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Page 3 Statement of Management Intent: Ledknapper Nature Reserve Bioregion and habitat for the endangered plant, winged
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Statement of Management Intent Ledknapper Nature Reserve 1.
Introduction
This statement outlines the main values, issues, management directions and priorities of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for managing Ledknapper Nature Reserve. This statement, together with relevant NPWS policies, will guide the management of the reserve until a plan of management has been prepared in accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act). The NPWS Managing Parks Prior to Plan of Management Policy states that parks and reserves without a plan of management are to be managed in a manner consistent with the intent of the NPW Act and the ‘precautionary principle’ (see Principle 15).
2.
Management principles
Nature reserves are reserved under the NPW Act to protect and conserve areas containing outstanding, unique or representative ecosystems, species, communities or natural phenomena. Under the NPW Act (Section 30J), nature reserves are managed to: •
conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem functions, and protect geological and geomorphological features and natural phenomena
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conserve places, objects, features and landscapes of cultural value
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promote public appreciation, enjoyment and understanding of the reserve’s natural and cultural values
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provide for appropriate research and monitoring.
The primary purpose of nature reserves is to conserve nature. Nature reserves differ from national parks in that they do not have the provision of visitor use as a management purpose or principle.
3.
Context
Reservation details: Ledknapper Nature Reserve was reserved on 25 October 2002. Size: 47,864 hectares. Ledknapper Nature Reserve is located approximately 40 kilometres east of Enngonia and 95 kilometres north-east of Bourke. It falls within the Mulga Lands Bioregion, and the administrative areas of Bourke Shire Council, Murrawari Local Aboriginal Land Council and Western Local Land Services. Ledknapper Nature Reserve is located in the catchment of the Great Artesian Basin and within the semi-arid pastoral zone of far north-west NSW. The northern boundary of the reserve is
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Statement of Management Intent: Ledknapper Nature Reserve
approximately 17 kilometres south of the Queensland border and is comprised of three former pastoral stations, ‘Beulah’, ‘Glenalbyn’ and ‘Gerara’. The reserve includes a range of unique semiarid vegetation communities that are generally poorly represented across the reserve system. The reserve was primarily established to protect the unique Ledknapper Spinifex Complex vegetation community. The region has a 150 year history of pastoral activity with the surrounding land-use dominated by sheep and cattle grazing.
4.
Values •
Ledknapper Nature Reserve protects habitat for 20 threatened fauna species, including four endangered species, bush stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), squatter pigeon (Geophaps scripta), painted snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) and the Australian bustard (Ardeotis australis).
•
The reserve contains examples of ground water springs. Further investigation is required to determine whether they are endangered Aretesian mound springs.
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The reserve protects a section of one of the largest contiguous tracts of Ledknapper Spinifex Complex remaining in NSW. It also protects the endangered ecological community Brigalow-Gidgee Woodland/Shrubland in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains
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Statement of Management Intent: Ledknapper Nature Reserve
Bioregion and habitat for the endangered plant, winged peppercress (Lepidium monoplocoides). •
5.
Ledknapper Nature Reserve lies within the traditional lands of the Dinandu group of the Murrawarri people and has highly significant archaeological, traditional and contemporary social values to the local Aboriginal people. Evidence of Aboriginal occupation recorded within the reserve includes open camp sites, modified (scarred) trees for canoe making, stone tools and other artefacts.
Issues •
There are foxes (Vulpes vulpes), feral pigs (Sus scrofa), goats (Capra hircus), feral cats (Felis catus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) present within Ledknapper Nature Reserve. Wild dogs (Canis lupus sspp.) are occasionally reported within the reserve.
•
Ledknapper Nature Reserve has infestations of African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), Bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum), noogoora burr (Xanthium occidentale), saffron thistle (Carthamus lanatus), Patersons’ curse (Echium plantagineum), spiny burr grass (Cenchrus incertus), prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), buffel grass (Cenchrus cilliaris) and Mexican poppy (Argemone ochroleuca).
•
There are occurrences of straying cattle and sheep entering Ledknapper Nature Reserve from adjacent neighbouring properties.
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There are a number of bore water drains and ground tanks (dams) within Ledknapper Nature Reserve. These artificial water points attract unnaturally high levels of grazing by hard-hoofed animals and weed infestations and impede natural water drainage.
6.
Key management directions •
Fire is being managed in accordance with the Ledknapper Nature Reserve Fire Management Strategy and the Ledknapper Nature Reserve (Gerara Station): Interim Management Guidelines. The Ledknapper Nature Reserve Fire Management Strategy is being updated to include Gerara Station.
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Pest management programs will be implemented in accordance with the priorities of the NPWS Regional Pest Management Strategy: Far West Region. Current priorities for the reserve include weed control for the protection of the Brigalow-Gidgee Woodland/Shrubland EEC, feral goat management to reduce impacts on vegetation and threatened species’ habitats, and wild dog, fox and pig management for the protection of neighbouring property and reserve values.
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Participate in the Ledknapper Wild Dog Action Group control program.
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Continue to consult with the Murrawarri Aboriginal community so they are involved with the planning, management and decision making of Ledknapper Nature Reserve, consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and joint management arrangement for Ledknapper Nature Reserve and Culgoa National Park.
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Free flowing bores will be capped in consultation with appropriate agencies. The closure of flows from bores will be undertaken subject to environmental assessment.
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All management activities will be preceded by the preparation of an environmental assessment or heritage assessment where this is a requirement of NPWS policy or legislation.
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Environmental repair and threat management programs, such as erosion mitigation measures, pest management, and activities arising from threatened species requirements may be implemented in accordance with NPWS policies and procedures.
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Statement of Management Intent: Ledknapper Nature Reserve
•
Non-intrusive works may be undertaken where necessary to protect cultural heritage items from further deterioration, to ensure the safety of visitors, to protect wildlife or to prevent damage to reserve assets.
•
A plan of management will be prepared to set out the on-going management objectives for the reserve. The plan of management is a statutory document under the NPW Act which will be available for public comment. NPWS will also encourage the community to contribute to the on-going conservation of the reserve by promoting and raising public awareness of its special values.
For additional information or enquiries about any aspect of this reserve or this statement, contact the NPWS Bourke Office on (02) 6830 0200 or 51 Oxley Street, Bourke NSW 2840.
Disclaimer: This is a statement of intent to guide the management of the reserve prior to the development of a plan of management. Any statements made in this publication are made in good faith and do not render the Office of Environment and Heritage liable for any loss or damage. Provisions in the final Plan of Management may vary from those identified in this document as a result of new information and community consultation. The maps in this statement are intended to show the reserve’s location and basic features only, and are not suitable for use when navigating to or exploring within parks.
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Published by: Office of Environment and Heritage 59 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000 PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232 Phone: (02) 9995 5000 ISBN 978 1 74359 498 8 OEH 2014/0186 June 2014
Statement of Management Intent: Ledknapper Nature Reserve