Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p27
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 77466–80510

to degrade the condition of artefacts, particularly those constructed of timber and metal; this is an acceptable natural process.

What we are going to do

Policies
    4.1.1           The heritage values of the park will be managed in accordance with relevant Commonwealth Heritage management principles (Appendix D) and the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

    4.1.2           Disturbance to cultural sites and artefacts of heritage significance in the park should be avoided so far as is practicable, or minimised.

    4.1.3           Only essential protection and conservation activities will be carried out for cultural sites and artefacts of heritage significance in the park; these may include activities necessary to stabilise, maintain or restore condition.

    4.1.4           The Cocos-Malay community, through the Pulu Keeling National Park Community Management Committee, will be consulted regarding the care of the Malay graves on North Keeling Island.

Actions
    4.1.5           Work with relevant experts and stakeholders, including the Territory Administration, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council and the Cocos-Malay community, to identify, document, assess and protect the values of cultural and historic sites within the park.

    4.1.6           Develop and maintain a register of heritage sites and artefacts for the park which includes an inspection and maintenance schedule.

    5.                 Visitor management and park use

Objective
A limited range of opportunities are available during the life of the plan for rare, unique, educational and safe natural and cultural focused experiences without disturbing park values.

    5.1              Visitor access and use

Background
The majority of visits to the island are by park staff undertaking park management activities. Periodically, tourists also visit the island, either guided by tour operators under a valid permit, or accompanying park staff. Access onto North Keeling Island can be hazardous as it normally involves a swim from a boat across the reef to the shore. There are no roads or tracks on the island and boats are not allowed to approach the shore or land on the island. When walking on the island, park staff and visitors follow either the lagoon edge or the coastline to avoid impacts on vegetation and habitat.
It is not feasible to install and maintain facilities to improve the ease of access to the island, and such development could significantly impact the values of the park and would not be compatible with its strict nature reserve zoning.
Human disturbance of seabird colonies has the potential to decrease the recruitment of juvenile birds into the population or to increase adult mortality (WBM Oceanics Australia 1995). Four strategies were developed to guide the Director in managing visitor access and use under the previous management plan, and to inform the public. The strategies prescribe conditions for visitor access, boating, recreational fishing and scuba diving, and represent codes of conduct for minimising