'Resort Roundup' - Issue 10, December 2001
The Alpine Tree-frog
Ken Green
The Alpine Tree-frog (Litoria vereauxii alpina) has been regarded nationally as Vulnerable since 1997 and now has been provisionally listed in NSW as Threatened. The frog is the high-altitude subspecies of the widely-distributed Whistling Tree-frog (Litoria vereauxii). A distinctive character of the Alpine Tree-frog is the prominence of numerous raised warts on its back. This wartiness is absent or very reduced in the Whistling Tree-frog. The Alpine Tree-frog is also larger than the Whistling Tree-frog; females commonly grow to 45 mm and males to 35 mm. The main characters that can be used for identification in the field are that the back colouration usually includes green or olive markings, the wartiness and the distribution — with sites above about 1400 m altitude in NSW and above about 1200 m in Victoria. It is the only member of the 'tree-frog' genus that occurs above the level of the Winter snowline where it used to be common in open valleys, particularly in areas where there are large shallow pools. The last large successful breeding event at high altitude was witnessed by myself and Will Osborne in 1981.
Subsequent surveys of the same area from Summer 1994/95 have failed to find the species at these altitudes. Extensive surveys were conducted for the Alpine Tree-frog during the spring and Summer of 1996/97 and incorporated numerous historical locations in the Bimberi Range (ACT and NSW), Snowy Mountains (NSW), Davies Plain (Vic), Bogong High Plains (Vic) and Buffalo Plateau (Vic). The results of this survey, in combination with observations made during the same period by other herpetologists who conducted surveys on the Baw Baw Plateau (Vic) and at Horsehair Plain (Vic), confirmed that the Alpine Tree Frog has undergone a dramatic decline throughout its entire range. Like many other frog declines observed in Australia, and elsewhere in the world, there appears to be a strong altitudinal relationship in the decline of this species.
Alpine Tree Frogs use all major frog breeding habitat types in the high country except fast-flowing streams. They have been observed breeding in bog pools, wet grassland, fens, stream-side pools and artificial lakes and dams and glacial lakes and tarns in the alpine zone. Preferred pools are generally deeper and more 'permanent' than those frequently used by the other high altitudes frog the Common Eastern Toadlet (Crinia signifera). As with many species of frogs, the use of non-breeding habitats by the Alpine Tree-frog is poorly known.
Threats are currently unidentified, but possibilities include enhanced UV-B, Summer drying of ponds due to poor accumulation of snow and low rainfall (both of which have been observed) and possibly infection with fungal pathogens (as recorded in Kosciuszko National Park for both the Spotted Tree Frog and the Corroboree Frogs).
Migrating Bogong Moths bringing excess baggage
Ken Green
Bogong Moths (Agrotis infusa) are familiar to most people in the region, particularly when they migrate to the mountains in spring. The larvae of the moths live throughout the western plains of eastern Australia from the Darling Downs in Queensland, south to the north-western plains of Victoria. These areas have historically been used for grazing and cropping, and the Bogong Moth cutworm larvae are sometimes considered an agricultural pest. The eggs are laid in autumn and the larvae feed on annuals through the Winter. These food plants are not available through the Summer and so the moths migrate to the Australian Alps. There they fast while aestivating in rock crevices and caves (hibernation is Winter sleep and aestivation is Summer sleep). In the past, Bogong Moths were an important food for Aboriginal people from around the Australian Alps. Today the species that relies most upon them is the endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum.
The heavy rains of November 2000 washed debris from the aestivation caves, killing all vegetation for up to fifty metres below. We sampled soils, grass and moths and were surprised to find arsenic in the dead grass and soils from underneath and from the caves but no arsenic in soils and grass from adjacent, unaffected areas. Arsenic had made its way into the food chain too and was found in droppings from the Mountain Pygmy-possum, among other insectivores, but not in the herbivorous Broad-toothed Rat. Arsenic levels also varied across the mountains being higher in moths from the Snowy Mountains than in moths from the ACT or Mt Buffalo (which had virtually zero) whereas elsewhere in Victoria, particularly where Mountain Pygmy-possums are found levels were once again higher.
We are currently attempting to determine what species of arsenic is involved — did it come from herbicide, pesticide, sheep dip or where? Natural sources have been ruled out. Also, using chemical and even genetic techniques we hope to find out where the moths are coming from and if we can trace the source of the arsenic. Meanwhile we are stuck with a situation that from my readings appears to be unique in the ecological literature — long distance transport of minute quantities of a pollutant which are then concentrated to damaging levels by the millions of moths at aestivation sites.
Municipal Services
Perisher Range Sewerage
NPWS is pleased to advise that the Perisher Valley Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) performed beyond expectation last Winter. With the majority of the augmentation work completed the STP produced effluent of better quality than expected. This result is very pleasing considering that the incoming sewage was approximately a degree cooler for the majority of the Winter. This indicates that the new heating system installed within the STP give NPWS the ability to meet desired effluent quality over a diverse range of operating conditions.
NPWS expects to complete the sewerage augmentation project this Summer with the completion of the Sludge Storage Facility. The Sludge Storage Facility will allow STP to operate to its optimum capacity, which is designed to accommodate both existing and future sewage loads.
NPWS is awaiting approval to construct the facilities and have completed the tendering process. Delays in the approval process may defer the works to the following Summer.
Perisher Range Water Supply
NPWS has also commenced works on the Water Supply Augmentation Project. This project is in its early stage with a design concept report completed and a Review of Environmental Factors ("REF") commencing. Essentially, the water supply augmentation is divided in to two parts. The first is the upgrading of existing infrastructure including pumping stations, reservoirs, pipeline, disinfection plants and weirs. The second part is the upgrading of the headworks or off stream storage.
The REF only contains items identified in the first part of the project. It is hoped that with improved infrastructure and the introduction of demand management, that water consumption will decrease and defer the need to upgrade works identified in the second part of the project.
NPWS is hopeful that some works may commence on the Water Supply Project this Summer but is dependent on the completion of the environmental assessment process.
Environmental Services
A combined Perisher Blue/NPWS litter clean up day was held on the 27 November 2001 and we would like to thank all of those people who participated in this event.
A weed management strategy for Resort areas is being prepared which includes a Code of Practice and operational plan.
Water quality monitoring has been undertaken as part of the Stormwater Management Plan. This will result in an audit of stormwater issues and refining of the Community Relations Strategy.
Litter - What are we throwing away?
The end of the snow season saw the wind-down of the litter reduction campaign to promote litter as a major environmental issue within the resort areas of Kosciuszko National Park. The "When in the snow…bins are the go" campaign used a number of mediums, including radio, newspaper, television, and posters, to increase visitor and community awareness about litter. Cigarette butts, referred to by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation as one of the single biggest litter items, was a sub-focus of the campaign. The "Bin your butt" slogan was used to help promote cigarette-butts as a particular litter problem and portable 'butt-bins' were distributed to smokers on the slopes.
Whilst this was the first year in a concerted effort to target litter, it was always the intention to keep promoting the issue beyond the 2001 snow season. The NPWS will continue to bridge the litter issue until next snow season through the 'bin your butt' slogan targeting cigarette butts. In fact, the NPWS will be sponsoring Thredbo's Summer events through the 'bin your butts' campaign. The very popular portable 'butt-bins' will continue to be profiled, along with a number of banners this Summer.
Part of the litter reduction campaign was to monitor litter levels in the ski resort areas for the 2001 ski season. Information was gathered to target particular problem areas. Whilst litter was still a problem this season improvements were noted on the ski-slopes. The car parks continued to be littered with items ranging from fast-food packaging to household waste to nappies. Information collected during the 2001 Winter ski season identified cigarette butts, paper and lolly/snack food wrappers to be the three main contributors to total litter count in the Perisher Valley car parks. Surveys conducted in the Thredbo car parks identified cigarette butts as the single main contributor to litter, accounting for at least 60% of total litter in all survey locations. Strategic bin placements and law-enforcement were two factors identified needing improvement prior to next Winter season.
Recognising the marketing and ecological impacts litter has on the ski resorts, a joint clean-up day between Perisher Blue and NPWS was conducted in the Perisher Range area on Tuesday 27th November. Rubbish collected on the day was recorded for comparing litter trends in the future.
Remember, litter is a problem for all of us! You don't need to participate in special days to clean-up a small area of litter. Lodge members, lessees and NPWS staff alike, can assist by picking up litter when and where they see it.
If you would like more information on the litter campaign and the results collected from questionnaires and litter transects, please contact the NPWS Environmental Liaison Officer.
Environmental Weeds
When someone asks me "how many weeds are there in Kosciuszko National Park" they are often stunned when I tell them over 310 different species! You see, in the context of a national park, anything exotic or introduced is a weed! The fact that only a small proportion of weeds are actually targeted for control does not truly reflect the impact introduced species have upon the environment, but rather what is deemed priority and the level of resources available.
In resort areas, Milfoil or Yarrow (Achillea millifolium) is the most concerning environmental weed, due to its highly invasive attributes. However, other exotic species have been targeted in recent years including willows, lupins, a rush (Juncus effusus) and exotic trees. There are, however, numerous other species that compete with native plants, particularly in disturbed areas. These include grasses, forbs and shrubs, some of which are garden ornamentals.
Whilst not all introduced plants appear to be a problem today, the concern is that some of the 'quiet weeds' may cause major problems in the future. Like many problem weeds throughout Australia, a period of time had passed before such species became invasive. The concern in resort areas is what other species already present, may behave in the same aggressive way like Milfoil?
To help identify the potential risk different weed species may have in resort areas, a database is being prepared that will profile each species. The purpose of the database is to write a weed management plan and flora code of practice.
In the meantime, lessees can help by removing introduced plants around buildings and by planting native species. If you would like more information on weeds, weed eradication and native plants, please contact the NPWS Environmental Liaison Officer.
SLOPES
SLOPES celebrated their 10th year of operation in November this year, during which time they have been looking after the interests of ski club lodges in Perisher, Smiggins and Guthega.
SLOPES were very pleased to have Chris Murray of Department of Planning, (DoP, formerly Dept of Urban Affairs and Planning) attend their function on 27th of November. Mr Murray explained the transfer of development control functions from NPWS to DoP in early 2002, and how he expects the organisation to operate in the area.
NPWS were represented by Penny Spoelder, Alistair Henchman and Scott Dicker who explained what is going on over the Summer season and what is expected to occur in the immediate and long term future.
SLOPES feel they have come a long way in the last 10 years in understanding and cooperating with NPWS and say they look forward to a similar relationship with the DoP.
Graeme Anderson has been actively looking after the interests of club lodges in Perisher for many years and has been President of SLOPES for over two years, during which time he has been actively involved in numerous discussions with NPWS over the whole range of resort related issues.
Health and Building News
New procedures for the concrete wash out of trucks, pumps and associated equipment within the Perisher Range Resort areas.
One of the major environmental challenges in the Perisher Range is to allow the development of a strong and vibrant ski industry, whilst protecting the important natural values of Kosciuszko, such as our waterways. With the busy construction period upon us, it is important to follow best-practice environmental procedures.
Currently procedures used to clean concrete trucks, concrete pumps and associated equipment are being reviewed. In the past, the wash down of concrete delivery trucks has been undertaken using, what are now considered, as poor environmental practices. These practices were noted during an environmental audit undertaken by the NPWS and are no longer acceptable.
Batch plant concrete contains coarse aggregates, sand, cement and chemical admixtures that have the potential to pollute waterways with chemical residues and sediment during the wash down of concrete agitator trucks and associated concrete handling equipment. All solid wastes and used wash down water not incorporated into the works need to be controlled, removed from the site and disposed of in an appropriate manner. Washing out onto the ground is not only poor environmental practice but is a fineable offence under the EPA Operations Act 1997.
It is a condition of sale for concrete that the builder provides a management system for the handling of concrete waste on site. For further information on interim procedures for the wash out of concrete trucks, pumps and associated equipment, please contact either the NPWS building surveyors or Boral Country (Concrete & Quarries), Jindabyne.
International Year of Mountains 2002
The United Nations has proclaimed 2002 as the International Year of Mountains (IYM) to increase international awareness of the global importance of mountain ecosystems.
To help celebrate the International Year of Mountains, the NPWS staff are planning a range of activities to promote the conservation values of Kosciuszko.
NPWS wildlife ecologist Dr Ken Green has organised the Snowy Mountains Biodiversity Blitz. The activity will kick off the year with a 24-hour 'blitz' of recording the range of plants and animals found in the mountains.
More than 50 scientists with a range of expertise will examine a 27 square kilometre area from Thredbo Village to the top of Mt Kosciuszko. Their findings will provide a valuable snapshot record of the species present, which will provide a baseline for future comparisons.
Other activities planned include a major conference to be held at Jindabyne in November 2002. The conference is being organised by the Australian Alps Liaison Committee and will include the broad themes of science and natural heritage, cultural heritage and sustainable mountain tourism.
Review of Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management
The NSW Minister for Environment, Bob Debus, announced on 20 February 2001 that the Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management (PoM), is to be reviewed over the next two years, coinciding with IYM 2002.
The plan has remained essentially unchanged since 1982. Amendments that have been made related primarily to the details of ski resort management and accommodation. Thus, the review of the plan is an opportunity to look at Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) in the light of recent developments — including changes in the park's ecological condition and visitor usage, recent scientific research in the area and general developments in ecological concepts and approaches to park management.
A new team of planning experts has been established in Queanbeyan office and may be contacted at KNP PoM Review Team, PO Box 733, 6 Rutledge Street, Queanbeyan NSW 2620.
While they will remain part of the KNP and under NPWS management the ski resorts will be subject to a Regional Environmental Plan (REP) operating under Part III of the NSW Environment and Planning Act 1979 (EP&A Act). That REP will be developed by the DoP, in conjunction with NPWS.
Under the new arrangements, development consents within the ski resorts will be subject to provisions of Part IV of the EP&A Act. The consent authority for all developments in the resort areas will be the Minister for Planning. A State Environment and Planning Policy (SEPP) is currently being prepared to allow the transfer of functions occur quickly while the REP's is being prepared. It is envisaged the SEPP will come into force in early 2002.
National Planning Award
In October this year, Perisher Blue Pty Limited with David Hogg Pty Ltd jointly won Australia's most prestigious town and regional planning award for environmental planning.
At the RAPI National Awards for Planning Excellence at Canberra's National Convention Centre, Perisher Blue Pty Limited and David Hogg Pty Ltd were awarded the national category award for "Environmental Planning or Conservation" for the "Perisher Blue Ski Resort Ski Slope Plan" program.
The Perisher Blue Slope Plan is an ambitious project that is one part of a plan to make Perisher Blue the pre-eminent mountain destination in the Southern Hemisphere and incorporates the construction of the new lifting facilities, additional snowmaking, mountain restaurants and more accessible ski and snowboard runs, all within the existing Perisher Blue Ski Resort boundaries.
The Ski Slope Plan is available on the Perisher Blue website.
Thredbo
Over the Christmas period Santa will be making appearances at Thredbo and the restaurants will be open for Christmas celebratory lunches and dinners.
New Year celebrations will include fireworks, a live band and countdown into the New Year in the village centre.
All the facilities, shops and restaurants will be open during this period.
In the New Year, Thredbo will be holding the annual Blue's Festival from the 18th to 20th January 2002.
Staff Matters
Mark Davis, former acting Manager Health & Building, has accepted a position with the Australian Building Codes Board from November 19th, 2001. Mark finished on 15 November, and we currently have several health and building specialist contractors working with Prasan Sharp until permanent positions are filled.
Karen Field has returned from maternity leave and is currently working part-time on a project to audit all of our leases. Nikki Mawby is still acting as the Concessions and Leasing Manager.
Penny Spoelder, Manager, Resorts has accepted the temporary position of Manager, KNP Plan of Management Review Team. This position will oversee the preparation of the KNP PoM for the next two years. Penny will return to the position as Manager, Resorts at completion of the two years.
Scott Dicker (Manager, MSU) will be acting in the position of Manager, Resorts for several months, and the position will be advertised externally in the near future.
Dave Woods has been appointed Senior Ranger, Environmental Liaison (Resorts Division).
Clair Windle has temporarily joined the Resorts Division as Executive Officer. Clair is the Regional Administration Officer with the Far South Coast Region — Merimbula.
Kay Weston, Administrative Assistant, Perisher Range Master Plan finished with the Resorts Division at the end of November.
Lisa Pickford has joined Alistair Henchman and Amy Roberts as the new admin assistant on the Master Plan Team for 18 months.