Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p74
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 212551–215693

to threatened species

        (c)       using a range of mechanisms to deliver feral animal management and control

        (d)      monitoring invasive species density and spread and effectiveness of control works

        (e)      considering potential new feral animal species and proposing measures to prevent and/or manage them

        (f)        adjusting control strategies accordingly.

     5.3.13          Cease operation of the Buffalo Farm when current management arrangements come to an end, and arrange for rehabilitation measures.

     5.3.14          Provide an education programme on feral animals for residents, contractors, tour operators and visitors – including recognising feral animals and their impacts, and the responsibilities and requirements regarding the entry of plant, animal and soil material into the park.

     5.3.15          Work with government agencies to stay informed about potential new biosecurity risks and develop and implement a biosecurity strategy that identifies and considers potential risks and proposes measures to prevent and/or manage them.

     5.3.16          Control feral animals where they present particular health and safety risks to people or otherwise cause a significant nuisance, particularly in key public visitation sites.

Fire

Outcome

    * Fire is actively managed to maintain park values

Performance indicators

    * Reduction in areas impacted by large fires

    * Reduction in the risk and impact of wildfires entering, spreading, or leaving the park

    * Reduced frequency of large severe fires

    * Reduced average fire patch size

Background

   'Fire is respected in our culture. Fire is not just fire, it is something that is sacred and embedded in our culture.'

Joshua Hunter, Wurrkbarbar clan

Fire is an important and recurring element of the savannas of northern Australia and an effective and necessary management tool. Bininj/Mungguy have always used and continue to use fire as an important tool for managing and expressing ownership of country, and this ongoing and active management of the landscape is one of the values for which Kakadu is inscribed on the World Heritage List (see Appendix A: World Heritage attributes).

Traditional fire management created a mosaic of unburnt, early-burnt and late-burnt patches and over many thousands of years supported Bininj/Mungguy use of resources and helped to create the landscapes and diversity of native species found in the park today. However, following the arrival of Balanda and the introduction of pastoralism, traditional patterns of burning country were severely disrupted and large, hot, destructive dry-season wildfires became more common. The introduction of exotic pasture grasses (such as gamba and mission grass) and the reduction in grazing pressure through removal of water buffalo in the 1980s added fuel to the landscape and further contributed to the problem. Large late-season fires also lead to higher loss of carbon and increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

Since the proclamation of the park, fire management has attempted to mimic traditional burning practices