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A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is in the process of being finalized (March 2010) by a group of consultants in conjunction with National Parks (Narooma Office).

It is proposed that the CMP be publicized before being adopted by August 2010. The PDF version can be downloaded click here (PDF 4.1Mb).

If you do not have Internet access, you can view a copy of the document at the DECCW Narooma office or you can contact Lucy Gibson on 02 4476 0844 to arrange a copy to be sent to you by mail.

Submissions on the Bendethera CMP will be accepted via email to the following address: bendethera.cmp@environment.nsw.gov.au or you can post your submission to:
DECCW Narooma Office
P.O Box 282
Narooma NSW 2546

Submissions close Friday 20th August 2010.

The CMP brings together in a central location much of the history of the valley and its way of life following settlement after the discovery of gold in nearby Araluen. The report also elaborates on the procedures and legislation that are in place for heritage studies and listings - these sections are about as long as the historical contributions.

The report identifies that there are historical heritage sites which need to have a more detailed management plan. These include the old homestead bakery, the water race that supplied water for the bakery, the ploughed fields of corn and the homestead itself.

The report notes the importance of the several bridle tracks into and out of the valley but these are not considered further.

There appears to be little in the way of plans for future use of the valley. The increasing demands on the valley especially through Xmas and Easter are not covered and it is likely that these details will be developed over time.

The book The Deua River Track, compiled by Peter C Smith for Access for All, has been selling well and has created considerable interest in the work of Access for All.

The photo shows Myrtle Collett celebrating her 80th birthday at Woolla recently.
Myrtle Collett was described as 'living legend'. She is last of the Deua River pioneers having been born at Woolla in 1930, in the days when the only access was by horse and bridle track.

 

Compiled by Peter Smith, for Access for All, this beautifully illustrated book is the first of a series Access for All is hoping to collate which will identify the Pack Tracks and Bridle Tracks of South Eastern New South Wales

Cost $22 - available from AFA or several outlets in Braidwood.

Last update: August 29 2010 Latest Changes: Items updated on the Links page Newsletter Winter 2010 (PDF) Newsletter Spring 2009 (PDF) Vic Bushfires Images Newsletter Winter 2009 (PDF) For further information regarding Access for All please contact: Chairman: Garry Gowen 041 6268 964 Secretary: Joan Webb (02) 4842 8047 Treasurer: Terry Hart (02) 4842 2710 Assistant Treasurer: Jenette Hindmarsh (02) 4847 1115 (same number for Fax) Postal Address: Locked Bag 10, Braidwood NSW 2622 Email Contact: jinden@bluemaxx.com.au Fax: (02) 4846 4014 For membership details Click here.

Access for All To National Parks and Wildlife Areas Do you realise that much of our local area may be proclaimed wilderness in the next few months? How will Wilderness affect you? If Wilderness is declared Existing trails will be closed, gated and locked. Access to our pioneering past along historic bridal trails,traditional trade routes, and Aboriginal migratory routes will be lost Descendents of pioneering families will be denied access to their historic past, settlements and grave sites will be out of bounds forever to everyone.* **(Unless you are a self reliant Bush Walker)** A total lock out means: NO HORSE RIDERS View article as example NO 4WDs NO MOTOR BIKES NO FISHING NO CAMPING NO ACCESS FOR THE ELDERLY * NO ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED* NO ACCESS FOR THE YOUNG* NO ACCESS FOR THE AVERAGE AUSTRALIAN FAMILY* How will it affect the local economy? LOSS OF JOBS LOSS OF TOURISM LOSS OF TRADE LOSS OF BUSINESS A Wilderness declaration affects everyone in our area and is NOT reversible. Q.Where will the NPWS get the money to manage this land grab? A.From you the tax payer. Extra money will be needed for bushfire management,control and eradication of noxious weeds,extermination of feral pigs,rabbit,wild dogs,wild cats and other introduced species. Can you afford these changes? The areas affected by these changes are: Morton Budawang; Far South Coast; Southern Kosciusko; North Kociusko/South Western Slopes To view maps on these areas, please go to the figures on the linked site.

This is what happens to National Parks and Wilderness Areas These photos were taken in October 2006 in the Brindebellas very close to the source of the extreme fires that got out of control and burnt parts of Canberra in 2002/2003. The fires were started by lightning near McIntyre Hut. An important finding of the COAG Inquiry into the Bushfires in Vic, NSW and ACT that summer stated that LACK OF ACCESS was a major factor in the Brindebella fires getting out of control. National Parks propose to close a number of fire trails in the South Coast Escapment Parks. There was a major fire in the Deua and Monga National Parks in the same season as the Brindebella fires that burnt for about a month and destroyed some 52,000 hectares. Because there was little damage to "property" (ie houses) and a small threat to life, it received very little media attention. This is some 20% of the total area of the six National Parks and separate Wilderness Areas covered by the Draft Plan of Management! The coverage of the fire issue is glossed over in the Draft. There is far more threat to our precious areas from extreme fires than can possibly be caused by humans enjoying access to these areas. Regrowth - typical of near waterways is full of blackberry and other weeds Do we want to see this kind of Wilderness? I would rather see properly managed logged forests than this. Or this - is this going to revert to the pristine condition - I think not! This will happen in alpine areas as well (eg Victoria)