Prepared by the
Department of Environment and Resource Management,
Mandingalbay Yidinji People and
Wet Tropics Management Authority
April 2009
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© The State of Queensland. Department of Environment and Resource Management. 2009.
Copyright protects this publication. Except for purposes permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by whatever means is prohibited without the prior written permission of the Department of Environment and Resource Protection. Enquiries should be addressed to PO Box 15155, City East, BRISBANE QLD 4002.
Acknowledgements
The Mandingalbay Yidinji People, Wet Tropics Management Authority and Department of Environment and Resource Management acknowledge and thank the many people and organisations who assisted in developing this report, including John Russell and Paul Thuesen (Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation) and Dr. David Westcott (CSIRO).
Front cover photograph: XXXXXX (Photographers name if known)
Contents
1.0 Executive Summary
2.0 Introduction
3.0 Mandingalbay Yidinji Country: location and context
4.0 Scenic landscape values
5.0 Native vegetation
5.1 Regional ecosystems
5.2 Native plant species
6.0 Native animals
7.0 Cultural values
8.0 Threats
8.1 Pest plants
8.2 Pest animals
8.3 Other threats
9.0 Land management and use
9.1 Mandingalbay Yidinji traditional management and use
9.2 Forestry history
9.3 Fire Management
9.4 Development and infrastructure
9.5 East Trinity Reserve degradation and rehabilitation
9.6 Visitation
10.0 Key knowledge gaps for further field survey
11.0 Recommendations
12.0 References
13.0 Hyperlinks
14.0 Definitions
15.0 Appendices
5
1.0 Executive Summary
The Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) 2006 requires the Mandingalbay Yidinji People, Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) and Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) to undertake a baseline review of the ILUA area, focusing on the natural values of the area including flora and fauna. The parties have agreed to expand the baseline review terms of reference to cover all of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country from East Trinity Reserve along the Malbon Thompson Range to Mutchero Inlet and the Frankland Group islands. The baseline review will consist of a desktop report (this document), field survey and final report.
Mandingalbay Yidinji Country is largely undeveloped and contains important natural values. Its mainland area contains 41 regional Regional ecosystemsEcosystems, of which 34 are ‘of conservation concern’. Land clearing has removed three regional ecosystems from the area. Available records for native plants, native animals, pest plants and pest animals are limited. Records of approximatelyindicate that 475 native plant species are availablehave been collected in the area, of which 17 are of State or Commonwealth conservation significance. Available records list 220 native animals, of which 18 are of State or Commonwealth conservation significance. Sixty-six pest plants and 10 pest animals have been recorded. Other potential threats include the root-rot fungus, Phytophthora cinnamomi, and the frog disease, chytridiomycosis. Development and tourism are not presently regarded as significant threats to natural and cultural values. Available data for East Trinity vegetation communities, fish species and water quality indicate that the area is slowly rehabilitating from the damage caused by draining and clearing in the 1970s and subsequent release of acid sulfate soils.
Available desktop data on natural values are insufficient to complete the baseline review; key knowledge gaps include lack of vegetation mapping in the Frankland Group, and inadequate species lists for native animals, native plants, pest plants and pest animals. As it is impractical to survey all of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country, it is recommended that field survey address key knowledge gaps by sampling four areas that are representative of the broad landscape habitats of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country and for which substantial data are already available. These areas are East Trinity Reserve, the CSIRO site at Little Pine Creek in the Malbon Thompson Range, the Bell Peak North summit area and High and Russell islands in the Frankland Group. Of these areas, only Russell Island has been intentionally surveyed for all four species groups (native and pest plants and animals). It is recommended that field survey be undertaken at these sites so that each site has regional ecosystem mapping and adequate species for native animals, native plants, pest plants and pest animals.
Cultural values – Mandingalbay Yidinji people to summarise here
2.0 Introduction
The Mandingalbay Yidinji Country baseline review is a requirement of the Mandingalbay Yidinji Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). The ILUA was executed on 6 April 2006 by the Mandingalbay Yidinji People, State of Queensland and Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA). The ILUA area covers Grey Peaks National Park and part of the Malbon Thompson Forest Reserve.
The ILUA requires that the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (now part of DERM), WTMA and Mandingalbay Yidinji Native Title parties agree on terms of reference for a baseline review of the ILUA area, and co-operatively undertake and complete the baseline review within 18 months of a determination of Native Title. The ILUA states that the baseline review will be a measurement guide to the impact of the Mandingalbay Yidinji people on the ILUA area, particularly in relation to flora and fauna.
The Federal Court determined on 24 April 2006 that Mandingalbay Yidinji people hold Native Title for an area including the ILUA area and four parcels of State land adjoining Trinity Inlet. Two additional claims are current. The Combined Mandingalbay Yidinji – Gungandji Claim (QC99/39) covers part of Trinity Forest Reserve, additional State land adjoining Trinity Inlet, the southern part of the Yarrabah Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) and the Frankland Group (excluding Russell Island). Mandingalbay Yidinji Claim #2 (QC00/8) covers a parcel of State land at the southern end of the Malbon Thompson Range.
The Strategic Plan for Mandingalbay Yidinji Country was released on day month 2009. It includes a map identifying the indicative boundaries of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country, encompassing all of the land in the Native Title determination, current Native Title claims and some adjoining areas. The Mandingalbay Yidinji People, DERM and WTMA have agreed that the baseline review will not be limited to the ILUA area, but insteadwill will include all of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country as indicated in the Strategic Plan for Mandingalbay Yidinji Country.
The Mandingalbay Yidinji People, WTMA and DERM have agreed that the baseline review will consist of three stages:
· Stage 1 – Desktop report (this report): summarises available desktop information on the natural and cultural values, threats and land management and use in Mandingalbay Yidinji Country. It identifies key knowledge gaps to be addressed by field survey
· Stage 2 – Field survey: will address knowledge gaps identified by the Stage 1 through undertaking field survey and collating and analysing results. Field survey will use methods that can be repeated later to indicate any trends and impacts over time
· Stage 3 – Final report: will summarise desktop and field information.
The terms of reference for the Mandingalbay Yidinji Country baseline review provide more detail on the project stages.
The baseline review will inform co-operative management to better protect the area’s natural and cultural heritage. It will provide background information for a future management plan for national park areas under section 111 of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and any future management plan for an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) established over Mandingalbay Yidinji Country.
3.0 Mandingalbay Yidinji Country: location and context
Mandingalbay Yidinji Country extends from Bessie Point on Trinity Bay in the north to Mutchero Inlet and Russell Heads in the south. Mandingalbay Yidinji sea country extends east into the Coral Sea and includes the islands of the Frankland Group (Appendix 1). The Mandingalbay Yidinji People also share an interest with neighbouring groups in resource use areas extending beyond these boundaries. Mandingalbay Yidinji Country has great natural diversity. It includes tidal flats around Trinity Inlet, the Malbon Thompson Range, beaches and headlands on the Coral Sea coast and continental islands with sand spits and fringing reefs.
The area has a tropical climate with a pronounced summer wet season. Mean temperatures range from 21.4oC in July to 27.6oC in January (Cairns Airport, Bureau of Meteorology, 2009). RRainfall varies ranges from less than 2400 mm per year at East Trinity Reserve to over 4800 mm per year on the Malbon Thompson Range around Bell Peak North and Bell Peak South.
Topography of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country is variable. The Malbon Thompson Range and associated foothills comprise more than half of the land area of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country; high points include May Peak (834 m), Grey Peaks (644 m), Bell Peak North (1026 m) and Bell Peak South (939 m). Mandingalbay Yidinji Country includes coastal swamps and plains on the eastern side of Trinity Inlet and in two areas on the east (Coral Sea) coast; one area is east of Grey Peaks National Park and the other is north of Mutchero Inlet. The Frankland Group consists of six continental islands (High, Normanby, Mabel, Round, Russell and “East Russell”); High Island is the largest and tallest, rising to 159 m. Sand spits extend from Normanby and Russell islands, and there are extensive fringing reefs surrounding the islands.
The Malbon Thompson Range consists of granite and granodiorite from the late Permian and early Triassic periods (about 250 million years ago). There are areas of alluvial and colluvial deposits along the base of the range. Trinity Inlet and adjoining mangrove areas are comprised of estuarine silt and mud from the Holocene period (last 10 000 years). The coastal plains on the Coral Sea coast are Quaternary (last 1.8 million years); they consist of alluvium nearer the base of the Malbon Thompson Range, and coastal dune systems and sand sheets adjacent to the coast. The Frankland Group islands are outcrops of Cambrian (490–545 million years old) sediment, altered by heat and pressure into green and white metamorphic rock. The islands were once connected to the mainland, but were separated by heavy weathering and a rise in sea level (DERM 2009B).
More than 80 % of the land area is uncleared and included within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (mainland) or the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (Frankland Group). The excludedAreas outside the protected area estate includes areas consist of cane fields along the Yarrabah road and cleared and degraded areas in and surrounding East Trinity Reserve.
Approximately half of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country lies within protected areas. It contains Grey Peaks National Park, the Frankland Group National Park, Malbon Thompson Forest Reserve, East Trinity Reserve and Giangurra Reserve (managed by Cairns Regional Council), and parts of Trinity Forest Reserve, the Trinity Inlet Fish Habitat area and Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park. Additionally, Mandingalbay Yidinji sea country is within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Commonwealth) and the overlapping Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (State).
4.0 Scenic landscape values
Mandingalbay Yidinji Country contains high scenic values. The Malbon Thompson Range presents a rugged, forested backdrop to the southern urban areas of Cairns, the Bruce Highway and surrounding areas. Trinity Inlet and adjoining mangrove communities provide a largely natural landscape extending close to the Cairns central business district. The Coral Sea coast of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country appears rugged and largely undisturbed when viewed from the sea. The beaches, rock faces and rainforest of the Frankland Group islands rise in strong contrast to surrounding open waters. Despite their popularity for visitors, there is little evidence of human disturbance on the islands when viewed from the sea.
5.0 Coastal localies and areas of state signficance
6.0 Coastal localities
7.0 http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/register/p01159ad.pdf
8.0 http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/register/p01159an.pdf
9.0 Areas of state significance
10.0 http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/register/p01159bc.pdf
11.0
12.0 Native vegetation
12.1 Regional ecosystems
Mandingalbay Yidinji Country lies within the Wet Tropics bioregion. It contains a diverse range of regional ecosystems and is an important refuge for endangered and of concern regional ecosystems. The mainland section of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country contains 41 mapped regional ecosystems (Appendix 2 and 3). Under the Vegetation Management Act 1999, which takes into account the pre-clearing and remaining areas of a regional ecosystem, eight of these regional ecosystems are endangered and 17 are of concern. Under DERM’s Biodiversity Status, which additionally takes into account the condition of regional ecosystems, 17 of these regional ecosystems are endangered and 17 are of concern. The most extensive regional ecosystem in the area is mesophyll to notophyll vine forest on granite (RE 7.12.1a, Appendix 3). It covers over 25 % of the area, occurring mainly on the foothills and lower slopes of the Malbon Thompson Range. This regional ecosystem is not of concern. Simple notophyll vine forest on granite uplands (RE 7.12.16a, Appendix 3) is the next most prevalent regional ecosystem, covering over 5 % of the area. It is the dominant ecosystem along the crest of the Malbon Thompson Range. This regional ecosystem is also not of concern.
Pre-clearing vegetation mapping indicates a further three regional ecosystems formerly occurred near the Yarrabah road in an area now cleared for sugar cane (Appendix 4). These were:
· mangrove and vine forest in brackish areas (RE 7.1.4, Appendix 3)
· broad-leaved tea tree (Melaleuca viridiflora) open forest to open woodland on poorly drained alluvial plains (RE 7.3.8, Appendix 3)
· Clarkson’s bloodwood (Corymbia clarksoniana) open forest to open woodland on alluvial plains (RE 7.3.45, Appendix 3).
Changes in the boundaries between individual regional ecosystems have not generally been well-documented. Mangroves (RE 7.1.1, Appendix 3) are expanding in the northern part of Mandingalbay Yidinji Country. Between 1950 and 1992, approximately 180 ha of tidal flats off Bessie Point were colonised by mangroves, probably due to sediment accumulation (Environmental Science Services 1992). Some sclerophyll regional ecosystems on the Malbon Thompson Range have very well developed vine forest understoreys, probably due to infrequent burning (DERM 2009D). These include pink bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia) open forest (RE 7.12.23b, Appendix 3) on eastern slopes, and red stringybark (Eucalyptus pellita), pink bloodwood and Moreton Bay ash (C. tessellaris) open forest in northern sections of the Malbon Thompson Range. This may indicate a gradual replacement of sclerophyll regional ecosystems with rainforest here.
No formal regional ecosystem mapping has been carried outundertaken on the Frankland Group islands. Antecodal records of broad Vegetation vegetation communities include mangroves, rainforest, Casuarina open woodlands on sand and rock pavement vegetation.
Seagrass beds extend into Trinity Bay north east and north west from the mouth of Trinity Inlet. The major seagrass community types are Zostera capricorni northeast of the Trinity Inlet mouth and Halodule uninervis northwest of Trinity Inlet mouth. A small community of Halophila decipiens occurs north of the Trinity Inlet mouth. A seagrass study in 1987 surveyed 30 sites within Mandingalbay Yidinji sea country in the Coral Sea but found no seagrass areas; all sites surveyed had sand or mud substrates.