Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p76
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 218083–221039

park.

The fire history of the park is well documented by Bushfires NT using interpretation of satellite imagery, and flora and fauna surveys are conducted periodically at permanent fire monitoring plots as part of the Three Parks Monitoring Programme, which also involves Nitmiluk and Litchfield national parks. Twenty-five years of monitoring data is now available for more than 120 monitoring plots. The park has also supported a major research project on stone country fires and the role of keystone species such as cypress pine (Anlarr) and Allosyncarpia (Anbinik) conducted by researchers from Charles Darwin University.

In addition to protecting the park's values, it is essential that fire management programmes, including management of wildfires, ensure the protection of life, property and park assets. Fire management for life and property protection is mostly undertaken around Jabiru township, outstations and other infrastructure and does not necessarily conflict with the use of different fire regimes to maintain park values.

The Bushfires Act (NT) applies to Kakadu insofar as it is not inconsistent with the EPBC Act, this plan or the EPBC Regulations.

Management issues

    * Invasive grasses
  The spread of grassy weeds into the park, and the associated increase in fire risk, poses a major threat to Kakadu landscapes and biodiversity, particularly the lowland woodlands and patches of rainforest.

    * Unplanned large and severe late-season fires
  These continue to be an issue in some areas of the park, in particular within the stone country where fires may originate from neighbouring areas or be ignited by lightning strike. Each year numerous unplanned and unauthorised fires are ignited along the highways and in the park by people travelling through or using the park. This can negate the effectiveness of planned fire management.

    * Fire regime
  Many threatened and declining plant and animal species (and the threatened ecological community) are detrimentally affected by the current fire regime. More long-unburnt patches are needed to provide the opportunity for tree and shrub regeneration and contribute to habitat with plants of mixed age, which is important for wildlife.

    * Wildfires spreading, entering or leaving the park through park boundaries
  It is important that the boundary areas of the park are well managed to reduce the risk of unplanned fires entering or spreading from the park. Fire management must be considered in a wider regional context, and close liaison with neighbours and regional organisations is essential.

    * Bininj/Mungguy support
  It is important to Bininj/Mungguy that they are involved in the development of fire management programmes to ensure that their views regarding how country should be burnt are incorporated and that they support the programmes. It is also important for Bininj/Mungguy to be actively involved in implementing and reviewing the outcomes of