Draft management plan for Lesueur National Park released for comment

30/8/94

A draft management plan for one of the State's most internationally significant conservation areas has been released for public comment.

The plan focuses on Lesueur National Park and the nearby Coomallo Nature Reserve, 220 kilometres north of Perth near the coastal town of Jurien.

Releasing the plan in Jurien today, Environment Minister and Greenough MLA Kevin Minson said Lesueur National Park was one of the three most important areas in Western Australia for flora conservation.

The others were Stirling and Fitzgerald River national parks.

"Lesueur has exceptionally diverse flora with more than 800 species representing 10 per cent of the State's known flowering plants," Mr Minson said.

"It is also rich in fauna with at least seven frogs, 47 reptiles and 124 bird species including the rare Carnaby's Black Cockatoo.

"The park also has spectacular landforms representing complex geological features and, overall, is internationally significant."

Mr Minson said the conservation strategy for Lesueur and Coomallo would focus on protecting the biodiversity by reducing external influences on the areas.

This would involve preventing the spread of dieback disease and minimising degradation caused by wildfires and introduced plants and animals.

"Dieback is the biggest management concern," Mr Minson said.

"Much of the flora is highly susceptible to the disease which is most commonly introduced and spread in infected soil or gravel on the wheels and underbodies of vehicles.

"The loss of vegetation will seriously reduce the park's and reserve's conservation values.

"Fortunately the disease has not yet been found in the nature reserve so it is critical steps are taken to prevent its spread."

Mr Minson said a number of wildfires, caused by either lightning or people, had occurred in the park and reserve in the past 10 years.

He said the draft management plan set out fire management strategies to protect life and property and the environmental values of the park.

Fire would also be used to manage natural ecosystems.

Mr Minson said education programs highlighting the geology, flora, fauna, landscapes and history of the area would be developed as part of the management plan.

"The park and the reserve are popular destinations, especially in the wildflower season which is just getting underway," he said.

"The plan proposes to develop and manage Lesueur to facilitate low-key recreation.

"Consequently, the development of facilities will be kept to a minimum and the emphasis will be on recreation which has a minimal impact on the environment.

"It is also proposed to retain Coomallo in its natural environment.  However, it is recommended the existing picnic area next to the Brand Highway be developed as a day-use site with facilities."

Mr Minson said key issues in determining access for recreation would be dieback and the risk to various plant species, the location of fire management tracks and beekeepers' requirements.

He said the draft management plan was prepared for the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority by the Department of Conservation and Land Management in conjunction with members of the Lesueur-Nambung Advisory Committee and the shires of Coorow, Dandaragan and Gingin.

The advisory committee included representatives from a wide cross-section of the community including local authorities, farmers, volunteer fire fighters, beekeepers, conservation interests, commercial operators, scientists and recreational interests.

"The importance of Lesueur and Coomallo to the State's conservation reserve system cannot be over estimated and it is encouraging so many people have taken such an active interest in preparing the draft management plan," Mr Minson said.

He said individuals and groups were welcome to make submissions on the draft plan.

These submissions should be sent to the Chairman, National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority, PO Box 104, Como 6152 and marked attention Plan Co-ordinator, Lesueur National Park Management Plan.

Copies of the plan were available from CALM for $5.

Media contact:  Diana Callander 222 9595 or 321 2222