Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01818:front:0:p57
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01818
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 164707–167831

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 near dune crests.

    6.4.6        Landscaping materials including road fill, sand, rocks and organic material may be brought into the park subject to assessment of potential environmental impacts in accordance with Section 9.8, How proposals will be evaluated.

Actions

    6.4.7        Where required, rehabilitate or allow for natural revegetation of eroded and disturbed areas of park land.

    6.4.8        Develop and implement management plans for contaminated materials and sites in the park, such as asbestos in old tip localities.

    6.5           Marine

Aim
    * The marine ecosystems within the park are protected and maintained.

Background
Marine and freshwater ecosystems of the Jervis Bay region are central to the spiritual connectivity of the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community.

The park is an ideal location for visitors to explore and safely enjoy the marine environment. The park is renowned for its shallow, clear waters that are easily accessible and often protected from wind and waves. Though the marine area of the park is relatively small, the park currently supports five commercial operators specialising in diving, snorkelling, and whale and dolphin watching. The area is well used by dive clubs and independent recreational divers.

The park showcases one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Australia's east coast. Its natural values have been recognised by research scientists as 'exceptional' and fish species richness is one of the highest in temperate Australia (Aquenal 2004). The park supports a diverse range of marine habitats including the intertidal zone, extensive areas of seagrass, sandy bottom habitat and subtidal rocky reef.

Booderee's marine waters are known habitat for the critically endangered grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus). At least four other species of shark are known to use breeding sites within the park and it is a permanent nursery area for Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni). Intermediate rocky reefs provide habitat for the iconic weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) and serve as breeding aggregation sites for southern calamari (Sepioteuthis australis). The park's marine environment also provides food resources for the white-bellied sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), which is of considerable significance to the traditional owners, as well as for little penguins and a range of other birds.

The park and the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community wish to preserve the considerable values of the park's marine environment for future generations. Booderee National Park, including its waters, is classified as IUCN category II (see Section 3.1, Assigning the Park to an IUCN Category and Zoning) to protect natural biodiversity along with underlying ecological structure and supporting environmental processes.