Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p116
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 331826–334913

tracks in the park was under development by Parks Australia.

To maintain gravel roads and tracks, the Director has regularly extracted sand and gravel from gravel pits within the park. This reduces the risk of introducing weeds, pests and pathogens and is less costly than importing sand and gravel. Sterile crushed rock from quarries outside the park has been used for road works when required.

Prior to the establishment of the park, airstrips were constructed for a variety of purposes at a number of locations that are now part of the park. They supported pastoral activities, mining activities, tourism and research and provided transport for residents in the wet season. The main airstrips are located at Jabiru and Cooinda, which are not part of the park. A number of decommissioned airstrips are maintained to enable helicopter access for emergency and management purposes. Others have been closed and the land rehabilitated.

Management issues

    * Infrastructure in the park needs to be established and maintained in accordance with Australian Standards and with minimum levels of impact on park values.

    * Maintenance programmes and schedules for infrastructure and capital works need to be developed, costed and implemented across the park in a timely and cost-effective manner.

    * Park staff housing is expensive to maintain and depreciation of these assets forms a significant expense in the budget.

    * There is a serious shortage of gravel in some areas of the park.

    * Energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of management operations should be a consideration in new capital works and infrastructure (see Section 9.6: Resource use in park operations).

Policies

     9.4.1              The Director may carry on an excavation, erect a building or other structure, or carry out works in the park.

     9.4.2              Sand, gravel and other earth materials may be extracted for park management purposes in accordance with guidelines for the operation of gravel pits, to ensure minimal impact to park values and the rehabilitation of affected areas.

     9.4.3              The Director may bring inert treated crushed rock into the park for the purpose of road works.

     9.4.4              New capital works and infrastructure and upgrades to existing infrastructure, will:

        (a)      as far as practicable incorporate cost-effective environmental design, including efficient resource use and low-maintenance designs and materials

        (b)      comply with all relevant laws, standards, and codes of practice and be consistent with other park policies and strategies

        (c)       as far as practicable provide access for all members of the public, including the physically impaired.

     9.4.5              Timber, including preservative-treated pine, may be brought into the park and used for park management construction purposes, subject to assessment in accordance with Section 9.5 (Assessment of proposals).

     9.4.6              The Director may maintain landing areas, including helipads and airstrips,