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South AustralianMultiple Land Use Framework

Government of South Australia

1GAWLER RANGES NATIONAL PARK

CASE STUDY

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South Australian Multiple Land Use Framework

Synopsis What is the issue? – Co-management of a park with multiple uses.

What is the conflict? – The management of a national park to enable the maintenance of natural ecological processes, to protect rare and threatened plants and animals, while maintaining the strong and ongoing culture of the Gawler Ranges people, the rich pastoral heritage and ensuring that multiple uses could still occur in a sustainable manner.

What was the resolution? – Finding an equitable balance between competing land uses, establishing formal structures and mechanisms to co-manage the park and the development of good relationships with park users and stakeholders.

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Coober Pedy

CedunaGawler Ranges NP

Port Lincoln

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Mount Gambier

ADELAIDE

In 2002, the Gawler Ranges National Park (www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks) was proclaimed as a National Park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to protect diverse and relatively intact vegetation. At the same time, the park was proclaimed under section 43 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 for approved mineral and petroleum activities. Petroleum and geothermal activities/or operations and mineral exploration and mining may take place in parks proclaimed under section 43 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, subject to the granting of a

tenement under the Mining Act 1971 or the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000. This is part of the state’s long-standing policy of allowing multiple access and use in regional reserves or jointly-proclaimed conservation parks or national parks under circumstances in which the conservation values are not significantly affected.

The Gawler Ranges Aboriginal Corporation is the native title holder of the park (www.nativetitle.org.au/profiles/profile_sa_gawlerranges.html). A select group of family members from three different Aboriginal language groups have a traditional connection with the Gawler Ranges: the Kokatha people from the desert, the Barngarla people from the Eyre Peninsula and the Wirangu people from the West Coast. Each is represented in the Corporation.

Multiple uses

3Government of South Australia

GAWLER RANGES NATIONAL PARK– Case Study 1

The park is also important for regional tourism. It provides local people and visitors to the region with opportunities to tour via four-wheel drive, camp, walk and learn about the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage, supporting several tourism operators.

The Gawler Ranges is an ancient landscape containing many important Aboriginal cultural sites and stories, stunning geology, and unique plants and animals. The ranges also support a diverse range of vegetation communities and are a refuge for a number of rare or threatened fauna species.

The park has a recent history of pastoral activities and was established through the purchase of former pastoral property of Paney Station and Scrubby Creek.

The Gawler Ranges National Park Draft Park Management Plan was developed with advice from the Gawler Ranges National Park Advisory Committee, and was released in mid-2015 for community consultation (www.environment.sa.gov.au/haveyoursay/gawler-ranges-mgmt-plan).

The draft plan highlights opportunities to capitalise on these multiple uses for the benefit of all South Australians through further strengthening relationships with park users. The draft plan also highlights the challenge of ensuring that mineral, petroleum and geothermal exploration or mining activities are managed in a way that meets the objectives of the park.

The park management plan informs processes that have been established by Government to manage exploration and mining activities in jointly proclaimed parks. The development of the park management plan is a key step in weaving the management objectives of traditional owners with that of the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and other government agencies.

The plan will be adopted subject to any native title rights or interests that may continue to exist in relation to the land and will be implemented in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Native Title Act 1933.

Once adopted by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, the Gawler Ranges National Park Management Plan will provide direction for how the park will be managed in the future. Further information on park management can be viewed at http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/park-management

Park Management Plan

Park Management Plan

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South Australian Multiple Land Use Framework

Environmental impacts associated with mineral exploration and mining activities and petroleum and geothermal activities are managed by the Department of State Development through the Mining Act 1971 and Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 respectively.

There are several mineral exploration tenements over the Gawler Ranges National Park (https://sarig.pir.sa.gov.au/Map). Some exploration has occurred in the past, however there are no operational mines in the park.

Before exploration or mining activities can commence, exploration tenements are required and consultation on a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR - Mining Act) (www.minerals.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/exploration/exploration_activities) or statement of environmental objectives and environmental impact report (SEO and EIR - Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act) must be conducted with traditional owners, relevant landowners, government agencies and other stakeholders (www.petroleum.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/legislation_and_compliance/environmental_register).

The PEPR and SEO must be consistent with the objectives of the park management plan and outline among other things how and when rehabilitation will occur. Typically these conditions will require restoration of impacted areas to a condition consistent with the prior land use and in a manner that will facilitate natural regeneration of vegetation and minimise visual impact. Rehabilitation should be progressive, and final rehabilitation should be completed immediately after completion of a program. To date the major challenge for explorers has been reducing to an acceptable level the impact which exploration vehicles have on the soil, topography and the visitor experience.

Mineral exploration and mining activities in the park

5Government of South Australia

GAWLER RANGES NATIONAL PARK– Case Study 1

How the South Australian Multiple Land Use Framework’s guiding principles apply to this case study

y Accountability – Through the park management planning processes and assessments conducted for proposed exploration and mining activities, practices are established to avoid or restrict the environmental impact of resource development activities, and ensure the rehabilitation of disturbed sites, yet maintaining access to the mineral resource. Proponents also have responsibilities for the protection of Aboriginal cultural values under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988.

y Best use of assets – Native Title rights and interests, Aboriginal heritage protection, park management and conservation, exploration and mining, tourism and recreation activities all occur in the park, ensuring the best use of assets, while ensuring environmental sustainability.

y Co-existence – The Gawler Ranges Aboriginal Corporation and the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources have worked in partnership to manage the park since 2011. This arrangement is guided by a Co-management Agreement and an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (www.minerals.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/land_access/native_title_and_aboriginal_land/Gawler_Ranges_Mineral_Exploration_ILUA), and is realised through the Gawler Ranges National Park Advisory Committee, made up of equal parts Gawler Ranges Aboriginal Corporation and South Australian Government representatives.

y Efficient processes – The Gawler Ranges National Park Advisory Committee meet regularly to discuss operations of the park. The Government is committed to improving co-management communication and approval processes wherever possible and continues to work with the Advisory Committee on these matters.

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South Australian Multiple Land Use Framework

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y Environmental sustainability – The processes under the Mining, and the Petroleum & Geothermal Energy Acts ensure the protection of the environmental and heritage values of the park. These processes are informed by the park management plan.

y Evidence based – Best available science and leading practice principles are considered and incorporated in the development of park management plans, PEPRs or SEOs/EIRs.

y Participation of all stakeholders and shared commitment – All park users are committed to maintaining the heritage, natural beauty and opportunities of the park. The park management planning process is a collaborative process that enables all park users to have their say on the future management of the park.

y Reporting and transparency – Exploration and mining PEPRs, SEOs/EIRs and park management plans are available on-line or from the relevent government agency.

7Government of South Australia

GAWLER RANGES NATIONAL PARK– Case Study 1

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South Australian Multiple Land Use Framework

26/04/2017–204874

CONTACTT: +61 8 8 8463 3317 E: DSD.MultipleLandUseFramework@sa.gov.au

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