valleys are marked by fine alluvial soilarnongst rocky sandstone. They support a low openwoodland of predominantly Eucatypns Nbcnfu,Burhatwrb oboq)am arld Panwb sedced. The ffeesCanarinm oustralianum, Terminolia sp. andBraclrychinn sp. are also present and, though muchless common, identifo the creek vafley habitat bybeing more or less restricted to valleys and gorges.Under the trees there is a shrubland ofpredominantly Amctr sti gmataoplryUa. arrd T emplemniahookeri and less commonly Acacia ntmidn,Dsachostemon hrpi&ths and Crevinea wicUwnii, overclosed hummock grassland of Plecnachne sp. Verycommon in patches are Cassydra sp. and Flagellariaindim.A low open forest of Tmninalu sp., Brchananiaolnvam, Pandmus sp. ertd Grevllea yyunidals occuron the moist alluvial and often colluvial soils of agorge. Often, the soil is relatively deep(approximately 5 cm), having much organic matterand a thin leaf litter. Also present is Fiats ofposimand in a moist fresh water seepage area tallindividuals of Eucalypats lygophylld and Oouenra sp.are found. Under the trees is a low open shrublandof Acatin nnndo, A. multisiliqn, and Bndelb sp.,and less commonly Templemnb hmkoi, Catytrixexsifdaa nd Atylosia sp, and, in moist shady spots,Gonocnrfits sp, In shallow soil over sandstone, aclosed hummock grassland o( Plectrothne ocamsunder the trees and shrubs, but in deeper soil aclosed grassland of Cymbopogon sp. occurs.Dry shelly beach sand of the coastal dunes oftensupports a closed grassland of Spini/ex bngifohus,with the creeper Ipomoea Des-cagae commonamongst it. In lower adjacent areas flooded onlyby high spring tides, moist shelly beach sand zupportsa low woodland of Lwrmitzera racemasa ard TftesDesnr

)f

G

z

o 9 2

F:ll : l| , t

P g i P< i R !

\"

uJEzo

O

J

(.)

e

o

EtIJJozo

\ d o i E

.9

6 >

N d

33.AF

l,ll J q

t t s( J oo t rr,tl <8 zqotro-

zfio

6e

sz

=

MAP 17

58

populneoifu.s. Avicernio narirw is also present andthe creeper Sesut,iwn Dutuktclstnun forms the onlyground cover.Sheltered bays and tidal creeks suppon the mangrovespecies Osbonrh octodona, RhiTophoru sqhv., CerinpsWaL, Cam\tnstemon schultzii, Aq)icemia mar ra and,Sornentia albo and, at the seaward edge of themangroves, Lumni Qera r^cemosd.

Fauna: Nineteen species of native mammals areknown from the archipelago. Of particularbiogeographic and conservation interest arepopulations of the Little Rock-wallaby (Perofuncasconcinna), Golden-backed Tree-rat (Masembriomysmrcrurus), Grassland Melomys (Melonls bwnni),Ghost Bat (Maoderma gigas) and Lesser

'Warty-

nosed Honeshoe Bat (HiDosilrl,os stenoas). Ninety-six species of birds have been recorded includingthe Mangrove Kingfisher (Halqan chloris) andBrown-tailed Flycatcher (Microeca tormenti).Twenty-five species of reptiles are known from theislands.Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and turtles are abundantin surrounding seas, especially on seagrass beds andreefs.Recreational Use and Potential: Some islands,whidr have picturesque beaches, are visited by peopleftom Koolan and Cockatoo Islands and from OneArm Point. Some of the islands have high culturalvalues for the local Aboriginal people.

Key Features: The Archipelago protects an affayof flora and fauna characteristic of the adjacentmainland. Island communities are less vulnerableto damage by exotic species and can be more easilyprotected from too frequent fires. The archipelagoalso has cultural value to the Aboriginal peopleand has some recreational porcntial.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeeconsiders that data are insufficient to justifyrecommending the creation of specific reserves atpresent. It recommends that *re EnvironmentalProtection Authority commission a biological suwey,to enable a firm decision to be reached."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife,Westem Australian Museum and WesternAustralian Herbarium make a biological suwey ofthe Buccaneer Archipelago with a view torecommending to the EPA the creation of specificreserves."Our Recommendation: The biological survey was

carried out in June 1982 but the rezults have notbeen published. Following completion of the surveythe Department and Fisheries and Wildlife madethe following recommendations to the EPA andto the Department of Lands and Surveys:

1. That the following islands, to low water mark,be declared Class A reserves for the conservationof flora and fauna and be vested in the WestemAustralian \Uildlife Authority: Hidden, Long,Irvine, Conilurus, Gibbings, Chambers,Pascoe, Flora, Kathleen and the group ftom KingHall to Cafferelli.

2. That the following islands be declared Class Breserves for the conservation of flora and fauna,be vested in the Westem Australian \TildlifeAuthoriry and extended to the low tide line:Admiral, Powerful, Bruin, Sir Frederick, Lachlan.

The Department noted that reservation of the islandsin "1" will protect populations of 14 of the 16species of mammals and 21 of the 26 species ofreptiles known from the archipelago (excludingKoolan and Cockatoo Islands). In addition, 81 oftlre 96 species of birds were recorded on these islands,The Depanment also recommended that a biologicalsurvey be made of the islands in Talbot Bay beforetheir status is changed.

The Aboriginal Lands Trust, on behalf of the Bardipeople, also applied for some of the islands to bedeclared reserves for the Use and Benefit ofAborigines.

Negotiatioru have been conducted between theDepartment of Conservation and I-and Managementand the Bardi people at One Arm Point with aview to agreeing on control and management. Thesenegotiations are continuing.r07e recommend that the Department ofC-onservation and Land Management continuenegotiations wit-h the local Aboriginal people withthe aim of having the whole of the BuccaneerArchipelago and surrounding waters declared amarine park, zoned for multiple use according to amanagement plan developed by the twoorganisations.

"",',' 4.4 CAPE LONoONoEnRyI

AnsnLocation: The northemmost ooint of WestemAustralia.

59

M a p : 1 7 .

Area: The land component has an area of about?0 862 ha.


Geomorphology: Cape londondeny lies at theapex of a broad peninsula whose coast is indentedwith deep bays. The estuary of the Drysdale Riverlies at the south-west comer of the area, and anumber of small rivers, flowing only in the wetseason, rise on the plateau which forms the core ofthe peninsula.

The coastline is extremely varied and colourful.Lateritic and sandstone cliffs up to approximately50 m high are interspersed with low rocky shores,sandy tracts and alluvial tidal flats. Two smallrivers enter the sea over 50 m cliffs, in an inlet onthe east coast, and must be an impressive sight inthe wet season.

The plateau consists of a core of Carpentarian Ca$onVolcanics, flanked on the east by Warton Sandstoneand on the west by King Leopold Sandstone andTertiary laterite. The undissected uplands,superficially mantled by sandy plains, aretopographically quite different from the stronglydissected surfaces of existing and proposedconservation reserves firrther south in the district.Extensive saldy soils cover the north-west of thearea, and deposits of Quatemary sand and silt occurin small pockets along the coast.

Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation of the plateauis mostly low open-forest and low woodland withareas of tall shrubland. Eucalypts are thepredominant trees, especially Messmate (E.tetrodtnur), E. Iatifolb, W oollybutt (E. miniam) andseveral bloodwoods. Other trees include species ofTermiralia, Brchanania, Melaleuca, Grevillea,Persoonia, Brachlchiton, Owenia, XanthostBmon andPanlanus. Fan Palms (Livisanw lcniphylla) occur inthe south-west of the area. Lateritic and somesandstone soils, especially in tall shrubland, supporta mixture of shrubs such as Grevillea antninglwmii,Acaaia ?retitltrc)is , Cusia oligoclafuL and Ficus species,while after fires shortlived perennials appear, e.g.Scaevola ovalifolio, Trorhymene hemicarpa, Slrr:modia

\dtrifolia and Triumfetm sp.

Rocky areas, especially near the east coast, supportvine thickes which contain a wide range ofspeciessuch as Poutenle seric ea, Gyoccapt+s omericuus, Fic'lcvirens, Bridelio tomentasa j Celns phiLpperuis, Cassinemekuncrrpa arrd lianes including FlagelltvA tndica,

Cappans sp., and Malnisia scmderu. Areas of deepsand on the coast carry a hummock grassland ofSpinifex Longifotius ar\d Triodia sp., sometimes witlscattered shrubs of Greq)ilba viscidula. G. refracmznd Phfllanhus bcrrmats,

Mangroves occur as both narrow and broad standson tidal silt flats and include LLmnuTeru rrrcemosa,Bruguiera extristam and Scyphiphora lrydrophyhea,the last being known in this State only from thisarea. The estuarv of the Drvsdale River is linedwith extensive stands of mangroves. The coastalwaters adjacent include extensive shallows withseagTasses.

Fauna: The fauna of the area has not been studiedin detail, but the Spangled Drongo (Dicnmsbrortenns) is known to occur in small vine thicketson the east coast. Other birds recorded includethe Brolga (Gns rubicmfu), labint (Xenorhynchusasiancm) and Great Bower-bird (Chlnmydzranrrchnlis). The seagrass banks are important habitatfor dugongs (Dugong dugon).

Recreational Use and Potentiall No known useat present. The reservation of land extremities istraditional because of the romantic appeal that theyhold for most people. As examples, Cape Leeuwinand Wilsons Promontory in Australia and LandsEnd and John O'Groats in England may be cited.

Key Features: The northemmost point of the Statelateritic surfaces and rainforest patches. Undissectedsandstone uplands, superficially mantled by sandyplains.

CTRC Recommendation; "The Committeeconsiders die area wonhy of National Park status,on the basis of its geographical position, and itsvaried scenery, geology, flora and fauna. Althoughcurrently almost inaccessible except from the seaor by helicopter, it has potential for recreation inthe future. CTRC has already recommendedconservation reserves at West Cape Howe (Area2.9) and West Point on Dirk Hartog Island (Area9.1) the southem and westem extremities of theState. The area is at present vacant Crown landand covers about ?0 862 ha."

Recommendation "The Committee recommendsthat the area as shown in Fig. 7.8 be declared aClass A Reserve for the purpose of National Parkand vested in the National Parks Authority of W.A.The reserve should extend to low water mark roersure preservation ofmangroves and should includethe adjacent islands. It should also include theislands of mangroves in the estuary of the Drysdale

60

River, down to low water mark."


1. the area shown in Fig. ?.8 including the adjacentislands, be declared a Class A Reserve forNational Park and vested in the National ParksAuthoritv:

2. *ris reserve include the islands of mangroves inthe estuary of the Drysdale River;

3. the boundary be extended to low water mark."

Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the EPArecommendations. The National Parks and NatureConservation Authority has replaced the NationalParks Authority. We also recommend that thewaters contiguous with the national park, includingthe seagrass banks, be declared a Class A MarineNational Park.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4.5 DRYSDALERIVERNATIoNRI- PanT

Location: The Park lies astride the Drysdale andCarson Rivers about 150 km west of Wlindhamand 100 km south of Kalumburu.

For a description see Kabay and Burbidge ( 1977 ).Map: 18.Area: 435 906 ha.Current Status: The Drysdale River National Parkis Class B Reserve No. 32853 for the purpose ofNational Park and is vested in the National Parksand Narure Conservation Aurhoriry.

Geomorphology: The reserve embraces a cross-section of the country and includes sandstones,basalts and siltstones of the Late PrecambrianKimberley and Bastion Groups together with soilsderived from them. Scenicafly it varies fromextensive, rather monotonous open-woodlands tothe broad waters of the Drysdale River, attractivepools in creeks, and rugged cliffs along the CarsonEscarpment, along Johnson Creek and in VorrigaGorge. Major waterfalls occur at Morgan Falls andon the Drysdale River and there are numerous smallfalls elsewhere (Kabay, George and Kenn eally 1977).Biologically, the Park contains biota intermediatebetween those of the sub-humid nonh-westKimberley and the semi.arid East Kimberley.

Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation ispredominantly open-forest or wootiland, low open-

6 l

forest and low woodland (Kabay, George andKenneally 1977). Fringing formations occur alongthe major rivers and creeks and pockets of vinethicket and vine forest occur along the CarsonEscarpment and in some gorges. There are smallareas of open-shrubland and closed-grassland.The woodlands and forests are mostly dorninatedby Ercalypns. On sandstone Eucallpats miniam,E. tetrodonm, E. Iatifolia and, E. Ieurophloiapredominate and on bssalt E. tectifica and E.foelschmna are the common species. Associatedwith these are species of Gardznia, Owenia,Erlthrophleum, Cal\iffis, Acocitl and Braclrychimn.Many shrubs, grasses and herbs make up theunderstorey, more denselv in sand or loam than inrocky areas. Most plants are typical of the region,but some species of special interest includeuncommon plants such x Hornalaca\x uicaeus,Mytella phefulinides, Cokrrsia esatlena, Bunfux ceifuand P ili osti gna moJabaricum.Fringing formations along rivers ard creeks aredominated by cad;eputs, especially MelalercaIeurodenho, M. mgentea and M. vindrflord. Othertrees include Sesbanra, Firrr, Naurlea, Syzygrum,T ermitwlia and P anlanus.The vine thickets and forests are mostly p,oorer inspecies than those of the Mitchell Plateau and lowerPrince Regent River, but are a valuable sample ofrainforest which occurs only in small areas of theKimberley. An important occurrence is in WorrigaGorge, where over 12 tree species are found androbust lianes occur. The epiphytic orchid,Dendrobium offine is common in wetter parts of theDrysdale vine thickets.The Drysdale and Carson Rivers contain permanentpools, while some smaller streams are perennial.In and around the water are many aquatic andswamp plants. About 30 aquatics have beenrecorded for the Park, including rare or unusualspecies such as Nymphoides minima, B\mechinospermo, Myrioplqllum dicocanm, TriglachinYrocercl v:lr. dubb, and Limtwphila sp. nov. (Georgeand Kenneally 1977). The swamp plants includea number of bladd erworts (Uttialklria) , rigger plants(Srylidlum), Minra a.cme, Y'yris, etc.Twenty-five species of fems occur in the Park. Ofthese, 13 are known from Worriga Gorge aloneand two (Chrisrella dentw andDorlopteris anmkn)have not been recorded elsewhere in WestemAustralia. The recorded flora of the Park totals594 species, of which only 39 per cent occur also

)i.

DRYSDALERIVERPARKNATIONAL

SCALE0 lo 20 lo lm

LEGEND

ffiE:_

v.c.L.

Exisling Nalional Park

Proposed National Park

vacant Crown Land

L _ _

CARSONRIVER

ELLENBRAE

MAP 18

O L

+in the Prince Regent Nature Reserve.Fauna: Twenty-six species of native mammals havebeen recorded in the Park (McKenzie et al. 1977).Thineen of these are bats, including the poorlyknown Myotis alversw, Tadorido lofiae anlNycrophilru anthemensis. N. woikeri, a speciespreviously known from only one specimen takenin the Northem Tenitory in 1892, was also collected.Terrestrial mammals include the Shon-eared RockWallaby (Petroga.le brachyotis), Sugar Glider (Peunmsbrevi.ceps), a Planigale (Planigdie mantan), the \faterRat (Hydromls chrysogasier)and a recently describedspecies of native mouse (Pseudnmys laborifex).Birds number 129 species (loh"::o{ et aI. 197,7)..The avifauna includes sub-humid species at theireastem known limit of distribution, such as theGreen-winged Pigeon (Chalcophaps inlim) andSilver-backed Butcher-bird (Cractias trrEn slateru), as well as semi-arid species that do notextend further west, e.g. the Crested Pigeon(Oc'lpla1s lo1hotes), Brown Songlark (Cinclcl-.harrrph$cnnalrs) and Gouldian Finch (Erltl:n.na gouUi&).Frogs and reptiles were plentiful during the suweyand 13 species of frogs and 47 reptiles were recorded(Storr and Smith 1977). A surprisingly high totalof 26 species of fresh water fish was recorded(Hutchins 19?7 ).The land snail fauna in the park is indicative ofdrier conditions than those prevailing in tlre PrinceRegent Nature Reserve and other nonh-westKimberley coastal localities (Menifield et aL. 197'l ) .The familv Camaenidae is less diverse in theDrysdale River National Park, and operculate landsnails (prosobranchs) are not represented. Morearboreal snails were found in the Park, but theseare mainly tiny species which may have beenoverlooked at the Prince Regent. They are foundin dense vine thickets in the deeper, well-wateredgorges. Their affinities appear to be mainly withPacific and Indonesian snails, and they may be arelic fauna. Ground-living snails in the Park arefound in a wide range of habitats wherever deepleaf litter accumulates. They belong mainly togroups endemic to nofthem Australia. Endemicland snails restricted to the Park inclu de Arnplirlwgdadrysdtileuw nd Sembulinia doongana,Some 2 415 species belonging to 15 insect orderswere collected (C-ommon and Upton 1977). Theyinclude 14 species of dragonflies (Odonata), 55 ofgrasshoppen (Onhoptera), 338 of bugs (Hemiptera),403 of beetles (Coleoptera), 30 of butterflies

(Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidaeand Lycaenidae), and 931 of moths (otherLepidoptera).

Recreational Use and Potential: At present, theNational Park is not readily accessible to visitors,but it will become an important tourist attractionin the firture.

Key Features: A major National Park representativeof the drier interior of the North Kimberley.

CTRC Recommendation: "The C-ommittee believesthat the Reserve boundaries need slight modificationsuch as the inclusion within the National Park ofthose portions of the existing Stock Route whichis not required for that purpose. Its addition tothe Park would rationalise the boundary andfacilitate management, particula.rly in regard to t}leCarson Escarpment. It should be bome in mindthat the original concept of the Stock Route wasintended to preserve fi.rture public access as well asprovide for passage of stock.

In its nonhem section the Park is at present confinedto the east side of the Drysdale River. An area onthe west side adjacent to the spectacular Solea Fallswarrants inclusion in the Park. It consists panlyof rugged sandstone hills on which there is a tallopen-shrubland or low open-woodland with aspinifex (Plecachne) understorey. Fan Palms(Uqistrnw kyri2hllla) are common here, as isKalumburu Gum (Er.rcallpnrs herbertima). Theoutstanding fearure of the area is a permanent strsrmnow named Forest Creek entering the Drysdalesome 10 km below the Falls. Along its lowercourse it is lined with a tall closed-fo rest of Melaleurnbucadendr a, C ar altia br achiam, Sy 7y giwn euc aly pnide sand an unnamed species. This is the only knownoccurrence of this formation in the Kimberley,Upstream the creek forls and its two valleys containdense vine thickets in which Cdssine, Po r4rio.Stenomrpus, Fiats, Pknchnnella, Denhotnto ar:dAlsonia occur. A small comb fem (Schi7cw4 tr;gro*)found here is not known elsewhere in Australia.There is also an undescribed species of Ricinocar1os.

The proposed addition is at present part of CarsonRiver pastoral lease. It is rugged and has littlepastoral value. It would add to the biologicalrepresentation in the Park, and ensure the protectionof Solea Falls on the Drysdale River. At present,onlv the eastem side of this Fall is within thePark."Recommendarion "The Commitree endorses chepurpose and vesting of Reserve No. 32853, lt

63

Blechnum orientale i s a cunmon fem of seepage meas in ntged sandstuv ,

64

recommends that those adjacent portions of theexisting Stock Route which are no longer requiredfor that purpose be added to the National Park."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA endorses theclassification and vesting of Reserve 32853 andrecommends that:

1. the purpose be amended to National Park andWater;

2. those adjacent portions of *re existing StockRoute no longer required for that purpose beadded to the National Park."

Our Recommendation: We agree that the adjacentportions of the Stock Route should be added tothe Park, but see no reason to amend the purposeto include "water", since there is no forseeablerequirement to develop water supplies in this area.

The small adjacent ponion of Carson River Station,which includes Solea Falls and the area of tallforest, has been added to the National Park.

llllllllllllllll 4.6 HUNTERRTvsRARERLocation: 310 km north-east ofDerby.

Map: 20.

Current Status; Partly vacant Crown land andpartly ponion of Reserve No. 30463 for the Useand Benefit of Aborigines.

Geomorphology: Along the nonhem side of PrinceFrederick Harbour and on either side of the HunterRiver are sheer, orange to red cliffs of l?artonSandstone, sometimes underlain by Carson Volcanicbasalts. An unnamed tributary of the Hunter, whichenters it ftom the nofth near its mouth, is especiallyscenic. Near this ributary is Mt Anderdon (484 m),which is only 2 km from tidal waters. Here thecliffs descend in great plunging steps towards thesea. In the mouth of the creek is an unnamedisland of about 1 000 ha (herein referred to asNaturalist Island). It is geomorphologically similarto the adjacent mainland, with steep cliffs andsmall beaches in sheltered bays. On the other sideof the creek is Manning Peak, 326 m high, whlchis only a kilometre from Prince Frederick Harbour.At the mouth of the Hunter are rwo enormouspinnacles of sandstone with overhanging cliffs. In1820 these were named by P.P. King as "The

Ninepin".

Enid Falls, and a deep gorge associated with Rufous

Creek, lies in the south of this area. The gorge isabout 400 m wide, broadening southwards, and isbordered by a high rampart of quartz sandstone formost of iu length.

Vegetation and Flora: Beldw the cliffs are areasof rainforest. One strip, that occurs either side ofthe nonh bank of the entrance to the Hunter, isone of the largest and best developed rainforestpatches in Vestem Australia. This forest occurs inan almost unbroken line below the cliffs for manykilometres. The substantial patches of rainforestthat occur on Naturalist Island are very similar intheir species composition, but are isolated fromferal animals (ard many other sources of disturbance)that occur on the mainland; the island provides areference point for measuring the effects of thesedisturbers on the rainforests of the nearby mainland.The botanical explorer Allan Cunningham, whovisited this area with Philip King in the H.M.C.Mermaid in 1820, collected here. One species oftree, Xandusemon mbrosrs, has not been collectedsince. The vegetation of the sandstones has notbeen examined, but is likely to be similar to thatof the Prince Regent River Nature Reserve. Thevegetation of the Enid Falls area is described byMiles et al. ( 19?5 ).

Fauna: A number of birds which are rare in VestemAustralia and restricted to rainforest patches arecomparatively plentiful here. They include theScrub Fowl (Megapodius reinumdt), Rose-crownedPigeon (Ptilinoflr regina) and Green-winged Pigeon(CWoDhaDs ndim) . Other rainforest species recordedhere include the Spangled Drongo (Dicnrnabracteaats) , Yellow Oriole (Oriolus fuwoaruns),Tones Strait Pigeon (Dunin spilorhoa) and theLittle Shrike-Thru sh (CoLlwicinla Dctr vula).

The rare Rufous Owl (Mnox rufa) and Black Gras-wren (Amyrornrs housei) have been recorded at EnidFalls. Details of these and other fauna of this areaare given in Miles and Burbidge (1975). The RockRingtail Possum (Pseudocheirus dahli), an unusualand uncommon species, has been recorded feedingin the mangroves of the Hunter River and theSaltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosru) is foundin the tidal portions ofthe Hunter and its tributaries(Messel et al. 1987 ).

Alan Solem (pers. comm.) considers that the HunterRiver area is part of the generic centre of diversityfor Kimberley land snaits; a recent survey of

65

Nauoolists' Beach ut an urnarned. island in tfu mouth o{ the Hunte,t N1)er. with railtfqest on thz sctee sbbes,

Vet seaon stoms ooet Mt Hat Sntion.

bft

Kimberley rainforest patches found several newspecies of land snail in the area.

Recreational Use and Potential: There is littlecurrent use, although the area is being visited byan increasing number of people on charter boatsor private cruises. The area has great potential fortourism because of its spectacular scenery, but theextremely rugged nature of the country indicatesboat-based tourism rather than land-based facilities.There is no road access, and road construction andmaintenance wou)d be extremely expensive.

Key Features: The area contains the mostspectacular scenery of the Westem Australian, ifnot the Australian, coastline. The rainforests areoutstanding and are among the best in the State.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeerecommends drat *Le area shown Fig. 7.6 be declareda Class B Reserve for the purpose of National Parkand vested in the National Parks Authority of V.A.Negotiations should be undertaken with theAboriginal Lands Trust to include the sou*remportion of Reserve No. 30643 within the proposedreserve."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat... the area ofvacant Crown land nonh ofthereserve (Prince Regent Nature Reserve) and asindicated in Fig 7.5, be added to the reserve."

Our Recommendation: The vacant Crown landprovides a link between the Prince Regent NatureReserve (proposed to be changed to a nationalpark) and the proposed national park at MitchellFalls. Thus the oppornrnity exists to create a singlemajor national park, representative of much of thewetter pans of the north Kimberley. Part of Reserve30463, for the Use and Benefit of Aborigines, is ofgreat value for the protection of rainforests andhas very high scenic value.'We

recommend that the vacant Crown land inthe Hunter River area, including Naturalist Island(IZsazl'E 150 01'S), be added to the Prince RegentNature Reserve and that the combined area bedeclared a Class A national park. We alsorecommend that the Department of Conservationand Land Management negotiate with relevantAboriginal communities and the Aboriginal LandsTrust with a view to adding some of Reserve 30463,as outlined on Map 20, to the National Park.

lllllllllllllll 4.i KTNGFTSHERIsr-Rxos

Location: The Kingfisher Islands are situated inCollier Bay about 45 km east of Cockatoo Islandand 140 km north-north-east of Derby.

A description is given in Burbidge and McKeruie( 1 9 7 8 ) .

Map: 3.

Area: Kingfisher l0l0 ha, Melomys 850 ha.

Current Status; Vacant Crown land.

Geomorphology: The group consists of two majorislands, Kingfisher and Melomys, and some smallerones. Until recentlv thev were known as the WmdIslands. All are composed of the Yampi Memberof the Pentecost Sandstone, and have a typicalsandstone geomorphology of abrupt hills with steepscrees, narrow valleys, stony beaches and abruptcoastal cliffs with littoral mud in shelteredembayments. The substrate on the sandstonecomprises jumbled boulders with small patches ofshallow, skeletal soils.

Vegetation and Flora: Both islands supportextensive low open woodlands of Euralypnrs spp.,especially E. minizta, with local development oflow closed shrubland in drainage channels.Termitwtio cdnesce?rs, Acacia hiDpwoides, Cassiloligocmpa and Cekis plrilipDet$is are common shrubs,with an understorey of Ptilnats exalmats, AmmanthrxIepnsadryus, Phyllana\ra spp. and other small shrubs.Steep scree slopes occur near the coast and theseare vegetated with hummock grasslan ds o{ PlectrdnedantfunAifus and other grasses, with emergent Acaciatumrda. Rocky outcrops and coastal slopes supportscattered small trees of Ficru lettromcha, F . opposia,Cdlnix exsapfua and other small shrubs. Mangroveformations are limited to narrow strips in shelteredareas.

Fauna: A brief sr-rrvey by tle Depanment of Fisheriesand \Uildlife in 1973 revealed the presence of aMosaic-tailed Rat (Melomys sp.) on Melomys Islandand the Vater Rat (Hldromys chrysogaster) onKingfisher Island. The islands were named afterthe Mangrove Kingfisher (Halcyon chloris).

Recreational Use and Potential: Their closeproximity to Derby, and Koolan and Cockatoo

67

Islands, has induced several proposals for theconstruction of tourist facilities, but none hasreached ftuition. The mining facilities on C.ockatooIsland have now been developed for tourism.

Key Features: The presence of Mebmls ald theWater Rat.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Kingfisher Islandsare vacant Crown lald and the Committee makesno recommendation conceming them."

EPA Recommendation: The EPA makes norecommendation on the King{isher Islands.

Our Recommendation: We recommend that theKingfisher Islands be declared a Class C reserve forthe conservation of flora and fauna, vested in theNational Parks and Nature C-onservation Authority.

llililililililt 4.8 KING LEOpOT-oRnNces

Location: The King Leopold Ranges extend forsome 300 km from Walcott Inlet in the north-west Kimberley to Margaret River about 100 kmwest of Halls Creek.Map: 8.Area: Vacant Crown land: approximately 10 500 ha.Undefined additional area.Cunent Status: The former Bell Creek Station isvacant Crown land. The remainder of the area ispastoral lease, being part of Mt Hart Station,Geomorphology: The Ranges form a high marginalabutment to the Kimberley Plateau Province tothe north and overlook lower ranges and the FitzroyPlairu to the south-west. Elevarrors are up ro950 m above sea level and reliefis up to 300 m.The Ranges consist mainly of white to pale browncrossbedded quaru sandstone, intruded by dark greydolerite, which provides a marked visual contraston steep hillsides. Both the sandstone and thedolerite have resisted erosion more thalr adjacentsilatones and feldspathic sandstones, and have givenrise to a rugged terrain with a characteristic hogbacktopography. Sides of valleys are generally steepand have only thin soil cover supporting spa$evegetation, or are nearly vertical with precipitousbare rock cliffs. As a result, panoramic views ofranges, valleys and plains are obtained from manyscarDs.

68

Vegetation and Flora: The Ranges supporr a lowopen woodland with eucalypt species dominant,especially Woollybutt (8. miniata) and E. tectifica.Other trees include Boab (Adansonia gregarii)LJsit,luy4wn anunindurnii, byhrophleun dtmutacfus,Terminolia, Burlanania, Hakea arborescens, Grevillzamimosoi.des etc. In sheltered or watered valleys andalong creeks the open-forest vegetation becomesmore diverse, including E rdllpnrs sp., screw pines(Pandanw sp.) fan palms (bvisnna sp.), AlbiziaIebbeck, etc. Bold Bluff is the only known localityfor the cycad Cycas finfinacea and is the rype localiryfor two species of restricted disribution, viz. Acaciagracilhmo and Solanum bopoidr'nsk. Mt Bell is theonly known locality for Pitlrodia obliryo. Thedeclared rare plant Eucalypus mocneona occurs inrnls area.Faurn: The fauna of the area is diverse. Mammalsinclude the rare Rock Ringtail (Pseudrchein dolti),Sugar Glider (Petanrus heuiceps), a rock-wallaby(Perogole sp.), Antelope Kangaroo (Mactopttsantilopinus), Euro (Macropm robwus), \?ater Rat(Hydromys clrrysogasrer) and the Brindled Bandicoot(Isoodon rutcramts) (Bannister 1969).

Recreational Use and Potential: Because of theirproximity to Derby, *re King Leopold Ranges haveconsiderable potential to become a major touristattmction. Access to most of the Ranges at presentis restricted by difficulties in building roads acrossthe trend of the steep ridges. A graded gravel"beef road" &om Derby towards Gibb River Stationprovides good access to the central King LeopoldRanges near Mount Broome and Mount Ord, anda road from Fitzroy Crossing to Landowne Stationexploits the gap where the Leopold River cutsthrough the Ranges.Key Features: Represents some of the majorecosystems of the Fitzgerald Phytogeographic District.Spectacular ranges, diverse flora and fauna, highrecreational potential.

CTRC Recommendation: "The area formerlvcovered by Bell Creek Station, centred about l?014'S, 1250 26'E, is close to the "beefroad" mentionedabove and is now vacant Crown land. This block,of about 10 500 ha, would serve as a useful nucleusfor a National Park encompassing some spectacularscenery in the mid-section of King Leopold Ranges.If adjacent land on Mt Hart Station to the west.north.west becomes available it should be

investigated with a view to possible acquisitionand addition to the proposed Park so as to includeMts Bell and Vincent, perhaps as far as Inglis Gap.Sou*r-east of Mt Bell the road makes an abrupttum beneath a cliff more than 50 m high in whici'rintensely folded and ovenhrust beds of massivesandstone are exposed. These provide a spectacularexample of the effects of mountain buildingmovements and rock-deformation.

Immediately south of the former Bell Creek Station,a massive sandstone outcrop 844 m above sea levelforms Bold Bluff, an impressive landmark withinthe Ranges and, if posible, this area should beincluded in the proposed Park."

Recommendations:"The Committee recommends that :

a. the vacant Crown land formerly leased as BellCreek Station be declared a Class B Reserve forthe purpose ofNational Park and vested in theNational Parks Authority of W.A.,

b. ifa suitable opportunity occurs, land adjacentto the south and west-nonh-west be acquiredand added to the proposed National Park."


1. the vacant Crorvn land formerly leased as BellCreek Station be declared a Class B NationalPark and vested in the National Parks Authorityof W.A.;

2. should suitable opportunities occur, theDepartment of Lands and Surveys negotiare toacquire those parts of Mt Hart Station that lieadjacent to the south and west.norh-west ofthis reserve, and which include Bold Bluff, MtBell, Mt Vincent and Inglis Gap."

Our Recomrnendation: We endorse the EPArecommendation, excepr that the proposed nationalpark should be a Class A reserve. This small area,on its own, does not represent the major landformsand biota of the King Leopold Ranges, nor is irlarge enough for national park status. Weremmmend that the Kimberley Region PlanningStudy identify areas of Mt Hart Station that arenot needed for pastoral pursuits and that they bereferred to the Department of Consewation andLand Management for evaluation for addition tothe reserve.

lllllllllllllll 4.9 MITCHELLPt-,trEauLocation: On the west side of Admiralty Gulf,350 km nortl-east of Derby and 2?0 km west-nonh-west of Wr.ndham.

For descriptions of this area see Biobgical swuey ofMitchell Pbteau u,l Adrniralrl Guf, W.A. Museum( 1 9 8 1 ) .Map: 19 and 20

Cunent Status: Vacant Crown land, some of whichis subject to mining lease.

Geomoryhology: The Mitchell River flowsnonhwards, draining part of the Kimberley Plateauinto Admiralty Gulf via \Talmsley Bay. It is activelyeroding its bed through King Leopold Sandstone,giving rise to gorges and waterfalls, especially alongthe margins of the basaltic Mitchell Plateau. Twoof the most noteworthy features of this erosion areMitchell Falls (140 49'S, lzsa 42'E) and SurveyorsPool and Falls (140 40'S, 1250 43'E), each with adeep gorge downstream. East of the Plateau, twosmall rivers and the larger Lawley River cornpletethe drainage pattem of the area. These rivers flowinto the bay towards Port Warrender through broadmangrove swamps.

Near the watercourses the sandstone has wea*reredinto a harsh blocky topography with sparse soil injoint cracks and narrow gullies. This in tum hasrestricted the height and distribution of vegetation,increasing the scenic impact of bare rock gorges.

The Mitchell Plateau is a dissected undulatingupland underlain by dark basalt of Proterozoic CarsonVolcanics (\Tilson 1981). Leaching has produceda bauxitic laterite profile over large areas of thebasalt, although only a few eroded remnants nowremain. Much of this bauxitic laterite containssufficient aluminium to make it a potentiallyvaluable commercial source of that metal. The edgeof the basaltic plateau is typically precipitous, withsteep talus slopes beneath venical cliff faces. Theseslopes, especially where shaded from westerlysunshine, are heavily vegetated with vine thickets.

The Carson Volcanic country has an undulatingtopography with generally gentle soil-mantled slopesand dendritic drainage. Near the co:rsr, promlnenrterraces can be seen on dre heddlands. In places,volcanic screes occur below cliffs and terraces. Tothe east of the Mitchell Plateau, the Lawley Riverflows into a large estuary with extensive mudflats.

69

il,

!

PROPOSED LAWLEY RIVERNATIOT.IALPARK

/-),

LEGEND

[::T::x- ProposedNationalPark

V.C-L. Vacanl Crown Land

M T C H E L L

LOCALITY MAP

: : : ; : .1 : : : : i : : : i :: : : : : : : : : i i : : i :4 i .5::i i: l:::::l:::3t;;;

: : i : i : : : : : : : : : ) : : : : : : : :

Itl i:+:.:r,|i: | ::: :::: ::. t : : : : : : : : \ : : : : : : : : : :q l : : : : : : : : :N . : : : : : : : :

\ : : : : : i : : : : : : : i : ! : i

l : " - r { : : : t : : : : : :

liixl rhiiihldtil : : r : : l_ .e(s- : : :. i : : : \ : : : : : : : :

[ : : s : \ : : : : : i

: : : i : I

i :t:::: : : : : :: : : : : i: : : : : :: : : i : :

t : i

I n

r::!li:;':

l i i : i

i::ii::ii i a i ' -2 i

.4,t : : : :

: : : l :

MAP 19

70

Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation ofthe areawas described by Hnatiuk and Kenneally ( 1981).

The plateau itself is covered with an open-forestdominated by Ewalypnx tetrodanm, E. minlrlm and,E. nesophib, with some Eryt)trophleum chlorostachysand Termhwlb canescens. The fan-palm Livismnaeastonii is very common in the understorey, andthis is the only locality in the State where palmsare such a dominant feature. Shrubs in theunderstorey include Cochlospermum, Grevillea spp.,Persoonia, Gossypiam and Petalnstigma, and there isa ground layer of grasses such as Sorghrrm , Heteropogatcontorrus and Clrry sopogon htifolius (Beard 19?6).

Patches of rainforest occur on lateritic gravel androcky basalt slopes around the edge of the plateau.Trees of many genera occur here, including Albi7ra,Amlaya, Cavrium, Mictomelwn, Vitex, Wi$tia andZizlplus. There are lianes such as Flagetlaria,Operculitw and Pisonia. The floristic relationshipsof the formation are Indo-Malesian rather thanAustralian. Similar patches occur at lower levelsbelow the plateau, but are somewhat differenrfloristically, containing genera such x Buhinia,Tmninnlia, Cassine, Drbsfonos and Turraea. Rainforestis of restricted occurrence in Westem Australiaand the areas at Mitchell Plateau are amonp thebest available for reservation.

Below the plateau, on sandstone, the vegetationchanges markedly. It is mosrly a woodland or lowwoodland, with fringing formations along theperennial watercourses. Common trees in thewoodland arc ErcaLypdts, Termirwlia, Gardenia,Plonchonia, Greuillcn, ITakea, P etdatigma attd Acaaa.Very tall annual grasses are dense in places. Alongand near the watercourses Melabuca viridiflora,Gmdenb species, Xand-rostemon paradoxts, Fimsplntypodn, and many small herbs such as Sryhdiamand UtricuLqria are found. On wet cliffs, as atSurveyors Falls, there are fems, including Nephrolepb,Ceratopteris and Lygodium. At Mitchell Falls is apopulation of Tris ticha trifuia, an unlzual submergedaquatic plant which grows in fast-flowing water.Onlinea pwpmea, a little-known aquatic, grows insandy-bottomed creeks.

Extensive areas of mudbanks and mangroves arefound in the Lawley River estuary. The dominantriverside community is a mixed low closed foresto{ Avicennia marirw and RhilopAora srylosa. Thicketsof Cuiops mgal var. australis form the more landwardextension of the mangrove community, In two

,11

tidal creeks adjacent to the main river is a mixedlow closed forest of Auicmnia marim, Catnpmstemonschtitii and, Rhizoplwra srylosa. Pioneer communitieso( Sonneratb alba ar.d the othet more commonspecies are located at the mout-h of the creeks onextensive shelving mudbanks (\fells 1981).

Fauna: Following recent surveys, mainly by theV.A. Museum, the fauna of the area iscomparatively well-known. Thirty.nine species ofmammals have been recorded, the largest numberknown ftom any area of similar extent in WestemAustralia. Some species that are known from fewother localities in the Kimberley include Warabi(Penogale bwbidgei), Brush-tailed Phascogale(Phoscogale tn1oatafa), Red.cheeked Dunnart(Sminthopsrs uiginitte), Carpentarian Durmart(Smindopsis butbri), Scaly -tailed Posum (Wyuldasrynrnicudaa), Brush-tailed Tree.rat (Conihmspenicillam), Black-footed Tree-rat (MesembriomysgouUii), the rnouse (Pseudoml s lakrifex), OrangeHorseshoe Bat (Rhinonicreru awantius) and PygmyLong-eared Bat (Nycophilm c^uall€n) (Kitchener eral. 1981). Recent work has shown that mangrovesare an important mammal habitat, especially forbats and the Nonhem Brushtail Posum (Tnthosr.mrsanrhemetxis).

Within a 20 km radius of Survevors Pool, 92 non-passerine and 69 passerine species of birds havebeen recorded (Johnstone and Smith 1981). Thevine forest is an important habitat for such speciesas the Rainbow Pitta (Pira ins), Tones Strait Pigeon(Dnta spilarlna), Figbird (Spfucor/reres flaviuentris),Cicada Bird (Coracina renvirosms) and Koel(Eudlnarrys scoloryrceo). In the mangroves aroundPort \Uarrender, 10 species of mangrove birds havebeen recorded, and 20 species of waders and temswere noted around margroves and on mudflats.The rugged sandstone areas:ue inhabited by suchspecies as the Black Grass Wren (Amywnis housei),White-quilled Rock Pigeon (Penophasn albipennis)and Lavender-flanked Wren (Mahms dubis).

-the

plateau itself is a less important bird habitat, exceptfor the Nonhem Rosella (Plarycercru venr,.s s),which is more common here than anyvhere elseon the Kimberley mainland.

The reptile and frog fauna is similar to that of rhePrince Regent Nature Reserve, except for theoccurence at Mitchell Plateau of the tree ftos(Iioria misofulns), the dragon lizard (Dlporiphoriconuergens) and the Rough-scaled Python (Morelucarinara) (Smith and Johnstone 1981).

Tfu cycad, Cycas armstrongii, groius on seasonoJly inundated arcas near theMitchell Riuer.

't2

A variety of endemic land snails belonging to thegenera T onesin arhia, Amplirhagoln, S eabadinia,Baufint\n, and Nwgada are restricted to the MitchellPlateau (Solem 1979, 1981, 1985).

Recreational Use and Potential: The main scenicattraction of the area is the Mitchell River and itsuibutaries, deeply incised into sub-horizontalsandstone, with waterfalls and permanent pools.The sharp edge of the basaltic Mitchell Plateauforms an impressive backdrop to the east. The palmcommunity of the Plateau is an unuzual feature in'Westem

Australia. The rainforest patches are alsoof interest.

This is the only place along the nonh-esst Kimberleycoast between Yampi Peninsula and Kalumburuwhere there is road access to tlLe coast for thegeneral public, at least in the dry season. Themining company's main track from the MitchellPlateau runs through Mitchell River Station, tojoin the Kalurnburu-Gibb River-Derby road to theeast. A few rough tracks made during mineralexploration are the only routes from the Plateau tothe hilly sandstone lowlands to the west. Thereare now regular "safari tours" to the area.

The area has enonnous potential for national parkdevelopment, incl uding tourism.

Key Features: The imponance of the proposedLawley River national park is mainly the richnessand diversity of its rainforests and mangroves. Theproposed national park on the west side of theplateau represents sandstone environments, ald itincludes the spectacular Mitchell Falls. Both haveextensive areas of volcanic country and includesome of the laterite plateau. The Park boundarieswere chosen to avoid areas with commercial bauxitedeposits.

Mitchell Falls has the potential to become one ofAustralia's greatest tourist attractioru.

CTRC Recommendation: "Both this (the LawlevRiver area) and the proposed Mitchell RiverNational Park are so far ftom the bauxite occunencesthat no conflict of interests is likely to arise. PortWarrender, the planned poft for any miningoperations, the probable railway, road and miningplant sites are outside the proposed reserves.Although bauxite occurs extensively on the plateauand adjacent isolated hills, variations in quality ofthe ore, difficulties of access and the small size ofsome deposia will enzure that some areas will remainunmined, so that tracts of the unusual palm forest

growing on the laterite will be preserved. Thesetracts, and the fragile vine thickets below the plateauedges, will need to be protected from the possibilityof erosion arising in adjacent mining areas. Themining company is already coruidering rehabilitationprocesses for worked-out areas, includingexperimentation with regrowth of tree species, andshould be encouraged and assisted where necessary.

As access will almost certainly have to be firoughMitchell River Station and the probable futuremining lease, it is essential that frequent liaison bemaintained between the reserve authority and themining company. It is recoglised *rat some measureof control of tourists' activities may be necessaryduring certain phases of a mining operation".

Recornmendations. "The Committee recommendsthat:

a. the leaseholders of Mitchell fuver Station (who

are also the company intending to mine thebauxite) be approached by the EPA with therequest that they relinquish the ponions of theirpastoral lease and mineral tenement as indicatedin Fig. 7.7;

b. the land mentioned in a. and the vacart Crownland also indicated in Fig. 7.? be declared aClass B Reserve for the purpose of NationalPark and vested in the National Parls Authorityof W.A."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat:1. The Department of Lands and Surveys request

the leaseholder of Mitchell River Station torelinquish *rose ponions of the pastoral leasethat fall within the boundary of the proposedreserve;

2. The areas of land contained within theboundaries outlined in Fig 7.7 be set aside as aClass B Reserve for the purposes of NationalPark and Water and be vested in the NationalParks Authority. The boundary of the eastemarea should extend to low water mark;

3, The mineral tenement holders be approachedwith the request to relinquish those tenementswithin the reserve area, and that their area beincluded within the reserve."

Our Recommendation; There have been recentnegotiations between the Govemment and thecompany owning the mineral tenements and thepastoral lease. The mining company has agreed to

73

Fie in Ian palm (Livistona eastonii.) commtru t1 , MitchelJ Platcau.

Manne biologisrs coilecing on Monrgomery Reef at low tide.

74

forfeit areas from its tenements and pastoral leaseto allow the creation of the national parks; however,the agreed boundaries differ slightly from the CTRCrecommendation. The proposed new boundariesare shown in Map 19.

We recomrnend *rat the westem area, along withthe Hunter River area (Area 4.6), be added to thePrince Regent Nature Reserve and the whole areabe declared a Class A national park vested in theNational Parks and Nature Clnservation Authority.

Ve recommend that the eastem area be declared aClass A national park vested in the National Parksand Nature Conservation Authority and that it benamed the Lawley River National Park. Ve furtherrecommend that the waters adjacent to this parkbe declared a Class A marine national park vestedin the National Parks and Nature ConservationAuthority.

lllllllllllll 4.ro MoNrconsRyIsIaNos ANo REEI

Location; In Collier Bay, 60 km east-north-east ofKoolan Island.

Map: 3.Area: Not known.Current Status: The Montgomery Islands and theadjacent High Clif6' Islands are part of Reserve230?9 for the Use and Benefit of Aborigines. Thesurrounding reef is vacant Crown lald.

Geomorphology: High Cliffu Islands are composedof sandstone, probably Pentecost Sandstone andSiltstone, which contain one of the best examplesin the State of Precambrian stromatalites, knownas Conophyton. The Montgomery Islands arecomposed of Quatemary alluvium, with surroundingsandflats and coral reef.

Vegetation and Flora: The Montgomery Islandsare vegetated with mangroves. They are surroundedby shallow sandy banks with seagrass. The vegetationof High Cliffy Islands is a mixrure of sandstoneand vine thicket elements with some Srghum andHettropogon anwrnrs grasslands on the flat sandsbnepavements. Tree species include Euralypns pa'folian,Adnnsatit gregorii, Termirulia Ntio]611is and Gyocorflaamericanus. Scramblers s.uch x Flttgelbria indica,Pasifkro foetila, Xenostegia trilenmm and Operaiinabrocunii are very cornmon.

Fauna; The seagrass beds are an important feedingplace for Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and suppoft anexcellent example of the rich invertebrate marinefauna distinctive of the Kimberley coast. The faunaofthe coral reefhas not been examined.

Recreational Use and Potential: The area is visitedby people from Koolan and Cockatoo Islands andby charter boats.

Key Features: The seagrass beds, coral reef andassociated marine fauna.CTRC Recommendation: None.EPA Recommendation; None.Our Recommendationr We recommend that thewaters surrounding the Montgomery Islands bedeclared a Class A marine park. We also recommendthat negotiations take place between the Departmentof Conservation and Land Management, relevantAboriginal communities and the Aboriginal LandsTrust, with the view to including the MontgomeryIslands in the marine park.

lllllllllllllll 4.Lr PnrNcEREcrNrNATunERESERvE

Location: About 250 km north-east of Derbv and300 km west of Wyndharn.

Map: 20.

Area: About 6J5 000 ha.

Current Status: Class C Reserve 2'1164 {or theConservation of Flora and Fauna vested in theNational Parla and Nature C-onservation Authority.

Geomorphology; The Reserve lies largely withinthe Prince Regent Plateau, a sub-province of theKimberley Plateau Province (Williams and Sofoulis1971). The Plateau consists of Carpentarian KingLeopold Sandstone, while to the west of St GeorgeBasin (the estuary of rhe Prince Regent River) is'!?arton

Sandstone overlying Carson Volcanics. TheBasin itself contains extensive tidal flats ofQuatemary alluvium. Quatemary alluvial depositsalso occur on erosional plains on the plateau. North-east of the Roe River is a hilly region of CarsonVolcanics capped in places with Teniary laterite.While much of the area has a relatively monotonous,Iow relief of sandstone and volcanic hills, thereare spectacular features such as King Cascade, PittaGorge, Mt Trafalgar, Python Cliffs and the PrinceRegent River itself, which runs straight for most ofits length, often between rugged near.vertical cliffs.

75

MAP 20

76

Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation consistsmainly of closed forest, open forest, woodland, openwoodland, tall shrubland and closed grassland(George and Kenneally 1975). Eucalyprus speciesare generally the dominant trees, often with amixture of species of Celtis phLpperuis, Catmiwnustralimrum, Buchanania obouam, Owenia uunicosa,Frlcr.rs spp., Erylnopllzum dlorostrclrys, Gardenia spp.,Plarchnnia cmeyo xd others. In ftinging formationsalong watercourses, Melaleuca Leucadendra,M. argentea, Putlnrw spiralis artd Eucalypnc speciesare common. Grasses and sedges are dominant inthe ground flora and, in some swamps, form theprincipal cover when trees and shrubs are absent.Several small but important pockets of rainforest,occurring as semideciduous vine thicket, grow onscrees around St George Basin and Mt Trafalgar.Mangroves cover extensive areas on tidal flats,especially in St George Basin and Rothsay \Vater,these being the second largest blocks of mangle inthe State.

Over 500 species of plants have been recorded fromthe reserve, including both common and rare species.Fan Palms (Ihisnna loriphylla) are common inrestricted localities and several large populations ofClcas basalrica occur on stony slopes directly behindthe beach at Careening Bay. Streams and swampsare rich in aquatic and swamp plants.

Fauna: Thirty-six species of native mammals areknown from the resewe (McKenzie et al, 1975).This is nearly two-thirds of the total number ofspecies recorded for the Kimberley and is particularlyhigh for a single reserve. Macropods, bandicootsand rodents are well represented and there is adiverse assemblage of bats. The mammals includeat least three species of rock-wallaby (Penogalebraclryotis, P . burbilgei and Peradmcas concinna), theRock Ringtail Possum (Psaloch eirus dahli), theScaly-tailed Possum (Wyulda sryamicaudaa), thenative mouse Pseulnmys loborifex as well as themangrove bat Pipisnelfus wesnolis.

One hundred-and-sixty species of birds, about halfof the total known from the Kimberlev. have beenrecorded in the reserve. Most represent the sub-humid avifauna of north-westem Kimberley, whichis also typical of the "Top End" of the NorthemTerritory, e.g. Scrub Fowl (Megapodir.rs reinwardt)and Tones Strait Pigeon (Dnlo spiLnlun spilrmhoa)(Son etal. 1975, Burbidge and Fuller 1979). Severaldry-country birds are known ftom the inlandsandstone plateau, e.g. the Diamond Dove (Geopelia

cuneata). The rare Black Grass.wren (Anrytornisiousei) occurs in various areas of the reserve, andone of only two records of the King Qu ail (Conmtixchinmsis lircam) from Westem Australia is ftom alocality in the Prince Regent Nature Reserve.

The Iiogs (13 species) and reptiles (54 species) arealso tlpical of the north-west Kimberley and thenorth of the Nonhem Territory (Storr and Smith19?5). Torresian genera are well-represented, butEremaean are not. Some taxonomic divergencefrom populations in the Nonhem Tenitory appearsand, Dpcnipfuira hlinetm margaretoe and Carliajohnsmnei jolmstonei, for example, are bothrepresented by other sub-species in the NonhemTerritory. The spectacular green lizard DiDadDfutasupberba occurs in the reserve and is restricted tothe north-west Kimberlev.

Recent work on the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodlhaporosru) in the Kimberley has shown that the PrinceRegent Nature Reserve has an important role toplay in the survival of this species (Messel er al.1977, Burbidge and Messel 1979, Mesel eral. 1987).Of the riven surveyed, the best and fastest recoveringpopulatioru were found in the Roe River, the PrinceRegent River and St George Basin. These areasoffer a much better chance for a build-up incrocodile numbers than do other areas in the State.C. porosus inhabits both fresh and salt water but,in Westem Australia, is concentrated in the tidalportions of large rivers where mangroves are plentiful.It also occurs in bays and occasionally in the ocean,but most of the time crocodiles are sighted in shallowwater. As it exists at present, the Prince RegentNature Reserve does not protec all the habitat ofSaltwater Crocodiles. Such protection could beafforded by declaring marine parks in PrinceFrederick Harbour and St George Basin. This wouldalso protect the habitat of other marine organismsoccuning adjacent to the existing terresffial NatureReserve.

Fourteen species of fish have been recorded in freshrivers and streams, and a further twenty-one speciesin the brackish inlet below King Cascade (Allen1975). Most are widespread in tropical Australia,some extending to other countries. The hrge-scale Grunter (lziopohuapon ma$ole1is) is knownonly from the Reserve.

Non-marine molluscs are represented by 26 speciesof land snail, a freshwater snail and two species offresh water mussels (Wilson and Smith 1975). Theland snails are predominantly camaenids. More

77

Kngs Cacade on the lnhre Regenr River.

Tfu c1cad, Cycas basaltica, on stony s[:rpe.s directly behind the beach at Cateeahg Bal.

't8

recent studies by Alan Solem (1979,7987, 1985,pers. comm.) indicate that the genera Retrotena,Kimbuaga, Hadra a;d Baudinellahave their centresofdiversity in this area, and that restricted endemicspecies of the wide-ranging genera Tonesitrachia,Arnplihagd&a, Semfuu.rfinia altd Xanthomelnn arenumerous. Almost no camaenid species are sharedbetween the Mitchell Plateau area and the PrinceRegent Nature Reserve.

There is a large insect fauna typical of the regionbut also containing little.knou'n and undescribedspecies, e.g. of Ancx (Odonata, dragonflies) andSinlulitrn' (Diptera, flies) (Bailey and Richards 1975).

Recreational Use and Potential: Some of thecoastal scenery is very attractive and it is receivingincreased attention ftom private and charter boats.The abundant Saltwater Crocodiles are an addedfeature. There has been some interest inbushwalking. There is no road access andconstruction and maintenance would be verv costlv.At present the Reserve is a Prohibired Area underthe Wildlife Conservation Act and a permit isnecessary to enter. CALM policy is to seek liaisonwith the Mowanjum Aboriginal Community beforeissuing permits for other than coastal access becauseof the large number of sacred sites in the reserve.There is no management presence, but CALM isseeking money to consrruct a field station near Mt'Waterloo.

We believe that ftrture intensive recreational useshould be directed to the proposed Mitchell PlateauNational Park, where road access already exists andthe scenery is comparable. Recreational use ofthePrince Regent Nature Reserve should be restrictedto the coast and to bushwalking under strict permit-only conditions.

Key Features: The Prince Regent Nature Reserveis representative of the sub-humid nonh-westKimberley flora and fauna and contains most ofthe north-west Kimberley endemics. It is one ofonly two Biosphere Reserves in Westem Australia.It contains populations ofthreatened mammals (e,g.Golden Bandicoot) and includes the only patchesof rainforest currently within a conservation reserve.It has the best populations of Saltwater Crocodilein Westem Australia and St George Basin includesthe second largest areas of mangrove in the State.

An important historical site exists at CareeningBay. This is the "Mermaid Tree", a large Boab

carved by the crew of H.M. C. Mermaid, the vesselused by Phillip Parker King to carry out hydrographicsurveys of the nonhem coasts of Australia from1818 - 1820. King was accompanied by the botanisrAllan Cunningham and the reserve is an imponantlocality for botanists because of the large numberofnew species that were described from collectionshe made.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeeconsiders that, although tlre Reserve is already largeard representative of the region, it should beexpanded to include several adjacent features. Tothe east, Mt Hann and Mt Agnes, two isolatedmountains reaching over 820 m and ?40 m inheight respectively, lie in vacant Crown land.Between them, on an upper tributary of the PrinceRegent River, is a deep gorge. The addition ofthis area would have these advantages:

f. it would protect the cornplete catchment ofthePrince Regent River and greatly reduce the riskof pollution should adjacent areas be utilised.This is importalt in view of the extensive systemof streams and rivers forming the river basin,and the dependence of so many plants andanimals on them;

2. it would add an area of unique scenery to drereserve."

Several islands which supplement the Reservebiologically lie off the coast and in the St GeorgeBasin. St Andrew and St Patrick Islands in StGeorge Basin, and Uwins and Greville Islands atthe entrance to the Basin, are Aboriginal Reserves.However Bat, Boongaree and the Coronation Islandsare vacant Crown land. They are described inSection 7.2. "Within the Nature Reserves are threeother reserves (Numbers 8243, 8248 and 8252 of405, 405 and 1215 ha respectively) which weredeclared prior to the creation of the Prince RegentNature Reserve. All are Class C, their purposebeing Vater.Travellers and Stock. There seemsto be no reason whv thev should not be includedin the Reserve."

Recommendations."The Committee endorses the purpose and vestingofReserve No. 27164. It recommends:

a. that the reserve be upgraded to a Class B Reserve.

b. that Aquatic Reserves be declared to include:(a)Prince Frederick Harbour seaward to Cape

Torrens and the unnamed cane south of the

79

+

RUST RAI.IGELOCALITY MAP

SCALE

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 k m

PENTECOST

t - .I

r_lu ".. I

f-l

RIVER

t i

BEDFORD DOWNS

TABLELAND _ l V.C. L , Vacant Crown Land

||||||r|| Proposed Survey Area

LEGEND

MAP 21

80

Anderdon Island; and(b)St George Basin seaward to Uwins Island

and Cape \Tellington, including Rothsay andMunster

'Waters;

c. t-hat the area around Mt Hann and Mt Agnesas designated in Fig. 7.5 be added to rhe reserve;

d. that Coronation, Bat and Boongaree Islands beadded to the reserve;

e. that Reserves Nos. 8243, 8248 and 8Z5Z becancelled and their area added to Reserve No.77164;

f. that the W.A. \Tildlife Authority, inconsultation with the National Parks Authority,prepare a management plan for the reserve, takinginto account increasing public interest in thealea."

EPA Recommendation:"The EPA recommends *Lat:

1. the classification of Reserve 27164 be amendedto Class B;

Z. tlie purpose of the reserve be Conservation ofFlora and Fauna and Water;

3. the area of vacant Crown land containing MtHann and Mt Agnes, as outlined in Fig ?.5, be",1,t",1 r^ rh. . . . .^,. .

4. the area of vacant Crown land to the north ofthe reserve and as indicated in Fig 7.5, be addedto the reserve;

5. Reserves 8243,8248 and 8252 be cancelled andtheir area added to Reserve 27164;

6. should the islands of the Augustus group andthose within St George Basin no longer berequired as Aboriginal Reserve, they be set asidefor the purpose of Conservation of Flora andFauna;

?. Bat Island, the Coronation Islards, Boongareelsland and the other islands within PrinceFrederick Harbour be added to Reserve 2? 164 -

Prince Regent River Wildlife Sancruary;

8. Aquatic Reserves be declared to include:(a) Prince Frederick Harbour seaward to

Cape Torrens and the unnamed capesouth of the Anderdon Islands, and

(b) St George Basin seaward to UwinsIsland and Cape \Uellington,including Rothsay and MunsterWaters;

9. dre aquatic reserves extend ftom high water mark;

10.the aquatic reserves be classified as Class Areserves and vested in the WA WildlifeAuthoritv:

11.the !7A \illldlife Authoritv. in consultationwith the National Parks Authority, prepare amanagernent plan for Resewe 27164, takng lntoaccount increasing public interest in the area.

Our Recommendation: We recommend that thereserve be amended to national park and that thevesting rernain with fie National Parks and NatureConservation Authority. \Ue endorse EPAremmmendations b, c, d and e, We recommendthat Recommendation a be changed, to the extentthat the reserve should be Class A. The aquaticreserves recommended in b should be Class A marinenational parks vested in the National Parks andNature Conservation Authority.

lllllllllllllll 4.12 RusrRRNcPLocation; About 200 km south-west of Kununurra.Formerly known as *re Bluff Face Range.

M a p : 2 1 .

Area: About 323 000 ha.


Geomorphology: The upper catchment of DurackRiver lies in a large area of vacant Crown land,surrounded by pastoral leases. Much of it is agently undulating and monotonous plateau, butthere are many seasonal streams and, along thelarger watercourse, perrnanent pools. Most of thearea is covered by the Late Precambrian PentecostSandstone, but there are small areas of sandyalluvium. In places, the streams have carved outpicturesque gorges, and the southem end of theRust Range lies across the area. Average annualrainfall is about 650 mm.

Vegetation and Flora: Low woodland with a grassyunderstorey occupies extensive tracts. ErcaL1pu,stetrodnnm, E. phoenici,t, E. chromophlnb nd,E. minnm are the dominant trees, with Plectrachnepzngens common as ground cover. Along drainagelines the vegetation often increases little in density,though the species composition changes. OrangeGrevillea (Greuillea pteritifolia) and Boab (Admsonbgregorii) are characteristic species. An importantoccurence is that of fan palms (Livistono sp.) insome gorges. Two species of Liuismna occur in thearea.

81

Fauna; The fauna of the area has not been studied.

Recreational Use and Potential: No current useknown. Major use in the foreseeable future unlikelybecause the area is not scenicallv spectacular andis off the major tourist routes.

Key Features: Insufficient data to define. Thereare no reserves representing ecosystems of d're driestsourhem interior of the Kimberley Basin.

CTRC Recommendation: At present there is noconservation reserve in the east-central Kimberley.The area in question lies midway between the wetnonh-west and the semi-arid south-east Kimberley.A reserve here would increase the conservedrepresenration of Kimberley biota. Information isat present insufficient for a definite recommendationto be made, but no development of dre area shouldbe allowed until a biological survey has been carriedout.

Recommendations: "The Committee recommendsthat:

a. the Environmental Protection Authority arrangefor a biological survey to be carried out in thearea shown in F ig. 7 . I ) to determine i rsconservational value;

b. t-he cooperation of the Depanment of Landsand Surveys be sought to ensure that the viewsof the Envkonmental Protection Authority beobtained prior to any land release, pendingcompletion of the suwey referred to in a above."


1. the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife,'Westem

Australian Museum and WestemAusualian Herbarium make a biological surveyof the Bluff Face Range area with a view torecommending to the EPA the creation of areserve;

2. the Department of Lands and Surveys, pendingthe outcome ofthis biological survey, refer allapplications for release of this land to the EPA."

Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the EPArecommendation. The biological survey should becoordinated by the Biological Surveys Committee.The Department of Land Administration hasreplaced the Department of Lands and Surveys.

illllllllllillll 4.r3 SrnGn4.HnN4MoonEIsr-Rxns

Location: A group of islands located off AnjoPeninsula at the northem end of Napier BroomeBay about 40 km north of Kalumburu.

For a description see Burbidge and McKervie ( 1978).

Map: 4.

Area: See under 'Geomorphology'.

Current Status; Vacant Crown land.

Geomorphology: The group comprises two smallislands - Scorpion (approx. 350 ha) and Kim(approx. 15 ha) - as well as Sir Graham MooreIsland itself (Z 660 ha). Sir Graham Moore is aKing Leopold Sandstone island. The westem four-flfths has a low profile and is mostly covered wi*rsandy soil. At the eastem end is a mesa, cappedby laterite. The two sections are joined by a narrowsandy isthmus.

Vegetation and Flora: An open woodland ofEucalypus miniam, E. bleeseri and. E. PopLmw covercmost of the island. Shrubs of Poutena seicea, Acaciastignatophylla and TermiruItt canesce ru abovePlzcnachne pwtgens, Hetuopogon and Cymbopogonform scattered areas of low open shrubland. lVide

crevices, where sandstone is exposed, supportPanlnnus sp., Eurnlypats spp., Ouenb uemicosa andFiats plat'1foda over hummock grasslands. Extensiveareas of swarnp supporting a closed sedgeland ofFuiretw cilituis surrounded by low closed forests ofMelnlzur.a uiridiflma occur in the westem ponion ofthe island. Xyis complanua md, Sqli&tun nultiscnfr.uncommonly occur in these wetlands,

Sandy areas at the eastem end of the island have alow open shrubland of Pouteria seicea, Greuillzasp., Bankh denmm and Pondrnus with hummockgrasslands.

The flat laterite plateau of the mesa is coveredwith an open EumllDfrls woodland over hummockgrasses. Acaci,r gonocorpa and Acacia tutshr.ensoccur as scattered low open shrublands. The lateritescree slopes of the mesa are covered with a lowopen or low closed shrubland, with some areas ofPanlaruts and Adtnsonb gregoni.

82

Fauna: The most intere sting faunal element is theMosaic-tailed Rat (Melomys sp.). Unfortunately,pigs have become established and are damagingthe vegetation and soils, especially in swamps andcreeks. Recently attempts to eradicate tlle pigshave been conducted by the Agriculture ProtectionBoard as part of the brucellosis control campaign.Water Rats (Hydromys chrysogruter) also occur there.King Brown Snakes (Pseudomys arunclis) arecommon. The skink (Ctetnus mntallis) has beenfound on no other Kimberley island.

Recreational IJse and Potential: None.

Key Features: Sir Graham Moore is a large islandwith a population of Mosaic-tailed Rats. It is byfar the largest of very few islands in the Kimberleywith lateritic surfaces.

CTRC Recommendation: "Sir Graham MooreIsland is vacant Crown land but the Committeedocs not consider it worthy of reservation at thistime."


Our Recommendation: We recommend that SirGraham Moore Islands be declared a Class C NatureReserve vested in the National Parks and NatureConservation Authority.

lllililllllil 4.14 \TALCorr INLETAREA

Location: Situated 150 kilomctres north-cast ofDerby, the Walcott Inlct area includes the countrysouth from the mouth of the Sale River to rheKing Leopold Rangc. It includcs Walcott Inlet,which extends for about l0 l<m in ar casr-westdircction from Collier Bay and is up to 11 kmwide.

Mapt 22.

Area: About 215 000 ha.

Current Status: At prcsent, the cntire Inlet issurrounded by vacant Crown land except at itseastem end, where Pantijan Station is leascd bythe Fedcral Govemmcnt on behalf of the Aboriginesof the Mowanjum community, ancl thc land betwccnthe Isdell and the Chamley Rivcrs (eastward to1250 00'E latitude), which is a pastoral leasc.

Geornorphology; Valcott Inlet is the broad,shallowly drowncd valley ofa river that, in a previousera, followcd a structural joint between Carson

Volcanic and King Leopold Sandstone strata. Thusthere are contrasting landforms on either side ofthe Inlet.

To the north and north-east, 6ere are undulatinglowlands, with dendritic drainage off the gentleslopes of the isolated hills and ridges (tlpical volcanic@untry). These lowlands are overlooked by a sheerescarpment, the southern margin of a WartonSandstone plateau stretching northward towardsDoubtful Bay.

To the soudr of the Inlet are rugged, boulder-strewnvalleys and ranges of King Leopold Sandstone.

Tidal mudflats, up to five kilomctres wide, fringethe central and eastem parts of the Inlet and arevariably inundated by the tides, which have anaverage effective rise and fall of 11 metres. Aroundthe landward edge ofthe mudflat there are exterxivealluvial plains, including areas ofdark alluvial soils,occasional large fresh water lagoons and, wheresmall streams flow out of the sandstone, smallswampy areas ofdeep, sandy soil sained by organics.Rock slopes rise steeply from the mangroves androcky shores at the mouth of \Talcott Inlet,terminating in a plateau which in places is bordcredby cliffs. Here, the Warton and Pentecost Sandstonesoverlie the Carson Volcanics and produce a similartopography to that of King Leopold Sandstone.King Leopold Sandstone also forms the AnesianRange, between the Isdell and Chamley Rivers,east of l7alcott Inlet. Dark grey Han Doleriteintrudes all these rock types and produces acharacteristic black bank on many hillsides wherescree slopes have been produced by weathering.The sandstones, in particular, yicld an angular,blocky scrce when weathered, providing excellentshelter for many snall animals.

Watercd by the Chamley, Calder, Isdell and SaleRivers, these structurally controlled landscapcs havea colourful and rugged grandeur. The Isdell Riverflows south-westerly from its headwaters then,deflected by the King Leopold Rangcs, turns north-westerly to flow into Walcott Inlet. Spectaculargorges, found where dre rivers cut through sandstoneridges, are particularly common in the southcmArtcsian Range, and on the northem margin ofthc area (along the Sale River).

Vegetation and Flora: The plant communities onthe dominant surface types have not been surveyed,though observat ions made dur ing aer ia lrcconnaissance indicatc a rich flora, However,dctailed data are available from some localities.

83

+

MAP 22

84

+W.hen the plants at six of the rainforest patchesscattered through the area were surveyed in June1987, more than 10 species new to Western Australiawere recorded.The Australian and New Zealand ScientificExploring Society inventoried sites along theestuaries of the Chamley and Calder Riven in 1983.

Extensive tidal alluvial flats zuppon dense standsof mangroves. Alluvial plains suppon extensivegrasslands dominated by woodland of Euca\pnstectifica andE. termir:rr;lis with T erminalio cu'Lescens,Cndenia pliformrs and Eryrhrophlewn cllnrosttchys.The ground layer is dominated by spear grass(Heteropogon curmrtus) and Erhchne sp.Alluvial banks adjacent to rivers support E collp .spapuata, Lysiphfllum cw:minfiwmi| \?hite Cedar(Melia azedararh) xA Braclrychiton d.iversifotius.Gallery forests extend along the banks of creeksand adjacent to the outcropping sandstone. Treespecies include Melabuca leucadendra, TenninatiaplaW plryIla, F icus corotutlam, Syrygrum erca\ pwidesand ConllirL hachba. Derue groves of Putlanusspiralis occur over fern beds dominated by Cyclosonrmrcf'ruptus.Patches of rainforest occur on the steep slopes belowthe sandstone escarpments, in narrow gorges, inhollows on the upper slopes of some hills and inswampy areas behind tidal mudflats. Rainforestspecies include Abna precowrius, Afuia eltteagnotAea,Gyocarfus americuttrs, Maktisia scmdzns, Brureajavanica, Melit azedoroch, Mimrcops eleng, Ailnracemosa, Bombax ceiba, Ficus vireru, F. racemosa,Naucba orientalis, EumbDtus aDdoDlrylla, and Cappnrissepiorio.A low or open wmdland covers the sandstone slopesand plateaux, interspersed in places with tallshrubland and hummock grassland, Typical treesinclude Woollybu tt (EumIJDfrr minraa), Grey Box(8. tectifiu), Bloodwoods (E. pobcm\a andE. diclvonophlnia), Temhalitt spp., \Xl4ritewood(Amlay hemigkLuco), Bauhinia (Llsiphl\lumcunnrnfumii), Quinine Tree (Pealos Agma fu}vscens),Brchuwnb sp., Gordenio spp., Owenia vemicoso,etc. Shrubs include Acacia spp., Grevillea spp., Ficusspp., Cochlospermum frueri, Dolichanlrone, etc.Hummock grass (Plecncrchrw pungeru), Spear Grasses(Ansnda spp. and Heteropogon contartus), Sughumsp., Chrysolrogon /allox and Kangaroo Grass (ThemerJnausttalii are common.

Rivers and creeks, flowing through sandstone, arefringed by stately Cadjeputs and River Gums overthickets of screw p alm (Pmdnus) and wattle. Poolsin fhe watercourses are rich in aquatic plants suchas water lilies; waterfalls are numerous even in thedrv season. and decorated with fem banks and withfig trees that cling to the sheer rock walls.

Fauna: The area has a rich and apparently intactfauna. Marnmals reported in the sandstone countryby A. Chapman (pers. comm.) include the Scaly-tailed Poszum (Vylla sryamicaudora), the rare andendangered Golden Bandicoot (Isrndon awaats),the Sugar Glider (Penmts bre,,)ice|s), and a varietyof native tree and rock rats. The Ghost Bat(Maoodemw grgas) was recorded in riverinewoodlands, along with the Blossom Bat (Macrogloslsmirimts). Swampy areas on the landward peripheryof the mudflat support a variety of water birds suchas the Green Pygmy Goose, Royal Spoonbill andSacred lbis, and provide breeding habitat for theSaltwater Crocodile. Forrest's Mouse (Izcgal.iru

forrasn) was trapped in the grasslands on the alluvialplains.

The following mammals have been recorded inthe rainforests: Shon-eared Rock-wallaby (Penogalehaclqoas), Dulwlrs hollrcaus, Isoodnn monourus,the Golden.backed Tree-rat (Mesembriomlsnnomts), the rock-rats ZyTomls wodwardii andZ. ctrgwus, and Tunney's Rat (Rarnrs nmneyt). Birdsrecorded in the rainforests include the V/hitelinedHoneyeater, Yellow Oriole, White-browed Robin,Rainbow Pitta, Spangled Drongo, ShiningFlycatcher, Torres Strait Pigeon, Green-wingedPigeon and Figbird. Populations of the Olive Python,Green Tree Snake, and skinks such as Ca,rliafiilrnnho, Morethia ruficaudn and Notoscincraurotjulum are also present.

During a recent survey of rainforest patches, anumber of endemic land snails were found to berestricted to this area (Alan Solem pers. comm.).The fauna of snails is, with few exceptions, differentfrom the Prince Regent Nature Reserve in termsor specles.

Recreational Use and Potential: Excellent; thescenic grandeur of this remote wildemes is accesiblevia the navigable waters of Walcott Inlet and theesruarine sections of the major rivers.

Key Features: Spectacular tidal cunents andwhirlpools, sandstone escsrpments and gorges,

85

Clnnbing Suarnp Fem (Stenochlaena palustrl s) is amnonin golleq ftrcsts lirging oecl<s draining into the Walnta Inlet.

86

floating fern banks, waterbirdpatches, black soil plains.CTRC Recommendationr

lagoons, rainforest

"The Committeerecommends t_hat:a. all vacant Crown land surrounding the Inlet

be declared a Class C Reserve for the purposeof National Park and vested in the NationalParks Authority of W.A.;

b. that once the reserve is gazetted, the NationalParks Authority explore with the lessees ofPantijan Station the possibility of jointparticipation in managemem of the Park."

There have been proposals to build a tidal powerstation at Yule Entrance, in the mouth of WalcottInlet. "Although the Committee's terms ofreference do not include comment on the viabilityof these proposals, it believes that anyrecommendations for a National Park orConservation Reserve in the area .should notprejudice future decisions conceming a tidal powerstation,"EPA Recommendation: The EPA endorsed theCTRC recommendation to leave provision for atidal power station.

"The EPA recornmends that:

1. the vacant Crown land sunounding the Inletbe declared a Class C Reserve for the purposeof National Park and Vater and vested in theNational Parks Authority of \7.A.;

2, once the reserve is gazetted, the National ParksAuthority explore with the occupants of PantijanStation the possibility ofjoint participation inmanagement of the Park."

Our Recommendation: Ve endorse the EPArecommendation, except that the purpose of thereserve should not include "water" and the reserveshould be Class A. The reserve should extend tolow water mark.

Since the EPA remmmendation was made, theland between the Isdell and Chamley Rivers hasbeen leased for pastoral purposes.

Ve frrther recommend that the waters of WalcottInlet be declared a Class A marine national oarkvested in the National Parks and NaiureConservation Authority.

Backflow bilbbongs along the Valcott Inkt are rich in Muatic blrints.

87

ri-

SOUTHESK TABLELANDS, GARDINER RANGE,GREGORY LAKE & WOLFE CREEK CRATER

SCALE LEGEND

2 0 O 2 p 4 0 6 0 8 0

\

(!

s

t\' Q o

\!*t!.'4 l-

T A N A M I

BALGO

D E S E F T/|' 52A0

s7.T/

A 2 6 3 9 9

BALWINA ABOR]GINAL FES€FVE

. \

, / G R E A T

S A N D Y

8 o o^.24923

CENTRAL ALISTRALIA ABORIG NAL BESEFVE

D E S E R T

MAP 23

88

GnE,qr S,txnv Dsssnr

Th" .ro.th"- section of the Great Sandy Desertintrudes into the Broome, West Kimberley andHalls Creek Shires. The geology of tlis desen hasbeen described by Towner et al. (1976), Townerand Gibson (1980) and Yeates er aL (19?5). For ageneral description see Burbidge and McKenzie(1e83).Red sand surfaces dominate the landscape of thedesen and are expressed mainly as longitudinal dunes(Crowe 1975), trending west to west.north-west,separated by inter-dune sandplains ranging from0.5 km to severat kilometres wide. The dunes varyfrom three to 20 meues in height. Extensivesandplains without dunes are also present in someplaces. Dune sand is red-brown and contains minorsilt. In inter-dune plains it is firmer, sometimeswith minor clay, and darker in colour.

The sand is thought to have originated in sinr ftom"erosion and retreat of the sandstone breakawaysand redistribution of soil originally present on topof the lateritic profile". (Towner and Gibson 1980)The iron-enriched lateritic crusts of the Great SandyDesert are believed to have formed at tie sametime (mid-Miocene) as the relict, now blocked,drainage valleys (van de Graaf et al. 1977).

Today the Great Sandy Desert, like ot-her desensin li7estern Australia, has a disintegrated intemaldrainage characterised by ephemeral creeks and riventhat only flow after cyclones and discharge intosalt lakes. Most of these lakes are arrayed in partlyinterconnected chains, or are elongate, and markthe courses of the ancient river vallevs. One ofthese is the Mandora Palaeoriver, mapped by vande Graaf et al. (1977), that drained the nonhernhalf of the area encompassed today by the Great

Sandy Desen. Its headwaters are in Sturt Creek,then its route can be traced westwards to the coastvia Lake Gregory, Dragon Tree soak and MandoraSalt Marsh. Gradients are gentlq along the axis ofthe major palaeodrainage valleys. Two distinctsurface types are recognised in the valleys: calcreteand alluvial deposits of saline loam and clay. Non.saline loam and clay occur in the upper reaches ofthe drainage lines discussed later.

The lake deposis comprise clay, silt, fine sand,some superficial gypsum and occasional patches ofgravel or rock fragments. They are salt encrustedwhere the water table is close to the surface (allowingevaporation) and usually crack as they dry out.

Laterally, the lakes grade into alluvial valley-fillsediments or, more commonly, deposits that are amixture of windblown sand and alluvial clavAilt.The latter is often associated with calcrete and isgypsum-bearing along the margins of lakes.

Calcrete crops out extensively as pavements, moundsand rubble within the valleys. The topography ofboth sandy and alluvial surfaces overlying calcretedeposits is uneven.Exposures of the Permian to Cretaceous sedimentarystrata underlying the Great Sandy Desert areexpressed as low sandstone, siltstone or mudstoneranges and rnesas, often capped with iron-enrichedlaterite. In general, these outcrops are small andisolated, scacely interrupting the pattem of sanddunes. The Mclarty Hills, a series of Jurassicsandstone outcrops in the north-westem part ofthe Great Sandy Desert, provide a typical illustration.More extensive buttes and ranges occur in the nonh-eastem sector of the Desen; comprising Permiansandstones, these outcrops are mostly 15 to 30 metres

89

)f

F

LIJ

E

oz

a

F

E

LIJ

U)uJo

L

oo

l-;l </,I A 1-------1 Z| 3 l e r _ r[ s i : I I' --r_1.l i_1, ** |

i l \ F ' - |

1\ <.**

9

2

N:

l1

*ulx- el' * ]

"lRl

q

oI,IJ

E,tJtolJlEIJJ

5z

oJI

FE

o=

oz

Eo2=oIrlooo.oEo-

MAP 24

90

higher than the surrounding plains. The SoutheskTablelands near Godfreys Tank are 90 metres highin places.

Laterite is expressed as caps on marty of the mesasand as intermittent gravelly rises and breakawaysthroughout t-he Great Sandy Desert. It representsthe eroded remnants of the Miocene crust discussedearlier. Femrginous gravelly sandplains often overliethe laterite.

Relatively small areas of clayey and silty soils, withonly minor sand and gravel, are found in valleysand as outwash plains, where small creeks drainthe Desert uplands (ranges, breakaway systems andgravel ridges). These non-saline alluvial surfacesare best developed in the Southesk Tablelands andnear Lake Gregory. More typically, non-saline valleyfill and oumash surfaces comprise a mixture ofalluvial silt/clay and greater percentages of sand.Although these are still only a minor element,srbstantial areas occur in landscape depresions alongthe salt lake systems and adjacent to ranges ardthe less steep-sided uplands.

Burbidge and McKenzie (1983) recommended aseries of reserves in the Great Sandv Desert. threeof which are in its nonhem pan.

lllllllllllllll 5.1 MANDoRALocation: 220 km south-soutl.west of Broome.

Map:.2.{.

Status: Anna Plains pastoral lease includes almostall the features associated with the mouth of tl-repalaeoriver. It also includes extensive areas ofsardplains and desen dunes, and swales withscattered rock outcrops; the Radi Hills, in the vacantCrown land south of Mandora Marsh (salt), andMount Phire, in the Nita Downs Pastoral Lease,are two of the more prominent. The adjacent vacantCrown land to the south and east (see map 24)comprises sandplains, dunes ard isolated outcrops.

Geomorphology: Various Holocene coastal featuresand su#aces are associated with the mouth of theMandora Palaeoriver. These include beach dunesof calcareous marine sands and saline lakes such asMandora Marsh, with evaporite carbonate surfaces.Salt Creek is a deep channel several kilometreslong that is permanently filled with salt water anddischarges into the eastern side of Mandora Marsh.Extensive alluvial plains of greyish sandy silt and

clay surround the lakes. Where they are adjacentto the sand ridges of the desert, tlese plains aresuperficially mantled by red sand.

Mandora Swamp is one of a series of fresh waterswamps scattered along the axis of the relict drainagevalley to the east of the salt marsh (Vvrwoll er al.1986). k is the only swamp in the area with athick accumulation of organic sedirnent dtectlyoverlying a sand substrate. The organics at the otherswamps are less than 40 cm thick and overlay astiff plastic clay horizon. Mandora Swamp is alsodifferent because it takes the form of a 'raised bog',standing about two meftes above the surroundingplain of organic rich mud, and is surrounded by amoat.

Undulating plains of ground-water calcretes occur.Most areas are superficially mantled by red sand,though the calcrete pavement is normally exposedon the tops of the rises.

Features typical of the north-westem parts of theGreat Sandy Desert include the extensive redsandplains, red sand dunes about 15 metres highand scattered Mesozoic mudstone and sandstoneoutcrops, often capped with laterite.

Vegetation and Flora: Nearest to the sea, wheresand is still being thrown up and colonised, thedunes have a cover of Spinr/er longfolila, almostpure at times, or with lpomoea pes,caprae, Eupharbdmytoifus and Polona eillasifllr.rus, Further from thesea, usually after the first dune, the more consolidatedsandhills are vegetated thickly with Triodia ptmgensand with some Panicum sp. Occasional woodyplants include shrubs of Acacia bivenoso, Sanmhtmhnceohum, Scoev ola dncipiens, Euphnrbia coghlmii,Croalmia cwmin$wnii and Aerua javcmica. Frequentbuming of the dune vegetation appears to havereduced the abundance of woody growth, especiallyin the hollows, where Acacfoi bivenosa misht tendro form thickets.

On the plain behind, scattered stan ds of Eucalypnsaf{. papuana occur and Triodia pmgens is lackingfiom the loam soils. Frequent buming characterisesthe grassland, which is a mixture of species and itwould be difficult to say which is the mosr important.Species which do occur are Eragrosds dielsii, E.Iuotnaia, Xer oclloa fuirfum, Erneapogcn plnnifulits,Sprnobolus oc.titncladus, Triraphis mollis, Dichonthilnnaffme, Chloris ruleralis, Paniann decomposiun var.scabenimttm and also Sporobolus uirgrnictc, whichhas two growth forms. As Salt Grass it forms acoarse mat 0.2-0.3 m thick of erect culms, while as

9 1

Sa| Creek, permanently fiIlzd with satt water, supputs an ilmd ocaarence of the Vhite Mangror,,e (Avicennia marina).

92

Coastal Couch Grass it has long trailing culms,often more than 3 m in length. The two forrnsappear ro be the result of a response to a slightalteration in soil mineral salt content. On whatappear to be damper patches in the grassland, thereare colonies of Eulalb fulua or Botlviochba decipiens(both known as Bundle Bundle Grass) with Panialmdecompositwn x a subordinate form.

As a rule, the grass flats are treeless areas, butoccasionally there are small groups of Mebtbrcaneruosa, M. ltuian/;a and M. arorioi.des. Here, mostof the grasses are absent, though Cenchrus cilkrnsmay occur. These tree groups represent isolatedpatches of 'rlte Melaletrca shrublands that form adefinite phase in the transitional zone between thecoastal plain vegetation and that of the spinifexpindan. This border type appears on the junctionsbetween loam and red sand and between grey andred sand.

The lakes are bare of vegetation, or support lowopen shrublands of samphires such as HalosarciainAca, H. habcnemoils :rtd Frutkznin. The banksof Salt Creek are lined by a relictual stand of theWhite Mangrove (Auicennin mrlritw) first describedby Beard (1967). The extensive alluvial plainssurrounding the lakes support low woodlands orshrub thickets o{ Acorb ampliceps and Melnleucaotarioifus, over low shrubs su ch x Acacia monticoh,Halnsarcia utricuktta and the other samphires listedabove. Grasslands of the native couch, Sporoboh.rsurginbra, which cover extensive aleas of these plains,occur as glades between the thickets and as anunderstorey where the thickets are more open.

The fresh water swamps support an open forest ofthe paperbark Melalerca argentea 20 metres highwith, in wet areas, scattered Dragon Flower Trees(Sesbmia fonnosa), areas of the sedge SchoenopizctlsIimralis, the bulrush Tlpha domingensis and clumpsof the fem Aqoxjchum speciosum. The sedgeFimbrisrlhs femt$nea forms a tussock grassland underthe paperbark trees on the raised bog. The swampsare all severely trampled by cattle though,fom.rnately, the moat at Mandora Swamp was still(May 1986) providing panial protection for theraised bog.

Where red sand mantles the alluvial silt and clayplains, the vegetation comprises scattered low treesand tall shrubs such as Llsrphyllum cwtninfiwmii,Grectille.a urickhamii, Termitwlia amninghmii andAcatia ampliceps, low shrubs such as Acacrlararulurens, hummock grasses (including Plecnachne

scfun3i), bunch grasses such as Eragrosris and a varietyof herbs (Srcmodia spp., Minwia integenima, Plttrheatenanthera, and Cromltnia uispaw)

The undulating calcrete plains, thinly mantled withred sand, support open shrublands o( GreE)iIIeawickhorli and Acacia ampliceps over A. trursltrcensand the other understorey species described in theprevious paragraph.The red sand ridges of the desert support openshrublands of Greuillea, Melalerca, Cromkniacwtnin{nmii, Corchons, Newcutelin clnlntrichn,Dunpiera cintrea, Burein aff. breuiflrtra, Cyanosteginc"ymocalyx and Acocin nmslurens, over a hummockgrassland o( Pbctrachne schinrri with scattered lowtr e es (T er mirwlin ctnnin ghamii).

The extersive red sandplains of the inter-dr.ure swalessupport a selection of pindan and desen plants.Vegetation is a low open woodland of Eumlyputs

ryCo|lqlirl over an open shrubland of Acatiaalcistrocuqa, A. holnsericea, A. monticoh arrrdA. translurens over a dense hummock grassland ofPlectraclme schinzii. In an area regenerating afterfire, the 1981 survey recorded a low open woodlandof L1 siphyllrnn cmninf,tamii, Gr e'tillea lstenoborry aand Acorb hobsericea over an open shrubland ofAcoda uutslrc.ens and Cassia anuisryla mixed withscattered hummock (Pbctrtrc]trc schinii) and tussockgrasses and the he rbs CaltnCrinin , Triontlwnta pilosumand Polonrs calos achyris,No data on the vegetation of the outcrops in thearea have been collected.Fauna: A mixture of deseft and Torresian specieswere recorded during the briefvisit in August 1983.Mammals included the Red Kangaroo, Larapinta(Smintlnpsis mnnuna), Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart(S. loungsoni), Delicate Mouse (Pseudomysdelicatulus), Yellow-bellied Sheath-tailed Bat(Ta1hnzous flauiuennis) and Nonhem Mastiff Bat(Chnnephon joknsrs). Numerous birds were recorded;notably the Clamorous Reed.Varbler, Barking Owl,Little Corella, Black-tailed Native Hen, Brolga,Peacefu [ Dove, Straw-necked Ibis, White-plumedand Black Honeyeater, \Uedge-tailed Eagle,numerous wading birds and water fowl. Reptilesincluded the dragons Ctenophorus caudicincus,Diparipham pindffi, D. winneckei ard Gemmampharagilberti, rhe skinks Crenonrs grandis, Lerism ips,Spfunomorphm isolepis, Noroscrhcus ornarus and thelegles lizard Delmo rincrc. Several amphibians wererecorded, including Notalen nicAollsi.

9J

\Uhen flooded, the Marsh is ar important habitatfor water birds.

All environments in the area are being severely, {^*" , { " , { k , , ^ . i i t "

Recreational Use and Potential: Desert scenerytraversed by national highway, bird watching.

Key Features: The peat pile at Mandora Swamp isof great scientific importance. Desert environmentsabutting the coast and estuarine environmentstruncated by beach dunes. Fresh water swamp plantsand animals isolated by sandy desert environments.Wetlands imponant for the conservation of wadingbirds.

CTRC Recommerulation: "Radi Hills and SamphireMarsh (= Mandora Marsh) . Further investigationis recommended."

EPA Recommendation; "The EPA recommendsto the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife thatwhen resources are available it should carry out abiological survey of the Radi Hills and SamphireMarsh with particular attention to the inlandpopulation of the mangroves."

Our Recommendation: Investigations of thebiological resources of the area have proceeded farenough to enable a reserve to be delineated. Werecommend that a Class A nature rcserve, vestedin the National Parks and Nature ConservationAuthority, be declared with the followingboundaries: 200 00'S 1210 07'E east to 1220 00', northto 19030', east to the Anna Plains lease boundary,south to 190 40', west to 1210 10', south to theAnna Plains lease boundary, west to 1210 07', southto the starting point (see Map 24). The mostsignificant part of this proposed reserve includesthe fearures associated with the mouth of theMandora palaeoriver which are within Anna PlainsStation. We recommend that the reserve be namedthe Mandora Nature Reserve.

llllllllllllllll s.z McLARry Htt-t-sLocation: 225 km south-east ofBroome.

Map:24.

Cunent Status: This proposed reserve comprises290 000 hectares, most of which is vacant Crownland. It includes the 14 182 hectare Dragon TreeSoak Narure Reserve (A 15918).

Geomorphology: Most of the area is covered bysand dune country typical of the north-westem

part of the Great Sandy Desert (McKenzie er al.1983). It straddles the Mandora Palaeoriver,including alluvial flats, numerous small salt lakesand tlre peat swamp at Dragon Tree Soak (\Tyrwollet aI. 7986). The proposed reserve also includesthe Mclarty Hills, a series of low Jurassic sandstoneplateaux and mesas that scarcely disrupt thelongitudinal pattem of the sand ridges.

Vegetation and Flora: A detailed descriptiorL wasprovided in McKenzie et aL. (1983) and additionalplant species were listed in George and Mitchell( 1e83 ).The screes of the Mclarty Hills consist of shalypebbles and small boulders, often cemented togetierby a fragile crust of clay-like soil. The vegetationis mostly open humnock grass with a few herbsand occasional shrubs of Gre{,ill€o. Some areas arealrnost bare. The spinifexes Ne Triodia intermediaand T. pungeru. Herbs include Abutilnn lepilum,Dampiera conliuns , Gom\Iverw antninfiwmii , Ptilnuscalnsmclryw, P. emlmu.ts, P. incmrs, TrichadzsmaTellanicum Ni Triumfetta micrantlw. Two othergrasses collected here were Eriachne ciliam mdE. muttotam.

Among large boulders around the breakaway edgeGreuillea pyamidalis and Fioa plnrypoda occur asisolated plants. Herbaceous species are Cyperrucwtningjamii, Mukirt nwlerospamna, Nicotianabenthamtnta, Sokmwn Srcnophilum, Stemodia fiffioliaand, by sheltered overhangs, Tinos1ua smikt ina.

The smaller plateau areas carry open hummockgrass with scattered shrubs. Triodic pungeru is thecommon spinifex. Shrubs include Call trixlon$flonn,Greuillza pyranilnls and G. wickAomii. In smallgullies there are thickets of Acaria ocralenw,A. mondcola and Greuilleo refracm.

In the largcr valleys, where sandy loam hasaccumulatcd, open scrub occurs along creek lines.This is dominated by Acorta, especially A. hnkxmceaand, A. monticola, with a f ew Clzrodendrum

fkribrartum, Gardenia pyriformis, Greuillza refrorn,Hibisats lepmcl,o.hts ar.d Euca\ptus papuata. Thereis a bunch grass to cane grass understorey, oftendense, of Eragrosni eriopodn, Aristidn brwnnrn,A. inrrcryiglumis, Sor$um plzmosum and thehummock grxs Trio a pungens, togethcr with thesedge Fimbnsrylis dichomma. There are herbs suchx Btrclmna (ASC 14735 ), Cro tlaria oisfum, [)rosoapetiolais, Pltrchea tenanthera and Zomia sp. Awayfrom the drainage lines, Tio&a ptmgens and

94

T. intmnedin predominate, often with Lepmsemaunmala.

The plains and swales are sand or sandy loam,with vegetation varying from open hummock grassto scrub. The spinifex is Triodia pmgens, which insome areas is stoloniferous. At the time of theinvestigation, other grasses present were long pastflowering, the ephemeral species mostly being dead.The only species that could be determined wasPania,tm austalietse. Shrubs are generally scattered,the species being Acacia coriacea, A. translucerc,Greuilba pyrunifulis, G. uickhomii, Hakea sp. af(.suberea (ASG 14706), Persoontu fabam, Pimelzaunmocharis and Srllobrarum. In some areas thereare thickets, usually of Aurcia (e.g. A. monticola,A. orth.ocmpa, A. stipuligera) but sometimes ofGrevilltarefracta. Herbs include Bonamia sp. (ASG14'177 ), Casia nombihs, Corchrrus siloides, GoodenitaTruea, Heliotropium tenuifolium, Keraudrenia'?integrifolin,

PfuIlttntlws madertspatensis, PsualeaDustltloto ar\d P tilotus fusif ormis.

The sand dunes carry the richest flora, with a variedassociation of shrubs, herbs and grasses, andoccasional trees. The only spinifex on the dunes isPlecuochrw schinii. Shrubs are Acuai?r annida, Burnniasimplicifolia, Ca$trix kngiflora, Comespuma palliAum,CromLcria cunninghtmii, Clanostegia clcnocalyx,Gyrosrcmon teDDeri, Dodannea Deduncukvis, Duboisiahnpwoodii, Grevillm a[f. eiosmchya (ASG 14703),G. stenoboo"la, Jcrcl'sonia acubom, Newcasteliacbiatricha, Psoralta sp. (ASG 14645 ), Solanum

uersiflorum md Templc.nnia incana. The perennialherbs include Aenicmplrymn recondiwm, Cassiaptuniln, Dampiera cinerea, Goofunn armiti{tw,Halgmin solttnncea, Ptilotus athrolrcius, Scaevolapmvifolb, Srda spp. (ASG 14701), TrichodesmaTeyltmintm, Velleia Dm'ilntfonnrs and Zonrra sp. (ASG14646). Ephemeral herbs recorded are Borrenaauriculna, Setmia apiculam and Trinnthema pilosa.The trees are Gnrdenia pyn/ormis and Oweniaretiolam. Erytlvophleum chknostachys, which is usuallyarborescent, occurs as a shrub.

The most notable feature of the section of palaeo-drainagc valley included in the area is Dragon TreeSoak. The centre of Dragon Trec Soak is dominatedby an almost pure stand o{ Baumea mtianlnw growrngon wet, black mud. At the southern and northemends are small areas of Seslrnia lirmosn growing asa low forest. Scattered SesbanirL fcnmosa also growsamong the Baumea. Bulrush, T1pfra domingerus,occurs under the Sesbonr,n, with occasional clumps

among the Baameo. Around the edge of the soakin damp mud is a sward of Pospalnn, Scatteredplants of Fimbnsrylis femtgineo occur in this sward.On the slightly higher (and dryer) grey loam flatsurrounding the Pupalmt sward is a zone in whichSporobolru vrgruicra forms a ground cover and Acccrlrcmpliceps occurs as scattered or grouped tall shrubs.

Funher away from the soak, loam flats and claypanscarry dense low heath to dwarf scrub; hummockgrass covers occasional sandy rises. More clayeyareas ale dominated by sarnphires, especiallyHalosarcio indica subsp. Ieiosmchya and H.halncnemoiles. More widespread is Tranthematmgidifuln, its succulent leaves mostly dark red. Anumber of grasses and herbs occur among theTrinntlvma e.g. Cyyrus buJlnvs, Eragroscis pograahs,Flaweritt ustralnsica, Iturencia sp., L. gbmeram,Neohusizr nstrocarpa , PLrchea tttranthera , P terocaulnnsphrcelaann, Salsoln kali, Sesbania carmobina,Sporobolm u.rstraktsic.s, Triontherm niqtetra andXerochlnahybam.

Thickets also occur on the loam flats, mostlydominated by Acor.ia ampliceps, some by Mehleucaglnmerata and M. Lsrandra, a few by Myopcnumcrcuminatum. In one area, about 0.5 km south ofthe soak, the perennial sedge Scfioenm /ahanis formsa russock layer beneath Acacin ar:d Melaleuca. Justwest of the Soak is a solitary tree o( Eru\parmicrotheco. Several Hakeo sulrrea also occur ondre flats.

Hummock grass that mantles the sandy rises scatteredacross the flats is dominated by Plecnachne pwtgens,a stoloniferous soft spinifex. Less common is Tnaliapw]'gens.

Dunes and swales associated with the palaeodrainagevalley carried a low scrub o{ Melal ca U$iandramixed with Plecnrrlule schinit. The Desert Walnut,Owenia reticuhm, occurs either as open stands orscattered trees. On dunes and swales throughoutmost of the proposed reserve, the Melalz.ura isreplaced by other shrubs such as Acrri.r anatice|.s,A. translucens, Duboisia hopwoodii, Grevilleastenobotrla and G. {rickhdmii. Occasional shrubsare Cromkria annninghamii, Cyarcstegia cyanoca\ x,Dodoruea pehtnafutis and Dolichandrone lvterophylla.A number of perennial herbs are found on thedunes, e.g. Aenictoph'1ton reconlium, Cusw pumila,Ccr chtrrc sidoides, Corynotheca mictantha, Dampiuacinerea, Helionopium sp. (ASG L4806),N ewccsteliaclaionicha, Sokmum diuersiflm.tm and Tephroskr sp

95

(ASG 14i96). A few ephemerals were found, viz.,Aristiin brounima, Boneria aria.lota, Euphrrbia sp.,Dartylactenium radulans, and Trianthenwpilosa. Twospecies of mistletoe, Amyema gibberula on Creuilleau)ickhamii and Amyema preiss ii on Accrcia ompliceps,were collected.

Fauna: The area supports a tlpical suite of desertvertebrates, though the population of ClamorousReed-\Tarblers, and records of the r*4rite-striped

Mastiff-Bat, and Pheasant C-oucal, at Dragon TreeSoak are of interest. Desert species recorded in thearea include the Marsupial Mole (NororlctesryphLrps), a small gomna (Yumus giteni), the geckosDplodrcqhs a nspiallaus and D . taenranrs, *re skinksLensa ips and Ctznnars lrooksi lrooki, Major MitchellCockatm and White-plumed Honeyeater (Burbidge1983, Stan and Fuller 1983, McKenzie andYoungson 1983).

Recreational Use and Potential: Wildemess area.

Key Features: Represents ecosystems and landscapesof the northem interior of the Great Sandv Desert.including an oasis. The scenery (Young 1981)and palaeo-climatic implications of Dragon TreeSoak (Vyrwoll er aL. L986) are also important.


EPA Recommendation: That a biological surveybe cornpleted of the Great Sandy Desert.

Our Recommendation: The biological survey wascarried out between 197? and 1980 (Burbidge arrdMcKenzie 1983) . Fol lowing the survey,recommendations were made to dre EPA that severalreserves, including this one, be declared (Burbidge,McKenzie and Start 1983). \7e endorse therecommendation that the Mclarty Hills area bedeclared a Class A nature reserve with the followingboundaries: 190 20' to 190 50' S and 1230 15' tolL3o 45' E. The nature reserve should be vested inthe National Parks and Nature ConservationAuthority.

lllllllllllllll s.: Somlrsr TRer-Er-ANnsA general description was given by Burbidge andMcKenzie (1983).

Location: 300 kilometres south-south-west of HallsCreek on the Canning Stock Route.

M a p : 2 3 .

Status: Vacant Crown land.

Geomorphology: The Permian sandstone ranges,

mesas and buttes that occur in the north.east ofthe Great Sandy Desert include some of the mostprominent and topographically rugged landscapesin the desens of \Testem Australia. These outcropsare mostly 15 to 30 metres higher than thesurrounding plains, although the SoutheskTablelands near Godfreys Tank are 90 metres highin places. Extensive areas of alluvial surfaces arepresent, both as valley floors and ourwash plains,in and around the Tablelands. Extensive sandplainsand dune fields surround the hills (McKenzie er al.1983) .

Vegetation and Flora: The mesas, buttes and screesare vegetated with hummock grass, mainly Tnodrapungeru, and scattered shrubs, while there areoccasional figs (Ficrls platypoda) at the edge ofbreakaways arrd in fissures. Around rockholes atthe head of valleys are fems (Cireilan thes teruifolia)and herbs such as E\trophnrus spicaax, Glossosdgma&mlra, Lipocarpha mic'rocephala, Marsilea sp. andOArnlanda galioides.

The deep gullies below the rockholes carry thethickest vegetation. As well as occasional trees(Erythnna vespertilio and Erca$pns asDero) , thercare thickets of shrubs, including Acacra h olosericea,A. monticob, Greuillm uickhamii and Sonmhunknceolaann. Beneath the shrubs is a dense growthof grass and herbs. Dense, tall grassland occurselsewhere in the valleys.

Two plant species are known only from this area -Pdlnats mardugnu and Pseudochaemchloa sp. Bothoccur on the dry, rocky slopes of the mesas(McKenzie et aJ. 1983, George and Mitchell 1983).

Fauna: Among the small mammals, rhe occurrenceof both the Westem Chestnut Mouse (Pseulomysnanru) and the Desert Mouse (P. doercr) is o(interest, since these have been considered to bethe same species by some zoologists. The uncommonShon-tailed Mouse (Izggadina frrrestii) also occursin the valleys. Euros (Macropls rohlsrlrs) live inthe hills (McKenzie and Youngson 1983). Theranges, with their water and relatively lushvegetation, support some birds that are uncommonin the desens, e.g. Fairy Martin, Brown Honeyeaterand Painted Finch (Start and Fuller 1983). Twentyseven species of reptiles have been recorded(Burbidge 1983 ).Recreational Use and Potential: Wildemess; thearea receives little tourist use at present but, becauseof its scenery and location on the Canning StockRoute, it could become a maior tourist attraction

96

in the future.

Key Features: Permian ranges, landscapes andecosystems of north-eastem Great Sandy Desen,endemic plants, rock pools, historical interestassociated with early exploration and the CanningStock Route.CTRC Recommendation: None.EPA Recommendation: EPA made a generalrecommendation for a biological survey of the GreatSandy Desert.Our Recommendation: The biological survey wascarried out between 1977 and 1980 (Burbidge andMcKenzie 1983 ) . Fol lowing the survey,recommendations were made to the EPA that severalreserves, including this one, be declared (Burbidge,

McKeruie arrd Start 1983).'We

endorse the recommendation that an alea ofapproximately 570 000 hectares be declared anational park with the following boundaries.20005'5 126020'E thence east to 126033'8, southto the north-west comer of Reserve No. 22956(Use and Benefit of Aborigines), south along thewestem boundary to the south-west comer of ReserveNo. 22956, east to the westem boundary of theBilliluna Pastoral Lease (approx. 1270 03'30'E),south to latitude 200 55'S, west to 1260 20'E, northto starting point. The proposed national parkincludes much of Reserve 5280 for "Camping".

The national park should be vested in the NationalParks and Nature Conservation Authority.

97

l{ibiscus superbus u,rthits showl pink flow,:ts is one of 14 species of lTibiscus recmded t'rom the Kimberbl.

98

TnNnvr DpsERr

I he nonh-westem portion of the Tanami Desenis included within the Halls Creek Shire.

Geologically, the northem portion of the TanamiDesert in Westem Australia comprises parts of *reVictoria River Basin, Arunta Block and, furthersouth, the Lake MacKay Basin. Their geology isdescribed by Trendall and Cope (1975) and detailedin Crowe and Muhling (19?7) and Blake, Passmoreand Muhling (1977). The main exposed rock tlpesare unmetamorphosed Proterozoic sandstones suchas the Gardiner Beds and Permian sandstones andsiltstones of the Liveringa Group, Godfrey Bedsand Noonkanbah Formation.

Most of the area comprises gently undulating, redsandy plains of Quatemary age, that are intemrptedby occasional outcrops of Proterozoic rocks as lowrocky ranges. In the southem part, these plainsare dominated by parallel sand dunes. Lateritecrusted uplands occur on the Permian outcrops nearLake Gregory. The north-west comet is traversedby Stun, Wolfe, Durbai and Salt Pan Creeks, allof which drain inland to Lake Gregory.

The north-wesiem Tanami Desert receives anannual average rainfall of between 350 mm (inthe nonh) and 250 mm, received during apredictable rainy season that lasts from earlyDecember to early April (Beard 1979). The restof the year is vim-rally a drought, during whichfresh water is retained only in rock holes associatedwith outcrops, in Lake Gregory, and as pools alongStun Creek.

There are a number of existing and proposedconservation reserves in the district.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 6.1 GARDINER RANGEAREA

Location: About 400 km south of Kunununa and180 km south-east of Halls Creek.

Mapr73.

Area: 349 000 ha.

Current Status: Vacant Crown land (formerlv theCoronado pastoral lease).

Geomorphology: Most of the ranges are composedof the Proterozoic Gardiner Rarge sandstone withsmall areas of the Talbot Well formarion, astromalitic chert with siltstone and limestone. Therange is surronnded by sandplains (Blake et al. 1977).

Vegetation and Florar The Gardiner Range is aseries of low hills covered by a humrnock grassland(Trrodia) with scattered Greqtillea, Hakza and Acnciashrubs. The flats around *ie hills carry grasses andsporadic eucalypts. A small area of mulga is thenorthernmost locality for this formation in WestemAustralia. The Gardiner Range is in a transitionzone between Kimberley and desen flora, the formermainly occupying moister and sheltered habitats,but with progressively fewer representations as therainfall decreases.

Fauna: The area was examined in June 1975 by\U.H. Butler, while under contract to the W.A.Museum (G.M. Storr and !?.H. Butler, pers.comm.). Sixty-nine species of birds were recorded,including the Port Lincoln Parrot (Banardius

zomrir6), fiis being its northemmost record in W.A.Most birds observel were Eyrean (arid zone) species,with the Torresian (Klmberley) element in theminority. Mammals observed included the Nonhem

99

Nailtail Wallaby (Orrychogaba mgwfua) and t}:.eDalglte (Macroru hgoru). Seven species of reptilesand a ftog were collected.

Recreational lJse and Potential: None.

Key Features: A zone of transition beween theKimberlev and Tanami Desert flora and fauna, theformer mainly occupying the moister and shelteredhabitats, but with progresivety fewer representativesas the rainhll decreases. The only area representativeof the Tanami Desen available for reservation fornature conservation in Westem Australia.

CTRC Recommendation: "all of the landconcemed is held under pastoral lease, but provisionshould be made to ensure the creation of anappropriate reserve should any of the existing leasesbe determined.

At present there is no significant conservationreserve in the East Kimberley. The proposedNational Park in the Carr Boyd Ranges adjacentto Lake Argyte (Area 7.10) would provide somerepresentation of East Kimberley ecosystems, buton its o\r.n it would not adequately represent theregion. Most of tle east Kimberley is under pastorallease and cannot be considered for reservationwithout good supporting data; such data are notavailable. In the absence of other reserves, theGardiner Range area will provide additionalrepresentation of the region as well as being ofvalue in its own right, being in an area of biologicaltransition between two floras and faunas."

Recommendaiion: "The Committee recomrnendsthat the Departrnent of Lands and Surveys berequested to give consideration to the creation ofan appropriate reserve in the Gardiner Range area,should any of the existing pastoral leases bedetermined."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsthat the Department of Lands and Surveys reservea zuitable area of land in the vicinity of the GardinerRange should any of the existing pastoral leases bedetermined."

Our Recommendation: The pastoral lease hasbeen zurrendered and the land is now vacant. Therehas been a request that part of the area be set asideas an Aboriginal living area, and that a new pastorallease be issued. The Pastoral Board believes thatpastoral pursuits in this area woutd not be viable.

\i?e recommend that the former Coronado pastorallease, apan from a 200 ha area for an Aboriginalliving area, be reserved for the conservation of flora

and fauna, declared Class A and vested in theNational Pa s and Nature C-onservation Authoriw.

llllllllllllllll 6.2 GREGoRY LerEFor a general description see Burbidge and McKenzie1983).Location: Nonh-eastem edge of Great Sandy Desen,50 km west of Balgo.

Map: 23.

Current status: The proposed reserve is within*re Lake Gregory Pastoral Lease owned by the MulanAboriginal Corporation.

Geomorphology: Gregory Lake lies in sandplainwith low east-west dwres and is the terminal drainagearea for Sturt Creek, which arises in the South-west Kimberley and flows south. The sandplainconsists of aeolian red and yellow sand. Movingcloser to the lake, the soil changes from alluvialsand, silt and clay tlnough to alluvial clay in drainagechannels and salt lakes and then to gypsiferousand saline sand, silt and clay in the main lake bed.Sandstone underlies the whole area.

Although often referred to as Gregory Salt Lake,the Lake is fresh when water levels are high (0.5ppt TDS in May 1980, 0.6-1.9 ppt in September1986).

Vegetation and Flora: The vegetation around thelake is greatly affected by water level: at times offlood much of the sunounding vegetation isinundated and dies. At moderate water levels thelake is zurrounded by a belt of samphire containingHalosacit. hohcnemoides, H. indico, Eragr ostis diekii,Cresso uetica, Mugank llodknrda, Sila rohlenoe andSu.rairsona sp. Around this is a belt of trees, themain species are an undescribed Acacia, Eu&bqtusmicrothrca ar..d llal"za ?suberea. Beyond the trees,sand dunes occur, covered by spinifexes (Plecttathntscfunrii and Tridia ptngens) and grasses (Arundasp., Eragrosris enopoda and Eriaclne aristida)(McKenzie et al. 1983).

Fauna; Gregory Lake supports spectacular numbersof water birds when water levels are high: inSeptember 1986, 57 species and 240 000 individualswere recorded. Notable occurrences include:Australian Pelican (5 000 in November 1979) (Stanand Fuller 1983); Little Black Cormorant (60 000in September 1986); Plumed Whistling Duck(13 000 in September 1986); Black Swan (6 000

100

Ir.

in September 1986); Freckled Duck (900 inSeptember 1986); Grey Teal (25 000 in August1985); Pink-eared Duck (34 000 in September1986); Hardhead (16 000 in September 1986);Eurasian C-oot (74 000 in September 1986); Brolga(3 500 in September 1986); Vhiskered Tem (2 000in September 1986); Caspian Tem (1500 inSeptember 1986) (R. Jaensch pers. comm.). TheFreckled Duck is a declared threatened species, andthe large flocks on Lake Gregory show that it hasgreat sigliftcance in the conservation of this species.

Recreational Use and Potential: No current use.Limited potential as tourist site, especially for keenomithologists.

Key Features: Unique arid zone lake with anenormous diversity and number ofwater birds.

CTRC Recommendation; "At present, GregoryLake is within Billiluna pastoral lease. In view ofits importance the Committee remmmends that abiological survey of the lake be carried out,coordinated by the Department of Fisheries andFauna, arrd recommendations drawn up for aconservation reserve *rere."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA, noting thatGregory Lake is within the Billiluna pastoral lease,recommends to the Department of Fisheries andri7ildlife, the National Parks Board and the \7.A.Museum respectively that, when resources becomeavailable, features of Gregory Lake within theirindividual framework of interests be investigatedwith a view to appropriately advising the EPA asto whether a conservation reserve should be createdwithin the region."

Our Recommendation: Gregory Lake has beenproposed as a wetland of intemational importance.Reservation and protection of the wetland vegetationwould be a major step towards meeting Australia'sobligation for proper management of the wetlandas welt as ensuring the future of one of the mostimponant sites for water birds in Westem Australia,

The Lake is now in the Lake Gregory pastorallease. At present, cattle ftom Lake Gregory Stationare seriously damaging the fringing vegetation.

Ve recommend that the Department ofConservation and Land Management commencenegotiations with the Aboriginal community withthe view to reserving the wetlands for conservationand developing appropriate maragement of GregoryLake and associated wetlands, nlus the lower reaches

of Sturt Creek, so as to minimise cattle damage tothe lake and its surrounds.

llllllllllllllll 6.3 \7oLFE CnEsrCnarEn

Location: 100 km south of Halls Creek.Map: 23.Area: 1 460 ha.

Current Status: Class A Reserve 29457 forProtection of Meteorite Crater, vested in theNational Parla and Nature Conservation Aut-hority.

Geomorphology: The feature of the reserve is theVolfe Creek Crater, a near circular depression about900 m in diameter with the floor about 60 m belowthe rim. The crater was formed by an enormousexplosion and was probably about 180 to 200 rndeep before it was filled by blown sand and glpsum.It is thought to have been formed in the Miocene,although some authors believe that it formed morerecently - either in the Pliocene or early Pleistocene.The origin of the crater is not certain. Twoh1'potheses have been put forward: an impactexplosion ftom an enormous meteorite weighingseveral thousand tonnes, or an explosion ofendogenous cryptovolcanic origin. The former seemsmore likely, but does not entirely fit all the geologicalevidence (McCall 1965 ).The crater is surrounded by sandplains and lowdunes. \Uolfe Geek itself is situated three kilomeuesto the west.Vegetation and Flora: The crater rim supports aTrindia intermedia hvmmock grassland with scatteredshrubs and small trees of Eurnlypns breuifulia,Grevi\ca pyramilolis, G. r{racw, G. cricklumii andHakza \ktea. The vegetation of the crater floor isa low open woodland o{ Aurcia dmphceps with afew bloodwood eucalyp$. The herb layer consistsmainly ofgrasses.

The surrounding red sands support a Triodia pmgenshummock grassland with emergent shrubs and trees.The shrubs include Acacia hemignosm, DolidwndrorwhewoDlryIln, Hol<ea tnhtacens and Melaleutaksiarha(A.S. George pers. comm.).

Fauna: A brief survey in 1979 provides the onlyavailable data. Species recorded included theNonhem Mastiff-bat GhatreDhon j&ruis) , tlre LittleBroad-nosed Bat (Scotoreperu grelii), and a number

101

of birds and reptiles. A rare dragon lizard('tymputocrlptk aurira) was located a short distanceto the west of the reserve.Recreational Use and Potential: The meteoritecrater is a major tourist attraction and, despite itsremoteness, is visited by an increasing number ofpeople, including organised bus tours.Key Features: The meteorite crater, which hasworld sigrrificance. Only dree other similar cratersexist - in Arizona, Canada and Aleeria.

CTRC Recommendation: "The Committeerecommends that the classification be upgraded toA Class, and that the vesting remain unaltered."

EPA Recommendation: "The EPA recommendsto the Department of Lands and Surveys that WolfeCreek Crater reserve /9457, a geological site ofworld significance, vested in the National ParksBoard, be upgraded to Class A."

Our Recommendation: The reserve is now ClassA. We endorse the current purpose, status ardvesting.

702

A T \NREAS T$QUIRING

AnnrrroNAl IxvEsrrcArroN

l f ,lVIany imponanr fearures of rhe Kimberley arenot included in either existing or proposed reserves.'We

have insuf{icient information to make definiterecommendations conceming some areas that havepotential for reservation as national parks or naturereserves. These areas are discussed briefly below.

ilililililililil 7.1 BURr RRNCS.MOUXT ZtVttVtERtr,tRN

Situated 25 km east of Kununurra, the Burt Rangeand Mt Zimmerman lie adjacent to the Keep RiverNational Park in the Northem Tenitory. Theconservation values of the Keep River NationalPark would be complemented by the creation of acorresponding national park in Westem Australia.

Features of the area include rugged and dissectedsandstone terrain, Aboriginal art sites, interestingfauna, including the Short-eared Rock-wallaby(Petrogale brorlryotis), \fhite-quilled Rock-pigeon(Petrophosso albipennis), Sandstone Strike-thrush(Collttricirlch wooduardi) and a variety of flora(including an undescribed fan palm, Livisoona).

The area fronts the Duncan Highway at the border,and is strategically placed to intercept visitors, Aninformation centre/quarantine facility could beincorporated in this area. The area is currrentlywithin Ivanhoe Station. Approximately 225 kmz isproposed for investigation.

Recommendation: 1Ve recommend that theDepanment of Conservation and I-and Managementinvestigate the Bun Range area and makerecommendations conceming its future status.Discussions should be held with the ConservationCommission of the Northem Territory to ensurethat mutually compatible boundaries are selected.

lllllllllllllll 7.2 CxpyBoucerNvrlr-EPENrNsur-R

Cape Bougainville Peninzula lies bemeen AdmiraltyGulf and Vansittart Bay. It consists of a plateau ofbauxitic laterite overlying Carson Volcanic slopes.

The laterites support a different plant communityfrom that at Mitchell Plateau, being mainly aElranllpus savannah woodland. Extersive rainforests,sorne of the largest and best developed in the State,are found below the edges of the lateritic plateau.Feral cattle have not yet entered this area, althoughpopulations exist nearby. The volcanics support asavannah woodland with tussock grasses.

The laterites have commercial potential for aluminaproduction and are held as mineral tenements.

Recommendation: !?e recommend that when anEnvironmental Review ald Management Plan isproduced for the development of the bauxite, itinclude recommendations for the reservation andmanagement of the rainforests.

lllllllllllllll 7.3 CHEDDACLTp'ps,NaprEnRnxcE

The 80 m high Chedda Cliffs extend for 56kilometres rc the north-west of \Tindjana GorgeNational Park, forming the most westerly exposureof the Devonian fossil reef system. Parts of therange :lre scenically attractive, and pans are highlysigrificant to the traditional Aboriginal owners ofthe area.

In this area, the range contains hanging valleysthat form waterfalls at the cliff face with plungepools below, cliff-foot caves and an "in.our" cave

103

+

o8"^ s t " %e --=

s e","""t"

6,oq "d

!g *o

d)

e

g o P

: d {

- ' d

ao

9 ); -g

$$f

eE

,9

asO

ao

962 Rl

EEE Ieeg d ElFo|,^ ' I

EEg Iz ) = J- a

IIJG

\.?

F S

{* X

s t d

9.!; ;E-6

ri I -r:i

a. ,9

MAP 25

104

near Bamet Spring. Also near Bamet Spring, anarrow, but very deep, vertical-walled gorgepenetrates tfuough the cliff into the range. Abovethe Old Napier Downs Cave lies the largest encloseddepression in the limestone ranges, and it exhibitsinteresting karst features such as pinnacles, corridorvalleys and sink holes, Old Napier Downs Caveappears to be the outflow cave for the depression,and is situated in the outer wall of the NapierRange. It is horizontally developed and, whileshort, the cave is very big in cross+ection (V,A.National Parks and Reserves Association,unpublished report to the EPA, 1978).

The range and its cliffs are situated on KimberleyDowns and Napier Downs Stations.

Recommendation: 'We

recommend that theDepartment of C-,onservation and l:nd Managementinvestigate the conservation and recreation valuesof the Chedda Cliffs sector of the fossil reef and,after consultation with local Aboriginal people andthe pastoral lease owners, make recommendationsconceming its future status (see also AreaZ.S).

lllllllllllllll 2.4 CocKBURNRANGEThe Cockbum Range is an isolated mesa-form rangeat the head of Cambridge Gulf. It rises to 600 m,well above the local level of the Kimberley Plateau,and is bounded by scarps 300 m high. It has acapping of sandstone over shale.

Spectacular gorges and massive scree slopes are afeature of this precipitous sandstone range. Isolatedrainforest patches are rich in species such asCrJ\mco:rya a,tmingfumii , Alstonia sqecrabilis and thef erns Lygodium miooplyllun and Blechnwn ryrienmb.

The range lies within El Questro Station.

Recommendation: We recommend d-rat theDepartment of Conservation and land Managementinvestigate the conservation and recreation valuesof the Cockbum Range and surrounds and makerecommendations as to its frture starus.

lllllllllllllll 2.5 ISLANDS IN TalsorBnv

Talbot Bay, situated just to the south of KoolanIsland, contains several fairly large islards. Theislands are vacant Crown land. As discussed

105

previously, islands have major nature conservationvalues. These particular islands have not beenexamined by biologists.

Geologica$ the islands are part of Yampi Peninsulaand would have been cut off from the Peninsulaby rising sea levels about 8 000 years ago. Mostislands are mmposed of the Yampi member of thePentecost Sandstone. There are extensive adjacentmudflats and mangrove swamps.

Recommendation: We recornmend that theDeparunent of C-onseration and lind Managementconduct a biological survey of the islands in TalbotBay. Until this is completed, any proposals fordeveloping the islands should be refened by theDepartment of Land Administration to the EPA.

lllllllllllllll 7.6 IoSEpHBONRpRRTSGur-p CoRsrRl LRNo

One hundred kilometres north of Kununurra lies astrip of coastal vacant Crown land, ranging in widthfrom 2 to 8 km, which runs from t-he !/A-NTborder (1290E) to the mouth of Cambridge Gulf.Features include Shakespeare Hill and the Needles,extensive tidal mudflats and some EucolypatstetrodarLn woodlznd. There has been no biolosicalsurvey work done in the area.

To the west, this land adioins that proposed forreservation around the false moudrs of the Ord(Area 3.4). The Ningbing Range (Area 7.9), partof the Denovian Reef System, also adjoins this8rea.

Recommendation: We recommend that theDeparunent of Coservation and land Managementinvestigate the area to determine its conservationpotential and make recommendations concemingits future status. A marine/terrestrial reserve systemshould be considered, including the area fromLacrosse Island to Rocky Island and Pelican Island(Area 3.7 ).

lllllllllllllll ?.? KrNG LEopor-oANoDunacrRRNcss

The inland margin of the Kimberley Basin isdelineated by the King Leopold Ranges in the southand the Durack Ranses in the easr.

w

The Riuer Screu Pine (Pandanus aquaticus) is lound along the banks ol permanent creeks and rivets.

106

Both ranges are belts of narrow, parallel, steep-sided flat-topped ridges, mainly of sandstone intrudedby Hart Dolerite. Deeply incised valleys have formedin relatively erodible basalts and dolerites.

Parts of the ranges are scenically outstanding. Areasof very high landscape quality include:- the Elgee Cliffs and Chamberlain River Valley;

- the passage ofthe Fitzroy River through theKing Leopold Range, and adjacent escarpments,extending for 50 kilometres to the south-east;

. the highlands centred on Mounts Ord, Broome,Herbert, and Bell (1250 11'E to 1250 38'E, and1?0 3'S to 1?0 30'S) (see also Area 4.8).

All tluee areas arc presently leased for pastoralpurposes.

Recommendation: 'We

recommend that theDepartrnent of Conservation and Land Managementinvestigate the conservation and recreation valuesof the three areas and make recommendationsconceming their firture status.

lllllllllllllll 7.8 LA\yFORD F(ANGEThe Lawford Range is situated about 70 km south-east of Fitzroy Crossing. The range is composed oflimestone - part of the Kimberley fossil barrier reef.It is scenically attractive and is adjacent to theGreat Northem Highway. It is located on GogoStation.

Recommendation: 'We

recommend that theDeparnnent of C-onservation and Lsrd Managementinvestigate the conservation and recreation valuesof the Lawford Range and surrounds and makerecommendations as to its firture status.

lllllllllllllll 7.e NINGBINGITANGENingbing Range is situated 90 km nonh ofKununurra. It is composed of Upper Devonianquaru sandstone and limestone and is part of theKimberley Devonian limestone reef complex thatis better known in the Napier and Oscar Ranges.

The Ningbing Range is immediately adjacent tothe proposed nature reserve including the falsemouths of the Ord River (Area 3.4). It is withinCarlton Hill Station.

Recommendation: We recommend that theDepartment of Conservation and land Management

107

investigate the conservation values of the NingbingRange and surrounding area and makerecommendations as to its fuarre status.

lllllllllllllll ?.10 NonrH Ktlrnpru-EvCoasr, E,tsr opCRpsLoNnoNoEnRy

The coastline (and up to five to 10 kilometresinland) from Elsie Island OZTa $'F., 140 15'S) toCape Dussejour (1280 13'E, 140 44'S) is scenic anddiverse, comprising coastal cliffs, gorges, mangrove-lined bays, enormous sand dunes, and shallowsandplanes on horizontally-bedded sandstone strata.

At King George Falls, the King George River plungesspectacularly over a sandstone cliff into tidal waters.The base of the 100 m falls is accessible by boatfrom the Timor Sea, and is visited by an increasingnumber of tourists. Similar falls occur on C-asuarinaCreek, a tributary of the Berkeley River.

The majority of the area is Aboriginal Reserve,and the south-eastem sector is vacant Crown land.

Recomrnendation: We recommend that theDepartment of C.onservation and I-and Managementconsult with Aboriginal people concerning thepossibility of managing some of the area forconservation and recreation.

lllllllllllllll 7.rr PsNrEcosrRNoDunacrRrvsnGonces

The Durack and Pentecost Rivers and theirtributaries in their desent to Cambridge Gulf haveformed deep incisions through the sandstones ofthe Kimberley Basin. The extensive system ofdeep,steep-sided valleys and gorges that has resulted isspectacular, and has great recreational potentialbecause it is located within 120 km of Kununurra.

Land tenure comprises Aboriginal Reserve, HomeValley and El Questro Stations.

Recomrnendation: We recommend that theDepartment of Clnservation and land Managementdetermine zuitable boundaries for these areas andinstitute negotiations for their reservation as nationaloarls.

Cyads are widesyea.d in ncntfum Austtalia. Tfus femdz plant of Cycas basaltica shou,sthe polm.likz frods and modified leaues bearing Imge seeds.

108

lllllllllllllll 7.rz PHIt-lrpsRnxcEThe Phillips Range straddles the Gibb River Roadbetween Mt House and Mt Bamett Stations. Mostof the Range is in a tongue of vacant Crown landlying between ttre two pastoral leases. \Tithin andadjacent to the vacant Crown land are several scenicgorges: Manning, Adcock, Galvans, Isdell andBamett Gorges.

The range and surrounding country are composedmainly of rugged King Leopold Sandstones.

The area is receiving increasing tourist use. During1986, about 8 000 people in over 3 000 vehiclesvisited Mt Bamett, and most of these people visitedManning Gorge, which is only two kilometres fiomthe station homestead. The increasing touristpressure is starting to lead to environmentaldegradation around camping areas and water holes.

Iocal people have proposed that the Phillips Rangearea be declared a national park, and that areas ofadiacent pastoral leases be added to the park so itincludes the scenic gorges.

Recommendation: We recommend that theDepartment of C-onservation and l-and Managementinvestigate the proposal to declare a Phillips RangeNational Park and report on boundaries andmanagement costs.

lllllllllllllll ?.13 SArNr GEoncERnNcE

The St George Range is situated about ?5 km south-west of Fitzroy Crossing, panly within NoonkanbahStation and parrly within Cherrabun Station.

The area is scenically attractive and is near theboundary of Kimberley vegetation types and theGreat Sandy Desert. The r:rnges are composed ofheavily-faulted Permian sandstones and shalessurrounded by Quatemary sandplains. It has notbeen examined by biologiss.

Rock-wallabies have been reported there. Ifproven,this may be of considerable significance. Thepopulation of rock-wallabies in the Edgar Range(Area 2.3), not far to the vrest, is. taxonomicallydistinct, and is extremely rare and possibly dreatenedwith extinction. St George Range rock-wallabiesmay be the same taxon.

Recommendation: We recommend that the

Department of C-onservation and l-and Managementconduct a biological survey of the St George Rangeand report on its nature conservation values.

lllllllllllllll 2.14\fESr Ca\asRrDcpGut-p

A strip of country approximately 15 km wide alongthe westem side of Cambridge Gulf, bemeen theMilligan Ranges and Cape Dussejour, is vacantCrown land.

It comprise s the eastem edge of the Kimberley Basin,and includes massive outcrops of Pentecost andWarton Sandstones, as well as smaller areas of ElgeeSiltstone, tidal mudflats and creek systems. Theprecipitous nature of the rock stata makes the areascenically attractive. There are extensive areas ofmangrove and populations of the SaltwaterCrocodile; otherwise, almost nothing is known ofthe area's flora and fauna.

There are no conservation reserves representingthe mastal environments along the north-eastemedge of the Kimberley Basin. In fact, the entirenorth-eastem part of the Kimberley Basin is devoidof reserves for conservation.

Recommendation: lVe recommend that theDepartment of Cmservation and f-and Managementconduct a biological survey of the westem side ofCambridge Gulf and report on its natureconservatlon vaLues,

lllllllllllllll ?.1sYAMpr PENrNsur-RMuch of the coastline, promontories and inlets ofYampi Peninsula comprise landscapes ofgreat beautyand diversity. The large tidal range ard narrowchannels and enuances to inlets combine to producetidal waterfalls in some locations.

Proterozoic rock formations comprising sandstone,siltstone and basalt give rise to the rugged ridges ofthe Peniruula. Doleritic intrusions are common.

The northem part of the Peninsula is AboriginalReserve, and the southern part Defence Reserve.

Recommendation: We recommend that any changesin land tenure in the area take into account thedesirability that the coastal pans of the Peninsulabecome a national oark.

109

NOTES

1 1 0

ApppxDrx rComparison Between EPA and CALM Recornmendations

Nature ReserveNational ParkMarine Narue ReseweMadne National ParkMarine ParkRecommended for biological suwey or other invesrigarionsRecommended negotiariors wifi Aboriginal people concerning participarion in munasementEPA made a general recommendarion for a bioiogtcal survey ofthe Grear Sandy DesertEPA rccommended a reserve, purpose not stipulated

Additions recomrnended

KEYNRNPMNRMNPMPs'1_

CALMNo. EPA No. locality EPA Proposal CALM Proposal

1 . 1l .z1.3z. lz.z2.3) 4

7.5L . O

J . l

3.23.31 4

3.53 .63 .73 .84 1

4 )4 7

4 4

4.54.64.74.84 A

4.104.rr4.rz

?.1 .27-.r 3

7 . r .17- 15

7 . 1 8?. r07.tz

7 . t l7.2.6

' 1 ) 4

7.2.37.2.37.87.97.57.2.27 . 1 67.?

7.r3

NR(4)NRNRNP(3)

NRNR, ASNPNP++NR

NPNP(2)

NR++S

Adele IslandBrowse IslandRowley ShoalsBroome vine thicketsDampier PeninsulaEdgar RangeLacepede IslandsOscar & Napier RangesRoebuck BayR, 'n o l e R " . "1 "

Mirima (Hidden Valley)Lake Argyle, Carr Boyd ROrd RiverPacksaddle SwampsParrys LagoonsPelican IslandPoint SpringAdmiralty Gulf IslandsBonaparte ArchipelagoBuccaneer ArchipelagoCape LondondenyDrysdale RiverHunter RiverKingfisher IslandsKing Leopold RangesMitchell PlateauMontgomery Is & ReefPrince RegentRust Range

NR, MNRNR, MNRMNPNRNR(4), NPNRNRNP(4)++MPNPNPNPNR++NRNR+ +NRNRNRNR, NP, AMP, ANP, MNPNP++NP++, ANRNPNP(z)MPNP++ MNP(2)S

NRNR

NPNPNR

NRNR

1 1 1

CALMNo. EPA No. locality EPA Proposal CALM Proposal

4 1 7

4.r4t . l

) . L

6.16.2o..)1 1

1 ' l

?.4

r . o'7 '7

7.87.97 .107.r r7.tzL t )

?.r4

7.2.5'1 4

tz.z+ l+ 1

7.r41 ) 4

tL . )

Sir Graham Moore Islands\falcott InletMandoraMclarty HillsSouthesk TablelandsGardiner RangeLake GregoryWolfe CreekBurt Range - Mt ZimmermanCape Bougainville Pen.Chedda CliffsCockbum RangeIslands of Talbot Bay

Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Coastal LandKing Leopold & Durack RangesLawford RangeNingbing RangeCoast east of Cape LondondenyPentecost & Durack River GorgesPhillips RangeSt George RangeVest Cambridge GulfY c m n i P p n i n c " l o

NPS

,fZ

S

)'

NRNP, MNPNRNRNPNR

NPSsee textSSSSSSSS,ASSSSNP

rrz

T\

TTEFERENCES

Allen, G.R. (19?5). A preliminary checklist of the fteshwato ffshes of the Prince Regent River Reserve, NorthWest Kimberley, Western Australia. In: Miles, J.M.& Burbidge, A.A. (Eds.). A Biological Stmtel of thePrince Regent Ri+,er Reserue , Nmth-West Kimberley ,\Yestem Atunolia in Auguu 1974. Wildl. Res. Bull.West. Aust. No. 3. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.r Perrh.)

Anon. (19?2). Adele Island report. SWANS. 3, 38.39.Australian Academy of Science (1962). Report ofthe Western Australian Sub-committee of theAustralian Academy of Science Committee onNational Parks. Cyclostyled.

Australian Academy of Science (1965). Nauonal park andnatl$e reserues in Western Aastratr"a, (AustralianAcademy of Science and National Parks Board o{Wcstcm Australia.)

Bai ley, W.J. & Richards, K.T. (19?5). Insect fauna. In:Miles, J.M. & Burbidge, A.A. (Eds). A biologcal stroryof the Prince Regeru Rro,er Reserc,e, nuth'west l/Jmbe.lel,'Westem

Awtrdia, in August 1974. Wildl. Res. Bull.West. Aust. No. 3. (Depr. Fish. Wildl.r Perth.)

Bannister, J.S. (1969). A iist o/tfu species of mmntuls colLe.credb1 W,H, Butler fu thz Archbold Co ecdons of theAmerican Museum o/ Nattral Hi.storl ond the VestemAutraba Museun, 1963-1966. Westem AusttalianMuseum Annual Report, pp 61-76.

Beard, J.S. (196?). An inland occunence ofmangrove. West.A s r . Nd t . 10 , 112 -115 .

Beard, J.S. (1969). Endemism in the Western Australianflora at the species level. J. Ro1. Soc. V7. Atstrai. 52,18-20.

Beard, J.S. (19?6). The monsoon forcsts of the AdrniraltyG u lf , Western Australia. V e getatio 3 1, 17 7 - 792.

Bcard, J.S. (19'19). The uegetation o[ the Kmberlel area.Expllematttt'J notes to map sheet 1 ol Vegetation Sun,eyt'f Westcm Ausnalia: Kimberbl. (Univ. West. Aust.Prcss: Nedlands.)

Beard, J.S., Clayton,Green, K.A. & Kenneally, K.F. (1984).Notes on the vegetation ofthe Bougainville Peninsula,Gbom and Institut Islands, North Kimberley District,Westem Australia. Vegetatio 57, 3'13.

Berry, P.F. & Marsh, L. (1986). History of lnvestigation anddescription of the physical environment. In: Bety,P.F. (Ed.). Fauaal swaels ol the Rowlel Shoals, ScorReef and, Seingpatam fuef , nnth-westem Austraha. Rec.\fest. Mus. Suppl. No. 25.

Blake, D.H., Passmore, V.L. & Muhling, P.C. (1977). Billiluna1:250 000. Geological Series. Bur. Miner. Res. Aust.Explanatory Notes. SE/52, 1{.

Bungle Bungle Wotking Group (1986). Frul repdt to theEnoionmental Protectiolr AuthclriL'J. (Dept. Cons. Env.:Perth.)

Bu rb idge . A .A . 11975a ) . H i s to r y o f rhe P r i nce Regen t R i ve rReserve. In: Miles, J.M. & Burbidge, A.A. (Eds). Abi.ologicoJ swuel of thz Prince Regent Ri+,er Resente , north-west Kmbulel, \Vestem Austrdia, in Augtrst 1974.Wildl. Res. Bul l . West, Aust. No. 3. (Dept. Fish.Wildl. : Perth.)

Burbidge, A.A. (1975b). Conclusiors and recommendations.In: Miles, J.M. & Burbidge, A.A. (Eds). A biolngicalswuel of tfu Pnnce Regent Rive't Reserte, wrth-westKmberlel, \Westem Ausfiata, in Aug$L 1974. Wildl.Res. Bul l . West. Aust. No.3. (Dept. Fish. Wildl. :Perth.)

Burbidge, A.A. (19??a). The history of the Drysdale RiverNational Patk. In: Kabay, E.D. & Bltbidge A.A. (Eds)A biologicoJ stouey of the Dnsdde River Narional ParL,north Kimbetby, Westcm Austtolia, in Augwt 1975.Wildl. Res. Bul l . West. Aust. No. 6. (Dept. Fish.Wildl. : Petth.)

Burbidge, A.A. (1977b). Conclusions and tecommendations.In: Kabay, E.D. & Burbidge A.A. (Eds) A biolagca)sura.'e1 of the Drysdnle Riuer Nationd Park, nttthKmbulel , Westem Australia, in August i 975. \fildl.Res. Bul l . West. Aust. No. 6. (Depr. Fish. wi ldl. :Perth.)

1 1 1

Burbidge, A.A. (1983). Amphibiars and reptiles. In: Burbidge,A.A. & McKenzie, N.L. (Edr. Wildlife of 6e CreatSaadl Desert, Vestem Autralia. Wildl. Res. Bull.West. Aust. No. 12. (Dept. Fish. \0itdl.r Perth.)

Burbidge, A.A. (1987). Crocodile management in WestemAuscalia. In: Webb, GJ.")7., Manolis, S.C. &Whitehead, P.!. (EAs\ Wildlife maruryement: ctocodjbsand alligatarc. (Surrey Beatty arrd Sons: Sydney.)

Burbidge, A.A., Marchalt, N.G., McKenzie, N.L. & WilsoqP.G. (1978). Environment. In: Burbidge, A.A. &McKenzie, N.L. (Edt. The islands of thz nonh.westKmberlel , Vestem Ausffarr4. Wildl. Res. Bull. Wesr.Aust. No. 7. (Dept. Fish. \')rildl.: Perth. )

Burbidge, A.A. & McKeruie, N.L. (Eds) (19?8a). -fhz islandtof the nmth.west Kimbedel, \X/estem Austrolia. Wildl.Res. Bull. West. Aust. No. ?. (Depr. Fish. Vildl.:Perth.)

Burbidge A.A. & McKenzie, N.L. (1978b) Introduction. In:Butbidge, A.A. & McKenzie, N.L. (Eds). Tfu isi4nl"sof tlre nonh.west Kmbetlel , \X/estem Australia. W tldl.Res. Bull. West. Aust. No.7. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.:Perth.)

Burbidge, A.A. & McKenzie, N.L. (19?8c) Conclusionsand tecommendations. ln: Burbidge, A.A. & McKenzie,N.L. (Edt. The islanl: of the nrrth-west Kimberley,Westen Awtrolia. Wildl. Res. Bull. \fest. Aust. No. 7.(Dept. Fish. wildl.: Perth.)

Burbidge, A.A. & Messel, H. (1979). Thz saas of the SaL-water Crocodil< in the GIeneIg, Prhre Regent and. OrdRioer systems , Kimbedey , Wesum Aastrafia. Dept.Fish. Witdl. West. Ausr. Rept. No. 34. (Dept. Ftsh.Wildl.: Perth.)

Burbidge, A.A. & McKenzie, N.L. (Eds) (1983). Wildl;fe ofthe Great Sandl Dese , Weszm Awralja. Witdt.Res. Bull. West. Aust. No. 12. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.:Perth.)

Burbidge, A.A., McKenzie, N.L. & Stat, A.N. (1983).Conclusions and rccommendations. [n: Burbidge,A.A. & McKenzie, N.L. (Edr. \X/iUlife of the GrcatSanll Desert,'Vestem Ausrrllia, Wildl. Res. Bull.WeEt. Aust. No. 12. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.: Perth.)

Burbidge, A.A., Fuller, PJ., Lane J.A.K. & Moore, S.A.(1987). Counts of nesting boobies and l-esser Frigate-birds on Westem Australian islands. hnt 87 , 1/8'9 .

Burbidge, N.T. (1960). The phytogeography ofthe AustralianRegion. Arut. J. Bot. 8, 75-2 | l.

Bustard, H.R. (1969}7fu ament s:a,us of orcodilzs inWestemArstralia with recommendanons fm consewatiut andmtnaged, epkitatiat. Report IV. Department of Fisheriesand Fauna, Vestem Ausrralia.

Butler, W.H. (19?1). Report on a survey of the vertebratefauna of the Point Coulomb Flora and Fauna Reserve,Dampiet Land, W,A. Unpublished report, Dept,Fish. Witdt. West. Aust.

rt4

Butler, \f.H. (19?3). Extension of range of some Kimberleybirds. WeJr. Arur. Nar. 12,166.16'1.

Colless, D.H. (1983). Insects. In: McKenzie, N.L. (Fn.)W ile of the Darnpiu Peninsula, South-aestKimberbl,Westem AustroJia. Ill0itdt. Res. Bull. West. Aust. No.11. (Dept. Fish. Witdl.: Perth.)

Common, [.F.8. (1981). Irsects. In: McKenzie, N.L. (Ed.)(1981c). \Yildlife d thc Edgar Ranges mea, South.westKmberlel, Westem Aastralia. Wildl. Res. Bull. West.Aust. No. 10. (Dept. Fish. !7ild[.: Perth.)

Common, I.F.B. & Upton, M.S. (19?7). Insects. In: Kabay,E.D. & Burbidge A.A. (Fis). A biohgica! xuvel oftlw Drlsddz Rioet Naional Park, rrlthKjntberley,WestemAustralia, in August 1975. Wildl. Res. Bull. West.Aust. No. 6. (Dept. Fish. \Uildl.r Perth.)

Consetvation Thtough Reserves Committee (1975).Corsereatiofl rcserqes in Vestem Ausudia. Sl stems oneto fiue, eight to tuelve. (Department of Corxervationald Environment: Perth.)

Conservation Through Reserves Committee (1977).Corsepoticto ,tesertes inWesten Ausndja. Sysrem reuen.(Department of Consewation and Environmenr Perth. )

Crowe, R.\f.A. (1975).The clasificatiat, genesis and eoolutionof sand dmzs in tfu Great Sandl Desett. Geol. Surv.of Westem Austtalia Annual Report 1975.

Crowe, R.W.A. & Muhling, P.C. (19?7). Lucas 1:250 000.Geological Series. Bur. Miner. Res. Aust. ExplanatoryNotes. SF/52-2.

Crowe, R.W.A., Towner, R.R. & Gibson, D.L. (1978\. Peflni@land. Mesozoic geologl of the Derby and Mt Ande$onl:250 400 sfuet meas , Westem Aastralra. Record 19?8/8 (Bur. Min Res. Geol. Geophys.: Canbena) (unpubl.).

Envircnmental Protection Authodty ( 1975). Crsnsewationresetves lot Western Ausnolia. Slstems 4, 8, 9, I0,I l, 12. (Department ofC.onservation and Environment:Perth.)

Environmental Protection Authoity ( 1980). Carsewatirnresewes fot \Yestem Awualia. SystemT, (Departmentof Conservation and Environment: Perth.)

Forbes, S.J. & Kenneally, K.F. (1986). A botanical survey ofBungle Bungle and Osmond Range, south.eastemKimberley, rVestem Australia. West. Arut. Nct. 16(s.?),93,170.

Fuller, PJ. & Burbidge A.A. (1978). Additiorx to the avifaunaof the Prince Regent Rivet Nature Reserve. !/est.Aust. Nat. 14,42.43.

Gardner, C.A. (1944'). Tfu uegetation of Westem Australia.Ptesidential Address, 1942, I. Roy. Soc. V/. Atrstra.l,28, IX , CXXXVII.

Gellatly, D.C. & Sofoulis, l. (1973). l:25A 000 GeolasicalSeies ' Erplanatml Notes. Yampi, W.A. (Bur. Min.Res. Geol. Geophys.: Canberra. )

Geotge, A.S. & Kenneally, K.F. (1975). Flota. ln: Miles,J.M. & Burbidge, A.A. (Eds). A biologia) auuel ofthe Pince Regent Riuer rcsewe, nonh-west Kimberbl ,tX/estem Atuttalia, in Augwt 1974. Wildl. Res. Bull.West. Aust. No.3. (Depr. Fish. Wildl.: Perth.)

George, A.S. & Kenneally, K.F. (19?7). Flora. In: Kabay,E.D. and Burbidge A.A. (Eds). A biological swuel oftfu DrysdoJc Riuer Naionti P ark, northl<jntbefu1 , V/estenAwtra)ia, in Auy:t 1975. ',J7ildl. Res. Bull. West.Aust. No. 6. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.: Perth.)

George, A.S. & Mitchell, A.S. (1983). Flora. In: Burbidge,A.A. & McKenzie, N.L. (Eds). VillJife of he Gr.atSandl Deserr, ]//estcm Australia. \fildl. Res. Bull.West. Aust. No. 12. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.: Perth.)

Gibson, D.L. (1983). Geology. Inr McKenzie, N.L. (Ed.)Willli[e d the Dampier Peninsula , South,west Kimberlel ,Westem Austral.ia. Wildl. Res.Bull. West. Aust. No.11. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.: Perth.)

Hnatnrk, RJ. & Kenneally, K.F. (1981). In: \Testem AmttaliarMuseum. Biologrcal swa.'e1 of Mitchell Plarcau andAdmnaltl Culf , Westen Australia. (West. Aust. Mus.:Perth,)

Hutchins, J.B. (19??). Freshwater fishes. In: Kabay, E.D. &Burbidge A.A. (Eds). A brol4rcal sarve1 of theDrysdalcRiver Naoonal ParL, north Kimbnlel , Western AustroJia,in August 1975. Wildl. Res. Bull. \fest. Aust. No. 6.(Dept. Fish. Wildl.: Perth.)

Johnstone, R.E. (1983). Birds. In: McKcnzie, N.L. (Ed.)Willlife ol the Dampier Penrhsda, Soruh-u,es tKimbe.rl4,Wester'. AustroJia. \fildl. Res. Bull. \fest. Aust. No.11. (Dept. Fish., 'Xi i ldl.: Perrh.)

Johnstone, R.E. & Smith, L.A. (1981). Birds of MirchcllPlateau and adlacent coast and lowlands, Kimberley,Westcrn Auscalia. In: Western Ausftalian Museum.Biological nuuey of Mitchell Plateau anl. Admiahl Gulf ,Westem Atrstralrn. (West. Aust. Mus.: Petth.)

Johnstone, R.E., Smith, L.A. & Fuller, P.J. (1981). Bttds.In: McKenzie, N.L. (FA.). V/iL1life ol the Edgar RangesArea, South-it est Kmberbl , Westem Australc. \7ildl.Res. Bull. West. Aust. No. 10. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.:Perth.)

Kabay, E.D. & Burbidge A.A. (Eds) (1977\. A biolngrcoluwey of the Drysdale Riuer National Park, nothKmberlel , Western Atstralia, in August 1925. \0ildl.Res. Bull. \Vest. Aust. No.6. (Dept. Fish.,,Jfi ldl.:Perth.)

Kabay, E.D., George, A.S. & Kenneally, K.F. (19??). TheDysdale River National Park environment. In: Kabay,E.D. & Bu.bidge A.A. (Eds). A biological nuuel ofthz Drysdale Rtuet Nuiorcl Pa:*, nuthKmberlq,WestanAustralia, in Argust 1975. Wildl. Res. Bull. West.Aust. No.6. (Depr. Fish. \?ildl.: Pctth.)

1 1 5

Kenneally K.F. (1981). Flora. In: McKeruie, N.L. (Ed.) Wr'ldlleof t]le Ed,gar Ronges Area, Sowh,westKimbnbl,V/esternAratrala. Wildl. Res. Bull. West. Aust. No. 10.(Dept. Fish. \7ildl.: Penh.)

Kenneally, K.F. (1981). Flora. In: McKeruie, N.L. (Ed.)WiWfe ol the DtmLpier Peninsula, South,westKmberbl,Westem Awttalia. Wildl. Res. Bull. West. Aust. No.11. (Dept. Fish. !f i ldl.: Perth.)

Kerr, A. (19?5). Amtralia's Norh-Wesr. (University ofWest. Aust. Press, Nedlands), 2nd Ed.

Kimberley Region Planning Study ( 198 7 ). Infomuiot bd)etinno. 2. (State Planning Commision: Perth.)

King, P.P. (1827). Nananoe of a nuvel of the intertropicoJand westem coasts of Australio, perfumed. between theyars 1818 anl.1822. (John Munay, London.)

Kitchener, D.J. (1978). Mammals of the Ord River area,Kimberley, Western Australia. Rec. Wesr. Atsr. Mm.6 (2t , r89 .7t9 .

Kitchener, D., Keller, L.8., Chapman, A., McKenzie, N.L.,Start, A.N. & Kenneally, K,F. (1981). Observationson mammals of the MitchelI Plateau area, Kimberley,'Westem

Atrstralia. Ini Western Australian Museum.Biological swtey of Mitchell Plateau and Admialql Gu)f ,Wesum Australia. (West. Aust. Mus.: Penh.)

McCall , G.J.H. (1965). Possible meteorite craters - WolfCrcek, Australia and analogs. Annals o/ rhe Neu,' Yor!Academl of Sc:ienccs 123 , 97 0-998 .

McKenzie, N.L. (Ed.) (1981a). Midlfe ol the Edga.r RangesArea, Sonrlr-tuest Kimberlel , Westmr Australn. \fildl.Res. Bul l . West. Aust. No. 10. (Depr. Fish. Wildl. :Perth.)

McKenzie, N.L. (1981b). Conclusions and recommendatiors.In: McKenzie, N.L. (Ed.). (1981c). V/iLllife of the EdgmRange.s area, South.west Kmberlel, Western Australia.Wildl. Res. Bul l . West. Aust. No. 10. (Dept. Fish.Wtldl. : Perth.)

McKenzie, N.L. (1981c). Mammals ofthe Phanetozoic South-west Kimberley, biogeogmphy and recenr changes.J. Biogeog. 8,263-280.

McKenzie, N.L. (1983a). Mammals. In: McKenzie, N.L.Ga.) . \Vildlife c'f Lhe Dampier Penr'rurla , Solrh-rue.srKmberlel, Vestem Alsnaiia. Wildl. Res.Bull. West.Aust. No. 11. (Dept. Fish. Wildl. : Perth.)

McKenzie, N.L. (1983b). Conclusions and recommendarions.In: McKenzie, N.L. (Ed.). Wildltle of thz DampierPenrnsnla, Soath-l.,est Kimberlel, \X/ estern Ausnolia.Wildl. Res. Bul l . West. Aust. No. 11. (Dcpr. Fish.\7i ldl . : Perth.)

McKenzie, N.L., Chapman, A. & Youngson, W.K. (19?5).Mammals. In: Miles, J.M. & Burbidge, A.A. (Eds).A biologicd wwel of the Pntce Regent Rio'er Resero,e,noLh'vest Kimbeltl , Westen Ausnalia, in Augtst 1974.\7i ldl . Res. Bul l . \7cst. Aust. No.3. (Dept. Fish.

Wildl.: Perth.)

McKeruie, N.L., Chapman, A., Youngson, W.K. & Burbidge,A.A. (1977). The mammals of the Drysdale RiverNational Park, nonh Kimberley, Western Australia.In: Kabay, E.D. & Burbidge A.A. (Eds). A bbwicalswr.tel of the Drysdale Nver Natimd Park, nqthKmberle'1, Westem Atutralio., in August 1975. Witdl.Res. Bull. West. Aust. No.6. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.:Penh.)

McKenzie, N.L., Burbidge, A.A., Chapman, A. & Youngson,W.K. (1978). Mammals. Im Burbidge, A.A. &McKenzie, N.L, (Eds). Thz islands of 6e nmth-unstKmberlel , lxy'estem A!$trdli4. ")7ildl. Res. Bull. \(/est.

. Aust. No. ?. (Depr. Fish. \(/ildl.r Perth.)

McKenzie, N.L. & Kenneally, K.F. (1981). Background. In:McKenzie, N.L. (Ed.). Wildlfe ol thz Edgar Rtrngesmea, South.west Kmberley , Westem Australia, WildlRes. Bul[. West. Aust. No. 10. (Dept. Fish. \(/ildl.:Perth.)

McKenzie, N.L. & Kenneally, K.F. (1983). Background andEnvironment. In: McKenzie, N.L. (Ed.). \\/ilAif" ofthe Dampier Pefl:r:rsll'J,a, South.west Kimberley, WestzmAlstralia. Wildl. Res. Bull. West. Aust. No. 11.(Dept. Fish. Vildl.: Perth.)

McKenzie, N.L., Burbidge, A.A., George, A.S. & Mitchell,A.S. (1983). Environment. ln: Burbidge, A.A. &McKeruie, N.L. (Eds). \Yildlife of tfu Great SandyDesert,'Vestent Aratraha. Wildl. Res. Bull. West.Aust. No. 12. (Depr. Fish. Wildl.: Perth.)

McKeruie, N.L. & Youngson, W.K. (1983). Mammals. In:Burbidge, A.A. & McKenzie, N.L. (Eds). Wrld{e oftfu Oreat Sandl Desert, Vestzm Aa.srraha. Wildl.Res. Bull. Vest. Aust. No. 12. (Dept. Fish. \?ildl.:Perth, )

McKeruie, N.L. & Rolfe, J.K. (1986). Saucture of bat guildsin the Kimbelley mangroves, Ausnalia. J. Anrm. Ecol.ss,401.470.

McKenzie, N.L. & Start, A.N. (1989). Structue of bat guildsin mangroves: environmental disturbance anddeterminism. In: Mocis, D,W., Abramsky, 2., Fox,B.J. & \rillig, M.R. (Eds). Pattems h thz smrcnae offlanvnoliarlclrnrvnities. (Texas Tech. Univ.: Ilbbock )

Merrifield, H.E., Slack.Smith, S.M. & Vilson, B.R. (19??).Mollusc fawra. In: Kabay, E.D. & Burbidge A.A. (Fds).A biological sunel of the Drysdale River Naticatd Pmk,nmth Kmberby, Vestetn Ausnalia, itr htgust 1975,I7itdl. Res. Bull. West. Aust. No. 6. (Dept. Fish.\7ildt.: Perth.)

Messel, H., Burbidge, A.A., Wells, A.G. & Green, W.G.(19?7'). The stauu of tfu Sdtwatet Crocodilz tr someieer s)stems of the notth.uest Kmberlq , VestemAmtra.li.a. Dept. Fish. Wildl. West. Aust. Rept. No24. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.: Perth. )

Messel, H., Burbidge, A.A., Vorlicek, G.C., Wells, A.G.,Green, WJ., Onley, I.C. & Fuller, PJ. (1987). Srrrveyrof tidal rioet slstzms in thz Nen&en'f enitorl anl. theiroocodilz populatiurs. Monogaph 20. Tidal waterwaysof the Kimberley sureyed during 19??, 1978 and1986. (Pergamon Pres: Sydney.)

Mites, J.M. & Burbidge, A.A. (Edt (1975),. A Uobiicolnuuey of tfu Piw:e Regett Nuer Resele, nmth-westFjmbe e, , Westem Ausftoba, in At gust 1974. Wildl.Res. Bull. West. Aust. No. 3. (Dept. Fish. Wildl.:Peth.

Miles, J.M., Kenneally, K.F. & George, A.S. (19?5).Environment. In: Miles, J.M. & Burbidge, A.A. (Edg.A biological nnuey of the Printe Regent Nva Resnue,nrrtd..westKimbeil4, Westan Ausfi. 0., in Agust 1974.Wildl. Res. Bull. West. Aust. No. 3. (Dept. Fish.Wildl.: Perth. )

Morgan, J.S. (1955). Repott ur tfu Centrol North KimbedeyRegr:on. Norrlr tr6mDerle1 SwveJ mdMepitg Eeedition,1954. Department of Lands and Surveys, Perth.

Paterson, S.J. G970). Geomorpholog of the Ord . Vicuniaarea. CSIRO Land Research Series No. 28. (CSIRO:Melboume.)

Plum, K.A. & Perry, \7.J. (1971). l:250 000 Geological Series. Expltmamry Nores . Medusa Banks, W.A. ( Bur. Min.Res. Geol. Geophys.: Calberra. )

Plum, K.A. & Veevers, J.J. (1971). 1:250 000 GeologicalSedet - Explarratlr.J Notes. Cambridge Gulf, W.A,(Bur. Min. Res. Geol. Geophys.: Canbena.)

Serventy, D.L. (1952). Bird lslands ofthe Sahul Shelf. Ema52,33.39.

Smith, L.A. & Johnstone, R.E. (1981). Amphibiaru andreptiles of Mitchell Plateau and adjacem coasr andlowlards, Kimberley, Western Australia. In: WestemAusnalian Museum. Biobgicol sltn)eJ of Mitc}.e[ PlauouanA Admird4 Gulf , Vestem Austtaha. (Wesr. Aust.Mus.r Perth,)

Soderburg, R. (1918). Results of Dr. E. Mojberg's Swedishscientific expeditions to Australia, 1910-1913. XUII,Studies of the birds in North-Wesr Ausnalia, Kungl.SeeftskaVet. Abfumiens Haallingar 52. No. I ?.

Solem, A. (19?9). Camaenid land snails from westem andcentral Australia (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Camaenidae).I. Taxa with oans.Australian di*ributiorx. Rec. West.A' r. Mra. Srppl., 10, 1-142.

Solem, A. (1981), Camaenid land snails from westem andcenaal Ausnalia (Mollusca: Pulmonara: Camaenidae).II. Taxa from the Kimberley, Amplirhagada lredale,1933. Rec. West. Aast. Mus. Suppl., lI,1+7.320.

Solem, A. (1984). Camaenid land snails ftom westem andcennal Australia (Mollusca: Pulmorrata: Camaenidae).IV. Taxa liom the Kimberley, Westraltnchia ltedale,1933 and related genera. Rec. West. Aast. Mru.Sl/,ppl. 1? , 427 '705 .

1 1 6

Solem, A. (1985), Camaenid land snails fiom westem arrdcentral Ausoalia (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Camaenidae).V. Remaining Kimberley taxa arrd addenda to theKimberley. Rec. West. Amt. Mrs. S PpI. 20,

'10'l '

981 .

Speck, N.H., Wright, R.L, & Ruthedord, G.K. (1964). GenenlRepot an Lands of tfu Vlest Kimberlel Area, W.A.CSIRO Aust. Land Res. Ser. No. 9,

Start, A.N. & Fuller, P.J. (1983). Birds. In: Burbidge, A.A.& McKeruie, N.L. (Eds). ]n.y'iltJi.fe ol thc Great SandyDesert, lvestenr Ausrralia. lrildl. Res. Bull. \fest.Aust. No. 12. (Dept. Fish. \rildl.: Perth.)

Stewart, G.A., Perry, R.A., Paterson, S.J., Sleeman, J.R. &Traves, D.M. ( 19?0) - Lanl slsterns of tIle Ord - Victmiaa1sa. land Research Series No. 28. (CSIRO:Melbourne.)

Ston, G.M. & Smith, L.A. ( 1975 ). Amphibians and reptiles.ln: Miles, J.M. & Burbidge, A.A. (Eds). A biologico)snoel of thz Pntnre Regenr No,er Resewe, trth'westKmbetley, Vestem Awuolia, in August 1974. \0ildl.Res. Bul l . West. Aust. No.3. (Dept. Fish. ! f i ldl . :Perth.)

Storr, G.M., Johnstone, R.E., Dell , J. & Smith, L.A. (1975).Birds. Inr Miles, J.M. & Butbidge, A.A. (Eds). Abidogical nm.tq of the Pince Regent Nver Resewe, north'west Kimbetlel, Westem Austra)ia, in Augst 1974.Wlldl. Res. Bult. \7est. Aust. No.3. (Dept. Fish.\rildl.: Perth.)

Ston, G.M. & Smith, L.A. (1977). Amphibians and reptiles.In: Kabay, E.D. & Burbidge A.A. (Eds). A biolagico)s*ruey ol tfu Drysdale Rrr.,er NatiorcJ Pmk, nuthKmbulel, Western Ausfioiia, in Atugust 1975. Wildl.Res. Bul l . West. Aust. No.6. (Dept. Fish.

.Wlldl. :

Perth.)

Storr, G.M. & Johnstone, R.E. (1981). Amphibians andreptiles. In: McKeruie , N .L. (Ed.) . WiVlife of thc EdSnRatges mea, South+test Kimberley, Westem Ausffdia.Wildl. Res. Bull. r,ltest. Aust. No. 10. (Dept. Fish.Wildl. : Perth.)

Storr G.M. & Johnstone, R.E. (1983). Amphibians andreptiles. In: McKeruie, N.L (Ed.). \tf #fe o/ *@DarnpirrPeninsula, South'west Kimbedey, Westem Austtolia.Wildl. Res. Bull. \7est. Aust. No. 11. (Dept. Fish.\f i ldl .r Perth.)

Teichert, C. & Faitbridge, R.W. (1948). Some coral reefs ofthe Sahul Shell Geog. Reet. 38,221'249.

Thom, J.H. (1975). Kimberley tegion. In: Geologl o/ WestemAusrralia. West. Australia Geol. Survey Mem. 2, pp.160-193.

To*'ner, R.R., Crowe, R.W.A. &Yeates, A.N. (19?6). Noteson the geologl of the southelr, paft of thc Canmng Basin.Record 19?6/95. (But. Min. Res. Geol. Ceophys.:Canbena.) (Unpublished)

Towner, R.R. & Gibson, D.L. (1980). Geolng of latecarbailerotu and. lounger rocks ol the urhorc westemCatning Basin, Westem Austtalia. Record 1980/30.(Bur. Min. Res. Geol. Geophys.: Canbena.)(Unpublished)

Trendall, A.F. & Cope, R.N. (1975). Areas between theKimberley region and the Musgrave Block. In: Geologyof Westent Ari.rfralia. West. Ausnalia Geol. Survey,Mem. 2, pp. 205-16.

van der Graaf, \f.J.E., Crowe, R.W.A., Bunting, J.A. &Jactson, M.J. (1977). Relict early Cainozoic drainagesin arid Westem Australia. Z. Geomo9h. N. F. 21(4),379.400.

Wells, A.G. (1981). A survey ofriverside mangrove vegetationftinging tidal river systems of Kimberley, WestemAusralia. In: Western Australian Museum. Biologtalswoel of Mitcfu Plateau ard Admhalty Gulf , WesternAasrra}a. (West. Aust. Mus.: Perth.)

Westem Ausnalian Museum (1981). BioloSi.al stnvel of Mitchc[Plauau and Admidtl Grdf, Vestem Amtralia. (West.Aust. Mus.: Perth.)

Williarns, I.R. & Sofoulis, J. (19?1). Prince Regew adCondetSormd, W.A. 1:250 000 Geological Seties. Bur. Miner.Res. Aust. Explanatory Notes. SD.5/1 - 15.

Wilson, B.R. (1981). General introduction. ln: WesternAustralian Museum. Binktgical stmtel d Mitchzll Plateauand Admnalq Gulf , Vesum Australa. (West. Aust.Mus.: Perth.)

Wilson, B.R. & Smith, P.R. (19?5). Mollusc fauna. InrMiles, J.M. & Burbidge, A.A. (Eds). A biologi.ri swvetof tlv Prince Regert Rivet Resane , north'west Kmberbl ,Wesrem AusttoJia, in August 1974. !7ildl. Res. Bull.lrest. Aust. No. 3. (Dept. Fish. I')7ildl.: Perth.)

Vyrwoll, K.-H., McKenzie, N.L., Pederson, B.J. & Tapley,IJ. (1986). The Great Sandy Desert of north WestemAusttalia: the last 7 000 years. Search 11? (7 '9),208-210.

Yeates, A.N., Crowe, R.W.A., Towner, R.R., Wybom, L.A.l.& Passmore, V.L. (1975). Notes on the geologl of thzGregory Sab-Basin and adjacent areu of tht CanningBasm, Westem Alsnalia. Record 1975/??. (Bur. Min.Res. Geol. Geophys.: Canbera.) (Unpublished)

Young, C- (1981). Dagon Tree Soak - an oasis in the GreatSandy Desert. Su.,aru 11, 17-20.

Youngson, W.K., Henry, J. & McKenzie, N.L. (1981).Mammals. In: McKenzie, N.L. (Ed.). Wildlife ol theEdgar Ranges area , South'west Kmberley , WestemAastraha. Wildl. Res. Bull. \test. Aust. No. 10.(Dept. Fish. Wildl.: Petth.)

1r7

0869-0291-1M

nature conservation reserves in the...nature conservation reserves in the western australia v...

Documents