Wild Defiled?

Wild Magazine (number 82) has published an article by an anonymous author who was one of a party of three who illegally and blatantly tracked down and visited the Wollemi Pines - photos and all.

The article is entitled ‘The Quest’ , concerns a ‘clandestine mission’, and is described as ‘the story of how three persistent bushwalkers assembled the clues and dared to seek the forbidden Holy Grail of Australian bushwalking - the elusive refuge of the Wollemi Pine’.
It is bad enough that some selfish people should attempt such a venture - most of us probably know or suspect that such things have been occurring. However, the publication of the article by Wild, in such outrageous journalistic manner, without even a balancing article about why one should not visit the Pine, surely destroys any claim the magazine might have had to being environmentally responsible and green. Many misguided readers will no doubt be moved to take up the challenge to pay the Pines a visit themselves.
It seems that the article tries to excuse the visit by sort of implying that because the pines are now being commercially propagated, there is no need for preservation of the original stand. From a strict botanical point of view this may or may not be the case - that’s up to the experts - but in any case such an attitude is surely abhorrent.

If you feel strongly about this, I urge you to Write to; Wild Publications Pty Ltd, PO Box 415, Prahran, Vic 3181. Fax 03 9826 3787.
Andy Macqueen

Revealed! Holy Grail locations

Sir,

I refer to the so-called heroes who, according to a certain Melbourne-based magazine, tracked down some Wollemi Pines.

Their achievement pales into insignificance compared with my own. Let it be known that, through great cunning and perseverance, I personally established the location of, not one, but three groups of the Pines. What is more, at great personal risk to myself, I am prepared to disclose to your readers their location. The grid references, based on GDA94, are as follows:

First location: Zone 56H: 0335100E 6251300N

Second location: Zone 56H: 0293900E 6227800N

Third location: Zone 56H: 0260500E 6286150N

Using this information any courageous bushwalker armed with a GPS should be able to journey to the Pines.

But I hasten to add that the journeys involve the utmost danger. Almost insurmountable hazards must be faced: endless square-shaped pagodas, some of immense height, dissected by incredible networks of structural lineations along which the wildlife, entirely feral and in plague proportions, travels very fast and ferociously indeed.

These trips were without doubt the most extreme I ever undertook.

I did offer the above information to the Melbourne-based magazine, but its editor declined to publish, saying it was against his ethics. I trust you, sir, will not be prone to such wimpish attitude and recognise true bushwalking heroism when you see it.

Incidentally, the source of the clues which led me to the Pines.

Signed,

Heroic bushwalker (simply the best)

At the "Gumtree Songlines celebrations at Bluegum in September it was good to see so many walkers enjoying camping at beautiful Acacia Flat.

In the midst of the proceedings a damper was put on proceedings when there was talk about a ban on fires in the area, which is to be imposed after 22nd September 2002.

Acacia Flat at the moment seems to be in better shape than it was many years ago (was it 20 or 30?) when camping was stopped in the main forest and people began to camp at Acacia. There is still plenty of firewood around, there is lots of room for hundreds of campers, and the damage that some say was part of reason for the planned ban was very hard to discern.

Of course, a lot of people in Sydney never go to Bluegum - so they are very willing for the government to pay for signs that say "Fuel Stoves Only - $1000 fine" That makes them feel that the area is being protected and preserved for the future.

And lots of other people make their living from Government by promoting policies which restrict access to bush and impose more and more rules on those using it.

But when one considers the bushfire regime at Acacia Flat - the fact that wildfires are going to sweep[ through it at regular intervals of ten to twenty years (particularly since no prescribed burning is carried out in the middle of National Parks) - then it is difficult indeed to see the reasoning behind the proposed ban except as a way of promoting the power and income of a small group of environmentalists.

People pressure at Acacia Flat is not having a significantly adverse effect. Let’s keep the right of having campfires for our children.

The Plan of Management for the Blue Mountains National Park (May 2001) identifies Acacia Flat as a walk-in camping site.

However, this Plan recommended temporary restrictions on the use of campfires at this site which are to be implemented for a three year trial period.

Following consultation by the NPWS with key interest groups such as Friends of Blue Gum and the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs (NSW), it has been decided to commence this trial period from September 2002 to allow sufficient time for this decision to be communicated to park users. During this period, only the use of fuel stoves will be permitted as an alternative to wood fires at the Acacia Flat site.

This decision is due to localised deterioration of the natural state of this site as a result of increased proliferation of fire rings and the removal of firewood.

It should be noted that campfires not only pose a fire risk in the park, but the removal of firewood also reduces available habitat.

This trial will be reviewed after the three year period.

(signed)

Steven Ring

Acting Regional Manager, Blue Mountains Region

(or the Trangia, MSR, etc)

Andy Macqueen

On 22 September 2002 the NPWS will introduce a trial ‘fuel-stove only’ policy at Acacia Flat and other areas near Blue Gum Forest. The group Friends of Blue Gum recommended the policy after several years of frustrating volunteer work in the forest. Confederation supported it when it was included in the Blue Mountains National Park Plan of Management.

The purpose of the trial is

· to reduce the habitat destruction and damage to young trees caused by firewood scavenging

· to halt the proliferation of fire rings and associated ground compaction

· to reduce fire-based littering

· to introduce new walkers to the idea that ‘there is another way’ other than lighting fires every night

· to improve the quality of experience for the many visitors who do not rely on campfires

· to discourage visits by the selfish few whose behaviour is noisy and destructive

For some years there have been signs at the lookouts encouraging people to use stoves. Indeed, the use of stoves is growing, particularly amongst school groups and international visitors, who are often surprised to find that fires are permitted and sometimes complain about excessive fire use by other parties.

There is a long culture of campfires around Blue Gum, and it would be a shame to lose this altogether. The recent Gumtree Songlines celebration is a case in point. According to Grose Valley ranger Cath Ireland, some fires may still be permitted. As part of the trial, responsible groups who apply in advance may be given permission to have a campfire subject to several conditions - such as lighting the fire only in a certain spot during certain hours, keeping it small, and burning only fallen sticks gathered from designated areas.

Policing will obviously be a problem, particularly as the Service cannot employ a ranger in the forest every weekend and holiday. Far from the gun-toting ranger bailing up walkers to see what they’re up to (like the one I met in Yosemite National park!), there will be a heavy reliance on co-operation, peer pressure and the influence of volunteer ‘campground hosts’.

How long the trial will continue, exactly what area it will be applied to, and the criteria for ‘exceptions’ will depend on the public response. The situation will be monitored. It is hoped there will be a positive change of user culture and that, once there has been a clear improvement things might be loosened up again. Everyone likes a campfire!

If you have concerns or would like to have a say in this process, you are invited to talk to the ranger, Cath Ireland. Contact her at the NPWS, PO Box 43 Blackheath 2785, phone 4787 8877. Perhaps you would like to join the Friends of Blue Gum, and become a campground host - volunteer some of your weekends and holidays to the benefit of Blue Gum Forest and surroundings.

Please pass the word around about the new policy, particularly if you are involved with a Scout group, school or other youth group. The last thing the Service wants is for people to be taken by surprise.