Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p82
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 234966–238011

and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and monitoring of related groundwater and vegetation over the next 10 years to ensure there is no contamination.

The Kakadu Land Rehabilitation Strategy, prepared in 1995, mainly addresses old gravel pits located across the park. It has not yet been fully implemented.

In the past ERISS has undertaken research at plunge pools to determine whether chemicals in sunscreens and insect repellents were adversely affecting water quality. No adverse impacts were noted. Visitation levels and impacts continue to be monitored so that appropriate mitigation approaches can be developed through park area plans if needed.

The Parks Australia Sustainable Tourism Overview 2011–2016 (DNP 2011a) identifies the principles and objectives that guide management of tourism in Commonwealth terrestrial reserves, including minimising visitor impacts on park values. The Board has approved a Tourism Master Plan to guide future development of tourism in the park to ensure it is culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable. Education through high-quality interpretation is important to inform and encourage positive behaviour by independent and group travellers.

Information on the environmental impact assessment process applied to any new proposals is provided in Section 9.5 (Assessment of proposals). This process is intended to mitigate any human use impacts on park values.

Management issues

    * Disturbed areas
  A number of sites in the park that have been cleared and disturbed by mining, for roads or, more recently, for gravel pits, have yet to be rehabilitated or revegetated. Gravel pits cause local environmental damage, are costly to rehabilitate and scar the landscape. Erosion at some visitor sites and along roads and tracks requires stabilisation and revegetation. Disturbed areas remain vulnerable to weed establishment and erosion.

    * Cumulative impacts of landscape disturbance
  Many small developments and excavations to source gravel are likely to have a large cumulative impact over time. The park needs to be considered as a whole when planning and managing local developments and activities.

    * Introduction of pests
  If plant material is sourced from outside the park for revegetation purposes there is a potential risk of introducing pests within soil and potting mix or altering local genetic stock (see Section 10.13: Bringing plants, animals and other materials into the park).

    * Ongoing monitoring costs
  Monitoring of the South Alligator low-level waste containment facility and groundwater and vegetation over the next 10 years is a significant annual cost.

    * Direct and indirect visitor impacts
  These may include unauthorised fires, the collection of firewood; unburied waste; noise pollution (e.g. partying groups at campsites); feeding native animals; erosion on walking tracks and roads; vandalism; and dust from roads affecting rock art.

    * Unregulated use of visitor areas
  Coastal areas of the park are popular with some visitors but are remote