Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01818:front:0:p56
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01818
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 162037–165012

The boulders, many of which exceed two metres in diameter, are deposited in an overlapping fashion on the deeply fluted rock platform surface at Stoney Creek as well as other sites in the Jervis Bay region outside the park. There is also substantial evidence of older sands washed onto barriers within the bay and of sea caves formed at heights above storm wave attack.

Disturbance

The sandy soils of Bherwerre Peninsula and Bowen Island are unconsolidated and depend upon the presence of vegetation cover for stability. When vegetation is removed, the soils and sand dunes are readily eroded by wind, water and physical disturbance. In the low-lying western area of the park the soil is occasionally saturated. In this condition the soils can be easily damaged or eroded by disturbance.

Erosion in heavy traffic areas has been minimised by sealing main roads, building bridges and fords over natural watercourses, constructing graded walking tracks and maintaining unsealed roads through the construction of drainage ditches and by adding material to very sandy areas.

Some areas of the park require rehabilitation from the effects of past use. A former tip located near the Visitor Centre contains asbestos. An asbestos management plan for the site has been developed and implementation of the plan is continuing.

As noted in Section 2.4, mining operations are prohibited in the park except in accordance with this plan. Mining operations include any operations or activities connected with, or incidental to, the mining or recovery of minerals or the production of material from minerals, including prospecting and exploration for minerals (s.355(2) of the EPBC Act).

The EPBC Regulations prevent a person from introducing soil, stone or other earth materials into the park or fossicking in the park unless provided for by, and carried out in accordance with this plan (or authorised by a permit or under certain other conditions).

Issues
    * Mineral exploration and mining could impact on landscape attributes.

    * Areas of eroded and disturbed land require rehabilitation.

Prescriptions

Policies

    6.4.1        Subject to Sections 5.4.2 and 5.4.3, mining operations will not be allowed in the park.

    6.4.2        Prospecting, fossicking or exploration for minerals may be carried on for scientific research purposes only and under conditions provided for in Section 6.12, Research and monitoring.

    6.4.3        Extraction of gravel and sand from existing pits for park management purposes may continue. Stockpiled materials (such as sand and sawdust) may be used within the park.

    6.4.4        Any new developments in the park will maintain the park's high-quality visual landscape attributes.

    6.4.5        Resource management activities in the park will particularly take account of the general low soil fertility, the drainage characteristics and the inherent instability of certain areas, especially sand dunes and aeolian sands